Cottagers seek away boost
10 Mar 2006 - 07:15:32
Fulham bid to win their first away game of the season at Goodison Park on Saturday as they attempt to banish any lingering relegation concerns.
Middlesbrough's recent fine run has dropped the Cottagers to 16th in the table, although they still have a nine-point cushion over Birmingham who currently occupy the final relegation spot.
However, Chris Coleman's side have taken only three points draws with Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic and West Brom - in their dismal away sequence and will find it difficult to end that run against a resurgent Everton side.
The Cottagers have lost their last six Premiership games on their travels and were hammered 4-0 at home by Arsenal last weekend so will be going to Merseyside low on confidence.
Last weekend's impressive 2-2 draw at West Ham extended Everton's recent run to only one defeat in their last nine Premiership encounters and they are currently 12th in the table and still in with a shout of clinching a UEFA Cup spot.
Boss David Moyes was also given a boost in midweek by the news that his lengthy injury list is slowly starting to improve with Joseph Yobo expected to feature on Saturday after missing the Upton Park trip with a groin strain.
Matteo Ferrari has also returned to training after being sidelined for a month with a hamstring problem while Alessandro Pistone may return to action before the end of the season after recovering well from a knee injury.
However, Sander Westerveld looks set to continue in goal as Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright remain sidelined with ankle injuries while Duncan Ferguson is suspended.
Fulham have their share of injury problems too and Antti Niemi (hamstring), Wayne Bridge (ankle), Michael Brown (hamstring), Sylvain Legwinski (leg) and Papa Bouba Diop (foot) all missed last week's drubbing.
Earlier in the season, Fulham beat Everton 1-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to Brian McBride's second-half goal while last season at Goodison, Ferguson netted as Moyes' side won 1-0.