Everton Independent Research Data
Dec 1 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Louis Saha
Age: 32
Nickname: King
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Everton Career Starts: 49 (31 from bench)
Goals: 24
Tim Cahill
Age: 30
Nickname: Timmy
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Everton Career Starts: 215 ( 8)
Goals: 64
Jermaine Beckford
Age: 27
Goals:Nickname: Becks
Place of Birth: London, England
Everton Career Starts: 4 (9)
Goals: 2.
Yakubu
Age: 28
Nickname: The Yak
Place of Birth: Nigeria
Everton Career Starts: 75 (31)
Goals: 33
Compiled by PAUL GORST
Everton FC should play two strikers to save their season, according to Survey Monkey poll of Liverpool ECHO readers
Dec 1 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
IT’S the head-scratching tactical debate which has spilled from David Moyes’ office to the pubs and living rooms of Merseyside. Everton’s lack of a cohesive strike force is undermining their season, and every supporter has an opinion on who should be tasked with scoring the goals the Toffees so desperately require. This week we launched a survey on liverpoolecho.co.uk asking how fans feel the Blues should line-up, and which strikers should get the nod to start against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The results were intriguing, and reflect the growing unrest at the performances of established stars like Louis Saha, widely considered the club’s most talented centre forward.David Moyes’ preference to play a 4-5-1 style formation, with Tim Cahill operating as a deeper forward behind a lone striker has traditionally proved a success. Cahill, whose eight goals so far have propelled him to third in the Premier League top scorer chart, is almost immune to criticism yet the identity of the man alongside him has chopped and changed. Moyes has stressed his desire to be fair to his band of strikers, and has tried to incorporate Yakubu, Saha and Beckford at different times. Before Saturday’s 4-1 drubbing by West Bromwich Albion at Goodison, the Scot hinted that a goal return of one in eight for The Yak was unsatisfactory. He accepted too that Louis Saha must do more, and after the game challenged Jermaine Beckford to improve his ratio of converted chances as the former Leeds United man missed a potential hat-trick. So what do the punters think? A majority 67% want the Blues to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with two established strikers, and 33% insisted he should stick with Tim Cahill’s withdrawn role behind one hit-man. Your comments summed up the dilemma facing Moyes and his coaching team. One voter wrote ‘People moan about “not playing 4-4-2”, but the way we play with Cahill is basically a 4-4-2 anyway. To drop our leading goalscorer would be sheer madness, especially when we're losing him for up to six weeks anyway. Need to get the best of him while we still can’. Others disagreed: ‘We need to give the opposition something to think about rather than letting them mark one striker out of the game,’ while others suggested a more comprehensive re-think, ‘Play a 4-3-1-2 system with Tim Cahill just behind front two’ and ‘play diamond, Felli holding and Cahill at the tip, Arteta on the right and Pienaar on the left, Saha and Beckford up front’. Some of you disagree with the idea of a packed midfield: ‘Packing up the midfield could only stifle and slow down the counter attack because none of the striker at the moment is confident enough to hold onto the ball and wait for the midfielders to join up’. And others valued core values over tactics ‘He must play two strikers who will put some effort in’, and ‘Moyes should play Cahill as an out and out striker with Fellaini supporting’. Responses to the preferred combination up front yielded tighter results – and widespread support from fans for the work-rate and potential of new boy Jermaine Beckford. The majority, with just 38.9%, plumped for Yakubu and Beckford, and just behind with 24.3% was Tim Cahill and Beckford. Least popular, with just 2% of votes, was a combination of Louis Saha and Beckford. ‘Beckford was in more goal scoring positions against WBA than Saha and Yakubu have all season - you could have Cahill in midfield and Big Vic (Anichebe) up front with Becks!’ wrote one fan. It was a popular sentiment - ‘Beckford has had some shocking misses last couple of games, but at least he's working hard to get himself into those positions in the first place, which is more than can be said for the other two...’ Victor Anichebe was not included as a striking option, after David Moyes has repeatedly preferred the Nigerian in a right midfield role, and on-loan James Vaughan was excluded - but some backed the pair nevertheless - ‘You missed James Vaughan or Big Vic’, and ‘Vaughn appears to know where the net is, recall him from loan - can't be any worse !!!!!’ Tim Cahill’s potential absence for six games in the new year, when international duty with Australia beckons, was a cause of concern. ‘Cahill off to Asia Cup soon so must learn to do without his goals’, wrote one, and ‘Surely including Cahill is academic as he's off to Asia Cup?’ another. The dilemma is clearly leaving many to fret- ‘Where has it all gone wrong, each striker we have came with a good record. The Yak looked like he was getting back to his best then he is dropped! Saha looks sulky but at least Beckford has a go whether he misses or not he is in the right place’. Many fans suggested players they want at Goodison Park in January, from a Landon Donovan return to the capture of Manchester City’s out-of-favour Roque Santa-Cruz. And some fed-up Toffees, simply preferred to seek solace in the past - ‘Royle, Latchford, Lineker, Gray’ posted one. The debate is unlikely to end any time soon - unless the Blues recapture their bite against last season’s Champions in West London
Everton FC secures permission to build luxury homes on Bellefield training ground
Dec 1 2010
EVERTON FC finally secured permission to build 74 new luxury homes at its former Bellefield training ground – despite an earlier approval being overturned. Permission had originally been granted earlier this month, but a High Court ruling that the government had acted unlawfully by scrapping a regional planning strategy that could have prevented the approval meant it had to go back before the council. The strategy urged authorities to ensure any housing development took place in the housing market renewal areas. Bellefield, in West Derby, is outside of the renewal area, but when the permission was originally given the strategy had been shelved so planners said there was no longer a reason to refuse it the go-ahead. Yesterdaydespite arguing at the earlier meeting that the scrapping of the regional spatial strategy meant the council no longer had grounds to refuse the application, city planners dismissed the strategy and the council’s "supplementary planning document" – which also only urges development in housing market renewal areas – as being of "declining relevance". Despite rejecting Everton FC’s claims that the Bellefield development had regeneration benefits for the city, they recommended it for approval. Lib-Dem Cllr Paul Twigger said: "I stand by my earlier comments that it was voted for along political lines." The development was approved with six Labour members voting for and three Lib-Dems against. Labour insisted members were not whipped into supporting the bid. Everton will make around £8m from the deal. The new homes will be marketed at £350,000-£500,000.
David Beckham rules out Everton FC loan over Manchester United loyalty
Dec 1 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID Beckham has insisted that loyalty to Manchester United would prevent him joining Everton on loan – as a bidding war for James Vaughan edges closer.The former England captain admitted he has huge respect for Blues boss David Moyes, ever since their playing days in the same Preston side in 1995.Reports had linked LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham, 35, with a loan move to a Premier League team in January.And Moyes revealed that he would be interested in working with the ex-Manchester United star again, along with his Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan. But asked yesterday if a move to Everton was on the cards, Beckham said: “No – I’m a Manchester United fan and Everton is too close to home.“It is always flattering to be linked with big clubs even if that would only be for a few months on loan. “I have massive respect for David Moyes – I have had ever since we played together at Preston.”Meanwhile, Leicester City are considering a £500,000 move for striker Vaughan in the new year. The 22-year-old was on loan at the Walkers Stadium earlier this year and helped the Foxes qualify for the Championship play-offs last season. Vaughan, who is the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer, is currently on loan at Crystal Palace where he has scored five in 12 games but is set to return to Goodison in January. He found the net only once in eight games for the Foxes towards the end of last season and previously had a loan spell with Derby County that was restricted to just two games through injury. But now Vaughan, who has been capped by England at under-17s, under-19s and under-21s levels, is a target for the Foxes, and Crystal Palace boss George Burley is also considering a bid. Meanwhile, Phil Neville expects to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. The influential former England international was forced to miss last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to West Brom with a knee problem.The 33-year-old said: “The injury is coming on. It has taken longer than I thought to clear up but I should be back for the weekend. “It was stiff after Sunderland and, having played that game, I probably knew I would miss West Brom but I should be back in full training by the middle of the week and then back in to face Chelsea.” Everton are in need of a lift after their heavy loss to the Baggies and a run of five games without a win. Mikel Arteta will be missing at Stamford Bridge as he begins a three-match ban but key midfielder Marouane Fellaini will return from his own suspension. Fellaini was making his comeback from a hamstring injury when he was sent off against Bolton earlier this month. “Marouane has been missed,” Neville said. “He came back for one game and he looked brilliant against Bolton. He looked super fit and then he got himself sent off. He must learn but he is back now.”
Everton start on the FA Youth Cup trail with a tough third round clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Dec 1 2010 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON start on the FA Youth Cup trail this evening hoping for an extended run in the competition. Neil Dewsnip’s under-18s currently to the FA Premier Academy League Group C table and go into the third round clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at the Stobart Stadium this evening (kick-off 7pm) in buoyant mood. Although the pitch in Widnes will need to pass an inspection before the match is given the go-ahead. Last season Everton were beaten in the quarter-finals by Blackburn Rovers. They will be looking to go a bit further this time, but for now they are just concentrating on tonight’s tie. Dewsnip said: “Wolves are another academy side in our league who we play regularly. We have beaten Wolves 2-0 this season so we can take confidence from that, but I am not sure it will be the same two 11s taking the field in the Youth Cup. Liverpool played them last year and let’s hope they have a bad time on Merseyside this year. The FA Youth Cup is a tough competition and Wolves are tough competitors, so it will be a tough game. The third round is always very tricky whoever you play, but it helps you get a feel of it if you progress.
“Our Youth Cup team doesn’t play together at any time of the year, so it’s thrown together a bit. “It’s great for the players as they get quite excited about it, so it would be good to go on a run again. But anything can happen and we won't be taking Wolves lightly that’s for sure.” Admission prices tonight will be £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.
Echo letters: Time for Moyes to axe his Everton ‘offenders’
Dec 2 2010 Liverpool Echo
EVERY time I read my ‘Beloved Echo Sports Pages’ It reads the same every time. “We must improve.” “We must take our chances.” “We must show a killer instinct.” Today’s offering is “We’ll thrive against the odds – Jags.” Day in day out we get the same promise by a different player. However, until David Moyes decides to be brave and sorts out the non- committed nothing will change. David, I am your biggest fan. Honest. But until you take notice of your own statements and drop the culprits, you are doing yourself no favours. You praise Coleman as the hottest young winger around, yet last week you took him off and brought Rodwell on. Why leave Heitinga on? Why not Rodwell on and Heitinga off? This week, why Anichebe (who has not played for months) and not Coleman? Again this week, Heitinga to start. Why not Rodwell? according to you he is an out and out England player and we need to hold onto him. Well play him for God’s sake! Heitinga wants away so why play him? If he wants to go then let him go. The way he is playing at the moment he’s not worth a pork pie. Pienaar is another. Again I am a big fan, but he wants to go. Let him. You are not going to get anything for him so give someone else a chance, it might just work. I feel sorry for Tim Cahill. Thank our stars he is a true blue, but come January we will be right up the creek without a paddle. Come on David be brave, give the kids a chance. We will love you for it. Geoff Warriner. THE loquacious rhetoric at the start of the season that David Moyes had assembled his best squad, had a sharp reality check against WBA. The same WBA which lost 3-0 at home to Stoke. This performance could well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and sadly see David Moyes’ time at Everton come to an end sooner rather than later. Everton are now going backwards and if they do avoid relegation it will, for equivocation purposes, be deemed progress. Bill Kenwright needs to look at the whole infra- structure of the club, and decide whether wholesale changes are required. Equally, he has to ask himself why the Blues have never bought specialised wide players. Everton have a strong youth policy, but I suspect another manager will benefit from their development. David, Aintree.
I AGREE with Phil Neville’s comments in Tuesday’s Echo. Jermaine Beckford is getting into some great positions and his movement is excellent. He is putting the experienced lads to shame. I would persevere with him. What’s the worst that can happen? Even if he keeps missing chances, he won’t be doing any worse than the other strikers as they’re not even putting themselves in there! The chances that the likes of Torres, Defoe and Drogba missed at the weekend shows it happens to all forwards. Plus, the chances Beckford had were hardly ‘sitters’ like it has been made out. They were good chances, but he was foiled by a goalkeeper having a decent game, coupled with a lack of confidence in front of goal because he hasn’t been getting minutes on the pitch. Davidjw
Everton FC fans jury have their say on a tough week for the Blues
Dec 2 2010 Liverpool Echo
Mike Williamson: Everton must look a cheap and classless little club
A STORM is brewing over Goodison Park and it’s been gathering momentum since the opening day of the season.There was a horrible atmosphere of real venom amongst the crowd on Saturday and whilst Moyes cannot be blamed for Beckford missing a host of chances, he continues to confound fans with his unfaltering but misplaced loyalty to Heitenga and even Arteta. Even worse, to admit to wanting to see how things went in the second half before making changes is simply damning and says everything about his overall approach. The man only knows how to defend and cannot change his mentality. As for the Pienaar saga, what a cheap and classless little club we must look. We will ultimately end up paying more for Pienaar’s replacement than what he wants in wages and the message it sends out to players who may be looking at us is very negative. Why would any quality player with a future want to join an outfit like this? Nil Satis indeed.
Lee Molton – Calls for Moyes’ head are too drastic
SATURDAY was not a good day for Evertonians! It was not a good performance, but the calls for Moyes’ head are a bit drastic. Sacking the manager will not help. Who would we get in to replace him? And would he do any better? Moyes has worked miracles with limited resources and is just going through a bad patch. The players have to take some responsibility too, although Steven Pienaar has played very well this season and it is great credit to him with a possible move on the horizon. It could be a good time to visit Chelsea as they are stuttering with injuries and lack of form. We should go there and be positive and play two strikers up front with Tim Cahill and Beckford. Fellaini will be back and Jack Rodwell should also be brought back in to the midfield too. A couple of wins this month could lift Evertonians going into Christmas.
David Wallback - credit to West Brom
WELL I didn’t see that coming… WBA thoroughly deserved all three points on Saturday. Credit must go to Albion and Roberto Di Matteo, who had a game plan and came to Everton and showed no mercy. I am uninterested reading about how Yakubu and Saha are going to rediscover their form and score goals. Both players are unpredictable and if I’m honest unreliable. Saha, since he signed his contract last season, has looked at best ambivalent. It was sad to see Beckford miss a few chances after coming on as a substitute, but at least the lad was getting involved. Sadly it was just sad to see Heitinga yet again selected to play, let’s just get rid. Can Moyes reignite our season? Is it to late to salvage success? The FA Cup would be more than enough to brush the slow/poor start under the carpet. It clearly is the only option to save our season. Chelsea next… oh, brilliant!
Richard Knights: Cold reality is Everton have a relegation six pointer against mighty Wigan
SHAMBLES. Terrible. Shocking. Atrocious. Embarrassment. They were a few of the printable comments echoing around a stunned Goodison Park last Saturday. This was one of the worst performances since the dark, depressing days of woeful Walter. Fortress Goodison? You could also mention the poor performances against Wolves, Newcastle and Arsenal. Not wanting to jump on any bandwagons, but Heitinga didn’t have a stinker – it was rancid, putrid, malodorous. Jermaine Beckford? Sorry lad but it's looking like shades of Stuart Barlow – great player, just couldn't score. No coincidence, when Phil Neville is missing so are organisation, commitment and the will to win. Let’s not panic, but the cold reality is that it’s mid-December and we’ve got a relegation six-pointer with mighty Wigan.
Everton FC ladies team living up to club's motto
Dec 2 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
THERE is one Everton team which is living up to its club’s Latin motto completely. Everton Ladies will be founder members of the FA’s long awaited Women’s Super League which launches in April (The FA WSL as its just been branded). And they intend to kick-off the new campaign as champions of Europe. A 5-2 aggregate victory over Brondby of Denmark fired the Blues into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time last month. But if Mo Marley’s FA Cup holders are to add the most prestigious Ladies’ club trophy to their cabinet, they will have to do it the hard way. The Blues must face German champions and 2009 Champions League winners MSV Duisburg in the March quarter-finals. And if they can negotiate that test, they will then face the winners of the clash between competition favourites FFC Turbine Potsdam, also of Germany, and French side FCF Juvisy-Essonne.
Manager Mo Marley, however, is thinking positively. “We’re not seeded so we were expecting a tough draw,” she said. “But the way we look at it is that you can’t call yourself European champions if you’re getting easy draws. It’s actually quite exciting. “We wouldn’t want to win it without having played a champion or a previous winner. “If you want to win it you should want to win it in style “We are the underdogs, but the beauty of drawing one of the top teams is that we will know a lot about them. “They were on Eurosport in the previous round and we’ve already been out to do a recce on the hotel and training pitches to make sure things run as smoothly as possible. “Mind you, they will have had footage of our FA Cup final appearance last season too so it works both ways.” If Everton are to be crowned European champions, it would be a tribute to the power of positive thinking. The delay in launching the new Super League means that the only competitive football the Ladies have enjoyed during the winter months has been in Europe. Decisive victories over MTK Hungaria and Brondby, however, suggests that the lack of match action hasn’t hampered the girls. “There are plusses and minuses,” admitted Mo. “Some of our players had played a full season, a European Championship tournament and then a World Cup before that so hadn’t had a proper break for a long time. “That’s the price of success, but it’s accidentally turned into a positive now. We can factor our training sessions now so that the players peak for Champions League games.” Everton will entertain the Germans first on either March 16 or 17 – “We’re hoping it’s St Patrick’s Day so the fans can have a real excuse to get out there and celebrate,” said Mo – with the decisive return on March 22 or 23. Just weeks later the long-awaited eight-team Super League will finally launch – Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Lincoln Ladies, Everton and Liverpool having won two year licences to become founder members. The goal is to expand the league to a maximum of 12 teams between 2013 and 2016 and satellite broadcasters ESPN have agreed an exclusive four year broadcast rights deal for television coverage of the WSL. “It’s a crucial time for women’s football,” admitted Mo. “We had to do something on this scale. The game has improved massively but it’s still not in the public eye. “It had to happen. The game needs that kind of change. Players will be better rewarded financially – it will be the equivalent of semi-professional – which will alleviate the problems of players working ridiculous hours and fans will be able to get their football fix in the summer months. “The next two years will be a massive statement for women’s football.” Everton will be at the vanguard of that movement – with a side packed full of Merseysiders. Mo Marley believes that nurturing local talent is just as important – perhaps even more so – than capturing silverware. “Our performances in the Champions League show we are a good side and we feel like we are getting better and better,” she added. “We have been working with the same group of players for the last three years so we should be near our peak now. “We have been in the FA Cup final, the League Cup final in recent years, but we need to make the transition now from being a good cup team to being the best. “In the Champions League home leg against Brondby we had two 16-year-olds involved. “One of them, Alex Greenwood has been with us since she was seven. “For a coach that’s as good as winning any gold medals. “We have a national reputation for producing outstanding young players. We want to be the best, but not at the sacrifice of player development.”
World Cup dream can come true for Everton FC’s Tim Cahill
Dec 2 2010by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Tim Cahill is hoping for a ‘dream come true’ in Zurich today, to help ease the memory of last weekend’s nightmare drubbing by West Bromwich Albion. While England’s World Cup bid team anxiously await today’s decision on the venue for the 2018 tournament, the Everton star is in Switzerland lobbying frantically for Australia to land the 2022 tournament. The Blues midfielder, one of the few players to emerge with any credit from last weekend’s drubbing, is a part of Australia’s official delegation. Australia are battling with the USA, Qatar, Japan and South Korea for the right to land the 2022 World Cup and Cahill said: “I admit there would be tears of emotion. “It’s always been so close and yet so far away. “After working so hard as a footballer on and off the pitch it would be a dream come true, but most of all it would make the dreams of kids in Australia come true. “Australia speaks for itself. “It’s a beautiful country with a lot of different cultures, a place where the World Cup has never been held. “We have held some of the biggest events on the planet like the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup and to share Australia with the world would be pretty special.” Cahill was the first player to score a World Cup goal for his country in Germany in 2006. And he believes his experience at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa showed the benefits hosting the event could have. “South Africa was a fantastic experience that opened my eyes to different cultures,” Cahill added. “The magic of football is it brings everyone together, but to share Australia with the world would be pretty special.” West Brom midfielder Gonzalo Jara, meanwhile, will escape any punishment by the FA for his challenge on Leighton Baines which eventually led to Mikel Arteta’s red card on Saturday. Video replays appeared to show the Chilean full-back lead with his elbow in attempt to win an aerial duel with the Everton defender. But Lancashire Referee Lee Mason waved play on to the disbelief of the pole-axed defender’s team mates. That challenge led to a series of rash tackles, resulting in the sending off of Mikel Arteta, who stamped on Jara after he slid in on the Spaniard. But an FA spokesman confirmed they will not be investigating the incident retrospectively, because Lee Mason saw the incident on the pitch and decided not to act. Last night’s FA Youth Cup tie between Everton and Wolves, meanwhile, was postponed because of a frozen Halton Stadium pitch. USA star Landon Donovan has also spoken again about the possibility of returning to Everton on-loan in January but says that the chances of a return are no higher than 50-50. “I want to go back – how could I not after last time?” he said. “But I have to be responsible to my body. It is 50-50 at the moment.”
‘Angry’ Everton FC can pile pressure on Chelsea says Marouane Fellaini
Dec 2 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
MAROUANE FELLAINI believes “angry” Everton can bounce back from their weekend woe and increase the pressure on beleaguered Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. A banned Fellaini could only watch as the Goodison outfit slumped to a humiliating 4-1 home defeat against West Bromwich Albion. But David Moyes’s side can boast a fine record against the Premier League’s leading lights ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Saturday. The Londoners have beaten Everton only once in their last five meetings, and were defeated 2-1 at Goodison in their most recent encounter back in February. Moyes’s men drew 3-3 at Stamford Bridge 12 months ago and can count a number of notable scalps during the calendar year, including home wins over Manchester United and Liverpool and a triumph at Manchester City, as well as draws at Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. And Fellaini, who has now served his three-match suspension, reckons Everton can capitalise on a lack of form that has seen Chelsea win only one of their last five league games. “All the players are angry because of what happened on Saturday at home,” said the midfielder. “I hope we can have a good game at Chelsea. “Chelsea are a big team, they won the league last year, but we are going there to win. “We do seem to play better against the good teams. I hope that’s the same again. “Why is it that way? Because maybe we have better motivation and big players enjoy playing the big teams.” Everton will wear their new cream third kit for the first time at Chelsea, which consists of navy shorts teamed with a vanilla top. Meanwhile, Landon Donovan has revealed he wants to return to Everton – but admits there is only a 50-50 chance it will happen. Donovan was a huge success during a 10-week spell at Goodison earlier this year after joining on a short-term loan from MLS side LA Galaxy. But while eager for further time with Moyes’s men, the United States international concedes the demands of a long season – which included World Cup duty with his country in the summer – means he may be better served by resting during the MLS close season. “Do I want to go back to Everton? How could I not after last time?” said Donovan. “But I have to be responsible to my body. I would say it is 50-50 at the moment. “I have had two weeks off and if my body feels better I would say there is a good chance, but if I still feel tired then we will have to see.”
BLUEWATCH: Something fundamental is missing from Everton this season
by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
December 2 2010
THERE’S a famous scene in Planet of the Apes when Charlton Heston realises that the earth he has returned to after his jaunt into space has been destroyed by nuclear war. “You maniacs!” he cries, and we shouldn’t be too surprised if Landon Donovan does something similar if he eventually decides to come back to Goodison Park on loan. It’s a big if, clearly, as he keeps fluttering his eyelashes all flirtily while refusing to commit to another spell in the Premier League, but the Everton team that would invite him back certainly bears little resemblance to the barnstorming side that waved him off at the airport back in March. Most of the personnel remains the same, but something fundamental seems to be missing, as a squad that was thrashing Manchester United and Chelsea in a single week is now struggling for draws against the likes of Blackpool and Bolton and, far worse, being completely dismantled by West Bromwich Albion. The severity of that last result took everyone by surprise to a certain extent, but the warning signs have been evident for a while. Theories abound as to why the Blues are struggling at the wrong end of the table, and looking over their shoulders more often than Julian Assange, with poor finishing being pinpointed as a major factor. The thing is though, we scored twice at Bloomfield Road and the Stadium Of Light, for instance, and three goals against United, but never won any of those games. And while Jermaine Beckford was wasteful at the weekend, he still would have had to score a hat-trick for us to have earned even a point, and as many people have already observed, at least the ex-Leeds man is making runs and creating chances, which is more than can be said for his illustrious fellow strikers. What was most notable about Saturday’s performance, and the clear difference between the two teams, was nothing to do with finishing, or indeed formations or the managers’ tactics, but simply the attitude and work-rate of the players. Everton were reduced to knocking the ball long quite early on because the Baggies’ players swarmed all over them in midfield. On the other hand, Chris Brunt and Youssuf Mulumbu were given the space to look like world-beaters when they were in possession. Instead of trampling on and then complaining about Gonzalo Jara then, maybe more of the men in blue should have shown at least a degree of the Chilean’s commitment.
David Prentice: Blackpool FC’s policies so illuminating
Dec 3 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL spent £9,032,528.49 on agents’ fees between October 2009 and September 2010.Everton, having made no significant transfers in that period, forked out considerably less – ‘just’ £3,599,040.51.Blackpool, meanwhile, paid just 45 grand, having taken the stance of asking their players to pay their agents’ fees.Moral strength, entertaining football and an engaging manager – I dearly hope Blackpool’s Premier League adventure is not just a one-season wonder.By the way, which players’ representatives demanded the 49p and the 51p?
Howard Kendall: No return to violent days of 1980s
Dec 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
I WAS dismayed to see the scenes following the Carling Cup quarter final at St Andrews on Wednesday.It was like a horrible flashback to the bad old days and reminded me of some of the problems our game suffered in the 1980s.There will always be rivalry and a degree of goading among fans when you have two big clubs in one city – but that was totally out of hand.Sadly, I am sure the images will have been repeated on TV screens across the continent as is often the case when something happens in this country.Ironically that doesn’t always work both ways – we don’t get bombarded with images of the far more regular crowd trouble in Turkey, Greece and Italy.I have personally experienced how wild it can get with sets of supporters clashing in Greece when I was at Xanthi and then Ethnikos Piraeus in the nineties.There is no need for too much alarm in this country though, no matter how unsavoury it was seeing seats being hurled by the Midlands fans.I’m confident the stewarding and safety precautions in the UK these days are far superior to the whims of a minority of idiots who want to go to see football and spark violence and hatred. I just wish we never had to see these little reminders.
Howard Kendall: James Vaughan situation reminds me of Ian Bishop
Dec 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
THE situation of young James Vaughan at Everton seems to be moving closer to some sort of resolution.Naturally there will be a lot of interest in him when the transfer window opens in January, and it will be interesting to see what David Moyes decides.It reminds me of when I had a young Ian Bishop struggling to get into the team at Everton, and I had Bob Stokoe at Carlisle calling me every week asking if he could sign him. In the end I said yes, to give the lad a chance as he wasn’t going to get into out first team – but the deal had to be right.Don’t be surprised if Everton do sell, to see a sell on clause, because if he can stay fit, Vaughan can score goals in the Premier League again one day and clubs will come back in for him.
Russia’s Everton FC star Diniyar Bilyaltdinov not blue as his homeland rejoices
Dec 3 2010 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov feels the decision to award Russia the 2018 World Cup will allow football to grow in his homeland.The Russian bid saw off competition from England, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium at the announcement in Zurich despite the absence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is now flying to Switzerland.“I think it is great news for Russia, it is a great decision because Russia needs this tournament more than other countries,” said the 37-cap international Bliyaletdinov.“For example, England could host the tournament tomorrow, they are a real football nation with great stadiums and everything is ready.“I can’t say the same for Russia because the football infrastructure is not so good. We need to take the next step and this decision will help us to do that.“We can build stadiums and bring our game forward. Football will become the number one sport in Russia, it will become the most popular thing and people will all want to come and watch football in nice new stadiums.
“There will also be a big knock-on effect and it will create lots of jobs and help to strengthen the economy.“We have the Winter Olympics soon in Russia and that will help us prepare. It will give us the experience of hosting a major tournament and will help us put on a great World Cup.“People will be disappointed here and it is understandable as England would no doubt have put on a great World Cup, but they have fine stadiums and the Premier League is a fantastic competition so there is no shortage of good football for them to watch. It is not the same in Russia and everyone is really excited. I have had lots of messages from people over there."I think there will be a big party in Russia tonight but that will be nothing compared to the party there will be in eight years’ time.”Putin said the country was “honoured” by Fifa’s decision and dismissed suggestions that England had been “cheated” out of holding the World Cup.He replied: “No, I don’t think. You know, Great Britain is a great football country and in Russia we have a lot of fans of your football in general and your football players in particular.“Great Britain lost. It lost, but we are waiting for you in 2018 and we will do our best for the football players, for the English football players, for them to realise themselves.”Describing the power of football to make a difference in the world “for the better”, Putin pledged a successful World Cup in eight years' time.He said: “You can take my word for it that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be up to the highest standards.“New modern stadiums and facilities will be built in time and to perfection.“We are eager to do our best to secure the comfort and safety of our guests.“Thank you for supporting Russia.“Together let us make sure that football promotes fair play, tolerance, honour.”
Howard Kendall: It’s tough for Everton FC strikers going it alone
Dec 3 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Everton’s misfiring strikers have come in for a lot of criticism, some of it warranted, as supporters question the system David Moyes plays.But there is one thing it is easy for fans to forget when debating the merits of 4-4-2, or the manager’s preferred 4-5-1 with Tim Cahill operating behind a lone striker.Both systems have their merits, but I am sure if you ask Yakubu and Louis Saha they would tell you they prefer playing alongside a proper strike partner.Centre forwards like to work as a pair, and playing solo – albeit with the tirelessly excellent support of a deeper Tim Cahill is not ideal for them.It’s a dilemma I don’t envy David Moyes for, but let’s remember this has only become an issue because Everton are not doing so well. Few were complaining when results were going well.Tim Cahill’s departure for the Asia Cup may offer a way for David Moyes to change things, but it will not be a long-term solution and I’m not convinced there is a long-term problem anyway.Of course, Louis Saha and Yakubu may think differently, and they might well have a chance to forge a partnership, or indeed with Jermaine Beckford, over the new year.Everton need to improve fast against Chelsea tomorrow, after being punished by West Brom’s counter attacking.The Baggies reminded me of Birmingham over recent seasons by sitting back, and playing on the break. It was impressive, and the Blues will face a Chelsea side with John Terry back and they will have to be 100%.Terry is similar to Phil Neville -he is sorely missed when injured. The toffees need their leader back.
Everton FC skipper Phil Neville hopes Blues can put West Brom pain to bed against Chelsea
Dec 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
“Then look at the season we went on to have.”Not surprisingly, Neville is pinning his hopes on a now familiar revival, starting at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, but he is still seething with frustration at the Toffees’ slow start.The 33-year-old feels the sluggish beginning to this season is all the more infuriating after a summer of optimism, stoked enthusiastically by the captain.“I think we had to deal with the expectancy,” says Neville.“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and there were a lot of noises coming out of the camp that we were confident, me being the biggest one.“I was so sure that we were set up for a great start to the season, and that’s not happened. We need to get back to basics.”Neville, speaking as he joined staff at the Liverpool Hargreaves Centre to find out about the charity’s latest work with children and families across Merseyside, is desperate for the season to finally lift-off.And he believes the Blues must approach every game beyond tomorrow’s trip to Champion contenders Chelsea as if it was a major fixture.“You have no divine right to win a football game in the Premier League, and when the likes of Wolves, West Brom, and Newcastle come to Goodison, maybe the players, and the fans, expect us to just win and that isn’t how it happens,” he says.“You have to fight for it. It was massively disappointing after West Brom. We all felt it and it was a low moment in the season.“There is only one way out – hard work.”Neville has been in the game long enough to realise that the table never lies, and the Blues’ current vantage point just two points away from relegation, should prompt some concern – even if a battle against the drop is an unlikely outcome.“Winning ways must return as soon as possible,” he says.“At this moment in time, we are in a little bit of trouble. It’s no use saying we’re better than where we are. We need to show it, and start walking the walk.“Saturday did remind me of that Hull City game.“We need the spirit, determination and hunger back.“Every single player in the squad, whether they played on Saturday or not, must take responsibility. It wasn’t good enough - full stop.”Neville is expecting to be fit to make a return to the first team against the West Londoners tomorrow, and insists Everton must try and resist the urge to be overly cautious.“Draws aren’t good enough for us at the moment. We need to go there and win,” he says.“Why not? The way the league is shaping up anyone can beat anyone. Sunderland went down there and won. Newcastle got a good point against them.“Arsenal have dropped points, Man United have, Tottenham have been beaten once or twice.“There is nothing to fear for us in this league, and that’s why it’s so frustrating with the way we’ve performed.”Speculation has linked the abrupt departure of former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins with Carlo Ancelotti’s side’s slump in form lately, but Neville does not think that is the reason.If anything, the defender points the finger at the absence through injury of several key personnel, which would be problematic for any club in the world.“I don’t think the Ray Wilkins thing has had a big effect,” he says.“If you take Lampard, Terry, Essien and Drogba out of a team – a spine like that – and they’ll struggle. Any team would.“But Ray Wilkins, as much as I admire him as a coach and a person, hasn’t been the reason why they’ve struggled.”Neville’s injured knee has been another cause for frustration. “The injury is coming on,” he says.“It has taken longer than I thought to clear up but I should be back for the weekend.“It was stiff after Sunderland and, having played that game, I probably knew I would miss West Brom but I should be back to face Chelsea.”“Everyone is disappointed but the good thing is we are all taking responsibility for a poor performance.“There is no finger-pointing, no blaming each other and we all know it is not good enough.”Mikel Arteta will be missing tomorrow but key midfielder Marouane Fellaini will return from his own suspension.“Marouane came back for one game and he looked brilliant against Bolton,” said Neville.
Southport poised to sign former Everton FC prospect John Paul Kissock
Dec 3 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
SOUTHPORT are set to swoop for ex-Everton prospect John Paul Kissock.Manager Liam Watson has agreed terms with the 21-year-old to join on a non-contract basis before putting pen to paper on a deal next month to keep him at Haig Avenue until the end of the season.The former Toffee – who never made a senior appearance for David Moyes’ side but was an unused substitute on several occasions – has been resurrecting his career with Vodkat League Premier Division side Formby. Two goals in his first two games for the Squirrels, including one from the halfway line, attracted the attention of Watson and after having him watched, made the move late last week.Following discussions, Kissock is expected to complete his move to the Blue Square Bet League Premier Division side this weekend.“We are hoping John Paul will sign on Saturday,” said Watson.“We have been holding talks and I want to bring him to the club because I see him as something different. He is a player with immense ability but somewhere along the line has lost his way.”Having been released by Everton in 2008, Kissock embarked on a journey which took him into League Two, north of the border and back into te West Cheshire League.And boss Watson believes signing for the Sandgrounders will help put Kissock’s career back on track.“John Paul probably needs me as much as I need him. We can get his career back on track. Just look at what we’ve done for lads like Carl Baker and Craig Noone and Kissock has ability levels up there with those players.”
David Prentice: No World Cup in 2018 brings issue of Everton’s stadium problem into sharp focus
Dec 3 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
THE World Cup won’t be coming to Merseyside in 2018.Which at least spares Everton the embarrassment of explaining how a football club which staged a semi-final last time the tournament came to this country, wouldn’t even be hosting a group game in eight years time.Liverpool was granted host city status last year, but it was Liverpool Football Club, not Everton, which was handed preferred stadium status.The reasons were clear. Anfield is a modern, well appointed football ground with a capacity of almost 45,000.Goodison Park is a beautifully atmospheric old relic, well past its sell-by date.When the bidding process for the 1966 World Cup was taking place, Anfield was a little like that - an “eyesore” according to their brash new Scottish manager – “not good enough for the public of Liverpool.”It’s improved since then, of course, but not so much that one of the major problems the new American owners must grapple with is still how best to redevelop their stadium.If that’s a problem for Liverpool, it’s a nightmare for their neighbours.And it’s a nightmare which has been 20 years in the making.It may surprise some younger Evertonians to learn that when the Premier League was formed, Everton ranked alongside Arsenal and Manchester United in status, stadium design - and trophies won.‘Only’ 17 years ago – which isn’t that long for a man as old as the one in the picture at the top of this page – Everton had won two more titles than the side from Old Trafford and were just one crown behind The Gunners.But while Manchester United’s directors were planning a radical overhaul of their stadium and Arsenal’s makers and shakers were planning a move to an even more impressive ground than lovely old Highbury, Everton were embroiled in a destabilising takeover.Barely five years later the club was changing hands again – and all the time Everton’s rivals were disappearing further and further into the distance.The Blues never caught up on the pitch.And when the issue of the stadium was finally addressed, we had two false starts - King’s Dock and Destination Kirkby.With no new funds and no new investors on the horizon Everton are back to patching up a ground which is fundamentally unchanged since 1966.Some of the more recent ideas have been excellent – The Time Line, the Dixie Dean statue, the proposed new retail complex and the ever-popular Park End stand – but they are all so much window dressing.The whole future of Goodison Park needs a fundamental rethink – and any talk of a World Cup in this backyard only brings it back sharply into focus.
David Prentice: All of the Everton FC players need to sweat blood for the Blue cause
Dec 3 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
So is it too simplistic to suggest that the team which works hardest wins?Of course it is.Too many factors to list here contribute to the outcome of a football match.But the team with the better players which works hardest will almost always win – and few impartial observers would suggest that West Bromwich Albion have better players than Everton.That’s why Saturday’s shocker was such a low point in recent Goodison history. There have been a couple of high profile maulings which have led to early evacuations of the Stanley Park End, but not many to teams as unheralded as The Baggies.In mitigation, it was a strange-old mauling.Everton created chances, lots of them.The Baggies will rarely finish as well again this season – and the turning point of the match was clearly a poor refereeing decision which saw Everton’s captain sent-off seconds after Gonzalo Jara should have seen red.But this defeat wasn’t a one-off, which is the biggest worry.The home defeat by Newcastle offered absolutely no crumbs of comfort; the Carling Cup exit at Brentford was wasteful in the extreme (especially with the Bees’ conquerors now just one tie from a cup final, and that match against the Premier League’s bottom club), while three points from the last five games suggests Everton are sliding not rising.So what’s gone wrong?After all, the players are the same players who swept all before them just eight months ago. The same players who beat Chelsea and Manchester United, were seconds away from a victory at The Emirates and who demolished Manchester City.But players’ egos are fragile things – and it appears that too many of them at Everton have either become complacent, de-motivated or fancy that the grass might be greener somewhere else.There’s no other conclusion I can draw.When Yakubu chased down Sotirios Kyrgiakos like a terrier chasing a mouse in the opening seconds of the Goodison derby match, ALL his teammates took the hint.When Tim Cahill tried to close down Paul Scharner early in Saturday’s match, he had to look a long way behind him for back-up.Perhaps the lack of new signings in the summer created a comfort zone for too many players; perhaps yet another poor start saw the carrot of possible Champions League football snatched away; and perhaps one or two no longer believe the club is capable of crashing into the top four.Whatever the reasons, Everton are still capable of turning their season around.“We’re not a bad team. We’re a good team playing badly at the moment.”That was Ireland’s rugby union forward Paul O'Connell before his side’s clash with the All Blacks. He was talking about Ireland, but it could easily have been Everton.It’s up to those players at Everton to prove they are still good players.And that means sweating blood for the cause. All of them."
Martin Broughton says Liverpool FC and Everton FC should share stadium
Dec 3 2010 By Bill Gleeson
FORMER Liverpool FC chairman Martin Broughton has called on Merseyside’s big two clubs to consider sharing a new football stadium.Speaking to an audience of 580 business leaders last night, he called on fans to put aside emotional considerations in favour of the economic advantages of a groundshare between Everton and Liverpool football clubs.Mr Broughton said he “fully supported” New England Sports Ventures (NESV) – now the Fenway Sports Group – in their preferred option to redevelop Anfield.But he went on: “If that’s not possible, then in my personal opinion, ground sharing should be seriously considered.“Fans are understandably emotional about this issue, but this has to be addressed. It’s not the case of being red or blue. You can be red one week, and blue the next.”Mr Broughton said fans had to understand that football clubs face a choice between a stadium of their own, or having money left over to invest in players.He added: “It’s up to people like Kenny Dalglish to communicate the business sense of all this. It would mean open minds on all sides.”Referring to England’s failed 2018 World Cup bid, Mr Broughton was critical of what he called “the supposed investigative journalism” of Panorama, a programme which he said “had seen better days,” and he congratulated Russia on being chosen to stage the tournament.His comments about the Panorama programme only received a muted response from the audience.Broughton, who is also chairman of British Airways, was speaking at the 160th annual dinner of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.He has only just this week stood down as chairman of Liverpool FC, after seven of the most turbulent months in the club’s history.Mr Broughton, together with Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre, helped steer the sale of the club by its previous American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to NESV owner John W Henry in a £300m deal.The deeply unpopular co-owners lost control of the club in October after a trans-Atlantic legal battle that saw courtroom drama in both London and Dallas, Texas. Mr Broughton, who is being succeeded by NESV’s Tom Werner, has described his seven-month reign as “one of the most memorable experiences of my working life” and he added “I've grown to love the club”.
Everton FC keen to tie Victor Anichebe to new deal and avoid repeat of Dan Gosling exit
Dec 3 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON are determined to settle Victor Anichebe’s future – and avoid a repeat of the transfer row which saw Dan Gosling join Newcastle United.The 22-year-old forward is entering the final six months of his current contract, and as yet no new deal has been signed.Anichebe is understood to have several clubs, both in the Premier League and abroad, monitoring his situation, having only narrowly missed out on Nigeria’s World Cup squad this summer.Now David Moyes is set to tie down the attacker to a new long-term deal, in a bid to avoid losing him for nothing like Gosling.Anichebe, who has come through the ranks at Goodison, can leave for nothing at the end of the season if a new deal cannot be agreed.Everton would be due a sizeable compensation fee if Anichebe moved to another English side, but if he was to go abroad he would be available for a cut-price fee.That is understood to have alerted several foreign clubs, aware they could be able to seize a bargain.Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini has vowed to learn from the red card against Bolton Wanderers which led him to miss Everton’s last three games.The Belgian midfielder is ready and waiting to return to the side at Stamford bridge tomorrow, but admits he has been chastened by the ban for kicking out at Bolton’s Paul Robinson.He said: “I have had a frustrating time. I was injured then I got back training again, the manager gave me confidence, I played again and then was sent off. It is positive in a way because I have thought a lot about it and I know it is my mistake, my error and I will not do it again.“I have trained hard while I have been suspended and am ready to play. The manager will decide whether I play or not but I am ready.“It is hard to watch your team lose knowing you can’t help,” he added. “It is hard at the moment because we haven’t got enough points, but we start again at Chelsea and hopefully we can get something there.“The players are angry because of Saturday. We are angry because we lost (to West Brom) at home. We want to go to Chelsea now and get at least a point, hopefully all three.“Chelsea is a big team, they won the league last year, they are dangerous and we must play well.“But sometimes we play better against the big teams and hopefully we can do that again.“Chelsea made a good start and then lost a few games and drew 1-1 with Newcastle so maybe that is good for us.”
Everton FC’s Diniyar Bilyaletdinov: World Cup 2018 decision will let the game grow in Russia
Dec 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON'S Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov felt the decision would allow football to grow in his homeland.“I think it is great news for Russia, it is a great decision because Russia needs this tournament more than other countries,” said the 37-cap international.“For example, England could host the tournament tomorrow, they are a real football nation with great stadiums and everything is ready.“I can’t say the same for Russia because the football infrastructure is not so good. We need to take the next step and this decision will help us to do that.“We can build stadiums and bring our game forward. Football will become the number one sport in Russia, it will become the most popular thing and people will all want to come and watch football in nice new stadiums.“There will also be a big knock-on effect and it will create lots of jobs and help to strengthen the economy.“We have the Winter Olympics soon in Russia and that will help us prepare. It will give us the experience of hosting a major tournament and will help us put on a great World Cup.“People will be disappointed here and it is understandable as England would no doubt have put on a great World Cup, but they have fine stadiums and the Premier League is a fantastic competition so there is no shortage of good football for them to watch. It is not the same in Russia and everyone is really excited. I have had lots of messages from people over there.”
David Moyes calls for Everton FC fighting spirit ahead of Chelsea clash (VIDEO)
Dec 3 2010
EVERTON boss David Moyes has demanded his side show their true fighting spirit at champions Chelsea as they seek to bounce back from last week's home defeat to West Brom
Pre-match preview: Chelsea v Everton FC, Premier League (featuring classic Pat Nevin video)
Dec 3 2010 Dan Kay
Everton's last five games
Nov 27: Premier League - Everton 1 West Brom 4
Nov 22: Premier League - Sunderland 2 Everton 2
Nov 14: Premier League - Everton 1 Arsenal 2
Nov 10: Premier League - Everton 1 Bolton 1
Nov 6: Premier League - Blackpool 2 Everton 2
Chelsea's last five games
Nov 28: Premier League - Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1
Nov 23: Champions League - Chelsea 2 Zilina 1
Nov 20: Premier League - Birmingham 1 Chelsea 0
Nov 14: Premier League - Chelsea 0 Sunderland 3
Nov 10: Premier League - Chelsea 1 Fulham 0
Past Matches
Everton's overall record against Chelsea
P 159 W 49 D 49 L 61 Goals for 230 Goals against 249
Selected matches
December 12 2009: Chelsea 3 Everton 3 -
The home side's imperious form meant Everton were a long 16/1 shot beforehand to leave Stamford Bridge with all three points but goals from Yakubu and Louis Saha coupled with a Petr Cech own goal secured a more than creditable result in the capital for David Moyes' men.
November 11 2007: Chelsea 1 Everton 1 -
Everton performed resolutely against Avram Grant's revamped side but when Didier Drogba poached a goal following a Chelsea corner with only 20 minutes remaining it looked like all the Blues' hard work would come to naught. That was until Tim Cahill intervened, expertly controlling James McFadden's drive before finishing acrobatically over his head to earn the Blues a deserved point.
November 26 1994: Chelsea 0 Everton 1
Everton built on the euphoria of a resounding Merseyside derby win in Joe Royle's first game only five days previously by securing their first away win of the campaign, Paul Rideout's first half goal securing what remains the Blues only Premier League win at Stamford Bridge.
August 31 1984: Chelsea 0 Everton 1
The Blues had suffered a terrible start to the campaign with defeats in their opening two games to Spurs and West Brom but Kevin Richardson's goal in a Friday night televised match at Stamford Bridge finally got the ball rolling on the most successful campaign in the club's history.
Ones to watch
Everton
Tim Cahill proved again with his goal against West Brom what a talisman he is for the Blues - Marouane Fellaini is available after completing a three-match suspension and will be looking forward to making up for lost time. Strikers Louis Saha and Yakubu both netted at Stamford Bridge last season and will be keen to repeat the feat.
Chelsea
John Terry returns to the Chelsea squad after injury and Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his presence settled a defence which has looked far more porous than usual of late. Didier Drogba remains one of the world's most lethal strikers despite currently recovering from malaria while midfield powerhouse Michael Essien is available again after suspension.
Injuries/suspensions
Chelsea
Injured: Alex (knee), Benayoun (Achilles), Lampard (groin)
Everton
Injured: Barkley (leg), Hibbert & Osman (ankle) - Suspended: Arteta
Latest odds from Betfred
Chelsea - 2/5
Draw - 7/2
Everton - 8/1
Barry Horne: Jermaine Beckford will come good - mark my words
Dec 4 2010 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
JERMAINE BECKFORD deserves our support.I have seen him score regularly for Leeds with a whole range of finishes, so while there is no doubt he is missing chances for us at the moment, anyone who has watched him knows that he can score goals. It is no coincidence that so many chances have fallen to him in games.He is getting chances because he works for them. He makes good runs and gets himself into good positions – something which Louis Saha and Yakubu have not looked like doing in recent weeks.David Moyes has a fantastic record for improving players at Goodison Park. I still have hopes for Becks coming good, but he needs the chance to play his way in and not see his fragile confidence eroded any further.
Barry Horne: World finally wakes up to the FIFA fiasco
Dec 4 2010 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
ANYONE who has read this column over the last few years will know my feelings about FIFA’s president.Astonishingly it seems as if the whole world has suddenly woken up to the reality of what it stands for and how it is run since Thursday’s debacle.My only surprise concerning the whole fiasco was that anyone in England actually thought we would be awarded the World Cup. I phoned a respected journalist on Tuesday night in disbelief that our press took Vladimir Putin’s stay-away statement as a positive indication for England’s bid.Putin stayed away because he’d ‘done the deal.’ The giveaway was his unqualified praise for the ‘virtues and the integrity’ of FIFA committee members and, of course, the direct criticism of the ‘unscrupulous’ other bidders.Another stroke of political genius by Sepp Blatter was to put the two bids together, because in the predictable furore surrounding England’s dismal failure, Qatar’s award of the 2022 World Cup has almost slipped in without comment.Blatter has vowed to take football to developing countries to benefit the game. But if there are two countries in the whole world where a World Cup would benefit the game more it is the USA and Australia – sports mad nations doing their utmost to promote the game and countries where football, or ‘soccer,’ is not the number one sport. Instead it goes to a country with an indigenous population, I believe, of 200,000 people.That really is going to change the face of football as we know it!
Barry Horne: Criticism of Everton FC is way out of order
Dec 4 2010 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
LAST weekend’s game resulted in much doom, gloom and criticism of individuals who probably don’t need naming. I think the flak is out of order.Last week’s result was one of those things which happens in football, especially in the Premier League this year.Its significance has been magnified because of what has gone before and the present league position, which in my opinion is not a fair reflection of the way Everton have played.A potted summary of last week’s game would go something like this: Everton start well; West Brom get out of their half for the first time after 15 minutes and score.Everton pick themselves up, concede an unnecessary free-kick to give West Brom their second realistic attack of the game and it is brilliantly converted.Tim Cahill scores a magnificent goal, the brilliance of which was overlooked in the general post-match despondency, relieving the pressure on David Moyes to make changes at half-timeEarly in the second half David Moyes does make changes, which most fans were happy with; one of the new players gets a chance to equalise, beyond which Everton would surely have gone on to win.Instead, the keeper saves and within seconds West Brom’s full-back commits two sending off offences and an Everton player reacts stupidly to leave us a man down and a goal down.The final result was completely out of context and more a result of Everton committing men forward with inferior numbers.On another day the result could easily have been different.However defending David Moyes and his team is something which has had to be done too often this season.Clearly something has to be addressed at Goodison Park.
