Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United. The sides have suffered contrasting fortunes over the past month, but Everton still come into this match as overwhelming favourites. We are all set for a very interesting game.

We'll start with a look at our hosts tonight, and things have turned worrying very quickly for Roberto Martinez's side. A month ago they looked well positioned to launch a challenge for a Champions League place next season, but just one win from their last five games and three defeats in their last four - having only suffered two all season before that - have dented their chances hugely.

Martinez can take some solace in the fact that his side have not experienced a huge dip in performance level in that time, with the exception of the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield. They were unfortunate to lose against Tottenham and Chelsea, and it is only teams in the top five of the table that have beaten them in their last four Premier League outings. Still, those are the teams that they need to be beating if they are to make the step up to the Champions League.

The gap between Everton and Liverpool is now 11 points which, with 12 games left for the Toffees, appears to be a huge ask for them to make up. They have dropped down to seventh in the league table, although they would move back above Manchester United with a win, or even a draw, here today. United have played a game more than Everton and won't play again until next Saturday, so this is effectively the Toffees' game in hand.

While the Champions League could be a bridge too far for Everton now, they will still have aspirations of some European football next season, and the Europa League is a more realistic option for Roberto Martinez's side now. They are just five points behind fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand, so they will certainly fancy their chances of closing that game before the season is through.

The recent 4-0 defeat to Liverpool was very much a blip for Everton, who have been very impressive defensively so far this season. In fact, only leaders Chelsea have conceded fewer goals in the league, with Everton matching Arsenal and Manchester City's tally of just 27 goals conceded.

Having said that, Roberto Martinez has only seen his side keep one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League games, which will be a worry for him. Most of the time they have kept the goals conceded down to just one per game, but he will still be fairly concerned considering his side have been struggling for goals recently. They have failed to score in their last two Premier League outings and have found the net just twice in their last four.

The Toffees do boast a very good home record in the league, however. They came a matter of days away from going unbeaten at Goodison in 2013 before a 1-0 loss to Sunderland on Boxing Day - a result which is their only home league defeat in 21 matches. During that time they have won 15 and drawn five, while they have won their last five home games in all competitions including all four Goodison outings in 2014 so far.

That paints a formidable picture for West Ham but, if any side in the league right now has the confidence to do it, it will be the Hammers. They have now won four games on the bounce and have gone five games unbeaten, leaping from the bottom three into the top half of the table thanks to their incredible February form. Manager Sam Allardyce was coming under a lot of pressure before this run, but the owners deserve great credit for sticking with him and not panicking like a lot of owners have already done this season. What a difference a month makes.

They now sit 10th in the table and, while the nature of this season's Premier League means that such a position is not quite as safe as it sounds, a seven-point gap from the bottom three certainly eases their immediate concerns. Indeed, they are only eight points behind ninth-placed Southampton and could have one eye on catching the Saints if they can keep this remarkable form up.

The Hammers are now just nine points short of the magic 40-point mark and, with 11 games left, Allardyce will be confident that his side can reach what is usually a safe amount. Key to their form over recent weeks has been their defensive record, with West Ham keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches and only conceded one goal in that time.

Indeed, West Ham have kept more clean sheets than any other team this season, forcing the opposition to draw blanks on 13 separate occasions. Only Hull City have conceded fewer goals from the teams below them in the table while, at the other end of the pitch, only Swansea City have scored more - despite the Hammers' being without Andy Carroll for much of the campaign.

Everton's home record is certainly very impressive, but West Ham will be confident of picking something up from this game. They are unbeaten in their last three away games, winning two and drawing one. Before that run, they had only won once on their travels all season - although that was an impressive 3-0 victory over Spurs at White Hart Lane. Chelsea, who have turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress under Jose Mourinho, could only draw against West Ham last month, so Everton will not have an easy time of it today.

They have also carved out a good defensive record on the road too. They have not conceded a single goal in their last three away matches having conceded a whopping 11 in the two games prior to that run. The last time they conceded an away goal in the Premier League was on January 1, when they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham.

Their run of four wins in a row makes them the team with the best form in the entire Premier League, and that is a feat that they have not managed since May 2007. Today, they will be looking to win five games in a row for the first time since January-February 2006.

