FA Cup fourth round: Chelsea vs Everton preview
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Louis-Saha-c22459 scored early on for Everton and left the Blues chasing for most of that game. However, Salomon Kalou’s late equalizer saved his
side from an early FA Cup exit.
The Blues have history on their side, they have not been knocked out in this stage of the competition or earlier than the fourth round since they lost to Manchester United in 1998. Chelsea also have a particularly impressive record against Everton at home,
not losing to the Toffees at Stamford Bridge in any competition since 1994.
A loss to Everton will be unacceptable to both Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues are no longer in the English Premier League title race, currently sitting in fifth position on the table. Their only chance at silverware now
is the FA Cup and the coveted UEFA Champions League.
A win today will be as important for Everton, with the side not doing too well in the English Premier League. If they manage to beat Chelsea today they will have completed their 50th win over the Blues in all competitions, an impressive feat for
the Merseyside team.
Team News
Chelsea
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707. However, Torres is cup tied, having featured for
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786, but I
have to start with Drogba.”
Ancelotti confirmed Russian international Yuri Zhirkov would be returning to the squad after three months of being out. He said, “http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yuri-Zhirkov-c37683 is available to play. He will not start but I hope he will have an opportunity. Bosingwa is out but will be available
for Tuesday.”
Portuguese defender Jose Bosingwa remains sidelined for this match but is expected to return in midweek. Alex and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542 is ineligible to play as he had not signed for Chelsea when the original tie took place.
Everton
Everton will be without French striker Louis Saha, who is out with a hamstring injury. Saha missed the 2-0 loss to Bolton last week and is expected to be out for a few more days before he can return to the squad. It was the Frenchman who scored in the fixture
at Goodison, which ended in a 1-1 draw. He has been in excellent form for the Toffees, scoring four goals in his last match. He has scored eight goals in his last six matches but the hamstring injury will keep him out for the dreaded trip to the Stamford Bridge.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Rodwell-c17462 was ruled out for at least a month by manager David Moyes, when the player picked up a groin injury recently. However, the midfielder seems to have recovered sooner than expected but is still not fully fit and is not expected to feature against
the Blues today. Apart from Saha, Rodwell and Barkley, who is out with a broken leg, Moyes has no fresh injury problems and will most likely present the strongest side available to face defending champions Chelsea.
Line up
Chelsea
Starting XI
Cech; Terry, Ivanovic, Cole, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ramires-c30523, Lampard; Malouda, Kalou, Drogba.
Substitutes
Hilário, Turnbull, Bosingwa, Essien, Zhirkov, Bertrand, Borini, McEachran, Anelka, Sala.
Everton
Starting XI
Howard; Heitinga, Distin, Neville, Baines; Fellaini, Arteta, Coleman, Osman; Cahill, Anichebe.
Substitutes
Mucha, Hibbert, Jagielka, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Duffy, Baxter, Mustafi, Wallace, Gueye.
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