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Everton vs Boreham Wood
FA Cup 5th Round Preview

Vitalii Mykolenko will start his first game since featuring in the Fourth Round win over Brentford
Everton and Boreham Wood play the penultimate tie of the FA Cup Fifth Round on Thursday evening in front of a televised audience at Goodison Park.
The non-league club will make the journey north from Hertfordshire for the biggest game of their history to-date, a sell-out under the lights on Merseyside… but for Everton it will be a case of focusing on the job at hand and getting through to the last eight with the minimum of fuss.
Vitalii Mykolenko will be in the starting XI, Frank Lampard has confirmed. The young Ukrainian full-back will be one of a number of anticipated changes to the side that started against Manchester City last Saturday as the manager looks to negotiate his way past the non-league side.
Mykolenko hasn't started a match for the Toffees since the tie against Brentford in the last round due to a bout of Covid-19 and the form of Jonjoe Kenny who has excelled in two of the three games where he has been asked to deputise at left-back.
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Mykolenko, an £18m signing from Dynamo Kyiv in the January transfer window, received an emotional show of support from Everton and its fans last weekend following Russia's unprovoked invasion of his homeland.
The 22-year-old was in the squad to face City but didn't play and he is now lined up to take the field for the first time since the conflict escalated with Vladimir Putin's decision to send troops into Ukraine last week.
"Mykolenko will play," Lampard said today. "That was a decision I made regardless of the outside situation — purely on a football decision.
"Of course, you have to be very aware of the life decision for him. We'll see about any kind of gesture but the fact is he's starting the game.
"It feels like the training and potential of playing is a relief. We're giving him all the support and I'm sure he feels that from our end.
"He's also a new player here. There are so many things that have happened to him — he's a young man coming over here, moving to a new country, different city, different football club and he's now having to contend with all of this.
"He has all of our support."
While Lampard felt moved to announce Mykolenko's starting role, he has only alluded to the fact that Everton's other new full-back, Nathan Patterson, “will get his chance” without being any more specific.
Patterson has yet to make his senior debut for the Toffees since joining from Rangers but has had one impressive outing for the Under-23s. He will be hoping to be involved tomorrow evening if his manager elects to give both Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny a rest.
In midfield, there could be opportunities for André Gomes, Andros Townsend and even Tyler Onyango at some point while up front Salomon Rondon could make a rare start. (Update: Onyango misses out with a hernia problem.)
For the visitors, it will be a very special occasion for Evertonian Kane Smith who celebrated his club's win in the last round at Bournemouth by revealing that he had been wearing a Tony Hibbert jersey underneath his Boreham Wood shirt.
While it's a dream tie for Smith, Lampard and his men will be hoping that Boreham Wood are despatched in the same fashion as the last two non-league clubs to visit Goodison, Woking and Tamworth, were in the past.
Kick-off: 8:15pm, Thursday, 3 March 2022
Predicted line-up: Begovic, Patterson, Holgate, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Doucouré, Gomes, Gordon, Townsend, Iwobi, Rondon
Reader Comments (81)
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2 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:42:17
Reading between the lines in Frank's press conference, not sure if Patterson is going to start which is a pity.
3 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:45:13
The last Ukrainian we had wasn't too bad. I know he's feeling understandably emotional and had an outburst on social media, but I'm sure the manager can judge and channel that emotion in the right direction.
Get us one step closer to Wembley son!
4 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:51:00
5 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:52:04
6 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:56:02
Brian, I picked that up about Patterson, sounds like he is not favoured ahead of Seamus yet. He said something along the lines of when the opportunity comes along he has to grab it and show what he can do. Hopefully we'll see him get some game time as a sub tomorrow.
7 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:59:23
Disappointed at the suggestion that Patterson won't play though. Seems like the perfect opportunity to give him a start (if not Boreham Wood then who is he up to playing against?).
8 Posted 02/03/2022 at 19:01:56
It is not too long ago and in living memory that we took an untried youngish right back from a lesser league. We were unsure at first as he was a bit raw and hadn't played at this level. We even toyed with the idea of playing him on the right of David Moyes's preferred 4-5-1 for a while if I recall.
I give you Seamus Coleman.
Okay, we've paid more than £60 grand for Patterson, but let's give him time to develop and see what he's got when he is ready and the manager thinks he's ready.
