Everton line-up as James Tarkowski makes an immediate return for the Blues
James Tarkowski
James Tarkowski(Image: Phil Bryan/Shutterstock)
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James Tarkowski has made an immediate return to the Everton starting line-up while Jarrad Branthwaite is named on the bench.
Both centre backs missed the narrow defeat at Arsenal last weekend but David Moyes suggested the pair were back in contention for the visit of Chelsea to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tarkowski, who takes the captain’s armband back on his return, is the one who makes the starting XI, where he will line-up alongside Michael Keane.
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Branthwaite’s absence from the starting XI is not a major surprise given Moyes has spoken about the care needed to manage his recovery from the hamstring issues that plagued the first five months of his season. Everton face a three week break after this match, meaning there was little value to risking him on Saturday evening if there was any concern over his condition.
That he is deemed fit enough for the bench is a boost, though. Tarkowski has proved durable over his career and his inclusion was always likely once he became available.
He is the only new face in the first team compared to the side that started at the Emirates, though his introduction sparks a flurry of changes. Jake O’Brien, who partnered Keane last week, is set to return to right back. James Garner, who impressed at right back against the Premier League leaders and whose comfort in that position has formed part of Thomas Tuchel’s decision to call him up to the senior England squad, returns to central midfield.
Tim Iroegbunam misses out as a result.
Starting XI: Pickford; Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, O’Brien; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil; Beto
Bench: Travers, Coleman, Patterson, Iroegbunam, Armstrong, Rohl, Dibling, Branthwaite, Barry,