It's been a long time

Last updated : 23 August 2009 By Tony Scholes

The two clubs met in the old First Division back in the 1975/76 season but since our relegation any games between the two clubs have come in pre-season friendlies. There have been no cup draws and so this is our first competitive game against them since our 3-2 win at Goodison Park in January 1976.

They say the Premier League is tough and there's no doubt about it. Having played Manchester United on Wednesday we now have the team who finished fifth coming to Turf Moor.

It's going to be another tough afternoon and one where we'll have to be at our very best if we want to get something from it.

Our Opponents


Everton's achievements over recent seasons are remarkable given that they are nowhere near able to compete financially with the big clubs in the Premier League. When I started watching football they were probably the wealthiest club in the country but that's certainly not the case now.

Chairman Bill Kenwright (Betty Turpin's illegitimate son) is, like Barry Kilby, one of a very small band of Premier League chairmen - he is actually a supporter of the club. Probably his best decision during his tenure was appointing David Moyes as manager, now regarded as one of the best in the league.

They are still to make their first summer signing and the league season couldn't have got off to a worse start for them with a 6-1 home defeat against Arsenal, but they recovered on Thursday with a 4-0 victory over Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League, the side that had previously hammered Aberdeen in the competition.

Louis Saha scored the goal in the Arsenal game whilst both he and Jack Rodwell scored twice in midweek.

Team News


Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar both face a race against time to be fit but Jack Rodwell is expected to play despite being substituted on Thursday with a twisted knee.

Moyes though will be without long term injury victims Yakubu, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe. Also out will be Joleon Lescott. He's been removed from the squad because of the situation with Manchester City and his potential transfer there.

Moyes' and Everton's stand on this has been admiral against some appalling behaviour from Manchester City and their manager Mark Hughes but they look set to lose the fight and their player.

Click HERE to see the full Everton squad


No further injury problems have been reported with the Clarets. Michael Duff and Steven Caldwell are both still out but Richard Eckersley could return to the squad after missing out against his former club on Wednesday.

It would be no surprise to see Owen Coyle name the same side as Wednesday which was: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Andre Bikey, Stephen Jordan, Graham Alexander, Robbie Blake, Wade Elliott, Chris McCann, Steven Fletcher, Martin Paterson.

The substitutes on Wednesday were: Diego Penny, Christian Kalvenes, Joey Gudjonsson, Kevin McDonald, Chris Eagles, Steven Thompson and Fernando Guerrero. If it is the same team they will contest the sub places with Richard Eckersley, David Edgar, Brian Easton and Jay Rodriguez.

Last Time


Burnley's last home game against Everton is 34 years and 4 days ago. It was the second game of the season and the second at home. We'd drawn 0-0 against Arsenal and we drew this one too.

Ray Hankin gave us the lead ten minutes into the second half but Everton equalised five minutes later to complete the scoring.

The Burnley team was: Alan Stevenson, Mick Docherty, Keith Newton, Peter Noble, Colin Waldron, Jim Thomson, Brian Flynn, Ray Hankin, Mike Summerbee, Doug Collins (Ian Brennan), Leighton James.

Previous games against Everton


Click HERE to see all our results against Everton