Everton Independent Research Data
David Prentice: Going Radio Ga-Ga for Vagina Monologues
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
ONCE upon a time, the 6-0-6 radio show was utterly unmissable airtime. It was the kind of call-in show that you’d deliberately try and catch red lights to prolong on your way home from the match.
A programme that would catch you sitting outside your house behind the wheel in the gathering dark, laughing out loud to yourself, whilst the neighbours’ curtains twitched nervously. And the reason was entirely down to one man, the peerless Danny Baker, a proper football fan as well as an intelligent and supremely swift-witted presenter. 6-0-6 has never been the same since he was sacked for, I think, encouraging listeners to torch a referee’s home. Okay, Baker overstepped the mark. But the fact that that the referee in question was Mike Reed didn’t seem to be taken into account by the BBC. But fingers burned by the experience they went in completely the opposite direction. They gave the show to a Tory MP who used to support Fulham then switched to Chelsea.
Then it was offered to a DJ who has an item of cutlery for a name. As a result it long since ceased to be interesting. “Did you go to the match today?” “Was it a good game?” “Do you think the manager should stay or go?” etc. etc. etc. ad, yawn, infinitum. But last week offered us a nostalgic flashback.
For the first time in a decade a show hosted by Alan Green became interesting. One caller came on and declared that Fabio Capello should be sacked. “And why’s that?” declared Green.
So far, so tedious. But then came the word that caused a nation of car radio listeners to grip the steering wheel that little more intently. “Vagina.” The airwaves went dead. “What did you say?” queried Green, who assumed he had misheard the caller. “Err...vagina,” repeated the caller, in a slightly more embarrassed tone, presumably hoping that the BBC’s fabled four second delay might have kicked in by now and he’d have already been kicked off air. Of course he quickly was, and Green – without an ounce of irony – railed against the stupidity of some people. Baker, of course, would have kept that caller on and caused him to die of embarrassment by challenging him to discuss what he really meant. It was callers who threatened to send the listener to sleep who were immediately cut off. Baker is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy as he battles cancer, but his prognosis is positive. Unlike the prognosis for the radio show he used to present.
The midweek caller was boorish, immature and not particularly funny. But at least it reminded us of an era when 6-0-6 was rivetting airtime.
Classic 6-0-6...
CALLER: I asked my dad if he’d make me a bow-tie.
DB: Hang on, hang on, hang on. No hang on! Just say that again...
CALLER: I asked my Dad if he’d make me a bow-tie.
DB: This is already my favourite call ever.
CALLER: Well it made a difference from a scarf, right? I wanted something with my team’s name on it. Dundee United.
DB: OK, cool. It’s great, go on.
CALLER: But they’re just called United. So he made it and it was wee black triangles, you know at the pointy bit, and it was white across the middle and it had United written across the middle.
DB: A bow-tie . . .
CALLER: But it was made of plywood and it was two feet wide! And it was tied round my neck with a big leather strap . . . and by half-time I was Quasimodo.
DB: And what did you say when he handed you this thing?
CALLER: It weighed about a stone and a half, but he saw the error of his ways.
DB: Oh man!
CALLER: So next week...
DB: There’s more?
CALLER: He produced a big pole . . . and I went away to the match like a Roman centurion, you know?
The bow-tie was strapped to the pole, like a Roman standard.
David Prentice: Everton FC defender Leighton Baines should ignore the media nonsense after England games
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
LEIGHTON BAINES was reacquainted with the harsh realities of international football on Tuesday night. Not on the pitch, where his performance against Ghana was rock solid and worthy of positive comment from people who clearly know about top level football, but off it. Baines has already been press-ganged on international duty. After an early England appearance, an honest reply to an innocent question, ‘Would you miss your family if you went to the World Cup’ was twirled into a series of articles portraying the Everton full-back as some kind of homesick schoolboy. This week Baines suffered again. After a solid performance against Ghana The Sun newspaper gave him a five out of 10 rating , saying: “Has frozen on the big occasion in the past and was lucky not to be sent off for an absolute shocker of a tackle. An unconvincing performance.” The Daily Star, in another five out of 10 rating, said: “Was beaten for pace on a few occasions and had his hands full.” So was Baines’ display that poor? The same newspaper that accused Baines of being ‘unconvincing’ asked Harry Redknapp: ‘Who impressed for England?’ he first name on his lips? Leighton Baines.
He added: “Baines is a great left-back. "It’s just a shame he is competing with Ashley Cole, the best in the world.” Alvin Martin, a former England defender, added: “Baines is a ready-made replacement for Ashley Cole.” The moral of the story is clear. Don’t buy the national papers after an international, Bainesy.
Wayne Rooney: All Everton fans want Man Utd to take Liverpool FC's league title record
Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
WAYNE ROONEY says it would be “brilliant” if Manchester United were to win a record 19th title.
Alex Ferguson’s side are on course to achieve that feat as they face West Ham on Saturday in pole position. United are five points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, while reigning champions Chelsea and Manchester City complete the top four. England striker Rooney said: “I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool’s record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans. “It is something I have been thinking about a lot. I know all the Everton fans want us to do it and hopefully we can. “You look forward to every game at this stage and you’ve got to enjoy it. “It is exciting for the fans and it’s exciting for the players knowing that you are just a few weeks away from possibly winning a major trophy or two.”
Howard Kendall: Gerard Houllier deserves time and patience at Aston Villa ahead of Everton FC showdown
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
As former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier arrives in town and returns to Goodison Park in charge of Aston Villa for the first time since his derby days – Kenny Dalglish takes Liverpool to West Brom, now under the guidance of the last man in the Anfield hot-seat Roy Hodgson. It really underlines the modern managerial merry-go-round. For Houllier it will be a strange feeling, and there certainly won't be the white-hot atmosphere he was used to at Goodison. He may well feel a bit underwhelmed on the day, and I have sympathy for him lately. I actually believe the Frenchman has got a lot of unfair press since he took over at Villa Park. Martin O’Neill is a tough act to follow and the two are different. It’s all about man management, and it can be hard with the amount of foreign players in the game. Not all managers can be great on a personal level with players.
Take Rafa Benitez. He was a very astute tactician but apparently sometimes struggled with winning over all of his players. My philosophy in management was to treat the players like I would have liked to have been treated when I was playing. It helps when you’ve had a successful playing career - but you have still got to prove yourself on your terms as a manager. Back to Hodgson and the Liverpool players would probably not have looked at Roy’s sparkling managerial career when he arrived – many would just have looked at the fact he came from Fulham. Sometimes old school managers can take longer to make an impression. Gerard deserves time.
FA should have sold half price tickets for friendly with Ghana
IT WAS great to see Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines play for England on Tuesday, but I have one grumble about the friendly against Ghana. When Fabio Capello decided to release eight players following the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales, that should have meant ticket prices being halved for the following game. If the punters aren’t seeing Capello’s first string it is cheeky to ask them to pay full price for the experience. I’d be tempted to suggest letting them in for free - although maybe that’s asking a bit too much when Wembley still needs to make a lot of money back. That’s no disrespect to Baines or Jagielka, for them it was a big chance to impress and edge their way towards the first team - but it just smacks of a hard faced approach to the fans who pay to come and watch these essentially meaningless games. When you lose players like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney etc you are losing a lot of the potential quality entertainment on offer and to not take that into the equation when deciding on your ticket pricing does not make sense to me. I hope the FA try and encourage more families and young fans to get to games in future.
Heitinga must play anywhere David Moyes asks him
I HAD to smile at yet more comments in the press from John Heitinga, and the player insisting he has been misquoted again. Maybe his words have been misinterpreted – but he should be clear about one thing if it is true that he said he will never play right back again. When you sign for a club, the manager decides where you play and that’s that. I remember signing Mickey Thomas from Manchester United, and asking him to play for the reserves up in Newcastle as he recovered from injury. He refused and I promptly sold him to Brighton, making a profit along the way. You cannot have a player dictating their position to you. A professional should do whatever they’re told.
Everton FC saved my love of the game - says former Blue Steve Watson
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
EVERTON did more than just provide Steve Watson with an escape route 11 years ago – they re-ignited his love for football. The Geordie midfielder was despondent after his spell at Aston Villa had gone stale, and jumped at the chance to swap the Midlands for Merseyside when Walter Smith came calling in 2000. Watson readily admits that the dejection he had been feeling at Villa Park was seriously undermining his enjoyment of the game he adores. So while players can normally be forgiven mixed feelings when two of their former clubs meet, the 36-year-old is likely to have no such problem when the Villains arrive at Goodison Park on Saturday. Watson embarked on an enjoyable period of his career in Merseyside, and still follows the Toffees results carefully despite becoming the new Development Coach at League One side Hudder Although his stint with the Magpies is dearest in his heart, utility-man Watson speaks glowingly of those Goodison days. “I have to say that the majority of my other happy memories in football have been from Everton,” he says.
“Playing there has been the other big highlight in my career, definitely. “I had a disappointing time at Aston Villa and was looking to find my love for the game again, and the minute I got to Everton the people at the club were fantastic. “They are a great set of fans there too, very knowledgeable, very fair and it is a club steeped in history. “If you give it your all on the pitch and they can see that, then they appreciate that. I totally bought into the Everton way and it was a really happy five years.”
Watson, who still holds the record of being the youngest player to ever represent Newcastle, took the advice of a Magpie and Everton hero before signing on the dotted line. “There are plenty of other people who have played for Everton like Peter Beardsley and he is one I spoke to before I signed, and everybody has got nothing but good to say about the club. “It didn't take me long to find out what a good club it was.” Watson, who scored 14 goals in 125 Everton games, has been dismayed at the Blues difficult season so far – something he has found hard to fathom. “I am surprised at what’s gone on this year at Everton,” he says. “I've watched them a few times and they are still playing good football as you would expect, but just not getting the results. “Whereas the last five or six seasons David Moyes has done fantastically well. “He’s had them consistently being the best side outside of the top four in my opinion and it makes it even more of a shock to see them where they are.” Watson believes Marouane Fellaini’s season ending injury has been a key setback for Moyes’s men. “The injuries to Tim Cahill and Fellaini are huge blows,”he says. “That is a part of their team and a huge part of their goal threat being taken away.” Watson was a consistent and steady presence for the Blues, and won over supporters easily with his natural effervescence and dedication. It’s those qualities, he accepts, which keep pushing him to lace up his boots even though he is no longer playing. “I retired in the summer when I was released by Sheffield Wednesday and I miss it massively. “Unfortunately for me I’m still young enough to think about playing, so every day I go to the training ground hoping there’s odd numbers so I can join in. “I’m 36 now, and have had major hip surgery and my body is telling me not to do it, but I still want to. Hopefully though when I get to 40 I won't have the urge to play. It’s quite hard at the minute because I still think I can get out there. I tore my hamstring recently when I was training and that was a good chance for Lee and Terry to tell me to stop.”
Everton FC midfielder Jack Rodwell's quick recovery set to boost Blues
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 1 2011
JACK RODWELL has displayed his remarkable powers of recovery once again by edging his way into contention for Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa. Fears had grown that the England U-21 midfielder’s season was over after he suffered an ankle injury against Fulham two weeks ago. Rodwell was sent to hospital for scans with concerns he may have suffered a fracture, but he appears to have shrugged off the problem enough to suggest David Moyes will have another much-needed option ahead of the Midlanders’ visit. The 20-year-old has already bounced back from one serious ankle injury this campaign, when he returned to action in November three weeks ahead of schedule, following the ligament damage he sustained against Aston Villa in August. Moyes, who is still without Louis Saha, Mikel Arteta, Maroaune Fellaini and Jose Baxter, is also hoping for good news on the injured knee that caused Seamus Coleman to miss the Republic of Ireland’s Europa 2012 qualifier against Macedonia. Meanwhile, skipper Phil Neville admits he harboured genuine fears about relegation earlier in the Toffees’ season. The Blues endured a difficult start to the season and were bottom of the league in September having taken just three points from their first six games. And Neville admitted it was difficult not to be worried about the club’s plight. He said: “We were always confident [of getting out of trouble] but the way the season was going it was difficult to avoid that nagging doubt that ‘hang on a minute, this could be one of those crazy seasons’. “We weren’t playing well, we didn’t seem to be getting better and we couldn’t score goals. But when people started to question the spirit - which is what this club is based on - it hurt a lot of people and we knew we needed to get ourselves out of trouble. “We have bounced back and shown our true spirit, which - even if I’m not here or David Moyes isn’t here - will always be the foundation of this football club.” “He (Moyes) is the catalyst, the engine that drives everybody forward, and he is the one who gets the players motivated when they’re down . “When we lost against Bolton recently, there was only one man who could get us back up again and that was the gaffer. “He has an unbelievable drive, work ethic and will to succeed – he is a fantastic manager who wants to bring success to Everton.”
Johnny Heitinga gets Everton FC midfield recall against Aston Villa
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 1 2011
JOHNNY HEITINGA may get an Everton recall against Aston Villa tomorrow – but not in the central defensive position he craves. Phil Jagielka has reported back from England duty unscathed – and with Sylvain Distin in commanding form this season – and David Moyes suffering from a catastrophic number of midfield casualties, Heitinga may be asked to shore up the Blues’ depleted midfield for the visit of Gerard Houllier’s Aston Villa. Everton are hoping that Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell can shake off the injuries which forced their withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland and England Under-21s squad respectively last week. But the Blues will still definitely be without Louis Saha, Mikel Arteta, Jose Baxter and Marouane Fellaini, while Tim Cahill sat out Australia’s victory over Germany in midweek as he continues to nurse his foot problem. Heitinga replaced Cahill in the Blues’ last match before the international break against Fulham, and scored a sublime goal from a midfield berth in the Blues previous match against Birmingham. Depending on other results, Everton could plunge Villa into the relegation zone with victory tomorrow. But Villa captain Richard Dunne comes back to where it all began insisting his sliding team can kick-start a dash into the top half of the table at Goodison Park. It has been 14 years since a then 17-year-old Dunne made the first of his 72 Everton appearances in an FA Cup tie against Swindon. The Irishman moved to Manchester City in 2000, where he enjoyed a successful nine year spell – before moving on to Villa Park. But after a high profile bust up with the coaching staff in recent weeks, Dunne is now back in the fold and “raring to go.” James Collins and Dunne were fined two weeks wages for their behaviour towards members of the coaching staff during a team bonding session at a health spa three weeks ago. But boss Gerard Houllier says the matter has been consigned to history and is poised to bring the experienced duo back into the side now they are recovered from shoulder and calf injuries respectively. Dunne and Collins proved their fitness when on international duty for the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Houllier said: “The only thing I can say is that the events (involving Dunne and Collins) are finished. It has been dealt with, it is gone and over. “The players expressed their will to the club and to myself that they want to give their best for their fans and the club. It is good. “They were unfortunately both injured for the last game against Wolves but they are available after playing for Ireland and Wales. “If they are fit, they will play. It is as simple as that because they are personality players and they have the club at heart. They have also strong experience.” Dunne added: “Everton will not be an easy place to go to try to begin this run but the incentive is there, with the table still being so tight, to grab a top-half finish. That's far from beyond us. “Obviously, our confidence was knocked a bit by the result against Wolves. In that sense, the international break probably did us some good. “I came through the game against Macedonia, there were no problems and now we're back at it, all fresh and raring to go. “To have come through 90 minutes for Ireland was really good and I'm looking forward to playing my part in these final eight games. “The fans' support will push us on and we're determined to finish the season as strongly as we can.
“It's been a tough season for us all and we know there are tough games still to be played. But everyone is up for the challenge. “We have eight games to turn this around and we're all in it together to make sure that the club secures a safe position and climbs the table to as high a place as possible.” Former Liverpool manager Houllier came in for criticism from fans during and after the 1-0 defeat to Wolves last weekend and a banner paraded on the Holte End before the game called for him to leave Villa. But the Frenchman wants everyone to be united for the eight games which will decide Villa’s fate. He said: “Everyone is entitled to think what they want but I took the job because it was a challenge. “The challenge is bigger now because of what happened but sometimes you battle to get in Europe or a cup. “Here we are battling adversity together. Together, that means the team, the staff, management, the owner, chief executive, the fans, everybody.” Houllier added: “The fans play an important part. When the fans show the banner, you are not very happy about that. But I came here because I’ve got pride in being at this club. I said that straightaway and that hasn’t changed. “I’ve got pleasure in what I’m doing. It’s not because things are not particularly easy. Sometimes you go through hard times at this job. “Also I’ve got a challenge, and the challenge is eight games and, also, the unity is there.”
Everton FC’s Tony Hibbert remembers debut, thanks to Stuart Pearce
by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 1 2011
TONY HIBBERT will step out at Goodison Park tomorrow 10 years and two days on from his Everton debut, still carrying the physical scars of his first senior appearance at Upton Park! Hibbert made his Blues bow on March 31, 2001 at West Ham – when a reckless Stuart Pearce tackle earned Everton a penalty, but also ensured the young debutant was given a permanent souvenir of the occasion. “He absolutely smashed me,” Hibbert grimly recalled. “I’ve still got the scar as well!” “The day was all over so quickly really. “Me and Leon (Osman) had travelled with the first team a couple of times and it was mostly just to get experience. We got down there, the lads had a little training session and (Richard) Gough got injured. I didn’t think anything of it and no-one said anything. “But then on the day of the game Walter Smith pulled me in before the team meeting and asked me if I was okay, if I felt all right. I said ‘yeah’, not really having a clue what he was on about. “That’s when he said, ‘I think I’m going to start you, so if you can get your mind on it’. That was it – it was that quick really. Playing the full 90 was unbelievable and a win and a clean sheet was a great start for me.” Since that winning start Hibbert has gone on to make more than 250 appearances for Everton and is currently the longest serving player at the club – the only survivor from David Moyes’ first match as Blues boss back in 2002. “It has all flown by,” he shrugged. “It has gone so quickly that you don’t realise it’s been 10 years. It’s just great for me to have been here for so long. “The club has changed an awful lot – the squad, the team, the league position and the facilities. I’ve seen a lot of changes and it is great the way things have improved. “Looking round the changing room makes me feel a bit old. I’m one of the older guys now but if someone had told me back at the beginning I’d be here for 10 years, I’d have liked that. “From day one, I’ve loved Everton – this is just the club where I’ve always wanted to be. But to be here for 10 years is a big number for me and I’m really grateful for that.” Hibbert is one of the few Everton footballers who can claim to have played in an FA Youth Cup final (1998) and the senior version, the FA Cup final in 2009. But it was Everton’s fourth placed finish in 2005 – when Hibbert was rated by the ACTIM index as the Premier League’s best English right back – that is one of his fondest football memories. “It was a massive achievement,” he said. “Being up in the top five all season and finishing as we did was huge for myself, but also for the team. The majority of the lads had come in, some from the Championship, and for us to put the Club back where it should be was massive.” Tim Cahill was one of those players to step up a division that season and the Aussie has famously said it was the likes of Hibbert who showed him what it meant to be an Evertonian. “That’s nice to hear,” continued the full-back. “Tim knows all about it now and he loves the club. “But it is up to us local lads to let the new players, especially the foreign lads, know what it means to play here. You need to tell them as soon as possible to get it into them what Everton is about and how the city is. “I’ve grown up with it really. It’s in you and being here so long you know the ins and outs of everything and what it means to people at the club. You want Everton to be the best and do the best so you’re asking your people for their best. “It’s great to have been here this long,” he added. “I have never wanted to leave and I am just grateful to the club for letting me stay all this time. It is my home.”
Everton v Aston Villa: Huge boost for Houllier
Apr 1 2011
Birmingham Post
Aston Villa's defensive duo of Richard Dunne and James Collins are in contention for a recall for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park. Dunne and Collins proved their fitness after shoulder and calf problems by playing for the Republic of Ireland and Wales respectively during the international break. The duo had previously been fined by Villa because of their behaviour during a team bonding session at a health spa. Right-back Kyle Walker is Villa's only injury concern with the slight hip problem which forced his withdrawal from the England squad. Midfielder Ciaran Clark will complete a two-game ban for incurring 10 bookings this season. Provisional squad: Friedel, Marshall, Walker, Luke Young, Collins, Dunne, Cuellar, Herd, Baker, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Makoun, Downing, Delph, Pires, Bradley, Petrov, Ashley Young, Bent, Agbonlahor, Heskey.
Aston Villa almost at full strength for the trip to Everton
by Gregg Evans, Birmingham Mail
Apr 1 2011
Aston Villa will travel to Everton tomorrow at almost full strength for the first time since Gerard Houllier took over at the club. Other than the suspended Ciaran Clark, Kyle Walker is the only doubt for the trip to Goodison Park with a hip injury he sustained on international duty with England.
Houllier is optimistic that the on-loan Tottenham full-back could play a part and is pleased to have all his regular first-team players available. Richard Dunne and James Collins are both fit to play after recovering from their respective shoulder and calf injuries. Luke Young will also join the defensive duo in the travelling party after shaking off a niggling groin injury that ruled him out of the recent defeat to Wolves. Since the Frenchman’s arrival Villa have been cursed with rotten injury luck but they travel to Liverpool tomorrow with all their key players at Houllier’s disposal. “If they (Richard and James) are fit, they will play. It is as simple as that because they are personality players and they have the club at heart. They have strong experience. They were unfortunately both injured against Wolves but Richard played for Ireland with a small degree of pain. “He is now available for the team and the same with James, who had a calf injury. We need everyone now. “The only worry we have is Kyle Walker, who has a slight hip problem, but he could be available.” After playing in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 win over Macedonia last weekend, Dunne says he is raring to go again for Villa.
“It’s been a tough season for us all and we know there are tough games still to be played. But everyone is up for the challenge,’’ he said. “We have eight games to turn this around and we’re all in it together to make sure the club secures a safe position and climbs the table to as high a place as possible. “Everton will not be an easy place to go to try to begin this run but the incentive is there, with the table still being so tight, to grab a top-half finish. That’s far from beyond us. “Obviously, our confidence was knocked a bit by the result against Wolves but the fans’ support will push us on and we’re determined to finish the season as strongly as we can.”
Everton striker Louis Saha out for rest of season with ankle injury• French striker has had operation on ankle
Friday 1 April 2011
Guardian
Everton are beset by injury problems before Saturday's Premier League visit of Aston Villa. Their manager, David Moyes, has confirmed that the French striker Louis Saha is likely to miss the rest of the season after having an operation on the ankle he injured against Fulham a fortnight ago. Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman also have ankle problems and Tim Cahill has a foot injury. All three players are doubtful for the Villa game after withdrawing from recent international duty with injuries. Mikel Arteta has a hamstring problem and Marouane Fellaini has an ankle injury; both are out of contention this weekend.
EVERTON v Aston Villa: David Moyes poised to be without six first team players
1st April 2011
Daily Mail
Everton are beset by injury problems ahead of their Barclays Premier League visit of Aston Villa.
Manager David Moyes has confirmed striker Louis Saha is likely to miss the rest of the season after an operation on the ankle injured against Fulham a fortnight ago. Early end: Saha is likely to miss the remainder of the season Jack Rodwell, Seamus Coleman (both ankle) and Tim Cahill (foot) are also doubtful after withdrawing from recent international duty with injuries. Playmaker Mikel Arteta (hamstring) and key midfielder Marouane Fellaini (ankle) remain on the sidelines.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Neville, Osman, Rodwell, Cahill, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Anichebe, Gueye, Mustafi, Baxter, Duffy, Mucha.
Barry Horne: My feeling on Gerard Houllier looks spot on
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
ANYONE who has read my column over the years will know that I have never been taken in by the Gerard Houllier myth. The Frenchman returns to Goodison Park this afternoon as manager of Aston Villa and given their current predicament, few would argue my feelings were not close to the mark.
His recent press conferences with the bizarre statements and comments take me back to his final days at Liverpool where he was in complete denial about what was to engulf him. As a manager, to come out and declare there is no rift in the camp, that everything is sweetness and light, in the manner he did suggests all is not well. By using phrases such as ‘I swear to you’ and ‘I can look you in the eye and can honestly say’ tell me all is not what it should be at Villa Park. The club have fallen from where they stood and their season has been in trouble ever since the shambolic decision to field an under-strength team at Manchester City in the FA Cup. Any other Premier League team would have fielded their best possible side there, but Villa just laid down and died. They went and lost their next two league games, one against local rivals Wolves. This Villa side should not be struggling as they are because they provided two of England’s starting 11 against Wales last weekend, with a third in the squad. They also had a strong presence in the under-21s.
Barry Horne: Questions about DAvid Moyes’ future need to stop
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
I KNOW that by the time we get to Thursday in the week after internationals, news can be pretty thin on the ground. There tends to be a lull but nevertheless I was surprised to see an article with David Moyes where once again he was asked about his future. The focus of the discussion would be whether he is leaving the club. Moyes responded with typical humility by saying he would walk away if the fans wanted so, reiterating Everton is their club. But David has played a significant part in the history of this great club and continues to do so. I don’t know why these stories continue to pop up every week and where they come from. My guess is that a journalist somewhere, in a quiet news week, decided it a novel idea to bring this back up as Moyes heads towards his 10th season in charge. The manager should not have to answer or discuss this notion. He has recently signed a new contract with Everton and has them comfortably inside the top half of the table. Although Moyes would never admit or contemplate allowing himself to think it, Everton are coasting towards the end of the season. There are eight games left, five of which are against teams in the bottom half of the table with the other three the highlights Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Obviously there is £500,000 difference in prize money per place in the Premier League table but this is the chance to look to next season. We have got to give Jermaine Beckford (pictured) a run of games without the threat of him having to look over his shoulder after 60 minutes of the game, concerned he will be substituted.
ROYAL BLUE: Everton FC fans will hope Bernard Mullins story is true
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
STORIES this week suggesting Evertonian businessman Bernard Mullin is seeking a consortium to buy the club have been privately rubbished in some quarters. But while the Daily Telegraph’s report on Thursday contained a few dubious points, fans would be disappointed if it was entirely wrong.
Many have insisted for some time that they would feel better if more was being seen to be done to find a buyer capable of transforming Everton. It would actually be comforting for them to know a Blue of Mullin’s calibre is helping that international search.
ROYAL BLUE: Message to Wayne Rooney - not all Everton FC fans will be willing Manchester United on
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
PROOF positive you can take the boy out of Everton but you can’t take the Everton out of the boy.
Wayne Rooney says it would be “brilliant” if Manchester United were to win a record 19th title.
Alex Ferguson’s side are on course to achieve that feat as they face West Ham today in pole position.
United are five points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, while reigning champions Chelsea and Manchester City complete the top four. And Rooney said: “I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool’s record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans. “It is something I have been thinking about a lot. I know all the Everton fans want us to do it and hopefully we can. “You look forward to every game at this stage and you’ve got to enjoy it, especially when you are in the running for a few trophies.” But just a reminder for the former Crocky boy wonder. There’s nothing wrong with him proving that he still embraces the Reds versus Blues civic banter But he’s wrong to think all Evertonians will be willing United on to break Liverpool’s title record. Many simply won’t care, as they focus on their own club’s fluctuating form.
Liverpool FC and Everton FC fans to show their respect to Kirkby hero soldier Mark Burgan
by Alan Weston, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
Mark Burgan
LIVERPOOL’S two Premiership clubs will each pay tribute to Merseyside soldier Mark Burgan at their next home games.Lance Sergeant Burgan, 28, of Southdene, Kirkby, was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on March 23, just six days before the end of a tour of duty with his regiment, the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards.First to pay tribute will be Everton FC, 10 minutes before their match with Aston Villa kicks off at Goodison Park today.Although Mark was a staunch Reds supporter a number of his family are Everton fans.The act of remembrance will take the form of Mark’s picture being shown on Goodison Park’s two big screens, with a tribute being read out over the public address system, followed by a round of applause.It is believed the tribute was personally approved by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright after he was approached by Mark’s uncle, Ray Collins.Mr Collins, an Everton season ticket holder, said: “We’re a mixed family of Everton and Reds supporters and we see the tribute as a way of bringing the two clubs and their fans together. “We’re thrilled to bits about it and I know it’s something Mark would have enjoyed.“The people of Liverpool always come together at times like this.“Mark was a soldier and a soldier of Merseyside.“Even though this is a tribute to Mark, we appreciate what people have done for us as a family and we want to say a big thank you to everybody.”The act of remembrance was trailed in advance on Everton’s Facebook page, where it has attracted hundreds of “likes” and many positive comments.Mr Collins has also been in contact with Liverpool FC, who are planning their own tribute at their next home game, against Manchester City, on April 11. However a number of fans are expected to unfurl banners in Mark’s memory when the Reds travel to West Bromwich Albion today.The soldier’s body was repatriated to the UK from Afghanistan earlier this week along with that of his commanding officer, Major Matthew Collins, who was also killed by the roadside bomb.
Everton FC boss David Moyes is determined to look on the bright side despite familiar injury concerns
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
INJURY after predictable injury may be taking it’s grim toll on Everton’s season but David Moyes has been here before.The Toffees boss has had to coax his squad through more injury crises than he would care to remember, and refuses to be deflated by the latest epidemic of star names falling like flies.Everton are down to the bare bones for the visit of Gerard Houllier’s struggling Aston Villa side today, with doubts over Jack Rodwell, Seamus Coleman and Tim Cahill while Louis Saha, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini remain longer term absentees.Goodison could yet see a makeshift central midfield partnership of Phil Neville and John Heitinga this afternoon.But Moyes is resolutely looking for the positives, and believes Everton’s recent haul of 10 points from their last four games has put them in a far better position to finish strongly.And the stresses of saving the Blues’ season from being deemed a failure have certainly not forced him to rethink his future.“I see my long term future here,” he says. “I've got no reason to think anything else.“This could still end up not a bad season, but only at the end I’ll be able to have a look and see what we need to do to improve.“We’ve got a lot of injuries and we’ll be quite stretched against Aston Villa.“We’ve got a lot of players we’ll be looking to help us out and get us through. That’s why the three points against Fulham were really important.” The Scot has already gone on record to say he wants to meet Everton’s board in the early summer to decide whether their vision of the club’s future is “workable”.And he retains that priority - while insisting discussion over his individual future even, with just two years left on his current contract, are entirely unnecessary.“I don't think my contract would need to be looked at this summer. It’s not like a player’s deal,” he says.“If the chairman wants to that’s down to him and the board, and I’ve got no problem discussing it.“I’ve said before I’ll have a chat with them at the end of the season and we’ll see what route we’re going to take, then get on with the job.“There are things I would be hoping to get if we started to talk. We may touch on it in the summer who knows.”Moyes is philosophical about his growing injury list.“You go through spells of injuries and we operate with a tight squad,” he says.“Louis going out injured is a big blow, and Marouane and Mikel being out with mid to long term injuries are bad too.“Then you pick up other injuries along the way as well. We couldn’t have probably kept a bigger squad earlier on because we couldn’t have given the lads the time on the pitch they wanted.”Moyes will today be plotting to defeat a man he respects deeply, in Houllier.The Frenchman was in charge at Anfield when Moyes took over at Everton nine years ago.The pair may be regarded on Merseyside as old foes but Moyes claims that is far from the case.
He said: “I am really looking forward to it because I have known Gerard a long time.“I knew him long before I got the job at Everton and he was Liverpool manager.“He was a world-renowned coach and I used to go to watch all the coaching courses and seminars throughout Europe.“He was always interesting, his work was good. He has been excellent at that level and he has as a coach and manager as well.“I feel they (Villa) are going to stay up, they’ve got good players. But that is the Premier League this season – it’s strange.“I couldn’t pick the three who will go down, but I certainly wouldn’t expect Villa to be one of them.“Gerard has come in and probably tried to change the style around a bit, and that takes time. He has brought in a few new players, introduced some young players, and it’s probably a transitional period for them. The manager needs time to do that.“I think his England players have done well for Villa but that it’s maybe just not got them results on the day. They’ve done OK for Villa all season.”
ROYAL BLUE: Was Thomas Gravesen really a better Everton FC player than Wayne Rooney?
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
HE WAS an enigma wrapped in an enigma who first flattered to deceive at Goodison Park, and then supremely dazzled for one great season – but was Thomas Gravesen better than Wayne Rooney?According to Tony Hibbert, who has seen more than his fair share of talented players come and go from Everton throughout his 10-year stay, he was.While the right-back was too polite to name the worst in an interview this week, it was his nomination for the best that is likely to raise eyebrows.“People will think Wayne Rooney was the most talented I’ve played with – and he could pull a volley out of nothing and put it in the top corner from 40 yards like he did against Arsenal,” said Hibbert.“But ability-wise, Thomas Gravesen was the best. For passing and skills, he was different class.”Evertonians who watched Gravesen play a starring central midfield role in Everton’s rise toward the top of the 2004-05 Premier League table, can agree he was a class act.But the best of the last 10 years?It certainly gives pause for thought when someone who has been at the club all of his career delivers that plaudit.Everton’s younger current crop of players point to Louis The King Saha or Mikel Arteta as the main men with the skills on the training pitch – but Hibbert may well be onto something with his nomination for the Dane.He is certainly not the first to recognise the former Hamburg, Real Madrid and Celtic star’s ability.Gravesen famously caught the eye of Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo and sporting director Arrigo Sacchi after his outstanding season in royal blue, and consequently made the most surprising of his various moves.Then despite being deployed in a defensive midfield role (contrary to the position where he had just led Everton to a fourth-place Premier League finish), he somehow made his Madrid move a qualified success.Despite Luxemburgo being sacked, Gravesen won over newcomer López Caro who picked him regularly in the holding role.Even England boss Fabio Capello. who went on to coach him at Madrid, was full of praise, once saying: “He has been playing very well in front of the Madrid defence and is also very effective at helping build their attacks.“He is turning into a very important player for them, as Madrid had problems in that position before he arrived.“They were all over the place there. Now, with his arrival, there is more balance to the team.”It was a theme Capello warmed to after he took control at the Bernabeu, when he defended the man dubbed Mad Dog in the face of an outraged Spanish media following a scuffle in training sparked by a hard tackle by Gravesen on team-mate Robinho.Capello said: “The way he is, we won’t have problems with him. He’s just a little bit particular. I don’t mess with him, he works well tactically.“His behaviour is like this, and I don’t like it, everything has to be done like he wants it to be done”.Capello was not the only one to “not mess with” the Dane who, by all accounts, could occasionally do a passable impression of someone with more than a few screws loose.Anyone who has met Gravesen on one of his frequent visits to Goodison can attest for quite the opposite – he is warm, affable and genuine with his affection for the Blues. But there was a certain look which could cross his eyes that chilled the blood.Maybe it’s that no-nonsense combination of blood and thunder, with a wonderfully deft range of passing that made such an impression on teak-tough Hibbert.It certainly made an impression of legendary hard man Iron Mike Tyson, who asked for Gravesen’s shirt after watching him help Denmark thrash Iceland 6-0 in a 2002 World Cup qualifier.One internet opinion piece colourfully summed up his departure in 2005: “Who on earth will now replace the mad, fist-waving, eye-bulging loon in Moyes’s tightly-bonded team?”
Everton FC star Louis Saha “devastated” at his latest injury setback, says David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
Louis Saha celebrates scoring against old club FulhamLOUIS Saha has been left devastated after surgery on his ankle is likely to make him miss the rest of Everton’s season, says David Moyes.The 32-year-old French striker had looked like overcoming a series of earlier injury problems picked up during this campaign, and had steadily added to his goal haul since the New Year.But he fell awkwardly in the last minutes of the Blues victory over Fulham at Goodison two weeks ago, and had to be stretchered off in agony.Saha later told a French newspaper he feared his season was in jeopardy, but the confirmation from Everton medics last week plunged him into dismay.Moyes said: “Louis is really down and disappointed. He is devastated in fact, because the last thing he wanted was to be out when he was finding a bit of form and consistency.“He has needed an operation on his ankle so what can we do? It is football isn't' it. You pick up injuries and we try not to talk too much about them but we have a spate of them at this present time.”Saha joins Marouane Fellaini on the long-term casualty list, and Mikel Arteta only returns from a spell recuperating from a hamstring injury in Spain this weekend.So while the Spaniard may at least figure in some of Everton’s remaining fixtures, Moyes has doubts over Seamus Coleman and Tim Cahill ahead of today’s clash with Aston Villa.And although Jack Rodwell has almost fully recovered from his own ankle injury, the 20-year-old is another whose involvement will depend on passing a late fitness test. Meanwhile, with debate raging over the merits of last week’s international friendlies and whether established senior players such as Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere should still play in the Under-21s, Moyes feels the top players are being overworked.The Scot said: “To have a friendly at this stage of the season is difficult.“I understand why the national teams want them but we are into the last six or seven weeks of the season and you can see the amount of injuries players are having, probably on the back of the World Cup and other international tournaments.“I think that is why you are probably seeing so many injuries if you look around the Premier League.“People are probably not getting to see the best players right now because the football is taking its toll on them.“They are all involved in so much football and they need a break.”Moyes feels so strongly about the situation he admits it has even tempered his natural pride at seeing his defenders Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines play for England this week.The Everton pair both started Tuesday’s draw with Ghana at Wembley and at least came through unscathed.Moyes said: “I do take a lot of pride because I want them to be selected for their country, but I am beginning to doubt if that is what I want.“I am just beginning to look and say, ‘Is it worth it?’.“We have lost quite a few players. They don’t pay the players’ wages, we have to.”
On the whistle match report: Everton FC move to seventh place after 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at Goodison
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2011
EVERTON edged closer to city rivals Liverpool in the Premier League table thanks to an incident-packed draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park. The Blues moved up a place to seventh, only four points behind the Reds, courtesy of a Leighton Baines penalty in the closing stages of the second half. That spot kick, their first of this season, capped a thrilling game when David Moyes’s men were denied a Jermaine Beckford goal which appeared to have crossed the line, and Leon Osman missed a host of chances to seal all three points. The Toffees midfielder had sparkled in the first half and gave his side the lead, but his misses were ultimately costly. A patched-up Everton team, with a bench containing zero Premier League experience, nevertheless started strongly before a buoyant home crowd. Jermaine Beckford was put through on goal with only Brad Friedel to beat by a misjudged Kyle Walker header, but the American pulled off a superb one handed save to prevent Everton taking the lead. However, David Moyes would probably have liked his man to take a touch instead of snatching at his strike firs time. Everton pressed further when Leighton Baines drifted into the centre and slipped a delightful ball into Leon Osman who forced another good save from Friedel albeit after the linesman’s whistle had sounded for offside. Villa were also committing men forward, causing predictable stress for the home side’s back line by using the pace of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing down the channels. Gradually the visitors seized the initiative and put the Blues defence under some sustained pressure. While Everton coped thanks to Sylvain Distin, again in imperious form, and the steady presence of both full backs, Villa were creating more chances. David Dunne headed an inswinging Downing corner back across the box and Nigel Reo-Coker connected with a volley from eight yards that appeared goalbound until a vital block from Tony Hibbert carried it over the bar. And the Midlanders continued to send crosses into Tim Howard’s box, while Phil Jagielka earned himself a booking for a crude hack on Gabriel Agbonlahor. But Villahave been defensively porous on their travels all season, and subsequently opened up to allow Everton to take the lead.Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a bright, intelligent presence on the left wing, nicked the ball from Walker and passed to Osman who jinked delightfully past James Collins and evaded Walker’s last-ditch lunge to score.Moyes’s tactics were working. Aware that a central midfield pair of Neville and Heitinga offered plenty of work rate and muscle but little creativity he instructed his troops to aim for the flanks and send it long. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective, and the Blues ended the half in control.Unfortunately they came out sluggishly after the break and paid for it. Downing was given too much time in possession, and the England man raced into the area and cut the ball across goal for Darren Bent to finish emphatically.It was the sort of finish to be expected from a £25m striker, and Moyes may have watched ruefully, but his side reacted in the right way.They began to push hard for an equaliser, and Osman could have doubled his tally from a pinpoint crossfield pass from Bily but he fired over on the volley.And they believed they should have been in front shortly afterwards but for a highly controversial decision by the assistant referee. Substitute Magaye Gueye played a deft ball into Beckford’s path, and the striker’s shot hit the bar and appeared to bounce just over the line but was ruled out.As Goodison furiously debated the merits of touchline technology, Villa broke down the other end. Brad Friedel pumped the ball upfield, and despite Jagielka winning his initial header the ball fell kindly for Ashley Young who chipped it over the top of a flat-footed Blues defence, and Bent delivered another classy finish.It was an undeserved setback, but as the game truly opened up Everton should have quickly regained parity. Baines slipped a clever free kick to Bily who drilled the ball across the area and a weak clearance from Richard Dunne presented Osman with a chance to pick his spot from point blank range. Uncharacteristically he set himself clumsily and skewed his shot over the bar. Gueye, who scored for the French U-21 side in their recent international, moved into the centre and began to look at home, menacing Villa repeatedly.Anybody who thought Everton’s young-guns were on the bench simply to make-up the numbers were given a surprise when 19-year-old Greek striker Apsotolos Vellios was introduced for Distin as the game hung in the balance.Everton got their equaliser soon after. Phil Jagielka embarked on an unlikely forward raid and was upended in the area by Jean Makoun.Mike Jones pointed to the spot and Leighton Baines held his nerve to score.Everton continued to probe but Villa held onto their point, and the Blues growing five-game unbeaten run in the league continues.
Villa and Everton statistics point to danger man Tim Cahill
Birmingham Mail
Apr 2 2011
SPORTS journalists love them, football managers hate them.And, no, we’re not talking about our ‘inside source’.Instead, it’s the good old statistic that highlights the good and bad in football teams and you know what they say – statistics don’t lie.This week it’s a set of worrying ones for Villa fans and I’ll say two words: Tim Cahill.Everyone knows how lethal the Australian midfielder is in the air so when he comes up against the team who have conceded the most headed goals (13) in the Premier League he will be fancying his chances of notching again.What’s worse is that the 31-year-old just loves playing against Villa as he has netted six goals against them in the Premier League – more than against any other side in the top flight.With that in mind there’s no need to explain why the bookies have him as their 4/1 favourite to score the first goal today.Villa’s chances of stopping the former Millwall man have been boosted by the return of James Collins and Richard Dunne. A settled back four is just what Villa need to prevent these statistics from getting worse.Gerard Houllier’s men will also be bouyed by their recent form against the Toffees.In the last nine meetings between the two sides Villa have not lost.Everton did come out on top in an FA Cup fifth round tie at Goodison Park in 2009, as goals from Jack Rodwell, Mikel Arteta and Cahill helped them to a 3-1 win, but in the league it’s all been in Villa’s favour.
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2: Match report and pictures
Apr 2 2011 Birmingham Mail
Leighton Baines struck a late penalty as injury-hit Everton denied troubled Aston Villa a much-needed win in the Barclays Premier League this afternoon.England striker Darren Bent appeared to have put relegation-threatened Villa - and their under-pressure manager Gerard Houllier - on course for three vital points at Goodison Park when he responded to Leon Osman's opener with a second-half double.But Everton, who were aggrieved when Jermaine Beckford was not awarded a goal after a shot bounced down off the bar, battled on and won a spot-kick when Jean Makoun tripped Phil Jagielka.The draw was no more than Everton deserved after dictating the play for most of the game despite missing several big names and being relatively secure in mid-table.Villa, by contrast, were sluggish for large periods and the future of Houllier's regime remains uncertain.The visitors could maybe even consider themselves fortunate as, apart from Beckford's effort, Osman missed a host of chances to increase Everton's tally.Everton, already without the likes of Louis Saha, Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta, had managed to field a familiar starting line-up despite the failure of Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell to prove their fitness.Beyond that, however, the thinness of their resources was apparent as manager David Moyes named seven substitutes with not a single minute's Premier League experience between them.Villa welcomed back central defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins while Gabriel Agbonlahor and Luke Young also featured.Stewart Downing had Villa's first chance when he skipped into the area after a strong run down the right but John Heitinga twice blocked.Everton were almost gifted the opening goal when Kyle Walker's poor header towards Brad Friedel was seized upon by Beckford.The former Leeds forward waited for the ball to bounce and although his left-foot effort from the edge of the area was not the cleanest of strikes, it still needed a fine save from Friedel to deny him.Villa attempted to catch Everton on the break after clearing a Baines free-kick into their own box but Sylvain Distin got back to steal the ball from Walker.Everton raced back up to the other end but Collins slid in to prevent Beckford getting in a cross.Everton looked stretched when Dunne headed across the home goal but Tony Hibbert, who celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Toffees debut this week, diverted Nigel Reo-Coker's shot wide.Generally Villa had struggled to break down the hosts and the Merseysiders grabbed the lead seven minutes before the interval.Osman, playing in advanced position behind Beckford, took up an attack from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and broke into the area before beating Collins on the outside.He shot directly at Friedel but the keeper could not prevent the ball trickling over the line.Villa put their poor first half behind them to get back on level terms within two minutes of the restart.Downing was allowed room on the right to cut inside the area and thread the ball through to Bent near the penalty spot.The £24million man, buoyed by his strike for England last week, made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net.Osman went close to putting Everton back into the lead when he curled an effort just beyond the far post after Friedel had blocked a firm header from Heitinga.Osman had another opportunity moments later but fired over after being picked out by a superb crossfield ball from Bilyaletdinov.Beckford claimed he had scored when he broke clear and rattled the bar with a fierce shot which bounced down and away.The striker was convinced the ball had crossed the line but the assistant referee did not agree and initial replays appeared inconclusive.As Everton rued their fortune, Friedel punted the ball upfield and Ashley Young released Bent.The Toffees appealed for offside but Bent played on and tapped the ball past the advancing Tim Howard to put Villa in front and claim his fifth for the club.Osman spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise when he somehow sliced the ball over from eight yards after Bilyaletdinov had squared the ball across goal and Friedel had failed to intercept.Yet Everton were determined not to end the game empty-handed and earned a penalty seven minutes from time when Makoun was adjudged to have brought Jagielka down.It was the first spot-kick Everton had been awarded in the Premier League all season and Baines made no mistake he blasted past Friedel.
EVERTON 2 ASTON VILLA 2: BAINES SPOT OF PAIN FOR AILING HOULL
Everton 2, Aston Villa 2
Sunday April 3,2011
By Gary Carter
Sunday Mail
But it could have been much worse for Villa. Everton’s Jermaine Beckford had seen his shot bounce off the crossbar and over the line, only for the man with the fl ag to rule it had not. As Everton appealed, Villa went to the other end and Darren Bent grabbed the 68th-minute goal that looked like earning Villa a huge win. But then Jean Makoun made a stupid challenge on Phil Jagielka on the edge of his own penalty area. The Everton defender made sure there was contact and went down, but the tackle begged to be punished. Referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot and Baines blasted in the equaliser to leave Villa still perched perilously over the relegation zone. Everton boss David Moyes said told me the ball was in and my fi rst thought was that it was because of the angle of the ball bouncing off the bar. I thought it was close. “It’s a hard call for the referee and linesman but I thought they would have picked up on the way it was spinning.” Houllier said: “It’s impossible to see from where I was whether the ball went over the line and the players haven’t said anything about it.” Everton went ahead after 38 minutes when Leon Osman cashed in on Kyle Walker’s poor control. It allowed Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to pounce and play in Osman who poked the ball home. But Bent levelled when he finished off the impeccable Stewart Downing’s cross two minutes after the break. Houllier added: “There’s a league of eight games now and we know we just need to rely on ourselves and go for it. “Morale and confi dence was not the highest but we fought hard, it’s not an easy place to come.
Everton need official help to counter Bent double
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
By Jim Foulerton at Goodison Park
Sunday, 3 April 2011
The Independent
This was a happy hunting ground for Gérard Houllier when he was Liverpool's manager and he nearly secured a precious victory to bolster Aston Villa's fight against relegation, only to see his side hand Everton their first penalty of the season, a debatable one, which was converted by Leighton Baines seven minutes from time. The visitors trailed to Leon Osman's first-half strike but hit back through two from Darren Bent. However, they were undone by when Phil Jagielka fell after barely brushing against Jean Makoun's leg and Baines, who had endured a difficult afternoon up against Stewart Downing, drove the spot-kick past Brad Friedel. "The players said it was soft," said Houllier.
Everton felt aggrieved when Jermaine Beckford struck a venomous shot moments before Bent's second goal that crashed against the underside of the bar and appeared to cross the line. "That was a poor decision," said Everton manager David Moyes A glance at the team-sheets made you wonder why Villa, rather than Everton, are in trouble. A side boasting three England internationals – Bent, Ashley Young and Downing – was backed up by £24m worthof talent on the bench. In contrast, Everton had six outfield substitutes without a Premier League appearance between them. However, they made light of their many absentees with some bright football. Villa's right-back Kyle Walker was spared after his intended backpass fell to Beckford and Friedel saved well to his right. Walker's luck ran out, however, when Dimitar Bilyaletdinov robbed him after 37 minutes. The Russian fed the ball to Osman whose shot had too much on it for Friedel. Houllier's half-time team talk clearly had some effect as they drew level two minutes after the restart. A good move ended with Nigel Reo-Coker finding Downing and he ran at Baines before squaring low and precisely to Bent, who slotted home.
Beckford thought he restored Everton's lead after 68 minutes but instead play was waved on by referee Mike Jones and Ashley Young collected Friedel's punt, fed Bent, who cushioned a shot effortlessly past Tim Howard to put Villa in front. Johnny Heitinga and Osman both spurned inviting chances and Everton, in the end, were grateful for a bit off assistance from the official. Attendance: 37,619 Referee: Mike Jones Man of the match: Downing Match rating: 8/10
EVERTON 2 VILLA 2: HEAVEN BENT FOR HOULLIER!
3rd April 2011 By Gary Carter
The Sunday Star
GERARD Houllier cannot argue Villa deserved to cling on for a win here after they struck lucky. And linesman Andy Garratt can breathe a huge sigh of relief after Leighton Baines’ penalty. Jermaine Beckford was bewildered when his shot bounced off the bar and over the line, only for it to be ruled out. As the Everton frontman appealed, Villa went to the other end and Darren Bent grabbed the strike that seemingly earned Villa their biggest win in a long time. However, enter Jean Makoun with one of the most stupid challenges you will ever see on a football pitch. What was going through his head as he went for Phil Jagielka on the edge of his own box is anyone’s guess. The Everton defender made sure there was contact and that he went down but the tackle begged to be punished. Referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot and Baines blasted in the equaliser to leave Villa still perched perilously over the relegation zone. Houllier and his team were told by owner Randy Lerner’s right-hand man General Charles Krulak to “kick the crap” out of Everton. For his moment of madness, Makoun should be beating himself up. When Leon Osman cashed in on Kyle Walker’s howler – poor control that allowed Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to pounce and play his team-mate through – another of those days looked likely. Villa had more resources than Everton but the Toffees’ spirit overwhelmed them – something for Lerner to think about as he surely contemplates a new manager. However, Bent expertly finished the impeccable Stewart Downing’s cross two minutes after the break before then cashing on Tim Howard’s hesitancy as controversy reigned. Villa’s inability to see out matches, though, could prove costly in the battle to beat the drop. How Houllier must wish that his only problem was his lack of strikers. He’ll have shifted nervously as he delivered his half-time address. But once Bent equalised, it was all-out assault. Finally, Villa were kicking the crap out of Everton, with Field Marshal Bent leading the charge. And after he was hauled down by Tim Howard, Walker should have made up for his earlier error from Ashley Young’s free-kick. Everton boss David Moyes said of the disallowed goal: “Someone told me it was in and my first thought was that it was because of the angle that the ball bounced off the bar. “I thought it was very close indeed.” And Houllier said: “It’s impossible to see from where I was whether the ball went over the line and the players haven’t said anything about it.”
Fate smiles on Houllier's men
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
By Andy Hunter
Sunday April 03 2011
The Observer
Much has changed for Gerard Houllier since his last visit to Goodison Park but not the sense of reprieve. Eight years ago, he became the first Liverpool manager to record four successive victories on Everton soil and basked in the pressure being lifted from a winless start to the campaign. Should Aston Villa survive this season, as they should, he will know this was the turning point. Everton, so depleted by injury there was not a minute's worth of Premier League experience among their seven substitutes before kick-off, believed they had taken the lead for a second time when Jermaine Beckford's 66th-minute shot struck the underside of the bar and landed centimetres over the line. Referee Mike Jones, on the advice of assistant Stephen Jones, said no, and seconds later Darren Bent raced clear to place Houllier's team in front. The grievances were ultimately shared when Phil Jagielka threw himself over Jean Makoun inside the Villa area and Leighton Baines equalised from the spot. But the visitors, beaten in their two previous outings and spared again when Leon Osman missed an open goal late on, had escaped. "It was impossible to see from where we are," said Houllier, who described the penalty decision as "a bit soft". "The great technological debate will come back again but I just take a lot from the fact that we won the second half in terms of effort, spirit and quality, particularly in defending and building up the two goals. I am very proud of the players. They showed character and togetherness." Everton's 11 fit senior players had responded superbly to the task before them and Osman opened the scoring on 38 minutes. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov dispossessed Walker and released Osman who squeezed a shot under Brad Friedel. Bent produced an emphatic finish from Downing's low cross to level moments after the restart before slipping his second past Tim Howard as Everton protested over Beckford's disallowed goal.
"My first thought was that it must be close given the angle that the ball bounced back out," said David Moyes. "It was a hard call for the referees but someone who was watching the game told us it was in within three seconds. That is why we champion goal-line technology."
Everton lead chase for Arsenal defender Ignasi Miguel
Apr 3 2011 by Alan Nixon, The People
EVERTON are heading the chase to snap up Arsenal centre-half Ignasi Miguel on loan next season.
They watched the 18-year-old Spaniard in action for the reserves last week and remain interested despite the defender being sent off. Miguel played for Arsenal in the Champions League last season and in two FA Cup ties this term. Joseph Yobo, on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce, is set to leave Goodison permanently in the summer. Toffees boss David Moyes is monitoring another Turkish league club, Genclerbirligi, over Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak.
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa: Toffee's great escape in a controversial affair
Apr 3 2011 by Alan Nixon, The People
The greatest escape at Goodison belonged to linesman Andy Garratt rather than Villa’s under-pressure chief Gerard Houllier. Assistant referee Garratt failed to spot Jermaine Beckford’s shot landing behind the line as it came down off the crossbar in a moment that rocked the crowd and could have had a major impact on the battle at the bottom. To make things worse for head-scratching Everton boss David Moyes and his men, Villa immediately stole up the park and £24million record-buy Darren Bent slotted home his second goal of the day to make it 2-1.
Villa would have owed Garratt a credit for the victory had they won, but the script was changed one more time to spare the linesman’s blushes and restore justice to the scoreline. Jean Makoun tripped Phil Jagielka in the box – although the contact was minimal – and referee Mike Jones, with help from Garratt, pointed to the spot for a penalty that Leighton Baines bashed home. Moyes was amazed about the ‘goal’ he lost and said: “It is a hard call but I thought they would have picked up the ball bouncing back like that. You could see the spin on it. “It was a hard decision. That is why we want goal-line technology. It seems quite an easy thing. We knew within two or three seconds from someone watching in the crowd. “I thought our penalty was a penalty, he just caught him. Maybe the referee also had a bit of doubt in his mind from the shot that was over the line.” A draw was deserved for battling and injury-hit Everton, while also sparing Houllier from a defeat that may have cost him his job. The Frenchman did not know whether to laugh or cry in the end and said: “The morale and confidence isn’t at its highest, but we came back and won the second half. “We fought hard – hard enough to get the points. We made a mistake for the first goal but we came back. We showed a bit more competitiveness, the players showed a real will to win.” On paper Villa should not be in trouble or anywhere near it. A squad full of internationals and experience is too good for the drop zone. Something has been lacking – there have probably been too many noses out of joint at times – although this was a chance to put the record straight. Stewart Downing was outstanding, skipping past Baines for a couple of early shots to prove his intent and his side’s underlying class.
The quality of Villa’s play was often too much for Everton, who would kill to have the likes of Ashley Young in their ranks. The England star oozed class but could not find any takers on the end of his deliveries – even with Villa using two upfront for a change. Everton’s heroes were in defence, where Sylvain Distin stood out and Tony Hibbert had to be brave to block a Nigel Reo-Coker blast. It was one of those days for the defiant Everton spirit, with so many half-fit men on the pitch and a bench full of unknown kids. Nobody summed up that spirit better than Leon Osman, who sneaked the opener as Villa made one too many mistakes at the back. Kyle Walker, who had earlier gifted Beckford a chance, fouled up again and let Diniyar Bilyaletdinov rob him. Osman ran away and picked his moment to beat Friedel. But there was always hope for Villa with Downing in full flow and he created the equaliser with a slick cutback that Bent gleefully struck home two minutes after the break. Villa fists pumped and they realised the win was on. Tim Howard fouled Bent as Everton nerves jangled – with Walker missing a golden chance from the free-kick. There was a lot to like about Everton’s attitude against the odds. John Heitinga was unlucky not to give his side a second unlikely lead with a header that hit team-mate Beckford, while Osman twice went close to grabbing a winner. Moyes sent on Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios for their Premier League debuts and they may see a bit more action before the season is over. Beckford played on with injury, Distin came off with cramp and Seamus Coleman’s ankle was a problem before the start. Moyes said: “I don’t think I have ever had a squad so low on numbers. “The two boys came on and didn’t do badly. They gave us a bit of youthful energy and sparked us.”
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa: Sunday Mirror match report
April 3 2911 By Derick Allsop
Sunday Mirror
The fates that Villa boss Gerard Houllier claimed had conspired against his survival struggle granted him a potentially crucial point. And his Aston Villa side were able to find a little breathing space in the frantic congestion of the relegation zone after Everton’s Jermaine Beckford was denied what seemed to be a perfectly valid goal midway through the second half. Beckford’s shot came down from the bar and looked to be a foot over the line, but officials allowed play to continue. Everton’s anguish was compounded when Darren Bent despatched his – and Villa’s – second goal. But a semblance of justice appeared courtesy of Leighton Baines’ equalising penalty, although Everton were aggrieved that their depleted side didn’t triumph. “I’ve been told Beckford’s shot was over the line. The angle of the ball as it came out made me think it was a goal,” said Everton boss David Moyes. “Technology could have given them the correct decision within seconds. It was a hard decision. “We were unlucky not to win, but it was a great effort considering the team we had out.”
Leon Osman, who gave Everton a first-half lead, missed chances to seal success. Villa, prompted by the menacing Stewart Downing, constantly tested the resilience of Everton’s central defenders of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin. Downing delivered his message of intent from the start, but Villa’s vulnerability at the back was evident when Kyle Walker carelessly allowed Beckford a clear run on goal. To the full-back’s relief, Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel plunged to his left and turned away Beckford’s low shot. But on 38 minutes the hapless Walker was caught out again and paid the price. He had his pocket picked by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who sent Osman through to defy Friedel’s stretch.
Downing began the second half as he had the first, taking on the Everton defence and within two minutes he had found Bent who levelled with an emphatic strike. Everton responded with renewed energy and the ever-willing Osman twice went close to restoring their lead. Moyes’ side should have regained the advantage when Beckford’s shot bounced down off the underside of the bar and appeared to be clearly over the line. The officials weren’t convinced and seconds later Villa added insult to injury by going ahead. Ashley Young fed Bent, who neatly beat Tim Howard. Osman again found himself in front of goal but still squandered the chance as Everton toiled to salvage something.
Team effort paid off when Jean Makoun brought down Jagielka, and Baines hammered home the penalty. Logic suggests that Villa have too many attacking options to go down. Houllier said: “This is always a difficult place to get a point. I have to think it’s two points dropped, now we have to rely on ourselves and really just go for it.”
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Everton and Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday April 2, Sunday Telegraph
It might not be much, but an under-fire Gérard Houllier will be grateful for having pulled two points away from the relegation zone, even if two goals from Darren Bent looked like having won Aston Villa this match, until Leighton Baines’s penalty seven minutes from time rescued a draw for Everton.
“I am a bit disappointed with the result, but in fairness we could have won and we could have lost,” the Frenchman said. This was an improved display from his side, but they still had to rely on an excellent save from Brad Friedel, a linesman who failed to spot that Jermaine Beckford’s second-half shot had crossed the line, and the sheer inaccuracy of Leon Osman, who failed to score a second with a simple volley. Moments like those can decide a club’s season. Unlike most managers, who loathe the international break with a passion, Houllier admitted that his players needed some quiet time after their home defeat to Wolves two weeks ago. The hiatus proved beneficial for Bent and Stewart Downing. The midfielder was excellent, providing Bent with the pass so the striker could score on his 200th League appearance. James Collins has not mastered the problem of dealing with a midfielder charging at him in the area. The defender conceded a penalty to Ashley Young in such a situation while playing for Wales, and he was similarly struggling with his movement when Osman bore down on him in the 38th minute. It was Kyle Walker who ceded possession and Collins was confounded by a simple dummy turn by Osman. Richard Dunne slid in to cover but it was too late, Osman had already shot under Friedel and into the goal. Villa have not come back from behind to win since Houllier took charge in September, but early in the second half Downing gave them hope, passing low into the area for Bent to strike the ball first time into the roof of the net. Beckford should have scored, smacking a shot onto the crossbar, but the linesman failed to see that the ball deflected down and crossed the line. Villa countered, Bent skipping round Tim Howard and passing into the open goal. “It was a double whammy because within 10 seconds we were down,” David Moyes said. Villa thought they had got away with it until Jean Makoun brought down Phil Jagielka in the area and Baines put the ball beyond Friedel.
Laughter is the best medicine for David Moyes and Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2011
DAVID MOYES really must be good pals with Gerard Houllier. Even the closest of friendships would have been tested by an opposition manager making a quip about his team scoring against Everton barely 30 seconds after the Blues had been denied a perfectly good ‘goal’ at the other end. But that’s exactly what happened at Goodison Park on Saturday. With the scores deadlocked at 1-1 Jermaine Beckford hammered the ball against Brad Friedel’s crossbar and clearly over the goal-line. It all happened very fast but while it wasn’t as far over the line as a ‘Frank Lampard’ against the Germans, it was more conclusive than a ‘Geoff Hurst’. Assistant referee Andy Garratt who was in line with play did not award the effort and from the Villa’s keeper’s subsequent punt downfield the visitors had gone ahead themselves. It was at this point that Houllier turned to Moyes on the touchline and told him that he “needed the result more” than the Blues boss. Moyes revealed: “We’ve been friends for a long time – I laughed.“I know how much he did need the result but good friends do it honestly and I certainly wasn’t going to let them take the points lying down. “When we got back level later on, I thought we looked more likely to win it 3-2 than they did.” You certainly couldn’t imagine such banter with Moyes coming from the lips of Houllier’s Anfield successor Rafael Benitez given the cool relationship the Spaniard developed with his rival from across Stanley Park during his Reds tenure but the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France was alive and kicking at Goodison Park. Houllier was Moyes’ opposite number when the Scot first arrived on Merseyside from Preston North End but despite the pair engaging in two years of derby combat between 2002-04 and the Frenchman now remaining unbeaten in seven visits to Goodison, they remain close. Close enough indeed for Houllier to tell Moyes to sign Saturday’s Premier League debutant Magaye Gueye before he returned to English football’s top flight. The Blues boss revealed: “Gerard recommended him to me. When he wasn’t working in the summer he told me to sign him.” At just under £1million, 20-year-old Gueye was the most expensive purchase in what was a summer of paltry spending by Moyes. Despite some impressive pre-season displays on the eve of the campaign, the youngster who was acquired from Strasbourg, a club that had just dropped into the third tier of French football, has had to bide his time while embarking on a steep learning curve getting to grips with the upper echelons of the game on these shores. Until the weekend, Gueye had been restricted to cup outings against lower division sides Huddersfield, Brentford and Scunthorpe but his youthful exuberance shone through as Moyes’ depleted troops battled back to earn a share of the spoils – the very least their efforts deserved. The Scot also handed a substitute debut to teenage Greek striker Apostolos Vellios – his only cash purchase of this year’s January transfer window. Last week, Moyes admitted that the failure to land another striker had hit his side hard this term but if ever there was a game that showed the financial constraints the Scot has had to work under then this was it. For several years now, Everton and Villa have been among the Premier League’s ‘best of the rest’, desperately trying to challenge the Champions League elite without having the benefits of regularly competing in football’s land of milk and honey – or should that be money? But whereas Moyes’ lone frontman Jermaine Beckford – the only senior striker currently available and one who picked up a knock just before half-time – was acquired on a ‘Bosman’ free transfer having turned out for Leeds in League One, when Houllier needed a goalscorer to boost his side’s flagging fortunes in the New Year, he was able to splash out £24million on a single player in the shape of Darren Bent.The former Sunderland man showed just kind of reward such an outlay brings you with a Goodison brace in a game his side shouldn’t really have taken anything from.In contrast, Vellios’ £150,000 price tag is less than what some of the Premier League’s star strikers earn in a single week.While Moyes was forced to name a seven-man bench without a single minute of Premier League experience, Villa’s understudies included World Cup winner Robert Pires, Stiliyan Petrov with over 100 caps for Bulgaria, Emile Heskey who has played 62 times for England, £7.8million centre-back Carlos Cuellar as well as England under-21 stars Marc Albrighton and Fabian Delph.Despite such luxuries, it’s Houllier’s Villa who are sweating two points above the relegation zone while Everton, whose injuries are again approaching a chronic level, currently lie seventh.For all the frustrations that the current campaign has brought to Goodison Park, pound for pound Moyes’ Everton sides continue to outperform their rivals. Perhaps that’s the real reason why the ultra-competitive Scot was able to smile after Houllier’s post-goal remarks?
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2: Blues fight back to earn draw against Villa
Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2011
"It was a hard call for the referee to give and the linesman but it was a goal. That's why I champion touchline technology, it makes a difference." David Moyes joins the throng in favour of touchline technology.. "It was a bit of a dodgy penalty decision. At half time we were annoyed we didn't get after Everton enough in the first half, we didn't get in their faces enough." Darren Bent rues his side's first half showing.. THE old adage says that you usually get what you pay for. Aston Villa splurged £24m on Darren Bent in January, and from two chances the England striker provided two immaculate finishes against Everton on Saturday. The Blues started the game with a striker who cost nothing, yet should have been awarded a goal to give his side a second half lead only for the absence of touchline technology. For that reason perhaps Everton were entitled to feel marginally aggrieved after this absorbing affair. His learning curve continues, but Jermaine Beckford is starting to show that he might yet become another royal blue bargain basement success. However, the man who indisputably proved once again to be one of the most valuable assets in English football was not on the pitch. David Moyes’s future has been the subject of further speculation over the weekend, despite a public insistence that he sees himself at Goodison Park for the long-term. And that incessantly nagging fear that the Scot could lose patience with his task this summer will continue to chill most supporters to their bones. Somehow, despite an all too familiarly gruesome casualty list, Moyes has now guided Everton to seventh in the table, four points behind Liverpool. Somebody once described Everton’s manager as the league’s best pound for pound coach, and it’s hard to disagree. Where would the Blues be now if they had the funds to add a world class centre forward to their ranks last summer? If their squad contained anyone capable of converting just half the chances Everton routinely created in the first half of this campaign, they could be jostling for fifth spot now with Spurs. Bereft of any creativity in central midfield, where a makeshift pair of Phil Neville and John Heitinga offered plenty of work rate and muscle but little else, Moyes instructed his troops to aim for the flanks and send it long. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective, and the Blues used their dangerous left-sided axis of Leighton Baines and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to threaten a defensively fragile opponent. Even a bench consisting of seven players without any Premier League experience amongst them did not undermine their confidence, and Moyes must take some credit for that too. Events were preceded with a sombre moment when fallen Kirkby soldier Mark Burgan was honoured with a round of applause. The 28-year-old Irish Guard, who was killed in Afghanistan, was a Liverpool supporter from a family of mixed allegiance, and Bill Kenwright did not hesitate in approving the tribute when approached by Sergeant Burgan’s Everton supporting uncle. It was a classy gesture. Everton started brightly, and Osman eventually opened the scoring.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a bright and intelligent presence on the left even if he is still lacking defensively, dispossessed Kyle Walker and released Osman who jinked past James Collins before squeezing his shot under Brad Friedel.Villa were also committing men forward though, relying on the the pace and ability of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing down the channels. The Blues, though, looked solid until a sluggish spell after the break when Stewart Downing was given too much time in possession, and the England man raced into the area and cut the ball across goal for Bent to finish emphatically Cue an impressive Everton response. Osman should have doubled his tally after a pinpoint cross field pass from Bilyaletdinov but fired over on the volley. And they believed they should have been in front shortly afterwards but for a highly controversial decision by the assistant referee. Substitute Magaye Gueye played a deft ball into Beckford’s path, and the striker’s shot hit the bar and appeared to bounce just over the line but was ruled out. As Goodison furiously debated, Villa broke down the other end. Friedel pumped the ball up field, and despite Jagielka winning his initial header the ball fell kindly for Ashley Young who chipped it over the top of a flat-footed Sylvain Distin, and Bent delivered another classy finish. Anybody who thought Everton’s young-guns were on the bench simply to make-up the numbers were given a surprise when 19-year-old Greek striker Apsotolos Vellios was introduced as cramp forced Distin off.Everton got their equaliser soon after. Phil Jagielka embarked on an unlikely forward raid and was upended in the area by Jean Makoun.Even if the England defender toppled a little theatrically, nobody can say Everton have had the rub of the green when it comes to spot kicks.Baines cooly converted their first spot kick all season.It meant the hunt for something meaningful to take from this odd season is not over just yet.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1) : Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin (Vellios, 80) Baines, Neville (Capt), Heitinga, Osman, Coleman (Gueye, 52), Bilyaletdinov, Beckford. Not used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Forshaw, Nsiala
ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel, L Young, Collins, Dunne, Walker, Makoun, Reo-Coker, A Young (Capt), Downing, Bent, Agbonlahor (Heskey, 90+2). Not used: Marshall, Pires, Albrighon, Delph, Heskey, Petrov, Cuellar
GOALS: Osman (38), Baines (pen, 83); Bent (47, 68).
