A Cup Classic at Goodison Park as Inform Blues Host Thriving Cherries

Everton, who are currently in a rich vein of form, host thriving Bournemouth in what may be the last FA Cup fixture at Goodison Park, depending on the result of the fixture and luck in the hat.

It's safe to say that since David Moyes has taken over the role of first team manager from Sean Dyche, the club has been totally transformed. A different style of football has been implemented by the Scottish manager, including a strong defensive foundation and the drive to move forward, that has clearly been drilled into the squad as there were nerves that the Toffees may struggle to survive in the Premier League this season, which wouldn't be the best start in August in the new ground if Everton were in the Championship. However, three consecutive Premier League victories: a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a 1-0 win over Brighton, and as of recent, a 4-0 battering over Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City. Slowly but surely climbing away from the relegation zone is exactly what Evertonians deserve. All focus is on the next game to secure a satisfactory finish in the league; however, the attention shifts to the FA Cup.

Beto celebrating after scoring during Everton 4-0 Leicester City

Last time out in the FA Cup was extremely interesting, due to the Sean Dyche saga. Just hours prior to the third round, Everton vs. Peterborough, it was announced that the Friedkin Group had decided to sack Dyche with immediate effect, and in the dugout were two Everton legends. Ex-player Leighton Baines, who made 420 appearances for the club, making his final appearance in 2020 but staying on as coaching staff at Finch Farm, was the official manager, and assisting Baines was Seamus Coleman, current Everton player who has been at the club since 2009, who always puts the club first. The result finished 2-0 with goals from Beto, just on the stroke of halftime, and a late Iliman Ndiaye penalty in stoppage time confirmed the Blues into the hat to the next round of the cup. A couple of days later, it was confirmed their opponents would be Adoni Iraola's side, AFC Bournemouth.

Bournemouth currently sit 7th in the Premier League table, exceeding most people's expectations. Only three points off a UEFA Champions League qualification spot. It's impressive, in fact, that the manager, Iraola, has been awarded Barclays' Manager of the Month for January. Also, Bournemouth winger David Brooks was awarded Guinness' Goal of the Month, a lovely volley, for January in a 1-0 win over Everton in the first game of the calendar year. A stunning month for the Cherries as they received a hat trick of awards! Dutch forward Justin Kluivert, son of ex-Barcelona and Ajax player and current manager for the Indonesian national team Patrick Kluivert, won the EA SPORTS Player of the Month, a really impressive achievement.

Adoni Iraola directing his side during Bournemouth vs Liverpool

During the third round of the FA Cup, Bournemouth faced playoff-pushing West Brom at home, at the Vitality Stadium. To be frank, it was no issue for Iraola's side, as they battered West Brom 5-1, with a goal from Kluivert, two from Outtara, another from Semenyo, and an injury-time goal from Daniel Jebbison confirmed a walk in the park for the Cherries.

Iraola spoke in his press conference regarding the Toffees; here is what he had to say:

"The two times I've been at Goodison, we've suffered for most parts of the game. This season we were 2-0 down in the 80-something minute. We have the experience that it is very difficult to play there. With the atmosphere and the kind of team they are—now obviously with the confidence very high after the wins they've had in recent weeks—I expect a very difficult game."

"They've been very good, the four games he has been there. In the Premier League, you can see the results—three wins. Even the result against Aston Villa—they lost, but I think they were very good. It has been a smooth transition for him because he has been there, he has been successful, and he has started really well."

On the other hand, David Moyes spoke to the media in his press conference in the lead-up to Saturday, and here is what he said about the legacy of Goodison Park in the FA Cup:

“We've probably only got eight or nine games left at Goodison Park forever, so quite rightly they should enjoy it and embrace it. You get the feeling the supporters and players are beginning to get a connection back together. For a club like ours, 'The People's Club,' you need the players and supporters all working together."

Also, Moyes spoke mostly about the January transfer window that has now closed. Everton made a late deadline day signing, bringing in young Argentinian midfielder Carlos “Charly” Alcaraz on loan until the end of the season. The South American was announced close to midnight on January 31st, with Alcaraz hoping to prove a point in the Premier League. The buy option is obligatory after a certain number of league starts, and the 22-year-old stated in his first interview after being unveiled as a Toffee that "I know that, in order to achieve the option for Everton to buy, I have to do things right. I'm calm because I know what I have to do, and I'm going to do it.“

Carlos "Charly" Alcaraz on the pitch for his old side Flamengo

Alcaraz has had Premier League experience before, making his PL debut at Goodison Park during his spell at Southampton. The fact the Argentinian has played in the league before will certainly help him ease in, and the determination that has been apparent in the interviews is creating a very strong first impression!

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FA Cup Round 4 Fixtures:

Friday 7th February:

Leeds United 12:15 Millwall

Leyton Orient 12:15 Man City

Preston North End 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers

Coventry City 15:00 Ipswich Town

Wigan Athletic 15:00 Fulham

Everton 15:00 Bournemouth

Southampton 15:00 Burnley

Stoke City 15:00 Cardiff City

Birmingham City 17:45 Newcastle United

Brighton and Hove Albion 20:00 Chelsea

Sunday 9th February:

Blackburn Rovers 12:30 Wolves

Plymouth Argyle 15:00 Liverpool

Aston Villa 17:35 Tottenham Hotspur

Monday 10th February:

Doncaster Rovers 19:45 Crystal Palace

Tuesday 11th February:

Exeter City 20:00 Nottingham Forest

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Thank you for reading my pre-match article!