Joleon Lescott's back to his best: Everton FC Latest
Apr 1 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today hailed Joleon Lescott’s return to top form – and hopes he gets another England cap to show for his efforts. The Everton defender will be on the bench again tonight, along with Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines, for England’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley. It represents a quick turnaround in Lescott’s international fortunes as Fabio Capello had dropped him for the February friendly against Spain in Seville. Lescott, however, has knuckled down since suffering that disappointment and he has undoubtedly been one of Everton’s top performers during the past four months. And if he maintains those standards, Moyes believes he will help the Blues sprint rather than stumble to the finishing line. “Everyone knows that Joleon didn’t start the season well and his form was not what he wanted it to be by any means,” said Moyes. “He expected better of himself but all credit to him; I’ve seen his form improve dramatically over the last few months and he’s become a really important player again. “Up until we lost at Portsmouth, we’d been on a good run and Joleon, like Mikel Arteta, was a big part of making that happen. “We want the good performances and form to continue.”With Capello partnering Rio Ferdinand and John Terry together in the centre of England’s defence, as well as sticking with Ashley Cole and Glenn Johnson on the flanks, the best Everton’s Three Lions can hope for is a run out from the bench. However, even if Lescott, Jagielka and Baines do not end up getting any playing time, Moyes believes the experience of simply training under Capello’s gaze for the last eight days will have done them the world of good.
“I think it’s great they are in the squad,” said Moyes. “I know Jags and Joleon are really keen to be involved in the set up and haven’t been too disheartened about not playing yet. “It’s Bainesy’s first call up and there is no doubt that he will benefit from being around those good players every day.” Moyes also feels Everton can use that trio’s ambitions of playing for England in next summer’s World Cup finals to their advantage. “If Bainesy continues to work hard, you never know – he may be the one who breaks through next year,” said the manager. “The fact we have three in there shows these boys are doing well. “First of all, you have to earn your right to be in the team here and they have all done that. Now we hope they can continue to push on.”

Coleman may deliver goods
Apr 1 2009 by Paul Snowdon, Liverpool Echo
JUST watching Ireland U21s v Spain, and the right back is an Everton player called Seamus Coleman. He looks composed and quick with the ball and a tough tackler.
His only problem I have seen is his desire to race up the wing all the time and neglect his defensive duties. Being a tad short, maybe he could play as a wide man?
Stdomingo57 DOES anyone have information about the crowd records at Goodison Park? The biggest crowd I can remember being a part of was the last home game we ever played in the old Second Division. We beat Birmingham City 1-0. I remember Gilbert Merrick being in goal for the Brummies. I think we went to Oldham the following Tuesday and clinched promotion. I have an idea that last home game in the Second Division drew a crowd of over 70,000? There must be some historian out there who kept all the details? I recollect the all-time record at Goodison being 78,000+. Details please? two bob Ed's note: The match you are talking about drew a gate of 62,865. The Goodison record of 78,299 was set against Liverpool in September 1948. NOW is the time for Everton to move for Michael Owen.
His contract with Newcastle ends this summer and he could be a superb replacement for Louis Saha. His wages may be an issue but his quality and the fact he is still only 28 make up for that. The player himself would surely be interested in a move back to the North West Mike Hobson

Blue Boys: Blues are on a high after Conor strike
Apr 2 2009 Liverpool Echo
NEIL DEWSNIP admits confidence is high in his under-18s squad ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Bolton in the FA Premier Academy League. The Blues extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-0 victory at Leeds which lifted them above Liverpool in the table. Schoolboys Jordan Barrow, Tom Donaghan and Adam Cummins all made their academy debuts and Conor McAleny’s first-half goal was enough to give Everton the points. Coach Dewsnip said: "We had a very young team again so I’m absolutely delighted with the performance and the result.
"We had five schoolboys playing – Ross Barkley, Jake Bidwell, Jordan Barrow, Adam Cummins and Tom Donaghan – with the last two coming on as subs and playing for the first time. "They acquitted themselves well and it bodes well for the future.
"They’re young players but they have shown that they can handle playing at under-18 level." The winner came on 25 minutes as McAleny tapped home from close range following a quick free-kick by Tom McCready and a cross from Karl Sheppard.
Everton should have scored more but Lewis Codling wasted chances and Sheppard also went close. Dewsnip added: "They never really threatened our goal, apart from the odd corner, throughout the whole game. We were worthy winners in the end."
Lee McArdle’s knee injury is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season but Dewsnip is hoping the Blues can maintain their revival over the final four games.
"Hopefully we have gone through the time when we weren’t getting the results because we had to change the team around," he added. "A couple of months ago we knew the team we wanted to pick, but for a variety of different factors we couldn’t.
"We have rebuilt and the lads who are coming in are younger but they are taking their opportunities which is wonderful. "We are looking forward to each match at the moment. The young lads have earned the right to play and all things being equal they will keep going."
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Davies; Barrow (Cummins 80), Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; McAleny, McCready, Kinsella, Powell (Donaghan 75); Codling, Sheppard.
BAXTER is set for euros
JOSE BAXTER helped England Under-17s go through their European hampionships elite qualifying round campaign with a 100% record. The Everton youngster played his part in the wins over Portugal and Serbia which secured England’s passage to the finals. Manager John Peacock opted to ring the changes for Monday’s final game against Hungary and Baxter was an unused substitute for the 2-0 win. Goals from Benik Afobe and Jacob Walcott, cousin of England senior international Theo, were enough to beat the hosts. England have qualified for the last eight of the competition to be held in Germany in May.

German striker reveals his love of Everton
Apr 2 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
GERMANY’S promising under 19 striker, Lewis Holtby, has revealed he would love to play for boyhood club Everton one day. Holtby, who has a Liverpool-born father, is currently helping Alemannia Aachen’s attempt to win promotion to the Bundesliga.
The performances of the exciting 18-year-old have attracted the attention of both Schalke 04 and PSV Eindhoven. But Holtby has rubbished reports claiming he is joining Schalke in the summer. He is also steering well clear of revealing any future plans, apart from confessing his desire to play for The Toffees. “I am not willing to make any statements regarding my future beyond the end of the season right now, but it is a fact that I will not join Schalke,” he told a German newspaper. “If I ever get the chance to play in the Premier League one day, I would love to join Everton who are my favourite club.”

Graham Stuart: Don’t fear Man United at Wembley
Apr 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
NOTHING would give Graham Stuart greater satisfaction this summer if his place in Evertonian affections slipped a few rungs. He, of course, was a member of the last side from Goodison Park to win a piece of silverware in 1995 and only the width of a crossbar prevented him being Everton’s match winner against Manchester United, rather than Paul Rideout. To this day, each member of Joe Royle’s side continues to be revered but Stuart hopes that the current class change that by lifting the FA Cup themselves. Stuart recalled: “Everyone was talking about what Spurs were going to do to us in the semi-final but we absolutely crushed them. “We played really good football. We might have had a few tough characters but we also played football and had a great camaraderie. “I wouldn’t claim for a minute to know any of the boys there now that well but I get the sense they’ve got that spirit too. I just desperately hope they can go on and win it.” If Phil Neville is to get his hands on the famous old pot, Everton are going to have to defy the odds against United in the last four later this month but Stuart sees no reason why history can’t repeat itself. “Semi-final day is tough,” he said. “You’ve worked so hard to get there but it can be undone in 90 minutes; it’s a horrible situation – so much to gain, so much to lose. “You just can’t play with any fear. Go out there and enjoy it for what it is. It doesn’t matter what team you are playing, just give it everything that you have got. “I would hate to watch that game and see Manchester United dictate it. I’m not talking about being gung-ho. But we can still be positive and affect the game.”

Phil Jagielka: My England relief
Apr 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA today expressed his relief after Fabio Capello’s late gestured reassured him of his place in the England squad. The Blues defender came on as a late substitute for Rio Ferdinand in the 2-1 Wembley win over Ukraine last night to win his third cap under Capello. It was, though, the first time Jagielka had played in a competitive game for England and it provided him with a major boost given what had happened in most recent appearance. Jagielka was worried his mistake in the 2-0 defeat against Spain would see him axed from the World Cup qualifier, so Capello’s decision to send him on at the end was well received. “I thought Michael Carrick was being brought on to shore up the midfield but when Rio went down, I knew another defender would be coming on,” said Jagielka “It might have only been for a few minutes but it’s always nice to get an extra cap, especially in game that meant as much as this one did. “He (Capello) has got faith in everybody that he picks, you know that. If he picks you for a game or selects you for a squad, it’s not because he wants to do you a favour. “He just wants to win football matches and will pick the players he feels will do that.” Last night’s appearance was Jagielka’s first competitive action for England and he said: “It was massive to be called up for this one. “I would have been gutted if I’d missed out, particularly after what had happened against Spain.
“If for some reason I’d have ended up being out of the squad for a long time, I might have started to wonder what was going to happen and been a bit nervous in the future about being selected. “But thankfully that’s not been the case. It’s been a long trip, although it was made easier by the fact that Joleon and Bainesy were here.
“Now, though, it’s back to Everton. We’ve got an important game coming up against Wigan and the three of us are itching to get going again, as we’ve got a lot to play for.” Meanwhile, Australia head coach Pim Verbeek has promised Everton that Tim Cahill will return to Everton in top shape after he sat out the Socceroos 2-0 win over Uzbekistan yesterday. “I think Everton can be very grateful to our medical staff who did their job because when he arrived here he could hardly walk (because of a calf injury),” said Verbeek. “This time they will be happy with us, normally they aren't happy with us, but this time they will be.”

Goodison focus: Graham Stuart recalls dramatic Wimbledon game
Apr 2 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
Graham Stuart after Everton's last-day escape against Wimbledon in 1994 300
GRAHAM STUART puffs out his cheeks and wearily rubs his chin as he weighs up how time is galloping by, before asking the inevitable question: “Has it really been that long?” The simple answer, of course, is ‘yes’; though Stuart can remember it like yesterday, the shock when he realises that almost 15 years have passed since he scored the goals that cemented his place in Everton folklore is evident. Known to Blues far and wide as ‘Diamond’, not even a chest full of the gems after which Stuart is nicknamed would come close to matching the worth of his double strike against Wimbledon on May 7, 1994. Had he not delivered that fateful day at Goodison Park, there is every reason to believe a grand, old institution of British football would never have been the same again. That is not lost on the man himself. You would imagine that becoming the hero on such a momentous day would leave an eternal warm glow of satisfaction but ask Stuart, who is now 38, to discuss the emotions which those goals trigger and you would, perhaps, be in for a surprise. Rather than look back with overwhelming satisfaction, it proved to be a bittersweet experience and one that he, like every Evertonian, is thrilled the club are unlikely to be put through such misery and nerve shredding drama again. “You know what it’s like up here,” said Stuart, who was born in London but now classes Liverpool as home. “The fans are hugely passionate and it’s nice to be reminded about it. But 15 years? I’m starting to feel ancient now. It certainly doesn’t seem that long ago. “I love talking about football and when I’m with Evertonians, the things that always come up are the goals against Wimbledon and then (winning the FA Cup in) 1995. Whenever I’m asked about it, I always say the same thing – it was one of the best and worst days of my life.”
Sentiments with which many who took every possible vantage point around Goodison back then would agree; after all, a club that has nine league titles etched indelibly on its honours’ board should never have been in such a position. That’s why Stuart is hugely reassured now when he looks at the current regime; sure Everton may not have the financial power of some clubs in the Premier League nor could the ground be described as the smartest but they command huge respect.Would that have been the case had it been they, rather than Sheffield United, who fell through the trapdoor?
When you consider some of the clubs who have tumbled out of the Premier League in recent years and the subsequent travails they have endured, it makes Everton’s flirtation with the drop all the more harrowing. Stuart shudders when he weighs up the consequences of what might have been had he missed from the penalty spot or Barry Horne’s blockbuster gone wide of the far post rather than into the top corner.
“I have seen people celebrate Cup wins less passionately,” he recalled. “It rattles me a little bit. The whole thing does. I hate the fact that we were even in that position to start with because it tells me that we must have been pretty woeful for the whole of the season. “I don’t remember too much about the fine details leading up to the game. All I knew was that we had control of matters in our own hands. I was in a similar situation with Charlton a few years later, the difference being we couldn’t control our destiny. “Happily there has been a huge turnaround since then. But I look back and the thing which frightens me the most when I think about the situation is ‘what if’; just look at some of the clubs who went down in the following years. Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest; Manchester City were in the third division at one point. Big clubs who, in the main, have not come back and it frightens me that it could have been Everton. “It scares the living daylights out of me in fact. That’s why it was so important that we got through that day. For 20 minutes it looked like that might not be the case, so the biggest plus I take from it all is the fact we never went over the edge.” Thankfully, the story in which the affable Stuart played a central role had a happy ending and he feels that beating Wimbledon was actually the jolt which revived the club into life again, the first step on the journey that has taken them back into the country’s top six. “Slowly but surely we have pushed on again,” said Stuart, who scored 37 goals in 161 appearances for Everton. “That was a huge day the club. Just have a look at the supporters – we haven’t really looked back in terms of attendances. “It shook everyone to the core about what could have been lost and I think attendances have picked up from that season onwards. Everybody has pushed in the right direction and though it has taken a while, you can tell progression has been made. “We are getting nearer to that top four; we are playing in Europe on a consistent basis and we have now got the semi-final coming up. “Everything is set up really nicely. We just need to push that little bit more to get a piece of silverware.”
That he refers to Everton so much as ‘we’ gives an indication of his affections for the club; Stuart may have been born in Tooting and still talks with an unmistakable Cockney brogue but there is no doubting where his affections lie. “When I was playing for Charlton, I bought a house up here because I knew I would be coming back one day irrespective of what went on,” he said. “I enjoy it here immensely, I live out by the coast… I just love it. There’s only one club for me. “The days I spent at Goodison were the happiest of my career. Don’t get me wrong; I had a great time at Chelsea and had a magnificent upbringing there. But Everton is just a special club; it’s a still place, it gets to you. Once you‘ve played here, you don’t forget it.”

Yakubu expected to complete rehabilitation in France
Apr 2 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON striker Ayegbeni Yakubu is expected to complete his rehabilitation from long-term injury in France. The Nigerian forward ruptured his Achilles tendon at White Hart Lane in November. He underwent surgery and was instantly ruled out for the rest of the season. But the final stage of his recovery process is expected to take place in France. A source close to the player said that Yakubu will soon visit French specialists to have a final look at the long-term injury. "He has booked an appointment with a top specialist, who was recommended to him by a friend, for the final phase of his rehabilitation," said the source. Yakubu suffered the injury in an innocuous collision during the Barclays Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur.
At the time of the injury Yakubu was the Blues’ top scorer. But in his absence boss David Moyes engineered a variety of makeshift striking options which have kept the club pushing hard for a place in Europe.

The Jury: Everton Fans on the latest goings on at Goodison
Apr 2 2009 Liverpool Echo
RICHARD KNIGHTS, West Derby
IT’S been a strange week, after the matches coming thick and fast we’ve had the hiatus of the internationals. I’m not a great England fan, partly because you’re suddenly expected to ‘support’ various Chelsea and Manchester United players (no I’m not going to cheer the Croxteth traitor, whose name we never mention). Still, good to see Jagielka, Lescott and Baines making the squad, even if they only warmed the bench. Wigan isn’t the most exciting fixture and I’ll refrain from mentioning the quality of the pies, that funny shaped ball they chase after, unnatural attachments to ovine ungulates and the non-existent pier. but with home crowds averaging below 20,000 you’ve got to admire the job that Steve Bruce has done and credit to someone who can make Titus Bramble look a halfway decent defender. To step over other high spending clubs and be in with a chance of European football must command respect.
We’ll need to step up a gear after the Portsmouth defeat. Injuries forced us to play what I’d call two ‘luxury strikers’ – one is an indulgence, two was a disaster.
DEBBIE SMAJE, Upholland
IT’S far too easy to get caught up in the excitement of Wembley, and even a big league game at Villa next week, but before that, it’s important not to underestimate Wigan. Getting back into Europe isn’t a foregone conclusion, either via the league or cup, so it’s important that we beat the teams around us. I think the team definitely underestimated Portsmouth in our last league game. Wigan have won the last two games, and should they get something from the game at the weekend, we will be looking nervously over our shoulder, rather than looking upwards towards catching Villa. Our home form has been excellent since Christmas, but our away form has stuttered since Arteta’s injury. With that in mind, it’s even more important that we keep up our winning streak at home. We are finally starting to get a few players back, with Cahill hopefully fit again, and the likes of Vaughan not too far away. We missed Cahill badly at Portsmouth and in the second half against Stoke. The sooner we get him back, the better.
DAVIS WALLBANK, Huyton
FINGERS crossed that Everton’s international representatives come back to Goodison injury free, as a massive game awaits the blues this Sunday. Wigan will visit Merseyside full of confidence and will be aiming just as Portsmouth did last time out to complete a double over the Blues. Steve Bruce has done a fantastic job since taking over at the Latics, and Everton will have to be on top form to get the right result.
The FA Cup has to be put to the back of our minds for the time being because the opportunity is still in front of Everton to push further up the table. I purposely avoid mentioning Champions League football, as Arsenal are currently flying at the moment. But I would take great satisfaction in catching Aston Villa and securing fifth.
Saha could be the difference between the sides this Sunday, barring any late fitness issues; he is the stand out player that can turn a game and win you all three points.
TONY SCOTT, Walton
A MONDAY night trip to Wigan on a cold November night was probably the turning point for Everton’s fantastic season so far. The majority of Everton players have more than redeemed themselves since that horror show. A win on Sunday and a massive result against Aston Villa will guarantee us European football for the fourth time in the last five seasons which isn’t bad for a small club. Next stop after that it’s Wembley staduim and any Evertonian who is just going for the day out needs to have a word with themselves. We are Everton football club and we’re extremely proud of it. We wont lie down and die to anybody especially Manchester United and the players and fans will go down to Wembley and fight tooth and nail for our great club to send us back down there on May 30th.

David Moyes tells Everton to show some style
Apr 3 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has challenged his players to turn on the style and make amends for their worst performance of the season when Wigan visit on Sunday.
Though Everton have bounced back in style from that hugely frustrating night at The JJB Stadium when they lost 1-0 in November, Moyes has not forgotten the experience. But the manager is determined to turn it into a positive and will urge his squad to take a step nearer to qualifying for Europe by putting right the wrongs of earlier in the season. Added to that, he also wants to see an immediate response to the defeat Everton suffered at Portsmouth before the international break and has reminded everyone at Goodison Park that there is still room for improvement. "That was definitely the most disappointing night of the year," Moyes said today. "It is the one performance that still rankles with us – we were not at our best by a long way.
"You never want to be associated with a game or a performance like that but maybe at the time, it made the players realise that they had to pull their fingers out.
"Things have been much more positive since then and our results and the way we have played have come on considerably. We have been consistent and that has pleased me.
"Ybut you can always improve and we will be looking to do that in the final few weeks of the season – we want to get back at it after losing to Portsmouth."
Should Everton beat Wigan – the side immediately behind them in the table – it would go along way to securing a top six finish. The Blues would then be 10 points clear with seven games left. Moyes, however, is not taking anything for granted and he feels the season ending on May 24 will prevent anyone switching off before they should do.
"There is still a long way to go," he said. "You keep thinking that you are getting near to the finishing line but there is the best part of six weeks left. "We can’t afford to step off the gas. We know a win would give us a healthy lead over Wigan but we are only concentrating on ourselves just now." Wigan may have been a surprise package this season but Moyes - who won’t make any decision over the identity of his starting line-up until the return of those who have been on international duty - has been impressed with their efforts. "Steve Bruce has done a really great job with Eric Black," said Moyes. "They have got good players and kept getting results even after losing two key men in January. "I never thought for a moment that they would fall away. They are a steady club and I’m sure it will be a difficult day."

Leon Osman: Woe at Wigan ‘hurt all of us’
Apr 3 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THE journey from dressing room to team coach has invariably been one to savour for Everton’s players this season. With form, in the main, being outstanding away from Goodison Park, Evertonian day trippers have been keen to catch up with their heroes after the final whistle, asking for autographs and showering David Moyes’ squad with bouquets. Ask Leon Osman which post-match experience he remembers most, however, and a wince, quickly followed by a shake of the head, confirms it is not a happy one; for those who are unaware, it was the walk of shame out of the JJB Stadium on November 24. Having lost 1-0 to Wigan Athletic following a performance that at best could be described as abject – at worst you would label it abysmal – disgruntled Blues trudged around to the exit gate with the sole intention of venting their spleens. Nobody escaped criticism. Each member of Everton’s playing and coaching staff was left under no illusions about how short changed those who had stood in freezing conditions felt. It proved to be the nadir of the campaign. But, thankfully, things have turned around and it speaks volumes for the character in the team that they have bounced back to put a run together which has seen them lose just three of their subsequent 21 matches. Osman, though, won’t feel fully settled until he and his team-mates have righted that particular wrong and hopes that will be the case when Steve Bruce’s men come to Goodison on Sunday afternoon. “It wasn’t an easy game to forget,” said Osman. “We understand the hurt but people have to remember that we are hurting too. I was distraught afterwards. We never want games like that to happen but when you put it into perspective, it was one game. “We could understand where everyone was coming from; it probably had a lot to do with our home form being so bad. It was just an awful night, the fans voiced their frustrations but thankfully we have all moved on.” Yet, the performance at the JJB Stadium still rankles and, try as he might, Osman is unable to offer any kind of explanation as to why it occurred in the first place. “The away games we had played before that night had been good,” said Osman. “We’d won four of our first six. We won a few straight after that too, so I really couldn’t tell you why it happened. We simply never turned up and had to take it on the chin. “But every team has such a game during the course of the season; it’s just happened to Manchester United, hasn’t it? It can happen to the best but we have improved as a unit since then and we have got tremendous belief. We want that to continue.” Aside from having an urge to banish that performance once and for all, Osman is also bristling to line up against Steve Bruce’s men this weekend after kicking his heels in frustration during the international break.
But, contrary to what some might think, the chirpy midfielder hasn’t spent the time lounging around. Far from it. If anything, he and the players who remained at Finch Farm have worked harder than ever in preparation for the final sprint to the line.
Osman is well aware that Everton have had a tendency in recent years to stutter through the last furlong, rather than ending with a bang, and knows those critics on the outside will be expecting the same again, especially as their last effort at Portsmouth was poor. But, this time, there are plenty of incentives to ensure Everton do not revert to type; a good run of results could conceivably see them break last year’s record points haul of 65 and there is also the small matter of an FA Cup semi-final looming on the horizon. “The last fortnight has definitely been strange,” said Osman. “We’ve got so many international players now, there have only been four or five of us training. It’s been all about getting people fit and we’ve got some really good work done. “It’s been a surprise, as I thought we’d get a bit of a rest. But we’ve been working really hard and hopefully this has built us up for the last push. Nobody wants to see all the good work we’ve put in during the course of the year unravel and we’ve got to keep going. “We’ve got to make sure that, having got ourselves into a decent position, we attack the last eight games with everything that we have got. There is a place in Europe up for grabs and we want to take it. We’ve got to make sure we are positive. “We’ve tailed off in previous seasons and we need to make sure there are no repeats. We are striving to achieve a position better than the one we have got at the minute, rather than just settling where we are. If you rest on your laurels, people will sneak up on you.” That determination to improve is something that has been constant during Osman’s career and while he admits to being slightly envious of seeing so many of his friends get a call from Fabio Capello, there is no chance of him sulking; that simply isn’t his style. “Of course you have those thoughts,” he said. “I’m an English player and an England fan. I would be delighted if I ever got picked but it’s not happened and the most important thing is for me to concentrate on the job here.”

Howard Kendall: Leighton Baines can force his way into England side
Apr 3 2009 by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES may still be waiting for his first England cap but he should be excited about what the future holds. The Everton left-back will have gained a lot just from being part of the squad and he has a great chance of forcing his way into Fabio Capello’s side over the coming months. England may have got the win against Ukraine on Wednesday but Ashley Cole was very poor. His distribution was sloppy and he struggled all evening. When you are on the fringes like Baines, it’s only human nature that you hope the person in your position doesn’t have the best of games. Seeing Cole’s performance must have given him a lift. With Cole having such a bad night, in many ways Baines was unlucky not to get on. However, I think Capello already had his subs planned out as it was pretty clear Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch weren’t going to last 90 minutes, while David Beckham was always going to come on at some point. The fact that Baines was called up proves that Capello believes he’s good enough for international football and now he has to focus on maintaining his great club form. It was pleasing to see Phil Jagielka come off the bench late on.
It’s not going to be easy for him or Joleon Lescott to displace Rio Ferdinand or John Terry who have formed a superb partnership. But if they keep performing like they have done for Everton they will put pressure on the first choice pairing. It’s back to Premier League action for the Blues’ England trio on Sunday and Wigan will pose a threat. Bearing in mind they sold two of their best players in January, Wigan have done really well to be challeng-ing for a European place. Steve Bruce has done a great job there. Chairman Dave Whelan paid a lot of money to bring him back to the club and Bruce has repaid the faith shown in him with the results they’ve got.
Wigan are just behind Everton in the table but the Blues are looking up rather than down. Aston Villa are faltering and if we can put a run together then fifth place will be ours. We also have to be ready to take advantage if Arsenal stumble.
It won’t be easy on Sunday but the Blues’ home form has been excellent and I don’t see any reason why that won’t continue.

BARRY HORNE: Everton must beware Wigan backlash
Apr 4 2009 Liverpool Echo
THIS could be last chance saloon for Wigan this weekend.
If Everton can beat Steve Bruce’s men tomorrow it could effectively end their challenge for a top six place. They will come to Goodison harbouring hopes of closing the gap on the Blues to a catchable four points. But if they are beaten, 10 points would surely be too much for them to make up in the seven games which would remain.
Everton have to expect Wigan to come at them with all guns blazing, but I’ve watched the Latics quite a few times this season and there’s no reason why Everton should not be expecting another victory. Wigan are workmanlike, well organised and efficient – but they don’t pose a significant goal threat ever since losing Heskey and Valencia and Everton should be confident. It will be a big afternoon for Leighton Baines against his old club and hopefully he will come back flush with confidence after his spell away with England. Phil Jagielka also got another stroke in his caps tally while Joleon Lescott also enjoyed the international experience once again.
Familiar faces in World Cup shake-up
IF you look at the top of the World Cup groups throughout Europe after this week’s action, you’ll see plenty of familiar names. Germany, England and Spain have all but qualified for South Africa before the halfway stage of their groups have even been reached. Italy are also in a commanding position – and if the old order is being re-established, it’s only a reflection of what has happened in the domestic leagues throughout Europe. The same three or four clubs can be seen at the top of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. In fact it’s only the Bundesliga which has bucked the trend to any degree in recent years. It’s the same at international level. In the past we have occasionally seen a Poland, a Scotland or a Czech Republic produce a good crop of players and upset the established order. And when that happens a seed can sometimes fall. But the one nation which never seems to suffer in that respect is Germany. Since 1954 their worst performance has been to reach the quarter-finals – which is a fantastic record – and looking at their display in midweek against Wales you wouldn’t bet against them at least repeating that feat next summer.
All of the European teams look in good nick to perform well on the other side of the Equator – which would be a major surprise. I just hope that South Africa is ready to receive their footballing guests. I was in South Africa 18 months ago when people were expressing surprise that the World Cup was going there. There were numerous problems and rumours galore that Germany had been placed on standby as potential emergency hosts. Unlike this country, however, when internal problems seem to be magnified and advertised by our media, problems in other countries are kept in house and you tend not to hear of them. We only notice racism in Spain or crowd disorder in Italy when one of our teams go there and is involved. But for now, we have to think positively and look ahead with optimism to next summer. At the moment, it seems that Europe is set to have a major impact on a different continent – which would be a major achievement.

DOMINIC KING: Everton transfer rumour mill hotting up again already
Apr 4 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THE field has only just entered the final straight in the 2008/09 Premier League campaign but already thoughts are turning to the summer. Never mind that places in Europe have yet to be secured, forget about the small matter of the FA Cup; slowly but surely, supporters are starting to wonder who will be on the move when the transfer window opens and how much money will be spent. Evertonians are no different. With David Moyes’ words from early last month still ringing in their ears about the need to invest heavily or run the risk of not competing in the top six, wanted lists are being drawn up here, there and everywhere. They will be crammed full of interesting names from near and far, all are likely to command fees that resemble telephone numbers and doubtless these targets will be chased by a number of other Premier League clubs too. The only list that matters, however, is the one that Moyes has drawn up in his office at Finch Farm; scouts will have been dispatched to different destinations and endless DVDs will be watched in order to find the right man.
Moyes, of course, would love nothing more than to be able to go out and compete for every £15-20m rated player that comes on the market without worrying about the consequences but the reality is that he will have to cut his cloth accordingly.
He won’t be able to go and buy players with proven pedigrees, ready made to do it straight away; what he is going to have to do – as he has done so successfully in the past – is look for those who may have gone stale and coax them back to their best.
Just take a glance at the vast majority of the squad he has painstakingly assembled over the last four or five years; plenty of them arrived at Goodison Park either with something to prove or questions about whether they could do it at a higher level.
Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka all fell in to the latter category but responded to the challenge absolutely magnificently, so much so that they are three of the first names on Moyes’ team sheet each week. True, it will be hard to replicate those successes - the quality in the Championship is not what it used to be and clubs now charge top whack for young players that have the ability to use both feet and can pick a pass.
If there is someone in the Championship screaming out to be bought it is Cardiff’s Joe Ledley and he will surely be on the move soon, particularly if the Bluebirds fail to win promotion. A long queue is likely to form if and when he becomes available but when Ledley considers his options he might do well to consider what happened to his former team-mate Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal pipped Everton to his signature 12 months ago, the young Wales midfielder being seduced by the glamour of playing for a club in the Champions League and the stage that the Gunners could give him. He has made 20 appearances since arriving at the Emirates but only seven have been from the start and he is yet to begin a Premier League game; hindsight is a wonderful thing but had he opted to come to Goodison - as Moyes believed he would do - Ramsey could have been a regular rather than a bit part player. And it is those bit part players that Moyes could well target. Look at Tottenham, for example. Their squad is awash with players who are unlikely to get more than a dozen games next year and who would be best looking to go elsewhere. Take Tom Huddlestone. He, too, was on Moyes’ radar last summer but eventually signed a new contract at White Hart Lane; since Harry Redknapp took over, though, he has hardly been near the first team and has accepted it is time to go. “Nothing has been said to me so the situation is difficult. It’s not likely that my chance will come any time in the future,” Huddlestone said recently. “I didn’t come here to play in the reserves. It’s difficult to say what the future may hold.”
One thing that can be predicted with some confidence, though, is that Everton will not be selling their key men. Manchester City’s interest in Lescott and Mikel Arteta surfaced again this week but Moyes was quick to rebuff it. “There will always be interest in players because we have a good squad of players here,” he said. “But I am only interested in adding players to the ones we have.”

Aston Villa issue details for travelling Everton supporters
Apr 4 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
ASTON VILLA have issued a travel advisory to those Evertonians who intend venturing to Birmingham next week for the game at Villa Park. Villa officials recommend that anyone going by car from the north exit the M6 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for Birmingham A34. After passing Alexandra Stadium on the left, all vehicles should stay in the nearside lane. Leave the main carriageway just prior to the flyover at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium – but do not go over the flyover.
The road splits in to four lanes as you approach the traffic lights. Stay in the left hand lane and you will see signs for matchday parking priced at £4. Villa Park is a 10-minute walk from the car park, which ensures quick access to the M6 afterwards.
Speaking of cars, a word of warning to anyone who intends going to the FA Cup semi-final and parking close to Wembley Stadium – prepare to take out another mortgage to meet the costs. If you want to park directly outside Wembley, it will cost £25 in an official car park or between £15 and £20 to use the unofficial ones that are in use in the industrial sites that surround the stadium.

Everton and Man Utd semi-final players to wear black armbands in honour of Hillsborough victims
Apr 4 2009 by Marc Waddington, Liverpool Echo
PLAYERS from Everton and Manchester United will wear black armbands during their FA Cup semi-final clash in tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
They will make the gesture during their Wembley cup tie on April 19.
The ECHO understands the Arsenal and Chelsea cup tie on April 18 will also mark the occasion in the same way.At the same time, city leaders are in talks with their counterparts at Nottingham and Sheffield councils to try and set up an inter-city schools football competition in memory of those who died in 1989. The semi-final tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned minutes after kick-off when overcrowding at the Leppings Lane end led to the death of 96 fans. Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: “It would be fitting and right to mark the event in this way in light of the game falling on the 20th anniversary. “It was a tragedy which touched both sides of the city.” The semi-final armband tribute coincides with a number of other high-profile events taking place around the city to mark the anniversary.
The Anglican cathedral’s bells will peel at 3.06pm on April 15 – the exact time the game was abandoned. A memorial recording of the Kop anthem Fields Of Anfield Road has also been recorded with an extra verse commemorating the tragedy.
Council opposition leader Cllr Joe Anderson said he wrote to the FA and the clubs to request they make the gesture. He said: “It is important to mark the anniversary.
“There were Evertonians who lost family and friends on the day, and it is a matter not only of paying our respects but also reminding people justice has not yet been done for the 96.” Margaret Aspinall, of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said she was delighted to hear the two teams would be joining in the commemorations.
Her son James was 18 and at his first-ever away game when he lost his life.
She said: “We are very pleased. I believe this should be done at all games, because our loved ones lost their lives to make stadiums safer for us all.” A council spokesman said: “We can confirm we are currently looking at instigating a tripartite memorial cup in memory of those who died.” A spokesman for the FA confirmed the armband tribute would take place at the Everton and Manchester United game.

Fowler celebrationOn This Day: Police investigated Robbie
Apr 4 2009 by Michael Kettiros, Liverpool Echo
THIRTY years ago today West Yorkshire Police confirmed that building society clerk Josephine Whitaker, who was killed in Halifax, was the 11th victim of the Yorkshire Ripper. Police announced that it had appeared the ripper had changed his mode of killing, and even respectable women were now at risk. Meanwhile at Anfield, Emlyn Hughes – veteran of more than 700 games – was left out of the team to play Arsenal, as Liverpool settled down to their task of winning the League Championship.
Hughes had battled bravely to overcome a constant knee problem, but his performances in the two FA Cup semi-final games against Manchester United had brought the issue to a head. The decision was somewhat justified as the Reds ran out 3-0 winners. Once Jimmy Case had cracked home a great solo goal four minutes into the second half, Liverpool’s game slotted sweetly into place, with Dalglish and McDermott grabbing the other goals. Things didn’t go as smoothly for Everton however, as the Blues lost 1-0 at West Brom. The finger of blame was firmly pointed at Colin Todd, after his mistake allowed Bryan Robson to send Ally Brown through on goal. After the match, an angry Gordon Lee said: “Colin is a world class player, but there are times when you have to do the simple things.” TEN years ago this weekend saw Liverpool and Everton come head-to-head at Anfield. The Reds ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Fowler and Berger, but the talking point was the somewhat bizarre goal celebration from the Toxteth-born striker.
Fowler crawled along the goal-line, resulting in a police investigation into events

Everton FC manager David Moyes says Saha is vital to Premier League run-in
Apr 4 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has singled out Louis Saha as one of the experienced players that will be vital to Everton’s Premier League run-in. French striker Saha has made a significant impact since his move from Manchester United despite a season hampered by injuries and Moyes is confident he can be fit to kick-start the Blues' bid for European football. The Goodison boss also called for his side to banish the memories of the defeat to Portsmouth and keep seventh-placed Wigan Athletic at arms length tomorrow. Moyes said: “With the games we have got now, the experienced players are vital in the way they have been all season. “It has been the same group we have been relying on, the same three or four players, the ones who have stepped in and done a great job when we have been without all the injured players. We will be looking for these big players to stand up and help us through the coming weeks.
“Louis has won us points and won us games and that is vital so he has made a big contribution. We are quite happy with what he has done, I don’t think he is someone who can start every game or play 30 or 40 games a season. But I know I have someone, with his little bits of quality, who can make a difference – I’m hoping he is going to play a big part in the coming months. “He went away to a clinic in France for more treatment, he is still not comfortable with his thigh strain so he has been there the best part of a week and a half. I think he is comfortable enough to start but has a few aches and pains so I need to manage him and think of the best way to use him.” “Fourth place is not as realistic as I hoped it was. “If we had kept the gap at four points then it would have been much easier to claw that back but now that it is seven points, it is a big ask. “Obviously we will keep going but we will probably have to win nearly all our games if we are to make that happen. Probably up until last week there was a sniff of fourth but if we finish in a European position then it will have been another good year, but we can’t be complacent and make sure we win our games. If we win on Sunday it will make it harder for Wigan to get to us.” Tim Cahill was expected to report back from international duty with Australia yesterday afternoon and if fit, will be in line to make his 150th start for Everton in all competitions.
Moyes also said defender Tony Hibbert had a chance of making Sunday’s squad following a thigh injury but Joseph Yobo (hamstring) will miss out.

England will improve my game - Everton's Leighton Baines
Apr 4 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THERE might not have been a cap to show for his efforts but there is little doubt that the past fortnight has been a hugely rewarding one for Leighton Baines. Everton’s left-back is a gifted footballer but he is not one of life’s more confident souls and after moving to Goodison Park from Wigan Athletic in July 2007, he would often ask himself whether he was really good enough to play at the highest level. Now, though things have changed for the better and after being handed a first call up to the England squad, it is clear to see a difference in Baines; a realisation that he has an ability to compete against the best around. True, he did not get on against either Slovakia or Ukraine – three injuries to strikers in the first game probably cost him an England debut – but there was no sulking when Baines left Wembley on Wednesday evening.
He departed with a spring in his step, buoyed after sharing the same pitch as luminaries like David Beckham, John Terry and Steven Gerrard, and it would not be the greatest surprise now if his club form maintained an upward curve.
Amazing to think, then, that the last time Everton were due to play Wigan in November, Baines was even unsure of his place in David Moyes’ squad. So how much have things changed? The fact Fabio Capello took him for training this week answers that question. “It was a good experience,” said Baines. “I was happy enough with how things went, as I wasn’t really expecting to get the call. You’ve only got to look at how things were for me not so long ago to see the change around.
“All the lads you are training with are top drawer and that alone is a great experience. The manager keeps himself to himself. He doesn’t say a lot, he lets his coaches get on with things but when he does speak, you listen. “If he singles something out, he’s short and straight to the point. He gets things across well and everybody knows what is wanted from them. He does it all out on the training pitch but apart from that, he doesn’t say much.” Actions, however, speak louder than words and the fact Capello chose to have a look at him is worth more than a thousand of the most complimentary phrases, something which Baines picked up on. But he has no intentions of making it a one-off; England, of course, face two more World Cup qualifiers at the end of the domestic season and the 24-year-old would love nothing more than to start his summer break late. “The standard of the training was incredible,” he said. “There are some unbelievable players in the set up, so the fact I was around them every day can only help me improve too. Hopefully I’ll get another chance in the future.
“It was a nice surprise to get into the squad but I’d love to have the chance of being involved in the games against Kazakhstan and Andorra but there is only one way that will happen and that’s by playing well for Everton. “I know I’ve got to keep up to the standards that I have set for myself in the last couple of months. In all honesty, I’m going to have to go beyond them. You have got to show that you are constantly improving.” First things first, however; before England come on the radar once more, Baines will have a key role to play in Everton’s bid to remain in the top six and tomorrow’s Goodison Park clash against Wigan has added significance for him.
Baines spent six years with the Latics, captained them on a couple of occasions and played in a major final but there will be no room for sentiment when his former employers arrive on Merseyside. Wigan are Everton’s closest pursuers in the table but Baines wants to end their challenge for a top six place with a victory that will banish the memory of what happened at his old stomping ground five months ago.
“It will be nice to play against them,” said Baines, who scored his first Everton goal in the game before the international break at Portsmouth. “I had a great time while I was there but a lot of the lads who used to be in the team with me have moved.
“There are a lot of new faces. But I still speak to a few members of the back room staff who have stayed there and players like Chris Kirkland. I spoke to him during the week and it will be good to have a crack at them. “We need to get a win. Wigan aren’t too far behind us and we’ve got to keep them at bay. But what we are looking to do is push on and move up a couple of places in the table ourselves. It’s a good opportunity to do that. “Obviously, the added extra is putting right the performance against them earlier in the season. We have put what happened at the JJB behind us but there is no getting away from the fact we didn’t perform. Now we have to put it right.”

Tim Cahill returns to side as Everton FC take on Wigan
Apr 5 2009 By Paul Walker
TIM Cahill returned to the Everton side as Louis Saha was relegated to the substitutes’ bench for their clash with Wigan at Goodison Park.
Cahill was ruled out of the defeat by Portsmouth with a calf injury last time out and has only just returned from playing for Australia in midweek, but manager David Moyes considered the club’s top scorer had sufficiently recovered from the journey to feature. Full-back Tony Hibbert replaced Lars Jacobsen in the Toffees’ defence after missing four matches with a groin injury. The Latics, chasing seventh spot and European qualification, had Antonio Valencia back from injury, at the expense of Hugo Rodallega. Everton got off to a bright start with Leon Osman scooping an effort wide and then almost setting up Jo after a determined run into the box.
Then Jo headed straight at Chris Kirkland from a Hibbert cross from the right.
Mido was up front on his own in the absence of Amr Zaki, whose agent claims his disappearance is due to a hamstring injury, and he forced a good save from Tim Howard from 20 yards after a clever back-heel from Paul Scharner, sporting an interesting new red and blue haircut. The Austrian then climbed to head just over from a Valencia cross. Everton continued their pressure and Kirkland produced a brave piece of goalkeeping to stop a Leighton Baines free-kick from reaching Jo and Osman.
But after 26 minutes Kirkland was well beaten by a Jo cross-shot into the far corner.
Emmerson Boyce looked to be holding Marouane Fellaini, but referee Phil Dowd allowed play to continue for Osman to find Jo in the box, and the Brazilian scored his fourth goal for the club since joining on loan from Manchester City. Wigan picked up two quick bookings, Mario Melchiot for a foul on Steven Pienaar and Michael Brown for catching Cahill from behind. Kirkland was caught flat-footed as a drive from Pienaar flashed just wide of his right-hand post, while Howard saved a strong header from Boyce. Wigan sent on an extra striker in Rodallega for midfielder Brown at the break, but any thoughts of a fightback were ended by three Everton goals early in the second half. The first came after 47 minutes when Hibbert crossed low from the right and Fellaini had too much time and space to hook his seventh goal of the season past Kirkland. It got worse for Wigan after 51 minutes. Osman threaded a pass into the box, Fellaini’s shot was palmed out by Kirkland for Jo to sidefoot home from six yards. And on the hour, Kirkland was at fault again when he pushed out a 20-yard effort from Fellaini for Osman to convert the fourth with ease. Four minutes later Everton were able to give Cahill a rest, sending on teenager Jack Rodwell - fresh from his England under-21 debut.

Everton 4, Wigan 0: Blues are racing certs for Europe again
Apr 6 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
HIS team-mates may be playing for a place at Wembley, but for Jo the prize this season would be sealing a regular appearance at Finch Farm. Slowly but surely, the Brazilian striker is resurrecting a faltering Premier League career since arriving on loan at Goodison from Manchester City in January. Two more goals yesterday helped Everton canter to their biggest win of the season and increased the clamour for his move down the M62 to be made permanent. That’s now five in seven games for David Moyes’s side – all at Goodison Park – compared to the miserly three Jo netted in 18 outings for City. How the Brazilian must privately curse the 20-minute substitute appearance at Eastlands in City’s third round defeat to Nottingham Forest that means he must watch from the stands when Everton take on Manchester United for a place in the final. Of course, talent alone may not be the decisive factor in whether Jo begins the new campaign at Goodison. City will surely want to recoup much of the £18million they paid to bring the 22-year-old to England from CSKA Moscow. And while Moyes is yet to discover his transfer kitty for the summer transfer window, a wealth of striking options – when fit – may count against the Brazilian.
While Jo must wait to learn his fate, yesterday’s outcome was something of a racing certainty. Everton had won all previous games at Goodison on the Sunday after the Grand National, and this latest triumph was rarely in doubt. It was also the first time Everton had recorded seven successive home victories in all competitions since March 1995. That season ended with the FA Cup being lifted at Wembley, and ensuring a repeat has become the main priority in the minds of Evertonians this season.
Certainly, Moyes admits realistic hopes of Champions League qualification ended with the damaging 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth a fortnight ago. The immediate Premier League focus is now on ensuring their efforts are rewarded by a third successive top-six showing at the very least. And if Wigan are among the best of the chasing pack, this evidence suggests there is little chance of Everton surrendering that hard-earned reward. This performance was as impressive as the showing in the 1-0 defeat at the JJB Stadium in November was dismal. About the only highlight for the visitors yesterday were those in Paul Scharner’s hair, a shocking barnet which even Marouane Fellaini – afro back on show – would frown upon. Fellaini was one of several Everton players to shine, the Belgian contributing to all four goals and rediscovering a verve that has been missing in recent weeks. Steven Pienaar also excelled, but the stellar performer was Leon Osman, the Billinge-born midfielder perpetual motion and, as Moyes later revealed, benefiting from no longer being hampered by niggling injury.
In mitigation, Everton’s midfield domination was aided by Wigan’s seeming reluctance to tackle, their preparations disrupted by on-loan Egyptian striker Amr Zaki going AWOL once again. But it was high praise when Latics manager Steve Bruce declared Everton’s performance as the best a side had played against Wigan this season. It’s a sign of the improvement in Everton’s fortunes one again this season that, speaking in his programme notes, Phil Neville made note of Finch Farm resembling a ghost town during the recent international break. Tim Cahill, having been at the centre of a minor fitness rumpus while on Australia duty, returned to the starting line-up after missing the Fratton Park setback for his 150th Everton start. Tony Hibbert was also back after a month on the sidelines and, having seen the composed debut of Lars Jacobsen at Fratton Park, stamped his mark on the right-back slot with a fine display.
Everton’s hopes of victory received a boost before the game when Titus Bramble was named in Wigan’s starting line-up. The centre-back has carved an error-prone niche for himself, and he was culpable in helping set the home side on their way in the 27th minute. Good interplay through midfield saw Fellaini feed Osman, whose instant, incisive pass found Jo unmarked in the area with the Brazilian flashing a clinical drive across Chris Kirkland into the bottom left-hand corner of the Wigan goalkeeper’s net.
A fuming visiting defence claimed offside, only for television replays to back up the linesman’s decision not to raise a flag by showing a dozing Bramble having failed to move out. That, though, shouldn’t detract from the quality in the build-up to the goal, a rare glimmer of light during a low-key first half in which Everton’s greater enterprise ensured they were rarely in danger. Osman dragged an early shot wide, Fellaini headed at Kirkland from Hibbert’s deep ball while Steven Pienaar was off target with another effort. However, Wigan’s only chance of the opening 45 minutes was one they should have taken, Scharner rising above Hibbert to meet Antonio Valencia’s clipped cross only to head wastefully over Tim Howard’s crossbar.
The second half was a procession for Moyes’s side. Fellaini doubled their advantage two minutes after the break by meeting Hibbert’s low cross with an instant half-volley beyond Kirkland. It was Everton’s 800th goal since the start of the Premier League.
Everton’s third came six minutes later, a quick passing movement between Pienaar, Osman and Fellaini carving through the Wigan defence before the Belgian’s shot was parried by Kirkland into the path of Jo to nudge gleefully home. Osman got the goal his enterprise deserved just past the hour, on hand to tap in after Kirkland found an awkward, bouncing long-range effort from Fellaini too hot to handle.
Job done, Everton declared at four. They, like Jo, know that greater tasks lie in wait.

