The Toffees boss opted to start Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front but the attackers’ display at the Etihad will surely provide him with yet more doubts.
Manchester City away is always going to be a tough fixture and Everton fans shouldn’t feel too downtrodden about Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at the Etihad.
That said, the Toffees faithful will be analysing several points about their team’s display, not least Yerry Mina’s poor showing at the back.
Up front, Marco Silva opted to start Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a decision that split some of the fanbase as per the comments on Everton’s team news tweet.
Friday was the anniversary of the 21-year-old’s long-term contract signing alongside fellow youngsters Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate, with none of the three having nailed down a first-team spot in the ensuing 12 months.
However, Calvert-Lewin has got the most game time out of the trio, with five starting berths and 10 substitute appearances this term following Saturday’s trip to Manchester, and he will be happy with his well-taken goal against the Premier League champions.
The forward did unsettle the opposition defence at times and took his goal very well, a header from Lucas Digne’s delivery which came off Fabian Delph’s head en route to the back of Ederson’s net.
There was not much more that Calvert-Lewin could have done during the game, in all fairness, as he was starved of service from those behind him, but at the same time his struggles in holding the ball up will have given Silva food for thought.
Elsewhere, Richarlison was wasteful during the game, spurning several chances, as did Theo Walcott, while Cenk Tosun was not trusted with a spot on the pitch again, even from the substitute’s bench – he’s surely on the way out in January.
Ademola Lookman was a bright spark during the game when he came on and some fans seem eager to get him a starting spot ahead of Walcott or Bernard – and as a creative player, the 21-year-old could potentially provide better service for the strikers.
But is Calvert-Lewin, with his acceleration and quality in the air, the definitive solution up front bearing in mind he’s still quite raw and didn’t do too well at holding up the ball at the Etihad?
Also, should Tosun be given another chance up front? Should Lookman start despite some fan reservations about his ability to play the full 90 minutes? Should Richarlison be tried as a lone striker again? Should Silva just seek a new striker in January? Talk about headache-inducing.
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