Blues handed Chelsea test in FA Cup QF

Sam Hoare
1 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:16:19

Tricky but winnable

Brent Stephens
2 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:16:34

Tough one but bring it on.

Chris Jones [Burton]
3 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:16:36

Bound to be on the telly. COYBB!

Neil Gribbin
4 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:16:55

I'll take that.

Chris Jones [Burton]
5 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:17:23

I'd have preferred Reading away but we can do Chelsea!

Chris Wilson
6 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:18:26

Chelsea at Goodison?

Ste Traverse
7 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:19:29

Quite a few weaker sides in the draw, but trust us to draw Chelsea.

That said, we've taken 4 points off them this season – and it should have been six.

James Stewart
8 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:19:48

Really tough draw. I can't see it happening myself. Any chance of loaning Naismith back!

Chris Wilson
9 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:05

Oops sorry, answered my own question. Maybe we'll get Atkinson and he'll add 9 min at the end for Terry to score again?

Charlie Burnett
10 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:09

You can only beat what is in front of you, I guess.

Jon Cox
11 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:11

Arsenal with a home tie. Now there's a surprise..

Ian Burns
12 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:21

Can't ask for more at this stage than a home tie.

Anthony Burke
13 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:27

Get past these, then I fancy us to go all the way – revenge for 2009 final hopefully!!!! coyb.

Garry Corgan
14 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:20:36

1. Our home form is terrible.
2. Chelsea are in form, and just beat City 5-1.
3. They have some great players.
4. Our cup record against Chelsea is poor.

... so we'll probably win.

Ajay Gopal
15 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:21:05

Guus got the better of us in 2009. Time for revenge!

A tough one Â– 2 teams fighting to rescue their seasons.

Colin Metcalfe
16 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:21:40

Given our home form it's about as bad as it gets... poor draw for us!!!

Chris Wilson
17 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:22:20

Chelsea beat a lot of the Man City kids; only three seniors on the team. Still, they do seem to be picking up steam. Maybe it will be the beginning of the Niase legend.

Kim Vivian
18 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:22:21

That wasn't City, Garry.

Barry Pearce
19 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:22:32

Just as hard for them as it is for us. COYB.

Charles Barrow
20 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:24:07

No problem – time for revenge! At home we struggle against teams we expect to beat. Against better teams we play better and Chelsea hopefully will not 'park the bus' like WBA etc last week and so there will be more room for us to play.

And they are nowhere near as good as last season!

Peter Morris
21 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:24:27

We've got to get it right at home eventually, and if the team and the crowd can't get this one right between them, then we don't deserve to progress.

Jim Bennings
22 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:25:08

Redemption hopefully for that balls up last month when we should have screwed them up.

Am I right in saying Chelsea have the Champions League 2nd leg that midweek before the Quarter Final?

At 2-1 down against a good Paris St Germain team, we must hope they have to give it everything in that game; it just may take it out of them mentally before the Everton game.

Andy Codling
23 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:25:44

We will have a phenomenal and dynamic occasion.

Paul Conway
24 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:25:45

We have to win at home, as Chelsea have kicked into gear at the Bridge!

James Marshall
25 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:28:51

I don't think our shabby home form matters – in fact, I reckon this is a good draw for us, given that we play better against teams that attack us. Reading away would've left us playing against 2 banks of 4 and struggling á la West Brom last week.

At least against Chelsea they'll come to play football, and our record against them is decent. I'm quite pleased.

Jon Cox
26 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:30:07

It will all depend on how RM sets up the team. We will need to be able to attack down both flanks.

If not, then we'll not progress.

Ray Griffin
27 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:30:14

Aren't those BBC pundits so biased towards the biggest clubs? They were so delighted to see Chelsea get through & even Lineker fawned all over Hiddink ("Get your Wembley suit out").

Interesting to see Brendan Rogers's poor performance on live TV, a man who – in the words of the great John Giles – "uses 10 words when 1 will do". Maybe the great spoofer has nothing left to embellish.

Mike Green
28 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:30:58

Chelsea clearly taking this competition seriously, which in fairness they pretty much always do having won it 5 times since the millennium. We will also be taking it seriously so I think it'll be a great tie, which is winnable and I expect Goodison Park to rise to the class I on too.

Man City's line-up was a disgrace today – there'll be thousands of City fans who've travelled and forked out serious money today to watch their club essentially give up their participation in the competition. Wasters.

