Everton take on Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon
Everton take on Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon
It is a case of so far so good for Everton this season, with the Blues reaching mid-October unbeaten, a run of eight games across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Things are about to get an awful lot tougher though, and ahead of next weekend's visit to champions Arsenal comes this clash against Chelsea, who come to Hill Dickinson Stadium level on 10 points with their fifth-placed hosts.
The Londoners won't need any reminding of their last visit to the banks of the Mersey, with Everton's 3-0 win in March the highest of highs since moving into their new stadium.
Can they repeat the trick against Xabi Alonso's side though?
Join Chris Beesley and Connor O'Neill for all the action from the 12.30pm kick-off.
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Moyes on club sale and VAR
Writing in his programme notes, Everton manager David Moyes addresses the club being up for sale and VAR decisions among his topics.
This is the Blues’ first home game since The Friedkin Group announced they are prepared to sell their controlling stake, less than 22 months after they completed their takeover from Farhad Moshiri.
The Glaswegian gaffer says: “All I can tell supporters is that it will be business as usual for the coaching staff and the team.
“We will continue to work as hard as we possibly can and whatever happens off the pitch will not distract us from our job of trying to win football matches.”
Meanwhile, Everton have had goals disallowed in both of their last two fixtures for Brennan Johnson having been adjudged to be offside.
Moyes remarks: “We saw a decision go against us in our previous match here against Ipswich, which was the subject of much debate. Then, after looking at the incident last weekend at Hull again, I firmly believe that on another day the goal could have been given.
“We have been told that it was a ‘subjective offside’ decision, a term which I’m still finding quite hard to digest. Hopefully one of these ‘subjective decisions’ will go in our favour in the coming games and weeks.”
Scene on arrival
There has been plenty of wind and rain across Merseyside over the past week but it was clear blue skies by the Mersey ahead of today's early start.
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Good morning everyone and greetings from Hill Dickinson Stadium where we’re back for Everton’s first home game for a month.
We all remember that the corresponding fixture last season proved to be the high watermark of the Blues’ inaugural campaign by the Mersey waterfront as they triumphed 3-0 on March 21, to move within three points of a Champions League qualification place.
Then of course, they unfortunately were unable to win any of their last seven matches and slumped to finish 13th.
In contrast, David Moyes’ men remain unbeaten so far this term after eight fixtures in all competitions so hopefully they can keep that up today and record another famous win over the west London outfit.
Good morning
Remember this?
Everton would love a repeat today, as the Blues welcome Chelsea to Hill Dickinson Stadium to kick off the Premier League weekend.
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