Jack Harrison has been in and out of Sean Dyche’s first team this season after starting the season on the sidelines with a hip injury.
The Leeds United loanee, who could end up staying at Goodison Park permanently if he continues to impress with the Toffees, has one goal and two assists in five Blues appearances so far.
In a recent meeting with AFC Bournemouth, the Toffees’ new number 11 delightfully caught Cherries goalkeeper Neto off guard with an ambitious shot that hit the bar before trailing over the line to make it 2-0 on the day.
Harrison would also be credited with an assist for the game-winning third goal, as the Toffees showed renewed confidence to defeat Andoni Iraola’s struggling side 3-0.
However, since that standout individual performance, the right winger’s performances have taken a dip, with his performance last time out against Brighton and Hove Albion worthy of being left out entirely for the trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Jisonack Harr’s numbers game against Brighton
Harrison’s 90-minute stint against Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls saw him largely suffocated by the Brighton backline, with the Leeds loanee unable to add to his tally against the visitors at Goodison Park.
Despite Harrison’s poor performance, Everton were unlucky not to take all three points at home, with Ashley Young’s late own-goal a kick in the teeth that cost the Toffees a one-goal lead and helped Brighton secure a late 1-1 draw.
According to Sofascore, Harrison was inaccurate with all of his attempted long-balls in this game, effectively killing any Everton momentum by giving Brighton an advantage with his erratic passing game.
The 26-year-old’s game is most effective when he’s unleashed as a speedy livewire, intercepting a loose pass before launching into an immediate counter-attack – managing an impressive 0.81 interceptions per 90 for his parent club and current employers in the last year, according to FBRef.
Despite this, Harrison remained passive in the face of Brighton. The £90,000-per-week player tried one dribble all afternoon to break down a tenacious Seagulls defense, but was unsuccessful on a day when everything he tried went wrong.
As a result, Dyche may look to use surprise to catch Palace off guard with his lineup selection, replacing Harrison with exciting youngster Lewis Dobbin and giving the ex-Derby County loanee only his second-ever Premier League start.
Harrison’s replacement is Dobbin.
Derby County manager Paul Warne described Dobbin as a “outstanding talent” when the now 20-year-old was with the Rams last season, with the teen scoring five goals and assisting another six during a formative year at Pride Park.
Dobbin, on the other hand, prefers to play down the left flank when used as a winger, but he has been known to switch over to the right flank on occasion where Harrison is more comfortable.
At youth level, Everton’s number 61 scored four of his 14 goals for the U18s from this unusual right-wing position.
Dyche will hope that by starting Dobbin instead of the under performing Harrison, he can get the most out of his outstanding youngster, heating up competition for starting spots and forcing the Leeds loanee to up his game on the training pitch in order to be considered again.
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