A look at the changes to Everton’s starting 11 that David Moyes could make for the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion
After guiding Everton to the first win of his second spell in charge against Tottenham Hotspur, David Moyes makes the long trip down to the Sussex coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion in his first away game. Although the Blues were thrashed 3-0 by the Seagulls in their opening game of the season, they are actually unbeaten in their last four visits to the Amex Stadium since their controversial 3-2 defeat on October 26, 2019, when VAR was used to overturn a penalty decision not initially given by the referee – converted by the hosts’ future Everton striker Neal Maupay – before a stoppage time own goal by Lucas Digne condemned the visitors to defeat.
Since then, Everton have enjoyed the famous 5-1 victory on May 8, 2023, which was a huge result towards them avoiding relegation on the final day of that season and Moyes will be hoping that one of their heroes from that day is fit to return. Dwight McNeil, who bagged a brace that day, and was only denied a hat-trick because an effort on target was deflected into his own net by home keeper Jason Steele, has not featured for the Blues since he was forced off in the 74th minute of their 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 4.
The Rochdale-born player has been sidelined for the subsequent eight matches with a knee injury but ahead of Spurs’ visit on Sunday, Moyes said: “We’re hoping Dwight isn’t too far away but we’re just waiting on some more information.”
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If McNeil was to return then he could possibly be deployed in the number 10 role he occupied earlier in the season, or move back on to the wing with Iliman Ndiaye going central or Jesper Lindstrom missing out, although the Dane produced arguably his most-encouraging display in an Everton shirt to date against Tottenham, earning a standing ovation after being substituted. That performance ensures it looks unlikely that Jack Harrison comes back in, although the on-loan Leeds United player got the nod from Moyes in the previous match against Aston Villa.
A McNeil comeback could also see Abdoulaye Doucoure moved deeper but Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala both impressed in the engine room against Spurs, ensuring that James Garner (who Moyes said was back on the pitch training) and Tim Iroegbunam (who the manager said was about to get back training) can both be eased back in. Defence could be a curious call given that Ashley Young has been one of Everton’s more consistent performers so far this term, but Jake O’Brien impressed on his first Premier League start against the Londoners on the right-hand side so competition for places at the back appears to have increased.
