Alious
Everton’s weekend win over Fulham should have been a moment of pure satisfaction at Goodison Park, but David Moyes’ handling of one player has quietly become a growing talking point.
The victory briefly lifted the Toffees into seventh place in the Premier League before Brentford’s later result nudged them back down to eighth. Still, after frustrating draws against Leeds United and Brighton, it felt like a timely boost. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s second-half equaliser, following Vitalii Mykolenko’s unfortunate own goal, turned the momentum and helped Everton over the line.
Attention now turns quickly to Tuesday night’s clash with Bournemouth, where backing up that Fulham result feels crucial. And when Moyes names his team, there will be one position in particular under the microscope: the right wing.
For many supporters and observers, Harrison Armstrong simply doesn’t belong there.
Moyes made the call earlier in the season to keep Armstrong at Everton rather than sending him back to Preston on loan. The Scot was encouraged by the teenager’s early performances and rewarded him with trust, handing the 19-year-old five consecutive Premier League starts.
That faith, however, has come with a puzzling twist. Over the last two matches, Armstrong has been deployed on the right flank — a role that doesn’t naturally suit his strengths. While Armstrong prides himself on his versatility, the switch has coincided with a noticeable dip in his influence on games.
Against Fulham, Armstrong managed 42 touches, fewer than eight of his teammates, and completed just 68 percent of his passes. The previous outing against Brighton told a similar story, with only 39 touches and nine Everton players seeing more of the ball. The numbers suggest a player drifting on the edges rather than shaping the contest.
None of this points to a lack of effort or quality. Armstrong hasn’t been poor — far from it. But he looks less effective, less involved, and ultimately less comfortable than when operating centrally, where his game naturally flows.
That leaves Moyes facing a delicate balancing act. Dewsbury-Hall has firmly established himself as Everton’s best option in the number-10 role, with James Garner and Idrissa Gana Gueye providing structure behind him. Space in midfield is limited, but shifting Armstrong out wide risks blunting the very qualities that convinced Moyes to keep him in the first place.
Everton may now need a more natural wide option on the right. Tyrique George impressed after replacing Armstrong against Fulham, while Iliman Ndiaye or Tyler Dibling could also provide genuine width and penetration. That would allow Armstrong to return to the middle, where he can stay involved and continue developing without being shoehorned into an awkward role.
Moyes’ willingness to give Armstrong regular minutes deserves credit. But if Everton want to build momentum — and if Armstrong is to truly flourish — those minutes might be better spent where he can actually do himself justice.
Alious
