Jarrad Branthwaite and Beto decisions to be made as Everton calls intensify

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ByBadboyMusty
November 4, 2024

Beto scores past Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale but only for the strike to later be disallowed during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Everton FC. Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Sean Dyche will face many of the same dilemmas that he fell under scrutiny for at Southampton as he plots for the trip to West Ham United.

Orel Mangala and Idrissa Gueye were solid enough in midfield to suggest they could keep their places should Abdoulaye Doucoure recover from the groin issue that kept him out of the trip to the south coast.

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But questions over the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, positioning of Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye and battle between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto will only intensify following the disappointing loss at St Mary’s.

READ MORE: Brutally honest Jesper Lindstrom admits he is ‘fuming’ after Everton display that wasn’t good enoughREAD MORE: Southampton troll Everton and Sean Dyche after Blues lose tense battle of the dark artsBranthwaite, according to Dyche, was fit enough to be in contention to play at Ipswich Town after overcoming a quad issue – but did not make the trip to Portman Road as he was provided an additional week to strengthen.

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He has been a late substitute in the past two games as part of a ploy to push fellow centre back Michael Keane up front, however, a move that has led to questions about whether Everton can afford to leave out a player widely regarded as one of Europe’s best defensive talents.

Dyche said on Saturday that the form of Michael Keane and James Tarkowski was keeping Branthwaite out. He stressed his belief both played well at Southampton – suggesting he may see no reason to alter the partnership at the London Stadium.

Beto was granted more time on the pitch than in any other league game this season and had an immediate impact at Southampton. He caused the defence problems, won free kicks in dangerous areas, could have drawn a red card when he forced Jan Bednarek into a cynical foul, hit the woodwork and had a brilliantly-taken goal pulled back for a narrow offside call.

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Whether that cameo, combined with his late equaliser at Fulham seven days earlier, is enough to spark Dyche into a change up top will be another storyline of this week. Calvert-Lewin is trusted and has been isolated for large parts of the season but is now six games without a goal.

The other talking point will be whether to keep McNeil in a central role. Dyche has maintained this approach across recent weeks but the tactic is stuttering, with Ndiaye having been kept under wraps in consecutive games on the left.

McNeil started at Southampton despite his week being hampered by injury, while Ndiaye was left hurt by a clumsy Kyle Walker-Peters challenge. Should both be available next week, Ndiaye’s need for greater freedom and McNeil’s crossing ability – exemplified by his superb ball to Jack Harrison late in the match – could lead him into a rethink.

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He will also have to mull over whether to keep Jesper Lindstrom in ahead of Harrison. Lindstrom had positive moments on Saturday, typically from dead ball situations.

While Doucoure may return to Dyche’s plans Everton will remain without longer term injured stars Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti.