Everton were given no time to revel in Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest before they were back in mid-week action again.
Perhaps, the lack of turnaround time actually benefitted them, because they went into the Merseyside derby with an alarming air of freedom that we have not seen for years.
They were great value for the win, but find themselves in a similar position again.
After all, we are just a few days away from yet another Premier League match week, with Brentford the third side to be welcomed to Goodison Park in a row.
Sean Dyche delivers Everton injury update
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Everton’s upcoming fixture, Sean Dyche had little to report in the way of injury news.
After all, the clash will likely come too soon Seamus Coleman, whilst Beto must be ruled out due to the concussion protocol.
So, all that there was to query was the severity of Vitaliy Mykolenko’s injury, as the Ukraine international seemed to go over on his ankle and jolt his knee deep in the first half.
Somehow continuing to play until the break, the 24-year-old showcased some immense spirit to continue playing. Later pictured on crutches though, things did not look good.
But it has clearly come at a cost, as Dyche revealed: ‘Mykolenko. Yeah, Mykolenko is unlikely. We’ll see how that settles, he needs a scan on that to know the truth of it. But it’s not great early signs. We’ll see how quickly that settles.’
Who could replace Vitaliy Mykolenko vs Brentford?
Well, it now seems like Dyche has something of a crisis in both full-back spots now, having had to make do with Ben Godfrey at right-back against Liverpool, yet relying on Ashley Young throughout the earlier parts of the season.
These two both have their own separate up and downsides, but given neither are natural full-backs, there are far more of the latter.
As such, their flaws can often be woefully exposed, with the 38-year-old sometimes struggling for pace, whilst the former Norwich City man might often be caught out positionally.
So, with Coleman still out, Nathan Patterson ruled out for the season, and now Mykolenko unlikely too, it seems that both Young and Godfrey will have to start on Saturday against the Bees.
Given the speed and directness of the likes of Yoane Wissaa and Bryan Mbuemo, it could prove a tough task for these Everton assets to tie them down.
Fortunately, after yesterday’s historic Merseyside derby win, there is far less pressure on the rest of the season’s fixtures.