Team News: Alan Pardew once again has an almost
fully-fit squad to choose from for the visit of Everton. Goalkeeper
Roy Carroll is still out after undergoing an operation on his back
injury, while Jimmy Walker is close to making a first-team comeback
after appearing for the reserves last week. Defender Elliott Ward
is included in the squad after returning from his three-month loan
spell at Plymouth Argyle last week.
Squad to face Everton: Hislop, Bywater, Dailly, Scaloni, Ferdinand,
Gabbidon, Collins, Ward, Konchesky, Clarke, Mullins, Reo-Coker,
Benayoun, Etherington, Newton, Fletcher, Sheringham, Ashton,
Harewood, Zamora, Katan.
Everton are without the suspended Duncan Ferguson, while Andy Van
der Myde and Alessandro Pistone are out injured. Goalkeeper Richard
Wright is available again after injury, but manager David Moyes is
likely to stick with the on-loan Sander Westerveld. Phil Neville
and Tony Hibbert both return after suspension, and Simon Davies has
been declared fit after picking up a leg injury on international
duty with Wales in midweek.
Past meetings: Everton visit Upton Park this afternoon for
the first time since October 27, 2002, when a 70th minute strike
from midfielder Lee Carsley earned the Toffees all three points.
Ironically, our last home win over the Merseysiders came four years
ago this weekend, when Trevor Sinclair hit a 59th minute winner to
secure a 1-0 victory. However, Hammers have won just three of our
last 16 Premiership encounters with Everton, including this
season's 2-1 victory at Goodison Park.
Head to head v Everton at Upton Park:
P50 W21 D12 L17 F79 A69
Stat attack: A win for the Hammers this afternoon would
secure our fourth league 'double' of the season - the most
we have ever managed in the Premiership - following home and away
wins against Aston Villa, Fulham and Birmingham City.
A goal for Marlon Harewood this afternoon would signal the 50th
strike of his Hammers career, in what will be his 100th league
appearance for the club.
Match Report - Everton
4th March 2006