Sean Dyche must axe Abdoulaye Doucoure at HT in Everton v Sheffield United, he’s been wasteful
Sean Dyche must consider dragging Abdoulaye Doucoure off at half-time if Everton are to claim all three points against Sheffield United on Saturday (11 May).
Although the match is effectively a dead rubber, with the Toffees safe from relegation and the Blades already down, Dyche will be keen for his team to end the campaign on a high.
Everton come into their final home game of the season unbeaten in four matches, with victories over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford before a 1-1 draw with Luton Town.
In order to keep their 1-0 lead over Sheffield United at Goodison Park, Dyche must bite the bullet and replace Doucoure at half-time. Even despite his 31st-minute strike, he has just not been good enough.
Sean Dyche must axe Abdoulaye Doucoure in Everton v Sheffield United
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent upturn in form, the Mali international has lost the title of the club’s sole leading scorer in the Premier League and is joint with the Toffees striker.
Despite two early shots on target from very close range, amassing a total of 0.53xG, as per FotMob, Doucoure was denied both times by Wes Foderingham.
The midfielder eventually managed to score, heading home from four yards out, but this should not be enough to deter the manager from hooking him at half-time.
Dyche has a selection of Arnaut Danjuma, Andre Gomes, Youssef Chermiti or even Lewis Dobbin to replace the veteran at the break, a tough decision that Dyche needs to make.
Everton could have a very telling say in the Premier League title race in their final match of the season as they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and the squad will be keen to go into the game off the back of a win.
As well as only being able to convert one of his incredible chances, Doucoure has been very wasteful with the ball at his feet, only being able to maintain a 63 per cent pass completion while only taking 21 touches.
He also looks to be struggling to deal with Sheffield United’s midfield trio of Andre Brooks, Ollie Arblaster and Gustavo Hamer, losing several battles in the middle of the park and being dispossessed three times.
In other Everton news, a Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury update has emerged.
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