Everton v West Ham United
Premier League, Goodison Park, Saturday 2 March 2024, 3pm GMT
Referee: Craig Pawson
Assistant Referees: Marc Perry and Steve Meredith
Fourth Official: Steve Martin
VAR: Tony Harrington
Assistant VAR: Gary Beswick
Craig Pawson has been confirmed as the referee for Saturday’s Premier League match away at Everton.
One of the country’s most experienced officials, Pawson has been a part of the Select Group of Referees since 2013 and has officiated 12 Premier League games so far this campaign, most recently West Ham’s disappointing home defeat at the hands of Arsenal on 11 February.
While that is the only time Pawson has taken charge of an Irons match in the league this season, he served as fourth official for the game against Chelsea in August, and against Luton Town and Liverpool in September.
He was also the Video Assistant Referee when David Moyes’ men beat Burnley and Arsenal away from home, in November and December respectively. As referee, Pawson has handed out 56 yellow cards this term, as well as three red cards.
Most of his appointments in 2023/24 so far have come in the Premier League, but the 44-year-old - who is on the FIFA International Referees List - has also taken charge of games in the EFL Cup, FA Cup, EFL Championship, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Marc Perry and Steve Meredith will serve as the assistant referees at Goodison Park.
The pair run the line in the Premier League regularly, including alongside Pawson during the Hammers’ defeat to Arsenal at London Stadium, and in West Ham’s 2-1 win away at Burnley in November.
Perry has been a Premier League assistant referee since the 2013/14 campaign, and has worked 20 top-flight matches this season.
Meredith has worked as an assistant at 18 Premier League games so far this term. He was the Assistant Video Assistant Referee for West Ham’s 2-1 win away at Luton in September.
Steve Martin will work as the fourth official on Saturday.
Though he has never refereed in the Premier League, Martin has taken charge of two West Ham games, against Accrington Stanley in 2016 and Newport County in 2019, both resulting in wins in the EFL Cup.
He has served as the fourth official at eight matches involving those in Claret and Blue, most recently in the FA Cup third round replay defeat away at Bristol City in January.
Finally, Video Assistant Referee duties are set to be overseen by Tony Harrington.
One of the newest top-flight referees, who was promoted to Select Group One ahead of the 2021/22 season, Harrington worked as the fourth official during West Ham’s victory over Brentford on Monday night.
