ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP: Everton manager David Moyes has done a good job of rewriting the Goodison Park club's recent history and does not intend to stop when it comes to the English League Cup.
Moyes' team face the first of two clashes with Chelsea inside four days. Tonight his side travel to Stamford Bridge in front of the TV cameras, and then entertain the west Londoners at Goodison Park in the Premiership on Saturday.
Everton, who have never won the League Cup in any of its guises, fancy their chances in west London. "We are two of the in-form teams of the moment, Chelsea are doing really well and we have also been playing well this season," said Moyes. "Now we have two games back to back against them to give us a real opportunity to see how far we have come.
"Now we are beginning to realise what it's like to play in big games and the two with Chelsea are just as big for them as us. But we are confident enough now to feel we can go to Chelsea and give it a real go and believe we can get through to the next round."
Midfielder Lee Carsley is Moyes' only injury worry, with a badly bruised foot. The Republic of Ireland international, who suffered the injury in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, has had a precautionary scan which has ruled out a fracture but the injury will probably rule him out at Stamford Bridge.
Boudewijn Zenden, meanwhile, is back in the Chelsea squad. Zenden recently aggravated an ankle injury while on international duty for Holland and he last started a game for Chelsea two months ago against West Ham.
Claudio Ranieri may rest experienced figures like Marcel Desailly and Graeme Le Saux, who has a slight knock.
Eidur Gudjohnsen, Mario Stanic, Albert Ferrer, John Terry and Celestine Babayaro are in contention for returns, although Carlton Cole has gone on loan to Wolves.
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