Everton were disappointing as they fell to a heavy defeat against Wolves, and questions have been raised about Sean Dyche’s team selection on the day.
Dyche changed formation in the absence of midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure, as Andre Gomes dropped to the bench, and Everton moved to a back three, with Michael Keane joining the defensive line.
Everton were heavily beaten and the scoreline could have been even worse, as Wolves carved the away side open with ease and also had two goals disallowed.
The back three struggled, and Dyche’s plan clearly backfired, as he then substituted Keane and Nathan Patterson for Gomes and Seamus Coleman, moving back to the shape used in previous games.
Sean Dyche decision over Everton formation criticised
Speaking on BBC Match Of The Day after the defeat, Gary Lineker claimed the decision to change formation played right into Wolves’ hands.
“Gary O’Neil has really made the most of Everton’s switch to a back three, which you thought ended up in a bit of a horror show for them,” he stated.
O’Neil’s side were rampant as they found plenty of space in behind, and given that Everton improved somewhat after the substitutions, he may rue his choice to drop Gomes for Keane.
Was Dyche justified in his decision to change formation?
Given the injuries Everton are facing, as well as a hectic schedule which saw them play eight matches in December, Dyche can be somewhat forgiven for his team selection given his limited options.
Gomes has been fairly impressive at times since his return from a long-term injury, but it may have been too much too soon for the 30-year-old after starting against Manchester City in midweek.
Poor individual performances from James Tarkowski and Keane meant Everton were doomed on the day, but the back-three formation did prove useful in a victory over Burnley earlier this season, and it is a shape that may be seen again as the season progresses.
It will be helpful to have multiple usable formations throughout the campaign for difficult fixtures, and putting in an extra defender away at an in-form team such as Wolves is not a bad decision in isolation.
Everton were outclassed on the day, and clearly fatigued, and it does feel unlikely overall that a different formation may have produced a significantly different performance or result at Molineux.
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