Everton vs Brighton: Preview and Predicted Lineups

With teams like them who are expert at a fast attacking style and quick breakaways, you have to have an organised defence. We can't have Gueye thinking he's a striker and loitering round the opposition's penalty area, he's a defensive midfielder, protecting the defence... He should be barking out orders saying who should be covering who.

Structure is the key, keep your shape. I've noticed that a lot of the teams are getting dragged out of position, with five or six players all on one side, and feet away from each other, like a game in the playground.

I remember Kevin Keegan saying, one reason he left Liverpool was because he was being told where to stand when the opposition had a throw-in, but that was organisation to the max.

Teams are wide open simply through lack of an organised team. Moyes should, of all people have his team's defensively structured. With the injuries we have, and players out of position, we need the mentality of stick to the plan, and no gung-ho attitudes.

I think we will win this one, backed by the new stadium, and the fans, and a little luck, and an unbent referee, and VAR not sleeping at inappropriate times, and Jesus on our side, oh, and var on our side for a change, and fingers crossed, and news of hundreds of tins of blue paint due for BMD. I think I've got everything covered.

Everton 2 Brighton 1. Where's me rabbit's foot, and me lucky heather, and me four-leaf clover, and me horseshoe?

Drop Alacarz and Beto

We still have some options up field, let's see Grealish and Ndiaye on the flanks and start Barry. Grealish probably won't track back so we need the mid to give some cover.

C'mon, Moyes — better than the Leeds fiasco please.

I don't see Grealish starting either – more like half time, it depends how the game is shaping up. Alcaraz in Garner's place, maybe McNeil further forward.

I know we had very few chances on Monday night, but I thought he offered absolutely nothing upfront.

Playing alone upfront with no service and not a decent pass for the whole game.

Okay, some of his play is limited, but give him chances and he will score.

He's played under Moyes and Dyke two of the most negative managers in the game. We don't create enough chances per game.

We need our lads to start fast, get the crowd going, get in their faces... intensity needed and some skill too, please!

On the subject of past managers, yes, it didn't work with Lampard (Premier League possibly too soon for him). But Coventry now scored 7, and the news about them buying the stadium is brilliant news.

My main hopes for this game:

1. Everton score the first goal;
2. The goal is one to remember – not an own goal or a scrambled goal or a penalty or spoilt by a VAR wait.

It would be a bold decision for Moyes to play Aznou – I don't think he will start with him. In my opinion, a 3-4-3 would best suit the available personnel:

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Keane
Garner Gueye Dewsbury-Hall McNeil
Grealish Beto Ndiaye

Subs: Travers, Aznou, Armstrong, Iroegbunam, Alcaraz, Barry, Chermiti

I pick Ndiaye to score the first goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Pickford King Travers
O'Brien Tarkowski
Gueye Garner Grealish McNeil Ndiaye Dewsbury-Hall

That's the neutral view.

I remember Dwight filled in on the left against Man City a couple of years ago and, whilst not brilliant, did a steady job against top opposition.

We cannot be as lopsided as we were against Leeds on Monday.

Can't recall him ever being positive about us. Did someone spill his ale?

They get paid for it too, unbelievable !

I don't think Keane has ever played well in a three. Let's hope Aznou is fit and up to par. We need a strong midfield against these.

I would go with three of Gueye, Garner and Dewsbury-Hall with either Anjou or McNeil at left-back and Ndiaye, Beto and Grealish up front.

He should be giving Barry a run out.

When did players stop being midfielders? What's with DM AM etc? When I played, I was a centre mid who attacked and defended, same as all the midfield, and did the work for the creative types.

Pickford
Coleman
Tarkowski
O'Brien
Aznou
Dewsbury-Hall
Garner
Gana
Ndiaye
Grealish
Barry

To be honest, Derek, these footballers are fannies today. 😂

"These footballers are fannies today."

I'm glad somebody else has noticed. Expensive fannies too.

For whatever reason, we are currently bang out of form. I think taking both Doucoure and Branthwaite out of that side has left a huge hole in our competitiveness.

I think we may be in for a frustrating few weeks, we are changing our whole style and have got more than half a side getting to know each other. We won't go down, but I don't think this season is going to be anything special.

