Chelsea vs Everton

Lyndon Lloyd , 18 May, 46comments | Jump to most recent

Match Preview

The final game of the David Moyes era will unfold at Stamford Bridge as the Blues finish the 2012-13 season with a game against a Chelsea side who will be hoping to wrap up third place.

There's a certain symbolism in the venue for Moyes's last match in charge: in 11 years, the Blues' departing boss has never won on Chelsea's turf in the Premier League and there would be something simultaneously poetic and frustrating should he manage to break his duck on his last hurrah with nothing riding on the result.

Everton wrapped up sixth place with victory over West Ham last weekend and cannont be caught by neighbours Liverpool even if, as betting sites like Unibet suggest, they lose to the newly-crowned Europa League winners. Chelsea are 4/6 to beat the Blues at home for only the second time in six seasons while the odds of another draw in this fixture are 11/4.

But Everton can still cause problems for Rafael Benitez who is also almost certainly in charge of his last game for his present club.

Chelsea need to win to ensure they will finish above Arsenal and claim the last of three automatic Champions League places; a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge and a 2-1 win for the Gunners at Newcastle, meanwhile, would force a play-off game between the two London rivals at a neutral ground.

Moyes's men showed last week against the Hammers that they can turn on the style when they are relaxed and in the mood to entertain and the traveling Blues who have sold out the away allocation will be hoping for more of what they witnessed last Sunday, particularly from two-goal hero Kevin Mirallas.

Leon Osman is the one fresh injury concerns but Moyes could be tempted to name an otherwiseunchanged line-up. Victor Anichebe would be expected to lead the line solo ahead of Marouane Fellaini and the inter-changing Mirallas and Steven Pienaar and there may be room for Ross Barkley or Steven Naismith as Osman's deputy.

Phil Neville, one of the heroes of Moyes's solitary victory on the grounds of the old Sky Four (the FA Cup win at Stamford Bridge three years ago) sat out again last Sunday and is expected to do so again as he recovers from a knee injury. That would prevent him from making his Everton swansong and ensure that his last appearance in Blue was in the humbling at the hands of Wigan in the FA Cup quarter-final in March.

Victory would obviously send Moyes off in fine style as he starts his new adventure in the Old Trafford hotseat and also mean Everton would finish on 66 points, their best ever points total in the Premier League. At once plenty to build on and something of a lofty target for the new manager, whoever he may be.

Kick off: 4pm
Referee: Anthony Taylor

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Reader Comments (46)

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Tommy Coleman
1 Posted 17/05/2013 at 09:13:51

Last chance for a 1st time away win against one of 'Sky Big 4' in the league. Or will it be 0 wins from 48 attempts for Moyes?

I wouldn't mind 0-0 and Arsenal winning 2-1 so we can watch a 3rd/4th place play-off.

James Lauwervine
2 Posted 17/05/2013 at 10:04:05

You can have a flutter on that happening Tommy on Ladbrokes at 50/1 - the playoff that is. Though the same price on an Everton win wouldn't be unreasonable!

Peter Cummings
3 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:05:45

After seeing the smash and grab robbery by them v Benfica where they were outplayed for 80% of the game, a win for us, if we play as we can, is more than possible on Sunday.... as long as we aren't intimidated by the play acting by Ruiz (or Luiz?) and Ivanovic, both con-merchants — not to mention our nemesis Lampard who always manages to beat us,

Paul David
4 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:16:37

I just know we're going to win this one.

Ciaran Duff
5 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:33:41

Chelsea will definitely be up fpr this one. Last home game and auto UCL spot up for grabs. Could be a good game. Going for 2-2.

Nick Entwistle
6 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:38:59

Howard
Coleman Distin Jags Baines
Gibson Fellaini
Mirallas Barkley Pienaar
Me.

Patrick Murphy
7 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:40:27

Nick if you can hold the ball up and pass it to a team mate it's worth a go, but you'll have to play for free - we can't afford anymore additions to the wage bill.

Kunal Desai
8 Posted 17/05/2013 at 13:48:14

Nick - You will be shattered after 10 mins. You will be asked to run down the channels chasing lost balls.

Tommy Coleman
9 Posted 17/05/2013 at 14:51:53

James - 50/1 ?.. might have a couple of quid.

Declan Burke
10 Posted 17/05/2013 at 16:17:00

Best of luck Nick. You'll never be the same again and follow in a long line of strikers, forever lacking in confidence.

Brian Cleveland
11 Posted 17/05/2013 at 16:24:44

Tommy, you were ahead on me on that one! Just looked at the league table and noted how close Chelsea and Arsenal are in terms of GD and goals scored, etc... would be nice to see a cup final style playoff between them....

So we're 50:1 for the win? Is that with Nick in the team?

Brent Stephens
12 Posted 17/05/2013 at 16:34:28

That's what I hate about today's footballers - all me, me, me.