Everton 4, Wigan 0: David Moyes pens revenge tale over Latics
Apr 6 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
SINCE when did David Moyes take over scriptwriting duties at Goodison Park from Bill Kenwright? Everton’s manager has a long memory when it comes to the performances of his team, so it should not surprise that, for the past five months, he has been needled by the events of November 24 at the JJB Stadium. Beaten 1-0 by Wigan Athletic without putting up any kind of fight, Moyes never forgot the misery that evening induced. So it was only to be expected that he would throw down a challenge to his squad on the eve of the return game. Moyes had asked for a display packed with style to right the wrong, but even he must have been taken aback by how easily and smoothly the plan he had hatched came together; the beaming smile he sported at the final whistle yesterday told its own tale. Having watched Everton put four unanswered goals past Wigan, Moyes will know that a third consecutive European adventure has effectively been secured. The gap between the sides is now 10 points; it is not an advantage the Blues will surrender. But just as pleasing is the fact that key men are starting to come back to fitness. With bigger challenges than the one Wigan offered around the corner, the signs are encouraging. Everton may be clicking into gear at the right moment. Take Tony Hibbert’s return to the starting line up. He might not be the type of player who creates headlines, but Everton look a far more robust outfit when he is included and it was pleasing to see him up and running again after a thigh problem. Something with which regulars at Goodison Park would agree. When Hibbert slipped, attempting to launch an attack in the opening exchanges, Michael Brown spirited the ball away from him and tried to set off on a counterattack. However, there was never any suggestion or concern that Brown would scamper away. Hibbert made up the ground effortlessly to win back possession and earn himself a hearty ovation from all four sides of the ground. During the next two weeks, prayers will be offered that men such as Marouane Fellaini, Tim Cahill and Steven Pienaar remain fit ahead of the season defining Wembley date with Manchester United, but Hibbert’s presence in that game is just as important.
While he was full of energy in the opening exchanges, the same could not be said of others and Hibbert was actually responsible for the sole memorable moment early on – a cross that picked out Fellaini. Then, in the blink of an eye, it all changed.
The goal which enabled Everton to get off the mark was in stark contrast to everything that had gone before, a flash of quality in an otherwise humdrum tussle that settled nerves and allowed everyone of a Blue persuasion to sit back and relax.
Joleon Lescott – ridiculously abused by a small, moronic element of Wigan’s fans – hoisted a ball up to Fellaini, he helped it on to Leon Osman, whose slide rule ball found Jo and the Brazilian did the rest with a crisp swoosh of his left foot.
It was a super strike, one that gave Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland no chance, but the irony is that his performance – possibly his best since arriving at the club – posed more questions than answers. There is no doubting his ability to score goals; he was prolific for CSKA Moscow, thrived with Corinthians and has been the subject of upbeat reports from Everton’s training ground in recent weeks. But depending on how much money Moyes has spend this summer, will it make sense for the manager to lavish the majority of his budget on Jo? Manchester City will be looking to recoup a huge slice of their £20m-plus investment. A place, no doubt, could be found for him in the squad, but it’s all very well doing it at Goodison when being marked by Titus Bramble. Jo needs to deliver a stellar performance on his travels to make talk of him staying permanently on Merseyside credible. Some may think that is being overly harsh, especially as Jo went on to help himself to another when tapping in from six yards after Kirkland had parried a Fellaini shot, but it is worth remembering he was anonymous at Ewood Park, St James’ Park and Fratton Park. Yet credit must also be given where it is due and Jo was excellent here, linking superbly with Fellaini to give Shambles, sorry, Bramble and Emmerson Boyce an afternoon they will be in no hurry to relive. With the corn rows gone and that voluminous Afro back, it was never going to be a difficult task to pick out Fellaini, but the task was made even easier by the fact he played as well as he has done since Christmas. There were no stupid tackles nor was there any backchat to referee Phil Dowd; all Fellaini did was concentrate on making a contribution. He did that, scoring the goal which gave Everton breathing space and revelling in the space he was afforded. In normal circumstances, Fellaini would have had grounds for claiming to be the best midfielder on show but that particular accolade went to Leon Osman, who relished the conditions of this battle and scored for the first time since January. It may have been a frustrating fortnight for him stuck at Finch Farm while the majority of his team-mates were away on international duty, but he has clearly put the time to good use. Fitness issues have tormented Osman this year, preventing him from hitting the heights that many know he can but, if he has got rid of the rust in his play like Moyes believes he has, there is still time to make an impact. Should he continue in this groove, he might just be the man who can help inspire a glorious end to the campaign. It could even be that this victory has helped improve Everton’s chances in the FA Cup. To use an old analogy that befits the weekend just gone, only a collapse of Devon Loch proportions is going to stop Everton qualifying for Europe via the Premier League but there is no sign of their stride shortening yet. What’s more, if Moyes is writing the scripts, chances are that the best scenes are still to come. Play like this and the first one will be played out on April 19.

Shrewd Everton boss David Moyes finds the formula for goals
Apr 6 2009 by John Thompson, Liverpool Echo
IF NECESSITY is the mother of invention, then there’s no doubting who the father figure is at Goodison Park just now. David Moyes virtually had to perform his pre-season preparations in-season, so overdue were the new additions last summer.
After a matter of weeks, the side he candidly admitted weren’t ready to win matches, miraculously found itself doing so as a matter of routine.But if Moyes had to somehow conjure up a winning system on the hoof in the second half of 2008, then his creative powers were tested to the full yet again when he lost virtually an entire strike force to injury. Now, just for good measure, football’s fortune makers have thrown in a season-ending injury to Mikel Arteta, before rewarding a side which had dispatched Liverpool and Aston Villa, with an FA Cup semi-final draw against Manchester United. Oh well… It was and is a prospect which has brought rueful looks from some Evertonians, who’ve sensed journey’s end may be about to loom into view.
Well sense again, please. Because after yesterday’s demolition job on a Wigan side fancied for Europe this season, it is time to banish those glass-half-empty doubts and believe Moyes and his men may well find themselves visiting Wembley not once, but twice this year. How the Blues produced a four-goal show given all that’s gone before says as much about the character of the players and the Scot’s ability to cope in a crisis, as it does about Wigan’s woeful, end of the pier performance
Okay, a first 11 drawn from Goodison’s gaudy stewards – readily kitted out in their own fluorescent yellow and black replica Wigan strips – might have made a better fist of things than the Latics did at times. But what was most encouraging of all were signs of a partnership of sorts developing between Jo and Fellaini. Let's just say the Brazilian, frustratingly cup-tied for the United game, is a mixed bag.Some of his hold-up play leaves more than a little to be desired, while it’s clear he’ll need plenty more midweek lessons down at the farm before he really resembles a David Moyes player.
But for all his room for obvious improvement, Jo walked off having added two goals to his tally, and there’s no doubt he grew better as the game went on yesterday, particularly after dispatching the opener with aplomb. With Fellaini up and around him, there are good reasons to believe Everton can conjure up plenty of league goals for what remains of this season. The young Belgian needs support and patience as he continues to find his feet in English football’s demanding top flight. But his presence is now a clear, if at times unorthodox looking threat. Allied to the sort of razor-sharp technical ability which saw him strike a wonderfully taken second half goal to end any semblance of a contest, he is a growing force and influence in this team.
However, what was most noticeable, even admirable given the difficulties, was the balance the Blues found in their attacking play yesterday. Either side of the towering front pair are two players who will be crucial to Everton’s hopes now. Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar were the perfect complements to Jo and Fellaini, buzzing around the twin totems and posing an entirely different sort of threat to Wigan. Osman in particular looked back to his best and let’s hope he stays there, because his intelligence in possession, allied to his natural fervour and clever movement, is going to be needed in London on April 19 With Phil Neville calmly orchestrating it all from his deep lying role, and Tim Cahill taking one for the team as he frequently performed the duties of water carrier, rather than goal poacher, came a suspicion that when Everton do walk out at the new Wembley to face Manchester United, they may yet have the system and enough armoury to do the required damage.
There is every reason to believe the Blues can yet mount a serious goal threat to United. Because there’s been plenty recently to suggest Vidic, Ferdinand and Evans can be unsettled if teams get on the front foot against them. After this mauling of Steve Bruce’s side, the fans who richly applauded Everton off at the end can now prepare to pack their bags for Wembley with far more confidence than many of them believed possible a week or two ago. Everton’s players must of course take first credit for that. They mastered their own standards when it might have been easy to lower them to Wigan’s level. And their spirit remains as undeniable as it is valuable.
But credit too, must go in busloads to Moyes himself. Somehow he has crafted a formula to deliver goals from adversity, at a time when fate has robbed him of so many striking options plus his most creative player. The hapless Chris Kirkland may have helped, but Everton always looked comfortable winners anyhow and duly notched up their biggest win of the season. Yet again, it is Moyes who has quietly and without fuss found a way not just to cope, but to beat the odds. On this evidence it is clearly working. Luck has indeed been hard on Everton this season. But they say needs must when the devil’s driving. Thanks to their manager’s ability to spot opportunity in adversity, Everton might just have found a heaven-sent solution to one hell of a problem.

David Moyes won’t give up on Everton's Champions League fight
Apr 6 2009 Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES is refusing to give up the race for a Champions League place after Everton recorded their biggest win of the season with a 4-0 demolition of Wigan Athletic. The Blues effectively guaranteed their place in next season’s Europa League thanks to a fifth straight win at Goodison Park which was secured with goals from Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman and a double from Jo. Everton are seven points ahead of seventh placed West Ham United and a further three clear of Wigan but despite that buffer, Moyes is not going to let his players ease off the gas. They can leapfrog Aston Villa next Sunday if they win at Villa Park and Moyes has not ruled out the possibility of overhauling the seven point gap between themselves and Arsenal, who are currently in fourth place. “The Champions League is still there for us, we are not going to give up. Arsenal have got the points and are coming into form with players back from injury,” said Moyes. “It doesn’t guarantee us a place in Europe, as there are still a number of teams chasing us but this victory has given us a real foothold in the position. “We are not going to give up, but realistically it will be a tough call to catch them now. “We have got the defeat at Portsmouth out of our system. I was worried about that, but we were back to our best. “It was a good performance, a good result and another clean sheet. I was pleased with much of what I saw. We played well. In recent weeks, we maybe haven’t played as well as we can do but I thought we were getting much closer to what I want against Wigan. “We did well in the first half, eventually got a goal and the second one after half-time put an end to the game. You never know how your players are going to return after an international break.
“But I have to give a pat on the back to all the boys who had played in different parts of the world; they did their job, went about the task in the right manner and they got their rewards in the end.” Jo’s performance was arguably his best since joining Everton on-loan from Manchester City in January and he has now scored five goals in seven games; slowly but surely, he is winning Moyes over with his efforts.
“He is doing really well and his goal return has been outstanding,” said Moyes, who was keen on signing Jo from CSKA Moscow last summer. “I have to say that he is improving with each game. “We didn’t have any strikers and we had to try and find one on loan. I’d known about Jo from his earlier days (in Russia) and hoped he could come here and get a bit of confidence. “We hoped that if he could get a couple of games under his belt and some confidence that the goals would come and he has done that for us.” It is a while since Everton have played with such a style and swagger and Wigan boss Steve Bruce had no complaints with the final scoreline. “We got our backsides kicked by a very good Everton side,” said Bruce. I can make excuses that we had several players on planes for 24 hours coming back from halfway around the world, and jet-lagged. “But it is right to say ’well done’ to a very good Everton side who we could not cope with. They gave us a real good going over. “Defensively we have been very good for the last few months, but we were nowhere near our best.
“Whatever we did it was too easy for Everton, all game. That is not like us because we pride ourselves in being difficult to beat. “I hope this performance isn’t going to be the norm.”

Everton star Jo dedicates goals to baby daughter
Apr 6 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JO is ready to take his sparkling Goodison form on the road as he dedicated his match winning efforts to the most special person in his life. The Brazilian star scored twice yesterday in a 4-0 win over Wigan that has all but guaranteed Everton’s return to Europe next season. But while Jo was thrilled with the result and performance, nothing came close to matching the joy he felt after meeting his eight-month old daughter Giovanna for the first time hours before kick-off after she had flown in from Sao Paolo with his wife, Claudia. He marked both goals by sucking his thumb and making a cradle gesture and hopes she can be the inspiration behind another lethal display against Aston Villa next Sunday. “My daughter is here in England and that is why I was celebrating – it is the first time I have seen her with my wife and I am so happy,” Jo said today. “I have been lucky with the goals I have scored in front of our fans but I am going to work hard this week so I can get my first one away from Goodison. “I would love to score against Aston Villa. "This is going to be a difficult game for us but if we play as we did against Wigan, I think we will be fine.” Since arriving on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day, Jo has scored five goals in seven games and strengthened the case for David Moyes to turn the deal into a more permanent arrangement. However, Jo knows that he cannot afford to take his foot off the gas if he wants to become a full-time member of Everton’s playing staff for the 2009/10 season and has seven games to left to convince Moyes of his worth.
“I think the first game I played here was the best I have played for Everton but I feel that I have been improving in training all the time,” said Jo, who is a popular figure in the dressing room. “I’m enjoying playing alongside Felli. He is a good player, a clever player and knows how to bring people in to the attack. “He uses his head and is good when he has the ball at his feet. “We have got a good break on the teams behind us and we are getting closer to reaching Europe, but we will not stop. “I’m very happy here and I now that I have got seven games to go before my deal expires. “We will see what happens but I’m really enjoying my time here. “The manager and all my team-mates have given me confidence. I'm playing better in every game and that's what I'm going to continue to do.”

David Moyes: Leon Osman is vital to us - Everton FC latest
Apr 7 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has backed Leon Osman to finish the season with a bang after spending two weeks “getting the rust” out of his game. The Everton midfielder got on the scoresheet for the first time since January 3 on Sunday when he fired in from close range to complete the 4-0 drubbing of Wigan. However, it was the quality of his performance in general that had Moyes raving, not least because Osman was heavily involved in the first three goals. Osman has struggled for consistency this season but that has been down to the fact that he has been battling a series of fitness issues since returning to training last July. That has meant Osman has been unable to train anywhere near as much as Moyes needed him to and the difference of getting an uninterrupted fortnight under his belt during the international break was there for all to see. “I thought Ossie was the best player on the pitch against Wigan,” said Moyes. “I don’t suppose it’s a coincidence that he’s just been able to have two weeks of straight training. “All season, he’s been lucky if he’s had a day here or a day there. When he is at his best, he can be a really big influence for us. “The word that gets used to me is ‘rusty’ when he doesn’t train and there is no doubt that he’s been rusty at times during the season. But against Wigan, there was no rust. “He looked really polished and that’s what happens when he can train without a problem. He’s become a really important player and we’ll need him to play his part in the next few weeks.”
While Moyes is thrilled with Osman’s return to form, the player himself was quick to deflect praise elsewhere and pinpointed Marouane Fellaini’s role in the Wigan win as being crucial. “Felli seems to be a lot more comfortable in there now,” Osman said. “It was a bit foreign to him when he first went and played in there. “We’ve all been helping him out, he’s been working hard himself and he’s starting to find his feet in there, which is great for the team. He’s so powerful and virtually impossible to stop.”
Meanwhile, Tim Howard is expected to shake off a thigh problem and maintain his record of having played in every minute of every game this season when Everton travel to Aston Villa on Sunday. There were concerns that the US keeper had suffered a nasty injury when he hobbled off after the Wigan game but physio Mick Rathbone said: “Tim has got a very minor thigh strain. We will see how he progresses this week.”

Steve Bennett named as referee for Everton v Man Utd FA Cup clash
Apr 7 2009
STEVE Bennett has been named as the referee for Everton's FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United on April 19. The Kent official will be assisted by Peter Kirkup and Shaun Procter-Green, with Alan Wiley acting as fourth official at Wembley. Bennett has been in charge of three of the Blues' games this season, the 1-0 win at Tottenham in November, the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Liverpool in January and the 2-0 victory over West Brom in February. Ten yellow cards have been dished out by the referee in the three matches but no red cards were shown. Tim Cahill was controversially sent off by Bennett on September 11 2004 after scoring against Manchester City and manager David Moyes was sent to the stands in April 2003 at West Brom by the same official.

NIGEL MARTYN: No danger of Everton taking foor off gas
Apr 7 2009 Nigel Martyn
EUROPE will be back on Everton’s agenda next season after the demolition of Wigan but do not for one minute expect the sandals and deckchairs to come out in the next few weeks. It has been another magnificent campaign, particularly when you consider the start to the season we endured, and nobody could have envisaged us qualifying for the Europa League with such ease. It may sound like I am jumping the gun, particularly given that we still have seven games to play, but I do not for one minute expect us to blow the seven point lead we currently have over West Ham United.
The reason? One word – Intertoto. If Everton’s players want an extended summer break and want to avoid playing their first competitive game of the new campaign in July, then they have got to ensure the foot stays stuck to the pedal in the last few weeks. What’s more, there will be no slacking this weekend as we have a terrific game in prospect against Aston Villa and many will see this as the game that decides who will finish fifth. The incentive for us to win in Birmingham is massive; they have endured a nightmare run of results over the past month and the prospect of them overhauling Arsenal to finish fourth is looking remote. If we happen to win at Villa Park, it could well demoralise Martin O’Neill’s men, who will already be reeling after a back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester United but it is not going to be as easy as some people will think. Villa showed signs of getting back to their best at Old Trafford on Sunday and they have a lot of good players capable of having an influence games – John Carew, for starters, appears to be a striker who fancies it more in some games than he does others. We will have to be on guard if Villa start pumping high balls into our area and they will see this as an opportunity to kick-start things for the final push to the line. However, if we needed any extra motivation for going there to put on a show, all we need to do is look at them – they put everything they had into getting through to the UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup and there is no doubt their squad is paying the price of an early start. To avoid the same thing happening to us this time next year, we can’t afford to take it easy – nor will we.

NIGEL MARTYN: No need for Everton rush through Jo deal
Apr 7 2009 Nigel Martyn
TALK is beginning to gather pace about the possibility of Jo signing permanently for Everton next summer. Weight was added to his argument on Sunday when he scored two goals against Wigan Athletic and his goals to game ratio of five in seven makes impressive reading. However, it may be best to sound a word of warning at this point – though he has been good in some games, he hasn’t pulled up trees in others and David Moyes will have taken note of that. The manager plays the loan market well – in the past he has brought Tim Howard, Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar in on a temporary basis – and getting Jo in January was an excellent decision. But I’m sure David won’t rush in to doing a permanent deal, all the more so if Manchester City demand big money. What is likely to happen is that he will wait and see who else becomes available in the summer – or see if Jo can convince him before that.
Managers support Carsley
MICK McCARTHY and Alex McLeish both jumped to the defence of Lee Carsley after his horror tackle put a tarnish on Birmingham’s 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Wolves. The Blues skipper was shown a straight red card in the 36th minute for a dangerously high tackle on Chris Iwelumo that looked to take more of the striker’s knee than the ball. The Scotland international was left to play no further part in the Championship clash, although early examinations suggest the injury is not as bad as initially feared. Former Everton favourite Carsley is believed to have sought out Iwelumo after the game in order to issue an apology. And Wolves manager McCarthy said: “At the time I couldn’t really see it, but I’ve just watched it again and let me clear something up.“Lee wouldn’t go in to hurt anybody and that’s for sure. He’s a competitor and I think he’s just mistimed it, he’s caught him and it’s not a very nice tackle.” “He’s one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever come across in football and not for one minute do I think he’s attempted to ’do’ Chris. “But it was late and it doesn’t look nice. “Chris has got a sore knee but we’ll know more on Tuesday. He’s got it in ice but he’ll probably go for a scan.” He added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt it was the turning point, the game was going nowhere. I thought we were comfortable except for a couple of mistakes.” Cameron Jerome’s close-range finish in first-half stoppage time and Garry O’Connor’s well-taken goal in the 69th minute were enough to secure victory for Blues over a Wolves side who were punished for their defensive frailties.
The victory moved City to within two points of their midlands neighbours at the top of the table. But much of the post-match talk did surround Carsley’s challenge, and Blues boss McLeish echoed his opposite number’s thoughts. He said: “I thought he wasn’t the favourite to win the ball. Lee’s a wholehearted player, committed – he’s not a dirty player by any means.” and all the professionals know that,” said McLeish.
“But he’s high with his studs and when you do that and don’t get the ball then 99% of the time it’s a red card. “He was upset at half-time. He knows that the player is injured and he cares, he is a guy who cares not only about the cause for Birmingham but he respects his fellow pro’s.”

Ex-Everton boss Colin Harvey recalls city united in grief by Hillsborough
Apr 7 2009 Paddy Shennan
IT wasn’t until he was back in the dressing room at Villa Park, after seeing his Everton team beat Norwich City in the other 1989 FA Cup semi-final, that Colin Harvey heard about the horrors of Hillsborough. He and his players weren’t alone in hearing the news late – many Evertonians streamed back to their cars expecting to hear commentary from the game in Sheffield having merely been told that the game had been delayed. “A couple of journalists came into the dressing room after the game looking very sombre,” recalls Colin. “It had been a happy dressing room – a few things had filtered through about there being a delay at Hillsborough but we had no idea about the real situation until the journalists arrived. "It was such a terrible shock to hear that people had died, although we didn’t know how many. “We got onto the coach and began to get the full terrible picture about what had happened by listening to the radio. We thought how it could have been the other way round and that there but for the grace of God . . . “What we had just achieved went out of our minds completely. "What happened transcended football. “It was no longer important – it was irrelevant.” Colin’s thoughts also turned to two of his three daughters who were worried for their Liverpool-supporting friends who had gone to Hillsborough.
He explains: “My two eldest daughters – Joanna, then 18, and Melanie, then 16 – went home from Villa Park and sat by the phone waiting for news. It was quite late before they found out but, thankfully, their friends were OK.”
The next day Colin joined mourners at a requiem Mass for the Hillsborough victims at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.
He recalls: “The city really bonded together after the tragedy.
“I know Kenny (Dalglish) and the Liverpool players went to many funerals, while Myself and (Everton coach) Terry Darracott attended some in Kirkby and on the Wirral. “I didn’t know if it was my place to go, but I got phone calls or letters asking me and obviously I had no hesitation in going. “On the Friday before our first game after Hillsborough, which was away at Spurs, we all went to Anfield to lay a wreath.
"It was something all the players really wanted to do.” Regarding one particular legacy of that dreadful day, Colin, who today scouts for Bolton Wanderers, says: “It’s terrible that it took such a tragedy for it to happen but, in this country, we’ve now got safe, all-seater grounds. "I’ve been to some grounds in Europe where it’s a very different story.”

Bayern Munich in move for Everton's Lars Jacobsen
Apr 8 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
BAYERN MUNICH are weighing up a surprise move for Lars Jacobsen when he becomes a free agent this summer. The Denmark international joined Everton last August following his release from FC Nuremburg but has only made one appearance – a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth last month. He is only on a 12-month contract at Goodison Park and, as yet, there have been no moves on Everton’s behalf to extend that deal, so the odds are increasing that he will move on and a move to Germany would suit the player. Danish players regard Die Bundesliga as a home from home.
Prior to a successful spell with FC Copenhagen, Jacobsen – who has been capped 22 times by Denmark – spent 18 months with SV Hamburg, making 22 appearances.
Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini has set his sights on helping Everton leapfrog Aston Villa this weekend and maintaining his excellent form. The Belgian international is determined to carry on at Villa Park and the significance of a win there is not lost on him. “It’s a big and important game because they are just ahead of us in the league, so what we want to do is catch them and eventually get past them,” Fellaini said.
“So that’s what we’ll be doing – working hard this week in order to get the right result at the weekend. “The coaches have been keeping things moving in the right direction for some time now. "But it’s important to carry on being focused and working.”

Everton FC to hold online ballot for remaining Man Utd FA Cup semi-final tickets
Apr 8 2009 by Richard Down, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON FC will hold an online ballot for remaining FA Cup semi-final tickets.
Supporters gathered outside Goodison Park from as early as 4.30am yesterday in the mistaken belief they would be able to buy tickets for the clash. But they were told club management were meeting to decide how to distribute the sought-after tickets.
Everton later announced a small number of tickets for the match against Manchester United at Wembley would go into an online ballot. A club spokesman said: “Due to the scarcity of those tickets, we will operate a ballot process via the official Everton website. “The ballot will open at 9am today and will close at 5pm on Thursday, April 9. “Only supporters who have attended three home games this season will be eligible.”

Sunderland Reserves 0, Everton Reserves 0
Apr 9 2009 Liverpool Daily Post
JAMES VAUGHAN completed 68 minutes in his first action since November in Everton Reserves’ goalless draw at Sunderland in the FA Barclays Premier Reserve League Northern Section last night. The Everton striker made his comeback following knee surgery as Everton denied Sunderland the three points that would have gave them the Northern Section title. Vaughan gave a typically busy display, before being replaced by Adam Forshaw. Everton had chances through Kieran Agard and John Paul Kissock, while at the other end Carlo Nash made a few decent stops.
EVERTON RESERVES: Nash, Irving (Nsiala 88), Barnett, Wallace, Duffy, Sinnott, Kissock (Craig 88), Akpan, Vaughan (Forshaw 68), Agard, Baxter. Subs: Stubhaug, Kinsella.

Everton Ladies are eyeing silver lining
Apr 9 2009 by Michael Kettiros, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Ladies remain eight points behind Arsenal Ladies in the FA Premier League, but have played three games less. Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners at home to Bristol Academy but Everton kept up the pressure on the leaders with a slender 1-0 win away to Watford. A Fern Whelan goal in the 61st minute was enough to take all three points. Arsenal must still travel to Everton, who beat them 3-0 at Boreham Wood last month to end a 108-game unbeaten run, before the end of the season. Although Arsenal have won the league for the last five seasons, Everton have a great chance to end their dominance. Wins in their remaining games, starting with the visit of Fulham on Sunday, will be enough for the title.

British Transport Police staff will go on strike on Everton’s FA Cup semi-final day
Apr 9 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON fans heading for next week’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley could face travel chaos because of strike action by British Transport Police civilian support staff.
Employees who control the movement of football specials will walk out from 7pm on Friday, April 17, until 7am on Monday, April 20, in a pay row. The strike will affect supporters travelling to the clash with Manchester United on the Sunday. If the dispute is not settled in the next few weeks, the staff will stage another 48-hour walkout on day of the FA Cup final on May 30.

Everton fans prepare to scale Italian mountains
Apr 9 2009 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TWO keen Evertonians will face their fears head on when they undertake a daunting mountain climb. Carena Duffy, 29, will defy her phobia of heights by embarking on the daredevil trip through a range of Italian mountains to raise money for her favourite charity, the Everton Foundation. Carena, of Kirkby, and friend Hollie Costigan, 27, of Warrington, will take on the 929-metre high Via Ferrata, or ‘Iron Road’, challenge in the Italian Dolomite mountains in June. The women, who both work for Everton FC, will traverse the dangerous route of fixed cables, ladders and rickety bridges, created to allow soldiers to pass through the isolated passages during World War I.
The challenge will mean 48 hours of gruelling climbing with little sleep.
To prepare for it the novices plan to climb Snowdon next month. They will spend part of their climbs strapped into rigid harnesses so have been getting fit by running in their Everton tracksuits. Carena said: “My legs go rubbery and I go a bit queasy if I go up a tall building, so taking on the Via Ferrata is terrifying me. “I have never been climbing before I started preparing for this and the first couple of sessions was just a blur. “But I’m a big Everton fan and especially proud of all the good work the club does in the community so I want to face my fear and make something good come from it.” To help call Ron Hutchinson on 0151 330 2307 or visit www.justgiving.co.uk/ comeonyoublues

Mikel Arteta on road back – Everton boss David Moyes
Apr 9 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today issued a positive bulletin over the progress Mikel Arteta is making from the injury which ended his season. The midfielder ruptured his cruciate ligament in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle on February 22 and faces a long road back to full fitness. Arteta underwent surgery in Spain last month and physio Mick Rathbone, who has been out to see him, reports the early signs are encouraging that he will make a full recovery. Arteta is currently staying with his parents in San Sebastian but is due back at Finch Farm some time before the end of the campaign for a check up.
And Moyes believes returning to a welcoming environment might just give Arteta a further boost as he embarks on the long road back. “Baz has been out to see Mikel and from what he has told me, the initial stage of his recovery is going well,” said Moyes.
“I have also spoken to Mikel and he seems to be quite positive in his frame of mind. He is staying with his parents in Spain for the time being.“I think he will come back here at some point in the next few weeks but when that is, I don’t know. Mikel has his own private trainer in Spain and he is looking after him. “But he is under the orders of the surgeons at the minute not to do too much. It’s early days but we know he is fine and that the operation went well.” If it will be some time before Arteta pulls on a Blue shirt again in the Premier League, the opposite is true for James Vaughan, who made his return from injury last night. The 20-year-old striker has been out since November with a cartilage problem and was initially ruled out for the year. However, his progress has been relentless and Vaughan showed his wellbeing by playing 68 minutes for the reserves in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Vaughan is unlikely to come into contention for this Sunday’s showdown with Aston Villa but, if all goes according to plan, he may be considered for a place in the FA Cup semi-final squad.
Meanwhile, Villa manager Martin O’Neill is wary of the threat Everton will pose to his side this weekend and fears the Blues could extend their recent misery.
Villa have picked up just one point from the last 18 available and O’Neill said: “It is a really vital game for both clubs. Everton are just breathing down our necks at this
“They are going very well and have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to. It has been reported that they think they can finish fourth in the league. Therefore perhaps our own ambitions might not be that far off the mark. We just have to win some games.”

Ex-Everton star David Unsworth spots new career opportunity
Apr 9 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IT’S the decision that is supposed to leave footballers in turmoil, one that sparks a battle between head and heart. When you talk to players approaching the end of their careers, you hear them talk about how they don’t want the adventure to end, how they wish they could turn the clock back a couple of years. Retiring from the game that has provided them with so many thrills and spills, countless stories and a living almost from the moment they left school is a dilemma which few want to consider.
David Unsworth, however, has been cut from a completely different cloth.
Having negotiated the termination of the contract he was on at Huddersfield Town last week, Unsworth arrived at a crossroads where he could either have searched for the tenth club of his career, or turned to pursue another path. Faced with the prospect of becoming a journeyman or hanging up his boots, he opted for the latter in the blink of an eye – and he couldn’t be happier. Coaching, you see, has become Unsworth’s great passion in the last couple of years. The man who is known to Evertonians as ‘Rhino’ hopes the next phase of his career will be even more exciting than what has gone before. “It was a decision that I nearly took last summer,” said Unsworth, who made 350 appearances for Everton in two spells at Goodison Park, scoring 46 goals. “I was offered a player-coach job by Burnley then and I thought long and hard about it.
“Owen Coyle (Burnley’s manager) was fantastic but I had played 31 games last season and everyone who I spoke to told me to carry on playing for as long as I could. I took that advice. “But hindsight is a wonderful thing. I went to Huddersfield and only played a handful of games, there were a couple of changes of manager and all I was doing was going training every day but not getting anything back at the weekend.
“That’s what made it so easy. My passion has been coaching and I really want to get involved in that side of the game. I want to become a manager one day, so coaching is something that I am desperate to get my teeth in to.” Passionate and enthusiastic about the game, the dream, of course, is to one day return to Goodison Park and take a place in the dugout but Unsworth is also realistic in that he knows he is starting again from scratch. Yet he has already started tapping into the knowledge of men he has worked with down the years – a phone call has already been made to Joe Royle – and he is gearing up to take his ‘A’ licence badge in June. That course in Scotland is one that has been taken by men such as David Moyes, Alan Shearer and Jose Mourinho and has an outstanding reputation; no wonder, then, that Unsworth is relishing what lies in store. “I didn’t want to be the type of man who is dropping further and further down the leagues just to get a game and playing when I was 40,” he pointed out.
“A lot of players do that and best of luck to them, but in my head and heart I knew it wasn’t for me. I’m just looking forward to having a bit of a break now and going to the course in Scotland and giving it my all. “Every time I have met people I have worked with in the past, I’ve been firing questions at them; Joe, for example, has been brilliant and given me stacks of advice; I’d like to think that somewhere down the line, I’ll be able to do a good job.”Which, of course, he did for Everton as a player. Gutsy, committed and a defender who took no prisoners if the ball was there to be won, he overcame some terrace disquiet in his early career with the Blues to become a firm favourite. What’s more, his standing amongst supporters went up another couple of notches a few years ago when he sat on the Gwladys Street to watch a derby game but ended up having to be moved after he was mobbed. That could happen again soon.
“My mates thought I was taking a bit of a chance after what happened that day at Goodison, but I went to Anfield for the fourth round game and sat in the Anfield Road end,” said Unsworth, who graduated from the youth ranks into the first team.
“It was the middle of January and there I am sat there in sun glasses, a big scarf and a hat with my collars pulled up – and still I managed to get noticed! But it was a great performance that day and there have been so many like that this year. “Take what happened on Sunday against Wigan – they have been playing well but we absolutely battered them; we made it look easy. I just hope we can take that into the Manchester United game and be firing on all cylinders. “We are always a team that looks capable of nicking a goal and if we keep it as solid as the Gaffer likes it, then why can’t we go all the way? Like everyone else, I’m hoping and praying that this will be our year.”
Unsworth tips Hibbert for England
EVERTON had three lions in the last England squad, but David Unsworth hopes it won’t be long before one of his old team-mates joins the party. Tony Hibbert made an encouraging return to action in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic and showed why he is so highly-rated by Everton’s coaching staff. He might not be the most fashionable of players but Unsworth believes Hibbert would not look out of place in Fabio Capello’s squad if he maintains his development. “The likes of Bainesy, Jags and Joleon Lescott have been getting the headlines and they have had excellent seasons,” said Unsworth, who won his sole cap against Japan in 1995.
“But every time I have seen Hibbo this year, he has been absolutely outstanding, not far from being the best player on the pitch. I honestly don’t think there is a right back in the country who can defend better than him and if he continues to improve going forward, he could play for England. “He has the ability to take it to that next step.
“His confidence is getting better and if he can start to deliver better final balls, he will be with the other three in the near future.” Hibbert is now Everton’s longest serving player and has made 216 appearances, coming a long way since making his debut, alongside Unsworth, at Upton Park in March 2001. “He is a quiet lad but when he gets on the pitch, Hibbo is a ferocious competitor,” said Unsworth. “He is Everton through and through and I could never see him leaving.”
Factfile
* Unsworth scored on his league debut at Tottenham – the equaliser in a 3-3 draw after Everton had trailed 3-0.
* Unsy also captained Everton for the first time at White Hart Lane.
* He also scored in David Moyes' first match as Everton manager – after 32 seconds.
* An excellent penalty taker, Unsworth scored the penalty which saved Wigan from the drop – and sent down his former club Sheffield United. Ironically he'd missed a rare penalty kick for The Blades against Blackburn Rovers earlier the same season!
* A defender, Unsworth nevertheless scored on his debuts for Everton, Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Ipswich.
* His favourite goal was a scissors kick at Aston Villa – the club he spent four weeks at in 1998.

Yakubu is spurred on by Everton’s success
Apr 9 2009 by Michael Kettiros, Liverpool Echo
AYEGBENI Yakubu has set his sights on firing Everton into the Champions League next season – after admitting his delight that his team-mates took a major step towards securing Europa League qualification with their 4-0 win over Wigan. The Blues have opened up a seven point gap between themselves and seventh placed West Ham.
Arsenal, who occupy the final Champions League spot, remain seven points ahead of Everton. Yakubu – whose goals fired the Blues into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup last season – has not featured since rupturing an Achilles tendon at Tottenham in November. But his rehabilitation is going well, and he admits the thought of being part of a side challenging for a top four place is spurring his recovery process.
“I am doing well at the moment and hopefully I will be back soon,” he said.
“I will visit a specialist in France to look at the problem, but I am hopeful to be fine very soon. “It is sad I can't help the team at the moment. But they are doing very well and we have got a slight chance to be in the Champions League. “But to finish in the top five (this season) will be very good for us. “Hopefully the final phase of my rehabilitation will be good, and next season we will fight for a top four finish.”

The Jury: Everton fans on Wigan win & the Aston Villa showdown
Apr 9 2009 Liverpool Echo
LEE MOLTON, St Helens
A FOUR star performance from the Blues on Sunday to keep our UEFA Cup dreams going strong. Who said that their minds would be on Wembley? There were good performances from Osman and Fellaini who is adapting well to the Premier League now and is proving to be a good buy. Jo is also weighing in with his fair share of goals too. Sunday’s game at Villa should be a cracker with the Blues on top form. A win would see us move into fifth spot and would be a perfect build up to Wembley the following week. Wembley will look glorious next week with a sea of over 30,000 Evertonians cheering them on to be our 12th man. With so many behind them, how can the Blues fail? We need to go at them as they are very vulnerable at the back, Saha could prove to be the match winner. Good luck boys, we can beat Man United to reach the Cup Final!
MICHAEL DRUMMOND, Speke
IT WAS a fantastic win against Wigan and despite that we will probably not get any easier goals to score for a while, you cannot take the massive win from the team. Fair enough, Wigan were not the same team that beat us at the JJB, but it is important to capitalise on a poor team and we did. Our passing was excellent and I'm happy that Leon Osman has found his form again. The win was extremely important to us because it created some distance between sixth and seventh and with Man United winning, it has now left us one point behind fifth. Aston Villa were unfortunate not to get anything out of the game at Old Trafford and despite the defeat, they are coming back on form which makes our task this weekend more difficult. I do believe that we can get something from the game and snatch a win from a team who do not lose many at home.
DEBBIE SMAJE, Upholland
LAST Sunday could not have gone any better. Our own excellent performance and big win, coupled with Villa’s stoppage time defeat at United sets up the weekend game at Villa Park nicely. Since we met in the Cup two months ago, things have gone in very different directions for both of us. Villa have failed to win since, and although our away form has been indifferent, we have lost only once. The performance against Wigan was outstanding. Osman and Fellaini combined with Jo to perfection, Cahill in the midfield gave us composure, and the return of Tony Hibbert brought back the balance and understanding in our defence, as we have suffered slightly since he was injured. As outstanding a season as Jagielka has had, he does not offer nearly as much as Hibbert does at right back, and I think this recent run has shown a few doubters how important a player Hibbert is . With no new injuries to worry about, it was good preparation for a massive next two weeks.
DAVID WALLBANK, Huyton
LAST week Everton opened up a ten-point gap between themselves and Wigan, and in my opinion didn’t even get out of first gear. Wigan couldn’t have been any worse, but Everton were professional and direct and more to the point ruthless in front of goal. I hate to single any player out for praise, as the squad has been unbelievable during this campaign. But Tim Cahill is different class. He win’s defensive headers, scares opposing defences and never backs down from any challenge. He is an inspirational figure for the Toffees and barring any injuries looks like he might be the real difference as we enter the final stage of the season. I feel the pressure is certainly on the Villains this weekend, and I can only see the pressure increasing as Everton look in buoyant mood and will be seeking to reclaim fifth spot

Take your own team bus to Wembley for Everton v Man Utd FA Cup semi final
Apr 9 2009 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON fans are all set for a mass migration down the M6 on Sunday April 19, for the FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United in The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON. We know the journey is all part of the fun on match day, so we’ve teamed up with E.ON and National Express, Official Travel Partner to The FA Cup, to offer the chance to head to Wembley Stadium in style for the big match. To add to the excitement and enhance the pre-match build-up a specially designed National Express coach will make the journey to the famous stadium, with a Toffees’ FA Cup legendŠŠ on board to act as host for the journey down. In support of E.ON’s Family Football campaign we’re offering a lucky winner and four of their friends and family to join our legend on board with tickets for the Everton section of the ground included as part of the prize. It’s an unbelievable chance to make a special day truly unforgettable. And hopefully the boys in blue can cap it all with a win to send Everton through to their first FA Cup final since 1995. For your chance to win this special prize just answer this simple question: l Everton fans had to travel to which town for this year’s FA Cup sponsored by E.ON 3rd round match? a) Bristol b) Macclesfield c) Glasgow
Send your answer on a postcard or sealed down envelope to Wembley Competition, Liverpool Echo Sports Desk, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB. Or e-mail your answer to www.sportatliverpool.com.
Closing date is Tuesday, April 14. Usual terms and conditions apply. Editor's decision is final. If you are not lucky enough to win this great competition you can still travel with National Express on their direct services to Wembley Stadium on April 19.
Everton coaches depart Liverpool, Norton Street coach station 08:30 arriving at Wembley 13:30. Services will drop fans right at the gates of Wembley Stadium and departures will be delayed if there is extra time – so you won’t miss a second of the action, no matter what happens on the pitch. For more information and to book your ticket visit

Blue Boys: Coach Neil Dewsnip’s delight at Everton Under-18s’ heroics
Apr 9 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Under-18s extended their unbeaten run to five matches with an impressive 3-0 victory at Bolton in the FA Premier Academy League.
Lewis Codling bagged a double and Luke Powell was also on target to help the Blues climb to third place in Group C. Coach Neil Dewsnip said: “It was a very young team but they continue to blossom. “It has surprised us a bit but good on them. They got an opportunity a few weeks ago and boy have they taken it. “We started off under a little bit under pressure but we came into it and once we took the lead through a penalty we were in control. It was a really good perfor-mance again. “The really nice part was we ended the match with five schoolboys on the pitch, which really encourages us for the future.” Codling opened the scoring after 15 minutes from the penalty spot after Powell had been brought down in the area. Seven minutes later Powell made a superb run from the halfway line and coolly finished to make it 2-0. Ross Barkley nearly added a third before the break but his shot from a corner hit the bar. Goalkeeper Lars Stubhuag saved well from to maintain Everton’s two-goal cushion and the points were secured when Gerard Kinsella set up Codling for his ninth goal of the season.
Schoolboys Jordan Barrow and Tom Dongahan made their second appearances for the under-18s, while new signing Femi Orenuga, who was snapped up from Southend United, came off the bench to make his debut late on. The under-18s have a break for Easter and their next fixture is against Nottingham Forest at Finch Farm a week on Saturday (11am). “It is a real shame we don’t have a game this week,” Dewsnip added. “It is one of those things where they don’t need a break. “They are on a high, we have got a new group on the field and they have gelled together now.
“We have three games left and you would hope, whatever the scores in those games, they can maintain the form and style of play they have shown. “We are unbeaten in five games and I think it has got better and better as those games have progressed.”
Barkley and Jake Bidwell have travelled to France with England Under-16s for the Montaigu Tournament over Easter.
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Stubhaug; Barrow, Barkley, Nsiala, Bidwell; Shepphard (Orenuga 80), Craig, Kinsella, McAleny; Powell (Donaghan 60), Codling, Subs: Cummins, Dobie, Jensen.

David Moyes urges Fellaini to carry on scoring and aid Everton’s bid to leapfrog Aston Villa.
Apr 10 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
The Blues’ record signing took his tally for the season up to seven last weekend when he grabbed the second goal in the 4-0 thumping of Wigan. Moyes was satisfied the 21-year-old found the target and hopes that will be the case again when he lines up at Villa Park this Sunday. “It’s some ratio when you think about it,” said Moyes. “We’ve needed his goals because we haven’t had too many strikers this season.
“He creates things as well. But the main thing is that he’s getting opportunities around the goal; when he’s like that, he has an impact on the game and we need him to stay that way. “I thought it was his best game for us,” said Moyes. “It was certainly his best performance since before he got suspended for the two Liverpool games in January.
“He had done really well for us up until that point but it’s been a bit up and down since then and I have to say I was a bit worried about him. “I’d been to see him play for Belgium the week before and they ended up getting well beaten in their first game by Bosnia. “They then lost the second game against Bosnia a couple of days later, so I was really worried about how he might come back. He even looked low when he came back into training. “But he had a big impact against Wigan and we saw signs that he was coming right back to his very best.” Meanwhile, Everton’s Premier League fixture with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light is set to change. The Blues were scheduled to face the Black Cats at 3pm on Saturday, 2 May. However, the fixture has been selected by Sky Sports for live broadcast and will now kick-off at 12.45pm.
But it could yet be moved to 4pm on Sunday, May 3 if Manchester United progress to the semi-final of the Champions League.

Everton fears over Tim Howard
Apr 11 2009 by James Connor, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES is ready to gamble with Tim Howard’s fitness and play him in tomorrow’s ‘must win’ game at Aston Villa. Everton’s goalkeeper has been battling to overcome a thigh strain all week and Moyes is confident that he will continue between the posts at Villa Park. There is, however, a slight question mark as to whether Howard will be totally fit and Moyes knows there is a risk in playing him particularly with FA Cup semi-final around the corner. But with Moyes knowing Everton cannot afford to slip up if their ambitions of playing in the Champions League are to remain intact, he needs his best players around and Howard – who has kept 13 Premier League clean sheets this season – falls into that category. “I want to win against Aston Villa and I’m not even considering another game at the moment, so I would take the risk in playing Tim,” said Moyes. “Tim has trained for the last few days and we would expect him to be fit but we do not know where the problem has come from; it might have been something in his back. “It’s not a great concern and I’m hoping that he will be ok. We have got lots of knocks and bruises and few lads will have to be patched up. If, for some reason, Howard does not pass a fitness test, that would open up the door for Carlo Nash to make his Everton debut. Nash joined on transfer deadline day last summer when leaving Wigan and Moyes has faith that the 35-year-old would not let him down if he had to take over the gloves from Howard. “If it came to it, I wouldn’t have a problem putting him in,” said Moyes. “Nashy is a reliable lad, he’s worked hard and he knows what we are about. “He’s had a couple of reserve games under his belt recently, and if he had to, I would have no qualms about playing him.”
Moyes, meanwhile, is looking for more of the same from Brazilian striker Jo, who scored two goals in the win over Wigan to celebrate meeting up with his eight month old daughter Giovanna for the first time. “Jo has done terrific,” said Moyes. “If someone had said to me that we would get a striker in February and by the first week in April he’d have scored five times, I’d have snapped their hand off. “We have got to give him a lot of credit. Everyone knows that being around family can make a big difference. You feel more contented and that could possibly have helped him. I’m sure his daughter being here will help him.”

