There was rumour going around Goodison Park on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash that Steven Pienaar wouldn't feature in the starting lineup due to a flu. We have now learned that his ailment is actually a hamstring injury suffered during training. He is expected to miss up to a month while he recovers.
Pienaar could optimistically be back in time for the trip to Manchester City on October 5th, but with the international break the next week, should definitely return for the next Premier League fixture at home against Hull City on October 19th.
With Pienaar out, Steven Naismith made the most of his opportunity playing out on the right wing, popping up to score the winner against Chelsea. Kevin Mirallas switched over to the left to take Pienaar's spot, which is nothing new to him. While Naismith did a yeoman's job out on the right against Ashley Cole, he can be dull and uninspiring out there. Fans who remember the pre-Mirallas and Seamus Coleman days only know too well how left wing dependent we have been over the years. This seems a tailor-made situation for Gerard Deulofeu to step into - between the young Spaniard and Coleman, Everton can terrify the heck out of West Ham's and Newcastle's left side in their next two games.