Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

 

Everton News

Status
Not open for further replies.
Everton vs West Ham United: Injury Report via Royal Blue Mersey

GettyImages-459687263.0.jpg

Both left-backs doubtful and Cleverley is ruled out

Saturday afternoon Everton entertain high flying West Ham United, who are fresh from doing Leicester City a favour on Wednesday night by beating Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground.

While the in-form Michail Antonio was scoring another winner to derail Spurs' title aspirations, the Toffees had a night off having done all their work the night before at Villa Park. Everton brushed aside Aston Villa 3-1 in a stadium that had more royal blue shirts that claret and blue by the end of the fixture after the Villa fans' 'Out the Door on 74' protest.

The one negative from the Villa victory was that Bryan Oviedo took a knock, was taken off and is a doubt for Saturday's game. The news came as a double blow as it was revealed this week that Leighton Baines is to see a specialist about his perisisting ankle injury. Having said that, Baines is expected to be fit enough to play after replacing Oviedo the previous game.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley missed the trip to his former club through illness and hasn't recovered in time for tomorrow, with Kevin Mirallas expected to deputise once again. Fellow midfielders Darron Gibson and Muhamed Besic are expected to be fit after recovering from their respective injuries but won't start ahead of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry.

As for the visitors, Slaven Bilic's side are without a host of defenders with James Collins going down to a hamstring injury to join Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson and Joey O'Brien on the treatment table. The Hammers are also without Sam Byram, with the former Everton transfer target suspended. Its not just defenders missing for West Ham, Enner Valencia and Victor Moses are also out.


Read Full Article

Continue reading...
 
Everton vs West Ham United: Roberto Martinez Pre-Match Quotes via Royal Blue Mersey

GettyImages-513287098.0.jpg

"If you can find a run of results from now until the end of the season, then anything is possible." Says the gaffer

Everton manager Roberto Martinez sat down with the assembled media on Thursday morning at Finch Farm to help them preview West Ham United's trip to Goodison Park with his signature positive outlook discussing what the rest of the season could hold for his side, his opponents and opposing manager and also to give some vital team news.

Roberto was asked what he and his side are targeting for the rest of the season – to which he said:


"In the Premier League, the margins are so small, but also the mentality to win games has changed for a lot of sides. It has made it so open.

"If you can find a run of results from now until the end of the season, then anything is possible.

"We feel strong, with the options that we have got and the players who are in good moments of form."
​

The Blues go into a period of three successive home games, something that would be relished in past seasons but this campaign the home form has not been good enough, whereas away Martinez's team have been one of the best in the league.

The Toffees manager is hoping to improve results on their own patch starting with the next three games:


"it's a period we have been looking forward to.

"We want to make Goodison a comfortable place [for us] and please our fans.

"We want to show we can win games at home consistently, bringing the good form we have produced away from home in front of our supporters.

"You don't get a better challenge than doing that against teams like West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal. It is a really exciting period – and one where we need to be really strong.

"Clearly we haven't had enough wins at home." He continued.

"Some of the football has been very good, but we have also been a little bit naive at times and left ourselves exposed. Sometimes we have been unfortunate, and sometimes we have had decisions that have cost us.

"I think it's time to make sure Goodison becomes a really tough place for any opposition team to come to.

"The margins are very small and I think we are getting very close to bringing that consistency we have away from home to Goodison. That is the challenge we are looking to embrace."
​

Focusing on Saturday's opponents, the Spaniard was very complimentary towards the visitors and their manager as they look to enhance their fourth place pursuit.


"It has been remarkable, the way West Ham have been playing," said Roberto.

"This team creates opportunities and shares goals. They play with intensity and defend as a group, and have a very well-balanced side.

"They have had very significant away results against the top teams.

"And they are one point from fourth place and Champions League football with 10 games to go. I think that speaks for itself.

"Slaven Bilic has done a remarkable job. He is close to the British game, with good experience as a player."
​

In terms of team news for tomorrow's clash the boss was very forthcoming:


"John Stones has played the most minutes he has had in a season. He is now refreshed and is ready to help the team."

