Everton news: Phillips ‘surprised’ by ‘bizarre’ Anthony Gordon decision
Kevin Phillips is “surprised” by Everton manager Frank Lampard’s decision to drop Anthony Gordon.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner said the call was “a bizarre one” given that the 21-year-old has been one of the club’s standout players this season.
Gordon was axed from the starting XI on Sunday as the Toffees lost 2-1 at West Ham.
The winger, who had started Everton’s previous seven Premier League fixtures, was replaced in the lineup by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Frank Lampard’s side take on Burnley tonight in a crunch clash at the bottom of the table.
Gordon is in contention to return to the starting XI.
When asked for his thoughts on the decision to drop Gordon at the London Stadium, Phillips told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “I was surprised.
“It was a bizarre one but we are not privy to what goes on at the training ground. It will have been a tough decision for Frank to pull him. Gordon would have asked why because he has done well.
“You have to change things when you are down there and struggling for results.
“When those decision don’t come off though you have to accept the criticism that comes with it. Naturally that is going to happen when you lose the game after dropping one of your in-form players.
“Lampard has to try something different though because they are not winning football matches.”
In other news, a medical expert has named Donny van de Beek’s return date as injury details revealed.