Sean Dyche axes four players – Everton confirmed XI v Newcastle United
Sean Dyche has made four changes to the Everton side that were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth last time out for Tuesday night’s trip to Newcastle United, as confirmed on the club’s official X account.
Beto returns up front for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashley Young replaces Jack Harrison out wide and Idrissa Gana Gueye comes in for James Garner in central midfield.
In defence, veteran defender Seamus Coleman is axed after his own goal against the Cherries, with the fit-again Vitalii Mykolenko coming in at left-back and Ben Godfrey switching to the right.
Everton must end winless run
The threat of relegation is creeping up on Everton – and their recent form has done as much damage to their hopes of retaining Premier League status as their points deduction.
The Toffees last won a league encounter on 16 December – a 2-0 win against struggling Burnley – failing to win any of their 12 outings in the competition since then and losing seven times, picking up just five points out of a possible 36.
Having already been docked six points – after appeal – for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, there is also the looming threat of a second deduction.
Dyche’s men sit just three points and two places clear of the relegation zone – albeit with a game in hand – and must build up a cushion to negate any possible further sanctions.
Their next opponents, Newcastle, are an injury-riddled outfit who saw three players forced off in their 4-3 win over West Ham last time out, while former Toffees youngster was sent off for two bookable offences and is suspended.
The Magpies suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park in the reverse fixture and Dyche must channel that performance and take advantage of the Tynesiders’ depleted ranks in order to collect an invaluable three points in the fight for survival.
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