Everton FC complete record book is a stato’s dream
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
FLICKING through Steve Johnson’s impressive book, Everton – The Official Record, something struck me. One day the Statos will take over the world!I work with one or two self-confessed stat-a-holics – our chief sports writer David Prentice is beyond help.But Johnson is the ultimate. Consider this from the book’s introduction: ‘I’d been making hand-written records of sport facts and figures, off and on, for years. I would copy out the results from the papers into A4 pads over whole seasons...I even had whole made-up seasons transcribed, with fixtures planned in advance, and results decided by throwing dice’. Heaven help us.
Royal Blue: Everton FC will be keen to avoid another upset like the Dan Gosling transfer
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
IT would be difficult to underestimate the ill feeling and anger around the Everton camp which Dan Gosling’s transfer to Newcastle caused this summer.As details emerged during the summer tour in Australia, it was a stoney-faced manager in our Sydney hotel who admitted the nature of the transfer had left him deeply disturbed.Gosling, or rather his slippery agent, acted cynically and the result was that the Blues lost a decent young player who they could at least have recouped a few million for one day.It’s important, as news emerges of Victor Anichebe’s contract ticking down, that this doesn’t happen again.Victor is in a different situation.The Nigerian has a far better chance of playing Premier League games for Everton, and is highly coveted by his manager. So the prospect of losing him for nothing in the summer – if he chose a foreign move – will unsettle Moyes, Robert Elstone and Bill Kenwright. They know Everton can ill afford to lose players with a market value for nothing. Steven Pienaar may yet be the exception, but that is a different scenario.Talks are ongoing, and it’s safe to assume Everton will not allow the matter to go unresolved for long.Once bitten, twice shy? Let’s hope so.
Royal Blue: Signing David Beckham on loan would have transformed Everton FC’s world brand
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
IN TERMS of shock rejections David Beckham’s polite rebuttal of the idea of joining Everton may have paled into comparison to FIFA’s World Cup stitch-up on England this week.But for the money men at Goodison Park, the knowledge that the former England superstar will not be pulling on a royal blue shirt any time soon could understandably spark disappointment.Because for a football club keen to build its brand into something which can one day pull in the big-money owners or stadium sponsors, a glittering of the Beckham gold dust would have been perfect.David Moyes was not exactly revealing a burning desire to sign Beckham when he answered a question about the LA Galaxy star last weekend, but he was enthusiastic enough in his response to suggest he had thought about the possibility once or twice.Consider the financial implications of the David Beckham money-printing industry coming to a football club near you.When Beckham swapped Real Madrid for Los Angeles in 2007, he increased his already huge personal wealth immeasurably. But he also put Galaxy and Major League Soccer on another financial level in one fell swoop.His base salary of $5.5million for that first season was easily covered by increased revenue for the Galaxy.Beckham's first game, an exhibition match on July 21 against Chelsea, sold out the Home Depot Center, a soccer-only stadium that seats 27,000.Then a July 28 game in the Los Angeles Coliseum against a Mexican team almost sold out the 92,000-capacity stadium, and the rest of the league felt the Beckham factor too.At the time the New York Red Bulls had already sold about 26,000 tickets to the Galaxy's game at Giants Stadium that August, far more than their top crowd of 15,546 that year. And that was before tickets to that Beckham game had even gone on sale through Ticketmaster yet.Marc de Grandpre, managing director of Red Bull New York, said the team had included the Beckham game as part of multi-game ticket packages in order to boost sales for other games as well. He added that resulted in a 180% increase in multi-game packages sold this year versus a year ago."Beckham represents an extraordinary worldwide brand," he said. "His arrival in the states was unparalleled to any other foreign athlete plying their trade in the US, regardless of sport." The sales of shirts and Beckham-related merchandise went through the roof at the San Siro in 2009, and no football fan needs reminding of the almost Beatlemania-esque frenzy when the well-coiffured former Manchester United star first departed these shores for Spain. It’s no surprise then, that Beckham has been singled out as the ideal recruit by new Blackburn owner Ahsan Ali Syed in recent weeks, as he plans trying to turn Blackburn into the kings of the Indian sub-continent. But Beckham would not have just represented a commercial juggernaut pulling up outside Goodison.As David Moyes pointed out, he played alongside the midfielder while they were both at Preston North End, the manager even smiled as he recalled scoring from a Beckham cross.And the truth is that Beckham is every inch a ‘Moyes player’. Despite his 35 years, the OBE winner still has an impressive hunger and zeal every time he sets foot on the pitch, even in the lukewarm environs of the MLS.He covers ground like a 25-year-old and his right foot remains such a potent weapon that some still hark for him to one day wear an England shirt again.As an ambassador for the English game too, Becks might have been unsuccessful but he did himself and his country proud.Sure, the Blues may never have seriously considered a move for him, and the man himself felt it was too close to his spiritual Manchester home, but a brush with Beckham would have been, like the man himself, a winner.
Everton FC boss David Moyes orders stars to show him they are hurting
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TODAY might mark his 400th game in charge at Everton, but David Moyes is in no mood for nostalgia.The Blues boss is hurting. Hurting because this supposedly special season is in danger of becoming especially awful, hurting because his side were humiliated at home by West Brom, and hurting because the doubters who whispered negativity at him when he arrived on Merseyside in 2002 are yet to be shut up once and for all.But the Scot’s zeal and belief in hard work, the one thing he can control entirely which is unconnected to worries about finance, can still lead to success.It is something he will demand, as ever, at Stamford Bridge today, as he calls for his players to show that they too are hurting at the club’s perilous league position.“I really want to be successful with Everton,” he says.“That has been my goal, I have been driven.“Lots of people said when I arrived that I wouldn’t be able to turn Everton around and that drove me on.“My inspiration was to prove them wrong. I started this season thinking this was my best ever chance – even better than the year we qualified – to get into the top four, so you can imagine how disappointed I feel.“I thought this was the one. I now have to change and make sure I get a team that goes back to showing we have a bit of fire in our belly.”Last season, Everton achieved a morale-boosting 3-3 draw against Carlo Ancelotti’s side who were en route to the title.Remarkably, they later beat them at Goodison Park as a much-needed post Christmas surge in form burst into life.Yet it was avoiding the need for such heroics in the New Year that occupied Moyes’ focus in pre-season.Getting off to a flying start, and targeting Europe from the outset was the new, explicit blueprint Moyes finally felt ready to announce publicly.“I made a change this year in my approach,” he says. “I am always a bit cautious so most years I would say let’s get the points to be safe from relegation and we move on from there.“That wasn’t my start this year. My start this year was nothing like that.“It was to say we are aiming to finish in the top six. I had changed and I wanted that to get to the players and come out through the supporters.“I wanted not to get off to a bad start, so I tried to change everything to avoid that. Maybe I should have just said to get the points to avoid relegation.“It’s tough at lots of times. I have a really good group of players, good players, and they are due to show. They all think it as well, I think it, so come on then.“You might miss chances, but you keep making them, but what you don’t do is lose.“Eventually that happens and you get deflated but you have to keep going, keep doing what you believe in and your fortunes will change. I want them to show it’s hurting them as much as it’s hurting me.“They have a great spirit and part of that comes from winning, but also from the types of players you have in the group, and they know the manager’s not happy so we will need to see where we go.”With Michael Essien and John Terry back, Moyes is grateful to have Phil Neville returning today – but was angry nobody took up the captain’s mantle last weekend.“I think they are looking to be led by the manager,” he says.“They are looking for direction and I will continue to give that. I said to them before the game: ‘Come on then. We haven’t got Phil Neville in the team – who is going to take the real responsibility? Who wants it?’“It’s my team but there is also a part where I am saying ‘who is going to take responsibility when you cross over the white line?’ Phil Neville every week will put his hands up and try and do it. But nobody did that last week.”
Everton FC star Diniyar Bilyaletdinov vows to keep fighting for his place in the team
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DINIYAR Bilyaletdinov has vowed to be patient as he continues to fight for his place in the Everton team.The Russian midfielder says he is poised to take any opportunity David Moyes gives him in the side, and insists he must start over again to win the faith of his manger and the supporters despite scoring the club’s goal of last season.Bilyaletdinov, 25, who plays on the inside left of midfield for his national side, refused to use being played on the right at Goodison as an excuse for his inconsistent form.And as the Blues prepare to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today, the £9m capture from Lokomotiv Moscow urged his team mates to start backing themselves to shoot from outside the area.He said: “David Moyes has said that he needs every player, and the league is a long-distance tournament. He said we will all get our chance and my time will come. I can just watch and wait.“I don’t know where the manager sees me playing long term. I play on the left for Russia but it’s not difficult to change flanks for me. I played on the right last season, and one game this time. David Moyes asks me and I do it. I can cut inside and shoot on my left foot.“But last seasons goals are forgotten. The supporters are waiting for more goals from me and everyone this time, for us to seize shooting positions. We don’t shoot enough from 20 or 25 yards. It’s a weakness for us this season.”Bilyaletdinov, who has found first team starts hard to come by so far this season, is nevertheless feeling the frustration of Everton’s faltering form.He said: “Everton need to take things in smaller steps. We need to start taking points. Over the next 10 games I think we need 23 points to move to where we want to be.It’s difficult to think too far ahead.”The Russian was in high spirits after his country won the contest to stage the 2018 World Cup on Thursday, ahead of England and Portugal. And he refused to rule out being able to play a part in the tournament.He said: “It was a big decision for my country. Most people there are hoping it will be the best World Cup ever, and it’s a first for us. The Winter Olympics in 2014 in Sochi (Russia) should be like a trial run and good practise for the World Cup.“It is eight years away, and I’ll still be 33, but I would like to play a part. I’ll need to be in good form.”Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka is a doubt for today’s clash. The England centre-half is struggling with a knock picked up in last week’s defeat to West Brom.Tony Hibbert will also miss the Stamford Bridge clash having suffered a cut ankle in the first half against the Baggies.However, Moyes is boosted by the return of skipper Phil Neville who has recovered from a sore knee and midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who is available having served a three-match ban.The Everton manager said: “We have a bit of a doubt over Phil Jagielka and we will have to see how he is.“Tony Hibbert will definitely miss the game. I don’t think many people realise but he suffered a really bad cut to his ankle early in the game (against West Brom) and had to be stitched up at half-time. He did really well to carry on for us but he won’t make it tomorrow.”Meanwhile, the Blues will be without Mikel Arteta who starts a three-match ban for his dismissal against the Baggies, while Leon Osman (ankle) is a long-term absentee.Moyes added: “We’ll miss Mikel as he is a big player for us. I don’t think his form has quite been what he would want it to be in the last few games, but he is an important player.”
Everton FC struggled under weight of expectation, says David Moyes
Dec 4 2010 By Ian Doyle
DAVID MOYES isn't famed for his grand pronouncements. So it wasn't just tubthumping bravado that led the Goodison manager to declare he expected great things from his team for this season. The strong end to the previous Premier League campaign, with just two defeats in their final 24 games, prompted Moyes to break with tradition and talk up Everton's top-flight challenge. Even Sir Alex Ferguson believed the Blue half of Merseyside was ready to seriously test the top four. Yet it hasn't quite worked that way. And now Moyes admits for the first time his players have found it difficult to shoulder the weight of such expectation. "I made a change this year in my approach," he says. "I am always a bit cautious, so most years I would say 'let’s get the points to be safe from relegation and we move on from there'. "My start this year was nothing like that. It was to say we are aiming to finish in the top six. I had changed and I wanted that to get to the players and come out through the supporters. "Don't forget, we lost only two of our last 24 league games last season, so we went into the season with a lot of optimism among the squad and from me. "I wanted not to get off to a bad start, so I tried to change everything to avoid that." Moyes adds: "If you play for a club like Everton, you have to realise that there is going to be expectation. "You are at a big football club. If you can’t handle that then either the manager shouldn’t have brought you in the first place or you should move out of town if you can’t handle it. "You have to play on a stage at Goodison. You have to represent one of the big English football clubs. There are expectations. "But at this moment, our expectations have been completely dampened. It’s up to the players to roll their sleeves up and do what they have been doing. They have got to work hard and get themselves up the table." Almost 12 months ago, Everton headed to Stamford Bridge having earned 16 points from 15 games while hovering precariously above the relegation zone. They left with a 3-3 draw that proved a definitive stepping stone on the way to their impressive end to the campaign that included a 2-1 home win over the champions. Moyes's men find themselves in precisely the same situation heading to London today, albeit still coming to terms with last week's shocking 4-1 home loss to West Bromwich Albion. That defeat encapsulated the issues Moyes must address if Everton are to transform a Premier League campaign once again. "I'll not make excuses, but there have certainly been reasons," he says. "We have looked like we couldn't score. Our play has been good, we have been playing an attractive brand of football. "But now we are starting to concede goals now on top of being unable to score. I've been a defender, and I know that when a team doesn't take its chances, it can be frustrating and, given the standard of players they are up against, defenders can make mistakes and then you are suddenly a goal down when you should be a couple of goals up. "We have to make sure we get back to being harder to beat and making sure we don't concede the type of goals we have been in the last few weeks." Moyes celebrates his 400th game in charge at Everton today, with only Harry Catterick (594) and Howard Kendall (542) having presided over more. And having been at the club so long, the Scot accepts it is a challenge to keep things fresh for his squad. "I could ask Steve Round to speak," says Moyes. "I could ask Jimmy Lumsden to speak if that’s different. But we will only know at the end of the season if they think they have heard enough of David Moyes. But I don’t think that’s the case. "I think they are looking to be led by the manager. They are looking for direction and I will continue to give that." Moyes, though, believes there should be more leadership on the field. "I said to them before the West Brom game: ‘Come on then. We haven’t got Phil Neville in the team – who is going to take the real responsibility? Who wants it?" he says. "But it looked like nobody did. "It’s my team and my responsibility but there is also a part where I am saying ‘who is going to take responsibility when you cross over the white line?’ "Phil Neville every week will put his hands up and try and do it. He will take the ball when he shouldn’t do it. But nobody did that last week. That was one of my disappointments. "Have the players been been hiding behind established stars? I would hope not. You are talking about players who have got hundreds of games in the Premier League. International players. They should know what is expected." One player who would be exempt from criticism is Tim Cahill. With eight goals in 14 appearances, only three players have scored more in the Premier League this season. Indeed, with all of his strikes coming in different games, no player has netted in more top-flight matches than the Australian. And Moyes says: "We try and put Tim into a position where we think serves him best. A lot of our team selections are made up of fitting Tim Cahill into doing what he does best. "We will miss him when he goes to the Asian Cup. We need somebody to find the goals that Tim has been coming up with right now."
Everton grab well deserved 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge thanks to Jermaine Beckford header
Dec 4 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON: (4-5-1) Howard, Neville (capt), Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar (Bilyaletdinov, 87) Coleman, Cahill, Saha (Beckford, 57).
Subs not used: Mucha,Yakubu, Heitinga, Anichebe, Osman.
Bookings: Neville (28), Jagielka (90 plus)
Goals: Beckford (86)
CHELSEA: (4-4-2) Cech, Boswinga (Ferreira, 63), Terry (capt), Ivanovic, Cole, Kalou, Mikel (Sturridge, 88), Malouda, Essien, Drogba, Anelka (Ramires, 78).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Bookings:
Goals: Drogba (pen, 41)
Attendance: 41, 642.
Referee: Lee Probert
A ROUSING performance full of guts and endeavour earned Everton a deserved point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Toffees responded to their recent woes with a much-improved showing against the champions, culminating in a dramatic finale which saw them the more likely side to grab all three points. Jermaine Beckford proved the adage that God loves a trier, the second half substitute scoring the headed equaliser after typically terrific work from Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill. David Moyes made five changes from the team which was embarrassed at Goodison by West Brom last weekend. Seamus Coleman was restored to the right wing, captain Phil Neville returned at full back and Marouane Fellaini, Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell were handed starts. It was a frenetic opening with both sides showing plenty of intent to shrug off their faltering form. The first chance fell after just 20 seconds to the Blues, as Louis Saha’s stinging effort was parried by Petr Cech after Steven Pienaar seized on a loose ball. Despite facing a Chelsea side back to near full strength, with Michael Essien and John Terry returning, the Toffees looked comfortable in defence for much of the first half. Sylvain Distin was typically strong against Drogba, getting in vital early blocks and remaining considered in his distribution. He was perhaps fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when the ball bounced in the area and struck his arm, but otherwise coped solidly alongside Phil Jagielka.. The Blues appeared to have heeded their manager’s call for a display of the fire in their bellies, snapping into tackles and harassing Chelsea relentlessly. Back leading by fierce example, skipper Neville earned a booking in the first half for a foul on Drogba after an earlier tussle with Florent Malouda which saw the Frenchman avoid a card despite kneeing the prone defender in the face. Chelsea bared their teeth in patches. John Terry saw a shot blocked and then hit the cross bar from a Florent Malouda corner. And Jose Bosingwa occasionally threatened with his pace. But Everton continued to plug away, Coleman went close with a drive across goal from good a position. And with their high tempo far more pleasing for Moyes, Everton looked likely to see out the half goal-less, until Neville’s sloppy back pass was seized on by Nicolas Anelka who shimmied and put the ball around Tim Howard before clattering into the keeper. The home crowd called for a penalty and red card, but Howard rightly escaped dismissal. Unfortunately, Drogba made no mistake from the spot. The second period saw the Blues come out at full throttle again and start to dominate possession. With Carlo Ancelotti’s side lacklustre, Everton created several chances. Jack Rodwell saw his bullet header come back off the inside of the post from an excellent Leighton Baines cross, then Coleman connected with a strong header but directed it right at Cech. Phil Jagielka was inches away from equalizing from a corner, before Tim Cahill riled John Terry and the Chelsea bench by colliding with Cech as he challenged for a ball in the area. Moyes introduced Jermaine Beckford after another anonymous Saha display, and Everton continued to press – occasionally looking vulnerable on the counter attack such was their desire to equalise. Kalou could have sunk the visitors on one such attack but dithered and drew a superb block from Jagielka. But it was Beckford in the dying stages who got the goal he, and the Blues deserved. Leighton Baines surged down the left and crossed, Cahill nodded back across goal and the former Leeds man did the rest. The seven minutes of injury time were nearly all Everton, with the champions lucky to hang on in the end. Moyes had asked for fire from his humiliated side, and he got an inferno. This was the Everton of last season’s second half, and the revival may yet have come in time to save this campaign.
David Moyes challenges Everton FC stars to show commitment
Dec 4 2010 By Ian Doyle
DAVID MOYES has challenged his players to prove they are hurting as much as he is over Everton's current predicament while reiterating his desire to bring success to Goodison. Moyes's men travel to champions Chelsea this afternoon still smarting after the shock 4-1 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion last weekend. It was a new low point in a season that has seen Everton fall well short of expectations and teeter just two points ahead of the relegation zone. Moyes retains faith in his squad to return to the form that saw them lose just two of their last 24 league games the previous campaign. But the Goodison manager, who celebrates his 400th game in charge at Everton today, accepts that won't happen unless the players start taking more responsibility. "The defeat to West Brom was a really disappointing result, and this week it has maybe refocused one or two things," said Moyes. "I hope we see the correct response. "I want the players to take a bit more responsibility and show how disappointed they are in the coming games. "I want them to show it’s hurting them as much as it’s hurting me. They have a great spirit and part of that comes from winning, but also from the types of players you have in the group, and they know the manager’s not happy so we will need to see where we go. "I have a really good group of players, good players, and they are due to show. They all think it as well, I think it, so come on then. You might miss chances, but you keep making them, but what you don’t do is lose. "Eventually that happens and you get deflated but you have to keep going, keep doing what you believe in and your fortunes will change." Everton's poor start to the campaign, coupled with the ongoing financial restraints at the club, has prompted further speculation Moyes could seek pastures new. However, the Goodison manager has dismissed any suggestion of contemplating a departure and admits the supporters will be the ultimate arbiters of his reign.
Chelsea 1 Everton 1
Published: 05 Dec 2010 (The Sun)
JERMAINE BECKFORD scored a late leveller as Chelsea blew their chance to go top.
Didier Drogba's first-half penalty had put the home side in the box seat only for the Toffees — who had drawn on their previous four visits to the Bridge — to come back strongly and snatch a point. The result leaves Chelsea in third, behind Manchester Utd and London rivals Arsenal, who leapfrogged them to take their place at the summit. But if the American felt reprieved, he could do nothing with Drogba's fierce penalty which put the Blues ahead.Everton began the second half brightly and Jack Rodwell's fired a 51st-minute effort wide. Beckford replaced Saha and Everton almost levelled in the 61st minute when a cross from Leighton Baines was headed against the inside of the post by Rodwell. Chelsea were now having to defend in numbers with Everton controlling the game. Two minutes later a corner from Baines was headed on by Jagielka but the ball dropped agonisingly wide of the far post. Everton finally got the equaliser they deserved when Beckford nodded in from close range after Tim Cahill had flicked on Leighton Baines' cross. It was one-way traffic until the final whistle as David Moyes' side pressed for the winner.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Ferreira 65), Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel (Sturridge 88), Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka (Ramires 78). Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Booked: Terry.
Goals: Drogba 42 pen.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar (Bilyaletdinov 87), Cahill, Saha (Beckford 58). Subs Not Used: Mucha, Heitinga, Osman, Yakubu, Anichebe.
Booked: Neville, Howard, Coleman, Jagielka.
Goals: Beckford 86.
Att: 41,642
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Chelsea 1-1 Everton: Sunday Mirror match report
05/12/10 By Paul Smith (The Mirror)
Didier Drogba of Chelsea scores their first goal from the penalty spot
The crisis engulfing Chelsea continued to deepen as they failed to see off struggling Everton at home.
On the balance of play the visitors thoroughly deserved to pick up a point but in a first half embarrassingly dominated by Chelsea they failed to take their chances and go into the break firmly out of sight.Returning captain John Terry hit the crossbar before Didier Drogba scored a penalty after Tim Howard fouled Nicolas Anelka five minutes from the interval.Victory would have seen Chelsea reclaim top spot with Manchester United’s game at Blackpool postponed.But instead they slipped to third, with Arsenal moving up to first after defeating Fulham.Needless to say it was Chelsea’s woeful performance in the second half that would have set the alarm bells ringing in the corridors of power at Stamford Bridge.As good as they were in the first half they were dreadful in the second.“I am very disappointed and very angry because we got what we deserved,” said Carlo Ancelotti.“In the first half we played well with good spirit. In the second half we were awful, lost our way and played with fear.“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game but I need to understand why the team is playing like they are.“Of course it worries me. Everyone knows it was an important game for us to move on from a difficult moment we still find ourselves in.“We knew a victory would take us back to the top of the table and improve our confidence. We didn’t take it.”In contrast Everton boss David Moyes was delighted and even felt his side’s second-half dominance should have yielded all three points.“The second half we deserved the result,” he said. “We expected it to be tough; it always is when you come to Chelsea.“I thought our lack of quality in the final third of the game prevented us from winning the game.“Leighton Baines’ run for the goal was terrific. Obviously the best left-back in the country plays for Chelsea but arguably the second best was playing for Everton yesterday.Despite worrying form of late Chelsea laid siege on the Everton goal from the opening minute.It was all Everton could do to defend in numbers, sitting deep and inviting Chelsea to come at them.Yet despite embarrassingly dominating play the defending champions could find no way through.Chances came and went and futile claims for penalties were swiftly waved away until Terry hit the Everton crossbar with a tenacious chip in the 26th minute.They had to wait until eight minutes from the break before they threatened the Everton goal again, Salomon Kalou woefully heading over from barely seven yards out.The game eventually exploded into action in the 40th minute when Nicola Anelka raced through on goal only to be rugby tackled by Tim Howard in the penalty area.Referee Lee Probert immediately pointed to the spot but refused to send Howard off despite widespread protest.Didier Drogba, without a goal in six matches, stepped up to emphatically convert the spot kick.The home side continued to dominate as they looked to increase their lead. But as the break approached a second goal continued to elude them.Everton returned after the interval to put up a more convincing fight.Indeed in the opening ten minutes of the half Everton put Chelsea under more pressure than they had in the entire opening 45 minutes.In the 61st minute they were denied an equaliser when Jack Rodwell struck the post with a header from Leighton Baines cross.To their credit Everton maintained the momentum, as Chelsea looked increasingly fragile.As Chelsea stood back Everton began to threaten with increasing regularity much to the annoyance of Ancelotti and the home fans.Yet ironically Chelsea should have extended their lead before Everton’s second half dominance finally paid off four minutes from time.Substitute Paulo Ferreira crossed low for the right and Ashley Cole was inches away from getting a clinical touch as he slid in at the far post.Everton immediately moved upfield and when Baines deep cross was headed back across the face of goal, sub Jermaine Beckford headed home unchallenged.Even seven minutes of extended time couldn’t save Chelsea. Long before Beckford had found the net for the Toffees the Blues had completely run out of steam.
It's Blue murder as David Moyes blasts Chelsea ... and Carlo Ancelotti puts the boot in too
Dec 5 2010 By Dave Kidd, The People
CHELSEA’S crisis-hit team got it in the neck from manager Carlo Ancelotti and Everton chief David Moyes after they were held to a stormy 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Jermaine Beckford’s late equaliser ¬cancelled out a Didier Drogba penalty. And Ancelotti admitted he was ‘angry’ and ‘worried’ by a run of just two points from four Premier League games since the shock sacking of his assistant Ray Wilkins. Moyes was furious at the behaviour of Branislav Ivanovic, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba as he launched an astonishing post-match tirade at the champions. Moyes believed Ivanovic could have been sent off for a two-footed first-half tackle, claimed that Malouda stamped on Phil Neville and that Drogba over-reacted to get Neville booked. The Goodison boss raged: “You need to have a look at the Ivanovic tackle in the 31st minute. I’ve got to say, Phil Neville has done fantastically. Florent Malouda came in and stamped on him and he got up and ran away – he had nothing to do with it. “A minute later, one of their players got him booked for nothing. Unbelievable. He’s got up, run away, not made anything of it. I’m disgusted. “He helped keep Malouda on the pitch and then a second later one of their players goes down easy and gets him booked. Ridiculous. “Have a look at the Ivanovic tackle and look where the referee is and make your mind up.” Moyes was also angry that Chelsea reacted furiously to a challenge from Tim Cahill on Petr Cech, which left the Chelsea keeper with a cut above his eye – bringing back memories of the horrific injury he suffered in an infamous clash with Stephen Hunt four years ago. The Everton boss fumed: “Because he has a history of ¬injury does not mean my ¬players don’t go for tackles? He better go for it. After our performance last week against West Brom, he’d ****ing better go for it. If he hadn’t gone for that I’d have been wringing his neck.” Ancelotti was less concerned about his side’s discipline than their collapse in form and confidence. He said: “I am disappointed and I am angry. In the second half, we lost our idea of how to play, just the long ball instead. We have worked hard for a year and a half to play a certain way and now we are not playing this way. “I knew we would have a bad moment at some point but now it has gone on for too long. Of course I am worried. “Now we have to play Tottenham next ¬weekend. They are one of the best teams in the country at the moment, so it is a fantastic ¬opportunity for us to put things right. “I explained how I feel in the dressing room and they understand this. We have to focus much harder in training. “We must regain our spirit, our focus and our confidence. There is no reason for us to smile at the moment. We have to understand why things have changed. We cannot be scared of criticism.” Asked about Moyes’ criticism of his players, Ancelotti said: “I don’t want to judge, just as I don’t want to judge the penalty decision.” Of the Cech incident, he said: “Petr was lucky he didn’t get a bad injury but I don’t want to comment on the challenge.” Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was left to ponder what might have been after Spurs threw away two points at Birmingham. Craig Gardner’s second-half header cancelled out Sebastien Bassong’s opener for Spurs. And Redknapp reckons his side passed up a golden opportunity – “I’m disappointed because I felt the game was there to be won,” he said. “It would have put us in a great position.” Blackburn sunk Wolves 3-0 at Ewood Park to send Rovers eighth in the table. Boss Sam Allardyce hailed his side – beaten 7-1 at Old Trafford last week – after goals from David Dunn, Brett Emerton and Ryan Nelson saw off relegation-haunted Wolves. He said: “The clean sheet ¬pleases me as much as the goals we’ve scored. We’re creeping up on everybody without anybody ¬really noticing.”
CHELSEA 1 - EVERTON 1 - BECKFORD GOAL PAIN FOR CARLO ANCELOTTI
5th December 2010
By Tony Stenson
Chelsea 1 - Everton 1 (The Star)
CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti hit out at his “wasters” after they failed to kill off brave Everton. Striker Jermain Beckford came off the bench to inflict another wound on a manager who has seemingly lost his way. Boos from Chelsea fans will been heard all the way to owner Roman Abramovich’s £70million floating gin palace as he celebrated Russia winning the 2018 World Cup. Roman does not do failures. Chelsea, top of the table only a month ago, took a controversial lead only to lose it and they’ve now gone four games without a win. Fans were streaming out long before the final whistle. Abramovich was last seen hitting high fives after his country had won the rights to host the 2018 event. But this swiftly brought him down to earth and you fear here for Ancelotti. His side seriously squandered a chance to go back to the top of the table as Everton stopped their own rot. But Everton skipper Phil Neville should hold his head in shame after almost costing his side the game. Neville almost got keeper Tim Howard sent off but overall Everton displayed a snarling, fighting quality few rarely thought them capable of. They refused to be overawed and stuck rigidly to a format that paid off. Chelsea did not have a plan B as Everton closed down all the corridors. Everton manager David Moyes, celebrating his 400th match in charge of the club, has gained a reputation for producing the kind of team that makes him one of the favourites to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Yesterday this was Everton in the raw, a side of the club rarely seen. When Tim Cahill lunged studs-high into the face of Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, you realised then they were fighting for their professional lives. Blood dripped from Cech’s eye. Not nice, while Cech had been previously been inspirational. Neville, booked earlier for clattering into Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, had acres of space in the 40th minute and colleagues nearby when he stroked a casual 40th-minute back-pass to keeper Howard. Drogba’s strike partner Nicolas Anelka seized the moment and headed for goal. Howard leapt from his line and collided with the Chelsea striker for a definite penalty – and nailed -on dismissal. But referee Lee Probert chose not to send him off because other defenders were closing gaps and Anelka made such a meal of the collision. Howard should have gone, but it would only deflect from Chelsea’s poor performance and Everton’s fighting spirit which was richly rewarded in the 85th minute. Leighton Baines crossed for the left, Cahill headed back and Beckford rose to score. Everton had earlier survived a decent penalty call when Sylvain Distin looked to try and control a ball that had sneaked through Salomon Kalou in the 10th minute. The woodwork prevented Chelsea from taking the lead in the 27th minute when captain John Terry, back after a sciatic nerve injury, sent a shot against the bar. Everton arrived with their reputation in shreds, having taken just 16 points from their opening 15 matches – and just one win in the last seven. But, despite their first half bombardment, Moyes’s men deserved everything they got yesterday.
Chelsea 1 Everton FC 1: Jermaine Beckford starting to push all right buttons
Dec 6 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
ONLY at Chelsea. To the rear of a Main Stand concourse at Stamford Bridge, the luxuriant Londoners have installed a rack of hi-tech games consoles inviting supporters to turn their backs on the real action and live out their own fantasies in pixel form. But had Jermaine Beckford been spotted early Saturday afternoon furiously bashing those buttons in an attempt to find inspiration, it would have been no surprise. After all, the striker’s dream of making the grade in the Premier League has threatened to turn into a nightmare. Having belatedly broken his duck with a late equaliser against Bolton Wanderers, the former Leeds United man has subsequently become the subject of mockery after a critical miss at Sunderland was followed by his succession of spurned opportunities at home to West Bromwich Albion last week. Beckford, though, will have the biggest smile this morning as both he and Everton answered the call of manager David Moyes to respond in the best possible fashion to their Goodison embarrassment seven days earlier. A point at the faltering champions was the least Moyes’s men deserved as they restored more than just their pride with a battling performance. Belief, too, will surely come flooding back given the manner in which the visitors fought from behind to ultimately outplay their more heralded hosts. Chief beneficiary will be Beckford. His mixture of delight and relief was obvious as he charged towards the jubilant away end having emerged from the bench to head Everton’s equaliser with just four minutes of normal time remaining. The 26-year-old remains very much a rough diamond – witness his overly-ambitious attempt to score a second shortly afterwards with two team-mates screaming for a pass – but he possesses that untrainable knack of being in the right place at the right time, a trait of all successful goalscorers. And while one goal will not be enough to win over the doubters, the forward has shown that, given his strikes for Leeds at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane that helped earn a move to Everton, he is a man unfazed by the grand stage. “This is the route I should have taken,” admits Moyes. “I put him in the team too early this season and I should have waited and done it this way. “Games in the Premier League do open up more 15 or 20 minutes from the end, and he can exploit that. He’s proved that in the other leagues he’s played in. “You might not get as many chances, and you have to take them when they come. That’s what let him down last week.” But this wasn’t just about Beckford. The entire team needed a stirring performance after the dramatic failure against West Brom the previous week left Moyes questioning his players’ attitude and whether they were hurting as much as he was. Clearly, they were. Although five changes brought a fresh edge to the starting line-up, those retained were determined to atone for the Baggies beating, particularly a defence that was breached four times that afternoon. Chelsea only found a way through once on Saturday, and even that was a self-inflicted wound when, three minutes before the break, Phil Neville’s underhit backpass was intercepted by Nicolas Anelka, who then found his way blocked by Tim Howard. Didier Drogba despatched the spot-kick although the Everton goalkeeper rightly received only a booking for a foul he had little say in conceding. It was harsh on Neville, whose return gave the visitors a steadying, experienced hand noticeably absent seven days earlier. The right-back also earned praise for his reaction following an altercation with Florent Malouda, choosing simply to walk away after being struck in the mouth by the Frenchman, whereas others would have gone to ground and remained there until a red card had been produced. Speaking of which, not so creditable was the over-reaction of Drogba to a trifling offence by Neville that saw the Everton man booked shortly afterwards. Is it any wonder Chelsea will never be as respected as so many of their rivals? Drogba was otherwise frustrated by a visiting defence where Phil Jagielka’s welcome return to form was allied to an excellent display by Sylvain Distin. But even they were outshone by Leighton Baines, the left-back sound in his defensive duties but devastating going forward to such an extent that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was forced to change his personnel down that flank in an attempt to stifle his forward forays. It was a futile gesture. The warning was there for Chelsea in the 61st minute when, having been worked into space by Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, Baines delivered a cross that was headed against the inside of Petr Cech’s left-hand post by Jack Rodwell. So it was inevitable that Everton’s equaliser should come from a similar source. A forceful run took Baines beyond five Chelsea defenders and, after his deep cross was headed back across goal by Tim Cahill, Beckford was on hand to do the rest.
goal had appeared unlikely during a first half in which Chelsea, buoyed by the return of talismanic duo John Terry – who struck the crossbar with one effort – and Michael Essien, dominated midfield. However, Everton responded superbly to going behind and were far superior after the interval, Fellaini and Rodwell stamping their authority in the centre of the park as Chelsea retreated while Pienaar and Seamus Coleman provided thrust and guile down the flanks. Indeed, with the visitors thundering into challenges – in the case of Tim Cahill on Cech, perhaps a little too eagerly – Moyes’s men appeared the more likely to snatch victory in the seven minutes added on because of treatment to the Chelsea goalkeeper. So continues Everton’s impressive record at Stamford Bridge, this their fifth successive draw in the fixture. But while Moyes’s men have produced against the bigger teams this season, it’s the Premier League’s lesser lights that have proven far more troublesome. Saturday’s visit of Wigan Athletic would be a good time to begin addressing that shortcoming.
Everton FC manager David Moyes accuses Didier Drogba of getting Phil Neville booked
Dec 6 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES pointed the finger at Didier Drogba for getting Phil Neville booked – while revealing Tim Cahill is set to delay his departure to the Asian Cup until after the New Year. Moyes was unhappy with the antics of Drogba, whose theatrical fall to the ground encouraged Lee Probert to issue a yellow card to Neville in the first half of Everton's 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Saturday. Only moments earlier, Neville had walked away from an altercation with Florent Malouda after being struck in the face by the Frenchman, with the Chelsea man subsequently escaping censure. And Moyes sought to contrast the behaviour of his skipper with that of Ivory Coast international Drogba, and the sending-off of Mikel Arteta in last week's 4-1 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion. “I just thought Phil Neville, being the pro he is, got up and never rolled about,” said the Goodison manager. “He did nothing, ran away, didn’t in any way try to get the players sent off.
“But I could show you one last week when we got a player sent off for ‘standing’. The (opposing) players stood up and then decided to drop down and roll about. “These players have got a responsibility. You don’t want the players rolling about, do you? That’s not their job “I thought they (Chelsea) got Phil Neville booked and it wasn’t required. Phil Neville could quite easily have stayed down and held his face. But he didn’t. “He got up and did what you would hope most people would do. “But there were one or two who went down very easily after that and got him booked. It’s not a level playing field, no, but that’s why you’re asking the referees to do it correctly. “Getting kicked is part of the game. You journalists would not enjoy it if there was no tackling or competition, with no contact. It would be really boring and difficult to write about.” Neville himself believes Malouda was fortunate not to be at least booked for his actions. “It's a difficult one,” he said. “We had somebody sent off last week for something not too dissimilar when our lad didn't catch anyone but theirs did. “It was my first tackle of the game and after it I get struck in the face, and I'm the one who ends up getting booked later on. “I think it was the wrong decision. You want to keep 11 players on the pitch but you always want fairness and equality and you want consistency. “We came here not expecting any decisions and we were not disappointed.”Chelsea took the lead three minutes before the break when Drogba scored from the spot, but Everton rallied strongly in the second half and equalised in the 86th minute with a goal by substitute Jermaine Beckford. Cahill provided an assist by heading a Leighton Baines cross into the path of the incoming Beckford, and Moyes now expects to have the services of the Australian for another month. It was feared Cahill could be out of action from mid-December as part of a training camp with his country ahead of the Asian Cup next month. But Moyes said: “I am due to see someone from Australia soon, but Tim has told us that he will stay until after the New Year.” Of Saturday's draw, the manager added: “I thought we played better in the second half. They played really well in the first half and we found it difficult to get to them. “It was a really disappointing goal to lose, but I felt as long as we could keep going we had a chance, and we were the better side in the second half. “The quality of our decisions in the final third, if they’d been better we’d have got a win. Of course Chelsea made chances, but they’re the champions. We’re not. “I thought Steven Pienaar and Bainesy got a bit of control there in the first minutes of the second half. We were causing the problems. Even late on Fellaini had a few chances to put a second one in.” Moyes also revealed Pienaar was replaced late on after suffering an ankle injury that will be assessed at Finch Farm.
Everton FC boss David Moyes angry over Chelsea tactics
Dec 6 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON manager David Moyes was unhappy with a two-footed tackle by Chelsea full-back Branislav Ivanovic as well as a booking for Phil Neville. Moyes accused Chelsea winger Florent Malouda of stamping on Neville but praised the response from his side following last week’s 4-1 home drubbing by West Brom. The Everton defender’s decision to get up immediately from the altercation almost certainly saved the Chelsea winger from a potential red card. “I have got to say Phil Neville did fantastic,” said Moyes. “Malouda came in and stamped on him but Phil got up and ran away. But a minute later one of their players went and got him booked for nothing. “It was disgusting. He helped keep Malouda on the pitch and a second later one of their players goes down easy and gets Neville booked. Ridiculous. But you need to have a look at Ivanovic’s tackle in the 31st minute as well and look where the referee was. “The second half we deserved the result. Chelsea had a few chances but then you expect that. It was tough for us in the first-half. “The quality of our decisions in the final third probably cost us winning the game. “But the players responded really well today. The players here tend to do that in the right fashion.” Chelsea’s first half penalty was awarded after goalkeeper Tim Howard brought down Nicolas Anelka but Moyes agreed with referee Lee Probert that it didn’t warrant a red card. “The goalkeeper could not get out of the way,” added Moyes. “If it was me, I would want a penalty kick for it. But it definitely was not a sending off.” Meanwhile, angry Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti labelled his side “frightened” after a shocking second half display cost them the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League. Chelsea looked to be on course for three points thanks to Didier Drogba’s 42nd-minute penalty but Everton substitute Jermaine Beckford headed an equaliser four minutes from time. Chelsea have now won just once in their last six league games and Ancelotti was clearly rattled by another sub-standard display from the double winners. “I am disappointed and angry,” declared Ancelotti. “Not just because of the result. “We played good football in the first half and the second half was totally different. We played the long ball. We were a little bit scared. I didn’t like this. “We are working to play a particular kind of football and I don’t understand why we have changed it. We have to look at it and I have to understand and change it. “I don’t think it is a problem of concentration. Everybody knew it was a very important game for us to move on from the difficult moment. “We have to do better day-by-day on the training ground, in the training sessions. We have to work harder than we are doing. This is the way I know to move on in a difficult moment. “The problem is on the pitch and we have to work to resolve this. First half the spirit was good. I saw the players in focus and concentrated with good tactical discipline. But in the second half they were scared, afraid and played the long ball. “I am worried yes, because we haven’t won a lot of games.”
Everton FC captain Phil Neville praises players' spirit after Chelsea draw
Dec 6 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
PHIL NEVILLE believes Everton have emphatically answered those who questioned their team spirit – with Tim Howard convinced the Goodison outfit were denied the chance of a famous win at Stamford Bridge. Substitute Jermaine Beckford’s 86th-minute equaliser earned David Moyes’s side a richly-deserved 1-1 draw against champions Chelsea on Saturday. The Goodison manager had demanded a response from his team after they were humiliated 4-1 at home by West Bromwich Albion the previous weekend. Everton had fallen behind at the weekend from a Didier Drogba penalty three minutes before half-time, awarded after Nicolas Anelka intercepted a stray Neville backpass and was blocked by Tim Howard. And the Goodison skipper has pointed to a dominant second-half performance as a sign the squad’s togetherness remains firmly intact. “Last week people questioned our spirit,” said Neville. “But you look at it on Saturday, and when a player makes a mistake like I did then you look round and think ‘come on, somebody dig me out of this’, and luckily enough Becks did. “We wanted a response from last week. The manager has worked us hard during the week and he got a response. I thought it was an outstanding performance. “We were looking for not just a good footballing performance, but we wanted to show our spirit, character and togetherness and we showed that in abundance.” Neville added: “It was a good defensive performance. The two centre-backs were outstanding. Sylvain doesn’t always get the credit he deserves but he was outstanding, as was Jags. And Bainesy was top, top drawer. “Felli and Jack gave us youth and freshness in midfield. Jack had lots of opportunities to get forward and shoot, and it was a good all-round performance and the only disappointment is that we didn’t win the game.“When you come away from a place like Chelsea and be disappointed with a point, it says everything about your performance.” Chelsea’s players were unhappy with the decision of referee Lee Probert to award only a yellow card to goalkeeper Howard after he collided with Anelka for the penalty. However, the United States international reckons the official got it wrong in blowing for a spot kick in the first place. “I can see how the referee has given it but I think he is 100% wrong,” said Howard. “If you watch, Anelka’s done really well to put the ball round me, and as he’s touched it around me, I’ve turned, I’ve never had eyes for him, I’ve turned into the ball I’ve never checked him.
“It’s not that I thought ‘I’m done for, let’s check him’. “Nine times out of 10 when the referee sees that kind of collision he thinks the goalkeeper’s gone for him, and I think he’s gone on that. “Anelka’s mullered me, I’ve got a swelling on my (right) eye. You hope there’s some sense involved, but it all happened so fast. “When I went down I was initially hurting, so, when he reached for his pocket I thought surely he must be booking Anelka, and then when he booked me, I was honestly dumbfounded. “Again I am not complaining, it’s just how he saw it, unfortunately.” Of the calls for his dismissal, Howard added: “The referee said he thought Sylvain Distin made it back level. Again, I still don’t know what day it was, I was getting up. But if Sylvain isn’t there then I think it’s a sending-off.” Seven minutes of injury time were played after Petr Cech required lengthy treatment when caught by Tim Cahill sliding to reach a Steven Pienaar through ball. Cahill’s challenge incensed Chelsea captain John Terry – the pair were booked for their altercation – but Howard believes there was no intent from the Australian. “I thought there was nothing in it at first, but then I saw Petr laying there, and he’s not one to fake things,” said the American. “As a keeper, you always expect the guy to go for the ball. There’s always a tangle there. “There’s nothing in those challenges when feet go with feet, but a goalkeeper can only go in with his hands, so it happens.
“Tim’s always trying to run and chase down the tackles, so those things are going to happen.”
Everton FC off launch pad with draw at Chelsea
Dec 6 2010 Liverpool Echo
HE once worked for the RAC, so it was somehow fitting that Jermaine Beckford provided the emergency help which should get Everton’s broken-down season motoring once again. The striker’s late equaliser at Stamford Bridge could almost have been scripted, after a week which saw his ability to thrive at the top level of English football questioned repeatedly. But back on home turf, the London boy’s headed goal against the club that rejected him as a youngster hinted that perhaps he will find a more permanent home in Merseyside after all. Beckford missed a hat-trick of chances against West Brom as Everton slumped to that hideous 4-1 home rout, but he buried the one that mattered this time around to show that he, and his team-mates, are ready to start atoning. David Moyes has been at Everton for more than eight years, and before this, his 400th game in charge, he admitted a worry that some of his players may have become overly familiar to his fire-brand motivational techniques. How does he instil the right level of fear of failure into seasoned pros who have heard it all before from him? But his concerns proved unfounded, as the players responded to his rage at their listless defeat by the Baggies with a completely re-vitalised performance. Stamford Bridge is fast becoming an unlikely happy hunting ground, and Everton repeated their never-say-die heroics of last season when they earned a point with a 3-3 draw. Admittedly, Carlo Ancelotti’s champions were not at their best, particularly in the second half, but if Everton can maintain these levels then their hopes for a top six finish could become more than just a pipedream. As against Liverpool, Everton started like they meant business. Back from injury and leading by example again, Phil Neville was harassing the expensively assembled home side; snapping into tackles and rarely allowing the Chelsea players a moment to breathe. The visitors were arguably outplayed in the first half, but Everton at least proved that their defensive steel was back. They coped admirably with the clever runs of Nicola Anelka and Florent Malouda. Sylvain Distin in particular was imperious against the might of Didier Drogba, making vital early blocks and offering deft distribution. Moyes wanted to see fire in his players’ bellies, and Neville’s attempts to set the pace earned a booking in the first half for a foul on Drogba after an earlier tussle with Malouda, which inexplicably saw the Frenchman avoid a card despite kneeing the prone defender in the face. Some at Chelsea, including their manager, wave imaginary yellow cards to suggest bookings for opposition players, but Neville is a Corinthian and helped diffuse the situation by offering Malouda a sporting handshake. The Londoners started to bare their teeth near the break. John Terry saw a shot blocked and then hit the cross bar. And Jose Bosingwa occasionally threatened with his pace. But just as Everton looked likely to see out the half without damage, Neville’s sloppy back pass was seized on by Nicolas Anelka who shimmied and put the ball around Tim Howard before running into the keeper. The home crowd howled for a penalty and red card, but Howard rightly escaped dismissal. Unfortunately, Drogba made no mistake from the spot. The second period saw the Blues come out at full throttle again and start to dominate possession. With Ancelotti’s side suddenly lacklustre, Everton started creating chances. Jack Rodwell’s bullet header came back off the inside of the post from an excellent Leighton Baines cross, then Seamus Coleman connected with a strong header but directed it right at Petr Cech. The new central midfield pairing of Marouane Fellaini and Rodwell lent the Blues a better blend of silk and muscularity, and can only improve. Phil Jagielka was inches away from equalising from a corner, before Tim Cahill riled Terry by colliding with Cech as he challenged for a ball in the area. “He’d better go for it,” said Moyes later. “After our performance last week? He’d better go for it. If he hadn’t gone for that I’d have been out wringing his neck.” So, as the watching former No 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell used his Twitter page to declare that Everton were the only team that looked like winning, Moyes introduced Jermaine Beckford. The Blues continued to press – occasionally looking vulnerable on the counter attack such was their desire to equalise. Salomon Kalou could have sunk the visitors but dithered and drew a superb block from Jagielka. But it was Beckford in the dying stages who struck. Baines, who his manager insisted is only second to Ashley Cole in terms of English full backs, surged down the left and crossed, Cahill nodded back across goal and the former Leeds man did the rest. The seven minutes of injury time threatened to see Moyes’ men complete a dramatic victory, as they cranked up the pressure. Of course one game does not a resurgence make. Not yet. This second half performances must be repeated from the first whistle against Wigan. Still only nine points separates Everton and fifth-placed Tottenham. But then, only seven points lay between them and rock bottom Wolves. There is very little margin for error anymore. Moyes’ men must hunt down each team above them ruthlessly, fighting to grind out wins and praying they slip. The goals, too, must start to flow – and for that, maybe the man who cost nothing could make a priceless contribution. CHELSEA (4-4-2): Cech; Bosingwa (Ferreira 65), Terry, Ivanovic, Cole; Kalou, Mikel (Sturridge 88), Essien, Kalou; Anelka (Ramires 78), Drogba. Subs: Turnbull, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar (Bilyaletdinov 87); Cahill; Saha (Beckford 58). Not used: Mucha, Heitinga, Osman, Anichebe.
GOALS: Drogba 42 (pen), Beckford 86
CARDS: Terry (unsporting behaviour). Neville, Howard and Jagielka (all fouls) and Cahill (unsporting behaviour).
REFEREE: Lee Probert.
ATTENDANCE: 41,642.
Everton FC benefited from a week of boot camp treatment says Sylvain Distin
Dec 6 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SYLVAIN DISTIN believes a week of boot-camp style punishment from David Moyes helped the Toffees get in shape to nearly snatch a shock win at Chelsea. The French defender, (pictured) who is enjoying a fine spell of form, helped Everton to a point at Stamford Bridge, in a game that they could have won against the champions. But Distin admits the Blues were made to suffer in the wake of their 4-1 embarrassment at home by West Brom, and used the motivation to nearly spring a surprise against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Describing how manager David Moyes went about forcing his side to get tough once again, he said: “Usually training is hard. I keep repeating myself since I came here, it is tough. But this week has been one of the toughest weeks. “On Monday we didn’t touch a ball, we did some proper, pre-season style running, and then Tuesday the game was really intense with a lot of contact and not many fouls. “I think he wanted to make sure we got back in the Everton mode where you are hard, and tough to beat. It worked but I hope this week won’t be the same.” Distin added: “The first half we were defending a lot but we did well. We held out only for a mistake, but generally we did well under pressure. “Second half we played much better and kept the tempo really high. As they got tired, we got on top of them and that’s why we work so hard in training, to make sure we keep a high tempo for all the game.” Meanwhile, Phil Neville thanked his team-mates for helping him atone for the misjudged back pass which caused Everton to concede. He said: “When you make a mistake like I did you look to your teammates to dig you out of it and they really did that. It was our best performance for a number of weeks. “We showed the qualities and character that the manager asked for. The spirit and togetherness that was missing against West Brom was here in abundance today and in the end we were the team that probably deserved to win the game.” Leighton Baines deservedly took the plaudits for a top-class performance and his fantastic work in the build-up to Everton’s equalising goal. And Neville said: “Leighton has been our best player this season by a country mile. “He is really consistent and it is only a matter of time until he gets his recognition.”