CARDS: Booked – Makoun, Walker
REFEREE: Mike Jones
ATTENDANCE: 37,619
Everton FC boss David Moyes delighted with his side's battling qualities against Villa
Apr 4 2011
EVERTON manager David Moyes was delighted with how his threadbare side battled back to earn a draw against Aston Villa.Less than a minute after Jermaine Beckford had seemingly put the Blues 2-1 up only for Chester-based referee Mike Jones to deem the effort had not crossed the line, Villa raced down the field to take a 2-1 lead themselves. However, a patched-up Everton team who included a bench without a single minute of top flight experience, secured a share of the spoils through Leighton Baines’ 83rd-minute penalty – their first Premier League spot-kick of the campaign. Moyes said: "The goal just after half-time rocked us. We didn’t start too well like we had in the first half and Villa got better. "Then we went 2-1 down and there was the disappointment. You’d perhaps think ‘we haven’t got some of the big hitters and it’s not going to be our day.’ But my job – like that of any coach no matter what players they have – is to find a way of winning. "We didn’t win today but nobody can come away saying we didn’t try. "Villa scored a winning goal against us in the last minute a couple of years ago and Steve (Round) turned to me and said: ‘Maybe it’s our turn to get one in the last minute?’ "We had chances with Johnny Heitinga’s header blocked by Jermaine Beckford from going in the net and Ossie (Leon Osman) could have scored several goals."We created a lot more chances than we had in a lot of games. We beat Fulham 2-1 in our last match here but I nearly enjoyed this game more."The Blues boss added: "It just looked like it wasn’t going to be our day. I was glad we got something because I thought we deserved that at least. "With the team we had out I thought that was really important. I don’t know what the points total is going to be to get safe but we’re going to be struggling with injuries between now and the end of the season. "I don’t want the supporters being downbeat because we might not have finished where we are. "I’m hopeful we’ve sent the supporters away saying ‘That was good. We were unfortunate not to come away with all the points." Moyes felt that Everton’s disallowed ‘goal’ showed why goal line technology should be brought into the game., insisting that such innovations would not overly interrupt the flow of matches. He said: "My first thought was with the angle of the ball when the ball came off the bar was ‘that must be close.’ "It’s a hard call for the referee and the linesman but I thought they’d have picked up on the angle of the ball. You can see the spin of the ball. "It was a double whammy because within moments we were 2-1 down but that was down to us."
"It was a poor decision but that’s why we’ve been champing for goal-line technology. It seems quite an easy thing to do. We’d got it through our ear from someone who was watching the game in no more than two or three seconds."We could let the game go on. If it’s not a goal then you just keep on playing but if it is then you blow the whistle and say ‘it’s a goal’. I don’t think it would affect the game very much."But I’d have expected them to have got it right."Moyes was pleased with the contribution of his two substitutes, Premier League debutants, Magaye Gueye, 20, and 19-year-old Apostolos Vellios.He said: "Not everyone is fortunate to have money. If we’ve not I’ve got no qualms. We’ve brought in another couple of young boys."Who knows? They’ve miles and miles to go but that’s what happens. People get opportunities in life and if you can give them those opportunities it’s up to them to take them."They made a positive contribution. Magaye’s been ready to be in the team. He got a hamstring injury about six weeks ago. Otherwise he’d have been involved. "He’s got bits about him. He’s trying to get up to speed but he’d have probably featured before if it wasn’t for his hamstring."He played off the front for his club in France and middle to left for the French under-21s and there’s a bit of me trying to develop him into a wide player on both flanks."When he went in the hole for a wee while he did a decent job."
Sylvain Distin hails potential of Everton FC striker Magaye Gueye
Apr 4 2011
SYLVAIN DISTIN today hailed the potential of Everton’s young French ace Magaye Gueye after his impressive Premier League debut helped Everton earn a point against Aston Villa.The 20-year-old substitute carved out a number of chances for the Blues as they came from behind to draw with the Midlanders at Goodison Park on Saturday.And Distin, whose early exit from the game with cramp was the only time he has not played every minute of each game this season, believes his countryman has the potential to excite in the top flight.Gueye scored for France's U-21 side in their recent victory over Spain, and was recommend to David Moyes by Villa boss Gerard Houllier last summer before his return to management in England.Now Distin hopes his emergence can help compensate for Everton’s growing creative shortage. He said: "Magaye has got tremendous quality. He’s a good guy with a great mentality. He has wanted to play for a long time, and just when he was about to get his chance he got injured. But he did well against Villa and everyone saw his quality. "He reminds me a bit of me when I came to England and I’m trying to help him. It’s not easy at his age to leave your family and friends and come to England."But he has a lot of potential and his mindset is right. He needs to carry on working and being patient." Distin, who has been one of Everton’s star performers this campaign, also insists Gueye can cope with the physical demands of the English game. "Magaye will play again though and more people will see what he can do," he said. "He understands the intensity of English football and put his foot in when he had to and won the ball. He has got it all to be successful." Distin, 32, believes Everton’s move up a place to seventh in the table should be recognised as a sign of achievement in a difficult season.He said: "We move up every game. It’s strange because I think the fans, and us as players, are frustrated but when you look at where we are now, seventh, and the teams around us and what they’ve spent and the size of their squads, I think we should be prouder.""Look at our bench compared to Villas. We had young players, several teenagers and none of them with Premier League experience."They had Pires, Heskey, Petrov and people like that. I can understand the frustration from the fans and the players are the same but you have to look at the big picture and be proud of what we’re doing. We didn’t spend much last summer, and again in January.
Everton FC defender Leighton Baines wants goalline technology after goal ruled out
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 4 2011
LEIGHTON BAINES has thrown his weight behind the use of goalline technology – as he praised the Premier League debuts of a young duo.The England international rescued a point for Everton on Saturday afternoon with a penalty seven minutes from time but insists his side should not have required the late leveller.Jermaine Beckford had a legitimate goal chalked off when referee Mike Jones and his assistant Stephen Child failed to spot his strike had crossed the line when cannoning back off the bar.The goal would have put the Goodison Park side 2-1 up but within a minute of the confusion found themselves trailing by that scoreline after Darren Bent bagged his second of the match.Baines believes using replays to rule on such close decisions is the way forward and the Everton defender says he would not mind a brief halt in the game to make sure justice prevailed.“Video replays don’t take long,” said Baines.“They use it in other sports and so I don’t know why it has not been introduced.“I wouldn’t mind at all if the game was stopped for 30 seconds or so as long as it meant we were getting the right decisions. Not only has the ball crossed the line and we’ve not been given it but Villa have gone up the other end and scored to add insult to injury. You’d sooner get those decisions right. For a few seconds we were looking across for a signal from the linesman to say there’s been a goal but there wasn’t one. “If you have the technology in place and it is going to take less than a minute. Plus you’re unlikely to get any more than one of those incidents in a game, so it doesn’t take a lot of time out of the game for the sake of getting decisions right. But it’s not a bad game as it is so I’m not complaining. As well as Beckford’s thwarted attempt, the main talking point from the weekend’s 2-2 draw was the make-up of Everton’s bench. The seven substitutes had not a single second of top flight English football experience between them at kick-off but thrust into action late in the second half Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios made their mark with encouraging cameos. Baines was delighted to see the prospects given an opportunity but believes they should not be rushed as Everton look to continue their decent form until the end of the season. “I thought they did really well. It was good to see them get on. “ I’ve been impressed with Magaye, he’s been here since pre-season and he’s had a couple of cup games. “I’ve been impressed with him and getting on in the league will give him a lift. “There’s been times when he’s trained really well but has not forced his way into the side, so this will give him encouragement. “Apostolos has come into the side and was a bit of a handful and gave us a bit of a different dimension if you like. “They put themselves about and I’m sure they’ll be pleased.”
Everton FC manager David Moyes would not return favour to Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 4 2011
DAVID MOYES insists he was in no mood to return a favour for Gerard Houllier.Everton fought back to find a late equaliser against Aston Villa on Saturday and move up to seventh in the Premier League table. The point is a valuable one for struggling Villa and despite Houllier’s tongue-in-cheek plea to good friend Moyes, following Leighton Baines’ leveller, that his side needed the points more desperately.Moyes and the Frenchman forged a friendship during Houllier’s tenure as Liverpool manager and before he took the Aston Villa job, recommended Everton sign Magaye Gueye. The France under-21 international made his Premier League debut – alongside Apostolos Vellios – in Saturday’s 2-2 draw as second half substitute and showed flashes of the potential Houllier brought to Moyes’ attention.Although the signs are Moyes could be very grateful to the Villa manager, he was not going to let Everton give up on the chance for points at Goodison Park at the weekend.“Gerard recommended him to me,” recalls Moyes.“When he wasn’t working in the summer he told me to sign him.“Magaye’s got bits about him. He’s trying to get up to speed but he’d have probably featured before if it wasn’t for his hamstring.“He played off the front for his club in France and middle to left for the French under-21s and there’s a bit of me trying to develop him into a wide player on both flanks. “When he went in the hole for a wee while he did a decent job. “They’ve (Gueye and Vellios) miles and miles to go but that’s what happens. People get opportunities in life and if you can give them those opportunities it’s up to them to take them. “They made a positive contribution. Magaye’s been ready to be in the team. He got a hamstring injury about six weeks ago. Otherwise he’d have been involved. “Gerard said he needed the result more than I did. “We’ve been friends for a long time – I laughed. “I know how much he did need the result but good friends do it honestly and I certainly wasn’t going to let them take the points lying down.“When we got back level later on, I thought we looked more likely to win it 3-2 than they did.”Moyes admits that Villa’s equaliser just after half-time – through Darren Bent after Leon Osman gave Everton a 38th minute lead – stunted their progress in the match.And having controversially then been denied the lead before Bent grabbed his second, Moyes was preparing himself for defeat, despite feeling his side deserved something.“The goal just after half-time rocked us. We didn’t start too well like we had in the first half and Villa got better.“Then we went 2-1 down and there was the disappointment. You’d perhaps think ‘we haven’t got some of the big hitters and it’s not going to be our day’. But my job – like that of any coach no matter what players they have – is to find a way of winning.“We didn’t win but nobody can come away saying we didn’t try and win the game.”“Villa scored a winning goal against us in the last minute a couple of years ago and Steve (Round) turned to me and said: ‘Maybe it’s our turn to get one in the last minute?’“We had chances when Johnny Heitinga’s header was blocked by Jermaine Beckford from going in the net and Ossie (Leon Osman) could have scored several goals.“We created a lot more chances than we had in a lot of games. We beat Fulham 2-1 in our last match here but I nearly enjoyed this game more.”“It just looked like it wasn’t going to be our day. I was glad we got something because I thought we deserved that at least.“With the team we had out I thought that was really important. I don’t know what the points total is going to be to get safe but we’re going to be struggling with injuries between now and the end of the season.“I’m hopeful we’ve sent the supporters away saying ‘That was good. We were unfortunate not to come away with all the points.’”And on being forced to select seven players on the bench, with not one having any Premier League experience, he added: “Not everyone is fortunate to have money.“If we’ve not I’ve got no qualms.“We’ve brought in another couple of young boys.”
Everton FC 2 Aston Villa 2 - bad luck continues in hard-fought draw
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 4 2011
EVEN by the standards of Everton’s recent misfortune, the weekend proved new territory.Never before has David Moyes been slapped quite so firmly by a Goodison Park injury crisis, so much so not an ounce of Premier League experience graced the home bench.For the fans crying out for fresh investment, Saturday’s team sheet will now prove their most compelling piece of evidence and even for those less inclined for boardroom upheaval, it will have nevertheless been a sobering sight .But as much as the Finch Farm medical table being oversubscribed is commonplace these days, so too is Everton’s ability to back adversity into a corner.And yet as Aston Villa boasted a matchday squad brimming with internationals, it is Gerard Houllier who continues to fight off threats of relegation this morning, not David Moyes.That work of the manager means the royal blue men find themselves in the comfortable void left by safety and European qualification being a stretch too far, so thoughts could understandably be turning to next season.And while images of those players sat next to Moyes on the sidelines will have heightened hopes for a more vibrant next term, Saturday’s fightback from injustice shows Everton are far from willing to let this season drift into apathy.Moyes’ men were close to being mightily wronged when Jermaine Beckford’s effort was ruled not to have crossed the line midway through the second half only for Darren Bent to rub salt into the wound by putting Villa ahead within 60 seconds of the confusion.Television replays confirmed the instinct of Moyes and his players – that having struck the bar, Beckford’s shot went in – but fairness prevailed in the end as Phil Jagielka won a penalty which Leighton Baines fired home with seven minutes remaining.It was quite the stirring second half, one full of incident and endeavour from both sides in the late afternoon sun and lit up in flashes by the league debuts of Magaye Gueye and, to a lesser extent, Apostolos Vellios.The point takes Everton into seventh, extends their unbeaten run at Goodison to eight matches and edges them a step closer to Liverpool, their last only remaining target for the last seven matches of the campaign.It also extends the unbeaten run of the beleaguered Houllier at Goodison Park, making it seven games in charge of an opposing team without defeat.However, had Everton had the full compliment from which to choose, Villa would perhaps not be savouring a vital point in their bid for safety for their performance was a summary of a season’s fortunes.The visitors were good going forward but rotten at the back and Everton so nearly profited inside the first 10 minutes when Kyle Walker’s ill-judged headed back pass fell way short of Brad Friedel and into the path of Beckford.Although the American goalkeeper produced a fine stop at full stretch to palm the ball out for a corner, had Beckford shown composure and not hit the ball at the first opportunity then the home side would have grabbed hold of the game.As it turned out, Villa showed the greater intent for much of first half with Tim Howard in the home goal and right-back Tony Hibbert -–celebrating his 10th year with Everton – having to keep the Midlands side at bay.Everton stood resolute and managed to steal a half-time lead, this time punishing the fragility of Villa’s back four.
Walker was again at fault as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov dispossessed the full-back and fed Leon Osman, who would do the rest.Moving with ease into the area, the 29-year-old went beyond James Collins before side-footing under the dive of Friedel.Villa emerged for the second half early and within two minutes of the restart saw their eagerness rewarded with the equaliser.Stewart Downing showed greater purpose in attacking the Everton defence and picked out Bent, whose movement rid him of Jagielka, and the England striker showed his clinical edge.Despite his goal – a third of the campaign – Osman needed just a slice of his rival’s accuracy as three times the resurgent Everton forward missed the target.First, picking up on the scraps of Friedel flapping at a corner, Osman engineered space but curled the ball agonisingly wide before a half-volley on the run rose over the bar.Osman’s third miss came when Everton had fallen behind, Villa were shaky but his left foot volley from eight yards skewed wide.The chances were coming to the playmaker because Gueye’s introduction had taken part of the attacking burden from his shoulders.A France under-21 international, Gueye came on as direct replacement for Seamus Coleman and added an element of surprise on the visitors’ defence.Less direct than the Irishman he replaced, Gueye though appears to have greater range of skill and passing, with his through ball to Beckford, when the striker struck the bar, was case in point. He too allowed Hibbert to embark a couple of storming runs to the byline.Everton have not uncovered a gem who can be thrust into first team action straight away, but his performance as a late substitute was wholly encouraging.But it would be the anticipation and slight of foot from Jagielka which allowed Everton to restore parity, as the England defender evaded two challenges before drawing Makoun into a foul.Baines dispatched the home side’s first penalty of the Premier League season, firing low and hard down the middle of Friedel’s goal.It produced a rousing finish to an entertaining game, but talk afterwards will have centred more on who did not make it onto the pitch than those on it.
Aston Villa: Gerard Houllier believes team have shown they can beat the drop
Apr 3 2011 (Birmingham Mail)
Under-pressure Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier believes his team are showing the qualities needed to beat relegation despite being denied victory at injury-hit Everton.Everton's Leighton Baines struck a late penalty to secure a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park after a Darren Bent double looked to have put troubled Villa on course for three valuable Barclays Premier League points.Villa fought back well after a sluggish first half in which Leon Osman opened the scoring after 38 minutes and the visitors felt the 82nd-minute penalty award against Jean Makoun was harsh.Yet the hosts could also feel aggrieved after a Jermaine Beckford shot bounced close to the line after hitting the crossbar just seconds before Bent grabbed his second.Houllier, whose side are just two points above the bottom three, said: "It is always difficult to get a point at Everton, it is not an easy place to play."I felt we fought hard enough to get the three points because we came back after making a mistake in the first half. We showed more competitiveness."I am disappointed with the result because there were eight minutes left when we conceded the penalty."But taking into account that morale and confidence is not at its highest, the fact we came back in the second half and won it 2-1, that is what we have to take."I would say it is two points lost because we were in a winning position in the game but in terms of attitude, it was a hard-fought point and we deserved that, minimum."Houllier refused to give his opinions on the two controversial moments, claiming that he had not properly seen either Beckford's shot or the penalty incident.Some replays of Beckford's effort were inconclusive but one angle appeared to show the ball across the line."That is one about technology," Houllier said. "The great debate will come back again."Referee Mike Jones gave Everton their chance to equalise when he adjudged Makoun to have tripped Phil Jagielka.Houllier said: "It happened in the box. The players thought it was a bit soft but I didn't see what happened."
Everton 2, Aston Villa 2: Mat Kendrick's match stats and player ratings
by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
Apr 4 2011
Stewart DowningFRIEDEL..........................7
Might have done better with opening goal, but saved well from Beckford and Heitinga.
WALKER.........................5
A day to forget. Committed a string of errors. Was dispossessed for the first goal.
COLLINS.........................6
Competed in the air. Couldn’t stop Osman scoring. Improved as the game wore on.
DUNNE...........................6
Big defender was hit-and-miss on his return to action after injury and indiscipline.
L YOUNG.........................7
Typically steady display from latest makeshift left-back. Did the basics well.
MAN OF THE MATCH: DOWNING...................8
Villa’s best player. His run and cross for the leveller sparked the revival.
REO-COKER....................6
As ever his ball-winning skills easily eclipsed his ball-playing skills.
MAKOUN........................6
Has faded slightly following his early impact. Harshly punished with penalty decision.
A YOUNG.........................6
Unable to reproduce England form for Villa. Mixed bag, but made Bent’s second goal.
AGBONLAHOR.................5
Handed a rare start up front, but failed to make the most of his return to the starting XI.
BENT..............................8
Showcased his clinical goalscoring touch with a brilliantly-taken brace.
SUBSTITUTES:
Heskey (for, Agbonlahor, 90).
Not used: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delph, Petrov, Cuellar.
EVERTON (4-5-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin (Vellios 80), Baines; Coleman (Gueye 52), Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Osman; Beckford. Not used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Forshaw, Nsiala.
BOOKINGS: Heitinga (foul 33), Jagielka (foul 35), Osman (foul, 84) – Everton. Makoun (foul, 49), Walker (foul, 70) – Villa.
CROWD WATCH.........................7
Claret and blue army made plenty of noise. Attendance: 37,619.
REF WATCH................................5
M Jones (Cheshire): Got the ‘goal’ and ‘penalty’ decisions wrong.
THE MANAGER..........................6
Gerard Houllier was encouraged by character but frustrated his strongest line-up still couldn’t hold on to a lead.
GAME RATING...........................6
Uninspiring, error-strewn first half. Improved after the break.
INJURY WATCH
None.
WHO’S NEXT UP FOR VILLA?
Newcastle (h) Sunday, 4pm.
Everton 2, Aston Villa 2: Mat Kendrick's big match verdict
Apr 4 2011 (Birmingham Mail)
Darren Bent was Aston Villa's hero of the dayIF ONLY Villa could finish as well as Darren Bent.Well, they’d better learn pretty damn quickly if England’s new No.9 is to avoid playing international football as a Championship striker next season.For, make no mistake, while the prolific poacher’s goals are Villa’s beacon of hope in their seven-game survival mission, their habit of conceding late on and throwing away winning positions is endangering their Premier League status.In the context of the woeful Wolves wake, Villa were vastly improved.In the context of visiting European outsiders who boasted a good Goodison Park record, a point was a decent return.And in the context of next weekend’s Newcastle clash, a home win and subsequent four-point haul from two tough games would make the Merseyside mission fairly satisfying.But Gerard Houllier needs threes rather than ones and with a 2-1 advantage seven minutes from time against a Toffees team missing many big-hitters, full-strength Villa ought to have held on for maximum points – penalty controversy or not.Don’t forget David Moyes’ men were without Cahill, Saha, Rodwell and Arteta.And none of their seven substitutes had a minute’s Premier League experience between them. Other than suspended Ciaran Clark, Houllier had a full compliment of first-teamers to choose from.Not that fielding a much more experienced defence than against Mick McCarthy’s battlers could prevent Villa’s goals-against column creeping up to a depressing 53 conceded.This time it was Kyle Walker’s turn to throw in the unforced errors .Well, his and referee Mike Jones, who got the match’s two biggest decisions wrong.Walker was caught somewhere between composure and complacency all afternoon and was culpable for Everton’s opening goal.He had already received an early let-off when his under-strength back-header was seized upon by Jermaine Beckford, whose first-time shot from a one-on-one position was turned around the post by Brad Friedel. But neither Friedel, nor returning backline bad-boys James Collins or Richard Dunne, could come to Walker’s rescue when the dithering defender was dispossessed on 38 minutes.Diniyar Bilyaletdinov barged Walker off the ball and released Leon Osman, who turned Collins inside out before squeezing a left-foot shot in via the hand of Friedel, with Dunne’s covering challenge arriving moments too late. Such is Walker’s gung-ho approach that his swashbuckling raids from right-back have now started to excite and alarm Villa in equal measure.
When he bursts forward he offers Houllier a bold attacking option. When he loses possession he leaves his team hopelessly exposed at a stage in the season they can ill afford any more mistakes. Although his slip galvanised Villa for a storming start to the second half, his personal attempt to atone ended up miles over the bar when he missed a volleyed sitter from Ashley Young’s whipped cross.It added to Nigel Reo-Coker’s near miss before the break when Tony Hibbert’s deflection diverted his goalbound swing of the boot over the bar.Fortunately for Villa, they have a goal machine who knows where the net is.From a move reminiscent of his England effort against Wales the previous weekend Bent smashed in a right-wing cross from near the penalty spot on 48 minutes with the kind of clinical shot which has been a trademark of his career.This time it was not Young’s crossing but the creativity of the stupendous Stewart Downing, whose imperious performance was an example to his colleagues during the club’s time of need.Cheshire official Jones and his assistant Andy Garrett gave Villa an equally important assist midway through the second half when they ruled that Beckford’s strike against the bar did not cross the line, despite TV replays suggesting otherwise.Much to Everton’s frustration, the linesman wasn’t Russian but Bent was rushing and with the hosts still protesting the decision, Villa’s star striker broke away and scored, latching on to Young’s pass to slot neatly past the onrushing Tim Howard.Proof of the adage that dodgy decisions eventually even themselves out came on 83 minutes when the Toffees profited from a debatable penalty award.Having spurned a string of scoring opportunities through Osman and seen Friedel repel John Heitinga’s header, Everton were handed a controversial lifeline.Jones deemed Jean Makoun’s challenge on Phil Jagielka to be a foul, even though any contact from the Cameroon international seemed to be a figment of the referee’s imagination.Leighton Baines took full advantage, blasting his spot-kick down the centre of the goal as Friedel dived to the side.It means Villa have now lost 23 points from winning positions. Not since Barbara Woodhouse retired have so many leads been thrown away.Houllier’s underachievers are also among the top flight’s worst culprits for letting in late goals.They must learn how to finish. Maybe expert finisher Bent can have a quiet word, because finishes don’t come much bigger than the increasingly tense end of season run-in.
Distin has pride in Everton team-mates despite stuttering campaign
Dail Mail
4th April 2011
Everton defender Sylvain Distin believes the club should be given greater credit for their achievements this season. A draw at home to Aston Villa at the weekend lifted the Toffees up to seventh, just behind near-neighbours Liverpool and above Bolton. 'We move up every game. It's strange because I think the fans, and us as players, are frustrated,' said the centre-back.
'I think we should be prouder': Sylvain Distin is happy with where Everton are in the league given their budget But when you look at where we are now, seventh, and the teams around us and what they've spent and the size of their squads, I think we should be prouder. 'Look at our bench compared to Villa's. We had young players, several teenagers and none of them with Premier League experience. 'They had Robert Pires, Emile Heskey, Stiliyan Petrov and people like that.
'I can understand the frustration from the fans and the players are the same but you have to look at the big picture and be proud of what we're doing. Underachieving: Everton have been inconsistent all season We didn't spend much last summer and again in January.' One of the youngsters Distin referred to, Magaye Gueye, was introduced as a 52nd-minute substitute for his Barclays Premier League debut. The 20-year-old was pressed into action because of Everton's crippling injury problems and Distin believes his fellow Frenchman has the qualities to succeed. 'Magaye has got tremendous quality. He's a good guy with a great mentality,' he told the Liverpool Echo. 'Great mentality': Distin is impressed with Magaye Gueye He reminds me a bit of me when I came to England and I'm trying to help him; it's not easy at his age to leave your family and friends and come to England. 'But he has a lot of potential and his mindset is right. He needs to carry on working and being patient. 'Magaye will play again and more people will see what he can do. 'He understands the intensity of English football and put
Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
April 4 2011 The Sporting Life
Leighton Baines struck a late penalty as injury-hit Everton denied troubled Aston Villa a much-needed win in the Barclays Premier League. England striker Darren Bent appeared to have put relegation-threatened Villa - and their under-pressure manager Gerard Houllier - on course for three vital points at Goodison Park when he responded to Leon Osman's opener with a second-half double. But Everton, who were aggrieved when Jermaine Beckford was not awarded a goal after a shot bounced down off the bar, battled on and won a spot-kick when Jean Makoun tripped Phil Jagielka. The draw was no more than Everton deserved after dictating the play for most of the game despite missing several big names and being relatively secure in mid-table. Villa, by contrast, were sluggish for large periods and the future of Houllier's regime remains uncertain. The visitors could maybe even consider themselves fortunate as, apart from Beckford's effort, Osman missed a host of chances to increase Everton's tally. Everton, already without the likes of Louis Saha, Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta, had managed to field a familiar starting line-up despite the failure of Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell to prove their fitness. Beyond that, however, the thinness of their resources was apparent as manager David Moyes named seven substitutes with not a single minute's Premier League experience between them. Villa welcomed back central defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins while Gabriel Agbonlahor and Luke Young also featured. Stewart Downing had Villa's first chance when he skipped into the area after a strong run down the right but John Heitinga twice blocked. Everton were almost gifted the opening goal when Kyle Walker's poor header towards Brad Friedel was seized upon by Beckford. The former Leeds forward waited for the ball to bounce and although his left-foot effort from the edge of the area was not the cleanest of strikes, it still needed a fine save from Friedel to deny him. Villa attempted to catch Everton on the break after clearing a Baines free-kick into their own box but Sylvain Distin got back to steal the ball from Walker. Everton raced back up to the other end but Collins slid in to prevent Beckford getting in a cross. Everton looked stretched when Dunne headed across the home goal but Tony Hibbert, who celebrated the 10th anniversary of his Toffees debut this week, diverted Nigel Reo-Coker's shot wide. Generally Villa had struggled to break down the hosts and the Merseysiders grabbed the lead seven minutes before the interval. Osman, playing in advanced position behind Beckford, took up an attack from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and broke into the area before beating Collins on the outside.
He shot directly at Friedel but the keeper could not prevent the ball trickling over the line. Villa put their poor first half behind them to get back on level terms within two minutes of the restart.
Downing was allowed room on the right to cut inside the area and thread the ball through to Bent near the penalty spot. The £24million man, buoyed by his strike for England last week, made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Osman went close to putting Everton back into the lead when he curled an effort just beyond the far post after Friedel had blocked a firm header from Heitinga. Osman had another opportunity moments later but fired over after being picked out by a superb crossfield ball from Bilyaletdinov. Beckford claimed he had scored when he broke clear and rattled the bar with a fierce shot which bounced down and away. The striker was convinced the ball had crossed the line but the assistant referee did not agree and initial replays appeared inconclusive. As Everton rued their fortune, Friedel punted the ball upfield and Ashley Young released Bent. The Toffees appealed for offside but Bent played on and tapped the ball past the advancing Tim Howard to put Villa in front and claim his fifth for the club. Osman spurned a glorious opportunity to equalise when he somehow sliced the ball over from eight yards after Bilyaletdinov had squared the ball across goal and Friedel had failed to intercept. Yet Everton were determined not to end the game empty-handed and earned a penalty seven minutes from time when Makoun was adjudged to have brought Jagielka down. It was the first spot-kick Everton had been awarded in the Premier League all season and Baines made no mistake he blasted past Friedel.
Teams:
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin (Vellios 80), Baines, Coleman (Gueye 52), Neville, Heitinga, Osman, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford.
Subs Not Used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Forshaw, Nsiala.
Booked: Heitinga, Jagielka, Osman.
Goals: Osman 38, Baines 83 pen.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Walker, Dunne, Collins, Luke Young, Downing, Makoun, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor (Heskey 90), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Pires, Albrighton, Delph, Petrov, Cuellar.
Booked: Makoun, Walker.
Goals: Bent 47, 68.
Att: 37,619
Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
7 Shots On Target 5
7 Shots Off Target 2
13 Fouls (Conceded) 16
5 Corners 7
3 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
Ian Snodin: Jermain Beckford's strike shows goalline technology long overdue
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2011
GOAL LINE technology needed to be brought in after 1966. I know the equipment was not around back then but the point I’m trying to make is the game is crying out for an end to wrong decisions.
Everton were on the end of a bad one against Aston Villa on Saturday when Jermaine Beckford’s shot crashed off the bar and over the line only for the officials not to give the goal. I don’t think the referee and his linesman deserve any flak on this occasion; my first reaction was the ball had not gone over the line. But having watched it back, it is now clear it was a goal yet goal line technology would end this argument and debate. As a player I would not have minded at all if play was stopped for 30 seconds or so while video footage was reviewed. In fact, they could make it longer than half a minute because it would give a player like me a breather. The country has been debating the 1966 World Cup final ever since, but technology could have ended the talk a long time ago. Everton win at Wolves will kick-start my weekend I’M hoping Everton get my weekend off to a great start.
The Blues go to Wolves in the early kick-off on Saturday and it promises to be a good game.
It is a massive fixture for the Molyneux side who are back in the bottom three after last weekend’s results. I have got a lot of time for Wolves manager Mick McCarthy and know him particularly well.
Mick always speaks his mind and he’s a proud Yorkshireman like me. I respect the way Mick’s teams play, they get it out wide and play really positively. I played at Molyneux during my career and there is always a great atmosphere at games. Wolves have this particular song they play before kick-off which gets the crowd going. But you can also bet the Everton end will be packed out and the travelling Blues will make themselves heard. This will be a tough game for David Moyes’ men, especially as we will be light on numbers. But it is a great opportunity for the lads who are available to stand up and be counted. Wolves got a deserved draw at Goodison in August and Saturday promises to be as difficult for Everton so it must be all hands to the pump. Victory would really kick-start my weekend. Everton FC youth team kit man Danny Webb the Grand National top tipster I SPENT Monday afternoon with the Grand National’s self proclaimed top tipster. I was up at Finch Farm with youth team kit manager Danny Webb and he tells me Ruby Walsh will win the National on The Midnight Club. My tip is Donald McCain’s Ballabriggs will be the one to watch. The National comes right in the middle of a great weekend for all sports purists. After Everton’s game at Wolves, all eyes are on Aintree before I get in front of the television and not move until the end of The Masters.
Ian Snodin: Premier League prize money means Everton FC can't afford to play youngsters
Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2011
MONEY makes the football world go round. There can be no denying finances dictate so much of the game these days. And with that in mind we come to the conundrum facing David Moyes for the remaining seven games of the Premier League season. When the teamsheet arrived in my hands for Saturday’s game against Aston Villa I have to admit I didn’t know who many of the substitutes were.
I’d seen glimpses of Magaye Gueye and heard of Apostolos Vellios’ progress, but many of the others were new names to me. But it was great to see them there and even though only two got on, what an invaluable experience Moyes gave those lads, who have now felt what a Premier League matchday is like with Everton. Gueye did well when he came on in the second half, looks to have a good left foot and will hopefully be a player. With Everton effectively safe from the threat of relegation now, in an ideal world I’d love to see those other lads given another chance between now and the rest of the season. However, this is unlikely to happen because of the extra money available for the higher you finish in the league table. An extra £500,000 is on offer for those ending the season seventh rather than eighth or eighth instead of ninth, for example. With that in mind, Everton can not afford to give these kids a chance. I made my Football League debut when I was 16 – and what a feeling. It may have only been in the old third or fourth division but the experience was absolutely magnificent. But the risk is not one Everton can take. It’s wrong, but unfortunately it’s where we are up to. It is a shame because Gueye and Vellios made their contribution to a really enjoyable game against Villa last weekend. Considering what Everton had in midfield and the players not available, we turned in a decent performance. Leon Osman could have had a hat-trick but his misses should not detract from another good performance. We tried playing football and taking the game to Villa who, for their part, produced some decent stuff as well.
We face another Midlands side this weekend and as much as it would be great to see some of the kids get a chance, it is unlikely.
Rooney was in wrong
WAYNE ROONEY is a fantastic footballer – but what he did on Saturday was wrong. wearing straight into the television camera like he did is not on. Two minutes after he’s done it, Wayne probably realised what a mistake it was. As I write this column, the Football Association have charged Rooney and he faces a two-match ban. I was no angel when I played the game but Rooney’s actions cannot be condoned.
Everton FC open talks with Marouane Fellaini over new deal
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2011
EVERTON have opened talks with Marouane Fellaini over a new deal. The Belgium international has just over two years remaining on the contract he penned when he joined the Blues in 2008. The club’s record signing – currently sidelined with an ankle injury – agreed a five-term deal on his £15m arrival from Standard Liege but speculation continues to link him with a summer move away from Goodison. Chelsea are understood to be preparing a bid for the midfielder and in order to hang on to one of their prized assets, Everton have sat down with Fellaini and his advisers over a contract extension. Manager David Moyes sees Fellaini as integral to his plans and, though not directly involved in negotiations, insists the club are doing all they can to persuade the Belgian to stick with the Blues. Moyes says Everton are doing their best to fend off the interest of other sides and believes chairman Bill Kenwright deserves credit. “I think talks have started now, even though I’ve not spoken to Marouane personally about it,” revealed Moyes. He’s really important to us, part of the furniture here now, and of course we want him to stay. “We did it with the likes of Jags and Bainesy, who are on long-term contracts. "We want to keep building on that and Marouane comes into that category. “When you have good players, teams will always come looking for them.
“In the main the chairman has done a really good job keeping hold of players, so we’ll see how we go with Marouane too.” Meanwhile, left-back Leighton Baines says Everton should not overburden the club’s young crop. Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios produced promising debuts as substitutes in Saturday’s draw with Aston Villa – but Baines feels Everton should stick with experience for the final seven games. “It’s a difficult situation for the manager to be in because he’s trying to win football matches,” said Baines. “I’m not convinced we’re in a position where we have nothing to play for.
“We want to get as many points as possible, we’re in reasonable form over the past couple of months but have got some tough games coming up. “Every game is going to be a big game now we’re at the business end of the season and they will all be tough. “We always seem to have a reasonably small squad and on top of that we seem to have terrible runs with injuries. “A lot of lads have had big injuries. “We pull together at times like this and know we have got to work together.”
ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Adam Thomas’s late strike helps Everton under-18s win to move clear at the top
by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 5 2011
ADAM THOMAS helped move Everton under-18s clear at the top of the FA Premier Academy League table with the winning strike in a 3-2 victory at Stoke City on Saturday. With second-placed Manchester City not in action, Neil Dewsnip’s side moved three points clear with victory in one of their two games in hand on City. Goals from Danny Murphy, Anton Forrester and Thomas gave Everton all three points to continue their title quest. Everton started well and took the lead after 25 minutes. Murphy headed in from Tom Donegan’s free-kick. Forrester doubled Everton’s advantage soon after when schoolboy debutant Jasper Johns set up the striker to crash a superb effort into the top corner. It seemed like Dewsnip’s side would be cruising to victory at the break. But the home side hit back scoring twice in a five-minute spell. Everton were also grateful to keeper Conor Roberts who made two fine saves. Forrester went close to restoring Everton’s advantage when he went one-on-one with the Stoke keeper. But after Hallam Hope was introduced he got in behind the Stoke defence and crossed for Thomas to tap home the winner. Coach Dewsnip said: “It was a really exciting game. We started off well and were 2-0 up. We were in control of the game and played really well. We were quite comfortable at half-time. But within four minutes it wasn’t. We were obviously rocking and rolling. But eventually we won.” He added: “The lads are very strong mentally and they have a great desire. Players come in and go out as happens at this level, but there seems to be a constant mental toughness to find a way of winning. It is very encouraging for them as individuals. It is an important quality that we have in this group.” Everton face Sheffield United at Finch Farm this Saturday (kick-off 11am).
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Higgins, Murphy, Dyer, Garbutt, Johns (Hope 70), Barrow, Donegan, Dobie, Thomas, Forrester. Subs: Heneghan, Griffiths, Toure.
Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC goal means video technology debate has now crossed the line
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 5 2011
DAVID MOYES will now be asking the same question I have for a long time – just when is football going to embrace goalline technology? All the other sports must now be just laughing at us. To say we can’t actually have the technology or science in place to tell whether the ball has crossed the line or not is just complete rubbish. Even with the naked eye, most people could tell that Jermaine Beckford’s shot had crossed the line after striking the underside of the crossbar. That Aston Villa then went immediately up the other end to score made the failure of the referee and his assistant to see the ‘goal’ all the more galling. You are telling me that if the technology was made available to the Premier League right now to swiftly settle such issues, they wouldn’t take it? Look at rugby union, rugby league and cricket. All have video technology, and in fact using the big screen to make decisions has added to the experience of those watching in the stadium and at home. I think the bottom line is that people like Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are worried that it means the game will start being run by television – well here’s a newsflash for them, it is already.
How many more times must it happen? Even if the decision is only 99% certain, then it is better than what we have at the moment. It’s bonkers the authorities don’t want to use the technology.
Of course, Moyes would not have been laughing. Everton managed to fight back to earn a point against Villa, but there is a real danger now that the season will just fizzle out. Sometimes teams have ‘nothing’ seasons. It just happens and it’s hard to put a finger on why. The injuries don’t help, but they could be being used as an excuse by some of the other players to maybe lessen their efforts. Moyes, though, will be sure to keep on top of that. What’s worrying for me is the nature and length of the injuries. These aren’t just small injuries, they seem to be serious, long-term ones.
Everton’s substitutes bench on Saturday tells you everything you need to know about the depth of the squad. Maybe one of those youngsters can come through between now and the end of the campaign. And it’s very difficult to say what Everton’s target is now. But the higher they finish up the league, then the more prize money they will get – three or four places could be the difference between buying a new player or not. Already, one or two reports are already speculating about Moyes’s future. But what’s clear is that Everton are heading towards a big summer in which big decisions have to be made. One of those will be whether Marouane Fellaini signs a new contract. By offering him a new deal, Everton will soon find out what he really wants.
Everton FC open talks with Marouane Fellaini over new contract
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 5 2011
DAVID MOYES has revealed Everton have opened talks over persuading Marouane Fellaini to extend his Goodison commitment. Negotiations have started with the Belgian international, who is approaching the final two years of the contract signed when arriving from Standard Liege for a club record £15million in September 2008. Fellaini’s future has been the source of constant speculation in recent months, with both Chelsea and Real Madrid linked with launching a summer bid for the 23-year-old. And the player’s father, Abellatif, has added fuel to the fire with a series of comments criticising Everton and suggesting his son should be playing at a bigger club. Should discussions flounder, Moyes may opt to cash in on Fellaini to help finance his squad rebuilding programme.
But the Goodison manager is determined to ensure the midfielder, who is sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with an ankle injury, has not played his last game for the club. “I think talks have started now, even though I’ve not spoken to Marouane personally about it,” said Moyes.
“He’s really important to us, part of the furniture here now, and of course we want him to stay.
“We did it with the likes of Jags and Bainesy, who are on long-term contracts. “We want to keep building on that and obviously Marouane comes into that category. “We did the same last year when teams wanted Jags and Mikel, but we made sure we kept them. “That’s what happens when you have good players – teams will always come looking for them, and there’s no doubt Marouane is a good player. “In the main the chairman has done a really good job keeping hold of players, so we’ll see how we go with Marouane too.” Fellaini is one of several Everton players struck by injury, with Mikel Arteta, Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha, Victor Anichebe and Jose Baxter all missing Saturday’s 2-2 home draw against Aston Villa. Indeed, Everton’s bench consisted of seven players who before kick-off did not have a single minute of Premier League experience between them. But Leighton Baines, who netted the equaliser from the spot at the weekend, believes the youngsters may have to bide their time given the Goodison outfit can still have a major say in the top-flight campaign. “I’m not convinced we’re in a position where we have nothing to play for,” said the England international. “We want to get as many points as possible, we’re in reasonable form over the past couple of months but have got some tough games coming up against sides with a lot to play for – either fighting at the bottom of the league or mounting a challenge for the title. We’ve still to play Man United and Chelsea. “Every game is going to be a big game now we’re at the business end of the season and they will all be tough. “We always seem to have a reasonably small squad compared to others and on top of that we seem to have terrible runs with injuries. “A lot of lads have had big injuries and we’ve missed big players all at the same time. It has happened here before so it’s nothing new. “We pull together at times like this and know we have got to work together.”
Everton keeper Tim Howard welcomes the FA Women’s Super League
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2011
TIM HOWARD has welcomed the arrival of the new FA Women’s Super League, and says the game in this country can learn a lot from its American counterpart. Everton’s US international keeper says women’s football in the States is far more advanced than in the UK, but believes that the formation of the WSL can help further promote the sport, and help create a winning mentality at international level. “Moving the women’s league to the summer is a good move,” says Howard, “It’s the close season for the men’s game, there’s not a lot to write about for the reporters, so it’s a good chance for them to get much more exposure in the media and with the fans. “Women’s football is huge in America. The blueprint for our success in the States has come from giving the girls and opportunity and an outlet. The talent will take over, you just have to supply them with the fields and the coaching and the facilities. “In England, the mindset is a little different. Americans are more liberal to it. That just goes back to difference in culture and having an open-mindedness about the game. “The women’s team have done tremendous things in America and won more trophies than the men’s team. In England, that needs to change and hopefully it will start to do so with the introduction of this league. “Having said that, the USA lost 2-1 to England last week which was a great result for the English team!”
Everton Ladies: Women’s Super League launched
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2011
Everton keeper Tim Howard at a training session by Everton LadiesTHEY would never admit it of course but, at the end of a frustrating season, plenty of Everton’s male footballers could be forgiven for having one eye on their summer holidays. With little but pride to play for, and injuries mounting at Goodison Park, this is a campaign in which the end cannot come soon enough. For their female counterparts, however, the hard work is just getting started. And for women’s football, it is an exciting time. Monday sees the launch of the inaugural Women’s Super League – the FA’s new, £3m, semi-professional summer championship. Everton’s own campaign kicks off three days later with a trip to, of all teams, Liverpool on Thursday, April 14. The league will feature eight semi-pro outfits – Everton and Liverpool will be joined by women’s powerhouses Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as Birmingham, Doncaster, Lincoln and Bristol – and will run until September, breaking for the FIFA World Cup in Germany during June and July. The league will be covered by broadcaster ESPN, with weekly highlights shows supplemented by the screening of five live games across the season.
And for Mo Marley’s Blues, the current FA Cup holders, ambitions are high. Rachel Brown, the club’s experienced goalkeeper, says the formation of the new WSL is a huge step for women’s football.
“It’s been a long time coming, and now it is upon us I’m so excited for it,” said the 30-year-old, “I wish it had happened a few years ago to be honest! “This shake-up of the domestic league has been needed for a good few years, and now it is finally coming I think all the girls are raring to go.
“I think the main change is going to be that we are now totally associated with the club,” says Brown. “Therefore we can use the streams of PR, communications, marketing – all the things that are already in place at the club, we can tap into. So things like fixtures, kick-off times, player biographies and things like that; these will all be available to everyone, and on a regular basis as well. This has been a problem in the past.” Brown may only be 30, but her experience in the game puts her above most of her contemporaries. Starting her career at Liverpool in the mid-1990s, she made her senior debut for the Reds aged just 15, and has seen the women’s game evolving from an afterthought to one of the fastest-growing participation sports in the country. “People say that women’s football is not as far forward as it should be,” she says, “But from when I started 15 years ago, it has come such a long way. The standard has improved incredibly, and there are now more than a million girls playing football in this country, which is just phenomenal. “When I first started, there were no girls’ teams, there was no centre of excellence for girls, there were no U17/19/23 teams. There was just a senior international side. So in so many ways the game has progressed since then, and hopefully the WSL is just a stepping stone towards bigger and better things. “The fact that the WSL is a summer league will help everyone. It means there will not be much men’s football on, which in turn means we will not be having games cancelled like in the winter. So hopefully we’ll build some momentum and develop a good fanbase.” And it is fanbase which is really the key issue at play across the league – and the sport in general. For Brown, a player with more than 70 caps for her country, the hope is that games such as next Thursday’s curtain-raiser against Liverpool at Skelmersdale can help attract a new breed of supporter. “What we have been desperate for have been bigger crowds,” she says. “A lot of us have played international football in front of 40 or 50,000 people, and there is no bigger buzz than that. So to play on a freezing cold day in front of 20 people is not ideal. “That’s what this shake-up is all about, it’s about making it more accessible and giving women’s football the best chance of attracting followers, and this is a format that we think will work. “To start with a local derby is absolutely ideal for us. Hopefully we can get fans of both teams to come and watch, and build up a typical Red and Blue atmosphere for a derby game!
“The TV coverage is what is needed. The more it is publicised, the more people know about it and the more people get involved and come to the games. From there it is about pumping the money that is made back into the club. The more exposure the league gets, the better.” Brown and her team-mates have endured a tricky spell of late. Having been eliminated from the Champions League by German outfit Duisburg, the Blues were then knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal, meaning no successful defence of the trophy they won last season. Nonetheless, the Burnley-born stopper says the club’s aim is simple – to win the title. “It is going to be a very competitive league this season,” says Brown. “Some players have moved from the bigger, well-established clubs – Arsenal and Chelsea for example – so the talent across the country seems to have spread out a little. Hopefully, this will mean more even games and not just one or two teams dominating, which has happened in the past. “We couldn’t have had a much tougher start than we have had. A quarter-final Champions League game against a really good Duisburg side, and then an FA Cup draw against Arsenal is really tough. “We do need to get some confidence back in the team. We have been disappointed in our own performances, but we also understand the teams we have been playing are really high quality.
“We have lots of promising players in the U23s and U19s who are pushing for senior places within the squad. Everton have done things in the right way; some of the young players in the U19s and 23s have come right through from the age of 10, so we are breeding the next generation of international players. “We are out of the Champions League and the FA Cup already, so the league is huge. We have won cups and beaten the best sides, but we haven’t managed to do it as consistently as we would have liked. “Now we just want to hit the ground running against Liverpool, and make the WSL title ours.”
Everton FC midfielder Leon Osman backs Jermaine Beckford to fire Blues to top six
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2011
LEON OSMAN believes Jermaine Beckford has adapted to the Premier League just in time to fire Everton into the top six. The midfielder insists Beckford can cope with the responsibility of being the Toffees’ only fit striker. Osman, 29, was deployed just behind Beckford in the Blues attack against Aston Villa at the weekend and opened the scoring with a terrific solo effort. Beckford, who turned professional just five years ago, was denied his ninth goal of the season by a controversial assistant referee’s decision. Osman said: “It’s becoming rarer to come into football that late but it doesn’t mean you haven't got something to offer. “Becks came in late and now he’s banging in goals in the Premier League. It just shows that if you believe in yourself, you can get picked up and into a top team. “He’s our only recognised striker at the moment so there’s a lot of onus on him to try and get us the goals. “But there’s no way we can just look to one man, and blame him if we don’t score.”
The Blues travel to Wolves at the weekend just four points behind sixth-placed Liverpool – but Osman, speaking at a Prince’s Trust event at Goodison Park, says it is irrelevant who they overtake.
He said: “Of course it would be good to overtake Liverpool. “But when we were ninth in the table we were looking at getting the points to overtake the side in eighth, and then the same for moving to seventh. “Now it’s Liverpool above us but we’re not looking at it any differently. “You go into the league hoping to be in and around Europe at the end of the season, but there’s no point over-thinking it. “We’ve got it right now and bit by bit we’re getting closer.” Meanwhile, Tim Howard believes it is vital that the Blues retain the services of Marouane Fellaini. The United States international said: “He is tremendous for us. We have missed him dearly. “We hope we can get him healthy over the summer and he’ll be raring to go.” Howard feels it is crucial the existing big names remain at Goodison Park to maintain spirit. The 32-year-old added: “We need a few fresh faces, I think everyone would agree with that. And it is vital we stay together.” Howard still has three years on his contract at Goodison but he is keen to play on beyond that. He said: “I would like to finish my career here. As far as I am concerned, if Everton will have me, I am staying put.”
Everton FC must persuade Marouane Fellaini to stay, admits goalkeeper Tim Howard
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 6 2011
TIM HOWARD admits it is vital Everton persuade Marouane Fellaini to stay – while expressing a desire to spend the rest of his career at Goodison. Talks have started with Fellaini over a new deal for the Belgian, who has two years remaining on the five-year deal signed when making a club record £15million arrival from Standard Liege in September 2008. Although sidelined for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, Fellaini is being courted by a host of leading clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid. David Moyes has made it clear he does not want to lose his leading players despite the ongoing financial constraints at Goodison. And Howard is similarly hopeful Fellaini will reaffirm his Everton commitment by signing a new deal in the coming weeks. “He is tremendous for us,” said the goalkeeper. “He really helps us build and he calms things down the middle of the park.
“We have missed him dearly, along with other players. He had a terrible injury last year and has had another this year. “We hope we can tie him up for another few years, get him healthy over the summer and he’ll be raring to go.” Howard himself has indicated he would have no problem in playing out the remainder of his career at Goodison, which he hopes to extend beyond when his current contract expires in 2014. “I would like to finish my career here,” said the United Stated international. “Unfortunately there is always a business side to football – everyone understands that – but as far as I am concerned, if Everton will have me, I am staying put.” Everton moved up to seventh with their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the weekend, and after spending most of the season in the bottom half, Howard feels overhauling sixth-placed rivals Liverpool is a realistic target.
“The fact we are in seventh place and nipping on the heels of Liverpool is a great thing,” said
“It was only four weeks ago we were drifting down near the bottom somewhere. “It was important for us to stay positive and know that one or two results could push us up the table. “I think realistically we can finish higher. We have the ability to do that and we have our sights set on Liverpool.” Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have handed a trial to Everton youngster Luke Dobie.
The 18-year-old, who moved to Goodison from Crewe Alexandra, has already been told by he will not be handed a new deal by the club at the end of the season.
Blue Watch: Yet another reason to be happy to see the back of Aston Villa
by Gary Porter, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 6 2011
AN AMUSING rendition of “going down my lord” was directed towards the Bullens Road away end on Saturday after Everton edged ahead in yet another enthralling clash with Aston Villa.
Now it’s highly unlikely that The Villans will be playing in the Championship next season, but I can think of a few reasons why I’d be delighted to see the back of them. Gerard Houllier is their manager for a start, and in Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor they possess two of the most petulant footballers in the league, who could infuriate even the most reserved of supporters.
But the main reason for wanting them to become the latest high-profile victim of the dreaded drop zone is down to the simple fact that we just can’t beat them. However hard we try, however many chances we create, however many times we take the lead, they always grind out a result against us.
Having battled with Villa for the tag of ‘best of the rest’ over recent seasons, a healthy rivalry has formed between the two sides. The fixture is guaranteed goals, controversy and drama – a joy for any neutral. But not for us Evertonians. We often dominate proceedings and outclass them for large parts of games, but we never come away with the three points. Saturday was no different as a vastly under strength Blues squandered a series of gilt-edged chances. Leon Osman and Jermaine Beckford alone should have put the game beyond doubt. In the absence of instrumental figures such as Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini, Ossie really took the game to Villa in the first half and his persistence was rewarded with a well taken opener. But the chances he missed in the second half were costly. We know all too well that money talks at the top level and when the opposition have a £24m striker on the pitch, any chance he gets handed on a plate will be dispatched. And so it proved. Beckford’s shot may well have been over the line and we can count ourselves extremely unlucky not to have regained the lead, but we could not point the finger of blame at anyone other than ourselves for the manner in which Darren Bent was able to turn the game on its head just seconds later? Credit the Blues though, they responded well and deservedly got back on level terms, albeit the result of a suspicious looking tumble from Phil Jagielka. A rare rub of the green against Villa perhaps, but a fairer scoreline given the goal that never was. Sitting in our highest position of the season so far, it’s pleasing to see the Blues doing their utmost to end a frustrating campaign on a positive note. Given the size of our squad and the number of big name absentees, it was a bit worrying to see such a youthful and inexperienced bench on Saturday.
But it’s the perfect time to give the likes of Magaye Gueye, who made a real difference from the bench on Saturday, and Apostolos Vellios their chance to make an impact. Hopefully we’ll see more of them as the season draws to an end.
Everton FC Ladies: Rachel Brown excited about launch of Women’s Super League
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 6 2011
Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard with members of Everton ladiesEVERTON LADIES goalkeeper Rachel Brown has welcomed the formation of the new FA Women’s Super League – and immediately set her sights on winning the inaugural trophy. The 30-year-old England stopper believes the arrival of the FA’s new, £3m semi-professional set-up – which starts on Monday – is a key development in the growth of the women’s game in the UK, and says the increase in exposure and media coverage will be vital in attracting new supporters. “It’s been a long time coming, and now it is upon us I’m so excited for it,” said Brown, “I wish it had happened a few years ago to be honest. “People say that women’s football is not as far forward as it should be, but from when I started 15 years ago, it has come such a long way. The standard has improved incredibly, and there are now more than a million girls playing football in this country, which is just phenomenal. “When I first started, there were no girls teams, there was no centre of excellence for girls, there were no U17/19/23 teams. There was just a senior international side. So in so many ways the game has progressed since then, and hopefully the WSL is just a stepping stone towards bigger and better things. “The fact that the WSL is a summer league will help everyone. It means there will not be much men’s football on, which in turn means we will not be having games cancelled like in the winter. So hopefully we’ll build momentum and develop a good fanbase.” Brown’s side open their own campaign a week on Thursday, with a trip to face local rivals Liverpool. And the Burnley-born international, who began her career with the Reds as a 15-year-old, hopes games such as this will help create an entertaining spectacle in the new league. “What we have been desperate for have been bigger crowds,” she says. “A lot of us have played international football in front of 40 or 50,000 people, and there is no bigger buzz than that. So to play on a freezing cold day in front of 20 people is not ideal.
“That’s what this shake-up is all about, it’s about making it more accessible and giving women’s football the best chance of attracting followers, and this is a format that we think will work.
“To start with a local derby is absolutely ideal for us. Hopefully we can get fans of both teams to come and watch, and build up a typical Red and Blue atmosphere for a derby game!
“The TV coverage is what is needed. The more it is publicised, the more people know about it and the more people get involved and come to the games. From there it is about pumping the money that is made back into the club. The more exposure the league gets, the better.” Everton’s own season has had an inauspicious beginning, with defeats to Duisburg in the Champions League and Arsenal in the FA Cup. But Brown believes the team remains capable of challenging for honours.
“We couldn’t have had a much tougher start than we have had,” she said. “A quarter-final Champions League game against a really good Duisburg side, and then an FA Cup draw against Arsenal is really tough. We do need to get some confidence back in the team. We have been disappointed in our own performances, but we also understand that the teams we have been playing against are really high quality. “We have lots of promising players in the U23s and U19s who are pushing for senior places within the squad. Everton have done things in the right way; some of the young players in the U19s and 23s have come right through from the age of 10, so we are breeding the next generation of international players. “We are out of the Champions League and the FA Cup already, so the league is huge. We have won cups and beaten the best sides, but we haven’t managed to do it as consistently as we would have liked, so we want to work on that. Now we just want to hit the ground running against Liverpool, and make the WSL title ours.”
Tim Howard wants to hunt down Liverpool
6 Apr 2011
London Eveninng Standard
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has set his sights on overhauling Liverpool in the closing weeks of the season. The Toffees have moved up to seventh and within four points of their arch-rivals in the Barclays Premier League after a five-game unbeaten run. Everton have finished above their neighbours just once since last winning the title in 1987 but Howard believes momentum is on their side and is anticipating an exciting Merseyside battle over the remaining seven games. The 32-year-old American said: "We have still got miles to go and we want to keep cracking on. "Our natural-born rivals are right ahead of us and we are going to try to nip on their heels and get a couple of results. "The rivalry is amazing and for the city this run-in will be great. "We are going to try to overtake them and I am sure they are going to try to do everything to crack on in the table as well."
Everton have spent most of the season in the bottom half of the table and were just three points above the relegation zone at the end of February. Howard added: "We have under-achieved, and that falls squarely on the shoulders of the players. "But we have done enough to dig in and get ourselves into seventh position. We have an opportunity to look forward and get some more results and push even higher. If you'd have said that to us around Christmas we would have snatched your hand off."
Everton FC fans’ forum: Blues on Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini and more
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2011
THE rod we made for our own back was offering Arteta £75,000 a week over five years. Even if he hadn't turned into a shadow of the player he once was (when fit), it would still have been a mistake given the state of the finances. We can't afford to pay those sort of wages. This is why Fellaini will leave – because he will demand parity and we can't afford it. Getting £65k-a-week-Heitinga off the wage bill is another must; and we have to hope someone will take £55k-a-week-Yakubu off our hands too. We need to cut our cloth accordingly with the wages, sell those who offer little in comparison to what they're paid (Arteta, Yakubu, Heitinga, Yobo, Bily, Anichebe) and use the cash to pay off as much of the debts as possible. Given we paid £15m for Fellaini and he's flourished into a top quality player since, I see no reason why we shouldn't expect in excess of £30m for him. He's the same age as Andy Carroll, and I know who I'd prefer in my team.
Staygold
RE the contract talks with Fellaini – yet another smokescreen. He will be sold. I don’t know how much longer the club think they can go on conning us.
Graeme
WE know what will happen about Fellaini. The club will offer him a deliberately poor deal that he'll reject. The club will get certain people in the local media to criticise him for 'greed, disloyalty' etc to get the fans against him and then Felliani will be sold to appease the banks and keep Kenwright in situ for at least another year.
Seen all this before.
Tim_
LET’S just see what Fellaini has to say about a new contract before we start criticising or some Blues fans continue to rant about Kenwright not offering this or that. That we can offer him £50k a week is an achievement in itself, given our finances!
Babysop
A HARD-FOUGHT point in a dramatic game against Villa, with industrious contributions from Beckford, Hibbert and Osman. Equally, it was good to see the introductions of Magaye Gueye and Vellios, both of whom showed some good touches. Gueye's impact on the game was encouraging and maybe it's time to give him a sustained run in the side. Villa's pace, specifically down the flanks, with Downing in particular outstanding, is the vital ingredient required to galvanise our aspirations to become a top five outfit. Distin defended brilliantly against this pace and throughout the season his blocks and interceptions have prevented us shipping considerably more goals. We require a buyer soon but our youth policy is showing signs of noticeable progress.
David Kearns, Aintree
GIVEN our injuries, it was a strong performance against Villa. Once again, Moyes works wonders over the course of the season with not that much.
DevilAndAngel
NOT a bad result against Villa with the team Moyes had to put out. But we should be beating fragile teams with records of two wins and 34 goals conceded away from home.
Y2J
REGARDING Ian Snodin’s column this week. For someone the ECHO calls a “True Blue”, how can it be that you know nothing of the young local lads (who have been at the club since they were 11) and who made the bench Šfor Saturday's game against Villa? Yet you say you've heard of the Greek kid Vellios, and seen glimpses of Gueye, who have been at the club no more than three months and 12 months respectively. I find this a shocking lack of knowledge of the club and what I would call its future. You say you made your first team debut at the age of 16; do you not think these lads deserve to be on the bench at the age of 18 given the progress made coming up through the youth Šystem?
You also state that Everton are safe from a relegation fight now – surely this would be the perfect opportunity to give these young lads Šmore experience of the first team and Šthe atmosphere on match days.
“Blues can't afford to play youngsters” is a shocking statement. ‘Blues need these youngsters’ would be a better suited statement. Kate Harland I DON’T think Jermaine Beckford will hack it; he goes down too easily and only wants the ball on the floor as he is not very good at winning headers.
Vellios has been starring for the reserves and should be given his chance, even off the bench.
engulfed55
Everton FC jury: Fans on selling to buy, Marouane Fellaini, Magaye Gueye and more
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2011
Debbie Smaje: Everton FC are in the dire situation where we have to sell to buy THE season is petering out to another nothing finish. The one upside of having nothing to play for is that we finally got a proper glimpse of Magaye Gueye against Villa on Saturday. As he showed in the cup games, he is anything but the finished article, but has the pace, skill and brains to give us something a little bit different that nobody else in the squad really does. We could need him as it looks like there will be no money again this summer. Fellaini has been offered a new contract, which is excellent news as he is one of the players we should be building the team around. But it will count for nothing if there is interest in him from elsewhere, because we are now in that dire situation where we have to sell to buy, and I think most fans expect it will be him or Rodwell who will be sacrificed. It is a very grim situation for the club. David Wallbank: It would be devastating if Marouane Fellaini left Everton FC in the summer LAST week’s 2-2 draw with Villa was, on a positive note, pleasing considering the players available were limited to inexperienced second string. Frustrating that Villa were there for the taking, even with full squad to pick from, Houllier would have been a happy man. Vellios and Maggie both had a taste of first team football, and to be fair both did well. I found myself day dreaming of Vellios scoring a towering header and leading the line (fingers crossed). More speculation surrounds Felli and the lack of funds this summer may suggest it’s not good news for the Blues. It would be devastating if we lose him. Life usually is never greener on the other side – ask Jeffers, Ball, Graveson et al. This week, an early kick-off against Wolves faces David Moyes and the lads. It’s going to be difficult, Mick McCarthy’s team on there day are a match for anyone, Chelsea and Manchester United have paid the price already this season. Cole Fraser: Magaye Gueye looks a bright talent for Everton FC THE Villa game was always going to be tough, as we headed into the game with such a depleted squad. Every game will continue to be tough, as long as we are without four of our biggest goal threats – Saha, Cahill, Fellaini and Arteta. Magaye Gueye was finally given his Premier League bow, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He looks a bright talent and will, hopefully, be given more chances before the end of the season. It was good to hear we have opened talks with Marouane Fellaini over a new long-term deal. Although a contract is on the table, there is nothing, yet, to suggest that the big Belgian is ready to sign on the dotted line. The doubts over Fellaini’s happiness at Everton come from his father, who seems to have too much to say every other week. Hopefully we haven’t seen the last of Marouane in an Everton shirt. Lee Molton: Everton FC’s squad must be improved during the summer THE Blues fought out a hard-earned draw against Aston Villa on Saturday – especially with so few players available. Everton’s squad in Saturday’s programme showed 20 players – and seven of them are injured. We must have the smallest squad in the Premier League! Why are so many players out on loan at other clubs? It is going to be very hard to put 11 senior players out for each game now. It was good to see Magaye Gueye and Vellios coming off the bench on Saturday. These youngsters need to be given more game time and if they are not good enough, then why did we buy them? Surely they were bought with a view to going into the first team in time? This summer our squad size must be improved – it is simply too small! Fellaini has started new contract talks, we must do all we can to keep him and not lose him to one of our rivals.
Sylvain Distin says his pace can still be crucial for Everton FC in the Premier League
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2011
SYLVAIN DISTIN believes his pace can continue to be a major asset to Everton’s defence as he shrugged off the disappointment of losing his record of playing every minute of every game this season.The experienced French defender had been an ever-present until he was forced off with cramp against Aston Villa at Goodison last weekend.Distin, 32, had hoped to play every minute of Everton’s campaign, but despite his fine form he is not getting too excited about his performances in a blue shirt this season.He said: “I was disappointed to come off of course. It wouldn’t have been the first time I’ve played every minute of every game all season in the Premier League though, but I was really hoping to do it with Everton.“That’s me – I like to play and I like to keep fit. I rarely miss a training session and I hate missing games. I want to play as much as possible.“But against Villa I felt the cramp and I didn’t want to risk the team being caught out by a long ball because I couldn’t run properly.”Distin, who is likely to be a contender for the club’s player of the season, recognises that his speed has helped him cement his place in the Toffee’s back four.“I’m a fast player and I play on it, sometimes people just notice it more. I feel good, that’s what’s important,” said the centre half who out-paced a man 11 years his junior in Kyle Walker against Villa.“I don’t know if it’s the best form of my career in the Premier League. It’s not important, it’s about the team and I enjoy playing in it and working hard.”Meanwhile, reserves coach Alan Stubbs is hoping there is more to come from young attacker Conor McAleny after he scored his third goal in as many games for the second string in their 2-1 defeat to Wigan. McAleny, 18, was also on the bench for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Gerard Houllier’s team alongside fellow Academy players Aristote Nsiala and Adam Forshaw. Stubbs said: “He was obviously on the bench because of injuries but he’s done well for us and he’s scored a few goals and it was a reason why he is there.“He’s got a long way to go, he took his goal really well but needs to work on the his all-round game.”Stubbs wants his side to learn from the first team experiences they were afforded during their bench duty at the weekend.“Hopefully it will give them a lot,” he said. “The fact that they are in and around the first team tells you more about the injury situation than anything else.”
Former Everton FC striker Wayne Rooney's two-match ban for abusive language upheld
Apr 7 2011
Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney will miss this month’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City after he failed in an attempt to reduce the severity of a two-match ban imposed following his four-letter reaction to scoring a hat-trick at West Ham on Saturday. The Football Association opted not to release the outcome of yesterday’s disciplinary hearing immediately following a request by Manchester United, who did not wish to suffer any disruption to their preparation for last night’s Champions League encounter with Chelsea. Rooney scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge but has now learned he will miss Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford, then the Wembley meeting with City on April 16, with the FA merely confirming their original punishment. "A Regulatory Commission has suspended Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for two matches,'' read a statement issued by the FA this morning. "Rooney had admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language, but claimed that the automatic penalty of two games was clearly excessive. "The Commission did not accept the claim and Rooney will begin the standard two-match suspension with immediate effect. "The charge relates to an incident during his side’s fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 2 April 2011."
Everton FC latest: Leighton Baines says club can overcome injury jinx
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 7 2011
LEIGHTON BAINES has backed Everton to once again demonstrate the resolve to shrug off their latest injury crisis.Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta, Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha and Jose Baxter were all absent for last week’s 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa.That Everton manager David Moyes was forced to name a bench consisting of seven substitutes without a previous minute of Premier League experience between them underlined the lack of available options.But Baines, whose penalty earned a point on Saturday, believes the Goodison outfit have shown in the past they can overcome such setbacks.“We always seem to have a reasonably small squad compared to others and on top of that we seem to have terrible runs with injuries,” said the left-back. “A lot of lads have had big injuries and we’ve missed big players all at the same time. “It has happened here before so it’s nothing new.“We pull together at times like this and know we have got to work together.” Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios both made their top-flight debuts as second-half substitutes on Saturday.And Baines added: “If you look at the side we had out, everyone who played is pretty much a regular for us but for the manager, it’s better for him to have the options off the bench.“And in fairness to the two young lads, they did come on and make a difference.”Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka is willing to be Fabio Capello’s Mr Versatile as he aims to cement his place in the England set-up.The Everton defender was introduced late on from the bench during the recent Euro 2012 qualifier at Wales as a holding midfielder, and then started the friendly against Ghana at centre-back before moving to right-back at half-time.And Jagielka said: “It was nice to get another cap under my belt in a couple of positions. Reading between the lines, I could see that Glen Johnson had played 90 minutes on Saturday and could see it coming that I could be playing right-back.“I prefer to play at centre-back, but it’s playing for your country and if you’re asked to play out of position for one minute or for 45 minutes then it’s part of the job.”
Arteta on Valencia radar as Spaniards weigh up summer bid for Everton midfielder
By Sportsmail Reporter on 7th April 2011 (Daily Mail)
Valencia are lining up a summer offer to tempt Everton into selling Mikel Arteta. The Spanish club's sporting director Braulio Vazquez has been in touch with Arteta's agent, Inaki Ibanez, and Everton could listen to offers for the midfielder as they attempt to reduce their £45million debt before the start of next season. Arteta, who arrived at Goodison Park from Real Sociedad in 2005, signed a five-year deal last year worth £60,000 a week. Homeward bound? Arteta has been linked with a move to Spain for a few years Atletico Madrid are also monitoring 29-year-old Arteta's situation. Manager David Moyes is desperate to keep his squad together but his knows his hands are tied. Manchester United target Jack Rodwell will be allowed to leave for around £20m while north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are keen on England full-back Leighton Baines.
