Last Meeting: Not much went right for Everton on Boxing Day 2014 as they missed chances, saw two key players succumb to injury and lost at home to Stoke through a disputed penalty on the stroke of half-time.
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Carrick: We are trying for Van Gaal
In fact, should United fail to win on Monday, they will end the year with their lowest points total in 26 years. Van Gaal’s men will take on a Chelsea side languishing in 15th place and missing suspended striker Diego Costa.
McCarthy had missed Everton’s last five games but returned to Roberto Martinez’s side for this afternoon’s clash with Stoke City at Goodison Park.
Boundary-hunter Guptill smacks Sri Lanka into submission
Guptill was partnered by Tom Latham, who made 17 not out, as a back injury prevented captain McCullum from opening the batting. Guptill was made aware that de Villiers’ half century record was achievable when he reached 42 from 11 balls.
Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench against the Magpies, while Arouna Kone was an unused substitute, and both players will be hoping for more involvement on Merseyside. Stoke have been rock solid this year and Mark Hughes side could leap frog Everton in the table with a win here, in fact Stoke could be in the top six if they win here and results go their way.
Pakistan military helped revive India talks
That meant that Aziz could not come here for his date with Doval in August and leave India without meeting Hurriyat leaders. He stated the development in relations between the 2 nations was vital to regional peace, stability and improvement.
Phil Jagielka, Steven Pienaar, Bryan Oviedo, James McCarthy and Steven Naismith are all back in training after recovering from their respective injuries and they are expected to be involved at some point over the festive period.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland, striker Peter Crouch and defender Marc Muniesa are all out with hamstring problems.
Stoke have beaten both the Manchester teams in the league this season, becoming only the second team to have done so after Arsenal. “We are playing well so it’s a game we look forward to”, said Hughes, who has overseen wins over United, Manchester City and Chelsea this term.
The Toffees have won seven of their last 10 top-flight home games against Stoke (W7 D1 L2).
“He is not just one of my best signings, Gareth is one of the greatest players in the Premier League and has proved that with all those games”.
“The most important thing now is to play well with Everton every week and to help my team”.
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Marko Arnautovic has now scored more Premier League goals this season (6) than his previous two combined (5).
