Everton’s return to form, which has been years in the making, has seen numerous duds of the past turn into heroes.
Whilst the likes of Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski have been ever-present stars for Sean Dyche, the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jarrad Branthwaite have emerged from old struggles to become imperative figures in the regime.
However, few have enjoyed a resurgence like Vitaliy Mykolenko, who has managed to be written off after a troubled opening year in the Premier League, only to grown into a top performer this season.
The Ukraine international would continue his resurgence on Saturday with the opening goal, making it two weeks in a row where he has found the net.
However, his presence in the box after just one minute, heading home Jack Harrison’s cross, actually left BBC pundit Garth Crooks baffled.
Penning his Team of the Week, of which the 24-year-old full-back was included, he would write: ‘What was Mykolenko doing in the Crystal Palace six-yard box in open play? I know the defender scored against Brighton last week but it seems as though he has developed a taste for goals.
‘His header in the first half was brilliantly dispatched and his shot, which hit the post and rebounded for Abdoulaye Doucoure to score, smacked of a player with his mind only on one thing.’
How did Vitaliy Mykolenko play vs Crystal Palace?
Whilst Crooks does well to sum up the offensive contribution that Mykolenko offered to the game, finishing the first and essentially setting up the second with his cultured volley which struck the post, it also marked yet another solid defensive showing from the former Dynamo Kyiv ace.
Having joined Everton in a £20m deal back in January 2022, in the same window in which Rafa Benitez had banished Lucas Digne to Aston Villa, expectations for the young defender were astronomical.
He was expected to fill in for one of the club’s most creative players at the time, despite having little record of consistent chance creation throughout his short career.
And yet, at last that side of his game is sprouting, whilst he remains unwavering when faced with top wingers. His performances against Mohamed Salah and Jarrod Bowen in recent weeks have only emphasised this.
So, to see him manage five clearances, two interceptions and three tackles against the Eagles should come as no surprise, as such form is becoming normal for Mykolenko, via Sofascore.
It may have shocked Crooks to see him so high up the pitch, but such is his confidence this campaign, it is hard to argue with the current results.
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