Everton are hopeful that James Garner can overcome a stomach illness in time to face Chelsea
Just three days after their stirring victory over much-vaunted Newcastle, Everton are back at Goodison Park for another huge game, this time against big-spending Chelsea.
Were it not for the Premier League’s overly-punitive 10-point deduction, the Toffees would come have come into the weekend sitting a point and a place above the West Londoners in 10th; as it is, they hauled themselves out of the relegation zone with that 3-0 win over the Magpies and are not looking to get themselves further up the table in the coming weeks.
Sean Dyche had to put out a patched-up midfield on Thursday night with Amadou Onana ruled out with a calf injury and James Garner succumbing to illness earlier in the day but the manager is hopeful that both players could at least be in the squad this time.
Onana was rated as touch-and-go for the Newcastle clash but the medical staff erred on the side of caution but Dyche has indicated that there is a chance the Belgian could at least make the squad to face Chelsea.
Garner, meanwhile, will be assessed to see whether or not his stomach flu was “a 24-hour thing” and whether he can keep food down to regain his strength ahead of the match.
Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman will be checked to see whether he can play twice in such a short space of time so soon after returning from a long absence. The skipper came off after 67 minutes on Thursday with what initially appeared to be a knock but he was able to run off the pitch and Dyche assured reporters afterwards that there was no significant problem.
Chelsea could have as many as 10 players ruled out for varying reasons but they have a large squad that can easily absorb a loss of personnel on that scale. Conor Gallagher serves a one-match suspension for picking up two yellow cards against Brighton last weekend and Christopher Nkunku is unlikely to feature but Rameo Lavia and Malo Gusto will be given late fitness tests. Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Trevor Chalobah, Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukuwuemeka, and Chukwunonso Madueke are all out until the New Year.
After making a disappointing start by their standards with just one Premier League win to their name until they won at Fulham at the start of October and struggled for consistency since, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been showing of late signs that the Argentine is starting to get his arms around the job he took over the summer.
They thrashed Tottenham 4-1 in North London last month, albeit with the help of two red cards for Spurs, held Manchester City to a 4-4 draw at home and overcame Brighton at Stamford Bridge despite playing the second half with 10 men but Everton will take heart from their last two away games where they lost 4-1 at St James’s Park and 2-1 at Old Trafford in midweek.
Manchester United’s ability to force mistakes from Chelsea’s defence with a dogged press bodes well, as, of course, does the Blues’ recent attacking form which has seen them register an average of 19 shots in their last three matches.
Everton have found this to be a profitable fixture in recent years, winning it four seasons in a row before losing narrowly on the opening day last season under Frank Lampard, and the Goodison faithful will be hoping their team can carry forward the momentum from successive wins over Forest and Newcastle and resume the trend of victories over Chelsea.
Kick-off: 2pm, Sunday 10 December, 2023
Referee: Michael Oliver
VAR: Stuart Attwell
Last Time: Everton 0 - 1 Chelsea
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Harrison, McNeil, Doucouré, Calvert-Lewin
Reader Comments (53)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()
2 Posted 09/12/2023 at 16:10:15
As it stands.
Nottm Forest
16 -11 14
17
Everton
15 -2 10
18
Burnley
16 -17 10
19
Luton
15 -14 9
20
Sheff Utd
16 -29 8
3 Posted 09/12/2023 at 16:11:26
4 Posted 09/12/2023 at 17:04:53
5 Posted 09/12/2023 at 17:18:25
6 Posted 09/12/2023 at 17:21:55
7 Posted 09/12/2023 at 17:22:14
https://www.turnmillnyc.com/location/tummill/
8 Posted 09/12/2023 at 17:53:45
I hope either Garner or Onana are fit because Doucouré and Gueye did a lot of running on Thursday night and we're bound to be chasing the ball for long periods.
I also wouldn't mind Beto starting and not just because of his goal. I think Calvert-Lewin knowing he has genuine competition for his place will, hopefully, spur him on. He's had a lot of chances in the last 2 home games and failed to take any of them!