Everton FC Vs Wigan: Fight is on
Apr 11 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES was in a defiant mood over his side’s Champions League prospects after Wigan Athletic had been blown out of the water last weekend and the bravado continues ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Villa Park. But while his audacity and the belief he has in his team is admirable, Moyes is also a realist and he has accepted that Everton have one last throw of the dice left to try and secure a place among the elite of Europe next season. If they can inflict a sixth defeat in seven Premier League games on Aston Villa, the quest to finish in the top four will remain on and Moyes is quietly confident that Everton’s players are ready to deliver another bold performance.
Anything less than three points, though, and Moyes knows that the chance of this squad – who have all but guaranteed a spot in next year’s Europa League – replicating the achievements of the class of 2004/05 will be over for another year. The incentive, clearly, is there and it perhaps helps that Everton have such a big game to play seven days before their FA Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester United to keep minds focused. For Moyes, though, that date at Wembley hasn’t even crossed his mind; he won’t entertain any thoughts about the famous old pot until after Villa have been dealt with and – all being well – his dreams of tackling the continent’s finest remain on course. “Is this a must-win game? Well if we want to get into the Champions League, the answer is ‘yes’,” said Moyes. “Both ourselves and Aston Villa are in a strong position to qualify for Europe, so it depends how you look at it.
“The first thing we have got to do is go and win the game. But it will be tough. Martin O’Neill has done a great job; he did the same at Leicester, then at Celtic. I thought Villa were really strong favourites to finish fourth earlier this season.
“Some people were saying there was even a chance of them pushing all the way for the top and that shows you what a great job Martin has done. This is a big game for us and it is going to keep the boys focused. “I don’t think it matters who we are playing. We are having to concentrate and the most important thing is to get the points this weekend. That is the only thing I am interested in. The Premier League is always the priority. “As far as I am concerned, there is no other game in my mind. It will be difficult and Villa will feel a bit disappointed that they never got a point against Manchester United last week. I have to be cautious of that.” Since Villa staged a last-gasp smash and grab raid at Goodison Park on December 7, winning 3-2, Everton have suffered just two defeats in 20 matches and exacted some form of revenge by knocking O’Neil’s men out of the Cup in February. It has been an astonishing about turn and the fact that Everton can jump into fifth place has surprised the man in charge. “I hoped that we’d be in this position but after the start we’d had to the season and the way the summer had gone, I didn’t feel as if we were going to be strong enough to compete,” said Moyes. “But there have been lots of positives. The form of Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka has been outstanding and I think those elements have really helped us. Tim Cahill has been more inspirational than ever for us.
“Then you have the introduction of the younger lads, which has given us a bit of freshness. So there have been reasons why it has improved. But did I expect to be here now? Probably not. But we are making the most of it.” The stakes will be high for Lescott tomorrow as he was a Villa supporter when he was younger and members of his family still regularly go to games at Villa Park but there will be no split loyalties come kick-off. “I don’t think I’ve ever gone from such a high to a low in a game that quickly before,” said Lescott, who scored both Everton‘s goals in that 3-2 defeat. “That wave of emotion was really hard to take. “I had a couple of trials at Villa when I was a kid but it didn’t work out. It was disappointing at the time but you have to get on with it. In the end I went to Wolves and have no regrets about going there.
“Sunday is going to be a different test but we are up for it and confident of getting a result. I know a few of their lads – Ashley from his Watford days, Zat Knight and Gareth Barry from when we were younger – but we won’t speak until after the game.”

Dominic King: Everton are in driving seat to overtake Villa
Apr 11 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
FUNNY how things change. If you had suggested before Everton’s last Premier League meeting with Aston Villa that the Blues would end the campaign challenging for fifth spot or better, not many people would have taken you seriously.
When Ashley Young scampered through a defence that was at sixes and sevens to pilfer the points for Martin O’Neill’s men on December 7, it looked pretty much impossible that Everton could come close to matching last year’s efforts.
The supporters who traipsed out of Goodison Park that night, angry and frustrated, cast envious glances towards Villa; they saw a club whose chairman was backing his manager with money and a team that played fast, vibrant counter-attacking football.
Emotions run high when you are on the wrong end of a last minute defeat but it pays not to get too low after such setbacks in the same way it is best not to get too high after late winners, and the reaction in the dressing room to that Young goal shaped their fortunes. A number of David Moyes’ players spoke in the days following that defeat about their belief that Villa were not streets ahead of them and how it was best to concentrate on matters at home while their rivals were the subject of glowing headlines. It is an approach that has reaped handsome dividends; while there is no escaping that Villa have enjoyed a terrific season, they are paying a price for an early start and not having the kind of foundations that Everton have in place. Yes, O’Neill is a shrewd manager and yes, Randy Lerner has given a master class in how foreign owners should run an English Premier League team but would you swap either man for those currently in charge at Goodison? Lerner may be an extremely wealth man but it’s not as if he has given O’Neill a bottomless pit to keep dipping into; those who think the grass is greener down in the Midlands should remember that Villa’s biggest signing did not cost as much as Everton’s. Both clubs broke their transfer records last summer but again the question needs asking: who would you rather have had; Marouane Fellaini or James Milner? Everton did try to sign Milner but the frustration of missing out was made up for by Fellaini’s development. Every time Moyes has wanted to push the boat out that bit further, invariably Bill Kenwright has found a way to do it, even in January when the coffers had all but run dry, a deal was done to bring in Jo on loan – and, once again, that has worked. By contrast Villa drafted in Emile Heskey from Wigan but he has spent a lot of his time on the sidelines nursing injuries, while there is a school of thought amongst some Villa supporters that they missed a glorious chance to push on by not spending big in January. It would be wrong to class tomorrow’s game as the make or break tussle in terms of deciding which team eventually finishes fifth – Arsenal, unfortunately, appear to have gone beyond recall in terms of fourth place. But, an Everton win would make a big statement in terms of where the two clubs are positioned; those who felt throughout the season that Villa made such progress they had overtaken the Toffees for good have been forced to think again. “I think we’ve played better this season than we did last year,” Everton skipper Phil Neville pointed out earlier this week. “When we lost to Aston Villa earlier in the season, we had an unbelievable belief afterwards to try and overhaul them, even when we heard people on the outside saying that it was impossible. “I never thought that Villa were so much better than us and it’s our aim to finish ahead of them. We threw three points away the last time we played them and we have no intentions of doing that again.”

Dominic King: Don’t believe everything you read - just ask Jack Rodwell
Apr 11 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
WIKIPEDIA is a website that millions of people use every day but there are times when it is not exactly one of your more reliable ports of call. For instance, Gary Naysmith’s page was edited by someone who claimed Evertonians had taken to calling him “El Blanco Carlos” after the great Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos, much to everyone’s bewilderment. Now it seems young Jack Rodwell is the latest victim of a hoax; in the personal information on his page, it says “he once got lost driving to Everton’s training academy Finch Farm and paid a taxi driver to escort him – despite having satelite navigation.” You will notice that satellite has been spelt wrong. The search is now on for the culprit but it has neither been confirmed or denied to Royal Blue whether the information that the young man known as 'Rodders' is a hopeless navigator.

Dominic King: Soak up Cup tie in style at the Alex Young suite
Apr 11 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
SPARE tickets for Wembley next week are as rare a commodity as snowballs in the desert but, for those who have missed out, there is still chance to watch the semi-final with Manchester United in a matchday atmosphere. The Blues top brass have decided to screen the tie in the Alex Young Suite, including full pre-match build-up, gourmet curry and a premium pint. The lounge opens at 2pm (kick-off is at 4pm) and tickets cost just £7.50, which also entitles you to one pint of draught lager or bitter or one glass of wine, plus chicken curry. A cash bar is also available throughout the match.
Spaces are limited and are being snapped up fast but to reserve your place or to make further enquiries, contact Helen on 0151 530 5251.

Barry Horne hails unsung heroes of Everton romp over Wigan
Apr 11 2009 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
I was at Goodison Park last weekend to watch another outstanding performance from the Blues – a fact magnanimously acknowledged by Steve Bruce. Once again there was a flying start in a home match – and while Marouane Fellaini enjoyed his best match in an Everton shirt and Jo deserved his plaudits – there were numerous unsung heroes for the Blues. Wigan started with an adventurous formation which saw Valencia, Scharner and N'Zogbia all trying to get ahead of lone striker Mido.
But they were forced to change to a more regular 4-4-2 because of the brilliance of the Blues' back four once again. The number of decisive interceptions made by Jagielka and Lescott may not have instantly caught the eye, but they were hugely influential.
But even their performances couldn't overshadow the man of the match for me, midfielder Leon Osman. He showed his best form of the season – which is great news going into such a big month for the club. With Everton not having any natural width on the day, much of their game flowed through the middle where Osman dictated proceedings superbly. Together with a wonderfully disciplined display from Tim Cahill, they helped Fellaini enjoy such an influential afternoon. I'm sure it's no coincidence that the Belgian was able to enjoy such a splendid game because he wasn't asked to track back so often. I'm not certain he can be as effective playing as a midfield player, but it was still an impressive afternoon. Louis Saha came off the bench and looked like he had benefited from the break for internationals.
He moved superbly – even after an edge of the seat moment when Titus Bramble left him in a heap following a heavy challenge. The good news continued in the week when James Vaughan managed 68 minutes of a competitive reserve match at Sunderland. I am sure that nobody at the club, apart from Vaughan himself, will be wanting him to rush back too soon. But the fact that he is back on a football pitch again is great news for the club – and gives David Moyes hope that he might have even more options in time for the FA Cup semi-final.

Barry Horne: Grand gesture by Everton Former Players
Apr 11 2009 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
IT was typical of Everton – and Bill Kenwright – that I received a phone call last week from the Everton Former Players' Foundation offering me a seat at Wembley next weekend. What's more, the club has also laid on a coach for former players to get there. In an era when football generally seems to have lost its links with its roots and past players, it was a generous offer. But such a gesture is typical of Everton.
The club, under Kenwright's stewardship, has always ensured that past players who have contributed to the club's history aren't forgotten in the present day.
lThe 20th anniversary of the appalling Hillsborough disaster is looming – and I have been heartened to see how the football community has rallied round to ensure that such a significant anniversary is commemorated in due fashion. Football clubs up and down the country, plus the governing officials of UEFA, have made plans to ensure that the memorial receives the respect and significance it deserves.

Aston Villa 3, Everton 3: Thriller but Arsenal the real winners
Apr 13 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Daily Post
THESE two sides have been on a collision course for some time now and yesterday afternoon’s clash was everything it promised to be – though it didn’t much help either side’s Champions League dreams. Knowing the game was one of the finest of the season will probably come as little comfort to either club for Arsenal look to have secured the fourth spot in the Premier League. Indeed, Arsene Wenger might have admired the spectacle from the comfort of his home but more importantly felt delight at the result – one he wanted but nobody inside Villa Park craved. Watching Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill prowl the technical area with his usual high energy gives little away as to how his side may be faring. But you can tell a great deal about Everton’s fortunes by David Moyes’ touchline manner. For an hour of this match the Blues boss sat calmly in his seat, content with another seemingly significant victory in their European hunt. However in the final half an hour he was never off his feet.
No doubt irked by the award of the penalty that led to Aston Villa’s equaliser and the refusal of referee Howard Webb to give his side a spot kick in the first half, Moyes looked uncomfortable with the way Everton had let a two goal lead slip for the second time in the match. You can imagine the battle between the two managers in their playing days would have been equally as fierce and enthralling as was the third meeting between the two teams this season. The uncompromising Glaswegian defender against the elusive midfielder from Belfast – their respective sides clearly created in their image – have schooled their players to engage in value for money action; they demand nothing less. But as much as their antics on the sidelines provided a barometer for the game, it was the outcome of key battles that would determine where the points went. The initial exchanges suggested the battle between Ashley Young and Tony Hibbert would be key, however it would not develop until later on in the match. Instead it was the tussle on the opposite side of the field that proved telling, in the first half at least. Steven Pienaar was full of trickery and product and with Leighton Baines in the supporting role, Luke Young at right back for Villa struggled. This, together with a typically incessant and tigerish display from Tim Cahill in the middle of the park, meant Everton capitalised on a sluggish opening half an hour from O’Neill’s men. Gareth Barry was being overrun, Stiliyan Petrov showed a distinct lack of willingness to go forward and Gabriel Agbonlahor was unable to get the better of Phil Jagielka. Everton went ahead after Villa’s inability to deal with Baines and then Jo’s advances eventually saw the ball squirm back out to Baines who crossed low for Marouane Fellaini to tap in on 19 minutes. Much like in the demolition of Wigan seven days earlier, it was a goal borne out of profiting from the opposition’s shortcomings more so than the Blues’ invention. Everton’s second three minutes later, however, was quite the opposite. Continuing to defy basic biology as the smaller man in the majority of many penalty areas, Cahill should never win the headers he does. But once again the Australian beat his loftier marker, this time Curtis Davies, and at the second attempt stooped to double the Blues’ lead from Pienaar’s corner. The game, and the race for fifth, looked to have been tied up within the first 25 minutes at Villa Park but Everton and Moyes knew it was never to be that simple no matter how torrid a run their hosts had been on. Just when it seemed most unlikely, John Carew bundled Villa a lifeline and cued a surge towards half-time from the Birmingham side, yet one which would not yield a goal.The game restarted after the break with Aston Villa refreshed, Young finally deciding to attack Hibbert, on a booking for an earlier foul on the winger, which brought about two claims for a penalty, both turned down. Just as the home fight back looked to be growing stronger by the minute, Everton struck again and once more the goal stemmed from the left wing and Pienaar. The South African cut across the edge of the box before firing past a stranded Friedel – a strike that surely that had the contest sewn up bar the shouting.
But the home side discovered new purpose when James Milner, a by-stander for much of the game up to that point, whipped a free-kick around the Everton wall and past Howard. The momentum swung back in Villa’s favour as the Holte End roared their side on. And the Villa fans bellowed even louder ten minutes later when Barry converted the spot-kick after Lescott was ruled to have fouled Stiliyan Petrov.
A winner was clearly at the forefront of their minds now and Young and substitute Nathan Delfouneso went close as the heat was turned up on Everton.
Moyes by this stage was back and forth from the Blues bench, as concerned for his side as he was incensed with referee Webb. His mood was worsened further when Davies looked to have pushed Jo over in the box as the Brazilian latched onto Pienaar’s cross but Webb waved away once again. O’Neill by this point was more animated than ever as he urged his team forward to try and secure their first win in 10 matches but the breakthrough would not arrive. By the end of the match, the respective managers will have no doubt have been exhausted after a draining afternoon for both clubs that ultimately benefited only Arsenal.

Aston Villa 3, Everton 3: It's Wembley or bust now
Apr 13 2009 Dominic King
THERE is nothing worse than entering into a game of black jack and feeling the cards are stacked against you. David Moyes had labelled Everton’s trip to Aston Villa as being ‘win or bust’ in terms of qualifying for the Champions League and, after twice squandering a two-goal lead, the ambition to muscle into the top four appears to have folded. Though a point in this part of the Midlands is not a terrible result by any means, the rueful look on Moyes’ face as he headed for home last night confirmed it could and should have been so much more. Having decided to go for broke and play an adventurous style against Villa that contributed to a terrific game of football, Everton were undone by some surprising naivety in their defending but, more seriously, a wretched decision by Howard Webb. “Are you trying to cost me money?” was Moyes’ response to being asked afterwards what he made of Webb’s judgement and those seven words said more than enough. The usually reliable official had erred badly. But if he is feeling solemn today, he should remember the reaction of the supporters who ventured down the M6 at the final whistle – a standing ovation, followed a verse of ‘We’re all going to Wem-ber-lee’ provided a reminder of what the real priority is. Given the disastrous start they suffered, qualifying for the Champions League was effectively an impossible task but winning the FA Cup is anything but and Everton will have an outstanding chance of doing that if they continue to attack with such verve. Just look at the first goal they scored here. Leighton Baines has become a lethal weapon for Everton with his raids down the flank and he showed all what is best about him when delivering the kind of ball to Marouane Fellaini that all attackers dream about receiving. It was a peach, fizzed low and hard across the six yard box, to give the improving Fellaini the simplest opportunity to register his eighth goal of an increasingly fruitful first Premier League campaign. Many people will have Tim Cahill down as being the Blues’ main threat when assessing their prospects of toppling United next weekend but it would be folly to ignore just how big a role Fellaini will have to play. He may infuriate with some of the decisions he makes and his gait sometimes suggests he is not putting it all in, but the Belgian is a menace in the penalty area and that will not be lost on Sir Alex Ferguson. United’s manager will, though, undoubtedly make Cahill the subject for special attention and it is no wonder.
Thousands of words have been written on his talents in recent years, so, on this occasion, it is sufficient to say Everton are half the team when he is missing.
Cahill doubled Everton’s lead with the kind of header that has become his trademark, showing incredible desire to get on the end of Leon Osman’s corner and following up in a flash after his initial effort had thudded off the crossbar. As he wheeled away to shadowbox with the corner flag, pandemonium broke out in the visiting section and the away team dug out. If you can’t celebrate being two goals to the good inside 25 minutes of a ‘must win’ match when can you? Playing slick, quick attacking football, Everton appeared set to run up a cricket score, particularly as Villa looked devoid of confidence, short on ideas and legs of jelly. Yet things rarely go so easily and it was only to be expected they would mount a challenge at some point, with their supporters making an enormous din in this most atmospheric of venues – next week’s semi-final should have been played here. John Carew ensured the decibels were ratcheted up several notches when he made the most of some uncertainty in Everton’s defence to bludgeon a loose ball past Tim Howard to get Villa back in the game. Villa might have been secured parity before the break, too, as a succession if high balls were pumped in to test Howard’s fitness and he certainly gave the impression that he was feeling the effects of the injury he had spent a week trying to overcome. On more than one occasion the American keeper came hurtling from his line only to grasp at thin air and those who are ultra harsh might suggest he was poorly positioned for the second goal Villa scored, courtesy of a James Milner free-kick. Everton, of course, thought they had matters sewn up when Steven Pienaar rifled in his first goal of the campaign shortly after the re-start, a thumping right footed drive past Brad Friedel after he had been teed up by Phil Neville. So it was a huge surprise, then, that barely 14 minutes after that strike, the Toffees found themselves clinging on for dear life, as Villa started playing with the kind of pace and power expected of them. Still, they owed a huge debt of thanks to Webb, who bewildered many by pointing to the spot after a coming together between Joleon Lescott and Stiliyan Petrov to leave Moyes and assistant Steve Round raging. Would it be out of line to suggest, however, that Moyes was so unhappy after Gareth Barry had beaten Howard from 12 yards because his normally reliable yeomen had squandered such a healthy advantage in such an important game?
One cannot be too critical of a team that had only lost twice in its previous 20 league matches but there can be no masking the disappointment when a game with such high stakes starts to slip away after it had been going so well. Eyebrows may have been raised when Moyes suggested that the Champions League was within Everton’s grasp prior to this contest but with Arsenal having to play Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, it was a realistic aim. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said now. Arsenal have too big a break on the Blues and there are too few games left for the deficit to be cut. The sight of every Everton player trudging off at the final whistle with their head bowed suggested they felt the same. But now is not the time for wallowing in self-pity, as the most important game of the season is soon to be upon us – win at Wembley and this ‘disappointment’ won’t even register.

Everton boss David Moyes concedes fourth place race
Apr 13 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON manager David Moyes admitted his side have a mountain to climb to claim a Champions League spot after being pegged back to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Villa Park. The Blues threw away a 3-1 lead to hold onto a point and remain in sixth place, one point behind yesterday’s hosts. But they are now nine points adrift of Arsenal, who also have a superior goal difference, with just six games remaining.
Moyes said: “I think the Arsenal result yesterday has made it very difficult for any of us to get there. “If Villa had beaten us they would think they would still be in with a shout and if we had won, we would have not given up the chase. “You don’t say never until it is mathematically impossible but realistically it will be hard to get fourth place.
“Aston Villa and Everton have tried hard to push the top boys this season but have come up a little bit short. “But given the players we have had missing this season, if we finish fifth or sixth it will be excellent for us. “If you had given me that at the start of the season I would have taken it, especially with the players we’ve had missing.”
Villa manager Martin O’Neill was of a similar opinion. O’Neill said: “Are we out of the Champions League? I would not disagree. I think either of us had to win to keep in touch. It is a result that suits Arsenal. “With Arsenal winning yesterday it will now be very hard but we shouldn’t just give up the fight like that. “Arsenal have some very tough games ahead, so have we, so we just have to go and win them and see what happens. I am not giving up but it will be very hard.” Moyes felt his side were hard done by with the penalty awarded against Joleon Lescott for a foul on Stiliyan Petrov, Gareth Barry converting the spot-kick to make it 3-3.He said: “I thought it might have been an indirect free-kick because all Joleon has done is put his foot up to try and get the ball.” O’Neill said: “In my opinion we should have had a penalty for a foul on John Carew just before half-time and Ashley Young also had a reasonable claim.”
The Villa boss was full of praise for the way in which Villa twice came from two goals behind to salvage a point. He said: “I thought we were fantastic going forward, although defensively we were not so clever. “But we showed tremendous character and determination when 2-0 and 3-1 down and the fans were fantastic towards us today.”

Marouane Fellaini targets cup goal - Everton FC latest
Apr 13 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
MAROUANE Fellaini is determined to end his first season with Everton on a high with a 10-goal haul – and intends to take his first step towards that target at Wembley.
The Blues’ record signing caught the eye again yesterday and took his tally for the campaign to eight when opening the scoring in the 3-3 draw at Aston Villa.
It was a slightly bittersweet afternoon though for Fellaini as Everton twice let a two-goal advantage slip and a draw has all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League as they are nine points behind Arsenal with six games to play.
But, as Fellaini was quick to point out, the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United now looms on the horizon and a victory next Sunday would provide ample compensation for David Moyes’ men. “I’m not what you would call a goalscorer so I am delighted that I have scored so many – to have eight at this stage is fantastic,” said Fellaini. “I’m scoring quite regularly and it would be great if I could get to 10. I would be really satisfied if that happened; I’d love to score a goal at Wembley. “The most satisfying thing, though, is that my goals are helping the team. That is one thing that I have always said - the team is most important, not my personal ambitions.”
Everything looked to be going according to plan when Fellaini and Tim Cahill fired Everton in front but they allowed themselves to be pegged back after John Carew pounced. Steven Pienaar then looked to have secured victory just after the break, only for a James Milner free-kick and Gareth Barry’s penalty to snatch a share of the spoils for the home side and leave Moyes deflated. Fellaini, though, felt there were plenty of positives in the performance and he still believes Everton can leapfrog fifth-placed Villa before the end of the campaign. “It was a funny game,” said Fellaini. “Normally you are happy when you have drawn with a difficult team away from home but Villa are still a point ahead of us “We were ahead twice and it would have been nice if we could have finished the job off and won but we have to remember that we played really well. “We would have taken a point before the game and we know that it is not easy coming to a place like Villa Park, so I’m sure that a draw can be good for our morale. “It was a good game to play and I’m sure it would have been a good one to watch. If we keep playing like that, I’m sure we will catch Villa and that’s what we will try to do.”

James Vaughan giving David Moyes cup headache: Everton FC latest
Apr 14 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today admitted James Vaughan’s determination to be involved in the FA Cup semi-final is giving him a welcome headache. The Everton striker has once again suffered with injury this season and was expected to miss the rest of the campaign when he underwent cartilage surgery last November. But Vaughan has never been the type of player to wallow in self-pity and has done everything within his power to shave weeks off his recovery time. He played 68 minutes for Everton’s reserves last week in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland and could figure again this Thursday when Andy Holden’s side face Manchester United. Should Vaughan come through that, he will be badgering Moyes to include him in the squad for Wembley and the manager says his enthusiasm has been a breath of fresh air. “I think he has got a bit to go,” said Moyes. “Vaughany is champing at the bit to try and get involved. But he is short of practice and I’ve got to try and get some work into him. “I want to try and get him ready as quick as I can. He is not quite where we want him. But his enthusiasm is great. That’s why we get him back so quickly when we can. “He forces us and pushes us so hard to get him back in the team. He is a brilliant lad and a brilliant player to have around. “He always gets back from injury quicker than the time that is expected of him. We have to make sure that we don’t let him come back too quickly now.”
Meanwhile, Mike Riley will take charge of Everton’s semi-final after the man who was initially pencilled in for the job, Steven Bennett, was struck down with illness.
Riley is not the most popular of Premier League referees and has shown 112 yellow cards and brandished six reds in 29 games this season. He has officiated Everton twice so far this year - the derby in September, when he controversially sent Tim Cahill off, and at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

NIGEL MARTYN: Everton not there to make up the numbers
Apr 14 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
THERE is unlikely to be anyone prouder than David Moyes when he leads Everton out at Wembley on Sunday afternoon – but don’t expect him to be satisfied.
FA Cup semi-final day is one of the most exciting days that you can be involved in as a player and I’m sure the lads at Everton will be straining at the leash to get at Manchester United. It will be a fabulous occasion, one that every Blue will relish, and there is no reason why we can’t secure the result that will guarantee us a return trip to Wembley on May 30. Opportunity is about to knock and I’m pretty sure that’s what David will be telling his squad before kick-off. A trip to the home of football gives everyone at the club a lift, but the manager won’t be happy unless we end up going back there for the final. Of course, beating United is easier said than done but the side Everton come up against on Sunday is not the one they tackled back in January.
Suddenly Sir Alex Ferguson’s men appear fallible, particularly in defence.
What’s more, he will be wrestling with a conundrum. The semi-final, you see, comes in the middle of a hugely important week for United and, if we are honest, it is third on their list of priorities. Just a few days before the FA Cup semi-final they must beat Porto to progress in the Champions League. Then three days after playing Everton, United go head-to-head with Portsmouth at Old Trafford to try and maintain their lead at the top of the table. Ferguson is going to make changes to his team and Ben Foster could be in goal against us, with Nani and Anderson also involved. They have got the squad numbers to cope with these games, but will they be able to cope with the desire Everton have? If United happen to take their eye off the ball, they will be in for a big shock because I know there are men inside Everton’s dressing room absolutely bursting to pick up a medal and it’s impossible to put into words what it means to our supporters. This is the biggest game we have played in a long time, certainly bigger than anything we faced during the season in which we finished fourth.
I’d give my right arm to be involved but, like everyone else, I’ll settle for seeing Everton back in a major final.

NIGEL MARTYN: Everton FC can be proud of Villa Park efforts
Apr 14 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
OUR dreams of playing in the Champions League next season may have perished at Villa Park, but we couldn't have done anymore against Aston Villa to save them.
It was a terrific match on Easter Sunday and while it is understandable that some disappointment was felt at ‘only’ drawing, any point gained at a ground as tough as Villa Park is always a good one. I also think that draw has now given us an advantage in the race to see who takes fifth place. To my mind, Villa look like they are badly running out of steam, while I took plenty of encouragement from the way we played.
If we can overhaul that single point deficit and finish ‘best of the rest’ once again, it would be great in terms of psychology for next season. Villa will feel totally shattered should they end up coming sixth when fourth place was their target for so much of the season. That we find ourselves in a position where we can even talk about catching them is down to an incredible run of results; two defeats in 21 league games is an outstanding return. Everyone involved in that sequence deserves enormous credit.

NIGEL MARTYN: Marouane Fellaini gamble has paid off for Everton FC
Apr 14 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
MAROUANE FELLAINI is on target to finish the season with 10 goals and that would be a fabulous first effort in the Premier League. He is not the finished article by any means and you don’t have to look too hard to see the rough edges on his game.
But nobody can say he is not effective. The Belgian poses a great threat in the opposition penalty area and I’d expect him to get into double figures. But I also expect his best years to be some way down the road. Not until he is in his mid-20s will Fellaini be the complete midfielder and somewhere down the line, we are going to have to offer him another deal to get the benefit. Once he has matured and gets fully settled in England, you will see a fine midfielder. David Moyes might have taken a gamble when he snapped him up from Standard Liege, but once again the gamble has paid off.

Everton FC are treading water says former player Paul Rideout
Apr 14 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON do not have a chance of breaking the domination of the Premier League’s big four without significant investment, according to former striker Paul Rideout.
For a number of years the Blues have been the next best team after the group of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Rideout said the club’s lack of financial muscle would always hold them back and new money – and a new ground – was needed to change the established order. “I don’t think Everton can break into the top four right now,” the ex-Evertonian, who scored the club’s FA Cup final winner against United in 1995, said. “They can’t maintain the situation they have got. They are treading water right now unless they get someone in who is willing to get five or six top players. “And they have got to be able to get more fans in. If Everton don’t get the investment they definitely won’t get into the top four.” Despite their lack of resources he is disappointed the club have not won a major trophy since his header was enough to beat United 14 years ago. “It does surprise me the FA Cup was the last thing Everton won considering the squad they have had over the last five or six years and how well they have done in the league,” he said. “You expect them to maybe win one of the cups and I thought they would have won something by now.” David Moyes’ side have the chance to rectify that this season but must get past United in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to keep the dream alive. They go into the match as underdogs but, as Rideout recalls, it was a similar story for the side he played in after they just escaped relegation under Joe Royle’s stewardship.
“I think anyone who plays United is going to be an underdog, that goes without saying, but the FA Cup is different to a league game,” said the 44-year-old, who now coaches the youth teams at Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards.
“You can go out there with a nothing-to-lose attitude. It is not the same mindset as playing a league game. “Our cup run (in 1995) was a bonus and once we had stayed up the final was just a great day out. “We had a good go at United. We fought a lot and defended well as a group and that is what the current Everton side are going to have to do, take some pressure and take their chances when they get them and they have a chance of getting a result.” Rideout also believes the current side have more quality than the 1995 cup-winners. “I think they have a far stronger squad; they have much more pace and strength over the entire field, and I wouldn’t write them off,” he said. “Although they have had to deal with injuries but they are sneaking results here and there and with the size of his squad David Moyes has done a tremendous job.

Vaughan giving Moyes cup headache
Apr 14 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today admitted James Vaughan’s determination to be involved in the FA Cup semi-final is giving him a welcome headache. The Everton striker has once again suffered with injury this season and was expected to miss the rest of the campaign when he underwent cartilage surgery last November. But Vaughan has never been the type of player to wallow in self-pity and has done everything within his power to shave weeks off his recovery time. He played 68 minutes for Everton’s reserves last week in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland and could figure again this Thursday when Andy Holden’s side face Manchester United. Should Vaughan come through that, he will be badgering Moyes to include him in the squad for Wembley and the manager says his enthusiasm has been a breath of fresh air. “I think he has got a bit to go,” said Moyes. “Vaughany is champing at the bit to try and get involved. But he is short of practice and I’ve got to try and get some work into him. “I want to try and get him ready as quick as I can. He is not quite where we want him. But his enthusiasm is great. That’s why we get him back so quickly when we can. “He forces us and pushes us so hard to get him back in the team. He is a brilliant lad and a brilliant player to have around. “He always gets back from injury quicker than the time that is expected of him. We have to make sure that we don’t let him come back too quickly now.”
Meanwhile, Mike Riley will take charge of Everton’s semi-final after the man who was initially pencilled in for the job, Steven Bennett, was struck down with illness.
Riley is not the most popular of Premier League referees and has shown 112 yellow cards and brandished six reds in 29 games this season. He has officiated Everton twice so far this year – the derby in September, when he controversially sent Tim Cahill off, and at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Joseph Yobo in FA Cup Wembley booster - Everton latest
Apr 15 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JOSEPH YOBO is in contention to make his return to action at Wembley on Sunday – but Everton are sweating on the fitness of Louis Saha. The Nigerian defender, whose last appearance was against Stoke City on March 14, has spent the past three weeks recovering from with a hamstring tear but is now back in training. Provided all goes to plan, Yobo should take his place in the squad for the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United but there is a concern whether Saha will face his old club.
He was sent home from training yesterday with a virus and it is a headache David Moyes could do without this week, particularly as he will not be able to call on Jo, who is cup-tied. “Joe has trained, so hopefully he’s got a chance of being in the squad,” said Moyes. “But there’s a worry because Louis hasn’t been well; hopefully it’s just sickness and he’ll be okay.” Should Saha miss out, James Vaughan’s hopes of making a dramatic return at Wembley will increase considerably, particularly if he comes through a game against United’s reserves tomorrow night without any trouble.
Vaughan has not figured for the first team since playing in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on November 16 and only made his comeback from a knee problem when playing 68 minutes for the second string at Sunderland last week. “I’ll be watching to see how Vaughany comes on in training and a reserve game could well put him in contention,” said Moyes. “Generally it’s a bit early for him but hopefully we’ll see how he is after this week.” One man certain to figure is Steven Pienaar, who maintained his excellent form in Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Aston Villa and scored a terrific goal. He feels Everton are starting to go through the gears at just the right time. “We are definitely clicking,” said the South African. “The way we have been playing is good, the spirit is high and we are looking forward to the next game.”
Meanwhile, Everton have been placed on alert after reports in Portugal suggested that Sporting Lisbon will cash in on Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso this summer.
Moyes and his chairman Bill Kenwright did everything they could to sign Moutinho last August but could not negotiate a deal after Sporting refused to budge from their valuation of the Portugal international. They wanted £18.6m for Moutinho but his price will be significantly reduced this time around and Moyes – who was impressed by the 22-year-old at Euro 2008 – could be tempted to resurrect his interest.

Everton ace Jagielka delivers Easter egg treat to Claire House hospice
Apr 15 2009 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
Everton ace Jagielka delivers Easter egg treat to Claire House hospice
EVERTON ace Phil Jagielka put a smile on the faces of youngsters at a children’s hospice in Wirral. The centre back paid a surprise visit to Claire House, taking with him an armful of Easter eggs. The 26-year-old star spent over an hour meeting children, their families and staff. Lesa Chappell, who is deputy head of care, said: “It was a lovely surprise for the children. They children really enjoyed having Phil here for a visit”

We need to keep it so tight - Leighton Baines
Apr 16 2009 By Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES believes Everton need to make a case for the defence if they are going to topple Manchester United and reach the FA Cup Final.
Though they suffered a shaky start and took until October 29 to record their first clean sheet, the Blues have gone on to been one of the most miserly sides in the Premier League. However, United have shown they possess sufficient talent to break down the most stubborn back four and though Sir Alex Ferguson will make changes to the side that beat FC Porto last night, he will still be confident of having enough in reserve to see off Everton. That’s why Baines says it is vital for the defenders who have served David Moyes so well this season to maintain their levels of consistency and show the three goals they conceded at Aston Villa last weekend was a break from the norm.
“We’ve acquitted ourselves well over the two games against United so far this season” said Baines. “We drew at Goodison and we were beaten by one goal at Old Trafford. We always feel we are capable of nicking a goal, and if we keep it close then by making sure that we stay tight at the back then we definitely have a chance. There’s nothing ever been especially prepared against United in the past. We prepare well for every game.” Baines, however, is bracing himself for a busy afternoon at Wembley as he could end up facing anyone from Cristiano Ronaldo, Ji-Sung Park or even Carlos Tevez.“They have strength in depth. There could be a couple of players who you’re expecting to play who could be on the bench and other people can come in.
“They’re a bit different, with the players they’ve got they’re a bit special at times.”
Blues boss Moyes has been critical of the FA’s decision to hold FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley for the foreseeable future and Baines reveals the players are in agreement.
“It’s a massive chance to get this club into a final and it’s been too long since we’ve been in one,” said Baines. “Generally the feeling among the players is that it shouldn’t be played at Wembley; maybe it takes a bit away from the final. But that’s the situation.”

Tim Cahill: Everton can't wait for Man Utd FA Cup semi-final
Apr 16 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL today insisted Everton have found their stride and are primed to deliver a big performance against Manchester United. Having scored seven goals in their last two Premier League matches against Wigan and Aston Villa, the Blues attack is firing on all cylinders ahead of the FA Cup semi-final and that has left midfield talisman Cahill in a positive mood. With preparations for the Wembley showdown having also gone smoothly, there is a growing belief among Everton’s players that they can give Sir Alex Ferguson’s quintuple-chasing squad a game when they lock horns on Sunday afternoon. Cahill, of course, knows exactly what it takes to win a semi-final – he grabbed the only goal when Millwall beat Sunderland at Old Trafford in 2004 – and the Australian is hoping opportunity knocks for him again on Sunday “We feel a lot of confidence at the minute and we’ve been training really well,” said Cahill, who is Everton’s leading scorer with nine goals. “We are playing with a purpose and the character of the lads is really starting to show. “It’s just so good to be a part of it. We are growing week in, week out and getting stronger on and off the pitch. “We take a few knocks here and there but we are managing them. The lads are getting through 90 minutes, and overall we have to be very pleased. “It was nice to get on the score sheet against Villa, it always is. I’ve been playing a bit more of a defensive role in recent weeks and my objective at the minute is to play for the team. “If I end up getting opportunities, I’ll get my goals and they are bonus which I really enjoy. Hopefully there will be a few more chances to come and I’ll stick them in the back of the net.”
David Moyes has deployed Cahill in a deep lying role in recent weeks to accommodate him in the same team as Jo and Marouane Fellaini but the Brazilian’s ineligibility for the semi-final means the 29-year-old will be pushed forward against United. He warmed up for Wembley by scoring his first goal since February 28 against Villa but Cahill is frustrated that Everton never took maximum points from their trip to the Midlands. “We were disappointed but you can look at a lot of aspects of the game,” said Cahill. “We probably should have killed it off but Aston Villa are a good side. “We take the good with the bad and we are now looking forward to the next game because our play has been good for the last few weeks.
“It doesn’t matter where I have been playing, it’s all about the team. We got the ball in the net three times against Villa and we want to do the same next week.”

Everton FC legend Colin Harvey relives the golden moment he sank Man Utd in 1966
Apr 16 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
COLIN HARVEY has never been one to hog the limelight. But ask him about the 1966 FA Cup semi-final and his motives for enjoying a moment in the sun soon become obvious. As someone who dedicated almost half a century of his life to helping Everton flourish, Harvey wants his beloved club to rack up a cricket score every time they play. Yet the day the Toffees ‘only’ managed one in 1966 is something he will cherish forever more. While the FA Cup run 43 years ago that ended with the late, great Brian Labone hoisting the famous old pot aloft is remembered for the exploits of Mike Trebilcock and Derek Temple against Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley, none of that would have been possible had it not been for Harvey. He, of course, was the man who settled a feisty last four clash with Manchester United at Burnden Park, popping up in a crowd penalty area to send Everton to the Twin Towers. But that goal would not have been so memorable if Alex Young had had his way shortly after. With the tie finely balanced and United trying to stage a comeback, Everton launched a counterattack that saw the Golden Vision find some room to manoeuvre in the opposition penalty area. His shot thudded off the woodwork and was cleared. Initially nobody was more frustrated than Harvey that Young had been thwarted, but it didn’t take long after the final whistle for the frustration to turn to elation, as the realisation dawned that he had carved a niche for himself in history. “I was absolutely desperate for Alex to score and still to this day I can remember the imprint that the ball made on the post, as we were playing on a heavy, muddy pitch that was typical of the kind you would play on at that stage of the season,” said Harvey, affording himself a smile as he takes up the story.
“Afterwards, though, I was really quite glad it never went in because I used to dream as a schoolboy of being the man who sent Everton to Wembley and that’s how it turned out. It was a fabulous day and they were always good games with United back then. “Although Georgie Best never played in the semi-final, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were in their team, so beating them ensured it was a wonderful day. And yes, the celebrations afterwards meant we were all very quiet the day after when the squad met up at Goodison! “I’d met up with my Dad and some friends and the first thing I saw when we left Burnden Park was a van on which somebody had written ‘Harvey got the winner’ or something to that effect in bright Blue paint. It was at that point I’d started to fully appreciate the importance of the goal. “Burnden Park might have seemed a strange place to play the semi-final but I think the FA looked at the two teams involved and tried to find a ground halfway between.” Similarly to the current run, Everton ran the whole gamut of Cup experiences on the way to Wembley, tackling little Bedford Town, having a ding-dong battle with Manchester City that required three matches to be played before it was settled before finishing the job by beating United and then Wednesday. Harvey’s career at Goodison Park, both as a player and on the coaching staff, was crammed with glorious episodes but there is no doubt as to where winning the FA Cup ranks in his personal pecking order.
“A close second to winning the League,” he replies without hesitation. “It’s unfortunate that the Cup has lost some of its shine down the years because when we were playing for it, it was nearly on a par with the Championship. “I know things have changed dramatically down the years but the enhancement of other competitions has been to the detriment of the Cup and that’s a real shame. “After we had played in a Cup tie at the weekend, everyone would gather around the radio on a Monday morning to see who we would be paired with in the next round and it really created a buzz. But things change...” One thing that has never changed is the affection which Harvey, who was memorably dubbed The White Pele by an adoring Gwladys Street, holds for the club. Commitments that come with being Bolton’s chief scout will prevent him from being in the crowd this Sunday when Everton go head-to-head with United once more for a Cup Final place but frantic calls have been made for the past two weeks to ensure some Harveys will be in the ground. “My daughters are going to Rome with my wife this weekend but they are trying to get the flights changed so that they can fly back into London rather than Liverpool for the game,” he said. “I’d love to be there but it is just one of those things. Let’s just say I will be there for the Final!”
Like so many other Evertonians, Harvey – who also took the club to the final in 1989 as manager – has a sneaking feeling that history could repeat itself and come the close of play on Sunday evening, a famous Blue victory will be celebrated, as was the case 43 years ago. “No matter what anyone says, the FA Cup is not Manchester United’s priority and I just have a hunch that we are playing them at the right time,” said Harvey, who made his debut as an 18-year-old against Inter Milan in 1963 and eventually played 389 times for Everton before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 1974. “We are due an appearance in a major final and we are due the experience of winning a major trophy once more. It’s been a terrific season and everyone has buckled down together after a difficult start. “We have been defensively sound and that’s why it was such a surprise that we threw a two-goal lead away at Villa on Sunday. All being well, that won’t happen against United. “When you consider that we have gone through large parts of the year without a striker as well, it has been all the more impressive and, please God, it will have a happy ending.”

The Jury: Everton fans look ahead to the FA Cup semi-final against Man Utd
Apr 16 2009
RICHARD KNIGHTS, West Derby
FOR my generation Manchester United was represented by the magical aura that surrounded Best, Law and Charlton. Now, they’ve changed into a monster, a modern-day Godzilla that gobbles up players, their own fans and referees. Genial Matt Busby has been replaced by ‘Furious’ Fergie. That’s why on Sunday, there will be 30,000 Evertonians roaring their support and millions of neutrals willing us on against the ugly behemoth that is Man United. In his early years, Ferguson built his team on young players that he’d discovered and developed – Scholes, Giggs, the Neville brothers, Beckham – now he prowls around other clubs poaching their best players – Ferdinand, Carrick, Tevez, Berbatov and the Croxteth Traitor. Rip off season tickets prices to pay for their massive £700m debt; absentee American owners; no wonder their most loyal fans left to set up the breakaway club FC United of Manchester.
We’ll have to thank Liverpool for showing everyone that United are fallible; the ‘Gods’ have feet of clay. However, money can’t buy team spirit, that’s why we’ll be going to Wembley twice.
COLE FRASER, Litherland
THE big day is nearly upon us. The semi-final has been in the back of every Blue’s mind since the win over Boro in the last round, but credit must go to the team and manager for not allowing it to overwhelm them during the recent league games.
They have done superbly well over the last few weeks to give us all confidence that we could even go one step further and reach the final. Many may have felt a little more comfortable heading into the match on the back of a win, but despite the disappointing draw at Villa we did play some good football. We mustn't be scared of United, though we must also respect that they are probably the best team on the planet at the moment, even despite their recent dip in form. I expect the fans, as the 12th man, to rock Wembley. Together we could be roaring the lads to victory.
MIKE WILLIAMSON, Chester
SUNDAY’S performance was excellent in itself and a fitting tribute to the manner in which Moyes and his players have reacted to the many problems they have faced in this amazing season. We thought we would struggle without Arteta but this team just picks itself up and gets on with it. Jo’s goals have been a bonus but you have to make tough decisions in football and, with limited cash available in the summer, I would not attempt to keep him. He makes no impact away from home and we have enough strikers once they are all fit again. What we do need is another top class midfielder to help Arteta and possibly another right back as cover for the excellent Hibbert.
There is real belief we can beat United at Wembley but we need to start the match at a high tempo and not let them settle into any kind of rhythm. Whatever the outcome, the manager and the players have given us a season we will long remember.
TONY SCOTT, Walton
THIS week ten years ago Everton took to Goodison Park with players like Myhre, Degn, Grant and Gemmill and were soundly beaten 2-1 by Sheffield Wednesday to leave us in a relegation dogfight in 18th placee with only six games to go.
Fast forward ten years and we have players the calibre of Lescott, Cahill, Yakubu and Arteta, we are an established top six side looking forward to a trip to Wembley and yet another European tour is on the horizon, while Sheffield Wednesday will look towards their tenth successive season in the championship. It so easily could have been us and we have one man to thank for this miracle turn-around – David Moyes.
It’s also annoying to see the BBC cameras didn't pick up the Evertonians’ flag supporting the ‘justice for 96 Hillsborough victims’ on Sunday. They made sure to pick up every foul Marouane Fellaini gave away instead.

Tim Cahill had claims to be PFA Player of the Year, says Blues legend Colin Harvey
Apr 16 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THE shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year has caused a stir since being published on Tuesday. With the exception of Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, it is effectively a list of Manchester United’s most important performers but not necessarily the most consistent. While the claims of Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs are irresistible, the same cannot be said of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has failed to get anywhere near the heights he scaled last season and has had a tendency to sulk. The same, however, cannot be said of Everton’s Tim Cahill, who has played in a variety of roles, re-invented himself from midfielder to striker and back again and chipped in with a clutch of goals. Once again, he is likely to finish the campaign as Everton’s top scorer and Blues legend Colin Harvey is a little bit shocked that his peers have not recognised the outstanding contribution he has made since returning from a broken metatarsal in September. “Tim is going to be such an important figure on Sunday,” said Harvey. “He is always looking to score a goal and he has that knack of being able to pop up in the danger area just when you need him most. He’s a fabulous player.
“Once again, he has had a magnificent season. “Maybe there is a case for closing the voting for Player of the Year a bit later than they do now, so as everyone can get a full appraisal of what has happened through the season. I think Tim’s contribution has been immense.”

