Next Up: Manchester City vs Everton | OneFootball

Another unwanted hiatus to the Premier League programme is past and on Saturday, Everton will be revisiting The Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City, and especially Erling Haaland, appear to have largely recovered their Mojo.

Their giant centre-forward has already scored an incredible 12 goals so far this season, and has returned home from the Norway team early so he can rest in anticipation of Saturday's testing encounter with the resurgent Toffees under David Moyes.

But, because of the ridiculous loan rules, Everton's primary catalyst Jack Grealish will be sitting in the stands for this one, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall reinstated after another ridiculous episode that saw him banned from playing in the win over Crystal Palace after being booked for talking a free-kick too quickly. That goal Dewsbury-Hall scored against Wolves was simply brilliant... but it's a rarity — he just doesn't score many goals.

After 7 games, Manchester City are remarkably only 2 points above Everton in the nascent Premier League table, and a win for the visitors will see the order reversed.  But the challenge of securing a win at the Etihad is something that has largely eluded David Moyes and Everton for many years.

Indeed, the last win there dates back to a previous era when Tim Cahill set the tone with a goal after just 4 minutes and Leighton Baines followed up with a simply exquisite shot — curled in off his wrong foot! — after just 18 minutes. That gave Moyes what he needed to cling on for a fantastic win... proving it can be done!

But with the patterns of play his side have adopted at times this season, that is likely to be an extremely hard ask. Everton simply do not play the ball forward fast enough to score early and often. Moyes instead appears to have drummed into the players the absolute requirement to focus instead on defence in the first half and hope to get in at half-time unscathed and still in the game.

Part of the problem is his maddening reluctance to use the full complement of subs allowed in the modern game. He's been doing marginally better — albeit only after dreadful first-half performances (at Wolves and against Palace), but won't unleash his faster players to really attack at pace and hopefully score early goals that would then give his defenders something worthwhile to defend.

To be fair, the players who should be providing this much-needed energy and intensity going forward are maddeningly inconsistent. Charly Alcaraz was great against Palace when he came on, but he was awful against Wolves and Moyes was right to hook him at half-time.

Tyler Dibling remains a huge enigma, almost completely unable to show his reputed silky skills given the moribund approach to forward play in the seriously limited opportunities he's been given so far. And he seems unlikely to start this game.

Iliman Ndiaye is of course undroppable. A huge crowd favourite, his dynamism, jinking runs, and uncanny ability to keep possession of the ball are all fantistic for Evertonians to watch; he is beyond criticsm... or is he?

I think he holds the ball too long, doesn't look to play it off quick enough, or shoot at goal often enough. There, I've said it. I'm sorry. And part of the problem is not enough support players close enough to him.

Like Ndiaye, the rest of the team picks itself while Moyes persists with alternating his pair of monster centre-forwards firing blanks... or just not firing at all. Haven't we seen enough? Time for something different... Ndiaye, Keane, Alcaraz. Surely any one of them could do a far better job?

To counter Haaland, assuming he's playing, maybe Moyes needs Keane in the back line alongside Tarkowski and O'Brien to challenge his physical presence, assuming Jarrad Branthwaite is not yet fit enough.

Seamus Coleman returns from his international exploits again astounding the critics who wrote him off years ago. On the subs bench again, I expect, with Garner and Mykolenko defending the flanks and bombing forward.

I never pick teams, and there is clearly a very good reason for that,  but here is what all this nonsense might equate to — a rather novel 3-3-3-1 formation:

PickfordO'Brien, Tarkowski, KeaneGarner, Gueye, MykolenkoDibling, Alcaraz, Dewsbury-HallNdiaye

In my dreams...

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Paul Kossoff 1 Posted 13/10/2025 at 23:18:41

Micheal, set up, 4-5-1 for me. Flood the midfield, draw them in, ball over the top.

With the talent we have now Moyes has to try something different. I did say before we signed Grealish, that he tends to slow the game down, and he has started to revert to his Pep Instructions of keep possession.

Any of our forwards I would have in the side instead of Beto or Barry. False nine time, Moyes, false nine time.

I reckon he will pick - if fit :

Pickford O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, MykolenkoGueye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall Alcaraz, Beto, Ndiaye.

If Branthwaite is on the bench, expect to see him, unless there's an injury, at 75 minutes.

Alan J Thompson 4 Posted 14/10/2025 at 07:04:32

He must play Beto upfront next to Stones, whose brain will be flabbergasted by where the ball will bounce off to, and with Alcaraz playing close by to give us the early advantage of knowing that nobody knows where it will go next.

That and Beto may be better than Barry at chasing the long punt now that Grealish will be torn in his allegiance, apparently.