9 Posted 02/03/2022 at 19:21:05
Kenny will start at right-back.
No other predictions other than a reasonably comfortable win.
10 Posted 02/03/2022 at 19:21:48
Patterson's entire top-level professional career is a dozen games for Rangers and 6 for Scotland.
18 games.
So the fact that he's been deemed not ready is less than shocking news.
Give him time.
(Oh, and Danny, your name is now in regular use in our household. We adopted that pup.)
11 Posted 02/03/2022 at 20:17:52
Good luck to Kenny tomorrow, he deserves his spot.
12 Posted 02/03/2022 at 20:26:51
I can't ever remember wanting an Everton player to succeed so badly now.
I hope this kid plays lights out.
He should get a standing ovation, and it wouldn't bother me at all if at 19 minutes Goodison stood in applause.
Good luck kid. There's one American who will be rooting for you.
If he scores, I will, just on principle, engage in a one man riot.
13 Posted 02/03/2022 at 22:04:25
Is it just a fitness thing? How does that get any better through not playing matches? Usually the best way to learn how to do something is to do it, and fail at it, and learn from those mistakes.
If he doesn't come on, let's say we're winning 3-0 with 20 minutes to go, against Boreham Wood, then I can't really see him becoming a top-flight player for us.
14 Posted 02/03/2022 at 22:22:44
Be nice to have seen Nathan Patterson too, but I think Frank wants to get us into the next round and not underestimate the opposition. That is no reflection on the lad, but I think that, if the game seems to be going in our favour, he will be introduced to give Seamus a well-earned rest.
Mike G @ 10, " (Oh, and Danny, your name is now in regular use in our household. We adopted that pup.) "
Sounds like a shaggy dog story to me!
15 Posted 03/03/2022 at 01:27:00
Clifton returned to football, worked his way through the lower leagues, scored for minnow Montserrat in World Cup qualifying, and now anchors Boreham Wood. Nice stuff.
16 Posted 03/03/2022 at 03:30:34
There is that old football adage that greater skill only comes to the fore when you at least match the opposition's effort, and haven't we seen that quite recently. We can use all five subs when/if we are well in front.
18 Posted 03/03/2022 at 07:32:53
Personally I don't want any major players risked unless it's to get their fitness back more (Doucoure / Gray), and if we see a front 3 of Townsend, Rondon and Iwobi my mood really will sour. As well as Patterson, I want to see Dobbin get another go, especially at home under the lights.
My preferred side:
Begovic
Patterson Holgate Branthwaite Mykolenko
Townsend Doucouré Gomes
Dobbin Rondon Gray
19 Posted 03/03/2022 at 07:41:05
We did this kind of thing with Jonjow Kenny and look how well he's done when finally given a chance!
Nathan should be getting at least a good 30 minutes tonight, hopefully when we're in a comfortable lead.
20 Posted 03/03/2022 at 07:54:05
I'd expect an accelerated route to the first team in the Championship if we're relegated. Same for Branthwaite.
21 Posted 03/03/2022 at 08:12:03
We need to win this game without too much drama, so I hope Frank is able to select a strong starting eleven and we do not suffer any further injuries.
It seems that supporting Everton is never easy and, from now until the end of the season, we will need to be at our best and hope that we have a fair share of luck.
22 Posted 03/03/2022 at 08:15:02
Sorry for repeating what many others have said on many occasions, but play your best team from the start and make changes once the game is won. Can't you make 5 subs in the FA Cup now anyway? We could be out of sight by 60 minutes then rest half our team that way.
Full support.
Onward Evertonians 💙
23 Posted 03/03/2022 at 08:56:34
Pickford
Kenny - Holgate - Keane - Mykolenko
Gomes - Allan - Townsend
Gordon - Richarlison - Gray
Defense has incoming cover in Godfrey and Branthwaite. It shouldn't be as exhaustive as the past few games, so Allan should be okay. We now have cover in Doucouré and Van de Beek should he get a knock – as well as Alli of course.
Richy needs a goal.
COYB!!
24 Posted 03/03/2022 at 08:59:08
25 Posted 03/03/2022 at 09:17:49
26 Posted 03/03/2022 at 09:33:39
Pretty sure Lyndon is right and that Frank will make numerous changes to tonight's starting line-up.
