Sean Dyche swings axe with three changes including surprise swap – Everton confirmed XI v Crystal Palace
Everton have confirmed their starting XI for the FA Cup 3rd round tie against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 4 January, with Sean Dyche looking to bounce back after three consecutive defeats.
Three changes have been made from the defeat to Wolves with Joao Virginia, Seamus Coleman, and Arnaut Danjuma coming in for Jordan Pickford, Nathan Patterson and Michael Keane.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young are still missing through injury issues, while Idrissa Gueye has travelled to join the Senegal squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations.
Another shot at a major trophy
With the cup officially getting underway for the Toffees, there will be optimism about how far they can go in the tournament, having already thrown away the opportunity to reach a cup semi-final with the defeat to Fulham at Goodison Park on 19 December.
The FA Cup will provide Everton with a chance at winning their first major trophy since the 1995 cup victory against Manchester United – something Dyche will be looking to achieve this season.
There were plenty of questions leading up to the game about whether Dyche would name a weakened team for the cup tie, given the situation Everton find themselves in with the threat of relegation from the Premier League.
Fingers will be crossed tightly that none of the key players selected suffer any injury issues in the clash, although with the time between now and when Everton face Aston Villa on 14 January, they will have the opportunity to get plenty of rest.
In other Everton news, £100m+ news could emerge from 777 Partners at the end of January.