Shows how bad we are, just hope we turn up on Sunday.

I want to be wrong, but I haven't got much faith that Moyes will manage the game well tomorrow. BMD has been getting much publicity and hype, the first game cannot be a home loss.

I imagine he always planned to get back to the Premier League, used Sporting as his stepping stone. Doubt it had anything to do with Dyche.

I don't know if Dyche had any influence.

Obviously getting goals is paramount to win games although they almost got a point at Leeds only for that late penalty. They wouldn't have deserved it the way Moyes set things up… but heck, who cares? A point is a point.

Grealish must start, he gets free-kicks and that's how we may get a goal.

What about that farcical Spurs second goal against Man City? Why is the goal-kick taker passing to the keeper along the 6-yard box???

I saw an interview with him early February and he was disappointed his dream to move to the Premier League had fallen through but had to re-focus and attempt to get there with Coventry.

They lost in the playoffs and Sporting came in with the money Coventry wanted and off he went. We were unable to pay up front being the issue, I believe.

His face and words in that interview after the end of the January window made it clear to me we missed a great chance there, if we had the money.

A good friend who is Coventry mad also informed he was hoping to come to us that January.

One that got away for sure.

Personally I would still go with McNeil at left-back. Garner battled well but being right-footed really limited him.

Then Garner or Dewsbury-Hall in midfield.

Tim Iroegbunam and left-back were the two big issues against Leeds that needed sorting. We couldn't play forward.

As much as we might have wanted to sign Gyökeres in January 2023 (and he was certainly somebody Thelwell had identified), with our PSR and financial position at the time, we simply couldn't.

Indeed, rather than sign anybody in that window, we had to sell Anthony Gordon to keep the wolves from the door.

Sadly the offer was not to Coventry's liking as it was of the type of deal we soon after did for Beto instead. Zero up front and £10M next year and another £10M the year after. No good to Coventry as they insisted on the money up front.

Of course we didn't offer Calvert-Lewin to Coventry. Of course he wouldn't have wanted to drop down — what on earth has even made you suggest that???

Think of what we have had to endure to get here. The points deductions, the ridicule, the protests, the shame, Kenwright, the thought of a Tesco carpark in Kirkby, 777 Partners...

Today is a celebration for every single one of us – David Moyes had better remember that, so too every single supporter who takes their seat, remember. Then cheer your bloody lungs out for every sodding minute, make "The Dock" feared as the fortress it was intended to be.

Vindicate all those who drove through the pain of all the above for just one day, today. The rest of the season will be what it will be, but today is ours. Victory is the only thing acceptable.

When he re-signed, I thought it was so he could lead the team out at the new gaff, and then he might retire.

Of course we're so thin on numbers, we probably can't afford him to retire now!

We move on.

But, like you say, Calvert-Lewin would never have been up for it probably. Such is the tendency of some players to think they are better than they are, hey. Maybe he will suddenly find his Don Carlo form at Leeds though, but he never did for us, did he, though injuries and lack of quality service didnt help either I agree.

When chances are at a premium though, how wonderful it would have been if we had a predator that took his fair share of them.

Anyway, what is gone is gone. We must look forward. Historic day is nearly upon us. Seize the day! UTFT.

So the problem is width. McNeil would need to be very good at finding space on the left and recovering. Either Garner or Grealish would need to drift wide right to overload.

The real problem is getting out of our box after digging in on defence. Perhaps Ndiaye can find that early ball carrier form and find Grealish or Dewsbury-Hall in support. Any early possession and I would bring Barry above the D to time moves into the box with Ndiaye or Grealish.

McNeil and Ndiaye have defended well together, forgot the match, may be City as suggested above. Gana and Garner have covered each other's forward runs well. O'Brien can limit the risks on the right. He may give some chances to Mitoma but they will be second options, hopefully just enough to disrupt timing.

Brighton can bring some flashy football effectively. The crowd could get edgy if Grealish and Ndiaye cannot get going. I expect Dewsbury-Hall and McNeil to benefit from the ball carriers and get some chances to place some dangerous balls into the box.

I figure, it's been so shit, eventually you'd think we would be due one. Hopefully, we don't do one.