Mick McCarthy: David Moyes should stay where he's at
By Bill Howell
Apr 7 2011 (Birmingham Mail)
MICK McCarthy says weekend opponents Everton are the benchmark for all who long to challenge in the upper echelons of the Premier League.David Moyes has delivered six top-eight finishes over the last eight seasons and yet there is speculation over his future with the club looking to lessen their debts. The Wolves boss has sympathy for Moyes.“He’s done well and is a good manager,’’ said McCarthy. “If he sees himself doing something better than that, he might decide to try something else – it’s up to him.“But my view is you crack on with it and work with what you’ve got.“He’s done a great job at Everton, which is well recognised by everyone. They are a club that finish very well.“They are not paupers by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s built over time with David Moyes there for ten years.“It’s been a gradual building process. There’s been times when they’ve made shrewd signings and times when they’ve spent money like £15 million on Fellaini and £5 million on Baines a long, long time ago.“But it’s a good solid club who are hard to beat and successful in the league. And they always look like they are going to stay there.“They never looked in any threat to go down this season – people thought they might be involved but I never did. “It’s full of solid, experienced players.’’
Howard Kendall: I’ve got the answer to ghost-goals controversy
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 8 2011
IT WAS only a couple of weeks ago in this column I was proposing my solution to the touchline technology debate.As I said then, use the same system as rugby league and cricket where the attacking team can have three referrals in the case of a ball crossing the line or not, and can ask the fourth official to refer to a TV replay.It makes sense to me – and would possibly have meant the Blues taking three points against Aston Villa last weekend.Gerard Houllier’s side took advantage of the confusion after Beckford’s “ghost- goal” to go and score up the other end!One of these days, Sepp Blatter will start reading this column and realise I’ve been talking sense all along. It’s about time.
Howard Kendall: Everton will have too much for Wolves even at Molineux
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 8 2011
DESPITE missing so many key players at present, the biggest compliment I can pay David Moyes is that I fully expect Everton to take three points at Molineux tomorrow.Obviously Wolves are down there scrapping for survival in a dog-fight, but they don’t have enough class to cause Everton too many problems.I’d be surprised if they simply sat back and invited the Toffees on. The onus will be on them more at home, because they need the points dearly.That’s not to say it will be easy for Moyes’s men – far from it. I recall my time in the Midlands, with Birmingham City fondly, although when we played Aston Villa or Wolves, I never bought into the derby ethos. There was only one derby for me – Everton versus Liverpool.I enjoyed my time at St Andrews, though, and helped keep them in the First Division. After we’d secured our safety in the last game of the season, I was in the changing room having a bath when the manager told me to get out, get dressed and get back outside.We had to do a parade of honour!I was stunned.A parade of honour for staying up?! I was used to doing them for winning titles and cups with Everton, but that was the different perceptions between the clubs back then.
Howard Kendall: Fiery Wayne Rooney reminds me of Alan Ball
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 8 2011
THERE’S no doubt about it – Wayne Rooney was wrong to swear at the camera after scoring his goals against West Ham last Saturday lunchtime.He can be a silly boy at times, and you sigh in exasperation when he becomes embroiled in things like this latest hullabaloo.But you have to remember that he is a hyperactive lad who becomes very tightly wound on the pitch.When he scores a goal, sometimes he forgets himself – like many players – and does something daft.The mitigating factor in this case is that all his bad off-the-pitch press has clearly got to him, and that’s another factor behind his outburst.Opposing fans don’t seem to like him, and he routinely gets barracked by them throughout the game.Like John Terry, another player who has become a national bad boy because of coverage of his private life in the tabloids, the fans of opposing teams like nothing better than booing and insulting him.I’m not defending either of their antics – in many ways, they have brought the bad coverage on themselves. But I think it’s wrong to ban Rooney for two games, even if the FA was thinking about footballers as role models and the embarrassment his behaviour caused.In many ways, Wayne reminds me of Alan Ball. Bally could be just as fiery. He used to run 10 yards to do an opponent, then get sent off and he’d bark at me and Colin Harvey accusing us of not caring as much as him.The daft thing was everyone could see what was coming – except Alan.No doubt Wayne needs to learn better self-discipline, but I think that will only come with age.It’s unfair to ban him – they should make him donate a week’s wages to Alder Hey instead.
Everton FC's Leon Osman says Blues have faced up to challenge of teams hell-bent on stopping them play
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 8 2011
CREDIT Mick McCarthy, because the plain-speaking Wolves boss is nothing if not honest.His side’s visit to Goodison Park back in August was a sobering experience for Everton supporters dreaming of a potential top four season.But the approach of Wolves that day was to become all too familiar for David Moyes and his team that had been heaped with praise – but were suddenly stumped by their new regard as Premier League big boys.After a game that saw Adlene Guedioura’s ferocious challenge on John Heitinga become a talking point, McCarthy said: “We were hopeless in the first-half – abject. It’s my responsibility because I was trying to stop Everton playing and I was fiddling around with the team.” Since then, various opponents have arrived on Merseyside more concerned with stopping Everton, defending resolutely and grabbing a point.It has made for grim-viewing at the School of Science and, says Leon Osman, posed a puzzle which the Toffees struggled to solve for too long.“The way we did finish last season was terrific,” he said.“We lost two games in 24 and played well. The performances were good and confidence was high.“Then, with the World Cup, we didn’t have the best preparation as a team. We got people back in bits and bobs and you go into the season, and haven’t seen some players in a long time.“But the real problem was that with the expectation and buzz that Everton could possibly do something this season, teams started to turn up and sit in and defend.“They want to defend and try and nick a goal, rather than make a game of it. That’s something the better teams have to contend with week in, week out. Man United get it when teams go to Old Trafford.“But it was something new to us at the start of the season, teams just not wanting to lose.“It shows the progression of our team, but we didn’t learn to deal with it quickly enough. We weren’t getting beaten but we were drawing too much. We’ve had 14 draws this season. We just couldn’t quite break 11 men behind the ball down.”Fortunately for their prospects in the campaign’s run-in, Osman believes the Blues have adapted. And the midfielder who has sparkled lately, scoring a fine goal against Aston Villa last weekend, insists the Blues will be up to the challenge when they take on McCarthy’s men again tomorrow – even if Wolves are determined to scrap it out.“We’ve always found going away from home easier, when the onus is on the opposition and we can roll with the punches and have a go at them,” he said.“The onus will be on Wolves, and they’re near the bottom so they need the points as well. They could decide to come out and go for it, or be cagey and not get beaten.”Now in seventh place and hot on the heels of Liverpool, Osman can’t quite put his finger on what has changed.“I don’t think we’re doing anything differently,” he said.“The whole of the season, the way we’ve set up has been right. We’ve felt mentally correct but it just wasn’t happening. We were either playing well but not managing to get our shots of or just struggling in the final third. We had been used to going into games where the opposition tried to win. But teams parking the bus was a puzzle.”Osman believes that the recent discontent in the blue half of the city at this season’s slump only highlights the high standards under Moyes. “We’ve had a poor season by our standards, and Bolton have had an unbelievable season – according to everyone, there’s has been great, and we’re above them in the league,” he said.“It’s all about perceptions. We’re seventh now and pushing up but people say we’ve not had a good season, and that’s because of our standards.”The 29-year-old was delighted with his elegant opener against Villa, but with a back catalogue of silky finishes in the archives, isn’t sure where it sits in his all time greats.“The Larissa goal would probably be my favourite,” he said.“It’s very rare I strike them like that. I hit it sweetly with my right foot after a terrific move from us. I got one against Sunderland here when I beat a few people, too. I did have a DVD of all my goals that I did for my mum. She wanted a record of them all, so I got the I.T. guys to run me up a copy and she’s still got it but I don’t sit in hers and watch!“I’m enjoying my football at the moment. I’m full of confidence, feel in control, and I know what I’m going to do when I get the ball.“We know how we’re playing, and everyone out there is giving it 110%.”
Brainy Leighton Baines has been Everton FC’s big success story this season says David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 8 2011
LEIGHTON Baines has the brains and brawn to muscle his way into the player of the year shortlist, says David Moyes. The Everton boss believes the 26-year-old has been a success for club and country and deserves to be in the reckoning when gongs are handed out.From left-back, Baines has registered 11 assists – the same as Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas – and top form has helped cement his place in the England set-up.Moyes insists the Kirkby-born defender has also developed a tougher approach to match his footballing intelligence.He said: “Being a left-back, it’s probably not the most fashionable of positions but if you look at his level, he has been one of the players that has really stepped up.“He has been consistent, reliable and has had a really good season. Mentally he has become stronger. He takes more responsibility for the team here now as well.“Maybe when he first came here he was still understanding on getting into the team, but he is one of the key players now and understands that responsibility. He has grown with that as well, he knows what is required.
“He is an intelligent footballer, he talks about the game and has an idea of what should be done.”
Moyes was also impressed with Baines’ last appearance in an England shirt, a 1-1 friendly draw with Ghana.“I thought Leighton Baines was exceptional, especially in the first half,” he said.“He never gave up, he hardly gave it away, he went on the runs, he was running forward, was looking to get in, he defended when he had to, so I thought he was exceptional.”The Everton boss, who will give short shrift to any bids for Baines’ services this summer, was equally impressed by Phil Jagielka in the last two England games. However, the Scot does not believes Jagielka has been done any favours by being deployed out of position by Fabio Capello.He said: “Even when Jags was the left-sided centre-back, unless you know the details of playing there, it takes a while to get used to when you’ve been the right-sided one. He can play right-back, and he’ll say he can fill in and do the job as England wanted him to.“The reason people look to Jags is because he is so versatile. Look at the Wales game, he came on in the closing minutes as a holding midfielder“It’s his versatility that makes him interesting, but if you ask him he’d say he’d rather play as the right-side centre-back.“Kyle Walker would have played right-back against Ghana if Glen Johnson hadn’t been injured. But when Johnson went off, because Jags is so versatile, he was the obvious choice.”
Howard declares Everton FC’s target – to overtake Mersey rivals Liverpool
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 8 2011
TIM HOWARD says Everton’s aim before the end of the season is simple - to catch rivals Liverpool. The Goodison Park outfit are currently 7th in the Premier League, just four points short of their Merseyside neighbours. And whilst Howard admits he would have readily accepted 7th place following the Toffees’ slow start to the campaign, the American international goalkeeper believes that the prospect of overhauling Liverpool should give his side an extra incentive for the remaining seven games of the season. “We have still got miles to go and we want to keep cracking on,” said Howard. “Our natural-born rivals are right ahead of us and we are going to try to nip on their heels and get a couple of results. “The rivalry is amazing and for the city this run-in will be great. “We are going to try to overtake them and I am sure they are going to try to do everything to crack on in the table as well.” Everton have finished above their city rivals just once during the Premier League era but, despite a squad severely depleted by injuries, David Moyes’ men are currently in the middle of a five-match unbeaten run. Having been just three points clear of the relegation zone as recently as February, Moyes’ side are now just nine shy of a European qualification spot. Howard believes that everyone at Goodison would have been happy with a mid-table spot earlier in the season, but says the plan now is to aim higher still.“We have under-achieved this season, and that falls squarely on the shoulders of the players,” said the 32-year-old, who has been a Premier League ever-present for Moyes this season.“But we have done enough to dig in and get ourselves into seventh position.”Meanwhile, Everton have been linked with a move for Saint-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi. Matuidi has been capped twice by France, but his Ligue 1 club are said to be looking to offload the former Troyes man this summer, but David Moyes is likely to face competition from Italy for the highly-rated defensive midfielder.
‘Intelligent’ Leighton Baines can be an England regular says Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 8 2011
EVERTON boss David Moyes has backed Leighton Baines to become a regular in the England setup under Fabio Capello. The left-back has been arguably the Toffees’ most consistent performer in what has been a largely frustrating season at Goodison Park, and earned his fourth cap for his country during their friendly draw with Ghana last month. And Moyes was fulsome in his praise for the 26-year-old’s performance, tipping the former-Wigan man to go on to play a bigger role for his country. “I thought Leighton Baines was exceptional,” said Moyes. “Especially in the first half. I saw some of the papers and not all had given Leighton high marks, but whoever didn’t mark him highly needs their head looked at. “Leighton Baines was the one player who looked as though he could step in and play in any side. He was terrific. “He never gave up, he hardly gave it away, he went on his forward runs, he was looking to get in, he defended when he had to, so I thought he was exceptional.” Moyes agrees that Baines has been one of the Blues’ star performers in a campaign of only sporadic highlights, and says that he has taken on more and more responsibility within the side this season. “I think Leighton has been one of our success stories this season,” said Moyes. “Being a left-back, it’s probably not the most fashionable of positions but if you look at his level, he has been one of the players that has really stepped up. He has been consistent, reliable and has had a really good season. “Mentally he has become stronger. He takes more responsibility for the team here now as well. “Maybe when he first came here he was still focusing on just getting into the team, but he is one of the key players now and understands that responsibility. He has grown with that as well, he knows what is required. “He is an intelligent footballer, he talks about the game and has an idea of what should be done. Because of that, he’s someone I can see gaining confidence all the time.” Moyes also moved to praise Baines’ international colleague Phil Jagielka, who took his England cap tally to eight with appearances against Wales and Ghana. Jagielka appeared as a midfield substitute in the victory over the Welsh in Cardiff, before featuring in defence against Ghana three days later, and Moyes says his versatility is one of the key features of his game. “Even when was Jags playing as the left-sided centre-back, it was hard,” said Moyes, “Unless you know the fine details of playing there it takes a while to get used to when you’ve been the right-sided one. “He can play right-back, and he’ll say he can fill in and do the job as England wanted him to. “The reason people look to Jags is because he is so versatile. Look at the Wales game, he came on in the closing minutes as a holding midfielder. “It’s his versatility that makes him interesting, but if you ask him he’d say he’d rather play as the right-side centre-back. “Kyle Walker would have played right-back for some period (against Ghana) if Glen Johnson hadn’t been injured. But when Johnson went off, because Jags is so versatile, he was the obvious choice. “I understand why he was played there, and it’s fine as long as the media don’t judge him too harshly doing a job there, because I’m sure the England manager won’t.” Meanwhile Wolves manager Mick McCarthy believes Everton are the benchmark to which sides looking to break into the upper reaches of the Premier League should aspire. McCarthy’s side welcome the Toffees to Molineux tomorrow lunchtime for a crucial game in their campaign, and their boss has spoken kindly of his Goodison Park counterpart Moyes, who has delivered six top-8 finishes in the past eight seasons. “He’s done well and is a good manager,” said McCarthy. “If he sees himself doing something better than that, he might decide to try something else – it’s up to him.“But my view is you crack on with it and work with what you’ve got.“He’s done a great job at Everton, which is well recognised by everyone. They are a club that finish very well.“They are not paupers by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s built over time with David Moyes there for ten years.“It’s been a gradual building process. There’s been times when they’ve made shrewd signings and times when they’ve spent money like £15 million on (Marouane) Fellaini and £5 million on Baines a long, long time ago.“But it’s a good solid club who are hard to beat and successful in the league. And they always look like they are going to stay there.“They never looked in any threat to go down this season – people thought they might be involved but I never did.“It’s full of solid, experienced players.”McCarthy was also full of praise for the Toffees’ squad, as he anticipates a close affair tomorrow.He added: “If Louis Saha’s on form he’s very good, Jermaine Beckford has done well for them and Leighton Baines is an England full-back.“Sylvain Distin is top drawer, they’ve got a really good goalkeeper in Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka is an England player.“Everyone talks about Jack Rodwell, and, while Tim Cahill has been injured, he’s been a top player for a long time.“You carry on through the team — look at Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman — there are no mugs there and it’s full of solid, experienced Premier League players.“I see Everton as a top six or seven team — and they’re seventh at the minute,” he said.“They’re all tough games. I was listening to Phil Neville at the weekend saying he thinks they’re safe and can enjoy the rest of the season. They’ve got 41 points and they’ll get more, just hopefully not on Saturday.”
Wolves v Everton: Bill Howell's pre-match notes
Apr 8 2011 (Birmingham Mail)
WOLVES v EVERTON (12.45)
WHO’S HOT: Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – not started a league game since the opening day.WHO’S NOT: The goalkeeper, back four and the middle four.
LAST FIVE GAMES
WOLVES............................................DWDWL
EVERTON..........................................LWDWD
WOLVES (4-4-2, likely): Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Hammill, Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher. Subs (from): Hahnemann, Milijas, Jones, Ward, Mujangi Bia, Craddock, Mouyokolo, Kightly, Mancienne, Guedioura. Injured: Doyle (knee), Zubar (back), Edwards (back), Hunt (hernia).
THE OPPOSITION: Despite an injury list as long as your arm – Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha, Marouane Fellaini are out and Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell missed the draw with Villa – they’ve taken 11 points from six games to lie third in the form table. But away from home they’ve lost three and drawn two of six.
Referee: P Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).
FORECAST: Bill Howell...............Wolves win.
Everton boss plotting raid for tough Guy Moussi
08/04/11 By MirrorFootball (Daily Mirror)
Everton boss David Moyes is plotting a surprise move for Nottingham Forest's midfield enforcer Guy Moussi.Moyes is ready to pinch Moussi on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season.The French star, 26, has not yet been offered a new deal as Forest have put negotiations on hold until they know what division they will be operating in next season.And Moyes has lined up a move this summer after receiving excellent scouting reports from his Everton spies this year.Moussi is not expected to be the only departure from Forest this summer, with Robert Earnshaw, Nathan Tyson and Dele Adebola also out of contract.Forest boss Billy Davies said: "I have six out-of-contract players in the summer waiting to see what goes on."I don't know where we are on that but there is a psychology involved when you sign players on to a new contract or when you don`t."We don`t want that to affect what is going on here. I have given my evaluation of the situation and it is in other people's hands."
Squad sheets: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
guardian.co.uk, Friday 8 April 2011
weekend's 4-1 defeat at Newcastle was one of the season's low points for Mick McCarthy's side, but they are a different prospect at home, where Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been beaten. After Everton, Fulham, West Brom and Blackburn all have to visit Molineux before the end of the season – three wins should be the target. Tomorrow would be a fine time to start but Everton, unbeaten in five matches, have the chance to finish above Liverpool and maybe qualify for the Europa League again. John Ashdown
Venue Molineux Tickets £10-£40 (0871 222 1877) Last season Wolves 0 Everton 0 Referee P Dowd
This season's matches 24 Y94, R8, 4.25 cards per game
Odds Wolves 6-4 Everton 8-5 Draw 11-5
Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Wolves
Subs from Guédioura, Hunt, Mancienne, Kightly, Craddock, Fletcher, Jones, Ward,
Doubtful Kightly (knee)
Injured Zubar (back, 16 Apr), Edwards (back, 23 Apr), Mouyokolo (knee, 23 Apr), Doyle (knee, May)
Suspended None
Form guide LWDWDL
Disciplinary record Y50 R2
Leading scorer Ebanks-Blake 7
Everton
Subs from Coleman, Rodwell, Anichebe, Mucha, Gueye, Baxter, Mustafi, Vellios, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala Doubtful Coleman (ankle), Rodwell (ankle), Cahill (foot), Baxter (hamstring)
Injured Artera (hamstring, 30 Apr), Barkley (leg, May), Saha (ankle, May), Fellaini (knee, May)
Suspended None Form guide DWDWWL
Disciplinary record Y42 R3
Leading scorer Cahill 9
Match pointers
• The last three meetings between these teams have ended as draws
• All four of the Premier League goals Wolves have scored against Everton have come in the second half
• Should he be selected, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake will make his 50th Premier League appearance for Wolves
• Tim Cahill has committed more fouls than any other Everton player this season – 54
• The visitors have had more shots cleared off the line than any other top-flight team this season – 12
Bolton Wanderers rival Newcastle United and Everton for AZ Alkmaar striker by Will Swanson. Published Fri 08 Apr 2011 15:15, Last updated: april 4 2011 Lancashire Click
Bolton Wanderers rival Newcastle United and Everton for AZ Alkmaar striker According to reports Bolton Wanderers are interested in AZ Alkmaar striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. AZ are believed to be readying themselves for summer bids from a number of Premier League clubs. The 21 year-old Iceland international has been watched by representatives from several top-flight English clubs this season. Along with Wanderers, it is understood that Newcastle United see the centre-forward as a replacement for Andy Carroll who left in January to join Liverpool. However, it seems Everton and Sunderland are also interested.
Wolves v EVERTON: David Moyes' injury list may see him hand kids a chance
8th April 2011 Daily Mail
Race against Tim: Cahill looks unlikely to feature
Everton again have a number of injury concerns ahead of their Barclays Premier League trip to Wolves. Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell (both ankle) and Tim Cahill (foot) are all doubtful but Victor Anichebe, injured on recent international duty, could be back in contention.
Playmaker Mikel Arteta (hamstring) remains on the sidelines while Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are long-term absentees. Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios could get further opportunities after making their Premier League debuts against Aston Villa last week.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Heitinga, Osman, Beckford, Anichebe, Rodwell, Cahill, Coleman, Gueye, Vellios, Mustafi, Baxter, Duffy, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala, Mucha.
Barry Horne: Touchline technology is not always the answer
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
GENERALLY I’m not a fan of Darren Bent, despite his phenomenal goal scoring record. I cannot see him leading an England team successfully against the likes of Germany and Spain. But I have to take my hat off and eat humble pie after two great finishes to earn his relegation haunted team a point last weekend. The biggest turning point however was something I’ve spoken about at length for what's seems like over a decade now – goal line technology. Last weekend was almost a perfect excuse not to introduce it. Because unlike other sports where it’s a success, rugby league, tennis, cricket etc...after just about every notable event there is a break. In football the referee blows his whistle and it’s then continual for 45 minutes. So last Saturday afternoon, at what point would you have stopped the play to view the evidence? I have to say that yes there have been mistakes made, but rarely if ever have they actually affected the result. The best team nearly always wins and the result reflects the balance of play. Looking at last Saturday, I wouldn’t like to say that the ball definitely crossed the line. Within 20 seconds there was another goal – and that’s one of football’s many beauties. While on the subject of interference, I’m not convinced by European games having five officials with one behind the goal. They had one for the disputed penalty incident in the Manchester United game who was looking straight at it.
Barry Horne: FA need to get their Respect campaign back on track
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
THE Football Association continues to seemingly fail to learn from previous lessons. As I’ve written before, two wrongs rarely make a right and their decision to ban ex-Evertonian Wayne Rooney for two games would appear to be a case of just that. Only weeks ago the FA hid behind the excuse that referee Mark Clattenburg had ‘dealt’ with the issue of Rooney clearly elbowing James McCarthy when deciding not to ban him. This week, if press reports are to be believed, they have pressured Lee Mason into giving a statement which legitimised giving the striker a two-mach ban. The FA Respect campaign is worthy and was meant to take into account all aspects of respect; race, religion, gender, creed, disability etc. Lately however it seems to have been sidetracked into an issue concerning solely referees. Rooney’s inexplicable actions at Upton Park displayed a lack of respect to the worldwide audience. Nevertheless for Lee Mason to say he would have sent Rooney off, giving the FA the excuse to ban him for two games, is nonsense. Referees regularly get sworn at directly, and I cannot recall a player being cautioned. At a time when the respect campaign is coming increasingly into question, and Alex Ferguson is one of the most regular offenders, you can understand the FA wanting to reassert their objectives. But it should be done with a very public pronouncement of change, rather than a random ban on a player who is an easy target. Also you cannot help feeling that they have wrongly factored in his bad press which has nothing to do with what happened at Upton Park, and are completely out of their jurisdiction. I have long expressed a desire for a strong FA, but they need to have the courage of their convictions.
Corrie star Andrew Lancel says Bob Latchford made him catch the Blue bug
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
WHAT Have Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel and Jack Rodwell got in common? They were both taught by Everton academy maestro Ray Hall in their formative years. Former Bill star and Goodison season-ticket holder Lancel enjoys a special link to youth boss Hall, who is in his 20th year with the Blues. “Ray was my PE teacher at school,” explained the actor. “I'm really proud of him, it's an incredible achievement what he has done. He once taught me how to play football and here he is now. I think if you added up what the academy sales are, I reckon it'll be about 60 million. He has done tremendously.” Lancel has been a regular at the Old Lady since idolising Bob Latchford in the Seventies. Match days were a family affair. “The four of us would go,” he added. “My dad, and my three brothers. It toughens you up watching Everton. I'm 40 and I started going when I was six. It was when we had the glory of Latchford and all those amazing players of that time. “Bob was an absolute god to me, my hero. My fantasy football team is still called ‘Latchford United’. Him, Dave Thomas, Duncan McKenzie – they were my lions. I remember waiting outside the players’ entrance to see them, getting their autographs.”
Everton FC’s Leon Osman happy to support the Prince’s Trust
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
LEON Osman was happy to spare a few hours of his time after training at Goodison this week for a good cause. The Everton midfielder has become a fantastic ambassador for the Prince’s Trust after taking over the role from James Beattie. Ossie was grilled by young people helped by a group of Trust volunteers, and the light-hearted session provided plenty of laughs. But on the Blues’ progress, Osman says patience is the key. “We’re starting to learn and have patience,” he said. “That’s the word - on and off the pitch. It can take 90 minutes to break a team down, and we’re learning that at the same time as the fans.”
Why football and horse racing have such a common heritage in Merseyside
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
IT’S THE weekend when Merseyside football must momentarily share the limelight with horse-racing. For many the Grand National will be almost as much a must-see event today as Everton’s progress in the Black Country. Those who have made the journey to Molineux are likely to be hoping for a double boost of a vital three points, and their horse coming in as they head home.
But football and racing have many a shared interest over the years, with Merseyside players and managers frequently keen to buy a stake in a horse as a hobby. Plenty of Evertonians will no doubt have had a flutter on David Moyes’s horse Desert Cry in the first race of yesterday’s Ladies Day, and although it didn’t win, insiders are tipping it for great things. The five-year-old hurdler used to run on the Flat in Italy and has run four times for trainer Donald McCain, son of the legendary Ginger.
McCain, who was born and raised in Merseyside, said: “He (Moyes) and a friend own the horse; he came down and saw him the other day. I think he just wanted another interest. “We are not too far from him and he can nip down after training. The horse was bought by Graham Bradley in France and has got some good form; he ran in the Italian Derby and I am pleased to have him. “I follow football only loosely but have always been a Liverpool fan as I went to school there, but I told David I don't mind Everton either!” The Blues boss is in good company with his new hobby. Former Everton skipper Brian Labone was also a racehorse owner – the aptly-named Goodison won the Ayrshire Handicap in 1971, a year after its owner represented England in the World Cup Then there was Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman who owned three fillies in their time. Their first couple, Some Horse and Another Horse, mischievously named so they could smirk when the tannoy booms out: “... And the winner is Some Horse followed by Another Horse!” Then there was their most successful - Seebald- winner of 11 races and over £350,000 in prizemoney which succeeded consistently at the top. “In horse racing, I get the buzz that I first got out of football 10 or 12 years ago,” McManaman once said. “The day before a race I'll get faxed through the details of the runners and riders, and the day of the race I'll speak to the jockey or the trainer. “I don't even get to see them live, but up to the race it's very exciting for me and that's when I get the butterflies in the stomach and the big thrill that I only rarely get in football now. I'll watch Arsenal-Liverpool, of course, but it won't be like the feeling I get when I watch one of the horses run, not at all.”
Even Liverpool legend Bob Paisely would relax from the pressures of leading the Reds to success in the Seventies and Eighties by volunteering to help in a stables. Perhaps the most well-known convert to the world of racing, however, is a man the current Everton boss reveres. Alex Ferguson is part owner of one of the most successful thoroughbreds of the 21st century, 2,000 Guineas and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Rock of Gibraltar. After Rock of Gibraltar’s retirement, the combative Ferguson proceeded to get into an acrimonious feud with co-owner Sue Magnier over ownership of their racehorses. Still the horses success, and future value as a stud, certainly never dampened Ferguson’s passion for the beautiful game. In 2002 he under-sold himself significantly, telling the Observer: “Once you make a decision in life you stick by it. I'm going to stay for another three years at Old Trafford, I'm going to enjoy it. There's still a great challenge here with this football team of mine.” Just last year Aintree even witnessed the unusual spectacle of thousands of Scousers cheering for a Fergie success! Many punters had begrudgingly backed the Manchester United manager’s latest prospect ‘What A Friend’ to land the totesport Bowl, and the seven-year-old romped home.
Everton FC manager David Moyes determined to go extra mile for success
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
David Moyes NOT many Premier League managers would make a six-hour round trip for a non-league match on a Tuesday night. Fewer still would do it routinely, taking the responsibility themselves ahead of their own scouting network. But David Moyes will go to almost any lengths in his quest to unearth another cut-price gem from the less exalted levels of English football. On Tuesday Moyes drove 380-miles to Newport and back, to run the rule over 18-year-old Darlington defender Dan Burn during his side’s 2-1 defeat in the Blue Square Bet Premier Division. He was impressed enough to make an offer for the 6ft 6in defender who is also coveted by Fulham. And even though the fee would not be in excess of £300,000, Moyes is aware of the need to spend any penny he has wisely. “Even at that level I think I have to try and get it right and make sure we spend it properly,” he says. “I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. We have made an offer for him and he would come into the same category as Vellios, simply a young player who might have a chance of improvement not a big signing.” The Everton manager was keen to keep his journey discreet but was spotted by supporters at Newport Stadium and a plan to stand on the terraces anonymously was spoiled. “I’ll clock up the miles. It is probably part of me, if I don’t do it someone will take over,” he says. “If we do come into money at Everton then I have got to be in position where I know who I want to spend it on. “If I only have small amounts of money I have to know how I am going to spend it as well. “I feel that I have to do my work to make sure I am ready for whatever eventuality and make sure our recruitment is right. At the moment, he wouldn’t be one for the first team. “I actually took Andy Holden with me in the car. We drove down together, had a bit of dinner and watched the game. I was going to pay and stand on the terracing, but I got seen so that was that.” But the man who plucked Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka from the lower levels, says it is getting harder. David Moyes “It is very difficult now to spot someone in the lower league,” says Moyes. “There are very few who get overlooked, but then you would say look at Seamus Coleman. He went over to a few clubs here and they didn’t take him. “We got recommended him and took him for £60,000 which we thought was worth doing. Some of them you have to take a punt on. “We have taken some who it hasn’t quite worked with, and we have been able to move them back out. John Ruddy, Lucas Jutkiewicz, who we thought would have good careers but maybe not what we could offer them here. “The two boys who came on on Saturday – if we hadn’t spent £800,000 on Magaye and £200,000 on Vellios we would have struggled to get people on the pitch. “Like every other club we are having to buy in some of our younger players because you are not getting a batch of eight or nine through the Academy.” Although for now the current Premier League campaign is Moyes’s priority, continuing with a tough trip to Molineux to play Wolves today, he is also quietly planning his summer transfer schedule. The Blues boss sent scouts to watch Belgium’s recent 4-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Brussels, and they returned with positive reports on a couple of long term targets. “I am trying to get my head ready for next year and what we hopefully have to do,” he says. “We have to get things prepared.” Moyes remains upbeat about his side’s prospects, despite admitting overall the season has still been a disappointment. “We've gone seventh. I'm the first to say I don't think we haven't had a very good season,” he says. “We've slipped in there as we've had a wee bit of a momentum, but we could just as easily slip down because of the group we have got, we are going to have to try and get results until the end of the season.”
Everton FC's Seamus Coleman in dreamland after PFA Young Player of the Year award short-listing
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
Everton FC right winger Seamus ColemanSEAMUS Coleman today admitted he is in dreamland after being shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. The 22-year-old is in the running for the coveted prize after a remarkable full debut season in the Premier League, which saw him become a key part of David Moyes’s first team and earn a call-up to the full Ireland squad. Coleman is one of seven talented players in line for the award, alongside Gareth Bale, Jack Wilshere, Nani, Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Javier Hernandez. But the £60,000 signing from Sligo Rovers, who must pass a fitness test before today’s clash with Wolves at Molineux, says he is yet to fully comprehend his good news. He said “Sometimes I still have to pinch myself. It is fantastic. At the start of the season I would not have expected that, and when you see the names on that shortlist, it is just a great achievement to be mentioned alongside them. “At the start of the season I hoped things would go this well, but if I am honest then I probably did not think they would. “Two years ago I was at Sligo and now and then I look around the changing room here and think ‘wow, this is really happening to me’. “I certainly did not expect to play this many matches and also not as a right midfielder, but I have just tried to take it game by game and do my best.” Coleman added: “There have been so many good young players this season it is hard to pick out individuals. “Obviously Gareth Bale stands out and he will probably be in the running for the main award. Then there is Jack Wilshere who played against Barcelona and was one of the best players over the two legs. There are lots of contenders and too many to mention everyone. “I am sure the other lads might think about winning it but for me just to be in the top seven is fantastic and an achievement in itself.” Meanwhile, David Moyes will hope for some respite from his ongoing injury crisis today. Coleman could feature against Mick McCarthy’s side, and Jack Rodwell has an outside chance of making the bench. But while a foot injury continues to trouble Tim Cahill, Moyes is at least positive that Mikel Arteta could return from a hamstring injury before the season ends. The Spaniard is able to run but is still between two to three weeks away from full training.
Wolves 0-3 Everton
by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Apr 9 2011
EVERTON hit three first-half goals to pile misery on relegation threatened Wolves. The Blues had to show resolve inside the opening 20 minutes of this afternoon's game at Molyneux before the showed a ruthless streak to dramatically tip the balance of the game in their favour. Jermaine Beckford headed home his ninth goal of the season in all competition to get David Moyes' men underway before a pair of fizzing strikes stunned the hopeful home crowd. Captain Phil Neville collected Beckford's lay-off to arrow into Wayne Henessey's top corner on 38 minutes to make it 2-0, notching his first goal for three years. And on the stroke of half-time Diniyar Bilyaletdinov captialised on hesitation in the Wolves defence by pouncing on loose ball in the midfielder before unleashing a venomous effort into the top corner. Hennessey kept the half-time scoreline respectable for Wolves with fine saves from Beckford and Magaye Gueye either side of Everton's goals. Wolves tried to summon a comeback in the second half but found Everton - and goalkeeper Tim Howard - in stubborn mood. Everton should have made it 4-0 late on but Bilyaletdinov fluffed his chance from Leon Osman's low cross. Everton held on for their biggest away for four years and move within one point of Liverpool.
Wolves 0 Everton 3
Saturday 9th April 2011, 5:09PM BST.
Three first-half wonder goals ended a dominant Wolves start and deepened the relegation worries.
Wolves looked the only team going to win it after 20 minutes and forced numerous chances to score. But a combination of awful defending and stunning finishing saw Everton win the game by half-time. Jermaine Beckford’s header in the 21st minute was followed by long range shots from Phil Neville on 39 and Dimitar Bilyaletdinov on 45. But Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard made excellent saves from Karl Henry and Adlene Guedioura after the break. However, there was little of a revival to give fans hope that relegation can be avoided as Wolves’ equal biggest defeat since 21 November 2009 made it seven goals against in two games. After wasting a chance to gain early ground from a lunchtime kick-off, there is another two-week wait before they get the opportunity to take out their frustrations. Wolves made two changes to the side beaten 4-1 at Newcastle last week. The big news was the return of Guedioura making his first Premier League start of the season after returning from a broken leg. The Algeria World Cup star replaced Adam Hammill, who dropped to the bench, as manager Mick McCarthy opted for extra physical strength down the right flank. The other replacement was expected, with Steven Fletcher in up front for midfielder Nenad Milijas as McCarthy switched to 4-4-2. Wolves piled forward from the off, looking far more on their game than at Newcastle last week. Guedioura saw a fierce drive blocked from the edge of the box and Jamie O’Hara volleyed a few feet over as Wolves forced four corners in the first 10 minutes. But the home side went closest to breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute when Fletcher’s header was nodded off the line from Jarvis’ flag-kick. Wolves continued to attack and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake should perhaps have shot when he brilliantly made the most of Jarvis’ pass to escape the clutches of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin to leave himself with only Howard to beat. But the seven-goal striker opted to check back as he ran out of room and the supporting O’Hara couldn’t get a shot in either.
Seconds later, Fletcher was fractionally away from connecting with Jarvis’ cross after the England winger dribbled right in on goal. Wolves were made to pay as Everton took the lead with their first attack. A volleyed pass from John Heitinga found Leon Osman in space on the right and from his cross, Beckford got across goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to glance the ball into the top corner of the net. The goal – as well as a clash of heads between Bilyaletdinov and O’Hara in which the latter needed treatment and a new shirt – took the wind out of Wolves’ sails. Everton were increasingly finding gaps in Wolves’ shaky defence and the hosts almost slipped 2-0 behind through their own doing. Christophe Berra was far too easily beaten out wide by Osman and the midfielder’s cross again found the head of Beckford, this time Hennessey pulling off a fine diving save diving to his left.
Wolves stormed back and shoot-on-sight O’Hara was denied when another blockbuster was diverted away by the diving Distin, before Ebanks-Blake’s point-blank effort was blocked by Osman from four yards out from Jarvis’ cross. But, just as soon as Wolves looked to find a way back, Everton scored two high quality goals that left McCarthy’s men staring defeat in the face. Neville found the top corner from the edge of the box six minutes before the break ,after Elokobi’s mis-directed header was saved by Hennessey from Leighton Baines’ free kick and Beckford retrieved the loose ball to find Neville. With Wolves’ defence at sixes and sevens, only some quick-thinking and bravery from Hennessey racing from his line denied Everton a certain third goal as Beckford was allowed to run clean through. But Everton duly made it 3-0 seconds before half-time with an absolute screamer from Bilyaletdinov from 30 yards which swerved away from Hennessey and ripped into the top corner after Fletcher’s pass on in the centre circle was left by O’Hara. Worse was to follow as Ebanks-Blake went off at the break with a hamstring injury which saw the introduction of Michael Kightly. Wolves claimed a penalty for a handball by Tony Hibbert after Jarvis fired the ball against the grounded full-back on 52, but the Everton player knew little about it and it would have been a harsh decision. Wolves attempted to get a revival going but Howard showed superb reflexes to palm away Karl Henry’s angled drive arrowing towards the top corner on 61, then leapt smartly to deny Guedioura’s flying header a minute later. Fletcher’s glancing header was deflected wide to produce what was Wolves’ 11th corner on 63 minutes. But Wolves’ fire fizzled out and they ended the game without a striker after Fletcher was withdrawn for Hammill eight minutes from time, by which point many of the 28,352 crowd had drifted away.
Everton maintain late-season push
Wolves 0 Everton 3
By John Curtis,Ther Independent
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Everton maintained their late-season push for a European spot as a first-half scoring burst increased Wolves' Barclays Premier League relegation fears at Molineux. Goals from Jermaine Beckford, skipper Phil Neville - his first for three years - and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov effectively ended the game as a contest before the interval. But Wolves, beaten 4-1 at Newcastle last weekend, are suddenly looking prime candidates for the drop on the evidence of this performance after a promising opening 20 minutes. The loss of key striker Kevin Doyle through knee ligament damage has had a massive impact on the make-up of the side as he was the ideal player to operate in a 4-5-1 formation. With Wolves Mick McCarthy starting with two upfront, the home side found themselves exposed in midfield without the extra man and their defending also left a lot to be desired. Wolves started purposely and Adlene Guedioura had a shot blocked by Neville on the edge of the box at the expense of a corner. Leon Osman came to Everton's rescue by clearing Steven Fletcher's header off the line from a Matt Jarvis flag-kick after seven minutes. It was against the run of play when Jermaine Beckford put Everton ahead after 21 minutes. John Heitinga found Leon Osman in space out on the right and his cross picked out Beckford, who got in between Christophe Berra and Richard Stearman and in front of Wayne Hennessey to nod home. Wolves tried to respond instantly and Guedioura was only just off target with a curling attempt from 20 yards out. Beckford came close to doubling Everton's lead after 31 minutes. Osman easily shook off the challenge of Berra on the right flank and his cross found the unmarked Beckford. His downward header contained plenty of power but Hennessey was able to adjust and parry the shot away to his left. A dipping attempt from Jamie O'Hara was deflected just wide and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had a shot blocked from close range from a Jarvis centre. But after 38 minutes Neville doubled Everton's lead. Hennessey, at full stretch, managed to keep out a misdirected header by George Elokobi from Leighton Baines' corner. But the ball landed at the feet of Neville on the edge of the Wolves box and his rising shot flew past nnessey into the roof of the net. On the stroke of half-time Diniyar Bilyaletdinov made it 3-0.
The ball broke to him just inside the Wolves half and his 25-yard drive flew past the despairing dive of Hennessey. McCarthy made a half-time substitution with Michael Kightly replacing Ebanks-Blake, who had sustained a hamstring injury. Bilyaletdinov became the first player to be yellow-carded after 51 minutes for bringing down Guedioura. The home side saw plenty of the ball in the the second period. Skipper Karl Henry gave the home fans something to cheer as his powerful drive was turned aside by Tim Howard. The Everton keeper then parried a Guedioura header from a Jarvis centre. In a rare second-half Everton attack, Berra blocked an effort from Osman. Substitute Victor Anichebe had a shot deflected just wide of the post with Hennessey wrong-footed. Bilyaletdinov should have made it 4-0 but shot over from close range after George Elokobi mis-kicked.
Woe for Wolves as Everton cruise to win
Apr 9, 2011, The Times of Indian
LONDON: Wolves' battle against relegation suffered a setback on Saturday as Everton scored their biggest Premier League win of the season in a 3-0 victory at Molineux. First-half goals from Jermaine Beckford, Phil Neville and Diniya Bilyaletdinov secured all three points for Everton, who remain in seventh spot after extending their unbeaten run to six matches. But the defeat left Mick McCarthy's Wolves rooted in the relegation mire, with the midlands club second from bottom with only six games remaining. Wolves hopes of securing a vital three points were snuffed out in the opening 45 minutes, Everton storming into a 3-0 lead at the break. After soaking up early Wolves pressure, Everton went ahead against the run of play on 21 minutes, when Beckford ghosted into the near post to meet a Leon Osman cross with a glancing header. Wolves midfielder Aldlene Guedioura almost equalised for the home side moments later but his curling shot flew just wide.
Instead it was Everton who rammed home their advantage with a goal that was desperately cruel on Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessy. Hennessy thought he had prevented what would have been a certain George Elokobi own goal with a brilliant save, but as Wolves struggled to clear the ball fell to Neville, who rifled in a shot from just outside the area. It got worse for Wolves on the stroke of half-time when Bilyaletdinov pounced on a loose ball in the centre circle. The Russian midfielder surged towards goal and with Wolves defence backing off, let fly with a swerving 25-yarder that flew into the top corner for 3-0. In other matches Saturday, leaders Manchester United can open up a 10-point lead over Arsenal with victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. Arsenal face Blackpool on Sunday while Chelsea will move up to third spot if they defeat Wigan at Stamford Bridge.
Everton beats relegation-threatened Wolves 3-0
By Associated Press
Saturday, April 9, 2011 The Boston Herald
WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Everton added to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ relegation troubles on Saturday by cruising to a 3-0 victory in the Premier League. Jermaine Beckford, skipper Phil Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored in the first half at Molineux to keep Everton seventh in the standings. After Everton survived an early onslaught, Beckford took advantage of slack defending to head the visitors in front with his ninth goal of the season. Neville netted with a rising shot and Bilyaletdinov struck past goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey from 25 yards. Ahead of the afternoon matches, Wolves are a point above bottom-place Wigan
Wolves 0-3 Everton: Sunday Mirror match report
10/04/2011 Sunday Mirror By Ralph Ellis
Gary Neville might be the new voice of football – but Phil is still doing his talking with his boots.
Everton’s captain says he hopes his brother’s decision to become a full-time pundit might help him win a few more man-of-the-match awards. Well he didn’t need any ¬family favouritism yesterday to bag a bottle of champagne. He won that award fair and square.At 34 the younger of the two brothers who shared 144¬ ¬England caps still has all the same enthusiasm, drive and ambition to keep playing and winning.And for good measure he came up with a wonder goal yesterday too, his first for three years and only the ninth Premier League strike of his 455-game career.It was a rifling 20-yard shot that put Everton two in front after their patched up side had survived a battering from relegation-haunted Wolves.But if Jermaine Beckford’s near-post header after 21 minutes left Mick McCarthy’s side reeling, it was Neville who delivered the knockout blow.He even showed his joy by copying room-mate Tim ¬Cahill’s normal celebration, punching the corner flag.“It was in front of the Wolves fans so if anybody thought I was inciting them I’m sorry,” he said.“But I’ve waited three years since my last goal! When Tim got injured I told him if I scored I would ¬dedicate the goal to him, but he just said there was no chance of that happening!“It’s so unusual for me to score it took me about five minutes to realise what had happened, but then I went to the corner flag!”Even when Neville did come up with one bad touch it turned out well — Steven Fletcher’s tackle sent the ball spinning to Diniyar ¬Bilyaletdinov who ran away and rifled a third goal just ¬before the break. “Phil is priceless,” said boss David Moyes. “I don’t think there’s enough you can say about him. Any success he gets he works really hard for. “He’s the one who sets the example for our dressing room with his dedication and his love of the game, and all the boys look up to him. “I actually thought he was going to try to cross the ball before he hit it. I don’t think I have even seen him score a goal like that in training, never mind in a game.” If the goal was brilliant, the real value of Neville’s ¬performance was in the first 20 minutes when Wolves came out full of power and pressure.They won a string of free-kicks and ¬corners, and tested Everton’s defence with a few long throws from George Elokobi that Rory Delap would have been proud of.But as Moyes said: “If we were ruthless in the 20 ¬minutes when we scored the goals, we were just as ruthless in a different way during the time when they were ¬battering us.”It left the Molineux crowd stunned. And although they found a bit of pride by ¬keeping the second half goalless, and ¬forcing Tim Howard to make a couple of decent saves, it couldn’t disguise the way ¬injuries to key¬players have left them on the brink of ¬losing their Premier League ¬status.But with seven goals ¬conceded in two games, they are at ¬crisis point and McCarthy will be glad of a fortnight off to let his players lick their wounds on the training ground.McCarthy said: “I’m not ¬normally one to bemoan bad luck, but injuries are being cruel to us at the moment.
“Now a weekend off because Stoke are in the Cup ¬semi-finals is actually going to drive us mad.“We want to play next week, we will have to prepare as if we had a game and do all the right things on the training ground with nothing at the end of it.“It’s not ideal but there is nothing to do about it.
“I still think we have a good chance. We’ve still got the ¬opportunity to win three games and we believe we can do that.”The misery began for Wolves when Beckford nicked the lead by glancing in Leon ¬Osman’s wicked cross.Neville turned the screw when he rifled into the top corner after Wolves ¬keeper Wayne Henessey prevented a comical own goal.From Osman’s inswinging corner Elokobi looked to have scored a spectacular own goal as the ball flew off his back, but Hennessey amazingly clawed the ball away. Yet by half-time it was¬ pretty much all over as Bilyaletdinov cracked home his stunning 25-yard drive.
Arsenal ready to freshen up squad with Everton's Baines
10/04/11 By MirrorFootball Sunday Mirror
Everton are ready to cash in on Leighton Baines this summer – with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger leading the race to sign him. Baines, who signed a four-year deal at Goodison last summer, would fetch around £10million for David Moyes’ cash-strapped Merseysiders, and Arsene Wenger wants a left-back as he seeks to freshen up his demoralised Gunners squad.
Everton prepared to sell Leighton Baines
Apr 10 2011 by Dave Kidd, The People
EVERTON are ready to cash in on Leighton Baines this summer – with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger leading the race to sign him.Baines, who signed a four-year deal at Goodison last summer, would fetch around £10million for David Moyes’ cash-strapped Merseysiders, and Arsene Wenger wants a left-back as he seeks to freshen up his demoralised Gunners squad.Liverpool have expressed an interest in the England international, but 26-year-old Baines is a lifelong Evertonian who would not want to cross Stanley Park to the red side.Baines would prefer to stay in the Premier League, and that will frustrate long-term suitors Bayern Munich.
Wolves 0 Everton 3
10 Apr 2011 The Sun
Add a comment (4) THREE goals in a first-half blitz saw Everton crush Wolves at Molineux.
Strikes from Jermaine Beckford, captain Phil Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov condemned relegation-threatened Wanderers to their second successive defeat. Wolves had had the better of the opening 20 minutes as the hosts put the visitors on the back foot. But Beckford took advantage of some slack defensive play to head the Toffees in front with his ninth goal of the campaign after 21 minutes. Beckford's effort sucked the life out of Wolves and the former Leeds hitman almost bagged his second ten minutes later but Wayne Hennessey was equal to his header. The home fans were starting to become frustrated as Everton enjoyed a spell in control. However, Wolves supporters were roused when Jamie O'Hara's long-range effort went narrowly wide after deflecting off Sylvain Distin. But Neville doubled Everton's lead moments later with his first goal in three years. Hennessey was at full stretch to keep out a misdirected header from George Elokobi from Leighton Baines' corner. But the ball landed at the feet of Neville on the edge of the box and his thumping shot flew past Hennessey into the roof of the net. Russian midfielder Bilyaletdinov then powered home from 25 yards on the stroke of half time to put the result beyond doubt. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy brought on Michael Kightly after the break for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who had sustained a hamstring injury. And the home side saw plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second period. Adlene Guedioura's low free-kick was easily dealt with by the Everton defensive wall. Bilyaletdinov then became the first player to be yellow carded after 51 minutes for bringing down Guedioura. Wolves fans appealed in vain for a penalty shortly afterwards when the ball struck the hand of Tony Hibbert at close range but it would have been a harsh award. An over-hit cross from Matt Jarvis was then greeted with derision by the home fans but skipper Karl Henry gave them hope when his powerful drive was turned aside by Tim Howard. The Everton keeper then pulled off a good stop when he parried a Guedioura header following a Jarvis centre. Toffees boss David Moyes brought on Victor Anichebe for debutant Magaye Gueye after 64 minutes. But much of the sting had gone out of the game after Everton's first half scoring burst and the visitors closed the match out to leave Wolves in deep trouble in the relegation zone.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Guedioura (Milijas 76), Henry, O'Hara, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake (Kightly 46), Fletcher (Hammill 82). Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Ward, Mancienne.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Gueye (Anichebe 64), Neville, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov (Forshaw 82), Osman, Beckford (Vellios 73). Subs not used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Nsiala. Booked: Bilyaletdinov. Goals: Beckford 21, Neville 39, Bilyaletdinov 45.
Att: 28,352
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
NEVILLE EARNS PRAISE FROM MOYES
Sunday April 10,2011 The Daily Express
Everton boss David Moyes hailed the "superb professionalism" of skipper Phil Neville as his first goal for three years helped his side to an emphatic 3-0 win at relegation-threatened Wolves.Neville has this week seen his elder brother Gary Neville officially take up a punditry role with Sky Sports. But he showed that he has still a major role to play for the Toffees who extended their unbeaten run to six games from which they have collected 14 points.Moyes said: "Phil, with his level of professionalism, means that whatever he does in life after football, he will be a success. He is so dedicated and does everything he can to be a success. Any that he gets, he deserves. He works really hard at everything he does."He added: "Mind you, it was a surprise to see him score. I think he was crossing the ball! I don't think I've ever seen him score in training, never mind in games. But in all seriousness he has been a great signing for me and is someone everyone likes."Jermaine Beckford opened the scoring and looked unhappy when substituted early in the second period.But Moyes said: "I was upset because I said I wanted him to run more in the second half. He scored a great goal but in the second half I told him I needed him to work harder."I told him if you play at Everton, that's what you do. But he played really well for 45 minutes and his movement for the goal was great."Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his side need three more victories to have a realistic chance of staying in the top flight. He said: "We're in the bottom three at the moment so we are not one of the best teams in the league. But we will keep going until May 22. We've still got the opportunity to win three games, 50 per cent of what we've got left. It would be a great record but it is there to be done. "For 20 minutes we were terrific and I think it was David Moyes who feared the worst. But to concede the first goal from their first cross was hugely disappointing."
Nev: Experience was the key
SCREAMER ... Phil Neville fires in from long-range to double Everton's lead
Wolves 0 Everton 3
10 Apr 2011 The Sun
EVERTON captain Phil Neville says the Toffees' Premier League experience showed as they overcame a poor start to beat struggling Wolves 3-0 at Molineux. Wolves enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes but crumbled as Jermaine Beckford headed the opener before Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored stunning goals to put the visitors 3-0 up at the break. Mick McCarthy's men never looked like mounting a second-half fightback and Neville praised the spirit shown by the Merseysiders. He said: "The gaffer told us to play the ball forward with our pace up front and we didn't do that early on. "But our Premier League experience showed in the end. "We showed a good spirit and we should probably have scored four or five before the break. We have a nice run going." Neville's goal was only his fourth for Everton and he joked that he was disappointed to see Bilyaletdinov better his own strike with a scorching drive of his own. He added: "I was gutted when Billy tucked it in! But with the players we have out we are showing a spirit and strength and hopefully we can look at the teams above us now." Everton are currently without the likes of Louis Saha, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini. But defender Phil Jagielka hopes the experience young guns such as Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios are picking up will benefit the club in the long term. The England centre-back said: "If you look at the team we have a few fresh faces and it's a hard debut for them with the predicament Wolves are in. "The gaffer is being positive, we don't have many fit guys in the squad but the young lads are getting experience and hopefully it will work for us in future seasons."
WOLVES 0, EVERTON 3: DAVID MOYES’ TRIPLE FROWN
Sunday April 10,2011 The Express
By Jane Cooper Wolves 0, Everton 3: DAVID MOYES must be a very tough customer to satisfy. Three cracking goals, Everton’s best away result of the season and still the manager had cause to complain. Just imagine if Moyes was in Mick McCarthy’s tracksuit, desperately looking for the secret of survival. Wolves were clinically shoved closer to Premier League oblivion by a side who now have taken 14 out of the last 18 possible points.Even Everton skipper Phil Neville scored with Jermaine Beckford and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov also netting either side of his rare strike.Yet Moyes was still not completely happy and hauled nine-goal Beckford off after the break when the Scot’s high standards were not met.He admitted: “I was disappointed. I wanted to see a little bit more in the second half and I just reminded him.“I wanted him to run more and to work harder – if you play at Everton that’s what you do.”Neville notched for the first time in three years and was so excited he nearly forgot his celebration routine, which was dedicated to injured team-mate Tim Cahill.The midfielder composed himself in time to charge towards a corner flag and pretend it was a punchbag in front of Wolves supporters who howled their annoyance. Neville apologised afterwards but nobody from Merseyside was saying sorry for leaving Wolves on the canvas for a second successive week. He admitted: “I’ve been waiting to do that for years. “I said to Tim that if I scored I would dedicate my goal to him and he said there was not much chance of that happening.“It took me about five minutes to realise what happened. “I went towards the corner flag and I apologise if it was inciting anyone.”The rout started with Beckford’s back-header from a Leon Osman cross and finished on the stroke of half-time with Bilyaletdinov’s belter.It was hugely damaging to Wolves who had looked likelier to go in front.McCarthy said: “We were terrific for the first 20 minutes. “They scored the first goal from their first cross. “We almost equalised, we had a bit of play then Phil Neville, who hasn’t scored for years, finishes like that.“We’re a bottom three team at the moment but we’ll keep going. It’s there to be done.”Everton are unbeaten in six and are closing in on Liverpool in the battle for a top-six finish.Moyes insisted: “I don’t think we will get relegated now and I hope we can give the fans something to shout about. “What can you say about Phil? It was a big surprise. “I thought he was crossing it. I don’t think I have seen him score in training, let alone a game.”Neville’s big brother Gary has hung up his boots this season and is gearing up for a career as a television pundit.Yesterday the younger sibling showed he could still be a TV star too – on the pitch.Beckford 21, Neville 39, Bilyaletdinov 45MAN of the MATCH: LEON OSMAN – David Moyes calls him one of ‘his’ boys and the player never fails to impress. A little livewire.
WOLVES: Hennessey; Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Guedioura (Milijas 76), Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis; Fletcher (Hamill 82) Ebanks-Blake (Kightly 45).
EVERTON: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Bilyaletdinov (Forshaw 82), Heitinga, Neville, Gueye (Anichebe 64); Osman; Beckford (Vellios 73).
Ref: P Dowd Att: 28,352
Model pro Phil Neville is hailed by Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 11 2011
EVERTON boss David Moyes hailed the “superb professionalism” of skipper Phil Neville as his first goal for three years helped his side to an emphatic 3-0 win at relegation-threatened Wolves.Neville has this week seen his elder brother Gary Neville officially take up a punditry role with Sky Sports but showed that he has still a major role to play for the Blues who extended their unbeaten run to six games from which they have collected 14 points.Moyes said: “Phil, with his level of professionalism, means that whatever he does in life after football, he will be a success.“He is so dedicated and does everything he can to be a success. Any that he gets, he deserves. He works really hard at everything he does. “Mind you, it was a surprise to see him score. I think he was crossing the ball! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him score in training, never mind in games.“But in all seriousness he has been a great signing for me and is someone everyone likes.”Jermaine Beckford opened the scoring and looked unhappy when substituted early in the second period.But Moyes said: “I was upset because I said I wanted him to run more in the second half.“He scored a great goal but in the second half I told him I needed him to work harder. “I told him if you play at Everton, that’s what you do. But he played really well for 45 minutes and his movement for the goal was great.”Moyes does not believe Everton can clinch a European spot but believes this victory at Molineux banishes any lingering fears of relegation.He said: “With the way the league is going to unfold this season, with probably only five league places being up for grabs for a European place, I don’t think we can make it.“Today we kept away from the teams that can catch us and this win means I don’t think we will be relegated. “It is important we continue to show that Everton are a big club and, if we can do that again, it is as good as we can probably do.”Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his side need three more victories to have a realistic chance of staying in the top flight.He said: “We’re in the bottom three at the moment so we are not one of the best teams in the league. But we will keep going until May 22.“We’ve still got the opportunity to win three games, 50 per cent of what we’ve got left.“It would be a great record but it is there to be done.For 20 minutes we were terrific and I think it was David Moyes who feared the worst.“But to concede the first goal from their first cross was hugely disappointing.”
Phil Kirkbride: Everton FC's Captain Marvel Phil Neville is still looking peachy
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 11 2011
"I PRESERVE my body like peaches in a jar and I’m getting sweeter and sweeter as time moves on.” Finch Farm and Philadelphia are thousands of miles apart but when Bernard Hopkins was asked to explain how – in his 46th year – he still throws leather with boxing’s elite, ‘B-Hop’s’ response will have resonated with Phil Neville. The two are in so many ways the opposite of one another and may have never met but the eccentric American and the likeable Bury-born man share an unsurpassed respect to their chosen profession which prolongs their life at the top. As the old dog Hopkins continues to teach boxers half his age new tricks, the longer Neville is still able to cope with life in the fast lane of the Premier League, the better for all at Everton. The Blues captain being dedicated to the cause is nothing new but when the lesser spotted name of ‘Neville’ appears on the score-sheet, the 34-year-old’s improvements - and growing importance - with age are brought to the fore. Neville was not the game’s outstanding performer at Molineux on Saturday as Everton blitzed the Wolves goal to surge into a commanding half-time lead. That accolade belongs to either the creative efforts of Leon Osman or the unshakeable resolve of Sylvain Distin but Neville was his typical self, rooted in consistency. Some will say in central midfield, Neville was out of position, but the suggestion does not really stick with a player of his ability to roll with the punches. His goal was more reward for a season’s service which may well be considered one of his best at Goodison Park and before the Everton skipper fizzed home in the 39th minute, he had waited nearly three years for that rush of adrenaline to course through his veins once more. There appears to be no stopping the former Manchester United player and it is not beyond reason to think Neville could afford to leave another three year window for his fifth strike in a royal blue shirt. Everton need him to hang around for that long. Times have been trying for the Blues during this campaign but Neville has remained steadfast and a source of hope for a better future. With Moyes having to nurture both rookie pros and players making the leap from lower divisions, having Neville by his side is invaluable.The manager hinted post the Wolves win that the £3.5m handed over the Manchester United may have been his most satisfying piece of business to date.Seamus Coleman’s future success may yet trump that but the young Irishman has already profited from a season of Neville’s encouragement propelling him down the right wing and would surely be the first to testify how much the captain has aided his progress.And as Evertonians continue to see fresh faces warming the substitutes’ bench and struggle to shop in the market for proven players, the hope must be Neville is around to help that talent flourish.Neville is a top class student of the professional era, using nutrition and science to prolong his playing days and by moving to Everton in August 2005, he reinvented himself and continues to surprise.From unflappable leader he has now turned into shining example and Neville has embodied the Moyes era at Goodison Park more than most.As the Everton manager pointed out following his side’s 3-0 at the weekend, the captain’s “talent may not be right at the top” but his work off the pitch ensures he remains right at home in the Premier League.Neville’s efforts perhaps neatly sum up the side he leads and this season such has been his impact, Tottenham Hotspur came knocking.Even those punters savvy enough to pick Ballabriggs from the Aintree field were unlikely to have backed Everton’s second scorer in the Midlands on Saturday.But Evertonians have learnt to never bet against their captain.
Wolves 0 Everton FC 3: Blues looking like end-of-season thoroughbreds
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 11 2011
Jermaine Beckford celebrates at WolvesHIS HORSE may not have been an Aintree winner, but at least David Moyes’s Everton seem ready to gallop flat-out all the way to the finish. While the Blues boss wasn’t able to toast a Desert Cry victory on Friday, his team put the smile back on his face with an emphatic thumping of Wolves at Molineux. No small feat – this was a home side renowned for their battling credentials and muscular dominance at home. Yet with his ranks decimated by injury, Moyes found the right formula once again as his team weathered an initial storm of pressure from their opponents and then hit them with three terrific goals to effectively seal the points before half time. In truth, Everton did not have to be outstanding, such was their paucity of Wolves defending, but their three goals were of the highest order. Shorn of most of his trusted ball-players in midfield, Moyes has encouraged a more direct counter-attacking style recently, and it is beginning to pay dividends. At the same time, Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Disitn are helping the back four erase the silly errors and lapses of concentration that have proved costly on occasion this season. They were imperious throughout in the Black Country, even in the face of those 20 opening minutes of pressure and aerial bombardment from McCarthy’s men, when Matt Jarvis sparkled briefly and crosses rained into Tim Howard’s box. Indeed, Adlène Guedioura had an early effort blocked and Steven Fletcher's header was cleared off the line by Leon Osman, before Everton carved their hosts open and never looked back. A clever ball from John Heitinga released Osman, who was marvellous in a makeshift attacking role again, and his pin-point cross allowed Jermaine Beckford to head home his ninth of the season. What came next was a true rarity. While Phil Neville isn’t a total stranger to finding the back of the net, his goals are almost as rare as a genuine sun-tan on Ladies Day. But the skipper doubled Everton’s lead with a strike to savour. After more good work by Osman, Neville obliged those who demand that he “shooooot” in style – with an unstoppable exocet from the edge of the area. His celebration, a pugilistic nod to the absent Tim Cahill, might have upset the home fans in the Steve Bull stand, but not as much as their team’s defending for Everton’s third goal. Jamie O’Hara and George Elokobi will have sleepless nights about how they conspired to abandon the ball, and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov showed he fancies winning the goal of the year award again by seizing on it and unleashing a thumping strike from 25 yards that left Wayne Hennessey with no chance. Ever the enigma, Bily won headers when it mattered and showed he is adapting to the rigours of the English game, yet missed a second half sitter that left Everton’s bench scratching their heads. By then it didn’t matter, there was even time for a positive cameo from academy graduate Adam Forshaw who looked bright and busy during his first taste of Premier League action, and Greek striker Apostolos Vellios let nobody down again when he was given his second consecutive appearance from the bench. The only negatives were a worrying question mark over Beckford’s work-rate and his daft decision to argue with his boss (here’s a tip Becks, there’s only ever one winner in that scenario), and an underwhelming cameo performances from Victor Anichebe. The Nigerian has all the physical attributes to be a success in the Premier League but needs to recapture the appetite, form and fitness that impressed against Manchester City and Liverpool earlier in the season. As Moyes reminded Beckford so forcefully when he berated the former Leeds man after hauling him off, there is no room for anyone not prepared to give their all for the cause, and if they don’t their careers at Everton are in jeopardy. The Scot is not averse to brutally cutting his losses with a player if he senses they do not buy into his ethos of hard work being the bare minimum requirement to play for him. Still, the team’s collective attitude in response to this latest injury malaise has been just what the doctor ordered. And if the doctor can coax Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta back to action sooner than expected, the climax to this season could really be worth watching. Hot on the heels of the reds, Everton seem determined to finish their campaign like they mean business, having shaken off the hangover of those inexplicable blips against Reading in the FA Cup and Bolton Wanderers in the league. The growing unbeaten run continues apace and although the sun might be shining, nobody in Royal Blue is dreaming of summer holidays and flip-flops just yet. “ I was disappointed. I wanted to see a little bit more in the second half and I just reminded him. I wanted him to run more and to work harder – if you play at Everton that’s what you do.” David Moyes explains why Jermaine Beckford became the target of his ire.” DAVID MOYES explains why Jermaine Beckford became the target of his ire.“The break will drive us mad.We want to play next week. We'll have to prepare as if we've got a game. It's not ideal, but there's nothing we can do about it, so we just have to get on with it." MICK McCARTHY is desperate to get the drubbing out of his system.
WOLVES: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Guedioura (Milijas 76), Henry, O'Hara, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake (Kightly 45), Fletcher, (Hammill 82). Not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Ward, Mancienne.
EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Heitinga, Neville, Bilyaletdinov, (Forshaw 83), Beckford, (Vellios 74), Gueye, (Anichebe 65) Not used: Mucha, Mustafi, McAleny, Nsiala.
GOALS: Beckford 21, Neville 39, Bilyaletdinov 45.
CARDS: Booked – Bilyaletdinov..
REFEREE: Phil Dowd..
ATTENDANCE: 28,352.
Everton FC need to be in Europe regularly - Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 11 2011
DINIYAR Bilyaletdinov believes Everton need regular European qualification to develop a style of play on par with the Premier League’s top four.The Russian midfielder says the Blues can already match most teams for easy on the eye football when they are at full strength, but insists that playing in the Europa League again is essential for the team to carry on evolving.This campaign has been the first without any continental competition for the Blues in some time, and Bily hopes that they can still sneak into the top six – even if they must sacrifice their passing game in the short term to do it. Bilyaletdinov, who scored Everton’s third goal in their impressive 3-0 away victory over Wolves, said: “It’s better for Everton to take part in European competition because they can raise their standard, and it helps us to see we can be better and play another style.“Teams like Everton can play a passing game. For now we’ve got injuries and although we’ve got a lot of clever players, sometimes you do need to be more direct. We have many injuries at the moment, so we had a specific plan for the match.“It wasn’t our typical approach of passing and moving. We knew we needed hard work, and we didn’t do it too well for the first 15 minutes but after we scored we did well after that.”Bily admits he has had to adapt to the pace of the English game, but believes he has proved he is capable of competing against any style of opponent. He said: “You have to be tough, and win headers. David Moyes asked me to learn that. “It was something new for me when I came, but sometimes you have to do it in English football. Some games you only get to head the ball or tackle everywhere. “It’s different in the Premier League. Most teams play very strongly, but then there are Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham who always try to play in the same style.“The others teams play a fast, high tempo, game but it’s different from the continent. The Spanish game isn’t so fast but they make the ball work and move it quickly. England has powerful players.”Bilyaletdinov, who won the award for Everton’s goal of the season with a strike against Manchester United at Goodison Park, hopes to be in contention for the award again this time around. “My favourite was against Manchester United last year but I really enjoyed it.,” he said. “I’ve actually scored from a longer distance in the cup against Spartak I want to score goals and be influential for the team and the fans. It’s important for the supporters that we carry on working hard.”
There’s more to come from Jermaine Beckford says Everton FC captain Phil Neville
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 11 2011
PHIL NEVILLE has hailed Jermaine Beckford’s debut Premier League season while admitting the striker has yet to fully adapt to the demands of top-flight football.Beckford netted his ninth goal of the campaign – and seventh in the league – on Saturday to send Everton on their way to an emphatic 3-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.It is an impressive return for a player who until moving to Goodison last summer had never played at the highest level of English football and had made only 10 Championship appearances.However, Beckford faded badly in the second half before being replaced with 17 minutes remaining, leading to an animated exchange of views with manager David Moyes on the touchline.And Everton skipper Neville believes that while the former Leeds United man can improve his goals tally next season, he cannot afford to rest on his laurels.“I think he has had a fantastic first season,” said the 34-year-old. “I think there are more goals to come from him. I think we are playing to his strengths now, what he is all about. He has electric pace and he unsettles defenders.“The last three or four weeks the manager has simplified our play a lot more and it has helped him. He has looked sharper.“The next step for Jermaine is to be producing over 90 minutes. Not just ‘one goal and that’s me finished’, you have to do that consistently. He is improving.”Of Beckford’s substitution, Neville added: “I think he was tired. I gave a message to the manager that he was tired.”The striker was once again asked to spearhead Everton’s attack as the lone forward, with his pace a constant menace for the Wolves defence during the first half.And Neville reckons Beckford’s team-mates are beginning to best utilise the 27-year-old’s assets.“He can play with a big man or on his own,” added the captain. “But his strength is his pace. We have realised that in the past couple of weeks.“The biggest thing is that he is playing for longer now.“The manager wanted to bed him in slowly because it was his first season but when you don’t have a striker fit, it has given him the opportunity.“Players love to know that they are playing in the next game, it gives them confidence and I think that has helped Jermaine a lot.“He has not been playing under that pressure that next week he’s not going to be involved.” Neville netted Everton’s second goal against Wolves at the weekend, only his fourth-ever strike for the club and just the 12th in 623 career appearances.The skipper celebrated by racing to the corner flag and replicating Tim Cahill’s trademark celebration – although Neville revealed he almost didn’t go through with his planned salute to the injured midfielder.“When you don’t score that often, you savour every moment and I started to run back when I remembered I had planned a celebration,” he said. “I’ve been planning it for three years. I thought to myself ‘don’t bottle it now, go over to the corner flag’. I thought afterwards I was heading for an FA fine.“It was a tribute to Tim Cahill.“But because I was running towards the Wolves’ fans I thought ‘oh no’.“It’s funny really because when you go for a while and don’t score the manager is in the dressing room and he said ‘great goal’ to Bily (Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, scorer of Everton’s third goal) and Becks and I think he forgot I had scored.“He probably realises it’s going to be another three-year wait for the next!”
