Everton made it two wins from two after Thierno Barry scored his first hat-trick for the club against Preston North End on Wednesday night. David Moyes now faces several big selection decisions ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
Having opened his account for the new campaign in the 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend, Barry broke the deadlock in the 25th minute in the Carabao Cup clash when he tapped home after Vitalii Mykolenko crossed following a superb pass from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The striker then reacted quickest to Dewsbury-Hall’s 59th-minute rebounded shot before he secured the match ball when he finished off a fine move by turning home substitute Brennan Johnson's cross 20 minutes from time. The France Under-21 international then capped off an impressive display when he crossed for Johnson to score his first goal for the Blues.
Options at the back
Jake O’Brien was a surprise unused substitute at Deepdale as he continues to be the subject of transfer speculation. Merlin Rohl was again given the nod at right-back, but Moyes was clear afterwards that O’Brien is a player who will come in for consideration in the coming weeks and months.
In the heart of the defence, Jarrad Branthwaite missed the win over Preston after going through a planned reintegration programme during the summer. Michael Keane was given the nod to replace him, but if Branthwaite is fit enough to start on the South Coast, it could be in place of the former Burnley man.
A midfield conundrum
James Garner made a welcome return to action in midweek after missing his side’s pre-season campaign after undergoing surgery on a minor groin issue in June. Garner’s inclusion was even more of a surprise given that Moyes confirmed after his side’s victory over Palace that the midfielder wasn’t ready to start. But he went on to play 64 minutes before being replaced, and he has now given his manager plenty to think about.
However, much of that will depend on whether Hayden Hackney is fit enough to return after he sat out Wednesday night’s win due to a minor knock. Hackney was outstanding against Palace on Saturday and certainly wouldn’t deserve to be dropped. But the problem facing Moyes is that Dewsbury-Hall and Harrison Armstrong are also undroppable at the minute after their performances in the last two games.
The decision could end up being made for the manager if Hackney isn’t fit enough to return, but if all four players are available, then someone is going to be left very disappointed.
Another headache for David Moyes
It isn’t just in the middle of the pitch where Moyes has some big decisions to make. Iliman Ndiaye continues to be the subject of transfer speculation as links to Manchester City continue. But he is Everton’s most creative player and simply has to start, while Tyler Dibling didn’t do enough against Preston to justify keeping his place.
That leaves Tyrique George and Johnson battling it out for the final position on the flank. George impressed in pre-season and against Palace, but Johnson claimed an assist and scored on Wednesday. Both have staked their claim and it will be interesting to see who Moyes opts to go with.
