Silva reveals Gueye may miss Man City trip

Everton manager Marco Silva says midfielder Idrissa Gueye is doubtful for the Blues’ game at Manchester City tomorrow.

Though everyone else in Silva’s squad is available, the boss said Gueye is still struggling from a knock picked up in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Watford, which forced him to be substituted in the second half.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Silva said:

“Just a problem with Gana. He finished the last game with a small problem, nothing special.

“We need to assess him again this afternoon and tomorrow and take a decision.”

Looking back on the stalemate at home to the Hornets, Silva reiterated the need for Everton to rectify the mistakes which cost them two points against his former club.

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Leading at half-time, the Blues capitulated in the second half, conceding twice and missing a penalty in the space of five minutes, before a Lucas Digne free-kick salvaged a draw with seconds remaining:

“We analysed the match and after we passed on to the players the positives and the things we must improve. It’s something we always do. We did nothing different for the last game.

“I think the first 25 mins of the second half was one of our worst performances. We lost our focus in those three or four minutes, but also we were unlucky.

“When you draw a game at home and score an own goal and miss a penalty, it looks that that night we didn’t have the luck. “It’s part of the game; you have to try to find ways to score more and to not concede goals like we conceded. Normally, we don’t concede those two goals.”

On Saturday’s opponents, Silva is prepared for one of his toughest games yet as Everton manager against the champions, whose 2-0 defeat at Chelsea last weekend was their first league loss of the season.

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Pep Guardiola’s side lost top spot to Liverpool as a result, but Silva did not feel their result at Stamford Bridge reflected the pattern of the game:

“I watched the game. City deserved a different result in the first half.

“Of course we have our plan for the match as well. We are playing against potentially the best Premier League team. It will be tough for us but our team have showed already they like this type of game.

“They have a lot of quality in the attack-line. Kevin De Bruyne has played twice, maybe three games and I didn’t see a big difference in City [when he has not played].

“It is possible they don’t play Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero, but I think they will be available and it will be a strong team we face.”