It’s crystal clear what David Moyes should do now after James Tarkowski injury blow for Everton

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Everton were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Goodison Park – and James Tarkowski was forced off with an injury.

Everton kept City at bay for a large part of the game and in the end, Nico O’Reilly broke the deadlock for the visitors on 84 minutes, turning in from close range after a cross by Matheus Nunes.

City then sealed the win with an injury-time strike from Mateo Kovacic. Everton were stung by an error when Jeremy Doku running the ball out of play shortly before that goal was not spotted.

It was a disappointing result in the end for Everton, who had worked hard to keep the reigning Premier League champions out.

But it was clear that one thing did not help Everton’s cause on the day.

And that was the injury to James Tarkowski, who is now looking at some time on the sidelines for Everton.

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James Tarkowski loss ‘massive’ for Everton against Man City

Tarkowski has been ever-present for Everton since he signed for the club in 2022.

To date, he has racked up 119 appearances for the Toffees.

But Tarkowski suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury against City on Saturday, with David Moyes saying after the game: “[We just know] that he’s got a hamstring injury.

“It was quite obvious for everybody to see. So, obviously, we’ll assess it during the week, and we’ll see exactly how we are.”

Everton had done well defensively up until Tarkowski went off, but the pressure began to increase from the moment he left the action.

As per Match of the Day, City had nine shots after he went off compared to just three when he was on. Their expected goals jumped up to 1.9 from 0.2, and they had 75.6% possession, compared to 61% before.

Pundit Dion Dublin described the loss of Tarkowski as ‘massive’ against City.

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David Moyes should replace Tarkowski with Jake O’Brien

Fans were somewhat surprise to see Michael Keane replace the injured Tarkowski against City.

Keane has been out of favour under Moyes and is expected to leave the club this summer when his contract expires.

He got he nod on Saturday, but going forward, Moyes surely has to considered moving Jake O’Brien inside as Tarkowski’s direct replacement.

Moyes has already suggested O’Brien’s long term position lies in the middle, and if Tarkowski is going to be out for some of the remaining games, it makes total sense to use the Irishman next to Jarrad Branthwaite.

There is little point in calling on Keane, who will leave the club in the next window.

It’s a chance for O’Brien to actually play in his natural position, and it should be an obvious call to make, with Nathan Patterson brought in to play at right-back.

While he has done brilliantly at right-back, O’Brien needs to play in the middle and potentially make himself a candidate to play alongside Branthwaite from the start next season.