Patrick Murphy
13 Posted 17/05/2013 at 16:38:07

With the prospect of a play-off between Chelsea and Arsenal I see that Niall Quinn has been advocating a play-off for the fourth place and he reckons that the teams from 4th to 7th should compete to grab the final CL place. I don't agree I think it's just another way to help the big clubs in case they miss out.
Imagine finishing 4th way ahead of the other lot in 7th and then being usurped in a game where the referee decided it with a bad decision.

Paul Ferry
14 Posted 17/05/2013 at 17:16:31

Seven wounds of Christ.

Felli getting ready for the last game of the season/last game for EFC

Stylish

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/marouane-fellaini-dyes-hair-silver-1893772

Mike Hughes
16 Posted 17/05/2013 at 17:18:27

Apart from wanting us to stuff those horrible Laahdaners, has there ever been a duller final set of Premier League matches?

There's nothing at stake apart from Spurs / Arsenal 4th and I personally couldn't care less. Still, it would be good to stuff Chelsea at their place. Hopefully they are still boozed-up following events midweek.

I suppose I can hope Suarez and Gerrard get injured. I know they're not playing but I still hope they get injured.

Gavin Wadeson
18 Posted 17/05/2013 at 18:57:37

Instead of hoping that Kenwright reads the results of a ToffeeWeb poll, why don't we just sing the name of the person we want as our next manager, at Stamford Bridge?

Mike Gaynes
20 Posted 17/05/2013 at 19:23:09

True, Mike... first time I can ever remember a final week where there was absolutely nothing at stake at either end of the table.

Quite a contrast from last year....

AguerOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!

Stephen Sulliven
21 Posted 17/05/2013 at 23:25:20

Oh' ay, No Osman! Who we gonna' get to be brushed off the ball every five minutes and concede possession?

What about the powder puff shots? Who we gonna' bring in to replace those? Oh yea ...Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic, Coleman........ Okay, but still, the brushed off the ball bit's still an issue?

Paul Ferry
22 Posted 18/05/2013 at 02:14:08

So few posts, so little interest... coz I guess our minds are focused on the next gaffer.

Kris Boner
23 Posted 18/05/2013 at 09:05:19

I'll be honest Nick, I'm still hoping we have secret snatched up ToffeeWeb's own Super Kev, from all the preseason talk and he plays the last game of the season up front.

Richard Dodd
25 Posted 18/05/2013 at 10:43:08

I`d like to see Hibbo in for this one with Coleman further forward and Mirralas behind Victor. That would allow Felli to play in his best position but still be a threat at set pieces.
But what the hell do I know about formations and tactics?

Ross Edwards
27 Posted 18/05/2013 at 17:12:24

Not a lot Richard. You supported Moyes blindly for 11 years...
Anyway, I think Moyes is going to go Guardiola style on Chelsea to show his "ability" to the United fans and get the sky 4 monkey off his back.
COYB!!!

Ian Allaker
28 Posted 18/05/2013 at 17:15:46

That would make no sense, Ross. It seems that you are saying Moyes has been purposely holding us back and that the reason we have struggled to beat better teams is because of Moyes tactics and not because the better teams were just... well, better.

Are you also saying Barcelona were brilliant because of Guardiola's tactics and not because they had almost the Spanish World cup and European cup winning team with arguably the world's greatest ever player? I seem to remember Barcelona still being brilliant long before Guardiola and still Spanish Champions after he has gone.

Paul Andrews
29 Posted 18/05/2013 at 18:20:35

He will keep it tight and hope to pinch one.
Won't want to go out on a defeat

John Brennan
30 Posted 18/05/2013 at 21:32:47

Bit naughty using the word hell there Richard, but youre getting there.
Come on boys, go out there and win.
This shower of shite are there for the taking.

Ian Butchard
31 Posted 18/05/2013 at 22:25:34

Hopefully they'll be knackered after the uefa, COYB have a proper go at them, let Moyes go out in style

Tim Jones
32 Posted 19/05/2013 at 06:46:26

Ian Butchard # 586 So explain Ian why the Dire Dour one could not get Everton to 'do it in style' even ONCE at a 'Big' club in 11 YEARS. Oh and please no bleats and excuses about Man City.

Tim Jones
33 Posted 19/05/2013 at 06:51:21

Will I be pleased if Everton win today - of course I will. But I will also be a little bit pissed of if the Dire One chooses his LAST game to finally give Everton what HE could not do in 11 YEARS.

Ernie Baywood
34 Posted 19/05/2013 at 07:45:49

Win or lose, this will tell me nothing about Moyes. Might be a nice little story for the media, though.

We've put in some good performances at the bridge in recent years. Would be nice if we could end the season on a high note.

