Branthwaite could start today as Everton prepare to face Palace

Everton desperately need all three points this afternoon against the Eagles with Dyche also under huge pressure to deliver that first league win.

This week has been another hectic and convulsing one - as have so many in the past few years - with the announcement that Dan Freidkin's group have returned with a firm offer and reached agreement to purchase the club.

While nothing is yet absolutely certain, this seems a deal which is more likely than not to finally happen.

The fall-out from a takeover at last could mean the manager losing his job - if Friedkin decided to make a change in the dugout - which is something he has been very willing to do while in charge of Roma.

Such an outcome might not take place of course, and results in the next few weeks will be an important factor in deciding whether that is what happens.

Dyche's difficulties are a combination of circumstance and choice with injuries hampering him in terms of his team selection while his own decisions during games have again come under fire.

Last weekend's decision to take off Iliman Ndiaye - who was without doubt Everton's best and most dangerous player - along with Jesper Lindstrom (who had missed several great chances) was perplexing to see and indicated a cautious desire to hold onto what you have was uppermost in his thinking.

It did not work, and Leicester City eventually pegged the Blues back denying them that first crucial win of the season.

The other problem Dyche has had to deal with is those injuries. Dyche has one of the smallest squads in the Premier League and can ill-afford having key players out of action.

Since the start of the campaign though he has been without defenders in particular, with Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, Vitalii Mykolenko and most importantly of all Jarrad Branthwaite all unavailable.

Now Branthwaite and Mykolenko are fit again with Patterson well on the way but not yet ready to return to the first-team.

Having Branthwaite back would be a huge boost for Dyche and the Toffees, especially if he was able to start this afternoon at Goodison Park.

Ever since he came into the team early last season Everton have been a rock solid side defensively with only Arsenal conceding fewer goals than the Blues in 2023-24.

I would be strongly tempted to start with him, even though he has not played a match for the team since last season's final game at Arsenal.

Having Mykolenko back at left-back would also strengthen a back-line that has been very porous and leaky so far this campaign.

Hopefully, having a much-strengthened defence and that improved attacking threat - if chances can be taken and not wasted - will finally translate into a first win of the season later today.