Team news
Everton (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Digne; Andre Gomes, Davies; Walcott, Iwobi, Bernard; Richarlison.
Substitutes: Lossl, Holgate, Baines, Sigurdsson, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Kean.
West Ham (4-1-4-1) Roberto; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku; Rice; Felipe Anderson, Noble, Lanzini, Fornals; Haller.
Substitutes: Martin, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Snodgrass, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Ajeti.
Referee Paul Tierney.
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Preamble
Hello. Kevin Brock never kicked a ball for Everton, but he played one of the most important passes in their history. Brock’s poor backpass, which allowed Adrian Heath to score a late equaliser against Oxford in a Milk Cup quarter-final in January 1984, probably saved Howard Kendall from the sack. Fifteen months later, Everton were the best side in England, having stormed to the title with a record five games to spare, and possibly Europe.
Marco Silva could do with a Kevin Brock moment right now. He is fighting for his job, and a defeat against West Ham today might be his last. Everton have been a bit unfortunate at times, and they were excellent against Manchester City in their last home game, but the modern culture of instant gratification will not tolerate a club of Everton’s size being in the bottom three.
Ronald Koeman was sacked two years ago this weekend, after a 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal left them in the relegation places. Koeman also had a promising first season and an unfathomably poor start to the second. Silva will hope the comparison ends there.
Kick off is at 12.30pm.
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