James Marshall
29 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:31:41

Also, the fact Chelsea just thrashed City means nothing – did you see the City line-up? Hardly their first eleven!

Paul Mackie
30 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:32:15

I'd rather play them in a quarter final where they might have bigger things to worry about (Champions League, relegation...) than in a final at Wembley. It's a winnable game, that's for sure, and you can bet the players will be up for it after what happened at Stamford Bridge.

Eric Holland
31 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:32:17

Would rather have had anyone away from home!

Alan Ross
32 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:32:30

I suspected it would be Chelsea as it seems revenge time of late with Stoke and Bournemouth but I was expecting it to be away. Still, can't have everything.

Giacomo Trifoglio
33 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:33:06

A bit of moment manipulation... and we're through!

Peter Cummings
34 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:38:56

I said before the draw, we'd get Chelsea or Arsenal (if they win their replay), so no surprise there. Even going by our poor home form, we can probably expect to give them a game at Goodison. Next guess: Clatennberg to ref.

Eric Holland
35 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:39:25

The last team to win the FA Cup without conceding a goal........

Preston 1902-03

COYB

Anthony Hanlon
36 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:43:28

Liverpool away, Sunderland away, and possibly Crystal Palace away (FA Cup semi final date) all to be re-arranged.

Jimmy Sørheim
37 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:45:42

I am glad we escaped Arsenal, this will be tough without Naismith.

I just hope Niasse and Lukaku will regain some form by then.

Jim Bennings
39 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:48:00

It's definitely a winnable game, it's all down to not being big game bottlers again really isn't it?

Don't let another big chance evade our clutches, I'm still gutted we didn't beat a poor Man City team by a bigger score at Goodison, just maybe we'd already be in a Final next week if we had done.

Steve Alderson
40 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:50:18

Been out with family today and hadn't kept up with the scores. Finally logged on to see Chelsea humping City 4-1 and at that moment I knew who our next opponents in the next round.

We can beat them, yes... but, as usual, we just can't sneak past the big boys.

Charlie Burnett
41 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:50:26

I say we go for the draw at Goodison so we get an away fixture...

Colin Leckey
42 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:50:29

We must have been the only team praying for an away draw!

Dave Ganley
43 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:51:39

People who are moaning about it should have been away, give it a fucking rest. We have a great set of fans, just got to see the Man City semi-final at our place to see that. If we see a performance like that then we should see a bearpit of a ground again.

I can't wait to have the rent boy chavs at our place, bring it on.

Gavin Johnson
44 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:52:07

I knew it would be No 1 ball when we were drawn at home. I wanted anyone but them, or worse still, Arsenal. But we've got a decent enough record against Chelsea in comparison to the other supposedly big sides.

Let's hope we have a performance like the home leg against Man City in the League Cup. If we turn up, there's no reason why we won't be drawn in the semi-finals.

Jamie Barlow
45 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:57:35

We can beat them. Nothing to worry about.

Jack Mason
46 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:58:17

Alexander the Great and his Companions supposedly used to make important decisions, sober, then later drunk, apparently. Then decide in the morning which course to take. Sober, I'm going for an Everton win.

Darren Hind
47 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:00:29

If we drew them away, or played them at Wembley, it may have been more difficult.

We have to view this as an opportunity to eliminate one of the favourites

Tom Bowers
48 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:01:59

Forget the Chelsea score today. Man City conceded the game beforehand with two, much bigger games coming up next week.

As long as they get good officiating, Everton will win.

Clive Rogers
49 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:02:28

Jimmy, 35,

Naismith wouldn't have been selected.

Mike Archibald
50 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:03:29

League Cup semi-final and FA Cup final defeats to Chelsea in the last 10 years. Third time lucky?

Chelsea and West Ham fans on social media are even less chuffed with the cup draw.

Let's hope Gwladys is in a rock 'n' roll mood that day and helps the blues reach another semi-final!

Keep the faith.

Gavin McGarvey
51 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:07:47

After the first two out of the bag, there weren't many 'easy' teams to play, so I was happy we were drawn at home. Obviously, Chelsea have got the players to give us problems, but I think that goes both ways.

I can't imagine Chelsea being as bad as they were in the league against us, when we should have absolutely stuffed them, but if we play as well as we did against Man City, then we'll go through.

On our failure to get an easier draw, well we've just had Bournemouth, Carlisle and Dagenham and Redbridge, so life has hardly treated us cruelly in that respect. When we won the cup in 1995, that side feared nobody. I think you have to play well to win the FA Cup – not just keep avoiding the better teams. Though, to be honest, as long as we win it...

