West Ham v Everton, Carling Cup preview (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

West Ham v Everton, Carling Cup preview

4:05pm Tuesday 11th December 2007 in West Ham By Guardian-series

West Ham v Everton, Wednesday, December 12, 7.45pm.
Carling Cup quarter final

LAST TIME AT UPTON PARK: West Ham 1 Everton 0 (21-04-07, Barclays Premiership) HEAD-TO-HEAD: West Ham 32 wins, Everton 51 wins, 21 draws FORM: Everton have been in red-hot form of late after going on a ten-game unbeaten run.

Like West Ham, the Toffees beat lower league opposition to reach the cup quarter final stages, overcoming Sheffield Wednesday and Luton.

DANGER MAN: Big money signing Yakubu has a lot to live up to following his £11.25 million switch from Middlesborough. The Nigerian-born forward (pictured) banged in a hat trick against Fulham at the weekend and is the Toffees leading goalscorer this season with nine goals. FUN FACT: There are several theories behind the origin of Everton's most famous nickname - the Toffees.

The most well known comes from Mother Noblett's Toffee Shop, a sweet shop close to the club's Goodison Park home which used to sell Everton mints on matchdays.

This also led to the Toffee lady tradition which still happens today, where a girl walks around the pitch tossing the mints into the crowd before a game.

PREDICTION: West Ham 3 Everton 2