The yesterday’s team news for Everton’s upcoming Premier League game against Nottingham Forest had been announced and there was one notable absence from the squad.
Full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko was missing due to illness, as confirmed by the official Everton Twitter account. Manager Sean Dyche has made two changes to the team that lost to Arsenal, with Ben Godfrey and Demarai Gray coming in for Mykolenko and Neal Maupay.
Gray, who is Everton’s top scorer now, made his first start under the new manager. Additionally, midfielder James Garner, who has recovered from a long-term injury, was also included in the matchday squad for the first time since November.
Despite Mykolenko’s absence, Godfrey was deputising in his position, which alters the left-side of Everton’s formation slightly. This match turned out a good opportunity for Everton to continue building under Dyche’s leadership.