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Preview: Everton v Luton Town 
Matthew Litherland looks ahead to Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Goodison Park
1500 BST 
Saturday 30th September  

Newly promoted Luton Town visit Goodison Park on Saturday for the first time since October 2006,
when they were beaten 4-0 by Everton in the League Cup; goals from Tim Cahill, James McFadden,
Victor Anichebe and an own goal secured victory for the Toffees on that occasion.

After starting the season dismally, losing four of their opening five Premier League outings, Everton
are aiming to make it three wins in the space of a week, as they look to transfer impressive
performances on the road against Brentford and Aston Villa to the Grand Old Lady.

“The players have put a lot of effort into getting the rewards we have been due this season, but
haven’t got,” Sean Dyche said. 

 “I am pleased with the relentless attitude of the players to keep performing, that’s a key factor when
results aren’t going your way. You can’t just wait for them to happen, you have to make them
happen. I think in the last two performances, we have done that.”

James Garner netted his first Everton goal at Villa Park on Wednesday, as he continues to impress
with his energy and versatility. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, scored his second goal in as many
games. Has Everton’s number nine finally put his injury nightmares behind him?
 
The Goodison faithful will be desperate for a home win. Everton have failed to score in any of their
matches on home turf this season, and have lost six of their last seven home fixtures in the Premier
League, with the solitary victory in that run coming against Bournemouth on the final day of last
season. All of their defeats at Goodison this season have come by the same 0-1 scoreline.

Luton’s fairytale journey to the Premier League has not yet yielded a victory. The Hatters sit 18 th in
on one point after a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves last weekend.

Rob Edwards rotated heavily against Exeter City in midweek in the League Cup, and Luton were
dumped out, 1-0.

Former Everton talent Ross Barkley, who signed for Luton as a free agent, is unlikely to feature
against his old club due to a hamstring problem, while Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi-Lokonga will also
be absent. Gabe Osho, Dan Potts and Jordan Clarke are also out. 
 
Dyche confirmed that there were no new major injury concerns for Everton. However, Vitalii
Mykolenko – who was substituted at half-time against Villa – is said to have a little “knock”, and he
will face a late fitness test.

Jack Harrison, who made his Everton debut on Wednesday, is expected to be involved again at the
weekend, while long term absentees Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli remain sidelined.

With Bournemouth visiting Goodison after Luton, Everton will sense this pair of fixtures as a great
opportunity to get points on the board heading into the international break, after which they face
Liverpool at Anfield in the season’s first Merseyside derby.

Matthew Litherland