Everton were on the receiving end of some Erling Haaland brilliance on Saturday lunchtime as the Toffees lost 2-0 against Manchester City.
Everton arrived hoping to take more points from the Etihad for the second time in as many seasons.
The Toffees held Man City to a 1-1 draw last term through Demarai Gray’s stunner.
At points in this contest, it looked as though a similar narrative could transpire as Sean Dyche’s side looked dangerous on the counterattack.
It was just unfortunate that Dominic Calvert-Lewin was wasteful in possession and struggled to hold up the ball against City’s defence.
Everton did manage to restrict Pep Guardiola’s side in the final third until Erling Haaland opened the deadlock in the 70th minute, scoring from their first shot on target.
The Norwegian goal machine then scored five minutes from time as he brushed Jarrad Branthwaite aside to secure the hosts all three points.
After that defeat, supporters found out that one Everton player wasn’t in attendance at the Etihad and that was Dele Alli.
Why wasn’t Dele Alli watching Everton today?
Alli has only made 13 appearances for the Toffees since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur two years ago.
The Englishman has suffered a torrid time with injuries and it was reported last month that he endured another setback after undergoing surgery on a persistent groin injury.
Dyche had hoped the 27-year-old would be in contention to make his comeback but there is now no time scale on when the playmaker could return.
It’s such a shame to see a player who once had the footballing world at his feet suffer from injuries and many Evertonians were desperate to see the best of him at Goodison Park.
That was during his time at Tottenham when he struck up an incredible partnership with Harry Kane.
During his time off, journalist Dan Kilpatrick has now revealed that Alli attended Tottenham’s match against Brighton & Hove Albion today.
Dyche could do with a fully fit Alli
Everton can sometimes lack that bit of guile and creativity to unlock a defence.
The Toffees aren’t the most affluent when it comes to creating opportunities and they are short on a natural number 10.
Abdoulaye Doucoure has had to play there for most of the season and he’s currently injured so Jack Harrison played there today.
A fully fit Alli, however, is the sort of player they are crying out for.
They need someone who can operate in the pockets of space behind the striker and create a moment of magic from nothing.
During his best years at Spurs, Alli was excellent at doing that and although he’s dropped off considerably since then, there could still be a chance for him to resurrect his career at Everton once he returns from injury.
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