It's Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round weekend and we have a trip to Everton to look forward to. The home side will have a new man in charge tomorrow with Frank Lampard taking his first Toffees game. Check in with all the pre-match build-up below.
THE OPPOSITION
Frank Lampard is the man tasked with arresting Everton's slide down the Premier League table. The Toffees have won just once in 15 in all competitions, a run which saw the departure of Rafael Benitez earlier this month.
Everton's January business, conducted without Director of Football, Marcel Brands, who left in December, saw the arrival of Vitaliy Mykolenko (Dinamo Kyiv), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Dele (Tottenham Hotspur), Donny Van De Beek (Manchester United), and Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa) while Lucas Digne joined Aston Villa.
Since victory over Norwich City in late September, Everton have taken just six points from a possible 42 in the Premier League, keeping a sole clean sheet in that run. At the other end of the pitch, they've only found the net 12 times, much of it spent without leading marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to injury.
Despite only playing six times this term, Calvert-Lewin remains Everton's third-top scorer behind Demarai Gray (five) and Richarlison (four).
THE GAMEPLAN
When asked for Hot Off The Press, Sky Sports' Ben Grounds , said: "Despite it being Lampard's first game in charge and his own decorated history in the competition as a player, having won the FA Cup four times, Everton's new boss is likely to have one eye on the Newcastle game. It might mean an opportunity for Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back after the Ukrainian was left out entirely by Ferguson in his final game as caretaker boss, while Michael Keane (above) will also hope to be recalled in defence. Asmir Begovic played in goal against Hull and therefore could be in line for another appearance in place of Jordan Pickford, but I expect Lampard to still select a strong team"
TEAM NEWS
David Raya and Josh Dasilva are in contention to feature after coming through 65 minutes against Aston Villa on Tuesday. Mathias Jensen and Rico Henry are also available following their collision against Wolves last time out. Tariqe Fosu has returned to team training but is not likely to make the journey to Goodison. Julian Jeavier (knee) and Zanka (hamstring) remain longer-term absentees.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will miss out due to a knock as will midfield trio Abdoulaye Doucoure (groin), Fabian Delph (thigh) and Tom Davies (hamstring). Donny van de Beek, Anwar El Ghazi, and Dele are all cup tied but Yerry Mina trained on Thursday following his return from international duty with Colombia.
THE MANAGER
Tomorrow's game will be Frank Lampard's first in the dugout at Everton, having taken over at Goodison Park on Monday.
One of the greatest midfielders of his time, Lampard won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Champions League during his 13 years at Chelsea. He racked up 913 appearances in club football, and was also capped 106 times by England; playing at three World Cups and one European Championships.
Lampard is one of nine players, and the only midfielder, to have scored 150 or more goals in the Premier League. He is fourth in the Premier League's all-time assists ranking, with 102 assists.
After winding down his career with New York City and Manchester City, Lampard stepped into the dugout with Derby County in 2018. He led The Rams to the Championship Play-Off final that season, where they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. His success at Pride Park earned him the dream return to Stamford Bridge as manager. However, despite a fourth-placed finish and an FA Cup Final appearance during his first season in charge, against a backdrop of a transfer embargo, Lampard lasted just 18 months in SW6, losing his job in January 2021 with The Blues ninth in the Premier League.
THE OPPOSITION VIEW
Frank Lampard told evertonfc.com: “Brentford are a very good team. It is a very well-constructed team and they’ve got a lot of talent. They have great organisation and a philosophy that goes throughout the club, which the manager harnesses brilliantly.
“It will be a very tough match and we have to be at our absolute best. We will prepare, organise and give the players all the information they need. When you have the team we have…of course, we must understand Brentford are a very good side, but we have to focus on ourselves.”
LAST TIME OUT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Stuart Burt and Scott Ledger
Fourth official: Andrew Madley
VAR: Andre Marriner
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard
Everton 2021/22
194 fouls - 17th in Premier League
42 yellow cards - Seventh in Premier League
1 red card - Seventh in Premier League
MATCHDAY INFO
Following the removal of the Government’s Plan B restrictions, there are no longer COVID measures or spot checks in place from this weekend. Fans are therefore no longer required to offer evidence of their COVID status in order to gain entrance.
Everton strongly advise all supporters aged 11 or over, in line with Government advice, to bring a face-covering to wear in all indoor areas and while on the stadium concourse, other than when eating or drinking, or if exempt.
HOW TO FOLLOW
The only way to follow tomorrow's game in the UK is with Mark Burridge and Ben Burgess on Bees Player.