A point would be decent given our last 2 games, but we definitely need to win next week at Burnley.
9 Posted 09/12/2023 at 18:42:05
The Turnmill is an Everton pub and it's fantastic.
10 Posted 09/12/2023 at 19:00:21
11 Posted 09/12/2023 at 19:21:27
Plus points; the work Dom gets through is phenomenal, you can forgive the glaring miss. The workrate is also phenomenal, they were pressing well into injury time.
Negative points: the passing is truly appalling and serious work is needed on the training pitch.
In the 1st half, Dom was shaping up for a header and Trippier pushed him and to me that was a stonewall penalty. If someone can get touched and go down and everyone screams penalty, what's the difference?
Onto tomorrow's game; they are terrible at defending headers and we should have a field day if we get the ball to Dom and make our corners count, This is the first time in years I've gone into a game with Chelsea, believing we'll win.
12 Posted 09/12/2023 at 19:39:09
In such an environment, unfortunately we have no chance reaching the heights we once reached. After today, it's definitely RIP Premier League.
13 Posted 09/12/2023 at 19:46:57
In all the fun, I'd forgotten the Trippier push. Definitely a penalty. We need to complain much, much more.
14 Posted 09/12/2023 at 19:49:48
At around 5pm last Saturday, we were 5 points from safety, we've played two matches since then, and find ourselves tonight, a point ahead of the Bottom 3.
Luton host Man City tomorrow, we are at home to a difficult side, but could, given the rub of the green, get the points. Not to mention the totally unfair deduction of 10 points, which if it was overturned immediately would see Everton fairly comfortable in mid-table.
I know you're a "glass half-full" sort of bloke, but sometimes I do wonder if you even own a glass at all.
15 Posted 09/12/2023 at 20:29:51
16 Posted 09/12/2023 at 20:41:26
I will try to get there tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I can catch it with some Blues.
18 Posted 10/12/2023 at 00:20:05
Everton against the world – unified on and off the pitch in defiance of the unfair treatment by the Premier League.
Whoever is responsible for Goodison PA, let's have a bit of Chumbawamba's Tubthumping prior to kick-off to fire us up for a third victory in a week.
COYBs!!!!
19 Posted 10/12/2023 at 00:24:20
Lyndon, I really hoped you haven't jinxed us with that typo.
20 Posted 10/12/2023 at 00:40:22
Now, now, Barry, no need to revert to the old personal digs. You don't know me from Adam and, as far as I know, I'm as much entitled to an opinion as you are.
So we get battered by Chelsea, what's your take up on that? "Oh the lads tried, but it's okay, we ain't good enough."
Have you seen our fixtures coming up? Let me wallow in the mire of not expecting anything and I'll let you, the eternal bloody optimus prime, shout from the roof tops that all is rosey in the Everton garden.
I bet you still look out of the window Christmas morning expecting a pony.
21 Posted 10/12/2023 at 00:50:23
Man Utd are no great shakes, and I am still scratching my head as to how we lost, despite playing better than them, but yesterday, who would have had Bournemouth down to beat them 0-3 at Old Trafford?
I do believe, if we play like we did against Newcastle, we can get all 3 points here, which hopefully will also exemplify that extravagant forays in the transfer market (Chavs) doesn't guarantee success!
COYB 🤔💙💙ðŸ‘
22 Posted 10/12/2023 at 01:19:59
I believe Gana is off to Afcon next month. I don't read he's done a Doucoure and prioritised us. So we play him as much as we can beforehand, till he drops, then bring back some fresh legs.
We don't have enough midfield cover to do anything else.
23 Posted 10/12/2023 at 01:28:15
Onwards and upwards from now on.
27 Posted 10/12/2023 at 07:21:39
My son and I are on a pilgrimage. First ever visit to the city, though a supporter for 34 years. Any tips on a good pub also appreciated.
