David Moyes faces brutal Everton reality as Jack Grealish decision made vs Burnley
Everton are without Jack Grealish for their clash with Burnley, which exposes a brutal reality for David Moyes.
Everton are looking to bounce back from the 1-0 loss to Arsenal last time out, in which Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty was the difference between the sides.
The Blues travel to Turf Moor on 27 December, with Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are away from Everton at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Moyes has several other selection dilemmas ahead of the contest, as he looks for a statement win after the Christmas festivities.
Who lines up for Everton against Burnley?
Jordan Pickford remains in goal for Everton, with Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Vitalii Mykolenko all keeping their places in the backline.
In midfield, James Garner and Tim Ireogbunam retain their spots in the line-up, with Gueye away at AFCON.
Grealish is a surprise omission from the squad, with Tyler Dibling and Dwight McNeil starting on the flanks.
Finally, Beto has been given the nod over Thierno Barry to lead the line against Scott Parker’s side.
Why Moyes has been given a brutal reality with Grealish news
Everton have a dismal record when it comes to their first fixture after Christmas in recent years, losing four of their last six, with two draws.
However, the Clarets have a similar record, with six out of their last seven Premier League games played between Christmas and New Year ending with losses.
The Blues need a victory to end that hoodoo, but their chances have been reduced massively without Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite and their AFCON stars.
The state of the team that Moyes has put out against the Turf Moor outfit proves that they still need additions in the transfer window, and several at that.
The Friedkin Group need to ensure that the Scotsman is handed the funds to improve the squad when the market reopens, as the line-up against Parker’s side is riddled with underperformers.
It is good to see Dibling handed a start, but Moyes had no choice without Grealish, when he may have rather eased him into action.
He may need to step up and make something happen, as the squad is threadbare at the moment and has little difference makers.
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