00:01Everton's return to midfield seniority has left manager David Moyes with a curious tactical
00:06puzzle. After reaching the heights of an eighth-place spot in the Premier League,
00:11the Toffees' recent form has dipped, highlighted by a frustrating 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth.
00:18Despite a staggering 2.83 xG, Everton failed to capitalise on a first-half lead provided by
00:23Elman and Dye. The core of the issue lies in a shifting midfield dynamic between veteran
00:28Medusa Gay and the ascending James Garner. While Gay was away winning the African Cup of Nations with
00:34Senegal, the 24-year-old Garner flourished in a senior role, leading the league in ball recoveries
00:41and ranking second only to Jao Polina for tackles. Data reveals a role reversal. Gay is now taking
00:48touches further up the pitch while Garner is left to mop up behind him. Gay's tackle average has
00:54nearly halved from 3.9 to 2.1 per 90 minutes this season, suggesting the 36-year-old's legs may
01:00be
01:00feeling the weight of a draining AFCON campaign. Moyes admitted that starting Gay and Ndai so soon
01:07after their international triumph was perhaps premature, with Ndai appearing slow to regain his
01:13early-season spark. As Moyes integrates January rival Tyree George to fill the void left by Jack
01:19Grealish's seizing-ending injury. Finding a cohesive midfield unit remains a priority to
01:24halt a six-game winless run at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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