Everton star gives Sean Dyche selection dilemma with Burnley display

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Michael Keane put on an excellent performance as he was recalled to the Everton side this evening.

The defender hadn’t started a game since the 4-0 thrashing by Aston Villa on the second day of the season, while he had only managed 46 minutes of action in the 14 games that had followed.

However, Jarrad Branthwaite‘s accumulation of yellow cards meant that Michael Keane was brought back into the starting line-up to face his former team.

Burnley welcomed Keane, Sean Dyche, Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski all back to Turf Moor, but it was the 30-year-old centre-back that really punished the club that he departed six years ago.

Amadou Onana opened the scoring in Burnley, before Keane doubled Everton’s lead only six minutes later.

It was the defender’s first goal since his late winner against Tottenham Hotspur back in April, but that wasn’t the only exciting part of his display.

As per sofascore, Michael Keane made a whopping eight clearances. That is double the amount of second place Tarkowski.

The former England international also won four headers, made two blocks and completed 31 accurate passes.

He was just as impressive in front of goal, with two shots on target and also hitting the woodwork as he looked to claim a brace.

Keane was awarded Sky Sports’ Man of the Match and will have certainly caught the eye on his return to the team, as he looks to revive his career on Merseyside.

Can Michael Keane force his way back into the Everton team?

It would be very surprising to see Jarrad Branthwaite benched in Everton’s next game given his positive impact this term, though at least Sean Dyche may feel like he can put more trust in Michael Keane now.

The Toffees have four midweek matches before the end of January and will likely need to rotate the squad to keep everyone fit. Keane has definitely proven himself capable of filling in for Branthwaite if he can replicate today’s performance against other opposition.

Matches against the likes of Wolves, Fulham and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup could be the perfect opportunity for Keane to raise his reputation once again, and it means Dyche will feel like his options at the back aren’t quite as depleted.