Everton’s manager Sean Dyche has provided explanations for the absences of midfielders Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye in the team’s crucial Premier League match against Burnley at Goodison Park. Onana was sidelined due to an injury that emerged after he had participated in training sessions leading up to the game. Despite his initial involvement, Onana reported feeling too sore to continue, leading to his omission from the lineup.
Idrissa Gueye, on the other hand, missed the match for a joyous reason, as his wife gave birth to their child the night before the game. Dyche highlighted that while this was a happy occasion for Gueye and his family, the lack of sleep and the responsibilities that come with the arrival of a new baby meant that Gueye was not in the right condition to participate in the match.
To fill the void left by Onana and Gueye, James Garner and Andre Gomes were called upon to step into the midfield roles. Additionally, Seamus Coleman was brought in at right-back in place of Ben Godfrey, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the attack, buoyed by his recent goal against Newcastle United—his first in 24 games.
Dyche praised Coleman’s inclusion, noting his experience and the strategic decision to rest him during the week to ensure his readiness for the Burnley clash. The Everton boss also extended his congratulations to Gueye and his family on the birth of their child, acknowledging the circumstances that led to his absence from the team.
These lineup changes were part of Everton’s strategy as they faced Burnley in a match that held significant implications for their Premier League campaign.