You can keep your pretty intricate passing, sometimes you need the big ball over the top. Ross Barkley pings it 45 yards over the top into space, brilliant ball, Steven Naismith gallops on to it on the left and cuts it back inches ahead of the onrushing Romelu Lukaku. The crowd appreciate that one. Get it forward!

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"You can definitely sense a nervousness around Goodison tonight.

"I've seen them a lot recently and they've played some good football but what fans demand and expect is to play quicker up to Romelu Lukaku, so he can use his pace and strength.

"They're a lot more expansive this year, so when you give the ball away, one pass and you're exposed."

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Ross Barkley has started well in this deeper role than usual, wants the ball all the time and using it neatly. Everton do look a bit short of confidence though. A few players have played it backwards when there was the chance to get it up to Romelu Lukaku.

Corner worked neatly again, the ball is half cleared by Leighton Baines and QPR winger Matty Phillips fires in a shot on the bounce, he tops it a bit off the instep and the ball spins narrowly over the top. Good effort, a difficult ball to strike.

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Pretty even start with both sides moving the ball neatly and nicely. Yun Suk-young is then tripped and QPR do win a free-kick. Eduardo Vargas whips it in and Richard Dunne flicks an effort off a defender for a corner.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"I've played in plenty of Goodison Park night games and the atmosphere is usually electric but it's a little bit quiet at the moment. You can sense a bit of the tension.

"QPR are flooding players forwards at the moment and it looks like something they've worked on."

It's a bit tense and nervy at Goodison Park - but that gets the crowd going! Muhamed Besic wins the ball back with a cracking tackle, firm but fair. Joey Barton then clips Seamus Coleman but somehow Everton don't get the free-kick. Surely a foul?

Eduardo Vargas has QPR's first shot of the night, right into the small of Leighton Baines' back. A stinger on a cold night.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

"It's a big night for Muhamed Besic and Ross Barkley in midfield. Both are more used to playing as part of a three, so they will have to be disciplined to keep their shape.

"The key for QPR is to stop Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman. If you stop them, you will stop a lot of the Everton attacks."

Ross Barkley does offer something in that deep role that Gareth Barry or James McCarthy don't - he can dribble. Barkley immediately carries the ball 30 yards or more with the ball at his feet. Attacking endeavour from the middle - but he needs to also stay disciplined.

Here we go! Under way at Goodison Park.

Is there a more heavily tattooed player than Muhamed Besic? Good lord. Puts Martin Skrtel to shame...

Referee Neil Swarbrick clutches the matchball from the heavily sponsored plinth. Goodison stands to applaud its heroes. Here we go...

Man in a Father Christmas fake beard? Tick.

Image source, Getty Images

Almost time for kick-off. Almost time for Christmas.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

On the sparkling form of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea: "He's improved his physicality. When he came to England, he was like a stick-thin lad but he's done a lot of good work in the gym to improve.

"He realised he had to change his game from being just a shot-stopper to commanding his box.

"He's winning games on his own. I played with Peter Schmeichel who did that and you can count a few occasions already this season where De Gea's done it."

With both full-backs bombing on and Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Aiden McGeady all behind Romelu Lukaku, Everton could be left wide open in midfield tonight.

Will Ross Barkley fill in like the missing James McCarthy or Gareth Barry? Every instinct in his body will be to get forwards...

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

On whether Manchester United can win the Premier League: "Yes they can.

"There's two reasons: I didn't believe it until last Monday against Southampton. It wasn't during the game, because they weren't very convincing, but what happened afterwards. The players went to the away end to applaud the fans and Louis Van Gaal was there and Ryan Giggs was there.

"All of a sudden, they're showing that indomitable spirit and that takes you far. I've been part of teams that have won titles because of that spirit. They've got momentum and you never know.

"They've also got the firepower. There are similarities with Liverpool last season: No Champions League, the firepower and they have to improve defensively. Liverpool didn't win the league last season but United have got some players who have experience of winning the title.

"When it comes to March and April, they've still got players who have won league titles and been across that line."

Goodison Park beginning to fill up as the Salvation Army band take to the pitch. Harold Bishop will enjoy that one.

Looks a cold, wet evening on Merseyside as the rain teems down. Goals on the cards? Let's hope so.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Besic, Barkley, McGeady, Naismith, Mirallas, Lukaku. Subs: Robles, Eto'o, Kone, Pienaar, Stones, Garbutt, Alcaraz.

QPR: Green, Isla, Onuoha, Dunne, Yun, Phillips, Mutch, Barton, Fer, Hoilett, Vargas. Subs: Ferdinand, Hill, Wright-Phillips, McCarthy, Kranjcar, Henry, Zamora.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Christopher Uche Uwaonu: Nemanja Matic will do well as a bouncer, he shields the back four with relative ease, his absence was obviously felt at Newcastle.

Michael Campbell'New: Steven Gerrard should be a waiter because he always hands it on a plate.