Blue's face tough-test from high-flying Swans at Goodison on Saturday:
We're looking good again! After a successful festive period where The Toffee's pulled through tricky games against West Ham and Newcastle, before losing undeservedly to Chelsea, letting Leighton Baines make his mark against the Geordies and a professional performance against Cheltenham in The Cup.
Our main players seem to be finding some form - Distin, Pienaar and Baines have all been superb in the last few games, while the return of players like Fellaini, Neville and Coleman is a much needed boost.
Swansea are looking good however, and are only 7 points behind us in the league. They have a goal-scorer with a predatory instinct up front with Michu - currently in the form of his life it seems - rumours doing the rounds that Spain boss Del Bosque will be present at The Old Lady to keep an eye on the Spaniard this weekend. Wales' Premier League representatives have shown they are a match for most teams this season; proved in the last week with a 2-2 draw against Arsenal and a quality away win in the semi-final of the League Cup against Chelski. It won't be an easy task for The Blues, and our inability to keep a clean-sheet means that most games are stressful affairs for Evertonians - we'll say that we gave The Robins their goal on Monday - Cup spirit and all that! The last time we managed not to concede (18 games) was away at The Liberty back in September when we well and truly trounced The Swans 3-0. Let's hope for a repeat performance!
Laudrup has so far proven to be a class manager that has adapted perfectly perfectly to the Premier League, and his eye for a bargain in the transfer market is looking like it could rival Moyes' - Michu for £2 million the prime example.
But the free-scoring Spaniard wasn't the only player brought to the Welsh Riviera by Laudrup in the summer; The Swans also bought Ki from Celtic and some random German striker on loan, along with another three players from Laudrup's ex-managerial stomping ground La Liga - Hernandez from Valencia, Andy Carroll's Spanish brother Chico Flores from Mallorca and Jonathan De Guzman on loan from Villarreal.
They've progressed in style since Brendan left for them lot on the other side of the park; they no longer pass it uselessly round their midfield, but instead use their passing prowess to give it to Michu who only ever needs one chance to score!
They'll probably play a 4-3-3. Michel Vorm in goal, behind a back four of Angel Rangel, Chico, Williams and Davies. The midfield trio will be comprised of Joe Allen's former crab-partner Leon Britton, Ki and De Guzman. Michu will play up front with Routledge and Hernandez on the wings.
As for Everton, the return of Coleman should allow Jagielka and Distin to settle back into the centre of defence; the aforementioned Irishman will play at right-back and the ever-superb Baines on the left (despite an ankle concern, i'm pretty sure he'll start) - Howard will be in goal - well, Mucha isn't going to be playing is he! Neville and Osman will most likely sit in midfield, with the returning Pienaar on the left and most likely Anichebe on the right. Fellaini and Jelavić will play up top.
Realistically, we should be beating Swansea tomorrow. We have more quality than they do, but we've got to be careful of their attack - especially on the brake. We just have to keep our heads down and keep winning. Champions League is up for grabs this year!
Match Thread Everton 3-3 Manchester City Monday 4th May 20.00
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