Ian Snodin: Players should follow Phil Neville’s lead on cheating
Dec 7 2010 Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES branded Chelsea’s play-acting and diving as “disgusting” at the weekend. Kevin Davies described similar behaviour by Manchester City players as “embarrassing.” I think it’s nothing short of scandalous. When you see antics like that I automatically cast my mind back to my own playing days and wonder what honest, rock hard characters like Graeme Sharp, Peter Reid or Steve McMahon make of it. I’d place Phil Neville in the same bracket as the players above. He was slapped in the face by Florent Malouda on Saturday, but simply got up and got on with his game. A few minutes later Didier Drogba rolled around in apparent agony in a blatant bid to try and get Neville sent off! David Moyes is right. That was “disgusting.” Unfortunately the only people who can put the situation right are the players themselves. We need more to follow Phil Neville’s lead – and more managers to highlight the cheating of those that do feign injury and try to mislead referees. It’s not just foreign players who are at it. There are plenty of British players too. David Moyes and Kevin Davies have made a start by highlighting the issue, now it’s time for everybody else to keep the ball rolling.
ACADEMY FOOTBALL: Everton boys off to Brazil for prestigious Future Champions U17s tournament
Dec 7 2010 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post
A COLD Wednesday in Widnes is a very long way from Belo Horizonte in Brazil. In fact it’s 5,812 miles to be exact but the Everton Academy’s week revolves around two very different destinations. After the postponement of last week’s FA Youth Cup third round tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Stobart Stadium, Everton will try again to get the tie on tonight. But with a pitch inspection scheduled for midday today the freezing conditions could again put paid to that. If so it is now likely it will be played in the New Year. The club’s youth set-up will then put their focus firmly on an exciting trip to Brazil for the prestigious Future Champions under-17s tournament featuring some of biggest names in club football from around the globe. Coaches Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Sheedy will take an Everton squad this Friday to the event which features sides such as Corinthians, Vasco De Gama and Barcelona.
And with Everton’s FA Premier Academy League clash at Stoke City last Saturday called off due to the freezing conditions in Britain it will fire up all the travelling party. Everton are initially in Group C with Corinthians and Mexican side Club America and coach Dewsnip said: “We go to Brazil and it is very exciting. We are in very prestigious company. "It is for boys born in 1994 – an under-17s tournament. We go on Friday and play our first game on Monday against Corinthians. We will be there for 10 days. There are groups of three but the way the tournament works we will play five games. "As well as Corinthians we face Club America and Vasco De Gama, so we will get a real South American diet to start. There are play-offs no matter where you finish so everyone gets five games.” Also in the tournament are Brazilians Atletico Mineiro, Cruizero and Vasco De Gama, Mamelodi Sundowners from South Africa, Universidad from Chile, Uruguayan outfit Penarol, DC United from the USA and top European sides Barcelona and Paris St Germain. Dewsnip added: “We are in very prestigious company. You could argue that it is a world cup for individual youth teams. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity to match our skills and tactics from those around the world. It will be predominantly South American in the first instance but who knows from there. We could face European, north or south American or African opposition. It is pretty much the whole world. We can‘t wait and we will see how we go.” With the tournament taking place Everton’s scheduled clash with Manchester United at Carrington this Saturday has been postponed. Everton will not return to League action until the New Year due to the break for Christmas. Their first match will be against Crewe Alexandra at Finch Farm on Saturday, January 8 (kick-off 11am).
Phil Neville eager for Everton FC to start beating the ‘lesser teams’ as well as the big boys
Dec 7 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
PHIL NEVILLE admits Everton’s fine record against the Premier League front-runners will count for little until they start despatching the lesser teams. David Moyes’s side gained another impressive result on Saturday when they came from behind to draw 1-1 at champions Chelsea. This season, Everton have already beaten Liverpool, drawn at home against Manchester United and taken a point from their trip to Tottenham Hotspur. It continued their form from earlier in the year when United and Chelsea were beaten at home and Manchester City were defeated at Eastlands. Everton, though, have found it difficult this campaign against the lower lights of the top flight, culminating in the humiliating 4-1 home defeat against West Bromwich Albion 10 days ago. And Neville concedes the Goodison outfit have been guilty of failing to consistently raise their game against the teams around them in the table – a shortcoming they must start addressing with the visit of 18th-placed Wigan Athletic on Saturday. “That’s been levelled at us and rightly so,” said the Everton skipper. “We cannot shy away from the fact that against teams outside the top four, we have disappointed. “We need to knuckle down this week and produce performances. Forget the expectations and performances, just go out and win games. “If we produce the kind of performance and spirit that we did on Saturday, then we are going to win more games. So we have got a test on Saturday.” Substitute Jermaine Beckford headed Everton’s late equaliser on Saturday after Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a half-time lead by converting a penalty when Nicolas Anelka intercepted a poor Neville backpass and was felled by Tim Howard. It was only Beckford’s second Premier League goal and came after the striker had been roundly criticised for missing chances in Everton’s previous two games. But Neville has backed the 26-year-old, and said: “He has got something, without a shadow of doubt. You can’t teach that, you are born with it. He has a killer instinct. “Yes, he missed a few chances in the last few weeks, but he is brave enough to keep getting himself into positions to get those chances. “That’s why we have to keep on supporting him. He has come up trumps today. He will score goals wherever he is because he has the knack of being in the right place at the right time.” Leighton Baines, Everton’s star performer at the weekend, agrees the team must start delivering better results. “I am pleased enough with my form personally but it is about what the team is doing,” said Baines. “Each and every one of us is desperate to put a run together. We are frustrating ourselves so we can’t imagine what we are doing to the fans. “We are just desperate to start getting results. No more excuses or reasoning with it, it is time to start producing.” Meanwhile, Everton’s trip to Bolton Wanderers has been moved back a day due to television coverage. The game will take place on Sunday, February 13, with a 4pm kick-off, and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Ian Snodin: Everton FC midfield showing a fresh balance
Dec 7 2010 Liverpool Echo
THERE was a freshness about Everton’s midfield on Saturday which was good to see. Marouane Fellaini was back with a point to prove after his silly red card against Bolton, while Jack Rodwell’s season has simply never got going because of the injury he picked up way back in August. Jack was unlucky not to mark his return to the starting line up with a goal and there was a good balance about the Blues’ play. It will be a different type of game, of course, on Saturday, but in Mikel Arteta’s continued absence it’s a great opportunity for those two to make a real claim.
Ian Snodin: You'll never see me in a snood
Dec 7 2010 Liverpool Echo
IT might be called a ‘Snood’ but I can guarantee you would never see Snods pulling one on. Where are we going to draw the line? First it was gloves, then tights – now snoods. What next? Wooly scarves and bobble hats? It’s not just me being an old moaner, there’s a serious side to it as well. Running out dressed like that must send all kinds of psychological signals to the opposition. For me it suggests that the player concerned doesn’t really fancy it – that he’s more concerned by keeping warm than getting a sweat on. Carlos Tevez regularly runs out wearing one, several of the Arsenal players have followed suit and at the weekend I saw Wayne Routledge running out wearing one. When I saw that I just muttered to myself ‘Get a grip son!’ As far as I can see it’s just a fashion statement rather than an aid to a player’s performance. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I’ll reiterate again, you’ll never see Snods in a Snood!
Ian Snodin: Jermaine Beckford must show he’s more than a supersub
Dec 7 2010 Liverpool Echo
THE more I see of Jermaine Beckford the more he reminds me of my old Everton team-mate Stuart Barlow. Both are quick, both get into plenty of scoring positions – and both received flak for failing to convert a high enough percentage of them. Stuey never managed to hold down a first-team place permanently, but he was still a very effective impact substitute and many of his 90 Everton appearances came stepping off the bench. The challenge for Jermaine, like Stuey, is to prove he can be more than just a supersub. He has a lot to learn still about life in the Premier League, which is why David Moyes is right to use him sparingly at present. Games do get stretched in the final 15 or 20 minutes as players tire, and that’s when Beckford can use his pace, strength and eye for an opening to their fullest. What has been remarkable about his appearances in the last few games is that even though he has only been on the pitch for little more than 20 minutes each time, he has still got himself into scoring positions every single game. That’s a heck of a quality to have and one which suggests he can become an invaluable squad player for David Moyes in the months and seasons to come. Another player who attracted plenty of deserved headlines at the weekend was Leighton Baines – and he should already be an invaluable squad member for Fabio Capello in the England set-up. It is nothing short of astonishing that he hasn’t been called up this season. For me, Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in the business. But on Saturday it was great to see Baines performing just as well, if not better, than one of the world’s finest attacking full-backs. And Leighton’s game isn’t just about getting forward and delivering quality crosses either. He is hard to get past, jockeys well and despite this apparent myth about his lack of height making Everton vulnerable to far post crosses, I’m still waiting to see evidence of that. It was a good afternoon for everybody who was backing the Blues and just the kind of reaction which was needed after the disappointment of West Bromwich Albion. After all, Chelsea are the reigning champions, were favourites to retain their title only a few weeks back and had John Terry and Michael Essien back in harness, yet they were hanging on at the end.
Leighton Baines’ sympathy for suffering Everton FC fans
Dec 7 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
LEIGHTON BAINES has sympathised with Everton’s frustrated fans and admitted “we can’t imagine what we’re doing to them!” The Blues bounced back from the shock home defeat by West Bromwich Albion to claim a deserved point at champions Chelsea on Saturday, in a match where the visitors looked the likelier winners. And that inconsistency has been mirrored all season with impressive displays like the storming comeback against Manchester United followed by a flat home performance against Newcastle. Baines is one of the few Blues’ stars to have performed superbly all season – Saturday’s cross was the eighth time he has been directly involved in creating an Everton goal this season – but he deflected the praise and insisted the side must start to find some consistency.“We are just desperate to start getting results. No more excuses or reasoning with it, it is time to start producing,” he declared. “I am pleased enough with my form personally but it is about what the team is doing. Each and every one of us is desperate to put a run together. We are frustrating ourselves so we can’t imagine what we are doing to the fans. “The boss is probably a bit frustrated at the moment but he knows he has got a good group of players here and we are trying to put things right – hopefully we can now do that sooner rather than later.” Phil Neville, meanwhile, has hailed pointsaver Jermaine Beckford as Everton’s natural born finisher. And the Blues skipper believes that Saturday’s goalscorer is “something special.” Beckford has endured a mixed start to his top flight career – scoring two late goals to earn points against Bolton and Chelsea, but attracting criticism for missing chances against Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion. But Neville is insistent that Beckford will come good at Goodison Park. “He’s got something special,” he declared. “He’s got that knack of being in the right place at the right time, “He’s got something you can’t practice – you’re just born with it. He’s got a goalscorer’s instinct and he’ll score goals for us, I’m sure of that. “The manager is giving him time and he’s coming off the bench and at the moment he’s proving a real threat for us. “When you come off the bench and create two or three chances every time you play it’s going to come good for you.” Tomorrow night’s FA Youth Cup tie against Wolves, meanwhile, is already in doubt with the pitch at the Halton Stadium, Widnes, still affected by the cold weather. The original tie, scheduled for Tuesday last week, was postponed as the pitch was frozen. Now the rearranged tie could go the same way with an inspection set to take place at midday. Finally, reports last night suggested that Harry Redknapp is convinced Steven Pienaar will be a Tottenham player next season after being assured the Everton midfielder has made up his mind on a move to White Hart Lane. Tottenham believe they have won the race for the South African’s signature and hope he will join them for a nominal fee in the January transfer window or for nothing when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
How Everton FC led the way again when freezing temperatures threatened fixtures in 1958
Dec 8 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
PLUNGING temperatures across the nation have already claimed one Premier League fixture, but Goodison Park is safe from the frost thanks to a spot of forward thinking more than 50 years ago. Always renowned for being a forward thinking club, Goodison was one of the world’s first purpose built football grounds, the Toffees became the first club in England to install under-soil heating in 1958. Back then the freezing conditions gripping Merseyside would have led to most football matches being postponed. The ground would have been too hard and too dangerous to play on, and fans would have been left frustrated as the weather took its toll on their favourite pastime. However, Everton changed the winter fixture schedule forever by installing under-soil heating, and these photographs from the fascinating Everton Collection show how the process gradually took place. The first attempt was in May 1958, but that initial system of electric heating wires proved to be a problem, as the drains could not cope with the excess water on the pitch and the official club minute books state: “...the pitch was in a very bad state owing to excessive water staying on the surface, and not draining through, leaving large patches of slush...” It was clearly going to represent a problem to this new, and costly technology as time went on, so in December 1959 an Emergency Meeting was held in response to the poor condition of the pitch. It was reported that the trenching system to remove excess water was “a very slow job” and required “an additional 6 labourers”. A polythene sheet (40 x 12 yards) had been ordered at a cost of £30 in an experiment to keep the rain off bad areas. Another experiment would also be conducted, using a small pump to remove excess water, after groundsmen had dug a series of small holes in the waterlogged area. On March 14, 1960 it was agreed “that the soil warming wires be removed and re-instated when it was considered that the pitch was draining satisfactorily”.As technology advanced the “soil warming wires” were later replaced by the current system of hot water pipes which are still working well today – as demonstrated last month when the matches against Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion were never in any jeopardy despite the extreme conditions.
Everton FC midfielder Steven Pienaar still to make up his mind over future, says agent Ivan Modia
Dec 8 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
STEVEN PIENAAR’S agent claims that the player is still undecided about his long-term future, prompting the possibility that Everton may still be able to persuade the South African to stay. Manager David Moyes admitted recently he had resigned himself to the 28-year-old ending his three-year spell at Goodison when his contract expires at the end of this season. And speculation yesterday claimed that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was confident of luring the player to White Hart Lane. But the player’s agent, Ivan Modia, dismissed that claim. “The player has not made his mind up,” he said. “The player just wants to concentrate on his football, I cannot make that any more clear. “It gets to the point now, where if I responded to every piece of speculation about Steven Pienaar, I would not be able to do anything else, it would be a full-time job doing that. “I want to make it clear that nothing has been decided, and Steven is committed and dedicated to the Everton cause, and I think that is evident with some the fantastic performances he has been producing. This is the last time I will be commenting on such speculation, when the time is appropriate we will make an announcement.” A lucrative new deal has been on the table for several months which would make Pienaar one of the highest paid players at the club. But his steadfast refusal to commit pen to paper has led to staff and fans inevitably expecting the player to move elsewhere either in January – although Moyes has stressed that he has not received a single offer for the player – or at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent. Everton defender Aristote Nsiala, meanwhile, has extended his stay at Macclesfield Town for a third month. The 18-year-old has played in 11 games, scoring once – in the FA Cup replay against Southend. Manager Gary Simpson said: “It’s great news we’ve been able to extend the deal. “It’s also a big vote of confidence for the football club given Everton are happy for him to stay. So we must be doing something right. He’s a likeable character who’s got bags of enthusiasm and he’s fitting in really well. “I believe he’s growing stronger with each game and I’m confident there is more to come as he’s still a young lad and learning all the time.”
Seamus Coleman will fight for Everton FC shirt if Landon Donovan returns
Dec 8 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SEAMUS COLEMAN says he would be thrilled if Landon Donovan returns to Everton in January – although warned he will not give up his new midfield position easily. The 22-year-old is hoping the LA Galaxy captain decides in favour of a return to Goodison in January, after Donovan recently admitted he must first decide if he is fit enough for a three-month loan spell in the Premier League. But Coleman has secured a regular first team spot recently after being deployed in a right midfield role by David Moyes, the position where Donovan excelled last winter.And although the Irishman is loving his spell on the flank, he said: “I’d be delighted to see Landon back and I’m not just saying that. “He’s a good lad, and he gave the fans a lift. But I’m going to keep working hard, and if he comes good luck to him but I’ll be fighting for the place. “If he came back it might give the team a bit of an added spark again too. “I’d be the first to welcome him back. He was very popular among the lads and was always good to me.” Fans’ favourite Coleman, who was yesterday named the club’s player of the month for November, scored his first Premier League goal for the Blues at Blackpool and received his second call-up to the full Republic of Ireland squad. But he is now focusing on helping the Blues build on their improved performance against Chelsea, by beating Wigan at Goodison on Saturday. He said: “After getting that result against Chelsea we do go into the game with a lot of confidence, but also needing the win after our last home game. “I don’t think in the dressing room we ever expected sides like Wolves and West Brom to just turn up and roll over. “Obviously they’re games you look at as winning but they are tough as well. "We need consistency now and the results to flow. "Three points are a must against Wigan.” Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar's agent has blasted the latest reports insisting the midfielder will join Spurs when his Everton contract expires. As the 28-year-old used his Twitter page to complain of being “tired” at the ongoing rumour-mill, Ivan Modia said: “The player has not made his mind up. The player just wants to concentrate on his football, I cannot make that any more clear. “It gets to the point now, where if I responded to every piece of speculation about Steven Pienaar, I would not be able to do anything else, it would be a full-time job doing that. “I want to make it clear that nothing has been decided, and Steven is committed and dedicated to the Everton cause, and I think that is evident with some the fantastic performances he has been producing. This is the last time I will be commenting on such speculation, when the time is appropriate we will make an announcement.”
Everton FC fans letters: Positive Mental Attitude makes such a difference for Blues
Dec 9 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
PMA. Positive Mental Attitude. No. Positive Moyes Attitude. I don't know what you said, David, but it worked. What a difference! Talk about commitment, this was the Blues at the end of last season. Yes, Chelsea had the best of it for half-an-hour, but so they should with their home advantage. But the rest of the game we made them look toothless. Up to Phil Neville having a touch of “foot in mouth disease” and the play-acting of Malouda and Drogba along with the officiating of Mr Probert, we could, and should, have won this game. The positives: Coleman down the right, great little terrier; the balance in the middle, big guns Fellaini and Rodwell getting stuck in, and getting forward; Tim Cahill being of course, Tim Cahill; then the left side as last year, Pienaar and Baines magic. Then what a treat – Beckford coming on with plenty of time to get his feet and boots warm. It was his best yet, not just because of his goal, but the way he held his line up then looked and found a blue shirt to pass to (Saha was not doing that). He then went forward looking for the return and if he got it he had a go at goal. Who cares if they go a bit wild? If he has 10 bloomers and one goal, that will do for us. More of the same, you Blues, and more of the same, Mr Moyes. Geoff Warriner, Whinberry Drive L32 A POOR first-half performance and excellent second-half performance against Chelsea. We should have actually won the game. It’s time for David Moyes to drop Louis Saha and give Jermaine Beckford five games on the bounce to see what he can do. Beckford, although he snatches at chances, looks more lively than Saha and the Yak. Jagielka, Baines and Distin were outstanding at Stamford Bridge but Phil Neville was awful and cost the goal. What about Heitinga at right-back? bazza72 SEAMUS COLEMAN should be at full-back, making those runs with a bit of space in front of him. He has been too restricted in midfield. Twobob STEVEN PIENAAR – if you really are tired of constant transfer speculation, then simply stop listening to your agent. Go with your heart and sign the new contract on offer from Everton. Ozzie2010 I CANNOT wait to see Landon Donovan back at Goodison Park – if he chooses to. Seamus Coleman is young enough and has enough time ahead of him. There's also room for two excellent right-sided players in one squad. Or at least there should be. Rebel27 GIVE Leighton Baines the left midfield role and invest in a quality left-back. Dingleblue. I DON’T know about Jermaine Beckford being a valuable squad player – I would like to see him as a valuable first-team player. We need a consistent centre-forward who can score goals, the only way we are going to get that with what we've got is to give the lad the chance from the start a few times and see what he can do. Scousefreemo
Everton FC jury: Blues fans on their side's battling draw at Chelsea
Dec 9 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Tony Scott
AS 2011 approaches, who would have thought every Evertonian’s hope for the future is being pinned on a former windscreen fitter for the RAC? As Yakubu and Saha play the most expensive game of musical chairs on the substitutes’ bench, ex-non-League striker Jermaine Beckford is showing them how to satisfy our needs by giving 100% in every game. What I like about Beckford is that he doesn't hide in games and gives the midfield an option when we have the ball, unlike the bone idle Saha and Yakubu. It was great to see Fellaini back to his superb best and with him and Rodwell in the middle with Coleman and Pienaar on the wings, I pray Moyes keeps it like that, even when Mikel Arteta is back. So like Simon Cowell’s teeth, Everton are looking bright again and hopefully it wont be the stress factor at Goodison Park this weekend when we host Wigan.
Mike Drummond
WHAT a terrific response at Stamford Bridge after the abysmal display against West Brom the week before. More organised at the back, great passing and never gave up. Leighton Baines, for me, is our player of the season up to now. A quality deliverer of the ball, he can get past players and left Chelsea reeling when he set up the equaliser. I am glad Beckford got a goal too, given the chances he has had the last few weeks he must have been thinking a goal would never come. But give him his due, he kept getting in the positions, unlike others, and capped off a fantastic move. For that, I think he should start against Wigan. Looking ahead to Saturday, I can’t make a prediction in fairness. I just hope we don’t let ourselves down against the ‘lesser’ teams like we have all season. A convincing win could see us kick-start our season. Again.
Cole Fraser
I DON’T know what it is about Stamford Bridge, but we always manage to pull something out of the bag in West London. We looked better than Chelsea for long periods of the game and had enough chances to take three points. ermaine Beckford’s goal should do wonders for his confidence; however he could, and should have a few more goals to his name. Jermaine is making all the right movement and runs, but in front of goal he appears to lose his head. He needs to stop trying to burst the and start to show a bit of precision in his shooting. Wigan come to Goodison this weekend and anything but a win will raise a lot of eyebrows. We’ve dropped far too many points at home this season, points that should be guaranteed. To start picking up some wins we have to start converting some of the chances we’re creating. If we don’t, then we could soon find ourselves in deep trouble.
Debbie Smaje
SATURDAY’S result and second-half performance against Chelsea were a welcome surprise last week. But how important were the returns of Fellaini and Rodwell? The confidence and passing ability of both players has been sorely missed, and it was no coincidence that our football massively improved too. It was also good to see Beckford get the crucial goal his recent efforts have deserved. And after the majority of the fans have stood by him through a tough few weeks, it was excellent to see that loyalty repaid. We must make use of the confidence he is sure to have gained by giving him a start against Wigan. We have slipped up against these so-called beatable sides all season. We have to start putting together some consistency, and that means getting the most out of our in-form players. Beckford has earned the chance to play from the start.
Everton FC jury: Blues fans on their side's battling draw at Chelsea
Dec 9 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Tony Scott
AS 2011 approaches, who would have thought every Evertonian’s hope for the future is being pinned on a former windscreen fitter for the RAC? As Yakubu and Saha play the most expensive game of musical chairs on the substitutes’ bench, ex-non-League striker Jermaine Beckford is showing them how to satisfy our needs by giving 100% in every game. What I like about Beckford is that he doesn't hide in games and gives the midfield an option when we have the ball, unlike the bone idle Saha and Yakubu. It was great to see Fellaini back to his superb best and with him and Rodwell in the middle with Coleman and Pienaar on the wings, I pray Moyes keeps it like that, even when Mikel Arteta is back. So like Simon Cowell’s teeth, Everton are looking bright again and hopefully it wont be the stress factor at Goodison Park this weekend when we host Wigan.
Mike Drummond
WHAT a terrific response at Stamford Bridge after the abysmal display against West Brom the week before. More organised at the back, great passing and never gave up. Leighton Baines, for me, is our player of the season up to now. A quality deliverer of the ball, he can get past players and left Chelsea reeling when he set up the equaliser. I am glad Beckford got a goal too, given the chances he has had the last few weeks he must have been thinking a goal would never come. But give him his due, he kept getting in the positions, unlike others, and capped off a fantastic move. For that, I think he should start against Wigan. Looking ahead to Saturday, I can’t make a prediction in fairness. I just hope we don’t let ourselves down against the ‘lesser’ teams like we have all season. A convincing win could see us kick-start our season. Again.
Cole Fraser
I DON’T know what it is about Stamford Bridge, but we always manage to pull something out of the bag in West London. We looked better than Chelsea for long periods of the game and had enough chances to take three points. ermaine Beckford’s goal should do wonders for his confidence; however he could, and should have a few more goals to his name. Jermaine is making all the right movement and runs, but in front of goal he appears to lose his head. He needs to stop trying to burst the and start to show a bit of precision in his shooting. Wigan come to Goodison this weekend and anything but a win will raise a lot of eyebrows. We’ve dropped far too many points at home this season, points that should be guaranteed. To start picking up some wins we have to start converting some of the chances we’re creating. If we don’t, then we could soon find ourselves in deep trouble.
Debbie Smaje
SATURDAY’S result and second-half performance against Chelsea were a welcome surprise last week. But how important were the returns of Fellaini and Rodwell? The confidence and passing ability of both players has been sorely missed, and it was no coincidence that our football massively improved too. It was also good to see Beckford get the crucial goal his recent efforts have deserved. And after the majority of the fans have stood by him through a tough few weeks, it was excellent to see that loyalty repaid. We must make use of the confidence he is sure to have gained by giving him a start against Wigan. We have slipped up against these so-called beatable sides all season. We have to start putting together some consistency, and that means getting the most out of our in-form players. Beckford has earned the chance to play from the start.
Bluewatch: Whether he stays or goes, Steven Pienaar is doing the business for Everton
Dec 9 2010 by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
IT’S NOT often that fans welcome statements by players’ agents, but this week Ivan Modia, Steven Pienaar’s representative, no stranger to inflammatory remarks himself in the past, has been making welcome noises about his client’s future amidst renewed speculation that he is set for an imminent move away from Goodison Park. While more than one national newspaper has the little South African as good as holding up a Tottenham scarf for the cameras, Modia seems genuinely aggrieved, stressing that Pienaar hasn’t decided on his future yet and is concentrating on helping Everton move up the table. Fair enough, while he might not be telling the whole truth about the first part there – talks must be ongoing as to where Pienaar will be playing next season, or even the rest of this one – the midfielder certainly doesn’t look distracted on the pitch. While Leighton Baines rightly earned all the plaudits for his rampaging overlapping and pinpoint crossing at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, equally crucial was the prompting and movement of Pienaar. Usually the pair work so well in tandem – arguably the most consistent wing pairing at Everton since the heyday of Gary Stevens and Trevor Steven – however it was when the ex-Ajax man moved into the centre in the second half that Everton really turned the tide against the champions. He held onto the ball and used it brilliantly, and the whole side’s determination was encapsulated in one crunching tackle that left the teak-tough Michael Essien hobbling and feeling distinctly sorry for himself. David Moyes has already said that for the price Everton paid for Pienaar we have had good value from him, even if he does leave on a free transfer. You almost get the feeling that the manager and the player have come to some tacit agreement and decided to be grown-up about the whole situation, something that’s quite unusual in modern football. It used to be that returning players were greeted with warm rounds of applause as a matter of course; now they are for more likely to encounter boos and chants of ‘Judas’. Ideally, everyone would like Pienaar to sign a new deal, but he has every right to look after his own future and take a look at what is on offer elsewhere. Hopefully though, nothing happens until the summer, even if Spurs or Inter Milan are looking to pay him higher wages than Everton can, because we are still struggling to win games as it is, never mind without one of our most talented and committed players.
Mikel Arteta hails new book as an Everton FC treasure trove
Dec 9 2010 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
IT MUST be more than the mere lyrics of the song ‘If you know your history’ but there seems to be something in the DNA of Evertonians when it comes to being a ‘completionist’ regarding the club’s heritage. First there was David France’s ‘magnificent obsession’, the finest collection of programmes, documents and memorabilia for any football club on earth. This vast footballing treasure trove of over 18,000 items was rightly deemed to be of such great importance that the club acquired it at Dr France’s wishes. Then there is Everton fan Billy Smith’s website http://www.bluecorrespondent.co.nr/in which the devoted supporter attempts to chronicle every match report ever written on the Blues. The latest labour of love is a new book out in time for Christmas, Everton: The Official Complete Record. This statistical masterpiece contains season-by-season accounts of all Everton’s competitive results, including scorers, attendances, team line-ups, attendances and game-by-game league placings plus season reviews for every campaign since the club were founder members of the Football League in 1888. As an outsider coming to Goodison Park, current midfielder Mikel Arteta, who writes the foreword, reveals he is impressed by Evertonians’ thirst for knowledge regarding their club. He says: “Evertonians never forget their heroes and I am sure they’ll love reading about them in this book...I’ve never seen a history book in so much detail.” The super statistician behind this opus is Steve Johnson, Birkenhead-born but now residing in Buckinghamshire. The book is based on the statistics compiled by Johnson on his website www.evertonresults.com. He said: “Getting the website up and running had taken a lifetime but I still had to change the format for converting it into the book. “I’d got the idea of doing the book from James Corbett, who wrote Everton: The School of Science, as he now runs deCoubertin Books. “Compiling the statistical information is easier these days than it was say 10 years ago with the advent of the internet although you have to be careful with information you get online and you still have to triple check all your facts. “Getting information from the turn of the 20th Century can be difficult as there are often question marks when it comes to names in line-ups.” With his comprehensive project now complete, friends and colleagues have asked Johnson if he’s going to do the same for another club but he admits he would not be able to repeat the process. He said: “You wonder whether you’re just caught up in your own club or if there’s something about Evertonians that inspires a desire for the past – perhaps it’s because we’re hoping the current side will emulate our rich history? “You see what David France did and what Billy Smith is doing with his website and somehow it completely becomes an obsession. “But it’s a labour of love – I don’t think my wife and kids would allow me to do it again – and I could never devote that amount of time to another team who I didn’t have the passion for.” Spending so much time looking up facts and figures can be a laborious process but Johnson reveals his searches have unearthed some intriguing gems of trivia. Most people think that promotion play-offs are a relatively new invention but they were taking place in the Football League as early as the 1890s.How about golden goals? One of Sepp Blatter’s many crazy notions? Well no, Everton fell victim to one in 1945/46 when double-legged FA Cup ties took place for the only time. After finishing level after extra time with Preston North End, it was a case of playground-style ‘next goal wins’ at Goodison Park and the Blues went down to a penalty from a certain William Shankly. Considering Everton’s wastefulness in front of goal so far this season, Johnson looks back with a smile to the club’s title-winning campaign of 1931/32. He said: “In a sequence of seven consecutive home games we won 9-3, 8-1, 7-2, 9-2, 5-1, 5-0 and 4-2.” Just what would David Moyes give for goalscoring like that today?
Official Complete Record, the new statistical opus which charts the story of the Blues
Dec 9 2010 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
IT MUST be more than the mere lyrics of the song ‘If you know your history’ but there seems to be something in the DNA of Evertonians when it comes to being a ‘completionist’ regarding the club’s heritage. First there was David France’s ‘magnificent obsession’, the finest collection of programmes, documents and memorabilia for any football club on earth. This vast footballing treasure trove of over 18,000 items was rightly deemed to be of such great importance that the club acquired it at Dr France’s wishes. Then there is Everton fan Billy Smith’s website http://www.bluecorrespondent.co.nr/in which the devoted supporter attempts to chronicle every match report ever written on the Blues. The latest labour of love is a new book out in time for Christmas, Everton: The Official Complete Record. This statistical masterpiece contains season-by-season accounts of all Everton’s competitive results, including scorers, attendances, team line-ups, attendances and game-by-game league placings plus season reviews for every campaign since the club were founder members of the Football League in 1888. As an outsider coming to Goodison Park, current midfielder Mikel Arteta, who writes the foreword, reveals he is impressed by Evertonians’ thirst for knowledge regarding their club. He says: “Evertonians never forget their heroes and I am sure they’ll love reading about them in this book...I’ve never seen a history book in so much detail.” The super statistician behind this opus is Steve Johnson, Birkenhead-born but now residing in Buckinghamshire. The book is based on the statistics compiled by Johnson on his website www.evertonresults.com. He said: “Getting the website up and running had taken a lifetime but I still had to change the format for converting it into the book. “I’d got the idea of doing the book from James Corbett, who wrote Everton: The School of Science, as he now runs deCoubertin Books. “Compiling the statistical information is easier these days than it was say 10 years ago with the advent of the internet although you have to be careful with information you get online and you still have to triple check all your facts. “Getting information from the turn of the 20th Century can be difficult as there are often question marks when it comes to names in line-ups.” With his comprehensive project now complete, friends and colleagues have asked Johnson if he’s going to do the same for another club but he admits he would not be able to repeat the process. He said: “You wonder whether you’re just caught up in your own club or if there’s something about Evertonians that inspires a desire for the past – perhaps it’s because we’re hoping the current side will emulate our rich history? “You see what David France did and what Billy Smith is doing with his website and somehow it completely becomes an obsession. “But it’s a labour of love – I don’t think my wife and kids would allow me to do it again – and I could never devote that amount of time to another team who I didn’t have the passion for.” Spending so much time looking up facts and figures can be a laborious process but Johnson reveals his searches have unearthed some intriguing gems of trivia. Most people think that promotion play-offs are a relatively new invention but they were taking place in the Football League as early as the 1890s. How about golden goals? One of Sepp Blatter’s many crazy notions? Well no, Everton fell victim to one in 1945/46 when double-legged FA Cup ties took place for the only time. After finishing level after extra time with Preston North End, it was a case of playground-style ‘next goal wins’ at Goodison Park and the Blues went down to a penalty from a certain William Shankly. Considering Everton’s wastefulness in front of goal so far this season, Johnson looks back with a smile to the club’s title-winning campaign of 1931/32. He said: “In a sequence of seven consecutive home games we won 9-3, 8-1, 7-2, 9-2, 5-1, 5-0 and 4-2.”
Everton FC defender Sylvain Distin backs the answer the boo-boys in style
Dec 9 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SYLVAIN DISTIN insists the Everton players’ resolve to turn their season around will not suffer despite shows of public discontent at Goodison Park. The Toffees were booed off the pitch following their last home game, the woeful 4-1 defeat by promoted West Brom which saw them slump to within two points of relegation. David Moyes’ side responded with a vastly improved performance at Stamford Bridge to secure a point, and Distin, who helped steady the ship in West London, enjoyed the chance to draw a line under the last home game. The 32-year-old said: “The good thing is we are a solid group. We don’t really need to say much. There was no need for a get together, when we say ‘Come on guys, we have to react’. We knew. We knew what we’d done wrong, and we knew we had to do something about it. “That’s the beauty of football every single week. You can start from scratch and prove the newspapers, or the fans wrong. “It was tough against West Brom because our fans booed us a bit and you don’t want that. But we provided the right reaction.” The experienced centre half believes consistency is the key to recapturing the form of the second half of last season, and that they must win the physical battle first against Wigan on Saturday. He said: “Being consistent whoever we play is what we need now, and that has been missing. “When we are aggressive the football will come. We love to work to our strengths and we’ll get a positive result.” Distin was particularly impressed, if not surprised, by Jermaine Beckford’s equalising goal at Stamford Bridge. The former Leeds United forward notched his second Premier League strike with the 86th minute header. Distin said: “We were pleased for him but not surprised. A lot of people come and ask me, ‘does he score in training?’ and I told them of course he does. Every single game he has chances, and then it’s just the last touch where he needs luck.“If he didn’t have chances fair enough. But he should be proud of himself, because whatever he sees and reads, he has kept going. Whatever footballers say, sometimes you read stuff, a comment about yourself, and it does hurt. But he has kept going.”
Phil Jagielka backs Everton FC to cope with loss of Tim Cahill in January
Dec 9 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA hopes Everton can get even more goals from Tim Cahill before his Asia Cup departure – but insists there is no point dwelling on the top scorer’s forthcoming absence.The England defender accepts it will be a blow when Cahill is set to miss up to six games in the new year as he represents Australia in the Qatar-based tournament, but is backing his team-mate to leave on a high note.Cahill, 31, is already the fourth top scorer in the top flight, and provided the assist for Jermaine Beckford’s equalising goal against Chelsea last weekend. David Moyes was buoyed by the news that he will have the services of the Australian for a month longer than expected, and Jagielka is hoping Cahill does not stop scoring until January. Jagielka said: “Luckily for us Tim has done really well and kept us going with his goals, but we are all frustrated. “Hopefully he gets all of his goals out of his system before he goes. But we can’t look too far into the future and worry about January, the present is what we need to focus on. “We can just hope that when he comes back he is rejuvenated as ever, has his spark and picks up again where he’ll leave off.” Jagielka admitted that the squad was at a low ebb after their recent reverse against West Brom, but believes some unflinching honesty helped them respond in the right way against Chelsea. He said: “Things needed to be said, the scoreline was horrific and some of our play at times was horrific. “We all needed to have a little talk, discuss the good points and the bad points and the performance against Chelsea proved it was the right thing to do. “The gaffer takes control of most of it, it’s not so much a case of the players digging each other out. The gaffer is very methodical in looking through the video with Steve Round and Jimmy (Lumsden), they’ve got plenty of points to get across. “I think if all the players started doing their own things as well it would turn into a six hour meeting. “The gaffer gets whatever he needs to off his chest, and if the person or persons he’s speaking to disagree then it turns into a bit of a debate. “I think after the recent performances and particularly West Brom, I don’t think there would be too many people debating what the gaffer had to say for himself.” Jagielka is determined to continue the Stamford Bridge revival against Saturday’s opponents Wigan Athletic. “It’s the story of our season. We’ve beaten Liverpool, drawn with Man United, drawn with Chelsea,” he said.“We do well against the bigger teams when we’re the underdogs. “But then we come unstuck against the teams we know we should beat. We know where we’re going wrong, we know we need to come out of the traps well on Saturday and play with the passion we did at Stamford Bridge.” Meanwhile, Ross Barkley has put pen to paper on his first professional contract. The Blues youngster, who turned 17 last week, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Everton, which is the maximum allowed at this stage of the season for a boy his age.
Ex-Everton FC star Paul Gascoigne escapes jail for drink-driving
Dec 9 2010
FORMER Everton FC star Paul Gascoigne avoided jail today despite being caught driving while more than four times the legal alcohol limit. The troubled 43-year-old ex-England midfielder was given an eight week sentence, suspended for a year, when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court after he was arrested in the city’s Jesmond suburb when officers spotted him driving an MG erratically. He was found to have 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the limit is 35mg - when he was tested shortly after 2.45pm on Friday, October 8. Gascoigne admitted drink-driving at a hearing in October and was warned then that he could be jailed. On that occasion, District Judge Stephen Earl told him that 12 weeks in jail was a possibility, given the circumstances. The former Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton player was due to be sentenced last month but failed to appear as he had checked himself into a rehab clinic on the South Coast. A separate drink-drive charge, which Gascoigne denies, will be heard next week at Northerallerton Magistrates’ Court.
Pre-match preview: Everton v Wigan Athletic, Premier League
Dec 9 2010
Everton's last five games
Dec 4: Premier League - Chelsea 1 Everton 1
Nov 27: Premier League - Everton 1 West Brom 4
Nov 22: Premier League - Sunderland 2 Everton 2
Nov 14: Premier League - Everton 1 Arsenal 2
Nov 10: Premier League - Everton 1 Bolton 1
Wigan's last five games
Dec 4: Premier League - Wigan 2 Stoke 2
Nov 30: Carling Cup - Arsenal 2 Wigan 0
Nov 27: Premier League - West Ham 3 Wigan 1
Nov 20: Premier League - Man Utd 2 Wigan 0
Nov 13: Premier League - Wigan 1 West Brom 0
Past Matches
Everton's overall record against Wigan
P 11 W 7 D 2 L 2 Goals for 19 Goals against 8
Selected matches
August 30 2009: Everton 2 Wigan 1
After opening their league campaign with successive defeats to Arsenal and Burnley, the Blues got up and running with a hard-fought win over the Latics with Louis Saha and an injury-time Leighton Baines penalty cancelling out Paul Scharner's 57th minute opener
April 5 2009: Everton 4 Wigan 0
Everton all but guaranteed a European place - putting ten points between themselves and their nearest challengers - by trouncing the sorry visitors, two goals from Brazilian loan signing Jo and strikes from Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman securing a sunny Sunday afternoon stroll for the Blues.
August 11 2007: Everton 2 Wigan 1
The Blues started the season with three welcome points, Leon Osman getting the Blues' first goal of the campaign with a looping header and Victor Anichebe adding a second before Antoine Sibierski pulled a goal back for the visitors.
Sept 16 2006: Everton 2 Wigan 2
The Latics secured a valuable away point a year after taking all three on their first ever league visit, two goals from Everton nemesis Paul Scharner cancelling out goalds from Andy Johnson and a James Beattie penalty.
Ones to watch
Jermaine Beckford popped up with a crucial equaliser at Stamford Bridge to show he is beginning to get to grips with being an Everton centre-forward ; Steven Pienaar also had a big effect on proceedings at Chelsea and will be wanting to continue his good form.
A year after his big first-team breakthrough and days after being voted Everton's player of the month, Seamus Coleman will be keen to cement his progress while Latics old boy Leighton Baines has been in outstanding form for much of the season and will want to continue to push his claims for an England call-up.
Wigan
Charles N'Zogbia has caused defences up and down the country problems all season with his raids down the left flank while Tom Cleverley(on loan from Manchester United), Hugo Rodallega and Maynor Figueroa will all need to be watched with care.
Young starlets Victor Moses and James McCarthy are both out until the New Year through injury.
Latest odds from Betfred
Everton - 4/9
Draw - 10/3
Wigan - 7/1
Dave Prentice: Everton FC midfielder Steven Pienaar’s perfect solution to media speculation
Dec 10 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IT’S difficult to be too critical of Steven Pienaar. Even though the little South African appears to have pockets deeper than his Barry White baritone – a contract to make him one of the highest paid players at Everton has been left unsigned for months now – his on-pitch commitment has been total. During the West Brom debacle too many Everton players failed to give absolutely everything. Steven Pienaar wasn’t one of them. But how long his impressive attitude remains is open to debate. Last summer’s World Cup was a major event in the South African’s life – and after missing Everton’s penultimate match of the season through injury he clearly wanted to be anywhere but facing Portsmouth at Goodison Park on the final day. His attempts to convince David Moyes to substitute him provided an entertaining sideshow – especially when Moyes ignored his pleas and took off Victor Anichebe instead! Pienaar’s agent reacted snappily this week to suggestions his client had been ‘tapped up’ by Spurs. But it’s in Pienaar’s hands to stop such stories. Just sign that lucrative new contract.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC’s Phil Neville is a sporting gent but don’t expect Chelsea's Didier Drogba to change
Dec 10 2010 Liverpool Echo
FULL credit to Phil Neville for showing his true sportsmanship and leadership qualities by refusing to be drawn into petty gamesmanship and trying to get Florent Malouda sent off – despite the Frenchman stamping on his chest. I was not surprised by the Everton captain’s classy reaction to the incident at Stamford Bridge, just as I wasn’t surprised when Didier Drogba got Neville booked a few minutes later. David Moyes was unhappy, and he had it spot on with his assessment afterwards. You can’t expect a leopard to change its spots, and you will never change the nature of a player like Drogba. Unfortunately, that’s how he goes about his profession. A fantastic striker, but don’t expect to see much grace. There were, however, a lot of other positive points from the draw against last season’s champions. The central midfield partnership of Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini gelled nicely, and had everything from vitality, to strength and skill. Let’s hope they are allowed to build a relationship in that area of the field, because they can become two players who can complement each other with Fellaini sitting deeper and Rodwell pushing forward as he has done to good effect in the past. I was pleased that Tim Howard did not get a red card for a clash which was unavoidable in my eyes. He may have denied Nicolas Anelka a goalscoring opportunity, but as the striker tried to push it round him and go the other way – there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to move. The ref got this one right. Overall it was the right response coming a week after the game against West Brom.
Leighton Baines capital performance was well timed
IT NEVER does a player any harm to have a good game in the capital. I had a wry smile at the national press reaction to Leighton Baines’ typically fantastic performance at Stamford Bridge, because I've been saying he is exceptional in this column for some time now. Equally, Evertonians will not be surprised at the standard of his play against Chelsea, when he made those surging runs and helped set up the equaliser. It reminded me of the season when Neville Southall won the footballer of the year award in 1985. He’d had a great game at White Hart Lane and pulled off a stunning save, which we all felt was noticed more by the London media than his consistently excellent performances at Goodison. Baines will play as well most weeks for Everton, but at least he got some well deserved praise – even if I did have to laugh when I opened one Sunday newspaper to see the writer’s team of the week.He’d picked the left back from Wigan, and included Jermaine Beckford up front – with no mention of Baines.Beckford did well to score his header but was only on as a sub! It does make you smile.I’d expect to see Beckford carry on improving, but maybe still being used as an impact substitute.
Shame to see treatment of Chris Hughton at Newcastle United
I SUPPORTED Newcastle as a youngster so it saddened me to see the way Chris Hughton was treated by the club this week. You always suspected that the long delays over his contract hinted at a lack of boardroom support for him. He had done so well to get them promoted, and the players were behind him, so I find his sacking tough to fathom. It remains to be seen how popular his successor Alan Pardew will be with the fans. I once turned down the job at St James’ Park, during my spell with Bilbao. It was poor timing, only my first season in Spain and I was planning a game against Juventus so I declined. It was a shame as they were my boyhood club.
Everton FC and England defender Phil Jagielka hails his defensive partnership with Sylvain Distin
Dec 10 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
PHIL JAGIELKA might be a paid-up member of the centre half union – but the straight-talking England star admits there is a reason that strikers are football’s top-earning glamour men. While David Moyes recently sympathised with Everton’s defenders, who have watched in frustration as the forwards have conspired to miss chance after chance, Jagielka is sympathetic to their plight. The 28-year-old overcame injury to play an integral part in Everton’s much improved defensive display against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and insists he now wants to help his team-mates atone for their last Goodison Park outing. Jagielka bit his lip and faced the media after the Blues 4-1 defeat by West Brom in their last home game, claiming that crisis could bring the best out of the side.But he is hoping for an all-round much happier afternoon when Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic come to Merseyside tomorrow. He said: “The atmosphere at the home games when you start missing chances can get understandably frustrated. The fans get annoyed and the groans get louder and louder, especially when you waste as many as we have. “It does become energy sapping for defenders. But then you realise there is probably a reason why strikers get paid the most at clubs, because it’s probably the hardest thing to do. “The pressure is on them and they are the first port of call to get the stick when things don’t work out.” Supporters have had to take any positives they can in recent months as Everton have dropped out of the top half of the table, and hover just above relegation. So the form of Jagielka, and his central defensive partner Sylvain Distin, has brought some winter cheer. “It’s been good. You’ll laugh but even in the 4-1 against West Brom, when we lost Mikel and kept two up front to chase a result, I think we defended well in the circumstances,” says the former Sheffield United player, who won his sixth England cap during the recent defeat by France at Wembley. “Over the last month me and Sylv have felt a lot better. But it’s definitely important that as a team we get that consistency. “We are as frustrated as anyone else that we cannot put a string of results together at the moment. We get a result like against Stoke – or a good draw like at Stamford Bridge – and then go and shoot ourselves in the foot.” David Moyes admitted before the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, that some of his senior players could have become overly familiar with his motivational words, something clearly refuted in private by the players. Jagielka believes his manager’s ability to inspire is undiminished, but is concerned that another slow start to the season had made Moyes’ job even harder. He said: “The gaffer will know more than us about his concerns over the motivational words. But I don’t think motivation has been a factor as much as confidence. It doesn’t need much motivation if the team is doing well. It’s easier to point the finger at mistakes when things aren’t panning out as planned. “We normally have a slow start, but then there is always that lift-off and for some reason we had another bad start this year. “I think we started the season playing well, but then when the points didn’t add up and we didn’t kick on it got into a mini crisis.“When you don’t turn the corner as quickly as you’d like it can become alarming. The gaffer might have found it harder to keep the motivational stuff going for the two or three months he has had to.“We have been making similar mistakes in games, not scoring, and it must be hard for him to not sound like a broken record.”Everton’s next test after the home clash with third-from-bottom Wigan tomorrow, is a tricky away journey to Manchester City. Jagielka and Co can expect to have their hands full keeping Roberto Mancini’s top men Carlos Tevez and David Silva quiet, but one man he is unlikely to line up against is former team-mate and friend Joleon Lescott. The two remain good pals, and Jagielka is quick to defend the former Goodison defender’s post-Everton career, as rumours circled that Lescott will seek first team football via a move away from Eastlands in January.“Obviously in hindsight you can say it hasn’t worked” says Jagielka. “But the manager (at City) changed and the new manager they brought in is always going to like his own players. “Unfortunately for Joleon he couldn’t prove himself when Mancini came in because he was injured, and so the manager brought new players in ahead of him. “When your confidence is high and you’ve been keeping clean sheets for months, then a big money move happens, it’s good. “Joleon played something like the first 25 games when he went there, and he did OK. “He could hold his head up high, but since then he just hasn’t had the opportunity. That’s why these rumours have surfaced about him seeking a move away for first team football.”
Louis Saha hoping Wigan game will kick start his Everton FC season
Dec 10 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
LOUIS SAHA is determined to recapture the form that made him Everton’s top scorer behind Aussie hero Tim Cahill.After an impressive pre-season and a recall to the France squad, the Frenchman’s progress has been hampered by injury. He broke his duck for Everton in the Carling Cup victory over Huddersfield Town but was soon banished to the treatment room by a calf problem sustained while on international duty. The 32-year-old striker, who scored 15 times in 2009/10, has started Everton’s last two matches but is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League – and has his sight set on the long term record. Saha feels he has been unlucky so far this term, but is determined to rediscover his goal scoring touch and help remove the tourniquet constricting the flow of goals at the club. The Blues have notched just 14 times in 13 league matches. He said: “The season has been really hard for me. “I have had my share of injuries and it has been difficult. Also when I have had chances to play I don’t think I have had much luck – when I have had sights of goal then shots have been blocked or deflected. “I feel sharp and am a positive person within myself and I have confidence that when the timing is right and I am able to give my all then it will come together. “It is important to get that first goal, it gets you underway. I would rather not be sharp and scoring goals with tap-ins and so forth but it doesn’t happen like that. “I will work harder to get luck back on my side as that is often the way it goes and I will continue to give my all for the team. We need results and I will try everything. I will work as hard as I can to help give the team three points as we need to get going again.” Meanwhile, Tim Cahill leads the club’s scoring charts with six of their 13 league goals while the other strikes have been spread around. Saha’s fellow frontman Yakubu has one goal while summer recruit Jermaine Beckford broke his Premier League duck in spectacular style in the draw with Bolton, and notched his second as an equaliser against Chelsea. Saha said: “I think he (Beckford) has lots of ability. He has pace and is also a very good finisher. He has many qualities and I have full confidence that he will score a lot of goals at this club.” Finally, reports suggest that Everton are ready to reward Marouane Fellaini's progress with a new long-term deal. His contract does not expire until June 2013 but Everton are believed to want to protect on of their prized assets.
