Armando Broja during the match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on December 4, 2024
Armando Broja during the match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on December 4, 2024 (Image: Jon Buckle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
Everton will look to continue the feel-good factor flowing through the club and give their supporters the perfect post-Christmas present by picking up a positive result at Manchester City today. The Blues drew 0-0 at home to second-placed Chelsea on Sunday, which followed the completion of The Friedkin Group's takeover of the club.
But while spirits are high at Goodison Park, that is not the case at the Etihad Stadium, where City inexplicably find themselves on a run of nine defeats in their last 12 matches in all competitions.
That wretched form has left Pep Guardiola's defending champions, who have won a record-breaking four Premier League titles in a row, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
However, City do have an excellent record against Everton, who have not won any of the last 15 meetings between the clubs and have not won at the Etihad since December 2010.
So what team does Sean Dyche select to go about changing that this afternoon? Our Blues writers have their say...
Chris Beesley
David Moyes used to bemoan that competing against the riches of Manchester City was like “taking a knife to a gun fight,” but he still managed to beat them a dozen times as Everton manager. While he’s been leading the line admirably, without a goal in his last 12 matches or even a shot on target against Chelsea last time out, poor Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be forgiven for thinking he’s got the cutting edge of a butter knife of late.
Beto brings chaos, if not quality, but having to miss Sunday’s goalless draw at Goodison Park against his parent club, perhaps it’s time to unleash Sean Dyche’s big machete in the considerable shape of on-loan striker Armando Broja to spearhead the attack against Pep Guardiola’s side who are high on quality but low on confidence after losing nine of their last 12 games. The Albania international brought a new dimension to Everton’s forward line when brought on against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal, and a first start at the Etihad Stadium could prove a breakthrough moment for him.
If Dwight McNeil fails his fitness battle to return then my only other change from last time out would be restoring club captain Seamus Coleman at right-back in place of the suspended Ashley Young.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Doucoure, Mangala, Ndiaye; Broja.
Paul Wheelock
The one change we all know Sean Dyche will have to make is at right-back with Ashley Young suspended. That's a shame as the veteran has been in excellent form. But Seamus Coleman looked sharp when he came on against Chelsea on Sunday and the club captain comes back into the team for the first time since August 31.
The rest of the defence, which has now kept five clean sheets in their last six matches, picks itself. So does the centre of midfield, where Oriel Mangala and Idrissa Gueye have struck up a promising partnership behind Abdoulaye Doucoure, who is better suited to the advanced role.
There's is no question that Iliman Ndiaye starts on one flank after he his impressive performance at the weekend. But could there be a change on the opposite side? Jack Harrison played well against Chelsea but blotted his copybook by failing to take a huge second-half opportunity before he was replaced by Jesper Lindstrom, whose cameo off the bench won praise from within the Everton dressing room.
But while Harrison needs to improve his output in front of goal - he has missed some big chances in recent weeks - his work rate and tactical discopline is unquestioned and he should keep his place.
But there is a change up front. As things stand, Dominic Calvert-Lewin seems set to leave the club at the end of the season once his contract expires. So now we must see who in the current squad is the best man to replace him.
And that means a first start for the club for Armando Broja. While there is a question mark over whether the Chelsea loanee can last the full 90 minutes. Dyche has more than enough options off the bench now if needed.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Doucoure, Mangala, Ndiaye; Broja.