Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton - Premier League - Molineux Stadium Everton manager Sean Dyche prior to the Premier League match at the Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Saturday May 20, 2023. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xNickxPottsx 72260403
In advance of their matchup with Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, Everton has received a significant injury boost.
The Toffees’ four-game winning streak came to an abrupt end Tuesday when Fulham eliminated them from the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
According to Sean Dyche, Everton’s point deduction “feels.”
After losing 3-0 to Manchester United last month, Sean Dyche’s team had not let up a goal until Michael Keane’s own goal put them behind.
Even with Beto’s late equalizer, Everton was ultimately defeated on penalties.
Vitaliy Mykolenko was sidelined for the second straight game due to a groin injury he sustained after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory.
Nathan Patterson was brought into the mix by Everton to replace him, and the Scot put on two strong performances, but it is difficult to match the kind of play that Mykolenko has shown in recent months.
Everton supporters will be happy to hear that Sean Dyche has revealed the Ukrainian is back in the running for the starting lineup ahead of their big matchup against Tottenham.
Dyche said that Mykolenko is “back in the thinking” for Saturday’s game at Goodison Park, according to The Athletic.
Mykolenko’s form before his injury made it surprising if he didn’t return to the defense right away.
Seamus Coleman is described by Dyche as “tough and go,” and Ashley Young is “making progress.” Mykolenko’s return will be even more welcome given the defenders’ injuries, and it may even ensure Patterson keeps his spot on the squad.
How important has Vitaliy Mykolenko been?
After joining Everton from Dynamo Kyiv, Vitaliy Mykolenko had a difficult time making an impression at first, but this season, the full-back has shown signs of transformation.
In addition to his two goals in a row against Brighton and Crystal Palace, the twenty-four-year-old has won forty-three tackles, which is seventh most in the Premier League, and has been a major contributor to six clean sheets in the last ten games.
Fans of Everton should be much more at ease about this weekend’s match if Mykolenko is playing against Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski, two of the top attacking players in the league.
The Toffees will be hungry for points after their disappointing omission from the Carabao Cup, while Tottenham look to have returned to winning ways over their past two fixtures.
Victory for the Merseyside outfit could move them to as high as 12th place in the league table, and could have potentially put them into seventh place without the 10-point deduction.