Everton FC star Jack Rodwell eyes partnership with Marouane Fellaini
Dec 10 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
JACK RODWELL admits facing a fight to hold on to a starting place – but believes he and Marouane Fellaini can form a formidable partnership at the heart of Everton’s midfield. The young duo were paired together in the centre of the park in the Premier League for the first time in almost a year during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Both Rodwell and Fellaini were influential in helping the Goodison outfit dominate the second half and come close to registering a morale-boosting victory. With Mikel Arteta yet to serve the final two games of a three-match suspension, the alliance may be given further opportunity to blossom in the next fortnight. And Rodwell acknowledges the competition for places mean he must build on his impressive Stamford Bridge showing with the help of his Belgian team-mate. Felli’s a great player to play alongside,” said the 19-year-old. “He actually helps my game because he does a lot of the defensive duties. “That gives me a bit more licence to go forward. I think we play well together and there’s a good balance in the midfield. “The squad is a great squad. “We’ve always known that, the more games we play, the more it will show this season. We’re underachieving at the moment but I think we’ll get higher up the table. “There is a lot in midfield and you’ve got to fight for your place. “You have to be at your best every day in training just to get in the team. “Seamus is playing in right midfield now, and Billy is looking sharp in training. Everyone is fighting fit so it’s just a case of getting some wins under our belts.” Despite last week’s encouraging result, Everton have not won in their last seven games, a shortcoming they will look to address with the visit of struggling Wigan Athletic tomorrow. But Rodwell believes a corner may have been turned, and said: “It was a brilliant point against Chelsea with our backs against the wall and after the defeat to West Brom. “The mood in the camp is brilliant now and everyone is buzzing. “We always go into every game trying to win. “ It’s not like we weren’t trying in November but now there’s a bit of confidence.” Meanwhile, speculation over Steven Pienaar’s future has further intensified after the player refused to commit his future to Everton until the end of the season. Pienaar is out of contract next summer and, although Goodison manager Moyes has accepted a departure is inevitable, has previously suggested he would not entertain bids for the South African in the forthcoming January transfer window. But when Pienaar was yesterday asked if he would remain at Everton for the rest of the campaign, he said: “No comment.” The 28-year-old added: “I am still focused on staying at Everton, this season is not over yet, so anything can happen. In football anything can happen, it can change tomorrow, today, no-one knows. I am just happy at Everton and I want to focus on my game.” Nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur are likely to test Moyes’s resolve not to cash in on Pienaar by making a bid for the midfielder next month.
Greg O'Keeffe: Why you’re unlikely to see snoods any time soon at Everton FC
Dec 11 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe
RIO Ferdinand’s bling-bling taste and penchant for cringeworthy prank TV shows suggest he’s not the first person you’d expect to hear uttering down-to-earth common sense. But the Manchester United centre half did just that, when he used his over-worked Twitter account this week to announce his contempt for snoods. That controversial neck-warmer which decidely nesh players across the country have been sporting since the temperatures dropped is, surprisingly, too affected for Rio. Even better, the Old Trafford captain insisted nobody at United would be seen dead in one – and his certainty hinted at a decree from on high – possibly Alex Ferguson himself. Sure, Samir Nasri may have the excuse of being French, but it wouldn’t cut the mustard from Louis Saha I’m afraid. Snoods, like bandanas and Carlos Tevez-esque teddies are simply not Everton. Hair-styles are another matter. Bob Latchford’s perm was rightly pillioried, as was Peter Reid’s trilby and Abel Xavier’s questionable Neptune-style bleach blond locks will linger in the memory for a while still I’m not forgetting Steven Pienaar’s thankfully brief flirtation with girly pig-tails either. The South African can be forgiven for those message t-shirts, normally in tribute to his Christian faith, but the pig-tails were a plait too far. Fear of any Everton related snood-action may well be academic anyway.Having witnessed the withering look from David Moyes (an unlikely Gok Wan) when a fellow journalist turned up at Finch Farm wearing an ‘exotic’ multi coloured scarf last winter, I can reassure you that he would have little time for the dreaded neck-wear du jour
to far, I’m delighted to say, none of the current Everton squad have opted to keep their neck warm in such a preposterous (non) fashion. It would be a dark day at Goodison Park if one of David Moyes’ squad ‘went there’. It screams ‘look at me, I’m thinking more about the snuggly-wuggly warmth of my precious neck than the ensuing 90 minutes of sweat, mud, blood and glory’.
Endless rumours about Everton FC’s Steven Pienaar tiresome for the player and the club’s fans
WHAT is almost as bad as the prospect of losing Steven Pienaar to Spurs? Yes, it’s the endless rumours about the prospect of losing Steven Pienaar to Spurs. The South African was asked about his future for the umpeenth time by Sky Sports this week, and delivered his usual fudged answer saying precisely nothing, but the non-comment still ended up generating stories about whether he was actually hinting at a move to White Hart Lane in January. The game is becoming tiresome for him, and the fans. Next Diniyar Bilyaletdinov spoke about his fears of his midfield colleague leaving. He said: "He's a great player and if he goes out in January it'll be a very bad thing for Everton." But Bily, who has been kept out of the Everton side because of Pienaar, did admit any move for this team-mate may provide an opening for the winger. Good on him for having the honesty to admit as much during his interview, when he said with a smile: "But we've still got other people to replace him." Whether Bily is an adequate replacement on Everton’s left flank for the tireless Pienaar remains to be seen, but the former Ajax star may have time to rest his legs if he plumps for a move to Harry Redknapp’s European adventurers. Spurs have so many midfielders Redknapp has probably forgotten the name of half of them, and when players of the calibre of Niko Kranjcar can’t get a game it represents a challenge. The best outcome for Evertonians, and possibly Pienaar, would be a move abroad where they are more likely to be spared the unpleasant prospect of seeing him return to Goodison in different colours.
Leighton Baines deserves credit for refusing to let his England disappointment affect him
LEIGHTON BAINES’ performance at Chelsea last weekend may have come as a surprise to many across the country – but regular denizens of Goodison Park barely raised an eyebrow. It’s because the left-back’s scintillating runs and potent link-up play with Steven Pienaar have been an excellent feature of Everton’s play for some time now. It was irritating though to hear journalists on radio station Talk Sport, praising the Toffees defender while also repeating the claim that he does not relish away trips with England.
That falsehood, a result of misinterpreted quotes which were spun by the London media, arguably cost Baines a part in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad and can be the only logical reason the Italian has yet to welcome him back into the international fold. It is to Baines’ credit that he has not complained about the blind-spot that continues to dog his ambitions. Instead he has got his head down in typical fashion, and concentrated on becoming the best full-back on form in the league this season. Let’s hope that Capello’s attention can be won back, and that people realise that the former Wigan star can maintain his top form against the club which gave him his big break today.
Barry Horne: BBC pundits spot the talent of Everton FC's Leighton Baines, two years too late!
Dec 11 2010 by Barry Horne
EVERTON restored some pride and some hope after the disappointing result against West Brom with a spirited showing in the capital. I was delighted for Jermaine Beckford and even though his equalising goal against Chelsea was a fairly routine finish, hopefully it will give him a confidence boost and, as I wrote last week, will mean a run of starts which is all I believe he needs to get himself in the groove. I must admit I couldn’t help smiling to myself watching last Saturday’s Match of the Day programme, when the pundits were talking about a particular player as if they had just discovered a new talent. The tone of the BBC panel was mirrored in most of the national press on Sunday and the following days. They were all praising Leighton Baines, of course, and deservedly so after a terrific performance, but I couldn’t help noticing that there was a tone of surprise that Baines did so well. I found that quite shocking, especially when you consider that the lad has been playing to that consistently high standard for the best part of two years. Leighton Baines was reported to have not done himself any favours last summer with regards to comments he was supposed to have made. England have played five times since the World Cup – and Baines hasn’t featured once. To be consistently overlooked by the national team is an absolute disgrace. Champions League is stale, boring and needs a rethink I HAVE worked on the Champions League all season and have watched two games every matchday. And I have seen some absolute stinkers.It has been probably the most predictable group stages ever – and all the more disappointing for that. The nearest we came to a surprise was Arsenal needing to win their final match to qualify. In most of the groups the first and second places had been decided weeks ago and it’s disappointing that none of the smaller teams seem able to bridge the gap, despite in some cases spending considerable sums of money and more often than not completely dominating their domestic leagues. The ‘new’ money that has become available in Eastern Europe has not helped. The previously powerful European teams such as Panathinaikos and Galatasaray, who still pay good money, are only ever likely to attract players who are either not quite top class or have been top class but are now past their prime and seeking one last payday. Just as I suggested with regard to international football, UEFA might be better going back to the old Cup Winners’ Cup and having a second tier Champions League competition and doing away with the current second tier, the Europa League. * I HAVE seen Wigan play several times this season and they, like so many others, reflect the Premier League as a whole in this unpredictable season. I have seen them play woefully, with no heart, desire or pattern, and I’ve seen them play some really good football and look like a proper team. Individuals in the team are similarly capable of being either brilliant or shockingly poor. I am confident that at some point soon Everton are going to find some rhythm and some consistency. And Wigan at home presents an undeniable opportunity for three points. Regardless of how unpredictable the league is, Everton should be beating Wigan at home.
If we don’t, then the season really is, I’m afraid, starting to look bleak. It’s nearly Christmas and by this time last season we had started to climb the table. Failure to win today means we could be going into the Christmas programme in a relegation spot. If so, I still would not be fearful of relegation and I still would absolutely back David Moyes to eventually get things right. But going into Christmas in or around the drop zone is not a pleasant thought.
Everton FC boss David Moyes full of cautious praise for Leighton Baines
Dec 11 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe
EVER the perfectionist, praise from David Moyes almost always comes with a ‘but’. Everything in moderation is usually the order of things when the Everton manager is asked to assess the strength and weaknesses of his squad. So it is typical that Moyes’ enthusiastic praise of Leighton Baines, almost a week after the rest of the nation finally cottoned onto the defender’s star quality, was completed with a caveat. The ever demanding Scot accepts his £5m signing from today’s opponent’s Wigan Athletic is hot on the heels of Ashley Cole in the list of the country’s best full-backs, but insists there is still plenty of room for improvement. While Baines lit up West London last Saturday with the jinking run and burst of pace which helped set up Jermaine Beckford’s equaliser - Moyes will not allow him to become complacent. “Ashley Cole is the top modern full back,” he says. “He’s a big threat going forward, and can get back and defend well. He can do all the jobs. “I think that’s the standard Bainsey should be aiming at. I’ve said to him many times he should look at Cole, and see how he does it, how often he gets forward. “There’s a case to say Bainsey is the best form full back but I don't pick the England team, I pick the Everton team. “I watch a lot of football and I’d say Ashley Cole is the best, and from what I’ve seen so far Baines is second, just behind him.” The Blues boss has challenged Baines to improve on his already impressive consistency, and would like to see a step-up in his training too. But he admits there is little more the 25-year-old can do to win a long-over due return to the England squad. “There have been games where I thought he should have done better but he was terrific against Chelsea. “All Leighton Baines can do is play as well as he can, and if you’re not selected you’re not selected. “He needs to keep playing at that standard and he has been consistent this season.” Moyes is particularly pleased at the combination of Baines and Steven Pienaar, one of his most potent weapons all season. He links up well with Pienaar, but I’ve actually been trying to get Pienaar into the middle of the pitch. “Luckily I’ve got enough people there but I do want him on the ball more, and the combination with him and Bainsey works well.” There will certainly been no shortage of tough love for Baines, Moyes insists, if his high standards ever slipped. “He’s only young and I need to keep him on top of his game. If he didn’t then it’d be time for a swift kick in the behind. “I hope that he wouldn’t let his standards drop, and he’s not the type of lad to do that. “What he needs to do is improve his training. I’ve seen an improvement in it over the last six months and he must step it up even further.” Marouane Fellaini is another one of his influential dynamos, and Moyes was impressed with the Belgian’s return from suspension at Stamford Bridge. “Fellaini played well,” he says. “He’s only played two of our last nine games because of injury and suspension. We haven’t had a chance to get him properly up and running since the start, but he was important to us last week. “I don’t think it will take him long to get back on top form. In his first season he scored something like 10 goals for us. “Folks doubted but he’s a good player. Because of his size people might say he looks a bit ungainly, but he does a really good job. “Him and Jack Rodwell gave us a bit more energy and a bit more legs then we have had (against Chelsea). They covered the ground better, and we looked as though we’d lost that in recent games. “We can use them, but we’ve got options in that area. Centre midfield is the one area where I’ve got competition.” Moyes admits to some nerves among his squad ahead of the clash with Roberto Martinez’s men. “There is a bit of trepidation ahead of Wigan. We’ve not beaten sides we have been expected to, and the players will be feeling that and I’m feeling that,” he says. “Maybe we have to go into it with a different mind-set. Let’s get the result first and consider what we’ll do after that. We need to be harder to beat then we have been at home a few times. But the big thing is we have to be a lot more ruthless in front of goal.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes challenging Jermaine Beckford to keep improving
Dec 11 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe
DAVID MOYES has challenged Jermaine Beckford to prove he has the brains to match his goal scoring prowess. The Everton manager believes his summer signing’s confidence has been boosted after the late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. But Moyes was frustrated when Beckford failed to pass to Jack Rodwell in the dying stages of the game, when the midfielder was poised for a simple finish which could have secured all three points. Now the Scot wants Beckford, 26, to show more awareness and better decision-making – as he ponders whether to hand him a start against Wigan Athletic at Goodison today. He said: “That goal will be important for Jermaine Beckford because it was against the champions. It wasn’t just any goal, and he’ll feel better about that. “But there was one later on where the boy could have played Jack Rodwell in for the winner and he shot over. He’s developing and ballooning it over the bar when we can go through for the winner isn’t good enough for this level. “We need to help him do that final bit, but he’s improving all the time. I hope he sees that himself, and his link-up play has to become better. “He is getting chances. But you won’t always get three of four in a game – you will get one in the Premier League, and you might be fortunate to get two. You need to be clinical. “Or you might get opportunities to play other people in for a chance, because when you’re a forward there’ll be support and people over-lapping so it’ll be a case of, can he slide someone else in on goal for an easy finish? That’s the part of his game he needs to keep working on.” Moyes credits Beckford, who has scored twice so far this season, with the best movement of any of his strikers. He said: “His movement is as good as anyone I’ve seen, and it’s the best of any of our strikers. His movement outside the box is good too. “I always hoped he would give us that. He’s our highest centre forward goal scorer with two goals at the moment. “I hope the step-up is dawning on him. For a centre forward at this level you have to be good at everything; holding the ball up, running, heading.
“It’s difficult not to have it all good. But he has an ability to put the ball in the net, the most important thing of all.” Moyes has injury doubts over Steven Pienaar and John Heitinga today, with both having to undergo late fitness tests. Tony Hibbert is also unlikely to play a part, but Leon Osman, who made the bench last week at Chelsea after an ankle injury, is nearing a first team return. Meanwhile, Everton are believed to have invited Belarus defender Dzmitry Verkhovtsov to train with them for a week-long trial. The 6ft 3in centre-back, who plays for Naftan Novopolotsk, was put through his paces by Scottish club Celtic last year but failed to clinch a £500,000 move. He instead moved to Latvian side Ventspils in January but the deal was cancelled in a contractual dispute. The 24-year-old has become a regular at the heart of Belarus’s defence since making his international debut in 2008 and is highly regarded in eastern Europe.
Everton waste chances again as Wigan escape with a draw
Dec 11 2010 by Merseyside Sport, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
EVERTON squandered another clutch of chances at Goodison Park today to let relegation rivals Wigan escape with a goalless draw. Tim Cahill struck a post, Seamus Coleman was denied by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi's legs and Steven Pienaar fired over from an inviting position as Goodison echoed to a chorus of groans and boos once again. The result leaves Everton just two points above the bottom three with a trip to in-form Manchester City up next.
Everton started very brightly and had two legitimate penalty claims in the first four minutes.First Tim Cahill appeared to have his heels clipped as he pulled back the trigger, after chesting down Phil Jagielka's long ball, then Steve Gohouri shoved Marouane Fellaini in the back as he was about to rise to meet Leighton Baines free-kick.Neither the crowd nor the Everton players - Cahill and Fellaini apart - made much of either incident, but it underlined Everton's desire to start the match the way they ended last week's at Stamford Bridge.Louis Saha headed wide under pressure from Leighton Baines' far post free-kick, but Everton's hopes of an early breakthrough dwindled as the match began to become increasingly fractured.Phil Neville was booked for a clumsy trip on Charles N'Zogbia, then Marouane Fellaini needed lengthy treatment after Hendry Thomas led with his elbow in an aerial challenge and connected with the Everton midfielder's jaw.Steven Pienaar followed his captain into referee Mike Oliver's notebook for a cynical trip then Hendry Thomas was cautioned for exacting retribution on the South African schemer.In amongst all the niggles Everton were trying to chisel a way through Wigan's dogged back four but the closest they came was Jack Rodwell's header from Distin's head-back which bounced off Watson and balooned onto the roof of the net.An increasingly edgy home crowd wasn't helping the home side find any rhythm to their play, but four minutes before the interval Fellaini drove a supremely inviting low cross inside the Wigan six yard box and Cahill was inches away from connecting as he slid in dramatically. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez replaced Tom Cleverley with Ronnie Stam at half-time, but it was Everton who started the half the more positively again.A typically forceful Seamus Coleman run ended with Tim Cahill pulled up for offside, then Steven Pienaar finally called goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi into action with a long range drive which the keeper beat away spectacularly.After 49 minutes Baines drove a fierce cross into the box which Jagielka flicked goalwards but again Al Habsi was in the right position to collect the effort.Everton were starting to look increasingly like a break through and in the space of two minutes they carved out and squandered FOUR excellent openings.. After 58 minutes Saha brilliantly took Pienaar's driven pass in his path, held off his marker and drove a rising shot which Al Habsi superbly beat away. A minute later Cahill hung in the air beautifully to meet Baines cross but saw his downwards header bounce off the foot of a post. Then Seamus Coleman raced clean through waited until he could almost see the whites of goalkeeper Al Habsi's eyes before trying to drive the ball under him, only for the keeper to block with his legs then finally Pienaar found himself in an excellent shooting position eight yards from goal but lifted his angled effort over the crossbar.David Moyes had seen enough and with half-an-hour remaining introduced Jermaine Beckford for Saha. That substitution was welcomed by the Blues fans, but the switch which followed five minutes later wasn't. Steven Pienaar was limping heavily and David Moyed furiously exhorted Victor Anichebe to get himself ready for action.After what seemed like an age the young striker, reported to have turned down a contract offer in excess of £30,000 a week earlier that day, ran on to a chorus of boss.Anichebe's first touch was also booed, and with the home crowd becoming increasingly agitated at Everton's inability to force a breakthrough the atmosphere was more and more tense.Beckford thought he had finally broken the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining when he sprinted clear onto Anichebe's pass and finished clinically, but the substitute was denied by a fractional offside decision.Jack Rodwell was just as close 13 minutes from time. He let fly from 20 yards and the ball just skipped up in front of Al Habsi put flew narrowly wide.With six minutes left the two frustrating sides of Jermaine Beckford were in evidence again. The striker's movement found him in acres of space on the edge of the Wigan penalty area, but a heavy first touch saw the sniff of an opening extinguished.In time added on Everton almost experienced the ignonimy of an ill-deserved third home defeat in succession when Ronnie Stam was denied one-handed by Tim Howard in a rare breakaway.
EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar (Anichebe 65); Cahill, Saha (Beckford 60 mins). Unused substitutes: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Yakubu, Duffy.
WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-2-3-1): Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Thomas (McArthur 64), Watson, N'Zogbia, S Caldwell, Cleverley (Stam 45mins), Diame, Figueroa, Rodallega. Unused substitutes: Pollitt, G Caldwell, Gomez, McManaman, Boselli.
Referee: Mike Oliver. Bookings: Neville (7 mins) foul, Pienaar (26) foul, Thomas (31) foul, Gohouri (80) kicking ball away, Figueroa (89) foul. Attendance: 32,853.
Everton 0-0 Wigan: Sunday Mirror match report
Dec 12 2010
By Simon Mullock It was a minute of madness and mayhem that just about summed up Everton’s season.With almost an hour gone, David Moyes’ men had their foot pressed firmly on the throat of a Wigan side desperately looking for some respite.Louis Saha didn’t need to break stride to collect Steven Pienaar’s perfect pass as it sprang him clear through the middle.The Frenchman could even afford three clumsy touches to bring the ball fully under control only to see his shot saved by Latics keeper Ali Al Habsi. When Leighton Baines crossed back into the danger zone, Tim Cahill’s header came bouncing back off the post.Then Seamus Coleman’s shot was blocked by the legs of the outstanding Al Habsi before Pienaar blazed another glorious opportunity over.And Everton’s hopes of ending a winless streak that has now stretched to seven matches were gone in 60 seconds.A season in which Moyes had pinpointed a challenge for the top four has now descended into a scrap to stay out of the bottom three.The disbelieving Goodison fans couldn’t even galvanise themselves to put their hearts into the jeers that briefly sounded out at the final whistle.Moyes said: “I questioned the players’ attitude when we lost to West Brom in our last home game but that wasn’t the case today.“You don’t usually get as many chances in the Premier League as we got today and when you don’t take those chances that’s when anxiety comes in.“I’m trying to fathom what’s wrong with us and the only thing I can come up with is that we just aren’t taking our hances.”The home side dominated from start to finish but just couldn’t find a way past the outstanding Al HabsiThe Oman international, who has been signed on loan from Bolton for the season, used to be a fireman.And he certainly provided Roberto Martinez’s side with an emergency service with a string of saves to earn Wigan a point that could prove vital.Al Habsi may have got lucky during a first-half onslaught that saw Cahill, Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell squander chances.But once he began the second period by spectacularly beating away Pienaar’s blast he started to look unbeatable. There was another slice of good fortune for Al Habsi and his team-mates in the 70th minute when Toffees substitute Jermaine Beckford found the bottom corner with a crisp finish, only for his celebration to be cut short by a marginal offside decision.Then Rodwell let fly from distance only to see the ball skid just wide.Everton’s desperation presented the visitors with two late chances to win for the first time in four outings.But Mohamed Diame hesitated fatally when he found himself clear and was caught in Phil Jagielka’s mantrap of a tackle. Then an injury-time counter-attack saw Charles N’Zogbia and James McArthur expertly set up Ronnie Stam for a shot that was kept out by Tim Howard’s expert save. Martinez said: “I felt we controlled the game in the second half and that we were the only team who were going to win it by the end. “When you come to Goodison you need all your players to be concentrating and on top of their game and I think Ali Al Habsi had two or three moments when he showed his quality.”
Moyes ready to move for Torres!
Dec 12 2010 By Michael Morgan
SunDavid Moyes is eyeing up a £4million January swoop for Malaga midfielder Xavi Torres.The Everton boss had Torres, who is on a season-long loan at Levante, watched in the newly-¬promoted La Liga side’s 2-0 home win over Atletico ¬Madrid eight days ago after ¬receiving glowing reports on the 24-year-old’s form this season.
Now he is ready to make his move for Torres when the transfer window opens up at the start of next month – and torpedo Levante’s hopes of landing him on a permanent deal.The Valencia-based outfit have an option to buy Torres on a two-and-a-half-year contract next summer, but he would jump at the chance of a move to the Premier League.
MOYES WORRIED BY OFF-COLOUR TOFFEES
Sunday December 12,2010 Sunday Express
Everton manager David Moyes admits his side's current form is a worry after they were held to a goalless draw at home to Wigan.
The home side created the majority of the chances but the closest they came was when Marouane Fellaini headed over in the first half and Tim Cahill hit a post in the second. Everton have now not won in seven games, and Moyes said following the draw: "It certainly wasn't their attitude. I questioned it a bit in the last home game against West Brom (a 4-1 defeat) but they went for it today. They were industrious without having the quality required but we just missed chances." He added: "I don't think you get better chances in the Premier League than we did today - three or four opportunities. "The longer we didn't take them the more frustrated we got and the more anxiety came into our play and the crowd. We just have to take those chances. The crowd know we have been here before in a similar situation but I think the worrying thing is we are not beating teams at Goodison who, over the years, we have done. "I am saying 'Is it something else other than just not scoring goals?' and I am finding it hard to look further than that."It wasn't just the centre-forward today, there were chances shared around the team and no-one converted anyof them. "The anxiety is coming from the form and our position (two points above the relegation zone). "We are all wondering where we are going to score a goal. "I tried to freshen things up with 20 minutes to go and I thought we were worse then than at any time in the game. I thought we looked more open and a poorer team and I thought my substitutions today were poor and I made the wrong choices."
Everton 0 Wigan 0: Toffees held at home as David Moyes' men fluff string of chances
By Joe Bernstein
12th December 2010 The Sunday Mail
An introspective David Moyes admitted that his own performance was ‘poor’ after Everton fans, who have not seen their team win at home since October, greeted the final whistle with a chorus of boos.The Merseysiders had enough chances to win, including four good ones in one crazy 60-second spell, but those unhappy supporters could not hide their frustration as Everton trooped off just two points off the relegation zone. The missed opportunities were shared between Tim Cahill, who hit a post, Marouane Fellaini, Seamus Coleman, Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha, but a dow
Moyes said: ‘I tried freshening things up in the second half and I thought we were a poorer team. My decisions as a manager were poor today and I have to look at that. ‘The worrying thing is we are not beating the teams at Goodison Park we have done in previous seasons. I’m looking to see if there is any reason for it beyond simply not taking our chances. ‘Today, I couldn’t see any. You don’t get better chances in the Premier League than we did today. They were shared around among different players and nobody converted any of them.’ Opponents Wigan are still in the bottom three but, given that they shipped nine goals at Spurs a year ago, a clean sheet at Goodison is not to be sniffed at. And they Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said: ‘We are more alert and concentrate better. We matched Everton’s great intensity levels and finished the stronger side. It shows the progress we’ve made since that Spurs game.’ Everton barely average more than a goal a game at home and you could see why in the first half when Fellaini and Jack Rodwell missed close-range headers and Cahill allowed Wigan skipper Antolin Alcaraz to put him off a final shotNo longer are Wigan the nice little club who roll over for the big guns. Hendry Thomas and Pienaar were involved in a physical tussle after which both were lucky to escape red cards. ‘I thought the referee was consistent because both players could have gone,’ said Martinez. Everton could have guessed after an incredible passage of play in the 59th minute that it was not going to be their day. Pienaar played through Saha, whose shot was smothered by Ali Al Habsi. In the very next attack, Cahill headed a Leighton Baines cross against the post and as Wigan failed to clear their lines, Coleman broke down the right flank only for Al Habsi to block his shot, with Pienaar eventually shooting over after a bit of penalty area pinball. Moyes sent on strikers Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe but their arrival allowed Wigan more space to break. Beckford had the ball in the net, only to be ruled offside. In the final minute, Wigan sensed they could snatch a dramatic win when Phil Jagielka denied Mohamed Diame a chance and Howard made a fingertip save from Stam. Moyes said: ‘The crowd know we have been here before. Their anxiety iscoming from our form and the league position.’
EVERTON: Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines;
Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar
(Anichebe 66); Saha (Beckford 60), Cahill.
Subs (not used): Mucha, Bilyaletdinov,
Osman, Yakubu, Duffy. Booked: Neville, Pienaar
WIGAN: Al Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, S Caldwell,
Figueroa; Cleverley (Stam 46), Thomas
(McArthur 64), Watson, Diame, N’Zogbia;
Rodallega. Subs (not used): Pollitt, G
Caldwell, Boselli, Gomez, McManaman.
Booked: Thomas, Gohouri, Figueroa, N’Zogbia
REFEREE: M Oliver (Northumberland).
ATTENDANCE: 32,853
Everton unable to make dominance over Wigan pay dividends
Dec 12 2010 Sunday Guardian
By Andy Hunter
The hard-luck stories no longer wash for Everton. Not for the first time this season David Moyes surveyed a dominant yet wasteful display here, but he is now running out of explanations as his team slide towards mediocrity. Wigan were the latest beneficiaries of Everton's inability to complement their squad with a proven striker in the summer, as they soaked up sustained pressure, survived the occasional scare and almost stole victory at the death. Seven matches without a win and only two home league victories all season tells of Everton's fatal flaw. "The worrying thing is we are not beating the teams at Goodison that we have done in recent years. That is the concern," said Moyes. "I'm looking to see if it is something else beyond not scoring goals but I'm finding it hard to see that there is anything else. It was not just the forwards today. Chances were shared around the team today but no one could convert any of them." This was an afternoon of deep anxiety for Everton and encouragement for Roberto Martinez that his injury-plagued squad has discovered the resilience absent at the start of the season and required for survival. The outlook could have been transformed inside 60 seconds had Tim Cahill scored when Phil Jagielka's long ball fell kindly for him inside the penalty area, but Antolín Alcaraz's superb covering tackle removed the danger. It would take Everton half an hour to trouble the Wigan goal again. A new-look central midfield of Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell improved Everton's vigour and movement at Chelsea last weekend but they were stifled here by the visitors' powerful trio of Mohamed Diamé, Hendry Thomas and Ben Watson. Thomas's running feud with Steven Pienaar was among the few consistent aspects of a disjointed opening period. Both midfielders were booked early and could have collected a second yellow card for reckless challenges on each other, only to find the Premier League's youngest referee, Michael Oliver, in forgiving mood. Everton finally fashioned chances to reflect their control in a remarkable two-minute period after the restart. Four times Moyes's side had a clear sight of Ali al-Habsi's goal and four times they failed to convert. Louis Saha, played clean through by Pienaar, prodded a shot against the Wigan keeper; Cahill then headed Leighton Baines's cross against the foot of a post; Seamus Coleman side-footed straight at Al-Habsi from six yards; and the unmarked Pienaar blazed over from close range. Moyes brought on Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe, the latter to a chorus of boos for rejecting the club's offer of a new contract, yet Wigan almost stole the points when Diamé and Ronnie Stam were denied by Tim Howard, the latter from an outstanding save in stoppage time. "I tried to change things around with 20 minutes to go but I thought that was our worst period of the game," Moyes admitted. "Some of my substitutions were poor. I made the wrong choices."
THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT
CARL ROPER, Observer reader We didn't look good. We couldn't get past our midfield or put anything creative together – it's been the same all season. Saha's not playing well, Beckford's a work in progress and our fans' booing of Anichebe when he came on was scandalous – it does nothing to help him and can only hurt the team's performance as well. Our problem is we have no focal point up front to rely on and therefore no finishing and not much imagination in getting forward in the first place. Wigan were there for the taking. Coleman had a go but the team looked worn out after 20 minutes. They're not tired, they're dispirited.
The fan's player ratings Howard 7; Neville 5, Jagielka 6, Distin 6, Baines 7; Coleman 8, Rodwell 6, Fellaini 6, Pienaar 7 (Anichebe 66 6); Cahill 7; Saha 4 (Beckford 60 5)
MIKE ASHBY, Observer reader It was decent for a 0-0 – and, given how much Everton dominated, a point feels like a really good return. Everton should have won it – their frustration was obvious – but we just about held it together thanks to some solid play in the middle. Hendry Thomas was brutal, and Ben Watson was good too. We could even have won it right at the end but for a great stop from Tim Howard. Overall, though, it showed up both sides' lack of threat going forward: for us, the game passed Rodallega by. It's an area that really needs attention. But a special mention to our keeper Ali al-Habsi for some brilliant saves.
The fan's player ratings Habsi 8; Gohouri 7, S Caldwell 7, Alcaraz 5, Figueroa 6; Thomas 8 (McArthur 64 7); Cleverley 6 (Stam ht 5), Diamé 6, Watson 7, N'Zogbia 6; Rodallega 5
Everton FC analysis: broken home is costing Blues dear
Dec 13 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IF you’re Blue and in need of cheering up- and there were 33,000 who fitted that description on Saturday night – here goes. Everton haven’t lost an away match in the Premier League since August. Yes, really. Despite trips to Chelsea, Tottenham and a Birmingham side unbeaten at home for almost a year, Everton are supremely accomplished travellers.
The problem is, every other week they have to play at home. And Everton come from a broken home this season. The dramatically contrasting home and away records may not be mere coincidence. The tension and anxiety around Goodison Park on Saturday was palpable. And it grew and grew to debilitating levels with every missed chance, every fluffed header and each overly deliberate shot. Everton are playing decent enough football. Not great. Not Barcelona in disguise. But decent enough nevertheless. An inability to finish off some penetrative approach play, however, is leading to serious anxiety attacks breaking out all around Goodison Park. And it shows. Everton started Saturday’s clash brightly and purposefully. Once again they created an absolute hatful of respectable goalscoring opportunities. But once again they missed them. Jermaine Beckford was not the culprit this time. Seamus Coleman, Tim Cahill, Louis Saha, Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini (although he was mercifully ruled offside) were the guilty parties.You left Goodison Park on Saturday evening thinking that if David Moyes had sent his entire first team squad on a day trip Amsterdam, with pockets full of Euros and instructions to fill their boots, they’d have come back frustrated. The exhortations for Phil Neville to “shooooot!” weren’t ironic this time. They were heartfelt as chance after chance after chance went begging. There’s clearly a crisis of confidence inside Goodison. Sylvain Distin’s impossibly laid back post-match comments did not appear to match the mood his team-mates had displayed an hour earlier.“I said last week and I will say it again I am not worried because I think we created a lot of chances,” shrugged the Frenchman showing a sang-froid not shared by his side’s strikers. “If we hadn’t created the chances then maybe it would be difficult, but we create them so it is about fine tuning. “What else can we do? Do we give up or carry on? “We have no choice, we carry on working and I am sure our luck will change. “I have been in the game long enough to know that one goal can change everything. It is a bad run. That’s football, you have to deal with that, but we can change that next week.” Perhaps. The more the goals don’t go in, the more acute the problem becomes. And despite Everton’s recent impressive record against Manchester City, a trip to Eastlands is not a fixture to choose to try and turn round a season which is rapidly turning sour. David Moyes admitted afterwards he was fast running out of solutions, although a return to the starting line-up for Yakubu surely can’t be far away. After scoring a fine solo goal against Stoke City and showing signs of returning to his pre-Achilles injury form, the Nigerian has only started one match since. Louis Saha’s personal Premier League goal drought now extends to a bleak 22 matches, while Jermaine Beckford once again mixes great movement and pace with poor decision-making and heavy touches. And if you’re hoping for a remedy in the shape of prodigal sons returning home, think again. James Vaughan returns to Goodison Park this week after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace. But in his farewell appearance on Saturday – Palace drew 0-0 with Hull City – Vaughan missed a sitter. Heaven help us, it’s catching.
Everton FC 0 Wigan Athletic 0 - Blues lack knockout punch
Dec 13 2010 Liverpool Echo
IF THIS was a boxing match the towel could have been thrown in by Wigan long before the end – but Everton, as ever when it has mattered this season, lacked the knockout punch. In the parlance of boxing, the other sport that gripped the city this weekend, ‘slappers’ who pepper their opponents with punch after ineffectual punch but barely connect get nowhere. Now that weakness looks like condemning Everton to mediocrity too. The Blues missed even more than their usual avalanche of chances to finish off Wigan Athletic, and it left the manager, players and fans mired in frustration and doubt.
What makes the predicament undermining David Moyes’s side even worse, is that he knew in the summer. The Everton boss fretted then that the lack of an in-form proven striker was the essential ingredient missing from his team. He was unable to remedy it though, and to say that failure to buy a goal-scorer has come back to haunt him is like saying the White House is mildly peeved about Wikileaks. Confidence can be an ethereal quality, and when Everton are failing to score early in games that they have started brightly, their self-belief vanishes. In one hectic three minute spell Everton fluffed three gilt-edged chances. Tim Cahill’s header hit the post, with Ali Al-Habsi beaten. Then Seamus Coleman did superbly to trick his way into the box but hit his shot straight at the keeper, and finally Steven Pienaar blasted over the bar. That Everton somehow didn’t score was near laughable, but mirth is in short supply around Goodison these days. The rare and unpleasant occurrence of a player being booed onto the pitch, as the crowed showed Victor Anichebe their anger at stories he had rejected a lucrative new contract offer, only deepened the gloom.Things could have been different. Everton started strongly, dominated possession and quickly found openings in Wigan’s defence. They were denied two early penalty claims by the league’s youngest ref Mike Oliver, when first Cahill was fouled as he prepared to pull the trigger from a Phil Jagielka long ball. Then Steve Gohouri shoved Marouane Fellaini in the back as he leapt to meet a Leighton Baines corner. As the misses began to stack up, Goodison got edgy. Jack Rodwell was impressive, his elegance on the ball and energy in central midfield standing out, but even the teenager couldn’t help force a goal.
In fact, Al Habsi did not have to make a save until the beginning of the second half. Steven Pienaar can strike a ball perfectly well, so it’s hard to fathom why he is so reluctant. He nearly got the opener when Al-Habsi had to palm away his stinging drive from long range. Another fantastic surge, and an even better pass through from the South African set Louis Saha free, and the Frenchman did well to burst past his marker but the shot was well saved. Steve Round showed the desire and frustration on the bench too, by running onto the pitch to retrieve the ball when Wigan dallied over taking a free kick. But as David Moyes acknowledged afterwards, neither he nor his assistant can do the job for their team. The Blues continued to plug away, Fellaini heading tamely at goal, before Anichebe played through substitute Jermaine Beckford and the forward was wrongly flagged offside. Tellingly he appeared not to hear and finished calmly in the bottom corner, showing that his goal against Chelsea could have boosted his confidence.
If he is feeling self-assured though, he will be in the minority in the home dressing room. And this could have been a disaster to make that self-doubt even greater, when a rare Wigan counter-attack near the end saw Ronnie Stam bring a wonderful stop from Tim Howard. Moyes felt he got his substitutions wrong, and although he didn’t say it must have regretted not adding Yakubu or Diniyar Bilyaletdinov to the fray. Would it have mattered though? Everton were wilting at their inability to knock Wigan out. They remain on the fringes of relegation, and the supposedly ‘easy games’ at home are running out. Now fans can only hope that a visit to circus Eastlands against Manchester City provides them with the chance to come off the ropes.EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Fellaini, Rodwell, Pienaar (Anichebe, 65) Cahill, Coleman, Saha (Beckford, 60). Not used: Mucha,Yakubu, Bilyaletdinov , Duffy, Osman.
WIGAN (4-4-1-1): Al Habsi, Gohuri, Alcaraz (capt), Thomas (McArthur, 64), Watson, N’Zogbia, Caldwell, Cleverley (Stam, 45), Rodallega, Diame, Figueroa. Not used: Pollitt, Caldwell, Boselli, Gomez, McManaman.
CARDS: Booked – Thomas (31), Gohuri (80), Figueroa (90), N’Zogbia (90+)
REFEREE: Mike Oliver
ATTENDANCE: 32,853
Everton FC manager David Moyes sticking by misfiring striker Louis Saha
Dec 13 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES is standing by misfiring striker Louis Saha, after the French forward racked up a remarkable 22nd Premier League appearance without a goal at Goodison Park on Saturday. Saha’s last league goals came 10 months ago against Chelsea, and after Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi prevented him from breaking that duck, Moyes explained that it was the player’s attitude in training which was earning him selection ahead of Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford. “I think Louis is working hard to try and get back to the level he was at. I see him every day and he is working hard,” explained the Blues boss. “Maybe people will wonder why (I pick him), but I get to see him working and have a little bit of an idea that he can offer other things to the team. “He had a really good chance just before we took him off. “I thought ‘here’s an opportunity for you to get your goal’ but it never went in. “Everyone knows he needs a goal.” The atmosphere at Goodison during a frustrating afternoon was increasingly tense and anxious, but Moyes added that only the players could change that. “I said to the players today we need to be the ones to get the supporters clapping because we don’t expect them to come in at this time of year and clap us after our results,” he explained. “But I thought the players really did try to do that, they went out with that intention and you could see it from the first few minutes, but it started to drain away from us and the crowd when we didn’t get the goal.“I questioned the players’ attitude after the last home game against West Brom, but that certainly wasn’t the problem today. “They went for it, tried to win it and were industrious without having the quality which was required . . . . actually I don’t know if it was quality, we just missed blatant chances. “I don’t know if you get better in the Premier League than we got today. “We had three or four opportunities but the longer we didn’t take them, obviously the more frustrated we were getting and the more anxiety came into our play and the crowd.
“We just have to take those chances. “The crowd know that we’ve been here before and been in a similar situation. “I think the worrying thing is we are not beating teams at Goodison who, over the years, we have done. “That’s a concern. “I’m looking and I’m asking ‘Is it something else other than not scoring goals?’ and I think I’m finding it hard to look any further than that really. “It wasn’t just the centre-forwards today. “Seamus Coleman had a great chance, Steven Pienaar had a chance, Louis got in as well, Tim Cahill in the first-half. “I think there were chances shared around the team today – and nobody converted any of them.
“We tried to build on the performance at Chelsea last week with a steady and solid performance at home but we didn’t take our chances.” Moyes also held his hand up for a series of substitutions which failed to provide the necessary improvement. “After half-time we started really well but after Steven Pienaar came off we never really got back to that level again,” he added. “I made changes with 20 minutes to go and I thought we were worse then than at any other time in the game. “I thought we looked more open and looked a poorer team. “My substitutions today were poor. “As a manager I made the wrong choices and I will look at what I’ve done and see if I can make them better next time.” One of those substitutes, striker Victor Anichebe, was booed when he came on after reports claiming he had rejected a £30,000 a week contract offer from the club. “I didn’t know what the crowd reaction was about until I got told,” said Moyes.
Everton’s Victor Anichebe warned to ‘take it or leave it’ on new deal
Dec 13 2010 Liverpool Echo
VICTOR ANICHEBE has been warned to take or leave his lucrative new contract offer from Everton. The 22-year-old has stunned Goodison officials by rejecting a deal worth £20,000 a week, which could rise to £30,000 based on appearances. Now his agent has been informed that Everton are not prepared to haggle, and he will be allowed to leave the club in the summer if he is not prepared to sign. The Crosby-born Nigerian international has made just 12 appearances since February 2009 because of fitness problems but, despite that, was presented with a new three-year deal based on David Moyes’ faith in his physical power and ability to operate in right midfield and up front.
Anichebe has only got seven months left on his £13,000-a-week current deal, but has insisted he is worth more than the vastly-improved new terms. The offer will remain on the table, but unless Anichebe changes his mind a parting seems inevitable next summer, when Everton will be due compensation because he is still under 24. Manchester City have so far received £4.5million from Chelsea for Daniel Sturridge who moved last summer after just 32 appearances and the final figure could reach £6.5m if he becomes a full England international. Everton will use that settlement as a benchmark should the case end up at a tribunal, given Anichebe has been playing in the first team since making his debut as a substitute against Chelsea in the FA Cup in January 2006. The scenario has angered many behind the scenes at Everton, who felt the offer was extremely generous for a player who has yet to make a sustained impact in the Premier League. It also comes after Dan Gosling’s decision to exploit a loophole in his contract negotiations at the end of last season and move to Newcastle, and at a time when Anichebe could stake a claim for a starting berth at a club short on goals. The forward, who has graduated through the club’s highly-respected academy, has been on the brink of leaving before after a training ground bust-up with Moyes in February 2009, when he was sent home after a move to Hull City was blocked.
Anichebe could also opt to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, which would see Everton likely only to receive a fee in the region of £700,000 in the summer. The Toffees have yet to receive any bids for his services.
Everton FC luck will turn insists Sylvain Distin after Wigan draw
Dec 13 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SYLVAIN DISTIN is determined not to let Everton wallow in self-pity after another infuriating slip-up at Goodison. The Blues’ 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic on Saturday extended their winless streak to seven games, and meant they have only taken maximum points at home twice this season. The French defender admitted it is difficult to maintain self belief among the squad as they continue to miss chances to win games, but insisted the current group of players will fight on – regardless of whether new signings arrive in January. He said: “What else can we do? Do we give up or carry on? We have no choice, we carry on working and I am sure our luck will change.
“It is not my job or my position to talk about whether we need new players. Everybody always wants new players. “It is a team game. I am not going to start blaming anyone because we have made mistakes at the back in some games where we have scored and that has cost us points. It is not individuals, but the whole team. “I said last week and I will say it again I am not worried because I think we created a lot of chances. “If we hadn’t created the chances then maybe it would be difficult, but we create them so it is about fine tuning - the last pass, the last shot - but the most important thing is creating the chances. “I have been in the game long enough to know that one goal can change everything. It is a bad run. That’s football, you have to deal with that, but we can change that next week.” Distin admitted Everton will miss Tim Cahill when he departs for the Asia Cup – especially with their current lack of firepower. He said: “He is the one scoring goals and he will be a big miss, but there is not much you can do about it. “We are not going to start crying, ‘oh we are going to miss him, we are going to miss him.’ We have to carry on and do without him because we have no choice.” Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka said Everton must take the positives from another “frustrating” afternoon.
Jagielka was disappointed at the Blues’ failure to convert their dominance into three points, he says the creativity displayed and a first clean sheet in seven games gives them something to build on heading into a hectic festive fixture list. He said: “It was a frustrating day. With the chances we created, we were hoping to get the three points and start climbing up the table. “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t quite find the back of the net. But we’ve still got a point and a clean sheet and hopefully we can build on that.” Everton had 12 shots on goal to Wigan’s four, while Louis Saha and Tim Cahill both went agonisingly close to providing finishing touches after good build-up play. He said: “Looking back at that you think it’s one of those where perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be our day,” said the England international. “The lads are gutted. We’re obviously a little bit low on confidence at the moment but if one of those were to have gone in, I think we’d have probably seen the game out. “It would have been twice as frustrating if we’d created no chances but, as it was, there were a few out there. But sometimes it happens. Unfortunately, we’ve had a slow start in front of goal this season - all of us - and hopefully that will change soon.”
Sylvain Distin refuses to panic over poor Everton FC run
Dec 13 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
SYLVAIN DISTIN is refusing to hit the panic button despite Everton stumbling to another disappointing result in the Premier League. Saturday afternoon’s 0-0 draw at home to struggling Wigan Athletic continued the side’s run or poor form at Goodison Park which has now seen them win just two games in nine Premier League game. Distin however – who has been one of Everton’s stand-out players in recent weeks – is refusing to be overly concerned with the slump and believes the catalyst to ignite their stuttering season could be just round the corner. Yet again a succession of missed chances in front of goal proved David Moyes’ side’s downfall against Wigan but Distin will not lay the blame on the club’s misfiring strikers, insisting the whole squad are to blame. And the French centre back would not be drawn on the topic of new signings in the January transfer window.
Lying in 15th position in the table with just 18 points to their name so far this campaign, Everton face a daunting trip to high-flyers Manchester City a week today. “We have no choice, we carry on working and I am sure our luck will change,” said Distin. “It is not my job or my position to talk about whether we need new players. Everybody always wants new players. “It is a team game. I am not going to start blaming anyone because we have made mistakes at the back in some games where we have scored and that has cost us points. It is not individuals, but the whole team. “I said last week and I will say it again I am not worried because I think we created a lot of chances. If we hadn't created the chances then maybe it would be difficult, but we create them so it is about fine tuning - the last pass, the last shot - but the most important thing is creating the chances. I have been in the game long enough to know that one goal can change everything. It is a bad run. That's football, you have to deal with that, but we can change that next week.” The Goodison outfit’s top scorer, Tim Cahill, is set for an extended spell away from Merseyside in the New Year on international duty and though Distin admits the Australian will be missed says Everton must not start feeling sorry for themselves.“He is the one scoring goals and he will be a big miss, but there is not much you can do about it, added Distin.
“We are not going to start crying, 'oh we are going to miss him, we are going to miss him.' “We have to carry on and do without him because we have no choice.”
Everton 0 Wigan 0: Familiar problems return to haunt blunt Blues
Dec 13 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
PRIOR to kick-off Everton captain Phil Neville asked for a Scouse win on the X-Factor – and then promptly watched his side hit a bum note. The Goodison Park side are becoming somewhat of a broken record as an inability to convert their chances in front of goal reared its ugly head once again. Such travails could mean they are voted out the running for a European place before the turn of the year. Wigan Athletic should not have posed David Moyes’ men much of a problem but as the game entered the dying stages goalkeeper Tim Howard was forced to spare the home side from further despair on their home soil. Had Ronnie Stam’s close range effort not been palmed wide by the American, then it would have taught Everton a harsh but not unfamiliar lesson.
The case of Louis Saha is the wound which smarts the most with Everton fans because the Frenchman last season was a figure who had the clinical knack, someone Moyes could not live without. Now Saha is fortunate to be in the side. However the finger of blame, as Everton’s run of home form in the Premier League has harvested just two wins this term, can not be solely pointed at Saha. His tame effort when one-on-one with Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was just one of a plethora of opportunities the men in royal blue carved out then squandered in a 20 minute second half spell where Everton improved significantly. But either side of the purple patch, Moyes’ men made a struggling Wigan side comfortable and there was never a point in the match where the visitors were hanging on. Late goals had been Everton’s calling card in recent weeks and in recent meetings with the Latics but this game petered out and ended to the sound of boos. The game started at a frenetic pace but had little structure. Everton began brightly and should have taken the lead when Cahill failed to connect with Phil Jagielka’s long ball over the top before Marouane Fellaini headed Leighton Baines’ cross over the bar.
A lack of composure was quickly defining the half though Jack Rodwell’s goalward bound header forced a smart deflection over the bar from the head of Watson Fellaini’s lashed cross in front of the Wigan goal just evaded Rodwell at the back post as the hosts brimmed with little bursts and sparks of invention but strung together little which could be defined as cohesive. Also as Steven Pienaar was presented with a sight of the Wigan goal from the edge of the area, his reluctance to shoot was systematic of Everton’s lack of confidence at hitting the target. Al Habsi had not one meaningful save to make during the opening 45 minutes. Everton may have argued Wigan kicked more opposition players than they did the ball, but it would only serve to paper over the cracks of a first half depressingly familiar to the Goodison faithful. But improvements were made after the break and Pienaar forced Al Habsi into a sprawling save three minutes in the second half with a rasping drive before Jagielka’s flicked effort too called upon the visiting goalkeeper to be on his toes. Not long after and with a flicker of momentum building the most complete move of the match was sewn together. Seamus Coleman – quiet in the first half – exchanged passes with Cahill before moving play onto Saha who laid off for the Australian. Unfortunately Cahill’s shot was directed wide. Then came Saha fluffing his lines before top scorer Cahill headed against the post from Sylvain Distin’s cross. It was probably the clearest sign Everton’s woes were unlikely to alleviate The desire to score never seemed greater in the Everton players and as Pienaar threaded in Coleman looked sure to score but from the angle his shot was saved.
