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Everton vs CHELSEA: FA Cup Preview

FA Cup fourth round



Venue: Goodison Park

Date: Saturday, 29 January

Kick-off: 1230 GMT

Whilst the transfer talks hots up and all eyes and ears are on what’ll happen around the red side of Liverpool – or at least a certain striker over there – let’s not forget all of our attention needs to be concentrated on the blue side, for this afternoon’s early kick-off at least. Because our lunchtime game today sees a repeat of the 2009 final, in which we beat Everton 2-1.

Our last couple of games point to an improvement in form but whether that’s turning a corner or still only being halfway up the road, may well be decided today.

MANAGERS’ VIEWS

Ahead of the tie, Everton manager David Moyes reflects on what’s gone before but hopes home advantage works in his favour this time, saying “You wouldn’t say playing Chelsea in the FA Cup is a good draw. When did they last lose in the FA Cup? 2008? You always hope for a favourable draw but I have been knocked out by some of the smaller teams before, so whoever I drew I probably wouldn’t be that happy. But the year we got to the final we had to overcome Liverpool, Middlesbrough and then Manchester United in the semi-finals. If you are going to get there eventually you have to play the big sides. We have drawn against Chelsea in lots of the cup competitions and it has been tough because Chelsea have a great cup record. We know what we are up against but we are at home and we will try to use that to our advantage.”

Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile, knows we could’ve picked easier opposition than Everton to keep the recent momentum going but finally seems to believe the ‘good moment’ has arrived, stating “Our behaviour has changed on the pitch and it will be a very important step. It is not easy to move on against Everton away but we have to try. I feel that the moment is good because we played very well against Bolton and we want the same performance tomorrow. We are able to do this because we are fit and in good condition, with motivation, and finally I think we can show good football.”

SQUAD NEWS

For Everton, Anichebe (groin) is given as doubtful and Cahill is away on Asian Cup duty. That aside, Moyes has no fresh injuries to worry about.

For Chelsea, it’s pretty much as you were in terms of injury, with Zhirkov (calf), Benayoun (Achilles) and Alex (knee) all long term absentees. Frank Lampard (calf) is doubtful and Kakuta and van Aanholt are no longer available to us, having both gone out on loan this week.

TEAMS

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Arteta, Saha, Beckford, Jagielka, Hibbert, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Gueye, Anichebe, Baxter, Duffy, Mucha.

CHELSEA (from): Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Bruma, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Kalou, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Sturridge, Drogba, Malouda, Turnbull, McEachran.

LAST MEETING

Chelsea 1-1 Everton (4 December 2010)

REFEREE

Howard Webb

PREDICTION

The Toffees are unbeaten in three Premier League clashes with Chelsea and got a draw against us at the Bridge last month. In fact, we haven’t beaten them since we met at Wembley two years ago. On current form, Everton haven’t lost in 4 games, and haven’t lost at home since the end of November. As for us, we’ve won our last 3 in all competitions, scoring 13 goals without reply. Mind you, before Monday’s 4-0 win at the Reebok, we had a seven-match winless run away from home.

So how will we do today? Well, I keep saying I hate these games where there’s a record to be lost and not only have we won 13 consecutive FA Cup ties (unbeaten in 14) but we’re also aiming to become the first club to win three successive FA Cups since Blackburn in the mid-eighties.

Nervous to be honest.

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