Paul Rideout eyes an Everton FA Cup final fling
Apr 16 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
PAUL RIDEOUT was Everton’s hero the last time they faced Manchester United at Wembley – now he is praying someone can take over his mantle. Rideout is now a youth coach at Kansas City Wizards and commitments will prevent him from taking his place inside the ground to watch the Blues. However, he will be glued to a television across the Atlantic and is desperate for the 1995 success to be repeated.
“Out of all the clubs I played for, Everton is the one I truly follow,” said Rideout.
“I had five great years there and have a great appreciation for the fans. “I would try to go to the final if we get there; it has been so long since we won a trophy.”

Everton Academy manager Neil Dewsnip praises a new influx of players to his squad
Apr 16 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
REVERTON Under-18 Academy manager Neil Dewsnip has hailed a band of new additions that have aided a five game unbeaten run. The Blues’ Youth side are third in the FA Academy League Group C with 38 points from 25 matches and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference With three games of the season remaining, the Finch Farm outfit can still overtake Manchester United in second, though Dewsnip is more concerned with the development of his players rather than league standings.
Nottingham Forest Youth are the visitors to Merseyside on Saturday and Dewsnip is keen to extend his squad’s current streak. He said: “It is an interesting stage of the season for us, if I can backtrack to the first of those five games, a lot of players have moved out of the u-18 side and into the reserve team so we are now a much younger side. The team is basically a mix of under-17, 16 and even a couple of under-15 boys.
“I think we have grown together, got better and better as we have gone along. That first game of the five was at Blackburn, they were the better side in the first half but it was 1-1 at the break. We went on to win 3-1 and from that moment on, results have gone with us more and more. “The two under-15 lads that have come in, Ross Barkley and Jordan Barrow, do deserve a special mention. “They have acquitted themselves very well so far. Everything will not be in a straight line for them but they need to overcome those challenges.” Dewsnip has guided his players to impressive wins at Newcastle United and Leeds United in the past five matches, a run that sees them sit above their city rivals. However, the boss has refused to earmark a higher placed finish than the Reds as his aim for the rest of the season. Instead Dewsnip just wants to see continued development from his squad that will hopefully see them move a step closer to contention for David Moyes’ first team. As well as Forest on Saturday, the Blues’ Academy will play Boro Youth and Sheffield Wednesday Youth in the final games of the season. Dewsnip added: “Do we want to finish above Liverpool?
“Not necessarily, we do not really look at it like that at youth level, we just want to develop the players as best as we can and to move them onto the next level, which a number of the boys have already done. “It is a different kind of philosophy to that of the first team. “Nottingham Forest is always a fantastically good game of football.
“They have built a good reputation over the years, they try and pass the ball.”
l The Everton v Nottm Forest game is on, Saturday (12.00pm).
Rivals in fear of a drubbing
BRISTOL Academy are bracing themselves for the toughest game of the season on Sunday when they face Everton’s title chasing Ladies team. Champions Arsenal's shock 0-0 draw against Doncaster Belles last weekend has left the Merseysiders six points adrift of the Gunners with three games in hand. Coach Gary Green admitted: “It could be a backs-to-the-wall job for us but we will go their aiming to frustrate Everton.”

Everton FC star Joleon Lescott dreaming of a weekend to remember
Apr 17 2009 Liverpool Echo
SHOULD this weekend go as Joleon Lescott hopes, it would make sense for the Everton defender to buy himself a lottery ticket. Rarely, if ever, do things go according to plan in this most unpredictable of sports, so Lescott is understandably not allowing himself to get too carried away. But come Monday morning he could be sporting a grin as wide as the Mersey. Those who have been monitoring the race for promotion from the Championship will know that a victory for Lescott’s old club Wolverhampton Wanderers against QPR tomorrow will take them back into the Premier League – and they could even be crowned as champions if Birmingham City fail to beat Watford. Given that he started his career in the Black Country and made 235 appearances for Wolves before moving to Goodison Park in June 2006, his affection for Mick McCarthy’s side is obvious, even though a number of his old team-mates have since moved on. But while Wolves' return to the big time would give him obvious satisfaction, it would not come close to matching the buzz he would get if Everton see off Manchester United and reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1995. Clearly, the scenario has crossed Lescott’s mind once or twice in the last couple of days and there is little doubt that a Wolves win at Molineux would be the perfect aperitif before Everton tackle the main course at Wembley. “That would be good, to be fair,” said Lescott. “I’m not in touch with many of the lads now because I don’t really know the team but I have still got good relations with the people behind the scenes and the staff there. It is a club similar to Everton, it is a family club and the staff have been there a long time. “I speak to some of them and I speak to Matt Murray who is there. He is probably the only player I played with. For them to come up would be amazing but it is more important for us to get to the Cup Final. They can definitely get promoted this week so I will be looking for that result.”
Few would argue, though, that the task facing Wolves is much more simple than the one with which Everton will be presented in the capital on Sunday afternoon; United are hot favourites to set up a date on May 30 with either Chelsea or Arsenal but Lescott has warned it would be folly for anyone to write David Moyes’ men off.
Statistics also prove that point; in 10 league and cup games against the top four sides last season, Everton only managed a solitary 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Yet this time around, there has been a noticeable improvement in results and performances. Liverpool were beaten in the FA Cup fourth round, Arsenal should have been beaten at Goodison in the Premier League, while only a the width of a goal post prevented United leaving Goodison without any points back in October.
That afternoon, when Marouane Fellaini’s header cancelled out Darren Flecther’s opener, has been mooted as the moment Everton’s campaign turned around and Lescott feels the confidence they took from that doughty performance worked wonders for confidence. “It was emphasised after that game that we could compete,” Lescott explained. “A couple of games ater that that we thought ‘we were 1-0 down against Man United and got an equaliser’ so we started to believe. We thought we needed to improve and we did that from then on. “This season we have changed a lot going into games against the top four. We have focused more on ourselves than what they can do. We are aware of what we can do, given the chance and we are confident going into games. “Over the past few years our consistency has helped us believe we can do a job and this season results against the top four has helped us as well.
“At times we can outplay most teams. We are confident that at any given time we can pass our way through any team and then on other occasions we can use our spirit and determination to outpower them.” How, then, will they get past the current champions? “We know they are a great team, still top of the league and in every competition,” Lescott replied. “So it will be a tough game but we are confident in the way we are playing and we can achieve something.” There is a quiet confidence and assurance about the way Lescott speaks and that has been evident all week at Finch Farm; if United are going to keep their hopes of a clean sweep on the go, they had best be prepared for a fight. “We are confident that on any given day we can push any team to their limits,” said the England international, whose form has been excellent in recent weeks. “We know United will have to work hard and play well to beat us. We are happy, though, as we are playing really well.”

HOWARD KENDALL: Steven Gerrard should be named PFA Player of the Year – but remember Phil Jagielka!
Apr 17 2009 by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
IT looks long odds-on that the PFA Player of the Year will come from Manchester United but I don’t think it is anywhere near so cut and dried. With five nominations, including hot favourites Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, you can see why people are thinking that way. In my opinion, though, there can only be one winner of this six man race and that is Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who has been top class all year. When I was playing, not everyone took the award seriously – some would just ask in the dressing room who was voting for who and follow their lead.
Hopefully that’s not the case now but I still think it’s a bit strange that five United players are in the running. Surely Phil Jagielka had claims to be considered, given how well he has done? He, of course, will have an important role to play on Sunday and a good performance at Wembley would further highlight his claims.
Personally, I think he should have been on the shortlist, ahead of Ryan Giggs who has got the sentimental vote.

we can do it – moyes
Apr 17 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today told his squad to make sure there is no room for regret when they go head-to-head with Manchester United for a place in the FA Cup final.
Nobody at Goodison Park is relishing the prospect of a duel with Sir Alex Ferguson more than Everton’s manager and he has every faith that his players can deliver another bold performance. He is aware, though, that nerves can sometimes wreak havoc in these type of games and, as a result, Moyes will spend the next 48 hours reminding those who will travel south of their abilities. Moyes will be a proud man when he leads Everton out at Wembley but this tie is not the ceiling of his ambition and that’s why he will tell the men he selects for duty to give everything they have to set up a date with Chelsea or Arsenal on May 30. “Manchester United are an outstanding team and we will need to play at our maximum to win but we know that we can do it – the players have now got to go out and get on with it,” said Moyes.
“We have beaten them in the past and we will try to do that again. There is no room for ‘if only’. We all want to finish the game knowing that we have given it absolutely everything. “If they play the way they did against Liverpool and Aston Villa then I’ll be more than happy. Yes I’m enjoying going to a semi-final but I’d enjoy it better if it was the final. I don’t think it is an awful lot to do with the managers, it is about the players.” Having knocked Macclesfield, Liverpool, Villa and Middlesbrough out to reach the last four, there is no disputing that Everton have done things the hard way but if they intend to lift the trophy, Moyes feels they will have to raise their game further still. It is significant, however, that Moyes is not fazed by that prospect and is at pains to remind everyone that the Wembley date he longs for is still actually six weeks away. “I’m actually trying to play it all down,” said Moyes, who – with the exception of his long-term absentees - should have a near full strength squad from which to choose. “Even if we win on Sunday we won’t run around the pitch with a trophy. You have got to come back and do it again, so I have to keep guarded with the whole thing. Obviously it is great to be in a semi-final and we want to be in more.
“But what we want to do is win. This isn’t our final and I’m saying it to our supporters. This is our semi-final. I want this trip to Wembley to be something we can all do again in a month’s time. ”

David Prentice's alternative PFA awards
Apr 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PROOF, if any were needed, that the majority of professional footballers in this country possess the intellectual depth of a bird bath, came in the voting for this year’s Player of the Year awards. How much thought really went into compiling a shortlist made up of Steven Gerrard and five Manchester United players? Gerrard has been outstanding and deserves inclusion, while Ryan Giggs would get the sentimental vote – even though the Welsh winger hasn’t actually done anything this season short of one wonderful goal at West Ham. But Edwin van der Sar? United might have gone more than a dozen games without conceding a goal, but van der Sar hasn’t even been the most impressive goalkeeper at Old Trafford this season. Surely that accolade should go to Ben Foster for his Carling Cup final performance. And while Nemanja Vidic enjoyed a decent first half of the season, he’s been a jittery shadow since Fernando Torres ran him ragged at Old Trafford last month. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been anything like last season’s prolific predator, while Rio Ferdinand has been equally ordinary. With just a little time and thought, it’s easy to come up with plenty of alternatives. At Goodison Phil Jagielka has enjoyed an immense campaign.
Tim Cahill’s performances in carrying the Everton forward line almost single-handed have been monumental, while across the park Fernando Torres has been just as influential. But look outside Merseyside and there have been other notable nominees.
Emile Heskey has reinvented himself as the focal point of the national team’s attack, Stephen Ireland has been a consistently classy performer for Manchester City’s inconsistent band of strolling minstrels and Brad Friedel has turned back the clock with a stirring series of displays between the Aston Villa goalposts. Kevin Davies’ 12 goals for a Bolton side which has struggled for most of this season prove he’s not the cart horse many believe. And if you have to include a Manchester United defender, why not Jonny Evans for his performances as a more than reliable stand-in during Rio Ferdinand’s constant absences? Then how about Matthew Upson? Or Danny Murphy?
See. It’s easy when you put your mind to it.

David Prentice: Everton FC can shock United at Wembley
Apr 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IT was Howard Kendall who articulated the sentiment best.
When Watford boss Graham Taylor declared: “We’re going to Wembley to enjoy the day,” Kendall quickly responded: “The only way to enjoy a day out at Wembley is by winning.” He knew what he was talking about. While Watford enjoyed their afternoon in the sun in 1984, Everton enjoyed an occasion which was talked about for years to come, because it was a confidence-giving catalyst for a glorious Goodison era.
With around 40,000 Evertonians set to enjoy their first afternoon out at Wembley Stadium for 14 years this weekend, it’s a message worth remembering. When the memories of the stunning arch, the new Wembley Way and the outrageous catering prices have faded, it will be the winners who are remembered. And there’s no reason why Everton can’t assume that mantle. Manchester United have famously never lost a domestic Cup semi-final under Sir Alex Ferguson. But it’s 1980 since the Blues have lost one, too. And Everton’s FA Cup pedigree is amongst the best in the country.
When the Blues demolished Tottenham in 1995, no other club in the country had been in more FA Cup semi-finals. Fourteen years on – and despite not having graced the last four since then – still only Manchester United and Arsenal can boast more than Everton’s 23 appearances. The Blues can enjoy Sunday – as winners.

David Prentice: BBC out of order on Fellaini
Apr 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
I DIDN’T see Match of the Day 2 last Sunday night, but plenty of Evertonians did. And the anger they expressed at the hatchet job done on Marouane Fellaini suggested that the BBC’s much boasted impartiality showed all the balance of, shall we say, Ashley Young? It seems that every flailing elbow and every raised arm from the Belgian was replayed and scrutinized by a studio panel, followed by the kind of expressions only usually seen after following Johnny Vegas into trap two.
Now, to paraphrase an old saying slightly, if you commit the crime, you do the air-time. And Fellaini clearly does have a problem with self-discipline. But, so too, does Aston Villa’s talented left-winger. Diving may not be as dangerous as raising your elbows, but it’s still cheating. If the BBC want to become moral guardians of our game, they shouldn’t be selective with their scrutiny.

David Moyes: Everton can beat Man Utd at Wembley
Apr 17 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES today told his squad to make sure there is no room for regret when they go head-to-head with Manchester United for a place in the FA Cup final.
Nobody at Goodison Park is relishing the prospect of a duel with Sir Alex Ferguson more than Evertons manager and he has every faith that his players can deliver another bold performance. He is aware, though, that nerves can sometimes wreak havoc in these type of games and, as a result, Moyes will spend the next 48 hours reminding those who will travel south of their abilities. Moyes will be a proud man when he leads Everton out at Wembley but this tie is not the ceiling of his ambition and thats why he will tell the men he selects for duty to give everything they have to set up a date with Chelsea or Arsenal on May 30. Manchester United are an outstanding team and we will need to play at our maximum to win but we know that we can do it the players have now got to go out and get on with it, said Moyes.
We have beaten them in the past and we will try to do that again. There is no room for if only. We all want to finish the game knowing that we have given it absolutely everything. If they play the way they did against Liverpool and Aston Villa then Ill be more than happy. Yes Im enjoying going to a semi-final but Id enjoy it better if it was the final. I dont think it is an awful lot to do with the managers, it is about the players.
Having knocked Macclesfield, Liverpool, Villa and Middlesbrough out to reach the last four, there is no disputing that Everton have done things the hard way but if they intend to lift the trophy, Moyes feels they will have to raise their game further still.
It is significant, however, that Moyes is not fazed by that prospect and is at pains to remind everyone that the Wembley date he longs for is still actually six weeks away.
Im actually trying to play it all down, said Moyes, who with the exception of his long-term absentees - should have a near full strength squad from which to choose.
Even if we win on Sunday we wont run around the pitch with a trophy. You have got to come back and do it again, so I have to keep guarded with the whole thing. Obviously it is great to be in a semi-final and we want to be in more. But what we want to do is win. This isnt our final and Im saying it to our supporters. This is our semi-final. I want this trip to Wembley to be something we can all do again in a months time.

Everton FC star Marouane Fellaini out to make amends at Wembley
Apr 17 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
NOBODY remembers the vanquished team in a semi-final other than the players who were on the beaten side. It is one of the harsh, unforgiving aspects of football; while the victors can start to prepare for the big day out and play for silverware, those who fall at the final hurdle have nothing to show for their efforts other than broken dreams.
This might be Marouane Fellaini’s first season in the Premier League but he knows better than most how wretched it is to go close in a knockout competition, only to come up miles short in the final reckoning. At this stage of affairs last season, Fellaini’s Standard Liege had effectively wrapped up the Juliper League and were red-hot favourites to do the double after being paired against lowly Gent in the last four of the Belgian Cup. But what is it they say about form going out the window in the Cup? Liege would have expected to stroll past Gent, even after being held to a surprise 2-2 draw in the first leg, yet they were blown away in the return fixture, losing 4-0.
While his campaign ended on a high with Liege winning the League in a hack canter, he was still left to rue the one that got away, so it is no surprise to learn that he wants to experience the other side of this coin this weekend. Manchester United, of course, will be a formidable foe at Wembley but Fellaini is eager to mark his first campaign in England with a trophy and has dreamt about winning the FA Cup ever since he scored in the quarter-final against Middlesbrough in March. So having got himself into a rich vein of form – Fellaini has scored four in his last five games and, more importantly, has not been booked since February 28 – the man who has a cult following on the Gwladys Street is ready for this biggest of tests. “I never won the Cup in Belgium and it was a bad night against Gent last year,” Fellaini recalled with a shake of the head.
“We’ve done well to get to the semi-final but this isn’t our big aim. We are striving to make sure that we will be back at Wembley next month. “The FA Cup is a wonderful competition, one that is known all over the world; to win it in my first season would be a dream come true. I watched a number of finals when I was in Belgium and everyone knows about the history of the competition “We have had some difficult games during our run so far. But we have been growing in belief and it would be a fitting reward for the way we have worked as a squad through difficult times to turn the season around if we went on to win it. “All the players have been talking in the dressing room about how excited the supporters are – we could hear them singing all the way through the game at Aston Villa about going to Wembley and we want to give them something back. “It would be a dream if I scored the winner on Sunday but it is not about me. It doesn’t matter who scores, the important thing is that we get through. We are happy with our form, we are working hard and we know anything is possible if we play to our very best.” That United are the team standing between Everton and a first appearance in major final since 1995 is significant for Fellaini; after all, they were opposition on the day he launched his career on Merseyside last October.
Having been given a chasing in the first half and fortunate that they went into the break trailing to just a Darren Fletcher goal, Fellaini was a towering presence in the second period and helped launch a revival. His thumping header helped Everton secure a thoroughly deserved 1-1 draw and the £15m man’s performance showed he was, at last, becoming attuned to the rat-a-tat-tat pace that had hitherto left his head in a spin. Fast forward to the present day and he seems a lot more aware of what is required to flourish here; energy and commitment, then, are two of the things Everton must have in abundance if they are going to end one of the games most astonishing records. Sir Alex Ferguson has contested nine FA Cup semi finals since 1990 and won every single one but that is the sort of statistic that Fellaini and Company would love to smash to smithereens. “The day I scored against Manchester was a special afternoon and it’s probably true to say that goal really set me on the way,” said Fellaini. “It kick started my season and I remember that we put in a great performance.
“This will be a different context now, it's the semi-final of the Cup and it’s important that we stay 100 per cent focused. This is a one-off game. We can go for it a little bit. It’s not the league where Manchester have been doing so well through the season.
“Recently they have had a couple of defeats and maybe we can take some advantage. We have to remember, though, that it is still Manchester United. We know the quality of their squad and the players that they have got. “But it’s 90 minutes and anything can happen in a semi-final. It’s a one-off occasion and if we work as hard as we can and play as well as we have been doing, we have got enough time to show that we can get past them. We respect them but we do not fear them.”

HOWARD KENDALL: Everton FC can experience the high of a Wembley win
Apr 17 2009 by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
FA CUP semi-finals are the best and worst games around; win one and you are on top of the world for weeks, lose and you end up in the depth of despair.
I was fortunate enough to be involved in a number of last four battles both as a player and manager for Everton and two games particularly stand out for varying reasons.
The first was against Liverpool in 1971, the other came 13 years later against Southampton. We’ll get the bad memory out of the way first – losing to Liverpool at Old Trafford was one of the biggest lows that I suffered during my career and the dressing room afterwards was like a morgue. To make things worse we could hear Liverpool’s players celebrating down the corridor; it was awful and started the break up of that great title winning team. What made matters worse was the defeat came a couple of days after Panathinaikos had knocked us out of the European Cup but if that was a dismal low, the high from beating Southampton at Highbury was something I will never forget. As you can probably guess, the drive home from London was a lively affair and we kept telling the coach driver to slow down, so we could prolong the festivities. All being well, David Moyes will get theopportunity to do that on Sunday. Like so many others, I’ve just got a sneaky feeling that we will do it and the result Manchester United secured in Oporto on Wednesday evening might just work in our favour; if they are expecting to cruise through to the final, they will be in for a massive surprise. The sequence of results that Everton have put together through the winter months means there is no need for apprehension and in Tim Cahill we have got a player who is capable of providing the Midas touch when it is needed most.
It promises to be a great game, the atmosphere will be fantastic because Evertonians have waited so long to get back on this stage and if we are granted a bit of good fortune, we will experience the highs that semi-finals bring once more.

Everton can scent silver - David Moyes
Apr 18 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
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MOYES today placed his faith in Evertons success hungry squad and predicted it is only a matter of time before they win a trophy. Joe Royle was the last manager to bring silverware back to Goodison Park in 1995 but Moyes and Co have a glorious chance to change that this year. The Blues face Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final tomorrow and there is a growing belief among the players that they are capable of putting on a show. Moyes, of course, has implicit faith in the men he will send into battle and hopes the time when they will get something tangible for their efforts is coming into view. So whatever happens at Wembley, the manager is convinced that it wont be long before the good times really return to Goodison and cups will start to fill the boardroom again. Getting into the Champions League would give us higher revenue to try and add more players, which in turn would hopefully mean you would get to more cup finals, he said. But, as a football man, Everton will win a trophy soon. That is for sure. The players at Everton will win a trophy soon, and Im looking forward to that happening. The group weve built together is growing all of the time, and as the team is growing the performances are growing. I hope it is this time, but if it is not it is going to be soon.We want to win a cup. Last season we got to the semi-final of the League Cup and had a good run in the UEFA Cup, so we are getting better as a cup side. The pedigree is getting better, albeit this season once we got knocked out of the League Cup and the UEFA Cup we were looking like a bad cup side again. But the FA Cup has helped us this year and we have had a decent run against some big opposition to get where we are. If Everton ended up going all the way, they would have beaten five of their Premier League rivals, three of whom would have been from the top four. Moyes is understandably pleased with how Everton have reacted to being presented with tests from Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough but knows bigger tasks lie in wait. If we are good enough to get to the final it would be hard to say that we didnt deserve to be there but we have a bit to do to get there, said Moyes. Everton will travel to Wembley with a healthy looking squad, which will include James Vaughan, who came through a reserve game against United on Thursday without hitch. The Blues may not boast as many household names as their opponents tomorrow but Moyes knows he can rely on them. The Everton players might not be the ones that come to everybodys attention, he said. I think there is a consistency and stability about the players, there is a real togetherness. We probably dont have the individuals who might always be winning awards. But we have the team to win awards. If there was an award for spirit then we would be a stick on. We are a club which works on we and being together, helping each out. Thats the most important thing.

Crunching tackle that could lead to Everton FA Cup joy
Apr 18 2009 Liverpool Echo
AT what point would you say Everton’s season turned around? Was it a spirited performance against Manchester City or a battling win at Tottenham?
What about the now famous meal 48 hours before that effort at White Hart Lane which helped unite a frustrated squad or the header Marouane Fellaini scored in the dying seconds against Bolton Wanderers way back in October? All, of course, have their own significance but, for many, the stand out moment came when Phil Neville saw a loose ball bobbling around in a game against Manchester United and thundered into a tackle that shook Cristiano Ronaldo to the core. It changed the course of a game that was slipping away from the Blues, lifted a hitherto disaffected, frustrated crowd and fanned the flames of recovery after what had been a disastrous start; more importantly, it also changed the public’s perception of one man. Neville has not always enjoyed great popularity amongst Evertonians, many of whom have been suspicious that his heart always belonged to Old Trafford. But since then a series of outstanding performances have elevated his status on the terraces. Not so long ago, it might have been suggested that Neville would be in a no lose position tomorrow, with his current employers taking on his first love for a place in the FA Cup final, but one tackle on his former team-mate has changed all that. Nobody, then, will be doubting Neville’s commitment to Everton at Wembley, certainly not David Moyes, who - as a former defender - appreciated the art of the hard but fair tackle which flattened a Red but raised the Blues. “I think that was someone trying to take ownership and leadership of the team and taking the responsibility to try and make something happen,” Moyes recalled. “That can be with a tackle, it can be with a pass or someone scoring. “But Phil Neville did it for us with a tackle that day. He’s tried to take a lot of ownership for what goes on and deserves a lot of praise for that. What it did was turn the support as well, because, in truth, it looked as though Phil was going to be victimised. “I don’t know if our supporters have changed. I hope not because they should have always seen his effort and what he’s done here. I think if you asked him, he’ll probably say he’s as much at home here, if not more so, than he ever was at Manchester United.” Moyes is not the kind of man who lavishes his players with praise, the best they can hope for is a few words in the media and a cursory pat on the back in the changing room if they have done well - which makes what you are about to read all the more significant. When the manager wrapped up a £3.5m deal for Neville in August 2005, he was convinced that he had pulled off a coup and nothing he has seen in four subsequent seasons has led him to change his mind.
First in to training, first to throw a welcoming arm around the new signings, always quick to offer the younger members of the squad a word or two of advice, Neville has the same zest for his job now as he did when first breaking into United’s side 14 years ago. “You would have to say he was a great buy for us,” said Moyes. “I was delighted when I got him. I remember going to sign him and thinking he was the right person, the right type for the club and maybe, at the time, the right person for me.
“I needed somebody who I felt could lift the level of professionalism again and someone who had been a winner and come from a club that had been used to winning. People who I knew and people around him told me how good a professional he was.
“I think there were a lot of teams who wanted Phil but I think he wanted Everton. It’s OK me saying that. But I think Phil wanted Everton as much as we wanted him. He looked - and he’s not daft - and he saw a team which is making progress.
“Hopefully he saw a hungry manager. Phil didn’t want to go somewhere to grass. He wanted to be part of something which was going to take another part of his career on and hopefully we’ve not let him down in that sense either. “When I met him, I got the feeling right away that this is how it is supposed to be. His level of professionalism and the way he goes about his business is up there with the best. If he plays until he’s 36 or 37 I would understand it totally.” If he continues going that long, Neville will expect to have added to his substantial medal haul and he could yet end up being Everton’s lucky charm at Wembley; he has never been beaten in an FA Cup semi-final and won the famous old pot three times. “Sometimes he doesn’t get as much praise from me as he deserves,” said Moyes. “I take him for granted, as I know what he can do. He doesn’t let me down. Week-in, week-out he puts himself on the line and, at times, he takes too much responsibility. “I think he’s playing very well. I don’t know if it’s the best in his career. From his Everton career, his consistency is the thing.
“This season he has been excellent and has given us a real platform. “He’s been one of the players we’ve said we wouldn’t put down, as he’s kept his standards very high. I don’t think there will be any sentiment from Phil’s point of view on Sunday. He will be really driven to try and get a result on the day.” The only way Neville will be happy tomorrow is if he walks off the pitch a winner.

Everton's Phil Jagielka eager to banish memory of FA Cup defeat
Apr 18 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
REFEREES should never be the centre of attention in an FA Cup semi-final but Evertonians know that is not always the case – as does Phil Jagielka.
If mention of the name Clive Thomas is still enough to induce fits of rage and shivers down the spines of Blues from a certain era, the man who is odds-on to be named Everton’s Player of the Year has similar feelings about Graham Poll.
Jagielka, you see, has never forgotten a couple of incidents which the former official, turned self publicist extraordinaire, got hopelessly wrong when Sheffield United went head-to-head with Arsenal at Old Trafford for a place in the 2003 final.
With the game evenly poised, thanks to United – then of the Championship – refusing to let Arsene Wenger’s men have their own way, a fascinating encounter was set to ensue until Poll intervened late in the first half. First he missed a clear foul by Sol Campbell as Arsenal began to mount an attack and then exacerbated the error by blocking Michael Tonge, as he tried to block the shot from Freddie Ljungberg which broke the deadlock. To make matters worse for Jagielka and the Blades, David Seaman defied his advancing years with a quite magnificent save to thwart Paul Peschisolido in the dying moments, meaning his one and only semi-final was a chastening experience. No wonder, then, he is desperate to experience the other side of the coin at Wembley tomorrow and will be praying that Mike Riley – whose appointment has caused a hullabaloo amongst certain Blues – stays out of the limelight. “I remember that day for a couple of reasons,” said Jagielka. “First we should have had a free kick and then the ref tackled our player and they scored! Then, of course, there was Peschi’s header which Seaman somehow saved.
“When you're looking back they are still great memories, getting that far with Sheffield United. If people ask me about that I will tell them, even though I won’t particularly go round letting them know how bad (losing) can be; you have to enjoy the occasion too. “I was still a young lad at the time, and that was the season packed with disappointments. As well as the FA Cup, we lost in the semi-finals of the League Cup too (against Liverpool) and also in the play-off final. We lost everything.
“We were gutted but I remember Wayne Allison talking to me the next season, when we had a bit of a hangover from it, and saying it could end up being one of my best years, and not to think it was easy to get that far. “He was right because it’s taken a few seasons, but hopefully now – at a much bigger club – there’s more of a chance now against the big boys.” As Everton have proven this season; having already dispatched Liverpool and Aston Villa to reach this stage of the competition, they are going to have to see off Manchester United then either Arsenal or Chelsea to end their 14-year wait for silverware. For neutrals, the cast list for the last four makes fabulous reading but there is bound to be some frustration for Evertonians; 12 months ago, after all, Portsmouth, West Brom, Cardiff and Barnsley made up the final quartet.
It is a challenge, though, that Jagielka and his team-mates are looking forward to and he has taken heart from the way Everton have performed in games against the sides above them in the table to date. The only time they have failed to turn up this year against the big four was when Fernando Torres made the most of Everton’s defensive uncertainty in September and since then they have had no hesitation in standing toe-to-toe with those foes. More of the same will be required here but don’t expect Everton to be found wanting; as Jagielka points out, they are not simply going to the capital for a look around and to enjoy a day out. They are going solely to win.
“This time the FA Cup’s probably as hard to win as it’s ever been,” he noted. “Last year quite a few of the big boys went out but now it is the three most successful teams in Premier League history and us, so it won’t be easy. “We know we haven’t got the best record against the big four, but in patches against them we have played really well,we just let ourselves down for five or ten minutes, and that’s cost us dearly.
“But, for example, against Chelsea here we were a bit unfortunate, we were 1-0 up away at Arsenal, played really well at Old Trafford, so we’re not getting spanked by these teams. It’s not as though we’ve been looking far inferior. “We do have to overcome that hurdle if we want to get to the final. We are confident we can do it, or course we are, because it’s a one off. As much as we’re really happy about that, it would be heartbreaking to go there and get beaten. “Wembley is a nice place to go but it’s still only a semi-final. We know it will be hard and we will be the underdogs.
“We’ve had a tough run so far and I can only see it getting tougher. “But one thing’s for sure, we’ll give it our best shot.”

Wayne Rooney's family at war for Everton v Man Utd FA Cup clash
Apr 18 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
WAYNE ROONEY has got his tickets sorted for the FA Cup final – he just hopes he will not to be joining his family in the Wembley stands. Born and brought up an Everton fan, Rooney switched allegiances in 2004 when he quit Goodison Park for Manchester United. As supporters, the Rooney clan’s allegiance is not so easily transferred, meaning there are bound to be some mixed emotions at tomorrow’s eagerly-awaited FA Cup semi-final. Either way, there will be someone for the Rooneys to cheer against Arsenal or Chelsea on May 30. The England forward hopes it is him. “The only good thing is I can book some seats for the final no matter who gets there,” he said. “I just hope I don’t have to sit on one of them.” Given the abuse he now routinely gets from the Goodison Park faithful, Rooney could be forgiven if he attended the final in camouflage if Everton did make it. As a childhood supporter, it must feel strange to have so much venom directed in his direction from stands where he used to sit and cheer. But Rooney does not take it personally. He would do exactly the same thing. “I have no problem with the fans’ reaction,” he said. “I understand they were upset when I left and with the way it happened. “When I was a fan, I felt exactly the same when players left. “The stick I get when I am playing against them is just a bit of banter. I can still go out in Liverpool and get no hassle.” It has been well documented that Rooney was at Wembley in 1995 when Paul Rideout scored the goal that condemned United to defeat, just six days after relinquishing the Premier League title to Blackburn. At the time it was the greatest day in the 23-year-old’s life, skipper Dave Watson marking the occasion by sleeping with the trophy Rooney is now so desperate to win. Yet that shock not only brings back a few memories, it is also a reminder of what could happen if United fall from the lofty standard they set in Porto on Wednesday. “Everton are a much better team now than they were in 1995,” said Rooney. “They work really hard and try not to give you any space on the ball. It is going to be a really difficult game.” Indeed, while a row between Rooney and former boss David Moyes ended up in court after allegations made against the Everton manager in the player’s autobiography, there is still respect for the work being done on Merseyside. “Everton have been excellent,” said Rooney, “especially considering the start they had. “The manager has done a fantastic job to get them into the position they are in. “I was speaking to a few of my mates the other day, they are nearly there as a club. “All Everton seem to be lacking now is a trophy. “We know how hungry they are and how much they want to win this trophy so we will have to be on our toes.” * MANCHESTER United have been told they are in for a Wembley war in tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final. “We have got to believe that this tie gives us the chance of an upset. We fancy our chances,” said the Blues defender. “We have been scoring a lot of goals of late and United maybe have hit something of a dip at the moment in their form. “So hopefully that will work in our favour. We have to get into their faces, we have to do that against a side as good as Manchester United.
“We have to put them under as much pressure as we can and make it difficult for them to play.”

BARRY HORNE: Everton can produce another classic against Man Utd
Apr 18 2009 Liverpool Echo
THE miseries, the doom and gloom merchants and the hackneyed old journalists who constantly tell us the Premier League is not the best in the world, have been noticeably absent in recent weeks. The past month has seen some magnificent spectacles thrown up – with Everton more than playing their part. We’ve had the Champions League classics this week, Aston Villa’s trip to Old Trafford, Wigan against Arsenal, Liverpool v Blackburn and then last weekend’s wonderful Aston Villa-Everton clash.
People who moan that the Premier League is rubbish are clearly wide of the mark.
It isn’t – and but for a cruel draw the Champions League semi-finals could quite easily have been made up of four English sides this season. Everton have been involved in more than their fair share of thrillers recently. We were only an unbelievable free-kick and a dodgy penalty away from beating an Aston Villa side which was in contention for a Champions League place at the time. And that run of form is just one of the reasons why we can go to Wembley tomorrow with confidence. As well as our own form, Manchester United are in a completely different position now to when the semi-final draw was made. A month ago they will have expected the Premier League to be wrapped up by now, and the Champions League quarter-final to be effectively over after the first leg. Instead they will go into the semi-final having had an intense experience in Porto in midweek, and having to manage their squad for future Premier League assignments. That’s not to say tomorrow is going to be easy.
Manchester United are top of the league, in the Champions League semi-finals and have already won one trophy this season. But the omens are positive.
James Vaughan proved his fitness in a reserve run-out on Thursday and will be available to offer something different from the subs bench if needed.
And hopefully Louis Saha’s virus is not a serious problem and he can step into the void created by the Cup-tied Jo. It’s an FA Cup semi-final so anything can happen – and Everton can certainly win. Let’s just hope it’s another classic. Blues must show class of '95 to beat United
FOR superstitious fans looking for omens, I can’t look any further than my own experience in an Everton shirt against Manchester United at Wembley.
We were underdogs, too, that day – almost certainly bigger underdogs than David Moyes’ boys will be tomorrow. But we came through and upset the applecart.
The great parallel between Joe Royle’s side and the modern group of players is self-belief. We travelled south with an unshakeable confidence in our own abilities – and from what I’ve read and heard it sounds like David Moyes’ players also possess that same spirit. It was the same in our semi-final that year. Tottenham were the bookies favourites and the media darlings – but we obliterated them with one of the best team performances it was my good fortune to ever be a part of. Once again it was unshakeable team spirit and belief in our ability as a squad of players which carried us through. Manchester United will provide the sternest possible opposition tomorrow – but the Blues can win. We just have to believe.

DOMINIC KING: Negativity no longer has a home at Everton
Apr 18 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IT was the morning after the night before and heads were sore through the pain of elimination rather than the joy of celebration. Standard Liege had just knocked Everton out of the UEFA Cup, eight days after Blackburn Rovers had jettisoned them from the Carling Cup and, given that their Premier League campaign appeared to be in freefall, there was seemingly no room for optimism. The flight back from Belgium was a particularly miserable affair, with few words spoken and it was impossible not to draw parallels with the plane journey home from Romania three years earlier, following the drubbing at the hands of Dinamo Bucharest. But as he gathered his thoughts in front of the press, those who expected David Moyes to be breathing fire and brimstone were taken aback when he suggested: “Who knows? Maybe this will be our year in The FA Cup?”Tomorrow we will find out how prophetic those words were; Manchester United stand between Everton and a first appearance in the final of the world’s most famous knockout competition since 1995 and belief is gathering that they can cross the last bridge. In the past before games of this magnitude, there was a tendency for Everton to appear beaten almost before they started, an inferiority complex, if you will, that they didn’t really belong and possibly there was a lack of belief. One incident springs to mind: after Joleon Lescott had put through his own net in the dying minutes of the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Chelsea, Moyes trudged into the Stamford Bridge press room looking a beaten man.
Rather than making defiant noises, as should have been the case with the return at baying, swaying Goodison to come, all Moyes could utter was that “it would be really hard” and there was a feeling then that Everton would not overhaul the 2-1 deficit.
Things, however, have changed and much for the better; Moyes, clearly, has been a contented man in the last few months and he might yet look back at the goal Dan Gosling scored against Liverpool in February as the defining moment.
Heaven knows what would have happened had that fourth round tie gone to a penalty shootout and Everton had lost but it is almost as if Gosling’s strike was the ‘penny drop’ incident which proved the Blues could really compete with the best in the business.
After all, that tireless, enthusiastic performance came after games when Arsenal had been battered to the point of submission and United only emerged from a tussle at Old Trafford with three points thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. So, rather than feel sorry for themselves after being paired against the reigning Premier League and European champions, there has simply been an impressive desire to get on with things and create a little bit of history. Sir Alex Ferguson has not lost any of the nine FA Cup semi-finals in which he has been involved but, as they say, all good things must come to an end and why should Everton not be the team to do it? All the players who have spoken in the run up to this tie have struck the right tone; Steven Pienaar, Tim Cahill, Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott eschewed inflammatory remarks with ease and talked up Everton’s abilities. Most impressive of all, however, was the way the manager spoke; he trusts these players implicitly and that came across in his words, while it was refreshing to see him relaxed, laughing and joking with his inquisitors. In the past he has been criticised for being too uptight and intense, a driven man who can alienate some players and be impossible to deal with if things are going badly; now the opposite appears to be true. If the vibes are correct, Moyes will give Everton their heads up tomorrow, telling his players to have faith in their abilities and attack a Manchester United side that could well be vulnerable.
When you hit an opponent with everything you have in the opening exchanges, it invariably allows you to go on and win the battle. Should Everton do that, Monday morning will be a much happier experience.
Riley not as bad as some fans may think
UNLESS you have been living in solitary confinement, you will know that Mike Riley is set to officiate at Wembley tomorrow. It has led to some anxious Evertonians claiming that the dice will be now be loaded in Manchester United’s favour, as there is little doubt that Riley has given Sir Alex Ferguson’s side some soft penalties down the years. His fussy manner and meek appearance makes him an easy target for criticism but ask yourself this question: is Riley really as bad as Steve Bennett, the man who was originally pencilled in for duty? In the view of this column, the answer has to be ‘no’; Riley has only taken charge of two Everton games this season, one was a Merseyside derby in September, the other was at the Riverside Stadium on Boxing Day. Of course he sent Tim Cahill off in the first match but hindsight has shown that to be not as bad a decision as many initially felt, while he did little wrong against Middlesbrough. Best, then, to worry about beating United, rather than fear what any referee may do.
Dinner held for Ratcliffe
KEVIN RATCLIFFE was Everton’s most successful captain and the club’s former Players Foundation is holding a dinner in his honour this Thursday.
It will be staged in Goodison Park’s Alex Young Suite (7.30pm start) and tickets cost £25. For further details contact the EFPF secretary, Pat Labone on 0151 677 5737.

How simple gesture of Hillsborough solidarity says so much
Apr 18 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
LIKE countless others at Anfield last Saturday, I made my way to the Hillsborough memorial which resides beside the Shankly Gates to pay my respects to the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in British sport’s worst ever disaster.
The match against Blackburn had ended over an hour earlier but there was still a queue of like minded people, some clutching bunches of flowers to lay in front of the eternal flame and others with scarves to adorn the marble monument. In front of me was an Irishman and his son of no more than six or seven who minutes later would bless themselves and say a silent prayer in front of the memorial before father embraced son in a way which parents tend to following such emotional and tender shared moments. Behind me was a middle aged Everton fan who stood out because he was wearing his distinctive blue and white shirt as he proudly represented the club he loves. In his hands was a single rose which, like almost everything else in view post match, was the kind of red which Bill Shankly wanted his players dressed in from head to toe. The passing of 20 years means memories of April 15, 1989 and the immediate aftermath have been bubbling to the surface with increasing regularity in recent days and the sight of this sole Everton supporter will undoubtedly have struck a chord with anyone who joined similar queues at Anfield two decades ago.
It certainly did that for me as I recalled patiently waiting for the time to come when I would get the opportunity to pay my respects to the Hillsborough dead.
Stood next to me in the queue on that day was an Evertonian. He wasn’t wearing any colours for me to know that but he didn’t need to because he was one of my closest childhood friends who just days earlier had seen his team get through to another Wembley FA Cup Final. Like all other Blues, his celebrations were curtailed by the tragic events over in Sheffield where so many of their brothers and sisters from this city had seen their lives cut short in such terrible circumstances. Behind me in the queue was another Everton supporter who had come to pay his respects. In his hands was a half and half scarf from the 1986 all Merseyside FA Cup Final which he wanted to lay down in front of the Kop along with the sea of floral tributes which had been steadily growing ever since Reds chief executive Peter Robinson had taken the decision to open the Anfield gates to give fans a communal place to grieve.
It wasn’t just Everton supporters either, as then manager Colin Harvey recalled this week: “On the Friday before our first game after Hillsborough, which was away at Spurs, we all went to Anfield to lay a wreath,” he said. “It was something all the players really wanted to do.” The tragedy may have befallen Liverpool and its fans but the response of Everton Football Club and its supporters could not have been more impressive. This was a city united in tragedy in a way which no-one would have wanted but also in a fashion which typified the incredible bonds which can transcend even the most passionate of football rivalries. The unity of the people of Liverpool was perhaps best symbolized by a mile long chain of Everton and Liverpool scarves which connected Anfield with Goodison, an initiative thought up by two local taxi drivers Tommy Atkinson and Jimmy Plunkett. Another example of the solidarity came in Liverpool’s first competitive outing following Hillsborough, a Merseyside derby at the home of their great rivals. As usual there was plenty of red visible on the terraces, particularly just to the left of the Gwladys Street goal where Liverpool supporters had traditionally congregated. Before the game kicked off, a group of Liverpool supporters paraded a banner around the perimeter of the pitch. The banner carried a simple message: “LFC fans thank EFC fans”. While in the away end another flag was unfurled which read: “The Kop Thanks You All We Never Walked Alone.”
The applause which greeted these heartfelt gestures underlined the feelings of solidarity which everyone on Merseyside felt in the aftermath of Hillsborough.
This was a tragedy for Liverpool as a city, not just Liverpool the football club, and the outpouring of emotion from all of its citizens no matter what team they supported reflected this. On Tuesday afternoon, David Moyes followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Harvey by crossing Stanley Park to pay his respects to those who perished in the death trap that was the Leppings Lane terrace. The Everton manager was rightly applauded as he took his seat on the Kop and the handshake of thanks he received from opposite number Rafa Benitez was clearly heartfelt and genuine. Over at Goodison, the Everton flag was flown at half mast while the club also commemorated Hillsborough on its own website and by taking out a full page tribute to the 96 victims in the Echo. Such official gestures were totally in keeping with the way Everton Football Club conducted itself 20 years ago and the homemade blue and white Justice For The 96 banner which a group of Evertonians displayed at Villa Park last Sunday was equally apt. This weekend of all weekends, it is appropriate that Everton find themselves in another FA Cup semi-final, representing Merseyside’s hopes of having one of our teams grace a Wembley final.In fact, it is difficult to think of anything more fitting.
Itandje just a disgrace
CHARLES Itandje is a poor goalkeeper who before this week was destined to be remembered in these parts solely for his comical FA Cup displays against Barnsley and Havant & Waterlooville. That was before he decided that a memorial service to commemorate the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters was a fitting setting to act the goat. The anger which has already come Itandje’s way following his outrageous behaviour is totally justified and will only subside once he has left the club.
The terms of Itandje’s contract may prevent him from being sacked but if he has any remaining decency about him he should sit down with his agent and come up with a way of walking if he cannot be pushed. As a football club, Liverpool’s dignity over Hillsborough has always shone like a beacon and its commendable conduct should not be allowed to be besmirched by a player who has never looked good enough to represent it on the pitch and who has now shown himself incapable of representing it off it.

Everton beat Man Utd on penalties to reach FA Cup final
Apr 19 2009
Tim Howard emerged an FA Cup spot-kick hero to wreck his old club’s quintuple bid and send Everton to their first final since 1995. After a goalless and frankly rather tepid two hours, Howard saved a woeful penalty from Manchester United record signing Dimitar Berbatov and another from Rio Ferdinand to send the Toffeemen into ecstasy. It also ended Sir Alex Ferguson’s 100% record in last four clashes, although the Scot must have known such a scenario was a realistic possibility given the team he picked. It had become common knowledge that Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar had not even made the trip, while Ryan Giggs was down on most people’s lists of the men to be excluded as well. Nevertheless, when the teams were announced the actual make-up of United’s team took the breath away.
Federico Macheda, supersub in his two substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Sunderland, was handed his first start, Fabio da Silva his second. Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck their first appearances since the Carling Cup final victory over Tottenham in the same stadium seven weeks ago, while Rafael da Silva and Anderson were also included in what must have been one of the youngest starting line-ups Ferguson has ever selected. The Everton supporters knew there could be no better chance to reach the final they crave so much. United had one first half escape, when Ben Foster ill-advisedly tried to nip past Louis Saha inside his own penalty area, only to discover the former Red Devils striker was a bit cuter than he had bargained for.
Saha stuck out a foot and for a fleeting moment thought he had nicked the ball away from Foster, only to discover a kind bobble had allowed the England keeper to gobble it back up. Everton also had a penalty claim waved away by referee Mike Riley, whose appointment as replacement for Steve Bennett did not meet with the approval of Moyes. However, it was difficult to argue conclusively Rafael had fouled Steven Pienaar. Apart from that, their threat was negligible until Tim Cahill emerged from the torpor to strike a fierce low drive that Foster did well to keep out. In sporadic bursts, United were at their free-flowing best. Yet Macheda, who started brightly, and Welbeck were both guilty of rushing passes or shots. The nearest Ferguson’s team came was when Joleon Lescott deflected a Welbeck shot wide, Rafael supplying the cross. After the interval, United were the better team. Park Ji-sung sent one shot skimming wide before Gibson tried his luck from long range with a dipping shot Tim Howard saved without being able to hold. If Riley is a United fan, as Moyes seemed to suggest in midweek, he had a funny way of showing it as far as Ferguson was concerned. The failure to award a penalty when Phil Jagielka barged Welbeck over enraged the United boss, who vented his fury at every official within earshot.
In that split-second, any notion that Ferguson did not care about the FA Cup was shredded into tiny pieces and the United boss was off his seat again shortly afterwards when Anderson’s piledriver flicked the roof of Howard’s net. The introduction of Dimitar Berbatov at the start of extra-time, following the earlier arrivals of Patrice Evra and Paul Scholes, gave United a more recognisable look, although it was again Cahill who nearly broke the deadlock, Foster making a fine feet-first save.
Everton then came agonisingly close when Vidic toed a shot from substitute James Vaughan away from Cahill, who was ready to slot home a tap-in. In truth though, a goal never looked like coming. And finally United saw their shoot-out luck run out, leaving Howard, Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright to celebrate a day they have waited for so long to enjoy.

