Everton secured themselves another draw on Boxing Day in their away trip to Manchester City.
It has been a promising few weeks on Merseyside with Everton showing some much-improved form during the month of December.
The Friedkin Group were in attendance against Chelsea over the weekend and they have now been treated to a solid display at the Etihad.
Three draws in a row may not have pulled Everton out of the relegation scrap, but there will be a lot of confidence taken from those results against some of England’s top sides.
Sean Dyche will be delighted with another point being put on the board against the reigning champions.
However, there is one player who could be in store for the 53-year-old’s wrath when they get into the dressing room.
Sean Dyche, manager of Everton, looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on Decem...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Everton must upgrade Vitaliy Mykolenko in January
Iliman Ndiaye shone for Everton against Man City on Boxing Day, but there was one really poor display from Vitaliy Mykolenko.
The Ukraine international gave away a lazy penalty in the second half with Savinho proving too hot for him to handle.
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Fortunately, Jordan Pickford put off Erling Haaland and saved the penalty to keep Everton on level terms.
However, the display from Mykolenko was enough to show The Friedkin Group that left-back must be an area for improvement next month.
The Friedkins are monitoring Serie A for January opportunities and fans will surely be hoping to see a new left-back come through the door.
Mykolenko stats vs Man City
The £17m Mykolenko may have impressed against Chelsea on the weekend, but he was unable to replicate that showing on Boxing Day.
His showing against the reigning champions almost saw Everton’s efforts cancelled out with his poor challenge for the penalty.
90 minutes played
1 yellow card
1 penalty conceded
2/7 ground duels won
3X dribbled past
2 fouls
Mykolenko has also been heavily criticised throughout the season with Everton lacking any real competition for his spot in the starting XI.
Perhaps even having someone in the squad capable of displacing him from the starting XI could be enough to see an improvement from the left-back.
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