Maybe Gomez has been ill, cos there can't be many other reasons he'd make the squad but not start. I'd have probably preferred Hendo at CB than Phillips, but ah well. Hopefully Phillips plays better against pace than he did in preseason. Zaha and Eze and Olise (if Phillips plays second half/last 30) aren't ideal opponents for Phillips if our midfield loses the ball to kick off counters as often as they did last week.
Shame we couldn't see a Keita start. Hopefully we're not looking for half time subs again, but if we do it's great he's available.