Everton FA Cup hero Tim Howard: Penalty homework paid off
Apr 19 2009
Everton penalty shootout hero Tim Howard revealed their homework had paid off as his saves helped beat old club Manchester United to secure a return to Wembley in the FA Cup final. The Red Devils had left the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar out and fielded a team full of youngsters, but one that nevertheless held their own during a goalless 120 minutes. In the end, though, it was the experience of Howard that came through in the shootout, saving from Dimitar Berbatov and United captain Rio Ferdinand. United keeper Ben Foster, in goal again today, famously watched an iPod to view footage of Tottenham’s penalty takers before their successful shootout in this season’s Carling Cup final. And American stopper Howard revealed Everton had made sure he had plenty of information ahead of the spot-kick lottery. “Technology is crazy today, you can look at the penalties from something like the last eight years,” Howard said. “However, it was not perfect as I went the wrong way for two of them. “Throughout the week, knowing that it could possibly go to penalties, so we studied it.” Howard added: “I tried to be patient, which is not easy, and I guess I got lucky.” The Unites States international recalled how he had been close to being sent on for United’s shootout against Arsenal in the 2005 FA Cup final, which they lost. “He (United boss Sir Alex Ferguson) wanted to bring me on for the penalties,” he said. “It was talked about. He got me to warm-up, so there must have been a reason. “I have not saved a penalty since I have been at Everton.
“I was obviously saving my luck for today.” The American, 30, arrived at Old Trafford during 2003 and took the number one jersey from Fabien Barthez, going on to win the FA Cup against Millwall the following season. However, Howard then lost his place in the team following some inconsistent displays and eventually joined Everton, initially on loan in May 2006, after the arrival of veteran Dutchman Van der Sar. “It probably means more to me than I expected,” Howard said following today’s dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory. “I still have got friends there whom I look up to. “I want them to do really well and win the league but, when you go head to head, I am a competitor. “There is no hard feelings there but it is nice for me, Louis (Saha) and Phil (Neville), who have all had the privilege to play for Manchester United.”
Everton captain Neville feels this season could be set for the Toffees. “It is about time this club started winning trophies again now - and they do not come much bigger than the FA Cup,” he said. “Hopefully that will catapult us back into the big time because Everton have been out of the big time for too long. “The fans were magnificent and kept us going when we had run out of steam a bit. “We have gained confidence from every team we have beaten in each round. “Now it is Chelsea and, in the final, anything can happen. Neville added: “It was a difficult day. I did not celebrate too much when I scored my penalty because you do not do that in front of the people who have helped you so much in your career.” One of the key moments in the match came midway through the second half. Defender Phil Jagielka appeared to trip United youngster Danny Welbeck as he dashed into the left side of the penalty area. Ferguson was incensed - racing out of his technical area - but referee Mike Riley waved away the appeals. Jagielka accepted Everton had been somewhat fortunate. He said: “I touched him but I do not know how much it caused him to go down. “Thankfully the penalty was not given, so maybe we were a bit lucky today, but we will take it. “We had a couple of decent cup runs last season and hopefully we can take it one step further now in the final.”

Man Utd 0 - Everton 0 (Everton win 4-2 on penalties): Heroic Howard sends Everton into cup heaven
Apr 20 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
SOME things, they say, are simply meant to be. And the overwhelming sense that this could be Everton’s year in the FA Cup shows no signs of abating. In the most dramatic, exhilarating and nerve-shedding way possible, the Goodison outfit won through to their first major final in 14 years yesterday. Of course, this being Everton, there was never much chance of things being done the easy way. But few can quibble that David Moyes’s side and their wonderful followers merit another trip to Wembley to face Chelsea on May 30. How apt that Tim Howard, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, should save two penalties during an agonising penalty shoot-out to dash the quintuple dreams of his former club. How apt that Phil Jagielka, Everton’s player of the season, should be the man to convert the winning spot kick and earn redemption for missing decisively from 12 yards against Fiorentina last season.
That heartbreaking night against the Italians last March had reminded Evertonians of their club’s indifferent fortune in shoot-outs. But those earlier disappointments were banished from memory when Howard saved from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand to render Tim Cahill’s earlier miss irrelevant and give Jagielka the chance to send the blue half of Wembley into ecstasy.Ultimately, this was a tale of two penalties for the centre-back; his decisive strike, and the one United felt should have been awarded during the second half when he tangled with Danny Welbeck.
It left Sir Alex Ferguson flailing on the touchline like a madman. But Everton deserve to be in the 13th FA Cup final in the club’s history if only for the manner in which they have this season continually upheld the traditions of the most famous club knockout competition. From the last-gasp win over Liverpool, the overpowering of Aston Villa, the fightback against Middlesbrough and this latest achievement, Moyes and his players have treated the FA Cup with the respect it deserves. The same could not be said for Ferguson. They may have been playing Everton yesterday, but the Scot’s mind was on Liverpool. With United scheduled for another crucial Barclays Premier League clash in midweek, the Old Trafford manager made eight changes from the team that beat Porto in the Champions League, their starting line-up boasting an average of less than 23. While it undoubtedly gave Everton an unexpected fillip to see so many established names absent from the United team-sheet, it also meant there could be no excuses for failure. The fates were conspiring. This was their moment. Thankfully, eventually, dramatically, Moyes’s men seized it. Howard and Jagielka will command the headlines, but they weren’t alone in deserving the plaudits.
Joleon Lescott was again solid in defence, Phil Neville squeezed out every ounce of experience while Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar reprised their showing at Old Trafford in January to trouble United down the left flank. To the jubilant Everton support, though, every single player was a hero on the day. And rightly so.
Even before a ball was kicked, it was easy to see which of these two great North West rivals possessed the greater need and hunger for victory. Everton simply wanted it more. While many of United’s supporters sauntered in shortly before kick-off, the Everton end was awash with colour and noise way ahead of kick-off, almost every fan in the West Stand decked in royal blue. Feeding off the energy of their expectant travelling support, Everton raced out of the blocks, a couple of crunching Tim Cahill challenges epitomising a combative opening. However, the longer the first half progressed, the game developed into a cagey encounter with both sides guilty of poor distribution and a lack of any real quality. The tone was set for a tense afternoon.
Neville almost capitalised on Everton’s bright start in the 11th minute but, after being released down the inside right channel by Marouane Fellaini, the skipper slipped and sent his shot harmlessly over. Louis Saha almost embarrassed Ben Foster when the goalkeeper dawdled on a backpass, but otherwise the French striker, handed a starting role, was betrayed by his evident lack of sharpness and replaced during the second half. United appeared the more likely to score before the break. Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez struck wide under pressure from Pienaar after Macheda and Welbeck opened up the Everton defence. And Welbeck’s volley deflected narrowly wide off Lescott from Rafael’s right-wing cross. The second half followed the same pattern as the first; Everton, backed by a vociferous support, lively going forward with Cahill’s 25-yard drive soliciting a fine sprawling save from Foster, then United again assuming the initiative. Ji-Sung Park dragged a shot just wide and Gibson warmed Howard’s palms from range before the game’s one contentious moment in the 69th minute.
Sensing hesitation in the Everton defence, Welbeck reached a loose ball ahead of Howard only to go tumbling inside the area under pressure from Jagielka. Mike Riley waved play on, Ferguson fumed, and even the defender later admitted Moyes’s side had enjoyed something of a lucky escape. United had thrown on Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov by the start of an anxious extra time, while James Vaughan was given the final 17 minutes by Moyes. And the youngster was nearest to breaking the deadlock during the additional 30 minutes, his goalbound shot from a precise Baines pull-back deflected wide by the impressive Nemanja Vidic.
So came the penalties, and the chance for Jagielka and Howard to etch their names in the annals of a rich Goodison heritage. The last time United lost an FA Cup semi-final, in 1970 to Leeds United, Everton won the league championship. The title may be beyond them, but Moyes’s men now stand just one step from ending their long wait for silverware and a place in history.

Man Utd 0 - Everton 0 (Everton win 4-2 on penalties): Homing in on a pot of gold
Apr 20 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
ROMANCE is dead, the famous old pot has lost its sheen, football is predictable, blah, blah, blah. We’ve heard a million times and more in the last few years that the FA Cup is no longer the tournament with which we grew up, an unhelpful addition to an already crammed fixture list and no longer capable of producing dewy eyed stories.
Try telling that to any Evertonian you encounter today who doubtless will have little or no voice left. Suggest it to David Moyes, his coaching staff and the players who ran themselves to a standstill; make the point to ecstatic chairman Bill Kenwright.
If some neutrals will grumble that Everton’s tussle with Manchester United was low on quality or goalmouth incident, take no notice. Many things that are great about football were encapsulated in yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final. And, thank heavens, it had the outcome that every Blue had been hoping and praying for – a place in the final that is watched by millions the world over for the first time in 14 years.Fantasy is quickly becoming reality in this most incredible of seasons.Confidence had been high in the squad, and amongst supporters, that Everton would secure the day out which everyone craved but, hand on heart, did you think the end of the line had been reached when a penalty shoot-out was needed to separate these sides? Everton, you see, rarely win if games need deciding in such a fashion but, clearly, the Gods are smiling on them; there comes a point when the famous words “name on the trophy” started to be muttered and Moyes and Co have reached that stage. Think about what has gone on since January 3. Scraping past a League Two side on a slippery, icy pitch in conditions that were ripe for a giant killing, knocking the neighbours out after two epic battles and coming back from the dead in the last eight. Now add into the mix the following ingredients. James Vaughan hasn’t played for six months but comes on here and makes a difference. Phil Neville scores a penalty against the club he grew up loving.
Tim Howard thwarts his former team-mates. Given he is a theatrical impresario, Kenwright knows exactly what makes a great romance and Everton’s 2009 FA Cup run has the lot. The only thing missing now is the trophy itself, but that could – hopefully should – be rectified in six weeks. “It’s fantastic,” said a beaming Moyes, whose pre-match prediction that his team is ready to win trophies is close to coming true. “We’re working towards success at Everton and if they keep doing what they’re doing now we won’t be far away.” Heading down the motorway and walking around outside the stadium beforehand, it was hard to escape the feeling only one team wanted to be in this battle and that mood was heightened further as soon as you took your seat inside this cavernous arena. The volume, colour and emotion coming from those Blues who made the West End their home for 120 minutes was in stark contrast to what was on show from Manchester United’s supporters. If they were blasé, Everton’s were burning with desire. Magnificent throughout, as soon as the first bars of Z-Cars boomed out over the speakers 20 minutes before kick-off, it further stoked the fires of an already pumped up crowd, who had spent 14 years aching to be back on such a stage. Had the 11 men Moyes selected for duty been similarly pumped up when the maligned Mike Riley got things underway, there would have been grounds for fearing Everton might do too much too soon. Yet, as it was, they went out and treated it as if it was just another game, sticking true to the principles that have served them so well. True, their passing was sloppy in the opening exchanges but the same could not be said of their preparations. Each player had been drilled, readied for every eventuality and rarely has the spirit been so good. Moyes had them primed to deliver a performance ‘to make the fans proud’ and the names on United’s team-sheet suggested they had a fine chance to do so. With that in mind, then, it was frustrating that the opening 45 minutes were a non-event, United seemingly happy to sit back and weigh up what Everton were about, while the Toffees tried to find a way past the outstanding Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort happened. The closest they came to scoring was when Phil Neville surged onto a Marouane Fellaini pass but the least said about the captain’s finish, the better.
Fortunately, he put his boots on the right way around for the shootout.
There was no speed or urgency in their passing, not enough bodies supporting Louis Saha, who spent most of his time chasing lost causes, turning into blind alleys or being buffeted by Ferdinand and Vidic. What frustrated most was the fact United’s team – which had eight changes from the one that had beaten Porto in the Champions League last Wednesday – was there to be got at, the inexperience of the majority of their players a potential Achilles’ heel. Bar a shot from Tim Cahill which Ben Foster did well to cling on to, the second half followed a similar path to the first for the Blues but United started to go through the gears and there were fears they might land the telling blow. Hearts in mouths when Danny Welbeck went to ground after crossing Phil Jagielka’s path but Riley waved away the penalty claims. Replays showed contact was minimal. That, though, was United’s last meaningful attack and it quickly became evident that Everton’s belief was growing that they might pilfer a winner late in the game, especially when Vaughan came on to add speed and enthusiasm. It never materialised but, arguably, success was even sweeter given the manner in which it eventually came, Howard and Jagielka grabbing the headlines but the reality being that everyone – even Mikel Arteta who was reunited with the squad – played a part. Celebrations were chaotic as the realisation dawned that Everton will be back in six weeks time but they will be surpassed if Neville actually gets his hands on the star prize.

Tim Cahill: I’ll score the winner in FA Cup final to make up for penalty miss
Apr 20 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
* WATCH pre and post match video from Wembley here and re-live the game in our Live Blog here
TIM CAHILL today vowed to make up for his penalty shoot-out miss by scoring the winner in next month’s FA Cup final. Everton secured a date with Chelsea on May 30 in dramatic fashion yesterday, beating Manchester United 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes at Wembley failed to produce a goal. The Blues influential midfielder attempted to give his side a flying start in the shoot-out and sought advice from normal penalty taker Mikel Arteta, who had flown in from Spain, where he is recovering from knee surgery, to be with the squad. However, Cahill blazed his effort over the bar and was thankful Tim Howard made saves from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand before Leighton Baines, Phil Neville, James Vaughan and Phil Jagielka came up trumps. Not surprisingly, Cahill was breathing a sigh of relief as he reflected on the victory but he has promised to atone when it matters next month. “It feels amazing,” said Cahill. “It’s always so disheartening when you miss a penalty but when you play with so many great players, you know they will get you out of it and I’m absolutely over the moon. “It’s for the lads, the staff, the management, our supporters; you can see that we left everything out there for them and it is just a credit to this football club. We try so hard to achieve these goals. “You look around the dressing room and you know there are players there who will pick up the pieces if a mistake is made. It’s crazy. I have been a long time at Everton and am someone who calls themselves a Blue. I’m very passionate about the club. “I felt confident when I stepped up to take the penalty but sometime things go wrong. For a split second, I couldn’t hear anything or see anything. I could see the goal but everything around it went blank. “Mentally I feel fine now but hopefully when it comes around to the cup final, I’ll score the winner and make up for it. But we are there. We’ve done it and I’m going to show how I can pick myself up.” Cahill has already played in an FA Cup final, for Millwall against United in 2004, but the challenge he will face next month is completely opposed to anything he faced back then. After all, Everton have a realistic chance of lifting the trophy. “It was some experience with Millwall but this is an experience where we know that we have a massive chance of winning,” said Cahill.
“We have got to go into the game thinking that we can do it, as we normally do.
“We have so much belief; the gaffer believes in us and we believe in him. You’ll probably see the same 14 players on duty again on Wednesday night (against Chelsea in the Premier League).” Everton will announce full cup final ticket details after a meeting with the FA later this week.
* WATCH pre and post match video from Wembley here and re-live the game in our Live Blog here

On The March With Moyesie's Army - Glossy FA Cup souvenir special
Apr 20 2009 By Merseyshop
Blues fans everywhere are celebrating the recent success of Everton's win against Manchester United at Wembley and are now gearing up for the forthcoming FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 30. With Everton challenging for a place in Europe again, an impressive run in the FA Cup has witnessed the Blues reach the final for the first time in 14 years. This special edition release focuses on Everton’s chase for silverware. We look back at the road to Wembley, with analysis and reaction to the wins against Macclesfield Town, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
We focus on the records and achievements throughout the Cup run, and feature Jack Rodwell – the second youngest FA Cup goalscorer in the club’s history, the first Englishman to score at the new Wembley. We revisit 1995 and the Blues’ last FA Cup success – ironically, against Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.
There is also space for special Everton Wembley memories, fans’ banners, previous United encounters plus a complete fans’ guide to Wembley. This 68-page glossy souvenir, priced just £3.50 is the ideal companion for Evertonians everywhere as they look forward to their big final.
Buy the Book from Merseyshop here

David Moyes gets his blue chip moment at Wembley
Apr 20 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON have won penalty shoot-outs at Wembley before. But not many will remember a victory over Wolves in a meaningless kickabout to celebrate the Football League’s centenary. No-one will forget this one. David Moyes has achieved remarkable things in his seven years at Everton Football Club. He has given the club back its respect, he has replaced a squad of players content to meander in mid-table mediocrity – at best – into one regularly jostling for European qualification, and he has transformed a retirement home for ageing has beens into a breeding ground for youthful and dynamic talent. But still the one achievement missing from his CV was a blue chip moment. A Cup Final. Well now he’s got one. And the Evertonians who chanted his name long and loud at Wembley Stadium yesterday showed that 14 years without a semi-final success hasn’t dimmed their ability to celebrate. It wasn’t quite Elland Road 1995. The blue red split was almost 50-50 around Wembley Stadium. But there was no doubt which group of fans wanted this more from the pre-match moment Z-Cars rang out around the arena – a nice touch from the Wembley organisers. Everywhere you looked on the dramatic concourses outside this enormously impressive arena, were excited Evertonians determined to enjoy their big day out. It was Howard Kendall who had pointed out that the only way to enjoy a day out at Wembley was to win. Well Everton fulfilled that criteria to the letter – and how they enjoyed themselves. It was pointed out by some churlish nay-sayers that the Blues were actually at Wembley by default. Even their manager accepted that the new national stadium wasn’t really an appropriate venue for a semi-final.
Well now they’re going back for the real thing. And if Chelsea will understandably be installed as favourites on May 30, this remarkable group of footballers have shown they are capable of upsetting the odds. Things have changed since Everton were last down this end of North London. Bobby Moore’s statue looks regally down on what used to be called Wembley Way, (it’s now the Olympic Way), an arch overlooks the arena rather than two towers – and there’s no such thing as a lucky tunnel end any more. But some things haven’t changed. Everton were still underdogs against Manchester United, as they were 14 years ago – and they were still victorious.
United, we were solemnly informed, had not lost a domestic semi-final since 1970.
But it tended to be overlooked that Everton haven’t lost an FA Cup semi-final since 1980 either – and, if recent semi-finals have been kind to Manchester United, extra-time periods in semis have been even kinder to the Blues. The first three in the 1980s all went Everton’s way in the extra half hour period. This time Everton needed the extra 30 minutes . . . and some. But they got there. If we’re being brutally honest, Sir Alex Ferguson gave the Blues every chance of extending their impressive record.
Disrespect was high on the Manchester United manager’s agenda this week.
Be it four year old slights against Everton’s size and stature, or perceived body language from Rafael Benitez towards his pal Big Sam. (The big clearly doesn’t refer to old bison head’s ability to endure criticism), Fergie was in full rant mode.
But Sir Alex offered the biggest disrespect possible with his team selection yesterday. No Rooney, no Ronaldo, no Edwin van der Sar. That was disrespecting both Everton and the famous old tournament. But the Blues didn’t take offence, they took full advantage. You can only beat what’s put in front of you – and Everton did just that.
The semi-final was typically tense and bitty. It won’t be remembered for long by impartial observers. But who cares? People generally forget how you get to Cup Finals. They just remember that you got there. Much of the match was a non-event as a spectacle. But the best spell of concerted pressure was enjoyed by Everton early in the extra-time period. Mike Riley did his best to puncture that momentum with a series of typical Old Mother decisions. But maybe David Moyes’ growing maturity as a manager was in evidence here as well. Given the opportunity by a mischievous media corps last week to speculate about Mike Riley’s possible football club leanings, the Blues boss said just enough to ensure that sufficient headlines were generated to reach the referee’s attention. Did that go through Mr Riley’s mind when Phil Jagielka dallied fatally on the edge of his penalty area and brought Danny Welbeck crashing down? If it did, we’ll never know. But it was the moment of good fortune every team needs on a cup run – and if Everton got lucky in that moment, it was balanced out slightly when Tim Cahill was harshly pulled up after he raced clear on Ben Foster’s goal. Cahill was one of Everton’s heroes – be it as a tireless centre-forward or a superbly disciplined holding midfielder. So, too, of course, was Tim Howard, and skipper Phil Neville – and Everton’s man of the match Steven Pienaar.
But it was fitting that it should be the youngsters who should also exert an enormous influence on events. Jack Rodwell came on for Louis Saha and once again displayed a composure and a classy forbearance far in advance of his tender years.
Another, James Vaughan, showed incredible bottle to step up and hammer in one of the crucial shoot-out penalties – just 48 hours after his first full 90 minutes in months.
And Marouane Fellaini kept his pointy elbows by his side long enough to keep Ferdinand and Vidic occupied until he tried Mike Riley’s patience once too often and was cautioned, then substituted. But it’s harsh to single out individuals.
As always with Everton Football Club, it was the team ethic which triumphed.
And the team celebrations on the final whistle ensure that this season will finish on a high. The next six weeks will have an edge, a sense of expectation, an air of anticipation. And there could be still more to come. Everton under David Moyes is a team which likes to breaks the mould. This is the club which doesn’t win penalty shoot-outs remember? Well it’s now won two at Wembley – and yesterday’s will never be forgotten.

Let’s win the FA Cup now urges Everton hero Phil Jagielka
Apr 20 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PENALTY hero Phil Jagielka is desperate to end the season as an FA Cup winner after firing Everton into their first final since 1995. One of many outstanding performers in a Blue shirt, the England international’s spot kick settled a dramatic shootout after Blues and Manchester United could not be separated following 120 minutes at Wembley yesterday afternoon. It was also something of a cathartic moment for Jagielka, as the last penalty he took was saved by Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey and resulted in Everton being knocked out of the UEFA Cup. Jagielka was a little reluctant to go forward when David Moyes told him he would be one of the takers but a couple of wise words from the manager, added to the support he received from the stands, enabled him to summon the energy for one last push. “Before the penalty shootout, the manager knew we were a bit fragile,” said Jagielka. “So he told us that he was as proud as punch and we had nothing to lose. We were still underdogs and he could see there were nerves but he settled us down and it was our day. “We celebrated but that was more for the fans. We appreciated the noise they made and the ommitment they showed coming down here but it wasn’t so mad when we got into the changing rooms. We want to go and win the Cup now.” Not surprisingly, Jagielka’s nerves were frayed during the final act and the sight of Tim Cahill’s penalty flying over the bar did not help, nor did the leg pulling of the man he was stood next too.
Seconds before Jagielka strode forward for his date with destiny, team-mate and close pal Joleon Lescott had reminded him how badly his only other attempt had ended but, happily everything went according to plan. “We were having a bit of playful banter,” said Jagielka., whose last semi-final experience ended in heartbreak with Sheffield United in 2003. “I said to him if Vaughany scored, I’d have mine to win it. He just looked back started laughing and said ‘remember last time!’ “But just before I started to walk up, he shouted to me ‘fire us into the final Jags’ and from that point I knew where I was going. If Foster had dived and saved it, I’d have probably ended up crying but thankfully it went in.”Jagielka was also thankful that referee Mike Riley never pointed to the spot in normal time after a coming together between him and United’s Danny Welbeck left Alex Ferguson enraged on the touchline. It would, however, have been rough justice had the tie been settled in that manner, given Everton’s attitude, application and commitment. “Once it went to penalties, we didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” said Jagielka. “We haven’t got the best of records in shootouts and the gaffer was looking for people to take penalties - there wasn’t enough numbers at first!
“Fortunately - or unfortunately! - he looked at me and said he wanted me to take one. We never started the best but thankfully Tim decided to start saving them; he’s got close to a couple lately, so if anyone deserves plaudits it’s Tim Howard for his fantastic efforts. “It was important that we got it back straight away after Tim had missed. With us being a bit fragile in those circumstances, it might have been tough to get it back but once we got it back level, you could see the confidence lift.”

James Vaughan on FA Cup semi final win: I’ve never known emotion like it
Apr 20 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JAMES VAUGHAN’S season of misery could be heading for a glorious finale after his return helped Everton secure a place in the FA Cup final. The 20-year-old had not played for the first team since November and there were fears his campaign was over after knee surgery at Christmas. However, the speed of his recovery took everyone at Finch Farm by surprise and Vaughan. With better fortune and more sharpness, Vaughan might have settled the tie in normal time but scuffed wide after being sent in to action on 102 minutes. “The manager just told me to go on, give it my best shot and enjoy myself,” said Vaughan. “That’s what I did and I’m just so pleased for the lads. They worked hard all season to get us to this point and hopefully we can go and finish it now. “Our lads are always confident. You look around the dressing room and you see quality everywhere. That’s why when it went to penalties we always felt that we could do it and I think that showed when we took them.” No penalty in Everton’s quintet was struck with as much power and accuracy as Vaughan’s. “I was just delighted to score. It’s a special feeling. To get to Wembley is a dream come true.
Having added United’s scalp to those of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, few could dispute that Everton deserve a return to Wembley on May 30 but Vaughan saysnobody is getting ideas above their stations. He admits, though, that getting his hands on the trophy would be the perfect antidote to the suffering he has endured in three years - including cartilage damage, a dislocated shoulder and served ankle arteries. “We’ve played some good teams but nobody is feeling it is our right to win it.,” he said. “We are going to have to win it. We’ve been confident all season and hopefully we can repay the management team by lifting the trophy. “I’ve never felt emotion like I did at the end. It was incredible and so great for everyone associated with the club. We are a very close squad with great unity and it showed at the end.
We’ve had a lot of players missing through the season but to finish it off by getting to a cup final is absolutely amazing.”

My proudest ever day – Everton chief Bill Kenwright
Apr 21 2009 EXCLUSIVE by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
BILL KENWRIGHT today relived the proudest moment of his chairmanship – and admitted to being overwhelmed by the amount well wishers he has received.
Since Everton beat Manchester United on penalties to secure their place in next month’s FA Cup final, Kenwright has been inundated by congratulatory emails, faxes and texts. Like every other Blue, the chairman had dared to dream that something special would happen on Sunday and, as he put it, “words could not describe” how he felt that the script went according to plan. Now he is counting down the days until May 30 and that date with Chelsea and believes David Moyes, the man who has overseen matters from the dugout in the past seven years, can mastermind another famous victory. “Sunday was without doubt the proudest moment of my tenure as chairman and one of the proudest moments in my life,” said Kenwright.
“It was just an incredible day and the pleasure I took from seeing Wembley turning Blue was total. I was stood next to David 20 minutes before kick-off and when we heard Z-Cars being played, we looked at each other and both of us thought ‘wow’.
“It was a real goose bumps moment and the way this team keeps producing is just wonderful. The response we have had to the win has been fantastic and I have lost count of the messages I have received. “But it is all down to one man and that is David. He has transformed the perception of this football club and turned us into a side that is genuinely seen as one of the top teams in the Premier League.”
Moyes, meanwhile, has turned his attentions to tomorrow evening’s Premier League tussle with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and praised the team ethic that has totally transformed Everton’s campaign. “We might not have the players that come to everybody’s attention,” said Moyes, who will have on-loan forward Jo available once again. “But I think there is a consistency and stability about the players, a real togetherness. We probably don’t have the individuals who might always be winning awards. But we have the team to win awards. “If there was an award for spirit then it is a stick on. We are a club which works on “we” - being together and helping each other out.”

Phil Neville drives home his love for Everton
Apr 21 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
AFTER the tantrums and the twittering over the penalty that never was came the recognition and lavish praise. Alex Ferguson may have raged over Mike Riley’s failure to point to the spot after Danny Welbeck had a coming together with Phil Jagielka but the terms in which he spoke about one of Manchester United’s conquerors were a total contrast. “Phil Neville proved what a fantastic person he is,” said Ferguson. “To take a penalty kick (in the shootout) was excellent. Everybody knows his connection to Manchester United. "But here he was captaining Everton in an FA Cup semi-final against us. “You can’t tell me there is not one wee part of him saying ‘Christ, I am going to knock Man United out here’ so it just shows the integrity of the man and what a great person he is. "I hope he goes on to pick up the Cup because nobody deserves it more.” Neville had known from the moment Everton were handed a Wembley showdown with his former employers that fate’s fickle finger would inevitably point at him and so it proved in the now never to be forgotten shootout. Since signing for the Blues in the summer of 2005, Neville has had to endure countless questions over his affinity and the calamitous own goal he scored in United’s 4-2 win at Goodison Park two years ago has haunted him ever since. To successfully convert, then, from 12 yards was cathartic on so many levels; it ended any questions over his affinity, showed his leadership qualities and also helped the former England international scratch an itch that has nagged him for 13 months.
When Everton were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Fiorentina, Neville left the ground that night wishing he had stepped forward and he had no intentions of suffering similar regrets at this juncture. “I was due to take the sixth penalty against Fiorentina because we had the likes of Mikel, Yak and Tommy Gravesen and a couple of others but I knew it was going to be different this time,” said Neville, who adhered to the maxim that practice makes perfect. “I knew three weeks ago that I was going to have to take one and with me being captain, I knew I had to lead from the front. I’d never taken a penalty in a professional game and the circumstances around this made it even more difficult. “Whenever we play Manchester United, I know I am under the microscope more and I’ve heard people questioning my loyalties down the years; sometimes you get the feeling that you have to balance that out. “I hope I’ve done that. I was totally relaxed about the situation, I just tried to think like a golfer beforehand; I’d taken the shot stacks of times and knew exactly where I wanted to put it and thankfully it came off.” While he celebrated as wildly as any of his team-mates in front of the West End Stand, whopping, hollering and kissing the badge on his chest, it was still a difficult day for Neville, given his history. Things, though, were made much easier afterwards when he was bombarded by good wishes from familiar faces, all of whom want to see Neville hoist the famous old pot aloft as reward for the path Everton have successful navigated in this tournament. “I spoke to my brother and one or two others and they all offered their congratulations,” said Neville. “I get the feeling people have warmed to us during this Cup run and I think all neutrals in this country are now behind us. “We’ve beaten some incredible teams so far and we deserve our day out in the final. I know some people have had one or two things to say about the quality of the game but, quite frankly, I think they’re wrong. “Yes, we can play better than we did but it was an enthralling game and semi-finals are all about getting a result. Nobody remembers you if you lose a semi-final and nobody remembers you if you lose a final, either. “We’ve no intentions of letting that happen. There is a winning mentality here now and you could tell that in the way we celebrated; yes, it was great to get through but we haven’t achieved anything yet. We’ll only be happy if we get our hands on the trophy.” Such is the level of professionalism now at Goodison, there was no late night revelry after the semi-final just, as Neville puts it, “a glass of champagne and bed by 11pm” which reflects the current focus. Some may expect Everton to drop their guard against Chelsea tomorrow night a la May 2005 when they were thrashed 7-0 by Arsenal after qualifying for the Champions League but, with the prospect of leapfrogging Aston Villa very real, there will be no slacking. “That result against Arsenal was a watershed for the manager,” said Neville. “What happened that night was a learning curve; he realised the best teams celebrate but only at the right times. Now we have developed a winning mentality and that’s great to see.”

NIGEL MARTYN: Everything went right on Everton’s perfect day
Apr 21 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
IF such a thing as the perfect day exists, Sunday was probably just about it for me and my family. We were fortunate enough to be invited on to the train that Bill Kenwright had laid on especially for current members of the first team, their families, a certain number of supporters and a selection of former players. Duncan McKenzie, Dave Hickson, Kevin Sheedy and Barry Horne were in one carriage and the reception we got on the train and when we made the short walk from Wembley Central to the ground was quite overwhelming. You got the feeling that something significant was in the air, given the way all the Evertonians were beforehand and, thank goodness, that’s exactly how it proved; I haven’t stopped smiling since our place in the FA Cup Final was secured. Let me tell you, though, the lads who faced Manchester United had it much easier than the thousands of Blues in the stands; only after sitting through the torture of that penalty shootout did I appreciate what my wife, Amanda, experienced when I was playing. It was incredible and had everything that you could want from a semi-final; tension, suspense and drama, it made for enthralling viewing and the effort the lads put in was absolutely outstanding. Everywhere you looked, there were candidates for Man of the Match; Phil Neville was immense against his old club and showed great class in the way he reacted after scoring his penalty; the defenders excelled and Tim Cahill ran himself to a standstill. Then Tim Howard took charge in the shootout, making two priceless stops from Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar Berbatov, a player who is the antithesis of everything our current squad is about. Sure, there will be some who quibble that United never played their strongest side and I do have to admit that it was a huge relief to see neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Wayne Rooney anywhere near the substitutes’ bench. But who cares? We held our nerve when it mattered and our reward is another fabulous day out on May 30; nobody in their right minds could say we don’t deserve it when you look at the teams we have faced to get there. Being part of semi-final day makes me all the more determined to get back for the final but we will have to see what happens.

NIGEL MARTYN: Great to see James Vaughan back for Everton
Apr 21 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
AMONG the many great stories that emerged from the semi-final was the return to senior action of James Vaughan. He was always a young lad with whom I got on well and I’ve never doubted his ability to make it but he has endured some of the most wretched luck you could imagine with injuries. So to see him buzz around Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for the last 15 minutes and thump home one of the penalties gave me great delight and I just hope he can get a clear run at things for the remainder of the campaign. Vaughany has much to offer Everton’s team, his pace, ability to score and enthusiasm being admirable qualities. And all being well, he’ll get himself a couple of goals before the curtain is drawn on this season.
Don’t expect a horror show
THE last time Everton experienced a high similar to the one on Sunday, the game which followed ended up being a complete disaster. I am talking, of course, about the 7-0 drubbing Arsenal inflicted on us after we had qualified for the Champions League but don’t expect a repeat of that when we travel to Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.
Though we had a hard game against Manchester United, David Moyes still has scope to make a couple of changes and there is every chance that young men like Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell will have a run out at some point, and Jo will return.
The difference, though, between Highbury and here is that we still have something to play for; this is not an excuse but four years ago we could neither go up nor down and that possibly crept into our approach. Now you only hear talk of great professionalism at the club and the manager will not relent on the squad; he will be desperate to overhaul Aston Villa, and win the Cup.

Everton FC keeper Tim Howard's gloves caught by young goalkeeper
Apr 21 2009 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Echo
A TEEN goalie who caught Tim Howard’s gloves said today he’s never going to let them out of his sight. Matthew Donnelly caught the prized possession after Howard threw them into the crowd at Wembley on Sunday. Everton shot-stopper Howard had saved two penalties to propel Everton into their first FA Cup final in 14 years.
Matthew – who plays in goal for his Sunday league side – watched the action from a seventh row seat at the Everton end. After the Toffees sealed their 4-2 victory the squad jogged from the Manchester United goal to soak up the fans’ adulation.
Matthew, 15, told the ECHO: “As Howard came over I started shouting and cheering and saw the gloves come out of nowhere. “I couldn’t believe it. Howard came over to the fans. I was sitting in row seven and he threw them into the crowd. “I was already bouncing around. There was a bit of a battle to get them – I had to jump a row in front of myself to grab them. “People around were just shaking my hand after. Everyone was just buzzing off me. “They’re Nikes with TH24 written on the side. I’m going to treasure them – put them in a glass box. I won’t let them out of my sight.”
Matthew, from Kirkby, went to Wembley with his sister’s fiancé Paul Locker. Matthew was just one when Everton was last at Wembley in 1995, when they also beat Man United to win the FA Cup. He said there were scores of United fans on the train back from London to Liverpool.. The season ticket holder, who plays in goal for Fazakerley-based Copplehouse, added: “I was showing the gloves to everyone on the way back. “I showed them to the Man U fans saying ‘these saved your penalties’.
“Some of them took it on the chin and some of them were a bit upset.” Matthew said he will be one of the first in line for Cup Final tickets. But he admitted Howard’s recent form was a concern ahead of the tie. He said: “I was a bit nervous because Howard didn’t have the best game against Villa. “But he proved everyone wrong and saved two penalties. “When it went to extra time I just wanted them to get one in.”
The year 10 pupil at Knowsley’s All Saints School started playing football nine years ago and hopes to become a Blues physio or a goal keeping coach.

David Moyes to shuffle Everton FC pack
Apr 22 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has thrown down the gauntlet to Everton’s fringe players and challenged them to play their way into his FA Cup final plans. The Blues return to Premier League action against Chelsea tonight and Moyes is seriously considering shuffling his pack following Sunday’s draining battle with Manchester United at Wembley. Brazilian striker Jo should return to the starting line-up after being cup tied at Wembley but Lars Jacobsen, Joseph Yobo, Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling are all in the manager’s thoughts for the game at Stamford Bridge. And Moyes hopes the fact he is weighing up whether to play those men should serve as warning to his regulars that he will not tolerate anyone letting their standards slip just because a place in next year’s Europa League is guaranteed. “It’s not normally my way but I may rest a couple; it’s a consideration and I’ve got one or two ideas,” said Moyes, whose side have been based in London since the weekend. “If the boys want to enjoy another nice day out down here, they are going to have to show me how badly they want it.”
One young man who can definitely expect to be involved is James Vaughan after his lively cameo in the semi-final. His pace and energy made a difference in the 17 minutes that he was on the pitch during extra time and Moyes is likely to unleash him from the bench again against Chelsea. “In an ideal world if we didn’t have so many injuries, we would give Vaughany three or four more reserve games and we would be thinking about the start of next season but I’ll use him if and when I can,” said Moyes.
“He will figure against Chelsea. We’ve had no choice but to bring him back. The thing about him is that he pushes so hard.”

Steven Pienaar: Everton FC still have a job to do
Apr 22 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THEY danced in the aisles and sang in the streets, determined to soak up every ounce of a special day. Everton’s penalty shootout success over Manchester United had turned Wembley Stadium into a rhapsody in Blue, supporters who had waited so long for this type of occasion revelling in the moment. But while celebrations were enough to spend a shiver down the spine, the abiding memory from Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final was the manner in which David Moyes’ squad greeted their success. Yes, the beams were broad and the satisfaction immense but it was clear to see as they made the short journey from dressing room to coach, through a corridor packed with the waiting press corps, that this was not the finite moment. Take Steven Pienaar. He is a man who plays his cards close to his chest and is never one to get too carried away with victories or too despondent following defeats, so he was the best barometer to measure the mood. While he afforded himself a satisfied smile, Pienaar had no intentions of dwelling too long on the tussle with United; after all, he – like the rest of his team-mates – was already looking to the next task. That, of course, comes against Chelsea this evening and the latest carrot dangling in front of Moyes and his men is the prospect of reclaiming fifth place in the table by winning at Stamford Bridge for the first time since November 1994. Premier League points will always take priority in the manager’s world and even though a place in Europe has been secured for next season, there is no chance of Moyes allowing any player the opportunity to switch off.
If anything, the opposite will be true; his wise words at the end of extra time helped lift those who were fretting ahead the shootout but the last 72 hours have been spent winding them up for the showdown with Guus Hiddink’s resurgent side.
“The manager just told us he was so proud of the team and the effort we had put in,” said Pienaar, who had relished buzzing around Wembley‘s wide open spaces. “He impressed on us that no matter what happened in the penalty shootout we hadn’t let him down. “When he said that, the guys were a lot more relaxed because the confidence was still there from how we had played. We knew then that we could go and finish the job and we had great belief in all the penalty takers, as well as Tim (Howard). “He has been in very good form, But now we have Chelsea and that’s another challenge. It won’t be a dress rehearsal for the final because this is an important game in its own right and we are determined to finish as high up the table as we possibly can. “It’s all a question of staying focused and going out there once more to do a job. We have come back down to the ground very quickly and we won’t be thinking about the semi-final come kick-off against Chelsea. It will be tough but we’ll see how it goes.” Inevitably, though, it is impossible to talk with Pienaar – or any of his colleagues, for that matter – about Chelsea without mentioning the date the two sides have on May 30 and there is no disguising the excitement that this normally placid soul feels. A winner of the Dutch Cup with Ajax in 2006, getting his hands on the English one has captured his imagination and there are two reasons why Pienaar is so desperate for the job to be finished on May 30. Adding to his medal haul is the obvious one but the other is to reward those who have followed the club near and far through thick and thin and the support the players received has been a topic of conversation in the dressing room since Sunday. Pienaar cannot begin to imagine what the celebrations would be like if Phil Neville actually ends up hoisting the FA Cup aloft but he has promised that the players are doing everything they can to make that dream come true. “It’s such a great feeling to be in one of the biggest cup finals in the world,” said Pienaar. “If you look at the teams we have beaten so far, you could say our name is halfway there but we know the biggest tests has yet to come.
“The supporters deserve this so much. The backing they gave us right from the beginning was unbelievable, the shouting and cheering spurred us on in those tough moments, particularly before the game when the teams were announced and in the second half. “It brought back memories of the night in Nuremburg; we all remember the supporters outside our hotel that night but what happened at Wembley was on another level again and it was so rewarding to get the result everyone wanted.
“But you can only start celebrating when you cross the line and we haven’t crossed the line yet; we have got to make sure we do that when we go back to Wembley on May 30 and hopefully that will be the case.”

Chelsea 0-0 Everton
Apr 22 2009
Battling Everton killed off Chelsea’s lingering title ambitions with a hard-fought goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. The result leaves Guus Hiddink’s side three points behind second-placed Liverpool and six adrift of leaders Manchester United, who beat Portsmouth at Old Trafford and also have a game in hand. The game, a dress rehearsal for May’s FA Cup final, was dominated by both goalkeepers. Chelsea’s Petr Cech and Everton’s Tim Howard took the plaudits on a night when both sides failed to make the most of their chances. Chelsea’s Cech was the first goalkeeper forced into action when a left-wing cross from Joleon Lescott was glanced into the arms of the Czech Republic international by Jo in the second minute. Cech came to Chelsea’s rescue in the sixth minute when Tim Cahill put Jo through with a neat pass but the Everton striker was unable to beat the home goalkeeper who kept out his shot at point-blank range. Moments later Chelsea responded with a long-range effort from Michael Ballack smothered by Howard who dived low to his left to ensure the ball did not creep inside the post. Everton captain Phil Neville was shown the yellow card for a foul on Didier Drogba in the 13th minute. Three minutes later Lampard, playing his 50th game of the season, sent a 25-yard shot just over Howard’s crossbar.
Michael Essien tried to go one better than Lampard in the 19th minute but his effort was well off target. Chelsea were now dominating the game but Everton still had their moments. In the 22nd minute Steven Pienaar tried to curl a 25-yard shot into the top corner but unfortunately his accuracy left him down and the ball went the wrong side of Cech’s left-hand upright. Cech then had to back-pedal frantically to ensure that a long-range free-kick from Leighton Baines did not creep in underneath the crossbar.
But Everton’s spell of pressure was when Joseph Yobo had to incept a Lampard pass to keep out the lurking Drogba. Chelsea continued to press for an opening goal but Everton’s defence remained resolute. Indeed, the Toffees almost opened the scoring themselves in the 33rd minute when Jo broke down the left-flank and crossed low for Cahill. The Australian midfielder turned cleverly before drilling a low shot towards the bottom corner of the net. But for the third time in the game, Chelsea goalkeeper Cech pulled off a superb save to deny Everton the lead. Cech’s performance was outstanding and in complete contrast with his recent displays. The Czech Republic international had been suffering something of a confidence crisis after conceding eight goals in Chelsea’s previous three games. But had kept Chelsea in the game in the opening half to silence the critics who had criticised his nervy performances of late.
But a lightning counter-attack from Chelsea in the 42nd minute almost brought reward for the home side. Nicolas Anelka led the charge as he burst down the right flank but with Florent Malouda completely unmarked in the penalty area, the France international’s cross was easily intercepted by Howard. Two minutes before the break Cech raced out of his goal to beat Leighton Baines to the ball as Everton threatened to open-up the home side once more. Cech rescued Chelsea again two minutes after the interval when a cross from Leon Osman was met by the head of Cahill.
The Everton midfielder’s glancing effort was well held by Cech who was looking unbeatable in the home goal. The Toffees continued to press forward but Pienaar was again off target when he tried his luck from 25-yards. Chelsea managed to wrestle back the initiative from the visitors but despite some intricate approach play, there was little invention in their attack.
The best they could muster was a clever flick from Drogba that set Anelka racing into the penalty area but his shot flew across the six-yard box without troubling Howard.
Chelsea made a double change on the hour when Essien was replaced by John Mikel Obi and Anelka made way for Salomon Kalou. A minute later John Terry almost broke the deadlock for the home side when he let fly from fully 30 yards only for Howard to leap spectacularly to his left to deny the captain an opening goal.
Kalou then squandered a clear opportunity when he fired high over the bar from a corner by Malouda. Jo wasted a chance to pinch the points for Everton when he fired high and wide from 18-yards in the 73rd minute. Chelsea’s Kalou did likewise at the opposite end when he headed a cross from Malouda over the bar from six yards.
Everton goalkeeper Howard then saved superbly to deny Kalou in the 79th minute after Lampard’s corner found him unmarked. Pienaar and Cahill both wasted late chances for Everton while Drogba hit the crossbar with a volley in injury time - a miss that almost certainly ended Chelsea’s interest in the title race.

