A round-up of the latest Everton news as Sean Dyche delivers an update on the injury Dwight McNeil suffered in the FA Cup and targets a transfer for an Italy international.
Everton ‘hope’ Dwight McNeil avoided a serious injury at Crystal Palace
Toffees boss Dyche is hopeful that McNeil avoided a serious injury as Everton drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. The Toffees had to stretcher the 24-year-old off in the last part of Thursday’s encounter. But the initial signs suggest he did not pick up a major ankle injury.
McNeil went to the ground while defending a corner after a teammate appeared to stand on the forward’s ankle. He was in immediate discomfort and required treatment before Everton carried McNeil off. The winger will now be a doubt for the Blues’ next game with Aston Villa.
Dyche spoke on McNeil’s injury straight after Everton drew with Crystal Palace, which forces a replay on January 17. While he explained that it was still too early to gauge a clear picture of its severity, McNeil was already showing some progress back in Everton’s dressing room.
“He is ok and we’ll just let that settle down,” Dyche said, via the Daily Mail. “The immediate sign is better than we thought. It’s an ankle injury. It’s early but Dwight is in the dressing room and calm, which is a good sign. Hopefully, it’s a swollen ankle but it’s too early to tell.”
Read more about what Dyche has said about Everton winger McNeil’s injury, here.
Sean Dyche hits out at VAR after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s FA Cup red card
Toffees boss Dyche has also hit out at VAR after seeing Dominic Calvert-Lewin receive a red card during Everton’s draw at Crystal Palace. Referee Chris Kavanagh showed the 26-year-old the very first red card of his senior career on 89 minutes for a tackle on Nathaniel Clyne.
Kavanagh initially thought nothing of Calvert-Lewin’s challenge and let the tie continue. But he pulled out his card once VAR Craig Pawson advised the official to review the incident. He watched multiple replays before believing Calvert-Lewin clipped Clyne’s shin with his studs.
Everton have appealed Calvert-Lewin’s red card but it will do little to temper Dyche’s anger. He hit out at VAR after the tie, questioning the pitch-side monitors. Of the 55 times referees have used them in the Premier League this term, they have overturned a decision 54 times.
“I have no clue what that’s there for,” Dyche vented, via Hayters TV. “Every fan – I hope I’m not just speaking for myself – there must be every fan out there thinking, what is the point?
“We all know the outcome. The outcome is they’re going to agree with everything they have been told. Unless someone can tell me 10 incidents that aren’t? I can’t think of one.
“I don’t know what the stats are. But the chances of something getting turned over are minuscule. So, why do they even bother?”
Read more about what Dyche has said about VAR after Everton’s FA Cup tie, here.
Everton work on Wilfried Gnonto’s transfer from Leeds United
Everton are working on a January transfer for Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto, reports Rudy Galetti. The Toffees have appreciated the 20-year-old for some time and view him as a leading forward target. So, the Blues are continuing talks with the Whites to agree on a deal.
Merseyside chiefs have been in talks with their Elland Road counterparts for weeks to agree a transfer for the Italy international. Everton are also urging Leeds to agree terms so Gnonto can transfer to Goodison Park this month. He had wanted to secure the switch last summer.
Deadline day reports by The Athletic claimed that Gnonto handed in a transfer request after Leeds rejected Everton’s £25m bid. It was the Toffees’ latest of a host of bids but the Whites were insistent that he would not leave. Yet Gnonto has only been a back-up player this term.
The 13-cap Italy winger has started just seven of his 20 Championship appearances and has played just 707 minutes. Gnonto has also only scored one and assisted one goal but retained Everton’s interest in a transfer from Leeds. Now, the Blues are pushing to get his move done.
Read more about Everton’s interest in Gnonto’s transfer from Leeds, here.
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