Everton vs Norwich City

, 27 October, 48comments | Jump to most recent

Match Preview

Everton are back in Capital One Cup action this evening looking to progress past the League Cup 4th round for first time in 8 years.

Not since the 2007/08 season when David Moyes's quest to win this trophy for the first time in the club's history have the Blues reached the quarter final stage but there is a yearning among the fanbase to see the team push on and finally break our duck in the League Cup with Wembley glory.

Tonight represents the first home tie of this year's competition and home turf advantage was well received when the draw was made last month. Everton, however, have the worst home record in the top flight this season and face in Norwich City another Premier League side so while there is plenty of incentive to get a result that may translate into better League form, there are no guarantees either.

If the Canaries showed anything in their last away game, however, it's that they can be highly vulnerable at the back as they shipped six goals to a Newcastle team that has been pretty dreadful so far under Steve McClaren. Deumerci Mbokani scored his first goal since arriving from Dynamo Kiev in the summer and he will be looking for a better fortune than the last time he visited Goodison Park in the Europa League in March when he wason the losing side in a first leg match-up.

The striker will need to shake off a bout of illness if he is to feature, though; if he doesn't make it, there's always Cameron Jerome who will fancy putting Everton's usual accommodation of struggling strikers to the test.

Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, has already confirmed that Joel Robles will be making his customary cup start but his opportunity to shine will have more weight on it this time given Tim Howard's poor display against Arsenal on Saturday and the subsequent scrutiny of him in the media.

Gareth Barry is suspended so either Tom Cleverley or Darron Gibson could step in, while the likes of Aiden McGeady, Byan Oviedo, Leon Osman and Kevin Mirallas, all on the fringes of the first team so far this season, will also be hoping for some game time.

At the back, Phil Jagielka is ruled out with a knee injury so Ramiro Funes Mori will deputise for what looks likely to be the beginning of a two-month stint in the starting XI if he, too, can stay healthy but those forced changes aside, it is hoped that the manager won't shuffle things around too much and risk destabilising the team.

Kick off: 7.45pm

Full coverage: ToffeeWeb Match Report

Reader Comments (48)

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Kunal Desai
1 Posted 27/10/2015 at 06:55:50

Mirallas for Lennon, Funes Mori for Jagielka and Cleverley for Barry. These should be the only changes along with Robles in goal.

Christopher Timmins
2 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:03:21

A must-win game! We are not going to catch either of the Manchester clubs or Arsenal even at this early stage of the season so this game is one that we must go all out to win. The strongest team tonight Roberto:

Robles
Coleman
Funes Mori
Stones
Galloway
Deulofeu
McCarthy
Cleverley
Mirallas
Barkley
Lukaku

Sam Hoare
3 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:08:21

Robles
Coleman Stones Funes Mori Galloway
Gibson Cleverley
Deulofeu Barkley Mirallas
Kone

Norwich will likely sit back and Kone holds it up better than Lukaku who could come on if things aren't going the right way.

Brian Wilkinson
4 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:10:08

Bring Neville Southall back as a goalkeeping coach, show these two clowns how to catch a ball and how to command your area.

Whoever the coach is now needs a rocket up his backside, I am pretty certain the first words out of Nev's mouth would be "Get that David Marshall signed up!"

Matthew Salem
5 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:15:19

Robles
Coleman Stone Funes Mori Galloway
Gibson McCarthy
Deulofeu Naismith Mirallas
Kone

Bring Lukaku and Barkley on if we are not winning the game.

Peter Bell
6 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:16:12

Sam, I agree on Gibson, we need someone who can pass a ball forwards.

As for big Nev returning, never understood how anyone has never employed the greatest keeper ever as a goalkeeping coach, baffles me.

Brian Wilkinson
7 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:18:02

Sam@3 spot on with your starting 11, leave Lakaku on the bench as an impact player should we need it.

I would also use Osman for the last 20 minutes as well; say what you like about Ossie, he's still capable of getting us out of a hole.

Kieran Fitzgerald
8 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:22:12

This game could not have come at a better time. After the Utd game and the the Arsenal result, a game mid-week, rather than having to wait until the weekend, gives us the chance to rebuild confidence and momentum.

With more creative players like Cleverly, Gibson and Pienaar back from injury, and Barry suspended (?), Martinez may be forced into a positive change in midfield. He played two wingers against Arsenal. If an offensive line up works tonight, he may hopefully carry it over to the Sunderland game on Sunday.