Phil Bellis
52 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:10:11

Eric Holland 33

Close in '66 (for 4 minutes); never a penalty in the '95 semi-final.

Anthony Hanlon
53 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:10:58

Match will be played on the Saturday as half-marathon is on the Sunday.

Laura Round
54 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:12:19

Bring it on! As long as people actually get behind them at home instead of moaning. They're one of the few teams we've beaten at home this season and let's face it we all know we won away too!

Plus we'll have Joel now :) Plus thanks that was not Man City! Coyb!

John Atkins
55 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:13:51

I would rather have them at home in the Quarterfinal rather than meeting them at Wembley in the Semi-final or Final.

I hate the negativity on here sometimes about it being a bad draw for us! It's not – being at home in the Quarterfinal is all that matters.

We are at home against a team below us in the Premier League who we have taken 6 points off this season (I say 6 – we beat them at their place really!)

Stop being so negative, FFS

We will beat them.

Oliver Molloy
56 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:15:19

We need to beat them to progress – simple.

I like Hiddink and if he leaves Chelsea, Everton should certainly be interested in speaking to him.

Kim Vivian
57 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:19:04

Eric – In 1994-95 we didn't concede from open play. Just one goal conceded – a penalty scored by Klinsmann for Spurs before we went on to win the cup.

Jon Withey
58 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:23:15

Oof, shame Hiddink has steadied that ship again.

It was a really inexperienced side that Man City put out so I'd take at least 3 goals off of that scoreline but they were good value for a win.

It'll be a tough but competitive game, we both need to get the FA Cup to salvage a decent season.

Denis Richardson
60 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:29:55

Can't really complain, we've had three easy ties so far.

Back to the league and reality.

Dave Lynch
61 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:30:37

Well happy with that draw.

Chelsea are very beatable if you go at them, Hiddink has organised their defence better but they aren't pulling any trees up.

Forget that result today – Man City where/are poor; we will have these.

Charles Brewer
62 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:32:54

Hmmm, I think it's better to get Chelsea now than later. The best result in the near future would be a giant-killing Hull result.

John Hughes
63 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:36:28

Ray Griffin (#27).

For the sake of fairness and clarity it wasn't Lineker who quipped about the suit – it was the bloke who did the post-match interview.

And by the way, why do you see fit to give the horrible, dirty skank Johnny Giles such misguided reverence?

Mark Burton
64 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:42:03

Chelsea seem determined to win the FA Cup, so a home game will be difficult with our home form. We will get a reasonable price on the books.

Stephen Brown
65 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:47:28

Hopefully a 5:30 kick-offo under the lights – get the old place rocking!

Surely we are owed a big performance!

Joe O'Brien
66 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:50:55

In fairness, John (#52), for a change, the comments are mainly positive. I was expecting the opposite to be honest.

A tough draw but I think we'll take them; it will be handy if they've got a Champions League match mid-week.

Hopefully Niasse will be firing by then and Besic will be back. COYB

Danny O'Neill
67 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:53:09

Agree, rather get them now than in the Semi-final or Final; fancy us to do it.

The nostalgic optimist in me is predicting an Everton v Watford final in the season Howard Kendall departed with Everton winning their first trophy in a generation... fitting!!

Dave Abrahams
68 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:55:29

Stephen (#62) you could get your wish: four matches to be played over four days, going by the dates, so it could be Friday, Saturday or Monday night.

Rob Halligan
69 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:00:37

Joe O'Brien (#62). Chelsea play their second leg Champions League game against PSG the Wednesday before. So ideally extra time would be good. Also think that rules out us playing them the early Saturday game. Saturday evening would be ideal for us.

Eddie Dunn
70 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:02:42

Let's dump those shithouses out on their ears.

Liam Reilly
71 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:05:47

Tough draw against a resurgent Chelsea. We'll probably have to beat these, United and Arsenal to win this, plus no doubt Atkinson and Clattenberg.

Still, forever believing.

Steve Woods
72 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:09:11

At least we are at home ... Oh! hang on.

Raymond Fox
73 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:10:21

Chelsea at home, it could have been an easier draw but it also could have been more difficult.

It's going to be tough but if we have aspirations to win the cup we have to beat a top club some time, why not now. They will come to play which suits us better then when teams have 10 or 11 behind the ball.

As we are talking about luck elsewhere, let's hope we get some in the shape of favourable officials' decisions and if we are very lucky maybe the odd strain that keeps a few of their more important players from playing.
Hope that doesn't sound too unsporting.