David Moyes says Everton FC's youngsters should look to Phil Neville as an example after captain's landmark weekend
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 11 2011
DAVID MOYES believes Everton’s youngsters should continue looking to Phil Neville as an example after the skipper enjoyed a landmark weekend. On his 400th career Premier League start, Neville netted his fourth goal for Everton – and only the 12th of his career – in the 3-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.It ended a three-year wait for a strike in blue for the 34-year-old and was remarkably his first goal away from home in the top-flight for almost a decade.And Moyes says the captain remains an inspirational figure to his team-mates.“If they don’t look to him to see how he prepares himself and his professionalism then they should do,” said the Everton manager.“Phil’s talent might not be right at the top but he’s given himself every opportunity by the way he prepares himself, by the way he lives his life, the way he eats, the way he trains and what he does in his time off.“If you don’t look at what he does then you are a fool.“Phil’s idea is to play until he thinks he can’t maybe come up to the standards he has set himself and he has met them all season.“I think Phil will make a good coach. He has got so much to give and so I think he will stay in the game if he wants to. I think he is doing his badges and because of the way he goes about his job means he can be good at this.”Neville’s goal was sandwiched by first-half strikes from Jermaine Beckford and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov as Everton secured their biggest away Premier League win since a similar triumph at Watford in February 2007.Beckford was substituted with 17 minutes remaining, leading to an animated exchange of views between the player and his manager on the touchline.And Moyes reminded the striker of what is to be expected at the highest level.“I said this is what you do at Everton and these are the standards we want,” said the Goodison manager. “He’s been here long enough now to know this.“He’s on the verge on some really, really good things and if he wants to do it then it is there for him.“But he will need to put up with the manager shouting at him and telling him.”Beckford’s goal was his ninth of the season, and Moyes added: “It is a very good return. His goals have not surprised me because that is what he has done throughout his career but if you are part of a team then it is teamwork and if you are at Everton then that comes before anything.“He will know now but he has known that if you are going to play at this level then you have to step up everything about your game.“You have to improve your training and work but for 45 minutes I thought he was excellent. He was unlucky not to score a second and he was the one who teed up Phil Neville.“To be fair to him he did not train until Thursday and so maybe ran out of juice a little but later on.”Of the game, Moyes added: “It wasn’t a difficult teamtalk to give at half-time because Wolves had come back from three against Tottenham so I had to explain to some of the foreign lads that 3-0 in the Premier League might not be enough.“It might be in other countries but no teams give in here, no teams lie down and Wolves certainly did not do that in the second half.“Our goalkeeper has made a couple of really good saves so the message at half-time was that we had to go again and I wanted us to score again.”
Wolves 0 Everton FC 3: Phil Neville defies odds with ultimate long shot
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 11 2011
Phil Neville celebrates after scoring against WolvesNEVER mind Aintree. Any Everton supporter wanting to make a quick buck at the weekend should have taken a look at these inviting odds.A cursory glance at a discarded betting slip following a hugely satisfying 90 minutes for David Moyes’s side revealed the chances of Jermaine Beckford scoring the first goal in a 3-0 win for the visitors were rated at a bookies-busting 100-1.Throw in Phil Neville scoring his first away Premier League goal in almost a decade – and his first strike of any kind in three years – and it seemed a pretty unlikely afternoon in the Molineux sunshine.But far from being a surprise, few could have quibbled with the eventual outcome as Everton continued to breathe down the neck of neighbours Liverpool while sending a sorry Wolverhampton Wanderers a step nearer a return to the Championship.It’s almost certainly too late for the Goodison outfit to salvage anything tangible from a season that began with such great expectations yet has ended up in such depressingly familiar fashion.Moyes, though, will take solace from the fact that initial belief appears not entirely misplaced.Despite first-teamers seemingly dropping out of contention with the regularity of most people’s Grand National punts, Everton are now unbeaten in six league games since the abomination that was defeat at Bolton Wanderers in February.Such growing impetus echoes the momentum gathered towards the end of last season, when Moyes’s side finished the campaign by losing just two of their final 24 games.Yet it serves also to frustrate. Once again, with little to play for and no real pressure, Everton are now starting to pull out the results – an infuriating shortcoming Moyes is all too aware must be addressed if the long wait for silverware is to be ended.Of course, you get what you pay for. But the creative transfer policy required as a direct consequence of the continued financial restraints has, in the long term, perversely aided Everton when an injury crisis has invariably struck.With some notable exceptions, Moyes’s squad are of a consistent level throughout which, allied to the versatility of many of the players, has meant the Goodison outfit have been able to absorb a number of absentees.But the recent raft of walking wounded has pushed that theory to breaking point, evidenced by the substitutes bench for last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa that consisted of seven players without a previous minute of Premier League experience. With Victor Anichebe returning and Seamus Coleman dropping out, there was no change to the numbers at the weekend. That, though, has given a chance for certain fringe players to stake their claims; resulting in mixed fortunes, even for those who appeared to have grabbed the opportunity with both hands.Having been denied a perfectly good goal last week, Jermaine Beckford took only 21 minutes to send Everton on their way when expertly glancing home an inviting right-wing cross from the again impressive Leon Osman. The same move almost provided a second shortly afterwards only for the striker to be denied by a fine save from Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. But by the time Beckford was substituted 17 minutes from time, he earned a pointed rebuke from Moyes for a lackadaisical approach after the interval. Nine goals is an encouraging return from a debut top-flight campaign, but the striker is learning the hard way that there is no time to rest in the Premier League. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov discovered that last year. But there’s no doubt the Russian has failed to progress as expected this season, too often on the periphery despite his unquestioned talent. Bilyaletdinov showed a flash of that on the stroke of half-time when, capitalising on a breakdown in communication between Wolves duo Jamie O’Hara and George Elokobi, the winger seized possession, drove forward and then lashed a vicious 25-yard shot beyond the flailing Hennessey. Everton’s third goal, it ended the game as a contest. Wolves, who drew 1-1 at Goodison in August, had beaten Chelsea and Manchester pair United and City at home already this season, and began with a ferocious intensity that put Everton on the back foot. But from the moment Beckford pounced, the atmosphere among the home throng deflated faster than taking an axe to the blimp that loitered above Molineux on Saturday. Wolves, with the missing striker Kevin Doyle forcing manager Mick McCarthy into a tactical reshuffle that was ruthlessly exposed by the visitors, ended grateful to have been beaten by just three goals. The highlight for Everton came six minutes before the break. After more slipshod defending from Wolves saw Hennessey prevent a spectacular own goal from Elokobi, Beckford recycled possession into the path of Neville who arrowed a shot through a crowd of players into the top corner from the edge of the area. Not a bad way to celebrate your 400th Premier League start, and only a fourth goal in almost six years at Goodison. While the quality of Everton’s three goals will impress Moyes, so too will the efforts of those at the other end of the pitch. The visiting defence, marshalled by Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, withstood the early Wolves barrage while a brace of saves from Tim Howard in the second half ensured only a second clean sheet in 19 games. Magaye Gueye was close to marking his first Premier League start with a goal until an intervention from the legs of Hennessey, while teenager Adam Forshaw’s progress continued with a top-flight debut as a late substitute. By then, though, the job was done. European qualification may be significantly against the odds, but Everton still have more than pride to play for in the remaining six games this season.
Wolves 0, Everton 3: Bill Howell's big match verdict
Apr 11 2011
Birmingham Mail
It’s almost inevitable that at least one Midlands team will suffer relegation to the Championship this season and it’s looking increasingly likely to be Wolves. Crushing back-to-back defeats against teams they were determined to take points off have left them deep in the relegation mire with just six games to go. On paper Wolves still have a relatively comfortable run-in with games against teams in and around them remaining. Manager Mick McCarthy is still confident that his team can pick up enough points to avoid relegation but supporters are becoming increasingly worried that they’ve not got enough to stay up. Without Kevin Doyle Wolves look like a team shy on confidence up front and you wonder where the goals are going to come from. At the back they are looking increasingly shaky, too, after conceding ten goals in the past four games. During the 3-0 loss to Everton on Saturday the backline looked disjointed and had Wayne Hennessey not been in fine form the defeat could have been even heavier. As it was, the crushing scoreline was bad enough to leave the Black Country outfit in 19th place and with a mammoth task on their hands. Surprisingly it started well for the hosts who dominated possession for the opening 20 minutes. Everton manager David Moyes admitted after the game that he felt well under the cosh in the opening stages and said it felt like Wolves had ‘about 48 corners’ in the opening exchanges. It was in fact four corners in the first ten minutes and the closest Wolves came was when Steven Fletcher’s header was cleared off the line by Leon Osman. Everton themselves were struggling with injuries with Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell missing. It was a massive blow for the Toffees but Osman compensated for their loss with an inspirational performance in midfield. The under-strength team struggled in the early periods and could hardly get out of their own half as Wolves pressed forward but they soon made amends. Early on Karl Henry had a strike blocked and Steven Fletcher’s bullet header was cleared off the line by Osman. The hosts had all the possession but then, totally against the run of play, Everton took the lead with 21 minutes on the clock. Johnny Heitinga set Osman free down the left and the influential midfielder sent in the perfect delivery for Beckford to head past Hennessey. The Wolves keeper was initally positioned well for the incoming cross but as it curled towards Beckford’s direction he just stood still, allowing the former Leeds hitman to head into an empty net. A minute after the deadlock was broken Matt Jarvis burst down the left wing in typical fashion and laid off to Geudioura but his curling effort was too high to test Tim Howard. From then on in Everton were in total control but Hennessey was pulling out all the stops to keep the score down, denying Beckford from another header in the 32nd minute. All the time the visitors were growing in confidence. An almighty goalmouth scramble followed where both Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake saw their respective shots blocked by a solid Toffees’ rearguard. Then, to rub salt into the wound, Everton doubled their lead on 39 minutes through a cracking strike from captain Phil Neville. After Hennessey had pulled off a wonder save to prevent George Elokobi from heading into his own net, the rebound fell to Neville who lashed it into the top corner. The former Manchester United star rarely gets his name on the scoresheet but celebrated in fine Cahill-style by boxing with the corner flag in front of the South Bank. Wolves were rapidly falling apart and nearly conceded a third a minute later but Hennessey prevented Magaye Gueye with another quality save. Despite the Wales stopper being on top of his game he could do nothing to prevent Everton from extending their lead just before the interval. On the half-way line Fletcher’s attempted pass to Jamie O’Hara went astray and fell to Bilyaletdinov. The Russian drove forward unchallenged and fired a spectacular 25-yard drive into the top corner past the outstretched keeper. Wolves looked a shambles and were curled up on the floor with their heads in their hands as they could hardly believe they were three goals down. After the break not a lot changed for Wolves as they were restricted to just a handful of efforts on goal. A fine double save from Howard on the hour-mark was as close as they came to threatening a comeback. First the American denied Henry from the edge of the area and then dived to his left to tip away Guedioura’s header from the resulting corner. The lacklustre second half resulted in boos from the home crowd at the final whistle as Wolves face six massive games to preserve their top-flight status.
Phil Neville rues annual need for recovery after Everton beat Wolves
John Ashdown at Molineux
The Guardian, Monday 11 April 2011
There is something increasingly contradictory about Everton's season – every victory seems only to intensify the frustration. Four wins in six matches have taken them from the mid-table maelstrom to the threshold of European qualification but once more the club have been left pondering what might have been. It is a case of déjà vu. Up to mid-December David Moyes's side won three games. Since then only Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have picked up more points. A slow start was followed by Champions League form in 2008-09 and again in 2009-10. Everton are now well on their way to completing an unwanted hat-trick. "That's what Everton do," said Phil Neville, who scored his first goal since April 2008. "Even though we are in this run at the moment, I think there is still an air of disappointment about this season. We expected so much and I think we've still failed to really deliver. The pleasing thing is that we've persevered. "After the Bolton defeat a couple of months ago [that left Everton three points above the relegation zone] the alarm bells could've been ringing. But we all regrouped, we didn't panic, the boss persevered with what he knows is best and I think we all knew once we started doing the basics better we were going to start winning games and that's what we're doing now." At Molineux the basics were accompanied by three terrific goals. Jermaine Beckford glanced home Leon Osman's cross for the opener before Neville thumped home his museum piece and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov thrashed a swerving 25-yard effort into the top corner on the stroke of half-time. The tantalising prospect of finishing above Liverpool for the first time since 2004-05 remains, despite injury issues that meant Moyes had to name two 18-year-olds and three 19-year-olds on the bench. "I think talk of Europe is still daft really," said Neville of his side's prospects for the remaining six games of the season. "We're taking each game as it comes. We are in a good run, if there's a form table we'd be up near the top, but it's so pleasing at the moment to play with these younger players. I think that's the way Everton is heading. We need to start producing more players because they will get a chance." While Everton are left to rue the past, Wolves worry about what might be to come. Mick McCarthy's side are not yet adrift but heavy back-to-back defeats have darkened the mood. "They hit us with a sucker punch for the first goal and it was downhill from there really," said the Wolves winger Michael Kightly. "We've got to be better than that but to come in at 3-0 at half-time – the game's over. It's a bit out of character. All season we've been tough to beat, when we have lost games we've given teams a right battle. We haven't done that for the last two weeks and we know that isn't good enough."
Everton set sights on being Merseyside’s top dogs following defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers
While David Moyes confesses that Europe is a bridge too far, conquering Merseyside should provide adequate consolation for the Everton manager come May 22 and the Premier League campaign’s finale.
By David McVay at Molineux
11 Apr 2011 The Telegraph
Comment
The habitually sluggish starters have Liverpool in their sights, this morning they are seventh, just a point behind Kenny Dalglish’s team who host Manchester City tonight. This ultimately comfortable victory at Molineux was Everton’s sixth successive league match unbeaten. Ever the pragmatist, Moyes has always taken one game at a time yet during a nine-year tenure that has secured passages to an FA Cup final, the Champions League and the Uefa Cup, could eclipsing the old foe from across Stanley Park qualify as his finest hour at Goodison Park? Given a raft of injuries to influential players such as Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha and Tim Cahill and that wretched early form, a sixth-place finish may be considered a remarkable achievement at the end of what his captain, Phil Neville, concedes has been a less-than-inspiring season. “I think the season is opening up for us now where we can give it a right go and see where we finish, although I think it’s daft really to talk about Europe,” said Neville whose searing shot doubled Everton’s lead after Jermaine Beckford’s header. “Even though we have been on this run, there is still an air of disappointment about our season. We expected so much and I think we have failed to deliver but we still retained that special quality and that’s to persevere.” Neville’s goal was his fourth for Everton and the 12th of his career in 623 appearances, also his first in three years. “It’s funny really because when you go for a while and don’t score, the manager is in the dressing-room and he said: 'Great goal’ to Billy and Becks and I think he forgot I had scored! “He probably realises it’s going to be another three-year wait for the next. It was a great feeling and the spirit in the dressing-room is as good as it’s been all season.” Even Neville’s splendid effort was second best to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s belter, the Russian winger’s rising left-foot delivery swerving into the top corner. A half-time scoreline of 3-0 flattered the visitors, who mirrored their season with a slumberous opening gambit upon which Wolves were unable to capitalise as Tim Howard denied Adlene Guedioura. Beckford’s substitution which induced a minor hissy fit from the forward was the most stimulating second-half spectacle. Moyes later expressed his disappointment at the player’s lack of effort. Wolves captain Karl Henry warned that they were certain to be relegated if they repeated Saturday’s showing. “That is as disappointing a performance overall as I’ve seen here from us this season. At times I think we were amateurish. “We were all over the place at times. We wouldn’t win a Championship game playing like that, let alone a Premier League game.” Without a game for a fortnight, when they will face Fulham at home, Wolves will remain stranded in the bottom three though their manager, Mick McCarthy, expects the relegation issues not to be resolved until the last day of the season.
ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Hallam Hope’s goals extends Everton’s lead at the top of the table
by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 12 2011
HALLAM HOPE’S header helped Everton under-18s extend their lead at the top of the Group C section of the Barclays Premier Academy League with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United at Finch Farm on Saturday. Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters continued their title quest and are six points ahead of Manchester City and eight in front of neighbours Liverpool, although their Mersey rivals do have three games in hand. Everton gained revenge on Sheffield United for their FA Youth Cup defeat earlier in the season. But it was a tight match in which Sheffield were on top in the first half and keeper James Fitzgibbons made two vital saves before Everton took the lead. Hope’s excellent headed goal from a Donegan cross was enough to secure all three vital points in the end. Dewsnip’s youngsters could easily have won by more with Hope, Anton Forrester and Jake Bidwell all missing good opportunities, the latter seeing a header cleared off the line. Coach Dewsnip said: “They had beaten Aston Villa in the Youth Cup semi-final in midweek. "And in your next game that brings a mentality of you are either on fire or you’re not. "But I have to say they were on fire and played really well in the first half. "Our goalkeeper made two absolutely fantastic saves to keep it a 0-0 and with probably with our only chance of the first half we scored a great goal against the run of play.
"They had lots of the ball, but apart from Fitzy’s two great saves they didn’t really hurt us. “And we were as good in the second half as they were in the first and missed a number of chances.” Everton face Sunderland this Saturday (kick-off 11am), before a crucial clash with Liverpool the following week. Dewsnip said: “You always want to set the highest standards and expectations.But if we are honest we have exceeded our expectations so far this season. EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Higgins, Hammar, Dyer, Bidwell, Barrow, Johns (Molyneux 45), Donegan, Hope, Thomas, Forrester. Subs: Toure, Roberts, Waring.
Phil Neville sees future light in Everton FC injury crisis
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 12 2011
PHIL NEVILLE believes Everton’s injury crisis has given the club a glimpse into the future. A growing absentee list has forced Goodison manager David Moyes to blood a number of youngsters and reserve players in recent weeks. January signing Apostolos Vellios and teenager Adam Forshaw have both made their debuts during the past fortnight, while Magaye Gueye was given a first Premier League start in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The emergence of Seamus Coleman during the last 18 months has seen the Irishman follow the path already trodden by team-mates Jack Rodwell and Victor Anichebe, with experienced duo Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert having also come through the Goodison ranks earlier in their careers. And 34-year-old Neville is convinced homegrown talent remains the way to go for Everton. “It’s so pleasing to play with the youngsters, to see the lack of fear and the spirit and togetherness,” said the captain. “I think that’s probably the way that Everton is heading. We need to start producing more players because they will get a chance.” The weekend win at Molineux strengthened Everton’s grip on seventh place and means they have taken 14 points from the last 18 available, a run of form matched only by Chelsea.
“We are in a good run,” said Neville. “This has been one of my favourite spells since I have been at the club. But even though we have been on this run there is an air of disappointment. We expected so much and I think we have failed to deliver but we have retained that special quality. To persevere.
“After the defeat at Bolton the alarm bells could have been ringing. We all regrouped. We didn’t panic. The boss persevered with what he knew was best. “Once we started doing the basics we started winning games. For 20 minutes in the first half on Saturday, we didn’t do the basics and that’s why Wolves were pummelling us. It needed a rocket from the manager to go on and win the game.” Vellios, an arrival from Greek side Iraklis Thessaloniki in January, is convinced he made the right choice to come to Goodison after turning down a clutch of leading European clubs and Aston Villa. “The Premier League was my number one choice and as soon as I came here to Everton, saw the stadium, the training ground and met with the players and coach I knew this was the place for me,” he said. “I was so impressed and I feel very good here. “I had offers from Aston Villa and Fulham and a lot of clubs in Greece like Olympiakos and AEK, but here was the best choice.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ian Turner will remain on loan at npower Championship strugglers Preston North End until the end of the season. The 27-year-old has made 11 appearances since his temporary move.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC skipper Phil Neville is King of the Premier League veterans
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 12 2011
credit as ever to Phil Neville on Saturday. He scored a rare and outstanding goal, and then had the good grace to joke about it on Match of the Day afterwards. I think Phil thought he had scored the goal of the day against Wolves, and who could blame him, then Diniyar Bilyaletdinov hit his screamer to give the Blues a commanding lead against Mick McCarthy’s men. Neville has been at his consistent best this season, and I cannot speak highly enough of him. You simply have to look at what he has achieved already in his career and then see how hungry he is to carry on winning to admire him. Phil wasn’t alone in being on form against Wolves, Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka were rock solid too and Leon Osman is in a rich vein of form. Bily showed again what he has in his locker when given a chance, and there were signs everywhere that Everton will end the season on a high despite a few tough games ahead. Don't forget Wolves had beaten Manchester United and City at home. One last note on ageing veterans like Phil Neville still playing at their best.
Evertonians can rest assured. Jens Lehmann may have returned to Arsenal at 41, but Snods, at 48, won’t be pulling his boots back on! I predicted the Grand National winner - and then forgot to back it! ONCE again the Aintree festival was a fantastic spectacle from beginning to end. I was there doing some radio work on Saturday, and it really was a glorious affair. My only regret is that despite predicting the winner, Ballabriggs, in my column last week I somehow managed to fail to back it!
I must have changed my mind about 20 times as I was deciding what horse to back for the big National, but I eventually opted for the runner-up Oscar Time, so I made sure I wasn’t too depressed by my inexplicable moment of madness. I can’t get enough of Aintree – for me it is one of the best sporting spectacles in the world, and there’s a good reason why it attracts thousands of racegoers and TV interest from all over the planet. The weather ensured that the atmosphere was particularly terrific over the weekend, and Everton’s 3-0 win earlier on the Saturday afternoon put smiles on the faces of at least half of the city. I know it put a spring in my step! After I’d finished with my radio work I popped into the city centre for a few drinks with my old pal Kevin Sheedy. One thing is for sure now though – I’ve taken over from Danny Webb as the top tipster at Finch Farm.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC striker Jermaine Beckford must learn a valuable lesson from his public dressing down
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 12 2011
IN my opinion Jermaine Beckford has already had a successful debut season in the Premier League.
He has coped with the step up in class from League One to the top flight, and scored nine goals in total so far, while looking more than capable of getting well into double figures before heading off for his summer holidays. But the lad needs to learn from his ear-bashing from David Moyes at Molineux on Saturday when he hauled him off in the second half for appearing to let his work rate tail off. The daft thing is that he’d done all the hard work, scored his goal, and should not have argued at being taken off. You never want a player who is pleased to be substituted, but he should already know better than to voice his frustration to his manager in public like that. Everyone knows what David Moyes is about first and foremost and that’s hard work. He won’t allow any player to have a breather during games, they need to keep going for 90 minutes and they need to be at the right level of fitness for that to be second nature. The Everton manager will always replace a player he thinks is either running on empty and can contribute no longer, or if he thinks they are not quite giving 100%. Because giving 100% is what playing for Everton Football Club is all about – quite frankly it’s the least players lucky enough to wear the blue shirt are expected to do. Jermaine might have been able to get away with taking his foot off the pedal a little bit while he was on loan at Scunthorpe, or even playing for Leeds United, but it’s impossible to do it in the Premier League.
If you don’t give your all, you are going to get found out more or less every time – and especially when your manager is David Moyes. I think he’s a good lad and will realise this pretty quickly once and for all now, so he can put the little spat behind him. As Everton’s season still has a lot going for it, the supporters and their manager will not accept anyone who doesn’t look like they are totally committed to making the final run-in as successful as possible. That goes for every player, from lads who are coming off the bench in the second half, even when the result is essentially in the bag like it was at Molineux at half time on Saturday. If anyone in the current Everton squad doesn’t already know better, they will be under no illusions now. You can’t pull the wool over Moyes’s eye – plain and simple. Try it, and you’re going to get a strip torn off you whether it’s in front of a watching TV audience or not, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got no doubt Beckford will finish the season in the right manner now, and can chalk all this off to valuable experience. Interesting to see whether Dan Burn can become a Premier League player with Everton FC IT’S interesting to see David Moyes has an eye on non-league football when trying to pluck his next diamond from the rough. I commentate on the Blue Square Premier Division frequently, but have not yet seen Dan Burn, the 18-year-old Everton and Fulham are monitoring. He will have been scouted extensively; from junior scouts at Finch Farm, then via chief scout Robbie Cook, before David Moyes set off to Newport to watch him in person. At 6ft 6in and such a tender age, he may well be a prospect worth buying on the cheap while we can.
Everton FC war heroes to be remembered with plaque
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 12 2011
Leigh Roose
A MARBLE plaque to commemorate Everton Football Club’s magnificent seven war heroes could soon be placed at Goodison Park. And an identical replica will also be commissioned for the Estadio Sausalito in Chile, home of CD Everton. The plaques have been sponsored by the Everton Shareholders Association in association with Dr David France and his wife, Elizabeth. Scrutiny of military files over the past two years by Blues historians Dr John Rowlands and Dr David France, both members of The EFC Heritage Society, unearthed the names of seven footballers associated with the Everton clubs of England and Chile who lost their lives in two World Wars on foreign soil. They include Frank Boundy and Malcolm Fraser – founder members of Everton Football Club in Valparaiso Chile who sailed home to volunteer. They died at the Somme. Boundy was awarded the Military Cross. Tom Gracie, who also played for Liverpool, the remarkable Leigh Roose and Wilf Toman died during World War One. Brian Atkins and William Sumner were killed in World War II.
Leigh Roose was one of football’s most charismatic stars, immortalised in Spencer Vignes’ biography “The Remarkable Life and Death of Leigh Richmond Roose, Football’s First Playboy.” He was killed on the Western Front in 1917. Roose was awarded the Military Medal. His citation included the words: “He continued to throw bombs until his arm gave out, and then, joining the covering party, used his rifle with great effect.” In contrast, Brian Atkins never made a first-team appearance for Everton, but came extremely close. He had joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve shortly after the outbreak of World War Two and was selected to make his Goodison debut during the week that he was posted overseas. He served as an RAF gunner in Italy and was killed near Portella in 1944.
Dr France said: “The Everton family is special. We support our team. We look after our former-players. And we support one another. “We now remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice – the brave footballers with Everton affiliations who lost their lives during the two world wars.”
During the research conducted by the two Doctors, the Heritage Society stalwarts also unearthed evidence of ANOTHER Everton Football Club! Dr Rowlands explained: “At the last minute, we discovered other men associated with Everton. Further scrutiny showed that they were members of a club in Auckland, New Zealand. “This club suffered severely from war casualties. No fewer than eight players, E Atkinson, H Boyne, T Brewer, J Campbell, A Cantell, J Carmichael, H Churchill and A Corlett, were killed. They were young men, mostly 20 year olds.” Dr France added: “Thanks to the support of Barry Smith and Terry Maddaford in New Zealand as well as Phil Martin, who owns arguably the biggest library of football books in the world, we discovered that an Everton club existed between 1907 and 1924. “It was a member of the Auckland Football Association which was founded in 1887 and pre-dates the Football League. “That Everton began life as Tabernacle FC which was linked to the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle. That club split and the outlaws became Everton. “Not too much is known about the club. They wore blue and black shirts and they played in the Bayswater district of Auckland. “New Zealand’s Everton won the Thompson Shield (the League title) which was first competed for in 1892, in both 1912 and 1913 and the Falcon Cup in 1915. The club never recovered from the loss of so many key players during World War One. “It is likely that the New Zealand Everton was named after their English counterparts, particularly after the latter’s FA Cup success in 1906. However, it is known that the players were local boys born or raised in New Zealand. Also it is thought that one or two of the men came from families that had emigrated from Merseyside. “The discovery of the Kiwi Everton means there are now Everton clubs in Walton, England, Vina del Mar, Chile, La Plata, Argentina and Rosario, Uruguay – together with now Auckland, New Zealand (deceased).” The Everton Heritage Society was another David France brainchild established in 2008 to promote the club’s history and provide a unique pool of knowledge and expertise about the club to the football community.
Phil Neville says a return to basics has sparked an Everton FC goal rush
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 12 2011
PHIL NEVILLE believes a return to basics has sparked an Everton goal rush. The Blues put three past Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, and the Toffees skipper, who scored his first goal in three years with a wonderful strike in the rout of Mick McCarthy’s team, insists that abandoning the intricate build-up play of earlier in their campaign has sparked a goal glut. The 34-year-old, who also claims the club still needs to sign another striker this summer, said: “About a month ago the manager said we’re going get back to basics and play to our strengths. "It’s amazing that when you simplify your game you score more goals. “The more players we’re losing the better results we’re getting, the spirit we’re showing at the moment is fantastic, it’s really enjoyable. “Our strength is our energy and our work-rate and we’ve got back to that this last month, and I think the crowd have warmed to us much better – it is the Everton Way.” Neville, however, still rues Everton’s annual slow start, that has ruined their dreams of a top four challenge this season. “I felt at the start of the season we may be challenging the top four, it’s just not happened and I don’t know why,” he said.
“For us it’s been really disappointing, I think goal scoring has been our biggest problem and it’s something we need to rectify for next season. “I think if you ask Evertonians what the season’s been like they’ll say disappointing, but you look at the league table and we're in seventh and I think we’re one of the form teams in the league.” Meanwhile, Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner has been given leave to remain at relegation-threatened Championship side Preston North End until the end of the season. The Lilywhites crept off the bottom with Saturday's 1-1 draw at Portsmouth, during which Turner made his 11th league appearance for the club. The 27-year-old arrived on an emergency loan in February and has replaced Andy Lonergan, who has been training at Finch Farm with Everton, as first choice at Deepdale. Since making his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Hull, the Scottish keeper has missed just one game through injury.
Everton FC’s fluctuating campaign mirrors their previous effort
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 13 2011
IT’S ALMOST too similar to be coincidental. Compare Everton’s form chart from this season to last, and their fluctuating league fortunes are almost identical. The Toffees’ recent burst of terrific form suggests they might be about to go one better than last season, when they embarked on an impressive run-in to finish eighth. But David Moyes, who went to great lengths last summer to avoid Everton’s annual slow start, will nevertheless be scratching his head at the overall similarity. Everton’s 3-0 win at Wolves extended a run of form that has taken the Blues to the top of the Premier League’s form table. Four wins and two draws in their last six matches have given them a return of 14 points from 18. Only Chelsea match that, but the Blues have a superior goal difference, with 12 goals in that period and just five conceded. As well as Wolves, Moyes’ side have beaten Sunderland, Newcastle and Fulham and drawn with Birmingham and Aston Villa. But this season began with the same agonising inconsistency that dashed ambitions last time around. After two games Everton were 16th in the Premier League table. They were still rock bottom in the 09/10 campaign at that stage, but after six games they had risen to ninth where this time around they were at the foot of the table. So far, so mediocre. But then things start to really become a mirror image. After 14 games they were 16th in both seasons, and then each season they had climbed to 15th after 17 matches. The similarities don’t end there. By the 19-game point the Blues were starting their ascent each time, rising to 11th – and then the revival begins in earnest at a similar stage. After 30 games they were sitting in ninth place and looking upwardly mobile. But then the point approaches when Moyes will hope the similarities end. Everton may have rarely been beaten as they headed for the finish last season, but with eight games to go they were unable to climb above their eventual finishing spot of eighth place. They are already one spot higher this time with six games left. Skipper Phil Neville believes there is enough fortitude in the camp to finish even stronger. “This has been one of my favourite spells since I have been at the club,” said Neville. “People may be surprised by that but the way we have pulled together has been really good. We have got a lot of players out at the moment but the people who have played have done really well and there is a really good spirit in the squad.” The Blues have the opportunity to stretch their run of good results when they face struggling Blackburn on Saturday. And David Moyes must hope the bizarre parallels of his most recent campaigns do not continue to the end.
Everton FC’s Mikel Arteta is hoping to be back to face Manchester United
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 13 2011
MIKEL ARTETA is determined to be fit to face Manchester United in a fortnight – as rumours of interest from Spanish giants Valencia were rubbished. The Everton playmaker is desperate to at least make the bench for the Old Trafford clash on April 23, after stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury. Arteta, 29, was hoping to get the green light to return to training this week, and had pencilled in the Goodison game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday as his possible comeback. But the latest scan on his hamstring last Thursday showed the tear he suffered 10 minutes into a game against Birmingham City last month had not yet fully healed, and pushed back his progress by seven days. David Moyes will not rush him back too soon, and is prepared to wait the extra week – while remaining equally calm about reports in some media last week that linked Arteta with a summer move to Valencia Several papers claimed that the La Liga club's sporting director Braulio Vazquez had been in touch with Arteta's agent, Inaki Ibanez, and suggested Everton could listen to offers for the midfielder as they attempt to reduce their £45million debt before the start of next season. But although Ibanez did meet with Vazques, the ECHO understands that Arteta’s signature was not on the agenda and the pair were discussing other matters. The former Paris St Germain and Rangers player only signed a lucrative five-year deal last summer, and is said to be content on Merseyside. Meanwhile, Fulham appear to be in pole position to secure the signing of Darlington central defender Dan Burn this summer. Moyes had made the 400-mile round trip himself to watch the 6ft 6in defender play for the non-league side against Newport in Wales recently, but although he has since made an offer to the North East club, Burn then travelled South to hold talks with Fulham.
The 18-year-old’s future is unlikely to be fully resolved until the summer when the transfer window reopens, although Mark Hughes’ club will push him to indicate his future is in London. Moyes has not given up on bringing Burn to Goodison, although had only targeted him based on undoubted potential and the youngster was never set to figure in his first team plans for next season.
Everton FC's Marouane Fellaini ready for new contract talks according to reports
Apr 13 2011
MAROUANE FELLAINI is ready to open talks with Everton over a new contract, according to reports.
The Belgium international was also thought to have been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury but Fellaini is said to be targeting a return to action before the end of the season. "Everton are a club that really care about me," Fellaini is reported to have said. "My relationship with the manager is excellent and I'm delighted that he considers me a key player and wants to extend my contract. "The discussions have not yet begun, but I don't suppose they are far off. For my part, I'm ready and waiting. "I've not been in contact with any other club about leaving Everton.
"Besides, they will have their say if a club show formal interest in me. I'm still under contract with them "I'm counting on returning to training as soon as possible and being available for the end of the season. "My operation went well. The plaster came off on Monday and that'll allow me to fully begin my rehab." "If everything goes well, I hope to be able to help Everton at the end of the Premier League season."
Mark Lawrenson: Jermaine Beckford must heed lessons from Everton FC boss David Moyes
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 13 2011
DAVID MOYES once again proved what an astute manager he is on Saturday. Jermaine Beckford had opened the scoring against Wolves and was showing great movement in an excellent first half display. However he was not doing enough in the second half, not putting in the workrate. Moyes took him off, the two argued a little but the Everton manager was very clever. He reminded Beckford that Everton are built on battling qualities and don’t roll over, this is part of the playing process. Moyes simply reiterated that point by substituting the striker. Beckford’s return of nine goals in all competitions is decent for a player making his debut season in the top flight. The former Leeds United man is certainly an improved player from the one who started the season. He has the pace and strength to be successful in the Premier League but needs to be aware that very rarely are goals gifted in this division.
Everton FC’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov wants to be a great goalscorer, not a scorer of great goals
by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 13 2011
EVERTON’S scorer of great goals, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, would rather become known as a great goalscorer. The Russian midfielder who won Everton’s Goal of the Season award last term for a marvellous strike against Manchester United and was then credited with an even better strike aginst Portsmouth on the season’s final day, scored another memorable goal against Wolves at the weekend. But after celebrating his stunning 25-yard drive, Bilyaletdinov bemoaned missing a much easier chance from just six yards. And the Russian doesn’t want to become typecast as just a scorer of occasionally spectacular goals. “The second opportunity was disappointing for me as it was a really good chance for me to get my first double in a match for Everton,” he said. “I haven’t managed to do that yet and it would have been a nice thing to achieve. “No chance is easy as you have to be in the right position and focus on shooting correctly, but I know I should have scored.”
On the goal which he did score – only his second of the season – the Russian insisted he was merely trying to get his shot on target. “The goal was quite simple really,” he said. “They (Wolves) made a mistake in midfield and I ran into the space, it opened up and I scored. “The most important thing for me when I shoot is to hit the target. “If you focus on shooting for the target every time then it increases your chance of scoring.” Bilyaletdinov ended last season in style with goals against Manchester United, West Ham and Portsmouth after starting four of the last six games of the season. But this term has been intensely frustrating for the Russian international. After making only three League starts before January he came off the bench to score against West Ham in January and was rewarded with a starting place in five of the next six games. Championship relegation battlers Preston North End, meanwhile, have extended the loan spell of Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner until the end of the season. Turner, 27, joined North End in February and has so far made 11 appearances, keeping one clean sheet for the struggling Championship outfit.
Women’s football: Jo Traynor talks about life on either side of the Liverpool FC/Everton FC divide
Liverpool Echo
Apr 14 2011
ONE woman who knows all about life on both sides of the Merseyside divide is Liverpool’s Jo Traynor. The central defender began her career at Everton, before switching to the Reds eight years ago, and says the thought of going up against her old club gives an extra incentive to the WSL.
Traynor said: “Everton are a great team but hopefully this is our time. “After the signings we’ve made since last season this is the strongest Liverpool team I’ve ever played in and it would be great to overtake Everton.” Everton and England star Fara Williams, however, is eager to help the Blues retain their position at the top of the English women’s football tree. “I turned the chance to move to the USA down because I wanted to be part of the WSL,” says Williams. “It’s a fantastic concept, it’s going to be great for women’s football in England and I want Everton to be up there at the top of the league.” England international forward Karen Carney, meanwhile, is one of a clutch of big-name players to return to the league from Stateside. Carney has joined Birmingham after two years with Chicago Red Stars, and says she is glad to be back home. “I enjoyed my two years in America but I couldn’t resist the pull of this new league, especially with my home-town club,” said the ex-Arsenal player. “We’ve got a really good squad together and we’re aiming to start what I think can be a great season with a good performance and result.”
Everton FC letters: Make Jermaine Beckford the Blues' main man
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 14 2011
Jermaine Beckford celebrates at WolvesA FANTASTIC performance against Wolves last Saturday and another great season when you consider our budget and injuries. We have the best manager for our club and I believe our demise would start if Moyes departs (similar to Charlton Athletic once Alan Curbishley ). My only wish for next season is that Jermaine Beckford starts every game; had he done so this year he would have scored 20 goals if his strike rate is taken into consideration. It would be nice to finish above Liverpool but I don’t want a Europa League place because our squad is too small to cope.
copper363636
YET another one for the book – when I saw the line-up for the Wolves game last Saturday lunchtime, I feared the worst. And for 20 minutes we looked like the drop candidates; then we sucker-punched, followed it up with two candidates for goals of the season, then sat back for the second-half. OK, so Wolves aren’t exactly Barcelona but to come up with another massive away win like this with a 'skeleton' squad is nothing short of amazing. We may finish up with nothing at the end of the season but no-one can ever say we don't have guts and character – brilliant!
Blooper
YOU would have thought it was us rather than Wolves that had something to play for the rest of this season. It was a stroll in the park and the easiest win of the season.
Tim_
THERE have been plenty of games this season when we have dominated and haven’t scored.
So against Wolves this was the opposite. It just happens that adversity brings the best out of us.
AROIN
FOR David Moyes to work out why we always start the season poorly he needs to look at what is happening when the team is performing, like now. Past seasons have been similar. We go well when the squad is down to bare bones and fighting for results. I watched the pre-season here in Australia and when everyone is fit, the players get into a comfy mindset and expect results. When the 'superstars' are out injured, the Hibberts and Nevilles lead the way and that is when nothing is taken for granted.
Twobob
IN response to Howard Kendall’s view that Wayne Rooney’s aggressive streak reminds him of his old teammate at Everton, Alan Ball, Bally was ultra competitive but never behaved like a yob! Surely most players would be happy at scoring a goal – remember how Kenny Dalglish's face would light up when he scored a goal? Rooney’s actions are setting an appalling example and it’s high time the authorities grasped the nettle and took the kind of action to stop this behaviour. I am glad he is no longer associated with us and thankfully our squad seem to conduct themselves well which is a credit to the manager.
Devondave
JERMAINE BECKFORD should have come off the pitch at Molineux last Saturday, shook David Moyes’ hand, sat down and enjoyed watching the rest of the game that Everton were cruising at 3-0. I know players don’t like being substituted, but every player must respect the manager’s decision at every level of the game from Premier League to Sunday league. Beckford should have had more respect for Moyes – he’s a manager doing what he thinks is best for Everton, with not a lot of money.
I’m a Red but respect Moyes as a manager and a person. I AM glad David Moyes substituted Jermaine Beckford. After the goal he took his feet off the gas and was sunbathing. He needs to realise that if he’s told to come off, off you come and stop moaning. Moyes only has one fit striker and he needs protecting, and reminding that he needs to work hard for 90 minutes. Young Vellios needs game time and put good effort in, so Beckford needs to be grateful instead of behaving like a spoilt brat.
engulfed55
WOULDN’T it be ironic if West Bromwich Albion finished above Liverpool? They’re only six points behind at the moment. That was a good win on Saturday at Wolves – and what great support! The Steve Bull Lower Stand was packed from end to end.
taf2
I HAVEN’T seen Bily move that quick when he is out wide. His goal was a great finish. I have been saying for long enough the middle is his best spot – I just don’t know how we would fit him in though.
blue
Everton FC jury: Blues fans on the win at Wolves
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 14 2011
Tony Scott: Everton FC manager David Moyes is performing miracles again ANYONE that knows me knows that I’m not Leon Osman’s number one fan – but I’ll give credit where credit is due. The lad has been playing out of his skin the past month and has taken games by the scruff of the neck – so fair play to him for winning me over. With no team having accumulated more points than Everton over the past six games and with the current squad David Moyes has to pick from at present, the man deserves to be treated better by his chairman, especially in the summer. Moyes is performing miracles again on the pitch while it’s a mess off it and again it’s a sad state of affairs when Evertonians haven’t heard of some of the players playing for us. With the season ticket offer deadline ending on Saturday, expect to hear of takeover rumours, Fellaini signing a contract, players coming in and so on. Evertonians are very loyal – but we are not stupid! David Wallbank: Everton FC thinking ‘what might have been?’ again WITH a great win against Wolves and a home clash with Blackburn to come on Saturday, Everton again find themselves thinking ‘what might have been?’.
Even with a massive injury list, the Blues are entering fifth gear and look as good as ever! It’s a massive shame that we couldn’t have been in this form with Felli/Cahill/Arteta all in the team.
Osman has been a major influence along with Phil Neville, both proving that experience benefits a squad. Leon looks more effective out wide than Bily, but in the same breath Bily in the middle behind the forward line looks very promising. Such a brilliant goal at Wolves to me shows he has ability. But Evertonians demand blood sweat and tears and Bily lacks visible enthusiasm.
I would again encourage Moyes to give the young lads a chance, and I’m genuinely excited about seeing more of Vellios.
Mike Drummond: Huge credit must go to David Moyes for getting the best out of our players yet again
IF I would have been told back in November that come the closing stages of the season we would be challenging for sixth or seventh, then I would have told them where to go! Huge credit must go to David Moyes for getting the best out of our players yet again – he is the only person we should fear leaving Everton anytime soon! Just look at the Wolves game – we should have been dead and buried 20 minutes in but he has given our team the mentality to keep calm and go for the win, regardless of the circumstances. He has even got our strikers wanting to stay on the pitch!
Fair play that Jermaine Beckford was being passionate and wanting to stay on, but he let himself down arguing his manager’s decision. Moyes took the risk to get him in the Premier League and Beckford should realise that before opening his mouth even though Moyes will have no problems putting Beckford in his place! Richard Knights: Leon Osman has answered his manager’s call and stepped to the fore WITH so many of our best players injured, David Moyes asked for others to come to the fore. So step forward Leon Osman. If he could recreate his persona on Second Life, he’d change his nationality to Brazilian and would be known simply as ‘Leon’. Every time he scored or made an assist, his agent would be hinting about a move to the continent: ‘He loves playing at Everton, but...’ When he was dropped to the bench he’d have a hissy fit, throw his toys out of the pram and complain about the lack of shopping facilities in the frozen north. Inevitably there’d be the missed training sessions and when he did turn up, there’d be the customary strop with the manager. However, in the age of celebrity football, he’s always going to be Leon from Billinge and then there’s Tony from Huyton...
Everton FC’s Greek striker Apostolos Vellios knows his history
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 14 2011
APOSTOLOS VELLIOS created a small slice of Everton history when he trotted on 10 minutes from the end of the Blues’ recent Premier League match against Aston Villa. The 19-year-old striker became the first Greek player to pull on a Royal Blue jersey – and he followed up with another appearance against Wolves last week. But rather than making history, the youngster revealed he has spent the time since he signed for Everton learning about the club’s traditions and heritage. “The club has a big history and Everton is a big name,” said the striker who signed from Iraklis Thessaloniki in January. “I know a lot of the names to have played here because there have been some famous players. I also saw a lot of Everton games and knew they were a very good team. “I knew the Premier League well but as soon as I discovered Everton were interested in me then I started studying the club and the players and learning about them all. “There are great players here but what I did not expect was for everyone to be so helpful and nice. They are all great characters.”
Everton’s links with Greek football prior to Vellios’ signing were few and far between. There was the European Cup defeat by Panathinaikos – a Greek tragedy in the club’s history – a more recent, and successful, clash with AEK Athens, and a brief stint at Skoda Xanthi for the club’s most successful manager, Howard Kendall. But Vellios hopes to make a more lasting impression at Goodison.
“The Premier League was my number one choice and as soon as I came here to Everton, saw the stadium, the training ground and met with the players and coach I knew this was the place for me. I was so impressed and I feel very good here and in the city as well,” he added. “When I came here I said I wanted to live in the centre. I want to see people. I do not want to be outside of the city where it is quiet. In Greece it is different and every time I go out there is a lot of people, crowds of people and cars – lots of noise, which I like. “My English is also improving. It is better every day and hopefully I will know everything soon. “My father is now here with me and is helping. He was at the game with Aston Villa and then against Wolves. He was very proud, we are very close.” The teenager went on: “Playing for the reserves is making me better and is improving my understanding of English football. “If you play 90-minute games regularly it keeps you fit and in shape and ready. Also I have scored a few goals and that has helped me. It is always nice to score. “I hope to get a few more chances to play and if I train well and play good football and my attitude is good then maybe I can take my chance. I know it is all about me.”
Everton FC’s Magaye Gueye targeting goals before end of the season
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 14 2011
EVERTON’S young French winger, Magaye Gueye, has set a very specific target for the remaining six games of his debut season in English football. The 20-year-old, who was denied a first Premier League goal by Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessy’s outstretched boot on Saturday, declared: “I’d like to play in every game, and maybe score three goals and get some assists.” An Under-21 international, Gueye has had to be patient since his £1.5m switch from Strasbourg last summer.
His only appearances prior to an end of season injury crisis at Goodison were Carling Cup starts against Huddersfield and Brentford and a late substitute run-out at Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup.
But he made a bright impression on his Premier League bow as a 51st minute substitute against Aston Villa a fortnight ago, and was handed a first League start at Wolves last weekend.
“We are without some very important players because of injury, we don’t have Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha and Marouane Felliani,” Gueye added. “I would rather these players were not injured because if Mikel wasn’t injured I could learn a lot, but it’s good to have the chance to play.”
“David Moyes is a very good manager, he talks to me sometimes and says that he trusts me and he is confident in me. “He says I am one for the future, he wants me to learn and watch the other players.” On his opportunity to mark his full debut with a goal, Gueye added: “I thought I was offside and everything happened so quickly. “The goalkeeper was very quick off his line and the defender got there quickly too. “I just pushed the ball forward a bit too much and the keeper just saved it with his feet. “It was my first game and I was very stressed and nervous but maybe next time I can do better.” Blues midfielder Marouane Fellaini, meanwhile, has indicated he is ready to sign a new deal if and when Everton open talks with him. The midfielder, 23, has just over two years to run on his current deal and David Moyes is keen to make the big Belgian international an integral part of his team planning over the next few seasons. “Everton are a club that really care about me,” said Fellaini, who cost £15m from Standard Liege. “My relationship with the manager is excellent and I’m delighted that he considers me a key player and wants to extend my contract. “The discussions have not yet begun, but I don’t suppose they are far off. For my part, I’m ready and waiting.” Fellaini injured his ankle against Sunderland in February – an injury which required an operation and initially looked like ruling him out for the rest of the season. But the player is now out of plaster and still hopes to play some part before the campaign closes. “My operation went well,” he added. “The plaster came off on Monday and that’ll allow me to fully begin my rehab. “If everything goes well I hope to be able to help Everton at the end of the season. “I’m happy with our recent results. “We’ve not lost in the league since February 13 and a Europa League place is possible for us.”
Blue watch: Under strength Everton prove doubters wrong yet again
by Gary Porter, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 14 2011
Phil Neville celebrates after scoring against WolvesGIVE ME a depleted side and a barely recognisable bench every week if Saturday’s rampant 3-0 win is the kind of result Everton are going to treat us to. The Premier League’s in-form team have probably left it too late to mount a serious challenge for a European place, but the Blues recent surge has given fans a renewed sense of optimism. Ironic that our revival has gathered pace during the start of the season ticket renewal period and it’s equally unexpected given the number of big name absentees. But let’s give the lads who are fit and available full credit for getting on with the job and achieving some excellent results.
Saturday’s victory over Wolves was as ruthless as it was impressive. Predictably, we had to weather an early storm and the home side pegged us back for a large part of the second half as we chose to protect our comfortable lead, but the damage had been done and in the end we cruised to an easy away win. It’s not often we get to say that is it? All three goals were superbly taken with Dinyar Bilyaletdinov’s thunderous 25-yard strike the pick of the bunch. I know the Russian international can be infuriating at times, his lacklusture approach is partly to blame, but in fairness he’s never been given a run a games in a central role. Look at what he’s capable of when he’s infield and able to bare down on goal. It’s not the first time he’s unleashed a thunderbolt like that and I hope it’s not the last. Maybe now is the time to allow him the freedom to roam behind the front man, rather than being continually stuck out wide where he’s too often ineffective. Phil Neville has attributed recent results to a strong team spirit and togetherness born out of a length injury list. I wouldn’t dispute this. But I can’t say I’m too surprised that when our backs are against the wall, when the manager is struggling to field a team and expectation levels have plummeted, we start getting results.
David Moyes has engraved a defiance in his teams that enable them to prosper in adversity.
The problem seems to be that when everyone is fit and the manager is spoilt for choice, when expectation is high and opposition teams treat us with the utmost respect – by kindly planting ten men behind the ball – we struggle. It shouldn’t require an injury crisis to spark a run of form, not with the players Everton have had at their disposal this season. But for the first time this term the Blues have started to look like a real team, in every sense of the word. It does beg the question though, why can’t we do the business when we’re supposedly at full-strength?
Marouane Fellaini is “ready and waiting” to sign a new deal at Everton FC
by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 14 2011
INFLUENTIAL Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has told the club he is keen to sign a new contract. And the big Belgian is hoping Blues officials will open talks this summer. The midfielder, 23, has just over two years to run on his current deal and David Moyes is keen to make the big Belgian an integral part of his team planning over the next few seasons. “Everton are a club that really care about me,” said Fellaini. “My relationship with the manager is excellent and I’m delighted that he considers me a key player and wants to extend my contract. “The discussions have not yet begun, but I don’t suppose they are far off. For my part, I’m ready and waiting.” Fellaini injured his ankle against Sunderland in February – an injury which required an operation and initially looked like ruling him out for the rest of the season. But the player is now out of plaster and still hopes to play some part before the campaign closes. “My operation went well,” he added. “The plaster came off on Monday and that’ll allow me to fully begin my rehab. “If everything goes well I hope to be able to help Everton at the end of the season. I’m happy with our recent results. "We’ve not lost in the league since February 13 and a Europa League place is possible for us.” Meanwhile, Apostolos Velios created a small slice of Everton history when he trotted on 10 minutes from the end of the Blues’ recent Premier League match against Aston Villa. The 19-year-old striker became the first Greek player to pull on a Royal Blue jersey – and he followed up with another appearance against Wolves last week. But rather than making history, the youngster revealed he has spent the time since he signed for Everton learning about the club’s traditions and heritage. “The club has a big history and Everton is a big name,” said the striker who signed from Iraklis Thessaloniki in January.
“I know a lot of the names to have played here because there have been some famous players. I also saw a lot of Everton games and knew they were a very good team. “I knew the Premier League well but as soon as I discovered Everton were interested in me then I started studying the club and the players and learning about them all. “There are great players here but what I did not expect was for everyone to be so helpful and nice. They are all great characters.” Everton’s links with Greek football prior to Vellios’ signing were few and far between. There was the European Cup defeat by Panathinaikos – a Greek tragedy in the club’s history – a more recent, and successful, clash with AEK Athens, and a brief stint at Skoda Xanthi for the club’s most successful manager, Howard Kendall.
But Vellios hopes to make a more lasting impression at Goodison, adding: “I hope to get a few more chances to play and if I train well and play good football and my attitude is good then maybe I can take my chance. “I know it is all about me.”
Bankruptcy hearing against former Everton FC star Paul Gascoigne adjourned
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 14 2011
BANKRUPTCY moves against former Everton FC star Paul Gascoigne have been put on hold again until next month. Gascoigne, 43, who owes the taxman £32,000, is fighting a bankruptcy petition brought by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. At a brief hearing at the High Court in London yesterday, Deputy District Judge Holmes-Milner adjourned the petition until May 25. At a previous hearing, the court heard a proposal was put forward by Gascoigne which would allow him to pay off the full debt to HMRC within a structured timescale. The adjournment was granted while that proposal is being dealt with at Bournemouth County Court.
Manchester United reserves 2 Everton reserves 0
By Cliff Butler
Manchester Evening News
April 14, 2011
Two goals from Oliver Norwood sealed the points for United to boost hopes of finishing top of the Reserve League North Group A. The victory closed the gap on leaders Wigan, who have completed their fixtures, to one point while the Reds have three games left to play. Log on tomorrow for a live United webchat with reporter Stuart Mathieson Anderson, Wes Brown, Gabriel Obertan and Bebe started for United, who took the lead through Norwood in the 40th minute from the penalty spot after a push on Scott Wootton. Norwood’s second was a blistering 20-yard angled drive in the 65th minute. United: Devlin, W Brown (Vermijl 46), Dudgeon, R Brown, Wootton, Gill, Bebe, Norwood, Obertan (Petrucci 65), Anderson (Brady 62), King.
Everton and Liverpool Ladies do battle Skem United on Thursday evening
Apr 14 2011
by Neil Jones, Skelmersdale Advertiser
THE Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium will host the first Merseyside derby of the new FA Women's Super League, as Liverpool prepare to host Everton this evening. The new 8-team, £3million league was launched this week, with Liverpool down to play all of their home games at Skelmersdale United. First up for Robbie Johnson's side is a hotly-anticipated clash with fierce rivals, and current FA Cup holders, Everton, tonight. The derby will be the first league game that Liverpool Ladies have played since May 2010, when they lifted the Northern Division title. Johnson said: “We can’t wait to get started, it’s been a long time since our last game and we’re raring to go. “We’re looking forward to the match, particularly as it’s the Merseyside derby, and as the first game of the season we’re hoping to get off to a good start and pick up all three points. “Everton are a great side and are going to prove a tough test for us. Nevertheless, the team is feeling confident about our league chances this season, they’re training hard and ready to go. We’re in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and we’ll be challengers this season.” The WSL's launch marks a watershed for the women's game in this country, with organisers hoping the new summer format, as well as TV coverage courtesy of broadcaster ESPN, will help attract fans to games. Everton Ladies' goalkeeper Rachel Brown says:" To start with a local derby is absolutely ideal for us. Hopefully we can get fans of both teams to come and watch, and build up a typical Red and Blue atmosphere for the game!" Tickets are priced at £4.50 and children accompanied by adults receive free admission. Tickets are available at www.liverpoolladiesfc.co.uk or on match day. Kick-off is at 7.45pm at the Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium.
Everton FC and Liverpool FC share points in first ever WSL Merseyside derby
Neil Jones
Apr 15 2011
NIGHTS like this have been a long time coming, but the FA Women’s Super League is up and running. And fittingly, Merseyside’s two Premier clubs provided a spectacle worthy of such a momentous occasion. A last gasp equaliser from England forward Natasha Dowie ensured honours were even in the first ever WSL Merseyside derby, after Ruesha Littlejohn’s late effort had looked set to hand Robbie Johnson’s Reds all three points. The austere surroundings of Skelmersdale FC’s Stormy Corner, and a modest gate of 835, suggests the women’s game still has some way to go before it can even begin to match its male equivalent in terms of global appeal, but few could doubt the passion, effort and commitment on display here, as a highly-entertaining contest swung both ways before, appropriately, ending with honours even. For Everton, who have endured a difficult pre-season, with European and domestic cup exits, there will be a sense of relief at having avoided the ignominy of a derby day defeat, but also disappointment at their failure to turn their superior quality in possession into something more tangible. Mo Marley’s side, FA Cup winners last year and fielding no fewer than eight full England internationals, could have been behind inside two minutes as Nicky Twohig was afforded a free header inside the Everton area, with Rachel Brown saving smartly to her right. Fara Williams, goalscoring hero for England against the USA last month, dipped a long range free-kick onto the roof of the net, before Dowie – lively and dangerous throughout – had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside call. At the other end the direct running of Littlejohn kept Everton’s backline honest, with Fern Whelan producing one excellent challenge to deny the Scottish forward. But as half-time loomed, Dowie got her head to a driven cross from Jody Handley, and the ball looped beyond Worrall and in via the underside of the crossbar to give the Blues a deserved lead.
After the break, Toni Duggan carved out a glorious chance for Jill Scott, who shanked her effort. It proved costly moments later, as a hopeful ball from Vicky Jones set midfielder Cheryl Foster away down the inside left channel, and she measured her 30-yard lob to perfection for 1-1. Everton responded, and regained the lead soon after, with Scott keeping her composure to score after Worrall had done well to deny the irrepressible Dowie, but Nicky Harding’s fiercely driven shot crept inside Brown’s near post just four minutes later to level the scores once more. In a breathless finale, Liverpool appeared to have snatched an unlikely win when Everton failed to clear a corner, allowing Littlejohn to swivel and smash past Brown from close range. But with time ticking away, Williams drove a free-kick low into the area, and the ball rebounded kindly for Dowie to steer home and ensure a share of the spoils. Liverpool: Worrall, Chappell, V Jones, Harding (Watson 77), Evans (Bennett 81), Twohig, Brusell, Foster (Traynor 84), Littlejohn, K Jones, Lappin Subs: GibbonsGoals: Foster (61), Harding (75), Littlejohn (89)Booked: Chappell (5), Littlejohn (87) Everton: Brown, Easton (Bronze 75), Unitt, Williams, Whelan, Johnson, Handley (Chaplen 81), Scott, Dowie, Duggan, Harries (Hinnigan 81)Subs: Hill, KaneGoals: Dowie (44, 90), Scott (70)Referee: G P JohnsonAttendance: 835Š Player of the Match: Natasha Dowie – Her goals ensured Everton came away with a point.
Sylvain Distin believes Everton FC can still capitalise on a topsy turvy season
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 15 2011
SYLVAIN Distin settled in front of the TV on Monday night to watch Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City feeling both surprised and excited that the result was relevant to Everton.
The Frenchman is one of life’s beacons of positivity, but even he admits there have been times this season when the Blues looked unlikely to be hot on the heels of the top six with five six games left.
Yet, as the 33-year-old defender acknowledges, this consistently surprising season has kept everyone guessing. The Blues were just a point behind Liverpool before kick off at Anfield, and even though the Reds’ 3-0 victory restored a four point gap, Distin insists there is still everything to play for. “I was watching Manchester City rooting for them,” says the man who spent five years with the Eastlands club between joining Portsmouth in 2007. “It wasn’t a case of being against Liverpool. It was just that we’re in touching distance all of a sudden, and you wouldn't have believed that four months ago. We feel we’ve got something to chase now.” The Blues impressive run of form, which continued with their own 3-0 thumping of Wolves at Molineux last weekend, has seen them go unbeaten in six Premier League games and bag 14 points from the last 18 available. It has, says Distin, been enough to help the team recover from those frustrating early season days when victories at Goodison were difficult to find and the natives were becoming restless. “You can still feel the frustration of the fans at Goodison but it’s normal. We didn't win that many games earlier, although we weren’t losing, we got frustrated as players so we can understand it got to them too.
“Eventually it frustrated us all, but the players didn’t take it personally because they understand. The fans are always behind us when it counts. “Every game we hear ‘this is an important match’, but they all are. “They are not more important now.” Distin believes that the season’s lowest moment so far, that FA Cup exit by the hands of Championship side Reading, has had a galvanising effect. “Sometimes you need something like that to react,” he says. “You can call it the lowest point of the season, or you can say it in a more positive light and see it made us realise what we need to do. At the moment though we’re looking up and thinking, we’ve never really been that far from the top six. If we win then next two games we’re flying. “But the season is so strange, with such a tight table, that if you lose two you're back down again!” Blackburn Rovers arrive at Goodison scrapping for their top flight status tomorrow, and Distin feels that their recent takeover by Indian poultry giants Venky’s underlines the need for patience. It is a quality he says fans of his former club Manchester City still need in abundance too. “Man City are the best example,” he says. “You can spend millions and millions but it’s plain to see it isn't the answer on its own. “It’s a team game and to build a team is a slow process. You can’t just sign the best player in the world and then expect to win everything.
“Even Real Madrid can’t do that. Barcelona have top players, but they've been at the club for a long time. “It takes patience to find the new mentality of the team under a new regime.” Stability is something Everton have off, and on the pitch thanks to players like Distin who has started every game of this season. But the perfectionist in him demands that he improve - and that means contributing more at the other end of the pitch. Despite scoring in a Merseyside derby this season at Anfield, the ex-Newcastle and Paris St Germain linchpin wants to hit the back of the net more often. “Me and Jags have been saying we need to be chipping in more from set pieces,” he says. “But I’m far from the tallest guy. There are players in this league bigger than me and they grab you and hold you. “I know I could be better offensively, so I work on it, but it’s a different skill. If we could score 10 goals a season between us it’d be a good thing and it will be a target for next season.”
l Tickets for Everton’s home game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at 3pm are still available.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC's Jermaine Beckford must realise it's never wise to argue with the boss when you’ve been subbed
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 15 2011
I WAS pleasantly surprised with how easy the scoreline against Wolves ended up despite Everton having to weather 20 minutes of torrid pressure at the start. But the old cliche says that goals change games, and the Toffees scored three great ones which deserved to win any football match.
I was obviously impressed with Phil Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s efforts, but although it was less spectacular, Leon Osman’s determination and delivery, plus Jermaine Beckford’s movement in the box, made the first goal the best for me. Phil Neville’s smashed effort put a smile on everyone’s face too, although he will have to work on his celebration next time! I thought Phil would come up with something better than a copy-cat of Tim Cahill – he’s had long enough to plan a decent one! The crowd will have to chant for him to shoot more often now he’s shown what he can do from that sort of range. Otherwise, although I’ve praised Beckford, he should have taken his substitution better. If the manager makes a decision you must accept it, and bite your lip. Even if you don’t agree, it’s best to speak to the manager quietly the next day after training, not end up having a blazing row. It made me think about subs when I saw Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli come on and be subbed off against Liverpool. I was the first to sub a sub – Neil Adams in the Charity Shield against Liverpool in 1986. I'd brought him on to do a job and he hadn't listened so I hauled him off.
He couldn’t comprehend it and kept trying to look at the number on his own back and at the board.
He took it well, though, and went on to do well for Everton.
Super sub David Fairclough is a super man and his wife Jan’s death is so very sad
I WAS tremendously saddened to hear the news of the passing of David Fairclough’s wife, Jan.
I have done a fair bit of sportsman’s after dinner speaking events with David over the years and got to know him well away from the game. He and Jan have raised a lovely family and you couldn’t wish to meet two nicer people. I couldn’t believe it when I read Jan had died because she was so young and full of life. I’m sure it’s an extremely difficult time for David and his children, so I hope they find some comfort in the support of Merseyside’s football community. I know Liverpool fans called him the Super Sub – but to me he is simply a Super Man.
Marouane Fellaini hint is great news but relief will only come when he signs a new deal
MAROUANE FELLAINI’S hint that he would like to stay on Merseyside will be warmly welcomed by David Moyes and the Everton faithful. He has long since won over the fans and become one of Moyes’s most trusted and important players, something the manager has not been slow to point out. Of course nobody will be getting too carried away until he has agreed a new deal and signed on the dotted line though. Saying you want to stay is one thing; doing it is another. Either way it will be a boost for the club – and tying him up will be their priority again this summer, especially if there is not a lot to spend. The manager knows what he has with Fellaini, whereas there’s always an element of doubt with new players. Anyway, Blackburn is yet another must-win game at Goodison, against another of my old clubs. I went there as player manager after they had just gone down to the Third Division. We got promoted in my first season, and then missed out on promotion to the First Division on goal difference the following year. Swansea sneaked up ahead of us, and I just missed out on the big money of the Jack Walker era before moving to Everton and never looking back in 1981.
Dave Prentice: In Jermaine Beckford, Everton FC could have a Premier League striker to shout about
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 15 2011
JERMAINE BECKFORD undoubtedly has something to shout about. But he chose the wrong time and the wrong place to do it last weekend. After 27 minutes of ambling around in the sunshine in front of his increasingly wild-eyed boss, Beckford would have been better advised to hang his head and sink deep into his dug-out seat. He didn’t. But then Everton’s free transfer capture has offered talking points galore this season. His touchline altercation with David Moyes after being quite correctly hauled off at Molineux on Saturday was simply the latest. Beckford’s season has ranged from the sublime, like a wonderful last minute strike against Bolton, to the frankly ridiculous – his failure to make it to the ground in time to figure against Reading. Factor in any number of horrible misses and you have a player who, for someone who rarely gives press interviews, has an uncanny knack of being centre of attention. But one point which has been rarely discussed this season is Beckford’s outstanding goals return. The word ‘outstanding’ is not used cheaply. For a 26-year-old coming to terms with his first experience of top flight football, a return of seven Premier League goals in 26 appearances is respectable. But that figure doesn’t take into account anything like the actual time Beckford has spent on a football pitch this season. The recent visit of Aston Villa was the first time he has actually completed 90 minutes in a Premier League match. He has figured in exactly 1,018 minutes of top flight football – and has returned a goal every 145 minutes. That’s enormously impressive. To put it into some perspective, it’s a return only Didier Drogba, Robin van Persie and Carlos Tevez can top. And it’s a better record than Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Kenwynne Jones, Asamoah Gyan, Peter Odemwingie and Fernando Torres (although even Tony Hibbert can match the sulky Spaniard for goals scored over the last 12 games). Of course there’s more to becoming a Premier League striker than simply scoring goals. And knowing when to use the option of passing to two unmarked team-mates rather than shooting from 25 yards (like midway through the first half at Molineux) is one, and improving his ratio of goals to chances is another. But even that latter point highlights the fact that Beckford has the priceless knack of getting on the end of things. Which is why the 27-year-old is worth persevering with. The position Everton need to fill more than any other on the pitch is that of a goalscorer. Converting more of those precious chances and turning draws into wins has clearly been the difference between Everton merely bettering last season’s eighth-placed finish – or edging above the glass ceiling into Champions League place-chasing territory. The Blues have lost the same number of games as Manchester City this season – and four fewer than Liverpool. And they’ve scored 45 goals – one more than Spurs, the same as Liverpool and just five less than City. But they’re trailing all of those sides because only Fulham and Birmingham can match their record of 14 draws. Could Jermaine Beckford be the man to turn those draws into wins? He hasn’t been so far this season, but he could be. As long as he learns to stop shouting about it.
Sylvain Distin: Quality on Everton FC bench is keeping me on my toes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 15 2011
SYLVAIN DISTIN admits he has got his work cut out to continue being an Everton regular. The experienced Frenchman has been an ever present in the Toffee’s central defence so far this season, but insists he is kept on his toes by having World Cup finalist John Heitinga competing for his place.
