IT’S THE day more usually associated with winding down from the working week and looking forward to the weekend.

But for the first ordinary Friday in 30 years next week, match-day fever is set to grip the blue half of the city.

David Moyes’ men will run out at Goodison to face Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup, prompting memories of their last non-bank holiday Friday game at the Old Lady against Arsenal in 1980.

John Lennon was still alive, Margaret Thatcher was in Downing Street and ‘Going Underground’ by The Jam was top of the charts on March 28 of that year when the Blues hosted Arsenal.

That night Gordon Lee’s side, who were an unhealthy 18th in the table, slumped to a 1-0 defeat and Moyes will hope his side can avoid the miserable form of Lee’s men that year, finishing 19th just above relegation.

Back then, the unusual choice of day for the fixture was to accommodate the Grand National taking place at Aintree on the Saturday – an event which at least gave fed-up Blues a chance to recover their losses on backing Bob Latchford to sink the Gunners, if they picked out 40-1 winner Ben Nevis that is.

This time around Goodison will get that Friday feeling because of TV scheduling, so often the bane of the modern fan.

The tie with Fulham has been brought forward to avoid a clash with the Liverpool versus Manchester United fourth round grudge tie at Anfield the following day.

At least Everton could benefit from the novelty factor resulting in an increase on recent attendances.

The club are continuing their ‘£5 for kids’ ticket promotion for the game, and Goodison bosses hope supporters will defy the pre-pay day timing and turn-out in force to roar the Toffees into the next round.

One man who will be hoping to continue his good form in royal blue next Friday is Victor Anichebe, who helped the Blues secure a draw at Villa Park in their last Premier League outing.

Blues assistant manager Steve Round believes Anichebe is capable of putting his fitness problems behind him and establishing himself in what’s left of 2011/12.

“Victor is a really good player,” said Round. “He is strong and aggressive, he holds the ball up well and has great technique. He needs to score more goals and he’d admit that.

“He needs to get into more scoring positions, but he has started well (since returning from injury). He has got a couple of goals and he always looks a threat.

“The most important thing for Victor is to train and stay fit and, if he can do that for the remainder of the season, then it will be a big, big bonus for us.”