TEAM NEWS: The team news is in for both sides, and the big news comes from the striking choices on either team. Everton opt to leave Romelu Lukaku on the bench having only recently returned to full training following a month out, while Andy Carroll also starts on the bench despite returning from a suspension. Naismith leads the line for Everton while Carlton Cole remains up top for the Hammers. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Coleman, Baines, Stones, Distin; McCarthy, Barry, Deulofeu, Pienaar, Osman; Naismith

EVERTON SUBS: Joel, Hibbert, McGeady, Mirallas, Lukaku, Browning, Barkley

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian; McCartney, Collins, Tomkins, Demel; Nolan, Jarvis, Taylor, Noble, Downing; C Cole

WEST HAM SUBS: Reid, Armero, Carroll, Diame, Jaaskelainen, J Cole, Nocerino

So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, from Everton's point of view, it isn't a great surprise to see Lukaku starting on the bench. The Toffees have undoubtedly missed him during his one-month injury lay-off, but Martinez is right to try to ease him back into proceedings rather than throwing him straight in and risking further injury. Naismith may not carry the same level of threat as the Belgian, but there are few better impact players to be able to bring on that Lukaku.

Naismith should receive plenty of support from the likes of Deulofeu and Pienaar, while Osman will also be given license to play further upfield thanks to McCarthy and Barry in the middle of the park. That trio behind Naismith are all incredibly creative players and they also know where the back of the net is themselves, so there are plenty of attacking options for the Toffees.

The most notable absence in defence is Jagielka, who has been ruled out through injury for today's match. He is replaced by Stones, and that could be a potential weak link for West Ham to exploit. Stones has proved himself to be a competent player, but he has often played at right-back this season and Distin and Jagielka's partnership had become so solid that any sort of change could make things difficult for the hosts.

As for West Ham, it is again not much of a surprise to see Carroll left on the bench. He is the club's record signing and Allardyce will be delighted to have him back available after what was a harsh red card against Swansea, but he has no reason to change things for the sake of change. Carlton Cole has been performing well recently and four straight wins makes it hard for the manager to justify tinkering with his squad. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The temptation to include Carroll must have been big, however, as he has a very good record playing alongside Kevin Nolan. Even in his absence, Nolan has been a revelation over the last month or so, scoring six goals in his last seven games and five in the last four. Before that ruhn he had only managed one in 16, as well as receiving a couple of red cards for good measure. His turnaround in form has arguably been the biggest reason for West Ham's surge up the table.

Nolan is surrounded by midfielders who are all adept in the final third, which means that they could pose a very real goal threat from the middle of the park this afternoon. That is important with Cole not being a particularly prolific scorer, and the likes of Nolan, Jarvis and Downing will look to get beyond their striker and make the most of any flick-ons.

West Ham's defence have rightly drawn plenty of plaudits for their clean sheet record, and they will attempt to keep yet another one today. They will be boosted by Demel's inclusion after he was suffering from tonsillitis during the week, making him a doubt for the match. However, having suffered a host of injuries to the backline already this season, Allardyce will be delighted that he has a more consistent and solid base for his team.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at Goodison Park, which means that it is time for my match prediction! The form guide going into this one suggests that Everton are on the slide and West Ham are very much on the up, making the Hammers' odds look appealing. However, Everton have only been beaten by teams in the top five and have a fine record at home in recent times. I can't see West Ham making it five straight wins and, while a draw is certainly not out of the question today, I'm going to go for a home win. 2-1 to Everton.

Everton boast a very good record against West Ham over recent years having not lost to the Hammers in their last 11 Premier League meetings, winning seven and drawing four. The last time that West Ham won in this fixture was back in April 2007, when Bobby Zamora scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory.

Zamora was also in the scoresheet for West Ham the last time they won here at Goodison Park, netting the winner in a 2-1 victory in December 2005. The most recent meeting ended 3-2 to the Toffees at Upton Park back in September, with Baines scoring two delightful free kicks and Lukaku netting his first goal for the club to cancel out Ravel Morrison and Mark Noble goals.

It is not the busiest day of Premier League action today, but what there is you can follow live with us on Sports Mole. I will be keeping you up to date with major events from the three other 3pm kickoffs, or alternatively you can follow them in more depth with our live commentaries. See what we have on offer by clicking here.

The teams are out and ready for this match now. West Ham will be looking particularly to Kevin Nolan to provide the goals following his five in the last four games. However, the Liverpool fan has never scored against Everton in 19 matches against the Toffees.

KICKOFF: Everton get us underway on a rare sunny day in Merseyside. They will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the league, but West Ham will not be an easy hurdle to overcome.

Bright start from the hosts as they come forward on the left flank through Baines. He slips a pass through to Naismith inside the box, but the Scot just couldn't poke it to Pienaar, who would have had a chance to shoot from the edge of the box.

