Preview - Everton

EVERTON v WEST HAM UNITED
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
GOODISON PARK
SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2014
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARK CLATTENBURG


In brief

West Ham United travel to Merseyside to play Everton as the Hammers look to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

The Toffees are currently tenth having taken 14 points from their eleven league games. Roberto Martinez's team have struggled for consistency as playing in the Europa League has taken its toll. However they have won their last two league games and are unbeaten in three games in all competitions.

Sam Allardyce's men are six places ahead, sitting in fourth position after drawing 0-0 with Aston Villa at home. The draw saw the Hammers record their second clean sheet of the season as well as extend their unbeaten run of five games.

A further positive for West Ham fans was Andy Carroll's return to action with his first appearance of the season as he came on in the second half.

West Ham are looking for revenge after last season's results saw the Toffees do the double over the Hammers with 3-2 and 1-0 wins.

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Chadewell Chatter
Big Sam on: Everton

Who are they?

Formed from St Domingo's FC, they played their first game on 1 January 1878 in Stanley Park. They changed their name to Everton Football Club in 1879, winning their first game under the new name 6-0 against St Peter's. Five years later, Everton won the Liverpool Cup, their first ever cup with a 1-0 win over Earlestown.

Everton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, winning their first league title at the third attempt. The Toffees moved to Goodison Park in 1892, winning their first game 4-2 over Bolton Wanderers.

Since then, Everton have established themselves as one of the more successful teams in Britain, winning the first division nine times as well as an impressive five FA Cups.

More recently, trophies have been harder to come by - their last success came in the FA Cup in the 1994/95 season. However ex-manager David Moyes established them as one of the best teams in the Premier League, regularly finishing in the top half and challenging for a European spot.

Team news

West Ham United

In form Stewart Downing (knee) and top goal scorer Diafra Sakho (back) both picked up injuries while away on international duty. The severity of both injuries is being monitored to determine whether they are fit to face the Toffees.

If Sakho doesn't make it Big Sam has several options to choose from with Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll vying for a start. Carroll has made good progress on his fitness during the international break as well as scoring against Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Mauro Zarate is back in training after a slight knock and could be included as a substitute

Everton

Saturday's hosts also have injuries concerns of their own. England international Leighton Baines faces a race to be fit after picking up a slight hamstring injury during the international break.

Midfielder's James McCarthy, Darron Gibson (knee) and Gareth Barry (ankle) are all unlikely to feature will key player Kevin Mirallas could return after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Long term absentees are Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder), John Stones (ankle) and Bryan Oviedo (leg)

Referee

Saturday's referee is Mark Clattenburg, who hails from Durham. This season marks the 39-year-old's tenth season as a Premier League referee. The former electrician took up officiating as a 25-year-old and quickly rose through the ranks to become a FIFA appointed referee in 2006.

In 2008, Clattenburg proceeded to referee his first Champions League in August 2008 before progressing to the FIFA Elite list acting as Howard Webb's assistant referee in the Euro 2012 championships.

Clattenburg was in charge of the Hammers' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace earlier in the season.

Saturday's assistant referees are Simon Beck and Mark Scholes, while Phil Dowd will be the Fourth Official.

Statistics

(2014/15 season - Barclays Premier League only)
Matches refereed: 9
Yellow cards shown: 38
Red cards shown: 1
Penalties awarded: 3

One to watch

West Ham United


West Ham's shot-stopper has been in fine form this season as he collected his second clean sheet last time out against Aston Villa.

He'll need to put in another good performance come Saturday afternoon if the Hammers are to come away from Goodison Park with a win.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is a force to be reckoned with after completing a £28 million move from Chelsea in the summer.

While Lukaku is yet to find his best form this season, his blossoming strike partnership with Samuel Eto'o looks to be a deadly combination.

Tickets are now off sale for this all-ticket fixture. The last remaining tickets for the Hammers next home game with Newcastle United are available here.

Travel

Heading to Everton on Saturday? Then download the Premier League's Away Days App to help plan your day!

From the M6, exit at junction 26 onto the M58 and continue until the end (Switch Island). Follow directions for A59 (Ormskirk Road) and Aintree Racecourse. Continue along A59 passing Aintree racecourse on the left. Continue on A59 until reaching a roundabout and flyover. Take the second exit onto County Road. Pass Black Horse Public House on the left. Three-quarters of a mile along County Road, turn left at junction of Royal Oak Public House into Spellow Lane. Goodison Park is a short distance ahead.

For up to date traffic news please visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk

Train information can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk

Weather

Saturday is set to be an overcast day in Liverpool. Temperature at kick off is forecast to be 11C (52F)

Last meeting

Everton 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
1 March 2014

The Hammers lost to Everton in the same fixture last season through a goal from substitute Romelu Lukaku, his first goal since the end of December.

The major talking point was referee Jon Moss' assessment that Gareth Barry had not fouled Kevin Nolan just as the West Ham captain looked to be clean through on goal in the first half.

A red card at that point may have changed the outcome, especially with West Ham having won their last four and with four clean sheets in their last five games, manager Sam Allardyce was visibly aggrieved at the decision.

Everton: Howard, Baines, Coleman, Distin, Stones, Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar, Osman, Deulofeu (McGeady 73), Naismith (Barkley 85)
Subs not used: Robles, Browning, Hibbert, Mirallas

West Ham United: Adrian, Demel (Reid 80), Tomkins, McCartney, Collins, Downing, Noble, Jarvis (Diame 66), Taylor, Cole (Carroll 29), Nolan
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Cole, Nocerino