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Everton v Chelsea: Joe Cole to be the key man in narrow win

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Morgan in the driving seat - Allsy thinks Avram Grant may be on borrowed time which makes a win at Everton even more important for Joe Cole and his mates...

When I took my seat at Stamford Bridge Monday night the teams had just been announced. No Lampard, Drogba, Carvalho, Makelele or Ashley Cole while namesake Joe only made the bench. Few were aware of Drogba's injury or Lampard's personal issues so most were a little perplexed by the absence of Chelsea's two top-scorers.

As a Liverpool fan I assumed they were being rested for the next two games in Liverpool but I wasn't pleased with the line-up either. I was hoping to assess Chelsea's attacking potential but worse of all I had Lampard down as my fantasy football captain. Gutted!

We all know what happened next. A tepid first 45 minutes saw Chelsea leave the field to boos and only the introduction of Joe Cole saved many from falling asleep. Eventually Chelsea took the lead only for Emile Heskey to shoplift a point for Wigan with practically the last kick of the game. For reasons of taste I cannot print any of the comments made about Grant (by Chelsea fans) after the game. Suffice to say that they were very, very disappointed.

As Chelsea prepare for Thursday's trip to Everton, Grant's biggest challenge is not nullifying the tactics of David Moyes or subduing Yakubu. His biggest hurdle, and therefore a problem for the team, is winning over Chelsea's supporters.

Last weekend Chelsea were still in the hunt for the two biggest competitions available to English teams but there's always been an undercurrent that Grant is somehow in a vulnerable position. Chelsea executives only exacerbated the problem with lukewarm assurances on Grant's future and now many Chelsea fans search for confirmation that he's is out of his depth... more 'special needs' than 'special one'. I'm not sure why Grant is so villified after taking over early season but the real pressure is coming from those he'd reasonably assume might support him.

Grant's team on Monday was: Cech, Belletti, Terry, Alex, Bridge, Malouda, Essien, Obi, Ballack, Kalou and Anelka. Even if he had rested Lampard and Drogba this team was more than capable of defeating a side three places above the relegation zone.

Arsenal fans know that playing slick football in November, and sloppy football the following April, wins you nothing but Grant's team succeeds where Wenger's fail because they can win ugly. I expect more of the same at Goodison.

Everton haven't beaten any of the Premiership 'Big Four' this season but did draw away to Chelsea. At their best Moyes has a formidable team but with fourth place probably out of reach Chelsea have more at stake and need a win Thursday night. Moyes is secure but Grant only has six (seven if they defeat Liverpool in the Champions League) games left to convince his many doubters.

Moyes has his own injury problems with key midfielders. Cahill, Arteta and Osman are all unlikely to feature which will force Moyes towards his default priority: a solid defence above all else. The Everton fans are more supportive of their manager and understand that all-out attack against a team as strong as Chelsea is not too wise. Moyes has limited options in midfield but could partner Yakubu with the pace of Johnson or the strength of Anichebe.

Having lost momentum in the Premiership I don't expect Grant to rest anyone from now own. Carvalho should return to the starting line-up alongside both Coles and if Drogba was fit Anelka would also give way as he hasn't converted nearly enough chances.

You can back an Everton win at [3.9] but a more realistic option for Toffee fans would be the draw at [3.45]. In contrast to their fans I believe Chelsea's players are supportive of Grant - they're also used to winning and should produce at Everton. You can have Chelsea to win at [2.16] but I'd rather back a 1-0 scoreline at a generous [7.2].

Everton are miserly at home (conceding 13 so far) but Chelsea simply have too much muscle. Essien and Joe Cole will be key players without Lampard and Drogba and I suspect that Grant will live to fight another day.