David Moyes has unveiled some unexpected Everton team news ahead of this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa.
Attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye is a new doubt for the Toffees after suffering a knock. The former Sheffield United man has returned from his international duty with Senegal with an issue and there are no guarantees he will be fit in time to take on Villa.
We’ve got a concern about Iliman Ndiaye,” Moyes confirmed during his pre-match press conference. “He’s got a knock, so we’ll need to see. We’re not sure how he will be for tomorrow.”
Ndiaye is a popular pick on Fantasy Premier League, so plenty of managers will be scratching their heads at what they should be doing with the Everton midfielder. Should Ndiaye be held? Is he a sell this week?
Well, as it’s just a knock, Ndiaye might be a hold on this occasion. It may be tempting to pivot to Everton teammate Jack Grealish but transfers are valuable in FPL and it’s worth considering benching Ndiaye instead. The next fixture, away at Liverpool, is far from ideal but nicer looking home matches against West Ham United and Crystal Palace follow that.
Ndiaye has already scored 17 FPL points this campaign, ranking him joint eleventh for midfielders. The Senegalese has scored two goals from 1.3xG. Grealish is yet to score but the former Villa star, who recently claimed the Premier League Player of the Month award for August, has accumulated five more FPL points thanks to four assists in two starts.
West Ham tighten security ahead of Spurs derby
September 12 – West Ham have banned half-and-half scarves ahead of Saturday’s London derby with Tottenham at London Stadium, in a move that underlines how volatile this fixture has become over the years.
The decision is part of enhanced security measures with officials determined to keep away fans from infiltrating home areas of the ground. Extra turnstile checks and stricter entry protocols are being enforced, with stewards instructed to clamp down on any items bearing the crests of both clubs.
It is the new signing, Mohammed Kudus, who has lit the fuse. The Ghanaian forward, sold to Spurs for £54.5 million in the summer, is the first player to move directly between the clubs since 2011. His admission on Tottenham’s official channels that “I only wanted Spurs”, has gone down like a lead balloon among West Ham’s more vocal support. Protests against David Sullivan and the club’s ownership are also expected, adding further fuel to what promises to be a combustible evening.
Clashes between rival fans have been a recurring theme since the 1970s, with the move away from Upton Park to the London Stadium doing little to ease tensions. Only last season, extra police were drafted in after scuffles broke out on Stratford High Street in the build-up to the same fixture.
Sky’s cameras will capture the action for those sitting in the comfort of their homes or the local pub, but for those inside the ground, the club has urged patience. “Enhanced security measures will be in place,” read a statement from West Ham. “We ask all supporters for patience, especially in the 45 minutes ahead of kick-off.”