Mike Green
35 Posted 19/05/2013 at 07:41:09

Brent #925 - brilliant, that's nearly as good as Patrick Murphy's 'One Dollar' Bill quip last night :D

Lyndon - your second paragraph summarises the build up to this game perfectly for me, spot on.

Is this play off idea really a possibility? I can see what they're saying as GD and goals scored will be he same..... but wouldn't it be fairer to go back to their head-to-heads in the league? I think Chelsea won both games 2-1? Not our problem I guess but that game would be a right ding-dong.

Mike Green
36 Posted 19/05/2013 at 08:03:50

The combined odds of scores above happening to produce a play off are 90/1 with the bookies.

Tom Hughes
37 Posted 19/05/2013 at 08:17:24

Tim what do you mean no bleats about Man City? Is that just because it ruins your no wins in 11yrs headline? Look at the stats for clubs having won at those clubs in that time. Then look at the league-placings against spend figures. Let's hope the new guy can somehow match these achievements otherwise we might be well and truly goosed given our club's general health. Perhaps then some will realise the constraints that Moyes was working within. ... and understand why he'd probably had enough.

Sam Hoare
38 Posted 19/05/2013 at 09:56:56

Meaningless game and would therefore be a perfect opportunity to blood some of the new crop. Give starts to Barkley, Mcaleny and Duffy.

Howard

Coleman Jags Duffy Baines
Mirallas Fellaini Gibson Mcaleny
Barkley
Anichebe

With Anichebe and Mcaleny, Mirallas swapping roles to keep them guessing.

Brent Stephens
39 Posted 19/05/2013 at 11:52:37

TimPeter. Good morning. Your usual post I see! Why are we not surprised?!

Tim Jones
40 Posted 19/05/2013 at 12:19:05

Tom Hughes # 679 No Tom its because Man City are not one of the Big Four no matter how much YOU might want them to be so you can EXCUSE your Messiah.

Steve Pugh
42 Posted 19/05/2013 at 12:43:38

Yes Tom, surely even you can see that Liverpool and Arsenal are still much bigger than City. After all in the last five years Arsenal have won errr....nothing, Liverpool have won error....nothing whilst City have only won the league and FA cup.

As Tim will tell you repeatedly it is trophies that measure success, you must get it out of your head that having billions of pounds, a huge squad of international players and an average attendance of 47 thousand makes you a big club.

Tim, wake up and smell the coffee.

Nick Entwistle
43 Posted 19/05/2013 at 12:48:41

TimPeter,

"Lets take Entwistles words and hold them against him at the end of the season. Remember guys that on here Entwistle told us that Moyes GURANTEE's us a finishing position between 8th and 5th."

Same post by the way when you said Moyes would never manager a big club.

I don't think you should go judging Brent's or anyone's opinion as being right or wrong. What position are we in?

Eric Myles
44 Posted 19/05/2013 at 12:55:23

Nick, obviously to Tim/Peter, United are not a big club, after all they're deeper in debt than us and what have they won lately?

Brent Stephens
45 Posted 19/05/2013 at 13:07:37

Nick #763. I'd forgotten your "outlandish" predictions! (But not TimPeter's!).

Jim Knightley
46 Posted 19/05/2013 at 13:10:56

Tim...are you serious? City are the second biggest team in this league.... We also won at Spurs when they made top four? unbelievably stupid suggestion. Are you trolling or just completely unaware?

Obviously I'd like a win, but I would also really like a play-off, so we can elongate the season for that bit longer. Summer looks bleak without a major football tournament...no idea what I'm going to do with all the spare time.

Phil Sammon
47 Posted 19/05/2013 at 13:42:45

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Mirallas Fellaini Gibson Pienaar
Barkley
Anichebe

Picks itself today I think.

Graham Mockford
48 Posted 19/05/2013 at 13:52:42

Tim Peter

You may as well fill your boots today given it is your last chance. I have the name of a good counsellor should you need any help filling the hole in your life.

Ross Edwards
49 Posted 19/05/2013 at 13:57:22

I'd like to see us playing 4-3-3 today. Chelsea will still be weary from the Europa final and we could expose them with Mirallas, Coleman and Pienaar. I'd like to see Barkley as well.

Eugene Ruane
51 Posted 19/05/2013 at 15:03:05

- Hate these summers when there's no World Cup or European Championships. Thank Christ there's an ashes series coz I can't get worked up by tennis or rugby or much else that's on offer during the summer. And can you imagine the daily distraction of TW over the next three months? "Apparently Neville/Martinez/Weir/Pereira/Round/Benitez has put in a bid for..."

Shudders!

Graham Mockford
52 Posted 19/05/2013 at 15:13:44

That's it Tim. Encore!

Mike Green
53 Posted 19/05/2013 at 15:14:06

Eugene - tell me about it. At such times I tend to find sanctuary at the racecourse. Malt whisky helps me through the worst of it too.

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