And Distin, 33, is determined to push himself harder than ever in training to prevent the ageing process from slowing him down. He said: “I’m realistic. "I’m 33, I’m not playing for my country, and the two main guys I compete for my position with are an England international and a Dutch World Cup finalist. “I can’t relax and sit back and rely on my experience. "They are top central defenders. "I need to work harder if I can. “I know it won’t last forever, although I enjoy it and feel fit. But I know I’m closer to the end than the beginning so I do everything I can to slow down the affects of time.” Distin’s rock-solid performances have so far meant David Moyes has had no reason to consider resting him. But the former Manchester City and Newcastle defender believes his partnership with Phil Jagielka can still get better. “I’ve said before. We don’t need to communicate on the pitch a lot, we have a natural understanding during games,” he said. “I’ve played most of the games here alongside him. It takes time to build the connection, like any relationship in life. We’re getting better all the time and we need to keep improving.” Meanwhile, Everton target Dan Burn has agreed to sign for Fulham. The 18-year-old Darlington central defender will move to Craven Cottage this summer after agreeing a three-year-contract with Mark Hughes’ side.
Everton FC's Phil Jagielka prepared for Blackburn barrage as Tim Cahill eyes a rest
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 15 2011
PHIL JAGIELKA is braced for a Blackburn barrage tomorrow as Everton look to continue their strong finish to the season. Rovers visit Goodison with the spectre of relegation a very real possibility having taken just four points from their last eight games. The appointment of Steve Kean as manager in December at Ewood Park had prompted a subtle change in tactics compared to the trademark route one approach of former manager Sam Allardyce. But with Rovers just three points above the drop zone, Jagielka would not be surprised if Blackburn – who beat Everton 1-0 at home on the opening day of the season – go back to basics in a bid to secure their Premier League status.
“They started off okay but they’ve not been in a particularly great run of form recently,” said the centre-back. “But we know from the first game of the season, and from previous encounters against Blackburn that it’s going to be a tough physical game and we’ll be expecting that again come Saturday. “They are trying to change but when you’re down there fighting for your lives it’s very difficult to abandon your old tactics and go for new ones. “I think they’ll be trying to mix it up as much as they can but they’ll be coming to our place trying to pick up some points to move themselves away from the relegation zone.” While Blackburn slip into trouble having not won in their last eight games, Everton are without a defeat in the league since their calamitous 2-0 reverse at Bolton Wanderers in February. Everton’s six-match unbeaten run has rekindled hopes of a top-six finish, although the Goodison outfit remain four points behind neighbours Liverpool and with an inferior goal difference with only six games remaining. And Jagielka added: “We’ve done okay, the squad is not there but we’ve still got a decent first 11 and I think the boys have proved that with the results we’ve had recently. “It wasn’t the best of starts against Wolves, but it shows the character in the team to score the three goals so quickly and so well.” Meanwhile, Tim Cahill has indicated he will give his battered body a well-earned rest in the summer by withdrawing from Australia’s June friendlies. Cahill has not played a competitive game since Everton’s 2-1 win against Fulham a month ago due to a chronic foot injury that also saw him miss his country’s 2-1 friendly win in Germany last month. The 31-year-old helped Australia to the Asian Cup final in January, but is now prepared to miss his country’s scheduled friendlies at the end of the season to ensure full fitness ahead of the new campaign for Everton. “I’ve played seven years (with) no rest in the summer, probably more,” said Cahill. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve got a foot problem but I’m buzzing. I love football and I love playing for my country. “But also I think common sense has to prevail. “I missed the Germany game and I’ll probably miss the next couple of games because they’re friendlies. “For me, when it’s competition and it’s something where I’m going to win something or get something out of it, then I’ll be back playing. “But at the moment now my main focal point is the Premier League and obviously doing well for my club.” In any case, Cahill may not miss any games for his country. Chile have withdrawn from a friendly in Adelaide on June 3 while Serbia are expected to pull out of a match four days later.
EVERTON v Blackburn: Injury hit Toffees could see David Moyes turn to youth
Daily Mail
15th April 2011
My Stories Everton are still short on numbers as they prepare for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Blackburn at Goodison Park. Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell (both ankle) and Tim Cahill (foot) are getting closer to fitness but again rated doubtful. On the mend: But Arteta is still not fit enough for Everton laymaker Mikel Arteta (hamstring) remains on the sidelines despite making good progress but Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are long-term absentees. he injury situation could see the likes of youngsters Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios get further opportunities.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Bilyaletdinov, Neville, Heitinga, Osman, Beckford, Anichebe, Rodwell, Cahill, Coleman, Gueye, Vellios, Mustafi, Baxter, Duffy, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala, Mucha.
Cahill to miss Australia's summer friendlies in bid to be fit for Everton's new seasonBy Sportsmail Reporter
Daily Mail 15th April 2011
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is likely to skip Australia's June friendlies to ensure he is 100 per cent fit for the start of next season. Cahill, 31, has been troubled by a chronic foot injury this season and has not played a competitive match since the Toffees' 2-1 win over Fulham a month ago.
The ailment also forced him out of Australia's friendly in Germany last month, though the Socceroos still managed to record a memorable 2-1 victory. Well-earned break: Cahill will have his first summer off for at least seven years Cahill's troubles have in part been brought on by a willingness to play at all costs, the Australian disregarding his own fitness to prop up the Toffees through their early struggles and join the Socceroos on their Asian Cup campaign. But as the end of this season nears, Cahill is keen to give his body some well-earned rest. 'I've played seven years (with) no rest in the summer, probably more,' Cahill told Australia's The World Game 'I wouldn't change it for the world. I've got a foot problem but I'm buzzing. I love football and I love playing for my country.
'But also I think common sense has to prevail. I missed the Germany game and I'll probably miss the next couple of games because they're friendlies. For me, when it's competition and it's something where I'm going to win something or get something out of it, then I'll be back playing. 'But at the moment my main focal point is the Premier League and obviously doing well for my club.'
Cahill's absence may count for little if Australian football officials are unable to keep their friendly schedule from falling apart. The Socceroos are scheduled to host Serbia on June 7 but it is believed that nation is wavering in its commitment. Reports from New Zealand suggest that the All Whites would be keen to take Serbia's place should the latter opt against the trip down under.
Chile have already withdrawn from a proposed clash at Adelaide Oval on June 3.
Pedersen: Blackburn Rovers will shock Everton
15/04/2011 Lancashire Telegraph
MORTEN Gamst Pedersen admits Blackburn Rovers ‘let themselves down’ on Saturday but insists they can pull off a Premier League shock at Goodison Park. Rovers’ Norwegian midfielder described their first-half performance in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham as not good enough as they look to pull themselves away from the relegation mire. Rovers travel to Everton tomorrow winless in eight matches now and, sitting just three points clear of the drop zone, Pedersen knows the clock is ticking for them to drag themselves clear. He said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for us to get a win and get some space to breathe in the league. "The first half was not good – we did not play to our best but it was a fantastic goal from Junior to get us back into the game. “In the second half we got the tempo up and were pressing high and I don’t think Birmingham had a shot on target in the second half. "If we could have a bit of luck it would help us.”
Squad sheets: Everton v Blackburn Rovers
Guardian Friday 15 April 2011
Blackburn are lacking experience in the dugout as they slip towards trouble, and now in defence with Ryan Nelsen ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery. A run of nine matches without a win under Steve Kean has left them three points clear of the relegation zone and although their last away trip yielded a spirited draw at Arsenal, they face a demanding run-in. It continues against an Everton team who are stacking up the points as well as the injuries, and have not lost at home in the league since November. Andy Hunter
Venue Goodison Park, Saturday 3pm
Tickets £30-£37 (0871 663 1878)
Last season Everton 3 Blackburn 0
Referee K Friend
This season's matches 15 Y47, R3, 3.33 cards per game
Odds Everton 8-11 Blackburn 9-2 Draw 11-4
Everton v Blackburn Rovers: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Everton
Subs from Mucha, Cahill, Coleman, Rodwell, Anichebe, Baxter, Mustafi, Vellios, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala
Doubtful Baxter (hamstring), Cahill (foot), Coleman (ankle), Rodwell (ankle)
Injured Arteta (hamstring, 30 Apr), Fellaini (ankle, May), Saha (ankle, May)
Suspended None
Form guide WDWDWW
Disciplinary record Y43 R3
Leading scorer Cahill 9
Blackburn
Subs from Bunn, Fielding, Givet, Roberts, Hanley, Kalinic, Diouf, Benjani, Goulon, Rochina, Formica
Doubtful Hoilett (hamstring), Santa Cruz (hamstring)
Injured Andrews (groin, 23 Apr), Grella (achilles, Aug), Nelsen (knee, Aug)
Suspended Nzonzi (second of three)
Form guide DDDLLD
Disciplinary record Y55 R5
Leading scorer Kalinic 5
Match pointers
• Everton are unbeaten in their past eight Premier League matches at Goodison Park and have not lost at home to any side currently in the bottom half of the table
• Blackburn have taken just one point from the past 18 available away from home in the Premier League
• Everton have been fouled 441 times this season, more than any other team
• Blackburn have had 10 goals scored by defenders this season, more than any other top-flight team
• Everton have two clean sheets in their past 15 games
Barry Horne: Everton should avoid the football financial drama
Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
IF you picked up a paper this week and turned to the back to read about your beloved football, you could be excused for thinking the sports pages had been swapped around with the business section.
A bitter takeover looks imminent at the most benign club in the world, Arsenal. Birmingham City finances are being investigated, Spurs are allegedly having to consider replacing their manager as a result of his impending tax case, whilst also seeking a judicial review into the Olympic Stadium fiasco, while Barry Hearn’s Orient is quite rightly miffed with the Premier League and considering legal action. The elaborate financial arrangements of Notts County could possibly be exposed any time soon, and Peter Reid’s Plymouth also seem set to be taken over by someone whose financial situation is less than clear. As an Evertonian it will be cold day in hell before you see the name of Everton on such a list. Whilst we are plodding along keeping our heads above water at the moment, that would seem to be a preferable situation than getting into bed with some of the characters that are currently populating football.
Everton FC’s Tim Cahill has earned his over-due break this summer
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
TIM CAHILL is normally in good enough shape to give value for money to both club and country. The 31-year-old has always insisted he can cope with the gruelling flights to play for Australia, and the lack of pre-season preparation with the Toffees that often goes hand in hand with his international service. There is no reason to believe anything has changed, but nevertheless it will please David Moyes and all Evertonians to see the cult hero reward their patience with his decision to take a brief time out on the Socceroos this summer. By choosing to skip Australia’s June friendlies and take a break he is ensuring he will be 100% for the club that pays his wages next season. It was probably not an easy call for the Aussie, but even his indefatigable body needs a chance to rest – and a niggling foot injury that has wrecked his involvement in Everton’s run-in since the 2-1 win over Fulham emphasises that sometimes something has to give. The foot injury probably has nothing to do with his busy schedule, but giving it a chance to fully heal – along with the other knocks he is so willing to play through, makes sense. He has been greatly missed lately – despite the superb run of form – and remains Everton’s top scorer in the league. It’s about time he put his feet up.
Barry Horne: David Moyes management at Everton FC tolerates no dissent
Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
WHILE last weekend’s performance at Wolves was remarkable given the selection problems David Moyes had to deal with, it’s the kind of thing we have become accustomed to at Everton over the years. When the chips are down and we go into games with players missing and a reshuffled line-up, the lads selected have gone on to pull an excellent performance out of the bag. While that is an admirable trait, one nagging question still remains. Why wasn’t that level of performance consistently possible earlier in the season when we had all of our players available? This Premier League season has been characterised by unpredictability, and even if we do manage to overhaul Liverpool – which is possible given the respective run-ins – we would still look back on the campaign in disappointment. That’s down largely to the expectation levels we have failed to live up to, and compounded by Manchester City and Chelsea under-achieving, leaving us with a feeling of what might have been. Jermaine Beckford might also be wondering the same thing after last weekend’s exposure. Whilst I can understand Beckford being peeved at being hauled off in a match where there were clearly more goals to be had, the Everton way is not to show dissent on the pitch or off it and be disrespectful. Any grievances should be aired away from the public arena. I was interested in David Moyes’ reaction afterwards. He didn’t pander to the player in any way shape or form, he didn’t make excuses. He simply said: “I took him off because he wasn’t working hard enough.”
I think that’s great management. Players may not like it but they have to get used to it. That kind of management has seen us through difficulties in the past. There are no grey areas. Everyone knows what’s expected of them and everyone knows the consequences if they don’t work to the desired level.
Why the statistics suggest Leighton Baines was David Moyes’s pick of the bargain bunch
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
DAVID MOYES is routinely praised for being a better bargain hunter than David Dickinson and Tim Wonnacott put together - but one of his greatest hits often goes unmentioned. Nobody disputes Leighton Baines’ ability anymore but it’s easy to forget he cost Everton just £6m in August 2007. The following summer Dani Alves joined Barcelona from Sevilla, with the Catalan club stumping up an eventual £30m and making Alves the most expensive defender in the world. Fast forward four years, and it is only the Barcelona star standing between Baines and the role of Europe’s most prolific defender in terms of assists. Such is the Kirkby-born star’s progress as his sublime left-foot has flourished, that Baines is easily unrivalled by his fellow Premier League defenders in the creativity stakes. And consider Baines’ performances against Europe’s elite leagues, and the results further confirm what the modest, music loving defender has got in his left boot. Only one player classed as a defender playing in England, Spain, Italy or Germany can trump Baines’ tally of 27 goal assists since the start of the 2008/9 season. And considering Dani Alves a true defender in the traditional full-back role that Baines occupies is tenuous.. Alves’ haul of 32 assists is certainly impressive – even for a winger – but that is as part of a team many have dubbed one of the greatest of all time. So far this season he has assisted 11 Premier League goals and only Nani (18) has more. As for defenders there is no contest. He has seven more than closest rivals Iain Evatt and Branislav Ivanovic, who both have four. Perhaps a better insight comes when you compare the 26-year-old to the players perceived to be the division’s best in his position. In the time it has taken Baines to create 27 assists, Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra lag behind on 11 apiece. Indeed, the Everton man’s tally over that period can only be bettered by four men in England’s top flight – Cesc Fabregas, Frank Lampard, Ashley Young and Nani. Concentrating just on this season again, Baines’ 11 assists gives him the fifth best tally across all of Europe’s top divisions. Nani (18), Lionel Messi (17), Dani Alves (14) and Cagliari’s Andrea Cossu (12) are the only players to have created more. Then there is PFA Player of the Year candidate Gareth Bale, who has six goals and just one assist this term, although Baines has clearly suffered from not having the Champions League showcase afforded to the Welshman’s electric talents. Yet another way of quantifying the scale of Baines’ contribution to the Blues season is to look at the ratio of his involvement in the team’s total goals. And with three strikes to add to his 11 assists, the full-back has been directly involved in 31 per cent of the Blues’ 45 league goals. Also don’t forget he has notched a further two goals in the cups which haven’t been factored in. Evertonians are used to marvelling at the England man’s metronomic delivery from wide areas, and one way of explaining Baines’ remarkable success is the fact that with 59 aces, he is the most successful crosser of a ball in the Premier League. It is a combinations of factors even Fabio Capello could ignore no longer. After the Italian had foolishly dumped Baines for last summer’s World Cup squad in favour of Aston Villa’s just above average Stephen Warnock, he has finally recognised the error of his ways in the recent friendly and qualifying games leading up to Euro 2012.
That tournament in Poland is one Baines deserves to feature in, and with Ashley Cole entering his 32nd year when the action gets underway next summer, Everton’s man has a clear motivation to carry on sparkling for club and country. Nobody will be surprised if Baines has nudged his assist count higher come 4.50pm today and he could well still overtake Alves. Not bad for £5m eh?
Everton FC striker Jermaine Beckford reminds me of some of the very best - David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
HE MAY have delivered an unequivocal ear-bashing last weekend, but David Moyes is also happy to impart more soothing words for Jermaine Beckford. The Everton manager was quick to remind Beckford of what is expected when he pulls on a Blue shirt as his work-rate faltered against Wolves last Saturday. But overall Moyes is pleased with the contribution of the 27-year-old he signed for nothing from Leeds United last summer. And he admits that he saw something in Beckford during various spying missions before his capture, that reminded him of some of the great goal poachers.
“He has definitely got goals in him,” he says. “That’s why I signed him. Some of the best movement I’ve ever seen in the box was by John Aldridge. I thought he was brilliant, I used to think ‘how the heck does he keep on scoring?’. “Robbie Fowler was another with great movement in the box. He’d take the centre-back one way then the other, then suck the defender in and spin off the other side.
“I think Beckford has all of that in the box. In terms of movement in the box, he’s right up there. He is very, very hard to mark.” Moyes believes that Beckford, who has scored nine goals in total so far this season, has lived up to his hopes - even if he does want the former non-league marks-man to show greater desire. “He has done what I hoped he would have done, which was by the end of the season becoming more regular in the team and understanding more about what it’s all about. I can see him beginning to look that way,” he says. “He actually started the first game of the season at Blackburn, and I knew then that it was too soon. He wasn’t ready. “He probably needed six months of seeing how the Premier League worked – he was jumping up two divisions, don’t forget – and he needed to be coming off the bench and starting cup games. “He wasn’t ready to start back then, but now he is. He can score in any division, the Premier League, the fourth division. All of them. “Goals breed confidence for forwards, and Jermaine thrives on them. I have seen that. When you are that type of player where much of your game is about yours goals, and you aren’t maybe that involved in the rest of it, and you aren’t getting the goals, then what other part do you play? “But he is starting to get his goals. He was one-on-one twice with the keeper against Villa, and there are very few games where he hasn’t had a chance at goal. That’s a good record.” Moyes accepts that he had to temper his expectations of Beckford based on the meagre financial outlay required to bring him to Goodison. “We always knew we were taking a chance with Jermaine. We were in a financial situation last year where we couldn’t spend much, and we thought we’d give Jermaine a try on a free transfer,” he says. “We’ve had to make allowances for him a little bit. If I had paid £10m I might have been more worried. But I’m not. We both knew when he signed that we were both taking a chance. “If he wants it, he can really step up to the Premier League. He has the ability. But now it’s a lot to do with his desire. He maybe has to come out of that comfort he has been in. He knows he has gone to Leeds and scored, he’s gone to Scunthorpe and scored. “But when you step up to one of the top clubs in the country and are playing against international defenders, although you might score you need to keep stepping up and stepping up.” Self-sacrifice and work-rate are bare minimums for any Moyes team, and they are qualities he hopes Beckford fully absorbs. “You have to do it for the team. You can’t just score the goal and think ‘that’s me, I’m done’,” he says. “At Everton we require more than that. “His work rate has improved. We need him at the moment. He gives us an outlet, he is able to run in behind defences and he gives us speed up front. “Our other centre forwards tend to come towards the ball but Becks can get in behind defences. But if you are going to be that kind of player, you have to keep on doing it. “This week in training, I think he’s shown that he realised he needs to up it another notch again. “For 45 minutes against Wolves he played really well. He scored a header, could have maybe scored another one, set up the goal for Phil Neville, and had another he could have played in. “So it’s up to him. How much does he want to really make himself a Premier League player? If he wants that, he can do that.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes glad Australia star Tim Cahill is planning summer rest
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 16 2011
DAVID MOYES is relieved that Tim Cahill will sit out Australia’s summer friendlies in order to enjoy a long-overdue rest. The Socceroos are set to play two matches at the end of the domestic campaign.
But Cahill, who is still struggling to overcome a persistent foot problem, says he will miss the games in order to look after his body. The 31-year-old has had a hectic footballing schedule over the last 18 months, playing in two major international tournaments, and Moyes welcomed his decision to rest before taking part in a full pre season with Everton. He said: “He definitely needs that break because he played in the World Cup and also in the Asian Cup and I don’t think that has helped him. “In fact it has really hindered him in my eyes. “He has been really good for Everton and Everton has been good to him as well. “I think it is important that he does look at the club and because of that he will probably not get involved in any of the friendlies for Australia this summer.” Cahill said earlier this week: “I missed the Germany game (in March), and I’ll probably miss the next couple of games because they’re friendlies. “For me, when it’s competition and it’s something where I’m going to win something or get something out of, then I’ll be back playing. “So at the moment now my main focal point is the Premier League and doing well for my club.” Cahill is a major doubt ahead of today’s Goodison Park clash with Blackburn Rovers, although he joins Mikel Arteta on the list of players likely to still play some part in Everton’s season. Everton have also been without Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman in recent weeks. “They are all getting nearer fitness, whether they will be ready for the game is another matter, but they are all getting closer that is for sure,” said the Everton manager Moyes.
Blackburn Rovers set to unleash Barca wonderkid on Everton
9:00am Saturday 16th April 2011
By Andy Cryer
Lancashire Telegrapher
SPANISH starlet Ruben Rochina has told Steve Kean ‘I’m ready when you are’ as the Rovers boss toys with unleashing the former Barcelona man from the start in today’s crucial visit to Everton. The 20-year-old has put himself into contention for a full Premier League debut with a string of starring displays for the reserves, scoring four goals in as many appearances. Rochina’s £500,000 arrival from the Nou Camp at the end of January was overshadowed at the time by the £3.5million capture of Argentine playmaker Mauro Formica. But now, after taking to life in England quicker than expected, Rochina has become a serious first team option for Kean ahead of a tense relegation run-in. Rovers travel to Goodison Park just three points clear of the drop zone and, without a win in eight Premier League matches, desperate to build some momentum. The in-form Junior Hoilett is still being monitored over a hamstring injury picked up at the weekend, despite the news it was nothing serious, with Kean admitting Rochina is in his thoughts. The Spaniard said: “My stay at Blackburn has been very good so far, I like this very much. I am working hard to play well and I am enjoying it so far. “I do believe I am ready for the Premier League. I think it is possible, and that is what I am working for. Maybe next year will be the better time for me though. “I know Blackburn are in a difficult position at the moment in the Premier League but I think we will stay up. I think I can help if the manager decides, this is what I have come for. “I am playing for this season firstly. Next season is the season we were really looking at but it is possible I can help this season. This is good for me and possible. Anything that happens this season is extra but I believe I can do something to help the team.” Kean warned Rovers fans not to expect too much too soon from Rochina or Formica after snapping them up on transfer deadline day, insisting they would need time to adjust to life in England. Formica’s progress has been hampered by an injury but Rochina, who didn’t speak a word of English, appears to be quickly getting into the swing of things. Rochina said: “Roque Santa Cruz and Michel Salgado have helped me a lot and I thank them for that. They have helped me with everything, with the house and everything and I thank them for that. “It is a different style to Spain. Spain is more passing and in England it is maybe longer balls and more physical, this is good for me, I like this. “I like the physical side of the game, I don’t have a problem with this style. For a striker it is always good to score goals, that is important. I am happy to score two goals for the reserves on Monday and will try to keep doing this. “There are obviously some very good players at Barcelona and I learnt a lot from them. I came to England to play more football. At first Barcelona would not let me leave this season but then they spoke again with Blackburn and said yes. It is good for me.” Rochina has played just 10 Premier League minutes since arriving in England in January but Kean insists he has not doubt the starlet is ready for the challenge. Kean said: “Ruben is a quality player and his performances in training and for the reserves have been fantastic. I have been disappointed I have not been able to play him because of injuries to other players. “I think he has a good chance of being involved and possibly even starting. “Full credit to the way he has settled into life in England. He has been taking his lessons at the training ground, he has been trying to mix and sit with the English lads at lunch and on the bus and has done really well.”
Final whistle report: Everton 2 Blackburn Rovers 0
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON maintained their seven-game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over woeful Blackburn Rovers at Goodison. David Moyes has overseen few easier afternoons at home in the league this season, as his injury-hit side did just enough to dispose of Steve Kean’s limited relegation strugglers who were without several key men. The win restores the gap between the Blues and sixth-placed Liverpool to one point, with Kenny Dalglish’s side facing the tough prospect of a visit to the Emirates stadium to take on title chasing Arsenal tomorrow (Sunday). Although largely uninspiring, the result again underlined that Everton have learned how to break down defensively minded opponents, following their 3-0 thumping of Wolves last weekend. The first chance fell to Everton. Phil Neville crossed, Rovers defender Jermaine Jones got his header wrong, and Jermaine Beckford latched onto the ball but lashed his first time shot over. The Blues comfortably bossed the early possession against a visiting side with only 11 goals between their starting line-up, but misfortune struck after 16 minutes when John Heitinga hobbled off with a hamstring injury. The Dutchman’s loss meant a return to action for Jack Rodwell, who had only made the bench for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury against Fulham on March 19. That failed to unsettle the Blues though, and it seemed to be a case of when not if they would score against a side limited in ability and ambition. Blackburn were not solely to blame for the first half’s sleepy pace and lack of quality however, as Moyes’ men increasingly struggled to carve out any clear cut chances. The half’s lone shot on target was courtesy of a late Leon Osman fizzer which Paul Robinson held comfortably. Thankfully Everton showed renewed vigour after the break. Magaye Gueye impressed with some sharp turns, and launched one vicious effort narrowly over. Then Leighton Baines hit a low pile driver just wide from 30 yards. Finally the Blues had the game by the scruff of the neck, and Leon Osman – possibly in the form of his career – opened the scoring courtesy of a deflection by Christopher Samba. The Toffees midfielder collected a short corner and ghosted easily past former Barcelona youth player Ruben Rochina, before unleashing a swerving strike that was helped past Robinson by Samba’s outstretched boot. Inertia returned, despite Seamus Coleman doing his best to enliven things when he replaced Gueye. But Rovers sealed their fate with a quarter of an hour left. Phil Jones scythed down Coleman in the area, and Leighton Baines coolly dispatched the resulting spot kick. The visitors could have had a lifeline minutes after when Baines and Jagielka got themselves horribly mixed-up over a routine clearance in Everton’s area, but Mort Gamst Pedersen lashed his shot wide.
It was to be their last hint of hope though, as the Toffees held on to ensure a comfortable victory that keeps their gossamer thin hopes of Europe alive.
EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Neville (capt), Heitinga (Rodwell, 16), Bilyaletdinov, Gueye (Coleman, 65), Osman, Beckford (Vellios, 85).
Subs not used: Mucha, Anichebe, Mustafi, Forshaw.
Bookings: Baines, Rodwell.
Goals: Osman, Baines (pen).
BLACKBURN ROVERS: (4-4-2) Robinson, Salgado, Givet (Pedersen, 68), Samba (capt), Olsson, Emerton, Dunn, Jones, Rochina, Santa Cruz (Roberts, 62).
Subs not used: Bunn, Kalinic, Benjani, Hanley, Diouf.
Bookings: Rochina
Goals:
Referee: Kevin Friend.
Attendance: 35,857
'Terrific' Osman fills void for Everton
Everton 2 Blackburn Rovers 0
By John Percy at Goodison Park
Sunday, 17 April 2011 The Independent
Two months ago, with the hands of relegation clawing away at his throat, David Moyes was longing for an excruciating season to be over. Now, he does not want it to end and the delicious prospect of finishing above bitter rivals Liverpool remains very much alive after a routine fifth victory in seven matches. Leon Osman's fourth goal of the season and a Leighton Baines penalty continued Everton's remarkable resurgence to leave Steve Kean, the Blackburn manager, nursing another dose of travel sickness. "Overall it was a worthy three points," he said. We had to be patient as we're missing a lot of key players but Osman was terrific today. We've needed him because we've lacked that sort of player since Steven Pienaar's gone. We've also lost Mikel Arteta so we've been missing that creativity. Osman did all that and more today." Jermaine Beckford set the tone for an excruciating, dour first half when he blazed wastefully over in the opening 60 seconds. The remainder of the half will not remain in the memory of the 35,857 who were in attendance but, thankfully, Everton were vastly improved in the second period. Magaye Gueye drove narrowly over the crossbar before Baines arrowed a 25-yard effort inches wide. Their pressure was rewarded when Osman cleverly sidestepped Ruben Rochina,after a short corner from Gueye, to find the corner with the aid of a substantial deflection off Chris Samba. Everton killed off the game 15 minutes from time, thanks to Phil Jones' crude lunge on the substitute Seamus Coleman in the box, with Baines making no mistake from the spot. And Blackburn's problems were summed up by the travelling fans chanting, "There's only one Jack Walker," as time ebbed away, aiming a clear dig at much maligned owners Venky's, who are in danger of being remembered for all the wrong reasons. Kean said: "It's always a concern when you don't win. We had a little bit of momentum, even though it was only three draws in a row. "We hope that now we've got two games at Ewood Park back to back we can pick ourselves up again. We need to improve on the elements that we weren't happy with." Attendance: 35,857 Referee: Kevin Friend Man of the match: Osman Match rating: 7/10
EVERTON 2 BLACKBURN 0: LETHAL LEON DELIVERS THE KO FOR STEVE KEAN
Sunday April 17,2011
By Mike Whalley Thwe Sunday Express
STEVE KEAN was a surprise choice as Blackburn’s manager. Four months after his appointment, it’s as much of a surprise that he is still in place. Kean is struggling. He is unpopular with his club’s fans and too often tactically outsmarted by opposing managers. The man appointed by Rovers’ Indian owners to replace Sam Allardyce in December is leading the club towards the Championship.
They haven’t won in 10 games, their longest run without victory in 25 years. Even if they stay up this season – which is by no means guaranteed – it’s hard to see them surviving next term without a change of manager. They were no match for a resurgent Everton at Goodison Park. Kean seemed to accept as much before the kick-off. His tactics showed a staggering lack of ambition. For much of the game, he had 10 men behind the ball, with Roque Santa Cruz up front as the loneliest of lone strikers. It was the line-up of a team playing for a 0-0 draw. Once the excellent Leon Osman gave Everton the lead early in the second half, it was clear that Kean had no Plan B. Given that Blackburn have let in more Premier League goals away from home than any other side, it seemed a staggering oversight. Kean’s game plan was destroyed by one set-piece in the 54th minute, thanks to one smart piece of work from Osman and one lapse in concentration by Rovers’ youngster Ruben Rochina. When Osman collected Magaye Gueye’s short corner, Rochina neglected to close him down. The Everton midfielder strode forward and blasted a shot into the bottom corner. From that moment on, an Everton victory was never in doubt. Leighton Baines sealed it from the penalty spot after Phil Jones brought down substitute Seamus Coleman. Everton manager David Moyes said: “Osman was terrific. We needed that because we’ve lacked that sort of flair since Steven Pienaar left and we’ve not got Mikel Arteta.” It was a tough full Blackburn debut for Rochina, brought in from Barcelona in January for £500,000. With a hamstring injury keeping the dangerous Junior Hoilett out of the side, Rochina was given the job of being Kean’s creative spark. He didn’t lack for effort but ended the afternoon with a booking for a reckless challenge on Tony Hibbert and was substituted late on. “I thought Rochina did great for his first game,” Kean said. “I didn’t tell him he was playing until the morning of the game. I wanted him to get a nice night’s sleep, and for his first game he showed good composure.” Ref: K Friend Att: 35,857
EVERTON 2 BLACKBURN 0: LEON-HEART RIPS APART TAME ROVERS
17th April 2011 By Adrian Stiles, Sunday Mirror
EVERTON 2 -- BLACKBURN 0
HOTSHOT Leon Osman helped fire Everton to a win that sent Blackburn crashing deeper into the relegation mire. The midfield star netted his side’s first and outfoxed Steve Kean’s side before Leighton Baines killed them off with a 75th-minute penalty. Rovers needed points to halt their slide towards the bottom three but they went out with a whimper. They held on until the second half before conceding their first – only because shot-shy Jermaine Beckford let them off the hook.
David Moyes says Beckford could be the next Robbie Fowler but the striker looked more like EastEnders star Pauline Fowler in the third minute when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s header put him in behind the Rovers defence and he blasted wide. Chris Samba blocked a Phil Jagielka shot and Paul Robinson easily grabbed an Osman effort. Everton opened the scoring in the 54th minute when Osman beat Ruben Rochina at a short corner and fizzed a shot home via a slight deflection. A desperate Kean threw on Jason Roberts for a wilting Roque Santa Cruz. But the supply lines were snuffed out by a Toffees team seeking their sixth win in eight games. Everton charged forward and a deserved second goal arrived from the spot with 16 minutes left. Baines’ run from deep opened up the Rovers defence and when Phil Jones realised the ball was rolling to unmarked sub Seamus Coleman, he recklessly dived in. Left-back Baines bamboozled a clearly frustrated Robinson from 12 yards and chants of “Going down’’ rang out from the Goodison terraces.Blackburn were handed a golden chance as Baines and Jagielka got in a tangle but Rovers failed to take advantage. It was the last act of defiance from a beaten side. Everton boss Moyes said: “We were never going to win out of sight but we were in control. “Osman was terrific for us. He was nearly leading the line at times but also bossing the middle of the park. Then he gets us a goal as well.” Blackburn boss Kean said: “The wind was taken out of our sails when Everton scored their first goal. “Our position is a concern. We will pick ourselves up and work hard on improving the areas that weren’t quite right here.’’
Everton 2 Blackburn 0
17th Apr 2011 (The Sun)
Add a comment (3) LEON OSMAN and Leighton Baines left Blackburn with that sinking feeling.
Steve Kean's struggling Rovers slipped to 16th after this defeat and are now just two points from the drop zone. Osman broke the deadlock just after the break when he controlled Magaye Gueye's corner before crashing home. And Baines slotted home a penalty on 76 minutes to snuff out any Blackburn hopes of a comeback. Kean could not hide his disappointment with the result but refused to push the panic button. He said: "I don't think it was a worrying performance. The overall performance was of two totally different halves. "We were by far the better in the first and they were the better in the second. "I think whoever was going to get the first goal today was always going to be in the box seat. "That fell to Everton today and that was disappointing." Jermaine Jones gave Everton a gift-wrapped chance to open the scoring after just two minutes.His back-header put Jermaine Beckford through on goal — but the former Leeds man blazed over. Osman, Phil Jagielka and Baines then all threatened as the Toffees set up shop in Rovers territory. Their hopes took a blow on 15 minutes, however, when Johnny Heitinga was forced off with a hamstring injury. The Dutch star was replaced by kid whiz Jack Rodwell. Phil Neville last week smashed his first goal for three years — and it clearly went to his head. Neville was teed up by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov but blasted high over the bar from the edge of the box. Paul Robinson easily saved Osman's limp effort just before the break as the sides went in all-square. It did not stay that way for too much longer, however — and it was Osman who did the damage on 54 minutes. Diniar Bilyaletdinov skipped past Gael Givet and saw his shot deflected behind. Gueye popped over the corner, Osman brought it down and the Toffees star carved out space before smashing home. Blackburn were starting to lose their heads and Ricardo Rochina went into the book for a rash foul on Tony Hibbert. And it got even worse for Kean's men when Baines wrapped up the points from the spot after 76 minutes. Phil Jones hacked down Seamus Coleman in the box and the full-back converted from 12 yards — much to the delight of David Moyes. The Toffees boss said: "I thought we played quite well. "In the first half we were a little bit slow and gave the ball away quite a bit. We played better in the second half and upped the tempo a little bit. "In Osman we had someone who was a match-winner by a long way. He deserves to be 'bigged up', if you want to say that. "He has had to take on the mantle since we lost Steven Pienaar and with Mikel Arteta out. "We have not got a great deal of creativity or that style of player at the moment. "I thought Osman, when he got the ball, made things happen and scored a really important goal for us. That got us on our way."
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Gueye (Coleman 65), Neville, Heitinga (Rodwell 15), Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Beckford (Vellios 85). Subs not used: Mucha, Anichebe, Mustafi, Forshaw. Booked: Baines.
Goals: Osman 54, Baines 75 pen.
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Phil Jones, Samba, Givet (Pedersen 67), Emerton, Dunn, Jermaine Jones, Olsson, Rochina (Mwaruwari 81), Santa Cruz (Roberts 61). Subs not used: Bunn, Kalinic, Hanley, Diouf. Booked: Dunn, Rochina, Phil Jones.
Att: 35,857
Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Houllier trains sights on Everton keeper Howard
Apr 17 2011 by Steve Bates, The People
GERARD HOULLIER could spark a goalkeeping merry-go-round as he looks for veteran Brad Friedel’s long-term replacement.The Villa Park chief has put Everton’s Tim Howard high on his list of targets along with Manchester United’s Polish understudy Tomasz Kuszczak.Friedel, who turns 40 next month, has started talks with Villa chiefs about a new deal because his contract runs out in the summer.But Villa’s other senior goalkeeper is 35-year-old Andy Marshall and Houllier, who has been scouring the market for a younger keeper, sees Howard, 32, as the ideal signing.Any move for the USA No.1 will be met with fierce resistance from Everton boss David Moyes.Howard, who would cost about £4million, is happy at Goodison Park but is concerned about the financial situation at the cash-strapped club.Kuszczak is on his way out at United and Houllier could move for the £4m-rated Pole should he fail to snatch Howard.But if the Frenchman succeeds, Moyes may also turn to Old Trafford – just like he did when Howard joined, initially on loan, in 2006.United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has signed Danish youngster Anders Lindegaard while retiring veteran Edwin van der Sar is set to be replaced by £18m Atletico Madrid star David de Gea.
EVERTON 2 BLACKBURN 0: MOYES IN THE DRIVING SEAT
18th April 2011 By John Percy
Daily Star
DAVID MOYES insists delivering a knockout blow to King Kenny’s Second Coming across Stanley Park hasn’t even been mentioned in the Everton dressing room. And the Toffees boss also claims his troops can forget about scraping a Europa League place despite their remarkable rise up the Premier League. But there is clearly something driving on his players and you can bet the carrot of finishing above Liverpool is the burning incentive behind their climb up the table. Just two months ago Moyes had the hands of relegation clawing away at his throat as an abysmal start to the season threatened to bite him on the bum. Yet this routine canter was Everton’s fifth win in seven games and Moyes is on the charge. But don’t go expecting Moyes to be making any brash statements about missions for the season, even if his players are daring to dream. “Is catching Liverpool a motivation? Not at all,” he said. “Not once have we mentioned that. I always say lets keep winning, I always want to overtake whoever is above us. “I haven’t found it hard to motivate them. “I didn’t want a bad finish to the season because we had a bad start. I think a lot of people thought this is where Everton might be. “I was probably thinking that in September and October, I was thinking surely we aren’t starting this way again. We have five wins in seven at the moment and we have a good side but we just couldn’t finish the games at that time. “But in truth we were probably playing better than we are now. Goals change results and we couldn’t get the goals at the start of the season.” Everton’s only threat to ending the season on a high is the fact they face Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea in their remaining five games. Everton’s Leon Osman has suffered a frustrating campaign with injuries. But he was excellent at Goodison on Saturday, crowning an inspirational performance with his fourth goal of the season. Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka admitted: “Ossie is in the form of his life. “He has been desperate to play in that position for a long time but he has pushed out to the right, the left or had to do a defensive job. “He’s about four foot nothing but you see him winning headers against big centre-backs. You see him playing like that and it adds to the momentum.” What struggling Rovers boss Steve Kean would do for such inspiration. Kean had to endure another case of travel sickness and the threat of relegation refuses to disappear. Osman’s deflected shot left them with a mountain to climb before Leighton Baines’ penalty, after Phil Jones had upended Everton substitute Seamus Coleman, sent Rovers to their 12th away defeat. But Kean is still optimistic of avoiding the drop – even with FA Cup finalists Manchester City up next. He said: “We’re on the back end of having a long run of games without a win, but I think we’ve just got to grind through it. “Once the win comes, we just have to try and stick another one in back to back. “We’re certainly not complacent. We would really like to have got a win in the last few games, but we’re certainly not looking at it and thinking we are comfortable.”
Rejuvenated Everton take advantage of a Blackburn side in freefall
Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
The Guardian, Monday 18 April 2011
Say what you like about Sam Allardyce, and many do, but it is hard to envisage a side under his stewardship sinking into trouble as blithely as Blackburn Rovers continue to do. They are fading without a fight, with manager and players seemingly reluctant to accept the seriousness of their plight. Allardyce was sacked in December, allegedly on account of Rovers' new owners' demands for champagne football and the Champions League. Fair enough, in principle, but the reality of life under Venky's is an inexperienced coach, Steve Kean, struggling to help a side in freefall and inject a sense of responsibility into a team blessed with experience and emerging talent but failing to make it count. Everton cruised to three points as the outstanding Leon Osman and Leighton Baines again lifted a team depleted by injury. Their refusal to write off an otherwise disappointing campaign, plus the development of the youngsters Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios – a French midfielder and Greek striker signed for a total of £1m by David Moyes – offers Everton hope of renewal where only recently a period of turmoil beckoned. The reverse is true for Blackburn and Venky's provide a salient reminder of why Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, is so discerning in his search for new investment. Rovers have gone 10 games without a win in all competitions, equalling their worst sequence of results since 1986, and are two points clear of the relegation places with Manchester City, Bolton and Manchester United to come at home. Kean said that his side had been "excellent" in the first half and that they could have made the final minutes "interesting" had Morten Gamst Pedersen not missed a glorious chance following a mix-up between Baines and Phil Jagielka. Pedersen's shot was the visitors' one opportunity of note all afternoon. A Blackburn player did not touch the ball in the Everton penalty area until the 43rd minute. "Before this we had gone three games unbeaten so it depends what way you look at it," said the Rovers manager. "I know we hadn't won any of those, but we were focused on the little bit of momentum we had. Going to the Emirates and getting a point, getting a point against Birmingham, we were just chipping away. Now we've got two games back to back at home and we've been great at home. We can go and take big steps instead of little ones. We've only lost seven games out of 41 or 42 at Ewood, we're in very good form there." Of more immediate benefit to Blackburn is the ineligibility of Roque Santa Cruz to feature against his parent club, City, next Monday, as Kean continues to overlook the club's leading goalscorer, Nikola Kalinic, in favour of the patently unfit Paraguayan and his upbeat message was completely at odds with the performance against Everton. "We're certainly not complacent," he protested. "We would really like to have got a win in the last few games, but we're certainly not looking at it and thinking we are comfortable." Everton's end of season form, by contrast, is a fine tribute to Moyes' leadership and his players' professionalism, with Osman opening the scoring from a short corner by Gueye; and Baines scoring from the penalty spot after a foul on Seamus Coleman by Phil Jones. The Everton manager said: "I haven't found it hard to motivate them. I didn't want a bad finish to the season because we had a bad start. In September, October I was thinking 'Surely we aren't starting this way again?' but we now have five wins in seven. We have a good side but we just couldn't finish the games at that time. But in truth we were probably playing better than we are now. Goals change results and we couldn't get the goals at the start of the season."
Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean calm despite Everton defeat by Geraldine Lagard.
18 Apr 2011 The Lancashire Click
Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean calm despite Everton defeat Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has insisted he is relaxed about his side’s lowly position in the Premier League after watching his side lose to Everton at Goodison Park yesterday. Rovers are now just two points above the relegation zone, but Kean remains positive. He said: "I don't think it was a worrying performance. The overall performance was of two totally different halves. We were by far the better in the first and they were the better in the second." He added: "I think whoever was going to get the first goal today was always going to be in the box seat. "That fell to Everton today and that was disappointing." Everton upped the tempo after a drab first half to claim the lead after 54 minutes with a deflected Leon Osman shot. The goal was Everton's reward for a spell of dominance and the Merseysiders made the game safe when Leighton Baines drilled in a penalty after a foul on Seamus Coleman by Phil Jones. Kean continued: "We felt because Everton were defending quite high there was lots of space behind Leighton Baines and Tony Hibbert. "We felt we could exploit that - play the ball back into midfield and then quickly get beyond them and play a penetrating pass. "But then obviously when the goal went in, that changes the outlook of the game."
David Prentice: How Leon Osman has been crucial to Everton FC late-season revival
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 18 2011
Blackburn YESTERDAY marked the 50th anniversary of Harry Catterick’s appointment as Everton manager. When he arrived at Goodison Park he made it his mission to “bring back winning, attractive football.” And he succeeded spectacularly.No manager collected more league points between 1960 and 1970 (27 more than Bill Nicholson, stat fans). And no-one in history created a more stylish Everton line-up.Saturday’s match programme marked the anniversary with a portrait of the teak tough disciplinarian just about cracking a smile on the back cover.For the man at the front of the programme, the modern day mission is more complex, and just as difficult to crack.David Moyes has spent the season striving to get the balance right between winning football and pretty football. And in typical contrary Everton fashion he’s got there with his squad’s most creative talents out of action.“We’ve just had five wins in seven so we’ve got a good side,” Moyes said afterwards. “In September and October we just couldn’t finish games – and in truth we were probably playing better football than we are now.“But goals change games and change results and we couldn’t get the goals.”Everton got the goals on Saturday – admittedly against an awful Blackburn side – thanks to the efforts of a player in the form of his Everton life.Leon Osman is a man who offers the perfect balance between technique and workrate.His appetite for hard work is unmatched at Everton – and that’s some statement for a squad which includes the indefatigable Phil Neville and Leighton Baines – but his technical ability is also high.And the little Scouser can mix it up and go direct at times, too.
There were moments early in the match when he was leaping with Blackburn’s colossal central defender Christophe Samba to flick on balls for Jermaine Beckford to chase.It’s a quality his manager admires. “We’ve maybe been too pretty at times,” added Moyes. “We’ve not been ruthless enough. The thing about today was that I wanted to keep being ruthless, not just keep passing the ball square because I wanted us to try and find a way of getting in. And I thought we kept passing it well.“I was glad that we did a bit of both and got it in the box at the right times.”Osman kept getting it in the box at the right times. There were only two minutes remaining and the match was long since won when he collected the ball midway through the Blackburn half, patiently turned and twisted then weighted a perfect pass out wide to Baines.Rather than admire his handiwork, he charged into the box to get on the end of the return. A first time volley just curled wide.A yard to the left and the strike would have put the seal on an outstanding personal performance. It was a workrate and a technique Blackburn could never match.But Osman’s display wasn’t the only thing for Evertonians to appreciate – as their campaign has finally and belatedly sparked into life. Young French winger Magaye Gueye showed further flashes of promise – although Seamus Coleman showed just how far he has to go when he replaced him with 25 minutes remaining and immediately set about tormenting the Rovers rearguard with his purposeful and penetrative running.One such surge earned the penalty which ended the match as a contest.Again it was an indication that direct can sometimes be best.But direction was a quality the visitors struggled with all afternoon – most notably when Morten Gamst Pedersen connected with the most spectacularly misdirected shot perhaps ever seen at Goodison Park.His target was the goal 10 yards in front of him at the Gwladys Street End. After he sliced his volley the ball ended spinning wildly towards the halfway line in front of the Goodison Road dug-out – and would even have stayed on the pitch but for Samba helping it out of its misery and into touch.The victory kept Everton in touch at the business end of the Premier League table – but with a final five game fixture list which includes Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea the season could still rise or fall.All three were beaten at Goodison Park last season, victories which created so much expectation for this campaign.Hopefully Everton can take lessons from the experiences of 2010/11 – that style doesn’t always offer substance.After all, even Harry Catterick’s first gorgeous title-winning team needed its Dennis Stevens.
Everton FC 2 Blackburn Rovers 0: Leon Osman leads Blues charge
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 18 2011
SOME fans in the away end were dressed like Fathers for Justice protesters, but the only campaign the home supporters should get behind is for the season to start in January.If prizes were given out for form since the New Year Everton would currently be poised for greater things than a drawn-out bun fight over sixth place with Liverpool.The Toffees have picked up 25 points since the start of 2011, and losing is becoming a distant memory.For the second time in as many seasons, David Moyes’ men seem set for title contention type of form based on their run-in, but the nagging feeling is that – as welcome as their unbeaten in seven spell is – it’s too little, too late.If the Everton manager can somehow halt his side’s tendency to start their Premier League campaigns slower than a clapped-out Robin Reliant, tangible achievement could be more than a pipe-dream next term.Consider Saturday’s routine victory. In August Everton went to Ewood Park and lost to Blackburn Rovers, and shortly after they struggled to a draw against Wolves.Yet in two weeks both sides have been dispatched with ease, as the Blues proved they have solved the quandary of dour opponents who set-up for a draw.Blackburn were awful, but with ten men behind the ball and ambitions limited to stopping Everton there was a threat they could become the proverbial parked bus that has frustrated at Goodison so often this season.Thankfully Leon Osman is in a rich vein of form that would lead to most players being touted for England contention.While younger men like Wolves’ Matt Jarvis are more in fashion, Osman is quietly going about suggesting that he should remain a fixture in this Everton team even when everyone is fully fit.Effervescent in the Black Country last weekend, the veteran Blue-blood was the difference once again as this contest threatened never to rise above a mind-numbingly mediocre first half.Osman scored his third goal in the last six matches to set Everton on course for a comfortable victory over dismal Blackburn.Typically it was him who registered the lame first half’s only shot on target, a fizzer which Paul Robinson held comfortably.But Everton showed renewed vigour after the break. Magaye Gueye again impressed with some sharp turns, and launched one vicious effort narrowly over. Then Leighton Baines hit a low pile driver just wide from 30 yards.And the deadlock was broken when Osman collected a short corner and ghosted easily past former Barcelona youth player Ruben Rochina, before unleashing a swerving strike that was helped past Robinson by Christopher Samba’s outstretched boot.David Moyes may be right when he says the ship has probably sailed regarding international football for the little midfielder, but his displays will at least provide serious food for thought about how to keep him involved in the first team when Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini return."Ossie was the pick of the bunch for me," said his manager afterwards. "There was a lot of good all-round play and good performances but I thought Ossie was above that.”The 29-year-old's challenge now must be to take the game to Manchester United, City and Chelsea in the same way he has overseen the demise of lesser teams.The game's tempo lapsed again after Everton’s lead, despite Seamus Coleman doing his best to enliven things when he replaced Gueye.But Rovers sealed their own fate with a quarter of an hour left. Phil Jones scythed down Coleman in the area, and Leighton Baines coolly dispatched the resulting spot kick to ensure the points and suggest the result of Everton’s Player of the Season award is academic.The visitors could have had a lifeline minutes after when Baines and Jagielka got themselves horribly mixed-up over a routine clearance, but Morten Gamst Pedersen lashed his shot wide.So often a tormentor of the Blues, even Pedersen’s cameo from the bench was unlikely to rouse his team from their clueless approach.It had been a mixed afternoon for Jermaine Beckford, who was replaced towards the end by Apsotolos Vellios. Scolded publicly by Moyes last weekend for allowing his work-rate to drop, he ran endlessly this time around and seemed eager to atone.But the former Leeds man snatched at a clear-cut chance in the first half, a habit he persists with despite impressing with his movement in the box, and blasted over.He continues to find himself in the right places though, and his pace remains a useful way to unlock stubborn back lines.Like his team-mates though, Beckford faces a far more difficult task at Old Trafford next where Everton’s recent resilience will undergo its toughest test against a wounded animal smarting from losing out on a potential treble.If the Blues can bring three points back from Alex Ferguson’s lair for the first time since 1992, it will provide some genuine delight amid this season’s bitter-sweet swan song .“I'm really pleased. It's not easy beating these sides at the moment – the likes of Wolves and Blackburn. To be fair to the boys they went about their jobs very well." DAVID MOYES was satisfied with the routine result."I don't think it was a worrying performance. The overall performance was of two totally different halves. We were by far the better in the first and they were the better in the second." Rovers boss STEVE KEAN was definitely in the dug-out at Goodison but possibly watching a different game.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Neville (capt), Heitinga (Rodwell, 16), Bilyaletdinov, Gueye (Coleman, 65), Osman, Beckford (Vellios, 85). Not used: Mucha, Anichebe, Mustafi, Forshaw.
BLACKBURN (4-4-1-1): Robinson, Salgado, Givet (Pedersen, 68), Samba (capt), Olsson, Emerton, Dunn, P Jones, J Jones, Rochina, Santa Cruz (Roberts, 62). Not used: Bunn, Kalinic, Benjani, Hanley, Diouf.
GOALS: Osman (54), Baines (pen 75).
CARDS: Booked – Baines, Rodwell, Rochina, P Jones, Dunn
REFEREE: Kevin Friend. (address).
ATTENDANCE: 35,857.
Football Confidential: ECHO & Post sport team on a great win for Everton and a battling draw for Liverpool
Apr 18 2011
John Thompson, Dave Prentice, Neil Jones and Phil Kirkbride discuss a busy weekend of Merseyside football, with a strong Everton performance seeing off Blackburn 2-0 and Liverpool grabbing an incredible 102nd minute equaliser against Arsenal to draw 1-1.
Tim Howard says Leon Osman should be an Everton FC ever-present
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 18 2011
TIM Howard believes Leon Osman should be an ever-present in David Moyes’s side after the midfielder was instrumental in another Everton victory.Osman’s second half goal broke the deadlock against Blackburn Rovers at Goodison on Saturday, and Howard insists the 29-year-old should keep his place in the team when Everton’s trio of injured midfielders return.Mikel Arteta is targeting a return to contention for next weekend’s trip to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Tim Cahill has been tipped to return again before the season ends.Even Marouane Fellaini, who had been ruled out for the entire run-in, is hopeful of figuring in the season’s dying stages – but Howard says Osman should not have to make way for anyone.He said: “The thing with Ossie is that he’s a real unsung hero who will do anything for the team. He’ll come back into the back four and win a header then he’ll take the fight to teams.“He has amazing feet and he’s a guy you have to have on the team. "Where the gaffer plays him is up to him but you always want him in the fight with you.“He’s had a free role which has given him lots of liberty but he’s been asked to go forward and get the ball to feet, which is playing to his strengths.”USA goalkeeper Howard recorded a clean second consecutive clean sheet against Steve Kean’s side, but admits there have not been as many as he would have liked.“Getting clean sheets is always difficult, and statistically a lot of sides are managing less of them this season,” he said. “Trying to figure out the cause for us is tough because I don’t think anyone is playing particularly badly, in fact quite the opposite.“We have made simple mistakes this season that have cost us goals. It’s not like a guy was playing so terribly that you’d take him out of the team, but it just wasn’t clicking.“We certainly haven’t kept enough clean sheets but we haven’t conceded a ton of goals. "Our goal difference is OK though.”Everton did enough to overcome a limited Blackburn side and maintain their seven-game unbeaten run, but Howard knows it wasn’t always pretty.He said: “It was a warm day and a rough and tumble kind of game with very little flow and rhythm. We settled into it knowing what it was going to be like, but it was probably not great from a spectator’s point of view.”Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka feels it is vital to finish the season strongly but insists overhauling Liverpool or reaching Europe are not the prime aims.The 28-year-old said: “There is no point setting goals to try to beat another club.“Obviously with it being our neighbours it adds to the spice but if you ask the boss he just wants to keep going and picking up as many points as possible.“Obviously, with the way the Carling Cup went, another European position in the league has gone.“The gaffer has basically said it is just three points for the next game and that is all we can do.“We are playing against a lot of clubs who are desperate for points for one reason or another.“If we can keep this little run going it is something to hopefully carry into next season.”
Everton midfielder Leon Osman just focused on maintaining his good form rather than worry about summer additions to squad
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 18 2011
LEON OSMAN will leave discussions of summer transfers to the Everton management and instead concentrate on maintaining his top form.The 29-year-old opened the scoring in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park and delivered yet another man-of-the-match performance.Osman has found a new lease of life since the turn of the year and his resurgence has coincided with David Moyes’ side stringing together a fine run of results.Unbeaten in six Premier League matches, Everton are breathing down the necks of Liverpool with Osman’s three goals in that batch of fixtures vital to the Goodison side moving up to seventh in the table.Everton’s revival appears to have come too late for to secure a place in Europe but supporters will hope it can provide a platform from which Moyes’ men to plot an assault next term, though Osman says any summer spending is not for him to discuss.“That’s not a question for me, that’s a question for the hierarchy of the club and for the management,” he said.“That’s what they do.“Maybe this is the best form of my career. It is always pleasing when you hit a good run of form and if that coincides with the team performing then that is extra pleasing. That is happening at the minute and hopefully we can keep it going until the end of the season and beyond.“I can’t put my finger on what is behind our form. I don’t think we’re going about anything differently than we have done in the past. We are all fighting for each like we always have done in every game but sometimes things just click like they are doing now.”In recent weeks Osman has been deployed behind the lone striker, given a free role to roam and cause havoc.The move from the flanks has reaped benefits for Everton and Osman admits he is relishing the opportunity to play in the position.Osman hopes his form will be good enough for him to keep his place in the side even when Everton have a clean bill of health and a full squad available.“I’ve really enjoyed playing in that position and the people around me are working hard to help me play in that position. I’m really happy with the way things are going at the moment.“I hope my form would be good enough for me to keep my place. I’ve shown I can play in that position behind the striker.“But the other players who have been playing in the last few games have all shown they can be first team players.“When the so-called ‘first teamers’ come back I think any of the current side will be disappointed if they find themselves out of the team. Players like Magaye, Bily and Nev, who been playing in the middle of the park, have been in a really good run of form and I hope it keeps us in the team. I just enjoy playing football, getting touches on the ball and chasing people down. Just being on the pitch is great and hope I’m on it for a lot longer.”
Everton FC youngsters under the spotlight as season draws to a close
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 18 2011
MANAGER David Moyes praised experienced campaigner Leon Osman for his role in unlocking a stubborn Blackburn rearguard but springtime for mid-table outfits like Everton is traditionally a period when the progress of youngsters comes under the spotlight.Had the vagaries of the domestic knockout competitions been different and teams below Everton in the table not reached the FA Cup final – or won the Carling Cup, in the shape of Birmingham – then Moyes’ men could still have been realistically chasing a European place.For Moyes, the blooding of youngsters has been a necessity rather than a whim with the club’s injury crisis reaching its peak a fortnight before this match, when the Scot was forced to name an entire seven-man substitutes bench without a single minute of Premier League experience.It was in games like these during the early years of Moyes’s reign that Blackburn’s tormenter-in-chief Osman first cut his teeth in the top flight.Despite being blessed with an assured touch, the Billinge-born midfielder’s small frame meant that rise to the higher echelons of the English game was not a rapid one.Osman, who will officially become a ‘veteran’ in footballing parlance when he turns 30 in the week leading up to Everton’s final fixture of the season at home to Chelsea, was part of the club’s FA Youth Cup-winning squad of 1998.But while team-mates from that side such as Francis Jeffers, Danny Cadamarteri and Richard Dunne were all thrust into the Goodison first team as teenage sensations, Osman, along with another impressive performer in Saturday’s win over Blackburn, Tony Hibbert, had to bide his time to make a senior breakthrough.Loan spells at Carlisle United and Derby County followed – Osman was almost 23 by the time he returned from Pride Park towards the end of the 2003/04 season – before he finally nailed down a regular spot in the side that stunned the English game the following year by finishing fourth in the Premier League.All this contrasts sharply to the meteoric rise of the latest Goodison ‘wonder kid’ Jack Rodwell.From the moment he made his Everton debut on a chilly December night in Alkmaar as a 16-year-old in a UEFA Cup group match against AZ to become the club’s youngest ever participant in European competition, Rodwell has seemed destined for stardom.Unlike the diminutive Osman, Rodwell possessed the kind of physique that enabled him to mix it with the big boys even at such a tender age.Tall and athletic, he has always ‘looked the part’.Assured on the ball, strong in the tackle, tidy in his play and possessing the ability to produce a spectacular finish – as shown against Sigma Olomouc and Manchester United last season – pundits have been debating as to whether Rodwell will mature into the next Rio Ferdinand in defence or Steven Gerrard in midfield.However, there comes a point in which all this rich potential must start to be fulfilled.Like so many of Everton’s most talented performers, the current campaign has been a stop-start one for Rodwell, marred by injuries.The aforementioned highlight reels of 2009/10 have not been followed up so far. To date, Rodwell’s only goal of the season came in a 5-1 Carling Cup romp against Huddersfield back in August.Rodwell now needs to step up to the plate and take games by the scruff of the neck and start dictating the tempo.It’s something that Marouane Fellaini has shown he is capable of and is the reason why if the big Belgian does want to pen a new deal at Goodison this summer then he deserves his place as the club’s top earner.As naturally gifted as he is, Rodwell does not yet look like a match-winner, the kind of player who can change the course of a game in the blink of an eye.Compare this to the refreshingly gung-ho attitude and raw explosiveness of fellow youngster Seamus Coleman who also came off the bench to return from injury against Blackburn.Plucked from obscurity with Sligo Rovers, the Irishman is the antithesis of the silky smooth typically Academy-schooled player like Rodwell yet it was his burst into the area that won the penalty for Leighton Baines that ultimately secured Everton the points.The opportunities are there to be taken by Rodwell. Captain Phil Neville is 34 while the man Rodwell replaced in central midfield against Blackburn, John Heitinga, is more effective in defence – it’s just that Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin are immovable objects in the centre-back berths.If the injury that forced Heitinga out of this contest persists then Rodwell could have no bigger stage than Old Trafford on St George’s Day to mark his return to the starting line-up.Manchester United are believed to have been keeping tabs on the Birkdale-born man’s development for some time and given the way veteran Paul Scholes’s FA Cup semi-final against neighbours City ended on Saturday, Sir Alex Ferguson could well be in the market to add some new blood to his midfield come the summer.But it seems unlikely that he’d be prepared to shell out a reputed £25million fee on a talent that currently remains mere potential.
Everton FC 2 Blackburn Rovers 0: Leon Osman again brings hope of bright future
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 18 2011
Everton celebrate against Blackburn THE only thing Everton dropped this time was a hint about next season.After an opening day error from goalkeeper Tim Howard got the campaign off on the wrong foot, Saturday’s comfortable victory in the return fixture with Blackburn Rovers helped continue their remarkable sprint finish.Unbeaten in the Premier League since February 13, David Moyes’ men are top of the form table with four wins from their last six matches and moving towards the levels of performance they have long promised.Supporters have been here before however after two defeats in 24 matches last season strongly suggested a return to the glory days was on the horizon.Of course it failed to materialise in this most frustrating of seasons yet the faithful will continue to summon hope that Everton are now building early momentum for August.The recent displays of Leon Osman will fuel such optimism and the forward is making a compelling case to lead such a charge next term.Regardless of players returning from injury, should the 29-year-old maintain his current standards then he would be near impossible to not be the team’s focal point.But he needs the burden shared by summer acquisitions, not that Osman has ever looked uncomfortable with shouldering the sole responsibility in another vibrant display during the weekend’s win.Unfortunately the victory and Everton’s annual late gallop to the finish line appears too late for the race into Europe but goals from an effervescent Osman and the consistently impressive Leighton Baines fan the flames of hope that next season will deliver at Goodison Park.Sceptics will argue Moyes’ men have built their ascent to 47 points with results against some of the division’s lightweights in recent weeks but Everton have packed a punch during their groove with severely depleted numbers.And even Blackburn – slumping to a worst club run of form since 1986 – had everything to fight for ahead of their visit to Merseyside yet Everton pushed them closer to the drop with a second half performance brimming with desire.Rovers were at times dreadful but a confident home side would be in no mood to alleviate the pressure on Steve Kean’s weary looking outfit.The first half was a particularly tired affair with incident and action desperately hard to find.Play was often fragmented with misplaced passes and a lack of finishing touch when it mattered – Jermaine Beckford’s wayward drive when he went clean through in the second minute set the tone for a exasperating first 45 minutes.Unchanged from the starting side which defeated Wolves 3-0 the previous weekend, Everton were the superior side in the opening half to forget but were struggling to penetrate a Blackburn side intent on containment. The words of the manager at the break though served to revitalise the home side who emerged with marked improvement and real vigour.Magaye Gueye, who was bright in the first half, flashed a stinging drive just over the bar as Everton sensed they could capitalise on the growing confusion in the visitors’ defence.Baines arrowed a low drive from distance which narrowly missed Paul Robinson’s goal before Osman unlocked the game.Taking Gueye’s short corner, Osman evaded Ruben Rochina’s half hearted challenge with ease before striking across the ball to direct a swerving effort beyond the Blackburn goalkeeper’s far post.Osman was now orchestrating play with increasing ease as he occupied the gap in between Rovers’ defence and midfield.The introduction of Seamus Coleman added fresh drive to Everton’s right flank and with Baines encouraged to press forward from left-back, Blackburn were pinned back as the home side pursued the second goal to tie up the win.From Baines’ centre, Coleman pounced on a loose ball in the box but was upended by Phil Jones’ lunge leaving referee Kevin Friend with no other option but to point to the penalty spot.Baines converted with authority.Such was the depths of Rovers’ misery that a Morten Gamst Pederson shot from a tight angle near the by-line on the right was so miscued it went out of in front of the dugouts.The same player then wasted a rare chance after a lack of communication in the Everton defence saw the ball drop kindly to the Norwegian but from eight yards he volleyed wide.Howard waited until the final minute before Blackburn forced him into a save and even then Brett Emerton’s strike was comfortably gathered.The goalkeeper’s trouble free afternoon was indicative of how the fortunes of each side have altered dramatically since earlier in the season.
David Moyes warns star names may face battle to get back in Everton FC side
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 18 2011
DAVID MOYES has hinted some of his star names may struggle to force their way back into the first team as Everton continued their fine form with victory over Blackburn Rovers.The Goodison Park manager once again heaped praise on the performance of Leon Osman who has filled the creative void left by injury to Mikel Arteta and the sale of Steven Pienaar, bagging his third league goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 victory.Osman has responded to the responsibility handed to him in recent weeks says Moyes.The manager was also pleased with the manner in which his side were able to wear down a Blackburn side intent of containment and says earlier in the season it was proving the team’s downfall, especially at home.“I think a lot of you might say that that this roughly where you thought Everton might be, but I think the encouraging thing is when the big hitters come back there might be two or or three of them who might just threaten them a bit more than they had before and it might not be a foregone conclusion that they will be first choices,” said Moyes. Osman was terrific on Saturday.“We needed him because we’ve lacked that flair since Steven Pienaar has gone and we’ve not got Mikel Arteta at the moment so we’ve missed that creativity.“I thought he did that and more today. “He even led the line up front, got the ball in the middle of the park and made things happen and he scored a really good goal as well.“He’s a senior member of the squad and maybe getting one of the main jobs, the main roles, helped him.“When he was a reserve team player and I first came he was a centre-forward or just off the front and because of his size we moved him to the sides.“But wherever he plays he’s a really good player for us because technically he’s an excellent footballer.“We’ve had problems this season with teams who’ve come and parked the bus – we’ve had problems breaking them down and we’ve maybe been too pretty at times, we’ve not been ruthless enough.“The thing about today was that I wanted to keep being ruthless, not just keep passing the ball square because I wanted us to try and find a way of getting in.“And I thought we kept passing it well.“We had to be patient. They let us have the ball but we didn’t use it awfully well.“There’s reasons for that at the moment with us missing a lot of key players but apart from the one mix up at the back I thought we were in control for most of the game.”
Moyes turns to Rodallega to solve striking problem
17/04/11 By Alan Nixon (Daily Mirror)
Everton boss David Moyes wants Wigan hitman Hugo Rodallega to solve his goalscoring problems.Moyes is ready to move for the talented Colombian who has just one year left on his contract – although the move will depend on the size of his budget. Wigan want around £10million but Everton will hope to pay less.Charles N’Zogbia is also entering the final year of his Wigan contract and looks sure to leave as chairman Dave Whelan balances the books.
Academy football: Draw puts dent in Everton under-18s title bid
by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 19 2011
DESPITE taking the lead Everton under-18s suffered a blow to their title hopes as they could only draw 1-1 at Sunderland on Saturday.With just three games left Neil Dewsnip’s side top the Group C section of the Barclays Premier Academy League. But they are now only three points ahead of neighbours Liverpool, who have two games in hand.Johan Hammar gave Everton the lead at Sunderland on 20 minutes, crashing home following Anton Forrester’s header back across goal from Tom Donegan’s free-kick. But Everton missed several chances to increase their lead with Forrester twice going close.They were made to pay for their profligacy when the home side drew level when Jordan Barrow unfortunately headed into his own net as he tried to clear just three minutes after the break.Forrester and strike partner Hallam Hope both went close to putting Everton back in front but in the end they had to settle for a point.Coach Dewsnip said: “We played really well, and again the character and resilience was excellent when Sunderland drew level. I don’t know where it comes from but it is immense. We ran Sunderland into the ground with pressure, but we just couldn’t find a way to score that goal.”He added: “ I am not disappointed with the performance but with the score as we did enough to win. But last week we won a game we shouldn’t have. So it is swings and roundabouts and that is football.”Everton have three matches left, starting with a trip to Manchester United this Saturday (kick-off 10am). They then face Liverpool at Finch Farm next Tuesday (KO 11am), before their final match at Leeds United a week on Saturday (KO 10.30am).
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Higgins, Bidwell, Hammar, Dyer, Donegan, Molineux, Barrow (O’Brien 80), Thomas, Hope, Forrester. Subs: Fitzgibbon, Toure.
Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC's Leighton Baines should have walked into the PFA team of the year
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 19 2011
Leighton Baines, Everton FC
THE problem with the PFA awards is that the voting window is so small.Many of the modern day players have the attention span of a butterfly and are asked to say who has been the best players since August.But they are asked to do this in February and you get lads coming up to you and asking, for example, ‘who should I pick at left-back?’.In so many ways it is easy enough to brain wash them into who you would pick.Ashley Cole is a very good player, probably England's best at the World Cup in South Africa, but this season he has been part of the Chelsea team which did not win for nine matches.Leighton Baines’ all round play this season has been excellent and he should have walked into that position in the PFA team of the year.Unfortunately Cole got the nod in front of him.Seamus Coleman’s situation is slightly different and though it has been a fine year for the young Irishman, he has been in and out of form this season.Not that David Moyes is likely to be complaining because he’d much rather have the limelight off the two lads, especially Baines heading into the summer when clubs could eye the full-back and launch offers of £20m. Baines does not strike you as the type of player to be banging on the manager’s door at all but when the vultures start circling in the summer, Everton could do worse than bump his pay packet up by £5,000 a week.I have to say I don’t think Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale was deserving of the player of the year award.He had a really good three or four months but for me, Nemandja Vidic should be getting the nod.He’ll be in the side which wins the league, has reached an FA Cup semi-final and is preparing for a European semi-final as well.Manchester United have achieved much of this with a lot of ordinary performances but Vidic has been exceptional.He would walk into any team across the world and has been partnered by just about all of Manchester United’s defenders this season yet he has been a constant and his side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League.Bale was flying in that period where Tottenham Hotspur played Inter and then AC Milan but look at Spurs’ record since and it is not great.Bale won the award because of the nature of the voting system.And as a former secretary of the PFA I understand how the voting works and I believe players should be asked to cast their vote at the very start of next season.
