Chris Beesley - Calvert-Lewin keeps his place as Gordon returns
Frank Lampard has a huge hole to fill in the centre of the park for Everton's crucial trip to Burnley and like at West Ham United on Sunday it looks like Mason Holgate is going to have to be the man who plugs the gap. With Michael Keane suspended after his sending off at the London Stadium, Holgate would ideally be reverting to his preferred centre-back role but the Blues are chronically short of options in midfield.
Donny van de Beek's injury has left Everton down to the bare bones in the engine room so with Allan serving the last match of his three-game suspension, it looks like Holgate will have to continue as a square peg in a round hole unless either Fabian Delph or Andre Gomes can be declared fit. Keane's place therefore goes to teenager Jarrad Branthwaite who can provide some welcome height in defence to combat an aerial bombardment from the Clarets.
I'd also restore Anthony Gordon on the right wing for Alex Iwobi, whose mistake enabled the Hammers to score their winning goal. The Blues' home-grown hero netted his first two senior goals at Turf Moor earlier this season for Lee Carsley's England Under-21s so he has form at the ground.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gordon, Holgate, Doucoure, Gray; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
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Paul Wheelock - Coleman and Delph come in to start
On and off the field, Everton can have no-one else to blame but themselves for the position they are in. But, my word, they don’t half have some rotten luck, from VAR to particularly injuries, with now Nathan Patterson and Donny van de Beek joining Yerry Mina, Andros Townsend and Tom Davies on the sidelines. It’s been the perfect storm of a season and the waters will only get choppier if the Blues lose what truly is a massive match for the football club this evening.
Frank Lampard, while also not helped by the suspensions of Michael Keane and Allan, has to get his team right. And that means a back four of Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey and Vitalii Mykolenko behind Jordan Pickford in goal. In truth, the defence almost picks itself, and the same goes for the centre of midfield, where Fabian Delph should return to partner Abdoulaye Doucoure, who needs a performance. He’s not the only one, mind, and maybe not more so than Delph. Yes, he's not been helped by injuries, but if his time at Goodison Park is coming to an end, what better way to end it than helping steer the Blues to survival. He can provide protection in front of the back four and keep possession, both of which were again lacking in the defeat to West Ham United at the weekend.
It was a defeat largely inflicted by Keane’s needless sending off and Alex Iwobi’s careless pass. But other than that fatal moment, Iwobi impressed, and he should keep his place in the side alongside Richarlison, who played well but once again did not show the necessary killer touch, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was unfortunate to come off. Demarai Gray could have had no complaints if he was hooked, though, and he should be replaced in the starting line-up tonight by Anthony Gordon.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Delph; Gordon, Iwobi, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.
Connor O'Neill - Delph comes in with Gordon in new position
Another game, another selection dilemma for Frank Lampard for all the wrong reasons as injuries and suspensions again take their toll on his side.
Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, with Ben Godfrey and Vitaliy Mykolenko keeping their places at the back. While Mason Holgate and Seamus Coleman should make up the rest of the back-four, with Coleman coming in for Jonjoe Kenny.
While in midfield, Fabian Delph should be given the nod alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, with Anthony Gordon operating in front of them. Richarlison and Demarai Gray should start on either flank, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin tasked with leading the line.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Delph; Gray, Gordon, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.
