Premier League Match Preview: Everton vs. West Ham United
West Ham United manager, Avram Grant witnessed a dramatic U-turn concerning his position at Upton Park. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 and Portsmouth manager’s future was under intense scrutiny due to his team wallowing in relegation trouble
for much of the season. Grant was supposedly given three games to improve his team’s performance or to be ousted from his managerial position; however, the speculation proved to be false. Following the three-match ultimatum rumours, the West Ham board refused
to publicly back Grant, which led to further speculations concerning his future, with Martin O’Neill (the former Aston Villa manager) reportedly waiting to embrace the reigns at Upton Park.
After the Hammers lost to Arsenal, Grant threw his claret and blue scarf into the crowd, which further fuelled suspicion that this was his last game as in charge of the Hammers. However, once again all speculations proved to be
just rumours, as O’Neill denied that he wanted the West Ham managerial position and the owners of the Upton Park based club came out in defence of Grant. Hammers co-owner, David Sullivan claimed, “The entire board is 100 per cent behind Avram. He is a really
decent person who deserves our support. West Ham United is a club that does the right thing and the right thing at this time is to support the manager.”
Now, the Israeli manager must face the enormity of the task at hand, which is to lift the London club out of relegation trouble and prove to owners Sullivan and David Gold that their decision to keep him at the Park was a correct
one. The Hammers have three fixtures in three different competitions in the next seven days. The outcome of one of those matches may see Grant’s side play at Wembley - a feat they have not managed since 1981.
Gaining a point or three from the Hammers trip to Goodison Park will be crucial for Avram. Everton have a fantastic record against their opponents on Saturday, as the Toffees have recorded 16 victories over West Ham in 31 clashes
between the two sides.
The Toffees have played one game less than West Ham’s 23 so far in the Premier League. David Moyes’ side have managed to claim 26 points, whereas the Hammers have acquired only 20. Everton have won five matches so far, which is
one more than what Grant’s side have managed in their campaign. The Toffees have drawn 11 and lost six, compared to West Ham’s 11 losses and eight draws. Moyes’ men have scored 25 goals so far and conceded 27, whereas the Hammers have scored 22 goals and conceded
41.
The Irons have not been beaten in seven League games against West Ham. The last time they were defeated by the Hammers was in April 2007 at Upton Park. The Hammers have been victorious only twice, on Everton’s home ground in their
previous 15 clashes and they have managed to score only 10 times in those fixtures.
Everton will be missing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jagielka-c29902 may not play this fixture due to thigh injuries.
Meanwhile, West Ham will have Scott Parker, who was unavailable against Arsenal due to an ankle problem. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Costa-c9458 is out with an ankle injury. Other injury worries include Thomas
Hitzlsperger (suffering from a thigh injury) and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lars-Jacobsen-c21668 (sustaining a heel problem).
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