"Leighton [Baines] has a little problem from the ankle injury he had. We need to make sure we solve that. He'll see a specialist."

"There is a question mark over Bryan [Oviedo] after he picked up a knock. Tom Cleverley has a chest infection but Mo Besic and Darron Gibson should be available."
​


Read Full Article

Continue reading...
 
Everton v West Ham – Match Preview via Royal Blue Mersey

GettyImages-496140598.0.jpg

I can’t remember having a more enjoyable week as an Everton fan in a long, long time.

News of Farhad Moshiri’s takeover has prompted a flurry of positive activity off the pitch, from news of plans to expand the club’s Finch Farm training ground, a ‘transfer war chest’ for Roberto Martinez in the summer and a reduction in season ticket prices for next campaign.

On the pitch Everton eased past a terrible Aston Villa side on Tuesday to make it five wins in six games in all competitions.

Happy days.

It sets the team up nicely for a pivotal month that features three home games, starting with Saturday’s visit of West Ham before Chelsea in the FA Cup next week and Arsenal back in the league seven days later.

Everton’s home form is what has let the side down this so far this season so the next few weeks is a great chance to right some nagging wrongs.

The feel-good factor generated by Moshiri’s arrival should hopefully boost the atmosphere around Goodison, which has grown increasingly toxic this season with each underwhelming performance.

Martinez also knows his position will be under greater scrutiny following the changes in the boardroom. The Spaniard will want a strong finish to the season to ensure he is the man to spend that new-found transfer kitty in the summer.

The opposition


Though not traditionally a grudge match Saturday’s game against West Ham has suddenly developed a bit of an edge, among the supporters at least, after what happened when the sides last met late last year.

During the first half of November’s game at Upton Park Dimitri Payet was forced off with an ankle injury after a late challenge by James McCarthy.

It was a poor challenge by the Irishman but certainly not the worst tackle I have seen, yet the reaction from the West Ham fans bordered on the hysterical.

That frenzied reaction continued after the game, with some Hammers fans seemingly frothing at the mouth when it emerged Payet would miss around two months through injury.

They now arrive at Goodison desperate for "revenge", apparently.

Despite the over-the-top reaction, Payet has recovered fully and is playing a key role in an increasingly impressive season for the Hammers, who now find themselves on the brink of the Champions League places.

The French midfielder is West Ham’s outstanding performer so far this season with nine goals and a further eight assists.

They are managed, of course, by Slaven Bilic, who played 28 games for Everton between 1997 and 1999.

Wednesday’s win against Tottenham lifted them to within a point of fourth-placed Man City and within a real shout of the Champions League places.

They also boast the sixth best away record in the division with just four defeats from 14 away games so far this season as well as wins at Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City.

That said, they remain one of Everton’s favourite Premier League opponents. The Toffees haven’t lost to West Ham in 15 league matches stretching back to 2007

Romelu Lukaku meanwhile has scored Everton time he’s played against West Ham in an Everton shirt, including both FA Cup meetings last season.

Team news


Bryan Oviedo is a doubt for Saturday’s game with a knock suffered against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Leighton Baines is available to deputise despite an ongoing ankle problem that requires a visit to a specialist.

Tom Cleverley missed the Villa win through illness but could return while Muhamed Besic and Darron Gibson are also pushing for recalls after injury.

West Ham are suffering from a defensive injury crisis with James Collins the latest player to become unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury.

Fellow defenders Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Joey O'Brien are also injured while Sam Byram is suspended.

Final word


I

’m hopeful we will see a different Everton at Goodison Park than we have done in recent weeks, even months.

There is a real feel-good factor about the club and it is crucial the team takes advantage of that.

It will be a tough game against one of the division’s most in-form teams, but I’m hopeful Everton can nick it.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 West Ham

Predicted starting XI: Robles, Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Barkley, Lennon, Lukaku.


Read Full Article

Continue reading...
 



Status
Not open for further replies.

Welcome

Join Grand Old Team to get involved in the Everton discussion. Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free.

Register
Back
Top