Everton FC manager David Moyes says club needs money, not new owners
by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 19 2011
0ShareAdd a commentRecommend DAVID MOYES believes Everton need new investment not new owners, as he insists that the Blues could break into the group of clubs chasing Champions League qualification every season for “not an awful lot of outlay.”Everton welcomed Blackburn Rovers to Goodison last Saturday – one of a clutch of Premier League clubs to have been taken over by new owners – but since the Venky’s Group took over at Ewood Park Blackburn have struggled and Saturday’s defeat left them facing a nervous relegation battle.Moyes used that example to underline his own belief that: “New ownership isn’t always the solution to everything.”He added: “What you want is the right people and the right people are already at Everton.“We don’t need new owners, we need new money. But if you want new money, that tends to come with new owners.“We don’t need new owners, we need an investment of money.“Everton could be very close to being very good for not an awful lot of outlay. It might not be one of those clubs that needs £300million-£400million to turn it around.“The stadium needs investment obviously, but maybe one side can be developed to start with. I’m not sure, something like that.“Maybe the football team doesn’t need £100m. Maybe the football team needs an amount that would give it a chance to breathe again and grow a little bit more.“That’s maybe why we don’t need a zillionaire.”Asked how a club of Blackburn’s status and size could attract new owners before Everton, Moyes added: “Maybe Blackburn’s debt is less (than ours) and they have a stadium that’s already in place. If you ask me, those would probably be the reasons why.“Not that our debt is excessive for a club our size in England, that’s for sure. It’s probably more to do with our stadium.”Defender Phil Jagielka, meanwhile, feels it is important to finish the season strongly but insists overhauling Liverpool or reaching Europe are not Everton’s prime aims. The England international believes Europa League qualification is out of reach despite the Toffees’ recent resurgence and does not want to overplay a potential late-season fight for position with the club’s arch-rivals.Seventh-placed Everton kept the pressure on Liverpool above them with a convincing 2-0 win over Blackburn on Saturday.But Jagielka is mainly concerned about carrying momentum into next season and avoiding the inconsistency that has dogged their largely disappointing 2010-11 campaign.The 28-year-old said: “There is no point setting goals to try to beat another club.“Obviously with it being our neighbours it adds to the spice but if you ask the boss he just wants to keep going and picking up as many points as possible.“We don’t have to look over our shoulders now. It is pretty obvious we are going to be safe from relegation.“But obviously with the way the Carling Cup went another European position in the league has gone.“The gaffer has basically said it is just three points for the next game and that is all we can do.“The season won’t fizzle out. We are playing against a lot of clubs who are desperate for points for one reason or another.“If we can keep this little run going it is something to hopefully carry into next season.”Everton face leaders Manchester United next Saturday before playing relegation-threatened Wigan the following weekend.Their remaining home games feature two other top-four sides in Manchester City and Chelsea.The fixtures hold no fear for Jagielka who feels the Merseysiders now have nothing to lose.He said: “The pressure is off in the league so let’s go out there and try to win as many games as we can.“The fans have had a frustrating time this season as well as the players and we want to put that behind us.”
Ex-Everton FC manager Walter Smith eyes new opportunity in Premier League
Liverpool Echo
Apr 19 2011
WALTER SMITH has revealed he turned down the chance to return to the English top flight over the past 12 months as he declared himself open to offers when he leaves Rangers next month.The former Everton boss said : “When you leave a job at 63 everyone assumes that it’s because of your age.“If the right opportunity arose elsewhere, then of course I would consider it.“I’ve had opportunities to go back to England on a couple of occasions, the most recent being at the start of the season, but I didn’t think that it was right to leave Rangers when I had just agreed to stay.”
Ian Snodin: I’m totally gobsmacked by PFA’s snub to Everton FC star Leighton Baines
Liverpool Echo
Apr 19 2011
Leighton Baines 300
ASHLEY COLE is different class as a player. I’ve written many times before of my admiration for the Chelsea left-back. But if he’s had a better season than Leighton Baines in 2010/11 I’ll eat my hat.
I was absolutely gobsmacked when I saw the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Season on Sunday night – and saw no place for Baines in it.I don’t know what the players who voted were thinking when they filled in their sheets, but there’s absolutely no way Cole has been better than Baines this season.Baines has provided more assists, he has scored more goals, he has defended better – and he has been more consistent all season.Yet once again Cole was the name pencilled in to the 2010/11 teamsheet – alongside Bacary Sagna, Nemanja Vidic and Vincent Kompany.I’m sure Leighton will shrug his shoulders and just carry on playing as he has been – but there’s no doubt that getting an accolade like that from your fellow pros gives your confidence a massive boost.To know that your fellow pros rate you as the best in your position must be a great sensation – and it’s one that Leighton Baines should be enjoying right now.I know there was a time a few years ago when the PFA forms were treated a little light-heartedly in some dressing rooms.Players would try to get their mates into the PFA line-up and some would lark around making outlandish suggestions.But in recent years the whole PFA selection has been taken very seriously.I just don’t think the players have thought very long and hard about this season’s selections.Gareth Bale is a worthy winner of the PFA Footballer of the Year award, although it was a little strange that after having been voted as the best player in the overall award, he should only be a runner-up to Jack Wilshere in the Young Player of the Year voting!But having said that I don’t have any issues with either of the main awards – I just think the players might have shown a little more imagination in their team selection for this season. Bainesy won’t lose any sleep over the decision.I’m not sure how some of the players who voted for Ashley Cole can sleep at night though!Like I said, Cole is a superb left-back who I have huge admiration for – but there’s no way he’s had a better season than Leighton Baines.City bragging rights is a prize still worth well havingYOU’LL get no medals for finishing above Liverpool in this season’s Premier League – unlike 1985 and 1987, when if you finished above the Reds you were pretty much guaranteed a far greater prize.All you’ll get is the sense of pride from finishing above your city rivals.But for me that’s a prize still well worth having.Publicly, the Everton players and staff are refusing to get involved in any kind of talk about catching the Reds.But secretly you can guarantee every single one would love to finish above the Reds.There might not be any medals at stake, but it’s still a prize worth having!Magaye Gueye can be an Everton prize guy!LIKE David Moyes, I was quietly impressed with Magaye Gueye’s performance against Blackburn at the weekend – just as I have been when I’ve seen him play in the reserves earlier this season and on the handful of occasions he’s made it into the first team.He has decent pace, a good strike on him, good upper body strength and a decent left foot.If he can avoid the off-field distractions which sometimes affect young players he can have a good career in the game.I haven’t really seen enough of the young Greek striker, Apostolos Vellios, to make a similar judgement just yet, although if his performance as a late substitute is anything to go by he certainly has the appetite and the desire to make a success of his career.They are the qualities that Evertonians most want to see in a player – which is perhaps why we enjoy seeing youngsters given their opportunity.Gueye and Vellios could both be valuable additions to David Moyes’ squad – especially for next season – but there’s still plenty of work for both to do.
Everton can end their Old Trafford jinx
IT’S been far too long since an Everton team last won at Old Trafford.In fact it was so long ago I was still playing for Everton – although I missed that 3-0 victory over Alex Ferguson’s side through injury.But I did finish on the winning side a few times at Old Trafford, and I can never understand those people who say it’s an intimidating arena to play in.I’d prefer to call it inspiring.There were one or two moments though when I feared the worst facing Manchester United.I recall one match when young Neil Moore was making his first team debut and both Mooro and myself suddenly found ourselves isolated at the back as Kanchelskis, Giggs, Cantona and Mark Hughes all came pouring forward at us.I turned to Mooro and screamed: “Help!”We actually managed to clear the danger on that occasion and afterwards we had a good laugh about it.But generally I loved playing at Old Trafford and there’s no reason why the current group of players at Goodison shouldn’t enjoy next Saturday’s game as well.We’re on a good run of results, United will be devastated at losing to their neighbours in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final and they also have a game to play tonight.
Come on you Blues!
Leighton Baines ready to give up Everton FC penalty duties when Mikel Arteta returns
David Prentice Liverpool Echo
Apr 19 2011
LEIGHTON BAINES is ready to relinquish his penalty taking responsibilities at Everton – despite his latest successes from the spot contributing to a best ever personal goal haul.Baines nervelessly crashed in his sixth goal of the season against Blackburn on Saturday – despite a long delay before being allowed to step up to the spot.That conversion came just a fortnight after another late penalty earned a point against Aston Villa.But the defender accepts that as soon as Mikel Arteta is fit to return – which could be as soon as this Saturday at Old Trafford – the Spaniard will resume the penalty taking role.Arteta has scored 12 of his 14 efforts for Everton and hasn’t failed since he fired over the bar in a UEFA Cup tie against Zenit St Petersburg in 2006.Baines, whose only miss himself came in a penalty shoot-out against Chelsea, said: “Mikel will rightfully assume that responsibility when he comes back into the side. “He’s been the main penalty taker at the club for a while and it’s something he’s very good at.“I’ll continue to back him up and when he’s not there I’ll willingly step up.“But I’m chuffed to bits with six goals this season. There’s a couple of pens in there, but you’ve still got to put them away.“That’s definitely the most I’ve got in a season.”Baines smashed home his second successful penalty of the season on Saturday, after two successful conversions last season – and his style has given opposing goalkeepers little chance of making a save.Baines explained his technique. “It’s horses for courses and it depends how you feel. Sometimes you will know subconsciously before you get there what you’re going to do and other times you have to think about it a bit more.“On Saturday I tried consciously not go down the middle because I did that last time.“It was a case of picking either side, but as long as it goes in it doesn’t really matter what you do.”Baines also had words of praise for Everton’s opening goalscorer against Blackburn, Leon Osman.The midfielder is currently enjoying some of the best form of his Blues career and Baines declared: “Leon has really stepped up to the plate for us. He has been outstanding.“We’re missing some really key players and it needed someone to step up like that. He does a little bit of everything. He’s winning headers, flicking balls on, chasing people down and showing his quality as well when he gets the ball played into him.“He’s all over the place at the moment and doing at least two jobs for the team if not more. It’s important to have players who will work that hard for the team as well as show their ability as well.”The victory over Blackburn took Everton to within two points of Liverpool, but like his boss and his team-mates Baines preferred to play down how big a motivating factor catching their neighbours had played in the Blues’ recent form.“We always knew if we kept plugging away we wouldn’t be too far away come the end of the season,” he said.“Although it was disappointing early on we’ve finally given the fans something to get a little bit excited about now and I’m sure they’re happier watching us keep clean sheets and score a few goals now.“There’s some big games coming up and if we can, as we have been doing in the last few weeks, get those results we’ll see where it takes us.”
BLUE PENS: EVERTON'S TOP POST-WAR PENALTY SCORERS
David Unsworth (23 (from 26 attempts)
Trevor Steven 22 (from 28 attempts)
Roy Vernon 19 (from 20 attempts)
Graeme Sharp 18 (from 22 attempts)
Joe Royle 14 (from 19 attempts)
Everton FC boss David Moyes insists Blues don’t need new owners
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 19 2011
DAVID MOYES believes Everton need new investment, not new owners at Goodison Park.And the Blues boss insists that his side doesn’t need ‘a zillionaire’ to gatecrash the Premier League’s elite.Everton have been seeking new investors for years.But while Liverpool have been bought and sold twice in that time – and Manchester City, Aston Villa, Manchester United, West Ham, Birmingham, Newcastle and Saturday’s visitors Blackburn all have new owners – Everton’s search has proved fruitless.But Moyes insists the Blues have the right people already in place at Goodison and that the club could be ‘very good for not an awful lot of outlay’.Blackburn have struggled since the Venky’s Group took over at Ewood Park and Saturday’s defeat leaves them facing a relegation battle.Moyes used that example to underline his belief that: “New ownership isn’t always the solution to everything.” He added: “What you want is the right people and the right people are already at Everton.“We don’t need new owners, we need new money."But if you want new money, that tends to come with new owners.“We don’t need new owners, we need an investment of money.“Everton could be very close to being very good for not an awful lot of outlay."It might not be one of those clubs that needs £3-400million to turn it around.“The stadium needs investment obviously, but maybe one side can be developed to start with."I’m not sure, something like that.“Maybe the football team doesn’t need £100m. "Maybe the football team needs an amount that would give it a chance to breathe again and grow a little bit more.“That’s maybe why we don’t need a zillionaire.”Asked how a club of Blackburn’s status and size could attract new owners before Everton, Moyes added: “Maybe Blackburn’s debt is less (than ours) and they have a stadium that’s already in place. If you ask me, those would probably be the reasons why.“Not that our debt is excessive for a club our size in England, that’s for sure. It’s probably more to do with our stadium.”Everton face leaders Manchester United on Saturday before playing relegation- threatened Wigan the following weekend.Their remaining home games feature two other top-four sides in Manchester City and Chelsea.The fixtures hold no fear for defender Phil Jagielka, who feels the Blues now have nothing to lose.He said: “The pressure is off in the league so let’s go out there and try to win as many games as we can.“The fans have had a frustrating time this season as well as the players and we want to put that behind us.”
TOFF FOR DAVID MOYES
ABOVE: David Moyes' Everton are on course for a fourth top-seven finish in five seasons The club needs enough to give it a chance to breathe and grow a bit. Everton boss David Moyes
19th April 2011 By Neil Johnston (The Daily Star)
DAVID Moyes insists that cash-strapped Everton do not need a “zillionaire” to bring the glory days back to Goodison.The Toffees manager’s movement in the transfer market is limited due to lack of funds. Everton are £45m in debt and chief executive Robert Elstone has warned there will be no “big transfer war chest” this summer. But David Moyes reckons potential new investors would not have to spend a vast amount on the team – just enough money to take it to the next level. Everton are on course for a fourth top-seven finish in five seasons and Moyes said: “We could be very close to being very good for not an awful lot of outlay. “The club needs enough to give it a chance to breathe and grow a bit.”
David Moyes: Everton don't need new owners, just new money
Club need new investment, says the Everton manager
New ownership isn't always the solution to everything'
David Hytner guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 19 April 2011
David Moyes, the Everton manager, said an investment injection would give the club a chance to breathe a little. David Moyes has voiced his concern that Everton's search for new investment will necessitate a change of ownership at the club, insisting he does not need multi-millions to take the team forwards.Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman and majority shareholder, has made no secret of his willingness to sell to an appropriate party but no deal has yet materialised, with Moyes having to spend only what he has raised through player sales for the past three years as a consequence. While desperate for funds to improve his squad with a new striker, the Everton manager does not view an overhaul in the boardroom as an obvious solution for the club's problems."New ownership isn't always the solution to everything. What you want is the right people and the right people are already at Everton," said Moyes. "We don't need new owners, we need new money. But if you want new money, that tends to come with new owners."We don't need new owners, we need an investment of money. Everton could be very close to being very good for not an awful lot of outlay. It might not be one of those clubs that needs £300m-£400m to turn it around."The stadium needs investment obviously, but maybe one side can be developed to start with. I'm not sure, something like that. Maybe the football team doesn't need £100m. Maybe the football team needs an amount that would give it a chance to breathe again and grow a little bit more. That's maybe why we don't need a zillionaire."Blackburn Rovers's visit to Goodison Park on Saturday, and a 2-0 defeat that has left Steve Kean's team just two points above the relegation zone, provided Moyes with a salient reminder of how new ownership can adversely affect a Premier League club. Rovers have plummeted down the table since Venky's replaced Sam Allardyce with the inexperienced Kean, although the ability of the Walker Trust, Blackburn's former owners, to find a buyer led many Evertonians to question why Kenwright has been unable to do the same."Maybe Blackburn's debt is less than ours and they have a stadium that's already in place. If you ask me, those would probably be the reasons why," said Moyes. "Not that our debt is excessive for a club our size in England, that's for sure. It's probably more to do with our stadium."
Everton 2 Blackburn 0
Barclays Premier League.
Sporting Life April 19 2011
Second-half goals from Leon Osman and Leighton Baines plunged Blackburn further into Barclays Premier League relegation trouble this afternoon. Steve Kean's lacklustre Rovers side, now without a win in nine games, struggled to contain Everton at Goodison Park and were punished when a deflected Osman shot went in after 54 minutes. The visitors hardly tested home goalkeeper Tim Howard and Baines put the game beyond them with a 75th-minute penalty after Phil Jones fouled Seamus Coleman. The game went exactly to the form book with Rovers having failed to win away since December. The result left them in a perilous position just above the relegation zone while Everton, extending their unbeaten run to seven games, moved within a point of sixth-placed rivals Liverpool. overs put had aside recent controversy to bring back defender Gael Givet for the contest following the damaging blow of losing the influential Ryan Nelsen for the rest of the season. French defender Givet reportedly missed last week's draw against Birmingham because of a tax dispute.
David Dunn and former Barcelona trainee Ruben Rochina also featured as the dangerous Junior Hoilett failed to overcome a hamstring injury and Morten Gamst Pedersen was dropped to the bench. Everton were unchanged from the side which thrashed Wolves last week but Coleman and Jack Rodwell both returned off the bench after ankle injuries. Everton should have claimed a second-minute lead when Jermaine Jones inadvertantly put Jermaine Beckford through with a backwards header but the former Leeds forward blasted over. Chris Samba cleared a dangerous Baines cross and, moments after Osman claimed he had been pushed in the box, the Rovers captain deflected a shot from Phil Jagielka behind. Everton's positive start was undermined after 15 minutes wheh John Heitinga was forced off with a hamstring injury but Rodwell took his place. Referee Kevin Friend had a word with Baines after a reckless challenge on Jermaine Jones midway through the first half but chose not to book the England left-back. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov controlled the ball well on the edge of the area to create a chance for Phil Neville but the Everton skipper, who scored his first goal in three years last week, shot over. Everton continued to dominate possession but Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson, another Baines cross aside, had little to concern him. Osman had a chance in first-half injury time but shot his shot lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Robinson. Both sides showed greater urgency as the second half got under way and Rovers went close as Dunn drove forward and got away from Tony Hibbert to curl a shot wide. Everton upped the tempo in response and created a series of good chances before claiming a deserved lead. Magaye Gueye, after a frustrating first half, got into the game more and charged into the box after his own ball for Beckford was half-cleared and blasted narrowly over. Baines then went even closer with a powerful low effort from 30 yards which almost shaved the post. Their opener came after Bilyaletdinov skipped over a challenge from Givet and had a shot deflected behind. Gueye took the corner short to Osman, who effortlessly sidestepped Rochina and fired in a shot which flew in at the far post after a deflection off Samba. Gueye went close again before leaving the field to a standing ovation and being replaced by Coleman, who immediately worried Rovers with a cutting run down the right. Rochina perhaps showed his frustration at his role in conceding the goal when he earned a booking for a rash challenge on Hibbert. Another bad tackle, this time by Phil Jones on Coleman in the box, put the game beyond Blackburn as Friend pointed to the spot. Baines made no mistake he stepped up to fire his second penalty in three games into the roof of the net. Rovers' fortune was summed up moments later when Jagielka and Baines collided trying to head clear a bouncing ball and substitute Pedersen somehow shot wide from six yards. Everton continued to finish strongly and Robinson tipped over a header from Bilyaletdinov at the far post in the closing moments.
Teams:
Everton Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Gueye (Coleman 65), Neville, Heitinga (Rodwell 15),Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Beckford (Vellios 85).
Subs Not Used: Mucha, Anichebe, Mustafi, Forshaw.
Booked: Baines.
Goals: Osman 54, Baines 75 pen.
Blackburn Robinson, Salgado, Phil Jones, Samba, Givet (Pedersen 67), Emerton, Dunn, Jermaine Jones, Olsson,Rochina (Mwaruwari 81), Santa Cruz (Roberts 61).
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Kalinic, Hanley, Diouf.
Booked: Dunn, Rochina, Phil Jones.
Att: 35,857
Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
7 Shots On Target 2
10 Shots Off Target 2
9 Fouls (Conceded) 17
10 Corners 1
2 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
Blue Watch: Everton FC’s star duo Leon Osman and Leighton Baines were fitting goalscorers
by Gary Porter, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 20 2011
HOW fitting that Leon Osman and Leighton Baines were the men on the score sheet as the Blues enjoyed another easy win on Saturday. Osman has been the key figure in Everton’s recent surge up the table and was once again outstanding as a woeful Blackburn team were swept aside in a dominant second-half display. The 29-year-old has taken on the responsibility of pulling the strings in the middle of the park and driving his in-form team forward. Simply put, Osman has led by example. Let’s not underestimate his current run of form, he has taken games firmly by the scruff of the neck and prospered where certain big-name absentees have failed over the course of the season. He is always looking for the ball, consistently executing the right pass and popping up in scoring positions. In truth Osman should have more goals to his name, especially given the chances he had against Villa, but that’s the only blot on his copybook at the current time. Leighton Baines’ expertly taken spot-kick to secure the three points typified the confidence he has in his game at the moment, and as Everton’s most consistent performer this season looked a certainty for the PFA Team of the Year. They say Premier League footballers are not the brightest bunch, and those who voted to give Ashley Cole the left-back berth have done themselves little favour in altering that view.
Granted I don’t watch Cole every week, nor would I ever want to, but I can’t imagine that he’s outperformed Baines this season. For a start his stats pale in comparison to Baines. Cole has not scored a single Premier League goal this season while Baines has notched up a healthy six. But the damning evidence lies in the assists column. Cole has created just two Premier League goals compared to Baines’ 11. Only Dani Alves at Barcelona, who cost the Spanish giants £30m, has created more goals for his team than Baines in the whole of Europe since 2008. A phenomenal statistic and testament to the ability of the Kirkby-born defender. Tim Cahill has generally been hailed as Moyes’ greatest bargain buy, and it’s difficult to argue with that given the impact he’s had on the football club. But maybe over a longer period of time Baines will take over that mantle.
At £6m he’s proven to be an absolute snip.
Leon Osman has become so important for Everton FC, says John Heitinga
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 20 2011
LEON OSMAN has been hailed as an integral reason for Everton’s strong finish to the season.
The diminutive midfielder picked up yet another man-of-the-match award when scoring in the 2-0 Premier League win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend. It was Osman’s third goal in the seven-match unbeaten run that has seen David Moyes’s side propel themselves from the fringes of the relegation zone to challenging neighbours Liverpool for a top-six berth. And with the 29-year-old having also supplied a clutch of assists, his efforts are hugely appreciated by his team-mates. “Osman has been playing really well, especially in the last few weeks,” said John Heitinga. “He has scored some important goals – against Newcastle and Aston Villa in particular – and his assist for Beckford’s goal at Wolves was really good. “He is a very important player for the team and I think he knows his team-mates appreciate him. “Hopefully he can carry his good form on until the end of the season.” With 17 points from the last 21 available, Everton remain top of the form league and retain an outside chance of European qualification. And Heitinga added: “We are playing really well at the moment. “We have had some good results and we are feeling positive. “There is still a chance we could qualify for Europe and we will try our hardest. “We know it is going to be hard but the way we are playing anything is possible.” Heitinga hobbled off after just 16 minutes on Saturday with a hamstring problem that could rule him out of this weekend’s visit to Premier League leaders Manchester United. The Dutchman was replaced by Jack Rodwell, the England under-21 international making his first appearance following a month out with an ankle injury. And he said: “It is good to be back. “I have missed quite a lot of this season with a few injuries “I had an ankle knock but it is better now and it felt good to play. “It was unfortunate for Johnny to get injured but I hope to take my chance now. “We have been short for the past few weeks but I was back and Seamus (Coleman) was also. “I think there are a few more lads who are not too far away now so hopefully we can carry on as we are and finish the season as strongly as possible.” Coleman was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award but was beaten to the prize by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere on Sunday night. But an impressed Rodwell believes the Irishman will succeed him as Everton’s young player of the year. “I am buzzing for him,” said the midfielder. “We are really close and it is great to see him doing well. “He has had a great season and that is shown by his PFA nomination and I am sure he will get young player at Everton as well. “I have really enjoyed watching him this season.
“He is just so exciting and when he gets the ball all the fans get out of their seats. He has also come up with quite a few goals and assists which is really good to see.”
Everton FC captain Tim Cahill shouldn't play in Australia friendlies says David Moyes
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 20 2011
DAVID MOYES has urged Tim Cahill to consider ruling himself out of all Australia’s future friendlies and help extend his Everton career. Moyes admits he does not know if Cahill will play again this season as he continues to struggle with a long-standing foot problem. The injury has limited the 31-year-old to just 69 minutes of action since February 26, with the midfielder already deciding to opt out of Australia’s scheduled two friendlies in June. Moyes claims the problem has been exacerbated by Cahill helping his country to the Asian Cup final in January despite being well short of full fitness.
And while acknowledging the importance of international duty, the Everton manager believes Cahill has reached the age where he must ensure his commitment to Australia does not threaten involvement at Goodison. “Tim needs to look after himself,” said Moyes. “But Tim is too big a name in Australia not to play for them at all, I want him to keep playing for them. But Tim maybe needs to consider if he should miss playing in the majority of the friendlies for his country. I would never tell someone not to play for their national team. But if they played in all the games, it would affect their selection for their club. “I don’t want him to stop playing for Australia. But having gone to the World Cup last year and then played in the Asian Cup, it’s probably been too much for him. “Tim is 31 now. When you get to that age, you actually have to train more to keep yourself fitter. But you have to rest and recuperate as much as you can as well. “We’ve given Tim time off and tried to give him a holiday here and there, we’ve tried to help him recharge his batteries. But the injury is making it difficult for him. “He doesn’t owe us the break, he owes himself it. If he wants to continue playing at the level he has over the years, then he has to start considering how he can get the best for himself.”
Of Cahill’s ongoing problem, Moyes added: “He had the injury at the Asian Cup and hasn’t been fit since he came back. He probably played in some games he shouldn’t have over there. “He’s tried to play a few games but his foot hasn’t been quite right. He had it last summer and the year before as well. “He could be back tomorrow but it could be he isn’t back for a while either. It’s an injury that can clear up quickly, it isn’t one you can put a length of time on.” Cahill accepts the constant demands of both club and country commitments have finally taken their toll, leading to the midfielder’s decision to put his feet up in the close season. “I’ve played seven years (with) no rest in the summer, probably more,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve got a foot problem but I’m buzzing. I love football and I love playing for my country. “But also I think common sense has to prevail. I missed the Germany game (in March) and I’ll probably miss the next couple of games because they’re friendlies. “For me, when it’s competition and it’s something where I’m going to win something or get something out of it, then I’ll be back playing. But at the moment now my main focal point is the Premier League and obviously doing well for my club.” And having appeared – and scored – for Australia in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the South Africa finals last year, Cahill is determined to complete a hat-trick by starring for his country in Brazil in 2014 at the age of 34. “Everyone knows me already – if I’m fit then I’m there, end of,” he said. “I never say no to my country. It’s one of those questions that I get asked every year, after every Australia game. It’s simple – if I’m fit then I’m there, if I’m selected then I’m there.”
Jack Rodwell: Seamus Coleman will scoop prizes at Everton FC
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 20 2011
JACK RODWELL believes team-mate Seamus Coleman won’t finish the season empty handed.
The young Irishman was nominated for the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award this season, but was pipped for the prestigious prize by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere. But Rodwell is confident the defender will get some consolation at the club’s own Player of the Season awards next month.
“We are really close and it is great to see him doing well,” said Rodwell. “He has had a great season shown by his PFA nomination and I am sure he will get young player at Everton as well.” Rodwell, who picked up the club’s Young Player award himself last season, added: “I am buzzing for him. I have really enjoyed watching him this season. He is just so exciting and when he gets the ball all the fans get out of their seats. He has also come up with quite a few goals and assists.” “We have been short for the past few weeks but I was back against Blackburn and Seamus also. I think there are a few more lads who are not too far away.” The Blues hope that Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill could both be available at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Everton FC boss David Moyes tells Tim Cahill - beware the burn-out
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 20 2011
DAVID MOYES has urged Tim Cahill to pick and choose his Australian international commitments – in order to avoid being burned out by friendly fire. The Everton talisman reiterated his desire this week to play in his third World Cup tournament in Brazil in 2014, when he will be 34. But Moyes believes that his high intensity Australian needs to start listening to his body in order to prolong his playing career at the highest level. “Should Tim consider not playing in any more friendlies for Australia? I think so, but I would never tell someone not to play for their national team,” said Moyes. “But if they played in all the games, it would affect their selection for their club. “Tim needs to look after himself. But Tim is too big a name in Australia not to play for them at all, I want him to keep playing for them. But Tim maybe needs to consider if he should miss playing in the majority of the friendlies for his country. “He doesn’t owe us the break, he owes himself it. If he wants to continue playing at the level he has over the years, then he has to start considering how he can get the best for himself. I don’t want him to stop playing for Australia. “But having gone to the World Cup last year and then played in the Asian Cup, it’s probably been too much for him.” Cahill was riding high in the Premier League’s goal-scoring charts when he left for the Asian Cup on January 1. He picked up an injury during that tournament, hasn’t scored since his return and has been forced to spend time on the sidelines rehabilitating. Moyes added: “He had the injury at the Asian Cup and hasn’t been fit since he came back. He probably played in some games he shouldn’t have over there. He’s tried to play a few games but his foot hasn’t been quite right. He had it last summer and the year before as well.
“He could be back on Saturday but it could be he isn’t back for a while either. It’s an injury that can clear up quickly. It isn’t one you can put a length of time on. “He’s missing the games as he wants to give himself every chance to be fit for next season. “Tim is 31 now. When you get to that age, you actually have to train more to keep yourself fitter. But you have to rest and recuperate as much as you can as well. “If you look at the main clubs, they try and pull their older players out of the firing line for a few weeks here and there. We’ve given Tim time off and tried to give him a holiday here and there, we’ve tried to help him recharge his batteries. But the injury is making it difficult for him.”
Cahill has taken his manager’s words on board. Australian football officials are hopeful of scheduling friendlies against Serbia and New Zealand in June, but Cahill has already hinted he will take no part in the fixtures. “I’ve played seven years (with) no rest in the summer, probably more,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve got a foot problem but I’m buzzing. I love football and I love playing for my country. “But also I think common sense has to prevail. I missed the Germany game and I’ll probably miss the next couple of games because they’re friendlies. “Aat the moment now my main focal point is the Premier League and obviously doing well for my club.” Cahill’s debut for Everton after signing from Millwall in 2004 was delayed by his involvement in the Olympic Games in Athens. The following summer Australia were involved in the Confederations Cup and Cahill has also been to two World Cups and Asian Cup competitions. But Cahill is determined to make it to the 2014 Brazil finals should the Socceroos qualify – although he admits he hopes to be fighting for his place against an improving younger generation of Australian footballers. “Everyone knows me already – if I’m fit then I’m there. End of (story),” he added. “I never say no to my country. It’s one of those questions that I get asked every year, after every Australia game. It’s simple – if I’m fit and I’m selected then I’m there. “Hopefully by that time there’ll be some great youngsters that are pushing us out of the team and going on and doing greater things. “But if I’m selected then I’ll 100% be there.”
Belles target second WSL win at Everton
John Buckley
By Steve Hossack Women’s Football
20 April 2011 09:35
DONCASTER Rovers Belles hit the road again tonight in the FA Women’s Super League with a visit to fancied Everton. Belles’ boss John Buckley admits it will be a testing game for his new-look side.
“I don’t think anyone expects us to win at Everton,” he told The Star. “They will be one of the big hitters in the new league along with Arsenal and Birmingham.” But Belles will go into tonight’s game with their confidence boosted by the 1-0 win at big-spending Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in their first game in the new eight-team league last Wednesday. Long-serving midfielder Vicky Exley scored the only goal of the game in the first half. “We were different class in the first half and could have gone in 3-0 up,” said the former Doncaster and Rotherham winger. “Precious Hamilton did brilliant up front. She could have scored a hat-trick. “We had expected a tough match because of the quality of the players they have signed, and it was. They had a lot of possession in the second half and they had two or three chances, but the girls worked really hard in defence and often put their bodies on the line.” Buckley felt that tactically he got it right against the Imps - a side he knew liked to get the ball down and pass it around. But says he may be forced to adopt a different game-plan tonight due to Everton’s physical presence in midfield. “They’ve got two girls in the middle of the park who are over six foot so if we play like we did at Lincoln the second balls are going to be behind us,” said Buckley. “But if we give them space to play the ball out of defence then they are going to cause us problems because they are all internationals, so we’ll have to come up with something.” Everton were held to a 3-3 draw Liverpool in their opening game.
Natasha Dowie earns Everton Ladies a point with equaliser
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 21 2011
FOR the second game in succession, Everton needed a Natasha Dowie equaliser to secure a point as their stuttering Women's Super League campaign continued with a draw against Doncaster Rovers Belles. Everton dominated from the moment Precious Hamilton had given Doncaster a fifth minute lead. But it took until the 60th minute for the equaliser to arrive and Everton had chances to win it after that. From the visitors' first attack Hamilton lashed the ball in, the goal standing despite a suspicion of handball in the build up. Then the onslaught began. Handley picked out Dowie and the forward's persistence eventually allowed her to fire past Alderson to earn a point.
Everton FC reserves end season with victory at Blackpool
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 21 2011
EVERTON Reserves ended their season with a 2-1 win over Blackpool. The result moved them off the bottom of Northern Group B at the expense of the hosts. Everton were 2-0 up at half time at Bloomfield Road, with Victor Anichebe putting the visitors up after 28 minutes. The Nigeria international lobbed Tangerines keeper Paul Rachubka from the edge of the box. Blackpool tried to get back into it right from the kick off but instead an Everton counter saw them double their lead.
Latest first team debutant Adam Forshaw raced forward and exchanged passes with Tyias Browning before crashing home to double the lead. Blackpool pulled one back after half-time, but Everton held on for victory.
Everton FC captain Phil Neville insists club can end season on a high and make the top six
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 21 2011
PHIL NEVILLE believes Everton have “a good chance” of ending their season with a flourish and securing another top-six finish. The Goodison outfit extended their unbeaten Premier League run to seven games with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Blackburn Rovers last weekend. Such a run of form has been achieved despite a clutch of senior squad members missing due to a succession of injuries. With five games remaining, Everton stand just two points adrift of sixth-placed neighbours Liverpool and an outside chance of Europa League qualification. And while facing a difficult test on Saturday with a trip to league leaders Manchester United, skipper Neville is confident of a fifth top-six finish in seven seasons. “We are seventh at the moment but our aim now is to get into that sixth place,” said the 34-year-old. “We are on a nice little run and with five games to go we have a good chance. “We have got to take the games one at a time and get as many points as we can.” The win over Steven Kean’s Blackburn continued David Moyes’s excellent record against fellow Glaswegian managers this season. The pair are among the six current Premier League managers to hail from the Scottish city, with Everton’s defeat at Owen Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers the only time Moyes has lost out to another manager from his birthplace. Moyes will take on another Glaswegian at the weekend at Old Trafford, having guided Everton to a 3-3 draw against Sir Alex Ferguson’s United back in September. And he said: “It is great to get more Glaswegians in the Premier League, we will be taking over soon! “I think we have all been brought up well and the SFA (Scottish Football Association) coaching courses have a lot to do with that. “Football means so much to supporters in Glasgow and you are brought up with it.” Meanwhile, Shane Duffy has returned to Finch Farm following a month-long loan at npower Championship side Burnley. Duffy made one appearance for the play-off hopefuls against Ipswich earlier this month and was an unused substitute in four subsequent games. And Burnley manager Eddie Howe has reiterated he is considering a permanent move for the centre-back when the transfer window opens in the summer. “Part of the reason we took him was to look long term with Shane,” said Howe. “We’ll wait and see how pre-season goes for him and what his options are and how Everton feel, but he’s done himself no harm and he goes back with our best wishes.”
Blackpool reserves 1 Everton 2
Chris Basham
20 April 2011 16:10
Blackpool Gazette
POOL reseves lost 2-1 to Everton in today’s reserve clash at a sun-drenched Bloomfield Road.
Chris Basham got the Seasiders goal in the second half, but two strikes within 60 seconds of each other in the first period settled the game in the visitors favour. Pool started well, with Andy Reid looking in good nick and spraying the ball around in trademark fashion. Sergei Kornilenko also worked hard, while youngsters Adam Dodd and Liam Tomsett were impressive in midfield. Tomsett in particular stamped his mark on the game and used the ball well. Victor Anchebe, who has been a regular for Everton’s first team, opened the scoring on the half-hour when he raced onto a throughball behind right back Chris Basham and lobbed keeper Paul Rachubka. Neat finish, though Rachubka might have been wiser staying on his line. Then, seconds after the contest had restarted, Adam Forshaw increased the advantage when he latched onto a right wing cross and despite scuffing his shot a little, the ball ended up in the bottom corner. Pool pulled a goal back 15 minutes from the end when Chris Basham, captaining the team and playing at right back, headed in after good work by Billy Clarke on the left. Clarke took another step towards fitness by having a busy 90 minutes, which included a couple of good efforts on goal. Louis Almond, back from a successful loan stint at Barrow, also tested keeper Adam Davis with a decent effort. Pool did well second half in fact, benfitting from a couple of half time substitutions - Brett Ormerod and Ludovic Sylvestre coming on - and producing a spirited performance. Ian Holloway watched the game from the stand, Steve Thompson was in the dugout.
Pool: Rachubka, Basham, Mitter, Eastham, Sbai, Tomsett, Reid (Martin 60), Dodd (Sylvestre 45), Almond. Kornilenko (Ormerod 45), Clarke. Subs not used: Halstead, MacDonald, Martin
Everton: Davis, Browning, Garbutt, Kinsella, Mustafi, Nsiala, Craig, Forshaw, Vellios, Anchebe, Lundstram. Subs: Fitzgibbon, Bidwell, Hope, Donegan, Forrester
Ref: Mr C Harwood
Everton FC Ladies 1 Doncaster Rovers Belles 0
Liverpool Echo
Apr 21 2011
FOR the second game in succession, Everton needed a Natasha Dowie equaliser to secure a point as their stuttering Women's Super League campaign continued with a draw against Doncaster Rovers Belles. Everton dominated from the moment Precious Hamilton had given Doncaster a fifth minute lead. But it took until the 60th minute for the equaliser to arrive and the Toffees had chances to win it after that. From the visitors' first attack Hamilton lashed the ball in, the goal standing despite a suspicion of handball in the build up. Then the onslaught began as Helen Alderson palmed a Jody Handley cross away from under her own bar, Dowie volleyed straight at the keeper and Fern Whelan headed a corner over. Handley was again denied by Alderson on the half hour and soon Dowie's prod was also repelled by the keeper. But Doncaster occasionally looked threatening and Rachel Brown was called into action at the end of a half which ended with Fara Williams' dipping volley.
Handley slashed a volley over the bar just after the restart then Dowie chipped wide when one-on-one. Next Gwen Harries' effort was cleared off the line but it was only a matter of time before parity was restored – and the two protagonists would come as no surprise. Handley picked out Dowie and the forward's persistence eventually allowed her to fire past Alderson from an acute angle. Jill Scott hooked a volley onto the roof of the net and Toni Duggan's point blank effort was snuffed out as Everton sought the winner. But the best chance of securing three points came with three minutes left when Alderson superbly tipped over from Dowie.
Everton FC Reserves 2 Blackpool Reserves 1
Liverpool Echo
Apr 21 2011
Everton Reserves 2 Blackpool Reserves 0
EVERTON reserves ended their season with a 2-1 win over Blackpool. The result moved them off the bottom of Northern Group B at the expense of the hosts. The Toffees were 2-0 up at half time at Bloomfield Road, with Victor Anichebe putting the visitors up after 28 minutes. The Nigeria international lobbed Tangerines custodian Paul Rachubka from the edge of the box. Blackpool tried to get back into it right from the kick off but instead an Everton counter saw them double their lead.
Latest senior team debutant Adam Forshaw raced forward and exchanged passes with Tyias Browning before crashing home to double the lead. The two-goal salvo stunned Blackpool and though they were able to pull one back after half time, the Toffees deserved their win.
Everton FC letters: Tim Cahill is so important to the Blues' prospects
Apr 21 2011
TIM CAHILL is a proud Aussie and, rightly or wrongly, he wants to play every game against every opposition. If I were Australian I would want him playing every match, whatever the stakes and whoever foots the bill. We are very lucky to have such a passionate, honourable and decent representative of our club and, as much as I hope he bins off the friendlies for Australia in favour of Everton, I respect and support his choice either way as he is such a rare breed. Oh but for eleven Tim Cahills in the England first eleven. The last time that happened was at least a generation ago.
Blooblud
A SOLID performance by Everton against Blackburn which confirms David Moyes now has selection dilemmas when Fellaini, Cahill and Arteta return from injury. The Toffees may not have been spectacular but it was another clean sheet which have been very few this season. The reason for this defensive improvement is that Everton have been defending well as a unit, which coincides with the criminally underrated Phil Neville’s reversion to central midfield. But it would be advisable for next season that Everton invest in a tall powerful centre back to play alongside Distin as both Jagielka and Heitinga lack height. There’s still a lot to play for starting with the Red Devils this coming Saturday and why not throw Vellios on from the start alongside Beckford. For statistical purposes Everton have only lost eight of the last 44 league games.
David, Aintree
I KNOW Cahill is a proud Aussie, but his country doesn’t pay him in excess of £50,000 a week to play for them. More talented and decorated players than him have retired from international football at around his age in order to optimise their club form, and that’s without the drain of travelling all the way around the world. It’s do-able in your 20s, but less realistic in your 30s, and unless Cahill realises this I suspect he’ll become even more of a peripheral player than he already is.
Staygold
THE rights and wrongs of Tim Cahill’s commitment to playing for Australia are obviously open to continued debate amongst the fans, especially with the pressures of the Premier League, domestic and European cup competitions having an increasingly negative effect on supporters ‘excitement’ at their club’s players being selected for international duty. With Tim Cahill in particular though, when he went off to play in the Asian Cup at the beginning of January, I certainly didn’t expect that it would effectively be the end of his Everton season.
blue1961
TIM CAHILL is our talisman – everyone’s afraid of him and he’s fearless.
We need him fit for next season.
engulfed55
AS EVER, David Moyes talks a lot of sense about the ownership issue. The club has to be run sustainably and if that means building slowly and looking for investment so be it; rather than becoming the plaything of dubious characters looking to squirrel money away in a Premier League club – witness the gaudy freak show of the City of Manchester stadium. I for one am proud of the way Everton compete with clubs who are spending their way to success while remaining locally owned.
Miketheblue
DAVID Moyes has hit the nail on the head, we DO need money but not new owners. However, they come hand in hand. I’m not naive enough to think someone will invest 10s of millions with no intention of having any control. Having billionaire owners doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to gain success. I’m sure when Bill Kenwright finds someone who actually has money, as opposed to just saying they have money, and has the interest of EFC going forward, he’ll sell. But only then should he sell.
babysop
Everton FC jury: Blues fans on the Blackburn win & the trip to Man Utd
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 21 2011
Leon Osman and teammates celebrate against BlackburnCole Fraser: Everton FC are now winning games without much effort IF ONLY the season started in January. It feels almost routine now, for Everton to finish the season in great form. Before Christmas, we could barely buy ourselves a win; how times change. Now, with a severely depleted squad, we're winning games without much effort.
Plaudits go to Leon Osman, who has really turned his season around. In Mikel Arteta's absence, Ossie has taken on the role of play-maker and hasn't disappointed. There probably hasn't been a better time to face United this season. On Tuesday they looked to be suffering a hangover from their semi-final loss. Hopefully they won't be able to regroup in time for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off. Beating United, in their own backyard, won't be an easy task. There is always the chance that we will suffer the backlash of their Wembley humiliation. Fingers crossed we can end our Old Trafford jinx. Debbie Smaje: Everton FC can approach the game against Manchester United with confidence UNITED away isn’t exactly the ideal fixture to be extending a good run of form! While many feel United are far from unbeatable this season, their home record speaks for itself with only two points dropped. I think most of us will be happy with a point! But we have been playing very well lately, and if we carry that on and approach the game with confidence, there is no reason we cant get something. We have played very, very well against United on their last two trips to Goodison, so why fear them? We have absolutely nothing to lose, so why play for a 0-0 draw we probably won’t get? There is the possibility, too, of Cahill and Arteta returning, but even if they don’t, the current team have been doing fine in their absence. Maybe it’s because the pressure is off now, or they’re just taking their chances, but they deserve their places at the moment.
Lee Molton: Everton still have it all to play for with five games remaining THE Blues must go to Manchester on Saturday with no fear and belief that they can get a good result. Man United maybe about to win the League but they are not a great team and are certainly beatable. If the Blues can play with some belief then we can get a draw or even a win. The midfield of United is not as good as it used to be, we must match them and compete. It is time for Rodwell to stand up and prove that he can match it with the best in the League. We won’t get many chances so we have to take any that come along. The aim for the season now is to finish above Liverpool, which would be a great achievement when you look at how much money they have spent on players compared to what we have spent. Only five games to go, but still all to play for Blues. Richard Knights: It’s Everton’s best chance in years to get a positive result at Old Trafford IT’S the fag end of the season with nothing to play for. Injuries to our best players – Arteta, Fellaini, Cahill, Saha, and a subs’ bench that looks like the old Youth Training Scheme, a bunch of willing lads with no experience. But we are Everton, so being contrarians we produce our best form in unlikely circumstances. As a fan, I never really enjoy the Old Trafford experience – overpriced tickets and parking charges, getting body searched by over-zealous stewards before you even get in and then the knowledge that any banner that doesn't profess undying love for Man United and all of its players will be instantly seized and confiscated by jobsworth officials. As for the 'atmosphere' (Everton fans excluded) how can 70,000 football fans be so quiet? Shhhhhh... This Saturday it's our best chance for years of getting a result. Good to see at Wembley that United haven't lost the art of losing gracefully – not.
Everton FC skipper Phil Neville says he feels fitter than ever
Liverpool Echo
Apr 21 2011
PHIL Neville has explained why he was happy to reject a January move to Spurs – as he admitted hoping to emulate former teammate Ryan Giggs’ longevity. Neville will be hoping to dent his old friend’s title hopes on Saturday when Everton visit Old Trafford to face his former club. But while Neville could be considered a veteran of the top flight aged 34, he is still three years younger than Welsh wizard Giggs. Neville, who was flattered by Tottenham’s pursuit in January despite being happy to stay at Goodison, said: “I think at my age you tend to take it one season at a time but I feel as fit as I ever have. "I feel great and like I can go on for at least another two or three seasons. "We are eight months into a long, hard season and I feel as fit and as fresh as I have done for a while. “I look at someone like Ryan Giggs and he is an inspiration to all of us. "He looks as fit and as quick as he always has done and is still one of the best players in the Premier League. "I am trying to follow his example and do all the right things and look after myself. “I have got one year left on my contract and I always plan my season ahead and when I come back for next season my plan is to be ahead of everyone else, to be fitter than everyone else.” Neville is still loving life at Goodison so much that he was prepared to knock back a second chance of playing Champions League football with Tottenham, who made two offers with manager Harry Redknapp keen to add to his squad ahead of the knockout stages of this season’s competition. “It was quite simple really,” added Neville, who appeared in front of more than 200 Season Ticket Holders at a fans' forum at Goodison Park on Tuesday night. “Tottenham came in with a bid for me and Everton said ‘no’. As Everton captain I was in a great position, I knew that and I love playing for this Club. “Everton were open and honest with me, they told me all about it. It was an opportunity for me to go and play Champions League football. “The club told me all about it but also said that I was the captain and they wanted me to stay and that is it really. End of story and we move on.” A run of five wins and two draws from the last seven games has transformed the Blues’ season and that run of form has coincided with the experienced Neville switching to midfield. “I really enjoy playing there,” he added. “I felt for a while I fancied a move back in there, to get some experience in the middle. You can see the game much better from there, you can influence the game more and influence your teammates more. “I came here as a central midfielder and I am enjoying being back in there. It also helps that Tony Hibbert is playing so well at right back.”
Tim Howard: Manchester United will be scared of in-form Everton FC
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 21 2011
TIM HOWARD insists Manchester United will not relish hosting in-form Everton this weekend – despite their 19-year winless streak at Old Trafford. The Toffees goalkeeper is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task facing David Moyes’s men as they go in search of Everton’s first victory in the home of the Red Devils since 1992. But the former United keeper believes that the Blues will take the game to Alex Ferguson’s title-chasing side. He said: “The way we’re going, they won’t take us lightly. It would be massive to go to Old Trafford and get a result because not many teams go there and do it. “We know we’ve got our work cut out going there and doing it, but we’ve been in great form and although it’ll be hard we’ll give everything. They will take it to us but we feel good about ourselves.” Howard, who admitted Everton’s lack of wins against the red half of Manchester means Old Trafford is not his favourite away ground, is delighted with the current resilience in the Goodison camp. Everton are unbeaten in seven, and hope to be able to include Mikel Arteta in their squad for the visit to Manchester. “There is that backs against the wall chemistry again,” said the 32-year-old. “We’ve got some of our best players out but it says a lot about the team and the manager and staff that we rally around each other. “We’ve gone on the training field with six first team players but we enjoy the training and eachother’s company. “That shows in our performances and the results have come. It shows what the players feel about putting the shirt on.” Meanwhile, Shane Duffy has returned to Everton after a brief loan spell with championship side Burnley. The Ireland U-21 defender only featured once for the Clarets during an emergency 28-day period, but boss Eddie Howe has confirmed he could be back in for the youngster.
“Part of the reason we took him was to look long term with Shane,” the Burnley manager said.
“We’ll wait and see how pre-season goes for him and what his options are and how Everton feel, but he’s done himself no harm and he goes back with our best wishes.”
Leeds United: Former Everton trainee gets Whites pro deal
FIRST SIGNING: Manager Simon Grayson hopes Zac Thompson will soon be pushing for a first-team place.
21 April 2011 Yorkshire Evening Post
Leeds United have handed young defender Zac Thompson a professional contract – with reserve coach Neil Redfearn optimistic that deals will follow for other academy players. Thompson has signed a year-long agreement at Elland Road less than six months after joining the club from Everton as a second-year scholar. The 18-year-old full-back has appeared regularly for United’s second string during his short spell in West Yorkshire and Leeds tied him to professional terms within hours of the end of their reserve campaign. The club are assessing their entire batch of second-year scholars with a view to adding a number of them to their senior squad, and as many as six under-16s are set to take up scholarships with the academy at Thorp Arch. Redfearn said: “Zac’s been accepted as a professional, which is great news for the academy. “All the second-year scholars are up for assessment as far as getting a professional contract goes, and I hope a few of them will. “From the under-16s, we’re looking at six coming through to supplement the academy and become first-year scholars. “The process always continues but I like what we’ve got here and I hope a few of them have got what it takes.” Thompson was injured in a recent reserve match against Middlesbrough and did not appear in either of the final two games of the totesport.com League East Division term but he was among the more eye-catching of the junior players used by Redfearn towards the end of the campaign. First-team manager Simon Grayson said: “He’s now got time to develop and we’ll be looking to see him pushing to be in and around the first team.
'Gutted' David Moyes: Everton have no money to buy big stars this summer
April 21 2011 The Metro
David Moyes admits he is ‘gutted’ Everton cannot compete with the Premier League’s big spenders to bring in any star names this summer. Everton manager David Moyes admits he will be strapped for cash this summer (Getty) ..Everton continue to punch above their weight under the Scot, standing seventh in the top flight - six points off a Europa League place. Moyes helped lead the club to fourth, and a Champions League qualifier, in 2004-05 but they have since struggled to match that achievement as the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham have spent big on players.
Everton, who go to leaders Manchester United on Saturday, have remained stable under the 47-year-old in his nine years at Goodison Park. But when asked how he felt about other clubs’ big signings, he replied: ‘I'm gutted we are not always able to compete. 'I hate it in the summer when I have to hear everybody signing players and we have not – but we still have to compete. ‘My job is to compete and I try to do that and, to be fair, we have done what we can and will continue to.’
The former Preston manager also believes Everton’s chance of qualifying for Europe has passed them by for this season, but he insists: ‘We have been a little bit unlucky. 'I think Everton need European football and I think I need it as well. It has been really important and unfortunately it looks as if we won’t get it this time.’ Yet Moyes is confident about the future and happy on Merseyside.
‘I am confident because everybody at the club in under contract,’ he said. ‘Last year we had a lot of interest in Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta. The one thing our chairman is very good at is that we have the majority of our players, if not all, on long contracts. ‘If anybody did come [in] it could cost a lot of money [to buy] our players because we value them highly and I don’t want to lose them.’
Howard Kendall: Why I’m not surprised Leighton Baines was wrongly left out of the PFA team of the year
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 22 2011
LEIGHTON Baines should have been in the PFA team of the year without a shadow of doubt.
It makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing that he was left out at the expense of Ashley Cole, because based on this campaign the statistics between the two barely compare. Baines has more assists and has helped a less expensively assembled team drag itself to seventh in the table. I’m not sure the PFA voting system has become more professional than when I was in management, when you’d often see voting forms screwed up on the floor or simply binned. Players should think carefully about their choices and recognise players outside of the top four like Baines.
Howard Kendall: Super tipster Graeme Sharp gave Goodison book-makers the Blues
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 22 2011
GRAEME SHARP will always be an Everton fans’ favourite but the bookies at Goodison Park won’t be singing his praises! Before last weekend’s game against Blackburn, Sharpie correctly predicted the Blues would win 2-0 with Leon Osman first scorer and told the entire lounge he was entertaining to back it. Sure enough they did – and the bookies ran out of money. I spoke to one bloke who was told to come back with his betting slip at the next home game because they didn’t have enough left to pay out. I only wish Sharpie had shared his insight with me! It was a very comfortable victory in the end, and I was surprised by how poorly Steve Kean’s team played. They didn’t seem to have any penetration or desire to get the ball into the box. With Leon Osman pulling the strings in that free role behind Jermaine Beckford Everton had easily enough to overcome the Lancastrians. Ossie has been the stand-out performer in recent weeks and will have given David Moyes a bit of a dilemma for the future. The way Leon has been playing, there is absolutely no way he should make way when Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta return to fitness. Osman is enjoying the responsibility and thriving on the burden of making all the chances. It will be interesting how Moyes juggles the midfield when he has it back at full strength, and he does seem to thrive when numbers are low. I’m sure Graeme Sharp and the occupants of Goodison’s lounges will be championing Osman’s cause as well – most of them probably enjoyed a drink on his behalf.
David Prentice: Remembering an unusual goal by Everton FC against Manchester United in the Screen Sport Super Cup
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 22 2011
“GARY LINEKER probably never scored a good goal in his life. It would always come off his chest, his shin or it would get a rebound off the goalkeeper.” So said mealy mouthed Fergie this week. Not for the first time, though, the Manchester United misery was wrong. The season before he took over at Old Trafford, Lineker scored two very good goals against United – and was responsible for a goal which did go in off a striker’s shin. A Manchester United striker. Frank Stapleton was playing emergency centre-half – an odd position for the odd Screen Sport Super Cup competition – when he chased a Lineker lob over Jim Leighton towards the Gwladys Street goal. Frank clearly thought he had enough time to control the ball before it crossed the goal-line. He had the time, but not the technique. The ball bounced off his shin and in for the only goal of the game. Even Alex Ferguson might have laughed. Or perhaps not.
Everton FC’s Seamus Coleman does not want this season to end
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 22 2011
PERHAPS more than anyone at Everton, Seamus Coleman does not want this season to end.
While David Moyes and his side are finally enjoying the belated surge in form they hoped would span for much of this campaign, Coleman has been in dreamland for much longer. The 22-year-old made his full Premier League debut for the Blues against Fulham last September and has not looked back since. Fast forward seven months, and those cavalier early displays from the bench have been turned into consistently impressive starts, as Coleman has cemented his place in the first team. It has, by his own admission, been an unexpected rise to prominence - but Coleman’s wonder-season was truly capped by a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award eventually won by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere. “I was at home and my dad phoned to tell me to look on the PFA website,” says Coleman about his good news earlier this month. “I was delighted. The first thing I did was ring my brother and I couldn’t wait to spill it. “I wasn’t expecting it at the beginning of the year, it would never have been on my mind. “It was just nice to be mentioned among those names. I was scrolling the web page looking at the other lads nominated with me and it was sinking in.” While Coleman’s focus at present is regaining his place in the Everton team at Old Trafford tomorrow after returning from a brief injured spell, he admits to still being irked over a separate PFA nomination, this time an omission - and a glaring one. Leighton Baines’ absence from the team of the year, in favour of England first choice left-back Ashley Cole, infuriated everyone connected with Everton from Finch Farm to the Gwladys Street. “I was very surprised about Bainesy. A lot of people were to be honest,” says the Donegal-born defender. “If you look at his stats alone that should answer the question. Ashley Cole is obviously a top player as well but I think it was unfair considering the way Leighton has played this season. “He’s probably been one of the best left backs in Europe not just the Premier League. I might be biased because he’s a friend but if anyone deserved it, it was him.
“Everyone at Everton knows it should have been him though. He’s had a fantastic season and been our best player, nobody doubts that, and I think he’ll take some consolation from that.”
Coleman has weighed in with six goals from 35 appearances so far this season after being deployed on the right wing by Moyes, but he continues to take inspiration from Everton’s flying left-back.
“It’s unbelievable how many assists Baines has got,” he says. “He’s the perfect role model if I go back to right back. A solid defender who is excellent going forward. He’s fit and fast and some of the crosses he puts in are inch perfect, he lands them flush on people’s heads. “He has everything a full back needs and I look up to him. Watching him in training is an education, I learn from it all the time.” Coleman clearly still relishes being a footballer, after only turning fully professional aged 17 when he signed for Sligo Rovers, and is full of praise for his more experienced team-mates.
One who has caught his eye particularly, along with the rest of the Premier League, is in-form midfielder Leon Osman. “Ossie has been on fire for the last two months,” he says. “He’s probably been one of the best players in the Premier League lately. It’s his close control, crossing and goalscoring that stands out - Ossie is a class act.” Now Coleman is hoping players like Osman and Baines will carry their form into the late season’s acid test, as they make the short trip up the M62 tomorrow to take on a side most of his school friends supported. “A lot of my mates at school were United fans. It was half United and half Liverpool,” says Coleman. “Old Trafford has got a special excitement for me. The first fixture I look out for already is the derby but the United game is next. I was on the bench at Old Trafford last year and it was great there. The lights were on and the atmosphere was amazing. “I've played at a few good stadiums since I broke into the team but United’s would be up there among the best. I’d love it if I got some game time against them.” If Everton can become the first Toffees side to beat United at Old Trafford in 19 years, it will leave them eight games un beaten - but Coleman is as frustrated as anyone that this form has come too late for a top four challenge. “It would have been better at the start of the season obviously, and then something we could keep going and winning games,” he says. “We wish it had come earlier, but it hasn’t and we just need to make sure it lasts until the season is over now. “If we knew what to do to stop a slow start we’d have done it this summer. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s not like we go out and think we’ll have a slow start - the intention is to win every game. But we are determined to keep this momentum going and take it into the start of the next one.”
Everton FC’s Seamus Coleman says his Everton first team place is more important than international football for now
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 22 2011
SEAMUS COLEMAN says keeping his place in the Everton team is his priority over the lure of international football. The 22-year-old made the tough decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad for last month’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia with an injured ankle. Coleman insists he was unwilling to risk a lengthy lay-off by remaining with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad, even though he was desperate to win his first senior cap. The PFA young player of the year nominee nevertheless had to miss Everton’s games against Aston Villa and Wolves and wants to make up for lost time by helping Everton to a rare victory at Old Trafford tomorrow. He said: “I didn’t want to leave the Ireland camp at all, I was desperate to stay but I knew it wasn’t right.
“I’d be the type of player if I was maybe 70 or 80% fit I would try to play, but it just wasn’t right and I had to be honest. “At the end of the day Everton is the most important thing to me. They pay my wages and I had to come back and get on with it. “It’s natural to worry about losing your place while you’re out. “That’s the way football is though, I got in because someone was injured. We’ve got a good squad here and you know people can always come in and jostle for positions.” Coleman is now fully fit and hoping to reclaim his place in David Moyes’ side for the visit to Old Trafford, with Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill both facing fitness tests. And Cahill is feeling optimistic about Everton’s bid to steal sixth place from city rivals Liverpool. He said: “We're two points behind Liverpool – they've just spent £75million, excluding wages, in this January window. “So yes, this season has been disappointing and hard to take, but every year we've got something out of what we have.” Cahill has not featured for the Blues since a substitute appearance in the 2-0 win over Sunderland back in February but is nearing a return to full fitness. “The fitness is actually going quite well,” he said. “I've had a foot problem since after the Asia Cup. But hopefully I'll be back in the next couple of weeks with Mikel and a couple of the other lads to help fly the flag again.”
Everton FC's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov eyes end to 19 years of hurt at Old Trafford
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 22 2011
DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV is convinced Everton are in the mood to end their 19-year wait for victory at Old Trafford. Not since August 1992 have the Goodison outfit beaten Manchester United on their own ground, Peter Beardsley, Robert Warzycha and Maurice Johnston scoring in a 3-0 win. However, David Moyes’s side make the short trip down the M62 on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run and an impressive record against the six teams above them in the table. Only Arsenal – twice – have defeated Everton, who can boast a healthy return of 13 points from nine games against the top six. And Bilyaletdinov, enjoying his best run of games for the club this season, believes the atmosphere within the squad augurs well for the visit to the Premier League leaders.
“These games are great and always exciting,” said the Russian winger. “I look forward to playing against the big teams. “It is a great test for us because we are playing against what is probably the best team in the country at the moment, but we are playing well and hopefully we can get points at Old Trafford. “We have played very well in the second half of this season and there is a good atmosphere at the club at the moment. We have won our last two games against Blackburn and Wolves and are playing well.” Everton have lost only two of their last six meetings with United and scored twice in injury time in September to earn an unlikely 3-3 home draw against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. And Bilyaletdinov added: “We played really well this season in the game that ended 3-3. Hopefully we can play like that again on Saturday and get more points against them.”
Although Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman returned from injury in the 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers, John Heitinga is a major doubt tomorrow after limping off with a hamstring problem.
But Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta are both closing on a comeback from their respective foot and hamstring problems. “The fitness is actually going quite well,” said Cahill. “I’ve had a foot problem since after the Asia Cup, I played on with it for a bit. But hopefully I’ll be back in the next couple of weeks with Mikel and a couple of the other lads to help fly the flag again.” Cahill has targeted a top-six finish by overhauling neighbours Liverpool during the final five games of the campaign.
“We’re two points behind Liverpool – they’ve just spent £75million, excluding wages, just in this January window,” said the Australian. “So when I look at it now, yes this season has been disappointing and hard to take, but the evaluation of our situation is that every year we’ve got something out of what we have.” Cahilll, who penned a new contract last year, added: “I wouldn’t have signed for this club if it wasn’t for the chairman and the manager, and that’s half the reason why I stayed. “You look at young players that I watch every day in training like Ross Barkley, Jose Baxter, Jack Rodwell, and Seamus Coleman who we spent £50,000 on. “We do see what’s going on, and we do share the same passion as the fans. I’ve been here seven years and I was lucky to grow up with Ferguson, Stubbsy, Carsley, Kilbane and Naysmith. Every player that has left has always said ‘I wish I didn’t go as early as I did’.”
Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka: we don't know how good Jack Rodwell can be
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 22 2011
MINDS will be very much focused on the here and now at Old Trafford tomorrow, but the presence of at least one player is sure to set tongues wagging over the future. Everton make the short journey down the East Lancs Road looking to strengthen their claims for a top-six finish by putting a significant dent in Manchester United’s title challenge. And amid the flurry of an intense North West derby, eyes will inevitably fall on Jack Rodwell. The 20-year-old returned from a spell on the sidelines as an early substitute last weekend to help David Moyes’s side stretch their unbeaten run to seven games with victory over Blackburn Rovers. Rodwell is expected to retain his central midfield role tomorrow when he comes up against the team that has been heavily linked with a potential move for the youngster during the summer transfer window. Certainly, Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer of Rodwell, and while Moyes has already stated he would not welcome any fresh offers for the £20million-rated player, Everton are braced for a fresh approach in the coming months. Rodwell – who made his debut as a 16-year-old in December 2007 – has endured an intermittent campaign, sidelined for 10 weeks in the autumn due to an ankle injury and out for a month with his latest problem. And team-mate Phil Jagielka believes the midfielder has only tapped his undoubted potential. “Obviously it’s nice to see Jack back and, hopefully, he will stay fit for the last four or five games,” says the centre-back. “It’s hard to say how good he will be, because although he’s been in and around the first team for three years, he needs to play 30 or 40 games a season before we can answer it. “The potential he’s got is frightening, and we have no doubts he will be that good, but you can’t rate him as highly as you’d like until he’s played a whole season. He knows that as well. “He was desperate to play more this season, but had a few injuries, maybe came back a bit early, and it’s all about form. “You can have it for one or two games, but you need it for five or 10. We probably do miss him in midfield when he’s not there, because you can see he’s so comfortable on the ball, running with it, and with the range of passing he brings to the team.
“So the answer to how good he is, is that yes, he’s good, but as to how good he will be only time will tell.” Tomorrow’s fixture is infamously the most one-sided in Premier League history, with Everton having lost 27 of the 37 meetings with United while winning only four.
However, Moyes’s men have lost only two of the last six clashes in all competitions, winning 3-1 at Goodison 14 months ago and scoring twice in injury time to secure a 3-3 home draw earlier this season. nited have dropped only two points at home all season, but Jagielka believes an in-form Everton can cause a surprise tomorrow. “There’s no fear going to Old Trafford,” says the 28-year-old. “At the end of the day people have said we’ve got no skill, no players, we’ve got under-17s on the bench, and all sorts, but we have won five and drawn three of our last eight league games.
“There would be pressure going there if we only had 33 points, but we’ve got a few more than that. The gaffer’s not won there either, so it would be fantastic for us and the players to get a good result.
“If we put up a good account and make it hard for United then great, but there’s no reason we can’t go there and win. We went to Wolves and got battered for 15-20 minutes, and scored three really good goals. “We know now how to see out games and how to defend. It might not be pretty all the time, but if you look around the changing room everyone is confident.” Jagielka adds: “We’ve shown they are beatable. “In the FA Cup semi-final a couple of years ago it was similar to this time, when they are going for more than one trophy, and realistically they’re always favourites. “We’ll hope maybe Sir Alex will decide to rotate a little bit as well.” Born in Sale and brought up in Altrincham, Jagielka grew up as a United fan but has no qualms over helping prevent his boyhood team winning a record 19th championship. “If United are playing I want them to win, but it doesn’t go beyond that,” he says. “If we beat them and they lose the title because of it then so be it.
“We want to prove we have a good team because unfortunately that little bit of luck and the start we had have cost us a better league position.”
Squad sheets: Manchester United v Everton
Guardian. Friday 22 April 2011
A home match against a mid-table side is attractive to any team in sight of the title, but this fixture might not be as simple an exercise as it appears for Manchester United. Everton have not lost a Premier League match since mid-February and that form has taken them to seventh place. With matches against Arsenal and Chelsea to come, this is a critical phase for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who cannot afford any more of the drabness seen in the goalless draw at Newcastle United. Kevin McCarra
Venue Old Trafford
Tickets Sold out
Last season Manchester United 3 Everton 0
Referee Peter Walton
This season's matches 22 Y75, R6, 3.68 cards per game
Odds Manchester United 1-2 Everton 15-2 Draw 17-5
Manchester United v Everton: probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Manchester United
Subs from Kuszczak, Rafael, Ferdinand, Obertan, Anderson, Owen, Bébé, Park, Berbatov, Giggs, Brown, Evans, Fábio
Doubtful Berbatov (groin), Rafael (knee), Ferdinand (calf)
Injured Lindegaard (knee, May), Hargreaves (shoulder, Aug), Fletcher (virus, May)
Suspended Scholes (second of three)
Form guide DWWWLL
Disciplinary record Y50 R3
Leading scorer Berbatov 21
Everton
Subs from Cahill, Gueye, Anichebe, Mucha, Baxter, Mustafi, Vellios, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala
Doubtful Cahill (foot), Baxter (hamstring)
Injured Heitinga (hamstring, 30 April), Saha (ankle, May), Arteta (hamstring, 30 April), Fellaini (ankle, May), Barkley (leg, April)
Suspended none
Form guide WWDWDW
Disciplinary record Y45 R3
Leading scorer Cahill 9
Match pointers
• Everton have won only four of the 37 Premier League meetings with Manchester United
• Manchester United have won their last 12 Premier League home games in a row
• Everton have scored three goals in the 90th minute or later in their last two Premier League games with United
• United have won 14 and lost none of the last 17 Premier League games against Everton at Old Trafford
• Everton have not won three league away games in a row since December 2008
Manchester United v Everton: Preview
April 22, 2011
Manchester Evening News
Dimitar Berbatov
Sir Alex Ferguson will check the fitness of leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov before deciding whether to include the Bulgarian in his plans for Manchester United's Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Old Trafford. Berbatov missed Tuesday's goalless draw at Newcastle with a minor groin strain and with the Champions League semi-final first leg clash with Schalke looming, with Ferguson will not want to take any chances even though United are looking to avoid failing to score in three successive games for the first time since 2007. Paul Scholes serves the second game of a three-match ban and Darren Fletcher (virus) is still out but full-back Rafael (hamstring) returns. In theory,the game represents one of the easier fixtures of the season. Everton have not won a league game at Old Trafford since 1992, during which time they have only managed a couple of draws.
