Everton vs Bournemouth LIVE commentary: Dyche’s Toffees in search of much-needed points to kick-start campaign – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Pointless Everton will be desperate to get their season up and running against Bournemouth this Saturday.

The Toffees head into this game off the back of a 4-0 drubbing away to Tottenham last time out which saw more questions asked about Sean Dyche’s future at the club.

A stellar Spurs side breezed past Dyche’s men who will want to finally get off the mark this weekend.

Everton did claim a much-needed morale boost in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, easing to a 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, and they will need to step it up again against Bournemouth.

The Cherries earned a hard-fought point at home to Newcastle last weekend, but it could’ve been more if it wasn’t for a late VAR intervention.

Dango Ouattara’s stoppage-time header was chalked off, much to the relief of Eddie Howe, and controversy continues to surround the decision days later.

Google News Everton vs Bournemouth: Sticky Toffees turn to academy

It’s been an injury-stricken start to the 2024/25 campaign for Everton, meaning only 14 senior team players were fit to travel to North London on Saturday.

However, this represented an opportunity for academy prospects Roman Dixon, Harrison Armstrong and Jenson Metcalfe, who all featured in Sean Dyche’s 23-man squad for the first time.

Dixon, who was covering for veteran Seamus Coleman at right-back, was Everton’s youngest player to start in the Premier League since Jarrad Branthwaite back in December 2021.

The 19-year-old was also the second-youngest to begin in a Premier League game under Dyche behind Dwight McNeil, who he started alongside in Saturday’s defeat.

Bournemouth aren’t without their fair share of talented youngsters either – 21-year-old Alex Scott came off the bench for Andoni Iraola’s side against Newcastle while ex-Juventus teenager Dean Huijsen was an unused substitute.

Google News Everton vs AFC Bournemouth: Date and how to follow

This Premier League game is set to take place on Saturday, August 31.

Kick-off at Goodison Park is scheduled for 3pm.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from Merseyside, with Chris Latchem serving as your presenter.

Commentary will then come from Ian Danter and former Arsenal winger Perry Groves.

To tune in to talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Google News Everton vs Bournemouth: Team news

The hosts will look to integrate new signings Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien for the first time in front of the Goodison faithful.

Meanwhile, midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has already had a taste of Premier League action, but could partner Idrissa Gueye once again as James Garner remains a doubt.

Former Marseille and Sheffield United trickster Iliman Ndiaye could be handed a first start under Dyche after featuring in N17 last week.

As for Bournemouth, Brazilian marksman Evanilson will likely continue up front, as Enes Unal needs to be assessed.

Tyler Adams is ruled out of the trip to Merseyside, with the midfielder looking to return to action in mid-October.

This could mean that Iraola sticks with the duo of Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie, or could turn to youngster Scott from the start.

Google News Everton vs Bournemouth: What has been said?

Dyche says that his side are going to have to improve on their focus levels after last week’s destruction at Spurs.

He said: “You can’t gift teams of this calibre, you make bad decisions if you’re not focused, not concentrating.

“Two back-to-back tough games. We had two mistakes last week, one mistake this week.

“Tottenham are a team of goalscorers, all over the pitch. We didn’t have enough. We are stretched but that is no excuse. I expect a lot from these players, but there are a lot of challenges here.

“We are working within the guidelines that we can. We expect more. We have been written off many times before and we will be written off again. We have come through it before.”