VIEW FROM THE STANDS: Everton v West Ham

Mar 22 2008

THE phrase ‘must-win’ game is often overused in football but after finally losing ground to Liverpool last week, we need to make sure we beat the Hammers this evening.

You’d like to think that Liverpool won’t be collecting the full three points at Old Trafford tomorrow so if we can overcome Alan Curbishley’s side then we can hopefully be back within touching distance of our neighbours by the time next weekend’s derby comes along.

The Hammers will be determined to get some sort of revenge for December when we beat them twice at their own ground in the space of four days, but we have much more to play for than them.

With only one UEFA Cup place likely to be awarded for a league finish it’s important that we hold on to at least fifth place to fend off the likes of Portsmouth and Aston VIlla for a European spot even if we can’t upset the odds and displace Benitez’s charges from a place in the top four like we did three years ago.

We’re also having to get by with just one fit striker at the moment. Just a few weeks ago we were debating how Moyes would keep all five of his front men happy and whether we should play our £20million strikeforce of Yakubu and Johnson at the same time when Cahill was available.

Now, not only is the goalscoring Australian midfielder sidelined but the Yak remains our only forward option.

But as we embark on the business end of the season this is no time for sulking.

We must forget the disappointments of Fiorentina and Fulham and ensure that this season that promised so much actually delivers.