Distin hoofs a long ball up the pitch and Naismith is immediately looking to scurry on the end of it with Collins out of position. However, Tomkins does well to get across and clear the danger out for a throw.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the hosts as Baines whips a cross into the box that Osman flicks on at the front post. Naismith reacts quickly to get anything on it, but he can't steer a header towards goal. Moments later, another cross comes in from the left but this time it is behind Naismith and his header drops harmlessly wide.

Everton have made a really good start to this match and they are looking particularly threatening down the left flank. They have had a lot of joy down that wing already, and West Ham will need to plug that gap as Baines is capable of causing lots of problems if he is given time to cross.

Everton slowly knock the ball about in midfield before Barry is encouraged to carry the ball forward by a gap emerging. He does exactly that before letting fly from 25 yards, but his powerful effort is well wide.

It is Carlton Cole's turn to have a long range effort this time, but the result is the same. Nolan knocked it down to the big striker, who controlled it with his chest before sending a volley well wide of Howard's goal.

Everton's formation is interesting today. In the absence of Jagielka they have pushed Coleman and Baines further up the pitch to act as wing-backs. They have always been given license to roam forward, but this time their starting position is even higher, which is causing the Hammers problems.

West Ham break quickly from an Everton corner and Downing aims a pass towards a wide-open Mark Noble in the middle. However Deulofeu has tracked back brilliantly and makes a vital interception to knock the ball behind for a corner. Great work from the Spaniard.

McCarthy is down hurt here following a 50/50 challenge with Taylor. Both players only had eyes for the ball, but Taylor did catch the Everton midfielder and it looks like a painful one. He should be able to continue, though.

Indeed, McCarthy does trot back on after a bit of treatment on the sidelines. It was good to see him not make a big deal over that challenge as it was an untidy looking one from Taylor.

Things open up a little for Pienaar in the middle and he moves into the space before going for goal. Pressure from Noble causes him to rush his effort, however, and as a result he drags a terrible effort wide.

To give you some idea of how this match has gone so far, Everton have enjoyed 85% of possession in this game. They are dominating the ball, but haven't been able to test Adrian in the West Ham goal yet. The Hammers defence have kept more clean sheets than any other side this season, and they are looking solid again today.

UPDATE: The first Premier League goal of the afternoon has gone the way of Newcastle, who have taken a 1-0 lead against Hull City at the KC Stadium. Moussa Sissoko is the man who got it.

CHANCE! The best chance of the match so far falls the way of Everton as Naismith is slipped in down the left side of the area. He hits a powerful effort towards the near post inside of shooting across Adrian from a tight angle, and the West Ham keeper is able to push it behind for a corner.

Baines wins the ball back well in a good position before exchanging passes with Pienaar to move into the box. He then pulls it back into a good area, but Deulofeu's strike from just inside the box is well blocked.

West Ham make a rare foray forward and it is predictably Nolan who is at the heart of the attack. He battles his way down the right channel before clipping a ball into the box, but Tim Howard comes out to claim it.

Andy Carroll is stripped off a ready to come on here. This would be an interesting change as Cole doesn't seem to be struggling too much, although it must be an injury at this point in the match.

WEST HAM SUB: Indeed, there is the change as Carroll replaces Cole. The latter doesn't look too happy and he isn't limping, but surely Allardyce will not have made a tactical change at this point in the match.

YELLOW CARD! James Tomkins is the first man in the book this afternoon, and it is a very harsh one from Jonathan Moss. Tomkins went diving in on Osman but got all of the ball and, in truth, it was an excellent challenge. Poor decision from the ref.

Carroll lays the ball off to Taylor around 25 yards from goal, but he doesn't catch his subsequent shot well, sending it well wide of Howard's goal. West Ham are seeing more of the ball now, though.

We're now hearing that that West Ham change was indeed tactical. Carlton Cole is not happy about it, storming straight down the tunnel. That is a very odd decision from Allardyce. Cole wasn't exactly causing Everton many problems, but you'd have expected him to get more than 27 minutes.

Everton come forward in numbers and Pienaar has space to carry the ball upfield. He slows down in order to wait for Baines on the overlap, but his pass is too short and is put behind for a corner. That was a waste of a good position for the hosts.

Nice play from Deulofeu on the right as he shows a good burst of acceleration to create a yard of space for the cross. His delivery is a dangerous one across the six-yard box, but Adrian gets down well to cut it out.

CLOSE! Superb from Deulofeu as he carries the ball at the heart of the West Ham defence, dancing past Collins and McCartney and moving into the box before cutting onto his left foot and firing a low effort just past the post. That was not far away at all.