28 Posted 10/12/2023 at 07:23:45
Which Chelsea turns up tomorrow? More Importantly — Which Everton?
29 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:06:16
As a regular, but not today, through illness, I'm not sure about the Team Bus time arrival exactly, but no doubt someone will, I do know it stops in Goodison Road near the VIP's Entrance.
As for Pubs, they all get rammed on a matchday, but I prefer The Harlech Castle, on County Road opposite KFC. It doesn't tend to get as busy (early doors) as many others and you can get served fairly easily. Remember most only take cash for quickness, and a possible bo-diddle (?).
The other good thing about the Harlech, when leaving, Nimrod Street is directly opposite, which comes out by the Ground and the Holy Trinity Statue, handy for Main Stand, Gwladys Street, and even Bullens Road !
Enjoy mate ! Hope you and your lad are good luck mascots, and you witness both a 'Rocking Old Lady' and a good win. Be sure to come on after the game and relay your experience(s) with us too !💙💙ðŸ‘
30 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:16:09
That said, the club finding form currently is hopefully us and, if we continue to play as we have recently, there's no reason we can't be looking up rather than down. Though a thin squad tempers my optimism and we're only an injury or two away from seeing the likes of Keane and Gomes in the starting XI.
I expect Xmas game congestion to bite worse at weak squads like ours and we've been unusually fortunate with injuries so far this season. Let's make hay while the sun still shines and bag the 3 points today please.
31 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:33:48
No Gomes and no Alli, but they'd be bench at best.
What we have benefitted from is a settled team that pretty much picks itself. The back 4 look good, with Coleman being the obvious starter. The midfield of Onana, Garner and Doucoure looks best. With McNeil on the left, Calvert-Lewin up top, and at the moment Harrison on the right.
Bar Harrison, the rest have looked good and fit.
32 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:39:23
Chelsea's stats for conceding from crosses are not good, Calvert-Lewincan take advantage, maybe Tarkowski or Branthwaite from a set piece. It will be tight but we can grab a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea (red card)
33 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:51:38
We have won the last two games without conceding a goal… and without Onana. Gana Gueye has had two excellent performances in those games — but you want to leave him out?
I'd have a good think about that.
34 Posted 10/12/2023 at 08:55:16
Ian, I thought Harrison had one of his best games for us last Thursday, he played a more central position and saw a lot more of the ball, even turning up on the left wing to create Doucouré's goal.
Maybe his energy is better used centrally?
35 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:05:25
Going to be an awesome day. COYB.
36 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:07:37
I agree with you about Harrison, but I thought he had a great game against the Skunks, even if it was in a slightly different role. Confidence is everything and last week's game will have done him no harm at all.
There will be more injuries, suspensions and international absentees, so it's important to keep putting points on the board.
Derek @27,
Better late than never, mate. Good to know you and your boy will be on parade today.
Enjoy and Savour.
37 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:11:54
Since October, we've had a very settled team with none of the starters missing more than 2 games in a row (except Onana currently).
I can't recall that happening too often over the last few seasons, mainly due to Calvert-Lewin being out so often. I hope it continues.
38 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:30:16
Whilst that still matters, the big issue is taking chances. I think that will start to come as the self-belief in the squad is getting better. COYB
39 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:43:27
As for us. Well, another fighting performance it has to be. Chelsea might turn up. Leave the side as is. If that is doable.
40 Posted 10/12/2023 at 09:45:18
Dyche has the team extremely fit. Ashley Young chasing down the keeper in injury time is something I wouldn't expect to see.
Garner and Onana at least will be rested but I just have a nagging hard luck story about this one.
41 Posted 10/12/2023 at 10:27:30
Having said that, I still expect that we will take something from the game.
42 Posted 10/12/2023 at 10:29:06
43 Posted 10/12/2023 at 10:56:45
Leave everything out on the pitch.
They may feel it having put a massive shift in a couple of days ago but they have almost a full week after today before a huge game against Burnley.
