17 consecutive victories in all competitions: that is the run that Everton are looking to halt.
The Toffees face a truly daunting task as they welcome title challengers Manchester City to Goodison Park looking to grind Pep Guardiola’s steamrolling form to a halt.
Having had his team line-up revealed, Carlo Ancelotti will know that the team will be desperate to rekindle their fighting spirit.
The previous league game, a 2-0 defeat against Fulham, left angst haunting the minds of fans.
A spirited positive performance against the Cityzens could go a long way in rectifying the mediocrity of the past.
Everton have only won one of their last five league games and will be hungry to pick themselves out of their rut.
In defence, Jordan Pickford returns after being cleared as fit last-minute shielded by a rotated back five of Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey and Lucas Digne.
Appearing to switch formations Ancelotti has Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alex Iwobi playing in front of Tom Davies and Abdoulaye Docuoure.
Iwobi appears to come in more centrally with the latter coming in for James Rodriguez who suffered a knock against the Cottagers.
Josh King is denied his full Everton debut with Richarlison being fielded in his stead.
Many Everton fans were left aghast by some of Ancelotti’s decisions as their vexations emerged on Twitter…
Twitter: @Everton Right now where’s the real team sheet? (@bobmarl03974950)
Twitter: No Allan and Sigurdsson starting again. This is going to be a long night
https://t.co/x1jp5LcPJH (@ToffeeTosh1878)
Twitter: @Everton Sigurdsson starting again https://t.co/O9C2u5n0f6 (@joeybartonfan12)
Twitter: @Everton Point in signing a backup striker if we’re not going to play him? (@SignHimUp1878)
Twitter: @Everton Should play King with Richarlison up front and get the ball up quick for them 2 to chase and hassle .. sid… https://t.co/qm5ScdNBKy (@YurHavingALaugh)
Twitter: @Everton We are absolutely done for. So we’ve completely written off getting a result then
(@DixieBlue1878)
