FA Cup - Macclesfield

Everton take the reasonably short trip down to Macclesfield, to face a side they never have before.

Our FA Cup exploits under Moyes have been nothing short of disastrous. Moyes has only won 4 FA Cup matches in the last 5 years, 3rd round defeats to Oldham and Shrewsbury being particular low points. A home defeat to Blackburn 4-1 in 2007, wasn't particularly enjoyable either.

After very early exits in both the Carling and UEFA cups this season, Moyes will be well aware the fans wouldn't be impressed by another lacklustre showing.

The game is also being shown live at Goodison Park, for free for Season ticket holders, and tickets have sold out both at Moss Rose and Goodison.

Macclesfield remain optimistic the game will go ahead:

"We`re doing everything possible to ensure the game goes ahead,"

"The forecasters reckon this cold spell will remain with us beyond the weekend, so we`ve decided to give the pitch some extra protection."

Former blues favourite, who's Shrewsbury side knocked out Everton five years back, had the following to say:

'The one thing you try and do is make it as uncomfortable as you can for the Premiership sides because they`re used to luxuries',

'They`ll be lucky to get the amount of players into the changing room, never mind the staff, the kit men, the doctors, surgeons, masseurs, fitness instructors. They`ll be lucky to get them all in.'

'It was a great result for Shrewsbury at the time. It was one that I thought we could win when I`d seen the team. I thought 'we`ve got as good chance here` - maybe the best chance that any side would have against an Everton side and the lads approached it really well.

'I was fortunate that the lads did really well and they got the result. We took our chances, a bit of quality in the side got us those chances I must admit. But afterwards you reflect on it and it's sort of 'oh, what have we done?`

'It was most probably one of my happiest days as a manager, and probably is my happiest day as a manager. Although I`d rather it had been against the reds than the Blues!'

Francis Green is set to return after suspension.

The Macclesfield team will need to work as a unit, in a tie Everton should really be expecting to dominate.

Louis Saha has had his return delayed for a month.

Anichebe is unlikely to be risked starting, with Saha, Vaughan and Yakubu out long term.

4-6-0 will likely be used again after an impressive run of results.

Fellaini and Osman may be rested, with Gosling and Rodwell possibly handed rare starts. Fellaini is one more yellow card away from a 2 game ban, and Moyes will be keen to have him available for the games against Liverpool, Arsenal and United late this month. Osman is still easing his way back from injury.

Kissock, Van Der Meyde and Jutkiewicz will also be hoping to make some sort of appearance.

Runs the game.

Everton have never been past the 5th round of the cup under Moyes, and Macclesfield have never been past the 3rd round under anyone.

Macclesfield are 76 places below Everton in the English football league pecking order.

David Moyes` record in the FA Cup with Everton is:

P W D L
Home 8 3 2 3
Away 5 1 1 3
Total 13 4 3 6

Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

3-1 Everton

Hull (H)

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