Stay in control of the latest Blues news with our Everton newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Chester referee Mike Jones will take charge of Everton’s first game of the Premier League season for the second consecutive year.

Jones will be in the middle against Watford next Saturday.

The 47-year-old officiated just two Blues matches throughout the 2014/15 campaign but one was the 2-2 draw at Leicester City on the opening day.

He also did the 1-0 win over Burnley in April – handing Roberto Martinez’s side a penalty which Ross Barkley took only for it to be saved.

Jones made 117 bookings last season in 34 games, which is a pretty average 3.44 per game, and issued 10 sendings off.

His only Everton assignment the previous year was the 4-0 home victory over Stoke City on November 30 2013 while in David Moyes’ last season he presided over four Blues matches – all at Goodison – with three draws against Newcastle United (2-2), Norwich City (1-1) and Aston Villa (3-3) before another win over Stoke, 1-0.

On April 22, 2012, Jones also took charge of Everton’s memorable 4-4 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.