Everton are back in action again this weekend, as they travel to Brighton and Hove Albion seeking to claim their first Premier League win of 2024.
Having missed a fine opportunity to do so on Monday, as they laboured to a 1-1 draw with managerless Crystal Palace, things do not get any easier with this clash.
However, fans will be quick to remember last season’s fixture at the Amex Stadium, in which they ran riot.
If they have any plans of repeating that feat, or even just snatching a win by one goal, there are two players who Sean Dyche simply must start.
How did Everton play vs Crystal Palace?
Against the Eagles earlier in the week, Goodison Park was left furious.
They bore witness to a side without any control and sorely lacking any impetus to take the game to a team that was without their three best players.
Only once they fell behind did they start to play, but that funnily enough also coincided with Dyche’s substitutions.
Bringing on Amadou Onana and Jack Harrison changed the game, as they removed two prime suspects who were breeding the sluggish play, and replaced them with proactive fresh faces.
The Belgian midfielder commanded possession throughout and netted the equaliser, whilst the 26-year-old winger was direct and injected some much-needed pace into the game.
They must both start on Saturday.
How important has Jack Harrison been this season?
Well, as one of the two wingers whom Dyche favours massively, he has been integral for the 52-year-old.
So much so that the likes of Lewis Dobbin and Arnaut Danjuma have barely seen any game time, unable to get past the relentless work ethic and dynamism of Harrison.
Having joined in the summer from Leeds United, avoiding a late effort from Aston Villa to sign him, his decision has proven profitable for the Toffees, who are now very reliant on his exploits.
He presses tirelessly yet has the skill and speed to threaten on the break, with journalist Joe Thomas outlining these assets on his debut: ‘Jack Harrison showing no signs of rustiness at all here. He is relentless on his debut, giving Pau Torres nightmares in this first half.’
The hope is that he might be able to do the same this Saturday, using all the talent that has seen him amass six goal contributions in the Premier League this campaign.
Not only that, but he is also averaging one key pass, 1.2 shots and 4.8 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.
Without him, the team would certainly be far worse off. He will likely play a key role in both silencing the threat of the Seagulls’ wingers, whilst also using his pace to provide a counter-attacking threat too. He must start.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
