Everton’s inability to win against the so called ‘big four’ is well documented. A few weeks ago at the Emirates James Vaughan missed a relatively simple chance to finally end this unwelcome record, while back in December, in somewhat bizarre circumstances, we came away from Stamford Bridge with a point after scoring three goals, one of which was a rebound off the back of Saha’s head. Recent games against Chelsea have been close affairs; that is, either draws or odd-goal wins to them. Walter Smith was the manager last time we beat them, as long ago as November 2000, with goals from Danny Cadamarteri and Kevin Campbell. Our current form is good, we have not lost at Goodison in the league in five games stretching back to November 29. Chelsea are undefeated in their last four away games including draws at Hull, Birmingham and West Ham, their last league setback coming at City on December 5, when they lost 2-1.

John Terry picked up a knock to his thigh in Chelsea’s workmanlike win over Arsenal on Sunday but has recovered and will play. Drogba is in great form having scored eight times in his last eight outings, while his strike partner, Anelka, clearly enjoys playing the Toffees having netted eight times against us over the years. Joe Cole is showing signs of getting back to his best after a long injury lay-off, but still can’t make the starting eleven, while Cheryl’s husband Ashley, is probably playing the finest football of his life. Assuming no new injuries we expect Carlo Ancelloti to select the same team that dispatched the Gunners, playing in their usual 4-1-3-2 formation.

For Everton the questions relate to ‘bouncebackability’ from the low of Anfield and how to fill the substantial gaps left by the suspended Steven Pienaar and injured Marouane Fellaini. Bilyaletdinov is the obvious replacement for Pienaar, but the midfield stripped of strong-man Fellaini is more problematic. David Moyes might move Phil Neville into a holding role and start Seamus Coleman at right back. If Jack Rodwell is fit he may come into contention, and is Mikel Arteta, after playing fifty minutes at Anfield, finally fit enough to start? One Chelsea weakness may be set pieces. Peter Cech is a shadow of the commanding keeper he was in previous seasons. His poor judgement and hesitancy, which transmits to his fellow defenders, has been witnessed on nationwide TV on more than one occasion. Might Moyes play two strikers, Saha and Yakubu, to increase the physical threat? At last, with so many players fit again, we now have options available.

EVERTON Dixies60 XI to start (4-4-1-1): Howard; Coleman, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Neville ©, Donovan, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov; Cahill; Saha
Substitutes from: Nash, Senderos, Osman, Anichebe, Vaughan, Yakubu, Rodwell, Duffy

CHELSEA probable XI (4-1-3-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry ©, A Cole; Mikel; Ballack, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka, Drogba
Substitutes from: Hilario, Zhirkov, J Cole, Kalou, Ferreira, Alex, Deco, Sturridge, Kakuta, Turnbull, Borini

Kick-off: 2000, Wednesday