Everton line-ups as Dwight McNeil starts and Idrissa…

Everton line-ups as Dwight McNeil starts and Idrissa Gueye question raised for Spurs

'Dwight McNeil starts as DCL set for second half cameo'

Joe Thomas: Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Garner are knocking on the door but I don’t think either would make my starting eleven this evening. Calvert-Lewin could be the catalyst for the next stage of Frank Lampard’s project but such is his importance it is too early to risk starting him. Hopefully we will see more of him in the second half and get a glimpse of what this team can do with him on the pitch.

I was impressed with Garner’s debut minutes against Manchester United but I would keep the central midfield three for another game. Alex Iwobi has been the best player of Everton’s season so far and Amadou Onana has created two goals in two games through his presence and ability to read the game. Idrissa Gueye may have made costly mistakes recently but his experience and composure could be crucial to protecting the defence.

If Everton had the full complement of centre backs, or Nathan Patterson available to allow Seamus Coleman to cover in the middle, I would have considered reverting to five at the back. With the players available the back four stays though. Dwight McNeil comes in for the suspended Anthony Gordon - he was unlucky not to keep his place last week and his defensive determination could help Coleman.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; McNeil, Gray, Maupay.

'Answer to enforced change is clear as Idrissa Gueye question emerges'

Chris Beesley: Frank Lampard has one enforced change to make as Everton travel to Tottenham Hotspur with Anthony Gordon serving a one-match ban after picking up his fifth booking of the season but beyond that he must decide whether to stick or twist.

You'd imagine the decision to replace Gordon with Dwight McNeil on the winger would appear to be a fairly straightforward one but beyond that it's a case of whether the Blues boss wants to shuffle his pack after a first defeat in eight matches against Manchester United and two difficult-looking away games this week.

If Lampard wants to put a third centre-back into the side, Michael Keane is available while after giving the ball away in both of the last two games with errors that led to opposition goals, Idrissa Gueye could be feeling the heat. Further forward, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now fit again but it remains to be seen whether his manager deems whether he's ready to start but despite all these factors, I'd ultimately keep change to a minimum for now.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; McNeil, Gray, Maupay.

'Time for Frank Lampard to freshen things up'

Connor O'Neill: After last weekend’s disappointing result and performance against Manchester United, it is time for Frank Lampard to freshen things up.

Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, while at the back, Seamus Coleman, Conor Cody, James Tarkowski and Vitaliy Mykolenko all deserve to keep their places despite last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park.

However, in midfield there is scope for change. Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana should both start in the middle, with Alex Iwobi moving over to the right. His hard work and energy could be crucial in helping team-mate Coleman contain a lively Spurs left-hand side.

Dwight McNeil should come in on the left and James Garner should take up Iwobi’s position in the centre of midfield. Neal Maupay is once again charged with leading the line with Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming off the bench for another cameo.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Garner; Iwobi, McNeil, Maupay.

READ NEXT

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here