David Moyes' Everton side would have taken heart from their draw at Old Trafford as they prepare to entertain Fulham.
Toffees out to finish higher than their Merseyside rivals
David Moyes' Everton side will have taken heart from their incredible draw at Old Trafford as they prepare to entertain Fulham.
The Toffees managed to glean a precious away point against Premier League champions Manchester United in a pulsating 4-4 draw last weekend.
Following the disappointment of their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Liverpool, Everton are now intent on finishing higher than their Merseyside rivals in the league for the first time since the 2004/05 season.
Fulham, though, are closing in on a top 10 finish themselves as their revival under Martin Jol continues.
The Cottagers are unbeaten in their last four games, claiming three wins and a determined point against Chelsea.
However, the Londoners have a wretched record at Goodison Park where they have lost their last 18 games.
Jol's side have lost their last three trips to Everton 2-1 and have only managed three away wins all campaign.
Team news
Everton could be without Leighton Baines for this game as he battles back from a hamstring injury that kept him out at Old Trafford. Should he fail to prove his fitness, Sylvain Distin will deputise at left-back.
Jack Rodwell is also out with a hamstring problem, while on-loan Royston Drenthe will miss the game after being suspended for disciplinary reasons by the club.
Fulham will be without defender Zdenek Grygera (knee), midfielder Steve Sidwell (groin) and forward Bryan Ruiz (foot) for the trip to Goodison.
Probable starting XIs
Everton: Howard, Heitinga, Jagielka, Hibbert, Distin, Neville, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman, Jelavic
Fulham: Schwarzer, Hangeland, Senderos, Hughes, Riise, Duff, Murphy, Dempsey, Diarra, Dembele, Pogrebnyak