With the every-game-is-a-cup-final mantra made virtually redundant following their abject showing at the Stadium of Light last weekend, Everton come into what is their penultimate home game of the 2012-13 season with much of the drama having been sucked out of what remains of their Premier League campaign.
Quite rightly, David Moyes maintained in his pre-match press conference still has European qualification in its sights and that the Europa League was the most realistic target but privately the manager will know that the best he can hope for will likely be a sixth-place finish.
The Blues sit six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and five behind Tottenham in fifth but have played a game less than both clubs as the two London outfit still have to meet in a fixture postponed because of Chelsea' involvement in the FA Cup a fortnight ago. Everton have 12 points to play for and still have to travel to Stamford Bridge on the final day but while Moyes would love to go into that game within reach of Rafael Benitez' side, it's going to take a significant improvement by his players and an unlikely collapse in form from their rivals for that to become a reality.
Still, while the possibility remains, the Blues must push on and, given how much money is at stake for each position in the table, at least retain sixth place.
Though he has injury concerns over Darron Gibson and Phil Jagielka, Moyes should have a fairly strong squad from which to choose. He indicated that both players "have a chance" of being involved, though you would think that it would be prudent to allow Jagielka's ankle another week to heal after he re-opened the wound he sustained against Reading last month.
Gibson has been battling a thigh issue for much of the season but has battled on since returning from a lengthy layoff in January and he could be risked. If not, Marouane Fellaini will likely continue in central midfield, probably alongside Kevin Mirallas, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar, although the latter duo did not cover themselves in glory at all against Sunderland.
Likewise Victor Anichebe up front who, since scoring the second goal against QPR two weeks ago, has marauded around up front with great industry but to almost no attacking effect and Moyes could opt to return Nikica Jelavic to the starting XI, if only because Anichebe has looked particularly jaded in the later stages of the last two games.
Given Everton's remarkable home record against Fulham — they have a 100% record over the Cottagers in the Premier League — and the fact that Martin Jol's side failed to trouble either Arsenal or Chelsea when the Blues needed them to over the last 10 days, this should be a routine win for Moyes's boys. Things are rarely so cut-and-dried, though, and they will need to create enough chances in the final third to get the job done, something they singularly and infuriatingly failed to do last weekend.
Defeat for Spurs at Wigan and any dropped points by Chelsea at home to Swansea would make the European qualification picture look a lot more interesting again but Everton have to hold up their end of the bargain, even if if feels a little late in the day.
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A 100% record against Fulham in the Prem and I presume without researching it that 100% means all wins . So we all know whats going to happen today don't we - it happens far too many times under Davey.
Tim, does the fact every one of Fulham's losses in the PL at Goodison have come under David Moyes' time in charge, including his first ever game, make you think you're a slightly glass completely fucking dry kind of guy?
Please let's start Jelavic, and get him playing in the width of the penalty area, not running channels. I know it's against your policy Mr Moyes but Spring has finally sprung, the rat faced red is banned til kingdom come and you've booked your holiday caravanning around North Wales with Mrs M so all's well with the world - relax and let's score some goals. Oh, and by the way, the ink is running dry on your bic, get using it!
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