Charly Alcaraz was handed a rare opportunity by David Moyes in Everton’s draw against Manchester City.
With only stoppage time to go, Alcaraz was brought on to replace the exhausted Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Everton were holding on to their slender one-goal advantage at that point, but Alcaraz certainly had his role to play in the goal conceded right at the death.
Who was your Man of the Match as Everton settle for a point? 🤝
A further two points dropped by the Blues at a stage in the season where every point is valuable, but David Moyes will not have been impressed with the Argentine.
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Charly Alcaraz fails David Moyes’ Everton test
Everton have conceded a lot of late goals recently, which the Argentine midfielder certainly had a role to play in on Monday evening.
As Jeremy Doku received the ball, Alcaraz failed to push out of his own box and put the City winger under any pressure.
Another penalty decision not going in Everton’s favour? 🫣
Bernardo Silva wasn't even looking at the ball 🤷♂️
Free to do what he liked, Doku then lined up his shot and curled it into the corner beyond Jordan Pickford.
Is Alcaraz to blame for the defeat? Absolutely not. James Tarkowski has blamed himself for switching off for Man City’s second goal.
However, in the position which Alcaraz currently holds in the Everton pecking order, this was a critical error that could have a bearing on how many more minutes he plays this season.
With just six touches of the ball, Alcaraz lost possession three times and failed to win either of his two ground duels.
Premier League football comes down to fine margins and the Argentine just was not able to play his part in helping Everton over the line.
Alcaraz could be set for Everton exit
Although he was only signed permanently in the summer, Everton are open to offloading Alcaraz when the transfer window opens.
His performance on Monday night will not have been the only factor, but he did not do himself any favours by failing to close down Doku.
The 23-year-old may have been unlucky to almost immediately be replaced by the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but his lack of minutes has been a real concern.
Since the turn of the year, Alcaraz has played just 16 minutes of Premier League football.
Granted, some of his absence from the starting XI has been injury related, but it looks like an awfully long road back into Moyes’ immediate plans for the Argentine.
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