Worrying moment for Carroll as he goes down having won a header. Jonathan Moss stops the game thinking that it is a head injury, but it looks more like a problem with his ankle, drawing boos and jeers from the home fans. Carroll should be able to continue, but every time he goes down it will be a concern for Allardyce.

Speaking of Allardyce, he and Carlton Cole seem to have made up now. The striker was subbed in the 27th minute in a tactical change, but he has now re-emerged from the tunnel and shaken the hand of his manager.

Tomkins rises highest in the area to nod an effort towards goal from a free kick. His own header isn't threatening, but Kevin Nolan isn't too far from making contact with it at the back post, although he would have been offside.

UPDATE: Newcastle have now doubled their lead over Hull City at the KC Stadium. Loic Remy has made it 2-0 to the Magpies shortly before the half-time interval, and the hosts now have a mountain to climb in the second half.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of one minute added time at the end of what has been a low-key first half on Merseyside.

The referee brings an end to the first half with the score still goalless, and in truth that is a fair representation of how this match has gone so far. We are still awaiting a really good chance and neither side have been able to unduly trouble the opposition keeper. Everton have certainly been on top in terms of possession, but they haven't been allowed to use that possession positively enough.

The best chance of the match fell the way of Everton and Naismith as he was played in down the left side of the box before firing a powerful effort towards the near post. It would have been some finish to beat ADrian from the tight angle that the Scot was faced with, and sure enough the West Ham keeper was able to make the save, palming it behind for a corner.

Everton's closest effort came courtesy of Deulofeu, however, as he danced past a number of challenges before firing a low shot just past the post. The Spaniard has been the player who looks most likely to create something for the hosts.

One talking point from the first half came when Sam Allardyce chose to bring off Carlton Cole in favour of Andy Carroll after just 27 minutes. Allardyce had decided to stick with a winning formula in keeping Cole up front ahead of the returning Carroll, but it took less than half an hour for him to change his mind. Cole was certainly not happy about the tactical switch at first, but he has since reportedly shaken hands with Allardyce and there don't appear to be any hard feelings.

Everton had a whopping 77% possession in that first half, but they only managed one shot on target throughout. That ratio will need to improve if the Toffees are to return to winning ways in the league, but a stubborn West Ham defence will not make it easy for them. SO far they have shown little signs of conceding for just the second time in their last six games.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Martinez make a change or two sooner rather than later. Naismith has made a couple of decent runs up front but this match is screaming out for a physical presence like Lukaku, who could bully the defence. The driving runs of Barkley from midfield could also make a difference should the Everton boss decide to use him.

KICKOFF: West Ham get us back underway for the second half. No changes for either side at the break but I expect Martinez to make one if things don't change soon. The visitors, of course, have already made one.

OFF THE POST! Almost a perfect start to the half for the hosts! They come flying out of the blocks through Baines on the left and he pulls the ball back to Pienaar inside the box. The South African produces a lovely measured first-time effort, but it comes back off the foot of the post. It bounces to Deulofeu, but his strike is scuffed and Adrian is able to make the save.

West Ham cause problems at the other end of the pitch as Everton struggle to deal with a cross into the box. Nolan is sniffing about for any scraps, but the hosts eventually manage to scramble it clear. Very quick start to this half from both sides.

UPDATE: It has also been a bright start to the second half from Hull at the KC Stadium. Curtis Davies has pulled a goal back for them and they now trail Newcastle 2-1.

Baines and Deulofeu link up on the left before giving it to Barry on the edge of the box. He fakes a shot and slips it into the box instead, finding Pienaar who goes down too easily for the keeper's liking. Moments later Baines once again finds Pienaar in the box, but this time his effort is high and wide from a very similar position to when he hit the post.

Both sides have begun this second half with a lot more attacking intent than they showed in the first. Everton have enjoyed the best chances at the start of the half, but the Hammers are also committing a decent amount of players forward when they attack.

Osman carries the ball a long way through midfield, but it is great tracking back from Noble. He follows Osman the whole way and finally gets a chance to make the sliding tackle on the edge of the box after Demel held the Everton man up.

SAVE! Howard hasn't had much to do today, but he reacts well here. A poor touch from Stones allowed Carroll to lash a stinging drive towards goal from 25 yards, but Howard was on hand to parry it over the top for a corner. It was straight at the keeper, but it had enough power on it to make it a difficult one to deal with.

CLOSE! The Hammers threaten again here as Stone slips inside the box, giving Nolan the glimmer of space he needs. He cuts inside the area onto his right foot before curling a measured effort just past the post. That was not far away at all.

Lukaku is prowling the touchline now and it doesn't look like it will be long before the big striker makes his return to the Everton team. That will give the West Ham defence a whole new challenge to deal with, assuming he will replace Naismith.

