Everton return to the pitch after the international break and will be looking build on their first victory of the season (1-0 against West Ham.) The Blues will be without right back Nathan Patterson, who was injured during Scotland’s Nation League draw with Ukraine. Considering Everton’s run of injuries, it should be seen as a positive left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko didn’t get injured.
Frank Lampard’s side will welcome back goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who should start packing for the Qatar Cup as England’ No. 1. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who after scoring 16 league goals for Carlo Ancelotti, has had a almost endless run of injuries, might get a run out.
Lampard told the Southern Echo,
“Any player that has recurrent injuries has a difficult time, it’s difficult to deal with because they want to play. All you can ask for is the players keep doing the right things to get back onto the pitch.
“We’re always searching for the best way to keep Dominic fit because we know the level of player he is, we’ve seen in previous seasons.”
Neal Maupay, who opened his Everton account with the winning goal against the Hammers will likely start, but it would be interesting to see Maupay and DCL play together.
The Blues and the Saints are both on seven points after seven matches with Everton a spot ahead because of goal difference. Southampton has lost its last two matches, both 1-0 losses at Wolves and Aston Villa.
Lampard isn’t taking the Saints lightly, he said during his Thursday pre-match press conference,
They’re a strong team. There’s no doubt there’s a change of style this season, it’s quite evident the way they play.
“But they’ve got some good results this year, a good manager, (Ralph Hassenhutl) good players, good attitude and good recruitment with energy and youth in the team. They have an interesting way of playing, so it will be a good test.”
Allan has moved on from Everton’s midfield, but along with the back four, the midfield is a greatly improved department. Alex Iwobi had continued his renaissance for Lampard and Tom Davis has played well when called on, but the core has been Amadou Onana and Idressa Gana Gueye. With Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner gaining fitness. Garner has been especially impressive for the England U-21s and Lampard has said Garner is likely to feature soon.
NOTE: It’s going to be 0-2 Blues as Everton pick up their first away victory of the season. I plan to cover the Women’s team, who beat Leicester , 1-0, Thursday on a regular basis. They deserve it. Talk of Everton being sold is circulating again and if more develops today, I’ll write about it. Planning to have a match story between 6 and 7 pm on Saturday. Finally, I am going to take this site behind a paywall, it won’t be expensive and most of the stories will be free. I’m not a bloody content creator, I’m a writer, a journalist and would like a few quid for the odd beer, snacks and Everton swag.