Everton manager David Moyes has brought Dwight McNeil and Beto into his starting XI to face Newcastle United.
Although Everton fans should be used to Moyes’ unpredictability, this starting XI to face the Magpies at St. James’ Park will take a lot by surprise.
The Toffees come into the game on Tyneside without a win since their last away game against Fulham earlier in the month.
Gary Neville hailed Everton’s effort against Man United earlier in the week, with multiple changes made on the back of the loss at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
What do you make of these changes, Toffees? 🫣
McNeil and Beto make shock starts…
Dwight McNeil of Everton takes a corner kick during the pre-season friendly match between Accrington Stanley and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Matt McNulty
Four changes have been made for the game on Tyneside, with some surprising names included in the starting XI.
Newcastle United v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Dwight McNeil returns after failed Everton exit
Rewind things back to deadline day and McNeil saw his move to Crystal Palace fall through in the eleventh hour.
Can we do it again… what’s your score prediction? 🤔
Everton vs Newcastle United statistic.
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It was a failed transfer that saw a lot of emotions pour out of the Everton midfielder.
Having returned to the bench on Monday evening, McNeil takes the spot of Harrison Armstrong despite having Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling on the bench.
The two natural wingers will have to wait for their opportunities once again under the 62-year-old manager.
Beto replaces Thierno Barry
Despite a recent purple patch, Thierno Barry’s run in the starting XI has come to an end after the striker ended his fourth Premier League game without a goal on Monday.
Alan Shearer has questioned Everton’s strikers having seen the Blues struggle for any form of consistency in front of goal.
Beto’s form is not that much more impressive, but he will provide a physical threat that Barry simply has not been able to offer.
During the game against Man United, Barry revealed his shoulder strapping having dislocated his left shoulder earlier in the season against Fulham.
Whether that is proving an issue for the striker is not known, but he will have to watch from the bench on Saturday.
Jake O’Brien and Vitalii Mykolenko return to start
Jake O’Brien’s red card suspension has now been served, with Vitalii Mykolenko also returning at full-back.
Moyes admitted Jarrad Branthwaite was comfortable at left-back, but the Scot has added some more pace at the back following the goal conceded against United.
This is a move which a lot of Everton fans had been calling for ahead of the game, with the defence now at what many would feel is full strength.
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