Mar 042015
 

Peter Crouch vs Phil Jagielka

Stoke’s outlook may have changed somewhat since the days of Tony Pulis, Rory Delap and strained necks, but the Potters still pose a sizeable aerial threat.

Peter Crouch’s winning goal against Hull City on Saturday took him level with Alan Shearer as the Premier League’s most prolific headed goalscorer. The former England frontman is not a guaranteed starter at the Britannia – Mark Hughes has often favoured the more mobile Mame Biram Diouf when fit – but his form of late, three goals in his last four games, cannot be ignored.

Jagielka was one of Everton’s better performers at Arsenal, but the Everton skipper will be given a stern examination here. Winning the aerial battle may be key to winning the game.

Jonathan Walters vs Luke Garbutt

Having come through a stern examination at Arsenal on Sunday, here comes a different, but no less difficult, test for 21-year-old Garbutt.

Where at the Emirates it was a case of staying alert to the one-twos and making sure there was no space left in behind for Arsenal’s quick, nimble technicians to operate in, against Walters the battle will be a more physical one.

The Wirral-born forward, a boyhood Evertonian, is a menacing presence on Stoke’s right, a regular target for diagonals, and a goal threat himself when drifting in from the flank.

Garbutt has impressed plenty since his elevation to first-team football at Goodison. If he can come through this test, he will be even better for it.

Glenn Whelan vs Darron Gibson

Irish international colleagues, and good friends off the field, Whelan and Gibson will surely be thrust into battle against one another here.

It is hard to see how Roberto Martinez could justify leaving out Gibson, whose forward passing and positive mindset have stood out a mile in recent appearances. The “solid” approach of James McCarthy, Mo Besic and Gareth Barry has its merits, but Everton need points, and they need to be on the front foot if they are to get them.

Whelan is not the most spectacular player in the Premier League, but does an important job for Hughes’ side. He breaks up play, disrupts opponents’ rhythm, and passes the ball simply.

Everton, then, need a player who can ensure that rhythm is kept. Gibson, surely, is the man.

More football news here in a few hours, just as soon as Ive gone for some food. This site is here for all fans, so please interact by leaving a comment on any article, or by writing on the fan wall (thats the wall over there in the top right. For great special offers visit the shop, or click here to compare prices of Everton posters (including signed posters).

 Posted by at 5:03 am

 Leave a Reply

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

(required)

(required)