Our Everton writers predict their line-ups for today’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Hill Dickinson Stadium
ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley has covered Everton and Liverpool both in the Premier League and abroad since 2005. He cut his teeth in professional sports journalism at the Ellesmere Port Pioneer and then the Welsh edition of the Daily Post, where he also covered Manchester United.
Prior to that he worked on the student newspaper Pluto at the University of Central Lancashire, a role in which he first encountered David Moyes. Chris is well-known for his sartorial elegance and the aforementioned Scottish manager once enquired of him at a press conference: “Is that your dad’s suit you’ve got on?” while the tradition continued in 2023 with new Blues boss Sean Dyche complimenting him on his smart appearance.
Jack Grealish, pictured acknowledged the fans after the 0-0 draw with his former club Aston Villa earlier this season, is set to return for Everton today(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
David Moyes secured the first win of his second stint in charge of Everton when Tottenham Hotspur were the visitors to Goodison Park in January. It was a game that marked a seismic shift in the Blues’ season as the Grand Old Lady rocked with delight as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time.
A late Spurs fightback threatened to ruin the party but Everton held on to three points that would mark the start of the climb away from trouble led by Moyes.
As Spurs return to Merseyside this afternoon, this time with Thomas Frank at the helm, the ECHO’s Everton writers consider how they would set the Blues team up for the contest.
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Jack Grealish returns straight away, for me. I like Carlos Alcaraz a lot but I think we can see the attacking three behind the striker that has gelled best has probably been Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye.
I’m still not sure that Ndiaye on the right is his best use but once again, at Manchester City, he showed he can be really effective there and that is probably best for the balance of the side.
I would stick with Beto up front – I am just plumping for him right now and hoping he can find a goal that can start a run of form. I thought he did okay in the early stages at the Etihad, though it would have been nice had he put one of those chances away. At least he is getting in those positions, though.
I am intrigued by the prospect of Merlin Rohl. David Moyes was excited for him when I spoke to him on Friday about the German youth international’s availability and he is another option in a midfield that started the season with too few. Moyes appears open to playing him out wide, in defence and midfield, while there is a temptation to slot him in the middle and move James Garner to right back.
I would not do that against Spurs. This was the game Jake O’Brien started his long run at right back in last season and his physicality and strength will be useful in both boxes. I am open to changes, just not for this game.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto.
Chris Beesley
With Jarrad Branthwaite cruelly facing a prolonged period on the sidelines having undergone an operating after suffering a setback with his hamstring injury, just as he was on the cusp of making a return, there is realistically just one change that David Moyes can make to improve his side against Tottenham Hotspur.
The England international – potentially a generational talent – could have taken the Blues’ game up a level as they enter a crucial crossroads in the season, looking to climb back into the upper echelons of the table rather than over their shoulders during what appears to be a closely-fought division so far.
However, after failing to kick a ball in competitive action this term, it looks like Moyes’ men are going to be without the Carlisle Kaiser until some unspecified point in 2026.So, in the meantime, an immediate return for loan star Jack Grealish, ineligible to feature against parent club Manchester City last time out, looks to be the obvious change on the left wing where Charly Alcaraz was unable to build upon the promise he shown off the bench in a more central attacking midfield role against Crystal Palace.
Everton’s two strikers both continue to labour but at least Beto was getting on the end of chances at the Etihad – something that eludes Thierno Barry – if only to miss them, so he continues to spearhead the attack.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Beto.
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