Chelsea vs Everton

The year of the World Cup in USA.

The year of the Great Escape "Oh Horne".

Unbelievably the year Joe Royle took charge of Everton and one of the first things he did was win at Stamford Bridge...

The very last time we won a match there!!!

Truly unbelievable really isn't it?

Limpar to Rideout and at a crumbling Stamford Bridge with not even a roof on the old Shed End.

Can't actually believe it's been so long!!

Oh where have we said that before, though.

I would rest Stones for this one. He wasn't the same player after that knock the other night so give Oviedo some pitch time.

Mirallas is a must on the left for me although as usual expect to see managers favourite out there.

I will be brave and say 0-2. We are due a few clean sheets now Tim is determined to stick two fingers up to the dissenters and Jags is back.

Barkley needs telling that he must start be bolder and more assertive if he's going to become the real deal, he's got to start doing it in these kind of matches.

I'd not start with Deulofeu tomorrow just to see him fade badly again in the second half, I'd get Lennon to put a shift in, as its highly unlikely Mirallas will be given the nod. Get Deulofeu on in the last half-hour to run at a tired team.

It was a great result at The Etihad but I just feel it's high time we started making our presence felt in matches of this ilk, and of course, it's just 6 wins all season and since the end of September we have only won 3 matches, putting that into context it's pretty grim reading.

I don't see where we create chances otherwise, now that Coleman is unfit and our left-hand side remains something of a vacuum.

Howard (I would prefer Robles but it wont happen)

Stones
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Baines

Barry
Besic

Deulofeu (CAM)
Kone (LM)
Mirallas (RM)

Lukaku

To answer the probable questions: Why no Barkley? Personally I think he has been awful for a few weeks and needs a rain check; bring him back down to earth and get him set for the next few weeks. I think we could score a few if we play well on the counter-attack. Deulofeu in a free role would get the ball back to front a lot quicker than Ross in my opinion.

Score 3-1 Everton; Lukaku (2), Barry.

I don't think Deulofeu likes playing in 'monsoon' conditions and have noticed his frustration when he can't control the ball properly in the wet and deliver his crosses accurately. I reckon Mirallas could roast Ivanovich if given a long overdue start tomorrow.

We can get a win if we put a 90-minute shift in.

I don't know what the problem is with Deulofeu. Is he battling a cold or something? For a professional footballer, this late into the season, to be that tired after 70 minutes, just isn't right. Lennon is the right call.

I see we're about re-up the Oviedo's contract. This is good thing. I've always liked the way he plays. Back before the broken leg, I seem to remember him playing on the left wing at times. Why couldn't he play there again? It just might get Bainsey involved in the offensive side of things again.

The over reliance on Lukaku, who will be closely marked tomorrow, means we shall have few chances to complete the double but a point looks a likely return.

Strong individual performances from Barry and Besic have been a highlight of the recent Manc matches and the Jagielka - Funes Mori axis seems to have bolted the back door. So I'll be having some of that 5-1 methinks!

Contain and gain confidence before introducing Deulofeu when we rip that poor back line apart. Tomorrow, we make a statement! We are the Blues.

Maybe this is a chance for Naismith, the Chelsea killer, to put a final page in his resume for any potential suitors. Either him, or Besic, or Barry certainly will get stuck into Costa at some point and I will take any of those three to finish anything that gets started.

Costa is not only a disgrace but is a coward. He's quite happy kicking, slapping, pulling and talking shit to opposition players but as soon as he's touched – or not – he's bitching to the ref, ably assisted by that shit Terry.

We might start with 11 on the pitch but unless the ref stays strong we won't finish with 11. Barry and Besic beware

Play like we did against City and we won't score a goal. Not much Lukaku can do with three men on his back. It will take a Martinez masterplan and I have no idea of what that might be, except Barkley will need to move the ball on quickly and get himself into the box. According to Hiddink, all 10 of his outfield players are doing the dirty work these days, which is about 3 more than us and the shambles we beat at Goodison is long gone. Not a clue how it will go but hoping for the best.

In the Man City cup tie all 3 played, but Kev came on for Delboy. Let's see all three playing together with Rom. Please Bobby....

COYB!

I do not understand why Lennon hasn't been used more, he puts a full game in and is not without skill to go with his endeavour; he can make and score a goal as well.

With Lennon on the right and Oviedo on the left. Barkley would be the man to make way, and Del would also be on the bench, with Mirallas to cause problems in the second half. If Stones is fit, I would continue with him in the right back slot.

We have to watch Willian but Chelsea are vulnerable. Cahill turns like the QEII and if Terry plays, we have to expose his lack of pace.

Keep it tight, and with 30 mins to go, put on Del and Kevin and tear them apart.

Everton to win by two.

If he hasn't played since the last time we faced Chelsea he certainly won't be playing today.

There have been a few calling for Stones in midfield - perhaps this is the game to give it a go.

I hope Cleverley is available because I think we need to go a genuine 4-4-2 to have any chance against Hiddink's Chelsea.

This would be my team.

Howard
Oviedo, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines
Cleverley, Stones, Barry, Besic
Barkley
Lukaku

Now that I know what it means (thanks Phil Walling) I would go KITANO.

Still got the jitters – I always feel like that when I think we have a chance. It's strange but I have been feeling like that quite often recently.

Up the Blues.

I live in SW London and it's amazing how many Chavs have appeared in Chelsea tops since Abramovic opened his wallet. I hope Garbutt helps gets Fulham back up as that's a proper club to go and visit!
COYB

Naismith has scored at least 5 goals against them, and since we played Chelsea he has actually appeared in 5 league, and 2 cup games for us.

Here's mine:

Howard (Nothing will change this)
Stones, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines
Besic, Barry
Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas
Lukaku

Either Oviedo or Pienaar in his place.

Lennon and Mirallas should be utilized from the bench.

Kone should be left home.

By the way, gents, you do realise that Yarmolenko is an anagram of Riquelme.

I'd love him to score the winner!

Keep Naismith as I can see nobody of value at present who would do better.

We should be beating the likes of Chelsea. 1-3 to the Mighty Blues.

London pressmen insist Chelsea are in a false position but you can claim that about any team. Unless Everton' s season is to be written off as yet another one in transition, we must beat these faded champions today, come what may!

Bright sunny day here, although it's pretty cold too. No idea what to expect so will plump for another draw – 1-1.

:-)

I've said it before, Lukaku gets injured or starts losing form again, we are stuck with Kone and a couple of untried kids.

It's okay people talking about Embolo, why would he join Everton when he's going to have other suitors?

Austin was a real steal at that price but hey, we are stuck with Arouna "cold legs" Kone as back up!

He gets you goals mate, what is not to be convinced by?

In this day and age, £4 million, he's 26, it's a true bargain. Martinez paid £6 million for a 30-year-old Arouna Kone.

That's a steal in modern day football.

If the 1st half Norwich and the 2nd half Citteh side show up we should do them. 2-0 for us.

If anyone has read my occasional pre-match comment, you can be sure Kone will score our late winner now.