Everton face injury crisis after Premier League opener

Everton started its Premier League season with a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season.

As the Toffees prepare for their long farewell to Goodison Park, the last opening game of an EPL season at the famous stadium ended in a crushing defeat.

Sean Dyche was frustrated by the decision to award a penalty against striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but the hosts struggled to cope with their enterprising visitors.

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A difficult afternoon for Dyche was capped by a red card for experienced full-back Ashley Young, which sees the former Manchester United defender banned for three matches.

Dyche confirmed after the match that he will have to do without a number of players for the second game of the season on August 24 at Tottenham.

Captain Seamus Coleman is still out, as is Nathan Patterson. Due to Young's suspension, Dyche is also missing three of his starting right-backs.

Midfielder James Garner and centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite remain out of action after undergoing groin surgery during the summer break.

These five have missed large parts of pre-season and it could be weeks before they are reinstated in Dyche's plans, with the former Burnley boss considering a short-term entry into the transfer window in the coming days.