Liverpool Echo journo names two Everton players now 'under pressure' after Luton Town defeat

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Published on:

02 Oct 2023, 7:10 am

Everton full-backs Ashley Young and Vitaliy Mykolenko will now be feeling "under pressure" after their performances in the 2-1 loss to Luton Town, according to journalist Chris Beesley.

The Toffees were on the end of a surprise defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday [30 September] as Luton picked up their first ever Premier League victory.

A number of Everton players came in for criticism on the back of the home loss, not least defenders Young and Mykolenko for their parts in the visitors' goals.

Writing for the Liverpool Echo [2 October], Beesley questioned whether the pair will retain their places in the side for the visit of Bournemouth next weekend.

"Both full-backs Ashley Young and Vitalii Mykolenko could come under pressure after their displays against the Hatters," he said.

"Fingers will be pointed at Young for enabling Luton captain Tom Lockyer to open the scoring, instead of clearing his lines while Mykolenko left Carlton Morris wide open at the back post for the second goal rather than keeping tabs on the centre-forward.

"Nathan Patterson, who replaced Young in the second half, could come in at right-back, ensuring that the 38-year-old either reverts to the other side of defence with [Ben] Godfrey also an alternative candidate.

Changes

Young was arguably the worst performer for Everton on a hugely disappointing afternoon all around.

The veteran full-back took too long on the ball in the build-up to Lockyer's goal and also disappointed in an attacking sense.

Mykolenko's return to the side coincided with an upturn in results, but he was culpable for what proved to be Luton's winning goal.

Sean Dyche is not exactly blessed with too much depth in those areas, but Patterson will surely come into the staring line-up against Bournemouth.

Godfrey is another possible option to play out wide in defence if Dyche wants to take more drastic action.

There have been plenty of questions asked of Everton's attackers this season, but the defending has also not been up to scratch.

A repeat of the Luton performance next week and Dyche will have some serious questions to answer.

In other Everton news, Jack Harrison has made a six-word admission on the back of the defeat to Luton.

Ashley Young

Vitalii Mykolenko