Tim Iroegbunam in action for Everton, with David Moyes alongside him in a split image
Credit: Imago
Daniel Lewis
Sun 17 May 2026 15:47, UK
David Moyes may be left with little choice but to take action after Tim Iroegbunam’s poor first-half showing for Everton against Sunderland.
Everton went into the interval of Sunday’s contest at Hill Dickinson Stadium 1-0 up thanks to Merlin Rohl’s deflected strike just before the interval.
Neither side truly got going, but Everton particularly struggled despite the home fans creating a brilliant atmopshere.
A number of players were particularly poor in the first 45 minutes for Everton, with Iroegbunam unfortunately the worst of the lot.
Everton really need to beat Sunderland to stay in European contention, meaning Moyes may have a big call to make at the interval if his side are to build on what they have.
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Tim Iroegbunam not the answer for Everton
Iroegbunam showed exactly what he is capable of with his display in Everton’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City recently.
However, Iroegbunam then struggled against Crystal Palace and his starting spot against Sunderland was therefore in question.
Moyes opted to go with the central midfielder alongside James Garner, but he was Everton’s worst performer in the first half.
While subbing him on the basis of underperforming may seem harsh, the 22-year-old was also fortunate to avoid stronger punishment for a bad challenge on Reinildo.
He did get a yellow card for that, however, and is therefore now walking a tightrope for the rest of the game.
Rohl’s goal helped lift Everton, but there is still plenty of work to do and Moyes has some options on the substitutes’ bench.
More to follow…
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