Everton managed to avoid picking up a booking in their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday – but there are still problems posed for the Toffees going forward.
Everton fell 4-1 to Newcastle at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and they were 3-0 down at the interval in a shocking first-half showing.
The result came off the back of a huge result against Manchester United on Monday night, and now it will be back to the drawing board for David Moyes.
However, Everton are running a suspension tightrope and two of their players will be suspended should they pick up a caution in their upcoming Premier League games.
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
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Everton have two players who are walking a suspension tightrope
Although Everton remained caution-free in the loss to Newcastle, they do have midfielder James Garner on four yellow cards.
The midfielder has impressed this season by being Everton’s most vital player in the centre of the park, and any lack of involvement from him will be detrimental to the Toffees’ cause. He has been walking that tightrope ever since the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham a month ago.
Tim Iroegbunam simply CANNOT start on Tuesday vs Bournemouth!
Everton v Newcastle United - Premier League
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But that could be coupled with suspension for Tim Iroegbunam, who is his midfield partner. The former Aston Villa star picked up three yellow cards in the first four games of the season, as well as one in the 2-0 win over Fulham at the start of the month.
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If the duo are both cautioned in the same game, it could open a can of worms for David Moyes.
David Moyes could have a nightmare scenario unfold if Garner and Iroegbunam get booked
Idrissa Gana Gueye was sent off against Manchester United earlier in the week, and with the incident being classed as violent conduct, he’ll be out until the fixture against Chelsea on December 13.
However, the Senegal international will also be jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations shortly after, and so he will only be available once until mid-January, should his nation progress in the tournament.
Struggling to think of a worse performance under David Moyes…
Summer signing Merlin Rohl has only featured in two games for Everton and has injury issues, and he will also be out until the festive period, whilst Harrison Armstrong is out on loan to Preston North End.
It leaves Garner and Iroegbunam as the only central midfield options, and if both of them pick up yellows in the same game, it would leave Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carlos Alcaraz as the makeshift options in the centre. There is a lot of defensive neglect in Everton’s side if that was the two-man midfield which provide problems for David Moyes.
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