It’s often said in football that you shouldn’t change a winning side but having kept faith with the same 11 that suffered a third consecutive defeat at Newcastle United and then beating Crystal Palace 3-0, does Frank Lampard now decide to stick or twist? The emphatic nature of Everton’s success against the Eagles certainly makes it look like a tough ask for those currently not in the starting line-up to force their way in but there are still some questions to answer in terms of team selection.
Lampard confirmed ahead of the Palace game that Nathan Patterson is expected to be back fit in time for next weekend’s trip to Fulham. The 21-year-old started the first eight matches of this season in all competitions before picking up and ankle injury on international duty with Scotland.
However, even if the £12million signing from Rangers is ready to return, captain Seamus Coleman has impressed in his absence and produced arguably his best performance of the campaign so far against Palace when shackling Wilfried Zaha and the 34-year-old Irishman won’t be willing to give up his place in the side without a fight. The same goes for the rest of the defence with centre-back pair James Tarkowski and Conor Coady both producing dominant displays against the Eagles while left-back Vitalii Mykolenko not only kept the visitors at bay but got forward more often to much greater effect than of late.
READ MORE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin fires back at social media critics and shares 'most difficult' Everton moment
READ MORE: Frank Lampard just took Everton step that was beyond Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti
Such form makes it unlikely that fit-again Mason Holgate and Michael Keane – both substitutes on Saturday – or Ruben Vinagre, will be stepping up just yet unless there is an issue with any of the incumbent starters. The competition for places in midfield is possibly even fiercer.
James Garner’s progress since his transfer deadline day move from Manchester United continues to be praised by Lampard and his backroom staff in interviews and the 21-year-old came off the bench again against the Eagles. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tom Davies also made late cameos but the balance that the contrasting attributes of Alex Iwobi (two assists against Palace), Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye seems to be providing the balance that the manager wants right now.
On the wings, Anthony Gordon – who netted his first Goodison Park goal of the season against Palace – and Demarai Gray, were both much-improved but after coming off the bench and breaking his own home scoring duck in competitive action, Dwight McNeil will be pushing hard for a recall. Up front, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin taking just 11 minutes to register on his first Goodison start of the season, it’s to be hoped that the rigours of two games in four days for Everton’s number nine prove no barrier by the time the trip to Craven Cottage comes along, ensuring that Neal Maupay will probably have to make do with a place on the bench again.
READ NEXT
Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin left in the dark as Gareth Southgate makes World Cup squad call
National media make same Dominic Calvert-Lewin Everton point after Crystal Palace win
Everton analysis - Transfer plan pays off after £70m miss as big Frank Lampard question answered
Frank Lampard explains why fans have just witnessed a real 'Everton performance'
Martin Keown and Danny Murphy heap praise on James Tarkowski but raise England issue
