Within the hotly anticipated tactical battle that is set to take place today between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, a number of alternative narratives are swirling around ready to bubble to the surface when the game kicks off.
As injuries ravage both teams alongside the two contrasting styles that should throw up an interesting few matchup, it will be interesting to see how Sean Dyche contends with the many trials and tribulations thrown his way.
Having been dumped out of the EFL Cup in midweek, it would be easy for the Toffees to fold today when facing such tough opposition.
Everton sides of old may well have done.
However, under this new leadership, it feels there is a different atmosphere brewing, one devoid of that soft underbelly that has been so frustratingly obvious in the last few years.
He will set his side up to be hard to beat and vicious on the counter, and should everything work out, Andre Gomes could even be set to make a brief cameo too having seemingly completed his comeback from injury..
Is Andre Gomes fit for Everton today?
As a surprise potential inclusion in the match-day squad today, as reported by journalist Joe Thomas, it is clear that Dyche favours the Portuguese maestro even if he has been unavailable for so long.
In fact, were he to make an appearance today, it would be his first of not just the season, but since 2022.
Although questions have arisen over his future with Everton, if his 52-year-old manager is seeking to reintegrate him then he must be trusted. After all, there is surely still a top-quality operator just waiting to be unearthed once again.
Signed for £22m and immediately lauded by Idrissa Gana Gueye back in 2018, his grace in possession and deceptive explosiveness was something seldom seen at Goodison Park at the time.
The 34-year-old would note: ‘Andre Gomes brings something special, with his technique and the way he keeps the ball.
‘Of course, we knew he was a good player, he came from Barcelona – and you know the types of players who go to Barcelona. He is helping us a lot so, hopefully, he will continue his form and carry on helping the team.’
Perhaps now, even if it is just for the final 15 minutes of the match, Dyche could make strides towards forming a new midfield partnership with Gomes partnering Amadou Onana.
After all, the towering Belgian could provide the perfect partnership to unlock the former Barcelona man again, given he is averaging 2.5 tackles, 1.1 clearances and 6.1 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League, via Sofascore.
His physical prowess might be the key to finally allowing Gomes to rekindle his dwindling Everton career today.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