UTFT! Dammit!

We so need a win today but I can see the same team as Leeds starting. Come on, Everton.

Ben #58, Coventry told us to do one.

Moyes will pick pretty much the same team as against Leeds. He is conservative in the extreme. Just maybe he'll pick Grealish on the left, shift Ndiaye to the right, and drop Alcaraz.

Otherwise, business as usual and let's hope it isn't as dire as last Monday. But truthfully, why wouldn't it be...?

I said in the post match thread that I thought it was in midfield that he got it wrong. He should have gone 451.

He should leave Ndiaye out left where he did so well for us last season. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

If Grealish is a number 10 play him there from the start and replace him with Alcaraz when he runs out of steam.

Dewsbury-Hall has to start because he can pass a ball and Gana is a walk-up start.

That leaves right-wing and centre-forward. Beto gets some hammer on here but in Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall we have two players who can provide him with passes to run onto. I would play Beto.

That leaves the right-wing (which won't be a problem for much longer). I would play McNeil there.

Pickford
O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner
McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Gueye, Grealish, Ndiaye
Beto.

Up front, Barry, Beto and Chermiti with 2 from Dewsbury-Hall, Alcaraz or Grealish just behind for any rebounds which solves the midfield problem as we can just play the preferred long ball game.

Which just leaves one spot for Moyes's youth policy… probably Gana. Saves messing around trying to sort out the midfield.

All fans stop moaning about the price of food and drink, stop moaning about last week's Leeds defeat, stop moaning about loosing out on signings, and use that energy to get behind the boys wearing blue.

For the first time in years, I have subscribed to watch Premier League footie, up at stupid o'clock in Australia. Can't shout n scream coz the wife is in bed – even gave up the beer drinking.

I'm no fan of Moyes but I hope he gets it right today.

For those who attend the match, it's your duty to us all to cheer the team to a historic win.

Enjoy the game!

But we all know Moyes will probably play the same line-up he did against Leeds with the likes of Garner out of position.

I'd march off to war with you in a minute.

Put last week behind us and go for the win, Everton.

New Stadium, new beginnings, some new players. Come on – let's put on a show!

A loss would just set the tone for the rest of the season.

Let's make it happen!

Laurie, I agree with your team selection, it's the best balance and Grealish has to start. Let's get on the front foot!

Big fan of Alcaraz but playing him, Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish is too much so Charly comes on for one of them later.

Using 5 subs today at the right time will be very important today as we tire and Brighton will bring fast fresh legs on for the last 30 minutes guaranteed.

Can't wait for today. Gonna get down to the ground super-early, check out my stone on Everton Way, and then soak up the brand-new matchday atmosphere.

UTFT x 1,000,000!!!

The Gooners showed how poor Leeds are, and we should have turned up, so I am hoping Moyes puts out a good team today.

C'mon Blues — please don't let us down on the first proper game. UTFT

I think you've got to contest the midfield vs Brighton; if you play with 5 at the back, they'll walk all over you.

Need to get the ball moving quickly between the lines. Dewsbury-Hall will give a bit of balance on the left.

Coleman could get exposed vs Mintah, so he will need Dewsbury-Hall in front of him.

Make him sit on the bench, play Barry and get Beto chomping at the bit to improve and get his dubious place back.

Simples!

Beto needs balls behind or down the channels to run onto. Or in the air with players around them. His touch is his weakest asset so we just have to use him right. Barry is a similar type of player; though better at linking play, he's possibly worse at finishing currently.

I think Ian's team looks about right… though I'd play Aznou if fit.

I saw that, too. Really impressive facilities to make the stadium accessible to all, with sensory rooms and quiet rooms. Pretty sure it is unique in the Premier League for this.

What a stadium – just need a performance (today) and a team (by 1 September) fit to grace it!

Home advantage counts for an awful lot. Hopefully we will see that today. UTFT

Not sure that you will be able to see the tablets and stones on Everton Way. Something about work still going on.

I understand the overall age demographic is of older supporters but you can all sing and scream. Make me happy in Portugal whilst I sink a super bok.

It was a 4-nil defeat last year!

