Everything you need to know about the Hammers' last home game of the season
Everything you need to know about the Hammers' last home game of the season.
For starters, the two sides have played each other three times this term, with one win, draw and defeat apiece.
On Saturday, their fourth meeting this term, represents a comprehensive showdown to determine who deserves bragging rights, at least until next season.
In the reverse fixture the Toffees edged a 2-1 win in November before the two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup third round.
James Collins’ bullet header looked to have sealed the win yet Romelu Lukaku, a persistent thorn in the Hammers’ side equalised with seconds to go.
Thankfully, the disappointment of a replay was short-lived as the encounter proved to be an enthralling game.
A blood and thunder 120 minutes was eventually settled on penalties with Adrian becoming hero of the hour, taking his gloves off in a statement of intent mid run-up, before sending Joel Robles the wrong way.
The second strand to Saturday’s game is the small matter of European qualification via the Financial Fair Play system.
With Liverpool likely to qualify for the Europa League automatically, the Irons are in pole position with Everton hot on the heels. What impact this has on the players, if any, will be fascinating to watch.
Further, while West Ham are on course for a targeted top half finish, Everton would leapfrog them with a win.
If that we’re not enough, it’s the Hammers’ final home game of the 2014/15 season.
Everton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, winning their first league title at the third attempt. The Toffees moved to Goodison Park in 1892, winning their first game there 4-2 over Bolton Wanderers.
Since then, Everton have established themselves as one of the more successful teams in England, winning the first division nine times as well as an impressive five FA Cups.
More recently, trophies have been harder to come by - their last success came in the FA Cup in the 1994/95 season. However ex-manager David Moyes established them as one of the best teams in the Premier League, regularly finishing in the top half and challenging for a European spot.
The Hammers are boosted by the possible return of Winston Reid who has been out of action with a hamstring injury. It is not yet clear whether the New Zealand international will make the bench or if he will replace eighteen year old Reece Burke who has excelled during his run in the team.
Guy Demel is unavailable due to a calf strain while long term absentees Diafra Sakho (thigh), James Tomkins (shoulder) and Andy Carroll (knee) are still missing.
In his pre-match press conference Sam Allardyce suggested Tomkins had an outside chance of playing against Newcastle having started light training with the squad.
Everton
Everton have several injury concerns to worry about.
Livewire left-back Leighton Baines is the latest player that Roberto Martinez will have to make do without as the England International underwent surgery on an ankle problem.
Steven Pienaar (muscle injury), Brian Oviedo and Darron Gibson (both metartarsal fractures) and Tony Hibbert (knee) are all unavailable.
Friend has refereed just one West Ham match this season, the 3-1 away win over Burnley in October.
In contrast, Friend has officiated four games involving Everton – a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, 0-0 draw with Swansea and most recently a 2-0 defeat to Hull.
Saturday’s Assistant Referees are Edward Smart and Richard West, the Fourth Official is Andre Marriner.
Having netted what was so nearly the winner in the FA Cup third round James Collins will be hoping to ensure his side perform for the full 90 minutes.
He has done a masterful job of easing Reece Burke into Premier League life, with the pair forging an effective partnership, keeping two clean sheets in the last three games.
Collins may be reunited with more familiar partner Winston Reid if he starts on Saturday afternoon.
Everton
Powerful Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has proved to be a thorn in the Hammers side this season, scoring in all three games against the Hammers so far.
The threat the Belgian international poses is now well established, however dealing with his pace and strength is another matter.
However, that is exactly what the defence will have to do if they are to claim maximum points. In total, the 22-year-old has netted 19 goals in 49 appearances.
FA Cup
Tuesday 13 January 2015
The Hammers progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup in dramatic style as Adrian netted the winning penalty following a nervy extra-time.
Enner Valencia scored his first goal at Upton Park with a neat finish from Andy Carroll’s flick on shortly before Aiden McGeady was sent off having been booked twice.
The Hammers looked to have secure their passage into the next round however Kevin Mirallas equalised with a terrific free-kick eight minutes from time.
Into extra time, Romelu Lukaku did what he does best – scoring against West Ham – with a finish from close range however substitute Carlton Cole was on hand to equalise with seven minutes to go.
The teams could not be separated during a tense and fraught penalty shootout which was eventually settled by Adrian.
The Spaniard wheeled away in delight, in one of the most exciting moments in West Ham’s history of recent years.
West Ham United: Adrian, Cresswell, Tomkins, Jenkinson, Collins (C Cole 111), Song (Nolan 61), Jarvis (Amalfitano 69), Downing, Noble, Carroll, Valencia
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Burke, Vaz Te
Everton: Robles, Baines, Jagielka, Coleman, Stones, McGeady, Besic (Oviedo 67), Barry, Barkley (Mirallas 67), Lukaku, Naismith
Subs not used: Griffiths, Garbutt, Alcaraz, Kone, McAleny
In brief
On the face of it, tenth versus eleventh may not be the most appetising of games, yet there are more sub-plots to this game then you can shake a stick at.For starters, the two sides have played each other three times this term, with one win, draw and defeat apiece.
On Saturday, their fourth meeting this term, represents a comprehensive showdown to determine who deserves bragging rights, at least until next season.