Jerome Shields 5 Posted 14/10/2025 at 07:28:49

Moyes will play a defensive formation. Hopefully it works for a change in the first half. Players have to be on the front door from the start, even Moyes has to get that message.

Should be better in the second half and hopefully he does not need to go a goal down in the first half to get the type of performance we have been seeing with Everton trying to attack and get forward in the second half.

Ian Jones 6 Posted 14/10/2025 at 08:19:21

'I think he holds the ball too long, doesn't look to play it off quick enough, or shoot at goal often enough. There, I've said it. I'm sorry. And part of the problem is not enough support players close enough to him.'

Michael, not sure why you are apologising for your comments about Ndiaye. It's true.

Paul K, I have also noticed Grealish slowing things down and keeping possession but I also think that he may not have confidence in some of his team mates especially when the movement around him is non-existent so tends to hold on to the ball longer than perhaps he should.

As for formation, I can't recall how some of the lesser teams that have been successful against City have set up but imagine it'll be a defensive mindset for us. It would be nice to go there with an attack minded get at them approach and stick two up front so that their defence have something to do/think about but it'll no doubt be backs to the wall with them having 4 free defenders walking around with little to do.

Hugh Jenkins 7 Posted 14/10/2025 at 08:31:40

Has Grealish been given a dispensation to allow him to play against the team from whom we have borrowed him, or are some of us overlooking the fact that he is not available to play against Man City?

Laurie Hartley 8 Posted 14/10/2025 at 08:38:52

Well unfortunately unless Moyes does decide to go with a back three as you suggested, Michael, I think O'Brien should make way for Garner in the right-back position and Beto played up top. In which case my team would be:-

PickfordGarner, Tarkowski, Keane, MykolenkoDibling, Gueye, Alcaraz, Dewsbury-Hall, NdiayeBeto.

Martin Reppion 10 Posted 14/10/2025 at 09:14:09

Regarding Ndiaye, I was delighted with his late creation of the winner v Palace. (Doesn't go down as an assist due to Beto missing the header.)

Usually he is hooked at around 75-80 minutes as he is blowing hard and spent. I think the first half in which we created nothing probably helped him last the game.

His fitness in hard games is a slight concern but, as he does more than most to lift the gloom, he is forgiven for that.

Brian Harrison 12 Posted 14/10/2025 at 11:01:53

Obviously Grealish will be a big miss, and with Dibling still finding his feet, then I guess it will be Alcaraz out wide. Problem is, when played out wide, he has been ineffective.

But my biggest worry is O'Brien trying to keep Doku quiet, he is probably the quickest winger in the Premier League, and Jake has really struggled against pacey wide players.

Ian Bennett 14 Posted 14/10/2025 at 12:59:24

Haaland vs Keane & Tarkowski is a mis match.

He put Branthwaite on his arse last season, these boys will struggle.

Harsh to drop Keane, but Jake might be able to handle his pace and physicality.

Ajay Gopal 16 Posted 14/10/2025 at 13:39:27

I like Michael's 3-4-3 idea, but would play McNeil instead of Dibling. He can really test their goal with his long range rockets.

PickfordO'Brien Tarkowski KeaneGarner Gueye Dewsbury-Hall MykolenkoNdiaye Alcaraz McNeil

Subs: Travers, Coleman, Patterson, Iroegbunam, Branthwaite?, Rohl?, Dibling, Beto, Barry

My guess is Moyes will go with the usual back 4 and play Beto instead of McNeil. Still, that's not a bad starting XI, and if Moyes sends them out with the right mentality, we should give Man City a bloody nose!

Tony Abrahams 17 Posted 14/10/2025 at 13:58:19

I have got no worries about Everton beating City, but this might change once I see who’s going to be refereeing us this Saturday afternoon.

Robert Tressell 18 Posted 14/10/2025 at 14:17:22

If we play a back 3 I’d go with OBrien, Keane and Mykolenko. Much more balanced (with a left footer) and mobile that trying to accommodate both Keane and Tarkowski together.

Wing backs would then be Garner and McNeil.

Then possibly a narrow 3 of Gueye, Iroegbunam and KDK.

Ndiaye then playing off Beto.

The main flaw with this is that:

- Keanes lack of pace moves the back 3 deeper than where you’d want it to be

- moving Garner to RWB weakens the central midfield (Iroegbunam isn’t especially good)

- McNeil is slow and out of form.

- Beto isn’t very good.

Unfortunately by moving to a back 3 you create as many problems as you solve. There isn’t a magic tactical approach or formation etc that puts us in the driving seat.

