Sean Dyche makes Jarrad Branthwaite decision as Everton take on Newcastle at Goodison Park
Sean Dyche’s confirmed Everton line-up has been released ahead of kick off against Newcastle at Goodison Park.
The Toffees boss has brought in Michael Keane in place of the injured Jarrad Branthwaite in defence, while there is no Vitalii Mykolenko or Jesper Lindstrom in the XI.
The star centre-back only returned to the first-team after groin surgery for the win over Crystal Palace on 28 September before a quad injury in training emerged during the week [Lewis Steele, 3 October].
James Garner comes in at full-back with Ashley Young switching to the right, while Jack Harrison replaces loanee Lindstrom.
Otherwise it is Jordan Pickford in goal and James Tarkowski at the back, with Orel Mangala and Abdoulaye Doucouré anchoring the midfield.
Iliman Ndiaye and last week’s match winner Dwight McNeil join Harrison behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.
Everton look to build on Dwight McNeil-inspired Crystal Palace win
The impending Dan Friedkin takeover has lifted much of the gloom around Everton but the results still need to improve a long way to make sure the American doesn’t come in amid a new crisis.
Dyche’s job has been under major scrutiny this season but he has often presided over runs of extreme highs and extreme lows in his time as Toffees boss, so a flurry of points needs to follow the barren opening.
After finally getting a first win on the board last week thanks to a pair of goals from McNeil it is important that boost isn’t immediately squandered the next time out.
On balance it seems pretty unlikely that Friedkin will keep Dyche in charge longer-term, with his contract set to expire in the summer.
But after doing a vital job in keeping the Toffees in the Premier League twice during their hour of need he has to improve results this term quickly if he is to avoid the new owners needing to make an immediate decision on him.
In other Everton news, contract talks have been rejected behind the scenes at Goodison Park.
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