Everton suffered a 1-0 defeat to relegation favourites Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Sean Dyche’s men were second-best for much of the encounter with Orel Mangala the only shining light for The Toffees.
Defeat for Everton leaves them in 16th place ahead of a really tough run of fixtures leading up until the new year.
They’re up against West Ham United next, who are also really struggling this season and could dismiss their manager Julen Lopetegui.
Dyche will surely bring Jarrad Branthwaite back into the fold for the London clash and he revealed why he didn’t start against Southampton in his post-match presser.
Sean Dyche says Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were unbeaten in last five games
Branthwaite has started just one Premier League game this season as he returns from a groin injury which required surgery.
Though, he has been available for selection in the last two games and when asked why he wasn’t named in the 11, Dyche said Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were an unbeaten pairing in the last five games.
“The team were unbeaten in five and the centre-halves have done very well and I thought they did (well) again today,” the former Burnley boss explained.
Everton fans were furious that Branthwaite didn’t start as they voiced their frustration towards Tarkowski, in particular, who certainly didn’t have his best game.
Everton have to beat West Ham next weekend
Despite a decent run of results of late, Everton are now back in must-win territory when they travel to fellow strugglers West Ham United on Saturday.
The Hammers have just been beaten comfortably by Nottingham Forest and Lopetegui’s future could depend on the result.
So Dyche’s side must take full advantage of their situation in East London and repeat last season’s result in this fixture.
Everton were 1-0 victors at the London Stadium last October, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting the winner.
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