Raymond Fox
75 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:22:44

FA Cup prices

11/4 Chelsea
7/2 Arsenal
4/1 Man Utd
7/1 Everton
7/1 Crystal Palace
8/1 West Ham Utd
16/1 Watford
50/1 Others

Jack Cross
76 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:25:33

Well we know we have no problem scoring against them. 6 goals we put past them.

I suppose it depends on what defence turns up on the day. And how much we want to win it.

Chelsea have improved no doubt about that. But they did beat a weak Man City team.

Everton to win.

Harold Matthews
77 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:37:55

Very difficult but not impossible. I would like Besic, Niasse and Mirallis to play some part.

Craig Mills
78 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:43:09

Chelsea won't be looking forward to coming to Goodison, that's for sure. Our home form is poor but so is Chelsea's away form. I also think they have their Champions League 2nd leg midweek prior to this tie so hopefully a few tired legs from the Chelsea boys.

If you're gonna win the cup, at some point, you have to beat some quality opposition, we shouldn't have anything to fear in Chelsea this season.

Ray Griffin
80 Posted 21/02/2016 at 20:59:10

John Hughes (#59) – I take your point about Lineker not uttering the Wembley suit words: I thought he should have objected though.

Interesting to read your description of John Giles as a dirty skank, surely a man who played at the top level for 20-odd years has an opinion at least worth listening to & not dismissed out of hand just because you don't like him?

Barry McNally
81 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:17:17

Chelsea are at home to PSG on the Wednesday before so hopefully they'll have a few tired legs, although I thought that was going to be the case with WBA last weekend! Everton should try and arrange the match for the early kick off on the Saturday.

Trevor Lynes
82 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:38:53

Today's match Chelsea against a very young Man City side was a high class of football with tremendous ball control on display. City have got some very good young talent and Chelsea only got on top in the 2nd half.

Chelsea seem to have recovered a lot of form at the wrong time for us and we will need to be at our very best to get a result against them at Goodison.

Gordon Roberts
83 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:48:57

Harold #72. What are your theories on Besic, Mirallas and Niasse to play some part in the Chelsea match?

Mark Rimmer
84 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:48:59

Worst possible outcome for me, I'd have preferred away at Chelsea. Chelsea are up for the FA Cup, as like us it's their only route into Europe, plus they know how to win important matches. I'd love to be more confident, but I've conditioned my mind to protect itself against the inevitable let downs.

John Moore
85 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:50:53

Up the fucking toffees... Same atmosphere and tempo as at the League Cup semi-final at home and we have a great chance to get to Wembley. We've got to get nasty and give no-one too much respect,

We've played them off the park at their place already this season and then crumpled when it came to the crunch, as we've done on too many occasions down the years. We've got to shake this inferiority complex and get back to the team of the '80s who knew how good they could be.

This team needs to realise it's potential and this cup could be the start of something... That's my dream anyway.

Colin Glassar
86 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:53:23

We've outplayed Chelsea twice this season so I don't see why we can't do it for a third time.

Darryl Ritchie
87 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:08:16

We can do this! Come on you Blues!

Daniel Joseph
88 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:11:49

Would have preferred an away tie. No use worrying over Chelsea, or anyone else for that matter. If we want to win it that we have to beat anyone who is left in it.

I got 15/2 yesterday and it's gone out to 8/1 today for an outright win.

Matt Woods
89 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:13:42

Crazy as it sounds, I wanted Arsenal at home. We never beat them at their place and I would be pessimistic about our chances against them at Wembley. So doing them at Goodison seemed much more realistic...

Anyway, likewise Chelsea at home is not a bad draw. The atmosphere will be electric and they won't fancy it. Hopefully Arsenal will be put out and I would fancy us against Man Utd in a semi-final.

John Hughes
90 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:24:48

Ray Griffin (74). I take your point and my opinion is probably not the most objective one concerning Johnny Giles. However, I can't forget watching him in the late sixties and early seventies. Kicking lumps out of people and mostly in a very cowardly way and on the blindside of the ref, long before there were cameras surrounding the pitch.

I despised that Leeds side and he was the true leader. Forty years on of course and he's a grand old fellah!

Craig Fletcher
91 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:25:00

As Colin said, we've outplayed them twice already this season and put 6 goals past them in 2 games; there's nothing to fear here.

