Everton get a second bite of the Chelsea cherry tomorrow lunchtime as they clash in the FA Cup Fourth Round replay. The winner will be rewarded with a home tie to Reading in the next round which is due to be played at the start of March. Everton will be looking to make up for the disgusting display against Bolton last weekend whilst Chelsea are looking to turn around a poor run of results drawing with Fulham and losing to the Kopites.
Vital Quotes:John Obi Mikel & Frank Lampard
MIKEL:Everton are a very good side, a very hard team to beat and a physical side.
“In almost five years at Chelsea I’ve never come out of a game against them thinking I’d had an easy ride. It is always difficult so we will have to see what happens but we are confident and we know we can do it if we play well
“To win the FA Cup three times in a row would be good for us but we know what trophies this club wants, the FA Cup is a big one but we are looking forward to getting back into action in the Champions League as well.
LAMPARD:”You will see by our attitude and the team we put out that we’re determined to win the FA Cup again.
‘I’ve had a good run against Everton. There are some clubs you get a certain thing over and you tend to score against them. The goal in the cup final is one of my favourites.
‘But they are a very dangerous and effective team. They have good players who can hurt you and good aerial players with power.’
Chelsea Team News:
Chelsea are without Torres who is cup tied. They could however hand a home debut to David Luiz.
Drogba,Mikel and Kalou all sat out of the draw to Fulham last time out and look set to return to the starting XI.
Youngsters Josh McEachran and Ryan Bertrand will be hoping to be involved
Player to watch: Lampard
Its a case of take your pick when choosing a man to match for the likes of Chelsea. Lampard has a very good scoring record against us and based on our recent performances then I can see him adding to that record.
Everton Team News:
Louis Saha will not feature for Everton as he failed to recover from a groin injury in time. Jack Rodwell has made good progress after his injury but this game has come too soon the for young midfielder.
There are no new injury concerns for David Moyes to worry his pretty little head over. After another poor performance at the weekend by Anichebe Moyes may prefer the more lively Beckford to partner Cahill up front.
Player to watch: Cahill
Our main scoring threat with a good record at the bridge. A return to the kind of form he showed before heading off on his jollys would be extremely well timed.
Match Facts & Stats
This is the 162nd competitive meeting of these clubs, and Everton are looking to register their 50th victory
The Toffees are unbeaten in four league and cup games against Chelsea
Everton last prevailed against Chelsea in the fifth round in February 1956
Chelsea have not been eliminated in the fourth round, or earlier than that, since third round victims to Manchester United in January 1998.
Chelsea are also unbeaten in 15 FA Cup ties
Everton on the other hand have won one of the last six in all competitions, and lost two of three
and havent won in their last three away outings.
Everton have not dismissed a fellow Premier League club since Manchester United in the 2008/09 semi-finals, after a penalty shoot-out
Ref Watch:
Phil Dowd will cast a careful eye over the game tomorrow lunchtime.
Match Prediction:
Its going to be a tough one thats for sure. Everton are developing a habit of stepping up in the big games and fingers crossed they continue this. I will go for an optimistic 2-1 win for Everton with Arteta and Cahill on the scoresheet for Everton and Lampard netting for Chelsea COYB