Everton will have had a 10-day break by the time they play Arsenal this weekend.
That’s because Everton’s clash against Liverpool was postponed on Saturday due to Storm Darragh, leaving both sides with a blank gameweek.
The Merseyside derby is likely to be rescheduled for mid-February, so Sean Dyche’s must turn their immediate focus to this weekend’s game against Arsenal.
Everton will travel down to the capital towards the end of the week in preparation for the 3pm kick-off at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
And, the Premier League have just confirmed the referee who will be stewarding the winter affair.
Dyche and Everton fans may not be best pleased.
Craig Pawson appointed for Arsenal vs Everton
The Premier League have confirmed that Craig Pawson will be the referee for Everton’s game against Arsenal on Saturday.
- Referee – Craig Pawson
- Linesman – Eddie Smart, Con Hatzidakis
- Fourth official – Andrew Kitchen
- VAR – Paul Tierney
- Assistant VAR – Dan Cook
Everton fans won’t have fond memories of Pawson after his refereeing display against Newcastle at Goodison Park earlier this season,
Pawson didn’t award Everton a penalty when Dan Burn blatantly fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the area and Dyche certainly made his feelings known about the decision post-match.
“Everyone knows our record of not getting penalties, we don’t get one again and you are left frustrated with that,” Dyche told Sky Sports.
“He’s trying to finish it, the ball’s there to be finished and he’s trying to finish it. The player (Burn) I don’t think can get the ball and interrupts the (strike).
“Let’s put it this way, an easy way to put it for everyone who wants to listen: if that’s in the middle of the pitch, do you think that’s given as a foul? Because I think everyone would say absolutely, 100 per cent.”
Pawson record vs Everton
Everton have a truly awful record when Pawson takes charge of their games and he’s shown five red cards to them over the years.
| Games | 27 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 7 |
| Losses | 15 |
| Red cards | 5 |
| Penalty kicks given against | 4 |
Everton have failed to win the last eight matches Pawson has refereed, with seven of those being defeats.
The last game The Toffees won with him in charge was in May 2022, when they defeated Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.
So supporters will be hopeful Pawson can bring a change in fortunes this time around.
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