Everton line-ups as Nathan Patterson question answered…

Everton line-ups as Nathan Patterson question answered with attacking change for Fulham

Joe Thomas - McNeil deserves his chance in attack

The talking point for Fulham is whether to bring back Nathan Patterson now that he is in the squad, as confirmed by Frank Lampard on Thursday. He started the season impressively, negotiated the switch from a back five to a back four perhaps better than expected and his loss to injury forced a reconfiguration of the side just as it was gathering momentum.

Coleman has come in and done well, however. He was solid at Southampton and excellent against Crystal Palace as he nullified danger man Wilfried Zaha. Few players were on top form at Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. I think this might be a game too soon for Patterson. Lampard tends to be cautious with recovering players and Patterson has now had two significant injuries this season. The defensive unit worked well against Palace and I’m keen to see Vitalii Mykolenko given another chance to be the full-back that pushes forward, as he did so effectively last week. Patterson is in my first-choice side but I’m sticking with Coleman today.

Instead, the change I would make is bringing in Dwight McNeil for Demarai Gray. Gray has struggled a bit in recent weeks and McNeil’s cameo against Palace was encouraging, even if the game was won. I think with Dominic Calvert-Lewin now back, McNeil gives Everton an additional way of hitting him. McNeil would make the attack less predictable and I like the idea of that.

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

Connor O'Neill - Has to be a case of more of the same

After last weekend’s comprehensive win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, it surely has to be a case of more of the same this afternoon.

Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, with Conor Coady and James Tarkowski lining up at the heart of the Blues’ defence. Vitaliy Mykolenko will also, one imagines, be given the nod at left-back.

As revealed by Frank Lampard on Thursday, Nathan Patterson is back fit and available, but it is hard to imagine that the right-back will be thrown straight back in. As a result, Seamus Coleman should continue in the role.

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. Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray should start on either flank, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, fresh from his first goal of the season, again leading the line.

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

Sean Bradbury - Patterson comes straight in

The key dilemma for Frank Lampard today is his "really good headache" at right-back.

While Seamus Coleman has done very well of late, particularly when up against Wilfried Zaha in the 3-0 win last weekend, I would marginally favour Nathan Patterson here. Any extra attacking edge that Everton can muster could be crucial against an erratic but dangerous Fulham outfit. He needs minutes and even if it was just 45/60 from the outset, it may make all the difference.

Otherwise it is largely the team that did the business so confidently against Crystal Palace, albeit with Dwight McNeil coming into the forward line.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko ; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, McNeil.

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