Just seconds later the ball squirmed to Pienaar in the area but his effort ballooned over. The routine was becoming tiresome. Fellaini was the next to step up and waste his chance when heading straight at Al Habsi from pin point Baines cross to back post. It would be as good as it got for the home side who had to survive some nervy moments at the other end as Wigan almost secured a smash and grab of gut wrenching proportions. With 20 minutes remaining a great tackle by Jagielka denied Mohamed Diame as he strode onto a one-two with Hugo Rodallega before Howard produced heroics in stoppage time.
Everton FC considering selling Steven Pienaar to fund striker search
Dec 13 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES admits he is considering selling Steven Pienaar in the January transfer window to help fund his search for a new striker. However the Everton boss concedes even a decent return from the sale of the South African would still leave him having to fish in the loan market. The Goodison Park team wasted a host of opportunities on Saturday afternoon as they slumped to a 0-0 draw at home to Wigan Athletic and with top scorer Tim Cahill set for an extended absence from the club on international duty next month, Everton will be devoid of their main scoring threat. Although searching for a gem when the window re-opens next month is far from ideal, Moyes says he has little other option. “It may well come to it in the January transfer window that we have to consider selling Pienaar to raise money, because he is out of contract in the summer,” revealed Moyes.
“But we know we need a striker, and realistically, the sort of money we will raise through that route, what type of player is it going to buy for us in the January market. “The sort of money I’d raise, I don’t think it will attract the type of player we need, the type of player we are looking for to provide the goals. “The sort of money it will cost, I don’t think selling a player will solve that particular problem, and it is probably a reality that we will have to look at bringing in a loan player, that it will be the loan market we will need to look at to provide some sort of solution. “That is unlikely to be ideal, but we knew the situation in the summer. I could go and tell the board what we need, but to be fair to the chairman, he knows already what we need, and he is trying his best to deliver it. “We knew at the start of the season we would have to deal with what we have got, and we knew it could be a problem, so we are aware of the situation, and we will probably have to settle for the loan market. Under-fire striker Louis Saha - who has not scored in the Premier League since the 2-1 win at home to Chelsea in February - was picked from the start for the visit of Wigan over the weekend.
And though Moyes admits to select him ahead of Jermaine Beckford or Yakubu raised eyebrows, the manager says the French striker’s work on the training ground convinced him. Saha was not the only man in royal blue at the weekend to waste opportunities with Moyes saying the rot has set in throughout the side. “I really think we have been looking hard to see if there is anything beyond the missed chances, to see if something else are behind these results. “But it is hard to see beyond our form in front of goal. We showed the right attitude from the start where maybe that has been a problem in some games, we tried to get about it, we wanted a solid performance and we gave it. “On a couple of occasions we maybe didn’t shoot where we could have or didn’t get crosses in early enough, but we had four or five real chances that I felt at this level should have brought two or three goals to win the game comfortably. “I can’t point the finger at any one striker. “We missed chances from all over. Louie is working really hard at trying to get back to the level he was at, and I see that in training every day. “People may wonder why I’m putting him in with the record he’s had recently, but what I see in training and how hard he is working at it convinces me. “We know that the crowd will get frustrated, and we know that can affect the players, but we have spoken about it with the team, and they have to expect it. I don’t expect the fans to come at this time of the year and clap us with these sort of results, and we have to give them something to clap.
“I don’t know if I really know Louie well enough to judge whether this is affecting his confidence, or how it affects him, but I can see the work he is putting in, and the response he is giving.”
Everton 0 Wifgan 0
Dec 13 2010 The Sun
The Toffees defender must have been as frustrated as the 32,000 anxious fans, who saw yet another display of toothless finishing keep their club hovering uncomfortably close to the relegation zone. Wigan could barely believe their luck as Everton sent a number of scoring opportunities flashing past the woodwork - and against it in one nstance, a Tim Cahill header, during a frantic minute that produced four clear-cut openings Oman keeper Ali Al Habsi added to his growing reputation by dealing efficiently with the few efforts that were on target. Distin admitted that his side's inability to kill off opponents was a growing concern, but insisted there would be no recriminations in the dressing room. He said: "It's a team game. I'm not going to start blaming anyone because we've made mistakes at the back in some games that has cost us points. "I am not worried because we created a lot of chances again. If we hadn't created the chances then maybe it would be difficult. "But we are opening teams up, so it is about fine tuning - the last pass, the last shot. "We have to be patient. What else can we do? Do we give up or carry on? We carry on working and I'm sure our luck will change. I have been in the game long enough to know that one goal can change everything. "It is a bad run. That's football, you have to deal with that. But we can change that next week." The problem there is Everton's next game is away to Distin's old club Manchester City - unbeaten in seven games - and bursting with confidence as they emerge as genuine title contenders. Louis Saha was again the main culprit as chances went begging and it is hard to see where his first league goal since February is going to come from. He poked the ball weakly at Al Habsi, headed wide from close range and failed to touch in Marouane Fellaini's cross. Wigan could have nicked all the points if Mohamed Diame had not shot straight at Tim Toffees manager David Moyes admitted: "People may wonder why I'm putting Louis in with the record he's had recently.
"But what I see in training and how hard he is working convinces me he has something to offer. "It may well come to it in the January transfer window that we have to consider selling Steven Pienaar to raise money because he is out of contract in the summer."
The other cloud on Everton's horizon is Cahill will miss five games in January if Australia call him up for Asia Cup action. Distin added: "He will be a big miss. But we have to carry on and do without him."
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN - ALI AL HABSI (Wigan)
EVERTON: Howard 6, Neville 5, Jagielka 7, Distin 6, Baines 7, Coleman 6, Fellaini 6, Rodwell 5, Pienaar 6 (Anichebe 5), Cahill 6, Saha 5 (Beckford 5). Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Yakubu, Duffy. Booked: Neville, Pienaar.
WIGAN: Al Habsi 7, Gohouri 7, S Caldwell 5, Alcaraz 5, Figueroa 5, Thomas 5 (McArthur 6), Diame 7, N'Zogbia 6, Watson 5, Cleverley 6 (Stam 6), Rodallega 5. Subs not used: Pollitt, G Caldwell, Boselli, Gomez, McManaman. Booked: Thomas, Gohouri, Figueroa, N'Zogbia.
Moyes backs Saha despite Everton's frustrating goal drought
Everton 0 Wigan 0
By Tim Rich at Goodison Park
Monday, 13 December 2010The Independent
As someone who briefly led the Newcastle United attack alongside Alan Shearer, Louis Saha would recognise the great Geordie's mantra that the only way to judge a striker is by the number of goals he scores. In a Shearer universe, the Frenchman would be found very wanting. Not since February, when he scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, has Saha found the back of a Premier League net and his response to a through-ball from Steven Pienaar typified his season. He almost stumbled over it and then directed his shot squarely into the body of Wigan's exceptional keeper, Ali Al-Habsi.In the wake of an afternoon that saw Everton squander a skip-full of chances, his manager, David Moyes, stood by his decision to start with a man who has not scored in 21 games for Everton while leaving on the bench another centre-forward, Jermaine Beckford, who had scored rather more recently against Chelsea – last weekend to be precise."People may wonder why I am putting Louis in with the record he has had," said Moyes. "But what I see in training – and how hard he is working – convinces me. We know the crowd will get frustrated but I have spoken about it with the team and they have to expect it."Since victory in the Merseyside derby two months ago, there has been very little cheer at Goodison Park. January is likely to be chillier with Everton's leading source of goals, Tim Cahill, departing to play in the Asia Cup for Australia and with Moyes recognising that even selling Pienaar, who will be out of contract in June, will not raise sufficient money to buy a striker. "The sort of money that would raise would not attract the type of player we are looking for to produce the goals we need," said Moyes.
Substitutes: Everton Beckford (Saha, 60), Anichebe (Pienaar, 66). Unused Mucha (gk), Duffy, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Yakubu. Wigan Stam (Cleverley, 46), McArthur (Thomas, 64). Unused Pollitt (gk), G Caldwell, Gomez, Boselli, McManaman.Booked: Everton Neville, Pienaar. Wigan Gohouri, Figueroa, Thomas, N'Zogbia. Man of the match Al Habsi. Match rating 5/10. Possession Everton 53% Wigan 47% Shots on target Everton 8, Wigan 4. Referee M Oliver (Northumberland). Att 32,853.
Everton 0 Latics 0
Wian Today, Dec 13 2010
Dec ROBERTO Martinez heaped praise on his defensive heroes after seeing Latics hold Everton to a goalless draw at Goodison Park. The Wigan chief, who saw his side thumped 9-1 at Tottenham just over a year ago, was keen to flag up their improvement at the back as Everton huffed and puffed but could not break down a resolute rearguard. The Spaniard, whose team remain 18th in the table but put an extra point between themselves and rock-bottom West Ham, said: “There are no big secrets in football. “It is hard work, it is about developing good partnerships and commitment. If you look at the comparison, that is the real progress we have done. “Before, probably, when we conceded one or two goals we dropped our standards too easily and we didn’t know how to maintain the level of performance for 95 minutes. “That is why we are a lot more consistent in our level or performances if not results – which is the next step. “The character we’ve shown will be vital. “It would have been a very easy situation for us to feel sorry for ourselves with the injuries we have and see it as an impossible task. “The manner in which we got through the difficulty of some periods of the game and the way we defended is the platform needed for the rest of the campaign. “On the top of that, you can show your talent and quality to win games, but we showed the ingredients needed for any team to be successful.” Martinez also praised young referee Michael Oliver for his handling of a scrappy game. The Northumbria official angered Wigan’s players towards the end of the first half when he failed to award Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar a second yellow card for a very poor lunge on Hendry Thomas. But Oliver showed similar leniency when he did likewise to Thomas moments later for what was clearly an ‘evening-up’ challenge. “I felt he kept a good degree of consistency because, if I am honest with you, Hendry had a yellow card and then made another challenge and I’ve seen yellow cards come from that,” Martinez said. “Pienaar’s was a really late challenge but I think you have to give credit to the referee because it was a difficult game to manage.” After watching Latics repel attack after attack for 90 minutes, Martinez even felt they could have snatched victory right at the end when Ronnie Stam saw a goalbound shot brilliantly saved by Tim Howard. “When you come to Goodison, you need all your players to be concentrating and on top of their game, and I think Ali Al Habsi had two or three moments when he showed his quality,” added Martinez. “But I felt we finished the stronger side. “In the first half, Everton got a very good momentum and were winning territorial advantage, and we just needed to defend well with a lot of composure. “The performance was what we had to do and was what was needed to get a positive result but, in the manner we finished the game, I feel we dropped two points.”
Cleverley’s last stand?
Dec 13 2010 Wigan Today
TOM CLEVERLEY could have played his last game for Latics after cracking a rib in Saturday’s goalless draw at Everton. The on-loan Manchester United man suffered the problem in the first half and did not come out for the second period, Ronnie Stam taking over in the midfield. Cleverley will be assessed and scanned this week but, with rumours that his parent club intend to recall him during January, he may have pulled on a Wigan shirt for the final time. The news is a blow for Latics and Cleverley, who had just started to find the sort of form that has seen him earmarked for a bright future and saw Roberto Martinez tip him for an England senior call-up. Prior to Saturday, the England U21 international had bagged two goals in his last two outings, and was linking up well with the likes of Charles N’Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega. Martinez said: “We fear Tom has cracked his rib, which would be a real problem for us all.” The Spaniard will be hoping the initial diagnosis proves to be inaccurate, as he already has serious selection problems ahead of next weekend’s crunch clash at home to Aston Villa. In addition to a lengthy and well-documented injury list, Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa will both miss the match after picking up their fifth bookings of the season at Goodison Park. Fortunately, Emmerson Boyce should be fit enough to take over from Steve Gohouri at right-back, with the Ivorian set to switch flanks to fill in for Figueroa. Thomas’ absence opens the door for James McArthur to make a first start in the Premier League, the Scot earning his opportunity with some fine form of late both off the bench and in the Carling Cup. Meanwhile, Martinez has received a rare piece of positive news regarding Franco di Santo’s mystery ankle complaint. The Argentine travelled to London last week to see a specialist after being dogged by pain and discomfort since the 2-2 draw at Newcastle in mid-October. With a possible lay-off of up to three months, the Wigan boss was relieved to discover the damage was not serious. “We’ve had some great news, in that the ligament isn’t damaged,” Martinez said. “Well keep an eye on him over the next week or so, but we’re hoping he is fine - which would be a massive relief. “When you look at the players we have been without in recent weeks, and the ones we’ll be without next week as well, we need big players like Franco available for selection. “Hopefully he’ll react well to treatment. If so, we’re looking at two weeks maximum, probably nearer seven days.”
EVERTON 0 - WIGAN 0 - DAVID MOYES NEEDS TO GET TEETH INTO PIENAAR SALE
Dec 13 2010 The Daily Star
By George Scott
EVERTON boss David Moyes admitted he is stumped for answers after the latest horror show from his under-achieving side.
But one option that the long-serving Goodison chief has in front of him will not sit well with the Everton faithful. Moyes’ strikers missed a hatful of chances to finish off struggling Wigan and were left with just two wins from their nine home league games so far this season – a wretched record that leaves the Toffees two points above the drop. It’s not difficult to work out where the problem lies. Those nine home games have brought 10 league goals. In all Everton have found the net just 18 times in 17 games this season. And, while Moyes knows where the problem lies, he has confessed that, with the Goodison coffers as tight as ever, his only hope may be to sell Steven Pienaar in next month’s window. The South African international is out of contract in the summer when he can walk out of Goodison as a free agent. Against Roberto Martinez’s Latics, Pienaar was comfortably the most creative player on the field and his early departure, with a groin injury, finished off any real hopes of an Everton win. For Moyes to be contemplating getting rid of Pienaar is a sign of how desperate the situation is becoming. Moyes said: “It may well come to it in the January transfer window that we have to consider selling Pienaar to raise money, because he is out of contract in the summer. “But, realistically, what type of player is that going to buy for us in the January market? “The sort of money I’d raise, I don’t think it will attract the type of player we need, the type of player we are looking for to provide the goals.” In the latest horror show, Louis Saha (12 league games, zero goals this season) was the biggest Toffees culprit, although subs Jermaine Beckford (12 games, two goals) and fit-again Victor Anichebe (no goals from two games) were also well below par. Given this deep-seated crisis, however, Moyes was in no mood to pick one out for the blame game. He said: “I can’t point the finger at any one striker. Louis (Saha) is working really hard at trying to get back to the level he was at and I see that in training every day.” With a visit to Manchester City looming, there is the real prospect of the Toffees being in the bottom three by the time the year ends. One of Moyes’ senior stars, defender Sylvain Distin, seemed wholly unconcerned about their plight, however. Distin shrugged: “I said last week and I will say it again, I am not worried because I think we created a lot of chances. “If we hadn’t created the chances then maybe it would be difficult, but we create them so it is about fine tuning. Worries “I have been in the game long enough to know that one goal can change everything.” Tim Cahill hit a post for the out-of-sorts Mersey men and Seamus Coleman and Saha both missed one-on-ones against in-form Ali Al Habsi. But the best chance of the game actually fell to the visitors and Tim Howard had to pull off a fine last-gasp stop to keep out Ben Watson. But Wigan boss Martinez was still left with worries. “We have lost another three players through injury and suspension, and with the players we already have out, that is a massive burden,” he said. “Tom Cleverly cracked his ribs, and Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa are now both suspended. “With our squad already so decimated, it is something of real concern at the moment – it is too many players to lose.”
Everton 0-0 Wigan: Daily Mirror match report
Daily Mirror By David Maddock
Dec 13 2010
It was a stirring moment when the announcer ¬introduced a massed choir during the interval of this game to sing some rousing Christmas carols.As they limbered up, ready to burst into inspirational song, the sprinklers exploded even more energetically into life, forcing the choristers to run for cover.It summed up Everton’s afternoon perfectly.They dominated against Wigan, and just as they have done in so many matches this season, created enough chances to have won all their games until the New Year, let alone this one. One incredible minute midway through the second half saw them miss FOUR sitters.
And yet, by the end, they were clinging on and were lucky to hang onto their point, as the ¬visitors created two glorious ¬opportunities.
Everton stand just two points above the relegation zone, despite being widely viewed as possessing one of the better teams in the ¬division.
It is bizarre, but painfully simple: they don’t have strikers who can score goals.
Louis Saha hasn’t scored since February, Yakubu has a solitary goal all season, and Jermaine Beckford has just two Premier League strikes to his name. Add to that fourth striker Victor Anichebe’s empty column and it is a pitiful total.Worryingly for manager David Moyes, is the fact he has no money to spend in the January transfer window, to bring in a goalscorer. He has agonised over every option, including the prospect of selling contract rebel Steven Pienaar to raise funds, but the Blues boss can see no easy solution. “It may well come to it in the January transfer window we have to consider selling Pienaar to raise money, because he is out of contract in the summer,” said Moyes. “But we know we need a striker, and realistically, the sort of money we will raise through that route, what type of player is it going to buy for us in the January market? “It is probably a reality we will have to look at bringing in a loan player. But we knew the ¬situation in the summer.” The closest Everton came was when sub Beckford coolly finished only to be harshly ruled offside. Typically, moments later when he was onside, his calm authority deserted him. As the frustration of the Blues fans reached fever pitch, Wigan sensed blood, and could have snatched victory had not the industrious Mohamed Diame missed a sitter.
Unlike Everton, Wigan’s problem is avoiding losing players next month. Charles N’Zogbia seems certain to go, while there have also been admiring glances for Diame and Maynor Figueroa. Lose those, and they lose all hope of survival. Boss Ricardo Martinez said: “It’s too early to worry about losing players, what worries me far more is (Tom) Cleverly cracked his ribs, and (Hendry) Thomas and (Maynor) Figueroa are suspended for the Villa game.”
Ian Snodin: Everton FC fans sick of same old sob story
Dec 14 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo ALL Evertonians are sick to the back teeth of sounding like broken records when they analyse the season so far. It’s the same thing week in, week out unfortunately.
The Wigan game was a case in point. As ever the Blues started well, with a bit of added immediacy and pressure thanks to their morale boost at Chelsea They were all over Wigan who didn’t show much ambition at all, and the chances flowed. But then the goals didn’t quite follow suite. I haven’t sensed so much frustration at Goodison Park for a long time, because Wigan should have been well beaten. Three chances in about two minutes in the second half would have been enough for most sides to get the job done. That lack of composure in front of goal is a weekly fixture at the moment and it’s everyone apart from Tim Cahill who suffers from it.
Roberto Martinez’s side can sit alongside West Brom, Wolves, and Newcastle as bad dreams in a season which is yet to really get going. The worrying thing is that the so called easier to beat sides have mostly all been to Goodison now. Ian Snodin: How can Victor Anichebe expect to better Everton FC offer elsewhere?
Dec 14 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
It’s never nice hearing current players being booed - but you can understand the fan’s frustration as the news emerged about Victor’s decision. I’m not privy to what he is looking for, or what his agent has told him he can get elsewhere - but a deal that could see him on £30,000 a week eventually is not to be scoffed at for a player aged 22 who hasn’t played an awful lot lately. The fans want to see players who are committed and loyal to the club first and foremost, and that’s why they reacted the way they did. Secondly, with the UK still in recession, and jobs at threat right across the country and Merseyside, hearing that someone doesn’t think £20,000 a week and more is enough to play football is hard to stomach. The fans pay their money to go and watch Everton, many of them scraping together enough to take their kids too and stories like this are a blow to them.
It would be an incredible sum for a man of his age to be earning - and that’s in any context. Sure Wayne Rooney and others may have been on bigger wages when they were that age, but they had done significantly more to show they were ‘worth’ the bumper sums they were on.
Maybe it’s time for Victor to have a little re-think. Perhaps he has made a knee jerk decision, and I’d like to hope that someone with a bit of sense can have a little word in his ear and convince him that the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. It very rarely is for a young player when they leave Everton - just look at Michael Ball and Francis Jeffers. There are few better or bigger clubs for Victor to go to than Everton football club, that’s for definite.
It’d be a massive shame to lose him because he has at least proved that he can be a very effective player for the Blues. He has got lots of strength and a good touch on him, and can operate in two positions - wide right and up front, which will always stand him in good stead. I remember goals he scored - like the one against Birmingham at St Andrews - when he showed true class, and he enjoyed a fruitful spell as an impact sub in the Europa League not long after making his debut. It’s impossible to second guess his outlook on the whole thing of course, and you never know the full extent of what happens behind close doors. But if I was him I know I’d sign without hesitation.
Everton FC boss David Moyes powerless to stop Tim Cahill going to Asia Cup
Dec 14 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has admitted he is powerless to prevent Tim Cahill departing for the Asia Cup next month.
The Everton boss is facing the prospect of losing his top scorer for much of January, as the 31-year-old plays for Australia in the Qatar-based tournament. And although he is frustrated at the timing of the interruption to his Aussie talisman’s season, Moyes feels his hands have been tied by Fifa. Until 2006 Australia were part of the Oceanic Group in world football, but Sepp Blatter’s move to switch them into the Asian Football Federation meant the Socceroos would compete in the Asia Cup. Moyes said: “We sign African players and we accept that they will be away. But when we signed Tim Cahill, Australia were not in Asia’s pool, they were in Oceania. So we didn’t expect to be missing Tim Cahill. “Tim is massively important for us. He is going to be a really big miss. I cannot do anything about it.” Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will carefully monitor the situation regarding James Vaughan this week after the Everton striker returned to Finch Farm. Palace manager George Burley is desperate to bring Vaughan back to the club in January, after a three-month loan spell at Selhurst Park, during which he scored five goals, came to an end after Saturday’s goalless draw against Hull.
The 22-year-old has already admitted he would like to return to south London if he is not in Everton’s plans and Burley hopes he has not seen the last of him in a Palace shirt. “James Vaughan is going to be badly missed. We were trying to bring in a striker before the deadline last month but we weren’t able to do that,” said the Scot.
“There is a chance we could bring him back in January but that’s between the clubs and James himself. I’ve had a chat with him.” Vaughan will seek clarification from Everton about his future, but with the Toffees struggling to find the net at present David Moyes is likely to want to give Vaughan a chance over the hectic Christmas period.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - (Two thousand and) Two David Moyes
Dec 14 2010
ON March 14 2002, David Moyes walked through the door at Goodison Park and helped breath new life into Everton FC. On the back of an insipid FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Middlesbrough and with the Blues in a perilous Premier League position, Moyes lifted spirits around the club before a ball had even been kicked by declaring at his opening press conference, "I am from a city (Glasgow) that is not unlike Liverpool. "I am joining the people's football club. "The majority of people you meet on the street are Everton fans. "It is a fantastic opportunity, something you dream about. " I said 'yes' right away as it is such a big club." With the fans' and players' spirits galvanised, Everton ripped into Fulham - sacrificial lambs to the Goodison slaughter for Moyes first game in charge two days later - with David Unsworth blasting an opening goal in the first minute and Moyes' new charges gutsily holding out for a precious three points despite playing with ten men for over an hour after Thomas Gravesen had been sent off.
As the festive season approaches, we have put together a special online 12 days of Christmas with an Everton FC twist. A new installment will be online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/efc and www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/efc each day up to the 25th
The Blues never looked back. Premier League status was easily secured and in the following 2002/03 season, only a final day defeat by champions Manchester United prevented European football from being secured. Evertonians, hungry for some continental expeditions after so long without any, did not have to wait too much longer however, with a memorable fourth place finish in 2004/05 securing entry to the qualification stages of the Champions League and UEFA Cup football has also been attained through a high league position on three other occasions. Moyes also presided over Everton's first FA Cup Final appearance in well over decade after an unforgettable run that included wins over Liverpool and Manchester United and has helped bring in some iconic Blue heroes such as Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta through his shrewd business in the transfer market He has had rough patches like any manager - failing to make any real impact in Europe bar the 2007/08 season ; a relatively poor Merseyside derby record ; and all too often not managing to prevent the Blues from getting off to a slow start to seasons - but in today's trigger-happy times of Premier League management to have racked up nearly nine years in the job (only Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have been in charge longer) is quite some achievement.
Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC should try to net Steven Pienaar cash
Dec 14 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
I THINK it’s time for Everton to accept Steven Pienaar won’t be here next year and cash in come January. Even if the money can be used to improve the quality of a potential loan signing then it has to be beneficial to Everton. Pienaar would be a big loss to the midfield but the quality of players David Moyes has in there means that his absence can be overcome. What can’t be as easily brushed aside at the moment, however, is the lack of goals and cutting edge in the penalty area. Everton desperately need someone who is cool and clinical in the penalty area because missed chances are costing them dear every week. Moyes has already intimated in public that getting some cash for Pienaar is on the cards in the transfer window – he knows that every penny is precious. He also knows, however, that his team should start getting it right eventually. I know we’ve been saying this since the start of the season and we’re almost halfway through now, but I really think Everton are in a false position. I really can’t see there being a threat of a relegation fight because they will get points against the sides down there. A few goals will make that task so much easier, however
Everton FC defender Phil Jagielka admits performance anxiety
Dec 14 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON defender Phil Jagielka admits the club’s lowly position in the Premier League table is creating anxiety within the Goodison Park dressing room. The goalless draw at home to Wigan on Saturday was the club’s seventh match without a win and left them 15th, just two points above the relegation zone. Equally, a respectable eighth place is only four points distant, but the proximity to the drop zone is causing Everton’s players to look nervously over their shoulders. “You can’t ignore the table, we are too far gone in the season,” said Jagielka. “If it had been three or four games in we may have not bothered looking at the table but the number of games we have played now the league has started to take shape. “Unfortunately we are in the wrong half and there is only one way to correct that and that is by starting to pick up three points. “It is a very apprehensive changing room. We are hoping we get that early goal and kick on from there but unfortunately at the moment we can’t seem to find it. “I am sure if we were further up the table and doing better we would probably have won. “Unfortunately we are getting a few decent chances and a few half-chances but we are not turning them into goals. “The atmosphere (at Goodison Park) isn’t brilliant but we can’t blame the fans because we’re not giving them too much to shout about. “Believe you me we are trying, hopefully our luck will turn soon and we will start scoring goals.” Had it not been for Tim Howard clawing away substitute Ronnie Stam’s shot in time added on the atmosphere might have been even grimmer at Goodison. “Unfortunately that is the way it has been at the moment,” said Jagielka. “I wouldn’t say we particularly played well but we didn’t play particularly badly – it was one of those days where nothing went in. “We had a mad five minutes where we could have scored two or three goals but we didn’t and it is another frustrating draw. “You’d rather lose one and win one because you climb the table but there is not much you can do about that. “The form we are in the confidence is not particularly high and we got a little bit edgy.”
Everton FC youngsters stun Brazilians Corinthians
Dec 15 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
A TEAM of Everton youngsters have defeated legendary Brazilian side Corinthians on their own turf.
The youth side led by Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Sheedy are taking part in the Future Champions tournament in Belo Horizonte. Corinthians, the club which produced world legends like Garrincha, Rivelino, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Socrates, were defeated 2-0 thanks to first half goals from strike pair Anton Forrester and Hallam Hope. “The start is beyond our wildest dreams,” said coach Neil Dewsnip. “It was a great start and we are really, really pleased to beat the biggest team in Brazil, especially after a long journey and having not played any proper football for three weeks.”
Coach Kevin Sheedy added: “The first goal was a great goal from Anton, he hit it from 25 yards into the top corner with his left foot. The second was a long throw which Hallam headed in. It was a good finish.“The players’ confidence grew from there and they battled hard. We had a few chances to make it three, but all credit goes to the players for the effort they put in.”Neil Dewsnip’s side, made up of Under-15s, 16s and 17s, will face another Brazilian outfit, Vasco de Gama, in their next game.Other major sides in the competition include Paris St Germain and Barcelona.
I just want to keep playing says Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard
Dec 15 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TIM HOWARD insists he is still fighting fit to star in goal for Everton despite playing for two seasons without a proper break.Howard proved his focus is far from flagging with a stunning last-gasp save against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, which prevented a frustrating afternoon for the Blues becoming far worse.
And although the 31-year-old has not had a decent summer rest in the last 18 months due to playing for the USA in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009, and last summer’s World Cup, he says he is not feeling the strain.This season has seen the American make a couple of rare errors, but the stop against Wigan proved Howard is back at his indispensable best for the Blues.He said: “It’s a silly position."The longer I play there the more I realise that but it’s great."It’s something I enjoy. "These seasons are long and hard and they are a slug-fest. “There are days, and periods when things are going really, really well. "Then there’s times when you can’t get out of your own way. The top level professionals – the very best – work through it and keep cracking on. “That doesn’t just go for goalkeepers, that’s any position. "It’s a vital position though too, because we were on top of that game. We were peppering their goal all day, then there’s one chance and it’s possible you can lose all the points. I’m used to it. “To be a full international at this level, that’s the responsibility now. "You don’t really have a load of time off. The manager gives his players as much time off as he possibly can in the summer, but all their hands are tied. “The players want time off, the national team want you to play, the manager wants you back for pre-season. But everyone does a great job here about trying to manage our rest time in the summer. "There’s a part of it that when you play so many games, you just become hardened to it. Every fifth or sixth day you feel ‘I’ve turned a corner and I’m fit and ready to play this game’.” Meanwhile, Everton are bracing themselves for a bid from Bayern Munich for the services of Leighton Baines. The German giants have twice sent scouts to watch the Toffees’ in-form left-back, and are ready to make an approach for him in January, although England international Baines is under contract until 2014, and David Moyes is unlikely to entertain the prospect of selling him to raise funds for a new striker.
Victor Anichebe denies reports he wants to leave Everton FC
Dec 15 2010 Greg O'Keeffe
VICTOR Anichebe has denied reports he wants to quit Everton and insisted he is happy to stay at Goodison Park. The 22-year-old forward says he wants to resolve his contract wrangle with the Blues, but slammed reports he has rejected a new £30,000 a week three-year contract. As reported in Monday’s ECHO, the actual offer which the Crosby-born, Nigerian international is believed to have turned down is closer to £20,000 a week with the potential to reach £30,000 based on appearances. Anichebe, who is in the final six months of his current contract, was booed by some supporters when he came off the bench against Wigan on Saturday, and claims the jeers were unsettling. A number of clubs across the continent are thought to be monitoring Anichebe's situation at Goodison Park as, with the player turning 23 in April, under Fifa regulations he could leave Everton for free when his contract expires next summer. But the striker, turned right midfielder said: "Obviously, of course I want to stay at Everton. I have been here since I was a boy and I have grown up at the club. "The whole situation over the weekend about my contract was a bit crazy to be honest. I don't know where it leaked from that I supposedly turned down an offer of £30,000 a week. "That is not the case at all. I have not been offered anything like the figures that have been bandied about in the press. "I want the fans to know I would never disrespect the club in any way or disrespect the fans. "I am happy at the club, happy with the players, happy with the manager and I don't have any problem with anyone at the club." Anichebe admits he was upset to be singled out by some fans over the contract rumours and conceded it was the worst experience in his career He added: "I spoke to the manager the other day and he didn't understand where it came from either and he was shocked by the reception I got when I came on against Wigan. "I was quite shocked by the reaction from some fans and to be honest it was quite upsetting because of the fact I have come through the ranks and the fans have always been so good to me throughout my time at the club. "It was probably the worst day I have had as a footballer the reception I got and even the build-up to it. “I understand that some of them will believe what they read in the papers, but I want to reassure them I would never disrespect the club or them in any way. "I am like the fans, I know what Everton means to them. "It was hard what happened to me, but I have great team-mates around me and Tim Cahill, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka have helped me a lot. "The main thing for me is to train hard and play as many games as possible as I have had two tough injuries over the last 18 months and I just want to leave all the negotiations with my advisers who deal with that side of things."
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - The Holy Trinity: Alan Ball, Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall
Dec 15 2010 By Sean Bradbury
As the festive season approaches, we have put together a special online 12 days of Christmas with an Everton FC twist. A new installment will be online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/efc and www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/efc each day up to the 25th For the third day of Everton FC Christmas there was only ever one choice - the finest midfield triumverate to have ever graced Goodison. Between 1966 and 1971, the stars alligned for the Blues as they could call upon the services of Alan Ball, Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall in the middle of the park. Although circumstances dictated the trio only played around 140 games together, between them they racked up more than 900 appearances and more than 100 goals for Everton. The Everton team of the late 60s/early 70s drew plaudits from far and wide, including Manchester United legend George Best who said they were "a delight to watch and indeed play against." The stylish success of Harry Catterick's men reached its peak in 1970 as the Blues won the First Division title, finishing nine points ahead of Leeds United in second place and 15 points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool. Two of the Holy Trinity - Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey - later went on to manage the Blues. Kendall had three spells in charge at Goodison Park, the first of which was markedly more successful. He led Everton to league titles in 1985 and 1987 and claimed the FA Cup in 1984. Colin Harvey's tenure, from 1987-1990, brought league table finishes of 4th, 8th and 6th as well as a near miss in the FA Cup, losing 3-2 to Liverpool in the 1989 final. Former Everton FC captain Brian Labone on the Holy Trinity: "In my capacity as skipper, I anointed them Los Tros Magnifico or something like that. Harvey was the most skillful of the three with his incredible close-control. Kendall was another tremendous player known for his powerful tackling, precision passing and intelligent reading of the game. Bally was world-class. He had a superb first-touch. They were the darlings of Goodison." Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - The Holy Trinity: Alan Ball, Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall
Dec 15 2010 By Sean Bradbury
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Former Everton FC captain Brian Labone on the Holy Trinity: "In my capacity as skipper, I anointed them Los Tros Magnifico or something like that. Harvey was the most skillful of the three with his incredible close-control. Kendall was another tremendous player known for his powerful tackling, precision passing and intelligent reading of the game. Bally was world-class. He had a superb first-touch. They were the darlings of Goodison."
Goalkeeper Gordon West on Ball, Harvey and Kendall: "They were the only three-man team to have won the League championship! Seriously, Kendall, Harvey and Ball were the best midfield unit that I have ever known. I used to stand back and marvel at them - I had very little else to do." On the fourth day of Christmas tomorrow, a remarkable record for Everton FC
Bayern Munich weigh up offer for Everton FC’s Leighton Baines
Dec 15 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON are bracing themselves for an official Bayern Munich approach for this season’s player of the season so far, Leighton Baines. The German giants sent scouts to Goodison to watch the left-back in action against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan and also studied a video of his outstanding performance at Chelsea recently. Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed yesterday that the German champions intended to recruit a left-back in January. “We want a left-back, and we mean to sign one in the January window,” he declared. “We need a left-back, because that is the position that has to be strengthened. We are ready to buy a new player for this side of our defence this winter, but he must be of the highest quality.”
Baines fits that bill, but Everton are confident they can rebuff any Bayern bid after securing Baines to a new five-year contract at the end of last season. A team of Everton youngsters, meanwhile, have defeated legendary Brazilian side Corinthians on their own turf. The youth side led by Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Sheedy are taking part in the Future Champions tournament in Belo Horizonte. Corinthians, the club which produced world legends like Garrincha, Rivelino, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Socrates, were defeated 2-0 thanks to first half goals from strike pair Anton Forrester and Hallam Hope. “The start is beyond our wildest dreams,” said coach Neil Dewsnip. “It was a great start and we are really, really pleased to beat the biggest team in Brazil, especially after a long journey and having not played any proper football for three weeks.” Coach Kevin Sheedy added: “The first goal was a great goal from Anton, he hit it from 25 yards into the top corner with his left foot. The second was a long throw which Hallam headed in. It was a good finish. “The players' confidence grew from there and they battled hard. We had a few chances to make it three, but all credit goes to the players for the effort they put in.” Dewsnip's side, made up of Under-15s, 16s and 17s, will face another Brazilian outfit, Vasco de Gama, in their next game. Other major sides in the competition include Paris St Germain and Barcelona.
Everton told to find £38m for Almeria striker Pablo Piatti
15th December 2010 Daily Mail
Everton have been warned they will have to wait for a deal for Almeria forward Pablo Piatti - unless David Moyes has £38million to trigger his contract release clause. The Toffees were reportedly mulling a double deal for the 21-year-old and Almeria's Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves. However, the Spanish club's president Alfonso Garcia has indicated he won't sell in January amid a fight to save their La Liga status. Double swoop: Moyes is also keen on goalkeeper Alves Almeria sit one place above the relegation zone on goal difference, thanks to Piatti's double in a 3-1 win at Sevilla on Saturday. The Argentina Under 20 international was plucked from Estudiantes for an undisclosed club record fee - thought to be above £6m - in June 2008. Almeria's standing means they would find it hard to resist bids for their top scorer, but, with Palermo also keen, they are determined to hold on till at least the summer. Atletico Madrid and Espanyol have also tracked the 5ft 4in forward, who can play centrally or on the wing and is affectionately known as 'El Duende' - The Imp.
SCOTT DANN THE MAN FOR DAVID MOYES
Dec 15 2010 Daily Star By Dave Armitage
Everton are lining up a £7m transfer-window bid for Birmingham central defender Scott Dann Everton are lining up a £7m transfer-window bid for Birmingham central defender Scott Dann Everton are lining up a £7m transfer-window bid for Birmingham central defender Scott Dann. Goodison boss David Moyes ran the rule over the 23-year-old in the Midlands derby clash at Wolves on Sunday. Moyes wants to get Liverpool-born Dann on board, but is likely to meet with fierce resistance. Dann and defensive partner Roger Johnson have been outstanding, with Brum boss Alex McLeish tipping them as potential England stars. And McLeish will tell his Hong Kong-based board to brush aside any moves for one of his key players. England Under-21 star Dann joined Birmingham 18 months ago in a £3.5m switch from neighbours Coventry. But even at double that amount McLeish won’t be persuaded to sell. Birmingham have won just one of their last eight league games and face a tough set of fixtures. They face Newcastle on Saturday followed by Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Everton FC star Victor Anichebe denies he turned down £30,000-a-week new deal
Dec 16 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
VICTOR ANICHEBE has pledged his loyalty to Everton as he reflected on the “worst day” of his football career.The 22-year-old has denied reports he turned down a £30,000-a-week new deal to remain in Merseyside, and described his hurt at being booed by the home fans at Goodison Park.Anichebe, who is in the final six months of his current contract, was jeered by some supporters when he came off the bench against Wigan on Saturday.The Crosby-raised Nigerian international is believed to have turned down a deal closer to £20,000 a week with the potential to reach £30,000 based on appearances.
A number of clubs across the continent are thought to be monitoring Anichebe’s situation at Goodison Park as, with the player turning 23 in April, under Fifa regulations he could leave Everton for free when his contract expires next summer. But the striker turned right midfielder said: “Obviously, of course I want to stay at Everton. I have been here since I was a boy and I have grown up at the club. “The whole situation over the weekend about my contract was a bit crazy to be honest. I don’t know where it leaked from that I supposedly turned down an offer of £30,000 a week. “That is not the case at all. I have not been offered anything like the figures that have been bandied about in the press. “I want the fans to know I would never disrespect the club in any way or disrespect the fans. “I am happy at the club, happy with the players, happy with the manager and I don’t have any problem with anyone at the club.” Anichebe admits he was upset to be singled out by some fans over the contract rumours and conceded it was the worst experience in his career He added: “I spoke to the manager the other day and he didn’t understand where it came from either and he was shocked by the reception I got when I came on against Wigan. “I was quite shocked by the reaction from some fans and to be honest it was quite upsetting because of the fact I have come through the ranks and the fans have always been so good to me throughout my time at the club. “It was probably the worst day I have had as a footballer the reception I got and even the build-up to it. “I understand that some of them will believe what they read in the papers, but I want to reassure them I would never disrespect the club or them in any way. “I am like the fans, I know what Everton means to them. “It was hard what happened to me, but I have great team-mates around me and Tim Cahill, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka have helped me a lot. “The main thing for me is to train hard and play as many games as possible as I have had two tough injuries over the last 18 months and I just want to leave all the negotiations with my advisers who deal with that side of things.” Anichebe has progressed through Everton’s highly-respected academy system, which produced stars like Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell, and caught the fans’ imagination early in his career thanks to a number of cameos from the bench in the Uefa Cup. He was eligible to play for England and Nigeria, but opted for the Super Eagles and narrowly missed selection for last summer’s World Cup. Anichebe was voted young player of the season for 2007/08. But in February 2009, he was the victim of a horror tackle by Kevin Nolan during a match with Newcastle United, that kept him out of action for almost a year.
Everton FC fans' jury - on booing players, pessimism, petulance and season tickets
Dec 16 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Everton FC juror David Wallbank: I refuse to boo any Everton FC players
ANOTHER lacklustre performance by Saha should signal the end of his current run in the team, and I would call for not only David Moyes but also the Goodison park faithful to give Jermaine Beckford a chance. Goodison can be a very unforgiving setting – another player to feel that very harsh reality was Big Victor last Saturday. Big Vic may have rejected an amazing contract offer from EFC but it’s his own fault if he leaves. But I refuse to boo any player wearing a blue shirt; at times you might want to strangle one or two, but I personally thought it was bang out of order. Manchester City is the next opportunity for the players to attempt to put some smiles on some very bewildered Evertonian faces. I read this week EFC were being linked to Shola Ameobi – if you don’t laugh, you might just cry.
Everton FC juror Mike Williamson: Everton FC’s season feels over already
IT would not be over-pessimistic to say that this season already feels over. Sure, there is an FA Cup run to be had, but the disappointment at how things have turned out so far runs very deep and that feeling is made worse by the likelihood of our most (some might say only) genuinely creative player heading for pastures new next month. David Moyes now says he has to be sold to raise money, which is not what he was saying a few months back when he was supposed to be trying to convince Steven Pienaar to sign a new contract. Like it or not, we have to face the fact that points are needed just to climb away from the relegation zone, never mind get into Europe. The goal-scoring crisis is not going to be solved by fans booing the players, but if Moyes wants to turn the crowd around and save his job he needs to employ a completely different mentality to games and try winning them from the start. Well, ‘tis the season of miracles...
Everton FC juror Richard Knights: You wonder why you bother buying a season ticket after that drab draw with Wigan
GAMES like last Saturday and you begin to question paying £450 for a season ticket. Wigan were so lacking in ambition, frankly, it was embarrassing. For 80 minutes they hardly ventured over the halfway line. Eleven good chances and we couldn't score, with nearly every player culpable. Three players could go in the January sales – Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov and Anichebe. Pienaar wants away and we could save money by releasing Saha and Yakubu. Also, Tony Hibbert (a great Evertonian) is near to the end of his career. That leaves 10 ‘established’ players and of them only Baines, Distin and Cahill have played with distinction this season. Beckford and Coleman are trying to break into the first team. Outside of that, there's the two reserve goalkeepers plus Gueye, Silva, Duffy and Baxter. No wonder Moyes is lamenting the lack of competition for places.
Everton FC juror Lee Molton: Victor Anichebe has shown what a petulant young man he is
BIG Sam and Chris Hughton get the sack but Everton have shown faith in David Moyes – and quite rightly so.He is the right man to turn things around at Goodison. The players need to start performing – and quickly. The Wigan game was not good again with the players not playing well at all.Anichebe has shown what a petulant young man he is by turning down a big contract. He will be very lucky to receive another contract at any Premier League club in the summer. He should realise that not many young players have been a success after leaving Everton and either sign the new contract or stay in the reserves until the summer. Every game for the Blues is tough at the moment with goals hard to come by. Can the Blues get a win at City like last season and move away from the bottom half of the table? An Everton win or a White Christmas? Please let’s have an Everton win
Watch Manchester City v Everton FC in style
Dec 16 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
ETIHAD AIRWAYS, Official Partner of Manchester City, have this week teamed up with the Liverpool ECHO to offer one lucky Everton fan an early Christ-mas present. One of our readers will win the opportunity to entertain five family or friends in first class hospitality on Monday night as Everton take on Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. Experience the finest Etihad hospitality on match day in the Sponsors Suite and watch your team as they take on in-form City. To be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is answer the following question: Etihad Airways is the World’s Leading Airline*, but where is their headquarters?
E-mail your answer, along with your name and contact telephone number to sport@liverpool.com by noon tomorrow (Friday December 17). *World Travel Awards Usual Echo competition terms and conditions apply.
Everton FC star Tim Cahill says Carloz Tevez saga will not distract Blues' quest for win at Manchester City
Dec 16 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TIM CAHILL insists Everton will not be distracted by the Carlos Tevez saga as he prepares to release his frustration against Manchester City. The ongoing transfer row between Tevez and his club might have the sporting world gripped, but Everton’s Aussie star says Everton must focus only on hitting the back of the net at Eastlands. Cahill, 31, is top goal-scorer for the Toffees so far this season, and wants to carry on his fine form before departing for the Asia Cup in January. Everton have scored just 18 goals so far during this campaign, and remain only two points above the relegation places. So Cahill admits the lack of punch in front of goal is something that has to change and he said: “It is frustrating as the fans know what we can do and what we can achieve, but if it does not hit the back of the net it means nothing. We are going to fight hard and make sure we are always in the trenches. The main thing is we are training well and our perf-ormances have been solid.” “This is a massive game. We love going to big stadiums and playing big teams like Manchester City. For us we relish the opportunity playing one of the biggest teams in the world at the moment. It is all for us to take. “(The Tevez saga) is not anything I am interested in nor are any of the lads. Who knows what the situation really is. I respect the players' decisions and the best thing for us is to concentrate on our own game.” Cahill is also hoping his compatriots can turn things round after the third Ashes Test began in Perth this morning – even if only to spare him from the light-hearted mockery of Phil Neville. The Aussies go into the match trailing 1-0 in the series having been out-played in every department of the game in the second Test in Adelaide. And with the first Test in Brisbane ending all square, England need only one more win to retain the Ashes and two more to complete an outright series win. That has pleased Neville, a talented cricketer who could have pursued a career in the sport having once been captain of England Under-15s and the youngest ever player to represent Lancashire’s second XI before Andrew Flintoff. Cahill said: “I have been watching a bit of the cricket but it hasn’t been too brilliant to be honest. “You never know, there is still time and hopefully we can still turn it around. “The cricket is something the boys have been paying a fair bit of attention to, they have been having a bit of a dig – especially Phil Neville. “There has been a bit of banter between the two of us and Phil knows what he is on about as he is probably a better cricketer than he is a footballer. “You can have a joke with Phil but he knows when to be serious and the way he represents the club is fantastic.” Meanwhile, Leighton Baines will re-buff any bid for his signature from Bayern Munich in January. As revealed in yesterday’s ECHO, David Moyes would not entertain any approach from the German club, and Baines, 26, is settled on Merseyside, where he is contracted until 2014. And Munich director of sport Christian Nerlinger has revealed that the club may not necessarily sign a new full-back in the forthcoming transfer window anyway.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - Four seasons outside the top flight
Dec 16 2010 Dan Kay
EVERTON have spent more seasons playing in the top flight of English football than any other club - yet what do we really know about the Blues' four seasons outside the top echelons of the English game? Everton's first season in the Second Division, as it was then known, was in 1930/31. The Blues had been relegated the previous season, finishing bottom of the table with just 35 points, incredibly just two seasons after their 1927/28 league title win - a triumph written indelibly into not just Merseyside but footballing folklore as it was the year Dixie Dean scored a record 60 league goals, a figure never likely to be beaten. It was a seismic shock therefore for the club to find itself in the second tier - the shareholders' AGM that summer called for the board to be sacked and a team manager appointed as was starting to happen elsewhere. The club's power-brokers held firm however and were rewarded with a blistering start to the season, with twelve of the first sixteen games being won. There was a slight blip over Christmas but the Blues soon bounced back with a 9-1 win over Plymouth that equalled that club's best ever league win and started a run of 14 successive wins in league and cup football that all but clinched promotion. The season also saw a successful FA Cup run that saw Everton reach the semi-final stage before losing to West Brom at Old Trafford but the title was won by seven points and immediate promotion achieved with a club record 121 goals scored (Dean contributing a mere 39 this time around). Everton's next experience of Division Two football came after the Second World War. The Blues had been First Division champions when hostilities broke out in 1939 (as they had been eerily in 1914) but the club had never fully replaced centre forward Jock Dodds who left in 1948 and the Blues were unable to recover from their appalling start to the 1950/51 season, where they lost 12 from their opening 18 matches. There was still more than a chance of survival in the final game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday, where a point would have kept Everton up, but a 6-0 defeat relegated the Blues, along with Wednesday themselves. The 1951/52 campaign was notable for the emergence of iconic centre-forward Dave Hickson but an immediate return to the top flight would prove impossible after a poor start to the campaign that even hinted at possible further demotion, the Blues eventually recovering to finish a respectable seventh. The following season started in an even worse fashion, with the Blues losing their first three games and sitting at the foot of the Second Division - the club's lowest ever league position - by the end of September.
The club's league campaign never got started and the Blues finished in a lowly sixteenth position but in the FA Cup, Everton embarked on a run that almost took them to Wembley. Reigning First Division champions Manchester United were sent packing in front of nearly 78,000 at Goodison in the fifth round thanks to a winner from a bloodied but not beaten Dave Hickson while another top-flight side Aston Villa were beaten on their own ground in the quarter-finals after another Hickson strike. The semi-final at Maine Road against Bolton Wanderers couldn't have started in a worse fashion with Everton four goals down at half time but Tommy Clinton's missed penalty just before the interval was to prove crucial when a stirring second-half comeback saw the Blues just one goal away from parity and the chance to take part in what went on to be the famous 'Matthews' final. The following season, 1953/54, however there was to be no mistake as seven wins and four draws from the first eleven games set the Blues up for a campaign in which they never fell below fourth in the table. An estimated 30,000 Blues travelled to Oldham for the game that would seal promotion and were rewarded with four first half goals that clinched Everton's return to the top flight - a reward made even sweeter by the fact one of the teams they would be replacing in Division One was Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.
Blue watch: Life not getting easier for Everton FC
Dec 16 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
THIS certainly isn’t getting any easier. Wigan Athletic were meant to be our home banker; our problem is meant to be breaking down the well-drilled packed midfield merchants, not sides like Roberto Martinez’s naïve bottlers. Coming right after the rousing finale at Stamford Bridge as well, where Everton could easily have taken all three points, everyone thought that the Blues would have far too much for the Latics, but instead it was yet another grim afternoon at Goodison Park. None of the strikers are covering themselves in glory at the moment, and the search is apparently on for a cheap forward available in January, but in all honesty the problems are deeper than that. The fact is, the Blues really don’t actually create that many clear openings even when they are on top in games. Granted, they often enjoy long periods of possession in matches, but you rarely get that unmistakable sense that they are totally in control and that a goal is imminent. Apart from one brief flurry, Wigan were relatively comfortable throughout on Saturday, and Everton more or less surrendered all their creativity when Steven Pienaar limped off. The booing that greeted his replacement, Victor Anichebe, certainly never helped matters either. At the moment when we needed the team and the supporters pulling together, the atmosphere was completely soured, so whoever decided to provide the national press with inaccurate details of the player’s transfer negotiations really played a blinder there. After all, it is never anything but counter-productive when managers, players or chairmen try to conduct their business through the tabloids, and quite frankly it’s disrespectful to the supporters too, this idea that they can be manipulated to bring pressure to bear on individuals. As ever in these situations, Anichebe’s contract is a matter for him and Everton. It’s incredible though, given everything we know about the club and the state of its finances, that anyone really believed that they offered an injury prone reserve anything in the region of the sums originally quoted. Why would they? And while we’re on the subject of unsettled strikers, let’s hope that Carlos Tevez’s dispute with Manchester City works in our favour on Monday night. Two of our best performances last season were against Roberto Mancini’s men, and a repeat would provide a bit of seasonal cheer and a bit of a break from the seemingly unremitting Goodison gloom.
