Our Everton writers Chris Beesley and Connor O'Neill select their line-ups for the Monday Night Football Premier League showdown at Newcastle United
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Jack Grealish of Everton during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Chelsea FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Jack Grealish was omitted from Everton's squad for the Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle United(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Everton will look to make it two wins in four days against Newcastle United in tonight's big Premier League clash at Newcastle United (8pm kick-off). The Blues head to the North East after winning Thursday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie between the teams at Hill Dickinson Stadium 3-1.
That match threatened to be overshadowed by the bombshell news before kick-off that the Jack Grealish was omitted from Everton's squad following a breach of club discipline.
The Blues made sure the focus remained on the players who were available to manager David Moyes as they set-up a quarter-final showdown at giant-killers Fleetwood Town with goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and Thierno Barry.
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But this evening it's all about league action as Moyes' men look to record a victory that would take them up to seventh in the table. So what side should the Everton boss go with? Our writers have their say...
On Friday’s edition of the Royal Blue podcast, our regular guest Gavin Buckland made what I thought was a really astute point – if Jack Grealish is fit to play at Newcastle United on Monday night, stick him straight back in.
On reflection, I am inclined to agree. Grealish must know that he has done wrong, letting down manager David Moyes, his team-mates and the thousands of loyal but long suffering Evertonians.
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His misdemeanour ensured that the first £100million English footballer was unavailable for what was a potentially season-defining night at Hill Dickinson Stadium. As it happened, Everton won fairly comfortably in the end without him, so he wasn’t missed.
But as Moyes said after the 3-1 victory, it will be a totally different ballgame at St James’ Park. Not only will Grealish hopefully be fit and firing with a massive point to prove, his style of play, operating at his pace, holding the ball up and winning clever free-kicks can be invaluable in tough away environments as we saw when the Blues made history last season by becoming the first visiting side reduced to 10 men to triumph against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
So, if Grealish returns on the left, Tyrique George can switch to the right – a position he was operating in when he netted his only Everton goal to date, also against the Red Devils – at the expense of Tyler Dibling.
Harrison Armstrong as started every Premier League game for the Blues this term and I would restore him to the engine room but having broken his duck against the Magpies, Hayden Hackney retains his spot.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Jarrad Branthwaite looks set to return for Everton's trip to Newcastle United(Image: Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
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Therefore, I would switch James Garner to right-back, where neither Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Merlin Rohl have looked entirely convincing while also restoring Jarrad Branthwaite to the heart of defence now that he has served his concussion protocol.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Garner, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Hackney; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Connor O'Neill
With Jarrad Branthwaite expected to return tonight, he has to go straight back into his side’s starting line-up for this game. I have long believed that you must start your best players in their best position when they are fit and Branthwaite is Everton’s best player.
At right-back, Merlin Rohl struggled on Thursday night, so I would move Jake O’Brien to the right-hand side of defence.
While in midfield, David Moyes has to stick with the same trio that started the win over the Magpies on Thursday night.
That is harsh on Harrison Armstrong, but Hayden Hackney deserves the chance to once again show what he can offer.And out wide, it has to be Tyler Dibling and Tyrique George. The Blues were able to hit on the counter on Thursday night, and you suspect they are going to have to do the same tonight.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Hackney; Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.
Jack Grealish (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)