A look ahead at some of the decisions faced by Moyes as Everton head to Selhurst Park needing a win to keep their European dreams alive
Idrissa Gueye of Everton during the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton at the Gtech Community Stadium. Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Idrissa Gueye of Everton during the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton at the Gtech Community Stadium. Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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David Moyes will take his side into a crunch game with Crystal Palace with a host of big decisions to consider.
Everton have won their last two Premier League visits to Selhurst Park and will need to extend that run to a third game if they are to maintain realistic hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Big performances from several players who do not typically feature in his first XIalmost led Everton to a remarkable victory against Manchester City. Moyes will have to think carefully about who has done enough to start in south London.
Chief among his concerns will be the fitness of Idrissa Gueye. The Senegal midfielder was absent at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night with the club saying he had picked up a knock in training.
When asked by the ECHO after the Man City game, Moyes chose not to elaborate on the type of injury or his expected recovery time. With just three games of the season to go even a relatively minor setback could lead to his season being over.
The 36-year-old’s contract expires in the summer meaning that, although Everton have the option to extend it by a further year, there is a chance he has played his last game for the club should his injury take him out of the run-in and should no new contract be signed.
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Replacing Gueye should be straightforward after Tim Iroegbunam produced an excellent display while covering him. The 22-year-old was awarded the man of the match accolade for a performance that kept Everton in this game.
Moyes will also have to consider whether to start Merlin Rohl and Thierno Barry. Rohl started his first game for Everton since January. Tasked with tracking full back Nico O’Reilly, he helped defend down the right but also posed a persistent attacking threat - helping to set up Barry’s second goal with a great run down the right.
Moyes will have to contend with keeping Rohl in that position or reverting to a more natural wide option. Barry has also given him food for thought after two goals from the bench that were welcome after months off the pace.