Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE text updates from Everton's mouthwatering Premier League clash with Manchester United at Goodison Park. The Blues welcome David Moyes back to Merseyside knowing a victory is imperative if they are to keep their top four hopes alive as rivals Arsenal are currently leading at Hull City.

United straight onto the attack with Juan Mata who tees up Nani for a volley... great block by Stones. That shot had some zip on it.

KICK OFF! Man United get us underway.

Here comes Moyes... Boos ring out but it's nothing too extreme. He'd have been expecting it. With that out of the way, it's time for the football...

The pre-match focus is going to be all about Moyes' return and the plethora of photographers gathering by the dugouts illustrates as much. After that, it's a battle between two of English football's most traditional sides with a rich history of success in years gone by as well as the hunt for European places this season.

STAT: Everton have won just two of their last 18 league games at home to Manchester United.

Moyes has struggled to find the right formula for United this season and the lack of consistency in his team selection will no doubt have played a part.

The Blues could well have to start looking over their shoulder if they lose today. Spurs are just three point below them in sixth, while United are nine points behind with a game in hand. A win at Goodison would put the Red Devils within striking distance of a Europa berth.

You'd have to fancy Arsenal in the battle for fourth. The Gunners' remaining matches: Newcastle (H), West Brom (H), Norwich (a).... /// Everton's final three games after today: Southampton (a), Man City (H), Hull (a).

This game is a close one to call. Everton were in magnificent form prior to the defeat to Palace while United have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Fancy a flutter? The odds are quite tight: Everton 6/4; Manchester United 21/10; Draw 5/2.

LATEST: Hull 0-3 Arsenal. Just under 10 minutes remaining at the KC Stadium. The Gunners look set to move four points clear of Everton in fourth spot. The gauntlet has been well and truly laid down by Arsene Wenger's men in that battle for the final Champions League berth.

As for Everton, youngster John Stones retains his place at the heart of the defence as captain Phil Jagielka is still ruled out. James McCarthy returns in midfield and Romelu Lukaku will once again lead the line. The last time the on-loan Chelsea star faced United as a home player he grabbed a hat-trick (WBA 5-5 Man United).

Wayne Rooney will lead the line for Man United and skippers the Red Devils against his former club after his much-publicised toe injury. He assumes the armband in the absence of Nemanja Vidic who is replaced by Jonny Evans at centre back. Alex Buttner steps in for Patrice Evra at left back while Nani is also involved following a season plagued by injury. Ex-Blues midfielder, Marouane Fellaini is left on the bench.

David Moyes: "The game is not about me, it's about Everton and Manchester United. I was proud to be manager of Everton at that time but my job now is to make sure I get a result for Manchester United. The fans were always terrific in my time there, they were very supportive and always right behind the team. We had some really big games there at times and they'll be supporting the team like the Manchester United supporters have for their team."

Someone forgot to remind the fans that met the United team bus re. Martinez's comments about Moyes. The Scot was greeted by pantomime boos as he made his way from the champions' team coach and into the tunnel towards the changing rooms. He looked a bit embarrassed by it all.

Roberto Martinez: "Facing the champions is a big enough reason to be excited and to make sure we've got the best possible environment at Goodison. Having the opportunity to do the double on United is something that is not easy to achieve, and then the return of David Moyes. We are a club full of integrity and style, we are a proper football club, so we will show the respect to David Moyes and what he's done at our football club."

THE RACE FOR FOURTH: As it stands, Arsenal will hold a four point lead over Everton before the Toffees kick off against United. It's currently 3-0 to the Gunners.

TEAMS - EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Distin, Stones, Coleman, McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Naismith, Lukaku... Subs: Robles, Hibbert, McGeady, Deulofeu, Osman, Garbutt, Alcaraz. /// MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Buttner, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Mata, Kagawa, Rooney... Subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Hernandez, Welbeck, Valencia, Fellaini, Januzaj.