Everton: Sean Dyche must start Jack Harrison v Brighton after ‘absolutely outstanding’ moment
Sean Dyche simply must bring Jack Harrison back into the Everton starting lineup for the game against Brighton on Saturday (24 February).
The 27-year-old was dropped to the bench for the clash against Crystal Palace on Monday (19 February) as the Toffees played out a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
But the English winger showed that he has plenty of quality to offer as he helped the Blues come from behind after replacing Ashley Young midway through the second half, with fellow substitute Amadou Onana scoring a late equaliser.
Harrison would have probably been named in the lineup had it not been for the return of Abdoulaye Doucoure, who started behind forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
That is where Harrison had been playing in recent weeks in the absence of the Mali international despite his best position being on the wing.
The decision to start Young on the right-hand side of the midfield over the Leeds loanee was greeted with some surprise by many interested onlookers, including Danny Murphy.
Speaking on talkSPORT about the decision during the first half against Crystal Palace, Murphy said: “Really surprised if I’m honest. I think Jack Harrison’s more of a goal threat, goes past players, he’s fitter, he’s stronger.
“I mean, Ashley Young’s been a great player but he’s near the end of his career, he’s not quite got the pace and power he once had.
“Harrison, for me, is much more of a creative asset, somebody I would worry playing against whereas Young, yeah, he’s got a good delivery, but he’s not going to hurt you other than a whipping cross.”
After Harrison came off the bench for Young, he added more purpose and direct play down the right for the Toffees against Palace.
The winger had 30 touches of the ball, while he attempted five crosses and won three out of his four duels on the ground for a 75 per cent success rate [SofaScore].
One of those balls into the box wowed Alan Smith on co-commentary for Sky Sports as he beat his man before sending in an “absolutely outstanding” cross, which none of his teammates was able to get on the end of to find a winner and lift the roof off Goodison.
“We’ve seen some crosses tonight, but this is the best of the bunch,” said Smith. “It’s brilliant from Harrison on the run, absolutely outstanding. It deserved a blue-shirted player getting on the end of that absolute beauty.”
The winger did more than enough off the bench to earn a start against Brighton in what will no doubt be a tough game at the Amex Stadium.
Dyche will need his best attacking players to provide quality in the final third if they are to pick up a result on the south coast and there’s no doubt that Harrison falls into that bracket.
In other Everton news, Alan Stubbs has raged at what has happened to the Toffees as he shared an appeal verdict.
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