Tim Howard says Everton FC can use Christmas games as league springboard
Dec 16 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
TIM HOWARD is hoping to use the cluttered Christmas schedule as a springboard to propel Everton up the Premier League table – starting with Monday night’s visit to in-form Manchester City. That daunting fixture heralds a run of four league games in just 13 days, but with the tightly packed nature of the present league table also offers an opportunity to climb quickly away from the relegation zone. Everton are currently just two points above Wigan Athletic, the team currently third bottom, but also find themselves just four points behind Newcastle who are riding high in eighth place. After the trip to City, the Blues host Birmingham on Boxing Day, travel to West Ham on December 28 before completing their festive programme with a New Year’s Day visit to Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium. Howard said: “You kind of become accustomed to playing lots of games as the years go by and we find ways of managing it and giving people as much of a break as we can. “But the football is our main focus and I think it is a chance to get a lot of points in a short amount of time.” Howard also says that the Blues are far from apprehensive about the prospect of a trip to Roberto Mancini’s extravagantly assembled side, despite City’s eight-match unbeaten run compiled prior to tonight’s Europa League dead rubber at Juventus. Everton have an impressive record against City with five wins in their last six meetings, including victories at Eastlands on their last two visits.
“We do well against them and we travel there well also. It is just up the road and we enjoy going there,” said Howard. “I do think they are a different animal this time round under this manager and with new players. They are a powerful team and they have shown they deserve to be towards the top of the league so we will have our work cut out. “But we are confident in this group, we have a lot of talent and a lot of quality and when we come up against teams with big names and talented players it just spurs us on that bit more.” Howard added that he was also happy in his own form after a couple of uncharacteristic slips earlier in the season. After Everton dominated last Saturday’s home match against Wigan but failed to break through, they were reliant on their goalkeeper for an outstanding added time stop which prevented Ronnie Stam stealing all three points for the visitors. “There are days, and periods when things are going really, really well. “Then there’s times when you can’t get out of your own way. The top level professionals – the very best – work through it and keep cracking on,” he explained. “That doesn’t just go for goalkeepers, that’s any position. "It’s a vital position though too, because we were on top of that game. We were peppering their goal all day, then there’s one chance and it’s possible you can lose all the points. I’m used to it. “It’s a silly position. The longer I play there the more I realise that but it’s great. It’s something I enjoy. "These seasons are long and hard and they are a slug-fest. “To be a full international at this level, that’s the responsibility now. "You don’t really have a load of time off. The manager gives his players as much time off as he possibly can in the summer, but all their hands are tied. “The players want time off, the national team want you to play, the manager wants you back for pre-season. But everyone does a great job here about trying to manage our rest time in the summer. "There’s a part of it that when you play so many games, you just become hardened to it. Every fifth or sixth day you feel ‘I’ve turned a corner and I’m fit and ready to play this game’.”
Victor Anichebe insists he wants to stay at Everton FC
Dec 16 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
VICTOR ANICHEBE yesterday denied he has rejected a £30,000 a week contract at Everton. And the Nigerian international insisted he was happy at Goodison and wanted to resolve his contractual situation. Anichebe has rejected an offer from Everton, but the deal on the table is closer to £20,000 a week with the potential to reach £30,000 only based on appearances. “Obviously, of course I want to stay at Everton,” Anichebe declared. “I have been here since I was a boy and I have grown up at the club. “The whole situation over the weekend about my contract was a bit crazy to be honest. “I don’t know where it leaked from that I supposedly turned down an offer of £30,000 a week. “That is not the case at all. I have not been offered anything like the figures that have been bandied about in the press. “I want the fans to know I would never disrespect the club in any way or disrespect the fans. “I am happy at the club, happy with the players, happy with the manager and I don’t have any problem with anyone at the club.” Anichebe was booed when he was introduced as a substitute against Wigan on Saturday and the 22-year-old described the experience as the worst of his career. “I spoke to the manager the other day and he didn’t understand where it came from either and he was shocked by the reception I got when I came on against Wigan,” added Anichebe “I was quite shocked by the reaction from some fans and to be honest it was quite upsetting because of the fact I have come through the ranks and the fans have always been so good to me throughout my time at the club. “It was probably the worst day I have had as a footballer the reception I got and even the build-up to it. “I understand that some of them will believe what they read in the papers, but I want to reassure them I would never disrespect the club or them in any way. “I am like the fans, I know what Everton means to them. “It was hard what happened to me, but I have great team-mates around me and Tim Cahill, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka have helped me a lot. “The main thing for me is to train hard and play as many games as possible as I have had two tough injuries over the last 18 months and I just want to leave all the negotiations with my advisers who deal with that side of things.”
Dzmitry Verkhovtsov to learn Everton fate after week-long trial with David Moyes' men
Daily Mail By Ashley Gray
16th December 2010
Belarus defender Dzmitry Verkhovtsovis expects to learn on Friday whether he has done enough to earn a move to Everton after a week-long trial. The 6ft 3in centre half trained under David Moyes' supervision and played 90 minutes of a reserves match, but is due to return to his club Nafthan Novopolotsk. Verkhovtsov had a similar trial at Celtic last year but failed to clinch a £500,000 transfer, instead moving to Latvian side Ventspils in January only to see the deal cancelled in a contractual dispute. The 24-year-old has become a regular at the heart of Belarus’s defence since making his international debut in 2008 and is highly regarded in eastern Europe. Verkhovtsov impressed against England at Wembley last year despite being on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat and would have no problem getting a work permit.
Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard insists spirit in the Blues camp is keeping panic at bay
Dec 17 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
TIM HOWARD may not have much in common with a certain Captain George Mannering. One is a laid-back, suave American who is usually calm under pressure, the other is the bumbling bank manager turned TA platoon leader whose plans always led to chaos. But Howard is issuing that famous “Don’t Panic” rallying cry, as Everton’s season continues to nose-dive towards disaster ahead of a busy Christmas schedule. The USA goalkeeper knows all about busy schedules, having gone without a proper summer break in 18 months, but he is typically ultra-positive ahead of a run of games which could make or break the Toffee’s season. Fixtures against Manchester City, Birmingham City, West Ham United and Stoke City, could provide the springboard Everton so desperately need. And even though Roberto Mancini’s mega-stars are currently flying high, Howard is typically unflustered. “I do think they are a different animal this time round under this manager and with new players. “They are a powerful team and they have shown they deserve to be towards the top of the league so we will have our work cut out,” says the 31-year-old. “But we are confident in this group, we have a lot of talent and a lot of quality and when we come up against teams with big names and talented players it just spurs us on that bit more.” But even though Eastlands represents a stern test, Howard maintains panic is pointless - because the Goodison dressing room remains unified. “The best thing about this squad is how closely banded together we are,” he says. “When the chips are down, and things aren’t going great for us we’ve always felt close. “You’re never going to be buzzing when things aren’t going great, but you come in this dressing room and the boys are upbeat, working for each other and the training is hard. “But once you lose that, that’s really difficult. As long as you’re all rowing in the same direction, it’s okay. At least you have a fighting chance.” Like his team-mates, Howard insists the ongoing Carlos Tevez transfer saga will not distract the Blues, although he does not envy the task on Mancini’s hands. “The Tevez thing seems crazy, but it’s hard to tell what is going on at other clubs,” he says. “When you start putting 22 super stars in the same squad, not fringe players, not average players, big names being paid above the average, it’s tough to manage that. “I think when it comes to family it’s hard to be away from them. But I don’t know his (Tevez’s) situation.“I only know what I read in the papers, and half of that I don’t believe.“I’m sure it’ll get ironed out, but fortunately it’s not my concern.“There’s always a lot going on there. We’ve had quite a bit of joy there, and it’s a place where we seem to go, and get stronger as the games go on.“We’re always at City around this time of year, it always seems to be at night and freezing cold.“It’ll be all hands on deck, but I’m sure that we’ll have to defend for our lives and hit them on the break. We’ve shown we can be resilient though.” Games last season against Manchester City are fondly remembered by Evertonians, but Howard admits it won't be easy to reach those levels of free-flowing football again.“It’s all about confidence,” he says. “That’s what allows people to play care-free football. If you have that, passes are snappier and touches are better. That’s when the free flowing stuff comes, otherwise everyone’s tight and on edge.“We try our best to remind each other of those things, but confidence only comes from performances and results. It just kind of grows. So you can encourage guys to play but they can only do that themselves.”Four games in just 13 days will test the stamina of Howard and co, but he insists he and his teammates can use the gruelling schedule to their advantage. He said: “You kind of become accustomed to it (playing lots of games) as the years go by and we find ways of managing it and giving people as much of a break as we can.“But the football is our main focus, and I think it’s a chance to get a lot of points in a short amount of time.”The annual visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on Tuesday provided a brief respite from talk of football, and the players relished the chance to cheer up young Evertonians on the wards.As ever, it provided a healthy dose of perspective too. “We do it most holidays and bring a lot of happiness to kids which is great,” he says.“It’s nice to see kids with smiles on their faces because you’re there. The kids have a lot of different illnesses and injuries, so to see them cheer up for a moment is great.“A lot of it is about perspective. Nobody would fault a player for being upset about being injured, but at the end of the day life is about perspective and the more of it you can get, the better. Football is a business and a game, which is important to a lot of people. Me as well. But when you’re talking about children and illnesses, that’s more important than anything else.”
Howard Kendall: Fans will not lose much sleep if Victor Anichebe leaves
Dec 17 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
VICTOR Anichebe is a young lad and has been poorly advised by the sounds of it.The saga over his new contract leaves a sour taste in supporters’ mouths, and in reality I don't think they’d be too upset if he left.Even so I think it’s a case of blame the agent, and not the lad.The difference from when I managed is that now the contract offers are leaked to the media, and that never happened.Naturally fans will get angry when young players who haven’t yet fulfilled their potential are reported to have turned down vast sums.It wasn’t nice hearing a current player booed though, and probably the first time it has happened in ages. It’s usually players who have left that get jeered.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC should tell Spurs they must offer Peter Crouch in any deal for Steven Pienaar
Dec 17 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
THERE seems a mood of resignation around Goodison that Steven Pienaar is leaving, so thoughts naturally turn to replacing him.That’s why, with Spurs reportedly leading the queue of admirers eager to snap up the South African in January, there has been speculation of a swop deal with Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar. It’s understandable logic. A midfielder for a midfielder would make sense, and Kranjcar has won many plaudits in the Premier League, especially at Portsmouth when he was getting in the team and playing regularly. He stars for his national team too. But I’d advocate a different approach. If we are going to do business with Spurs, I’d like to see the Blues try and get hold of Peter Crouch in any swop deal.He would represent that different type of forward Everton haven’t got at the moment. When I was manager there was a spell when we were playing decent football up until the final third, and then nothing was happening. Much as it is now, it was plain to see we needed to freshen things up front. We just weren’t putting the ball in the back of the net. We lacked something, so I took a risk on Andy Gray and luckily enough he made things happen for us.We’d been spoiled by forwards like Graeme Sharp and Bob Latchford over the years, and that’s another reason I tried to go in for Dion Dublin during another time in my career.Everton have that long tradition of big, dynamic centre forwards and the only real target men they have now are midfielders in Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini. Time for something new - it could even ease the pain of losing Pienaar.
David Prentice: Everton FC may find light in darkest times
Dec 17 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
IT’S always darkest just before the dawn. Especially at Goodison Park. Everton are the experts at dragging unexpected, unprecedented triumph from the jaws of disaster. Just look at the record books.It doesn’t get much darker than 13,000 fans booing a team off the pitch, while leaflets circulate the ground demanding the sacking of the chairman and manager.Yet barely five months later Howard Kendall’s emerging young side captured a trophy which set them on an upwardly mobile course and ended with them crowned European Team of the Year.That darkest hour was New Year’s Eve 1983.But the further back you go in Everton’s history the darker the depths and the greater the glory. In 1930 one of the proudest clubs in English football suffered the ignominy of relegation from the top flight for the first time. They bounced back with an unprecedented treble of Second Division title, First Division championship and FA Cup. And it’s not just ancient history where Everton deceive, then flatter. Only six years ago Everton ended a wretched campaign one place above the drop zone with effectively the lowest points tally in the club’s history. Their response was to sell the most gifted player on the club’s books, lose their opening match of the new season 4-1 in front of 35,000 shell-shocked home fans – then finish fourth, their highest league placing for 17 years! The current Goodison scene may not be as bleak as some of those scenarios, but it’s still a pretty gloomy picture right now.But is the present Goodison squad capable of achieving a similar kind of turnaround?The evidence suggests it is.Maybe not title winners. Perhaps not even a Champions League place. But an FA Cup and a healthy league position? Why not?An identical group of players reached an FA Cup final 18 months ago and ended last season by losing just two of 22 matches, including celebrated bashings of Manchester United and Chelsea.This season it’s the Blues who have been bashed up, and the reasons are clear.Too many influential players have under-performed.Mikel Arteta, on his best form a dynamic and creative spark, has been largely anonymous. Tim Howard – a worthy challenger to Nigel Martyn’s claim as Everton’s most reliable post-Southall goalkeeper – has been guilty of a handful of uncharacteristic errors this term.
Louis Saha - a striker who exploded up the Goodison goal charts last season like a shell – has been a desperately damp squib.Add in an apparently sulking Johnny Heitinga, goal shy Yakubu, the lesser spotted Bilyaletdinov – although he’s hardly had a chance to shine – the list goes on.Even the admirable Phil Jagielka has had a couple of wobbles. Then there’s Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini, two players who may have exercised an enormous influence this season, but have been sidelined for sizeable chunks of the campaign by injury or suspension.Despite Tim Cahill’s remarkable run of goals, the only two consistently impressive performers this season have been Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, and important though full-backs are in the modern game, they can’t carry you through an entire season.But if form is temporary, so too is loss of form.And Everton have the players capable of achieving far more than they are currently showing.The Blues are currently eight points off a top six place.In this season’s Premier League that can be made up in a little more than a month.Everton ended 1983 in 16th place (courtesy of the remarkable statto.com website).If you’d have told anyone then that that side was about to dominate English football for three years you’d have been certified.I’m expecting the men in the white suits and strait jackets any time now, but Everton are an infinitely better side than we’re seeing right now.
Everton FC’s Steven Pienaar fighting losing battle to be fit for Manchester City showdown
Dec 17 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN PIENAAR has admitted he is unlikely to be fit to help Everton start their crucial Christmas period with a victory over Manchester City.The Blues travel to Eastlands next Monday in search of their first win in eight games, and were hoping the influential South African would have recovered from the groin strain which forced him off against Chelsea earlier this month.But the 28-year-old used his Twitter page to announce that a scan has revealed he is likely to require a week’s rest before returning.Pienaar allayed fears the injury was more serious writing, ‘Scan results weren’t that bad, but it looks like I’ll need a week of recovery’.
Now David Moyes will have his fingers crossed that fast-healer Pienaar can at least play some part in the clash with Roberto Mancini’s men. Moyes asked Pienaar to play through the pain barrier against Wigan Athletic last Saturday, with the former Ajax star lasting 66 minutes of the disappointing 0-0 draw. His replacement Victor Anichebe, who was booed onto the field, has subsequently moved to insist he does not want to leave Goodison Park despite reports he rejected a new deal.And Pienaar’s injury could instead spell a return to first team action for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who has already said he is ready and waiting to fill the midfielder’s boots should he leave the club in January.Meanwhile, Belarus defender Dzmitry Verkhovtsovis is set to return home after a week-long trial at Finch Farm when he won the approval of Everton coaches.The 6ft 3in centre half trained under David Moyes' supervision and played 90 minutes of a reserves match, but was due to return to his club Nafthan Novopolotsk today.Verkhovtsov had a similar trial at Celtic last year but failed to clinch a £500,000 transfer, instead moving to Latvian side Ventspils in January only to see the deal cancelled in a contractual dispute.The 24-year-old has become a regular at the heart of Belarus’s defence since making his international debut in 2008 and is highly regarded in eastern Europe.Verkhovtsov impressed against England at Wembley last year despite being on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat and would have no problem getting a work permit.Any permanent switch to Goodison is likely to have to wait until January, when David Moyes knows the extent of the funds at his disposal – and whether any departures will swell his coffers.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - Five FA Cups
Dec 17 2010 By Sean Bradbury
1906: Everton 1 Newcastle United 0
Having seen off Liverpool 2-0 in the semi-final, the Blues were one win away from claiming the FA Cup for the first time. William Cuff's men did not disappoint. It took until late in the second half, but inside right Alex 'Sandy' Young made the breakthrough to secure a 1-0 win for Everton.
1933: Everton 3 Manchester City 0
The 1933 FA Cup Final is a favourite with pub quiz masters as it was the first final where all the players were issued with numbers for identification. It is also a favourite of Everton fans as their team dished out a 3-0 beating to Manchester City. Goals from Jimmy Stein, the legendary Dixie Dean and James Dunn made this a one-sided affair. Almost 93,000 fans packed into Wembley to see the Blues claim their second FA Cup.
1966: Everton 3 Sheffield Wednesday 2
Everton fans who flocked to Wembley in their thousands looked set to be returning home with the blues as their side were 2-0 down after 57 minutes. But a quickfire double from Mike Trebilcock swung the momentum of the final. Derek Temple put Harry Catterick's men decisively ahead with 74 gone after a slip by Gerry Young sent him through. 1984: Everton 2 Watford 0
The Blues, seven times FA Cup finalists and three times winners, met Watford in their first final appearance and experience told. Everton got their first through Graeme Sharp with 39 minutes gone and Andy Gray doubled the advantage after the break in somewhat controversial fashion, with many observers believing he fouled Watford keeper Steve Sherwood by heading the ball out of his hands. The victory was the catalyst for a sustained period of success for Howard Kendall's 1980s charges.
1995: Everton 1 Manchester United 0
In the Blues last FA Cup win, Paul Rideout was the hero as his side upset the odds by overcoming Manchester United. Everton secured their first trophy since they claimed the title eight years earlier and United were denied a major honour for the first time since 1989. A standout performance from Dave Watson repelling a succession of Man U attacks brought him the man of the match award and helped guide the Blues to their fifth FA Cup.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov waiting in wings for Everton FC as Steven Pienaar faces fitness race
Dec 17 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
DINIYAR Bilyaletdinov is set to start for Everton at Manchester City on Monday evening, if Steven Pienaar fails to recover from a groin injury in time.The Russian wide man has made just a handful of appearances this season, mainly from the substitutes’ bench, but is on standby to make a rare start against Roberto Mancini’s high-fliers at Eastlands, should the influential South African fail to pass a fitness test.Pienaar was forced off 65 minutes into the Toffees’ last match, a goalless home draw with Wigan Athletic last weekend, and has been struggling to shake off the injury all week.And with Mikel Arteta suspended, Leon Osman still working his way back to full fitness after an ankle problem, and Victor Anichebe’s future at the club uncertain following a recent contract dispute, the call looks set to go out to the 25-year-old Russian international, as Everton look to record a third successive victory over their free-spending hosts.David Moyes’s men ran out 2-0 winners in both league meetings between the clubs last season, and have won on each of their last three visits to Eastlands. Moyes will be hoping his side can improve upon a run of form which has seen them fail to record a victory in their last seven league fixtures – though perversely they remain unbeaten away from home since a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa August 29. Arteta will serve the final game of his three-match ban on Monday night, whilst both Tony Hibbert and John Heitinga are unlikely to be risked.Hibbert has been suffering with an ankle injury, which has limited him to just one first team appearance since October, whilst Heitinga missed the Wigan draw with a knee problem.One man who could feature is James Vaughan, who has returned to Goodison Park following a successful three-month loan spell with Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old scored five times in 14 appearances at Selhurst Park, and could be used from the bench.
Barry Horne: Anichebe suffering from doing his contract business in public
Dec 18 2010 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
THE reception received by Victor Anichebe on Saturday would not have helped the player. Once again at Everton, as with other clubs, there is negative press surrounding a contract negotiation. Very often it will suit a player or his agent to make it known that they are finding it difficult to reach an agreement. The player can either attract other suitors or inflate the offer on the table from his current club. But all too often if the player does not get his move, negotiating in public is not a pleasant experience for the player.
We’ve seen it before at Goodison with Francis Jeffers, Wayne Rooney, Don Hutchison and now Steven Pienaar as well. Pienaar’s agent was complaining recently that Mikel Arteta’s deal was done quickly. That’s because there was an obvious will to get the contract signed and it was done in private. There were plenty of rumours about Arteta wanting to leave the club, but neither party tried to seek an advantage from the situation in any way and as a result the player still has a fantastic rapport with the fans. His standing has not been in any way diminished.
Greg O'Keeffe: Steven Pienaar escapes the Everton FC boo boys
Dec 18 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN PIENAAR has deservedly been given the benefit of doubt by Evertonians during his contract impasse. His attitude hasn’t faltered despite the simmering disagreement, and Pienaar has not let his phenomenal work rate dip. Yet while his situation is different from Victor Anichebe’s, there are similarities. So why was the local lad the only one booed? Perhaps it’s because fans think Pienaar ‘deserves’ the money he wants more than the Crosby-raised forward. On first team appearances, they would have a point. Or maybe it’s a case of double standards, that single out the easier target?
Greg O'Keeffe: Everton FC’s vital summer contract renewals have raised bar for rest of the squad
Dec 18 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
THE tawdry affair which resulted in Victor Anichebe being booed last weekend had its roots in the summer, and Everton’s shrewd-by-necessity approach to contracts. Aware that the pot was practically empty for recruitment, David Moyes prioritised keeping hold of his assets, and was well supported in that by his chairman. The Blues tied down a number of valuable first team stars to lucrative new long-term deals; with Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta, Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman all signing new contracts. However, that policy of rewarding current players with big deals has provided a precedent and one which is, in a roundabout way, returning to bite Bill Kenwright. Anichebe’s advisors told him to reject a deal worth £20,000 with the potential to rise to £30,000, hoping that a bigger pay day for them and their cash cow could be in the offing, their hopes probably raised by that raft of summer deals. And what of Marouane Fellaini? The Blues are thought to be keen to give the Belgian a new deal soon, but what will he be asking for? If Steven Pienaar is rejecting £65,000 because he wants parity with other top earners at the club, what will the 23-year-old Belgian, who is coveted by a host of top clubs, ask for? Expect it to be ludicrous amounts of money.
Barry Horne: Anxiety attacks in the Everton crowd are getting to the players
Dec 18 2010 by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
I WAS gobsmacked by Roberto Martinez’s post-match press conference at Goodison last week. Roberto is a real gentleman and a very fair person, and obviously he has a responsibility to try to be as positive as possible about his side to the press, to help maintain the confidence of his players. But when he repeatedly claimed that he felt Wigan should have won and he was disappointed with only a point, I couldn’t believe my eyes or ears. The truth of the matter is, his team were completely outplayed and had one excellent chance to win the game late on, only because Everton were pressing for a goal, which Tim Howard saved brilliantly anyway. There is no need to analyse why we didn’t win.
It is obvious to anyone who was at the game, or even watched the Match of the Day highlights, that Everton should have won easily.But whilst the attendance was healthy and the reception for the players was as good as ever, I did sense quite early on in the game an understandable anxiety amongst the crowd. As I say, that is entirely understandable given that we have struggled to put teams away, but nevertheless that anxiety inevitably is picked up on very quickly by the players who are of course already anxious themselves because they know as well as anyone where our failings have been this year.So begins a potentially destructive downwards spiral. That negative cycle will be disrupted as soon as we bang a few goals in and give a team a good beating, which we have been capable of on several occasions this season. The league table has remained tight until unusually late in the season this year, due to what seems to have been like more draws than ever, and the large number of shock results. The longer it takes to be broken the greater the anxiety becomes. Over the next couple of weeks the table will start to take on a more definitive look and so the quicker that cycle is broken the better. The next fortnight is a huge week in any season, but particularly for Everton because we have four games we can look forward to with confidence.
Everton FC hero Alex ‘The Golden Vision’ Young recalls his happy time in Merseyside
Dec 18 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
THERE’S a deeply cruel irony that Alex Young, a man who often left Evertonians grasping for words to describe his stellar talents, is now struggling with his speech. The Golden Vision is rarely seen at Goodison Park these days, primarily because he lives in Penicuik, Scotland, but increasingly because a stroke five years ago has left him with impaired speaking. Young, now 73, fought back from the misfortune and has since rediscovered his sight, along with the strength in his arms and legs, but it has made car journeys this far south difficult. At the same time it has left the Everton hero sadly unsure of himself, as he revealed in a recent magazine interview which included some fascinating insight into the legend’s early career. “I don’t like that (the speech problems) because I used to speak fluently. Now I sort of stagger along. I want to say something and I can’t get it out. I am searching for words.” His children still run the post-retirement upholstery business he created, after a stint in management at Glentoran had to be abandoned because of his failing hearing. How cruel, that yet another physical aspect, of this mercurial player has deserted him. Fortunately he was able to chat with Paul Forsyth from Backpass magazine, and embark on a swift journey of nostalgia, something Bluenoses of a certain vintage will no doubt relish as a diversion from their current woes. Young might have been Everton’s Golden Vision, forever immortalised in Ken Loach’s excellent film, but for Scottish club Hearts he was known simply as the Blond Bombshell. He shot to attention by scoring four in a derby game against Hibs, and was soon getting noticed south of the border, which was inevitable. “Don Revie, who was manager of Leeds at the time, was at the game, and he had a wee quote about me in the next day’s paper. “ They asked him who he thought would do well in England. He said me and, I think, John Cumming. I was chuffed about that.” Hearts went on to win the title, and Young bagged 23 goals, which earned him the £55,000 move to Everton along with George Thomson. A Scottish record at the time. At Hearts he had only been a professional for two and a half years, working as a part-time miner beforehand. The son of a Loanhead pit-worker, he worked at the Burghlee colliery, and only trained twice a week at Tynecastle. He would finish work at 4.30pm, and take a bus into Edinburgh, before jumping on another to Tron Kirk. “There was always one or two on the Gorgie bus who recognised me. They’d shout, ‘You’re effing useless Young’. Stuff like that persuaded me to go and buy a car. “My first was an MG which ended up being written off. Not that I was driving fast. I was going to Tynecastle for training, and I saw my uncle at a bus stop. “I stopped the car, at least I thought I did, but there was oil on the road and I went straight into a lamp-post. “I got an account from Edinburgh council for breaking their lamp. Cost me about £20.” Not everyone believed Young would be a hit in England, but 22 goals in his first season silenced the doubters, despite a slow start. The man who Jimmy Greaves described as “Nuryev on grass” found true hero status on Merseyside. “You were more like a star down there than you were in Edinburgh,” he says. “They liked the way I played. “I could play the same game with Hearts, but I wouldn’t be liked in the same way. In Liverpool they idolise their players.” Young is a modest man, but the most poignant tribute to his playing career was captured in Loach’s Golden Vision docu-drama from 1968, which used a real interview with his daughter Jane, then aged five. “What does you daddy do?” she is asked. “Plays football,” she whispers in reply. “Who for?” “Everton.” “Is he good?” “Yes.” “What’s his name?”. “Alex Young.”
David Moyes: Victor Anichebe can still have an Everton FC future
Dec 18 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID Moyes believes Victor Anichebe can still have a bright future at Everton - but warned the Nigerian and the rest of his misfiring squad need to step-up to grasp Tim Cahill’s goal-scoring mantle. The Everton boss insisted he values contract-rebel Anichebe and has urged him to sign a new three-year deal. Although he admitted that the futures of Anichebe, and Steven Pienaar, are secondary to the faltering status of the Toffees’ season which is on the brink of failure by the standards he set in the summer. Moyes has not yet given up on achieving something substantial during this campaign, but he is fully aware that he may have to reassess his faith if his team do not pick up points during the busy festive period. Moyes has offered Anichebe a sympathetic ear this week, following what the 22-year-old labelled his “worst day in football” when he was booed onto the pitch by some sections of the Goodison Park crowd last weekend, angry at inaccurate reports he had turned down a £30,000-a-week contract. “Victor seems fine. I had a chat with him earlier in the week,” he says. “I spoke with him and said the figures which were quoted were wrong, but the fact is he’s been offered a contract and said no to it. “I’ve explained it to him and he accepts that. “The booing is part of it. You’ve just got to get on with it, and play and show what you can do. The disappointing thing is that he has not played so much. “I made the reference that the supporters don’t boo Steven Pienaar, but that’s because he’s out there playing and giving his all. “If you do that the supporters will cheer and clap you.” Moyes has no doubt reminded the academy graduate that his squad’s current lack of centre forward spark is an opportunity for him. “Victor is a centre forward,” he said. “We’ve played him wide right, but he’s a striker and there is an opportunity there for him. “I’ve said to him he’s been made a really good offer, but he’s entitled to make his own decision. “We think a lot of him. I think he’s a really, really good player with great potential. “He’s developed at this club and has got bits of his game that I hope he’ll grow out of with age, but he’s a really important player we’d like to keep. “That’s why we’ve offered him a contract.” The Everton boss hopes that Anichebe and the rest of his squad can provide the lift he needs to maintain his optimism. Christmas, he says, will be crucial. “I’m not quite at the point yet of giving up thinking I can have a good year. Not quite there yet. “Obviously that will be coming shortly and I think it’s how you are after you come out of Christmas and how you are going into January and a bit further down the line. “We can still get to the level where we want to go but if not then we will look at it differently.” Moyes confirmed that Tim Cahill is set to depart for the Asia Cup on January 1, and will be missing for as long as Australia remain in the Qatar-based tournament. The Scot knows that could mean having to struggle on without the influential midfielder, and club top scorer, for the entire month, and hopes the rest of his squad can take up the 31-year-old’s gauntlet. “I hope somebody other than Tim Cahill can score goals for us and he leaves in early January so we need others to step up to the plate,” he says. “We are not getting centre halves scoring for us or wingers cutting in and scoring so we need to find someone who will score. “It is not just the front players who we need to chip in.”
Everton boss David Moyes targets a trio of January loan moves
Dec 18 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID Moyes wants to add three players to his squad next month - and will target a centre forward and a right-sided midfielder. The Everton manager is busy scouring the loan market for players who can provide the goals and creative spark his side need to begin their climb up the table. Moyes refused to rule out loan moves for forwards like Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz or Emmanuel Adebayor, and would be interested if Arsenal’s Niklas Bendtner became available, although he stressed the latter would be unlikely. He said: “I think if any of them became available towards us we’d look. But in this window there will not be enough to pick and choose. You might have to take what you can if you need something. “I would like to add two or three but they will be loan players. We have a few people in mind so we will see how it goes. “You have to be careful not to think that suddenly everyone arrives here on January 1 because it won’t happen, it will be through the month. “You can’t just say, ‘that is the one I want’ because clubs don’t let centre forwards out on loan unless they are surplus to requirements. We will see what there is and what we can do. “Positional wise we could do with a centre forward and we have been short of a wide right for most of the season so I could do with those two positions. Seamus Coleman has done really well but we would like to give him a breather here or there.” Moyes also said he is still waiting for an answer from Landon Donovan concerning the American’s potential loan move next month, and admitted he may have to look elsewhere if he does not get a response by next week. He said: “I have spoke with him and he was going on holiday. I would hope to hear something next week if there was any chance. If not we will try and move towards something else.” While the Blues boss admitted he is ready to listen to offers for newly-returned striker James Vaughan. He said: “I’m not sure I would include him right now anyway but he has come back with an ankle problem so we will have to see how it is. I have a couple of clubs interest in Vaughany. “It’s possible he could leave if we get the right offer.” Meanwhile, he stressed the club have received no bids for Leighton Baines, and he would not sell the defender even if they did. “We wouldn’t be keen to let our best players go, that has always been our policy.”
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - Six: Jack Southworth
Dec 18 2010 By Neil MacDonald
As the festive season approaches, we have put together a special online 12 days of Christmas with an Everton FC twist. A new installment will be online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/efc and www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/efc each day up to the 25th ALTHOUGH he only played for Everton for one season, Jack Southworth's name is still in the club record books more than a century later. The reason? He holds the club record for the number of goals in a game after he scored six times in a 7-1 victory over West Brom on December 30 1893, something even the great Dixie Dean could not match. Southworth joined Everton in 1893 from Blackburn Rovers and although the Blues only finished sixth that season, he scored 27 goals in just 22 games. The following year he had netted nine times in nine games when he suffered a serious leg injury, which meant he had to retire from football. Originally from Blackburn, Southworth was known as the Prince of Dribblers during his career. Apart from Everton, he played for his hometown club 108 times and scored an amazing 97 goals - including 13 hat-tricks. He also has the distinction of scoring Chester's first ever goal against Wrexham Olympic in 1886 and played the violin for the Halle Orchestra after leaving the game.
Sunday Mirror
December 18 2010
MOYES has watched the Carlos Tevez bust-up at Manchester City and said: “Now you know how it feels.”The Everton boss has never forgiven City for turning ¬Joleon Lescott’s head 18 months ago, which resulted in the Goodison defender handing in a transfer request.
Moyes was forced to play Lescott, which he admitted “backfired” and eventually reluctantly took City’s ¬ £24million cheque after twice saying, ‘No deal’.Now, his City counterpart Roberto Mancini finds himself in a similar ¬situation with Tevez, 26, who has told the club he wants to quit. Moyes is only too aware that City don’t have to cash in on the Argentine striker ¬because they are ¬bankrolled by their Abu Dhabi billionaire owners and can force him to play on. But he openly wonders what ¬damage the shock decision of City’s captain will have on his team-mates in the dressing room and on the training ground. Moyes said: “I have got a bit of sympathy for any manager who is in a situation like that. But I can’t really have big sympathy with ¬Manchester City. “They will know how it feels now. We had to go through all that for a couple of months before we lost Lescott. “They probably have got the -money behind them to say, ‘Sorry, you are staying and we don’t really care’. We weren’t quite in that ¬situation. “But I tell you what, it’s never nice when you have got a player at the club who doesn’t want to stay. And Tevez is a really important player. “It does affect your dressing room, it does affect the players around about you. If the result goes against you, you start questioning, ‘Was it the right thing to play him?’ “So it all depends on how they play the situation. All I know is that it was a difficult one for us. “It’s not our concern but I’m just saying that it wasn’t easy. I couldn’t have afforded to leave the Lescott money sitting on the shelf. “Carlos Tevez is a really good player. A player who we would all be very happy to have in our team. We really would. “It is like when Lescott went to City. He didn’t want to play for us but I played him and it backfired. So you never know what’s right. “It wasn’t necessarily the boy’s fault why it backfired. But it didn’t go right. It’s not a great situation to be in. In fact, I think it’s very difficult. “You can say, ‘Yes I’m ¬keeping you and I’m playing you’. But what if the player goes off half-cock in the games?” Moyes wouldn’t want to be in Mancini’s shoes handling the Tevez drama. But he would like a bit of the money he has at his disposal. And the Goodison chief again finds himself searching for bargains in the ¬January sales and is resigned to getting on the road to search out fresh talent. Moyes added: “The job for me isn’t any easier because I have to go out at night and try to see if I can find someone who might do it for ¬Everton. “We have got to keep believing there are players out there. “It’s different for Mancini. I think he will be realising that he’s at one of the biggest clubs in the world with City. It’s a great position for him. “I think he will be looking at it as a good club for him with real ¬chances and ¬potential for succes. “Somewhere along the line I would like the chance to see if I could do it. But I still think a team can be built and can be made. And maybe that can be done without spending outrageous cash. “You see, though, how City supporters are nearly in dream land. Other sides have had periods where supporters have had that little bit of a good feeling, too. “We have not had that opportunity even to have a few years at it.”
Moyes No Sympathy
Dec 19 2010 Sunday Mirror
Everton manager David Moyes has stoked up his team's visit to Manchester City tomorrow by telling the world's richest club he has no sympathy for them over the Carlos Tevez affair.
Tevez's declaration that he wants to leave City evokes the bitterness Moyes felt when Joleon Lescott waged his successful campaign to leave Goodison Park for Eastlands early last season. Moyes can empathise with opposite number Roberto Mancini, yet is content for City to discover that what goes around comes around. The Scot said: "I've got a bit of sympathy for any manager who's in a situation like that, but I can't really have a big sympathy with Man City the football club. "They'll now know how it feels to go through what we had to go through for a couple of months before we lost Lescott. "It's a bit like when Joleon went to City. He didn't want to play for us, I played him and it backfired. so you never know what's right. "It's never nice when you've got a player who doesn't want to stay. And if he's a really important player, it does affect your dressing room and the players around you. "And if the player is half-cocked in the game and the result goes against you, you start questioning whether it was the right thing to do. "Carlos Tevez is a really good player whom we'd all be more than happy to have. A lot depends on how City play it, but I know it was a difficult one for us. "The difference is that they've got the money behind them to say, 'Sorry, but you're staying and we don't really care'. We weren't in that position. We couldn't afford to leave him there, not playing. "It's right the club should be able to say you're not going, but player power is such that we've found some players are beginning to think that's the way it can go." The irony is that Lescott, who cost City £24million, now appears surplus to requirements in their money-no-object rise from mediocrity. Moyes admits he would welcome greater resources to revive his stuttering squad, yet still has faith that there is another way of achieving fulfilment. He said: "Roberto Mancini will realise he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world, with the potential to be successful. Somehow I'd like the chance to see if I could do it like that, but I'd really like to do it the way we've tried here. "Maybe we can do it with good management and good planning in bringing in young players and giving them time and we've come quite close doing it that way. "We're not looking great right now but I thought at the start of the season we could come close this year and I'd have liked that to happen as maybe that would have led other clubs to give their managers stability. If we're not given time to build and bring in young players from the lower markets, what happens to football and where are the players coming from? "We're going into the big supermarket of Europe and picking the best there - if we have the money."
Manchester City aiming for top spot as Aleksandar Kolarov continues journey from war-torn Serbia
Dec 20 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
MANCHESTER CITY will aim to create their own bit of history by beating Everton at Eastlands tomorrow – but for Aleksandar Kolarov it will just be another minor milestone compared to what life as a kid was like. The blizzard conditions which swept England yesterday morning and put paid to key Premier League matches at Arsenal and Chelsea mean City will secure top spot on Christmas Day if they can overcome David Moyes’ men. It is something the Blues have not experienced since the new league was formed in 1992. Indeed, the statisticians have to trawl back through the record books to 1929 to last find City in staring down at the pack on such a significant day in the season.They would have played two more games than Manchester United, which takes the edge off the situation slightly. Nevertheless, it shows just how far the Blues have come in the two-and-a-half years since they were taken over by Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group. For Kolarov though, it would be a small step in a journey that has taken him from the streets of war-torn Serbia to Premier League riches. “Players from Serbia are very hungry to work,” he told Manc, the official Manchester City magazine. “We all want to do something because every one of us has some story in their life.” Kolarov’s story involves dodging bombs dropped during a three-month NATO raid on “strategic” targets, which unfortunately also claimed civilian casualties. The memories from 1999, when the defender was only 14 and training with his boyhood heroes Red Star, still burn deep. “I don’t have nightmares but I remember everything,” he said. “You just want to play football but you can’t because there are bombs in the city. “The first couple of days you have fear for something. Then every day is the same. “Bombs fell near my house. The windows blew in. There was a military airport near my house so that was a target. “They bombed bridges, everything. There were concerts on the bridges. But I didn’t go. I played football.” Football proved to be Kolarov’s way out. He still hopes to return to his native Belgrade to play for Red Star. However, for now, the 25-year-old has his sights set on silverware in England. Even if they beat Everton, Roberto Mancini’s men will still trail United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the betting. But with cash at his disposal and at least one dissenting dressing room voice set to leave next month in Emmanuel Adebayor, the Blues have to be highly fancied. Everton may go into this evening’s match at Eastlands facing a new skipper at Manchester City. Reports yesterday hinted that City manager Roberto Mancini was set to relieve Carlos Tevez of the captain’s armband. It was being reported that the Italian was looking to give the role to either Kolo Toure or Vincent Kompany. City turned down a written transfer request from the Argentinean star last week and said they were not going to sell him next month.
David Moyes: Players should appreciate what they’ve got at Everton FC
Dec 20 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
THERE was a time recently when David Moyes would have struggled to think of anything complimentary to say about Manchester City. For a while following Joleon Lescott’s controversial departure in 2009, the Everton manager was so riled by the Manchester club’s all-conquering, no-expense spared transfer market sprees that some in the media tried to stoke a feud between the clubs whenever their paths crossed. But Moyes was only ever disappointed by the manner in which his former defender was pursued, and his stance has long since softened on the mega-rich of Eastlands. That benevolence may well, of course, have been eased by his side’s fine record against the Citizens, having won five in their last six games, including two thrilling encounters last season.Moyes and his counterpart Roberto Mancini may have almost gone toe-to-toe in a touch line encounter last season, but the Everton manager believes the Italian has helped bring stability to the sky blue half of Manchester. “I think Manchester City are getting a squad that looks as if it will be closer to the top than the bottom and because of that, that means there might be some stability,” he says. And the Scot does not believe Mancini’s hard work will be undermined simply if he does not win the title this season. He may have spent beyond the wildest dreams of most Premier League managers, but Mancini, he feels, could yet also attain the continuity which he has had at Everton. “I don’t know if they have to win to get that,” says Moyes. “It wasn’t the case here at Everton, we didn’t have to win – we had to stay in the Premier League and try and build on things. So it’s slightly different.” But while the Blues boss believes Mancini is progressing rapidly towards silverware, he still insists his own crop of players should not believe the grass is greener away from Goodison Park. As Moyes moves closer to learning whether Steven Pienaar and Victor Anichebe will move on, he is quick to insist that history has not always been kind to players who have gone in search of better things. “I think there are a lot of players who left who if they could turn it back would come back,” he says. “They are in an environment here where they are working and that can help their careers as well, and to walk away from that needs a little bit more thinking about. “We feel we have played a part in Steven Pienaar’s recovery and helped Joleon (Lescott) develop on from his Wolves days, so we do think we have had a few players who would say their time here was good.” The Everton manager also maintains that confidence among his squad would not dissolve, and the club would not suffer as an attractive prospect, even if Pienaar does leave. “I think they are specific cases,” he says. “We have made them good contract offers. They have their right not to sign so they are within the rights to do that. “I don’t think that is the case at all, we can get them to stay if there is that much money but we cannot put the club into jeopardy with huge wages so we have to cut our cloth accordingly and fit the budget.” Moyes will be in the hunt for another striker and a midfielder in January’s loan market, and is unsure whether simply signing a new front man would readdress the imbalance behind recent poor results. “Until I find out if that is the reason, maybe I’ll get a great striker and realise its not just that, it is something else, but until I plug that gap I won’t be able to answer it.” Anyway, it would seem that it is not just Moyes’ side who are struggling to put the ball in the back of the net this season. Even with the talents of want-away star Carlos Tevez, Manchester City have taken 15 points from eight home games this season, but amazingly they are the division’s joint-lowest scorers at home. The Citizens have mustered just eight goals at home, but have only conceded five. That puts them level with Wolves and Wigan and 17 short of the division’s top home scorers, Manchester United. City’s 3-1 victory over West Ham last week briefly moved them joint top of the Premier League, and Mancini’s side are unbeaten in six since losing to relegation-threatened Wolves in October, a team that also dented Everton’s early season optimism at Goodison Park.
Head boy Tim Cahill on target to enjoy his best ever goalscoring season with Everton FC but wants more
Dec 20 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
HEAD boy Tim Cahill is on target to enjoy his best ever goal-scoring season with Everton – but still insists he should have scored more. The Toffees attacker has already scored eight for the Blues, and displayed his perfectionist streak by admitting he should nevertheless be closer to his previous bumper tally of 12, in his debut campaign. Cahill, 31, will be gunning for Manchester City tonight at Eastlands, and while he is hungry for more goals, he insists he would not have an appetite for the type of expensively assembled squad available to Roberto Mancini. He said: “I probably should be on a few more goals than I already have. I think this year I have focused a lot more on trying to stay fit and trying to make sure I complete 90 minutes and that I train every day and don’t miss a session Monday to Friday. “As you get older people question you and they seem to try and find holes in your game. Once you have been at a club for a long time it gets harder rather than easier and I want to keep giving my best every single day. “What has happened there (at Eastlands) is a dream come true for them but it is also hard for them to put all those ingredients together in a way that will give them a team with longevity. “What we have here is a close group, a good base of lads who really love the club and with youngsters coming through constantly – I wouldn’t want it any other way.” The Aussie’s habit of bagging vital goals has been more useful than ever during a season when the Blues have struggled for goals. But Everton have recent history on their side tonight; having won five of their last six matches against the Citizens and emerging victorious on their last three trips to the City of Manchester Stadium. And on the last two occasions, Cahill has been the man doing the damage – heading a last minute winner two seasons ago and notching the crucial opener last term. He said: “Man City are a big team now with where they are in the table and in the world of football. They are a team pretty much mentioned in every conversation about football with what happens there on and off the park. “It is nice for their fans for it to have changed around so quickly because I can remember playing against Man City when they were in the lower leagues not that long ago. “For us we have good players and we get excited about these big games. They have got some big names but we are capable of competing with anyone and this is a massive game. “We love going to big stadiums and playing big teams like Manchester City. We relish the opportunity of playing one of the biggest teams in the world at the moment. It is all there for us to take.” Among Cahill’s eight goals this season have been his 50th for Everton and his 100th career league goal. Meanwhile, David Moyes is cautiously optimistic Steven Pienaar could yet play a part in the clash with Manchester City, and the South African used his Twitter page to update fans with his own hopes that he could feature. Pienaar had previously written that he would need seven days to recover from a groin injury, but Moyes hopes the extra rest period until tonight’s game will have given the South African enough time to recover.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini set to strip Carlos Tevez of captaincy at Eastlands
Dec 20 2010 by Paul Snowdon, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON may go into this evening’s match at Eastlands facing a new skipper at Manchester City. Reports yesterday hinted that City manager Roberto Mancini was set to relieve Carlos Tevez of the captain’s armband. It was being reported that the Italian was looking to give the role to either Kolo Toure or Vincent Kompany. City turned down a written transfer request from the Argentinean star last week and said they were not going to sell him next month.
Everton's Academy team finish fourth at Future Champions tournament in Brazil
Dec 20 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON’S Academy team finished in fourth place at the Future Champions tournament in Brazil. The youngsters lost the play-off for third place on penalties. The game was level at 1-1 at full time, before spot-kicks ensued and Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama triumphed 5-4. Everton had previously lost 3-1 to the same team in the group stage.
We can compete with Manchester City ‘fairytale’ – Tim Cahill
Dec 20 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
TWO opposing footballing ethoses renew battle evening with Everton determined to prove once again that money does not necessarily mean success. After all, if ever there was a team capable of preventing Manchester City celebrating a Christmas number one slot, it is David Moyes's team. Everton have been something of a bogey side for their counterparts at the other end of the East Lancs Road, winning five of their last six matches against the Citizens and victorious on their three most recent trips to Eastlands. Up until a few years ago, of course, it was the Goodison outfit who were deemed the most likely to challenge regularly at the business end of the Premier League before the Abu Dhabi millions altered the playing field. This being City, however, matters haven't gone exactly to plan. Even though a win this evening would send them top at Christmas for the first time since 1929, it comes amid rumours of apparent dressing-room unrest and Carlos Tevez slapping in a transfer request. And Tim Cahill, a matchwinner at Eastlands on three separate occasions, would not swap those riches for the indomitable team spirit that has been a constant reassurance during his six years at Goodison. “What has happened at City is a dream come true for them but it is also hard for them to put all those ingredients together in a way that will give them a team with longevity,” he says. “What we have here is a close group, a good base of lads who really love the club and with youngsters coming through constantly – I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Cahill headed the winner at Eastlands for Everton in 2004 and 2008 and scored the crucial opener in the 2-0 win at the City of Manchester Stadium back in March. That defeat was a major setback for Roberto Mancini's side in their quest for Champions League qualification that ultimately proved beyond them. However, three points tonight would move them clear of neighbours Manchester United at the top of the table – albeit having played two games more – and with Everton still hovering dangerously above the relegation zone and without a win in seven, Cahill is under no illusions concerning the task awaiting Moyes's men. “Man City are a big team now with where they are in the table and in the world of football,” says the Australian. “They are a team pretty much mentioned in every conversation about football with what happens there on and off the park. “It is nice for their fans for it to have changed around so quickly because I can remember playing against Man City when they were in the lower leagues not that long ago. “For us we have good players and we get excited about these big games. “They have got some big names but we are capable of competing with anyone and this is a massive game. “We love going to big stadiums and playing big teams like Manchester City. “We relish the opportunity of playing one of the biggest teams in the world at the moment. It is all there for us to take.” With eight goals already this season, Cahill is in sight of surpassing his best Everton tally of 12 which he achieved on his debut campaign in 2004-05. Playing in a more advanced role, only Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, Newcastle United forward Andy Carroll and Tevez have scored more Premier League goals this term than the 31-year-old. Cahill will be sorely missed in January when he represents Australia in the Asian Cup in Qatar, a tournament which has assumed extra significance following FIFA's remarkable decision to gift the Arab emirate the World Cup in 2022. And the player believes the desire to keep proving himself at Everton has allowed his goalscoring to blossom. “I probably should be on a few more goals than I already have,” he says. “I think this year I have focused a lot more on trying to stay fit and trying to make sure I complete 90 minutes and that I train every day and don’t miss a session Monday to Friday.“As you get older people question you and they seem to try and find holes in your game. “Once you have been at a club for a long time it gets harder rather than easier and I want to keep giving my best every single day.” Everton manager Moyes concedes yet another summer spending spree has meant City are a much improved side compared to the one his side defeated both home and away last season. “They are a stronger side now,” says the Scot. “They have had a year's more development and they have made some big signings. “They have spent again to get themselves up there and are a bit more established. “They have good players and are a good side, we have said that all along, everyone can see that. Whether it is enough to win them the Premier League remains to be seen but I think there is an improvement there that is for sure.” On his side's record against City, Moyes adds: “We don't bring up the stats of what we have done in the past, we are too concerned with the here and now. “There are always some grounds that you feel more comfortable going to, I don't know whether that is the City of Manchester Stadium or not but we had a good result there last year and we'll try and do the same again.”