I wouldn't be too worried by Sunderland's result against Newcastle. Both teams are still poor and Newcastle played the whole of the second half with ten men. That, plus the chance to nail down a cup quarter final tonight, should give us the push we need.

Thomas Surgenor
9 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:30:14

Looks like a lot of the clubs might be taking this a bit more seriously this year. Whether it's because of their strength in depth, I don't know. As it stands, there are only three non-Premier League sides left in the competition.

For that reason, I'd play our strongest side tonight. Plus it's not exactly an overcrowded schedule at the minute.

Play our best 11 and get some momentum going.

Colin Glassar
10 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:46:47

Norwich will play their reserves so I think we can "rest" a few players and give some of our own fringe players a game.

Robles
Coleman
Stones
Funes Mori
Oviedo
Cleverley
Gibson
Deulofeu
Osman
Mirallas
Kone

Subs: Howard, Browning, Galloway, McCarthy, Naismith, Lennon, Lukaku

Craig Mills
11 Posted 27/10/2015 at 07:54:05

Personally I'm not interested in seeing any fringe / squad players start tonight. For me, start with your best team available. If we are winning and comfortable, then make the changes.

Mike Allison
12 Posted 27/10/2015 at 08:21:27

Oviedo in, needs game time and isn't a weakness. Robles in for the next ten games, let alone tonight. Gibson or Cleverley in for Barry. The rest first choice.

James Martin
13 Posted 27/10/2015 at 08:26:23

No Howard or Barry? Reckon Martinez will just go with 9 men instead? In all seriousness happy days they aren't playing so we can finally give someone else a chance over those two has-beens.

Abhishek Saha
14 Posted 27/10/2015 at 08:26:53

Yeah, start with your strongest XI, anyway there will be 3 compelling changes for Barry, Jags and Howard. Pick your strongest 11 barring the above 3 and then rotate another 3 after we have forced the issue. The strongest XI would then be:

Robles
Coleman Stones Funes Mori Galloway
McCarthy Cleverley
Deulofeu Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku

Duncan McDine
15 Posted 27/10/2015 at 08:42:23

I'm thinking somewhere along the same lines as Colin, but I'd hope that Barkley and Barry are both on the bench if required. A good win tonight could set us on our way with these more 'winable' fixtures coming up.

Duncan McDine
16 Posted 27/10/2015 at 08:47:17

Oh yeah, forgot Barry was suspended!!! He's had a couple of shockers this season, but I personally think he's been much improved in general this season. Made a big difference when he came on at Reading... Also look at our best 2 or 3 performances this season - he played a massive part in that. Just a shame that he's not in the condition which allows him to do it every week.

Eric Myles
17 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:02:30

Our goalie coach is the guy Martinez brought with him from Wigan and Swansea before that.

Mark Andersson
18 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:08:26

I just hope the players get the crowd behind them, as Goodison is become a morgue.

Don't write off Norwich, Everton have gone back to last season's form.

Jim Bennings
19 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:20:05

Just start the match from the first minute not when we are a goal or two behind as usual.

Must-win match!!

The fans need a trophy, the club itself needs a trophy, we may not win the trophy tonight but we certainly can't afford to lose it.

The fans need a bit of hope, the league is quite mundane these day's and you can sense that amongst the majority of the support; we do enough to fend off relegation but not enough to finish higher than 8th, 9th or 10th.

We need a trip to Wembley and an open-top bus parade!!

Peter Barry
20 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:21:32

Well Newcastle twatted this lot 6 - 2 so they should win at Everton all things being equal.

Gerard Carey
21 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:30:43

I would go with Abhishek's team. Don't make too many changes, because we have seen in the past in this competition how often we have failed. And then we are all on complaining afterwards that we should have put out our strongest eleven. This is probably our best chance of winning some silverware so go for it!!!

Ray Roche
22 Posted 27/10/2015 at 09:50:14

Fropm the Offical Site,

"Everton appointed goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara in the summer of 2013 as he followed new manager Roberto Martinez from Wigan.

Spaniard Bergara first worked with his countryman at Swansea when Martinez took over in 2007 and subsequently moved north with him when the Latics came calling.

Bergara's playing career saw him on the books of Athletic Bilbao, Alaves, Murcia, Real Sociedad and Logrones - often as a backup custodian."