Chelsea 0, Everton 0: Blues deliver psychological blow
Apr 23 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
THE talk may have been to the contrary, but Everton wouldnt mind one bit if this proves an indicator for next months FA Cup final. David Moyess side landed a psychological blow ahead of the Wembley showpiece by holding fellow finalists Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last night. Different competitions, maybe. But this Premier League result will have planted a significant seed of doubt in the minds of Guus Hiddinks side and act as great encouragement for Everton ahead of their May 30 rematch. And with good reason. After all, while Chelsea fielded their strongest available side, the visitors were much-changed from the team that secured Sundays famous semi-final victory over Manchester United. Moyes claimed there had been no major celebration in the aftermath of that win. And there was little suggestion of any Cup hangover from Everton. If anything, Chelsea seemed to suffer more from their weekend exertions in beating Arsenal in their Cup semi-final. Of course, while Everton could play with relative freedom, the pressure was on Hiddinks side to keep alive their faint hopes of winning the championship. But having scored 10 goals in their previous three games, Chelsea were blunted by a typically well organised and resolute visiting defence. It could have been even better for Everton, who were intent from the first whistle to capitalise on the defensive uncertainty that has crept into the Londoners game in recent weeks. They fashioned the more clear-cut openings and had a strong shout for a first-half penalty dismissed when Alex brought down Leighton Baines. The draw edged Moyess men a point nearer to Aston Villa and another top-five finish and extended their record to just four defeats in 31 games.
An arduous 120 minutes and subsequent penalty shoot-out on a questionable Wembley surface had led Moyes to hint at wholesale changes to his team.
Marouane Fellainis knee injury meant there was one ensured absence with the Goodison manager eventually making four alterations to the starting line-up, Segundo Castillo, Joseph Yobo, Lars Jacobsen and Jo all returning as Phil Jagielka, Tony Hibbert and Louis Saha dropped to the bench. Moyes had warned his players there could be no slacking during the final six games of the season, and any easing of intensity may cost a possible Cup final place. But with Evertons players having stepped up to the plate time and again this campaign, such commitment has become almost a given. And their success means the reality is the fringe players will be hard pressed to force their way into Moyess thinking for a start at Wembley, injury permitting. That said, they did their chances no harm with a clutch of impressive displays. Castillo, making his first start since January, was industrious against an imposing Chelsea midfield to such an extent that Michael Essien was hauled off on the hour. Yobo grew in composure against Didier Drogba while Jacobsen again proved a steady option at right-back before a leg injury curtailed his evening late on.
A final appearance is off limits for cup-tied Jo, the striker instead seeking to impress sufficiently for Everton to pursue a permanent deal in the summer, even though Moyes insists the money is simply not there to facilitate such a transfer.
The manager has urged the Brazilian to start producing on the road his goalpoaching Goodison form that has earned him five goals in four home appearances.
Jo didnt help his cause early on when, having been sent clear by Tim Cahills clever throughball, the striker shot too close to Petr Cech, who saved with his left leg.
Even worse was to come shortly before the interval when, after a slack Ashley Cole pass, Everton broke upfield, Steven Pienaar fed Jo but the striker slipped embarrassingly as he went to pull the trigger, the ball floating harmlessly wide.
Such chances underlined the pattern of first-half play, with Everton creating more as Chelsea struggled to make any impact. The visitors worked another opening in the 34th minute, Jo picking up Leon Osmans floated pass on the left wing and finding Cahill, who was allowed space to turn and fire a shot that drew a smart save from Cech. Moments later Everton had a strong claim for a penalty when the lively Leighton Baines went over Alexs leg inside the area. Referee Mark Halsey waved play on, but television replays suggested the Chelsea centre-back had a fortunate escape.
Pienaar curled a shot from range narrowly over with Tim Howard only once called into action before the break to field a deflected Michael Ballack shot.
Everton began the second half in the same vein, a fine passing move in which Baines was prominent ending with Cahill forcing another decent save from the busy Cech when stooping to head Osmans clipped cross. The natives were getting restless but the home crowd were buoyed by a 35-yard shot from John Terry that required a strong parry from Howard. Jo slashed over from Pienaars pass as Everton continued to frustrate the Londoners and threaten on the break. Chelsea, though, pressed hard during the final quarter. Substitute Salomon Kalou headed over and Frank Lampard shot tamely at Howard from an inviting position. Joleon Lescott then blocked another goalbound effort from Kalou, but Everton remained dangerous from set-pieces, Cahill finding the side-netting with an angled drive from close range after Cechs unsafe hands caused panic among the home defence. Pienaar should have at least found the target with a clear opening with five minutes remaining but shot wide from Cahills square pass. Drogba rattled the crossbar during injury time as Chelsea threw everything forward in search of a winner, but Everton held on for a deserved point.
Moyes may still be waiting for his first win over Chelsea. But that can wait until May 30.

Chelsea 0 - Everton 0: Bridge of Blue highs
Apr 23 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
FIRST the bad news: Everton missed out on securing their earliest ever European qualification under David Moyes last night at Stamford Bridge. Now the good news: just about everything else. It would be churlish in the extreme to complain about the Blues not rubberstamping a place in the Europa League as the only way that could have happened was for them to be beaten by Chelsea. Allow us to explain. Had Guus Hiddink’s side taken three points, they would have been guaranteed a spot in the Champions League, which in turn would have freed up the Europa place that was on offer to the other FA Cup finalist. That, of course, is Everton but in this dress rehearsal for the big one on May 30, the Toffees showed they do not need any assistance in their efforts to get back into Europe and nor should they be frightened about what lies in store for them at Wembley. Chelsea may have been hot favourites to lift the FA Cup but odds compilers may just be reassessing their prices today after David Moyes’ bit-part players staked a compelling claim by rattling their more fashionable hosts with a vibrant performance. Given the injuries he has had to juggle, Moyes has shuffled his pack less than an out of work croupier this season but the effects of Sunday’s gruelling battle with Manchester United gave him the perfect opportunity to do that here. There was, of course, another reason for the alterations; with the Cup Final taking place five weeks on Saturday, why would Moyes want to give Hiddink any clues as to how Everton will play at Wembley? So out went Marouane Fellaini, Tony Hibbert, Phil Jagielka and Louis Saha with Lars Jacobsen, Segundo Castillo, Jo and Joseph Yobo coming in but, if anything, they will have left Hiddink with plenty to mull over. The quality of Everton’s squad, after all, has improved dramatically over the years and it was not as if Moyes was sending the likes of Brett Angell, Paul Holmes or Claus Thomsen – men whose names still send shivers down the spine – into battle here. To prove that point, just look at how the game unfolded; Chelsea lined up with their strongest possible XI yet could easily have lost out by a goal or two and, had they done so, their complaints would have had to have been minimal. Certainly Jo should have done much better in Everton’s first attack, racing beyond his compatriot Alex but shooting straight at Petr Cech, his miss exacerbated by the fact he could have squared for Leon Osman, who would have rolled the ball into an empty net. Given that Hiddink had suggested beforehand that he felt Chelsea still had a chance of winning the title, their lack of enthusiasm was startling and bar a couple of speculative efforts from Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, Tim Howard was a virtual spectator. If Chelsea were trying to intimidate Everton before the final, they did not do a very good job of it and with each minute that ticked by, the visitors grew in confidence and left the feeling that they could poke their noses in front. Such a shame, therefore, that Jo had left his shooting boots in the dressing room for the first 45 minutes, as he missed another glaring opportunity before the break when he slipped after being sent clean through by Steven Pienaar.
What happens to Jo this summer is going to be intriguing; play him at Goodison Park and he looks a world beater, but take him outside the parameters of L4 4EL and more, often than not, he flatters to deceive. True, there were some lovely touches and his link play was good but is he doing enough to convince the manager to pester Bill Kenwright to write a massive cheque? Bluntly speaking, the answer must be ‘no’ but it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if the chairman negotiated a deal that extended Jo’s loan on Merseyside for another 12 months; it’s worth remembering he’s only 21 and he definitely has a talent to be worked on. Yet if the Brazilian’s evening was a mixed bag of good and puzzling, there were plenty of his team-mates who could reflect on thoroughly satisfactory performances that will have done them no harm at all.
Take Jacobsen; sighted about as often as Father Christmas during his first five months at Goodison, he has done everything right in the times Moyes has called upon him in the last few weeks Neat and tidy in his work, he could be a handy person to have around the squad next season if Moyes can convince him to stay, while Yobo slipped back into the centre of defence with the minimum of fuss, putting the shackles on Didier Drogba. Then there was Castillo, the man who must cause Everton’s kit manager Jimmy Martin nightmares: will he find a pair of shorts and socks that actually fit around the muscular Ecuadorian’s legs before the end of the campaign?
On a serious note, he was outstanding, tracking Lampard here, there and everywhere, hurtling into challenges on Ballack and relishing the physical duel with Michael Essien; he, too, will have given Moyes food for thought. All in all, then, it was a thoroughly satisfactory evening, Everton’s third successive draw at this ground. But it could have been so much more had the terrific Leighton Baines been awarded a first half penalty and either Pienaar or Cahill shown more composure late on. No matter. A point keeps the push for fifth place firmly on course and the way Everton are playing, you would have to say it is a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ they leapfrog Aston Villa.
Do that and Everton could easily set a new club Premier League points record before they get to Wembley – and, on this evidence, they may just follow up by lifting the Cup.
CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Essien (Mikel 60), Lampard, Ballack; Anelka (Kalou 60), Drogba, Malouda (Di Santo 76).
EVERTON: Howard; Jacobsen (Jagielka 87), Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Pienaar, Cahill, Castillo, Neville, Osman (Rodwell 89); Jo (Saha 90). Attendance: 41,556.

Everton target Joao Moutinho commits to Sporting Lisbon
Apr 23 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will have to find more than £20m if they want to revive their interest in Sporting Lisbon captain Joao Moutinho this summer. David Moyes made the Portuguese midfielder his transfer priority last summer, but Sporting resisted all efforts by the Blues' boss to prise their star man away. Now Sporting have announced that their skipper has signed an improved and extended contract tying him to the Lisbon club until 2014. The Lions also announced that the buyout clause of the contract has been set at 22.5 million euros. The news has been presented in Portugal as a huge boost to Sporting, keeping one of the best and most consistent players in Portugal in their squad. However, the new contract, and especially the establishment of the new buyout clause, could be a strategic move by the club’s hierarchy to ensure they receive a big fee for the midfielder when he leaves. The news was issued in a low-key fashion, with no public show of commitment from Moutinho. Most Sporting fans had resigned themselves to losing their talismanic captain last summer, after Moutinho had expressed a strong desire to leave for a more competitive hampionship.
With several clubs rumoured to be ready to make a move for the Portugal international, among them Spanish giants Barcelona, Sporting had a struggle to persuade the midfield dynamo to stay at the Alvalade stadium. Moutinho, still only 22 years old, eventually opted to stay at Sporting.

Everton Academy: Young Blues shine in heat of forest fire
Apr 23 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Academy coach Neil Dewsnip has hailed the performance of his players in last week’s defeat, saying it was the ‘best display of the season’. The young Blues lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Although Dewsnip was disappointed, he nevertheless sent a glowing report back from Finch Farm. However, as part of the players’ develop- ment Dewsnip forced the squad to review the game footage and though far from a video nasty, the coach admitted the errors were glaring.
“It was a disappointing result but we played really, really well, especially in the first half and it was probably the best we have played this season – apart from one area of the field, in front of goal. We have watched the video back yesterday and we had anywhere between 10 and 12 outstanding chances. Yes it is great to create them but really disappointing not to have converted at least one of them. “Their goalkeeper was inspired to be fair to him, he produced an outstanding goalkeeping display but we were guilty of some careless finishes from both set pieces and open play. Luke Powell grazed the post with a header as well. “We still have a very young team with a number of schoolboys in the side but I am very, very pleased and positive about what they have done and we certainly grab onto the fact that they will be stronger next season.”
This weekend Everton travel to Middlesbrough Youth, kick off 12pm.

Howard Webb is FA Cup Final referee
Apr 23 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
HOWARD WEBB will take charge of the FA Cup final on May 30 between Everton and Chelsea. The 37-year-old from Yorkshire has been selected to referee his first FA Cup final after establishing himself as one of the most highly-rated officials in the domestic game. Webb has officiated in 40 matches in all competitions so far this season, including Tuesday night’s epic 4-4 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal, Barcelona vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Brazil’s friendly with Italy at the Emirates Stadium. He has dished out a total of 127 yellow cards – including a controversial caution of Barca’s Lionel Messi for diving in that Bayern Munich match, and five reds – three of them to Emmanuel Adebayor, Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo. He was in charge of Everton’s match at Villa Park earlier this month when he upset Blues fans by awarding a controversial penalty and a harsh free-kick to the home side. But he also took charge of the Premier League derby at Anfield which passed off without incident and the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park against Newcastle. He also took charge of two matches at last year’s European hampionships, incurring the wrath of Poland coach Leo Beenhakker after awarding a controversial late penalty to co-host nation Austria in a 1-1 draw. “Wembley is awesome. I’ve been lucky to referee at the Nou Camp, the Bernabeu, the Allianz Arena, but Wembley is the home of football,” he said. His assistants at the national stadium will be Michael Mullarkey and David Richardson. “When I started out as a referee 20 years ago the FA Cup final was the absolute pinnacle even though it was a very distant dream,” he said. “Realistically when I started out it was very unlikely to ever happen, but the fact that it has is the realisation of a dream. I’m thrilled to bits.”

The Jury: Everton fans reflect on their FA Cup semi-final against Man Utd
Apr 23 2009 Liverpool Echo
MICHAEL DRUMMOND, Speke
INITIALLY, I thought that coming back from London with a win against the champions, this would be easy to write, but it isn't. I am still on cloud nine after possibly one of the best days I have encountered as an Evertonian, the atmosphere was just mind blowing! We put the United fans to shame, not only did they not fill their allocation but they were silent throughout. Fair enough, we weren't playing against a full strength side but it was practically the same side that won the Carling Cup. Also, as much as I respect Alex Ferguson, it was pretty dire to say that the pitch affected his selection. His priorities clearly lie elsewhere. It was also a relief to see us win a penalty shoot-out. Credit needs to go to Tim Howard as he has not been as good as we know he is capable of recently so I'm sure his heroics will give him the confidence boost he needs!
LEE MOLTON, St Helens
FANTASTIC! Remarkable! Superb! Just some of the words to describe Sunday!
What a glorious day, the fans, the noise, the result and Alex Ferguson whining. We have all still got huge smiles on our faces. The Everton fans were magnificent and the team made me so proud to be an Evertonian! Wembley was a sea of Blue with the Everton fans singing non stop from the moment that Z Cars was played before kick-off. Tim Howard was the hero after saving two penalties with Jagielka sealing the win to send the Evertonians wild. David Moyes has done a fantastic job in steering this club away from relegation to a Wembley Cup Final in seven years, the man is a legend. Bill Kenwright deserves great credit too. Let’s do it all again against Chelsea in an All Blue Final.
DAVID WALLBANK, Huyton
SUNDAY was fantastic; just one step away from finally delivering some much needed silverware to Goodison Park.
My brother on the journey home kept calling me John Terry, as I couldn’t control my tears after penalties. But what a joy to visit the national home of football, and create an electric atmosphere! Last night Everton put in another massive performance, earning a valuable point at Stamford Bridge. Unlucky not to collect all three points, Jo and Cahill were both guilty of not putting the Blues ahead. Castillo gave an excellent account of himself giving Moyes a conundrum about his possible future at the club, while Baines was nothing short of outstanding at left-back. Saturday sees the visit of Manchester City and I wouldn’t anticipate an away day shock.
Everton must be brimming with confidence, and three points is very much the order of the day. The billionaires of City will be scratching their heads at how well David Moyes and Everton are doing. But you can’t buy team spirit and passion.
TONY SCOTT, Walton
IN all my years of watching my beloved Everton, that must go down as one of the most amazing feelings I have ever endured on Sunday. I've no shame in looking around Wembley seeing a sea of blue singing their hearts out I was really emotional but so proud to be there. I told my brother sat next to me it was a long time since I had been so happy. I can’t put into words the feeling when Jagielka hit that ball and as soon as it rustled the back of the net I finally thought I'm going to witness Everton in a major final since 1995. The celebrations were something unreal when Z Cars was blasted out. I turned to my right to see the scenes of mass blue jubilation and took a deep breath and felt proud to be born an Evertonian. These Evertonians really are the best supporters in the world. This is a special club – it's the Peoples Club.

Taste of Wembley can help Everton FC lift the FA Cup says Kevin Ratcliffe
Apr 23 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
KEVIN RATCLIFFE led Everton out an astonishing 11 times at Wembley Stadium.
But in the space of two magnificent months in 1984, he followed the words of the song to the letter – and went to Wembley twice. He believes the dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final was one of the reasons the team he led out was able to end a 14-year Goodison trophy drought. And he hopes that the Class of '09 can benefit from a similar experience. By coincidence, it's been another 14 years since Everton last landed an item of silverware, and Ratcliffe thinks that the experience of playing a semi-final underneath the Wembley Arch could help them on May7 30.
“How many times did I go to Wembley? Somewhere between 13 and 15 occasions, which isn't bad for someone who isn't an Englishman!” he explained.
“But the first one we won in 1984 was magical. The whole day, the whole experience was special. “We'd been there a couple of months earlier for the Milk Cup final and I think that helped us against Watford. “We were more relaxed than we might otherwise have been and could focus more on just winning the match. “Hopefully Phil Neville's team will be able to benefit the same way. “It would be wonderful to see him making that long walk to pick up the FA Cup.” It was a journey Ratcliffe first made as a 23-year-old after goals from Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray beat Watford and ushered in the most glorious era of trophy-winning in Everton's history. “It was a fantastic moment walking up the steps to collect the Cup,” he added. “I was young to be a captain and had only been given the armband in November. I was thinking 'Why am I going up here?' I would have been happy just to have been one of the lads – but that moment has also given me one of the biggest regrets of my career. “Mark Higgins was still the club captain but he was injured with the hernia problem which eventually ended his career. “I wish he could have come up the steps with us. If I had my time again I would ask him to come up with me. “Eventually his career was finished at the age of 26 by what was basically just a hernia problem which is curable now.
“Back then the same thing finished Mike Pejic and Garry Stanley, while I was out for 10 months with it when I was 28. “Mark was at Wembley with us, but he didn't come up the steps and I've always regretted that.” In addition to leading his beloved Everton out, Ratcliffe made a number of appearances at Wembley in internationals.
“I played there as a kid in an under-15 international, a couple of times in Home International games, but the rest were for Everton,” he added. “I played in all four FA Cup finals in the 80s, the Everton-Liverpool Milk Cup final, four Charity Shields and then there was a Simod Cup final and a Zenith Data Systems Cup final.
“It's not a nice thing to say but there were so many competitions around then that you didn't want to be involved in all of them. “Sometimes you'd think 'I hope I'm not playing in that one'. Then when you were picked and you'd go out there and start to think, 'Wait a minute, this could end up at Wembley!' “Wembley was a special place. I'm sure it still is. But the FA Cup is different now. “There's a media circus which follows almost every football match nowadays. But back then the FA Cup final was treated differently.
“The build-up was on television all day and to be part of that circus was unbelievable.
“Freddie Starr was one of the biggest names around on the comedians' circuit back then, and when you're woken up at eight o'clock on Cup Final morning and you see him out of your hotel window laughing and joking it's a strange experience.
“As kids we used to play knockout tournaments in the park and it was always the FA Cup we played. It was a special tournament.” It still is, and Ratcliffe was delighted to see the Class of '09 win through to this season's final last weekend – even though he was several hundred miles away from Wembley at the time. “I was watching the match on TV up at Loch Lomond golf course,” he said. “In fact I caught the ball from Tim Cahill's penalty! “I was so angry I managed to throw it all the way back!
“I didn't know it at the time but there was another Evertonian in the bar next door and we got together later in the evening to celebrate. “It's wonderful to see Everton back in a Cup Final, and it's interesting to see people still talking about the pitch. “People used to always ask you about the pitch even then. “The turf was supposed to be energy-sapping and people would ask 'Did you get Wembley cramp?' I'd reply 'No it was the 60-odd games I've already played this season!' ” Two in particular stood out – and the most successful skipper in Everton's history hopes Phil Neville and co. can repeat the experience.

‘we can beat them’
Apr 23 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES believes Everton’s deserved draw at Stamford Bridge has given their hopes of beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final a shot in the arm. The Blues defied the effects of fatigue from Sunday’s semi-final battle with Manchester United to take a point at Stamford Bridge for the third year in succession last night by drawing 0-0.
It might have been different had Jo, Tim Cahill or Steven Pienaar taken any of the chances that came their way but Baines was not too downhearted, particularly as David Moyes made four changes to his line up and Everton still flourished.
That has given the defender hope that Everton’s season will end with cup success – especially given the way the defence has been playing in recent weeks.
“We were a bit shaky early on in the season but since then we’ve been fantastic at the back. “Hopefully that bodes well for the game next month,” said Baines, who should have been awarded a first half penalty. “I don’t think it says anything about what is going to happen in the final; that’s a completely different game and occasion but it certainly gives us confidence “We played well, kept a clean sheet against them for the second time this season and created chances so hopefully we can get another good result in the next game.” The ‘next game’ to which Baines refers is actually the cup final but before that is the small matter of maintain their push in the Premier League.
Baines appreciates it is going to take another big push to topple Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday but is slightly disappointed they aren’t going into the game on the back of a win. “It was a terrific effort from all the boys, considering what we had been through at the weekend when extra time and penalties were so draining,” said Baines. “With that in mind, it was a magnificent effort. We thought we might as well have a go, we created a few chances and perhaps we caught them by surprise. We deserve credit. “We all felt a bit stiff and sore after playing United but once we got out there, I thought we acquitted ourselves really well, everyone worked hard.
“There were a couple of moments when we thought we had good chances but it wasn’t to be and we’ll happily take the point. On another day, those chances would have gone in.”

FA Cup final ticket allocation announced - Everton will wear Royal Blue
Apr 23 2009
Everton officials have been informed by representatives of the Football Association and Wembley that the Club will receive an allocation of 25,109 tickets for the FA Cup final. The Blues qualified for the season-closing showpiece by beating Manchester United in Sunday's semi-final - a game for which the Club received just over 32,000 tickets. Tickets for the final will be priced in four categories: £93, £78.30, £58.65 and £34.30. Supporters should note that the majority of the tickets will fall in the £78.30 and £58.65 categories, although there will be tickets available within all the categories. Officials from the Club have held preliminary discussions and will meet again on Friday to discuss the allocation. A further announcement will then be made early next week. "We are obviously disappointed at the number of tickets we have received despite the fact we were anticipating a smaller amount than for the semi-final," said Everton chief executive Robert Elstone. "The challenge for us now is to make sure that these tickets are distributed fairly amongst the Everton fanbase.
"We have already had some discussions internally and these will continue on Friday. Once formalised we will make an announcement through the appropriate channels and that is expected to be next week at the latest." It has also been confirmed that Everton will don their famous royal blue for the game against Chelsea on May 30. The outfield players will wear blue shirts, white shorts and white socks. The goalkeeper will wear a sky blue shirt, black shorts and black socks. Everton supporters will be located in the east side of the stadium - the opposite end to which they were situated for the semi-final.

Leighton Baines: 'Everton FC can beat Chelsea'
Apr 23 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES believes Everton’s deserved draw at Stamford Bridge has given their hopes of beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final a shot in the arm. The Blues defied the effects of fatigue from Sunday’s semi-final battle with Manchester United to take a point at Stamford Bridge for the third year in succession last night by drawing 0-0.
It might have been different had Jo, Tim Cahill or Steven Pienaar taken any of the chances that came their way but Baines was not too downhearted, particularly as David Moyes made four changes to his line up and Everton still flourished.
That has given the defender hope that Everton’s season will end with cup success – especially given the way the defence has been playing in recent weeks.
“We were a bit shaky early on in the season but since then we’ve been fantastic at the back. “Hopefully that bodes well for the game next month,” said Baines, who should have been awarded a first half penalty. “I don’t think it says anything about what is going to happen in the final; that’s a completely different game and occasion but it certainly gives us confidence “We played well, kept a clean sheet against them for the second time this season and created chances so hopefully we can get another good result in the next game.” The ‘next game’ to which Baines refers is actually the cup final but before that is the small matter of maintain their push in the Premier League. Baines appreciates it is going to take another big push to topple Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday but is slightly disappointed they aren’t going into the game on the back of a win.
“It was a terrific effort from all the boys, considering what we had been through at the weekend when extra time and penalties were so draining,” said Baines. “With that in mind, it was a magnificent effort. We thought we might as well have a go, we created a few chances and perhaps we caught them by surprise. We deserve credit. “We all felt a bit stiff and sore after playing United but once we got out there, I thought we acquitted ourselves really well, everyone worked hard. “There were a couple of moments when we thought we had good chances but it wasn’t to be and we’ll happily take the point. On another day, those chances would have gone in.”

David Moyes demands a high five finish
Apr 23 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has challenged his squad to show their improving consistency by capturing fifth place for a second year. The Blues have whittled away the lead Aston Villa had over them and know that if results are kind this weekend, they could leapfrog Martin O’Neill’s men. After drawing 0-0 at Chelsea last night, Moyes let it be known how desperate he is to see Everton secure their highest possible league finish. He has been thrilled with the way things have turned around following a difficult start and believes fifth place - and a win in the FA Cup final - would be ample reward. “Fifth place means a lot to me,” said Moyes. If we do finish in the top six then it’s four out of five seasons and a signEverton are becoming a team at a level that might not be competing quite on the same level as the top four but isn’t far away.
“We’ve gained confidence from Sunday’s resultThe players feel great, and so they should. They have been playing great all season throughout adversity and the problems we have had. “I have to say well done to them. Maybe it was a bigger effort in a way (to get a draw) than on Sunday because they had to do it again.”
He admitted to be being pleasantly surprised by how those on the fringes responded to the challenge he set them in the build up. “I decided to give some players a rest and give one or two players in the squad a go, and I thought the ones that came in did really well,” said Moyes. “Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo both did well. I was surprised by how well we played. But we had the kitchen sink to deal with in the last five minutes and that was to be expected. “If anybody needed a break it was the likes of Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman, but we put them out and we have to pick them up again.”

Leon Osman: Everton must focus on Premier League run-in
Apr 24 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
LEON OSMAN believes Everton cannot afford to be distracted by their forthcoming FA Cup final appearance during the Barclays Premier League run-in.
A memorable week for the Goodison Park outfit continued on Wednesday night when they earned a deserved goalless draw at Chelsea in a dress rehearsal for next month’s Wembley showpiece. Everton have now lost just four of their last 31 games, a run that has moved them to within a point of fifth-placed Aston Villa and earned their passage to the Cup final after Sunday’s famous semi-final triumph over Manchester United.
With a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League almost virtually assured and Champions League qualification having already been conceded by manager David Moyes, Everton realistically have only league placing to play for during their final five Premier League games. But Osman reckons it would be dangerous for the team to lose momentum they have built up over the last six months going into the May 30 showdown with Chelsea. "We have tended to dip in the closing stages of the last couple of seasons," said the midfielder. "But we hadn’t had a dip really earlier on during those seasons, so with us already having had ours at the start this time, then hopefully it’s got it out of the way. "We’ve got something to aim for at the end of the season, and we don’t want to let our confidence slip between now and the final.
"It’s not easy to turn form on and off like a tap. We have to keep our form and confidence up as it could all go wrong. "We’ll go into our next few games hoping to take the confidence we have going and into the final." Everton were the better team during Wednesday’s goalless draw with Chelsea fortunate not to concede a penalty when Leighton Baines was felled by Alex. The Londoners were held to a similar scoreline at Goodison in December, and Osman said: "We will take a lot of encouragement from the result but the FA Cup final is a one- off game.
"Chelsea have won the title twice in the last four years and have been in Champions League and FA Cup finals, so we know it’s going to be a very difficult game. But we’ve been gaining in confidence with all of our games and we’re sure to make the final a very well contested game." Marouane Fellaini, who missed the game at Stamford Bridge with a minor knee problem, is expected to be fit for tomorrow’s visit of Manchester City.

'Cloughy' star Michael Sheen at Goodison charity fund-raiser
Apr 24 2009
HE’S played Brian Clough, Tony Blair and David Frost – now Hollywood actor Michael Sheen is getting the opportunity to play football.The award winning actor is one of the host of celebrities committed to former Liverpool star Jason McAteer’s latest fund- raiser at Goodison Park on May 23. He will be joined by boxing legend Joe Calzaghe, former French World Cup winner Christian Karambeu, England international Les Ferdinand, pop star Nicky Byrne from Westlife and Coronation Street actor Craig Charles. McAteer is aiming make a million pounds from a trio of football matches.

New Wembley pitch to be laid ahead of Everton's FA Cup final appearance
Apr 24 2009
The controversial Wembley pitch is to be dug up immediately.
Arsene Wenger branded the surface ’a disaster’ after Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea on Saturday, while Sir Alex Ferguson called it ’dead’ in the aftermath of Manchester United’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Everton 24 hours later.
In the wake of such criticism, stadium officials decided to launch a thorough review of the pitch and have concluded the rye grass surface should be replaced with immediate effect. The new pitch will be a different composition to the current one, which it is hoped will be better suited to the stadium design. Although the FA had confirmed there would be a new ’sand-soil’ pitch installed, it was not anticipated the work would be done until after next month’s FA Cup Final. Instead, the new one will be down before the FA Trophy clash between Stevenage and York on May 9. There have been problems with the new stadium’s pitch since it first opened just over two years ago.
Due to the number of non-footballing events, including pop concerts and speedway races, which are required at Wembley to make the rebuilding project viable, it was felt the rye-grass option was more likely to withstand the extra punishment. However, it has proved not to be the case, with Wenger claiming the present surface is worse than at any of the 20 Premier League grounds. “When you build a new stadium, the first priority is that the pitch is good,” said Wenger on Tuesday. “If that’s not right the whole stadium is bad. “Before everybody wanted to play at Wembley because the pitch was so special. Now, nobody wants to play at Wembley.” Although the FA acknowledge they will still need to change the pitch at regular intervals, the organisation is optimistic the work should at least allow Wembley to restore its previous reputation for a surface of the highest standard. A statement read: “Wembley Stadium is a multi-purpose venue and needs to be able to offer both a quality playing surface and a quality calendar of events. “The pitch has always been and will continue to be at the heart of the stadium and of the business.”

Louis Saha set to star for Everton
Apr 24 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES will ask Louis Saha to lead Everton’s attack tomorrow as loan star Jo is denied a reunion with Manchester City. The Brazilian international has been a potent weapon at Goodison Park since his deadline day move from Eastlands – scoring five goals in five appearances – but the terms of his loan deal preclude his involvement in this fixture against City. Yet Moyes has a ready made replacement and intends handing Saha the eighth start of his Everton career, even though James Vaughan is pushing hard to be included. Saha did not enjoy much success against his former club Manchester United in last Sunday’s semi-final at Wembley and was substituted long before extra time. However, he has impressed in training and given that he is fresher than most, will return as the Blues continue their pursuit of fifth placed Aston Villa. “We gave him 70 minutes at Wembley as that is what we felt he could do,” said Moyes. “We were either going to start him or bring him off the bench.
“I didn’t in my mind feel that I could use him for the full 90. He has trained yesterday and is ok.” The manager rang the changes on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge and was thrilled that the likes of Lars Jacobsen, Joseph Yobo and Segundo Castillo helped hold Chelsea to a hard earned 0-0 draw. But with usual starters Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jagielka and Tony Hibbert rested, Moyes is likely to restore them to the starting line-up against a City side that has won only once on its travels all season.
City, though, are capable of scoring plenty of goals and Moyes knows the onus will be on his defenders to keep Robinho, Elano and company in check by replicating their efforts against Chelsea. “After the weekend’s exertions, I was really pleased with the performance at Chelsea,” said Moyes. “You try and build from the back and clean sheets are always important. “They help the goalkeeper and everyone around him.
“It was a hard earned clean sheet because they have got so many good players.
“The lads who came in did a fantastic job but you shouldn’t be shocked.
“Lars Jacobsen is a Danish international and is used to playing in arenas such as that but it was still pleasing to see.”

FA Cup ticket fury for Everton FC supporters
Apr 24 2009 by Paddy Shennan, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Football Club today said two out of every three fans who want to go to Wembley will miss out on a ticket. The claim came after the FA revealed Cup finalists Everton and Chelsea will each receive just 25,000 tickets for the May 30 game.
The Blues received 31,500 for the semi-final, which was nowhere near enough to satisfy demand. Wembley’s capacity is 90,000 – leaving a whopping 40,000 tickets for non-Everton and Chelsea fans. The FA revealed 17,000 will go to Club Wembley members who invested in 10-year season tickets for matches and pop concerts at the new Wembley. A further 23,000 go to its “football family” of clubs and associations.
Everton’s head of public relations Ian Ross told the ECHO: “Every single year the two clubs involved make the same noises and the same complaints. But nothing ever changes.” “Interest in this game is huge. “ And using the demand for semi-final tickets as a guideline, we believe about two out of every three fans who want to go to the cup final will be disappointed. It’s been 14 years since our last FA Cup final and, if the number of tickets was unlimited, we think we could sell twice as many as Chelsea.”
He added: “The FA just seems completely entrenched in its attitude that it has to provide tickets to the ‘football family’. “That’s old school thinking – old school tie thinking. Most fans want the FA to modernise itself and the first thing it should address is ticketing for cup finals.” Many fans appeared to be baffled by the FA’s decision to launch a new Out the Touts campaign while at the same time making tickets available to people with no interest in Everton or Chelsea. Ian Ross said: “It’s all well and good taking a stand against touting. But by having such ticketing arrangements you drive fans towards the touts.” Club chief executive Robert Elstone said: “The FA needs to do something about this. We are working hard like all clubs to fill our grounds with fans and attract people to football. However it seems the regulators are doing their best to force fans away from the game.” Everton is likely to announce plans for distributing its allocation in the next 24 hours. An FA spokesman said today: “Clubs will always want, and always be able to sell, more tickets.
“But everyone should share in the FA Cup final.”

Blue is the colour for Everton in the FA Cup final
Apr 24 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will wear their lucky Blue kit when they attempt to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1995 next month. Goodison Park officials have received confirmation the Toffees will be able to wear their traditional kit, with white shorts and white socks, when they face Chelsea. The decision was made after Everton won the toss of a coin and will delight supporters as that ensemble was worn when they lifted the trophy in 1966, 1984 and 1995. The only timepost war they have worn an away jersey at Wembley was in 1968 but the game against West Brom ended in them losing 1-0. Keeper Tim Howard, the hero of the semi-final penalties win over Manchester United, will wear a sky-blue jersey and black shorts. Chelsea will wear fluorescent yellow.

Lamp light put a shine on Segundo Castillo
Apr 24 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IT’S the little gestures that mean the most, like an approving tap on the shoulder or the nod of a head that endorses a night’s work – just ask Segundo Castillo.
An hour after the final whistle had brought Everton’s FA Cup dress rehearsal with Chelsea to a close on Wednesday, Castillo was stood on the edge of the Stamford Bridge pitch, laughing, joking and looking up at the cavernous, empty stands.
The glint in the Ecuadorian’s eye suggested he knew that his performance had been good but if he needed further reassurance, it came when Frank Lampard emerged from the tunnel and saw Castillo lurking. There was something fitting about the scene; after all, everywhere Lampard had been on the pitch during 90 fiercely contested minutes, Castillo inevitably popped up to frustrate and foil the England international’s attempts to find a route towards goal. But rather than stew on the fact that he had been marked out of the game and walk past in a huff, Lampard stopped typing out a text message, put his phone away then placed a hand on Castillo’s shoulder and said: “Well done, pal. Great game.” Castillo’s command of English is rather limited but it was clear to see he understood exactly what Lampard was saying as, in a flash, he was beaming from ear to ear, digesting the words that were deserved after the best performance of his Everton career. “It was a good night but I have to thank my team-mates for the role they played in helping me settle,” said Castillo, who joined the Blues last August on a one-year loan from Red Star Belgrade but has only made ten appearances.
“It’s hard when you come back into the side and it takes time for you to get back up to full speed. “It’s really important to have that support because gradually you build up your confidence and things start to go well, so I am really pleased.” Though he has only been a bit-part performer throughout the campaign, the amiable Castillo is a popular figure in the dressing room, with many describing him as one of the happiest people they have met. Going so long without playing - Wednesday night was the first time Castillo had started a match since a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup with Liverpool on January 25 – could leave certain players irritable but he has been anything but, revelling in the camaraderie at Finch Farm. “You can see out on the pitch when everyone is close in the dressing room,” Castillo noted. “Even in training sessions, there is a good atmosphere as everyone works hard and works together and team spirit off the field ends up working its magic on the pitch. “I have been lucky in my career both in Ecuador and Serbia with Red Star to have been involved with good sets of lads but it is special here. “Clubs go through difficult patches through the season and it was tense in the dressing room at the start of the season. “We were struggling for form a little bit; I’m not saying that is was anything bad but it took a while for things to knit together but once everything gelled and the lads were playing in their right position, it has been great and things have grown.” Only time will tell how much of a role Castillo has to play between now and the end of the campaign but with David Moyes likely to protect his ‘A’ listers from injury with Wembley looming, those who have been on the fringes can expect to figure a bit more. Certainly his efforts at Stamford Bridge have shown that Moyes can have faith in Castillo if he chooses to play the 26-year-old against Manchester City tomorrow and there is reason for believing the manager will do that. “Every match from now until the end of the season is going to be a final as people are fighting for places,” said Castillo, who is daring to dream that he will have an FA Cup winners’ medal to take away with him when his deal expires in the summer. “We have got a big game coming up against Manchester City and I will be ready if I am called on again. “I always want to play and I have got that desire to do well for the team and I would love to be selected again.
“Looking further ahead, we will be going to Wembley with the idea of winning.
“We’ve fought so hard and beaten some great teams to get there. It would be terrible to throw that away now and we are going there with every intention. “The final will be different, a lot tougher than Wednesday. “We won’t really take too much from that game but what I do know is that we will be really motivated. “Finals are great occasions that can lift teams to higher levels.” But whatever happens between now and May 30, Castillo will look back on his year on Merseyside with enormous affection as aside from football matters, his wife, Brenda, gave birth to their first son, D’Alessandro, four weeks ago. “That means he can now play for England!” said Castillo. “Seriously, though, it has been a very special time, everyone throughout the pregnancy took care of us, as they have done since day one. “I will never forget my time here.”

Howard Kendall: Why Everton were even better at the Bridge
Apr 24 2009 by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
WHAT a week. While we all try to find a way back down to earth after the drama of Wembley, it would be wrong to overlook the events that followed at Stamford Bridge.
It took a fabulous effort to get the better of Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals and there can be no disputing that Everton deserved to get through but neither can there be any arguments about the fact we deserved our share of the spoils at Chelsea. I have to say that I’m finding it hard to separate which display was better as to go to London with resources stretched to the maximum and stop two of the best sides from creating a meaningful chance, let alone scoring, was a tremendous achievement. We have alerted the nation to our potential now and, all being well, there will be a nice big pot of silver to show for our efforts on May 30 and I see no reason why Everton can’t go all the way. With a game that big to look forward to, it must have a positive impact on league form and I always found that when we got to a final, our results would improve because so many want to be involved when it matters most. Perhaps that’s why we played so well at Stamford Bridge. David Moyes might have made a few changes from the team that had beaten United on penalties but it didn’t affect the quality one jot. Men like Segundo Castillo, Lars Jacobsen and Joseph Yobo all did well but I thought the best performer was Leighton Baines. He was outstanding and he must have given Fabio Capello a welcome dilemma, as his performance was certainly the equal of England’s current left-back, Ashley Cole, who was on the other side of the pitch. It’s aspects such as those that leave you feeling Everton will give as good as they get and more when the sides meet again at Wembley. With a bit of luck our smiles will be even broader then.

David Prentice: Keeping it in the family is not the Wembley way
Apr 24 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IN 1987, in the days when I tried to practice what I now preach, I could have bought a Cup Final ticket. I had absolutely no interest in Coventry v Spurs, but I was still given the chance to buy a ticket for the Cup Final because I was part of what the FA calls “the football family.” I played for Leisure Sport in the Southport and District League, you see. We were a well run, but modest club – regularly trying and usually failing to achieve promotion from the Southport and District League’s Second Division.
But we got a Cup Final ticket. Predictably no-one wanted it. I have no idea what became of that ticket, prized in the Midlands and North London, but totally wasted on Merseyside. It was a scene no doubt repeated up and down the country.
And still is. Everton were yesterday told they will get 25,109 tickets for their most eagerly anticipated football match for 14 years. They would have got more, but 23,000 go to “the grassroots game and the football family.” It’s a well-meaning concept, but totally outdated. Demand for Cup Final tickets will always exceed supply.
Almost 17,000 from the 90,000 capacity belong to the Club Wembley's 10-year season ticket holders.
But while plenty of these will find their way onto the black market, the Club Wembley experience is understandable.
Wembley is undeniably impressive, and it had to be paid for somehow.
But less understandable is those 23,000 distributed to the “thousands of individuals who give up their time and energy to football, without whom the grassroots game would not exist.” Fair enough. But is giving these selfless souls the opportunity to fork out £93 and £78.30 for a ticket really a reward? The football family comprises the 92 Premier League and Football League clubs, the 134 Full Member clubs, other clubs who reached the Third Round of this season's competition, charities, FA sponsors, the Football Foundation, Premier League, Football League, Football Conference, PFA, International Associations, FIFA, UEFA and County Football Associations. In other words, a lot of people who have absolutely no interest in Chelsea v Everton – especially at prices like those. The FA says it is cracking down on ticket touting at the Cup Final with the introduction of an Out the Touts campaign. It will also be beefing up its anti-touting operation around the stadium on 30 May.
Why bother? The majority of the tickets will have already been sold by then – by people who have no interest in Chelsea v Everton, but have been given the chance to buy a Cup Final ticket.
And it’s been like that for more than 20 years.
THAT'S JUST PRICELESS
TO paraphrase that old Mastercard advert.
A pie and a pint? £7.50. A slice of pizza? Six quid. A pint of bitter £3.80. A pint of black velvet (in a chilled tankard, mind) ? A whopping £13. James Vaughan's face as he gleefully chased after penalty prize guy Phil Jagielka at Wembley . . . priceless.
You can’t buy moments like that.

David Prentice: Reasons to be cheerful - Red and Blue
Apr 24 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
JIMMY GREAVES was far more articulate with his feet than his mouth, but the English striking legend did utter one inescapable truth. Football's a funny old game.
Liverpool can score eight goals against two of the big-four Premier League teams, and be left disappointed. Yet Everton can grind out a couple of goalless draws against teams from the same group and party like its 1995. The truth is, both the Blues and the Reds can be proud of their efforts in the past fortnight – and both have taken significant steps forward in their development. Liverpool have learned the art of adventure, that safest isn’t always best. And their performances against Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United in the last month tell me they will be red hot favourites for the Premier League crown next season. Everton could claim silverware even earlier. Experience is a much under-estimated quality, but David Moyes is adding to his with every passing season. It's only four years ago that he celebrated a fourth place finish by grabbing a dodgy cardie and letting his players go on a bender. They were walloped 7-0 by Arsenal 48 hours later. If ever a group of footballers deserved a night on the ale it was Everton's after their efforts at Wembley last Sunday. But, after “one glass of champagne”, Everton gave Guus Hiddink's in-form team a major fright. It marked a sea-change in thinking. A couple of years ago the Blues were happy to limit their ambitions. Now the sky's the limit.

Everton's David Moyes issues hands-off warning to Man City
May 27 2009 Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES has told Manchester City they are wasting their time if they attempt to use Jo as bait to sign any of Everton’s sought-after players.
And Moyes believes his team’s heroics of the past seven days have helped make Goodison an increasingly attractive destination for potential new signings.
Everton will receive a rapturous reception when they step out at home against City this afternoon following their FA Cup semi-final defeat of Manchester United last Sunday. Three days later, a much-changed team earned a goalless draw at next month’s Wembley opponents Chelsea to bolster their chances of a second successive top-five Premier League finish. City, backed by their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners, have been linked with possible summer moves for Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta.
But Moyes has indicated any ambitious players would want to be involved in the progress at Everton and reiterated he has no intention of selling key squad members.
“I have said all along to the players that we are building something that is hopefully going to go a long way for a long time,” said the Goodison manager. “If you do well, people will always talk about you. The players are doing well and they deserve to be talked about. “We are building and I am only going to add to what we have got. I’m going to try and make us stronger and keep competing. A lot of the players would hopefully admit that they have got better since they came here. “As well as them being good for Everton, Everton have been good for them in their development. I’m quite comfortable with the players but hopefully they have seen this as a big week and what it’s like to be involved (in big games) at the end of the season. “I think we are interesting to players. People can see our consistency and they know it’s a side that is liable to be nearer to the top end of the league than the bottom. “Players who are ambitious want to be involved with sides that can do that. Hopefully we can continue doing that.” On-loan Jo must sit out today’s game with Premier League rules preventing him from appearing against his current permanent employees.
There have been suggestions City may use the Brazilian striker to tempt Everton into parting with Lescott or Arteta. But Moyes responded: “There is no chance. In truth, they have never had a nibble at me. I have never had one phone call to me personally to say anything. The answer would be short change. No chance.” It appears more likely that if Everton pursue another deal for Jo, it will be in the form of a season-long loan deal following his current six-month temporary stay. Asked about his summer spending plans, Moyes added: “I don’t think we are in need of the cash to bail us out. People might think David Moyes will sell to fund signings, but I will definitely not sell one player to fund a signing unless it is something that I think should be done. There is no chance I would even consider that. “If the board said ‘do that’, then that would be a different situation, but that would be a different situation for me too.
“I can think of players who wanted to go last season and the clubs said no. Ronaldo, Gareth Barry. “I thought for the first time last year clubs just said no. I think there was a sign that football clubs are saying no we have to take some of the power back. All our boys are contracted and as far as I am concerned happy and enjoying their work.”

