Everton seek perfect 10 against Fulham
By Brian Sears
18 March 2011
In many ways, Everton have struggled to hit the statistical heights in the Premier League era. Of the seven ever-present Premier League clubs, Everton will be the last to reach the coveted 1,000 points total - they are still 39 points short.
(Tottenham were the sixth club to reach the target this February when they won 2-1 at Sunderland, while Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa had already reach the grand total).
Even at Goodison, the "Big Four" have taken more points away with them than they have left for The Toffees: Manchester United's PL points tally on that side of Stanley Park reads 42-12, Arsenal's is 33-18, Chelsea's 28-19 and Liverpool's 28-25. Tottenham are also in Goodison credit by 30 points to 18, while Aston Villa are all square at 18-18.
But in one contest at Goodison Park Everton reign supreme. Oh yes. And how.
Fulham have come visiting nine times in the Premier League era and each time - yes, nine from nine - Everton have claimed the three points, for a magnificent 27 from 27 in total. This 100 per cent record has been achieved with a whopping total goals aggregate of 21-5.
And who do Everton play on Saturday, at tea-time? Fulham of course. If Everton don't make it a perfect 10, then truly that's a sign of their most mediocre campaign in some time.
Everton's home record against every club in the Premier League era is detailed below. The only other 100 per cent Goodison record against a current Premier League clubs is over Blackpool, from one match.
Fulham should not despair. For the first seven seasons of Fulham-Everton Premier League meetings, Fulham always retaliated with Craven Cottage victories. But two seasons ago that remarkable sequence was broken when Everton won 2-0 on the banks of the Thames. Then last September that same location saw a 0-0 draw … the first drawn game in 19 Premier League games between the clubs.
With both clubs racking-up a lot of draws so far this season (Everton 13 Fulham 14), what are the chances of a double draw being played out at Goodison on Saturday and ending Everton's worthy 100 per cent sequence over the Londoners?
In the Premier League, Everton have played 362 Goodison games to date, winning 159, drawing 104 and losing 99, gaining 581 home points.
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