Season › 2022-23 › News Everton vs Chelsea Lyndon Lloyd 06/08/2022 61comments | Jump to last Match Preview Dele Alli could be asked to fulfil a "false nine" role against Chelsea or, with numbers so short in central midfield, that honour could go to Demarai Gray Depleted Everton kick off the 2022-23 season with a tricky fixture against last season's third-place finishers Chelsea and they'll do it without a recognised striker.With Dominic Calvert-Lewin now sidelined for six weeks and Salomon Rondon suspended following his red card against Brentford in the penultimate home game of last season against Brentford, Frank Lampard is going to have to get creative in terms of his forward line.Dele Alli offers a potential answer as a false nine to mirror Chelsea's expected deployment of Kai Havertz in the same role and has been moved into that position already in pre-season with Calvert-Lewin off the pitch so it would not be surprising to see the former Spurs man lead the line.Anthony Gordon's stock remains high and will surely start on one flank with, perhaps, Demarai Gray's longevity over Dwight McNeil giving him the edge of the new signing despite McNeil's star turn in the friendly against Dynamo Kyiv last week. Article continues below video content While central defence looks strong with Yerry Mina fit and expected to play in a back three alongside Ben Godfrey and James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko is a shoo-in at left wing-back, it's the opposite flank that might give the manager pause.Nathan Patterson has looked increasingly effective going forward but his inexperience has shown at times from a defensive standpoint and it could be that Seamus Coleman not fit - he turned out for the first time since undergoing surgery for the Under-21s in their win last night - Alex Iwobi gets the job, with the young Scot having to bide his time again somewhat.In central midfield, neither Amadou Onana nor Idrissa Gueye were signed in time to be eligible and with Allan not match fit (he, too, is working his way back after an operation) and both Tom Davies and André Gomes injured, there is only Abdoulaye Doucouré among those players regularly selected in the middle.Jean-Philippe Gbamin is an option alongside the Mali international as is bringing one the wide players in more centrally, dropping Dele back, pushing Gray forward and using McNeil or deploying someone like Mason Holgate in defensive midfield as an emergency, with Lewis Warrington in reserve on the bench.The last time these two sides met, of course, was just a few months ago in this same fixture when Everton beat Chelsea at Goodison Park for the fourth season in succession. The hero of that day, Richarlison, has gone, of course, so Toffees fans will be looking for the next hero to extend that impressive sequence of results against one of the so-called "big six".Kick-off: 5:30pm, Saturday, 6 August, 2022Referee: Craig PawsonVAR: John BrooksLast Time: Everton 1 - 0 ChelseaPredicted Line-up: Pickford, Godfrey, Mina, Tarkowski, Iwobi, Mykolenko, Doucouré, Gordon, McNeil, Gray, Alli Reader Comments (61) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Andrew Merrick 1 Posted 06/08/2022 at 08:49:26 Great to see the site back in time for matchday comments, Frank will be shuffling his pack and I eill be crossing my fingers coyb Brian Murray 2 Posted 06/08/2022 at 08:57:55 Might be painful and even costly but patterson has to play through and learn if makes mistakes. There’s a big player in there although I know managers jobs sometimes on the line so maybe a brave call. Jeff Armstrong 3 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:26:17 With Lampard being so risk-averse Godfrey may well get the nod over Patterson as Lyndon has indicated, I hope not though, as Patterson could become a big player for us if given the opportunities, he would be no less risky than Godfrey or Iwobi at RWB and would grow into the position to make it his own. Brent Stephens 4 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:37:52 A good win for the U21s at Southport last night against Blackburn. Goals from McAllister and Canon. Coleman got 45 minutes. First team - follow that, please. UTFT. Dean Williams 5 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:38:27 Typical of Everton that we start the season with no striker. Rondon may well get the nod. Dave Abrahams 6 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:43:37 I hope Patterson plays and If he does he deserves more service than he got versus Kiev, Godfrey completely ignored him, along with other players, in that game although he got himself into some lovely positions to receive the ball, mostly he was getting long diagonal passes high up in the air but he made the most of them heading or chesting those awkward balls to a teammate.I think there is a very good player in the young Scotsman but he has to be treated as part of the team not left in isolation which he was for quite a lot of the time. Give him the bleedin’ ball and trust the lad. Keith Meakin 7 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:48:33 I see Wet Lettuce 