Chelsea continue their defence of the FA Cup, whilst also dreaming of a third consecutive FA Cup win with a tricky looking fourth round tie against fellow Premier league side, Everton. With it being such an attractive tie, it has been selected for live television coverage presenting either side with the golden opportunity to be the first side into round five or the first side to be knocked out of the fourth round.
Goodison Park has been a happy hunting ground for Didier Drogba. Many of us will recall that extraordinary long-range effort he scored there a few years back.
But Didier has been of form in recent months, probably as a result of that bout of malaria that became public knowledge. Slowly though, he`s coming out of his own bad moment and speaking about the Golden Boot winner last season, our club captain has commented,
"I think he is over the malaria now. I have never had it myself but speaking to people and the doctor here, it does knock you for six."
"Fair play to him, he could have taken two months out but he never did, he wanted to keep on fighting for the team."
"He knew we were lacking in options in the whole squad and he wanted to put his body on the line for the club. We really appreciate that."
"He has taken a bit of stick as we all have over the past few months but we have stayed together. We know that he is capable of goals like that; and many more."
Everton Team News:
David Moyes goes into the cup tie without the talents of Tim Cahill, with the Australian away on international duty in the Asian Cup.
He also has doubts as to whether Victor Anichebe will be fit with the striker struggling with a groin problem.
Chelsea Team News:
Carlo Ancelotti takes his squad back to the north-west, for the second time this week, boosted by the news that Frank Lampard is fit again. However, we are still without the services of Yossi Benayoun, Alex and Yuri Zhirkov. We also have fitness doubts about Daniel Sturridge. Two players also out of contention are Patrick Van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta who both moved away from Stamford Bridge during the week on loan deals until the end of the season.
Previously, Carlo has used the FA Cup as an opportunity to blood some youngsters, however, we get the feeling that the starting eleven tomorrow could very well be the strongest available as Carlo seeks to retain the FA Cup whilst also keeping confidence high with another win.
Match Facts & Stats
Our most recent meeting in the FA Cup is still fresh in our minds, Wembley 2009 saw Chelsea come back from a goal down to beat Everton and hoist that famous trophy high.
That 2-1 win, incidentally, was the last time Chelsea have beaten Everton.
As far as the FA Cup goes though, this is the ninth time we`ve been drawn against Everton, Chelsea currently lead by six wins to two, with Everton last beating us in this competition in February 1956.
As far as the FA Cup goes, Chelsea are hoping to became the first club to win the famous trophy, three times on the trot, since Blackburn in 1884, 1885 and 1886.
Our current FA Cup form has us not having lost in our last 14 ties.
Ref Watch:
The officials for this fixture are:- Referee - Howard Webb Assistants - Simon Long and Andy Madley Fourth Official - Lee Mason
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