Everton vs Chelsea preview: Jose Mourinho must stop the champions' Premier League rot as Toffees take a look at new boy Funes Mori

Jose Mourinho's men look to stop their slide at Goodison Park

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 08 September 2015 13:34 EDT
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Cesc Fabregas in action against Crystal Palace
Cesc Fabregas in action against Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

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It’s a big game for…

Cesc Fabregas

If he starts, that is - which he should, but his place in the first eleven may not be guaranteed for not much longer. Chelsea have had a wretched start to the season and the Spaniard has been among their most disappointing performers, perhaps because we know he can do so much better.

This time last year, Fabregas was prematurely handed many people's personal Player of the Year award. At the moment, he could not be further from the pace.

Best stat…

Everton have won four of their previous six Premier League games against Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Remember when…

Chelsea's 6-3 win at Goodison Park last season probably hasn't escaped your memory, but Louis Saha's brace five years ago might have. Florent Malouda's opener was cancelled out by his compatriot, who went on to score for Everton again fifteen minutes from time and seal an unlikely three points.

Carlo Ancelotti, then boss at Stamford Bridge, saw his side's lead at the top of the table cut down to a single point after this defeat but ultimately, it didn't stop Chelsea from winning the double.

Player to watch…

Ramiro Funes Mori

The £9.5m that Bill Kenwright parted with to bring Funes Mori in on deadline day is the most his club has ever spent on a defender and we're likely to see him in action right away.

Roberto Martinez says he wants to use the 24-year-old Argentinian "as soon as we can... Clearly, he is going to need a little bit of an adaptation period because the British game is very, very different. But, in terms of being available, I expect him to be fully fit and ready for the Chelsea game."

Past three-meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Willian) Everton 0
Premier League, February 2015

Everton 3 (Mirallas, Naismith, Eto'o) Chelsea 6 (Costa 2, Ivanovic, Coleman o.g., Matic, Ramires)
Premier League, August 2014

Chelsea 1 (Lampard) Everton 0
Premier League, February 2014

Form guide…

Everton: DWLD

Chelsea: DLWL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF: 12:45pm, Saturday 12th September

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 from 12.00pm, highlights on Match of the Day, BBC1, 10.50pm

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