🥬 Pawson is refereeing the match, I’m not a big fan of this guy he seems to get flustered a lot and makes me agitated 😡.What say a Double D today, Dwight and Deli goals. COYB Pat Kelly 8 Posted 06/08/2022 at 09:53:15 No recognised striker, midfield still not sorted and not a lot on the bench. And it's only day one. Jeff Armstrong 9 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:04:14 Keith 7, that’s the problem with these refs, they all seem to be wet wipes, Pawson, Taylor, Attwell, Kavannagh etc they look like they’d shit their pants if they saw a mouse, whatever happened to refs who commanded respect from players and fans, Gordon Hill, Jack Taylor, Pat Partridge and the like. Dave Abrahams 10 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:05:01 I don’t think Mina is much better better than Keane to be honest so throw him upfront and see if he can upset the Chelsea defence with his nutcase antics, yes I know Frank won’t do this but I would, it could get us the three points and might influence some daft club to take him off our hands!! Tony Everan 11 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:12:11 I can see Chelsea going very offensive today as they will know we are weak in attack. They will think we can’t hurt them so will go all out. It’s going to be backs to the wall for periods of the game, especially with no DCL to hold the ball up in the Chelsea half. It will come down to how well our midfield can retain possession under pressure. Then how they can distribute it wide then the responsibility passes onto McNeill , Gordon and Dele again not to waste possession. Keep it in the Chelsea half, frustrate them, win corners, free kicks, even throw ins . If we can do this there will be chances for us to grab a win as three forwards can show a moment of brilliance. As well as Mina, and Tarkowski being a threat from corners and free kicks. Jeff Armstrong 12 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:12:31 Pat at 8, to be fair they are working on it, I know it’s late in the summer but ffp constraints have obviously impacted on the timing of buying, selling, and loan outs etc, we may have to take a hit or two before we get the squad to where Frank wants it, let’s judge then. Jeff Armstrong 13 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:24:28 Mina is more of threat in our OWN box than the opposition’s, he’s a player who seems to get better when he isn’t playing, which is a lot.If we get Coady, I would sell him and Holgate if anyone came in for them. Pat Kelly 14 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:27:34 Jeff #12 we could already have had a striker for far less than the money, £40m potentially, we're allegedly paying for Onana who most of us never heard of. And we could have met the fee demanded for Cornet. Let's hope Onana isn't the new Gbamin. John Keating 15 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:40:14 Difficult one to say the least.From open play I just don't know where the creativity and goals are coming from.Hopefully our delivery from set pieces shows dividends as I can see that the only way we get goals against Chelsea.Dave makes a good point in a way in that we have, when really stuck, used a defender to cause a bit of havoc up front when circumstances dictated.Steve Watson comes to mind and for sure Mick Lyons was a handful Brian Murray 16 Posted 06/08/2022 at 10:54:14 Brian murray. Hoping mcneil is the key in this one. He has what it takes. David Peate 17 Posted 06/08/2022 at 11:13:36 Would love to see Keane given a chance at centre forward. He is an excellent header of the ball. He scored a wonder goal against Palace. Mark Taylor 18 Posted 06/08/2022 at 11:16:30 With expectations for this game (well, mine at least) lower than a snake's belly and a shortage of fit midfielders, maybe this is the time to take a risk and find out if there is any sort of player in Gbamin, before the alleged incoming midfielders make him making appearances less likely.He was a very good prospect once and finally, after all these years, seems to be injury free (hope that's not tempting fate). Maybe my heart rules my head here, but I feel he deserves a chance to show if he can be part of the solution. James Hughes 19 Posted 06/08/2022 at 11:32:17 I have a good vibe about this one. The Chavs are in transition as well and if the 12th man is on song then the points are ours. Well thats what I put my money on at 11/2 COYB- UTFT Rick Tarleton 20 Posted 06/08/2022 at 11:37:35 Great to have the site ready for the new season. Not terribly optimistic and fear we may have a very similar season to the last one. I agree with the people who see Mina as no better than Keane. I also hope we trust Patterson and give him a chance at wing back.I'd like to see McNeil starting and feel that we have a plethora of defensive midfielders, it's the creative variety we lack and that means that the forwards struggle for possession and service. Good luck to Dele Alli in whatever role we deploy him today. I'd love to see a talented player get back to somewhere near his standards of five years ago.COYB. Keith