Dominic Calvert-Lewin was an unused substitute in Everton’s 2-0 win over West Ham United and could find himself on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday too. The 22-year-old has struggled for consistency this season and isn’t posing a big enough attacking threat to warrant selection.
Richarlison was given the nod up front against West Ham and bagged himself an assist. Calvert-Lewin, by comparison, hasn’t been creating chances or registering enough shots on target. And with Everton ending a four-game losing run, Silva is unlikely to make unenforced changes to his starting lineup.
Goals have been a problem for Everton this season with only Newcastle United (5) and Watford (5) scoring fewer than the Toffees (8), so it’s easy to see why Silva would prefer a player that scored 13 league goals last season over one who netted six.
Saturday’s trip to the Amex Stadium is a winnable game too. Brighton are one place and one point below Everton in the table and have picked up just one win in eight. Richarlison has 21 goals & assists in 49 games at Everton and has contributed the most league goals (4) this season, so he should be a more reliable forward to Calvert-Lewin.