3 points a must today and next week
44 Posted 10/12/2023 at 11:05:19
2-0 COYB!
PS it would please the Premier League if their PGMOL puppets could at least show enough cards today to ensure we're missing two or three players against Burnley to help achieve their relegate Everton plan, so we can expect some even more dubious decisions than usual.
45 Posted 10/12/2023 at 11:37:10
He certainly had no issues sliding on his knees in front of the horse punchers, or dancing in front of the Street End at full time.
He may have an issue with his best friend refereeing us today though.
For those who haven't seen the pictures/wotsapp screenshots, give Mr Oliver a quick Google.
Onward Evertonians. 💙
46 Posted 10/12/2023 at 11:43:53
May your and your lad's visit help the further development of the sparks and flames of progress into a raging inferno of blue fire!
Very best wishes to you both, plus all blues of Everton on and off the pitch! COYB & UTFT 💙
47 Posted 10/12/2023 at 11:48:45
I have sympathy with the refs because the game is littered with cheating, but VAR, and the way it is currently being used makes me feel absolutely sick. They are ruining the game imo, and one of my biggest gripes is that the bigger picture is constantly getting overlooked, for the freeze-frame.
Controversy over skill, might be working for the EPL, and the television companies at present, but I'm not sure it's going to help the game in the long run, but maybe I've just become an arl bastard, who doesn't want to move with the times.
Hopefully today's game is allowed to flow and pass off without any real controversy.
48 Posted 10/12/2023 at 11:50:19
I think Young at right-back is a liability. He picks up cards playing there because he mistimes tackles trying to stop young, quick wide players getting past him. Plus he doesn't get forward often enough to help the attackers. As was shown on Thursday he's better as a wide-right forward player.
If Dyche wants to bring back Garner then he should bench Young and put Harrison wide right, Doucoure behind Calvert-Lewin and Patterson or Coleman at right-back.
49 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:03:22
How they are missing so many bad incidents is beyond me and yesterday was no different.
Have to say all teams have suffered or benefitted even Everton.
Anyway we hope there is no controversy today which affects us.
50 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:22:52
51 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:22:58
I think we are getting very little of those attributes from all three above and it is spoiling every game in the sport all fans used to enjoy with many losing their interest in the game.
52 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:26:00
Will they change it ? I hope so for the sake of the game we all love, but at the same time very much doubt it. As Jay @45 said today's Ref is Michael Oliver a ' Cow's Melt ' even on a good day, so expect no favours or fair decisions should they be required for us !
The GP Atmosphere will see us get this over the line !
53 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:31:16
met my BIL yesterday who is a big Chelsea fan. he is not expecting anything from the game and that is not like him.
2-0 to us both from corners as they defend them as well as we did under Roberto
54 Posted 10/12/2023 at 12:47:24
I'm enjoying this team, and although the score line suggests we won quite convincingly against Newcastle, we could have also ended up losing the game. The same/ reverse happened in the Man Utd game, which tells us how important it is that Everton score the first goal.
Maybe there will be a couple of changes to help try and keep us fresh? But I honestly won't be worrying about tiredness because I'm certain there will be a much better rest and recovery system in place now.
The worry is that our small squad lacks talent, once you go past the starting eleven, but the final pass and the goal came from our two subs the other night, and we were also missing Garner and Onana, so hopefully we have got enough to get over the line today?
Just keep working hard and fighting for every single ball and leave it up te crowd to do the rest🤞
55 Posted 10/12/2023 at 13:01:44
56 Posted 10/12/2023 at 13:02:14
57 Posted 10/12/2023 at 13:18:42
I've seen so many teams on short rest play sub-par.
Let's hope Dyche's levels of fitness overcome surely inevitable tired legs.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
1 Posted 09/12/2023 at 16:01:50
But we fight what is in front of us. On the pitch. Off the pitch.
A meet-up with my brother and a decent-timed kick-off. Early start but I'll get home early-ish having run the double gauntlet of Chelsea supporters.
We are the famous EFC.