Meakin 21 Posted 06/08/2022 at 12:29:53 I’d play Holgate as striker, he seems to cause all sorts of problems in our box so why not stick him up the other end. Wahey Jack Convery 22 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:04:52 I would pick O'Neill over Grey because of his dead ball ability, something we lacked last season.Pickford, Godfrey, Mina, Tark the Nark, Patterson, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Iwobi, Gordon, Alli and O'Neill. Jamie Crowley 23 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:06:28 Hoping some of that survival mania vibe rolls over into this game, and we see a ravenous crowd willing to eat their own liver for 3 points. Tim Greeley 24 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:08:09 Please please please have the Live Forum ready to roll!!! Also, above me - Gray served up that scrumptious inswinger that DCL planted home to save our franchise so…. and he is way better at dead balls than Gordon fwiw. But most importantly - LIVE FORUM😎 Brent Stephens 25 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:13:10 Jamie "Hoping some of that survival mania vibe rolls over into this game, and we see a ravenous crowd willing to eat their own liver for 3 points."You bring the liver and I'll bring the Chianti and fava beans. I have some left from a previous life. Jack Convery 26 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:13:25 Interesting - Richy not in Spurs starting XI. Wolves playing a back 4 - no sign of Coady. RS just equalised again !!rnrnTim - don't want Gordon anywhere near free kicks / corners. Greys free kick was excellent but rather the exception than the rule for 21/22. Loved his reaction too, when DCL buried the header. However I think today are best chance of scoring is from set pieces, though I won't mind being proved wrong ! Tony Everan 27 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:14:34 Jack , he’s banned. The flare episode. Jack Convery 28 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:17:49 Tony - of course. Sitting out in the sun has caused a brain fart ! Sorry !!! James Hughes 29 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:25:47 Tim Greely, we are not a fecking franchise Jack Convery 30 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:27:57 Well done Silva and Fulham. Kim Vivian 31 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:29:53 Hmmm - so Liverpool grab an equaliser. Much as I'd like to have seen Fulham win I think by the end of the season we might be glad of any points Fulham drop. They did look pretty useful today, though.Lets hope we can get off to a positive start. Feeling pretty worried about this evening right now, however. Brian Murray 32 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:42:42 brian murray. old habits die very very hard let’s beat these whoppers that I seen relegated with spurs in the 70 s coyb Dave Abrahams 33 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:43:37 Warrington and Mills will be on the bench, they never played last night, but I think they will still be sitting there when the game finishes, unless we are two or three goals up of course. Steavey Buckley 34 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:47:36 I still believe it was mistake to send Simms out on loan at the beginning of the season until it was clearly known what strikers would be available. Everton begin the season with no recognised striker except for Rondon, who can't dribble and run past defenders. So what is the point? Simms would have been of nuisance value against Chelsea, because he is extremely fit and fast. Christy Ring 35 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:48:58 Mark#18 Agree, we can't play a two man midfield of Doucoure and Iwobi against Chelsea, they'd walk through us, neither can tackle, with Allan not match fit, have to start Gbamin and give him one last chance, or play Holgate in midfield. John Keating 36 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:50:12 Fulham showed the way. Press press.Only problem for us when a team like Chelsea, RS, City beat the press we have no answerRichie fit and not even making the benchStrange Daniel A Johnson 37 Posted 06/08/2022 at 14:57:49 Pacing around the house all day, high excitement/anxiety, the seasons started Christy Ring 38 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:09:06 John#36 Richi suspended. Simms scored for S'land after 4 min's, and we've no striker? Jamie Crowley 39 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:25:27 Leeds USA goal. Dave Abrahams 40 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:46:43 Invisible man (38)Yes a cracking goal by Simms from twenty yards, hope he keeps scoring then we play him or get a very good price for him. Kieran Kinsella 41 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:47:59 Jack ConveryO’Neill? Is that Martin or Ryan? Mike Gaynes 42 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:49:02 Great work on the site, Lyndon!Jamie, who? Haven't seen one. Shane Corcoran 43 Posted 06/08/2022 at 15:52:36 Well done on the site lads. Anyone