Everton 1-1 West Ham

Toffees coming unstuck as West Ham take a point at Goodison

The travails of the season seem to be taking their toll on Everton's relatively small squad. Following on from their narrow exclusion form the UEFA cup at the hands of Fiorentina, and the defeat away to Fulham, comes a dropped home point to West Ham. Moreover on the basis of the performance, the point was one gained, not one dropped. West Ham fully deserved their point, and only luck prevented them taking the points as they hit the post late on.

Everton now seem to be demonstrating the difference in resources, between them and their illustrious neighbours across the park. Yakubou (who some wag labelled 'more Lenny Henry than Thierry Henry'). With defeats for their rivals Aston Villa and Portsmouth, and Liverpool visiting Old Trafford, this was the perfect stage for them to push on for that coveted fourth place in the Premier League.

Instead they turned in a performance that if repeated much more, will hand Liverpool fourth place on a plate. Yakoubou and Anichebe gave a physical presence to Evertons attack, and they indeed got an early lead through Yakoubou. However, 15 minutes in Everton had a second disallowed, and after that West Ham roused themselves to make a game of it.

Before the interval Ashton was denied by the leg of Howard, but Everton didn't heed the warning, and he outjumped Jagielka to make it 1-1 after 68 minutes. As the game wore on Everton offered less and less, with the lively West Ham pushing on for victory.

Ultimately Everton survived, but despite Liverpools tough run of games, they are looking the more likely to get fourth place in the Premier League.

West Ham vs Everton

West Ham take on a bouyant Everton at Upton Park on Saturday in one of the ever decreasing number of Premier League games to start at the traditional 3.00pm. This a mere three days after suffering defeat at Everton's hands in the Carling Cup.

Everton are unbeaten in eleven, through to the next round of both Carling and Uefa cups and sitting very nicely in seventh position of the Premier League, only three points off neighbours Liverpool in fourth. Early Everton team news indicates James McFadden and James Vaughan pushing for a return, while David Moyes has brought back defender Nuno Valente however he has indicated he will name the same side that eased past West Ham in mid-week.

That mid-week defeat apart the Hammers themselves are in reasonable form, only losing one of their last seven league games, with that coming away to Chelsea. Reports are saying Dean Ashton could be West Ham's sole recognised striker as Carlton Cole is doubtful with a hip injury. Also Luis Boa Morte is unlikely to feature but Lee Bowyer is set to make a return after his hernia operation.

For me this has draw written all over it. West Ham will be desperate not to lose to Everton for the second time in a week but I can see them having enough to win it. Its two evenly matched teams with maybe Everton having the slight edge in personnel, confidence and form. My prediction? I reckon it will be a great game and a score draw.