Would it be too cliche to say there is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Everton Football Club this week? Arguably the most positive the fan base has been in recent memory, following the concluded takeover of The Friedkin Group as new owners of the club. The week began with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against title contenders Arsenal, continued with TFG ending the Moshiri Era and concluded with the new custodians being handed the keys to Bramley Moore Dock. That week will take some topping but it is incredibly welcomed as Everton’s tough run of festive fixtures continues.
Up next for The Toffees is the arrival of title chasing Chelsea. A team who at the start of the season many pundits and fans believed would flatter to deceive and cause more chaos in a crowded dressing room than cause problems for teams on the pitch. However, Enzo Maresca seems to have handled the bloated squad and cup commitments admirably. The ‘Pride of London’ arrive at Goodison Park 4 points clear of Arsenal in second place and 2 points behind Liverpool.
If You Know Your History… Everton v Chelsea Through the Years
Recent results would suggest Goodison Park is not a happy hunting ground for Sunday’s visitors. There are plenty of memories that spring to mind when talking about this fixture, both good and bad. My mind instantly goes to the 2009 FA Cup Final, the closest we’ve come to winning a trophy since the mid-90’s. In more recent times, there are plenty of good go-tos. For example, last time out at Goodison Park Doucoure and Dobbin secured a 2-0 win in a week that saw Everton claw back 9 of the 10 points they’d been deducted. In terms of home form against Chelsea, Everton have only lost twice in their last 10 meetings at Goodison between the 2 sides.
In fixtures dating back to 1907, Everton have emerged victorious 60 times against Chelsea. Whilst Sunday’s opposition have bested the blues on 76 occasions. The points have been shared 56 times.
Last time against Chelsea was a night to forget. A 6-0 hammering at Stamford Bridge back in April. Cole Palmer ran the show and scored 4 of Chelsea’s goals. Against a fragile Everton side, who had just received their second points deduction of the season.
Everton will be hoping the home form proves fruitful tomorrow, ahead of Chelsea’s last visit to Goodison Park…
Team News
Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner remain unavailable for Sunday’s game through injury. Armando Broja will not be available to face his parent club. Sean Dyche also confirmed that Dwight McNeil was ‘touch and go’ with a minor knee injury. However, the current Everton manager is hopeful McNeil might feature in an otherwise fully fit squad.
For Chelsea, Reece James, Beniot Badiashile and Wesley Forfana are all out with injuries. Marc Cucurella is suspended due to a red card he received after their last league game against Brentford. Pedro Neto and Joao Felix are both available for selection.
What the Manager Says
Dyche on the recent takeover of the club- “It is not an immediate change but it would be good if it is a little bit more stable than it has been since I got here. The possible change of owners is now sorted. I hope it [the takeover] brings a positive mood to the team.”
Everton Key Player
Jordan Pickford – As proved to be the case last weekend against Arsenal (and on many other occasions throughout his time at the club) Everton’s chances of taking points away from these ‘tough’ fixtures will often fall at the feet (and hands) of Jordan Pickford. Another noteworthy performance last time out away to the Gunners, England’s Number 1 will more than likely be called into action again on Sunday against a fierce and in-form Chelsea front-line. If Everton are to take anything from Sunday’s game, it will be because Pickford played his part to keep us in it. The case has so often been under Dyche that if goals are in short supply then it becomes even more critical that we don’t ship any either. I’ve mentioned on many occasions in the previews and other content for The Toffee Blues that I believe tallied up Pickford wins more points than he costs.
One to Watch for Chelsea:
Cole Palmer– It’s Christmas, so I am gifting myself the ‘easy option’ when it comes to opposition players. Man City’s recent worries on the pitch cannot be anywhere near as painful as watching Cole Palmer flourish at Chelsea. His rise to stardom over the last 2 years has been something special. He will no doubt be a handful tomorrow. Last time out he caused Everton real problems and I expect Sunday will be no different. He is being managed well by Maresca, the side is certainly being built around him and that is great news for England, not such welcome news for the Toffees this weekend. Everton’s best bet will likely be on the shoulders of in-form veteran Ashley Young. Young has shown in recent weeks that he is able to go toe-to-toe with pacey wingers. Aside from that Everton will likely struggle to contain the exciting Englishman.
Final Thoughts
As it’s Christmas, allow me to quote Michael Buble “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good”. That is the last time I quote singers in these previews I promise. However, it feels apt to highlight that for the first time in years Evertonians have hope. Now hope can be dangerous, hope cannot be confused for instant change but nonetheless hope is what we have. Hope that stability at the top trickles down to this squad of players. Hope that investment is coming and hope that if results are not good enough, then change will continue to reign down on us.
Prediction
2-1. I’ll echo the optimism that many of us are feeling this week and call an unexpected 2-1 victory. Sean Dyche, now more than ever, will be under the microscope. New owners will act rashly but would be reluctant to pump money into a manager they don’t believe in. Dyche is going to have to show he has a level above what Evertonians have seen during his tenure. Continuing good results at home against Chelsea would likely do just that (for now).
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