Mind you, we were running a tad late, so give yourself plenty of time, mate.

He's an inside-right with a football brain; play him in midfield and then judge him.

I like the guy and at least he has proved he has a goal or two in him if played in the right position.

Free programme, tenner on my season ticket to spend at the bar etc. Can't wait. lol.

When really required, teams and supporters used to fear Goodison, especially on a dark night match. There's no doubt that the Goodison factor saved us from relegation when the team was relegation fodder.

I know it's a bit pessimistic on a day like this – but Everton does that to you! I'm just as hopeful and excited about the new blue dawn as we all are.

Surely he has learnt to lean over the ball at this stage? Seemingly not!!

It looks well when I am afraid of Brighton at home.

I have everything crossed for a win, but bear in mind Brighton are seen as favourites for this game.

I don't expect the atmosphere to be anything like Goodison – it will take quite a few years to reach that sort of atmosphere. The reason is that, for the first time in decades, you are sitting around strange faces, not the normal faces you have seen every week, and that tends to lesson the passion a little.

Some saying Grealish may start on the bench; hopefully not.

And please don't start him wide, he is a Number 10 all day long. Surely the whole point of getting him was to help us keep possession better and control the tempo of the game. It's very difficult to do that from out wide.

That would be my starting 11.

Guess what? The clubs with the best teams fared rather better than the clubs with the poorer teams in terms of win % in their first season in their new stadium.

Obviously we need to try to make BMD a fortress, but we also need a team that generates the passion and can compete with the usual suspects.

McNeil has a wand of a left foot and would be keen to overlap but I worry he would then get seriously exposed defensively due to lack of recovery pace. I would worry about that a lot more than worrying about O'Brien if he plays at RB.
Every option without Jarrad, Mykolenko or a better right-back seems like a bit of a compromise. Personally, without the benefit of seeing what has occurred in training, I would be accepting any inherent gamble by playing (right to left) Garner, Tarkowski, O'Brien and Aznou.

I'd even consider trying Garner and Aznou as wing-backs with Keane coming in to make a back three, and with Gana absolutely forbidden from getting more than 20 yards into the opponents half (unless a clear breaking opportunity arose) so he could solely focus on plugging the gaps behind the wingbacks / provide an outlet option for the back three. The back four has the advantage of allowing all of Ndiaye, Grealish, Alcaraz and Dewsbury-Hall to support or play off the solo striker.

Hopefully they have been working hard all week to give us something coherent and effective against Brighton.

COYB! Time to make all-comers fearful of visiting BMD.

At least he is a left-back with a left foot and he seems to have some pace, which might make up for any defensive inefficiency.

Christine #49 is right as always. Do the cheering for her and every Evertonian that wished they could be there today. Today is a new start and a line drawn under all the crap of the past.

Let's get 3 points and make the stadium a fortress.

ps: Moyes, get it right and put your best foot forward and stop whinging and making excuses. 3 points please.

Not our game, to be fair...

It will be a shock (to me at least) if we get anything from this game. We've made a load of signings, but they are going to take weeks to bed in.

As it is, this is a team that's lost to Leeds and West Ham. I think we need to brace for a few crap results.

To be fair to Moyes, he has been sounding this alarm for weeks; this team isn't ready, and certainly can't cope with three of its back four being out.

On several occasions, I noticed Tarkowski thinking he was the new Kevin De Bruyne.

I'd try Barry after last week's performance by Beto.

Do that and we will get the win.

We would have to sit 10 yards further back, thus leaving huge gaps in the middle of the park. Still think we'll sneak it though.

Kirkby would have accelerated the speed of what was becoming a slow painful death. The new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey, is hopefully going to be a catalyst for a return to the glory days!

I won't be the only one doing your bidding today, with an extra cheer or two for your uncle who introduced you to the Blues. I only hope that bleedin VAR doesn't make me cheer twice for the same bleedin' goal.

Best wishes as usual, Christine, I hope your screams of delight two or three times today don't upset your neighbours too much.

Hopefully we'll see what the atmosphere can be like and there'll be reasons for the crowd to make plenty of noise and back the Blues.

A couple of solid tackles and dodgy ref decisions often does the trick!