Everton eye third consecutive victory as Chelsea visit Goodison Park

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PREMIER LEAGUE Everton eye third consecutive victory as Chelsea visit Goodison Park

Festus Chuma 11:00 - 10.12.2023

Everton will be seeking third straight win as they face inconsistent Chelsea at Goodison Park in a crucial clash in their Premier League journey.

Everton is gearing up for an exciting Premier League showdown at Goodison Park this Sunday as they aim to secure their third successive victory, this time against Chelsea.

Sean Dyche's revitalized team recently outclassed Newcastle United with a 3-0 win, contrasting with Chelsea's inconsistency as they suffered a 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Dwight McNeil, the hero of Everton's recent triumph against Nottingham Forest, once again showcased his brilliance by breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute against Newcastle.

Instead of passing to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, McNeil skillfully found the far corner of the net, setting the stage for a late flurry of goals.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto also left their mark on the game, ensuring a resounding three-goal victory for Dyche's squad.

Despite lingering frustration over their 10-point deduction, Everton has miraculously climbed above the relegation line into 17th place, though they remain at risk of being overtaken by Luton Town and Burnley if results don not go their way this weekend.

Nonetheless, Everton has enjoyed a remarkable winter revival, winning five, drawing one, and losing one of their last seven matches in all competitions, with their only loss coming against Manchester United.

Thursday's convincing victory over Newcastle marked only the second win of the Premier League season for Everton at Goodison Park.

The Toffees had previously defeated Bournemouth 3-0 in October under Dyche's leadership. Everton now stands on the cusp of securing three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since the days of Carlo Ancelotti in March 2021.

In a curious coincidence, Everton kept clean sheets in all of those wins, shutting out Liverpool, Southampton, and West Bromwich Albion.

In contrast, Chelsea has struggled to maintain defensive stability despite spending millions on reinforcements. 

They have gone eight Premier League games without a clean sheet, conceding multiple times in six of those matches.

Chelsea's away form on Sundays also leaves much to be desired, with their last Sunday away victory dating back to October 2022 when they defeated Aston Villa 2-0.

Everton's four-game winning streak against Chelsea at Goodison Park was halted by a 1-0 loss on the opening day of the 2022-23 season when Frank Lampard was at the helm.

However, a dramatic late equalizer by Ellis Simms earned Everton a creditable 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge nine months ago.

As Everton prepares to face Chelsea, they face concerns over James Garner's illness, which might see Nathan Patterson filling the void.

Dele Alli is recovering from a groin operation but will not be available yet, while Amadou Onana (calf), Andre Gomes (fitness), and Jordan Pickford (knee) are also on Dyche's list of players with potential fitness issues.

On the other hand, Chelsea is coping with several injuries, with Romeo Lavia (ankle) and Christopher Nkunku (knee) possibly making their debuts, although Nkunku's chances are slim. Wesley Fofana (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Ben Chilwell (thigh), Malo Gusto (tendon), Noni Madueke (unspecified), and Lesley Ugochukwu (unspecified) are all unavailable.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino can call upon Conor Gallagher once again following his one-game suspension, while Marc Cucurella and Reece James are expected to return to the starting lineup after their respective bans.

As the stage is set for this intriguing contest at Goodison Park, both Everton and Chelsea will be aiming to make their mark and secure vital points.

With Everton's recent resurgence and Chelsea's struggles, this Sunday's match promises to be an exciting clash with potential implications for both teams' Premier League standings. 

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