Gerard Carey
23 Posted 27/10/2015 at 10:02:39

Ray, maybe we should play him instead of Tim!!!!!! â€“ couldn't be any worse!!

Paul Kelly
24 Posted 27/10/2015 at 10:10:39

Strongest team, without two defensive mids, please, oh and a cheeky January bid for Nolito from Celts Vigo and no day light saving time please, too much sun light for October in my opinion.

Ray Roche
25 Posted 27/10/2015 at 10:22:51

Gerard, not sure about that, what is it people say? Those that can, do, those that can't, teach! (I'm not sure this guy can do either...)

Brent Stephens
26 Posted 27/10/2015 at 10:40:40

Ray #24 "Those that can, do, those that can't, teach!"

We always had a saying where I worked - those who can, do; those who can't, teach; and those who can't teach, become Vice-Chancellors".

You can replace "Vice-Chancellor" with your own favourite bete noir - engineer, accountant, ToffeeWeb pundit!

Phil Bellis
27 Posted 27/10/2015 at 10:43:16

Peter Bell ... Neville is his own man and doesn't suffer fools or respect people not deserving of respect. Never fails to impress me his knowledge and vision; Gordon Banks has coached him first-hand and says Big Nev is the best he's ever seen.

If Nev had been there on Saturday, he'd have taken out Stones, Jagielka, Giroud and anyone else between him and the ball.

Eugene Ruane
28 Posted 27/10/2015 at 11:11:39

Brent/Ray (24, 25) - Then there is the Woody Allen version - 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach, Those who can't teach, teach gym.'

Peter Weaver
29 Posted 27/10/2015 at 11:29:25

For all the speculation, I think we're stuck with Roberto for at least anther two years. Always providing he can keep the team clear of the relegation area. And I'm sure he will manage that with ease.

Aspirations of Europe have quickly dissipated and I even hear fellow fans describing the best to be hoped for 5th or 6th place as a curse, bringing with it, as it does, likely Europa participation and all the distraction that implies.

So it seems that 7th spot is what it's all about â€“ back to Moyes territory as it were â€“ although, personally, I can't see it happening.The comfort zone of mid-table seems more likely and although it's uninspiring, we better get used to it. This is Everton 2015 â€“ all the fun was 30 years ago!

Danny Broderick
30 Posted 27/10/2015 at 11:48:16

By the way, well done to the club for getting the ticket prices spot on for tonight. £5 for kids tickets in half term. Hopefully there'll be a good crowd, and a positive vibe in the stadium, and a performance to match!

Brent Stephens
31 Posted 27/10/2015 at 12:05:35

Eugene #27 - hadn't seen that one before! Love Woody Allen's stand-up comedy acts - the drawn out story of shooting a moose in up-state New York is a classic!

Tony J Williams
32 Posted 27/10/2015 at 12:35:30

Best team that can be mustered, simples!

We need to start getting back to winning ways at Goodison and this game is as good a chance as any.

Barry suspended so the usual McCarthy/Barry axis is gone.

Get Mirallas in there to help.

Eugene Ruane
33 Posted 27/10/2015 at 12:54:37

Brent - Link

(yeah that early standup, sublime)

Brian Harrison
34 Posted 27/10/2015 at 12:54:40

Well I think tonight's team selection will tell us if Mirallas has a future under RM. Also strange that Osman has had hardly any game time this season yet last year was a regular.

It will be interesting to see if Gibson gets any game time, although I suspect Cleverley might start tonight. From this seasons selections, it seems if fit, Lukaku, Barkley, Barry and McCarthy will start every game.

I personally would like to see Gibson start in midfield as he at least gets his head up and looks for forward options. Our present central midfielders do not have his range of passing and it is something this side badly needs.

Jamie Crowley
35 Posted 27/10/2015 at 13:05:30

Rest no one. Take nothing for chance.

It's time to win silverware.

Winston Williamson
36 Posted 27/10/2015 at 13:06:57

Considering Norwich are likely to sit back and try to hit us on the counter, I'd go for something a bit different:

Robles
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo
Deulofeu, Gibson, McCarthy, Pienaar
Kone, Mirallas

Straight 4-4,-
Replace Pienaar after an hour with Lennon and move Deulofeu over to the left.

Peter Cummings
37 Posted 27/10/2015 at 13:28:27

Bit Ironic to see the once despised 'Mickey Mouse' Cup becoming so important to clubs Euro qualifying hopes; however, it will still never surpass the appeal and romance of our beloved FA Cup.

