Everton aiming to avoid upset in the FA Cup as National League side Boreham Wood travel to Goodison Park

Everton will look to put their current Premier League travails to one side when they welcome National League side Boreham Wood to Goodison Park in the FA Cup Fifth Round.

The cup has been a welcome distraction for the Toffees this season as their league campaign went from one low to another after what was initially a bright start under Rafael Benitez.

Frank Lampard has since come in to replace the Spaniard and started brightly by beating Leeds United but results since then have been much the same and the Merseyside club currently sit in 17th position, just one point above the relegation zone.

Lampard’s side will be fired up to get the win after feeling robbed of a point due to a late penalty decision going against them when facing Manchester City on Saturday. Everton have since received an apology from referee’s chief Mike Riley but that will count for little should the Blues get relegated by a point.

Another motivating factor will be looking back at the year 1995. This was the last time Everton got their hands on some silverware and fans will no doubt be fed up from the taunts they have faced from the red side of the city. A first cup win in 27 years would be celebrated for a long time on Merseyside and a spot in the last eight will raise hopes further.

A home draw against the only Non-League side left in the competition is as kind as anyone could ask for but Lampard will be wary of complacency, with pressure on his side to ensure they avoid the embarrassment that would come from elimination.

Everton will be without January signings Dele Alli, Anwar El-Ghazi and Donny van de Beek who are all cup-tied. Demarai Gray will be pushing for a start on his injury comeback while we may see appearances from youngsters Tyler Onyango and Lewis Dobbin.

Boreham Wood come into this encounter with absolutely nothing to lose and will be looking to make history as only the second Non-League side to ever reach the quarter-finals.

The London-based side have yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition and have knocked out AFC Wimbledon and AFC Bournemouth in the previous two rounds.

This is the visit to a Premier League ground they will have been hoping for and defender Kane Smith in particular will be relishing the trip, being an Everton fan himself.

Luke Garrard’s men are going well in the National League and are right in the mix for promotion. A positive result here would do wonders for the collective confidence and have them believing anything is possible.

An evening cup game under the lights. Premier League against National League. This is what the FA Cup is all about.

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