else’s “Comments” link not working on the home page?rnrnAnyway, my eyes are already sore from watching the PL action. rnrnGreat game at Craven Cottage earlier. Noticeable how the refs are letting the minimal contact stuff go which is very bad news for Gordon so hopefully he learns fast. rnrnI think we’ll lose today which would be a pity as Chelsea are unlikely to be anywhere near their best. I just think our delay in getting our players in will be too much at this point. Jack Convery 44 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:00:55 Keiran -- Its sitting out in the sun !! Heat has scrambled the few brain cells I have left.rnrnI see Ellis Simms has scored for Sunderland. John Keating 45 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:02:14 Poor Jonjoes debut in the Berlin derby not going to planHertha Blues a bit like us, how the mighty have fallen to take second seat in the City! Michael Kenrick 46 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:31:08 Everton: Pickford (c), Patterson, Godfrey, Mina, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Doucouré, Iwobi, McNeil, Gordon, Gray. Subs: Begovic, Holgate, Keane, Allan, Dele, Gbamin, Vinagre, Warrington, Mills. Ajay Gopal 47 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:31:24 Tough selection with so many players unavailable. But I think Lampard might go with:Pickford Holgate Tarkowski GodfreyPatterson Iwobi Doucoure MykolenkoMcNeil Alli GordonSubs: Gray, Rondon, Vinagre, Mina, etc Mike Gaynes 48 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:32:16 Gordon and Gray up top. No Dele. Interesting. Kevin Naylor 49 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:34:18 Simms scores again for Sunderland FFS. Michael Kenrick 50 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:34:19 Really surprised Dele not starting. He should be better than Gray... but he's probably not! Jim Bennings 51 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:34:43 Clearly Lampard doesn't fancy Dele at the moment.Gordon up top is a weird one against Chelsea physical power, the ball will need to stay on the deck tonight that's for sure. David Hallwood 52 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:35:37 Keane or Holgate to play as a striker, Mina's a liability in our box? Have we all been on the holiday ale, or had too much sun or wacky baccie Jamie Crowley 53 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:35:55 Aaranson!!!! Leeds USA.I like Everton's lineup. Not much we can do in midfield to be honest.Would rather see Allan than Iwobe to be honest, but I think Allan is hurt?Seems a lineup I can live with. Hopefully they produce in the opener. Jamie Crowley 54 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:36:51 Jim Bennings -I don't think that's the case. I think Frank sees him as an off-the-bench impact player. Doesn't have the legs for 90. Alan J Thompson 55 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:37:21 Broadhead didn't even make the bench, at 24 where is he supposed to get a game? And who is supposed to be the defensive midfielder, or is it all out attack? Jack Convery 56 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:40:37 Looks like Gray as CF. Lampard surprises everybody by leaving Deli on the bench. The front 3 need to press like their lives depend on it today. Its what Richy did last season and it lead to our goal, which Richy himself scored. Christy Ring 57 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:40:56 Going to find it tough in the middle, Doucoure/Iwobi against Kante/Jorginho. David Hallwood 58 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:40:56 Surprised no Delli Jay Harris 60 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:42:58 I still can’t understand why we couldn’t have got Gueye registered for today which would have helped a fiffixult situationHaving said that we need to get on with it. My only positivity about today is the excellent record we have against Chelsea and the fact they’ve got their own bit of turmoil.I hope the crowd can get us the 3 points.Come on you blues. Frank Thomas 61 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:49:12 We have to play McNeil and we might get surprised if Patterson and Mykolenko perform to the level that they achieve at International level.We have been creating chances we just need someone who can bury them.On a dreadful note we are still being strongly linked with Harry Winks who has scored less than Alli and due to reoccurring injuries has been available less than Alli.We now have our own examples of players who seems to be getting more injuries ie Gbamin, Mina and now DCL and Frank wants to sign a similarly injury prone player?? Will Mabon 62 Posted 06/08/2022 at 16:51:52 The front line is going to be er, strange. Any long high ball will be basically a back pass to Chelsea.Think we'll have to try and confuse 'em with constant player switcheroo up front.I would've thought Dele would be the best option to at least try to disrupt them a little at the back. This could be very odd. 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