Our Everton writers pick their XI for the home game against West Ham United
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David Moyes goes into Everton's home game against his previous employers West Ham United unbeaten in eight Premier League fixtures and newly-crowned as February's Premier League Manager of the Month.
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Although the Blues boss hasn't lost since his first game back against Aston Villa, the team have now drawn three matches in a row so does the Scot need to ring any changes ahead of the Hammers' last-ever visit to Goodison Park? Our writers have their say...
Chris Beesley
Following a lively cameo against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday, where he teed up Beto for another inviting opportunity, only for the striker to miss, Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of getting an Everton start have been in the spotlight. So far, it seems that David Moyes has chosen to select either the on-loan Argentinian or Abdoulaye Doucoure, but given the pair’s different skill-sets, it needn’t necessarily be one or the other.
As well as his extra experience, Doucoure’s hard-running style and willingness to lead the press seems to be ensuring he gets the nod, but if Manager of the Month Moyes wants to be a bit more creative against his previous employers West Ham United, then he could roll back the years and deploy Alcaraz as a wide playmaker in the mould of Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar or Leon Osman, rather than an orthodox winger. Given that Harrison broke his scoring duck for the season at Molineux last time out and also produced his best display of what’s been a difficult season, I’d keep him in but switch him back to the right wing with Alcaraz coming in on the left.
That means that Jesper Lindstrom misses out, despite his maiden assist, but if the Dane is honest – and to his credit, he always seems pretty candid and affable in interviews – then he’ll acknowledge that was a slip, so he’s the one that makes way for me.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Alcaraz; Beto.
Joe Thomas
Like Chris, I find it tough to look past Alcaraz. He brought Everton to life against Wolves. With the hosts dominating the early stages of the second half, the decision to bring on the 22-year-old altered the game.
I thought he had the best impact in the middle, with him able to pick up the ball and carry it both ways - not only is he the player in the current squad who is most capable of beating an opponent, he is also the one most likely to feed Beto behind a defence.
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I therefore think there is a compelling reason to not just start him, but to start him in the middle. I would drop James Garner to the bench to accommodate this. I think he struggled a bit at Molineux and Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye - both of whom will be celebrated with flags in their honour in the stands - have both been solid performers over recent weeks.
I would drop Doucoure to a slightly deeper role to allow Alcaraz the freedom to be a menace in front of them. With Harrison, Lindstrom and Beto buzzing around him, I think he could pull the strings in this game and I would like to see him try.
(4-4-1-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O'Brien; Harrison, Gueye, Alcaraz, Doucoure, Lindstrom; Beto