Two Everton fixtures moved for television including final Goodison Park game for club hero

The kick-off times for Everton's home game with Arsenal and trip to Chelsea have both been moved for television coverage

Everton have been handed a couple of early starts against London opposition following the latest series of fixture changes for television coverage. Originally the Blues’ home game with Arsenal on April 5 and their trip to Chelsea on April 26 were both 3pm kick-offs.

The matches will retain their original dates but due to coverage on TNT Sports, they have both been moved to 12:30pm slots like David Moyes’ side’s most recent home game last Saturday when Everton drew 2-2 with Manchester United. The visit of the Gunners will mark former Blues fans’ favourite Mikel Arteta’s final visit to Goodison Park and although his side remain second in the Premier League table, despite having a game in hand on Liverpool, they are now 13 points adrift of the leaders with 11 games left to play.

Fifth-placed Chelsea are a further eight points adrift of Arsenal but also pushing for a Champions League spot. Everton’s last visit to Stamford Bridge – on a Monday night – proved to be the low point of last season as Sean Dyche’s men were thrashed 6-0 on April 15 but the latest visit to the capital will be an early start for Merseyside-based supporters.

The Blues, who are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League fixtures, are currently on a warm weather training trip to Abu Dhabi and return to action at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday March 8 (8pm) with the kick-off again changed for TNT coverage. The Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton on Wednesday April 2 remains an 8pm kick-off but will now be shown on Sky Sports.