However, after a difficult start to the season, David Moyes' side are top of the form table and even retain an outside chance of landing a Europa League spot, although that would depend on Manchester City finishing outside the top four. "Everton have done exceptionally well," said Ferguson, whose side blew a two-goal lead in stoppage time at Goodison Park in September when the Toffeemen grabbed a 3-3 draw. "David Moyes has had to cope with a mountain of injuries over the last few weeks but they have still churned out the results. "It is never going to be easy against Everton. It is a local derby of sorts. "But our home record is fantastic and so is our performance level." Although United dropped two more points on the road at Newcastle on Tuesday, immediately after the disappointment of losing their high-profile FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City, United have failed to win just once on home soil this season, when they let a two-goal lead slip against West Brom in October. With the only two sides who could deny them a record 19th league title still to play - Arsenal at the Emirates on May 1 and Chelsea at Old Trafford seven days later - it could be argued the result is irrelevant. It is not a view Ferguson shares. "If we win tomorrow, we will only have four games left and we will have a six point lead," he said. "That is the way I am looking at it. I am not looking beyond that." Key pair Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill could return for Everton's Barclays Premier League trip. Arteta has missed four games with a hamstring injury while Cahill has been troubled by a foot problem for the past month. Midfielder John Heitinga is doubtful after hobbling out of last week's win over Blackburn with a hamstring injury. Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are both pushing to start after substitute appearances last week but Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are long-term absentees.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Gibson, Anderson, Park, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen.
Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Osman, Rodwell, Neville, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Arteta, Cahill, Gueye, Anichebe, Mustafi, Baxter, Vellios, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala, Mucha.
United league form: LWWWD
Everton league form: DWDWW
Key opponent: Tim Cahill - has a habit of popping up in the right places for Everton
Prediction: United 1 Everton 0 - United's home form should see them through
Manchester United v EVERTON: Heavyweights Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill set for return
Daily Mail
22nd April 2011
Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill could return for Everton's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United. Arteta has missed four games with a hamstring injury while Cahill has been troubled by a foot problem for the past month. Deadly duo: Arteta (left) and Cahill are in line to return for the Toffees Midfielder John Heitinga is doubtful after hobbling out of last week's win over Blackburn with a hamstring injury. Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are both pushing to start after substitute appearances last week but Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are long-term absentees.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Osman, Rodwell, Neville, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Arteta, Cahill, Gueye, Anichebe, Mustafi, Baxter, Vellios, Forshaw, McAleny, Nsiala, Mucha.
Royal Blue: Everton FC loan star James Vaughan has hit a wall on loan at Crystal Palace...literally
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
SPARE a though for James Vaughan, formerly of this parish and currently nursing a sore hand and even sorer ego.The out on loan forward apparently broke his hand when he punched a dressing room wall in anger after his current club Crystal Palace’s home defeat by rivals Scunthorpe United.Now Vaughan has never had any luck with injuries, and should be the last person who will want to consign himself to the treatment table with self-inflicted ailments.The news that Palace fear being without him for their crucial run in as they try to avoid relegation from the npower Championship will be a blow to manager Dougie Freedman.Freedman talked Vaughan into making the step-down to kick start his career and has been delighted with the striker’s form.Typically though, it is not the fractured bone in his hand that looks like ruling Vaughan out, but damage to his ankle.“James reacted out of frustration and there was an incident that saw him damage his hand," said Freedman. "It looks like he has broken a bone but he can play with that. It's the ankle that is a sore and if anything stops him playing it will be that."Vaughan probably feels daft for his outburst, but he is also entitled to feel aggrieved by his ongoing injury jinx in general.
Royal Blue: Former Everton player Ronny Goodlass to hold sports persons dinner in Liverpool
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
WHEN HE isn’t telling it like it is on BBC Radio Merseyside, former Everton player Ronny Goodlass dedicates his time to charity.His Health Through Sport charity has a sports persons dinner taking place at the Devonshire House Hotel on Friday May 20, 2011.The guest speaker will be ex-Arsenal and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, with stand-up from Sean Styles.The top table will include Joe Royle, Graeme Sharp, Barry Horne, Derek Mountfield, Dave Hickson, and John Bailey.A three course meal and coffee and mints will be served, along with a raffle and auction.
Royal Blue: Everton FC stars reveal their fantasy box guests
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
DAVID MOYES granted an affable interview to Eurosport this week when he discussed everything from his first car to Everton’s hopes for the summer.But the amusing first part of the interview, which can be found on Eurosport’s site, showed a relaxed, personal side of the Toffees manager rarely seen in the media.Before talking football, the interviewer asked a series of Desert Island disc-style questions that elicited some surprising, funny and moving answers from the stoic Glaswegian.
It’s a theme that has been replicated in Everton’s match-day programmes this season, as part of a fun feature called ‘In the Box’ where players reveal who they would invite along if they had one of Goodison’s hospitality boxes for the day.Moyes, who for the record, first owned a sky blue Volkswagen Golf, admitted he would have been a PE teacher if he had not made it in professional football, although he doubted whether he would have got the qualifications.He also divulged a penchant for TV cookery programmes, and revealed he would like Billy Connolly or Sean Connery to play him in a film of his life, although it would probably be just a “tall, ugly Glaswegian”.His fantasy dinner party guests would be his mother, Celtic legend Tommy Burns, and Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue – who he admitted fancying.And it’s not just Moyes who hinted at his sense of humour and softer side with his answers.First team coach Jimmy Lumsden found room for people as varied as Jock Stein and tennis player Andy Murray, but his surprise selection was Lulu.“Another one who grew up in Glasgow and went on to reach the top of her own profession. Lulu is the same age as me...although you wouldn’t think it to look at her.“She’s been around in a very volatile business for a long time, so she seems to be a strong personality, which she doubtless got from her Glaswegian upbringing. She would add a touch of glamour to my guest list as well.”Midfielder Jose Baxter had a varied list including Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon, but his invite for Beyonce raised the biggest laugh.“She could sing after we finished eating and I’m sure the rest of the guests would enjoy that.“And it’s no bad thing that she’s nice looking as well. I’m really into chilled out R’n’B. I went to the MOBO awards at the ECHO arena last year and it was really good.“I enjoyed it, She might bring her husband Jay-Z along too. But he wouldn’t be getting in.”For French striker Louis Saha, hosting the make-believe box took on a more philosophical tone. Once he’d finished talking goal-scoring with ex AC Milan poacher George Weah, and dancing with Michael Jackson, he’d settle down for a chin-wag with God.“Well why not? he wrote. “I think everyone would like to meet God and have a chat about all sorts of things.“I would have a few questions of my own because I think it is difficult to understand some things which happen on this planet sometimes.”Seamus Coleman also invites Wacko Jacko along (mainly so he could teach Jack Rodwell some dance moves), along with Will Smith (for his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alter ego) and Muhammad Ali.But it’s his inclusion of team-mate Leighton Baines that really raises the eyebrows - surely not someone he sees everyday at work?He explains, “I’m not exaggerating here - I have never gone a day without being made to laugh by Bainesey.“Some of the things he says are just brilliant. I don't even think he tries to be funny half the time, but he’s got that sense of humour where he’s always got the one-liners up his sleeve ready to go.“He can be pretty dry at times, but he’s easy come, easy go too, and it’s very important to have people like that around at the training ground.”It’s a varied selection, and a feature that keeps producing comedy every weekend.
Barry Horne: Old Trafford hoodoo has to end sometime for Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
I AM surprised at how often Everton fans suggest to me that their side “usually does ok” against Manchester United.This is quite a commonly-held view, though I have no idea why.The misconception seems to be universal, even though it is fully 19 years since we won at Old Trafford.Indeed, it is that long since we tasted success there, that the last victory was actually one of my first games for the club, back in 1992, at a time when the redevelopment of Old Trafford into the vast arena it is today was only just beginning.That day, in front of an eerily empty Stretford End, we ran in second half goals through Mo Johnston and Robert Warzycha, to add to Peter Beardsley’s strike on the stroke of half-time winning 3-0 against a side which would go on to win the inaugural Premier League title. In our current form, of course, we should travel confidently, but under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have developed the fine art of getting the job done at the business end of the season, and of winning matches when playing below their very best.There is very little pressure on the shoulders of Everton players of course, other than the desire to finish as high as possible in the Premier League table, and to perhaps top the terrific run with which they finished last season.Then, they managed to end the campaign 11 games unbeaten, but this season there is a chance to go one better, which would be a huge credit to the players, after a slow start to the season. There have been some terrific games in the Premier League of late, and hopefully this will be another.
Barry Horne: Blackburn Rovers victory was as easy as they come for Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
0ShareAdd a commentRecommend I was lucky enough to be at Goodison Park lastweek to witness as easy a victory as you will see in the Premier League, with Blackburn swept aside.Indeed, had Everton been able to turn good positions into goals, the win may have been even more comprehensive. Jermaine Beckford (pictured), in particular, may have opened the scoring in the first few minutes, but chose to take his chance first-time, when a touch to steady himself may have been the better option.Taking such opportunities early is usually the sign of a striker bang in form, but equally a touch of composure can be effective, and is perhaps something to work on for Beckford, whose movement and timing of runs creates countless chances.It is no coincidence that Everton’s fine run of form of late has come at a time when Leon Osman is enjoying his longest run of starts all season. As I have said previously, he is an excellent player, and he is flourishing in the absence of star men Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta, and following the departure of Steven Pienaar. His turn and sweet strike was a decisive moment on Saturday, at a time when the crowd were beginning to get a touch restless.Such was the one-sided nature of the game, Blackburn boss Steve Kean’s post-match comments were baffling to say the least. His assertion that his side were “excellent” in the first half was particularly wide of the mark.It appears to be a standard tactic for managers to defend their team and deflect criticism, but equally a touch of honesty is sometimes called for, and Blackburn’s players and fans will know they were well beaten.Indeed, come the season’s end, the club’s new owners may be grateful for the points accumulated under Sam Allardyce, which may just save them from relegation.
Manchester United v Everton FC Preview: David Moyes takes encouragement from evergreen Alex Ferguson
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
unhealthy pressures of football management may currently be headline news, but David Moyes is uncommonly calm. The Everton boss says his side are under no pressure ahead of today’s visit to Manchester United, a fixture they have not won in 19 years, and he is currently showing not a hint of resignation or strain despite a season of mixed fortunes.Instead, just as he has learned so much about football from his opposite number in the dug-out at Old Trafford tomorrow, Moyes is following the Alex Ferguson route to contentment.It may be the tallest of tall orders for the Blues to beat the Red Devils in their own back yard – United have taken 52 of 54 available points at home all season – but the sunnier disposition of Everton’s own recent form is proving infectious at Finch Farm.Far from fretting about snatching sixth place from Liverpool, Moyes is aware the real pressure will be on Fergie’s title chasers today, and he admires how his fellow Glaswegian copes with the constant strain.“He doesn’t look any worse than he did five years ago,” says Moyes, after a week that has seen his friend, Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier, hospitalised with chest pains.“He’s unique in that aspect. He is out at dinners, taking the training, out every day and just keeps going.“We talk about the stresses that can come into management and he’s amazing.“The level of the big games he has got must be a strain, all the preparation it involves, and he’s doing it all the time.“He will have really good people around him.“I’m sure he’s looking to see how he can continue to build at Manchester United, but I can see him wanting better all the time.“His team have ground out results in their own way, especially early in the season and they’re more in their rhythm now than they have been at any other time.”Moyes accepts that Ferguson’s retirement might give other Premier League managers a chance at more success – but insists the 69-year-old must keep going as an example of vitality in old-age.“It’s a great thing that he doesn’t retire – especially for other managers,” says Moyes. “He’s a big help to managers and encourages the younger ones. If you want to speak to him he’s there to help – I had an offer of a job at Sheffield Wednesday when I was at Preston once and I remember going to see him about it.“We’re getting into a world where people are having to work longer for their pensions so it’s good to see that he’s doing it.“It should encourage other people of like age to keep working and keep healthy. That’s what he does and not just in football terms, in general he’s a good example.”Despite being under no illusions about the task his players face today, Moyes says his players should be at ease.“We know we have to give it a go,” he says “But we are the ones who don’t really have much to lose.“We can go there in a good position for an early kick off and try and do something.“It is a great place to play your football but, having said that, you know you are going to play the best team in the country.“But we are going there in good form and I think we can give them a good game.”The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Goodison Park earlier this season, while that same fixture the year before produced a memorable 3-1 win for the Blues. Moyes feels those results provide evidence that his side have closed the gap on United. He added: “The games recently have been closer.“Apart from one game there the other year when we didn’t offer much, they have been closer.“We have done everything we can to make it tighter and we have got closer to them. We will go there and try to make it difficult. They have got another big game on Tuesday. We will try and make it as awkward and as hard as we possibly can.”The Everton boss has primed his rearguard to be extra alert to the threat of United’s latest young sensation, Mexican goalscorer Javier Hernandez, who has already bagged 18 goals in his debut campaign. It is, says Moyes, another example of United being shrewd in the transfer market.“I think what Manchester United have done is recognised it isn’t a particularly good market at the moment,” he says.“Yes they’ve spent, but the problem they have is that if Manchester United come knocking at your door, you want to ask for a bigger price. They’re aware of that and have tried to do it wisely and not get involved with outrageously big signings.“My market years ago would have been the English lower leagues, but as we’ve nearly depleted that we’re all in Europe looking. Now a lot of the players are from Africa, or places like Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina, where you obviously get some great quality players. Hernandez is one who was at a good price and has been great value.“The financial fair play rules will change things. Maybe this is the last year when people can spend outrageously. There have been a lot of over exaggerated prices recently.”
Leon Osman’s great form for Everton FC should be rewarded by England call-up, says David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
LEON OSMAN’S scintillating Everton form should be enough to warrant England recognition, says David Moyes.The Blues boss is hoping his thriving midfielder can help the Toffees to a rare victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford today, and believes it would be richly deserved if Fabio Capello considered the 29-year-old for his next England squad.He said: “Well, that would be great if they are (looking at Osman). I think that he’s sort of one that’s underneath since I’ve been here – he’s never just quite made the extra little bit, maybe to get involved with the England squad, but if that’s right that would be great.“He’s been a really good player for us.”Osman joined Everton as a youth player in 1997, making his first-team debut at the end of the 2003/04 campaign, Moyes’s second full season in charge.“He’s been a big part since I’ve come here, not just the recent form,” said Moyes. “He’s been very much right in there, doing as well as most people. He doesn’t maybe get the recognition or the plaudits he deserves a lot of the time.“He’s suffered a little bit with injuries in recent years, little bits at times that he’s been out, but overall he’s been an excellent player who we can rely on, we trust him and he’s done a really good job since I’ve been here.”Along with hoping Osman’s hot streak continues, Moyes is buoyed by the likely availability of Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta today.Both players have trained this week, and although they will be subject to late fitness tests, are expected to be included in the squad.Another player Moyes hopes to make an impact against the Red Devils is Leighton Baines, although Moyes did not disagree with Ashley Cole’s inclusion in the PFA team of the year, ahead of the Goodison defender. He said: “I have said many times I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in England, but I think Leighton Baines is just a tad behind him.“He needs to keep pushing very hard and improving, he needs to keep continuing his work and get better.“You can see that Ashley Cole over the years has kept going but I think Leighton Baines has been the ‘big mover’. He has done really well. I think he is getting closer to Ashley. For a while he wasn’t sure if he was maybe out of his depth at Everton, but I think he has grown into it.“A lot of people have come here and not started in the team – for Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines it has taken them to get into it in the way we want.“But in a way I think that is right because it meant the players in the team were fighting hard to keep in it while we had people like Jags and Bainesy trying to push them.“Leighton has matured, his football has got better. He has become a bigger part of the team now and is well integrated.“We like him and think he has had a really strong season.”
Everton 0 Manchester United 1: Final whistle report
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2011
EVERTON were denied any rewards for a hard-working display as they were sunk by an 84th minute Javier Hernandez header to propel Manchester United’s title bid.
The defeat means the Toffee’s winless stretch at Old Trafford grinds inexorably on – with 19 years and counting – as David Moyes’s men eventually succumbed to almost constant pressure from the Premier League leaders.Everton seemed to have weathered the storm, thanks to some superlative defending from their back four, but Alex Ferguson’s side created so many chances that a goal seemed inevitable in the second half.The Blues were fortunate in the extreme not to concede in a poor first period, and survived only thanks to heroic defending and poor finishing from the home side.Moyes’ men were losing the midfield tussle, surrendering possession too easily and failing to offer anything on the break.The chances against them stacked up ominously. Anderson was revelling in midfield, displaying a mouth watering array of passing, to first set up Javier Hernandez who tested Howard from an acute angle.Then Wayne Rooney carried the ball forward at pace and played in Nani, but the winger delayed too long and eventually opted to shoot when better placed to cross.Again United should have been ahead minutes later after a wonderful move of one touch passing saw Rooney stroke a deft ball into Hernandez’s feet only for Howard to pull of a stunning reflex save.Everton were under almost constant pressure throughout the half but fortunately Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin seemed in stoic mood.Despite their defiance, it was only good fortune that prevented Nani scoring near the break, when Antonio Valenica beat Leighton Baines for pace and cut the ball across to the Portuguese whose goal bound shot was diverted wide by Hernandez.Changes were inevitable at half time, and Tim Cahill made his return to first team action for the first time since March 18 at the expense of Bily, as Victor Anichebe replaced Beckford.The reshuffle energised Everton and gave them a belated slither of possession and attacking intent. Indeed the Blues were denied a credible penalty claim when Rio Ferdinand appeared to shove Anichebe over as he burst into the penalty area.But largely the Toffees still had to rely on the gargantuan efforts of Distin and Jagielka to keep United out.Jack Rodwell had struggled to make any impression, but could have given Everton the lead against the run of play with 20 minutes left when he forced a stunning save from Van der Saar with his deflected shot from long range.Alex Ferguson’s side had let their tempo drop and started to allow the visitors more time on the ball, and frustration gradually began to seep into their play.Buoyed by their ray of hope, Moyes’ side seized momentum and began to offer more at last.Still, Michael Owen hit a post and went close again shortly afterwards – but time and time again Everton’s ten men behind the ball left the Red Devils frustrated.Wayne Rooney tested Howard with a curling free kick and then drilled another wide, but the Blues were resolutely stubborn.Even when a goal seemed certain, Everton’s American goalkeeper denied Hernandez by tipping his point blank header over the bar.In his technical area, Ferguson crumpled with exasperation. Eventually though, with grim inevitability, the royal blue resilience faltered; Valencia beat Distin for pace for the first time all afternoon and whipped a deep cross into the area for Hernandez to head home.Referee Peter Walton added five minutes of injury time on, but the Blues were long since out of ideas and energy.
EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Rodwell, Neville (capt), Bilyaletdinov (Cahill, 45) Coleman (Gueye, 75), Osman, Beckford (Anichebe, 45).
Subs not used: Mucha, Vellios, Mustafi, Duffy.
Bookings: Cahill
Goals:
MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-4-1-1) Van de Saar, Da Silva, Ferdinand (capt), Evans, O’Shea, (Evra, 56) Anderson, Nani (Owen, 63) Gibson (Giggs, 75), Valencia, Rooney, Hernandez.
Subs not used: Brown, Carrick, Rafael, Kuszczak.
Bookings: Anderson
Goals: Hernandez (84)
Referee: Peter Walton
Attendance: 71,300
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 - EVERTON 0: RED-HOT HERNANDEZ
Sunday April 24,2011
By John Richardson
Sunday Express
A DENIS Law-type spring in the air and a devastating far-post header the Manchester United legend would have been proud of, surely sealed a record breaking 19th title. Javier Hernandez might be known as the ‘Little Pea’ but the Mexican crackerjack has sprouted into the big time at Old Trafford – and how. There were seven minutes of normal time left and the red tide had rolled all over Everton to no avail. The Stretford End were becoming nervy. Were United about to leave the door ajar for their title rivals? No chance. It’s not in their DNA. Antonio Valencia, who wouldn’t have a hair out of place in a storm, once again maintained his composure while others might have been reaching for the tranquillisers. Marauding down the right he cut in and crossed deep into the six-yard box. It was an invitation mere mortals might have passed up on. Not as far as Hernandez is concerned, and after a giant leap and firm connection with the head, Everton were done for.
The roar which greeted the South American’s 19th goal of his first season in English football would have registered at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. United now just need two more victories to make history. Liverpool, who share the record of 18 championships, are desperately close to being knocked off that famous perch. Ferguson said: “We have to keep our heads down and not get carried away. There’s only four games left now and the way we’re going about our business gives us an outstanding chance.” The Hernandez strike still didn’t halt an adrenaline-fused grandad giving the fourth official a right earful.
After all, it had been five domestic games since United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had been allowed in the confines of the dug-out. It was as if he had never been away, patrolling the technical area with an increasing air of urgency as the defining moments of the Premier League season were being played out. Each of the five minutes of added time were counted down by the Scot, giving his watch a real battering before throwing both fists in the air in celebration at the final whistle. Everton had a couple of soft penalty claims when Jonny Evans tangled with Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe went to ground following a Rio Ferdinand challenge, but when they did break through they discovered Edwin van der Sar in defiant mood. In a one-sided first half the Dutchman could have hired out deckchairs at the Stretford End. Hernandez the attacking foil, displaying his customary energy and sharpness with the probing Wayne Rooney always in support, was ironically the main reason why United reached the dressing room without any advantage. Valencia brushed Leighton Baines off the ball in a determined challenge and set up what should have been a routine finish for Nani. The Portuguese winger, though, hadn’t allowed for the prostrate body of Hernandez to divert the low effort around the post, the striker having stumbled in the box. Everton, with Tim Cahill introduced after the break, showed more attacking endeavour although their woodwork came to the rescue when Michael Owen moved in sharply on a Fabio cross.
Everton boss David Moyes said: “For long periods we held a really good team who look as if they might go on to become champions. Make a mistake and they punish you.”
MANCHESTER UTD 1 EVERTON 0: HAP-PEA EASTER!
24th April 2011 By Paul Hetherington
Sunday Star
MANCHESTER UNITED are getting ready to celebrate a title triumph with a Mexican wave – thanks to Javier Hernandez. The striker from Mexico with the golden-goal touch did it again with an 84th-minute winner. Just when it seemed Everton were going to survive, Javier Hernandez climbed superbly to head home a deflected cross from the outstanding Antonio Valencia. It was goal No.19 for the hitman known as Chicharito – the Little Pea. And it arrived during a United onslaught in which Sylvain Distin flicked a wicked Valencia cross against his own post. United’s win set a club record of 13 successive home Premier League wins and it ended Everton’s run of seven games without defeat. Hero Hernandez said: “I’m just loving it here and to win the Premier League in my first season would be fantastic.” United were without their top-scorer Dimitar Berbatov through a calf injury – and the Bulgaria striker is also set to miss Tuesday night’s Champions League date in Germany against Schalke. But it’s at home that he’s most effective and United struggled for long periods to create a meaningful goal threat yesterday. In the opening half-hour, Everton’s former United keeper, Tim Howard, only had saves to make from Nani and Hernandez. United’s attractive football, with Brazilians Anderson and Fabio prominent, often lacked a cutting edge.
As United ramped up the pressure, Nani’s goal-bound shot hit team-mate Hernandez when the breakthrough finally looked like arriving. Everton, apart from a rejected penalty appeal when Jonny Evans challenged Jermaine Beckford, did not threaten in the first half. Manager David Moyes reacted to that by making a double substitution at half-time, sending on fit-again Tim Cahill and Victor Anichebe for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Beckford. Everton then made a better fist of it and had another penalty shout turned down when Anichebe went to ground as Rio Ferdinand chased him into the box.And United had another escape in the 69th minute, when keeper Edwin van der Sar came to the rescue. Jack Rodwell, widely regarded as a United target, had a shot heading for the bottom corner tipped round the post by the flying Dutchman. But United finally got their reward for a late bombardment of Everton’s massed and stubborn defence. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who claimed Everton should have been “punished” for their time-wasting, which meant five minutes of added time had to be played, said: “We should have had it won earlier. “But in the time-honoured fashion of Manchester United, we left it late. “We also needed a great save from Edwin – I hope he’s not impossible to replace.” And of match-winner Hernandez, who scored six minutes from time, Fergie said: “We didn’t expect all this from him in his first season. “He is getting his reward for all his hard work. He’s first in at nine o’clock in the morning and last to leave.” Everton had two penalty appeals turned down but manager Moyes said: “I didn’t think they were pens. “We were under a lot of pressure and our defending was great and so was our keeper. Then we were punished for one late lapse. “But we were up against a team who look like going on to be champions.”
Man Utd 1 Everton 0
24 Apr 2011 (The Sun)
JAVIER HERNANDEZ headed home a late winner to see Manchester United place one hand on the Premier League trophy. The Mexican striker — aka Little Pea — was the pick of the bunch with an 84th-minute goal that killed off a spirited Everton side at Old Trafford. United had found it impossible to break the resistance of David Moyes' men, who themselves had two decent shouts for penalties during a scrappy affair. But a 19th goal of an incredible debut season for £6million summer signing Hernandez maintained United's six-point cushion at the top. The win also put Alex Ferguson's men in the right form ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Schalke, a game clearly on the Scot's mind with five changes made to his starting line-up. Skipper Nemanja Vidic was among those to miss out, with Fabio, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans all handed their chance to impress. The early exchanges were full-blooded, with Seamus Coleman and Tony Hibbert both sending Nani tumbling. It was Everton that had the first shot on target — albeit a tepid effort from Leon Osman. United were countering with pace, but more often than not they were taking the wrong option. Antonio Valencia combined with Rooney to present Nani with space to attack down the Everton right. But rather than flash in a first-time cross for Hernandez, the winger cut inside the visitors' box and eventually drove a tame shot at Howard. An Anderson corner caused some panic only for Evans to fail to take advantage, before Gibson smashed a long range shot straight at Phil Neville. John O'Shea failed to get any power behind his shot after he had found space inside the Everton box. The visitors were then thankful to Sylvain Distin for getting in the way of a Fabio cross bound for Hernandez. Hernandez forced Howard into a low save at his near post after trying his luck from an acute angle when Anderson sent him through. And it was the Mexican who had the best chance to break the deadlock in the first half, when his first-time effort was saved by Howard after good work from Valencia and Rooney. Everton barely threatened, but had a half-decent shout for a penalty when Evans and Jermaine Beckford tumbled together in the box. Rooney fired over a 20-yard shot before United spurned yet another golden opportunity. Valencia shrugged Baines aside on the edge of the area and picked out Nani at the far post. The winger took aim but his goal-bound shot struck Hernandez and deflected wide. Everton made two changes at the break, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Beckford off for Cahill and Victor Anichebe. United continued to frustrate and Ferdinand got away with shoving Anichebe over in the area. Patrice Evra then replaced O'Shea, before a sustained period of United pressure that failed to produce the breakthrough saw Michael Owen brought on for Nani. Anderson rolled a weak effort wide from the edge of the area, then Distin intercepted a Rooney pass that looked like sending Owen clear. Jack Rodwell could only turn away in anguish as Van der Sar tipped his goal-bound deflected effort wide. At the other end Fabio's cross was turned onto his own post by Distin, prompting Ferguson to call for the experience of Ryan Giggs. Howard tipped a Rooney free-kick over, then the England man fired wide after being set up at the corner. Valencia powered a shot into Jagielka, then Howard, who was later booked for time-wasting, brilliantly tipped over an Hernandez effort that looked like dropping in. But the little Mexican had the last laugh when he rose at the back post to head home Valencia's deflected cross.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea (Evra 57), Ferdinand, Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Valencia, Gibson (Giggs 74), Anderson, Nani (Owen 63), Rooney, Hernandez. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown, Carrick, Rafael Da Silva.
Booked: Anderson.
Goals: Hernandez 83.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman (Gueye 75), Neville, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov (Cahill 46), Osman, Beckford (Anichebe 46). Subs Not Used: Mucha, Vellios, Mustafi, Duffy.
Booked: Cahill, Howard.
Att: 75,300
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Celtic and Derby prepare to bid for Everton striker
24/04/2011 By MirrorFootball The Mirror
Scottish heavyweights Celtic and Nigel Clough’s Derby County are set to battle it out for Everton striker James Vaughan.Vaughan is on loan at Crystal Palace but the Eagles will not make the deal permanent – despite having the option of taking him for £1million.The 22-year-old was due to join Celtic in the last transfer window but was unable to move as he had already played for two clubs this season and the transfer was blocked by FIFA.
Manchester United 1-0 Everton: Sunday Mirror match report
24/04/2011 By Simon Mullock
Sir Alex Ferguson returned to the touchline, he still found a reason to bleat about the referee. True, Fergie’s observations about Peter Walton were tame compared to the character assassination of Martin Atkinson that earned him a five-match ban in the first place. Tweet my Goal! The funniest comments from Man United's 1-0 win over Everton And perhaps there was a hint of mischief about the gentle way he chided Walton for adding five minutes of injury time for the precious seconds that Everton themselves had wasted with the game still deadlocked. But the reality is that this time United got the benefit of the doubt. Everton boss David Moyes refused to point an accusing finger at Walton after Javier Hernandez had headed in a priceless winner to take United to within touching distance of a record 19th championship. But twice the Merseysiders made valid penalty appeals – and twice they were rejected by the Northamptonshire whistle-blower. Walton was the man who failed to punish Rafael’s penalty-area assault on Luke Varney when United came back from two down to beat Blackpool in January. This time, he decided there was nothing to see when Jonny Evans tangled with Jermaine Beckford nine minutes before half-time and sent the Everton striker tumbling. Walton turned the same blind eye in the 56th minute when Rio Ferdinand halted Victor Anichebe with a nudge in the back that put the Everton substitute in a heap.Moyes said: “I didn’t think we should have had a penalty. I’ve no problems with the ref about that. I briefly saw the second incident again on TV and he just overran the ball.”But after watching Match of the Day last night, Moyes might well have changed his mind.Fergie said: “They wasted a lot of time and then got five minutes extra after they scored. Totally unfair.”Once he had removed his tongue from his cheek, he added: “Our perseverance and determination paid off in the end. We played some really good football at times and we should have had it finished by half-time. We kept everyone on the edge of their seats again – but we got there in the end. It was a fantastic performance in terms of keeping going against a very good side.”No doubt, United deserved to win.As has been their habit this season, they kept their nerve when the game seemed to be slipping away from them.After seeing Manchester City take away the Treble at Wembley last week, the Reds seemed to have opened the title door for Chelsea and Arsenal by drawing at Newcastle in midweek.In both games, United failed to score, but Fergie kept his faith in his men. With Paul Scholes banned and top-scorer Dimitar Berbatov injured, he kept Nemanja Vidic, Park Ji-Sung and Chris Smalling in the stands and named Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra on the bench.With the Champions League game at Schalke on Tuesday to plan for, Fergie felt it was a gamble worth taking – even against a side unbeaten in seven matches. And it took the home side 31 minutes to threaten Tim Howard’s goal.Wayne Rooney’s cross fell perfectly for Hernandez, but his shot was beaten away by Howard.Six minutes later, Antonio Valencia’s aggression left Leighton Baines floundering and crossed for Nani to unleash a drive that was goalbound before it hit team-mate Hernandez on the back.Everton, largely in survival mode for the first 45 minutes, found more ambition when Anichebe and Tim Cahill replaced Beckford and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after the break. And they went close when Jack Rodwell’s 25-yard effort took a deflection off Evans only for Edwin van der Sar to once again make a mockery of his 40 years with a superb save.“Attack, attack, attack” urged the Stretford End before Sylvain Distin sliced a clearance against his own post and Rooney’s free-kick was turned over by Howard. But with seven minutes to go came the breakthrough. Valencia’s persistence enabled him to win possession from Distin.And when the United winger served up a delicious far-post cross, Hernandez gobbled it up with a downward header.It was the Mexican’s 19th goal of the season. Delighted, he said: “To win the Premier League in my first season would be fantastic.”It’s nearly all over.
Phil Jagielka is one of England’s top three centre-halves says Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 25 2011
DAVID MOYES has hailed Everton’s Phil Jagielka as one of the best “three or four” defenders in England.After making a full recovery from the cruciate injury he sustained two years ago, Jagielka has now established himself as a member of Fabio Capello’s England squad.The 28-year-old is also one of the rocks at the heart of Everton’s impressive rearguard, and was a major reason why the Blues came so close to keeping Premier League leaders Manchester United out at Old Trafford yesterday.Javier Hernandez eventually breached Everton’s defences six minutes from time to secure a win that leaves Alex Ferguson’s men within touching distance of completing a record 19th championship triumph.However, Moyes did not feel that cast Jagielka in a negative light as one of the stand-out performers in a largely impressive backs-to-the-wall display.“You saw again that Jagielka is a very good defender,” said Moyes.“He has great recovery.“He is athletic and at grounds like Old Trafford, where Manchester United are quick to make through passes, he is able to cope with it.“He is in the top three or four centre-halves in England – and England have some good centre-halves.”Speed and an unerring ability to read the game have always been amongst Jagielka’s many attributes.And Moyes reports excellent progress is being made in ensuring Jagielka becomes more effective in possession, something that will turn the former Sheffield United man into a modern-day player of the highest order.“He would accept that is one of the areas he needs to improve on because he is very good at all the defensive things,” said Moyes. “But, with his age and experience, he is getting better on the ball.”The result ended Everton’s seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and virtually any lingering hope of qualification for next season’s Europa League.
As Tottenham’s failure to beat West Brom strengthened Manchester City’s top-four claims, it might turn out to be irrelevant anyway.At least the Blues are well clear of trouble at the bottom though, which Moyes wondered whether they would end up in given the arduous nature of their recent fixtures and a crippling injury list. “Given our run of games in the last five or six weeks, we might have been one of the teams at the wrong end of the league,” he said.“But the players, they have done really well.“Not that there is anything surprising in that. They should be at the top end.“Maybe we are a league or two down from Manchester United in terms of quality, but I would like to think we will show the same toughness in every game we play from now until the end of the season.”
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s team selection was a ‘big gamble’ against Everton says Jonny Evans
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 25 2011
EVEN Jonny Evans thought Alex Ferguson was taking a gamble when he saw the Manchester United team sheet at Old Trafford on Saturday.With a Champions League semi-final against Schalke looming tomorow, Ferguson opted to rest a number of senior stars for the Premier League tussle against Everton.“The manager made an awful lot of changes, including myself, and there were people who had not played for a while,” Evans said. “It was a big gamble. I am sure some people thought that when they looked at the team sheet. But that is what the manager does and it has paid off.”United won thanks to Javier Hernandez’s 19th goal of the season. New Twitter convert Wayne Rooney claimed Hernandez, who cost just £7million from Chivas 12 months ago, is the “buy of the century”. And Evans said: “You could say that because of the number of important goals he has scored for us. We got to see little glimpses of him during the World Cup and you could see he had pace, but no-one knew much about him.“He reminds me of an old-fashioned type centre-forward. People don’t realise he is quite a strong lad with a great jump. Also, he knows where the goal is.”More than that, Hernandez is utterly selfless.Time and again this season, the 22-year-old has been asked to reflect on yet another important goal. The answer is always the same.“We needed those three points, it didn’t matter who scored,” he said. “We always think about the team. That is the most important thing. We don’t need to be selfish and think only about scoring ourselves. This season has been a dream come true for me. I have scored 19 goals and we have almost won the Premier League. It is an unbelievable thing. But if I had the chance to swap my 19 goals for a lot of championships for this team, I would do it.”
We’ve nothing to fear says Everton FC defender Tony Hibbert
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 25 2011
TONY HIBBERT believes Everton have nothing to fear from their tough end of season run-in despite losing their seven-game unbeaten run against Manchester United.The Toffees sunk to a 1-0 defeat on Saturday courtesy of Javier Hernandez’s 84th-minute header, but Hibbert insists the setback will not affect his side’s determination to overhaul city rivals Liverpool in sixth place.The Reds’ 5-0 win over Birmingham pushed the gap between them and Everton to five points, but Hibbert says David Moyes’ men are up to the task of finishing their disjointed campaign on a high, despite facing a Wigan side fighting for their Premier League lives next weekend, and games with Manchester City and Chelsea.He said: “I don’t think we have any fear. We look forward to every game in the Premier League and yes, we’re playing teams that are challenging or trying to survive so there’s that jagged edge.“But we need to finish the season strongly. We need wins and we need to keep our hopes of Europe alive as well as chasing Liverpool. It would mean a lot to me and the squad to get above them. We’re in touching distance, we’re over our bad start.”Hibbert was disappointed Everton’s resilient defensive display at Old Trafford was not rewarded with a point, but he insists the Blues had arrived with every intention of attacking and taking all three points.He said: “The run we’ve been on we were actually all confident coming here thinking we would have a good shot at it, but I suppose it’s always going to be hard at a place like this.“It’s hard to get big decisions at Old Trafford. The fans they have here and their stadium – no matter what you do it’s always a hard game playing Man United here.“We don’t want to concede in any game we play. We set our stall out knowing that if we don’t concede we’ve got a chance of winning any game.“But coming here it wasn’t that we were going to defend for our lives, we came here to win. It might have looked like we had to have 10 men back, we actually had a game plan to win. As it pans out it looked like we were defending all the time, but we wanted the points.” Hibbert said he wishes the season could last longer, after he forced his way back into Moyes’ side and has enjoyed the recent upsurge in form, but the defender is already thinking about next season and the opportunity to end the club’s 16-year wait for a trophy.He said: “Whatever cup it is we need one next season. Everton needs silverware – the sooner the better. Europe is a great achievement for any club, and it’s a great experience for the fans to get away to talk about and sing about. I think the squad is big enough for Europe. We’ve got some good players in depth.“We’ve got a lot of injuries again which doesn’t help but there is quality there. I think the squad we’ve got is capable of challenging in the domestic cups and Europe.”
Nick Smith: Everton FC’s lack of cutting edge highlighted by Manchester United loss
by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 25 2011
GOALS win games. It’s blindingly obvious and breathtakingly simple. And explains why Everton just can’t get a win at Old Trafford.It’s 18 years since the last one, which came in the opening week of the Premier League era.An era in which the club can boast, as its three top goalscorers, a midfielder (Tim Cahill) and Duncan Ferguson and Kevin Campbell, two centre-forwards fondly remembered – but not for their prolific goal tallies or international-class striking instincts.In short, it’s a perennial problem that has blighted Everton’s attempts to sustain their threats to the top bracket of the Premier League.Because while goals do win games, its goalscorers who invariably determine the amount of games you win – and this season Everton haven’t had enough victories.And they certainly haven’t had a reliable goal-getter to sneak in the kind of chance Javier Hernandez nodded in for Saturday’s late winner. Yes, the Mexican is deadly in the six-yard box, but if any Everton player had got the opportunity to get in Manchester United’s, who knows they might have been as well?But there just wasn’t enough going on at that end of the field, and while that’s forgivable at a ground where only two points have been surrendered all season, it’s been an all too regular occurrence. There are, as ever, mitigating circumstances.This campaign alone, Yakubu has suffered for form and fitness, Louis Saha with injuries and Jermaine Beckford has struggled with... well being Jermaine Beckford.Not his fault of course. He’s actually done better than many who have stepped up a level, let alone two. And the lone role he was given on Saturday was clearly alien to him. At Old Trafford, he’d have had a better chance of getting out alive if he’d been tied to the railway line outside the ground – hence he was put out of his misery at half-time.And then what? Victor Anichebe, who hasn’t scored all season, ploughs the lone furrow. Again, no criticism of him and his burst away from Rio Ferdinand in the second half gave Everton a glimpse of a long-awaited Old Trafford winner. But nobody really expected him to finish it off, except perhaps Ferdinand judging by his panicky and clumsy challenge on the Nigerian which was playing with fire.David Moyes also introduced Tim Cahill to lend some help to the cautious attacking formation but such was United’s dominance in their desperation for a winner, the Australian was merely sitting in that hole just in front of the back eight.
Aside from Moyes’ current limited selection options and the need to play it relatively safe at Old Trafford, there seems no logical explanation as to why regular goalscorers have gone AWOL from Goodison for the best part of 20 years.In the Moyes era alone he has shown he can get it right in all departments. Saturday gave plenty of evidence to back that up with an outstanding defensive effort taking them to the verge of a superb point.Jack Rodwell and Phil Neville were also fine reinforcements in that rearguard action, while absentees like Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini proves the Everton manager can, in the former’s case, spot a bargain, and in the latter’s, spend the big money wisely.But at the business end of the field? Frustration and failure.You can’t argue that Moyes hasn’t had the money to spend to rectify the problem, although that won’t be the case this summer and will leave the Scot relying on lower league novices and youngsters once again.But he did break the club transfer record with forwards in three successive years in the shape of Beattie, Johnson and Yakubu. All had their moments but all ultimately moved on after it didn’t work out for various reasons.Of course, scoring is the hardest thing to do in the game and only serious money guarantees you goals from an individual. And even then, look at Fernando Torres. But even when Everton hosted a side threatened by relegation last month, there were still envious glances being cast towards Aston Villa at the difference a free-scoring frontman can make. Blues fans can only dream what they could achieve with a natural finisher like Darren Bent sniffing out chances in the penalty area like a hungry dog at a Colombian airport.However, it’s not an unsalvageable situation. Everton were still within minutes of making it eight games unbeaten and the way Moyes has moulded his squad means that they have plenty in their armour to win many games.Just, sadly, not at Old Trafford.
We didn’t do enough to take a point at Manchester United admits Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 25 2011
DAVID MOYES admits Everton had only themselves to blame after seeing their unbeaten run ended.A gutsy rearguard action at Old Trafford had taken Moyes’s men to within six minutes of a hard-earned goalless draw against title-chasing Manchester United on Saturday. However, a rare defensive lapse prompted a United attack that ended with Javier Hernandez heading the only goal to send Everton tumbling to their first league defeat in eight games.And Moyes said: “Nobody could fault the players for their effort or the way they went about their job.“I’m more disappointed we didn't perform well enough to take something from the game.“I thought we were going to get a point and I was hoping we were going to get a point because I don’t think we deserved any more than that.“There was no fear at all. We probably shot ourselves in the foot, but it was just beginning to look as though we could get something.”United struggled to break down Everton’s defence until the closing quarter, with Moyes acknowledging his team didn’t create enough themselves.“United kept going, didn’t they?” said the Goodison manager. “They made opportunities and we dealt with most of them, but much of it was our own undoing, especially in the first half.“We got a bit better in the second half because we had a bit of a platform and there were times when we thought we might get through them, but not quite, as it proved in the end.“We needed some more creativity on the pitch and, when we had the ball, we didn’t do enough with it.“We were without players who could have helped us, the likes of Fellaini, Mikel (Arteta) and Louis Saha would have been important.“But we have been in a great run without those players, so there is nothing to complain about.”
Moyes added: “I thought it was a good defensive performance for the majority of the game. The players really defended well and we’ve got good defenders.“That’s why at the start of the season we were really disappointed we were conceding goals. I believe in the boys we’ve got.”Everton had claims for a penalty in each half with Jermaine Beckford and then substitute Victor Anichebe felled inside the area.But Moyes said: “I didn’t think they were penalties. My first feeling was that Victor overran it. But I have no qualms.”
Manchester United 1 Everton FC 0: Blues suffer as United 'do what they want' to them yet again
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 25 2011
SURELY few football chants can be as nauseating or self-aggrandising as the “we’re Man United, we’ll do what we want” ditty that has so often reverberated around Old Trafford and beyond this season.But David Moyes and his shattered Everton players would be forgiven for believing there is some currency in that immodest boast.Certainly, this wasn’t the first time the Goodison outfit have journeyed home down the East Lancs Road with the nagging sense they had been hard done by.The same old story. The most one-sided fixture in Premier League history went its usual way as Everton’s seven-match unbeaten league run was brought to a shuddering halt by Javier Hernandez’s late header.Of course, there’s no shame in losing at Old Trafford.All bar West Bromwich Albion have done from 16 previous top-flight visitors this season, United’s latest triumph setting a Premier League record of 13 consecutive home wins.But perhaps Everton deserved better following a stoic, heroic defensive rearguard action that was undermined by untimely misfortune and some questionable decisions from the officials.That stubborn resistance, led by the immaculate Phil Jagielka, was the chief positive from an afternoon that nevertheless highlighted many of the concerns Moyes harbours ahead of an important summer for the club.Not least the old chestnut regarding investment and strength in depth. With one eye firmly on the forthcoming Champions League semi-final against Schalke, Sir Alex Ferguson rotated his United squad with a much-changed starting line-up.Indeed, with the exception of a left-back, an entire XI could have been selected from the players that weren’t even on the bench.As their injury crisis has illustrated in recent weeks, Everton simply cannot compete with such resource.However, Moyes’s men have shown this season they are more than capable of punching above their weight against the supposedly bigger clubs, not least in September when a rousing injury-time comeback earned a 3-3 draw against United at Goodison.While there was little chance of a repeat scoreline on Saturday, a point did seem well within reach of the visitors.United’s European commitments, and the hangover from their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City evident in the midweek goalless draw at Newcastle United, meant this was as good a time as any for a rejuvenated Everton to come to Old Trafford.And for three-quarters of the match it seemed so, with Everton comfortably dealing with what a misfiring United could muster. There were some moments of angst during the first half – Hernandez drawing a save from Tim Howard before inadvertently blocking Antonio Valencia’s goalbound shot – but it was only until the final 15 minutes that an increasingly anxious home side forced the Everton defence to begin creaking.Sylvain Distin turned a Fabio da Silva cross against his own post while Howard palmed over a Wayne Rooney free-kick before saving well from a Hernandez header after Jagielka bravely blocked a Valencia cross.The seemingly inevitable arrived six minutes from time, Distin dallying over a straightforward clearance to gift Anderson possession and then unable to cut out Valencia’s subsequent cross from the right, the ball instead clipping the defender and looping invitingly for the suspiciously offside-looking Hernandez to head home at the far post.It was tough on Distin who, along with centre-back partner Jagielka, had frustrated United to the point Ferguson threw on both Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen in an attempt to break the deadlock.Not everyone in blue covered themselves in such glory, however. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was at his infuriating worst, floating without intent and lacking any real conviction, one tepid shot leaving a clearly fed-up Moyes clasping his face in anguish.Jermaine Beckford fared no better. The last time the striker appeared at Old Trafford, he scored an FA Cup winner for Leeds United that proved a catalyst for his free transfer move to Goodison last summer.And while Beckford has contributed goals, the penny has still to drop that he hasn’t yet made it as a leading Premier League striker, his completely ineffective contribution underlined by the problems replacement Victor Anichebe gave Rio Ferdinand during the second half.None more so than in the 56th minute when the forward raced away from Ferdinand into the penalty area before falling to the ground after a tangle with the United centre-back.No penalty, said referee Peter Walton, who had already waved away muted first-half appeals when Beckford tumbled over Fabio. Sure, it was the type of challenge that often goes unpunished, but would the official have been so reticent had the offence been the other way around?While Anichebe gave an impotent Everton attack greater threat and ambition, of more significance was the simultaneous half-time arrival of Tim Cahill, the Australian having played just 69 minutes in the previous two months due to a persistent foot injury.With Cahill leading the fight – indeed, earning a booking not long after his arrival – Everton at least managed to stem the increasingly one-way traffic immediately after the break.Indeed, it took a world class save from Edwin van der Sar to prevent the visitors taking the lead midway through the second half when Jack Rodwell’s drive was deflected towards the bottom corner off Jonny Evans. It was a rare highlight of an otherwise difficult afternoon for Rodwell.Making a first start in a month, the long-time Old Trafford target struggled to impose himself on midfield, his efforts to impress paling in comparison to those of evergreen team-mate Phil Neville and United adversary Anderson.With this defeat, flickering hopes of European qualification have surely been extinguished while a top-six finish looks increasingly unlikely.Moyes, though, will remind his players the opportunity remains in the final four games to make a statement for next season – both individually and collectively.
Defeat at Man Utd won’t stop our momentum says Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 25 2011
TIM HOWARD believes Everton’s charge to the end of the season won’t be derailed by their unbeaten run coming to an end.A contentious Javier Hernandez goal six minutes from time sent David Moyes’s side tumbling to a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.It was Everton’s first defeat in eight games and has seemingly ended outside hopes of European qualification.But Howard is confident the Goodison outfit can return to winning ways when they visit struggling Wigan Athletic next weekend.“It won’t be difficult to regain our momentum,” said the goalkeeper. “We are all disappointed in the dressing room, but we have to put the result into perspective. We go to Wigan next week and we have to go there with the same confidence as we showed against United. We held them at bay for more than 80 minutes. Okay, we didn’t do much attacking but we defended very well.“We have to take the positives from this game. We didn’t get any points here, but we can go to Wigan with our heads up and win there.”Howard added: “It’s been a strange season in the league. We are where we need to be to be pushing on, albeit we have got to this point a little bit late in the season.“We should be in and around where we are, scrapping for the European places. If we’d have our way, the season would be going on for a few more months and not a few more games.”Hernandez appeared to have arrived from an offside position when he headed in Antonio Valencia’s right-wing cross at the far post for the only goal.Howard admitted: “It’s heartbreaking to lose late on. But against teams like United, Chelsea and Arsenal, I don’t know how many times I’ve been on the end of a late goal. It’s a numbers game. They control the ball so much and they are in your penalty area so much that sometimes the breaks go for you. United don’t get beaten very often at home, and there’s a reason why. When you come here you need to ride your luck and do everything you can defensively which we almost did to get a result.”
Ian Snodin: Everton FC must go to Wigan and win
Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
WE face another tough away game on Saturday against a team fighting for their Premier League lives. It’s a massive game for Wigan but, without any disrespect to Roberto Martinez or his players, whenever I think of Everton going to Wigan I expect us to win. Roberto sends his team out to play in the right way and hopefully that will suit us. If they try to force the game, like Wolves did a couple of weeks ago, we may be able to take.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC still have plenty to play for
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
THE end of the season is in sight, but we still have some very attractive games to come – which could have an influence at both ends of the Premier League table. We have a say in the relegation shake up on Saturday at Wigan, then again when we got to West Brom in a fortnight. And we could have an influence in the chase for the Champions League when we entertain Manchester City, and possibly the title when Chelsea come to Goodison on the last day. There’s still plenty to play for.
Photographer publishes book showing changing face of football in Merseyside
by Gary Stewart, Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
Stuart Roy Clarke A PHOTO collection charting how the Hillsborough tragedy changed football was published by a fan who has spent the past 20 years photographing matches. The Cradle Of The Game is the latest offering from football photographer Stuart Roy Clarke, who made it his life’s work to catalogue football’s “emotional” journey after the 1989 disaster. It features 170 photographs of fans and stadiums from across the country, as well as many from Merseyside. Stuart, 49, said: “After Hillsborough, with the publishing of the Taylor Report, it was obvious the way football was enjoyed by generations of people was going to change. “I considered the Taylor Report to be the factual catalogue of what happened, but what I wanted to chart was the emotional journey.” Stuart took his love of people watching, a childhood spent playing football for his dad and grandad’s youth teams, and his technical skill with the camera and turned it into a lifelong mission. He said: “I have managed to make it pay, although it was hard at times, digging down the back of the sofa for pennies. It was not a regular pay cheque and not the life for a family person. “But, through exhibitions, sponsors and books, I was able to attend thousands of games and capture amazing moments.” Those include Liverpool FC’s famous 2005 Champion’s League victory, which for Stuart had a curiously Everton flavour. When he wanted to use a picture of a young mum pushing a pram, dressed head to toe in an Reds kit, he turned to the ECHO to track her down. When we caught up with Melissa Burns, of Fazakerley, it turned out the baby in the pram was called Eva Toni-Ann – named by her Evertonian dad. Stuart said: “That is so Liverpool! It really sums up the city, like another picture I took of a girl serving hamburgers in her curlers. She probably sold thousands of hamburgers that day, but she was still getting ready for Saturday night.” Having been to dozens, if not hundreds, of Liverpool and Everton games, Stuart gave his insight into some of the sport’s most famous fans. He said: “I would characterise Merseyside fans for their humour, warmth, wit and loyalty. That’s not to say Liverpool and Everton fans are the same, because they are not. “I think Everton fans are the harshest. As a player, Goodison is the place I would least like to go. The ground looms over the pitch and the fans are so near and so verbally clever. They really get at the opposition. “I would say Liverpool fans are remarkable in the way they sing, and not just that one song. “They are also very sporting the way they clap their opponents off the pitch, even when they are beaten. “I went to a lot of Tranmere games, too, although you have to do more on Everton and Liverpool because they are giants of the game.” Stuart, who supports Watford where he grew up, and Carlisle United, because he now lives in the Lake District, said: “I met people who I respect like Bobby Robson, who opened an exhibition for me, and Craig Brown. When I exhibited in Liverpool, John Aldridge and Peter Beardsley came. “But it is not about the celebrities, it is about the girls behind the burger counters and the guys in the stands. The real heroes are the amazing people in everyday life.”
Ian Snodin: Tony Hibbert’s spot on when he says Everton FC need a trophy
Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
TONY HIBBERT was absolutely spot on when he declared this week: Everton needs silverware.
It’s great getting into Europe and the fans clearly love their trips to the continent, but you don’t get any medals for getting into Europe and that’s what you go into football for. I only signed for Everton in the January of our last Championship winning season – and so it probably didn’t mean as much to me as it did some of the other lads who had played throughout the full season. But I still managed to play enough games to qualify for a medal and it remains one of my most cherished possessions in football. You can take as much money as you like from the game – which is nice for your kids and your family – but we are all in football to win things. When you are a little kid dreaming of being a footballer, you dream of lifting trophies above your head. That’s the image fans all dream of celebrating too. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen an Everton skipper raise a trophy above his head. We came close a couple of years ago when we took the lead at Wembley in the FA Cup final, but it’s 16 years now since we actually celebrated success. Tony Hibbert is right – that’s far too long.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC's Tim Howard in top tribute to Phil Jagielka
Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
TIM HOWARD has described Phil Jagielka as one of the best defenders he has ever played with – better even than Rio Ferdinand. That’s high praise – and Tim clearly knows what he’s talking about because he’s played with those players. I also rate Jagielka highly – although I couldn’t put him right in that top echelon because I played with outstanding Everton defenders like Dave Watson and Kevin Ratcliffe. But I’ve certainly been enormously impressed by him ever since he arrived at Goodison Park. He had another very influential game on Saturday, getting his body in the way of numerous shots and crosses and clearing his lines regularly. He looked like he had done more than enough to earn Everton a point and keep that unbeaten run going – and the fact that Everton finally conceded so late on had absolutely nothing to do with him. Phil’s a winner and he will have been more gutted than anybody to lose a match so late on. But typically he was already looking forward within minutes of the end of the game. That’s why Howard rates him so highly.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC's team of two halves at Old Trafford
Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
I’VE played at Old Trafford many times and I know just how difficult a place it can be to perform – even though some of the Everton line-ups I played for there were recognised as being very good teams. But I was still very disappointed by the performance levels of some players at Old Trafford on Saturday. One or two simply didn’t perform – and as a result we struggled to get out of our own half for long periods. We didn’t offer a lot going forward in the first half, which I expected to be honest. We knew we would be on the backfoot for long spells, but for all United’s possession I thought their final ball into the box often lacked quality and I thought we were going to hold out.
We performed very well as a defensive unit, and while we’d prefer to see Jack Rodwell pushing on like he did with the shot that van der Sar saved so well, the midfield two had a job to do to provide a defensive platform, which they did very well. But going forward we offered nothing. That instruction will not have come from the manager. We clearly set our stall out not to be beaten, but I know that while David Moyes will have told his team to be as solid as possible, I know for a fact that he will have instructed his players when they got the ball to express themselves and get forward.
Unfortunately, in the first half esppecially, that just didn’t happen. When you have a couple of players who aren’t at it, it can be difficult to get out of your half. Victor Anichebe and Tim Cahill both did well when they came on and made life much more uncomfortable for the United defenders. Tim put himself about and was unlucky to get booked, while Victor also showed well and ran Ferdinand down the wing in the incident which led to the penalty claim. But while we never really looked like scoring, I still couldn’t see United breaking through either such was their poor quality final ball. If Sylvain Distin had that moment again in the 84th minute he would either have rolled the ball back to his goalkeeper or booted it into touch. Instead he lost possession, but even then United’s final ball was poor and it needed a deflection to set up Javier Hernandez. It was the only mistake Sylvain made all afternoon.
Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka warns Tim Cahill: 'Don’t put your foot in it’
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 26 2011
PHIL JAGIELKA has warned his influential Everton team-mate Tim Cahill not to put his foot in it in what’s left of this season. Cahill made a welcome return to the Blues senior side at Old Trafford on Saturday, when his introduction at half-time helped spark a significant improvement. But after more than a month on the sidelines with a foot injury, Jagielka warned that Cahill is still not a hundred per cent pain-free and may have to be used sparingly in the four games which remain. Jagielka said: “It’s great to have Tim back but I don’t think he’s fully fit. I think he’s still got a little bit of pain in his foot.
“But the squad’s not the biggest at the moment and sometimes we might need him to come off the bench. We’ll have to play it by ear and see how much he can play between now and the end of the season. “It’s not just his play, it’s his character in the changing room. Hopefully Mikel’s close to coming back as well so it might be a little bit brighter for the last couple of games of the season.”
Jagielka’s own form was outstanding at Old Trafford and the defender admitted: “My form’s getting better and my body’s feeling a little more normal than it has done for a while. “It’s been a topsy turvy season and I’m looking forward to finishing it as strongly as we can, but beyond that I’m also looking forward to coming back next season and seeing where we go from there.” Everton go to Wigan next Saturday and Jagielka said: “We’re confident, even though it will obviously be another tough away match. We still have the confidence we built up from the run before the Manchester United game, and we’ve got Tim coming back and Victor coming on at half-time.”
Everton under-18s, meanwhile, go head to head with Liverpool this afternoon, hoping that their band of local boys can overcome the Reds cosmopolitan stars and land a place in the Premier Academy League play-offs. The young Toffees currently lie second in the Group C league table behind Liverpool on goal difference – although the Reds have two games in hand. The young Blues have two matches remaining and Academy coach Neil Dewsnip said: “It is fair to say we need to win both games and we need Liverpool to drop points somewhere else in their remaining matches. “This is the third time in four years we’ve been in the last week of the season and we’ve been close to winning our section, so hopefully third time lucky. “Liverpool are very strong. They have invested a lot of money in players from Europe and all over Britain. “We tend to be the other way round as our players tend to be local. We’ve got different philosophies but we’re getting similar results.” The winners of each of the four regional Premier Academy League sections go through to the semi-finals and the next step towards the national title.
Academy football: Win over Manchester United puts Everton under-18s back in pole position ahead of crunch derby clash
by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 26 2011
VICTORY over Manchester United has moved Everton under-18s back into pole position ahead of today’s crunch derby clash with Liverpool at Finch Farm (kick-off 11am). Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters had gone into Saturday’s match in Manchester sitting in second place on goal difference after Liverpool had gone above them with a midweek win over West Bromwich Albion. But goals from strikers Hallam Hope and Anton Forrester in each half sealed the points in a 2-1 victory over United as Everton went back on top of the Group C table in the Barclays Academy Premier League. Everton began brightly and after 25 minutes when Hope came in from the left and fired into the bottom corner. Adam Thomas went close as Everton looked to extend their advantage. But on the hour Forrester turned in Jake Bidwell’s cross from close range to double the advantage. Despite dominating Everton had to hang on after United reduced the arrears with 10 minutes left. Although Dewsnip’s youngsters went closest t scoring late when Tom Donegan crashed an effort onto the crossbar from 25 yards out. Dewsnip said: “Today’s game was a strange one as Manchester United played a very mixed team. “Their youth team are currently on tour, so they had a mixture of both old and young boys playing. Essentially the pressure was then on us to win the game. But overall we’re glad to have won and move on to what’s now become a bit of a title decider.” Everton will now look to beat Liverpool and give themselves a real chance of finishing top of the Group C table. After today’s derby clash at Finch Farm Everton will complete their regular campaign with their final match at Leeds United on Saturday (KO 11am).
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Higgins, Bidwell, Hammar, Dyer, Donegan, Molineux, Barrow (O’Brien 80), Thomas, Hope, Forrester. Subs: Fitzgibbon, Toure.
Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC may have to sell Jack Rodwell to bring in world class striker
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 26 2011
NO-ONE was surprised by what happened at Old Trafford at the weekend. Most Everton supporters would have thought a point at Manchester United would be a good result, and David Moyes’s side came within six minutes of a creditable draw. But United did what they did best, a late goal, job done and a step nearer the Premier League title. The game painfully highlighted an issue that has dogged Moyes throughout the campaign. What to do with his strikers? Everton had precious little threat going forward. In an ideal world, Jermaine Beckford wouldn’t be in the starting XI, he’d be an impact sub. He was in League One last season, so you can’t expect him to be running the two centre-backs ragged at Old Trafford. Victor Anichebe, too, is not a regular starter up front at this level, but at least he gave it a bit more of a go when replacing Beckford in the second half. Okay, Louis Saha is out injured. But Louis Saha is very often out injured. If it somehow wasn’t already glaringly obvious that Everton need a new striker in the summer, it should be now. At least in defence they have few concerns. Phil Jagielka was again outstanding at the weekend, and you can count on one hand the number of mistakes he has made this season. It’s rare to find that level of consistency, which is why Everton must resist any overtures towards the centre-back in the summer.
Would they do the same for Jack Rodwell, however? Rodwell has endured a season where he hasn’t quite kicked on, although that’s not unusual for a young player, especially dogged by injuries as the midfielder has been this campaign. No-one is quite sure where Rodwell’s best position is, and it may be a year or two before that becomes apparent. Moyes may face a difficult decision in the summer. If, as is expected, United come in with a big bid for Rodwell, does he keep the player or sell him and bring in two or three others with the money? Unless the goose lays the golden egg, Moyes isn’t going to just have to manage the players at Everton. He’s going to have to manage the money too.
Everton FC defender Phil Jagielka is best I've ever played with, says Tim Howard
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 26 2011
TIM HOWARD has hailed “selfless” Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka as the best defender he has ever played behind. Jagielka attracted further plaudits following an outstanding display in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Manchester United. The 28-year-old was subsequently praised by manager Everton manager David Moyes as being among the top four defenders in the country. But Howard has gone even further by stating Jagielka would be the first name on his teamsheet – ahead of former United colleague and Jagielka’s fellow England international Rio Ferdinand. “With all due respect, I’ve played behind some great defenders, Rio Ferdinand being one of them who would get on to my teamsheet,” said the United States goalkeeper. “But if I had only one name I could put on there, it would always be Phil Jagielka. He’s a guy who puts himself in front of everything. He’s not afraid to cover somebody else’s back and possibly make a mistake because he’s doing that covering.
“He is totally selfless and does a brilliant job. He’s always, always out there. He would be my first pick. “He sets an example to the rest of the team. It’s all to do with that selfless work ethic where he is willing to do anything for the team. He is brilliant.” Howard’s comments may come as food for thought for England head coach Fabio Capello ahead of the country’s final Euro 2012 qualifier of the season against Switzerland in June. While former England captain Ferdinand has struggled with injury this season, Jagielka had forced his way back into Capello’s squad and appeared in last month’s win in Wales and friendly draw against Ghana. Jagielka himself believes Everton can draw on plenty of positives from their performance at Old Trafford. “I don’t think we caused them too many problems in the first half which was a little bit disappointing but in the second half we had a couple of decent spells of possession,” said the defender. “Jack Rodwell came close and we had a few corners. “Unfortunately we then failed to clear a ball, the cross came in, took a massive deflection and went straight to Hernandez's head. It was disappointing but I still think we can take a lot of positives – we pushed Manchester United all the way. “We’re devastated but we have been on a decent run, we have climbed the table and hopefully we can draw on the positives from playing well for quite a long time and take them into the next game against Wigan.” Tim Cahill made only his second appearance in two months as a half-time substitute on Saturday, and Jagielka believes the Australian will be joined by Mikel Arteta in returning before the end of the campaign. “It’s great to have Tim back,” he said. “I don’t think he’s fully fit but he knows the squad is not the biggest at the moment and sometimes we might need him to come off the bench. “We’ll have to play it by ear how much he can play between now and the end of the season. He’s a character around the dressing room too, his return is a massive plus for us. “Hopefully Mikel’s close to coming back as well, so it might be a little bit brighter for the last few games of the season.”
Everton FC U-18s 4 Liverpool FC U-18s 0
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 27 2011
EVERTON’S Under-18s cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over city rivals Liverpool to keep their hopes of reaching the Premier Academy League play-offs alive. The young Toffees rarely looked troubled as they raced to a 3-0 lead in the first half at Finch Farm, leaving Blues coach Neil Dewsnip delighted. Their classy win means Everton overtake Liverpool and move into top spot in the Group C league table, six points ahead of Rodolfo Borrell’s side, although the Reds have two games in hand and a superior goal difference. It was an energetic and controlled display from Dewsnip’s boys, with the goals coming from on-loan Sporting Lisbon defender Eric Dier, Hallam Hope, John Lundstram and Anton Forrester. Everton opened the scoring after just four minutes. Centre-back Dier met Luke Garbutt’s cross with a powerful header from close range. Buoyed by their early breakthrough, the Blues stepped up the tempo and doubled their lead four minutes later through powerful striker Hallam Hope. The 17-year-old cooly side-footed home from another neat cross from defender Luke Garbutt, who sparkled further upfield on the left wing. The Blues pressed the ball with more appetite, and boasted greater creativity in midfield despite the presence of former England U-17 captain Conor Coady and highly rated Spanish playmaker Jesús Fernández Sáez, or ‘Suso’, in the opposing ranks. Further chances came through John Lundstram, who twice troubled Liverpool stopper Jamie Stephens with close range efforts either side of the half-hour mark. And the energetic midfielder was rewarded for his perseverance on 38 minutes after Tom Donegan produced a high cross from deep, which he headed home in a congested goalmouth. The second half again saw few chances for the visitors, as the Blues’ back four – marshalled superbly by 6ft 4in Swedish prospect Johan Hammar – kept things tight. Everton were able to rely on the pace and tenacity of both full-backs, the impressive Tyias Browning at right-back and skipper Jack Bidwell at left-back. Blues keeper Conor Roberts was called upon late in the game, but made easy work from a low drive by Suso. Towering Liverpool sub Michael Ngoo tried to turn things around with a bruising physical cameo, but the result was already beyond doubt. The home side wrapped up the points five minutes from time after an impressive jinking run from England starlet Garbutt culminated with a cross from the right which fell perfectly into the path of hard-working Anton Forrester.
Jack Sharp and Harry Makepeace – Everton FC’s Men for All Seasons
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 27 2011
IT’S a particularly testing quiz question. Which World Cup winner once played County Championship cricket at Aigburth? If you somehow plucked the name Geoff Hurst from the ether, top marks. And if you did, you might also know of Everton’s two dual internationals – the men who achieved sporting excellence in football and cricket. But even England’s hat-trick hero from 1966 couldn’t match the achievements of Harry Makepeace and Jack Sharp. Geoff Hurst played for Essex against Lancashire at Aigburth in 1962, before discovering that juggling the two sporting codes was almost impossible and concentrated on his football. But Makepeace and Sharp did combine both sporting codes, to spectacular effect – and are celebrated in the new book ‘Two Men For All Seasons’ by Roy Cavanagh MBE. An acknowledged Manchester United fan, Roy explains: Whilst my football loyalties lie with United, I have always admired Everton, although my early visits to Goodison Park were often painful! “5-0 down at half-time in 1961, Denis Law’s first away game in 1962 which saw a 3-1 defeat, and a 4-0 hammering in the 1963 Charity Shield meant Goodison Park was certainly a bogey ground.
“When you add in seeing Everton won 5-2 against the unbeatable Busby Babes in 1956 at Old Trafford with Albert Dunlop making an incredible debut for Everton in goal, it always made them a club for me to look out for. “Lancashire’s Old Trafford home was only a stroll away from my home and I became a member – during which time I stumbled over a list of Dual Internationals, 12 men who had played football and cricket for England, a list that will not be increased! “Amongst that 12 were two Lancastrians, Harry Makepeace and Jack Sharp. “And next to Makepeace’s name was an asterisk noting that he holds a unique record . . .” Makepeace is the only man to complete a sporting set. He won the League Championship and FA Cup for Everton, played for England at football, won the County Championship three times with Lancashire – and added a Test century against the Aussies for good measure! His club and county colleague, Jack Sharp, wasn’t far behind.