David Moyes: Everton FC ambitions will be clear after Christmas
Dec 20 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES admits Everton’s Premier League aspirations will be determined by their fortunes over the Christmas period – as he vowed Leighton Baines was going nowhere in the January transfer window. Moyes’s men play the first of five games in 17 days this evening when they make the short journey to face championship-chasing Manchester City. With no further heavy snowfall forecast for the region today, the fixture is almost certain to become only the third to be played over a weekend that has seen the top-flight programme decimated by wintry weather. A run of seven games without a win has seen Everton slip to within two points of the drop zone, with matches to come at home to Birmingham City and Tottenham Hotspur and away at West Ham United and Stoke City. And Moyes believes Everton can still deliver on their pre-season promise provided they enjoy a successful hectic festive schedule.“I’m not quite at the point yet of giving up thinking I can have a good year,” said the Goodison manager. “I’m not quite there yet. “Obviously that will be coming shortly and I think it is how you are after you come out of Christmas and how you are going into January and a bit further down the line. “We can still get to the level where we want to go but if not then we will look at it differently.” The pitch at Eastlands has been deemed playable by City officials for this evening with both the club and the local authority working hard to ensure ice and snow around the stadium does not prove a danger to supporters. Moyes has not given up hope Steven Pienaar will be available, with the South African facing a late fitness test on the groin injury that forced him off midway through the second half of last weekend’s goalless draw with Wigan Athletic. Mikel Arteta serves the final game of a three-match suspension and while John Heitinga (knee) is again likely to be out, Tony Hibbert is back in contention after recovering from an ankle wound. A certain starter this evening is Baines, whose fine performances in recent weeks have prompted Bayern Munich to intensify their pursuit of the England international. The German side ran the rule over the left-back last week, but Moyes has warned Bayern would be wasting their time with a bid for the player when the transfer window opens next month. “We wouldn’t be keen to let our best players go, that has always been our policy and Bainesy falls into that category,” he said. Moyes has also dismissed suggestions Everton would appear more unattractive to potential signings given both Pienaar and Victor Anichebe have refused to sign new contracts. “I think they are specific cases,” said the Goodison manager. “We have made them good contract offers. They have their right not to sign so they are within the rights to do that. “We can get them to stay if there is that much money but we cannot put the club into jeopardy with huge wages so we have to cut our cloth accordingly and fit the budget.” And Moyes issued a reminder to anyone considering a departure from Goodison that life is not necessarily better away from Everton. “I think there are a lot of players who left who, if they could turn back time, would come back,” said the Scot. “They are in an environment here where they are working and that can help their careers as well and to walk away from that needs a little bit more thinking about. “We feel we have played a part in Steven Pienaar’s recovering and helped Joleon Lescott develop on from his Wolves days, so we do think we have had a few players who would say their time here was worth it.”
De Jong: City midfield up there with the best in the world
Decemeber 20 2010 Manchester Evening Standard
Manchester City warrior Nigel de Jong is warning the Everton bogeymen that the Blues’ midfield has turned world-class since the two teams last met. The sides meet at Eastlands tonight with revenge in the air after the Toffees twice upset City’s push for the Champions League last season.
In the first game at Goodison Park, City were out-beefed by strapping Belgian ace Marouane Fellaini, and in the return they were undone by the artistry of Spanish wizard Mikel Arteta.
But Mancini’s moves to strengthen the Blues by adding Yaya Toure and David Silva mean the visitors won’t have such an easy match this time. De Jong himself is suspended, as is Arteta, but the Dutch battler believes Silva and Yaya are among the best attacking midfielders around.
De Jong played in the Holland midfield which forced its way into the World Cup final, and fell to the brilliance of Spain’s Barcelona aces Xavi and Andres Iniesta. But he has no hesitation in putting Silva – who was reduced to a peripheral role for Spain – and Yaya right up there.
“They are up there with the best in the world,” he said. “Everyone talks about the midfielders from Barcelona, or United or somewhere else, but Yaya and David are top class and in the top ten in the world. “The way David links up play from midfield to attack is unbelievable. He goes from right to left, left to right and his passes are always playable. “Yaya has developed himself really well and is gelling in the team more and more. He is like a train, unstoppable. “You have to give them credit because it’s not easy to get used to the Premier League, something I found at first when I came here from Hamburg. But it’s getting better and better, the atmosphere in the dressing room is up there and everyone is a huge believer in those guys. “But you have to give credit to the team, because the rest have helped to develop them.” De Jong spent last season establishing himself as first choice defensive midfielder, and winning over the fans at City, and he admits that when the Blues first swooped for Yaya at £25million, he felt his place under threat. Yaya had made his name at the Nou Camp as a defensive midfielder, the foundations on which Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi built their attacks. But manager Roberto Mancini remembered Yaya as a driving, attacking midfielder from his days at Monaco, and had every intention of playing him in the same team as de Jong. City critics are just starting to catch on to the fact that Yaya is no longer principally a defensive midfielder, even though he still drops into the role when needed. De Jong says he was surprised so many people did not figure it for so long: “Everyone still has that image of Yaya from his time at Barcelona when he played most of his time as a defensive midfield player or a centre back. “Here he has a different position as an attacking midfielder, and it suits him because he has me and the guys in the back four as protection which lets him play in an offensive role. “You could describe him as a defensive/offensive midfield player at the moment!” And he confesses to a sleepless night or two on hearing of the signing in the summer. “When you hear that Yaya Toure is coming to the club you know it will be competition,” he said. “I was away at the World Cup which made me return late to training, so I didn’t see much of him when he first came here. “But it was very clear at the start of the season we would be playing together and in different positions. Competition is always good anyway, as it just makes you work harder to maintain your own position in the team.” De Jong’s one-match ban leaves Mancini with a dilemma – does he bring in Patrick Vieira, who played 90 minutes at Juventus, draft in Pablo Zabaleta, or even bring in James Milner and drop Yaya into the defensive slot? There are other options as well, but otherwise he is expected to field the side which excelled at West Ham
Tim Cahill hails massive win for Everton FC at Manchester City
Dec 21 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON hero Tim Cahill enjoyed his side’s “massive” achievement as they beat Manchester City 2-1 at Eastlands. Cahill opened the scoring and Leighton Baines made it 2-0 and despite the dismissal of Victor Anichebe and Yaya Toure’s deflected goal, City could not deny David Moyes’ side. After a difficult start to the season, Cahill admitted the win was all the sweeter. “The achievement is massive for us,” he said. “We knew we had to work hard but what’s been going on in the last couple of months, we’ve been working, playing some good football and not got the rewards. “But we’ve come to a stadium where it is hard to play and showed our mettle and played some good football too.” Cahill was full of praise for goalkeeper Tim Howard who produced save after save for the Toffees. “He’s been the man not just this season but all the other seasons as well. It’s what he brings to the team. “There’s times in games when we look to him to get us out of it and tonight he did that.”Howard himself said: “They were on top of us most of the second half and then with the sending off, we knew we had to dig in and fight, we did that to be fair to everyone.”Moyes was similarly buoyant.“There’s a big smile tonight, I feel terrific,” he said. “I thought the players did me proud tonight, the way they kept at it.“In the end it’s a really good three points.”While Cahill praised Howard, Moyes praised Cahill.“He sort of takes the fight to them,” said the Scot.“For us, Tim is the one who leads us into battle. His attitude is terrific, and that’s why he is appreciated. Everyone people who are willing to put themselves on the line.”
Steven Pienaar: We need more players at Everton FC
Dec 21 2010 Liverpool Echo
EVERTON midfielder Steven Pienaar hopes the club will be able to make a greater investment in players to enable them challenge for a top four spot. The Toffees have finished in the top 10 six times in the last eight seasons but only once – in 2005 – did they make it into the top four. Manager David Moyes has never had as much to spend on his squad as many of his top-flight rivals but Pienaar hopes that will be able to change in the future. “I think the quality is here at the club,” said the 28-year-old. “The only problem, like everyone seems to know, is the money issue – we need more players. “Hopefully that will change in the next few years and the team can go on to challenge.” As a result of recent struggles there has been speculation that David Moyes had taken the club as far as he could. However, Pienaar – whose own future at the club is less certain as he has yet to sign an extension to his contract – believes the Scot can go on to achieve greater things in management. “I think he’s a workaholic, he works around the clock, and I think he deserves the two Manager of the Year awards he got,” he explained. “I think there is a lot more he will achieve and I think he will become one of the best managers in the world – I’ve never seen a coach work as hard as him.” On his own situation Pienaar said: “I’ve not enjoyed my football more than this before.”
Time Harry Catterick was hailed as a sixties giant says Everton FC legend Colin Harvey
Dec 21 2010 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
IT is time for Harry Catterick to be accorded his rightful place in football history among the great managers of the 1960s, Colin Harvey insisted this week. Catterick built two great a title winning teams at Everton in 1962/63 and 1969/70 and masterminded a thrilling FA Cup triumph in between. Yet his name and achievements are frequently overlooked while waves of media nostalgia wash over the reputations of his contemporaries such as Matt Busby at Manchester United, Bill Shankly at Liverpool and Bill Nicholson at Tottenham Hotspur. The year 2011 marks the 50th anniver- sary of Catterick’s arrival at Goodison, where his influence transformed Everton into a major force at the top of the English game after decades without success. Harvey, who played under Catterick and then followed his footsteps to become an Everton manager himself said: “Harry's is a fantastic record and bears comparison to the very best of the managers at the time. “My only regret, having worked under him for a long time, was that he did not get the recognition he deserved. He was on a par with Busby, Shankly and Nicholson. His record bears that out. “He created not one great team but two. I came in on the end of the one that won the title in ’63 and was lucky enough to make my debut in the European Cup, against Inter-Milan. Then he created another great side that won the title in 69/70. “They were two very different teams and in ’66 he won the FA Cup, got to another final in ’68 and kept Everton near the top of the table for year after year.” Harvey acknowledges Catterick did not have a personality that played well with the media – or with some players. But his hard but fair approach delivered winning football that was attractive to watch. “He was a demanding manager,” Harvey said. “One of the first things he said to me was that it was my job to run from box to box, tackle and create things. He did not expect you to do anything less. “If, at the end of the 90 minutes, Harry gave you a little hand to take your shirt off, you knew you’d had a good game. He wasn't a very demonst- rative man. But you knew where you stood with him. “He was the complete opposite to Bill Shankly, who was so outgoing and great for the press.” Harvey added: “Harry had his moments with the press but for the most part he did not get along with them and I think he suffered because of that. There are not too many tributes for him out there – and there should be, in my view.” Harvey added: “Harry was well ahead of his time in terms of the side that won the title in 1970. We played with two wide men and one central striker up front and three in midfield, which were Howard, Alan Ball and myself. That was 40 years ago and modern-day teams are doing it now. Harry knew Bally would score goals and that Howard and I could create them. He had two good wingers and a great centre forward in Joe Royle. He got the balance just right. “Harry was good in the transfer market. He bought footballers who could also tackle and work hard. He demanded every aspect of the game to be right from them.” Catterick left Everton in 1973, after suffering a heart attack the previous year. He suffered a fatal heart attack in 1985, while watching an FA Cup tie at Goodison. In 2009 Catterick was inducted into the role of “Everton Giants” by the club. Harvey reckons it is time the rest of football recognised the giant in its history.
Man City 1 Everton FC 2: Blues pleased as punch as they secure vital win at Eastlands
Dec 21 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
IT TOOK life-long Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton to predict it. “I don’t know Tim personally but he is a fighter, a player who gives it everything and that is what you want to see, Everton fans will appreciate that,” said the former world boxing champion before kick off. Just like in his prime, the hit-man had nailed it. Cahill gave his everything, as did each of his team-mates, and the Aussie’s knack for hurting Manchester City came back to haunt them again. “He throws those punches pretty well,” added Hatton about the 31-year-old Everton talisman’s trade-mark celebration, and Cahill was at it again after only four minutes at Eastlands last night. The one-man wrecking ball then went on to force City’s right-back off the field thanks to a fair but fearless collision. And he duly helped the Blues capitalise on the gap down the home side’s right side, setting up Leighton Baines to give Everton a dream start. But this was a victory as much inspired by shrewd tactics as it was the priceless Aussie who has left Evertonians dreading January 1 when he departs for the Asia Cup. David Moyes’ decision to start contract-rebel Victor Anichebe ahead of Louis Saha may not have registered on the watching nation quite to the extent of Carlos Tevez’s return to the home side as skipper, but it was to have greater effect on the game. The Everton manager’s brave decision probably had some Bluenoses scratching their heads, but it was a bold move which paid off in the first half. Rarely prone to controversy in his selection, Moyes played an ambitious hand and sat back to watch it become a full house in the end, that saw his side rise to 14th in the table. Even the 22-year-old’s harsh sending off in the second half, failed to undermine his positive contribution to this game. In the opening stages, Everton sat deep when they were without the ball, clearly well-drilled in two rigid banks of four, with the Everton boss obviously keen to limit the attacking threat posed by an on-form Yaya Toure, and the incisive movement of David Silva. But when a City attack broke down, Everton resisted the temptation to launch the ball long towards Anichebe, and calmly passed the ball out of their area. Leon Osman sent Leighton Baines scurrying down the left to deliver a trademark cross that Anichebe flicked on. City’s defence seemed to stop and stare, as Seamus Coleman picked up on the loose ball and swung in a cross met by Tim Cahill, inexplicably unmarked by Vincent Kompany. The home side were momentarily stunned, but recovered their composure to craft a wonderful opening for Silva. Yaya Toure played a sublime pass to the feet of the Spaniard who times his run perfectly to beat Sylvain Distin but fired inches wide. Cahill played like a man determined not to waste a minute before his departure; he soon set up a wonderful second goal, which glistened with quality, not to mention 16 passes. A flowing move, again from their own half, saw Baines find Anichebe who turned and played the ball to Cahill. The Aussie’s deftly cushioned lay off was met by Baines again, who clipped a first time shot low past Hart with his right foot. It is usually Cahill pummelling the corner flags thanks to a Baines assist, so the defender could be forgiven for telling his pal it was about time he returned the favour anyway. Still, City’s passing and the presence of the gargantuan Toure in an advanced role caused Everton pulses to flutter occasionally. Mario Balotelli hooked a first time volley narrowly over the bar from a Gareth Barry cross, but the Toffees back four seemed resolute, and dealt with what was thrown at them in the first half hour, which only just excluded the proverbial kitchen sink. As the half progressed Mancini’s side had more and more of the ball, and peppered shots at Everton’s goal repeatedly. The Blues survived a penalty claim when a shot hit Phil Neville on the arm in the area. And City went close twice shortly after the interval, when first Gareth Barry and then Adam Johnson, on for James Milner, unleashed long range efforts. The came Peter Walton’s dismal decision. Anichebe’s first yellow card was harsh in the extreme for a merely robust challenge on Joe Hart. But it meant the referee gave himself no option when the Nigerian actually did commit a foul, going in late on the bruised and battered Zabaleta. Moyes was entitled to feel dismayed by the woeful timing, and Anichebe showed his disgust by hurling his gloves at Mancini’s feet. Yet it still seemed as if the home side were jinxed in front of goal. Phil Neville escaped another penalty claim, and then Toure slipped when clean through with just Tim Howard to beat. But they get the luck they needed when a quick-passing move involving Silva and Johnson, saw Toure’s shot deflect in off Phil Jagielka. Suddenly an equaliser seemed inevitable. City poured forward at will and Tim Howard had to be at his very best to thwart Balotelli after he clipped the post with his first effort. Moyes introduced Bilyaletdinov for a tiring Osman, and then Coleman made way for Saha, but as Everton’s backs edged closer to the wall Tim Howard and Sylvain Distin led by example to seal a vital victory, that finally looked certain when a frustrated Kolo Toure got himself sent off in added time. Manchester City might have laughed in the face of the big freeze to get this fixture on, but it was Moyes’ men smiling at the end.
Tim Howard: Everton FC beat Manchester City on raw emotion
Dec 21 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TIM HOWARD hailed the “raw emotion” of Everton’s return to winning ways after a heroic 10-man performance at the City of Manchester stadium. The Blues held on for a vital 2-1 win over Manchester City, who were hoping for a victory to send them top of the league, despite seeing Victor Anichebe sent off with half an hour left. Howard had to be at his magnificent best to deny rampant City, who had twice as much possession as the Blues and were only thwarted by a string of magnificent saves from the American. The win, Everton’s first in eight games, sees them move up to 14th in the Premier League, and start the crucial festive period with a morale-boosting victory against Roberto Mancini’s expensively assembled Champions League contenders. And Howard said the away side’s euphoric reaction at full-time, was partly due to their faltering form in the run up to the game. He said: “It was a raw reaction at the end. That was pure emotion for us, and we said in the dressing room that it was weird how good that felt. “We’ve beaten a few top teams over the years, but this felt really good. I can’t put my finger on it but you saw at the end what it meant to us. “Maybe it was the cold, maybe because they could have gone top of the league, but you saw what it meant to us. “We just seem to do well at certain places and this is one of them. It’s a big pitch. “And there’s a good atmosphere. We had that belief here because of past good results and we’ve only had to come up the road.” Howard helped the Toffees cling on despite Phil Jagielka’s unfortunate 73rd-minute own goal, but Manchester City could be forgiven for wondering how they failed to find an equaliser at times. He said: “It felt like there were 20 light blue shirts out there. Then we got a man sent off and they overloaded the wings. It was so tough. They are so talented in attack anyway, and we found it difficult, but that probably added to the feel-good factor because it was such a determined performance.” Howard, 31, is now hoping Everton can turn their season around by using last night’s victory as a springboard to pick up points fast over Christmas. He said: “If you are performing well over Christmas is a great chance to pick up points in a short period of time. “You’re not training as much, and you can just get in the flow of playing the 90 minutes, feeling fresh and going again. “We don’t lack quality, which is why when things aren’t going so well you scratch your head because we’ve got talented players. “We’ve got endeavour and hard work too, but we need to bring that every single week for 90 minutes and until we do that it won’t be good enough.”
Manchester City 1 Everton FC 2: David Moyes sings the blues to stop Manchester City’s No.1 hit
Dec 21 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
MANCHESTER CITY may have been aiming for a Christmas number one, but it was Everton’s long-playing record that was blaring out loud and clear at Eastlands last night. The hoodoo David Moyes and Tim Cahill appear to hold over these parts continued as the Goodison outfit brought their seven-game winless run to a halt in emphatic fashion. A sixth win in the last seven meetings between the teams moved Moyes’s men a welcome five points clear of the relegation zone while denying City the chance of going top of the top-flight table at Christmas for the first time since 1929. How City must hate the sight of Cahill. And how Everton will miss the Australian when he travels to Qatar for the Asian Cup at the beginning of next month. Having proven the matchwinner at Eastlands on two previous occasions and scored the first in the 2-0 here in March, Cahill set Everton on their way last night with a fourth-minute opener before turning provider for Leighton Baines to curl a sumptuous second 15 minutes later. It would be too simplistic to suggest this was yet another example of the indomitable spirit of Moyes’s men overcoming the vast riches of City. But the manner in which Everton – missing, don’t forget, the creative force of the suspended Mikel Arteta and injured Steven Pienaar – dug deep to defend their early advantage, particularly following the needless sending-off on the hour of Victor Anichebe, spoke volumes for their steely determination and resolve, qualities that were not always apparent during the recent barren spell. Marshalled superbly by Sylvain Distin, Everton defended heroically and, even when City did find a way through, they discovered goalkeeper Tim Howard in inspired form. Indeed, it was telling that it took an own goal from the unfortunate Phil Jagielka to give City a glimmer of hope with 18 minutes remaining that was finally extinguished in injury time when the frustration of Roberto Mancini’s men boiled over with the dismissal of Kolo Toure. This was City’s big chance but they blew it. Instead, so continues Everton’s impressive run of form this season against the Premier League’s leading clubs, having already taken a point at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, drawn at home to Manchester United and beaten Liverpool. With games against Birmingham City and Stoke City – two of the four Premier League teams Everton have beaten this season – and a clash with rock-bottom West Ham United to come, the opportunity is now there for Moyes’s men to climb up the table over the festive period, and prove they can defeat the teams around them. The statistics had pointed to a good night for the Goodison outfit. Before the game, no team had scored fewer Premier League home goals this season than City while the eight Everton had conceded on the road was the top-flight’s best record. They were ahead with their first attack on four minutes. Anichebe made a mess of his header from a deep cross by Baines, but City were caught dozing as Seamus Coleman retrieved possession and dinked a ball over from the right and Cahill, left completely unmarked by a daydreaming Vincent Kompany, stooped to head home. Fifteen minutes later the lead was doubled in fine fashion when a flowing passing move ended with Anichebe feeding a cross into the box, Cahill laying the ball off and Baines, having drifted off the left flank, curling brilliantly home with his right foot from 16 yards. Admittedly, Everton were helped by City being temporarily down to 10 men, right-back Pablo Zabaleta in the dressing room receiving stitches in a head wound suffered during an earlier challenge with Cahill. In between those strikes, David Silva missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise when, after being found unattended at the far post by a fine floated pass from Yaya Toure, the Spaniard shot meekly into the side-netting. And apart from one Leon Osman-led break that ended with a shot that deflected through to Joe Hart, the remainder of the half was dominated by City, Everton throwing bodies, legs and, in the case of Phil Neville, perhaps an arm in the way to deny the hosts. Mario Balotelli sent a vicious volley over from a corner but the only save Howard was required to make came eight minutes before the break when he flew to his left to turn behind Aleksandar Kolarov’s free-kick. That would change after the interval. Howard did well to beat out Kolarov’s 20-yard half-volley before the same player skimmed another effort narrowly past the post. Then Everton’s task was made more difficult. Anichebe, who five minutes earlier was cautioned after clumsily barging in to Hart, went in late on Zabaleta on the hour to give referee Peter Walton no option but to brandish a second yellow and a subsequent red. The dismissal was doubly daft given the striker had been given a vote of confidence by Moyes of a surprise start up front after the Nigerian endured a self-confessed worst day of his career when, after it was revealed he had turned down the offer of a new deal, he was jeered when introduced from the bench against Wigan Athletic last week. Neville then survived another strong handball shout when blocking another Silva shot and Gareth Barry sent a dipping shot over before City’s pressure eventually told on 72 minutes, although it required a deflection off the unfortunate Jagielka to deflect Yaya Toure’s shot past Howard. And the home side almost equalised five minutes later when, after Balotelli broke the offside trap but saw his lob beat Howard and strike a post, the Everton goalkeeper spread himself brilliantly to prevent Tevez converting the loose ball. Howard then got his fingertips to Yaya Toure’s 25-yard piledriver, saved from Silva at his near post and did even better to beat away a Tevez thunderbolt. Moyes suggested last week he would know after the hectic festive period whether to realign his team’s sights for the season. On this evidence, the Everton manager shouldn’t lower expectations just yet
Everton FC manager David Moyes insists Manchester City win means Blues are match for anyone
Dec 21 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DELIGHTED David Moyes believes Everton have shown they can be a match for any team in the Premier League after watching his team end their barren run in emphatic fashion. Goals from Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines inside the opening 20 minutes set Moyes’s men on their way to a first win in eight games with a 2-1 triumph at championship-chasing Manchester City last night. Everton, who have moved up to 14th place and five points clear of the relegation zone, were reduced to 10 men on the hour when Victor Anichebe was foolishly sent off for a second bookable offence. But although the unlucky Phil Jagielka put through his own goal with 18 minutes remaining, the visitors deservedly held on for their fourth successive win at Eastlands with City having Kolo Toure sent off during injury time. The win prevented City from reaching the summit of the Premier League and Moyes has challenged his players to start producing the same level of success against the top-flight’s lesser lights. “I am delighted,” said the Goodison manager. “It was a really tough game. Man City played well but we were thankfully able to hold out and get the three points. “Our resilience and competitiveness were good, and when we went down to 10 men I knew it was going to be a long night. But we did a great job. “We were resilient, stuck to our task and it was an art in defending, blocking shots and making tackles and the goalkeeper made some great saves. “We can compete at the top end but we have not been able to compete at the bottom end. We’ve not been able to beat the teams below us at Goodison. “But when it comes to the bigger games we have responded to the challenge. I think we are a match for a lot of teams, I really do.” Moyes added: “It’s not just a victory. We are playing a team who could be crowned champions. We have come here without a few players and not been on the best run, so rightly we should be delighted. “We had to work hard to stay in the game at times. But once we got the goals we were always going to make it difficult to score.” Cahill’s goal was his ninth of a hugely productive campaign, with the Australian also playing an integral part in Baines’s strike. And Moyes said: “I thought Tim’s energy levels were back to the old days. I thought there were signs of a dip in the last few weeks. “We needed him to do a lot of work when we went down to 10 and even when we had 11 he did a great job. Tim Cahill epitomised what we are about, he kept going at it.” Cahill, however, chose to heap praise on goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made a string of impressive saves during the closing quarter. “Tim Howard has been doing that not just today but all season,” said the Australian. “You know in games there is going to be a time when you rely on Tim and when we went down to 10 men he did it for us again.” “The achievement is massive for us. We knew we had to work hard because of the run we have been on and we have shown our mettle as well as playing some good football.” Moyes queried the decision of referee Peter Walton to dismiss Anichebe, who was booked twice inside five minutes after fouling goalkeeper Joe Hart and then Pablo Zabaleta. “I didn’t think the first booking was worthy of a booking,” said the Goodison manager. “Victor turned his back as if not wanting to get hurt and his momentum saw him follow through. I can’t see how the referee saw it, maybe the crowd gave it for him. I didn’t see the second yellow card challenge, though.” Of Everton’s well-crafted second goal, Moyes added: “It was a terrific goal. If Barcelona had scored it people would be saying ‘what a goal’. There was great passing and a great finish, so it was a great goal.” Moyes, meanwhile, revealed Jagielka had been substituted late on because of a thigh strain that had threatened his involvement in last night’s game.
Manchester City 1 Everton 2
Stuart Brennan
December 20, 201 Manchester Evening News
Striker Carlos Tevez withdrew his transfer request on Monday evening, but Manchester City's joy was shortlived as Everton left a frosty Eastlands with all three points. Hopes were high going into the game after Tevez led the Blues out with the captain's armband after successful "clear the air" talks. But on a freezing night, City were caught cold when slack defending allowed Tim Cahill to nod Everton into a fourth-minute lead. Leighton Baines then finished neatly to put the visitors two up. The Blues dominated possession and had the numerical advantage when Everton had Victor Anichebe sent off on the hour. City eventually pulled one back after Phil Jagielka scored an own-goal. However, there was to be no leveller and City's misery was compounded in the last minute of injury time when Kolo Toure was sent off for a second yellow card. Everton have now won five of the last six meetings between the teams. Earlier, the news of Tevez’s u-turn, perfectly timed for City fans arriving at the stadium, spread a message of peace and goodwill to all as they rolled up, full of renewed hope and intent. A choir was reminding us all that “A king is born today”, and they must have been tempted to make the “born” into “re-born”, such was the feeling of new vigour around Eastlands over the Tevez news. The fact that the Argentinian ace would stay, and remain as captain, also meant the team had a more solid, lasting feel to it. So it remained to be seen exactly what effect the reversal of Tevez’s decision would have. It certainly gave the fans a huge lift. With Nigel de Jong suspended, James Milner stepped into the breach, while Roberto Mancini reinforced his great belief in Pablo Zabaleta by choosing him as his first choice right back. With Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng on the bench, it was a clear message that the battle for places in the back four is nowhere near over, even though Mancini seemed set on a quartet of Boateng, Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany and Aleks Kolarov a couple of weeks ago. As if there were no bounds to the good news with which to warm the cockles of Blue hearts on an Arctic night, Mario Balotelli got in on the act.
He picked up the Golden Boy award, handed out annually by Italian newspaper Tuttosport to their choice as Europe’s best young player. It was an award which was beginning to look a little sick when the Italian limped off with 10 minutes to go after another unsatisfying performance. He follows in illustrious footsteps – previous winners include Rafael van der Vaart, Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas. So the game began amid unheralded optimism. Like the 1929-30 league campaign, when City were last top at Christmas, it did not last. It was Everton who began brimming with attacking intent and invention, and who promptly moved ahead as Cahill punished the Blues at Eastlands for the third successive season. Baines did the initial damage with a run down the left and cross which was retrieved by Seamus Coleman beyond the far post. He clipped the ball back in and Cahill, marauding as ever, was totally unmarked to head home. Boos There were soon boos ringing around Eastlands, not because of the goal, but simply because the Blues had begun without any sense of urgency or vitality. They almost lifted the mood when Yaya Toure’s lofted pass played in David Silva on the left, but his left-foot volley scorched into the side netting. The frosty feeling in the crowd plummeted another couple of degrees when Zabaleta was off receiving stitches in a head wound after a clash of heads with Cahill. Everton took full advantage, Victor Anichebe and Baines attacking stand-in right back James Milner. Anichebe crossed to Cahill and he simply teed the ball up for the inrushing Baines to curl a right-foot shot beyond Joe Hart. City responded well, but they were faced with massed ranks of defenders and got no luck when Zabaleta’s shot hit the arm of Phil Neville in the area. The fact that the former United man had that arm stuck to his side counted in his favour, but it was a strong penalty shout. Kolarov tried his luck with a 25-yard free kick which had Howard scrambling across to save, but with Silva and Yaya misfiring, Tevez crowded out and Balotelli missing, City’s first half response was not good enough. Mancini responded at half time by bringing on Adam Johnson for the ineffective Milner with instant results as his first raid set up Kolarov for a powerful volley which Howard was forced to punch. Hope was renewed on the hour when Anichebe, minutes after clattering into Hart, was similarly clumsy on Zabaleta and was shown a red card. But even after that it was all a bit forced, although Barry – who did more than most – almost pulled one back, linking with Silva and volleying just over the bar. Barry also slid a pass for Balotelli for a real chance, but the Italian slipped at the vital moment. When the goal did come, there was an element of luck which was badly needed. Silva carved the opening with a smart pass, Johnson helped the ball on to Yaya Toure and his shot took a big deflection off Phil Jagielka. City were in full cry for the equaliser after that, but when Balotelli hit the post and Howard somehow smothered Tevez’s follow-up shot, you began to feel it would not be their night. That was certainly the case, as Tony Hibbert clearly handled Silva’s goalbound shot without penalty, and Tevez brought a great save from Howard in added time. The frustration was too much to bear for Kolo Toure, sent off for two daft fouls in added time and he will now miss the Newcastle game. Mancini has sorted out City’s away form, to the extent that they now have the best record on their travels in the Premier League. Now he has to do something quickly about winning games at home if dreams of glory are not to fade and die.
Manchester City 1-2 Everton: Daily Mirror match report
Dec 21 2010 By David McDonnell
Typical Manchester City. With the chance to go top of the tree at Christmas, they fail like a dud set of fairy lights. This was supposed to be the night when City confirmed their emergence as genuine title contenders, by topping the table at Christmas for the first time since 1929. And it was supposed to be the night when Carlos Tevez, having performed a spectacular U-turn and committed himself to City, showed the true value of keeping him at Eastlands. Instead it was a night when, for all their millions spent and bold rhetoric, City reminded the football world they remain a work in progress and some way off sustaining a challenge for the title. A Champions League spot might be the limit of City's ambitions this season, a tilt at the title a fanciful notion if they continue to defend as naively as they did last night. For Everton, it was a first win in eight games and their fourth in a row at Eastlands, David Moyes's side climbing to 14th in the Premier League after a slow start to the campaign. Managers like to talk about fine margins deciding games at this level and that was never more true than on this occasion, as City failed to make their dominance count. Everton had four attempts at goal in the entire game and scored twice, while City had 25 and managed just one, and that a scrappy, deflected strike. City's euphoria at Tevez's decision to withdraw his transfer request was short-lived as Roberto Mancini's defence went to sleep collectively to concede after just four minutes. There seemed little danger when a cross from Leighton Baines was flicked on by Victor Anichebe, the ball looking as though it was heading out of play and with it any threat from the away side. But while City's back-four switched off, Seamus Coleman steered the ball back into the six-yard box where Tim Cahill was waiting at the near-post to nod the ball past Joe Hart. It was Cahill's ninth goal in 17 Premier League games this season and the Everton skipper is unlikely to score an easier one, City so charitable in the space and time they afforded him. City should have known all about the threat posed by Cahill, the goal his third in his last four games against them - all of them headers. David Silva came close to levelling for City in the 11th minute, steering a left-foot shot into the side-netting after Yaya Toure had picked him out lurking unmarked deep in the Everton penalty area. But it got worse for City in the 19th minute when Everton doubled their lead, again thanks to comical defending from Mancini, while right-back Pablo Zabaleta was off the pitch receiving treatment for a head injury. With James Milner deployed as an emergency right-back in the absence of Zabaleta, Everton took full advantage, Anichebe and Baines combining down the left flank to leave City in total meltdown. When Anichebe funnelled the ball through to Cahill, Kolo Toure was caught in two minds, leaving Baines free to collect the lay-off and curl his shot beyond the reach of Joe Hart. It was all too much for Mancini, who kicked a crate of water bottles in anger at his side's defensive vulnerability. Despite the setback, City laid siege to the Everton goal thereafter but lacked conviction in the final third. And when they did find the target, they found Howard in exemplary form between the posts, repelling everything City threw at him. Mancini's side were handed a lifeline on the hour when Anichebe was sent off for a second yellow card in five minutes. While Anichebe's first booking, for a barge on City keeper Hart, looked harsh, he could have no complaints at the second, for scything down Zabaleta. City finally made a breakthrough in the 71st minute when they pulled a goal back through Yaya Toure, his deflected shot going in off Jagielka. But Howard came to Everton's rescue, saving twice at the feet of Mario Balotelli, whose first shot spun off a post, then producing another acrobatic stop to deny Tevez in the 92nd minute. To add to City's woes, Kolo Toure was sent off for two yellow cards accrued in the space of a minute in added time and will miss the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle. City may have won the fight to keep Tevez, but they have yet to prove they have the appetite for a title scrap.
CAHILL BRINGS TEVEZ BACK TO EARTH
21st December 2010 By Kevin Francis
Manchester City 1 - Everton 2
The Daily Star
Tim Cahill was once again on the ball for Everton at Eastlands, where he scored in this fixture for the THIRD game in row. The Aussie ace clearly loves the place as he brought his career tally in the blue half of Manchester to four. It came just as the crowd’s welcome for Carlos Tevez, who withdrew his transfer request just hours before kick-off, was dying down. The official club announcement clearly killed off any chance of the home fans hurling any abuse at the Argentine international. After all, until that pre-match announcement, he was Public Enemy No.1 after stating that he wanted to walk away from Eastlands. But the roars of that ‘welcome back to the fold’ had only just disappeared when Everton stunned the home fans into silence. It came after just four minutes and was the result of the kind of scrappy defensive play that resulted in manager Roberto Mancini roaring his disapproval from the touchline. Leon Osman pushed the ball to Leighton Baines on the left wing. His cross took a headed deflection off Kolo Toure and the ball landed at the feet of a grateful Seamus Coleman. And his chip back into the goalmouth was calmly headed into the net by a completely unmarked Cahill. It was a real kick in the teeth for City, who entered the game with high hopes of going top of the Premier League at Christmas for the first time in 81 years. Those hopes, however, took another massive knock after 19 minutes when Baines started and finished a move which led to Everton’s second. The left-back pushed the ball to Victor Anichebe who then put it through to Cahill with the Aussie pushing it back towards Baines. Then, as cool as you like, Baines sent a curling low shot past keeper Joe Hart and into the back of the net. The goal was scored while City’s right-back Pablo Zabaleta was off the pitch receiving treatment to a cut on his head as a result of an accidental clash with Cahill. In the end, he was off the pitch for eight minutes receiving stitches. While Everton had been scorching into that unexpected lead, City tried their best to get back into the game with a number of goalscoring opportunities. David Silva came closest when, after a pass from Yaya Toure, he blasted in a fierce shot which hit the sidenetting. When Tevez fired one over the bar from just 10 yards after 26 minutes, with Mario Balotelli doing likewise a few minutes later. Silva and Balotelli than each had two more attempts as the home team surged forward. Tevez was never far from the action, but upset Everton boss David Moyes in the 34th minute with his play-acting. After a challenge from Marouane Fellaini, Tevez hit the turf, clutching his leg in apparent agony. Fellaini was booked and within seconds Tevez was back up and running, leaving Moyes shaking his head in disbelief. The arrival of Adam Johnson at the start of the second half, replacing James Milner, had something of a galvanising effect on City. He was prepared to push up whenever the opportunity arose and only just missed out with one particularly powerful right-foot shot after 51 minutes. However, Everton were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute when Anichebe was sent off following a challenge on Zabaleta, having earlier been cautioned for pushing into Hart. And City set up a nervous finale for the Toffees when they reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute. Silva slipped the ball to Johnson, who quickly laid it off to Yaya Toure wide in the box. The former Barcelona star then drilled the ball across the six-yard area, with the unfortunate Phil Jagielka turning the ball into his own net. Despite Balotelli hitting the post, City failed to press home their advantage and found themselves with 10 men in stoppage-time after Kolo Toure saw red for back-to-back fouls on Phil Neville and then Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.
MANCHESTER CITY 1 EVERTON 2
Dec 21 2010 The Sun
What a great way it would be for manager Roberto Mancini to mark a year at the club after taking over from Mark Hughes. Talk about tempting fate. In the end the boardroom champagne remained in the fridge as Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill put the sparkle into Everton. It was all very flat from City and nobody more so than Tevez himself, the lacklustre Mario Balotelli aside. Far from being a man happy with his decision earlier that day, the Argentine looked like a man who had the fizz taken out of him. The darting runs, the life-on-the-line tackles and inspirational effort were all gone. Only in the dying seconds did he come to life with a burst of pace and shot that was kept out by an excellent save from Tim Howard. Perhaps the self-imposed two weeks of turmoil have taken it out of him. He was quitting the club, retiring from football and fed up with City a fortnight ago. By yesterday he was happy and looking forward to the future and honouring the remainder of his 3½ years of his contract. The rollercoaster of emotions had clearly left his head spinning. City fans can only hope this below-par performance from a man who usually stands head and shoulders above the rest is very temporary. Much more of this and questions will be asked as to whether Tevez's heart is truly in it. If anything was clear from last night, it was that City without Tevez are just not the same. Not that Balotelli was ever going to carry the weight of expectation as Tevez struggled. This sulking young striker needs a right good kick up the backside. His one chance when put clean through one-on-one to grab an equaliser came back off a post with Tevez's follow-up saved by Howard - otherwise forget it. It was Everton who were up for the fight and delivered their knockout blows early on. The first came after only four minutes with Mancini left raging as his defence failed to deal with a dangerous situation twice. Baines crossed from the left and Victor Anichebe inadvertently headed the ball on from in front of goal. Seamus Coleman gathered it up unchallenged and had time to deliver a cross to the near post which Cahill headed home. This has been something of a happy hunting ground for Cahill, having now scored at Eastlands on three successive visits. Last season he opened the scoring in a 2-0 win. Exactly two years ago this month he nipped in with a headed last-minute winner. In 2004 it was also his goal that grabbed the spoils. He was heavily involved for the second last night too with a superb touch to set up Baines as Mancini was once again left apoplectic.
Pablo Zabaleta had gone off for stitches after clashing heads with Cahill. In his absence Mancini was desperately trying to reorganise his team but to no avail and Everton took advantage with Baines starting and finishing a great move. He rolled the ball out to Anichebe, who passed from Zabaleta's flank into Cahill. His lay-off back for the on-running Baines was perfect, as was the low curled finish. Mancini was fuming, kicking out at two water-bottle holders. He then turned his fury onto one of the City medical staff, asking where on earth Zabaleta was. He returned with a bandage round his head but it was the whole City team requiring attention. Indeed not until Anichebe was sent off on the hour did they look like getting anything from the game. He went for two bookable offences in the space of five minutes after barging over keeper Joe Hart and then scything down Zabaleta. City poured forward and got one back when Yaya Toure's cross was deflected in by Phil Jagielka on 72 minutes. Five minutes later Balotelli had his chance when Yaya Toure put him through but his chip over the advancing goalkeeper bounced off a post. As he tried to reach the rebound Howard appeared to barge him over but there were no appeals and Tevez's drive was saved by the keeper. City continued to huff and puff but Everton would not be denied as they ended a run of seven without a win on a happy hunting ground where they have now won on four successive occasions. Kolo Toure's red card in injury time for two bookable offences just topped it off for City. Tevez disappeared down the tunnel at the final whistle to a smattering of applause from those who had bothered to stay on that long. If this was a party, City fans could probably do without an invite next time.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - TIM CAHILL (Everton)
Man City: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, K Toure 5, Kompany 5, Kolarov 7, Milner 5, Y Toure 5, Barry 5, Silva 6, Tevez 5, Balotelli 4. Subs: A Johnson (Milner 46) 5, Jo (Balotelli 83) 5. Not used: Given, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Boateng, Vieira. Booked: Kompany, Barry, K Toure. Sent off: K Toure.
Everton: Howard 7, Neville 7, Distin 7, Jagielka 6, Baines 7, Coleman 7, Fellaini 8, Rodwell 6, Osman 6, Cahill 8, Anichebe 5. Subs: Bilyaletdinov (Osman 75) 5, Saha (Coleman 76) 5, Hibbert (Jagielka 80) 5. Not used: Mucha, Beckford, Gueye, Yakubu. Booked: Fellaini, Anichebe. Sent off: Anichebe.
Carlos Tevez's return ruined as Manchester City lose to Everton
Kevin McCarra at Eastlands
Monday 20 December 2010 The Guardian
Manchester City's failure to reach the top of the Premier League was the least of it. This loss raised doubts as to whether they are equipped with the toughness of mind necessary to get to the pinnacle and stay there. The flaws were seen everywhere. They were drab when the onus was on them to take command, still passive as Everton snatched a second goal and absurd when Kolo Touré was sent off for two cautionable offences in quick succession at the very end. City will complain about penalty appeals rejected by the referee, Peter Walton, but in each case there was a question as to whether there had been rashness or intent in the handball. Everton had pulled off a feat that must be admired all the more because they had arrived without a victory in seven games and also had to withstand the dismissal of their forward Victor Anichebe in the second half. So far as City are concerned, this outcome should make them worry about their sparse scoring rate at home. Carlos Tevez could do almost nothing to enhance it on an occasion that was intended to speak of a renewal in his relationship with the club. He had withdrawn his transfer request and, in the spirit of concord, been allowed to retain the captaincy. It is not all that uncommon for any striker to end a match without a goal, but there must have been a yearning to see Tevez confirm by his deeds that City is where he sees his future. However, the principal difficulty with the Argentinian is that they cannot afford to see him have a humdrum match. No other striker on the books has either the hunger or the technique to score repeatedly. It was an apt assessment of their condition that the City goal was accidentally put into his own net by a blameless Phil Jagielka in the 72nd minute. The passing by David Silva and the substitute Adam Johnson had been convincing then, but the drive from Yaya Touré still needed the assistance of that ricochet off the centre-back. With 13 minutes to go, City almost levelled even though parity was more than they deserved. After Mario Balotelli hit a post, Howard beat him to the loose ball and then got himself in the path of a Tevez drive. The Argentinian caught the eye then and he can legitimately argue that his team-mates caused too little mayhem. It may have been an indifferent showing by Tevez but little was done to bring out the best in him. City could not get over the shock of the boldness Everton brought with them to Eastlands. The goals scored so early in the night left City bemused as well as wounded. Apart from considering the harm inflicted they must have been incapable of understanding how little they had done to interrupt the visitors. After four minutes, a delivery from the left by Leighton Baines went deep to Seamus Coleman and he turned it into the centre for Cahill to score with a header. City might have fatalistic about the circumstances of the second goal in the 19th minute. They were down to 10 men since the right-back Pablo Zabaleta was off the field so that a cut to his head could be bandaged. Nonetheless, Everton's move was of such fluency that it would be churlish to insist that the goal had come through weight of numbers alone. Baines made ground on the left and his delivery was laid off by Anichebe to Cahill, with the midfielder setting up Baines to complete the move he started by bending a finish into the far post with his right foot. It had been so exquisite a piece of play that it looked as if it were Everton rather than City who possessed limitless riches. Some in the home ranks would have started to recall a pair of defeats to David Moyes's team in the league last season. Indeed this was a fourth successive Everton victory here. They might have been thinking, too, about their own bluntness in attack, with just eight league goals scored at home before this match.
Everton, however, had been in difficulties of late and that was reflected in the fact that Moyes preferred Anichebe despite the fact that the striker has rejected a new contract offer and was booed when he came on in the goalless draw with Wigan. Anichebe's rehabilitation had made great progress by half-time, but he was to prove reckless even if Walton was draconian. Having been booked for impeding Joe Hart in the 55th minute Anichebe still made a needless challenge on Zabaleta and was dismissed. Nothing, all the same, will dampen Everton's joy. For City, the frustration and doubt about the progress of their enterprise will wash over them once more.
Manchester City 1 Everton 2: Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines combine to help 10-man Toffees upstage Carlos Tevez at Eastlands
By Matt Lawton
Chief Football Correspondent reporting from Eastlands
The Dail Mail21st December 2010
Would it be wrong to resubmit a transfer request so soon after publicly withdrawing it? Such a thought is unlikely to have entered Carlos Tevez's mind but, having declared to his employers a desire to lead Manchester City's pursuit of Champions League football a few hours earlier, he must have expected more from his colleagues than this. Against an Everton side who performed with so much more fluency and determination until they lost Victor Anichebe to a stupid red card, Roberto Mancini's side were awful - as inept as they have been at Eastlands this season. The statistics might tell a different story - 11 corners without reply, 67 per cent of the possession and a couple of reasonable penalty shouts - but that was rather misleading. It was the apathy they displayed in the opening 20 minutes, or even longer, that proved so costly. Two goals down after 19 minutes, thanks to a neat header from Tim Cahill and a superb curling strike from Leighton Baines, they didn't look desperate to lead the English league at Christmas for the first time in 89 years. They seemed intimidated by the prospect of leapfrogging neighbours Manchester United. Everything about them suggested they froze, even the way the dressed in the sub-zero temperatures. While Everton's players wore not a single pair of gloves and five of them chose short-sleeve shirts, City's players sported six pairs of gloves, four snoods and two pairs of tights between them. Midfield 'hard man' Yaya Toure wore all three - as did Mario Balotelli, whose attitude was just appalling. It was symbolic of the difference between the teams. While Everton put in some hard graft, City gave the impression they would rather be somewhere else. Either that or they were guilty of over-confidence. Mancini was furious, kicking bottles, throwing touchline tantrums. Tevez's U-turn was supposed to give his side a timely lift but, after the elation, there was a crushing sense of deflation following a defeat that again exposed the frailties They also ended the game with 10 men thanks to the late dismissal of Kolo Toure. An Everton side without a win in seven previous games are also unbeaten away since the end of August and they again underlined Cahill opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a nicely executed move made all the easier by the lacklustre response of their hosts. While Mancini's rage appeared to be directed at his £19million full back, Aleksandar Kolarov, it was a goal that reflected badly on the entire City defence. There was no real reaction when Leon Osman delivered the ball into the path of the advancing Baines, just as there was a lack of urgency when Anichebe then flicked on the cross from Everton's left back. Kolarov's absence did allow Seamus Coleman to plant the ball on Cahill's head unopposed, but Kolo Toure was not exactly well positioned when the Australian then squeezed his header between Joe Hart and the City goalkeeper's near post. Even if City thought the ball had drifted While Cahill celebrated his ninth goal of the season, City's player looked at one another in shock. They responded with a decent chance. A super ball from Yaya Toure found David Silva, but the Spaniard drove his left-foot effort into the side-netting. A lack of cohesion in defence soon led to another setback for City, with Baines scoring Everton's second in the 19th minute. Again it was beautifully executed. A swift exchange of passes that started with Baines and continued with Anichebe and Cahill ended with a superb right-foot shot. But again City were far too casual. Mancini was so disgusted he kicked a water bottle. Everton's defending was far more impressive, with Sylvain Distin containing Tevez brilliantly. Mancini replaced James Milner with Adam Johnson at the start But it was not until the dismissal of Anichebe on the hour for fouls on Hart and Pablo Zabaleta that City were given a chance. A goal came 12 minutes later. Silva and Johnson combined before Yaya Toure's shot was guided beyond Howard by the unfortunate Phil Jagielka. Minutes later, City almost equalised. Yaya Toure's ball from inside his own half was controlled brilliantly by Balotelli, who lobbed the advancing Howard, only to see his effort bounce back off the post. Tevez seized on the rebound but Howard recovered to make a terrific double save. He denied Tevez again after that, extending the City skipper's run to 10 attempts without a goal against Everton. Kolo Toure allowed a sense of frustration to get the better of him. Two challenges in less than a minute, first on Distin then Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and he was gone. To think he was going to replace Tevez as captain.
MAN CITY (4-2-1-3): Hart 6; Zabaleta 6, K Toure 5, Kompany 6, Kolarov 6; Milner 5 (Johnson 46min, 5), Barry 5; Y Toure 5; Silva 6, Tevez 5, Balotelli 4 (Jo 82).
Subs not used: Given, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Boateng, Vieira.
Booked: Kompany, Barry, K Toure.
Sent off: K Toure.
EVERTON (4-5-1): Howard 7; Neville 7, Jagielka 7 (Hibbert 79), Distin 8, Baines 7; Coleman 7 (Saha 76), Fellaini 7, Rodwell 6, Cahill 8, Osman 6 (Bilyaletdinov 75, 5); Anichebe 5. Subs not used: Mucha, Beckford, Gueye, Yakubu. Booked: Fellaini, Anichebe.
Sent off: Anichebe.
Man of the match: Tim Cahill.
Referee: Peter Walton 6.
