Beating Liverpool was amazing, beating Arsenal was even better, grabbing 3 points from Manchester City was incredible and to be a part of the downfall of Mourinho’s Chelsea is a once in a life time experience. But our real test will be this weekend as we’ll be playing Everton. They who are unbeatable. Or at least, for us. Everton are famously our bogey team and the last time we beat them in the Premier League was on 21st of April 2007. This was the season we pulled off the great escape, led by fan favourite Carlos Tevez.
Since then, we’ve only managed to beat them after 120 minutes by way of penalties, with the final kick scored by goalkeeper Adrian. Fan’s fondly remember the Spaniard running to kick the ball and throwing off his gloves knowing that he wouldn’t need them again.
Four months later West Ham, as is our tradition, lost again by a late goal by Romelu Lukaku. Who else? The Belgium has scored six in six against the Hammers.
This season times have changed. We are sitting in fifth place and our squad has been improved tremendously.
Besides that our gaffer has a history at Goodison Park. Surely he will be destined to beat Everton and win over the doubters at Upton Park.
The Toffees are strong on the counter, just like West Ham. This is not ideal for either side as one of the teams will have to attack for the other to counter. However the Evertonians have proven that they are capable of attacking sides. Despite their strengths in counter attacking football, they appear to be solid playmakers too.
Everton fans are starting to doubt long-standing goalkeeper Tim Howard, and have called for him to be dropped. He is getting older and his form is dropping along with it. The two goals scored by Sunderland last weekend could definitely be prevented by the American.
In summary, the time has come to break the losing tradition and finally beat Everton.
Predicted line-ups:
West Ham: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Moses, Payet, Lanzini, Valencia.
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone, Lukaku.