EVERTON SUB: In fact, it is Leon Osman who makes way for Lukaku, which means that Naismith is likely to drop a little deeper in the hole behind the Belgian.

UPDATE: There has been a goal in the West London derby, and it has gone the way of league leaders Chelsea, Andre Schurrle giving the Blues the lead against Fulham. Newcastle have also restored their two-goal lead over Hull, Sissoko grabbing his second of the game to make it 3-1 at the KC Stadium.

SHOT! Deulofeu has looked most likely to make something happen today and he comes close again here, cutting inside his man before whipping an effort towards the far post. He just can't get enough curl on his effort, however, and it ends up flying a few yards wide.

UPDATE: Chelsea have now doubled their lead against local rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage. It is a second of the game for Schurrle, and the leaders look set to extend their lead at the top as things stand.

WEST HAM SUB: Allardyce makes his second change of the afternoon as Jarvis trots off to be replaced by Mohamed Diame. Carroll, meanwhile, takes the opportunity to run to the bench and have what looks like a dislocated finger put back in place.

CHANCE! Huge chance for the hosts as Baines whips a fantastic delivery into the area from a free kick that Distin meets. He is at full stretch to get his boot on the end of it, and as a result can only turn the ball away from goal instead of helping it on.

Lukaku does really well down the left, showing strength and pace to make room for a dangerous cross into the box. Tomkins is in a good position to cut it out, but he slices his clearance badly. Luckily for him, it flies to safety and not into his own net. That one could have gone anywhere.

SHOT! Great play from Carroll in the box as he holds off Distin, chests the ball down and lays it off to Noble on the edge of the box. Taylor is also in close attendance, but it is Noble who shoots, sending his effort well over the bar.

EVERTON SUB: Deulofeu has looked like Everton's most consistently dangerous player today, but his afternoon is over as he is replaced by Aiden McGeady. Still no Barkley or Mirallas.

SHOT! Carroll and Nolan link up well as the former flicks the ball on to his mate before receiving the return pass immediately. He hits a powerful effort towards goal from 20 yards, but it flies a couple of yards over the bar.

UPDATE: There have been two more goals in what is proving to be an action-packed second half at Craven Cottage. First, Schurrle completed his hat-trick to give Chelsea a 3-0 lead, but Heitinga has since pulled a goal back for Fulham. Elsewhere, Stoke have taken the lead against Arsenal at the Britannia thanks to a Jonathan Walters penalty. The Gunners are in trouble there.

Carroll has been a a real nuisance he came on in the 27th minute. It was a questionable decision from Allardyce, but the former Liverpool striker has certainly had an impact in this game. The Everton defence have struggled to deal with him.

WEST HAM SUB: The visitors make their third and final change of the match as Guy Demel makes way for Winston Reid. I think it is fair to say that Allardyce would be happy with a goalless draw here.

There is the breakthrough! Again Baines threatens down the left, moving into the area before playing a square ball across the area. West Ham are so deep that none of the defenders are blocking the space around the penalty spot, leaving Lukaku free to slot home. What a way to announce your return from injury.

That goal has galvanised Everton and they are now going forward in search of more. Lukaku almost supplies another with a sharp turn before flashing a volley over the crossbar.

EVERTON SUB: Naismith has put in a good shift today, and he gets a decent ovation as he makes way for Ross Barkley for the final five minutes of this match.

Everton have done really well to keep the pressure on since taking the lead. They have not sat back and tried to protect their advantage despite the temptation to do so. Instead, they have resumed control of the ball and are playing no different to how they were before Lukaku's goal.

Nice play from Barkley as he skips past Noble to carry him into a shooting position. He just about manages to get the ball out from under his feet before firing a bouncing effort wide of the near post.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

YELLOW CARD! Baines goes into the book late on for a trip on Carroll. West Ham have a free kick in a good position, but Downing's delivery is too close to Howard, who gathers comfortably.

This is not one of Lukaku's better effort. He carries the ball in from the left flank and moves into a shooting position, but his eventual strike ends up high and wide of the mark.

The referee brings an end to the match as West Ham's remarkable run of form finishes with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Everton. It wasn't the most entertaining of matches, although the second half was a significant improvement on the first. The Toffees return to winning ways and move back into sixth in the table with the three points.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match between Everton and West Ham as the Toffees begin March with a victory to lift them back above Manchester United in the table. Stay tuned for our match report and analysis, both of which will be on site shortly. Also be sure to change over to the day's late kickoff as Southampton host Liverpool. You can find that here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!