Manchester City will mark their return to the Premier League with a visit to Everton. Last week, Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Fluminense 4-0 to win the world championship. Their hosts, however, are looking to recover from consecutive league and cup losses.
Preview (Everton vs Manchester City)
At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Toffees were hoping to win five straight Premier League games away from home for the first time and make it five games in a row with maximum points overall, Everton had the opportunity to write a new chapter in the club’s history. But an old flame in the form of Richardson put Tottenham ahead early on. Son Heung-min doubled Spurs’ lead inside the first 20 minutes. Everton’s raids continued incessantly until a superb finish from Andre Gomes in the 82nd minute.
Arnaut Danjuma, a former Tottenham loanee, came dangerously close to stealing a point twice in the closing minutes. The Lilywhites emerged victorious against the Toffees. Their celebrations were also somewhat marred by their EFL Cup quarterfinal loss to Fulham. Sean Dyche’s team may feel proud of themselves for what they accomplished in North London. The Toffees, are currently in 16th place and may drop to 17th by Wednesday’s game. They only have a four-point cushion between them and the drop zone after victories over Burnley and Luton Town.
But Everton has emerged victorious from their last two Goodison Park Premier League games against Chelsea and Newcastle United, having lost their opening four home games of the new season. In those 180 minutes of play, the team has scored five goals and given up zero. At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Toffees were hoping to win five straight Premier League games away from home for the first time and make it five games in a row with maximum points overall, Everton had the opportunity to write a new chapter in the club’s history.
Team News
After just 24 minutes of his team’s match against Tottenham, Everton manager Brian Dyche was forced to make an impromptu midfield change when Idrissa Gueye sustained an unidentified injury that the Toffees manager admitted did not appear “great.” Gueye’s probable absence would allow Gomes, who recently recovered from his own problematic calf condition, to make his first start of the new season. However, Abdoulaye Doucoure (thigh) has not yet been ruled out of the champions’ visit. With their knocks, Dyche has also placed full-backs Ashley Young and Sammy Coleman on his touch-and-go list. Delali Alli, meantime, is getting closer to making his much-anticipated return from hip surgery but will, at worst, be a reserve.
However, he downplayed the severity of his apparent knee problem after the game. He declared that he would be ready to start at Goodison Park. Three of his teammates could potentially make their much-needed comebacks. All three players—Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), Jeremy Doku (muscle), and Erling Haaland (foot)—traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup. However, because they weren’t at risk for the semifinal, competition rules prevented them from playing against Fluminense. De Bruyne did, however, resume training in the Middle East following a four-month absence due to a thigh issue.
Everton 0-1 Manchester City
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