I want Gordon and Gray running at them from kick-off
JOE THOMAS: Dwight McNeil’s performance at Southampton was far more than just his goal, but I would bring Anthony Gordon back into the starting line up. Manchester United’s right back, Diogo Dalot, and both rival left-backs - Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw - regularly pick up bookings so I want Gordon and Demarai Gray running at them from kick-off. Gordon’s winner in this fixture last year was a highlight of the campaign and I back him to perform today.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return is welcome and I love the idea of having him to aim for - his physical presence could be significant, especially in the air if he can target Lisandro Martinez. However, after such a long absence and with Neal Maupay in good form, I would start Maupay. The prospect of him, Gordon and Gray buzzing around that defence fills me with excitement for what could be a really entertaining game under the Goodison lights.
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I’m also intrigued to see how Alex Iwobi does today if he comes up against Casemiro. Iwobi has been a creative force recently and has allowed Everton to look so much more comfortable in the middle of the pitch. Watching one of the Premier League’s most in-form central midfielders against such a serial winner will be fascinating.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Coady, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Gueye, Onana; Gordon, Maupay, Gray.
There's only major selection issue
CHRIS BEESLEY: All being well there's only one major selection issue for Frank Lampard to make as Everton go searching for a third consecutive Premier League win tonight at home to Manchester United - and that's whether or not to recall Anthony Gordon.
The Blues' homegrown hero, who was the subject of intense transfer interest from Chelsea in the final days of the summer window remains one of the team's biggest dangermen and of course he netted the winner with his deflected shot when United last came to Goodison on Grand National Day. Having overcome the illness that ensured he started on the bench for the last game - a 2-1 comeback win at Southampton - Gordon goes back into the starting line-up for me, but having secured those three points for Everton with his maiden strike for the club, I also believe summer signing Dwight McNeil has done enough to retain his place, so it's Demarai Gray who misses out on this occasion.
While it's also great to hear that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit to be included for the first time this term, the number nine will also have to make do with a place on the bench as Neal Maupay continues to lead the line.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Coady, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Maupay, McNeil.
Has to be a case of more of the same
CONNOR O'NEILL: Without sounding incredibly boring, surely Frank Lampard picks the same team that beat Southampton last time out?
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 following last weekend’s 2-1 win at St Mary’s. In midfield, it has to be a case of more of the same, with Idrissa Gueye, Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi all getting the nod. And even though Anthony Gordon is back fit, after their performances against the Saints, it would be incredibly harsh to drop either Dwight McNeil or Demarai Gray.
Frank Lampard of course revealed on Friday afternoon that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has recovered from injury and could feature this evening. However, Calvert-Lewin, who suffered a knee injury in the week leading into the opening game of the 2022/23 campaign, has been carefully managed on his rehabilitation back to full fitness, and with that in mind, Neal Maupay should once again lead the line.
My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; McNeil, Maupay, Gray.
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