Confirmed Everton starting XI v Brighton: Dwight McNeil starts, Ellis Simms named on bench
Frank Lampard has named his Everton starting XI for the Toffees’ Premier League clash against Brighton at Goodison Park.
The Everton boss has made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Manchester City in the Toffees’ last Premier League fixture.
Suspended Amadou Onana has been replaced by Tom Davies in midfield, and Ben Godfrey has been axed to the bench and been replaced by summer signing Dwight McNeil.
Ellis Simms has also been named on the bench after being recalled from his Sunderland loan spell.
Huge
This is a must-win game for the Toffees, particularly with Leeds United and West Ham facing each other on Wednesday (3 January). A win could see Lampard’s side make real ground in the relegation dogfight and pull themselves clear of David Moyes’ men if results go their way.
January will be season-defining for Everton with the club clearly sticking by Lampard after a disappointing run of results. There will have to be fresh faces come through the door at Goodison Park in order to give the Toffees the best chance of avoiding the drop come May.
Attacking reinforcements are clearly high on the agenda of the Everton boss with Mediafoot reporting (1 January) that Montpellier striker Elye Wahi is being strongly considered by the Toffees.
The Premier League clash at Brighton will be an extremely tough test of Lampard’s side and it’s imperative every single player performs to their max if they wish to get anything from the fixture.