27 Posted 03/03/2022 at 09:56:48
I too am surprised that, given the fee and desire to sign him, it is surprising that he hasn't started but maybe he's one for the future.
If he has got what it takes, I am sure that Frank and Ashley Cole will bring it out in him and we will hopefully be seeing him start games in the not-too-distant future.
28 Posted 03/03/2022 at 09:56:51
For those who think we should play our strongest side to start the game, I would say in all honesty we should be able to play the entire U23 side, I mean if they can't beat a team from the National league, then our U23 system is not fit for purpose.
As some have commented, Southampton played fringe players against a side in the Top 6 in the Premier League and still won.
Would have been an ideal game for Dele Alli to start but, like Donny van de Beek, they are cup-tied, I see Lyndon didn't include El Ghazi so I guess he is also cup-tied.
I love being at Goodison for cup games and I think that will dispel any thoughts of players just going through the motions, something I am sure Frank and his coaches will have mentioned a lot.
29 Posted 03/03/2022 at 10:07:24
Start with a strongest team, get control of the game then make substitutions to all key players in the second half.
No need to give an inch of advantage. We can win the game, get some confidence and at the same time keep players fresh and ready for Mondays game.
30 Posted 03/03/2022 at 10:15:30
Patterson has barely experienced a top-flight game before and has quite rightly been nursed along at Finch Farm. He has had to adjust to being away from his parents, living in a strange city, not having his mates around, possibly being away from his girlfriend – he's had an awful lot to get used to even ignoring the pressures concerning the change in manager and battle against relegation. Frank will play him when he thinks he is ready... which may well be tonight.
I am in the camp for fielding a strong side then using subs if we get a comfortable lead. I can see this being a really tough game (look at the table – we are not a very good side this season) and we need to go for them from the start.
Pickford
Welch Holgate Keane
Patterson Allan Doucouré Mykolenko
Gordon Richarlison Gray
31 Posted 03/03/2022 at 10:21:44
Not Frank though... easy win for me and, as has been said, put it to bed before half-time and make changes.
32 Posted 03/03/2022 at 10:39:54
I'll go with my standard early cup round plea. Start with a strong team, get the game won then rest. Don't underestimate, don't disrespect the foe; respect your enemy (sorry we've been talking a lot about Ukraine and war).
Take players off when we are in control, not end up chasing the game against a dogged resistance because we made too many changes.
33 Posted 03/03/2022 at 10:40:22
34 Posted 03/03/2022 at 11:31:47
In midfield I'd play Doucouré (needs the minutes) Gomes and Tyler Onyango.
Upfront Gray(also needs minutes) Rondon and Townsend.
That should be enough to comfortably see off Boreham Wood.
35 Posted 03/03/2022 at 11:33:40
36 Posted 03/03/2022 at 11:45:53
37 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:11:15
Begovic
Coleman
Branthwaite
Keane or Holgate
Mykolenko
Iwobi
Allan
Doucouré
Gray
Richarlison
Gordon
You just don't want a scenario where they are well in the game at half-time. I always think it's much more difficult when the first choice players are coming on to try and win the tie late on.
38 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:31:06
Today, a ''weakened'' side should take care of the non-leaguers but you can be sure it won't be that comfortable, especially when we are so compromised up front.
39 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:45:48
It was a John Cooper Clarke poem that included the line 'you never see a nipple in the Daily Express'. It may even have been the poem's title.
Usmanov sanctions are a no brainer given the circumstances.
40 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:47:20
41 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:47:35
I watched their game against Bournemouth, and Bournemouth battered their goal and I was amazed they never scored.
The whole country, even world, will be watching this game, hoping for the shock of all shocks, so come on Frank, strongest possible team and game over after 30 minutes.
42 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:51:25
But I hope the passion and desire burning inside is balanced, controlled and channeled.
The management team will make that call.
I want him to play and do well. But the caution is that he is too pumped up and loses his head.
@Rob; yes get this won so we can get one step closer to Wembley. And Europe.
43 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:51:58
Oviedo did get his bad injury in the FA Cup but wasn't it away to Cardiff City?
I could be wrong but that's my recollection.
44 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:56:52
45 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:57:14
46 Posted 03/03/2022 at 12:58:09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80I0U7jmdu0
47 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:02:00
49 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:08:48
Worst ever has to be that Coventry player at Old Trafford. Schmeichel (senior) was visibly distraught.
