- Everton’s 3-3 draw against Man City saw impressive display from the Blues’ midfield.
- Tim Iroegbunam came in for injured Gana and was named Player of the Match.
- Moyes’ side now come up against Crystal Palace with just three matches left.
Everton’s draw against Manchester City ultimately ended in vain after a late equaliser from Jeremy Doku, but the Toffees can take positives from the result after a high-octane performance from their midfield.
David Moyes added Tim Iroegbunam and Merlin Rohl to the starting XI, who both made the most of rare opportunities in the first team.
The Blues’ next opponents are Crystal Palace, and if Moyes is to ensure his side ends their four-match winless streak, he must start the same midfield at Selhurst Park.
The midfield against Manchester City was packed with energy
The introduction of Rohl and Iroegbunam added a lot more energy to the team and made them a tremendous threat on the counter.
Everton will be facing a Crystal Palace team that will have only had two days’ rest after playing in their Europa Conference League semi final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
So Moyes must take advantage of this and, in essence, overrun the Palace midfield with an energetic one of his own.
The Scotsman could be tempted to bring back Idrissa Gana Gueye, considering the Senegalese is a veteran in midfield, but after Iroegbunam’s Player of the Match display, he deserves the opportunity to build on his positive performance.
As for Rohl, there is no debate regarding his place in the starting XI.
The German came in for Dwight McNeil and offered everything the Toffees were missing when the ex-Burnley man occupied the right wing.
Rohl’s directness and intensity will be key for an Everton side that have no choice but to win.
Will David Moyes play it safe?
This season, Moyes has been accused of ‘playing it safe’ and not pushing for wins when Everton should be.
Sunday could be another instance of this, as reverting to a more compact side is a viable approach when playing away from home.
But with only three matches to go, now is the time to take risks.
Playing on the counter would be an understandable tactic as Everton are likely to face a lot of pressure as a visiting side.
And with an unchanged side, they would show the same threat and pace that caused issues for one of the best sides in the world.
The visit to Selhurst Park is a must-win match, and if Everton’s midfield shows the exact same intensity as they did against City, their European dream will be well and truly alive.
