Your Everton morning headlines for Saturday, April 9
Everton need cool heads as fight to avoid Premier League unthinkable intensifies
In the latest Royal Blue column, Joe Thomas takes a look back at Everton's defeat to Burnley and what it means in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation. One thing Everton do not need right now is another ill-considered reaction, he writes.
After defeats against West Ham and Burnley the club finds itself going into this weekend's fixtures just a single point above the bottom three. With Burnley travelling to Norwich, failure to beat Man Utd this afternoon will give the Clarets - still riding high from the devastating blow they inflicted upon Everton in midweek - the opportunity to send the Blues into the relegation zone.
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There is nothing positive that could be said should that happen. The long wait until Leicester City visit Goodison Park on April 20 would be a gruelling, horrible experience for everyone involved with the club. But if that was to happen - and it is not a given because this Man Utd side is far from invincible - now is surely the time for cool heads and calm minds. Both on the pitch and off it.
Read the full column from Joe Thomas here.
Frank Lampard praises Seamus Coleman and makes Everton 'confidence' claim
Frank Lampard heaped praise on Seamus Coleman’s ability as a leader as he hailed his captain’s 'immense effect' on the Everton dressing room.
Coleman has been absent with illness over recent games that have seen questions asked about the character of the squad following defeats at West Ham and Burnley. He did make the bench on Wednesday but Lampard said he had not fully recovered and his presence was partly for his 'voice'.
The Blues boss has confirmed Coleman is available for the tie with Man Utd, ahead of which he detailed the 33-year-old’s value to the squad.