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JUST IN: 62% Everton Ace set to be KEY to PL survival after what Sean Dyche said
Everton delivered a commendable performance against Arsenal on Saturday, securing a hard-earned 0-0 draw in the Premier League and sharing the points with Mikel Arteta’s side.
This season has been challenging for Everton, with the Merseyside club winning only one of their last five league matches, including a loss to Southampton. However, their display against the Gunners demonstrated that there is a strong team within Sean Dyche’s squad, and with players like Vitaliy Mykolenko maintaining their form, survival this season seems achievable.
Both Mykolenko and Ashley Young stood out in the match on December 14, with Dyche praising the Ukrainian defender’s contribution. “You need to know how to perform without the ball. It’s tough at these grounds to expect possession, so we had to focus on doing the other aspects well,” Dyche said, as quoted by BBC Sport. “Ashley Young has been excellent, showing great character. Vitaliy Mykolenko is strong in one-on-one situations. The midfield trio was also superb. They’re a quality side, and the players worked hard. Their commitment to pressing, recovering, and sticking to the basics for 90 minutes was impressive. I’m proud of their effort. Arsenal tried to force crosses, which highlights our solid defensive performance.”
Why is Vitaliy Mykolenko crucial for Everton’s Premier League survival?
This season, Dyche has relied on Mykolenko as his starting left-back when fit. Although there have been matches where his performances were less than stellar, if he can replicate his form against Arsenal consistently, his defensive stability could be pivotal in Everton’s battle to stay in the Premier League.
According to Sofascore, Mykolenko maintained a 62% pass accuracy and recorded 38 touches during his 90 minutes on the field. His defensive display was arguably his best of the season, with six clearances, two interceptions, four tackles, and only being dribbled past three times. He also blocked a shot from Arsenal, which helped secure the point for Everton at the Emirates.
While Mykolenko lost possession of the ball 10 times, his high level of involvement in the game made such mistakes inevitable. Though his attacking contributions weren’t as sharp, with no successful long balls, his defensive performance was so solid that Everton fans would likely overlook his lack of impact going forward.
In other news, Robbie Savage expressed his surprise after hearing Chris Sutton’s comments about Everton following the match against Arsenal.