Everton must not let Premier League form slide - David Moyes
Apr 25 2009 Ian Doyle Liverpool Daily Post
THE last time Everton had something major to celebrate, they were subsequently left nursing more than just a few sore heads. A 7-0 hammering at Arsenal mere days after securing qualification to the Champions League was a significant source of embarrassment for David Moyes and his players. That experience was fresh in the minds of many when the Goodison outfit followed their draining FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United with a trip to fellow finalists Chelsea three days later.
This time, however, there was to be no drubbing and no humiliation as a much-changed Everton team could count themselves unfortunate to earn only a point at Stamford Bridge. And Moyes reckons his players are now starting to possess the mentality of the likes of United and Chelsea where games come thick and fast and every single one counts. That Arsenal game we had had a right good night out before it and whatever happened in the league after that wasnt impacting on anything, he says. The league games after getting to the FA Cup final there is still an importance about them because there is a chance we can get fifth place. We were slightly different mentally for the game. The hardest part was having to be ready to play another game of that magnitude against Chelsea. That was the hardest part for us all.
That is what the teams do all the time Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday. We are only beginning to understand that. We enjoyed our win against Manchester United but we had to be right back on it straight away and preparing for a game against Chelsea. That is what the good teams do. Then when it is over they celebrate their trophies. Money has often been cited by Moyes as the primary reason for Everton not regularly rubbing shoulders with the Premier Leagues top four teams.
And the Goodison manager believes his teams run to the FA Cup final and another strong showing in the Premier League are making them an attractive proposition to would-be suitors. It definitely helps impress people who are looking at Everton as a football club, adds Moyes. But where we have got to has been done without investors. Maybe when you look at what is happening now, the budget and other things that are going on, maybe you have to look at Everton. Maybe if everyone had done the same and dealt with the banks and everything else, they wouldnt be in a mess. We have done things properly. Yes we have got debt and had problems in the past but we have kept our spending and debt to a level we can afford. By contrast, this afternoons opponents Manchester City have spent heavily this season, backed by their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners. City manager Mark Hughes has attracted some criticism for failing to yield an immediate reward. And Moyes insists he is not envious of Citys mammoth transfer budget and believes Everton have shown that time and patience are similarly precious commodities when attempting to build a successful squad.
Mark will need the opportunity and time to turn things around, he says. Even when you sign new players, they dont suddenly just slot in. It needs time and a bit of patience to get that under way. Am I envious of his budget? No. He has earned his right to get to Manchester City by the way he managed at Blackburn and Wales. He has got himself in a good position. You take what you get and Im sure Mark will do a good job. Hughes has spent almost s100million this season in seeking to improve City's fortunes. But Moyes says: Maybe a drip feed would be better than getting it all at once. It would give you chance to place the players and improve it year by year. You try and get yourself to a position then where you have a side that is capable of qualifying for the Champions League and winning trophies. Last year we added a s15m player and we raised most of that money. Maybe if Everton are serious we are going to have to get a few of those. It might take a period of time.

Everton homeward bound to a true Blue reception
Apr 25 2009 Liverpool Echo
ITS nice to go travelling - but its even better to come home and that maxim ring as true as it ever did at Goodison Park today. Six days have passed since Everton clinched a place in the FA Cup final and if the noise made in the visiting section at Stamford Bridge was a barometer on Wednesday, David Moyes and his players can expect a riotous reception from their regular audience. Though Goodison can be flat in the game after a big win, the opposite should be true now for Manchester Citys visit and the prospect of being played in front of a wise, appreciative crowd again has been the subject of discussion in the dressing room. But while there should be a carnival atmosphere, Leighton Baines, perhaps mindful of his managers words on Tuesday afternoon, is quick to point out that there is no room for rest or relaxation now that a Wembley date has been secured. Bones and muscles might be aching, while a few individuals are sure to be mentally drained, but the fight for fifth place in the Premier League is still on the agenda and there is a fierce determination to hurtle past Aston Villa in the last furlong. So even though Baines will pause for a minute before kick-off and enjoy the noise that comes down from the stands, once the first whistle is blown the focus will be on toppling Mark Hughes men and helping Everton maintain their fine form. Playing at Goodison is always a fantastic experience, its one of the best stadiums in the country and the atmosphere is always great, so going back this weekend is going to be special for everyone, said Baines. Hopefully it will be unreal against Man City. The fans will probably give us a fantastic reception after the past couple of performances, so we will look forward to it but we know its going to take another big effort. Its been a tough week, its been hard being away from home, but we want one more big effort and with a bit of luck, well be able to end the week on a high as we want to finish as high up the table as we possibly can. Its very important for the club to do that. We cant take our eye off the ball just because there is a cup final in a few weeks. Weve got to try and put that game to the back of our minds because there is still so much to concentrate on. Aside from Premier League points and cup final places, Baines - who thumped home Evertons first successful penalty in the shootout - also has another reason for ensuring standards dont dip, namely Englands forthcoming games with Kazakhstan and Andorra. An outstanding performance in the 0-0 draw with their Wembley opponents three days ago will have done his prospects no harm at all, particularly as Fabio Capello was an interested observer in the crowd.
Clearly Baines is showing the benefit of 21 consecutive appearances and it is apparent he has never been happier or healthier during the two seasons he has been on Evertons books. Its been great to get a run of games, said Baines. Not long ago, I could get a run of half a dozen, whether that was down to injury or not playing. I always felt once I could get up and running that I would be able to show better form and thats been the case. If you play well and the England manager is watching, thats great.
But the main thing is to keep performing well at club level and if thats the case, everything looks after itself. When you play away from home, you have to make sure you do your job defensively.People have talked about the headers I made against Drogba and Alex but thats what you have got to do. I just tried to get myself up as early as I could and though you arent always going to win them against the big lads, you have to do your best. City have been one of the worst travellers in the division this season, winning just one game away from Eastlands in the Premier League, and Baines hopes that misery will continue, especially if Everton rediscover a cutting edge after two blanks. We didnt take the half chances that on another day go for you but we deserved everything we got on Wednesday, said Baines. Weve been strong recently and we want that to continue through to the end of the season. Thats what well be doing to the end of the season. Its mathematically possible that we could qualify for the Champions League and until its out of our hands, well keep going and well be looking to take maximum points from our home games. Weve also got away trips to Sunderland and Fulham, so we are just going to try and keep picking up points and see where it takes us. There is still a lot to play for and well be doing our very best.

Everton legends' memories live on amidst Wembley FA Cup glory
Apr 25 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
IN TIMES of great happiness, it is somewhat inevitable that there will also be pangs of melancholy or regret attached. Like the weddings that take place without one of the bride or grooms parents being able to attend for some sad reason or the births that pass without the new father unable to be there to welcome their new arrival into the world.
Everyone reading this column will have been to a party or a special event at some point in their lives, turned to the person next to them and uttered the wistful words: If only such and such had been here Safe to say such sentiments will have crossed the minds of some Evertonians last week after watching David Moyes and his players negotiate 120 tension filled minutes and nerve wracking penalty shootout to book their place in the FA Cup final. This weekend, after all, marks the respective third and second anniversaries of the untimely passing of Brian Labone and Alan Ball, two men whose places in the pantheon of Everton greats are assured for eternity.
Think of Labone and you will remember a genial individual whose approach to the beautiful game saw earn the moniker of The last of the Corinthians; a gentle giant who always had a kind word to say with smile never too far from his lips.
To this day, the foyer in the reception area of Goodisons Main Stand is not the same before matches without Labones big presence and booming voice welcoming visitors; even when at its most cluttered, the void he left is as vast a chasm.
It spoke volumes about the esteem in which he was held in this city that his funeral could have had an attendance similar to a Goodison Park home game, as Blues and Reds turned out to show their respect. The day he laid his head down to rest for the final time was still fresh in the memory, so it was eerie that one of his former team-mates should do the same 12 months after Labone passed. Again there was a huge outpouring of Evertonian grief when it was revealed that Ball had died, those who knew him unable to imagine what life would be like without his infectious enthusiasm and those who idolised unable to accept their hero had gone. Log on to Evertons official website and you regularly see video clips of Ball talking about his love for the Blues or grainy images of him running rings around opposing midfielders and long may that continue. Staying in the past does not help progress but, equally, the achievements of Labone who hoisted the FA Cup aloft in 1966 and Ball should be used to inspire this current Everton team and those of the future. It goes without saying that, had they been at Wembley last weekend, Labone and Ball would have been in raptures, over the moon that their beloved club had taken a step closer towards bringing silverware back home. You should never say things are written in the stars, especially in this day when the clubs with the most money and biggest pool of players farm the top prizes, but it is impossible to escape the feeling that this is going to be Evertons year in the FA Cup. Games have been won against the odds, teams with better resources have been beaten along the way; think, then, of the stories attached to the men who successfully took penalties in the shootout and try to argue that fate is not adding a helping hand. Everyone of a Blue faith will spend the next five weeks praying for dreams to come true and should it happen, the celebrations will be unlike anything witnessed in years but, inevitably, someone, somewhere will wish they had that special person to share success. With that in mind, could there be anything more fitting than to see Phil Neville follow in Labones footsteps up to the Royal Box as a winner? After all, had the great man been around, nobody would have been prouder.
Wembley pecking order the FA beaks need to sort out A MIND-BOGGLING £757m was spent to refurbish Wembley Stadium and there is no doubt the FA wanted to make the match-going experience for fans a different one. Lavish bars, a raft of eateries and comfortable seats make the days when you had to queue for an eternity for a warm beer and sat on park benches a thing of the past. The FA, however, still cannot get everything right and the thorny issue of tickets for the cup final has raised its head again this week. Yes, the corporate market needs to be catered for but there is something awful about the fact that a supporter who goes home and away week in week out will miss out to people who work for local FAs and have no connections with clubs contesting the big one. How about the beaks in Soho Square take away the allocation they give to people in Glossop, Northumberland or wherever and give them to the people that matter?Ex-Blues getting ready to swing back into action
EVERTONS Former Players Foundation hold their annual Golf Day on May 20 and places are still available for those who like nothing more than spoiling a good walk.
This years tournament is being staged at Heswall Golf Club and is being supported by a host of former Blues such as Kevin Ratcliffe, Derek Temple, Pat Nevin, Duncan McKenzie, Matt Jackson, Joe Parkinson, Stuart Barlow and Tony McNamara.
The day starts at 12pm with bacon rolls and hot drinks on arrival, with a shotgun start on the course at 1.45pm. The cost to take part is £400 for three people, who will then make up a fourball with a former Everton player. Also included in the price is a four-course meal in the evening, while all the usual prizes are up for grabs nearest the pin, the best front nine holes, the best back nine and an overall winner.
Contact Dave McDougall on 07957 121127 for more details.

BARRY HORNE: Wembley day out was just fan-tastic
Apr 25 2009 Liverpool Echo
I WAS at Wembley last weekend and, like everybody else of a Royal Blue persuasion, had a fantastic day. Many younger people, who cant remember 1995, claim to have had the best day of their lives. For me that just goes to show the power of football and the importance of the game. If you dont get that, you never will. Grown men with families and jobs earnestly described it as one of their greatest ever days, without fear of rebuke from wives and children. That says a lot about Everton fans, too.
In all of the great days I can remember as an Evertonian, there ahs been one constant the fans. I always refer to the occasion last season when Everton went to West Ham twice in four days and sold out their section each time filling the ground with Evertonian noise. The away trips to Europe were the same with clubs, police and airlines all complimenting the Everton fans on their behaviour. That was again the case on Sunday when Everton supporters travelled optimistically rather than in expectation. I believe the quality of that Everton support carried the team that extra metre and helped them get the result we all wanted. The game itself was tense and probably only exciting if you were an Everton or a Manchester United supporter.
But while United fans could point to the imperious performances of Vidic and Ferdinand, Everton had plenty of heroes themselves. Their own centre-halfs, Lescott and Jagielka, were immense. Phil Neville stepped up and took a penalty knowing that the consequences of him missing would have been unthinkable. But for me James Vaughan deserves the most credit of all. During extra-time he came on and displayed his usual belligerent and carefree attitude but to put himself forward and take a crucial penalty himself says everything about his character and attitude. I cant be at Goodison Park today. But Im sure that at five to three today it will be the only place to be as the players are greeted by the fans. In many respects Manchester City are the antithesis of Everton unpredictable, flaky and reliant on individuals for inspiration. Im sure that with another flying start, Everton can ensure their fans carry on their celebrations into this weekend as well. Role reversal which shows Blues' class MY first thought when Phil Jagielka crashed his winning penalty kick past Ben Foster last Sunday night was for Tim Cahill. I wondered how he must have been feeling, because so many times his team-mates will have been feeling the same way about him. So many times he has been the player who has pulled his team-mates out of the mire but this time the roles were reversed. Thats the essence of team sport. If you havent played it you wont get it.
It wasnt Tim Cahills turn to be the hero last weekend. But the way he felt about Leighton Baines, Phil Neville, James Vaughan and Phil Jagielka is just how the other players must have felt about him on occasions. Thats what Everton is all about under David Moyes. Its why they were able to go to Stamford Bridge just three days after their monumental semi-final effort and get another excellent result.Its a one for all attitude which has taken Everton to where they are and its an attitude which promises to take them even further.

Ex-Blues getting ready to swing back into action for Everton Former Players Foundation
Apr 25 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTONS Former Players Foundation hold their annual Golf Day on May 20 and places are still available for those who like nothing more than spoiling a good walk.
This years tournament is being staged at Heswall Golf Club and is being supported by a host of former Blues such as Kevin Ratcliffe, Derek Temple, Pat Nevin, Duncan McKenzie, Matt Jackson, Joe Parkinson, Stuart Barlow and Tony McNamara.
The day starts at 12pm with bacon rolls and hot drinks on arrival, with a shotgun start on the course at 1.45pm. The cost to take part is 400 for three people, who will then make up a fourball with a former Everton player. Also included in the price is a four-course meal in the evening, while all the usual prizes are up for grabs nearest the pin, the best front nine holes, the best back nine and an overall winner.
Contact Dave McDougall on 07957 121127 for more details.

The pecking order that FA beaks need to sort
Apr 25 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
A MIND-BOGGLING £757m was spent to refurbish Wembley Stadium and there is no doubt the FA wanted to make the match-going experience for fans a different one.
Lavish bars, a raft of eateries and comfortable seats make the days when you had to queue for an eternity for a warm beer and sat on park benches a thing of the past.
The FA, however, still cannot get everything right and the thorny issue of tickets for the cup final has raised its head again this week. Yes, the corporate market needs to be catered for but there is something awful about the fact that a supporter who goes home and away week in week out will miss out to people who work for local FAs and have no connections with clubs contesting the big one. How about the beaks in Soho Square take away the allocation they give to people in Glossop, Northumberland or wherever and give them to the people that matter?

Mrs Everton in Wembley FA Cup scare
Apr 25 2009 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
A GRAN known as Mrs Everton was recovering today after suffering a brain haemorrhage as she watched her beloved Blues at Wembley. Helen Warley, 74, collapsed during extra time of the Toffees nail-biting victory against Manchester United last Sunday. The Goodison season ticket holder was rushed to hospital where doctors said her chances of survival were slim. But Mrs Warley, from Dovecot, amazed her medical team by recovering enough to sit up and speak to her family.
She has since been transferred from London to the Royal Liverpool hospital.
Mrs Warleys grandson, Gary Aspinall, 22, said: Me and my family have only just returned home from Wembley today after spending the last few days at her bedside.
She is a popular character at the match and I want to say thanks for the many kind messages of support we have received since Sunday. It truly is overwhelming.
The sheer amount of kindness shown to my Nan and our family is exceptional. Everton honestly are one massive family. Also a big thanks to the two fellas who actually picked up and carried my grandmother all the way up Wembley Way before kick off. She was thrilled by that and couldn't stop laughing in the ground.
This all happened to my Nan,who is also called Mrs. Everton by some, during the extra-time, so she didn't even see the penalties and the unbelievable scenes that followed. Slowly but surely though, by some miracle, she is improving after we were basically given no hope on Monday morning. She is now sitting up, kissing her Wembley ticket and Everton scarf, eating and drinking and starting to swear again.
Nan. She's a fighter. Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: On behalf of the management, players and all the staff here at Everton Id like to wish her a speedy recovery.
greg.o'keeffe@liverpool.com

Everton fans left stranded at Wembley after coach left without them
Apr 25 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Liverpool Echo
Six Wirral teenagers were stranded in Wembley after a coach left without them
SIX teenagers claimed they were stranded at Wembley after their coach left with only a third of passengers on board. The Everton fans said they boarded one of three Procters coaches on Sunday setting off from The Primrose pub, Liscard, to watch their team play Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. But when they returned after extra-time and a penalty shoot-out they found it had left without them. Some of the fans left personal belongings on the coach. Ben Cameron, 18, said when passengers asked earlier when they must be back on the coach the driver didnt give a specific time. Another passenger Stuart Basnett, 18, said: At the end of the day we paid our fare and came back to the coach as fast as we could get there. Three of the six of us stayed overnight in London and the other three ended up paying loads out on train fare in the middle of the night. A spokesman for Stoke-on-Trent based Procters Coaches declined to comment.

FA Cup final agony for Everton's Wembley hero Phil Jagielka
Apr 25 2009 Dominic King
PHIL JAGIELKA’S dream of playing for Everton in the FA Cup Final has been shattered after he suffered a serious injury at Goodison Park today. The England international - who converted the decisive penalty in the shootout win over Manchester United at Wembley last Sunday - ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee during Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. He now faces up to six months on the sidelines. With Everton having already made three substitutions, Jagielka was taken from the field on a stretcher after 64 minutes and - such was the severity of his injury - he was immediately taken for a scan, which backed up the club’s initial fears.
It is heartbreaking news for Jagielka, who is hot favourite to be named Everton’s Player of the Year and was expected to be involved in England’s summer World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra. He will undergo an operation in 10 days to repair the damage once the swelling subsides but the pain of surgery will be nothing compared to the aching that will come from not being part of the squad that faces Chelsea on May 30.“The scan has unfortunately confirmed what we already feared and that is that Phil will be out for the rest of the season,” said Everton’s head of physio Mick Rathbone. “He has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo surgery in around 10 days time when the swelling has gone down. It’s too early to estimate a return to action for the player.” Since moving to Goodison in July 2007, Jagielka has become a firm favourite with supporters and made the £4m it took to sign him from Sheffield United look a bargain. After last week’s win at Wembley, the 26-year-old had spoken about how much he felt at home with the Blues.
“I came here for days like this and absolutely love it here,” he said. “I had a fabulous time with Sheffield United but the time was right to move on. “It didn’t go great for me early on but, two years down the line, I’ve had three England caps, a semi-final in the League Cup, won a semi-final in the FA Cup, I’ve scored goals in Europe; It’s just been a fantastic career move and Everton‘s the only club for me.”

Everton will be hot destination for players - David Moyes
Apr 25 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES believes the past week has shown his players they are at the right club to achieve their goals – and potentially made Goodison Park a hot summer destination. The FA Cup finalists face a Manchester City, a side who were less than discreet in their pursuit of Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta during the January transfer window. But with Everton 12 points ahead of City and having a day out at Wembley to look forward to, Moyes has suggested any members of his squad who had thoughts of leaving in the near future would be making a big mistake. His only interest at the minute is improving the quality of his squad and he feels Everton’s march to Wembley, coupled with the consistency they have shown in the Premier League in the last three years, makes them attractive for those on the move. I’ve said all along to the players that we are building something that is hopefully going to go a long way for a long time,” Moyes declared. “If you do well, people will always talk about you. The players are doing well and they deserve to be talked about. But as far as I am concerned, we are building. “I’m only going to add to what we have got. I’m going to try and make us stronger. A lot of the players would hopefully admit that they have got better since they came here. “I think we are interesting to players. People can see our consistency and they know we are a side that is liable to be nearer to the top end of the league than the bottom. “Players who are ambitious want to be involved with sides that can do that. Hopefully we can continue doing that.” There have been suggestions in Manchester that City would be prepared to offer Jo - who is ineligible for today’s clash under the terms of his loan deal – in a bid to entice Lescott or Arteta in the summer. Moyes, though, is emphatic in his assertion that his star players are not for sale and would be just as blunt if he happened to receive such a call when the window opens again. “There is no chance (of him swapping any player for Jo),” he said. “In truth, City have never had a nibble at me. I’ve never had one phone call to me personally to say anything. “If they did, the answer would be short change. No chance. It is so hard to pick the players out and the levels of gambles we had to take.
“We put the time and effort into the likes of Jagielka, Baines, I don’t know if there is a figure that would make me look at selling one of them. “What we have done there is more important than money. People might think I’ll sell to fund signings, but I will definitely not sell one player to fund a signing unless it is something that I think should be done.” Moyes has a number of his squad nursing “knocks, bumps and bruises” and he will make changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Wednesday, with Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert, Louis Saha and Phil Jagielka all expected to return.

Everton 1, Man City 2: Ecstasy to agony for Blues true gentleman
Apr 27 2009 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
THE pop heard from Phil Jagielka’s knee as he landed awkwardly on the Goodison Park turf on Saturday might as well have been the noise of Everton’s ‘feel-good’ bubble bursting. Cruelly fate transpired that a mere six days after Jagielka kept his cool in a nerve-jangling shoot-out against Premier League and European champions Manchester United to slot home the winning penalty that would book Everton’s place in their first cup final for 14 years, his season is now over. The 26-year-old is one of football’s genuine nice guys. Despite the millionaire status afforded to Premier League superstars like himself, he still drives a modest Mini car and even before David Moyes signed him, he endured himself to Evertonians by sportingly helping to carry an injured Tim Cahill from the Bramall Lane pitch in March 2007 when he suffered a broken metatarsal that would keep him out for the remainder of the campaign. But like the Australian two years ago, Jagielka, who must have dreamed that his season would end with him holding the FA Cup aloft beneath Wembley’s great arch, is now having to face up to a summer of rehabilitation. It will be a test of character for the affable Mancunian for sure but he’s had plenty of those before and has always come back better and stronger. Jagielka is of course the boy who was released by Everton as a youngster but fought his way back to Goodison Park after serving his senior football apprenticeship with Sheffield United. Even after sealing his dream move he suffered setbacks and after struggling for form in midfield, he saw his first team chances limited in his early months under Moyes. Biding his time and working hard on his game, Jagielka returned midway through last season to cement his place in the side as a centre-back and by the summer he was in the England team.
Almost a year and more than 40 excellent performances further on he hadn’t looked back until this cruel blow. He’ll now be wearing a suit rather than a royal blue jersey but Jagielka might still get the chance to lift the FA Cup above his head in May – he’s certainly played as big a part as any individual if Everton are to triumph.
Indeed, if Moyes’s men are to upset the odds again against Chelsea at Wembley they should ask the game’s authorities to give them a golden trophy rather than a silver one given the adversity they’ve come through. Not only would the Goodison Park outfit have defeated four of the only five clubs in the country above them in the league to win the Cup, they’ll have done so without their most prolific striker Ayegbeni Yakubu, their most creative midfielder Mikel Arteta and now their most consistent defender Jagielka – all victims to injury. Everton might not have suffered a Wembley hangover last Wednesday in their ‘Cup Final dress rehearsal’ at Stamford Bridge but like the unfortunate Jagielka’s knee, the last party balloons from their United success popped against their cross-town rivals City at Goodison Park on Saturday.
This was supposed to be the joyous homecoming for Moyes’s heroic battlers but while the team were given a tumultuous reception on their arrival, the cheering stopped after the action began. City’s last win at Goodison had come back in 1992 during the Premier League’s first season but they always looked the more likely to break the deadlock on this occasion as Everton struggled to work any openings in the first half.
Visiting fans sang “We’ve got Robinho” throughout and while the initial response might have been “So what?” given the general underachieving nature of the talented Brazilian during his debut year on these shores, on this occasion he showed just why the ‘world’s richest club’ shelled out a British record transfer fee of £32.5million for his services. Latching on to a perfectly-placed first time pass from his compatriot Elano following a header by Joseph Yobo, Robinho raced clear on goal on 35 minutes. Although he was driven wide by Jagielka he still managed to get his shot win which he forced through Howard’s legs to score Everton came out more determined after the break with Castillo flashing a header across goal from a left-wing corner-kick by Steven Pienaar while Fellaini will have been disappointed to have allowed Shay Given any chance at all to make a world-class save from point blank range to deny the Belgian a volleyed effort with the South African again the provider.
As the hosts pressed for an equaliser, City caught them with a classic counter-attack on 54 minutes when they broke from a shot by Castillo which was closed down.
The ball found its way to Robinho on the left flank and he picked out Stephen Ireland on the far side of the area and the 22-year-old who has been Eastlands’ biggest success story of this season was presented with a simple finish.
Moyes made a bold statement of intent to try and revive Everton’s fortunes with a triple substitution on the hour-mark with Dan Gosling, Cahill and James Vaughan replacing Castillo, Fellaini and Saha but the gamble did not pay off as four minutes later Jagielka was stretchered off leaving the home side with 10 men.
With captain Phil Neville forced to operate as a makeshift centre-back, that should have been the cue for City to stroll their way to victory but unnecessarily they got nasty with a string of ill-tempered incidents involving sly fouls and pushing and shoving. Referee Alan Wiley seemed to lose control somewhat as tempers flared and Everton were left incensed on several occasions, including when former player Richard Dunne handled a Leighton Baines cross in the area but no penalty was awarded. City could have gone even further ahead but Ireland fluffed an easy chance and while both sides were welcoming the prospect of the final whistle, an additional seven minutes were added to shock Goodison even more. There was almost the unlikeliest of comebacks when midway through the elongated stoppage time substitute Gosling fired home a crisp left-foot finish from the edge of the area after being picked out by Pienaar – a goal in very different circumstances to his last one at the Park End – but despite Vincent Kompany being forced into conceding a late corner the Everton cavalry charge could not find another breakthrough.
Moyes’ men still have a further four fixtures to fulfil before the latest FA Cup Final on May 30 but given that he cannot wrap his remaining fit players in cotton wool until then the Scot could be forgiven for hoping it was put back even further – by several months perhaps?

Everton FC players wear green to show support for NSPCC Safe Place appeal
Apr 27 2009 By Nick Moreton, Liverpool Daily Post
HISTORY was made on the weekend when Everton players wore green to celebrate the club raising more than £25,000 for the NSPCC. The players donned green NSPCC T-shirts as they warmed up for their Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday, in recognition of the club’s year-long adoption with the children’s charity.
The game saw fundraisers placed throughout the stadium and both managers wore the charity’s green full-stop badge for their post-match media obligations. During the half-time break, Alex Leith, NSPCC assistant director for Merseyside, thanked fans for their generosity as he was presented with a cheque made up of contributions from the sale of the Everton limited edition pink replica shirts. The money will go towards the NSPCC’s Safe Place appeal, which aims to raise £17m to cover 10 years’ running costs at the Hargreaves Centre, in Great Homer Street, Everton, where up to 400 children and their families receive help and support each week. Lizzie Pickup, NSPCC corporate fundraising manager, said: “I am delighted that Everton FC dedicated Saturday’s match to raising even more money for the NSPCC’s Safe Place Appeal on Merseyside and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the fans for raising more than £25,000.” David Moyes, Everton FC manager, said: “I am fully aware of the relationship between Everton and the NSPCC and I am sure that our supporters gave generously on Saturday. “It’s a fantastic cause and the centre in the city is something for everyone to be very proud of.” Members of the Everton squad have already personally supported the NSPCC and its work in Liverpool since the adoption was announced last year. This month, manager David Moyes took part in the NSPCC Tipping Challenge – a horse-racing tipster tournament involving six football managers. Last November, captain Phil Neville’s visit to the Hargreaves Centre to speak to local school children for anti-bullying week attracted national attention.
Other team members have also appeared in publicity photographs for the Christmas fundraising Letters From Santa campaign and taken part in a fashion show in Cheshire.

David Moyes: My worst season for injuries to key Everton players
Apr 27 2009 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON manager David Moyes admits that he has never experienced a season like this one when it comes to major injuries suffered by his key players.
Semi-final hero Phil Jagielka cruelly became the latest Goodison Park star to be ruled out of the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 30 when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and was stretchered off in the 64th minute. Jagielka joins team-mates Ayegbeni Yakubu, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe on the treatment table with none of the quartet able to figure in Everton’s remaining fixtures this season. Moyes said: “I haven’t had a season like this before because you don’t expect to get too many major injuries.
“When we first came in I thought there was always a lot of players injured here, but these ones we have got are all injured as well at the moment. “A lot of them have got quite bad injuries. We don’t have a big squad so they are all important players for us who are injured.” Despite the innocuous nature of Jagielka’s landing for the injury, a hushed Goodison Park feared the worst at the time and Moyes acknowledged that his gut feeling was that the diagnosis would not be good news ahead of his side’s Wembley return on May 30. He said: “Yes, I did not have a good feeling. Football can be a cruel game at times. When you’re involved at the top end it can bring you great pleasure but also big downs.” Moyes had actually rested Jagielka for last Wednesday’s goalless draw at Chelsea in an ‘FA Cup final dress rehearsal’ following his excursions at Wembley against Manchester United and Joleon Lescott dropped down to the bench for City’s visit as the manager tried to rotate his squad at the end of a busy week although the former Wolves man was unable to replace his England international colleague as all three substitutes had already been used.
Moyes revealed that he will continue to manipulate all of his resources for the remainder of the Premier League campaign. He said: “In midweek we tried to do it and to an extent we have tried to do it today. “You need big performances. That’s what keeps you going. We’ll be looking for more than what we were given for a lot of today. “I would expect to keep the same level (of performance) up. That is what I expect. If it isn’t then I will be letting them know.” Moyes acknowledges that the prospect of the club’s first cup final in 14 years will remain a constant factor for the rest of the season but he wants to finish his side’s Premier League programme on a positive note as Everton bid for a third consecutive top-six finish and potential back-to-back top five spots. He said “It’s difficult. Every question is tied up with something to do with the FA Cup final so we’re trying to concentrate. “We know we’ll be there, we’re delighted we’re in that position but we need to keep playing. “We’ve had a really good season and we want to finish it off properly.” Moyes was pleased with how his side kept on battling in the defeat to City even though the performance and result were disappointing. He said: “You could see it was a toil for most of the game but they never gave up. “When we were down to 10 men and 2-0 down, they never stopped. They kept trying to get there. “It never allowed us to pick up any steam because of that. I was going to make the changes at half time but I thought I’d give it 10 minutes, 15 minutes to see how it went. “Fortunately we did start the second half well. We had a good chance but they scored again on the counter attack. It made it harder but I still thought we could get back into it.”

Joseph Yobo sad for Phil Jagielka but ready step up for Everton
Apr 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
JOSEPH YOBO is ready to help Everton bid for FA Cup glory but has admitted the circumstances which have opened the door could not be more unsatisfactory.
The Nigerian international has had to deal with a number of fitness issues this season but none have been as severe as the one that Phil Jagielka sustained in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City. Jagielka will miss the FA Cup final after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and Yobo - who will now step into the void in the centre of Everton’s defence - has the deepest of sympathies for his stricken team-mate. “I wouldn’t want to play because Phil is injured, they’re not the circumstances I’d like,” said Yobo. “I’ve been injured myself this season and I’m just getting back. I played alongside Phil against City and was in at Chelsea.
“For me it was a good comeback but to lose Phil, it was difficult. Who is going to play now depends on the manager but for me I think I made my own case against Chelsea so the final is going to be very interesting.” Yobo has been one of Everton’s most consistent players in recent seasons but he has not shown top form this time having suffered a number of problems with his hamstring, which have led to two lay-offs.
He has also had to deal with being unable to force his way back into the team because of the terrific form of Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott but this was not the way Yobo had hoped to start making up for lost time.“I’ve been there, it’s always hard to get back in but I think the manager was trying to give everyone a game,” he said. “I didn’t play in the semi-final but got my chance against Chelsea and I think I took it but this is football, you can’t play every game. “But it’s always hard to lose a player to injury. I haven’t always been playing this season, every time I got back in the team I was then out again through injury. The good thing for me was that it wasn’t a lengthy injury, just five or six weeks. “Each time I returned I picked up a knock again but I’m just happy to get back in the team. You can’t really argue your case when you’re out through injury. It happens to every player and I have to understand that sometimes coming back is a bit difficult. “You can take it when you’re out because you’re not playing well but with injuries it’s not fair. That’s what’s been going on for me this season and now it has happened to Jags so we’re disappointed.
“When you’re out through injury you have to wait for your chance and hopefully take it but there’s nothing much you can do.”

Everton 1, Man City 2: The cruellest wake-up call
Apr 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
THEY came anticipating a carnival, determined to give their heroes an unforgettable ovation, but departed sombre, subdued and feeling as though they had attended a wake. With a place in the FA Cup final secured, Goodison Park was supposed to be all singing and all dancing on Saturday, given that this was the first time the players who toppled Manchester United had returned home. The thing about parties, however, is they don’t always go to plan; the occasions you think are going to be memorable and spend time dreaming about almost always turn into quickly forgotten damp squibs. Sadly for all Blues, the meeting with Manchester City is unlikely to be forgotten any time soon, as it involved an injury that will leave the man who has been regarded as Everton’s finest player this year on crutches for the foreseeable future.
In a squad crammed with convivial, amiable souls, Phil Jagielka is one of the nicest you could wish to meet, down to earth and self-deprecating but, equally, someone who knows precisely what an honour it is to represent a club the size of Everton.
He, more than anyone else, deserved the chance to play against Chelsea on May 30 at Wembley as reward for the way he has developed from someone who doubted his place in the squad to fully-fledged England international. So to see that dream taken away, then, after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was almost impossible to stomach, the hush that quickly descended on Goodison when he crumpled to the floor told its own catastrophic story. James Vaughan–- no stranger to long lay-offs – scurried from the scene, gesturing to the bench the scale of the problem, other team-mates ran hands through their hair in disbelief, while apprehensive chairman Bill Kenwright munched his way through a stick of gum.
If Everton’s performance was bad – and there can be no disputing that it was shabby – it was quickly put into perspective the moment when several St John’s Ambulance men joined physio Mick Rathbone to carry Jagielka away on a stretcher.
Heartbreaking. The injury list with which David Moyes has had to contend this season has scarcely been believable and this latest shocker is sure to leave a man who wears his heart on his sleeve utterly despondent. But just consider this for a moment: despite the horrors they have endured with several players spending several months in Rathbone’s treatment room, Everton still have a chance to end the campaign as the fifth best team in the Premier League. They have played for most of the time without their star striker and midfield talisman and now the defensive lynchpin has been added to the list - how many of their rivals would still have been able to keep on getting results in such circumstances? Would Manchester United still be on course for the title had they been without Cristiano Ronaldo, Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney? Would a Liverpool side minus Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have collected as many points? Take John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba away from Chelsea for 12 matches and their results would surely take a dramatic dip, while Arsenal’s travails without key men have been there for all to see.
Quite simply, Everton’s efforts over the last five months have been nothing short of staggering, which is why the feeling persists that the tussle with a vibrant City team was a game too far at the wrong time. Yes, it would be easy to pick holes in some of the defending or lambaste the passing but to do that would not only be unfair, it would be extremely short-sighted and not take into account exactly what had gone in the past 10 days. Moyes and his players put their heart and souls into beating United; it took an enormous mental and physical effort on a sapping pitch, yet the mission was accomplished and then it was onto another massive game against Chelsea.
Having lived out of a suitcase for the days in between, the squad still managed to chisel out a highly creditable draw before flying back to Liverpool in the early hours of Thursday so they could have a training session at Finch Farm. There then followed two days of intense preparation for City’s visit which meant, in effect, that the engine overheated. Throw into the equation City have some top players and it quickly became apparent that it was never going to be Everton’s day even when Dan Gosling pounced late on; goals from Robinho and Steven Ireland hurt but nowhere near as much as Jagielka’s injury. “We are disappointed but the players have put in a great effort in recent weeks, so maybe this was going to be on the cards; there was a bit of fatigue there,” said Moyes, who turned 46 but was clearly in no mood to mark the occasion.
“We conceded two counter-attacking goals and did not defend particularly well. We needed to hang in a bit more at 1-0 and once the second went in we were always going to struggle.” He has a point. While the majority of the players he selected for duty were dragging aching limbs, some just had the type of game that starts badly, gets worse and finishes on a bum note. Marouane Fellaini did well to leave the pitch on the hour without having collected another booking and missed a glorious chance to change the game early in the second period but his powerful volley was straight at Shay Given. Then there was Louis Saha; he has shown flashes of brilliance in blue but consistency has not been a strong point. At least, though, he should be around for the run-in, which is more than can be said about Jagielka. Sadly for him, pain and frustration is only going to become more acute.

DAVID PRENTICE: Sky high to crash-land in the most awful twist
Apr 27 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
WHAT a crushingly cruel end to such a buoyantly bouncy week.The three points which went begging in Everton’s chase for fifth place were inconsequential compared to the human loss sustained by their most constant figure this season. Phil Jagielka embodies so many positive qualities in an age when the character of footballers is constantly questioned – honest, reliable, enduring, dependable – that to see him pounding the turf in pain and anguish was a catastrophic crash-landing. Just six days earlier he had rammed in the penalty which took Everton to Wembley. Now he will be sat in the stand with his left knee in a brace. It’s a shockingly unfair blow for such a steadfast and upright individual to bear. Ironically Jagielka had been given a well earned break at Chelsea in midweek, after playing every minute of every match prior to that. But the moment which ended his season was innocuous in the extreme.
He leaped to try and head a ball and landed, ever so slightly off balance, on one leg.
It was enough to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. The only crumb of consolation is that Everton have been here before – and flourished.
To lose one hugely influential player to serious injury in an innocuous situation is bad luck. To lose three is unheard of. Everton have lost their top scorer, their most creative midfielder and now their clear favourite to be Player of the Year.
It’s like Liverpool losing Torres, Alonso and Carragher, Manchester United being deprived of Rooney, Ronaldo and Vidic or Chelsea seeing Anelka, Ballack and John Terry succumb to season-ending injury. And all three of those clubs have greater resources than David Moyes to call upon. Add to that the season-ending injury inflicted by Kevin Nolan’s reckless lunge on Victor Anichebe and the Blues have endured far more misfortune than any one team should have to endure.
But Everton have bounced back every time. And they will have to do so again.
Youngsters like Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling have been given the opportunity to show they can become Premier League regulars – and both have delivered positive answers. Now Joseph Yobo must step up to the plate. And he’s not a bad man to turn to in a crisis. Against the backdrop of such misfortune, the match itself was largely a sideshow. The reception from the fans, as expected, was warm and enthusiastic, and the performance started promisingly. But that edge was, perhaps understandably, missing. It was unfortunate for the Blues that Manchester City’s strolling band of minstrels and entertainers decided that this was an afternoon to put on a show – their first away win since August. Robinho, uncharacteristically on foreign turf, was excellent, so too, characteristically, was Stephen Ireland. But the turning point was four minutes into the second half when City displayed they have finally found a goalkeeper they can rely on. Shay Given’s tip over from Fellaini’s close range volley was outstanding, and four minutes later City had doubled their lead. Some Everton players may have switched off at the sight of Micah Richards rolling in agony on the edge of his own penalty area after superbly blocking a Castillo blockbuster.
Stephen Ireland didn’t and charged half the length of the pitch to steer Robinho’s pass past an exposed Tim Howard. David Moyes has been accused in the past of lacking ambition in his substitutions. That was not the case here. He made all three switches available to him on the hour – and instantly regretted such adventure when Jagielka collapsed. The remaining 10-men deserve credit for the manner in which they continued to plug away – Stephen Pienaar in particular showing a phenomenal workrate and attitude. City always threatened to turn an away win into a rout on the counter, but Everton got the goal their diligence deserved – and a stunning finish it was, too, from Dan Gosling – in the fifth of the seven minutes Alan Wiley interestingly unearthed from somewhere. Mr Wiley had one of his less error-strewn games, but still managed to leave the pitch to a chorus of boos after ignoring Shay Given’s hand to the face of young Gosling. But this wasn’t an afternoon to be querying refereeing decisions or bemoaning defeat. It was a day to feel for a decent young footballer who has suffered the cruellest of blows.Get well soon Phil.

No happy returns for Everton boss David Moyes
Apr 27 2009 Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES endured a 46th birthday to forget on Saturday. The Blues boss was visibly upset by the season-ending injury sustained by Phil Jagielka against Manchester City and admitted: “Football’s a cruel game at times you know. When you’re in it right at the top end it can give you great pleasure, but also big downs.”
Jagielka became the second Everton star to suffer a cruciate knee ligament injury this season, in addition to Yakubu’s ruptured Achilles tendon and Victor Anichebe’s knee injury. “I’ve not had a period like this in my career, no,” he added. “You don’t expect to get too many major injuries. “When we came in I thought there was always a lot of players injured but these ones we’ve got here have all been bad ones. “We don’t have a big squad and they are all important players for us.” Moyes had words of praise for his 10 men, who battled on in the absence of Jagielka after all three substitutes had already been used. “You could see it was a toil but they never gave up,” he said.
“I thought the boys did great to hang in and go after it and I thought that if we got one goal back at any time we’d be back in the game.”

blues rally round jags
Apr 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAN GOSLING today promised Everton’s squad will rally around Phil Jagielka as he faces up to the heartbreak of missing the FA Cup final. Jagielka’s season is over after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2-1 defeat against Manchester City. The England international – widely consider Everton’s Player of the Year – will be operated on next week once the swelling subsides but he could be out for up to six months. It is a sickening blow for Jagielka, who enjoys great popularity at Goodison Park, and his team-mates were clearly shaken as they left the ground.
But Gosling – scorer of Everton’s consolation – has vowed that Jagielka will get all the support he needs. “Jags is a massive player for us and to lose him for so long is a great disappointment for everyone,” said Gosling. “It’s such a great shame but we’ll do our best to help him when he is around the place and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. “We’ve had a bad season with injuries and lost a few important players but the lads keep bouncing back and playing good football. “We’ll try not to let it affect us but, at the back of your mind, you always think about what might have happened if we had still had players like Mikel, Victor and Yak fit. “It’s a terrible blow for him and everyone at Everton Football Club that he won’t be involved in the final, as Jags has been one of the best players this season. “Everyone knows that and he would have fully deserved his starting place at Wembley but hopefully he will get back sooner than expected.” The injury Jagielka sustained was the undoubted low point on a miserable afternoon, as the Blues never got out of second gear after a draining week on the road. Gosling took his goal superbly but the 19-year-old felt no satisfaction as it counted for nothing. “It’s always a shame not to pick up three points and it was all the more disappointing that we lost given how well we had played last week,” said Gosling. “We wanted to get another one to go on top of the results against Manchester United and Chelsea but it wasn’t to be and we’ll try to kick on against Sunderland. “You remember every goal you score but it doesn’t mean anywhere near as much as the other two I scored this season. But we’ll pick ourselves up and we’ll finish the year well.”

FA Cup final ticket allocation announced by Everton FC
Apr 27 2009
EVERTON FC has announced details for the distribution of tickets for next month’s FA Cup Final with Chelsea.
The club has received an allocation of 25,109 for the game at Wembley Stadium and has spent the weekend discussing how best to allocate those tickets among the Everton fanbase. Despite the shortfall in tickets all Season Ticket holders and Half Season Ticket holders (STH) will be invited to apply for a Cup Final ticket. Tickets will be allocated to those STHs with the highest purchase history from the current campaign. • In the first instance, the Club will allocate a Wembley ticket to any STH who has attended three or more additional games this season (competitive games involving Everton, home or away). A list of eligable games is at the bottom of this article. • In addition to the above, and as per the ticket terms and conditions, Cup Final tickets will be allocated to STHs who are subscribed to the Autocup scheme with the following priority:
1. To subscribers to BOTH the Home FA Cup and Away FA Cup Autocup scheme.
2. To those STHs who are subscribed to the Home FA Cup Autocup scheme.
3. To those STHs who are subscribed to the Away FA Cup Autocup scheme.
In the event that further tickets remain, a ballot will be implemented, with priority being given to those STHs with the highest purchase history from the 2008/09 season. Please note there will be no requirement for additional applications and the ballot will be conducted using the information from the original submissions.
How To Apply
Tickets are priced at: £93.00, £78.30, £58.65 and £34.30 with a £10 reduction for juniors and over 65s. Applicants must be aware that the majority of tickets available to Everton supporters in the East section of Wembley Stadium are priced at £78.30 and £58.65 STHs may apply via the official Everton website – evertonfc.com - from 12pm on Wednesday, 29 April 2009, or, in writing to the Fan Centre, Goodison Park, Liverpool L4 4EL, in both cases indicating their first, second, third and fourth choice ticket preference. The Everton fan centre will use their best endeavours to allocate the first choice preference but in the event that price of ticket is no longer available, will allocate a ticket from the second choice preference and so on. When submitting the application, STHs should provide their customer number (located on the season smartcard), their name, full address, a daytime contact telephone number and payment details. Please do not send cash through the post. Supporters submitting written applications are also asked to provide a valid email address and mobile telephone number on which they will be contacted with notification of receipt of their application, and the success, or otherwise of their application.
Everton Shareholders
Shareholders should apply to Lee Newman at the Everton Fan Centre. Shareholders who are STHs will be allocated a ticket. In addition, there will be a small allocation of tickets for shareholders who are not STHs. Priority on these tickets will be given to those shareholders with the highest purchase history from this season.
Supporters’ Clubs
Due to the allocation of tickets provided by the FA the Club regrets that it is unable to provide an allocation to Supporters’ Clubs. STHs who are registered to a Supporters’ Club may submit an application as above or via club Secretaries to allow the Fan Centre to allocate tickets together. Supporters’ Clubs wishing to make collective applications should do so through the usual communication channels.
Non-Season Ticket Holders
Due to the allocation of tickets by the FA, the Club regrets that it is unable to provide an allocation to non-season ticket holders.
Deadline For Applications
All applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, 6 May 2009. Any applications received after this time will not be considered under any circumstances.
Collection
All tickets will be posted using Royal Mail’s Special delivery service, at an additional charge of £4.95. Any STHs wishing to collect their ticket from Goodison Park should clearly indicate this on the application. Details of when tickets will be available to collect will be emailed or texted. STHs collecting tickets must bring the payment card used to purchase the tickets and proof of identification. Tickets will not be released without this.
Other Important Information
Any STHs who wish to be seated with friends and family should submit their applications at the same time and we will endeavour to locate you together. Please note on online applications there is a primary applicant and subsequent purchaser and STHs can submit multiple applications as long as there are valid customer numbers.
STHs should note that tickets will only be issued to the STH, at the price band relevant to that person i.e. junior STHs cannot apply for an adult ticket etc. The Football Association have also advised that they WILL NOT be upgrading any tickets on Cup Final day. It is expected the Club will notify all applicants whether or not they have been successful by the end of week commencing May 11, 2009. Supporters are requested not to contact the Club prior to this time, as it will ultimately delay the application process. The Club regrets to remind supporters who are not STHs that they should not submit an application during this time.
Which games are included in the sales history?
• All home and away UEFA and FA Cup games, the away Carling Cup game and away Premier League games. For the avoidance of doubt these include:
• UEFA Cup: Standard Liege (home and away). • FA Cup: Macclesfield Town (away), Liverpool (home and away), Aston Villa (home) and Middlesbrough (home).
• Carling Cup: Blackburn Rovers (away). • Premier League: West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Hull City, Arsenal, Bolton, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Chelsea.