In the reverse fixture the Toffees edged a 2-1 win in November before the two sides were drawn against each other in the FA Cup third round.
James Collins’ bullet header looked to have sealed the win yet Romelu Lukaku, a persistent thorn in the Hammers’ side equalised with seconds to go.
Thankfully, the disappointment of a replay was short-lived as the encounter proved to be an enthralling game.
A blood and thunder 120 minutes was eventually settled on penalties with Adrian becoming hero of the hour, taking his gloves off in a statement of intent mid run-up, before sending Joel Robles the wrong way.
The second strand to Saturday’s game is the small matter of European qualification via the Financial Fair Play system.
With Liverpool likely to qualify for the Europa League automatically, the Irons are in pole position with Everton hot on the heels. What impact this has on the players, if any, will be fascinating to watch.
Further, while West Ham are on course for a targeted top half finish, Everton would leapfrog them with a win.
If that we’re not enough, it’s the Hammers’ final home game of the 2014/15 season.
Who are they?
Formed from St Domingo's FC, they played their first game on 1 January 1878 in Stanley Park. They changed their name to Everton Football Club in 1879, winning their first game under the new name 6-0 against St Peter's. Five years later, Everton won the Liverpool Cup, their first ever cup, with a 1-0 win over Earlestown.Everton were one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, winning their first league title at the third attempt. The Toffees moved to Goodison Park in 1892, winning their first game there 4-2 over Bolton Wanderers.
Since then, Everton have established themselves as one of the more successful teams in England, winning the first division nine times as well as an impressive five FA Cups.
More recently, trophies have been harder to come by - their last success came in the FA Cup in the 1994/95 season. However ex-manager David Moyes established them as one of the best teams in the Premier League, regularly finishing in the top half and challenging for a European spot.
Team news
West Ham UnitedThe Hammers are boosted by the possible return of Winston Reid who has been out of action with a hamstring injury. It is not yet clear whether the New Zealand international will make the bench or if he will replace eighteen year old Reece Burke who has excelled during his run in the team.
Guy Demel is unavailable due to a calf strain while long term absentees Diafra Sakho (thigh), James Tomkins (shoulder) and Andy Carroll (knee) are still missing.
In his pre-match press conference Sam Allardyce suggested Tomkins had an outside chance of playing against Newcastle having started light training with the squad.
Everton
Everton have several injury concerns to worry about.
Livewire left-back Leighton Baines is the latest player that Roberto Martinez will have to make do without as the England International underwent surgery on an ankle problem.
Steven Pienaar (muscle injury), Brian Oviedo and Darron Gibson (both metartarsal fractures) and Tony Hibbert (knee) are all unavailable.
Referee
Saturday’s referee is Kevin Friend. The Leicestershire based referee has been a Premier League referee for six seasons, dishing out 431 yellow and 18 red cards in 116 matches.Friend has refereed just one West Ham match this season, the 3-1 away win over Burnley in October.
In contrast, Friend has officiated four games involving Everton – a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, 0-0 draw with Swansea and most recently a 2-0 defeat to Hull.
Saturday’s Assistant Referees are Edward Smart and Richard West, the Fourth Official is Andre Marriner.
One to watch
West Ham UnitedHaving netted what was so nearly the winner in the FA Cup third round James Collins will be hoping to ensure his side perform for the full 90 minutes.
He has done a masterful job of easing Reece Burke into Premier League life, with the pair forging an effective partnership, keeping two clean sheets in the last three games.
Collins may be reunited with more familiar partner Winston Reid if he starts on Saturday afternoon.
Everton
Powerful Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has proved to be a thorn in the Hammers side this season, scoring in all three games against the Hammers so far.
The threat the Belgian international poses is now well established, however dealing with his pace and strength is another matter.
However, that is exactly what the defence will have to do if they are to claim maximum points. In total, the 22-year-old has netted 19 goals in 49 appearances.
Tickets
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West Ham United 2-2 (9-8*) EvertonFA Cup
Tuesday 13 January 2015
The Hammers progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup in dramatic style as Adrian netted the winning penalty following a nervy extra-time.
Enner Valencia scored his first goal at Upton Park with a neat finish from Andy Carroll’s flick on shortly before Aiden McGeady was sent off having been booked twice.
The Hammers looked to have secure their passage into the next round however Kevin Mirallas equalised with a terrific free-kick eight minutes from time.
Into extra time, Romelu Lukaku did what he does best – scoring against West Ham – with a finish from close range however substitute Carlton Cole was on hand to equalise with seven minutes to go.
The teams could not be separated during a tense and fraught penalty shootout which was eventually settled by Adrian.
The Spaniard wheeled away in delight, in one of the most exciting moments in West Ham’s history of recent years.
West Ham United: Adrian, Cresswell, Tomkins, Jenkinson, Collins (C Cole 111), Song (Nolan 61), Jarvis (Amalfitano 69), Downing, Noble, Carroll, Valencia
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Burke, Vaz Te
Everton: Robles, Baines, Jagielka, Coleman, Stones, McGeady, Besic (Oviedo 67), Barry, Barkley (Mirallas 67), Lukaku, Naismith
Subs not used: Griffiths, Garbutt, Alcaraz, Kone, McAleny