PREVIEW: EVERTON - CHELSEA Michael Adubato - Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fighting for the last Champions League spot, Everton welcomes league title hopefuls Chelsea, to Goodison Park for a Thursday night Premiership clash.
Tim Howard will be standing tall for the Toffees as he searches for a clean sheet and the much needed three points, however David Moyes' team will be without midfielders Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman. The Spaniard is suffering from a strained stomach while Osman's hamstring injury will keep him out of action.
For the Blues, who are five points behind leaders Manchester United, their star striker Didier Drogba will be missing due to a knee injury. Frank Lampard also missed the bus to Goodison due to personal reasons.
Everton are five points behind cross-town rivals Liverpool for fourth place and a chance to take part in next season's Champions League, so anything less than all the points will put a major dent in their European aspirations.
The last time the two sides met, which was in the Carling Cup in January, Chelsea squeaked out a 1-0 win. Earlier that month Everton fell at Stamford Bridge in the league game 2-1 when Joleon Lescott scored in the wrong goal in the 90th minute.