Everton recorded a big win over Fulham on Saturday – but David Moyes made a questionable call over one player.
The Toffees briefly moved up to seventh in the Premier League table with the win, before Brentford’s win over Newcastle United moved them down to eighth.
Sum that one up for us, Toffees! 🤩
What a second half that was from the Blues 👏
Everton vs Fulham full time score
Credit: Getty Images/Izzy Poles – AMA
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got Everton back level in the second-half after an own goal by Vitalii Mykolenko gave Fulham the lead.
After draws against Leeds and Brighton, it was just what the doctor ordered. But Everton must now back up the win with another against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
And the team sheet will be very interesting – particularly regarding who’ll play on the right wing.
For a lot of people, Harrison Armstrong should not be there.
David Moyes should stop playing Harrison Armstrong on the right wing for Everton
Harrison Armstrong playing for Everton.
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
In the end, Moyes decided to keep Armstrong at Everton for the second half of the season.
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Moyes had been toying with the idea of sending him back on loan to Preston, but some strong showings from the youngster convinced the Scot to keep him around.
Armstrong has now started five Premier League games in a row for Everton.
But in the last two games, the 19-year-old has been asked to play on the right side – which has been a rather perplexing call.
Armstrong has made no secret of how versatile he is, and Moyes has tapped into that in the last couple of weeks.
Can you remember who the last player to do this for Everton was? 🤔
CLUE: It was all the way back in August 2014 vs Chelsea 🕵️♂️
Vitalii Mykolenko of Everton reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Jacques Feeney/Offside.
But arguably, there has been a drop off from Armstrong since moving out to the right side. As per Sofascore data, against Fulham his 42 touches were bettered by eight of his Everton teammates, indicating he perhaps wasn’t as involved as others. And he only completed 19/28 (68%) passes.
In the game before against Brighton, he had 39 touches. Nine Everton players had more than this.
Potentially, Moyes isn’t doing Armstrong too many favours playing him in this role.
But it’s tricky now, because Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is clearly the best option to play as a number 10, and then there’s James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye in behind him.
Moyes needs a more natural wing option
By no means has Armstrong been poor playing out on the right.
But he hasn’t seemed as impactful, which is perhaps to be expected given he is more used to playing in central areas.
David Moyes looks on.
Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It is so good to see him out there for Everton and playing regularly, and clearly Moyes is keen to keep giving him minutes.
But perhaps these minutes ought to come with him playing back in the middle, with someone like Tyrique George – who looked good replacing Armstrong against Fulham – Iliman Ndiaye or Tyler Dibling holding the width on that right side.
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