50 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:15:43
Yeah, we may lose but that's better than getting valuable players injured. We are moderate with all our best players fit; without 2 or 3 of our stand-out players, we will really struggle in the League.
On another note, do you think this club is cursed! It seems everything we come in contact with fails in one way or another. Talk about bad luck, we seem to be always on the wrong end of every situation.
51 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:19:24
52 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:41:08
The Coventry players name was Busst and his tib and fib splintered, not just a break. A shocking injury.
53 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:43:40
54 Posted 03/03/2022 at 13:51:59
I tend to agree, but there aren't many other options with Donny and Dele cup-tied.
55 Posted 03/03/2022 at 14:10:44
Oops ! :-)
56 Posted 03/03/2022 at 14:21:11
57 Posted 03/03/2022 at 14:21:32
As many have already posted, we can use up to 5 subs so let's try to blow them away, early on, and then bring on some of the kids.
Maybe Patterson will be one of those because the word from Finch Farm appears to be that he's not yet ready to start. Onyango won't be involved as he's injured.
58 Posted 03/03/2022 at 14:38:53
Everton have already lost Ben Godfrey in the last match against Brentford. The hamstring injury he sustained will take time to heal from 6 weeks to 2 months.
During that period, Everton are being heavily penalised in defence without him, because he can play very well in every position in the defence.
59 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:04:49
60 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:16:19
With Everton's finances now being squeezed because of the Ukrainian - Russian war, next season's finances could be far worse without Everton being in the Premier League.
61 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:18:28
1.We will make hard work of it.
2.There will be more back passes than shots on Boreham Wood's goal.
3.We will play with two defencive Midfielder's yet again.
62 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:21:48
63 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:22:09
Rob #46, yes, sheer accident, no foul involved as with Seamus and Gomes. Still breaks my heart -- I always felt Oviedo could have been more than a squad player for us, but the injury really set him back.
64 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:54:45
65 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:55:04
The cup run in 95 didn't do us much harm as we battled relegation. If anything it gave us confidence and galvanized a struggling team to turn the corner.
66 Posted 03/03/2022 at 15:58:51
Also saw Jimmy Husband have his ankle broken by Dave Mackay against Derby. Like Connolly, he was never the same after that.
67 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:01:20
Yet again leading the way for class.
68 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:10:42
That regime had such a damaging affect on Everton football club imo, with regards to existing to win, and although Im aware of what youre saying… thats just not for me mate because I want to witness some real joy🙏
69 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:13:16
I believe that we should not make major changes to our strongest 11 but feel the our achilles hell of Holgate and Keane should be given a rest and Brandthwaite and Reece should have an opportunity.
WE may need Seamus leadership on the pitch to start but I would plan for PAtterson to come on at some stage.
MF is a bit of a quandary with players cup tied or carrying knocks but the Duke needs some more match fitness and can anchor the MF till we get a grip on the game. This is Gomes level so he should be ok for this game although cup tie pace may be a bit much for him. Townshend may add some experience to MF with Gray Rondon and Dobbin up front. Well that my thinking anyway.
70 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:22:35
71 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:25:15
73 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:26:10
74 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:27:19
75 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:39:45
Its all about opinions, I was at Ipswich when Rideout scored to preserve our premier league safety that season in game 41, and it was only because Everton improved under Joe Royle, that we got safe that season, whilst most of our best victories still came in FA Cup ties.
Are we good enough to repeat the feat. Highly unlikely, but who Knows?
76 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:43:52
77 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:52:13
What a horrible game that was, a weird, flat atmosphere and feeling of inevitable doom even before the goal barrage. Then barely any fight for the rest of the match. Terrible day.
Watching Rob's link to Oviedo's leg break, another showed up at the side that I'd forgotten: Rondon (accidentally) on McCarthy.
Brian @ 67 - it's a nice gesture, but not too nice, I hope.
78 Posted 03/03/2022 at 16:54:58
79 Posted 03/03/2022 at 17:16:35
80 Posted 03/03/2022 at 17:58:50
81 Posted 03/03/2022 at 18:11:01
82 Posted 03/03/2022 at 18:35:42
83 Posted 03/03/2022 at 18:35:42
84 Posted 03/03/2022 at 18:48:17
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1 Posted 02/03/2022 at 18:42:16