EVERTON'S final home match of the season is a must-win - for all the right reasons.
Too often in the not too distant past Everton have faced final day nail-biters with their Premiership safety hingeing on the outcome.
But this weekend, for the third time in five seasons, Everton go into their last match in front of their own fans with European football the prize.
That's certainly an improvement on life before David Moyes, and victory against Portsmouth on Saturday could prove crucial.
Four years ago it was Manchester United who were the visitors on the last day, when a dubious penalty call turned the match and Blackburn snatched the UEFA Cup spot.
Two years later Newcastle were beaten in the game which effectively clinched a Champions League qualifier. Now Portsmouth are the visitors in a game which could go along way towards securing a UEFA Cup spot next season.
Whatever happens elsewhere at the weekend, an Everton win is unlikely to prove decisive.
But it would certainly rule Portsmouth out of the reckoning, leaving four teams for the three places.
But whatever the outcome, it's promising to be involved in such meaningful fixtures so late in the season.
The memory of those harrowing last matches against Wimbledon and Coventry are still a little too recent for comfort.
Everton won't know what significance Chelsea will attach to the last match of the season until their games in the next seven days are completed.
But Everton simply can't afford to think about going down there to pinch a point. They need to beat Portsmouth this Saturday.
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