Everton: Sean Dyche spot on as Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision made – Confirmed XI v Bournemouth
Everton have confirmed their starting XI for the Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin selected in place of Beto.
There had been calls for Beto to continue his run in the side after starting the clash with Manchester United, but the decision to restore Calvert-Lewin to the side should prove a positive one.
Calvert-Lewin comes in alongside Seamus Coleman in place of Beto and Vitaliy Mykolenko – who misses out through injury – with two changes made from the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford last time out.
Idrissa Gueye, meanwhile, has been left on the bench amid calls for him to return and restore some defensive structure to the team, with Amadou Onana and James Garner allowed to continue their partnership.
The boss confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the midfielder would be unlikely to start the game after he played 70 minutes for Senegal v Benin on 26 March and spent a lot of time travelling during the international break.
It appears Ben Godfrey will fill in for Mykolenko at left-back, away from his usual right-back position, and Dyche will be hoping his versatility can translate.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin inclusion should be positive for Everton
The decision to bring Calvert-Lewin back in for Beto is a brave one from Dyche given the striker’s struggles this season, but allowing him to have a run of games should be the key to unlocking his form.
Alan Shearer advised him to continue getting in forward positions and eventually, a goal will fall to him – so the best chance of doing that will be from continued minutes.
While the same could be argued for Beto, the performances of Calvert-Lewin despite his dry spell in front of goal can offer more to the side, especially against teams they will look at and think they should be beating.
The clash at Old Trafford required Beto as a willing runner to stretch the defence on the counter, but the aerial prowess and hold-up play on offer from today’s starting option should play perfectly into his team’s hands against Bournemouth.
Everton need to take all three points v Bournemouth
Given the uncertainty surrounding points deductions and further discussion about profit and sustainability rules, Dyche and his team should know that the only thing they can control is how many points they pick up on the pitch.
As far as they should be concerned, they need to pick up as many points as possible between now and the end of the season if they want to survive relegation regardless of whether they receive another points deduction.
With Nottingham Forest set to face Crystal Palace at the City Ground today, they find themselves in a similar position, and the minimum Dyche’s men will have to do is continue to match their results to remain outside of the relegation zone.
Plenty of uncertainty surrounds Goodison Park as things stand, with PSR and ownership issues ongoing behind the scenes, but a win against Bournemouth could ease the pressure on Dyche and his team during a hotly-contested relegation battle.
In other Everton news, a new takeover update has emerged after the latest twist.
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