Everton suffered another miserable display on Merseyside on Tuesday night.
A match which went so well for David Moyes for 60 minutes swiftly collapsed in just eight minutes, as Rayan and Amine Adli scored in the 61st and 64th minute respectively to cancel out an opener from Iliman Ndiaye and inflict defeat on Everton.
Jake O’Brien was then shown a straight red card in the 69th minute.
It is now six games without a win for the Toffees at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but on a night where everything seemed to go wrong for Everton, there could be one winner to emerge from the rubble in Nathan Patterson.
What is going so wrong at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for Everton? 😳
It is now less than one win in every three following the loss against Bournemouth… 😤
A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of the Premier League match between Everton and Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA.
Nathan Patterson set to receive rare chance at Everton
The Scotland international is often overlooked by Moyes, making just three starts in the Premier League this season as a centre-back is preferred on the right instead in O’Brien.
However, with the Republic of Ireland international now suspended for three games, Patterson is likely to receive a run in the team.
Games Jake O’Brien will miss for Everton
Match Opponent Venue Date Kick-off (GMT)
1 Manchester United Hill Dickinson Stadium Monday 23rd February 8:00 PM
2 Newcastle United St. James’ Park Saturday 28th February 3:00 PM
3 Burnley Hill Dickinson Stadium Tuesday 3rd March 7:30 PM
Everton rejected an approach from Wolves for the 24-year-old on transfer deadline day, which suggests Moyes felt he still has something to offer this season, despite admitting that he has been searching for a new right-back for over a year now.
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It very much feels like this could be the last chance Patterson has to make something of himself at Everton, where he has failed to kick on since a £16m move from Rangers in January 2022 due to a mixture of injuries and poor form.
However, there might not have been any chance of salvation whatsoever had O’Brien not seen red against Bournemouth, so it is vital that the Glaswegian grabs this potential opportunity with both hands.
Nathan Patterson could be swapped for Brooke Norton-Cuffy if he fails to step up in the absence of Jake O’Brien
There is already a situation brewing at Everton as the Rangers academy graduate finds himself out of favour.
Genoa wanted Patterson on transfer deadline day, as they prepare to lose Brooke Norton-Cuffy this summer.
At the same time, reports in Italy state that Everton like Norton-Cuffy and Genoa would sell for £15m, if it means he doesn’t join a direct Serie A rival in Napoli or Inter Milan.
If you are David Moyes, who would be your starting right-back for the remainder of the season? 🤔
Everton need more in attack from their full-backs
A comparison of Jake O'Brien and Nathan Patterson's goal contributions for Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/George Wood.
So, if Patterson fails to show he can outdo O’Brien, a move to Genoa may beckon for the Scot this summer.
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