Everton host West Ham United today looking to register their first Premier League win of 2024.
It was late heartbreak for Sean Dyche’s side in their most recent fixture after Lewis Dunk’s late header secured a point for ten-man Brighton on the South Coast.
The Hammers have also been in indifferent form since the turn of the year; conceding eleven goals in their three previous fixtures before Monday night’s win over Brentford.
Talking ahead of the game, West Ham striker Michail Antonio was in a confident mood.
Talking on BBC’s The Players channel podcast, Antonio cannot see anything apart from three points for the away side.
“Every time we have played them, it’s always been a difficult game. Under Sean Dyche, he is very rigid and hardly concedes any goals,” he said.
“I feel confident that the gaffer has his main team back, and when Lucas [Paqueta] has been in the team, we have won the majority of our games,” he added.
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“Off that, I can’t see nothing but three points.”
Everton have a couple of injury issues to contend with ahead of the fixture, with late decisions set to be made on Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
And now another one of Everton’s younger players has also emerged as a doubt.
Lewis Dobbin injury doubt ahead of West Ham United clash
According to the Daily Mail (2 March, page 6), Lewis Dobbin is also a doubt for Saturday’s fixture.
The jet-heeled 21-year-old winger has started just one Premier League fixture but has recently seen his fair share of substitute appearances.
Dobbin scored during Everton’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in December 2023 and received plenty of praise from Dyche after the fixture.
“It’s a strange kind of game, tough for him as a young player. For him to score his goal. The authenticity in his reaction was so pleasing. No silly dancing. Everyone runs over in an authentic manner, and I am absolutely delighted for that,” he told Sky Sports.
Considering Everton’s issues in front of goal, perhaps gifting Dobbin with further opportunities would be smart.
He has the pace and power required at Premier League level and also an eye for goal, something demonstrated during his loan spell with Derby County.