Realistically we will have to cede possession, defend deep, double up on their wide players and try to eke out a few chances on the break and from set pieces. Shame that we’re still talking in those terms but with each round of spending the squad should become better equipped to properly compete in these gsmes.

Christy Ring 19 Posted 14/10/2025 at 14:17:39

Why would we move Garner into a back 4/5? He’s not a fullback and we need his athleticism in midfield beside Gueye, I’d play Seamus in Saturday if he doesn’t play that tonight, and you can criticise Ndiaye, but if he had movement upfront he’d play the ball quicker,

Edward Rogers 20 Posted 14/10/2025 at 14:53:27

Probably come back to bite me in the arse, but I think Doku flatters to deceive a lot of the time, not much end product?Snatch your hands off for a point.

Steve Brown 21 Posted 14/10/2025 at 15:18:20

Robert @ 18, your 3-4-3 formation makes a lot of sense.

Unfortunately, the manager would never pick that formation or team.

Dave Abrahams 22 Posted 14/10/2025 at 15:25:03

Edward (20) Edward I think Doku is one of the reasons we’ve got Grealish playing for us!

Jay Harris 23 Posted 14/10/2025 at 16:45:40

City are strong in MF and on the wings but suspect at the back because they hold a high line.

This is ideal for Beto who I would hope has enough confidence left after a miserable couple of months and international disappointments.

I would go 4-3-2-1With Coleman Tarks Obrien Myko Garner Gana KDHAlcaraz Ndiaye Beto

With Ndiaye dropping in to help KDH when we're under pressure.

Edward Rogers 24 Posted 14/10/2025 at 16:45:59

Probably right Dave, just find Doku very frustrating to watch at times. Does the hard bits well, then messes up the final ball.

Jerome Shields 25 Posted 14/10/2025 at 16:53:28

Michael, Nidaye I think is told to concentrate on his low block duties and that maybe the reason he is not getting to ball forward fast enough.Everton forwards would benefit from a faster supply and their movement would count more in creating chances

Dave Abrahams 26 Posted 14/10/2025 at 17:36:00

Edward (24) Fair enough but I think he gets an awful lot right as well and I was hoping he wouldn’t come on last season in the game at Goodison but he did and changed the game in City’s favour although losing Tarkowski with an injury didn’t help us either.

Ste Stannard 27 Posted 14/10/2025 at 17:55:50

It's time for sentiment to be put to bed. Seamus, our amazing servant and right-back, should not be starting any Premier League game for us unfortunately and Jake and Keane as well as Branthwaite start before our captain Tarkowski.

He has been a massive liability last season and he's been awful this season too. As I said wonderful servants and players but not now. I like to see Jake playing centre-back from now on. He is our future at centre-back and in his natural position.

Garner is a great pro and plays well wherever we put him but I'd love to see him play regularly at right-back and utilise his crossing and foward runs from there. That's where the brilliant England coach Lee Carsley used him to great effect.

Let's face it, a player of Garner's intelligence and work ethic can make the easiest position in football all his. Alcaraz or Ndiaye are real Number 10s and one of them should play there regularly with Dewsbury-Hall in central midfield.

For the Man City game, we are without Jack Grealish so I'd play Alcaraz there and Ndiaye left, his next best position. Unfortunately up front it's a toss of a coin as both are useless but at least Beto has a go and occasionally gets a goal.

Barry is new to UK and us but his body language stinks. I hope he proves me wrong. Dibling should start vs Man City, he needs games; he will come good I think.

Peter Mills 29 Posted 14/10/2025 at 21:19:16

Michael, I'm a fan of Ndiaye, but I wouldn't argue with your observations on his play this season. Equally, the same comments could be made of Jack Grealish.

Alcaraz and Dewsbury-Hall have neat footwork and an eye for a pass, but their involvement in games is spasmodic.

The problem, I fear, is that they all play too far away from one another. These players show in patches how well they can combine. Unfortunately, there is a Number 9 size hole in the middle of the forward line, into which the ball too frequently disappears.

Tony Abrahams 30 Posted 14/10/2025 at 21:46:38

Interesting opinion on Ndiaye, Michael.

I like him, I think he's our most dangerous player, and I think he must get really frustrated playing in our current set-up because, when Dewsbury Hall is in the team, then nearly everything seems to go left.

We obviously also go left because of Grealish and this is something Garner also does because he seems to have a very good understanding with Jack Grealish.

Unless Alcaraz is on the pitch, then Everton tend to overlook the right and prefer to attack down the left, which makes me think that Ndiaye must sometimes be thinking to himself that he would like to get a part of the game playing in his strongest position.