Actually it's West Ham I'd be more nervous about - they seem up for the FA Cup and I wouldn't mind betting on them to get past Man U in a quarter-final (should Shrewsbury not come to the party).

Colin Glassar
92 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:25:10

I can see this being an Everton - WHU final. Don't ask me why...

John Moore
93 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:28:31

I'd be happy with Watford in the final and then the league next season

Victor Jones
94 Posted 21/02/2016 at 22:40:14

On a positive side, that's Man City and Spurs out of the way. Wouldn't have wanted to meet any of those two clubs. Because believe me, they would not have rested players against us. No way would they have fielded weakened teams in a quarter final. Especially if they are also out of Europe. So that's two potential banana skins out of the way. Shrewsbury might just do Man Utd tomorrow night. Van the man has them playing jittery football. So an upset could happen.

As for Besic featuring against Chelsea. Yes... why not. Get him to man-mark Costa. Take Costa out of the game. Oh sorry, is that not the Everton way. Well it should be. Take the oppositions better players out of the game. Don't give them time to play. We go into this game still playing that tippy-tappy nonsense... and Chelsea will beat us.

But keep the faith. Martinez sometimes gets things right. Three wins.......and the FA cup is ours. COYBs

Ray Griffin
95 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:02:27

John Hughes (#82),

Giles is an old mellow man these days and not a bad TV analyst either. I do take your point though, he famously said he used to get his retaliation in first!

Ray Smith
96 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:05:20

A lot of negative comments. Most relate to the past! Be positive and look forward, with or without RM's influence, we will go through.

2009 I sat in the semi-final at Wembley surrounded and accompanied by Mancs. I took stick all day, but who had the last laugh?

Be positive, I would love to see RM on his bike, however, our season is on the turn... COYB

Eric Holland
97 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:08:58

Why Colin?

Phil Williams
98 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:10:05

Really nice to see a mainly positive thread. I'm with John (#52). Better at home in the quarters than a neutral semi or final.

If ever the bearpit needed to find its voice again, slaying the classless from the Kings Road offers no better incentive.

Rob Hooton
99 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:33:32

We will do Chelski and then demolish Shrewsbury in the semis before battering Hull in the final. My dream anyway...

Brian Wilkinson
101 Posted 22/02/2016 at 00:40:40

Winnable, crowd will be up for it, Goodison rocking, much better chance then playing them away or at Wembley.

Could even be a reunion with Elton John at Wembley.

Don Alexander
102 Posted 22/02/2016 at 01:51:45

Roberto Martinez should be told he needs an FA Cup win, never mind a quarter-final win, to salvage his abject career as our "manager".

James Wong
103 Posted 22/02/2016 at 01:57:53

Huge opportunity this season. Just Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United left of the 'big' teams. United are bang average, and Arsenal don't look like title chasers at the moment.

We are one game from a semi at Wembley. We could easily get Crystal Palace, West Ham or Watford in a semi-final and I'd fancy our chances!

Tim Greeley
104 Posted 22/02/2016 at 04:10:16

Oh hell yes. Tie of the round for sure and even our relatively soft bunch will still be steamed through their rectums about the fucking Russian-fueled travesty at the Bridge in January. I like our chances. I really do.

So If Hull can do Arsenal in their replay (quite possible) then you'd have to put Everton at third favorites with the direct chance to beat the theoretical first or second faves (Chelsea) at home.

And then, all of a sudden, you're looking at facing Man Utd and/or West Ham at Wembley. BRANG IT.

Craig Fletcher
105 Posted 22/02/2016 at 04:28:19

The good thing is James, I can see Arsenal concentrating on the Premier League and Chelsea and Man Utd will both place emphasis on their various European competitions over the next few weeks.

As I say though, it's West Ham, Watford and Palace who we should perhaps be more wary of. They are in much the same position as us – safe from Premier League relegation, while they will see the FA Cup as their last shot at glory / success this season.

Rick Tarleton
106 Posted 22/02/2016 at 07:56:12

You have to play whoever you get and we are at home. However, Chelsea are the one of the top teams who will see the FA Cup as a priority rather than a bonus. They need to be in Europe and although theoretically they could win the Champions League, the FA Cup is probably their obvious route to do that and get into the Europa League.

Colin Glassar
107 Posted 22/02/2016 at 11:15:39

I have a dream, Eric. Can I just say I think Johnny Giles was one of the finest footballers I've ever seen play the game. I don't know what he's like as a person but he was a great player.