Everton FC defender Phil Jagielka to have knee operation on Wednesday
Apr 27 2009
EVERTON FC defender Phil Jagielka is to undergo knee surgery on Wednesday, the club has announced. The centre back ruptured his anterior cruciate in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and will travel to London for the operation before beginning his rehabilitation on Thursday. The early surgery date has come as good news to Everton physio Mick Rathbone, who is looking to get Jags back on the field sooner rather than later. "We're going to London tomorrow and he will undergo surgery on Wednesday morning," said Rathbone, on the Everton club website.
"We've checked him out and he is obviously very upset. But he's philosophical, he's looking to get the operation out of the way now and looking forward to day one of the recovery process. "I can't wait until the operation is done on Wednesday and I go and visit him on Thursday morning and it's day one of the recovery and we can start counting down until when he plays again. "Until you actually get the surgery done, you're not on the road to recovery. We're very grateful to the surgeon, Andy Williams, in London who has fitted him in at late notice. He is considered one of the finest knee surgeons in Europe. He's used by a lot of the top players in the Premier League."
Despite the good news regarding the operation date, Rathbone highlighted the feeling of devastation at Finch Farm on Monday morning. "It's absolutely knocked everybody for six. At the training ground this morning everyone was feeling it," he added.
"For the first 30 minutes after the game Jags was in a state of shock and then was very, very upset after that. What upset him was when he saw how upset the players, the coaches, the manager and the fans were. "He's out of the FA Cup final and nobody can get him that back. But he's a tough guy, he will get on with it and he will hopefully be back as good as new as near as possible to the start of next season."

Dan Gosling: Everton will rally round injured star Phil Jagielka
Apr 27 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
DAN GOSLING today promised Everton’s squad will rally around Phil Jagielka as he faces up to the heartbreak of missing the FA Cup final. Jagielka’s season is over after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2-1 defeat against Manchester City. The England international – widely consider Everton’s Player of the Year – will be operated on next week once the swelling subsides but he could be out for up to six months. It is a sickening blow for Jagielka, who enjoys great popularity at Goodison Park, and his team-mates were clearly shaken as they left the ground.
But Gosling – scorer of Everton’s consolation – has vowed that Jagielka will get all the support he needs. “Jags is a massive player for us and to lose him for so long is a great disappointment for everyone,” said Gosling. “It’s such a great shame but we’ll do our best to help him when he is around the place and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. “We’ve had a bad season with injuries and lost a few important players but the lads keep bouncing back and playing good football. “We’ll try not to let it affect us but, at the back of your mind, you always think about what might have happened if we had still had players like Mikel, Victor and Yak fit. “It’s a terrible blow for him and everyone at Everton Football Club that he won’t be involved in the final, as Jags has been one of the best players this season. “Everyone knows that and he would have fully deserved his starting place at Wembley but hopefully he will get back sooner than expected.” The injury Jagielka sustained was the undoubted low point on a miserable afternoon, as the Blues never got out of second gear after a draining week on the road. Gosling took his goal superbly but the 19-year-old felt no satisfaction as it counted for nothing. “It’s always a shame not to pick up three points and it was all the more disappointing that we lost given how well we had played last week,” said Gosling. “We wanted to get another one to go on top of the results against Manchester United and Chelsea but it wasn’t to be and we’ll try to kick on against Sunderland. “You remember every goal you score but it doesn’t mean anywhere near as much as the other two I scored this season. But we’ll pick ourselves up and we’ll finish the year well.”

ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Everton youngsters turn on five-star show
Apr 28 2009 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON put on a five-star performance in their final away game of the season as they beat Middlesbrough 5-2 on Saturday. After a disappointing and unfair defeat to Nottingham Forest ended a five-match unbeaten run in the FA Premier Academy League, Neil Dewsnip’s side bounced back in style at the weekend.
Everton opened the scoring in the first 10 minutes when midfielder Adam Forshaw fired in from 20 yards. Striker Lewis Codling doubled the lead with the first of his two goals soon after, following up after the Boro keeper spilled a shot to put Everton 2-0 ahead. But just before the break Middlesbrough pulled a goal back right on half-time.
Almost from the restart, though, Everton restored their two-goal lead when Karl Sheppard scored after the ball bounced back to him off the crossbar. Middlesbrough pulled it back to 3-2 but Codling scored again when he pounced on a poor clearance to tap in.Then Hallum Hope, on his U18s debut, completed a fine victory in final minutes with his first goal. Dewsnip said: “I suppose we did what we didn’t do last week – score a load of goals. It was very good in the penalty area this week. We started very brightly and we were 2-0 up quite quickly. We could have scored more but just before half-time they pulled one back. It was disappointing because we were very dominant and we could have been four or five up by half-time. “Boro rallied again but after Lewis Codling capitalised on a goalkeeping error, Hallum Hope – an U15 player making his debut – got a well-deserved first goal to seal the match. It was great because he worked very hard and could have scored four or five.” Everton, who are fourth in the table, play their final game of the season against Sheffield Wedneday at Finch Farm on Saturday (11am).
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Jensen; Barrow, Barkley, Duffy, Bidwell; McAleny, Sheppard, Forshaw, Craig; Hope, Codling, Subs: Krenn, Nolan.

Robert Elstone: FA Cup ticket farce a 'smack in face' for Everton fans
Apr 28 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
ROBERT ELSTONE today accused The FA of hindering Everton’s attempts to grow their fan base as he slammed the club’s Cup final ticket allocation. The Blues have been given 25,109 tickets for the clash with Chelsea at Wembley on May 30 but chief executive Elstone is adamant they could have sold double that figure. “It is clear to us that 25,000 is a hugely inadequate figure, it is so disappointing and we really feel for our fans,” said Elstone. “It is a smack in the face for everything we are trying to do both in terms of growing our fans base and growing as a business. “It is inevitable that too many tickets are now going to end up in the wrong hands and while the FA try to close these outlets down, it only happens after the event. “It all smacks of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Unfortunately, there was no scope for negotiation when we met with the FA. “Promises have been made already about where the other 40,000 tickets are going and I suspect they have been posted. All we can do is express our immense disappointment. “We only hope that when we return in 2010, the FA will have been able to redress this situation.” Everton will initially sell their allocation to season ticket holders who have been to three or more additional games and Elstone says the club has tried to reward loyalty. “Loyalty is not something that is easily interpreted,” he said. “Fans who don’t have the economic capabilities to buy a season ticket but go to every game are just as loyal as season ticket holders.
“We are just trying to maximise our allocation as reasonably as we can.
“Many will miss out but there is very little we can do in the circumstances forced on us.” Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka will undergo an operation tomorrow in London to repair the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Everton unhappy for fans over Wembley FA Cup tickets
Apr 28 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON has announced details for the distribution of tickets for next month’s FA Cup Final with Chelsea. The club has received an allocation of 25,109 for the game at Wembley Stadium and has spent the weekend discussing how best to allocate those tickets amongst the Everton fanbase. As previously communicated the club is extremely disappointed with the number of tickets received from the Football Association and the unfortunate consequence of the allocation is that a number of Season Ticket holders will miss out. The club regrets being unable to cater for some of its most loyal fans. Despite the shortfall in tickets all Season Ticket holders and Half Season Ticket holders (STH) will be invited to apply for a Cup Final ticket. Tickets will be allocated to those STHs with the highest purchase history from the current campaign. In the first instance, the club will allocate a Wembley ticket to any STH who has attended 3 or more additional games this season (competitive games involving Everton, home or away). In addition to the above, and as per the ticket terms and conditions, Cup Final tickets will be allocated to STHs who are subscribed to the Autocup scheme with the following priority:
1. To subscribers to BOTH the Home FA Cup and Away FA Cup Autocup scheme.
2. To those STHs who are subscribed to the Home FA Cup Autocup scheme.
3. To those STHs who are subscribed to the Away FA Cup Autocup scheme.
In the event that further tickets remain, a ballot will be implemented, with priority being given to those STHs with the highest purchase history from the 2008/09 season. Please note there will be no requirement for additional applications and the ballot will be conducted using the information from the original submissions.
How To Apply Tickets are priced at: £93.00, £78.30, £58.65 and £34.30 with a £10 reduction for juniors and over 65s. Applicants must be aware that the majority of tickets available to Everton supporters in the East section of Wembley Stadium are priced at £78.30 and £58.65 STHs may apply via the official Everton website – www.evertonfc.com – from 12pm tomorrow, or, in writing to the Fan Centre, Goodison Park, Liverpool L4 4EL, in both cases indicating their first, second, third and fourth choice ticket preference. The Everton fan centre will use their best endeavours to allocate the first choice preference but in the event that price of ticket is no longer available, will allocate a ticket from the second choice preference and so on. When submitting the application, STHs should provide their customer number (located on the season smartcard), their name, full address, a daytime contact telephone number and payment details. Please do not send cash through the post. Supporters submitting written applications are also asked to provide a valid email address and mobile telephone number on which they will be contacted with notification of receipt of their application, and the success, or otherwise of their application. Everton Shareholders Shareholders should apply to Lee Newman at the Everton Fan Centre. Shareholders who are STHs will be allocated a ticket. In addition, there will be a small allocation of tickets for shareholders who are not STHs. Priority on these tickets will be given to those shareholders with the highest purchase history from this season. Supporters’ Clubs Due to the allocation of tickets provided by the FA the club regrets that it is unable to provide an allocation to Supporters’ Clubs. STHs who are registered to a Supporters’ Club may submit an application as above or via club Secretaries to allow the Fan Centre to allocate tickets together. Supporters’ Clubs wishing to make collective applications should do so through the usual communication channels. Non-Season Ticket Holders Due to the allocation of tickets by the FA, the club regrets that it is unable to provide an allocation to non-season ticket holders. Deadline For Applications All applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, May 6. Any applications received after this time will not be considered under any circumstances. Collection All tickets will be posted using Royal Mail’s Special delivery service, at an additional charge of £4.95. Any STHs wishing to collect their ticket from Goodison Park should clearly indicate this on the application. Details of when tickets will be available to collect will be emailed or texted. STHs collecting tickets must bring the payment card used to purchase the tickets and proof of identification. Tickets will not be released without this. Other Important Information Any STHs who wish to be seated with friends and family should submit their applications at the same time and we will endeavour to locate you together. Please note on online applications there is a primary applicant and subsequent purchaser and STHs can submit multiple applications as long as there are valid customer numbers. STHs should note that tickets will only be issued to the STH, at the price band relevant to that person i.e. junior STHs cannot apply for an adult ticket etc. The Football Association have also advised that they WILL NOT be upgrading any tickets on Cup Final day.
It is expected the Club will notify all applicants whether or not they have been successful by the end of week commencing May 11, 2009. Supporters are requested not to contact the club prior to this time, as it will ultimately delay the application process. The club regrets to remind supporters who are not STHs that they should not submit an application during this time. TICKET details also available online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/everton-fc and go to FA Cup Final ticket allocation announced by Everton FC.

NIGEL MARTYN: My sympathies for stricken Everton FC top man Phil Jagielka
Apr 28 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
DEVASTATED, distraught, sickened – those three words will sum up exactly how Phil Jagielka is feeling at this moment in time. Nothing upsets more than when you see a team-mate suffer a serious injury and that’s why I’d expect Finch Farm will be a quiet place this week, as everyone comes to terms with the damage Jagielka sustained to his left knee against Manchester City. It is terrible news and my heart goes out to him, particularly as he will not play any part in the FA Cup Final; he deserved to walk out at Wembley and there will be no words to console him right now. The early signs are that he will be out for anything up to six months and while that is a lengthy period, the advances in medical technology have increased the recovery period for cruciate ligament injuries; not so long ago, you would have been looking at an absence of up to a year. He has, unquestionably, been Everton’s top performer this season, he’s put his body on the line time and again, playing a starring role in the FA Cup run with huge performances against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United, as well as that never to be forgotten successful penalty in the shootout. I dare say he will be wondering, too, if he has missed his chance to be involved in a massive occasion as FA Cup finals do not come around for you every year; back in 1990, I played for Crystal Palace against Manchester United having been playing in the third division three years earlier. When you are young, you think they will come around again and again but you eventually realise that the opposite is true and it is only natural if Jagielka fearing the worst. But he has got to stay strong and have a positive outlook; he has got to believe that his time will come again and he can help Everton get to another final soon. His form has been exceptional over the last 12 months and the challenge for him when he returns is to better it. The physios at Everton are first class and Mick Rathbone will support him every step of the way; the programme they will put together will ensure Jagielka returns physical stronger and he will be tougher mentally too. At this moment in time, though, he will be in the depths of despair – and he has our deepest sympathies.
Everton FC need to get back to winning ways at Sunderland
THINGS are getting tight at the bottom of the table and certain clubs don’t look capable of buying a win now. Certainly last night’s result at St James’ Park has left Newcastle deep in the mire and you have to fear for them. Drawing with Portsmouth has enabled their biggest rivals to breathe a little easier but, all being well, Sunderland will be back in trouble come Sunday afternoon. After all, Everton go to the Stadium of Light looking to bounce back from the defeat to Manchester City and we have got to get ourselves back on track as quickly as possible. Fulham’s win over Stoke means they will be looking at us and thinking they can close the six point gap and pilfer sixth place of us before the end of the campaign. To avert that possibility, we need to win at Sunderland to break the hearts of those chasing us – and keep Aston Villa in our sights.

NIGEL MARTYN: Everton FC need to get back to winning ways at Sunderland
Apr 28 2009 by Nigel Martyn, Liverpool Echo
THINGS are getting tight at the bottom of the table and certain clubs don’t look capable of buying a win now. Certainly last night’s result at St James’ Park has left Newcastle deep in the mire and you have to fear for them. Drawing with Portsmouth has enabled their biggest rivals to breathe a little easier but, all being well, Sunderland will be back in trouble come Sunday afternoon. After all, Everton go to the Stadium of Light looking to bounce back from the defeat to Manchester City and we have got to get ourselves back on track as quickly as possible. Fulham’s win over Stoke means they will be looking at us and thinking they can close the six point gap and pilfer sixth place of us before the end of the campaign. To avert that possibility, we need to win at Sunderland to break the hearts of those chasing us – and keep Aston Villa in our sights.

Phil Jagielka reveals FA Cup final injury heartbreak - Everton FC latest
Apr 29 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
PHIL JAGIELKA admits he was left in tears by the heartbreaking injury that dashed his FA Cup final dream. The Everton defender was ruled out of next month’s Wembley showdown with Chelsea after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during last weekend’s home defeat to Manchester City. Jagielka undergoes an operation to repair the damage in London today before beginning a rehabilitation programme, with the centre-back expected to be sidelined for the next six months.
The injury came just six days after the 26-year-old netted the decisive penalty in the semi-final shoot-out victory over Manchester United to send Everton to their first major final since 1995. And speaking for the first time since the devastating blow, Jagielka has revealed the depths of his despair when realising hopes of lifting the FA Cup were over. “I had to get out of the changing room,” said Jagielka. “I was crying and I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t go and see my friends or my family because I felt myself fill up. “Obviously everyone wanted to come and see me, but one minute I would be fine making jokes and the next I would be crying my eyes out. “I went for the scan straight away because I wouldn’t have slept. After the scan they knew that there was a gap where my cruciate was supposed to be.” Jagielka suffered the injury after landing awkwardly while going up for a header midway through the second half of the 2-1 defeat to City on Saturday. And speaking to evertonTV, he explained: “I landed and tried to take off and I just felt three or four different feelings in my knee.
“I just thought “Wow, I’ve never felt that before”. I’ve been tackled and felt pain before, but it wasn’t the pain that was hard to take, it was knowing that I had done something serious and I obviously didn’t know what it was. “When I got back to the changing room I described the feeling to head of physio (Mick Rathbone) and he was certain I had done my cruciate. “I think it’s the way most of the injuries like that are done these days. The last thing I want to be doing is blaming someone for a mistimed tackle. So if there is a good way to get injured then it’s from a freak accident and I have no-one to blame. “It’s going to be a long time out, so there’s two ways of dealing with it, either be grumpy for the next six months or I could try and get on with it with as much light heartedness as possible. “I’ve got great people around me now though. The staff, manager and players have all wished me a speedy recovery and I look forward to returning next season.” Jagielka has been Everton’s outstanding performer of the campaign and, after an unsteady start following a £4million move from Sheffield United in the summer of 2007, has blossomed into a first-team regular and England international. And the centre-back has vowed to return as strong as ever from his untimely setback, the latest in a long line of injuries to hamper David Moyes’s side this season. “It’s been a whirlwind last 18 months and I would have loved to finish it off with a final, but as it is I finished it off with an injury,” said Jagielka. “But the fans’ praise means the world to me and hopefully when I’ve got the operation done, I’ll be as good and as strong as I was before. I’m not sure how I’ll feel putting a suit on going to watch the boys while on crutches. “It won’t be a nice feeling but I’ve played a decent part in getting us to the final and hopefully the boys can get us over the finishing line. “We’ve got a fantastic squad – it’s not the biggest but we have got some fantastic players and I know I’ll be there to see us lift the Cup.”

BLUE WATCH: Everton boss David Moyes lucky to have Joseph Yobo in wings
Apr 29 2009 by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
FORGET about laying a new pitch down at Wembley, the national stadium’s maintenance men need to concentrate instead on installing a ramp or stair-lift in time for the FA Cup final in order for half the Everton squad to get up and receive their winners’ medals. Phil Jagielka’s injury was an absolute sickener for everyone connected with the club and cast a far bigger pall over an otherwise great week than Robinho and company’s disappointing but not altogether unexpected victory at Goodison. Jagielka’s been Everton’s outstanding performer this season and his honest, no nonsense approach absolutely sums up what this team are all about.
He admitted himself that he found it tough at first coming to Everton and started to doubt his own ability, but through determination and dedication he overcame those fears and forced himself into the full England team. You can’t ask much more of any player, especially one who had played most of his football in the Championship until joining the Blues. His decisive penalty in the shoot-out at Wembley confirmed his hero status, so it seems particularly cruel that he will now miss out on what would have been the biggest day of his club career. It’s clearly a blow for the club too, as a final against Chelsea is tough enough without losing yet another key player to a long-term injury. If there’s any consolation to be had though, it’s that there are probably few teams in the Premier League that have a central defender of Joseph Yobo’s quality in reserve. The Nigerian international has suffered with his own injuries this season, and the emergence of Jagielka as such an outstanding centre-half has perhaps made people forget just what a good player Yobo is. He was Moyes’ first acquisition as Everton manager, so he’s been at the heart of all the good things that have happened at the club in that time. And more to the point, only last week he was central to the Blues’ excellent defensive performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. There’s no reason then why he and Joleon Lescott can’t keep Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka quiet again at the end of May. In the meantime though, Moyes must be terrified of losing any more players to injury, and it’s getting to the point where even the fans are wondering whether it might be worth seriously rotating the squad during the league run in, now that European football is guaranteed for next season.
That obviously goes against the grain to a large extent, as we want to see Everton win every game and finish as high up the table as possible. We owe it to the clubs at the wrong end of the table to be competitive in games such as Sunday’s too, and we also want to go into the final with a bit of momentum. However the extent of the injury list means that Moyes now has some serious thinking about how to manage his scant resources in the coming month. Don’t be surprised if we see Dan Gosling getting a few starts then, and maybe even Jack Rodwell in defence, to give him some experience in case anything should happen to either Yobo or Lescott. If you believe that luck genuinely does even out over time, lump on the Blues to win absolutely everything next season.

Lars Jacobsen keeping options open over Everton future
Apr 29 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
LARS JACOBSEN wants to stay at Everton – provided he can play regular first-team football. The Denmark international has endured an injury-hampered campaign since signing a 12-month contract at Goodison after leaving German side Nuremburg.
Right-back Jacobsen dislocated his shoulder playing for his country before even having the chance to pull on an Everton shirt, and has since subsequently struggled to break into the senior team. The 29-year-old had to wait until March for his debut at Portsmouth and has since made only two further appearances. However, Jacobsen has impressed during his brief outings with David Moyes praising the Dane’s performance in the goalless draw at Chelsea last week. And while revealing there is interest in his signature from other clubs, Jacobsen has expressed a desire to sign a new deal at Goodison in the summer. “I am keeping all options open,” he said. “We will see what happens. There are some clubs that are interested but I will not think about that just yet. “I am really, really happy to be here, there is no doubt that if I could play regularly I would like to stay at Everton. “It is a fantastic club and we have a really fine squad.
So certainly, I could find it easy to stay here if conditions were right. The key for me is to find a place where I play regularly. “If I can’t here then it may be somewhere else – but I hope I can stay here.” Jacobsen is one of several fringe players hoping for at least a place on the bench at next month’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Phil Jagielka, of course, will not be present, the England international due to undergo surgery in London today to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee he ruptured during the home defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.
Joseph Yobo is now in line to replace the unlucky Jagielka having himself only recently returned from a spell on the sidelines. Yobo has started the last two games after recovering from a hamstring problem, but admits his most recent injury could easily have been avoided. “I’ve been in and out of the squad through injury,” he said to evertonTV. “I’m just coming back into it now. I’ve played the game against Man City now and that’s two games in a row so I’m on top of my fitness.
“The injury that I had is sad because I think that if I listened to my body then it could have been avoided. “I’m not injury prone as a player and my body gave me a signal.
“If I had listened to it I could have prevented it.”

Everton FC latest: Phil Jagielka reveals FA Cup final injury anguish
Apr 29 2009by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
PHIL JAGIELKA admits he was left in tears by the heartbreaking injury that dashed his FA Cup final dream. The Everton defender was ruled out of next month’s Wembley showdown with Chelsea after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during last weekend’s home defeat to Manchester City.
Jagielka undergoes an operation to repair the damage in London today before beginning a rehabilitation programme, with the centre-back expected to be sidelined for the next six months. The injury came just six days after the 26-year-old netted the decisive penalty in the semi-final shoot-out victory over Manchester United to send Everton to their first major final since 1995. And speaking for the first time since the devastating blow, Jagielka has revealed the depths of his despair when realising hopes of lifting the FA Cup were over. “I had to get out of the changing room,” said Jagielka. “I was crying and I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t go and see my friends or my family because I felt myself fill up. “Obviously everyone wanted to come and see me, but one minute I would be fine making jokes and the next I would be crying my eyes out. “I went for the scan straight away because I wouldn’t have slept. After the scan they knew that there was a gap where my cruciate was supposed to be.”
Jagielka suffered the injury after landing awkwardly while going up for a header midway through the second half of the 2-1 defeat to City on Saturday.
And speaking to evertonTV, he explained: “I landed and tried to take off and I just felt three or four different feelings in my knee. “I just thought “Wow, I’ve never felt that before”. I’ve been tackled and felt pain before, but it wasn’t the pain that was hard to take, it was knowing that I had done something serious and I obviously didn’t know what it was. “When I got back to the changing room I described the feeling to head of physio (Mick Rathbone) and he was certain I had done my cruciate.
“I think it’s the way most of the injuries like that are done these days. The last thing I want to be doing is blaming someone for a mistimed tackle. So if there is a good way to get injured then it’s from a freak accident and I have no-one to blame.
“It’s going to be a long time out, so there’s two ways of dealing with it, either be grumpy for the next six months or I could try and get on with it with as much light heartedness as possible. “I’ve got great people around me now though. The staff, manager and players have all wished me a speedy recovery and I look forward to returning next season.” Jagielka has been Everton’s outstanding performer of the campaign and, after an unsteady start following a £4million move from Sheffield United in the summer of 2007, has blossomed into a first-team regular and England international. And the centre-back has vowed to return as strong as ever from his untimely setback, the latest in a long line of injuries to hamper David Moyes’s side this season. “It’s been a whirlwind last 18 months and I would have loved to finish it off with a final, but as it is I finished it off with an injury,” said Jagielka.
“But the fans’ praise means the world to me and hopefully when I’ve got the operation done, I’ll be as good and as strong as I was before. I’m not sure how I’ll feel putting a suit on going to watch the boys while on crutches. “It won’t be a nice feeling but I’ve played a decent part in getting us to the final and hopefully the boys can get us over the finishing line. “We’ve got a fantastic squad – it’s not the biggest but we have got some fantastic players and I know I’ll be there to see us lift the Cup.”

Everton to face MLS All-Stars - Everton FC latest
Apr 29 2009 By James Pearce
EVERTON will face the MLS All-Stars this summer.
The pre-season friendly against the American league’s representative side will take place in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 29. It is the Blues’ first confirmed fixture in the build up to the 2009/10 season and the game will form part of a wider tour of North America. Boss David Moyes said: "We are all looking forward to the match in Salt Lake City. "I am sure there will be a lot of interest in the game and it will be a valuable part of our pre-season schedule. "We always enjoy spending time in America during the summer because the facilities are first-class and there is a warm welcome wherever we go." Now into its fifth year, the MLS All-Stars' mid-season clash with international opposition has become a popular annual event. The hosts have never tasted defeat and this year’s squad will feature USA star Landon Donovan and former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel. Last year a line up featuring David Beckham beat West Ham 3-2, while previous years have brought victories over Celtic, Chelsea, Fulham and Mexican club CD Guadalajara. The venue for this summer's showpiece will be the newly built 20,000-seater Rio Tinto Stadium. "I can’t wait to play the MLS All-Stars," said Everton’s American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
"I will doubtless know a few of the guys in the US team and I know full well that it will be a real test for us at that stage of our pre-season. "The fans over there always enjoy watching English teams in action and I’m sure there will be a terrific atmosphere in the stadium."

Everton loan duo looking to seal permanent deals
Apr 29 2009 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo
Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo 460
LOAN stars Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo may have played their way into a long-term Everton future. Danish defender Jacobsen has made just three appearances this year and will become a free agent in the summer, while Castillo has played in just 11 games and is scheduled to return to Red Star Belgrade. But boss David Moyes admits their performances against Cup finalists Chelsea last week has given him food for thought. “Maybe I could keep them,” Moyes said today. “It’s certainly something I’m looking at. I always felt they were not bad players. It’s just maybe the time wasn’t right to play them. “But we put them in a big game last week and they showed us what they are – international footballers. They are no mugs, they are good players.
Bayern Munich had been running the rule over Jacobsen but Jurgen Klinsmann’s sacking on Monday might have scuppered that deal taking place. And Jacobsen has made it clear he is happy on Merseyside and could be persuaded to sign a new deal.
“I am keeping all options open,” the Danish international said. “We will see what happens. There are some clubs that are interested but I will not think about that just yet. "I am really happy to be here, There is no doubt that if I could play regularly I would like to stay at Everton. "It is a fantastic club and we have a really fine squad.”
Castillo’s situation, though, is slightly different in that Red Star would want a hefty fee to make his move permanent hat would take up precious funds. But his performance in shackling Frank Lampard seven days ago was praised by Moyes who says he would have no hesitation in calling on the Ecuadorian again.
“It’s a serious consideration,” said Moyes. “The big point is that I think there is a fee of £4.5m for Castillo. That would be something we would have to think about.
“With Lars, it is different because he is our player and we are watching him. There have been moments where Casty has done well. “After the first 15 or 20 minutes at Chelsea when he was a bit nervy, I thought he came on to have a really good game. But there were a few who were like that. “Joe Yobo hadn’t had any playing time recently, neither had Lars or Casty. As well as freshening things up, they were getting a first taste of football for a few weeks. “Once they got up to speed, they were right in the game and did well.”

I couldn't stop crying after FA Cup heartbreak - Everton star Phil Jagielka
Apr 29 2009 Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA spoke last night of the injury heartache which will see him miss the FA Cup final. And the popular Everton defender admits he couldn’t hold back the tears when he was told of the severity of his injury. Just six days after firing the penalty which took Everton to their first Cup final for 14 years, Jagielka ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in a freak accident against Manchester City last Saturday.
Jagielka explained that physio staff told him to expect the worst, but the emotion of the occasion was too much for him to bear. He admitted: “I had to get out of the changing room. I was crying and I couldn’t control it. “I couldn’t go and see my friends or my family because I felt myself fill up. “Obviously everyone wanted to come and see me, but one minute I would be fine making jokes and the next I would be crying my eyes out. “I went for the scan straight away because I wouldn’t have slept. “After the scan they knew that there was a gap where my cruciate was supposed to be.” Jagielka described the innocuous incident which ended his season – and like team-mate Mikel Arteta two months ago, explained there was no-one else involved.
“I landed and tried to take off and I just felt three or four different feelings in my knee,” he explained. “I just thought ‘Wow, I’ve never felt that before’.
“I’ve been tackled and felt pain before, but it wasn’t the pain that was hard to take, it was knowing that I had done something serious and I obviously didn’t know what it was. “When I got back to the changing room I described the feeling to head of physio, Baz, (Mick Rathbone) and he was certain I had done my cruciate ligament.
“I think it’s the way most of the injuries like that are done these days. The last thing I want to be doing is blaming someone for a mistimed tackle. So if there is a good way to get injured then it’s from a freak accident and I have no one to blame.
“It’s going to be a long time out, so there’s two ways of dealing with it, either be grumpy for the next six months or I could try and get on with it with as much light heartedness as possible.” Jagielka is already looking forward, but admits he is not sure how he will feel at Wembley when he will be forced to watch from a seat in the stand rather than be involved on the pitch. “It’s been a whirlwind last 18 months and I would have loved to finish it off with a final,” he added “but as it is I finished it off with an injury. “But the fans’ praise means the world to me and hopefully when I’ve got the operation done, I’ll be as good and as strong as I was before.
“I’m not sure how I’ll feel putting a suit on going to watch the boys whilst on crutches. “It won’t be a nice feeling but I’ve played a decent part in getting us to the final and hopefully the boys can get us over the finishing line. “We’ve got a fantastic squad - it’s not the biggest but we have got some fantastic players and I know I’ll be there to see us lift the Cup.” “I’ve got great people around me now though.
“The staff, manager and players have all wished me a speedy recover and I look forward to returning next season.”

Sir Alex Ferguson rants about the size of Everton's dressing room.
Apr 30 2009 By Chris Wright Daily Post
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has bemoaned the size of some Premier League dressing rooms, with Everton’s Goodison Park one of the grounds on his hit list.
The Manchester United manager has called on Premier League officials to introduce new rules regarding the size of dressing rooms after saying Everton’s were ‘unbelievably’ narrow. Ferguson believes the dressing rooms are too cramped for the modern era, in which clubs with a large squad are now allowed to name seven substitutes and often have a large back-room team as well. As well as Goodison, Ferguson singled out Portsmouth’s Fratton Park and Fulham’s Craven Cottage as not up to scratch, despite his liking for the latter as a ‘traditional’ ground. The United manager said: "With all the money in the Premier League, some grounds should be better. "There should be a minimum standard of size of dressing room, especially now you have more players on your bench and an increased staff. You have requirements for stadiums to be eligible for certain divisions, so the quality of the dressing room should be part of that. Everton’s are so narrow it is unbelievable. Portsmouth’s away dressing room is not great and the one at Craven Cottage is smaller than my office.
"It is a very traditional stadium and one of my favourite away grounds, but when you have 18 players stripping down, plus coaches, physios and kit men, it is ridiculous really." Unsurprisingly, Old Trafford gets Ferguson’s seal of approval and he will have no complaints at the facilities on offer at the Emirates Stadium next week as United chase a place against either Chelsea or Barcelona in the Champions League final. "There is plenty of room in the dressing rooms at Old Trafford and, of the away grounds, Arsenal’s are the best by far," he said.

Everton FC to take on MLS All-Stars as part of North American tour
Apr 30 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON will take on the Major League Soccer All-Stars teams as part of a North American tour this summer. The Goodison outfit have confirmed they face the representative outfit at Salt Lake City’s new Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, July 29. The match is the first confirmed fixture of the summer schedule, although Everton are advising supporters the first-team squad will not be based in Salt Lake City.
It’s the fifth time in six years David Moyes has taken his squad over to the United States as part of their pre-season preparation, having visited Houston in 2004, Columbus and Dallas in 2006, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles in 2007 along with Chicago and Denver last year. “We are all looking forward to the match in Salt Lake City,” said Everton manager David Moyes. “I am sure there will be a lot of interest in the game and it will be a valuable part of our pre-season schedule. “We always enjoy spending time in America during the summer because the facilities are first-class and there is a warm welcome wherever we go.” Everton are the fourth Premier League team to have faced the MLS All-Stars in the United States, with West Ham United, Chelsea and Fulham all having failed to win. The encounter will have particular significance for Everton’s United States international Tim Howard, who began his career playing in the MLS for the New York/New Jersey Metrostars. “I can’t wait to play the MLS All-Stars,” said Howard.

Everton to face cream of the United States of America
Apr 30 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON will face the MLS All-Stars this summer.
The pre-season friendly against the American league’s representative side will take place in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 29. It is the Blues’ first confirmed fixture in the build up to the 2009/10 season and the game will form part of a wider tour of North America. Boss David Moyes said: “We are all looking forward to the match in Salt Lake City. I am sure there will be a lot of interest in the game and it will be a valuable part of our pre-season schedule. “We always enjoy spending time in America during the summer because the facilities are first-class and there is a warm welcome wherever we go.” Now into its fifth year, the MLS All-Stars' mid-season clash with international opposition has become a popular annual event. The hosts have never tasted defeat and this year’s squad will feature USA star Landon Donovan and former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel. The venue for this summer's showpiece will be the newly built 20,000-seater Rio Tinto Stadium. “I can’t wait to play the MLS All-Stars," said Everton’s American goalkeeper Tim Howard. “I will doubtless know a few of the guys in the US team and I know full well that it will be a real test for us at that stage of our pre-season.” “I will doubtless know a few of the guys in the US team and I know full well that it will be a real test for us at that stage of our pre-season.”
Everton will hope to end the All-Stars’ five-game unbeaten run against international opposition as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season on August 15.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber added: “We are very excited about Everton FC agreeing to be the opponent for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. “Everton is an elite European club that features many world-class players – including former MLS standout Tim Howard – who will challenge our unbeaten record against English Premier League teams in the MLS All-Star Game series.” Meanwhile, Moyes is contemplating whether to extend the Goodison careers of Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo. Jacobsen is approaching the end of a 12-month deal but has intimated he would like to stay at Everton provided there was greater opportunity of first-team football, having made only three appearances so far this season. Castillo is set to return to Red Star Belgrade in the summer after completing his season-long loan, and it will cost £4.5million to make the deal permanent. And Moyes said: “Maybe I could keep them. It’s certainly something I’m looking at. I always felt they were not bad players. It’s just maybe the time wasn’t right to play them. “But we put them in a big game last week and they showed us what they are – international footballers. They are no mugs, they are good players.” Of Castillo’s situation, Moyes added: “It’s a serious consideration. The big point is that I think there is a fee of £4.5m for Castillo. That would be something we would have to think about. “With Lars, it is different because he is our player and we are watching him. “There have been moments where Casti has done well. “After the first 15 or 20 minutes at Chelsea when he was a bit nervy, I thought he came on to have a really good game.” Phil Jagielka will begin his rehabilitation after undergoing successful knee surgery in London yesterday.
The defender faces six months on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the match with Manchester City at the weekend. “The operation went really, really well,” said Everton head of physio, Mick Rathbone.
“The surgeon is absolutely delighted with it and the player’s rehab can start more or less straight away. “We never put a timescale on this type of thing but we’re looking forward to having him back as soon as possible next season.”

BARRY HORNE: Phil Jagielka’s misfortune a big opportunity for Everton's Joseph Yobo
Apr 30 2009 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Daily Post I WAS NOT at Goodison Park on Saturday, much as I would have loved to be – if only to witness the reception as the teams ran up the steps onto the pitch. But I have little doubt that the result was down to a combination of possible fatigue after two massive games and performances in the previous week and the fact that the better face of the Jekyll and Hyde personality that has blighted Manchester City’s season – both from the point of view of individuals and therefore the team – turned up on the day. Instead I was at the Reebok Stadium where I watched Aston Villa struggle to get a draw against Bolton Wanderers, a result that meant Everton’s defeat by City was not too damaging in the race for fifth place.
And in respect of the mini-contest between ourselves and Villa I was actually heartened to see just how tired and jaded Villa appeared to be. Martin O’Neill’s players had the look of a team that knew they have had a good season but have little left of major consequence to play for and were showing the effects of a tough season on a small squad. Everton, of course, have had a similar burden to bear with probably greater complications as a result of injuries, but they know they have to maintain the highest levels of performance through to their date at Wembley on May 30.
And I’m hopeful that this different perspective will enable us to finish as the best of the rest as far as the Premier League is concerned. We will, of course, have to play the remaining five games of the campaign without a serious contender for Goodison Park’s Player of the Year – Phil Jagielka, which is a desperate shame for the player whose whole-hearted and unassuming style has won him many, many admirers this season. He as much as anyone deserved his day in the sun, but that’s football and the untimely injury he suffered has happened many times before and will happen many times again in the future. I’m sure Phil is already thinking not so much about missing the FA Cup final but is rather focusing on the tough months of rehabilitation that lie ahead in order to regain as quickly as possible the magnificent form he’s shown throughout this season. In football, one man’s misfortune is often another’s opportunity and Everton manager David Moyes, who could never be described as having been fortunate this year, is at least lucky that he has the natural, experienced and quality cover available in the shape of Joseph Yobo, who now has four games to play his way back into top form ahead of the Chelsea clash.

Manchester City Reserves 3, Everton Reserves 1
Apr 30 2009 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
A FINAL day 3-1 defeat at Manchester City meant Everton’s Reserve side finished seventh in the FA Barclays Premier Reserve League Northern Section. Everton had taken the lead on the hour when Jose Baxter’s cross was turned into his own net by Clayton McDonald. However Andy Holden’s men held onto the advantage for just eight minutes as Joe Hart’s goal-kick found Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov, who struck past Carlo Nash from 30 yards. Bojinov made it 2-1 two minutes later after a neat inter-change before Martin Petrov lashed a stunning volley past Nash on 76 minutes. Everton’s second string amassed 22 points this season from 20 games, winning five and drawing seven.

Phil Jagielka surgery hailed a success - Everton latest
Apr 30 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA was set to start his rehabilitation today after the operation on his knee was hailed a success. The Everton defender went under the knife in London yesterday to repair the damage to the anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City. Blues’ head physio Mick Rathbone travelled to the capital with the 26-year-old and observed the procedure.
“The operation went really, really well,” Rathbone said. “The surgeon is absolutely delighted with it and the player’s rehab can start more or less straight away.
“We never put a timescale on this type of thing but we’re looking forward to having him back as soon as possible next season.” The injury cruelly wrecked Jagielka’s dream of playing in next month’s FA Cup final against Chelsea and he has admitted the setback reduced him to tears. However, a phone call from team-mate Mikel Arteta, who suffered a similar injury while playing against Newcastle back in February, helped him put things into perspective. Jagielka is hoping the Spaniard can now help guide him back to fitness. “Mikel rang me and it was nice to speak to him,” Jagielka said.“He was there at the semi-final but he was obviously gutted. “It’s nice that I’ve got someone going through a similar situation. He’s obviously a month or two ahead of me so he can help me and guide me along the way when I’m feeling down.” Jagielka has been a model of consistency for the Blues this season and is tipped to win Everton’s Player of the Year award. However, the £4million signing insists if Arteta had stayed fit the midfielder would have been a hot favourite for the accolade. “Mik would probably have been our player of the year if he had kept on playing where he was,” he added. “He was a massive part of our team and we did struggle for a couple of weeks to find a way of playing without him. “We’ve learnt to deal with it and hopefully they will learn to play without me now.”

Terry Darracott sees a role for Colin Harvey at Everton
Apr 30 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
COLIN HARVEY and Kenny Dalglish stand at polar opposites on the Mersey soccer map. One’s an Everton legend, the other an Anfield great, one’s a proud Englishman, the other a loyal Scot. But both boast a wealth of knowledge and experience second to none – and Everton old-boy Terry Darracott believes the Blues can benefit by following Liverpool’s lead and finding a place on their backroom staff for an enormously experienced figurehead. Across the park, Rafa Benitez has confirmed that he has spoken to Dalglish about an ambassadorial role with special responsibility for overseeing the club’s Youth Academy. Darracott read those reports and immediately wondered whether there could be a place inside David Moyes’ set-up for a man who has already filled almost every job imaginable at Everton. Darracott (pictured above), now assistant-manager to Dean Saunders at Wrexham, still lives in Liverpool and said: “I was reading the stories in my Echo about Kenny maybe going back to Liverpool I just thought ‘Blimey that would be a great role for Colin Harvey at Everton.’ “I know he’s working for Bolton as chief scout, but he’s just like Kenny in that there aren’t enough hours in the day for the pair of them. “They’re family-men who never go home – because they absolutely love football. “When I read that about Kenny, I just thought, could Colin do that? Or would Colin want to do that? “If he did it would be wonderful for Everton. “Colin’s a total workaholic. Everything he puts his mind to is totally one hundred per cent, and with the knowledge he’s got he could only improve the work that is already being done at Everton. “I’m not trying to interfere with Everton’s selection process but I don’t think men of the knowledge and experience of Kenny Dalglish and Colin Harvey should be lost to both our clubs.
“Colin’s done everything at Everton, but he was brilliant with the kids. I would imagine Kenny would make sure sure everything is done exactly right because he is so meticulous – but Colin’s exactly the same.” Darracott has extensive knowledge of both Mersey legends. He was a team-mate of Harvey’s at Goodison Park in the early 70s, then went on to work with the man christened the White Pele on the Blues backroom staff. When he left Goodison he became an integral part of Kenny Dalglish’s backroom team at Blackburn when King Kenny guided the Lancashire club to the Premier League title. “Having worked with Kenny at Blackburn, I could see what he was like with the youngsters even though he was first team manager and they were going for the Premier League title. “He was unbelievable with the kids. He knew every kid in the place – and we used to be mobbed during the school holidays.
“He liked them all to be in the same room as the pros. He loved that. Like one big happy family. “But he knew every one of their names and that used to amaze me.
“But Colin’s just as good with the youngsters, as his track record at Everton proves.
“I know Colin will say he’s already got a role in the game, because he’s Chief Scout at Bolton and he’s flying all over the world checking out talent for them.
“But I think the world of Kenny and him and I wouldn’t like to think Everton are missing a trick.” Darracott himself has a wealth of experience in the game, and is currently trying to help Dean Saunders guide Wrexham back into the Football League.
He was appointed as assistant-manager at The Racecourse last October and is loving his role at a club where he enjoyed a spell as a player after a short stint in the USA with Tulsa Roughnecks. “I’m Dean Saunders’ assistant at Wrexham and I’m loving it,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed by Dean. He’s another one for whom there aren’t enough hours in the day. “He never stops, works with the kids as well as the first team and has been really impressive. It’s his first job but I think he could go a long way. “He asked me when I was first at Blackburn whether I’d work with him one day and I said ‘Sure, but we’ll have to see where we are at the time.’
“Well as soon as he got this job I got the phone call, which was great.
“I was working with Colin on the scouting side of things, but the travelling was difficult going all over Europe and I never thought I’d go back into this role. But I’m loving it. “We started off brilliantly this season then hit a brick wall for one reason and another. But we’re confident we can go again next season.” A lifelong Blue, Darracott still keeps a close on eye on all things Evertonian and was thrilled when David Moyes’ side shot down Manchester United at Wembley to reach the FA Cup final. “I haven’t been to any Everton games this season because of my job at Wrexham, but I watch every kick on television and still keep in touch. “I was delighted to see them beat United and get to the Cup Final. “The manager’s done a great job there and reaching a Cup Final is a
Terry was always smiles better
AN endearing, genuine and unfailingly honest individual, Terry Darracott made 179 appearances for Everton in the 1970s – after turning down Liverpool. “I'm from Edge Hill and I opted to sign for Everton although I had the opportunity to sign for Liverpool at the same time," he recalled. “I was persuaded by the fact that Everton's youth policy at the time was really thriving. “Harry Catterick was never afraid to put a young player in the side if he thought he warranted it. It was proved right in my case. Look at me – I made the right decision, I've no regrets and look back on it with a lot of pride.” Darracott made his Blues debut at the tender age of 17, and an early highlight was the day he effectively shackled the great George Best. “That was a good night out after that,” he smiled. Terry played 179 matches for the Blues, then returned to Goodison as a vital part of the backroom team that guided Everton through the halcyon days of the mid-80s. As a player and a coach at his beloved Everton, Darracott experienced highs and lows, but he thoroughly enjoyed his time there and retained his renowned sense of humour throughout. “I spent 13 years there as a player and five years on the staff, so overall I had 18 years at Everton,” he said.
“There's good times and bad times and through the bad times you have certain ways of coming round and getting out of them. “I liked a laugh and a joke. I was serious when I worked but in the meantime I would like a laugh and a joke with whoever I was with.”

Everton Ladies closing in on Premier League title
Apr 30 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Ladies are gearing up for a massive fortnight.
The Blues find themselves level on points with leaders Arsenal in the FA Women’s Premier League with three games left to play. Mo Marley’s side have a game in hand but the title looks set to be decided by their showdown with the Gunners at Widnes’ Stobart Stadium on Sunday, May 10 (2pm). Before that the Blues face a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday before travelling to Doncaster on Wednesday.

Blue Boys: Lessons learned as Everton pupils bash Middlesborough
Apr 30 2009 by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON Academy manager Neil Dewsnip says his side learned the lessons of the previous week when they romped to an impressive win at Middlesbrough.
In the Blues’ penultimate fixture of the FA Premier Academy League, they erased the painful memory of last week’s 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest by thumping Boro 5-2. Dewsnip’s troops opened the scoring inside 10 minutes when midfielder Adam Forshaw struck from 20 yards, before Lewis Codling doubled the lead, following up after the Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sam Filler spilled a shot. However, the home side pulled a goal back when Theo Furness connected with a low cross. The two goal advantage was quickly restored for Everton just after the restart when Karl Sheppard pounced after the ball had rebounded off the crossbar and fell kindly to him.
Boro again reduced the deficit when Bruno Pilatos smashed the ball home from close range but Codling bagged his second of the match soon after, capitalising on a poor clearance. Finally U-18 debutant Hallum Hope marked his Academy bow with his first goal in the final minutes to seal the victory. Neil Dewsnip said: “I suppose we did what we didn’t do last week – score a load of goals. “It was very good in the penalty area this week. We started brightly and we were 2-0 up quite quickly. “We have scored more but just before half-time they pulled one back. “It was disappointing because we were very dominant and we could have been four or five up at half-time.
“Boro rallied again but after Lewis Codling capitalised on a keeping error, Hallum, who is only 15, got a well deserved first goal to seal the match. “It was great because he worked very hard and could have scored four or five.” This Saturday Everton play their final fixture of the season against Sheffield Wednesday at Finch Farm, kick off 11am. Dewsnip added: “It’s the last game and we’re looking forward to it.
“It is seven out of the last eight games that we have done really well in and we are delighted. It points us in the right direction for the start of next season
“I think if they perform as they have done over the last few weeks we will take a lot of encouragement from that. And if we can win the game as well that would be lovely.”
Pet rescue hits reserves
A FINAL day defeat at Manchester City meant Everton’s Reserve side finished seventh in the Barclays Premier Reserve League The Blues had taken the lead on the hour when Jose Baxter’s cross was turned into his own net by Clayton McDonald.
However Andy Holden’s men held onto the advantage for just eight minutes as Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov struck past Carlo Nash from 30 yards.
Bojinov made it 2-1 two minutes later after a neat inter-change before Martin Petrov lashed a stunning volley past Nash on 76 minutes.