Having been to the old Wembley final with the Blues three times, especially the '66 final, which in my opinion was the best ever for drama, emotion and sheer joy as we came from two down to win it courtesy of Derek Temple's fantastic finish.

As much as we hope to win tonight, I would much prefer us to get to another FA Cup Final, but even Wembley has lost much of its appeal since the 'Twin Towers' were demolished. Long past the time we should have a really NATIONAL stadium, methinks.

Brent Stephens
40 Posted 27/10/2015 at 14:03:15

Thanks for the link, Eugene. That's me settled for the afternoon, flipping from one clip to another! Can't we prescribe Woody Allen as meds for suicidal ToffeeWebbers after each defeat? OK, I see the flaw in that - not enough Woody to cope.

Gareth Clark
41 Posted 27/10/2015 at 14:10:02

I think we need to give a rest to those who have been solid throughout the season & give a decent chance for others to get a run & prove themselves!

Robles

Coleman
Stones
Funes Mori
Oviedo

Gibson
Cleverley

Deulofeu
Naismith
Mirallas

Kone

Subs: Howard, Browning, Holgate, Lennon, Osman, Barkley, Lukaku

Andy Meighan
42 Posted 27/10/2015 at 14:36:22

The poorest home record in the top flight. How depressing is that? Say what you want about Moyes but Goodison was one hard place to visit when he was around.

Can't say the same about Martinez, I'm afraid. I expect extra time, penalties and getting home late. Oh, God...

Tom Bowers
43 Posted 27/10/2015 at 15:08:50

As with most of these early rounds of this competition teams reflect ''second stringers'' somewhat. Most Premier League clubs still treat this cup as a training ground for youngsters and others not considered starters for the first team and so any kind of result is not unexpected.

With teams like Arsenal having games at the weekend and then Champions league next week, they will be resting players. Quite honestly, paying hard-earned money to watch these games is just a waste. However, as Everton are not involved in Europe, maybe this season is as good as any to have a real run at it as long as there are no further injuries.

Keith Glazzard
44 Posted 27/10/2015 at 15:20:04

I think we need to go to 442, we leave huge spaces in midfield which invite attack.
And I wouldn't mind Osman being one of the 2 up front. Control, ideas, passing and a finish.

Brian Porter
45 Posted 27/10/2015 at 15:30:20

If we seriously entertain hopes of winning this trophy then tonight is not a night for fringe players or anybody being included for 'a run out'. We must play the strongest team ww can and get back to winning ways after the two recent defeats. The team needs to get some confidence back and the only way to do that is by sending out a strong starting eleven and maybe brining on a couple of returning players as subs once the game is beyond Norwich.

Jack Plant
46 Posted 27/10/2015 at 15:55:50

I'd like to see Rodriguez get some minutes tonight or is he injured?

Steve Roomes
47 Posted 27/10/2015 at 16:34:04

Have to agree we need to start our strongest 11

This is a competition we could win. Not sure Mr Martinez will put strongest team out though... so I'm worried ...

Mike Hughes
48 Posted 27/10/2015 at 17:55:04

We should win tonight.
FFS it's about time we won this bloody thing.
It's embarrassing that we have such a poor record.
I'm cautiously going for a 4-1 win to the Mighty Blues.

By the way, Anfield has been 'locked down' tonight after some kind of bomb scare. Norwegians and Thais who have travelled for tomorrow's game now heading to GP tonight instead. Let's hope we've got the prawn sarnies available.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/live-anfield-stadium-evacuated-two-10341358

Victor Jones
49 Posted 27/10/2015 at 18:10:25

Some good teams suggested on here. And Norwich on past form will field a reserve side but I suggest that we field a strong side. We never play well when Martinez meddles. We never play well when he throws on the second string (remember Swansea) last season. We never play well when Martinez tries some unworkable stupid formation, 3-2-4-1, or something just as stupid.

Go strong. Win this game by half time. And move on. COYBs

Harold Matthews
50 Posted 27/10/2015 at 19:21:46

The Norwich boss sounded very confident. Maybe he was expecting Howard to play.

Jags and Barry will be missed. No doubt about it. Experienced Steady Eddies who keep a close eye on their younger team-mates. The defence has to be solid with no-one wandering out of position. We'll see.

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