BENT WARY OF PALACE

Marcus Bent returns to the scenes of one of his old stomping grounds, Selhurst Park, expecting a tough test against the Premiership new boys.

Bent, who has played for eight different clubs in six-and-a-half years, spent 12 months at Crystal Palace between January 1998 and 1999.

The Londoner scored five goals in 13 starts for the Eagles and has since followed the fortunes of his former club with great interest.

"It's a bit too early to call the Palace game a six pointer, but it's not going to be a walkover, I tell you that now," he said.

"They've got good supporters, they've got good individual young players and they're a good team. They've done really well to get promoted."

However, the 26-year-old admits that all the pressure will be on the Blues to claim their first away win of 2004 in Palace's first Premiership home game in almost six years.

"As a big team like Everton, who have been up here for years with experienced players at the club, we'll be expected to beat them," hhe continued.

"We should beat them, but football's not as easy as that. We'll have to go there and give it our all and try and get three points."

Bent made his Premiership bow for Everton last Sunday and was used as a right winger and a striker by David Moyes in his 45 minute outing.

However, he is desperate to make an impact for the Blues and is hoping that he will be given the chance on Saturday.

"Hopefully I did enough when I came on to make a start against Palace," he said.

"It was disappointing last week. You want to start every week especially against teams like Arsenal."