Here are your Everton FC morning headlines on Thursday, September 15.
Everton can take fight to West Ham
Everton and West Ham United are in a similar position at this early point of the new season; level on four points alongside Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, the Hammers in the bottom three on goal difference.
Former Blues manager David Moyes has struggled to get his West Ham side going in a way that he has done for so many years and there are concerns down south they may not be up for the fight.
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Conversely, Frank Lampard’s team could not be fighting any harder, with four battling draws keeping them above the mire. In the search for his first win of the season, the Everton boss can look to his side’s effort as cause for optimism, and on Sunday it may be the effort that brings the win.
Our Everton writer Chris Beelsey used statistical site Comparisonator to show the Blues are winning more of every kind of duel compared to the Hammers, and that battling spirit against a seemingly fragile West Ham could be the difference.
Ellis Simms injury update
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has admitted he hopes Ellis Simms’ injury is not a broken toe after the Everton loanee was forced off in the first half of Sunderland'ss 3-0 win at Reading.
Simms was the Black Cats' only available striker, following a long-term injury to Ross Stewart, but the 21-year-old was forced to watch most of Wednesday’s clash from the sidelines. Mowbray admitted he has fingers crossed there is no break but admitted they won’t know for sure until they do a scan.
"It's his big toe - it's the joint of his big toe," said Mowbray after the final whistle on Wednesday evening. "He was struggling to push off. His big toe is numb at the moment. Whether we scan that tomorrow, or whether it settles down overnight, we'll have to wait and see.
“I don't think it's broken, maybe the joint has popped out or something. We need to let it settle down and then reassess it in the morning."
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