Sean Dyche regular axed as Andre Gomes decision made – confirmed Everton XI vs Manchester City
Everton manager Sean Dyche has named his starting line-up for Wednesday’s (27 December) Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
The Toffees are looking to respond to successive defeats in all competitions, most recently losing 2-1 to Tottenham in the league on 23 December.
Dyche has made two changes from that loss in North London, as confirmed by Everton’s official Twitter account [27 December].
The headline news is that Dominic Calvert-Lewin drops down to the bench, with Beto earning just a fifth start of the Premier League campaign.
Andre Gomes is also handed a start due to the injury absence of Idrissa Gueye – the first time he has been named in an Everton XI since May 2022.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is the other notable injury absentee for Everton, who have Seamus Coleman back in their matchday squad.
Big test
Everton have been superb pretty much ever since being hit with a 10-point deduction, even factoring in the unfortunate defeat to Spurs.
That setback followed on from a four-game winning run in the top flight without conceding, easing the Toffees’ relegation fears somewhat.
However, Luton Town’s win at Sheffield United on Tuesday (26 December) means Everton are just one point above the bottom three.
A home match against the reigning English and European champions is far from ideal, then, but Goodison Park will be well up for this game.
Besides, the Citizens have not been in the best of form domestically, having won just one of their past six league games.
Pep Guardiola’s men did go off and win the Club World Cup, though, and they do of course enter this match as strong favourites.
Dyche will not doubt set out his side to be tough to break down while potentially catching City on the counter.
On the basis of the past five weeks or so, there is no reason why that will not pay off again tonight.
In other Everton news, an exit-linked player has spoken out on his future at Goodison Park.