Joe Clitherow
108 Posted 22/02/2016 at 11:30:07

Johnny Giles also blatantly chinned Kevin Keegan playing for the RS in full view of the world at Wembley and got away with it, so plus points for that

Andrew Ellams
109 Posted 22/02/2016 at 11:40:20

Funny how the four London clubs were kept apart though.

Sean Patton
111 Posted 22/02/2016 at 13:56:54

Hopefully the football gods will put right the wrongs that happened when we played in the game at Stamford Bridge!

Ian Jones
113 Posted 22/02/2016 at 17:03:38

I like the way Hiddink says we will be looking for revenge because we lost the FA Cup Final when he was in charge. Someone should tell him we beat Chelsea a few years ago in the cup.

Okay, not the final but a win is a win. Seem to think it ended with Baines scoring a free kick in the last minute of the game to equalise. May have been at the end of extra time. Then penalties!

For me a good draw.

Tony Abrahams
114 Posted 22/02/2016 at 17:15:44

Ian, then we got beat off fucking Reading, in a midweek 5th Round tie at Goodison.

Seemed to remember turning up, really up for the game, only to see Moyes had picked a lifeless Bilyaletdinov.

I remember the Stamford Bridge game really well, there was 6,000 Everton fans in the ground for a midday kick off. If anyone deserves to win a cup, it's the fans of Everton FC.

Ian Jones
115 Posted 22/02/2016 at 17:43:27

Tony. I only remember the victories :) but that sounds typical of Everton.

Peter Carpenter
116 Posted 22/02/2016 at 21:17:04

Any date and kick-off time for this yet?

Lyndon Lloyd
117 Posted 22/02/2016 at 21:25:09

The decision over the timing of the Bournemouth tie took days, Peter, and so could this one.

Chelsea apparently play PSG in the Champions League on the preceding Wednesday so it's unlikely to be on Friday night.

The Liverpool half marathon is on Sunday the 13th which could impact policing so Saturday are Monday are better bets. I like the sound of another late Saturday kick-off under the lights.

Peter Carpenter
118 Posted 22/02/2016 at 21:39:28

Thanks, that would do for me too. The beer always tastes better after a late Saturday win.

Ian Jones
119 Posted 22/02/2016 at 22:11:56

Suppose the time of the game also depends on times of trains back south for Chelsea fans!

Ken Finch
120 Posted 24/02/2016 at 12:28:13

Lyndon (#110). Chelsea were due to play those from across the park at 4pm on 13 March in a televised game, so Merseyside's finest wouldn't argue about a clash with the half-marathon. Plus the 4pm time slot becomes freed up.

Peter Carpenter
122 Posted 25/02/2016 at 13:47:54

How long does it take these tossers to sort out something as simple as this? I've got plans to make, people to see....

As usual, the fans come last. Perhaps we should try and use fan power, hold a vote for kick-off time and tell them we are turning up on that day at that time and no other. That should do it.

Colin Hughes
123 Posted 25/02/2016 at 13:56:29

Why don't Everton just put tickets on sale to season tickets holders who only get their card activated anyway so there is no time/date as there is on a printed ticket. That way fans who are definitely going regardless on day/date can buy right away. Four working days has passed so EFC should be putting pressure on the powers that be for a decision.

Colin Gee
124 Posted 25/02/2016 at 14:18:58

Ken #113 I agree how hard is it to arrange four games?

As you say, the RS were due to play Chelsea at 4PM on the Sunday, so they aren't playing so we can play then instead, that's one sorted.

Man Utd might be in the Europa League on the Thursday before, so they can also play on the Sunday Kick off around 12ish. There's no clash with a Man City game as they are away on the Saturday...

Peter Carpenter
125 Posted 25/02/2016 at 14:36:50

Well done Colin. Take a job with the FA.

Dave Abrahams
126 Posted 25/02/2016 at 14:55:43

Lyndon (110) you have given sensible solutions for when the match should be played. Knowing the FA it will almost guarantee the match will be on Monday night.

Tony (107) remember the Reading game? Beckford got stuck in the traffic and turned up late, Bilyaletdinov was substituted by Jose Baxter who did more in the few minutes he was on than the Russian had done all night.

Mike Keane
127 Posted 25/02/2016 at 21:06:43

My guess is that it all hinges on the Man Utd game going on as I write. I reckon BBC will want to show them in the Saturday evening slot but won't be able to if they progress. We will be second choice for that slot.

So, if Man Utd go through in Europa, we will play on Saturday evening. If they go out, we will be 4pm on Sunday.