He was also an FA Cup winner, a County Champion and a dual international – but had to make do with three runners-up spots in the League Championship. A stocky right-winger, Sharp made 342 appearances in his Goodison career – just six more than Makepeace – and was a fixture in the side for 11 seasons. A classy right winger, short and stocky but described by newspapers of the day as a “Pocket Hercules” he was a fine dribbler with an accurate cross and a fierce shot. He ended his Everton career with 80 goals to his name – and when his sporting career ended ran the famous sports shop in Liverpool and returned to Goodison as a director in 1923. His Lancashire career spanned 26 years, during which he amassed 22,000 runs and took nearly 450 wickets. He also played in three test matches and hit a century against Australia at The Oval in 1909. Makepeace, who was also in the 1906 Cup winning line-up, became a League champion nine years later in 1915.
Associated with Lancashire for 46 years, his playing career with the county commenced in 1906 and he held a place in the side until 1930. He scored 25,745 runs, at an average 36.15, including 43 centuries and an unbeaten 200 from the Northamp- tonshire bowlers at Liverpool in the summer of 1923. He toured Australia in 1920/21 when he hit 117 and 54 in Melbourne. A coach at Everton, for 20-years Makepeace was also coach to Lancashire, who, upon his retirement in 1951 made him an honorary life member. He died at his home in Bebington on December 19 1952, aged 70.
THE book “Two men For All Seasons” is available from the author at 20 Hyde Road, Worsley, M28 3SE for £7 including postage and packing. It can also be bought over the bar at Liverpool Cricket Club, or at the book stall next to the press tent at Aigburth during County Championship matches.
Everton FC’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov says results matter more to him than wondergoals
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 27 2011
To get breaking Blues news and views straight to your Facebook account, 'like' our EFC page - click here DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV says points and not wonder goals are his sole focus as Everton try to close the gap on sixth-placed Liverpool. The Russian midfielder, below, scored a stunning strike against Portsmouth at Goodison last season to ensure the Blues' campaign ended with victory, after he had already won the club’s goal of the season award with a stunner against Manchester United.
But as Everton prepare for their final four Premier League games, the 26-year-old is adamant that he is not motivated by individual honours and simply wants the Blues to bounce back from their defeat by Alex Ferguson’s side last Saturday. He said: “When I played in Russia I scored maybe five or six goals like these , so it wasn't so regular. “If I score I prefer it to be with three points as well – that is the most important thing. “The first half of the season wasn't good because we got a lot of draws.
“Sometimes we were unlucky, other times it was our fault. We are disappointed about that but now we are looking forward to the last few games and who knows – something good could still happen.”
Although the former Lokomotiv Moscow star always puts the team before himself, he admits to devoting additional time on the training ground to shooting. “I do stay after training to do some shots and work on that kind of thing – a few players do that,” he said. “In training, Hibbo scored a very, very good goal. I was shocked!” Meanwhile, Sylvain Distin says he wants to mimic Ryan Giggs in the longevity stakes. The Frenchman has started every competitive game for Everton this term – a feat only Leighton Baines can match. The 33-year-old, who played in every one of Portsmouth’s 47 competitive games during the 2008/09 season, said: “I love the competition and feel if you work hard and train hard then you are ready to play and it is all about the games for me. “I might not enjoy training so much but by doing things properly then you get to play in the games and you would have to drag me off the pitch to be honest. “Maybe two or three times in my career I have gone through the season and played in every game but I am getting to an age when I am probably a bit more proud of that fact. “It maybe takes a bit longer to recover. “You have to do whatever you can to slow down the effects of time and my answer has always been to do that bit extra so I always stay behind after training and do more. It has always worked for me so I keep doing it. For me it is about what you put in. “There are some great examples around of players extending their careers and Ryan Giggs is one.”
Everton FC announce second US pre-season friendly with Philadelphia Union
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 27 2011
EVERTON have announced a second pre-season friendly in America this summer. The Blues will now face Major League Soccer outfit Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, July 20, three days before their clash with DC United in Washington. The Union are currently in their second season in the MLS and have lost just one of their 10 games so far this season. They play at the 18,500 capacity PPL Park in Chester, on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Blues keeper Tim Howard was born an hour away and is relishing the clash. He said: "Philadelphia Union is a fantastic Club and I'm really looking forward to playing against them. "Nick Sakiewicz brought me through the ranks when I was younger, I'm friends with members of their coaching staff and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them. "It's a club whose results I look out for and hope they do well. It will be a tough game for us. They will be in the mould of their manager Piotr Novak. He's a tough, hard-nosed former Polish international who doesn’t back down. "I know for a fact from being very close to him that he expects nothing less from his team as well." Sakiewicz is a former goalkeeper who is now the Union's CEO. He said: "We are very proud to host Everton in what will be a challenge for our club and a treat for our fans."
Everton FC should prepare to lose says Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 27 2011
WIGAN goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has warned Everton that his relegation-threatened side will settle for nothing short of three points at the DW Stadium on Saturday. With only four matches remaining of the 2010/11 season, Wigan find themselves in the bottom three. But they have targeted Saturday’s visit of Everton as a major opportunity to claim some of the points they need to secure safety. “There is still a great chance for us to survive in the Premier League and if we can pick up six points from our remaining two home games it will go a long way to achieving that,” he said. “Only goal difference is keeping us in there so we’ll focus our attentions on Everton this weekend, a must win game, and do everything in our power to collect the three points that will put us in a better position.” Wigan jumped from bottom to 17th with a win over Blackpool last week, but were brought crashing back down to earth by Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Sunderland. Hoping to keep Wigan at bay at the weekend will be the Blues’ ever-present defender, Sylvain Distin, who is on target to start every match for the second time in three seasons. In fact the 33-year-old Distin, who was ever present for Portsmouth in 2008/09, was on target to play in every minute of every match until a spot of cramp forced him off nine minutes from the end of the recent Premier League draw with Aston Villa. But Distin is still proud of his long-playing record this season, longevity that only defensive partner Leighton Baines can match. “You have to do whatever you can to slow down the effects of time and my answer has always been to do that bit extra,” he explained. “So I always stay behind after training and do more. “It has always worked for me so I keep doing it. “For me it is about what you put in. “I love the competition and feel if you work hard and train hard then you are ready to play and it is all about the games for me. “I might not enjoy training so much but by doing things properly then you get to play in the games and you would have to drag me off the pitch to be honest, I love the games. “Maybe two or three times in my career I have gone through the season and played in every game. “But I am getting to an age when I am probably a bit more proud of that fact. “I am happy and I feel good.” Distin reveals he has found a personal regime that works for him in ensuring his body is capable of dealing with top-flight football for many years to come. He continues: “It maybe takes a bit longer to recover. “After the games now I feel quite stiff and don’t move so well – you pay for it the next day a little bit. “There are some great examples around of players extending their careers and Ryan Giggs is definitely one. “There isn’t even any point in talking about him – you just need to look at the stats. “They are amazing and speak for themselves.”
Everton FC 4 Liverpool FC 0: Blues enjoy Under 18s rout
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 27 2011
‘CATCH us if you can’ is the challenge from Everton under-18s to their Liverpool counterparts after yesterday’s crushing 4-0 derby victory at Finch Farm. In front of watching manager David Moyes and the first team staff, Everton’s youngsters threw down the gauntlet to their neighbours in the Barclays Premier Academy League Group C title race with a superb performance which saw them triumph emphatically thanks to goals from Eric Dier, Hallam Hope, John Lundstram and Anton Forrester. Neil Dewnsip’s side now sit six points ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Group C table and will look to pile on the pressure with victory in the final match of the regular league season at Leeds United on Saturday. Rodolfo Borrell’s team could still overhaul Everton if they win all three of their remaining matches, starting at Sheffield United this weekend. But the leaders now have the upper hand in the race for top spot and a place in the end-of-season national play-offs. The home side were dominant almost from the first whistle at Finch Farm yesterday. And they took the lead on five minutes when centre-back Dier powered a header past Liverpool keeper Jamie Stephens from Luke Garbutt’s cross. The visitors had won 13 straight Academy League matches coming into yesterday’s derby, but Everton never allowed them to settle into a rhythm and played the better football throughout the first half. Within eight minutes they were 2-0 up when Hope swept home across keeper Stephens from another Garbutt cross. Liverpool tried to get a foothold in the game, but Everton keeper Connor Roberts was rarely troubled. While at the other end, Forrester and Lundstram both went close. And seven minutes before the break Everton made it 3-0 as Lundstram headed home from Tom Donegan’s cross. Forrester almost added a fourth soon after but fired into the side netting from an acute angle after rounding Stephens. In the second half Liverpool had plenty of possession but found no way past the towering defensive duo of Dier and Johann Hammar and impressive full-backs Tyas Browning and captain Jake Bidwell. Without the influential but injured Raheem Sterling, watching from the sidelines, they were not as sharp in the attacking third. The prolific Adam Morgan had little service and failed to find the net for the first time in 15 matches.
Liverpool were restricted mostly to long-range efforts with Silva and Conor Coady firing over and Suso was comfortably denied by Roberts. But as they pushed forward Everton broke and added a fourth with five minutes left. Garbutt powered into the area and pulled back for Forrester to fire home. Everton coach Dewsnip said: “We are absolutely delighted. We got a great start from the header from Eric Dier and we just went on from there. We played really, really well in the first half.
“I thought we deserved to be up in the game at the break. And the second half was all about making sure they didn’t get a goal early on and put us under pressure. Luke Garbutt’s run and pull-back for Anton (Forrester) was the icing on the cake. “Connor Roberts has only had to make one real save from distance. And as I have been saying all year, they are a great set of lads. They work really hard. They have not always done as well as that in front of goal, but today was their day. “We have had plenty of bad days with Liverpool, but this was a good one. We know they have got some good players and they now know, if they didn’t, we have some good players. It is a tough job for every club to get boys into the first team. But this is a good moment and it helps.” He added: “We can only win the games and we’ve done that. We go Leeds on Saturday and we will do our best there as well. The rest of it is out of our hands. For the players we are desperate to finish the job off with a little help hopefully.” Liverpool coach Rodolfo Borrell was naturally disappointed. The Spaniard said: “To be fair they were a lot better at the start than us. They knew how to stop us and were more clinical. And it is fair to say they deserved to win. “I cannot be happy with this performance. There is disappointment because it is Everton and it is now difficult to win three games in six days with some of our players going away with the national team at under-17s. “It is another situation they must learn (from). If they want to get into the first team they have to be self-demanding. And if they want to win this type of game and fight for the league title, they have to do a lot more and create more.
“We need to keep performing at the right level. We need to bounce back and keep going.”
EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts; Browning, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier, Barrow, Lundstram, Donegan, Hope, Forrester, Garbutt: Subs: Higgins, Fitzgibbon, Thomas, Molyneux, Harris. BOOKING: Hammar.
LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Stephens, Rafferty, Smith, Sama, McGiveron, Coady, Silva, Roddan (Adorjan 65), Morgan, Suso, Ince (Ngoo 60). Subs: Regan, Belford, Mukendi.
REFEREE: S Oldham.
Everton FC letters: Lessons to learn from latest Man Utd loss
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 28 2011
IT was a disappointment to lose at Old Trafford, but on the whole, an excellent team performance, with Tim Howard, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville in particular outstanding. But the discernible factors of the game, and it is these vital ingredients which we require to move us to the next level, were the passing of Anderson between defenders and the pace of Antonio Valencia.
For all their endeavour, Jermaine Beckford, Louis Saha and Victor Anichebe, are not the archetype target men, but all prefer the ball to be played in front of them. Therefore, come the end of the season, and to achieve an effective balance and varied attacking options, it is imperative we purchase players of this ilk. Everton, to a certain extent, have relied too heavily on ‘talisman tactics’ and embellishment which has been detrimental to our progress. To rectify this, investment would be a key factor – but as per David Prentice’s column in the ECHO, a canny scouting system to find quality players at an early stage of their career is vital also, saving the club millions in transfer fees in the process.
David Kearns, Aintree
WHY do we change the format whenever we go to Old Trafford to play Manchester United? As usual we gave the ball away, we were spineless, pace-less and clueless. I cannot see United wanting Rodwell or anyone else for that matter. We are not equipped for that kind of game so why do we bother?
Blue
HOW many years has Moyes sent teams to Old Trafford?
How many games must he have against Manchester United before he will learn from his mistakes?Liverpool_8
THE doom and gloom merchants really make me laugh!
United were at full strength. At home they are always going to dominate possession and chances; we were missing key players and if Rodwell’s chance had gone in, it would have been a different story. It didn’t go in; and neither did most of their chances, apart from one. that’s football – you can play poorly all game but take one chance, game over! Why would we want United or anyone else interested in our better players, Rodwell etc? We need to keep hold of them, not sell them!
Bluewinner
AS usual, a clear penalty denied to the visiting team at Old Trafford which could have turned the game. The goal was the result of poor defending from both Hibbert and Howard, who otherwise made some great stops. I can’t argue with the result; we were battered for most of the game and only poor finishing by United saved a hiding.
blooper
A TYPICAL Everton performance against Manchester United. I think 1-0 flatters a bit as with a bit more luck, United could have scored a bagful. Their persistent pressure paid off and they deserved to win, sadly.
Inbillwetrust
EVERTON played their game at Old Trafford based on the chance of a breakaway goal, but were denied two blatant penalties! Moyes definitely shows United too much respect.
Perthscouse
IT’S great to have Tim Cahill back. We looked a far better team when he came on against United.
And well done to the Everton under-18s for beating Liverpool’s under-18s 4-0 on Tuesday.
Latchford9
WELL done Everton youth for defeating Liverpool youth 4-0 this week. The future really is Blue.
A big well done – look forward to seeing you in the first team.
logan11
AS an Everton Football Club supporter, it always amuses me when I hear of this quest for European football – for we all know that 90% of the clubs cannot afford to play in it. The Europa League has all the commitments and financially so few of the rewards. Next season, Stoke City and Birmingham City will be in it – they are just about managing to survive in the Premier League. You can just see what a battle they are going to have to survive, and still play all the other games demanded of them.
It is about time the clubs got wise; it is plain to see by the amount of injuries that players are playing too much football. Yet pushed on by the greed of their masters, we continue to increase the load.
Fred Smith, Bootle
Everton FC jury: Blues fans on their team's late defeat at Old Trafford
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 28 2011
David Moyes 300
Tony Scott: David Moyes is facing a near-impossible task to lead Everton FC to victory against the mega-rich teams of the Premier League WE were unlucky against Manchester United on Saturday but looking at Everton’s entire midfield and forward line at Old Trafford was Anichebe, Cahill, Osman, Rodwell, Gueye and Neville coming to a total of £6m so it was expected. With games left against Chelsea and Manchester City at home, Moyes is facing a near-impossible task to send teams out to beat the likes of these mega-rich clubs. Fans – including myself – were calling the likes of Joleon Lescott all kinds for leaving us but now its beginning to dawn on a lot of Blues why.
He’s playing in a FA Cup final next week, more than likely playing Champions League next season and doubled his money too. In summary, it looks like Everton have won the best of the rest league if they finish seventh. Without any kind of takeover or investment in the summer, any Evertonian who has renewed their season ticket by now can only hope for seventh yet again. Debbie Smaje: Tim Howard and Tim Cahill the positives to draw from the defeat against Manchester United
ANOTHER year, another tame, unambitious defeat at Old Trafford.
And in keeping with much of this season, individual errors at the back costing us crucial goals again.
There were two main positives: Tim Howard’s performance was outstanding. Though the defence were strong enough to mean he only had a couple of saves to make, the ones he did make were excellent, and but for one or two errors early in the season, he has been consistently safe all season.
The other was the return of Tim Cahill, who for the first time since returning from the Asia Cup, actually looked fit. While he had no impact on Saturday, he looked back to his old self, running around everywhere, winning headers and ruffling defenders. Let’s hope that’s the end of his injury problems for this season, and with the summer rest, can come back better next season. Mike Drummond: Disappointed with Everton FC’s poor display at Manchester United
WITH nothing to play for, you would think that we would just go all-out for a win at Old Trafford for something positive to talk about – but no, we end up on the back foot for near enough 90 minutes for a 1-0 defeat. I would prefer losing 3-0 if it meant us even testing their goalkeeper.
Our defence was superb yet again (minus the hiccup for their goal) but the midfield and attack was dreadful; even man of the moment, Leon Osman, had a quiet one. No injuries was the only positive.
We have four games to end the season on a high – two teams at the top and two teams at the bottom so results can go either way. We should not just sit back and allow other teams to define their seasons into something. We should build a bit of confidence and a feel-good factor for the summer to show the potential ‘leavers’ what they would miss should they depart Goodison.
David Wallbank: Everton FC seemed nervous to impose themselves on Manchester United LAST week’s early kick-off defeat at the hands of the soon-to-be Premier League champions was an odd occasion. We seemed nervous to impose ourselves on Manchester United while seeming solid at the same time. It’s a fine line between ‘having a go’ and getting beaten 5-0, and the Blues erred on the side of caution. I saw first hand the power of the corporate machine at Old Trafford on Saturday. Manchester United offer a true customer journey and cater for 70,000-plus, and as I left Old Trafford you couldn’t help but wonder actually how far behind Everton are in the world of football. Maybe I’m being unfair to Everton, but it’s a hard pill to swallow knowing your club has no money and we have ‘player trade’ to see any new faces.
Everton FC’s Magaye Gueye dreaming of a French revolution at Goodison Park
Liverpool Echo
Apr 28 2011
MAGAYE GUEYE is dreaming of a French revolution at Goodison Park next season. The 20-year-old forward is already making a name for himself with a string of impressive cameos during this campaign’s run-in, but wants the chance to partner his compatriot Louis Saha in the Blues attack next term It would be the first time Goodison has witnessed an all-French strike-force – and Gueye admits he would be playing alongside one of his footballing heroes if the scenario became reality.
Gueye, a £1m signing from French Ligue two club Strasbourg last summer, insists the injured former Manchester United striker has taught him a lot since arriving on Merseyside. “One day I will play alongside Louis Saha, he’s injured at the moment but that’s just football,” said Gueye. “But maybe next season I will get the chance, he is my favourite player at Everton, he is a fantastic finisher and a great striker. “He helped me adapt to life in England and to playing football in the Premier League.”
Gueye was recommended to David Moyes by Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier before the former Liverpool boss returned to England last year, and made his first Premier League start for Everton against Wolves this month after catching the eye against Villa at Goodison.
And while he models himself on Saha, who scored 10 goals before being ruled out for the season with an ankle injury, Gueye has a host of other players he looks to for inspiration. “The players I look up to are Messi, Kaka, (Karim) Benzema amd (Samir) Nasri,” he added. “Messi is the best player in the world, he has everything. He is very quick, he has good skills, he can dribble the ball and he is a very good finisher.” Gueye had a dream opportunity to seal his full first team debut with a goal at Molineux, but was denied by a smart save from home keeper Wayne Hennessey. “I thought I was offside and everything happened so quickly,” he said. “The goalkeeper was very quick off his line and the defender got there quickly too. I just pushed the ball forward a bit too much and the keeper just saved it with his feet.” “It was my first game and I was very stressed and nervous but maybe next time I can do better,” he continued. “I’d like to play in every game, and maybe score three goals and get some assists.” Gueye was once tipped to become his “secret weapon” by Moyes, and says he is thriving under the Scot’s tutelage. “David Moyes is a very good manager, he talks to me sometimes and says that he trusts me and he is confident in me,” he said. “He says I am one for the future, he wants me to learn and watch the other players. We are without some very important players because of injury, we don’t have Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini.” If Gueye’s dream of partnering Saha comes true, he will become only the third Frenchman to play up front for Everton. Before Saha arrived, Parisian Mickael Madar was the only man from across the channel to fulfil the goal-scoring remit for the Toffees. France international Madar signed for Howard Kendall’s side after just getting back into Deportivo de la Coruna’s first team after recovering from a broken leg, a set-back that followed his inclusion in the French squad for the 1996 European Championship. A tall, powerful striker, he began his career with Sochaux and later played for Cannes and Monaco, where he won his first cap for France against Romania in 1995. Kendall chose to deploy Frenchman alongside Duncan Ferguson, but Madar was quick to admit the difficulties he had adjusting to the English game. During the dismal 1997-98 season was dismal, with Everton surviving on goal difference, Madar’s impressive positional sense brought some of those vital goals but it was a rare highlight in his career with the Blues. Next season he was falling out of love with Merseyside as fast as Kendall was falling out of love with him. “The manager just doesn’t like me,” he said after one game. “He’s only seen me play twice. The first time I got a hat-trick and the second time, I was sent off too quick for him to make any judgements.” After Big Duncan Ferguson left in November ‘98, Madar finally got to strut his stuff before Walter Smith, but it was to no avail. After scoring just six goals for the Blues he was sold to Paris St Germain. Gueye will no doubt he hoping to make a better impression under another no-nonsense Scot.
David Moyes predicts big things for Everton FC young prospect Ross Barkley
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 28 2011
ROSS BARKLEY has been tipped to shine for Everton’s first team next season by manager David Moyes. The England U-17 midfielder is on the mend after suffering a triple leg break in October and Moyes hopes to have him fit for pre-season. Barkley who had been on the Everton first-team bench three times before the horror injury on England youth duty, is set to follow in the steps of Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell by becoming another star name from the Finch Farm academy conveyor belt. And although he insisted Barkley will not be thrust into the Premier League limelight, Moyes hopes he can make a positive impact. Moyes said: “I think he would have played in the first team already this year if he hadn’t had his injury. “If we’d have had Europa League football too, he would have been a certainty but with the injury he has missed most of the season. “I wouldn’t say I’d count on him as a first team player. You can’t say that until they come through. But he will be in the group of young players with the hope that one or two of them will pop their heads through and join in.” Barkley, from Wavertree, has been at the club since the age of 11 and in December signed a two-and-half year contract, the maximum possible at his age. The energetic midfielder had starred in England’s victory in the European Under-17 Championship last May, before suffering the injury in an Under-19s European Championship qualifying defeat against Belgium. “It was a big injury, but he’s doing really well now,” said Moyes. “He had a pin removed from his leg recently which has caused him a bit of discomfort. “But we’re hopeful he may start a little bit of work with a ball before the end of the season. So by the time he’s had a rest in the summer, he may be ready to start pre-season with us.” Said by many to be one of the best young prospects in the country, Barkley scored against Northern Ireland in the Under-16s Victory Shield game in October 2008 when he was just 14.
Meanwhile, Everton have announced a second pre-season friendly in America this summer. The Blues will face Major League Soccer outfit Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, July 20. The game takes place three days before the clash with DC United in Washington. The Union are currently in their second season in the MLS and have lost just one of their 10 games. They play at the 18,500 capacity PPL Park in Chester, on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Blues keeper Tim Howard was born an hour away. He said: “Philadelphia Union is a fantastic club and I’m really looking forward to playing against them. “Nick Sakiewicz brought me through the ranks when I was younger, I’m friends with members of their coaching staff and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them. “It’s a club whose results I look out for and hope they do well. It will be a tough game for us. “They will be in the mould of their manager Piotr Novak. He’s a tough, hard-nosed former Polish international who doesn’t back down. “I know for a fact from being very close to him that he expects nothing less from his team.” Sakiewicz is a former goalkeeper who is now the Union’s CEO. He said: “We are very proud to host Everton in what will be a challenge for our club and a treat for our fans.”
Wigan v Everton FC match preview (with video of rumoured Blues target Hugo Rodallega)
Apr 28 2011
Wigan's last five games
Apr 23: Premier League - Sunderland 4 Wigan 2
Apr 16: Premier League - Blackpool 1 Wigan 3
Apr 9: Premier League - Chelsea 1 Wigan 0
Apr 2: Premier League - Wigan 0 Tottenham 0
Mar 19: Premier League - Wigan 2 Birmingham 1
Everton's last five games
Apr 23: Premier League - Man United 1 Everton 0
Apr 16: Premier League - Everton 2 Blackburn 0
Apr 9: Premier League - Wolves 0 Everton 3
Apr 2: Premier League - Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
Mar 19: Premier League - Everton 2 Fulham 1
Wigan v Everton - past meetings
Wigan's home record reads exactly the same as Everton's away record in the Premier League this season - both sides have won four, drawn seven and lost six in their respective situations. The Blues have kept it fairly tight on the road, conceding only 20 whereas Wigan have leaked 31 goals at the DW Stadium. In five past Premier League encounters between the two sides in Wigan, Everton have the upper hand: Moyes' men have won three, drawn one and lost one.
30 January 2010: Wigan Athletic 0 Everton 1
The Blues took the spoils last season at the DW Stadium when Tim Cahill made the difference in an evenly-contested affair, heading home in the 84th minute from a Leighton Baines corner.
20 January 2008: Wigan Athletic 1 Everton 2
Everton leapfrogged Liverpool to move into fourth place after a Titus Bramble error helped them plunder three points at Wigan. Andy Johnson took advantage of a sloppy backpass from Bramble before Joleon Lescott slotted a second for the Blues. A late Jagielka own goal proved to be merely a consolation for the home side.
Rumours have cropped up this week linking Everton to Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega .
Ones to watch
Wigan
Ali Al Habsi has been very vocal this week about how Everton should prepare to lose against his team, and so far this season he has backed up words like that with a series of top-class performances. Charles N'Zogbia has ensured no-one will forget his name with some electric performances up front and out wide for the Latics. Although seemingly always linked with a move to a bigger club, he has been in great form.
Everton
Phil Jagielka has been rock solid for Everton this season and will be key again at the weekend against Wigan's exciting forward line. Tim Cahill also returned from injury against Manchester United and will be eager to get back among the goals again.
Latest odds from Betfred
Wigan - 13/8
Draw - 11/5
Everton - 11/8
Ross Barkley’s a banker to break through at Everton FC, says David Moyes
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 28 2011
DAVID MOYES has backed Ross Barkley to make his first-team breakthrough with Everton next season. The highly-rated 17-year-old midfielder is currently working his way back to fitness after suffering a serious injury while on international duty in October. Wavertree-born Barkley suffered a triple leg fracture while appearing for England under-17s in Belgium, instantly ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign. It was a bitter blow for the youngster, whose impressive progress had been such that he was given a run-out in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial at Anfield in September.
But Moyes is confident Barkley can soon become the latest player to step up from the Academy to the senior ranks. “I think he would have played in the first team already this year if he hadn’t had his injury,” said the Goodison manager. “If we had Europa League football too, he would have been a certainty but with the injury he has missed most of the season. “I wouldn’t say I’d count on him as a first team player. You can’t say that until they come through. He will be in the group of young players with the hope that one or two of them will pop their heads through and join in.” Barkley has resumed light running at Finch Farm in recent weeks and Everton are hopeful that the teenager will be doing ball work before the end of the season. And Moyes added: “It was a big injury, but he’s doing really well now. He had a pin removed from his leg recently which has caused him a bit of discomfort. “But we’re hopeful he may start a little bit of work with a ball before the end of the season – that’s our plan. “So by the time he’s had a rest in the summer, he may be ready to start pre-season with us.”
Meanwhile, Magaye Gueye has set his sights on forming an all-French frontline with Louis Saha next season. Everton’s injury list – which includes Saha, who is out until the new campaign – has seen Gueye given his first taste of Premier League action in recent weeks. Gueye has been taken under the wing of his more experienced compatriot since arriving at Goodison from Strasbourg last summer. And the 20-year-old said: “One day I will play alongside Louis Saha, he’s injured at the moment but that’s just football. “But maybe next season I will get the chance, he is my favourite player at Everton, he is a fantastic finisher and a great striker. “He helped me adapt to life in England and to playing football in the Premier League.” Everton have announced a second pre-season friendly fixture as part of their summer tour to the United States. Moyes’s men will take on Major League Soccer outfit Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, July 20, three days before the previously-announced clash with DC United in Washington. The game will take place at the 18,500 capacity PPL Park in Chester, on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was born an hour away and is relishing the clash. “Philadelphia Union is a fantastic club and I’m really looking forward to playing against them,” he said. “I’m friends with members of their coaching staff and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them. “It will be a tough game for us. They will be in the mould of their manager Piotr Novak. He’s a tough, hard-nosed former Polish international who doesn’t back down. I know for a fact from being very close to him that he expects nothing less from his team as well.”
Blue Watch: Proud? Do me a favour Manchester United bossed us off the park
by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 28 2011
I DON’T particularly want to dwell on Saturday’s predictable defeat at Old Trafford but I feel the need to vent some of my frustrations. I paid the ridiculous sum Manchester United charge for the pleasure of seeing an injury-ravaged Everton side comprehensively beaten in last season’s televised teatime clash, or stroll in the park as it proved. This time I opted to settle for the box and while it was a much more resolute Everton on show, the outcome left me feeling as miserable as I did trudging away from the so-called ‘theatre’ last time out. People will see the game differently.
We came within six minutes or so of claiming a hard-fought point against a side almost certain to finish as Premier League champions and on the verge of another European cup final. You could also say we eventually ran out of luck having clung on desperately at times while offering next to nothing in terms of an attacking threat. Forgive me if I lean more towards the latter. I know United are a top side but with their games coming thick and fast, this was a chance for an in-form Everton side to go out there with confidence and have a real go at ending that 19-year hoodoo. There was no pressure on us but, aside from a spell in the second half after the introduction of Anichebe and Cahill, we never imposed ourselves on the game and allowed United to bully and outmuscle us.
Maybe I’m expecting too much after our turnaround in form over the past few weeks, but it would be nice to see our level of ambition at Old Trafford extend further than just hanging on. Hearing Colin Murray tell David Moyes on Match of the Day 2 that he must have been ‘proud’ of his players for almost holding out for a point made me cringe. Is that really how far the gulf is now? It’s another short away trip for the Blues on Saturday as we face a Wigan side scrapping for their lives. If Sunderland, given their horrific run of form, can put four past them without a striker on the pitch then we should be expecting to wrack up our fourth win at the DW Stadium in five seasons.
But football doesn’t work like that, not where Everton are concerned anyway, so we’re going to have to be at our best and up for the battle if we’re to secure the three points. Hopefully we can regain lost ground on our neighbours and give us something to play for in the remaining weeks of the season.
Howard Kendall: Why Everton FC won’t need to scrap against stylish Wigan
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
IT’S Wigan up next for the Blues tomorrow, and a lot of people say they’ll be scrapping for their Premier League status. Actually, scrapping will probably be the last thing Wigan will do. Roberto Martinez is a manager with a very principled outlook on football and how it should be played.
He likes his sides to get the ball down and play it nicely, something he did superbly at Swansea, and he won’t change now which I admire because he must come under pressure from fans who have different opinions about the way to beat the drop and climb up the table. It’s nice to see that Roberto has the support of his chairman Dave Whelan too, who has insisted he will see out his contract even if Wigan are relegated. Whelan is a colourful figure who is not shy of letting his opinion be known but I am genuinely impressed with his steady support and long term view on Martinez’s development. I know if I was a Wigan supporter I’d rather see them play the way the Spaniard asks them to every week, than just pumping the ball up and kicking their way to safety.
It’s not the dreaded vote of confidence in his case – rather a genuine sign of patience and belief like the one Philip Carter made to me all those years ago.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC open to criticism after Manchester United defeat
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
EVERTON have got to accept a bit of criticism for ultimately coming away from Old Trafford beaten once again. Tactically they were sound and set their stall out to get a point – something that would probably have happened if they’d got the penalty they deserved for Rio Ferdinand’s shove on Victor Anichebe. The problem for David Moyes was that Javier Hernandez got his late winner, and then his whole game-plan was likely to be thrown into sharper focus and, ultimately, open to a bit of critique.
Nobody should forget the injuries afflicting the Blues at present, and the real question is whether Moyes had the players available to “go for it”. If the Toffees manager does not believe he has the fit players available to try and attack United in their own back yard he is hardly left with any other options. After all, whether they’re at their very best or not, Manchester United are firm favourites to be champions and it’s never easy going there as Everton’s poor record suggests. The reason Alex Ferguson’s side seem set to get their 19th league title is very clear at the moment – Wayne Rooney.
He had a difficult start to the year, but he’s burst into life now and looks set to drive them to glory.
There’s often a debate among Everton fans about whether they’d feel comfortable if Rooney signed for the Blues again. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since he left Goodison Park, and Rooney has grown up and speaks more of his fondness for Everton. I think it’s all academic anyway. If he maintains his form and fitness Wayne will probably stay at Old Trafford for another four seasons at the least – and then Europe will beckon.
Howard Kendall: How I started the original French revolution at Everton FC
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
MAGAYE GUEYE says he wants to be part of an all-French striking line-up at Goodison next season, and it’d be interesting to see if that happened. I signed the only other French striker the Blues have had, Mikael Madar after hearing good things about him from my contacts at Bilbao. He was a French international, and had a decent goal scoring record – but more importantly he was going for nothing. I flew over to watch him for Valencia, and even though he only came off the bench I thought he was a risk worth taking. Madar turned out to be a talented if a bit frustrating player. He had his own ideas about the way to do things, and you could see he could score goals if he’d listen to coaching.
Dave Prentice: Dashing Dixie Dean made Royal blue impression
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
OF course I couldn’t let this landmark date pass without paying affectionate tribute to the true royal significance of April 29. So here goes... On April 29, 1933 Dixie Dean collected the FA Cup from the future Queen Mother at Wembley. And if you remember that famous picture of the reigning monarch looking like a bulldog licking its own urine off a thistle, yes King George VI was miffed by how taken his missus was by the dashing and handsome Everton captain. On April 29, 1969 Joe Royle, a man with undoubted Royal Blue blood, led the Everton forward line in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal. On April 29, 1954 Everton were promoted back to the top flight with a 4-0 win at Oldham, thanks largely to a dashing performance from Dave Hickson. Hick, Hick Hooray! And on April 29, 1978 Bob Latchford, a man with regal bearing if ever there was one, scored twice against Chelsea to reach 30 league goals for the season and win a £10,000 national newspaper cash prize. Told you it was a royally significant occasion. Get your tea towels and your commemorative mugs now.
Everton FC skipper Phil Neville on why he’s happy to be the captain who tweets
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
FOR AN old-school professional who eschews the outspoken tendencies of some modern footballers it may be a surprise to discover Phil Neville on Twitter. It’s not that the Everton captain does not have plenty of impassioned opinions on the game he loves, it’s just that he’s not the type to feel compelled to constantly share them with everyone. Yet the 34-year-old has changed from self-confessed sceptic who derided the social networking site as a platform for “show-offs”, to a believer in its power to bring footballers and supporters closer together. Neville, aka Fizzer18 (his nickname in the Everton dressing room and shirt number), has been busy tackling fans’ questions in his spare time this week, and admits his surprise at finding it an engaging experience. “I was a massive sceptic and thought it was just for the show-offs,” says the Blues skipper as he briefly relaxes after training at Finch Farm. “But I think it’s a great way of interacting with fans, and probably doesn’t happen enough. “Initially I set it up for my charity. Me and my wife did it because my little girl is doing a charity run and we used it for fundraising and feed back. “But then I had Evertonians contacting me, and at first I was a bit hesitant. I worried if I should be doing it, but then I sat back and thought it brings supporters closer to players. “I’ve actually really enjoyed the interaction, and I think they’ve enjoyed speaking to me, and getting my feelings directly. I treat it like a Q&A session.” Neville says he is experienced enough to avoid the pitfalls of younger players who risk fines for venting on their Twitter pages, and insists he won’t be risking the ire of his manager by leaking sensitive information.
“I’m not going to be broadcasting team news or injury news,” he says. “I know the gaffer worries about it, but if I tell people who my favourite player is I don’t see any harm in that.”
Neville has already experienced the ugly side of tweeting, when a small number of fans used it to attack him, but he says: “You are opening yourself up to the public, and that inevitably means criticism and abuse because that’s the way of the modern world but you don’t have to reply to everyone. “I think it’s a great tool. You are in control of what you want to say, and if you say the wrong thing then it’s your own fault. “I use it to interact with journalists and discuss football with them. People want to hear what players say. If you don’t mind people worldwide knowing what you say then that’s fine. You just don’t tell the world your dinner plans. “I followed Guillem Balague the other day because I like his programme. Then I got some abuse because people said he was a Kopite – I thought “Come on...”. Neville has even used his profile to argue the optimist’s corner concerning Everton’s lack of finances and mega-rich new owners. “I got into a dialogue with someone who was ranting about the board,” he says. “I ended up answering all his points and reminding him it was the chairman who brought in David Moyes. Eventually he said he might not agree with me but he felt a bit more positive so it was worth it.” Of course, the midfielder’s immediate concern is three points against Wigan tomorrow. But he admits he would be disappointed to see the third from bottom Latics relegated. “I actually admire the chairman because I think he’s a loyal man. He was born in that area and is from a working class background and cares about the club. He must get frustrated when they play against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton and the away fans come in their thousands but they still can’t fill the stadium. “But he stands by his manager and he has a bright young one in Roberto Martinez. You have to persevere with managers like that. It’s too easy to abandon their principles and play long ball but Martinez has stuck to it and plays an open brand of football. I know if I was a Wigan fan I’d want to go and watch that and find it entertaining.
“They may be in the relegation trouble but I hope they stay in the league.” Although he admires passing football as much as the next Pep Gaurdiola-quoting armchair fan, the former Manchester United man says it must be a means to an end. The thing I always say though is that you can't always play the perfect pass, the perfect ball, the perfect game. Sometimes you have to win ugly,” he says. “When I first came to Everton we were a bit one dimensional. We only had a Plan A. Now we have more to us. I think we’re as good as anyone at playing from front to back. But we’ve developed to playing it forward early when it’s on, but otherwise we can get it down and play. We can mix it with the rough and tumble. “You’re right to stick to your principles but only if it eventually brings success. It takes a brave man to admit things aren’t working and compromise. You need to look at other teams that have had success. Look at Chelsea – they have a big man up front, they put crosses into the box and get men behind the ball. “Then look at Arsenal – they play football that’s almost from a different planet at times but they haven’t won trophies recently. “Barcelona play the best football in the world, but what stands out for me is the work rate – it is unbelievable. When they lose the ball they have three or four men working tirelessly to win it back. It’s the dirty jobs and how well they do them that make them the best for me.” Neville insists Everton must improve on their offering from the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford if they are to overcome Wigan. “Winning the ball back early is huge for me,” he says. “It’s one thing we didn’t do properly against Man United. Since our good run started we’ve done that, and got on the front foot and got in opposition faces. I’m not sure if it was them making the pitch too big or us not having the quality on a hot day. “We didn't do bad because we held on for 86 minutes but then you wonder whether we could have done more the other end of the pitch.”
Everton FC’s skipper Phil Neville believes the club is still on the brink of great things
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 29 2011
PHIL Neville believes Everton are still on the verge of great things despite their disjoined campaign – and wants a win against Wigan to continue erasing the negativity that has hampered the club since January. The Toffees skipper admits he has been aware of unrest from some sections of fans since the start of the year, culminating with the club’s FA Cup exit against Reading in March. But while the 34-year-old recognises the need for manager David Moyes to have funds to freshen-up his squad this summer, he insists the club is not weaker since last year when they were widely tipped to break into the top four. He said: “I have been speaking to the fans and there seems to have been a lot of negativity about the club since January. I was at a season ticket conference a few weeks ago and there was real worry from some that the club is going backwards, but I think we’re in a great position. “We’re going forwards. We have the best manager, a core group of good players signed up on long term contracts, and yes we need a couple of new faces but you need that every summer.
“We are not far away. The next step for Everton will be the biggest leap. We finished eighth last season and everyone was saying how well we finished. Now we’re seventh after a bad start.
“I know there have been disappointments, but I think the future is as bright as last summer. The negativity in January and February affected everyone. I think the good run lifted us all and we ended that.” Neville is preparing to lead the Blues into action against relegation-haunted Wigan tomorrow, aware of the need to cut the points difference between them and sixth-placed Liverpool - especially after Bolton Wanderers missed an opportunity to overtake Everton on Wednesday. And although the Everton captain concedes the Blues have a tough run-in, he believes it will keep the squad fully focused on the job of finishing as highly as possible in the Premier League. “I think the run-in keeps us motivated,” he said. “We are all looking up, but playing Chelsea and Man City keeps us focused. You could easily switch off at this stage and say there’s nothing to play for but there is. “The manager is keeping our edge in training because they’re all big games. Wigan is massive. There will probably be 10,000 Evertonians there and we can’t let them down. There is a steel coming back to us and I think we’ll finish strongly.”
Everton FC manager David Moyes assesses Reading's Shane Long as striker signing
Liverpool Daily Post
Apr 29 2011
DAVID MOYES is running the rule over Reading forward Shane Long as the Everton manager prepares to once again look outside the Premier League for new arrivals this summer.
Long, a Republic of Ireland international, has been the driving force behind Reading’s revival since the turn of the year that has seen them ensconced in the npower Championship play-off places.
The 24-year-old, who has previous experience of the top flight with the Royals, has netted 24 times in all competitions this season, and was part of the team that won 1-0 at Goodison in the FA Cup fifth round last month. His form has already attracted interest from a clutch of clubs with Newcastle United, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Celtic thought among the potential suitors. And Long said recently: “It's always nice to hear good things but I try not to take too much notice of it. I just concentrate on scoring goals for Reading. If anyone wants to take notice, then that's fine.
“I've always said I want to play to the highest level and obviously the next step is the Premier League. But I want to get Reading back there.” Financial restraints mean Moyes is expected to continue with his policy of taking a chance on players from the lower leagues. Tim Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Jermaine Beckford are among those previously been plucked from teams outside the top-flight by the Everton manager, who is already being linked heavily with a summer move for Leicester City’s highly-rated Wales midfielder Andy King. Meanwhile, Leighton Baines hopes victory for Everton tomorrow will not deliver a decisive blow to former club Wigan Athletic’s hopes of Premier League survival. The two teams meet at the DW Stadium with the Latics languishing at the foot of the table. And Baines, who made 162 appearances for Wigan in six seasons before moving to Goodison for £6million 2007, said: “We are trying to take maximum points, we're disappointed we aren't closer to the teams above us. “But fingers crossed for them (in their games after us) and hopefully they can avoid the drop. They have some good players and a great manager as well.
“It is nice to go back. Obviously I had some very good years there and there are some very good people at the club. “On the pitch things have definitely changed, but I still know quite a few of the staff and it is nice to see them.” Everton were held to a goalless draw by Wigan at Goodison back in December, and Baines added: “They are dangerous with their attacking players so we will have to be careful on Saturday.”
Six points will do - Martinez
Wigan Today
29 April 2011
ROBERTO Martinez has issued a rallying call ahead of the visit of Everton that could make or break Wigan Athletic’s season. Latics slipped back into the bottom three at the weekend after going down at Sunderland, and have only four matches left to save themselves from the drop.
The first of those sees in-form Everton arrive at the DW for Wigan’s first home match in a month – and Martinez says it’s vital his side take full advantage. Martinez reckons six points would guarantee Latics a seventh season of top-flight football and, with fellow strugglers West Ham also left to play home, he believes home form will be crucial. “We have to carry on with our good work in our last few home games – because the next four games will decide our destiny,” he told the Observer.
“We need to start well and control the game, and we need to learn the lessons from the Sunderland game.” Despite taking the lead at the Stadium of Light, Latics were pegged back by a Sunderland side spurred on by a home crowd who clearly recognised the importance of the situation. And Martinez wants the Wigan fans to replicate that atmosphere to hopefully unsettle Everton.
“The home crowd had a positive effect on Sunderland at the weekend, their players were allowed to raise their games,” the Spaniard added. “That’s what playing at home gives you, and the games against Everton and West Ham are two huge, huge games that will shape our season. “The help from our fans will be potentially decisive, and we need them more than ever on Saturday to be our 12th man.” Latics will be boosted by the availability of Maynor Figueroa after the Honduran completed a two-match suspension.
David Moyes denies Leighton Baines could leave Everton for Liverpool
• 'I don't want to sell him,' says the Everton manager
• Mikel Arteta expected to be in squad for Wigan game
By Andy Hunter
The Guardian, Saturday 30 April 2011
David Moyes has dismissed the prospect of Leighton Baines crossing the Merseyside divide to join Liverpool this summer and said no one will be leaving Everton against his wishes. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the 26-year-old left-back, who has consolidated his position in the England squad as the nearest rival to Ashley Cole following another outstanding campaign at Goodison Park. Baines, signed from Wigan Athletic for £6m in 2007, committed to a new five-year contract with Everton only last June but, while aware of interest in the Kirkby-born defender, Moyes is adamant the England international is not for sale. "We have signed him on a five-year deal and Everton sell very expensively," he said. "I don't want to sell him and Everton sell very expensively; that's what we do. We don't sell cheap and the chairman looks after the players and gives them what he can. So he is not for sale." Asked if he had any concerns that Baines would push for a move to Liverpool if an offer materialised from Anfield, the Everton manager added: "I can't see it. It's not for me that one and I think they know that as well." Moyes is expected to face the dilemma, however, of whether or not to cash in on one of his assets this summer in order to raise funds for new signings. The Everton manager resisted that approach last pre-season in order to invest in new contracts for Baines, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell among others. But the subsequent lack of funds for a new striker undoubtedly cost Moyes' team during a poor start to the campaign. "If I'm going to do any business this summer, then I want it done early. Whether that will be possible or not, I don't know. I'm hoping, if I can, to bring players in at the start and not later on but nobody will leave the club unless I say so. Nobody will leave unless I give it the go-ahead and that won't change. If we've got the same players for next season as this one, then that's what we'll have. I'll go with the same squad again if I have to," he said. Arteta is expected to return to the Everton squad at Wigan having been out for the past seven weeks with a torn hamstring. "He has trained this week and so hopefully he can be involved," said Moyes, who still has a doubt over John Heitinga and remains without Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini. The Everton manager added: "We've also got Tim Cahill available again but I think there is only 60 minutes in him at the moment and we are not sure how his foot injury is going to react. We cannot operate on it, it is an injury that just burns itself out, but whether that will be tomorrow or in three months' time we cannot say."
Barry Horne: Everton FC’s academy is still the best despite recent Red flourish
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
ONE of the many benefits to Liverpool FC of Kenny Dalglish’s tenure already has been the promotion of homegrown talent, which would never have happened under their last two foreign coaches. In one season, we have seen the emergence of four players; Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson and John Flanagan as real prospects – when prior to them the most recent graduates are now approaching the end of their career. No doubt Liverpool will continue to progress these lads and try to coax the best out of teenagers like Suso and Adam Morgan along the way too. Much has been made of this success lately, but meanwhile Everton have steadily been producing players over the past 10 years, with many academy graduates appearing in professional football elsewhere as well as in royal blue for David Moyes’ first team. The future continues to look bright, with a 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool’s U18s at Finch Farm in the week that by all accounts was as convincing as they come. Congratulations to the lads and especially Neil Dewsnip, a real passionate football man with lots of knowledge on the academy scene and a clear flair for bringing the best out of local youngsters – he may yet get the U18s side into the Academy League play-offs too which would be an achievement. He and his coaches are obviously doing something right, and paving the way for local lads to break into Everton teams of the future.
Barry Horne: Everton FC’S transfer dilemma may mean he must sell to buy a striker like Shane Long or Kevin Doyle
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
EVERTON should be quite pleased with a spirited performance at Old Trafford despite the game predictably ending in a narrow victory for the champions-elect. The same players who have been performing well recently continued their good form, and Javier Hernandez once again proved to be one of the most inspired signings of recent years Sir Alex Ferguson drew on all his experience and instinct, along with his extensive scouting network, to take a chance on the striker before his price might have soared during the World Cup finals. People talk of Hernandez as if he was plucked from the back streets of Guadalajara, overlooking the fact that he was actually already a full international. But while Ferguson rightly takes plaudits for the best signings, not all of his have worked out. Macheda, Rossi, and Anderson have not quite worked in the Premier League, so it just goes to show that it’s not easy to spot and develop talent that will thrive in England’s top flight. He is incredibly astute but United have money and taking the odd hit on a player is not such a big deal. What would Moyes give for the chance to sign Hernandez for £6m now – because that is an area we must strengthen, and strikers are generally the most expensive. Doyle has been inspirational at times this year, and would be coveted by most managers. Even if Wolves go down, and Reading don’t come up, both players are likely to cost in excess of £10m which may be beyond Everton’s budget. That is the quandary Moyes faces, and despite his bullish stance with respect of Jack Rodwell and Fellaini’s future, it is always in the background. At a club like Everton sometimes you may have to make sacrifices to keep moving forward.
Royal Blue: Everton FC star Tim Cahill shows he can leave derby dislike on the pitch with trip to Madrid
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
IT was interesting to see that Merseyside’s current crop of footballers leave the derby day dislike very much on the pitch. Some may have been surprised to see Tim Cahill enjoying an afternoon in Madrid with Pepe Reina and Andy Carroll ahead of El Clasico last week, but if anything it proves that even competitors like Cahill and Carroll, who would leave nothing in reserve on the pitch, are mature enough to leave the blood and thunder to two fixtures a season. But don’t bet against Cahill and Carroll having as much will to win and needle as ever when the two sides meet next season.
Royal Blue: Everton FC family fun day at Stanley Park
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
EVERTON are holding a day of fun in aid of charity ahead of the game against Manchester City on Saturday, May 7. Between 12pm and 3pm supporters and local people of all ages are encouraged to head for Stanley Park and get involved in a host of activities to help raise money for Everton in the Community, the Blues’ official charity. Everton in the Community coaches will be running soccer skills sessions, beat the goalie competitions and face painting. Supporters will also get the opportunity to have their photograph taken with Changy the Elephant and buy unique Everton branded merchandise, with all profits being donated to the life-changing programmes delivered by the Blues’ official charity. Speaking ahead of the event, fundraising manager for Everton in the Community, Rowena Finn, said: “We are all really excited about the family fun day, which will be a fantastic event. “All the proceeds from the day will be invested into the vital programmes Everton in the Community delivers to help improve the lives of people living in Merseyside. “We urge everyone coming to the match or who live locally to come along to Stanley Park from 12pm and get involved.”
For more information see evertonfc.com/community or call 0151 530 5253.
Royal Blue: Why David Moyes does not need silly money to apply the icing to the cake at Everton FC
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
THOSE Evertonians who daydream of a gold-plated gazillion dollar takeover may not welcome the sentiment, but David Moyes may be right when he says he does not need a limitless fortune to transform his side. That is not to suggest that other areas of the club are not in need of serious investment, of course they are, but would a canny transfer operator like Moyes really need Manchester City levels of cash to turn the Blues into top four material? Chelsea set a new benchmark when they paid £50m for Fernando Torres, but there are many who suspect Moyes could make Everton close to perennial Champions League qualifiers with that sum alone. Moyes may be indulging in wishful thinking when he pines for investment over new ownership – who in their right mind would plough millions into a financial drain like a football club and not want the vanity of being top dog? – but it’s easy to understand his frustration. Many felt he was nearly there last summer. With a squad that was so overwhelmingly strong in key areas along its spine – from Tim Howard, to Phil Jagielka, to Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta...it was only lacking one crucial ingredient; namely a top class centre-forward. “Everton could be very close to being very good for not an awful lot of outlay. It might not be one of those clubs that needs £300m-£400m to turn it around,” said Moyes recently. “The stadium needs investment obviously, but maybe one side can be developed to start with. I'm not sure, something like that. Maybe the football team doesn't need £100m. Maybe the football team needs an amount that would give it a chance to breathe again and grow a little bit more. That's maybe why we don't need a zillionaire." Add a proven, experienced 20-goal-a-season striker to the current Everton mix (and crucially retain all current assets) and there would be a team ready to hit the ground running next season. Of course, they don’t come cheap – perhaps the right man would cost in the region of the £22m it cost Villa to buy Darren Bent, the closest to a sure thing goalscorer you can find in the Premier League – but it’s the most glaring gap in Everton’s ranks.
Whoever he signed would be sure to come under ruthless scrutiny, but centre-forwards are arguably easier to buy because they can prove their pedigree very simply by referring to the statistics. It may take some a while to get going in the UK, it is far too early to rule out someone like Edin Dzeko, but if you spend £20m you normally get what you pay for up front. So what for the remaining £30m? Given Moyes’ track record in spotting bargains, he could inject some new competition into the back four by signing a younger centre-half to keep the outstanding Sylvain Distin on his toes, and then address the issue of his two midfield flanks where he has perhaps been lacking proven quality for some time. Nobody would claim Seamus Coleman has not been anything but a breath of fresh air on the right side of midfield this season, but the Irishman is likely to revert to an attacking right-back eventually. Everton could benefit from a wide playmaker who can finish with the unerring accuracy of Florent Malouda or Ashley Young and few would bet against Moyes finding one on the continent.
Maybe the Blues boss will be tempted to flash whatever cash he actually receives this summer on Blackpool’s David Vaughan, arguably as influential to their cavalier play as Charlie Adam. But with that fantasy £50m pot he could pick up two or three players in Vaughan’s mould, while also considering a move for Wolves striker Kevin Doyle, a robust target man who runs endlessly and can operate as a lone forward. Everton need a fortune to build a new stadium and plant themselves firmly on the map of football clubs which are also global brands. But the frustrating thing is, it’s pretty obvious David Moyes does not need a fortune, by Premier League financial standards anyway, to transform his team.
Everton FC: Leighton Baines hailed as a ‘diamond’ by former boss Roberto Martinez
Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez believes Premier League survival would enable the club to develop more players like Leighton Baines. Baines is the club’s most successful youth product having become a full England international since being sold to Everton for £6million four years ago. The 26-year-old left-back is enjoying an outstanding season and could push his old club closer to relegation when he returns to the DW Stadium with the Toffees tomorrow. Wigan are back in the bottom three after defeat at Sunderland last weekend and have just four games remaining to preserve their top-flight status. Martinez said: “We have always been very proud of Leighton. He has always been a diamond produced in our ranks. “It has been a little bit disappointing we haven’t promoted more youngsters since Leighton left. “When he played for England it was a very proud day for many people at Wigan Athletic and we wish Leighton the very best of luck after Saturday. “If we could be successful and achieve our aim this season that would allow us to kick on as a football club. The playing staff is so young I feel we would really get the full potential from the group of players we have got. “We have so much to gain rather than a lot to lose and that is the exciting aspect of our battle.” The club have high hopes for 20-year-old forward Callum McManaman, who today signed a new two-year contract. A head injury suffered in January has slowed the youngster’s progress but, with eight senior appearances, he is the first fully homegrown youngster to play League football since Baines. Martinez said: “It is a fantastic story to have another youngster coming through the ranks. We want to carry on producing good young, local talent that can look up to the level Leighton Baines has achieved.” Wigan had lifted themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time in three months with victory at Blackpool a fortnight ago. Sunderland’s poor form prior to last week’s trip to the Stadium of Light then offered hope of recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season but the 4-2 loss was a heavy blow. Despite the setback, Martinez remains confident and does not feel his team need to resort to desperate measures. He said: “There is nothing different for us, it is not all of a sudden that we see ourselves in this situation. We have been dealing with this situation for the last six months. “From our point of view, nothing changes. We have found a very good level of performance in the last 10 games and we need to carry on with that until the last day of the campaign. “The points tally we thought was going to be needed has probably dropped slightly but I still think you will need around 40 points. “That will be affected by the results of the teams that are going to play against each other in the last four games but I don’t think you can look further than the next game. “For us it is the most important fixture of the season and that is the way we have to treat it.” Seventh-placed Everton are in good form, having gone seven games unbeaten prior to last week’s 1-0 loss at Manchester United. Martinez said: “Their points return over the last 12 games has been phenomenal. “If you look at the experienced players they have got, they are a team that is capable of competing against anyone. “Unless you are at your best, you will not be able to compete against them.” Wigan have often been criticised for their poor attendances but Martinez expects a big crowd. He said: “The support from the crowd is vital at this critical stage of the season and I have no doubt we are going to get that atmosphere.” Wigan are at full strength, with left-back Maynor Figueroa returning from suspension.
Wigan Athletic v Everton FC preview: Everton FC boss David Moyes has not enjoyed Everton’s disjointed season
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
RARELY one to mince his words, David Moyes responds definitively when asked whether he has enjoyed this see-saw campaign. “No,” he says, before pausing. Moyes is readying his troops for another game against a side, in Wigan Athletic, that his team underwhelmed against earlier this season. But he cannot shake-off the frustration at how those early stumbles against sides like Wigan, Wolves and West Brom cost him dearly. “I wouldn’t say it’s been enjoyable. I had higher expectations and don’t feel I’ve reached them this year,” he says. “I enjoyed how we played in some earlier games this season but it didn’t get me any results, and in turn that plays with how you are going to find ways of winning. “I wasn’t happy two or three months ago and thought we were going to have to just get back to basics to get results. “The nice football didn’t get us goals, then we were making the odd individual mistake at the back. We were losing by 1-0 or disappointing at home to the likes of Newcastle, Wigan, West Brom and Wolves. “If we’d just won two of those four games then we’d still be in with a shout of European competition. “We missed the goals. It’s probably what hampered us for the first eight weeks of the season and left us with too much to do to catch the others. Goals change games. Look at our win at Wolves – we could have been behind early but Wolves missed their chances and we took ours to leave us with three more points towards our total. We went to St James’ park before that and played well, but more importantly we took our chances. “Last year from January our form was terrific and it’s picked up again. So we can finish well but we need that good start.” Moyes was bemused by reports linking him with Aston Villa, and although his future has been the subject of recurring speculation this season, the Scot has continually insisted he is happy at Goodison Park. “It is nothing to do with me,” he said. “I am at a great club and have got a great job. I don’t know what to say.” The Toffees were unbeaten in seven games prior to last week’s loss at Manchester United and their strong run is bringing a generally disappointing campaign to a positive conclusion. “This is probably the position where most people would have put us,” he says. “Most people would have said we’d be between fifth and eighth. “I’m disappointed because I felt we could have gone one better than that. “But there is still enough to play for, we have tried to emphasise to the players it is important we stay near the top. “That is where we want to be and I have not seen any signs from the players to suggest they think any different.”
Everton end the season with home games against Manchester City and Chelsea, either side of a match at West Brom. First they must tackle Wigan, who are anxious for points at the bottom end of the table. Moyes said: “They are always pretty tough games against Wigan. “Roberto (Martinez) always gets his team playing in a good footballing style, but I am sure at the moment winning is the key. “We had a spell six or eight weeks ago when I felt we had to make sure we won. “Luckily we did and when you get those wins it brings a bit of confidence back to the team and the squad and hopefully your performances can improve. “Just over a week ago Wigan came out of the bottom three for the first time in a long while and they will know they are not far away from that.” Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta could return after five games out with a hamstring injury having trained this week. Midfielder Tim Cahill is likely to be involved but again only as a substitute as he continues his recovery from a foot injury. The Australian came off the bench at Old Trafford after sitting out six out of the previous seven games. The 31-year-old has endured a gruelling schedule having played in the World Cup and Asian Cup in the past year. Moyes said: “It is concerning because it is one of these things that may go tomorrow or it might still be there in three months’ time. “It is something that tends to just burn itself out and get better in time.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes tells Liverpool FC Leighton Baines is not for sale
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 30 2011
DAVID Moyes has warned Liverpool to forget about trying to lure Leighton Baines to Anfield this summer. The Everton manager responded to growing rumours that Kenny Dalglish will make a big-money move for the England left-back, who is currently enjoying his best season for the Toffees.
Moyes insisted he will have the final word on what players, if any, are allowed to leave Goodison this summer – and confirmed Baines is not for sale. He said: “I can’t see it. It’s not for me that one, and I think they know that as well. Nobody will leave the club unless I say so, and give it the go ahead and that won’t change. “We have signed him on a five year deal and I don’t want to sell him. Everton sell very expensively; that’s what we do. We don’t sell cheap because that is why he is on a five-year deal and the chairman looks after the players and gives them what he can. So he is not for sale.”
The Toffees side that takes the field at the DW stadium against Wigan today will feature two players with Wigan links in in-form duo Baines and Leon Osman. England left-back Baines came through the ranks at Athletic before moving on to Goodison while dynamic midfielder Osman was born and has family in the area. Moyes added: “Leighton has improved no end from when we took him. He was a good player at Wigan and that is what got us looking at him and signing him. “It took him a while to settle but he has grown into it and got better. Now I think most people think if there was a World Cup this year, Leighton Baines would be a certainty. “Ossie has played really well and nearly carried us, certainly in the creativity department. “He has got a couple of important goals for us and probably relished that, with Mikel, Tim and Marouane Fellaini, out of the team and the loss of Steven Pienaar. “A lot of the focus has gone on to Ossie and to be fair to him he has taken the mantle and done it really well.”
Wigan 1 Everton 1
April 30, 2011
Manchesyer Evening News
Former Wigan star Leighton Baines smashed home a late penalty to deny his old club a vital victory against Everton. Relegation-threatened Latics looked on course for three much-needed Barclays Premier League points as they clung onto a 21st-minute lead given to them by an excellent Charles N'Zogbia strike at the DW Stadium. However, after Ali Al Habsi saved one Mikel Arteta spot-kick, Wigan's luck ran out as Baines struck from 12 yards on 77 minutes after a Hugo Rodallega handball.
Wigan finished strongly but Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was outstanding in the closing minutes.
Everton's Leighton Baines hits the spot to deny Wigan victory
The Observer
Paul Wilson at the DW Stadium
Saturday 30 April 2011
After an uneventful opening, the game burst into life midway through the first half when Charles N'Zogbia gave Wigan the lead. James McCarthy made the chance by extending an already good move with a peach of a pass to put N'Zogbia through on goal, although the winger's first touch let him down and Wigan were appealing for a penalty for a rash challenge by Tim Howard when N'Zogbia calmly regathered the ball to turn and score from a narrower angle than first anticipated.
With Everton continuing to be unproductive in attack, Wigan were good value for their lead for most of the first half, although they were indebted to Ali Al-Habsi, not for the first time this season, when N'Zogbia gave away a soft penalty 10 minutes before the interval. Alert enough to spot the danger from Leighton Baines's short corner to Leon Osman but not quite quick enough to reach the ball first, N'Zogbia did little more than block the Everton player's turn but it was enough to bring a whistle. Al-Habsi guessed right and dived to his left to save Mikel Arteta's not particularly well-placed penalty, helping atone for the uncharacteristic mistake that cost his side a deserved point at Manchester City a few weeks ago. Yet Wigan were punished for another error as Hugo Rodallega needlessly handled at a corner in the 78th minute and the referee, Lee Mason, pointed to the spot for a second time. This time Baines ensured there was no let-off as he blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Wigan upped the tempo in a late effort to reclaim the lead and Everton had Howard to thank for keeping them at bay. The goalkeeper twice saved from Rodallega, beat away a Ben Watson drive and clutched an acrobatic effort from Franco Di Santo. Victor Moses also had a chance after a goalmouth scramble in injury time but fired well over.
Wigan Athletic 1 Everton 1: match report
Saturday April 30 2011.
By Neil Johnston The Telegrapher
They were advertising places for Wigan Athletic's annual awards dinner in the match day programme. But the £50-a-ticket event, four days before the final game of the season, could yet double as a wake after Everton defender Leighton Baines's 78th minute penalty denied his struggling former club three priceless points. Charles N'Zogbia's seventh goal of the season and Ali Al Habsi's heroics looked to combined to earn Roberto Martinez's side a valuable victory over Everton.
But Hugo Rodallega's needless handball allowed Baines to equalise and leave Wigan 270 minutes from relegation.. Just how desperate Wigan's plight has become was reflected in the second minute when the usually composed Hugo Rodallega, the club's leading Premier League scorer, snatched at a chance to give his side a second minute lead after the Everton defence had been carved open. The visitors had Tim Cahill, as well as Mikel Arteta, back in the side after injury but they fell behind to an exquisite finish by N'Zogbia in the 21st minute. James McCarthy's chip into the penalty area was not dealt with by the Everton defence allowing N'Zogbia the chance to fire home from an accute angle after a fine piece of skill, the Frenchman's second goal in three games. But N'Zogbia looked to have undone all his hard work when he presented Arteta with a chance to mark his return with a goal after a clumsy 35th minute challenge on Leon Osman earned Everton a penalty. Al Habsi had already denied Osman with a finger-tip save and the Oman international again showed why Martinez is so keen to turn his loan into a permanent deal by diving full stretch to keep out Everton's Spanish playmaker. Wigan should have put the game out of the sight in the second half, Tim Howard twice denying substituite Victor Moses before Baines, a former graudate of the Wigan youth Academy, equalised after Rodallega had handled while trying to clear a corner.
Everton deny Wigan
April 30 20111 The Daily Star Bangladsesh
were denied a priceless victory against Everton, who came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium. Charles N'Zogbia fired Wigan ahead on 21 minutes, curling his shot into the top corner from the right of the penalty area. Everton squandered a chance to equalise towards the end of the half however, when Mikel Arteta's penalty -- conceded by N'Zogbia -- was brilliantly saved by Oman's Ali Al Habsi. But Everton made no mistake when they earned a second penalty late on after Hugo Rodallega handled in the area. Leighton Baines stepped up to smash home the equaliser on 78 minutes. Blackpool's hopes of Premier League survival remain on a knife-edge after a gritty 0-0 draw with Stoke at Bloomfield Road. The hard-earned point left Ian Holloway's men hovering just above the relegation zone, ahead of 18th placed Wigan on goal difference. Fulham maintained their recent run of good form at Sunderland, downing the Black Cats 3-0. The Cottagers went ahead through loan signing Gael Kakuta, the Chelsea teenager latching on to a Bobby Zamora pass and finishing from eight yards. Simon Davies doubled Fulham's lead midway through the second half, silencing the Stadium of Light with a neat finish from Steve Sidwell's cross before grabbing a second 12 minutes later to complete the scoring. Ten-man West Brom came from behind to take the honours in their Midlands derby against Aston Villa, winning 2-1 at the Hawthorns.
RESULTS
Blackburn 1 (Olsson 20) Bolton 0
Blackpool 0 Stoke 0
Sunderland 0 Fulham 3 (Kakuta 33, Davies 61, 73)
West Brom 2 (Odemwingie 60, Mulumbu 84) Aston Villa 1
(Meite 4-og)
Wigan 1 (N'Zogbia 21) Everton 1 (Baines 78-pen)
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Everton
May 1 2011
by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES cracked home a late penalty as Everton salvaged a point at relegation troubled Wigan Athletic. The Blues looked like they were in for a frustrating afternoon at the DW Stadium having wasted an early chance to cancel out Charles N'Zogbia's strike midway through the first half. But where Mikel Arteta failed to convert from the penalty spot as Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi denied the Spaniard, Baines fired home with authority to make it 1-1. With the fear of demotion driving the home side on, Wigan continued to press for the winner late in the game but found Tim Howard in exceptional form on his 300th league game in English football. The hard-earned draw leaves David Moyes' men seventh in the Premier League table but Wigan still languishing in the bottom three. Ahead of Liverpool's game at home to Newcastle United tomorrow lunchtime, Everton trail the Reds by four points. Arteta made his first start since picking up an ankle injury against Birimgham City in March and was one of three changes Everton made from the side beaten 1-0 by Manchester United last week. In came Victor Anichebe and Tim Cahill with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Seamus Coleman and Jermaine Beckford relegated to the substitutes' bench. The early pace of the game was bright as both sides probed for an opening; Wigan most of all could afford to waste time the least with the threat of relegation hanging over them at kick-off. However the first shot on target did not arrive until the 21st minute and with it came the opening goal. James McCarthy's neat chipped pass put Charles N'Zogbia in the clear and though initially held up by Tim Howard racing from his line, the French international bided his time before curling beyond the Everton keeper into the far corner. Although an excellent strike, Everton will question how the Wigan forward was allowed the time to turn and pick his spot, all unopposed. Typically, it was Leon Osman who tried to stir the visitors into action and within 60 seconds of falling behind his turn and shot brought Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi into meaningful action for the first time. Osman was again in the thick of it when David Moyes' were handed a chance to level the game. N'Zogbia rashly fould Osman just inside the area after the Everton player had collected a short corner but from the penalty, the returning Arteta was foiled by Al Habsi who guessed correctly by diving to his left and palming the ball away to safety. Wigan finished the half strong however and Everton required Howard to be sharp when parrying N'Zogbia's low drive from inside the area. Although the Frenchman leaving the field on 54 minutes came as relief to the visitors, they twice called upon Howard to thwart his replacement Victor Moses with fine saves. The danger woke Everton from their slumber and they began to show the fight missing the opening period. Chances however remained at a premium but Osman's low drive was fumbled by Al Habsi and as Cahill looked to pounce, the Wigan goalkeeper scrambled to his feet and retrieved the ball in time. Al Habsi foiled Phil Jagielka at the back post but was helpless when team-mate Hugo Rodallega handled in the area to gift Everton another penalty. With Arteta off the pitch, Baines stepped up and lashed into the top corner to make it 1-1 on 78 minutes. Substitute Seamus Coleman who have a deflected effort saved by Al Habsi whilst Howard was called upon on numerous occasions deep into the game as he saved from Franco Di Stanto before Rodallega blazed over in the final seconds.
WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-5-1) Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, N'Zogbia (Moses 54), McCarthy, Watson, Diame (McArthur 44), Cleverley (Di Santo 79), Rodallega. Not used: Kirkland, Gohouri, Di Santo, Gomez, Sammon.
Goals: N'Zogbia (21)
EVERTON (4-2-3-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Neville (c), Rodwell, Osman, Arteta (Beckford 66), Cahill (Coleman 66), Anichebe (Gueye 82). Not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Vellios, Duffy.
Goals: Baines (78)
Cautions: Hibbert, Rodwell
Att: 17, 051
.
April 2011