James Lawton: Sullen City get what they deserve as Everton give lesson in teamwork
City's body language was so sullen it was not surprising that Everton swept into the lead after just four minutes, Tim Cahill scoring from a free header
Manchester City 1 Everton 2
Tuesday, 21 December 2010The Independent
Manchester City thrashed in an agony of frustrated ambition and a terrible sense that they are the team whose most dangerous opponents are themselves. Carlos Tevez was back as the symbol of their best hopes and possibly their worst betrayal and his manager Roberto Mancini resigned himself to another night on a perilous divide between the enforcement of discipline and the need to make the best of the most bizarre riches a football manager ever owned. In the end he had the bleakest of results. The compromises worked out on a day of tension at the Eastlands ground brought what they often do ... another source of the deepest regret. This was a terrible defeat at the hands of Everton. It was not so much a failure to reach for the top of the League but rather one to produce any evidence that they are any nearer to being a serious team. The first half was less a football match and more a morality tale, the moral being that however much you spend on your team it doesn't mean a lot if you persevere with a captain who has turned the season into a one-man insurrection. You are sending messages which are so mixed they might be coming out of a tumble dryer. City appeared to be toughening their stance over Tevez, telling him to get back into the ranks and take the legal consequences of any continued rebellion against a contract reputed in some quarters to be worth around £1m a month. But he would keep the captaincy, normally the badge of the man most committed to the cause, by the simple device of withdrawing his transfer request. City's resulting body language was so sullen it was hardly a surprise that Everton, for no better reason initially than that they looked like a team operating on roughly the same wave length, swept into the lead after just four minutes, Tim Cahill accepting, as he generally does, the offer of a free header. Then, almost cruelly in the circumstances, Everton started to look like a genuine football team as opposed to something dangerously resembling the richest rabble in all the game. There is as yet no collective term for a group of disorientated super-rich footballers performing in sub-zero temperatures but given the demeanour of Tevez and his almost equally rewarded team-mate Yaya Touré a "snood" might do for the moment. City's mood worsened, and Mancini's touched distraction, when Everton moved further ahead with a quite beautiful strike in the 19th minute. Victor Anichebe ran freely along the left, fed Cahill, who played in Leighton Baines for a fine shot across Joe Hart. This was supposed to be the night City laid claim to the top of the Premier League but what was staring at them now was something entirely different. There could only be one response and, with some assistance from the reckless Anichebe, who was sent off for a second yellow card, the worst possibility of all, a total melt-down of a £250m team investment, was avoided. City began to play, not with overwhelming coherence, not by any means, but with certain evidence that there was some considerable power and talent within their ranks. A Phil Jagielka own goal reduced the lead and with Adam Johnson on for another visit from the bench, 10-man Everton were plainly going to be stretched to some rather impressive levels of resistance. Even Tevez rallied himself into a little more more meaningful action and Mario Balotelli came within an inch of a equaliser which would surely have come against less resolute defence. But then Everton held, despite being one man down until the last 30 seconds. They had hung on desperately enough – but they did look like a team.
Moyes calls for consistency from Everton
By Simon Stone, PA The Independent
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Moyes will now hope for better results against the other sides after taking points off both Manchester clubs and Chelsea this seasonDavid Moyes has called on his Everton team to start flexing their muscles against the Premier League's small fry after proving they can mix it with the big fish. After collecting draws from meetings with Manchester United and Chelsea, Everton claimed Manchester City's scalp at Eastlands last night. Perhaps it was not so much of a surprise given it was the Toffeemen's fourth win on the trot at City - but now Moyes wants his players to transfer that form into less eye-catching fixtures. "We can compete at the top end but we haven't been able to compete at the bottom," he said. "We haven't been able to beat the teams below us, especially at Goodison. "But when it's come to the bigger games we seem to respond to the challenge and we are a match for a lot of teams." A very satisfying evening was set up by early goals from Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines. The second-half dismissal of Victor Anichebe did threaten to derail Everton as City pulled a goal back through Yaya Toure's deflected effort. But the visitors remained strong and ended a seven-match run without a victory. "The resilience and competitiveness of the team were excellent," said Moyes. "When we went down to 10 men I thought the evening was going to become even longer but we did a great job. "They were resilient and stuck to their task. It was the art of defending; blocking shots, getting in the way of things. And the goalkeeper did well, making some terrific saves." Moyes will now hope for better in the bread and butter fixtures for a team that has now taken points off both Manchester clubs and Chelsea this season. However, he must hope for good news on the injury front after Jagielka limped off with a thigh problem. "He was struggling all week with it and was a doubt before the game," said Mancini. "But he played his part in getting us through most of it.
Ian Snodin: Get ready for the debate about a move for Joey Barton
Dec 22 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
INTERESTING to read reports that Joey Barton could be available from Newcastle United in January for as little as £1.5m. Obviously the lad is an Evertonian, so if he does appear set to leave Tyneside, a lot of people will speculate whether he could join Everton. It’s a tough one. You might say £1.5m isn’t a lot of money for such a player, which it isn’t, but Everton haven’t even got that by all accounts. But then it really would be a bargain for a good footballer if that money did become available. It would all come down to whether David Moyes wanted to risk bringing him into the dressing room. He’s a snip at that price as a player, but it depends whether he’s really put all his old disruptive ways behind him. It wouldn’t be a widespread popular move with the fans either, who always single him out for a bit of stick when he comes to Goodison, and I’m sure many would say to not even think about buying him. Moyes has shown in the past that he can rehabilitate players though, and you just never know!
Ian Snodin: It was Men against Snoods at Eastlands
Dec 22 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
IT WAS a case of the men who weren’t afraid of the big freeze against the men in snoods and gloves at the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday. From the outset Everton appeared more like a robust team who were ready to get stuck in, while City looked more like they were concerned about catching a cold. Only Victor Anichebe had gloves on for the Blues, while the array of winter woollies sported by Mancini’s side was a real puzzler. I’m not saying that was why Everton won – but these little psychological things can’t be ignored completely. Sure City have been doing well lately, but I know who I’d have rather been going into battle with. It was a fantastic performance from Moyesy’s men which had everything you could want. There was good football. spirit, determination and some last-ditch defending right down to then wire. Their passing for the second goal was lovely, and had hallmarks of why the critics are often so fawning over Arsenal. In the build-up to their first goal, the Blues moved the ball from right to left and got the ball into the box at a point when they had men surging forward. Seamus Coleman’s final cross was great and then that man did what he loves doing against City so often. Tim Cahill put it in the back of the net. To get another early goal really was a dream start, one or two Blues must have been pinching themselves, and when you take into account the money lavished on their opponents – colossal sums – it puts the result into even greater perspective. Of course it must also be hard for the Everton manager to fathom why his team can perform like that one day, and then turn in a showing like they did against West Brom or Wigan. The manager certainly got his tactics right on the night, and Victor Anichebe worked hard and was unlucky to be sent off. You could tell Joe Hart wasn’t complaining over the first challenge which earned Victor a yellow card, and they both shook hands after. Then, if anything, I think the Everton striker was only guilty of a bit of over enthusiasm with the second on Zabaleta, which although definitely a foul, seemed harsh to also result in his walking off. Fortunately in the long run it didn’t matter too much, thanks to some stoic defending and a few stupendous saves from Mr Reliable Tim Howard. It was like the Alamo towards the end though and the lads fully deserve their moments of joy afterwards.
Part two of the Echo’s tribute to Harry Catterick
Dec 22 2010 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
HE was the most successful Everton manager for 90 years. Throughout the club’s trophy laden history, only Howard Kendall has won more silverware. And no-one has managed an Everton team, in more matches. Yet Harry Catterick’s legacy is often shamefully overlooked. A man who generally shunned the limelight, his record of two league titles, one FA Cup and six top four finishes in eight seasons bears comparison with any of his contemporaries. It is 25 years since Catterick passed away – appropriately watching his beloved Blues at Goodison Park – and here is the second part of the Echo’s tribute to his legacy. HARRY CATTERICK was among a generation of great managers who were denied the chance to make their names as players by the intervention of the Second World War. The record books hint at the young Catterick’s potential to have found fame, if not fortune, as a striker. He scored 50 goals in 77 wartime friendly games for Everton, Manchester United and Stockport during the hostilities.However, seven seasons that would have counted among the prime years of his playing career were lost.The 18-year-old apprentice marine engineer who signed his first professional deal with Everton in 1937, had to wait until he was 27 to make his League debut in August 1946. Catterick went on to make 59 appearances for Everton between 1946 and 1951, scoring 19 goals. But more often he played for the reserves. Dropping down the divisions to become player manager at Crewe Alexandra, he continued to score goals but locked onto a course that would eventually lead him back to Goodison. Catterick’s two years at Crewe were followed by five at Rochdale, where he established a reputation that prompted Sheffield Wednesday to come calling in 1958. Catterick soon led Wednesday to the Second Division championship, then succeeded where his recent predecessors had failed by keeping the Owls in the top flight. His vision of the best way to turn Wednesday into an established first division force brought him into disagreement with the Hillsborough hierarchy and ultimately led to his move to Everton in 1961. Writing his own account of events for the Liverpool Daily Post a decade later, Catterick explained: “In 1961, as manager of Sheffield Wednesday I had my disagreements with the policy of the club. There was no long-term planning for player development and they were going to great pains to develop a wonderful stadium. “There was nothing wrong with that but I felt their priority was wrong. I would rather have built a top-class side. As there was no point in pursuing my own policy, I resigned.” Such was Catterick’s standing in the game that he had four job offers within 24 hours. Then one came in from Everton. Initially Catterick said no “because at the time there was a manager there. A few days later there was a vacancy.” The vacancy occurred because Everton dispensed with the services of Johnny Carey. Catterick saw Everton’s board of directors under the chairmanship of Littlewoods chief John Moores as “progressive.” He said: “Success, that was my brief when I came to Goodison – and to earn it quickly without sacrificing Everton’s high standard of football. “Mr John Moores made no secret of the fact he expected results. It was a tall order. I didn’t need reminding of Everton’s history as I grew up with the club as a player. They had been starved of success. It was something like 25 years since they had won a trophy.” Catterick, confident of his own judgement and unworried by criticism, was given time, in the form of a four-year contract, to build the team he wanted. He recalled: “When I arrived I found an alarming lack of discipline and an even greater lack of ambition. I inherited a number of good players – vintage material – but they did not blend together.” Catterick’s first major signing was goalkeeper Gordon West, a young goalkeeper from Blackpool. Later he added Dennis Stevens, Alex Scott and Tony Kay among others. Everton already had a young centre-half, Brian Labone, who would, in Catterick’s eyes, benefit greatly from the signing of Kay, who cost a British record £60,000 when he moved from Sheffield Wednesday in 1962. Catterick took Everton to a fourth place finish in his first season, and delivered the title in his second. In another self penned article for the Liverpool Echo, Catterick wrote: “We won the title as I wanted to win it, with brilliant teamwork, sound methodical football and brimming confidence.” Catterick saw the halfback line of Kay, Labone and Jimmy Gabriel as the powerhouse that drove Everton through a 42-game programme that included just six defeats. He regarded Kay as his greatest ever signing – topping even Alan Ball. Yet the wing half played only 57 league games for Everton. Kay’s lifetime ban from the game, imposed in 1965 for his part in the Sheffield Wednesday betting scandal was a “tragedy”, said Catterick. “When I’m asked which is the finest buy of my career, I would answer without a doubt Tony Kay,” he said. “It was a tremendous tragedy to football, to the boy and particularly to Everton that his career was cut short for he had a quality which very few players had. He would have done an awful lot of good for this club.
“He was a player of vast experience and tremendous character. This would have meant an awful lot at a critical time for a very young team. He probably lost the opportunity to skipper Everton for five years and with Kay in the team we would have had more success, far more success.” Everton’s 62/63 title win marked the start of a golden era of Merseyside football. A year later the championship trophy crossed the few yards of Stanley Park to reside at Anfield, where Liverpool’s fortunes had been revived by Bill Shankly. The two managers were poles apart in terms of their public profile and relationship with the media. Catterick, introspective and mistrustful of the press, dubbed the extrovert Shankly “Rob Roy.” While Catterick had disagreed with Sheffield Wednesday’s commitment to developing Hillsborough, he was a prime mover in turning Everton’s Bellefield training ground into the finest facility of its time. World champions Brazil were so impressed by the Bellefield set-up, their base for the 1966 World Cup, that they took a blueprint back to Rio to build a version of their own. Everton had everything in place to pursue success in the 1960s: a shrewd and single-minded manager supported by a board of directors willing to back his judgement on players, impressive stadium and training facilities and a strong and evolving team. Success would surely follow. It did. Tomorrow: Wembley glory and Goodison’s Holy Trinity.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - 10 penalty shootouts
Dec 22 2010
The Blues have taken part in 10 penalty shootouts to decide competitive first team encounters. Although their record from the spot once left a lot to be desired, it has been on the up in recent years. Here is a run down of the 10 dramatic penalty contests in Everton FC history.
1) Everton v Borussia Monchengladbach - 4 November 1970 - WON
This one had the distinction of being the first ever shootout in European Club competition. The Blues were playing Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round of the 1970-71 European Cup and at the end of extra time the scores were level at 2-2. Despite Joe Royle missing the first pen for Everton, they prevailed 4-3 with Andy Rankin saving from Laumen and Muller. Ball, Morrisey, Kendall and Brown were all on target for the Blues.
2) Everton v Charlton Athletic - 3 March 1987 – LOST
Sixteen years passed until penalty kicks were called for again. Squaring off against Charlton in the Full Members Cup, Everton again drew 2-2 after extra time. So began the longest shootout in Blues' history - and for Everton fans it was not worth the wait, with Charlton winning 6-5. Even Big Nev, who stepped up and slotted Everton's fourth penalty, couldn't save the day.
3) Everton v Sunderland - 11 November 1998 - LOST
Sunderland won 5-4 in the shootout at the end of this League Cup Fourth Round tie back in 1998. Thomas Myhre in the Blues goal saved the Black Cats' fourth penalty, but was powerless to help the cause when Ibrahim Bakayoko missed Everton's sixth after the contest had gone to sudden death.
4) Bristol Rovers v Everton - 27 September 2000 - LOST
Another League Cup shootout, this time in the second round. After 1-1 draws home and away, it went to spot kicks. Joe-Max Moore and Kevin Campbell both missed for the Blues and Bristol were able to wrap up a 4-2 victory.
5) Everton v Crystal Palace - 12 September 2001 - LOST
Surprise surprise, the League Cup Second Round again. Everton got off to a bad start with Kevin Campbell failing to convert. No player from either side missed again, but that was enough for Palace to secure a 5-4 shootout win.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - 10 penalty shootouts
Dec 22 2010
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6) Newcastle United v Everton - 6 November 2002 - WON
A low-scoring shootout decided this League Cup Third Round tie. With the scoreboard at 3-3 on the night after extra time, the Newcastle players went goal shy from the spot. Dyer and Solano both scored, but Viana, Chopra and Robert all failed to do so while Watson, Rooney and Campbell took their chances for the Blues to earn David Moyes a 3-2 win.
7) Middlesborough v Everton - 3 December 2003 - LOST
Following a 0-0 bore draw in this League Cup Fourth Road tie, no-one could miss from the spot during the shootout. Except for Leon Osman. Nigel Martyn couldn't get near any of the Boro pens, giving the home side a 5-4 win.
8) Bristol City v Everton - 22 September 2004 - WON
Steve Watson missed the Blues' first penalty in this League Cup Second Round clash, but his team-mates all converted to give Everton a 4-3 victory.
9) Everton v Fiorentina - 12 March 2008 - LOST
Another European shootout, this time in the UEFA Cup Round of 16. After an exciting two-legged tie which had swung both ways, Everton were unlucky to be subjected to the lottery of penalties. Losing 0-2 away but winning convincingly 2-0 at home, the Blues could - perhaps should - have done the job before the shootout. Yakubu and Jagielka couldn't convert and the Italians ran out 4-2 winners on pens.
10) Manchester United v Everton - 19 April 2009 - WON
In this keenly-contested FA Cup semi-final, neither side could make the breakthrough. Extra time came and went. Cahill blasted his penalty high and wide, but Berbatov and Ferdinand both missed, giving the Blues the chance to take the shootout if they kept converting. Neville, Vaughan and Jagielka did just that, firing Everton to a 4-2 victory and the FA Cup Final.
Everton FC staff to scale Kilimanjaro to raise funds for club charity Everton in the Community
Dec 22 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
STAFF at Everton will be on the march for Moyesy’s army as they tackle a daunting climb of Kilimanjaro. The highest free-standing mountain in the world awaits club finance director Martin Evans, head groundsman Bob Lennon, fundraising and events assistant Carena Duffy and fellow climber Phil Maclean in a gruelling eight-day challenge in January which has the whole club talking. Inspired by the work of the club’s official charity, Everton in the Community, the team signed up to the task 12 months ago, and have prepared by travelling the UK and conquering some of the toughest summits in the country in horrendous weather conditions. Martin Evans and Phil Maclean completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours, whilst Carena Duffy and Bob Lennon hiked to the top of Scaffell Pike in knee-deep snow – all in their Everton shirts. The group, who also conquered Snowdon, Helvelyn and Ben Nevis in their build up, recently underwent a day of training at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground under the supervision of club physiotherapist Richie Porter. The experience, which Bob Lennon described as “hell”, saw the four climbers get to grips with some state-of-the-art training techniques. Despite their rigorous preparation, each group member admits to feeling apprehensive about the challenge as it nears and they believe their build up is nothing more than a pre-season friendly in comparison to what awaits in Tanzania.Martin Evans is concerned at the prospect of altitude sickness, whilst Carena Duffy admits to worries over how a call of nature can take place at 5,895 metres above sea level! Bob Lennon said: “The treks we’ve done to date have been wrapped up in 24 hours, where as this one will last eight days, so there is a fear of the unknown.” Consisting of life-long Evertonians, the team will be decked out in club colours throughout the challenge and have received well-wishes from the likes of Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell and Chief Executive Robert Elstone, with the whole club is behind the aptly named “Kili Crew”. All money raised will be used to fund projects run by Everton in the Community, the club’s award winning charity, which delivers programmes focusing on issues such as health, education, equality and diversity. Over the last year, the charity has provided ongoing development opportunities for over 30,000 participants. Arriving in Tanzania in mid-January, support is needed if the climbers are to hit their £20,000 fundraising target. Carena said: “No matter how small, all donations can make a difference to what the charity does.” Donations can be made by logging on to evertonfc.com/climb or by calling 0151 530 5253.
David Moyes considers options after Landon Donovan decides not to return to Everton
Dec 22 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
The Blues boss had prepared contingency plans to move for other attackers if Donovan opted to stay in the USA and rest. Now Moyes, who has already targeted three loan signings in January, is ready to spring into action, and will not still rule out taking another Major League Soccer star to Goodison for a similar three-month loan period. The Blues boss is increasingly impressed with the standard of USA’s home-grown stars, and has admitted he was interested in Clint Dempsey before his move to Fulham. There are other potential Premier League candidates in MLS, with Birmingham recently handing a trial to 29-year-old striker Edson Buddle. So Moyes will not give up on that market despite the disappointment of Donovan’s decision. The United States’ all-time leading scorer had hinted he was ready to return to Merseyside for a second spell, but yesterday announced he will rest in preparation for the new Major League Soccer season instead. He said: “While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this off-season as opposed to going on loan. “I never considered being loaned to a club other than Everton, but I have been playing nearly non-stop for the past two years and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the national team throughout the upcoming year.” Donovan netted two goals in 10 appearances while on loan with the Blues earlier this year. He then returned to star for LA Galaxy in their domestic season, before playing in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa in June, and then helping the Galaxy to the MLS Western Conference championship game in November, where they lost 3-0 to Dallas. A statement on the LA Galaxy website said: “We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his post-season break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels.” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena added: “We expect Landon to join our club for the start of pre-season training next month as we begin to prepare for the 2011 MLS season.” Meanwhile, Moyes is determined not allow his team to become sidetracked by talk of Europe despite their morale-boosting win over Manchester City. The Blues recorded their fourth straight win at City on Monday, which saw them move away from the drop zone, five points ahead of third-bottom Wigan, and only six adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham. Such is the congestion in the Premier League table, there was immediate talk of a belated assault on the European spots at the onset of a festive period that continues with a home encounter against Birmingham on Boxing Day. But Moyes has ruled out such lofty aims for now, aware his side have struggled to find consistency this term. He said: “I still feel we are big outsiders when people talk about Europe. This result keeps the Premier League exciting. I am sure many teams were happy with it, not just Everton. “It showed the quality we have got at the club. But we have a great deal of catching up to do. “We have been doing a great job trying to make up ground and we will keep going. But we are a bit further back than all the other teams. Confidence is high because we have great belief at the moment. We have been playing well recently.” “We have players who can make a difference and help us play well. We have already had good results this season against Manchester United and Chelsea. Now coming here to Manchester City as well means we have a bit of momentum going into the next few games.”
Everton FC defender Phil Jagielka facing month on the sidelines
Dec 22 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES is facing the dilemma of a busy festive period with only one fit central defender - after injured Phil Jagielka was facing a month on the sidelines. Jagielka was forced off with a thigh injury against Manchester City on Monday night, and scans yesterday have confirmed Everton’s worst fears. The England international, who has forged a fine partnership with Sylvain Distin this season, will now miss Everton’s four Barclays Premier League games over the holiday period, along with still being a doubt for the FA Cup third round visit to Scunthorpe United in early January. And with John Heitinga struggling to overcome the knee injury that has ruled him out of the last three games, Sylvain Distin may be the only senior centre-back available to Moyes for the Boxing Day visit of Birmingham City. Should the Dutchman not recover in time for Sunday, Everton manager Moyes could choose to play either Phil Neville or Tony Hibbert at centre-back alongside Distin. The blues boss could also call on the services of teenage defender Shane Duffy, with the Irishman making the first team bench several times this season but so far without any playing time in the Premier League. It could prompt Moyes, who is clearly short of defensive cover at centre back and left back, to factor that into his already extensive trawl for new loan recruits in the January transfer window. Jagielka was unfortunate to score an own goal on Monday, after Yaya Toure’s shot deflected off him and past Tim Howard. But he was otherwise typically solid against a barrage of City attacks, and will be a huge loss for a manager trying to resurrect his side’s fortunes over the next four games.
LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan rules out return to Everton on loan
Dec 22 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
LANDON DONOVAN has ruled out a loan move back to Everton in the January transfer window. The Los Angeles Galaxy forward enjoyed a successful loan spell at Goodison at the start of the year and had been linked with a repeat move next month. But the United States’ all-time leading scorer has decided to return to Europe and rest in preparation for the new Major League Soccer season. “While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this off-season as opposed to going on loan,” Donovan said on Galaxy’s official website. “I never considered being loaned to a club other than Everton, but I have been playing nearly non-stop for the past two years and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the national team throughout the upcoming year.” Donovan also joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2009, but struggled to make an impact. “We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his post-season break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena added. “We expect Landon to join our club for the start of pre-season training next month as we begin to prepare for the 2011 MLS season.”
Everton FC's Phil Jagielka ruled out of Christmas programme as Bordeaux eye Louis Saha move
Dec 22 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES has been handed a central defensive headache for Christmas after Phil Jagielka was ruled out of Everton’s festive programme. Jagielka is facing up to a month on the sidelines after undergoing scans yesterday on the thigh strain that forced him off towards the end of Monday’s 2-1 win at Manchester City.
The England international will now miss Everton’s four Barclays Premier League games over the holiday period along with the FA Cup third round visit to Scunthorpe United in early January. And with John Heitinga struggling to overcome the knee injury that has ruled him out of the last three games, Sylvain Distin may be the only senior centre-back available to Moyes for the Boxing Day visit of Birmingham City. Should the Dutchman not recover in time for Sunday, Everton manager Moyes could choose to play either Phil Neville or Tony Hibbert at centre-back alongside Distin. Meanwhile, Bordeaux are contemplating a January bid to take Everton striker Louis Saha back to France. The Ligue 1 side have targeted Saha despite the forward having struggled for form this season as part of a misfiring Goodison attack. The 32-year-old has started just six games since the summer with his only strike coming in the 5-1 Carling Cup win over npower League One side Huddersfield Town in August. Although Everton’s top goalscorer last season with 15 goals, Saha has netted only four times in the last 12 months and is without a Barclays Premier League strike since bagging a brace in the 2-1 home win over Chelsea back in February. The France international was an initial success when signed from Manchester United in August 2008, scoring a number of crucial goals including a record-breaking strike in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea that season. Having arrived on a two-year deal, Saha signed a contract extension in February that ties him to the club until the end of next season. But the Frenchman was only a substitute for Monday’s 2-1 win at Manchester City and Bordeaux believe they could persuade Moyes into parting with the forward when the transfer window reopens next month. In the meantime, Saha is almost certain to be called upon over the next fortnight as Everton gear up for a hectic festive schedule of four matches in 11 days beginning with the Boxing Day visit of Birmingham City. Mikel Arteta will return after serving a three-match suspension, while Leon Osman made a welcome comeback with a 75-minute appearance at Eastlands after missing two months with an ankle problem. “We have games coming thick and fast over the Christmas period as always, so the more players you have the better,” said Osman. Nobody likes missing out on Christmas, but it’s part of being a football player. “It’s a time of the season you relish. “It was great to be back in the first team and to come away with a result like we did at City makes it all the sweeter. “I was feeling good when I went off. “It was a tough game – especially when we went down to 10 men – but I felt good and will be all the better for playing 75 minutes of football.”
Mark Lawrenson: Another welcome blow for the David Moyes doubters
Dec 22 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
I FINALLY managed to get to a game at the weekend – the Monday night clash between Manchester City and Everton. And it was well worth the short but perilous journey and having to sit in sub-zero temperatures. I was delighted with the way Everton played and that they won the game. Because anything that keeps the David Moyes doubters at bay is fine by me. It makes me laugh when I hear people suggest that he has ‘taken Everton as far as he can’. Remember Alan Curbishley? That was what he was always accused of at Charlton Athletic and he left. And where are Charlton now? Just shows you have to be careful what you wish for. It’s a fairer argument to say that Moyes has taken Everton as far as anyone can and if anyone doubts he is the man to lead them, then I don’t know where that comes from. He has proven it with the way his side has coped with the top sides all season. Okay they certainly need more points against the lower teams to get them up the table and their home form needs some drastic improvement. But there was something in Moyes’s demeanour before the game at City that told you he knew he had characters in his dressing room, that he had players who fancied getting in amongst City’s overpaid lot. And it’s that character that will see Everton okay in the remainder of the campaign.
What you also have to remember about Moyes is that with January on the horizon it’s not like he is licking his lips at the prospect of some serious shopping. He might be able to get a loan signing in to bolster his misfiring forward line. But that’s about it. It’s not like he’s getting an open cheque book to raid the market. But then he’s used to this. If you look at the team that saw off City on Monday, you’ve got the likes of Anichebe, Rodwell and Osman who came through the ranks while Howard, Neville, Cahill, Distin, Jagielka, Baines and Coleman cost either nothing at all or next to nothing in today’s prices. Marouane Fellaini was the only big money buy out there, but you wouldn’t have known it for the way they got in amongst them and were great value for the win.
Makes you wonder who else could have assembled such an impressive outfit on such a small budget? JUST to go old school for a bit...I loved the fact that some Everton players wore short sleeved shirts. This is from someone who played a Liverpool team that weren’t even allowed to wear track suit bottoms in training. But the benefits are simple – if you’re cold you run around more and keep warm and it make you more competitive. If you wear snoods and gloves you feel more inclined stand around and do nothing – just like come of City’s players.
Everton FC manager David Moyes not sidetracked by talk of a European push
Dec 22 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES has no intention of getting sidetracked by talk of Europe despite Monday night’s excellent win at Manchester City. Collecting three points from a trip to Eastlands is becoming as much an annual tradition as travel chaos around Bank Holidays. Goals from Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines ensured Everton recorded their fourth straight win at City. It allowed them to clamber away from the drop zone, five points ahead of third-bottom Wigan, yet only six adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham, such is the congestion in the Premier League table. Little wonder there was immediate talk of a concerted assault on the European spots at the start of a Christmas period that continues with a home encounter against Birmingham on Boxing Day. But Moyes has no such lofty aims at present. The Scot is aware his side have struggled to find consistency this term. And he realises the search must continue until that elusive component of so many successful seasons has been rediscovered. “This result keeps the Premier League exciting. I am sure many teams were happy with it, not just Everton. “It showed the quality we have got at the club. “But we have a great deal of catching up to do. “We have been doing a great job trying to make up ground and we will keep going. But we are a bit further back than all the other teams.” Nevertheless, there are sound reasons for optimism on the blue half of Merseyside, none more so than the form of Tim Cahill. Although the Australian scored his ninth goal of the season when he nodded home Seamus Coleman’s early cross, Moyes does not feel Cahill has been operating at his peak. Last night, he produced the workrate to go with his goals output, harrying the City defence at every opportunity as the visitors tried to protect their two-goal advantage, then working tirelessly in a more orthodox midfield role once Victor Anichebe had been dismissed. “Tim’s energy levels looked back to the old days,” observed Moyes “There had been signs he had maybe dipped down a little bit but he showed great energy, and we needed him to. “He did a great job when we were at 10 men and even when we had 11. He epitomised what we are about. He was the one who kept taking the fight to Manchester City.” It was the third year in a row Cahill had scored at City. Given they were also the first team he found the net against for Everton, the 31-year-old could be forgiven for asking if he could face the Blues every week. Moyes would certainly have no complaints given his side have reserved most of their effective performances against England’s top sides. Everton’s results this season include victories over Liverpool, and now City, plus draws with Manchester United and Chelsea. It is the rest he accepts must improve if the Merseysiders are to fulfil lofty pre-season expectations. “Confidence is high because we have great belief at the moment,” he said. “We have been playing well recently. “We have players who can make a difference and help us play well. We have already had good results this season against Manchester United and Chelsea. Now coming here to Manchester City as well means we have a bit of momentum going into the next few games.”
Not a nice day for a white wedding, as ex-Everton FC star comes to the rescue
Dec 22 2010 by Danielle Manning, Formby Times
Not a nice day for a white wedding, as Nick Jones and Holly Christian tie the knot after a day of snow trouble FORMER Everton and England star Michael Ball came to the rescue of a Formby couple’s winter wedding – when their car was stranded in snow. Blushing bride Holly wore wellies underneath her wedding dress, while her parents’ car had to be dug from the snow three times. But Nicholas Jones and Holly Christian, of Foster Road, were destined for a wedding filled with Christmas coincidences since Nick proposed on December 25 last year. Holly, of Dinorwic Road, Southport, was born on Christmas day and was featured on the front page of the Southport Visiter when she was born. They married at St Peter’s church on Saturday after local people and ex–Everton player Ball stepped in. Groom Nick said: “We had numerous challenges to face and just about overcame them all. “On the morning of the wedding we were told the wedding car was snowed in and could not take the bride to the church. “So after a number of a telephone calls a very generous local football player kindly donated his Range Rover for the day to act as a substitute wedding car. “We would like to thank all the good people of Formby for pulling together, helping out all of which enabled the day to go ahead.” Nick added: “It definitely made the day even more memorable and special.”
Home comforts mean Everton favourites to land out of favour Villa midfielder Ireland ahead of Fulham and Celtic
22nd December 2010 Daily Mail
Stephen Ireland's next move will depend on whether he is prepared to leave his multi-million mansion. Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has given the green-light for Ireland to leave next month after falling out with the midfielder. Ireland continues to make the daily 148 mile round trip from his luxury home in Prestbury, Cheshire, to Birmingham after refusing to move out the in the summer. The tiny village also houses Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves and Robbie Savage - and Ireland remains hugely reluctant to move out.
Everton FC fans’ forum on Man City game, Landon Donovan and more
Dec 23 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM. That could not describe Monday night’s performance against Manchester City more aptly. I think I bit every finger nail down to the bone watching that match! I have to agree with Greg O’Keeffe it was a tale of two Tims – but 14 Brave True Blues were outstanding, because the three substitutes matched the three they replaced with the same grit and determination. More of the same!
Geoff Warriner, L32
THE news that Phil Jagielka is going to be sidelined through injury for a few weeks is very bad news on top of Landon Donovan’s decision not to return to Goodison Park. Jags was back to his best and will be sorely missed. It seems our injury jinx will never end and any chance of a top six finish must now be very doubtful. I still hope Moyes doesn't go for 'loanies' though, and just stays with the present squad until next month’s transfer market opens. Blooper
NOW that the Landon Donovan issue is dead, perhaps we should look at some realistic issues for a change.Bilyaletdinov is a confidence player who needs a run of games to increase his confidence and he will show what a good player he is. Get him in now in place of Pienaar and tell him he is getting a 10 game run at least.If we are resigned to losing Pienaar (and we probably should be) then a decent bid for Adam Johnson might work. The lad was not bought by Mancini and is not getting regular games so who knows? A certain Michael Owen (if fit) could probably be prised away from United, either on loan or for a nominal fee.I know his previous allegiance would alienate him with some Blues but he knows where the net is given a decent run in the team, and he could tie us over for the rest of the season.I thought Victor did a decent job on Monday, but my question is what has the Yak done wrong? When he got the winner against Stoke he was probably playing some of his best football since the injury, so why drop him?When he did get a game it was up front on his own which is not playing to his strengths.Finally, I know we like to find a place for Tim Cahill – and rightly so – but why to the detriment of a second striker against Stoke, Bolton, Wigan, Wolves and the like? Either Timmy makes up a four in midfield or go for broke and play Baines, Distin and Jagielka in a back three – all are quick enough to cover.We should not be struggling at home to sides such as those – that's what cost us Europe last year.BigDuncsElbow
REGARDING Greg O’Keeffe’s article in the Football ECHO on Saturday about ‘The Golden Vision’.I was very young at the time, but I was lucky enough to see and remember Alex Young playing – what memories!But do you know what? I look at Steven Pienaar and think what a player and what passion he shows on the pitch, just like Alex Young.Mr Kenwright and Mr Moyes – please keep Pienaar at Everton FC. We need players of his calibre. Starion
Harry Catterick Story Part 3: The Day The Catt was ‘assaulted’ by fans
Dec 23 2010 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
HE was the most successful Everton manager for 90 years. Throughout the club’s trophy laden history, only Howard Kendall has won more silverware. And no-one has managed an Everton team, in more matches. Yet Harry Catterick’s legacy is often shamefully overlooked. A man who generally shunned the limelight, his record of two league titles, one FA Cup and six top four finishes in eight seasons bears comparison with any of his contemporaries. It is 25 years since Catterick passed away – appropriately watching his beloved Blues at Goodison Park – and here is the final part of the Echo’s tribute to his legacy. THE idea that Bill Shankly might be physically attacked by Liverpool supporters during the 1960s was absurd. The Anfield manager was adored by Kopites for building the team that took the Reds back to the top of English football after long years of underachievement. Harry Catterick did a similar job in reviving Everton but he did not enjoy the same reverential regard from fans as the charismatic Scotsman from across Stanley Park. Catterick commanded respect, lots of it. The title winning team he built in 1962/63, his second season at Goodison, saw to that. But Catterick came over to the public as a cold fish, hard and pragmatic, who was much less likely to interact with supporters via the media than Shankly. In 1966, midway between his two title wins and the year Everton would lift the FA Cup, Catterick was roughed up by fans. The incident occurred after a defeat at Blackpool in which Catterick dropped supporters’ favourite Alex Young in favour of giving a 16-year-old centre forward, Joe Royle, his debut.By Catterick’s own admission the incident, in which he suffered a sprained ankle and a bruised shin, became “notorious.” “I was assaulted by two or three hooligans on my way to the club coach,” Catterick said in a self penned article for the Daily Post five years later. “This was a game in which I had introduced Joe Royle and (goalkeeper) Geoff Barnett to league football. My only regret was I was only two or three weeks out of hospital after a major operation and I was unable to do anything about it. Sadly a small group of hooligans are responsible for behaviour that is difficult to understand.” Catterick went on: “If we have 50,000 to 60,000 fans it means we’re going to have 50 to 60 stupid people. I think at times our crowd are a bit too critical. But I realise they are ambitious for the club and much of their criticism stems from the desire to success. It is often misdirected and does not help.” Catterick’s professional detachment from the emotion of supporters may have caused some friction during the seven years when Everton’s 62/63 title winning team was evolving into the 69/70 Championship side. It is a tribute to Catterick’s skills as a manager that Everton spent only one season outside the top six in those seven years. That was 1966. However, this was also the era when Liverpool enjoyed the first wave of success under Shankly, which couldn’t have helped with the supporters’ sense of perspective. The ’66 FA Cup final was a classic, good enough to be remembered in the most celebrated year English football has ever known. Catterick’s influence ran right through the story of how Everton came from two goals down to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2. Alex Young always reckoned Catterick preferred a big centre forward to a lighter, more mobile striker but in ’66 he left out target man Fred Pickering in favour of a little known Cornishman, Mike Trebilcock. Catterick later explain his thinking: “Pickering was recovering from a knee injury and my problem was whether or not he would do justice to a Cup Final. I have never forgotten the comments of a newspaper man who said: ‘If Everton lose the Cup, Catterick will not be able to return to Merseyside.’ “You can be assured I would have got back to Merseyside, whether we had won the Cup or not.” Catterick reckoned Everton were “rather nervous” in falling two goals behind but two precision finishes from Trebilcock brought them level before winger Derek Temple seized on a defensive error to run clear and fire the winner. “I wasn’t surprised Treblicock exceeded all expectations,” Catterick said. “If the opportunities are there Mike has always been able to take them. He may do nothing in the match for 89 minutes and then, given the chance, he goes to town.” It was in keeping with Catterick’s unemotional and calculating character to add a postscript: “I bought him (Trebilcock) for £20,000 and sold him for about £40,000 so that Wembley gave us a profit of £20,000 on Trebilcock. I thought we did good business.” Three months after the Cup Final, Catterick made his most celebrated signing (although he reckoned Tony Kay to be his best) by paying Blackpool £110,000 for Alan Ball, a British record. Ball was fresh from helping England win the World Cup and had many suitors. But Everton enjoyed two advantages: spending power provided by chairman John Moores and Catterick’s calculating, some would say cynical approach, to dealing in the transfer market. Catterick said: “At the time most people in football were convinced Alan was destined to go to Leeds United. I did nothing to discourage the idea. In fact I helped to promote it. “I played a little bit of football poker. I let it be known that I did not think Ball was a great player and that I wasn’t terribly interested. “I found so many faults with Alan Ball it was unbelievable. This lured Leeds into complacency. “I went over to Blackpool without telling anyone. “Blackpool knew what the figure would be within a few thousand pounds and the next thing the deal was signed.” Catterick used a similar manoeuvre, when signing Howard Kendall from Preston, throwing the media the false lead that Kendall was about to sign for Liverpool when the midfielder’s move to Goodison was already tied up. Ball, Kendall and a homegrown hero called Colin Harvey formed a midfield partnership which has had few equals in Everton history, or indeed the English game. Centre half and captain Brian Labone was among the Everton players of the era to suggest that some of the performances delivered by the developing side between 1967 and ’69 were as good as any in the Championship season. But in 69/70 they delivered with a consistency that blew away the rest of the contenders in Everton’s wake. Busby, Shankly, Nicholson and Revie could not keep up with Catterick’s creation. The question of why the 69/70 team did not go on to further success remains a mystery to even some of those who played in it. Everton finished a modest 14th the following season and lost an FA Cup semi-final to Liverpool. Catterick gave frequent public voice to his concerns that creative football and talented players were under threat at a time when defensive tactics and hard men thrived. This was, after all, the era of Norman ‘Bites-yer-Legs’ Hunter, Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris and Tommy Smith, the Anfield Iron. Catterick also helped to dismantle his own construction, selling Ball to champions Arsenal for £220,000 in December 1971. Everton doubled their money on Ball who, at 26, was in his prime. Catterick, not for the first time, came under criticism for selling a good player before he needed to. A few weeks later Catterick suffered a heart attack, brought on, some said, by the strain of striving to maintain Everton’s success. In 1973 he accepted Everton’s invitation to step aside into the less strenuous role of senior director. He made one more foray into management, at Preston between 1975 and ’78. Catterick was at Goodison, attending an FA Cup tie against Ipswich when he collapsed and died of a heart attack in 1985. He passed away watching an Everton side, fashioned by Kendall, that was good enough to stand comparison alongside the best he had created many years before. That must have pleased him. With Catterick it was always the building of a successful team that delivered the most satisfaction.
Everton FC team of the decade voted for by Liverpool ECHO readers
Dec 23 2010 Greg O'Keeffe
YOUR responses have been counted; tributes logged, quips noted, and sarcastic comments tallied. Now all that remains is for us to introduce your main men of the decade for the pub debates to begin. Drum roll please . . . here’s your Everton Team of the Noughties.
GOALKEEPER – Nigel Martyn
ONLY two men made a credible claim for the goalkeeper’s jersey over the decade; current incumbent Tim Howard, and the man Everton signed at the second time of asking – Nigel Martyn. The Blues infamously first tried to buy Martyn in 1996, but the move was allegedly scuppered by then chairman Peter Johnson’s absence, with director Clifford Finch insisting that he was too busy to meet the player at Goodison Park, and instead asking him to turn up at Park Foods in Birkenhead.
Martyn himself subsequently confirmed that Finch kept him waiting for an hour, and later provided driving directions to Leeds after learning that the Yorkshire club had matched Everton’s offer! Fortunately, things went more smoothly in 2003 when the Cornishman joined to provide competition for Richard Wright. He soon went on to find a place in the side, saving Everton from relegation that season, and later going for more than eight hours of Premiership games without conceding. Martyn helped the Blues to their fourth place finish in 2005, and shone consistently until a stress fracture of his ankle forced his retirement at 39. He was unanimously judged the best Everton goalkeeper since Neville Southall – some compliment! “Martyn just pips Howard to this as the team weren’t as strong whilst he was there and he was an outstanding player for the team at the time,” commented Dave Parry of Liverpool.
RIGHT-BACK – Phil Neville
HIS medal collection includes Premier League winner, European Cup winner, and FA Cup ribbons, and of course the small matter of 59 England caps, but there were still a few underwhelmed fans when David Moyes signed Neville from Manchester United for £3.5m in 2005. It was an inauspicious start for the former ‘Fergie Fledgling’, as the Blues failed to build upon their Champions League group stage qualification and even plummeted out of the Uefa Cup. But Neville’s experience and leadership qualities soon came to the fore, and he went on to become a favourite of Moyes and eventually the Goodison faithful. Neville has already made 175 appearances for the Blues, is going strong at 33, and will always be fondly recalled for scoring an ice-cool penalty against his former club in the 2009 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Neville won your vote with a landslide 64%, Tony Hibbert came second with 17%, while Steve Watson registered 8%. “While neither Hibbo nor Neville offer much up front, they’re both great tacklers and make life difficult for wingers, Neville pips this (pun intended) due to his influence on the rest of the team.” Charles, Maghull.
LEFT BACK – Leighton Baines
LEIGHTON BAINES was a clear winner here. The Kirkby-born left-footer took his time to settle following a £6m move from Wigan Athletic in 2007, but has gone on to become a mainstay of the side and a vital part of Everton’s attacking play. Every inch the modern full-back, Baines has pace to burn, a sweet free kick, and a priceless crossing ability which has made him David Moyes’ assist king. David Unsworth got a respectable 24% of the vote, with the once promising Michael Ball getting 23%. “Such a threat down the left and from deadball situations too. Ask Tim Cahill how good he is! Mad to think he couldn’t even get in the side when he first came, because Bainsey will be remembered as a classy player - and a down to earth local lad to boot.” David Smith, Gateacre
CENTRE-BACKS – David Weir & Phil Jagielka
WITH 307 appearances between them, David Weir and Phil Jagielka have each become familiar faces to Evertonians over the decade, personifying ultra-reliable centre -half play, and helping to keep plenty of clean-sheets. Weir still pushes his 40-year-old body through the rigours of international football, testament to his fastidious approach to fitness and conditioning that made him a near ever-present on Merseyside. Jagielka, too, looks capable of a long and glowing career in royal blue, having long since made his name one of the first on David Moyes’ team-sheets, and forced his way into international reckoning despite the partnership of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. Perhaps surprisingly, Jagielka won the much larger share of the vote with almost 60%, and Weir got 30%. Alan Stubbs was a familiar and reassuring fixture at Goodison but only polled 17%, with Joleon Lescott finding forgiveness from enough Toffees to get 15.9%. “David Weir and Phil Jagielka! Dave Watson is too old to be considered for the last 10 years and as Richard Gough wasn’t with us long enough, then my choices have been made on that basis. Stubbs was also a fantastic servant.” Alex Duffin, Liverpool
RIGHT MIDFIELD – Steven Pienaar
HIS Everton future remains shrouded in almost as much doubt as whether he should be classed as a right or left sided player in this poll, but Steven Pienaar came up trumps down the right nevertheless. The little South African came to Goodison at a low ebb after a disappointing spell at Borussia Dortmund where his star had been on the wane. But David Moyes gave him the rehab treatment that only a bit of faith and regular football can provide, and ‘Peanuts’ never looked back. Starring for his country on home soil in last summer’s World cup, he became an indispensable part of Everton’s midfield engine, the 28-year-old is a fans’ favourite without doubt and polled 40%. Eyebrows will raise at Landon Donovan’s poll after just three-months at Goodison (36.9%), and Leon Osman perhaps suffered from his versatility, registering 20%. “Not strictly a right midfielder, but best of the options here with Pienaar more a left-mid. Osman is very underrated. Donovan was only here for a few months but was very good – probably the only proper right midfielder in the last seven years.” Gareth Davis, Bury
LEFT MIDFIELD – Kevin Kilbane
HIS nickname may have been thanks to more than a tinge of good-natured fun, but Kevin ‘Zinedine’ Kilbane was still a traditional style left winger who carved a niche for himself in David Moyes’ early Everton teams. The Republic of Ireland winger joined at the start of the 2003–04 season, signing in for under £1m, where he was reunited with David Moyes who he played under at Preston North End. The Goodison Park fans appreciated his commitment, and in turn helped re-invigorate Kilbane as a player. He displayed impressive versatility which saw him fill in right across the midfield, at left back or even as a support striker! Nick Barmby was a controversial name on the list, and duly polled just 3%, while Leon Osman again came close with 20%.
“Kevin Kilbane just shades Mark Pembridge, but Steven Pienaar would be the ideal and obvious choice on the left of midfield.” Albie Charles, Gloucester
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – Lee Carsley and Mikel Arteta
The Noughties produced a few cult heroes but maybe none as enduring as Super Lee Carsley. A journeyman until he arrived at Goodison in 2002, Carlsey at first enjoyed mixed fortunes before eventually providing one half of the ‘gruesome twosome’ axis, along with Thomas Gravesen, which helped the Blues to fourth place. Carsley memorably scored the winner in the 200th Merseyside derby in December 2004, and was renowned for his tough tackling and effective distribution which often went unsung by the pundits. His partner in the middle is a different style of player. Once dubbed a modern day Alex Young by Everton owner Bill Kenwright, Mikel Arteta is better known as the Best little Spaniard most Evertonians know. The Basque born midfielder may not be able to win a Spain cap, but he has long ago won a firm place in Blue hearts thanks to his elegant right foot and razor-sharp brain. Gravesen polled 35%, and Marouane Fellaini got 11%. “Hard choice this one. I believe Fellaini could go on to become a world class player for Everton but not enough to get in before Mikel and Super Lee. Tommy Gravo was close due to his form before going to Real Madrid but for consistency and commitment I went for Arteta and Carsley. Even though Arteta has had a terrible season so far.” Alex, Liverpool
STRIKERS – Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill.
CENTRE forwards are more often than not fondest in the hearts of the Goodison faithful. And while this decade’s occupants of the striking berths, and the one before, still toil under the shadows of Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray and Bob Latchford, there were men who managed to establish themselves as legends in their own right. It is probably no surprise that Wayne Rooney didn’t make the cut despite his prodigious talents, still getting 39.7%, and maybe less of a shock that Joe Max Moore and James Beattie only managed 1% each. Instead, there was an easy winner; the Blue Kangaroo Tim Cahill ran away with a remarkable 80% of the votes for one striking berth, considering he is strictly a midfielder. It is testament to the Aussie (183 appearances, 54 goals) that his second-fiddle partner in the team is Duncan Ferguson. The former idol of the Gwladys Street got 51% of the vote for the other striking slot, based on his second spell as a Toffee, which saw him welcomed with open arms back at his spiritual home, even if it only yielded 24 goals during an injury-hit six season spell before retirement in 2006. “Tim Cahill without a shadow of a doubt. He personifies Everton FC. Has the Aussie trait of being ultra competitive! Wish more players were like him. Imagine having decent crosses from the wings for the likes of Ferguson and Cahill’s aerial abilities.” Mark Delahay
Martyn
Neville Weir Jagielka Baines
Pienaar Carsley Arteta Kilbane
Ferguson Cahill
Tony Hibbert admits Landon Donovan’s loan let down is a blow but vows EFC are still on the up
Dec 23 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TONY Hibbert has admitted the disappointment in the Everton camp at Landon Donovan’s decision not to return on loan – but insisted the Blues are still ready to enjoy a winning Christmas. The defender accepts that Goodison Park will miss the added spark that the USA star provided last January, although he respects Donovan’s decision to spend his pre-season resting in America instead. Hibbert, 29, who could be called upon to resume his occasional role as an emergency centre back against Birmingham City on Boxing Day due to Phil Jagielka’s injury, believes Everton are ready to turn a corner – with or without the LA Galaxy star. He said: “It was always up to Landon. It was his decision, and he was entitled to decide against it. It’s good that he was interested in coming to us anyway, because he’s a top player. “There is disappointment of course because we’ve missed out on a world class player, but there will probably be loads of players we will look at, and hopefully bring in a couple next month. “This season the league is very tight as we know, and a couple of wins will throw you right up there. The belief among the lads is still the best I’ve ever seen. “We’re a good group and have great individuals, so it’s only a matter of time before the results change for us. It’s got to, because the team we’ve got now is one of the best I’ve seen here.” Hibbert said that a flipside of Donovan’s decision will be that Seamus Coleman can carry on starring in his new right midfield role.
He said: “He can only get better and better. I’m sure he never thought himself he would end up playing right wing, but the manager has given him a chance and he has taken it. I don’t see why he can’t hold his place, because he’s playing out of his skin. He’s still young, and learning all the time but he has amazing potential.”
Meanwhile, Leighton Baines has insisted he has no intention of quitting Everton, despite rumours linking him with a £9m move to Bayern Munich. The defender is happy at Goodison Park, and only signed a new five-year deal with the Blues this summer. He has been on top form this season, and was subsequently scouted by the Bundesliga giants on a number of occasions, but remains intent on success with Everton in the Premier League, and resurrecting his England career. Baines joined the Toffees from Wigan Athletic for £6m in 2007, and has established himself as the second best left back in England behind only Ashley Cole.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - Kevin Ratcliffe's 11 years
Dec 23 2010 By Neil MacDonald
As the festive season approaches, we have put together a special online 12 days of Christmas with an Everton FC twist. A new installment will be online at www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/efc and www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/efc each day up to the 25th
FROM making his debut in 1980 to leaving the Blues in 1991, Kevin Ratcliffe gave 11 years of sterling service to Everton FC. During his time at the club, he lifted the FA Cup, the League Championship twice and the European Cup Winners Cup during the most successful spell in the club's history. It could all have been so different however as Ratcliffe handed in a transfer request in the early days of his Everton career after struggling to establish himself in the first team. Despite helping Everton to a 0-0 draw against Manchester United on his debut, he found himself at left-back more often than not, and Ipswich Town were rumoured to be waiting in the wings to make a bid. Everything changed when he finally got his chance at the centre of the Blues defence and became an almost immediate ever-present, alongside Mark Higgins and then Derek Mountfield. He played 461 games for Everton and was known for his blistering pace and keen reading of the game, as well as for his duels with Welsh international team-mate Ian Rush. After leaving Everton in 1991, he played for Dundee, Cardiff, Nottingham Forest and Derby, but it is in Everton blue that his legacy was secured.
We can work it out, insists Everton FC's Beatles fan Leighton Baines
Dec 23 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
WRITING in a new blog detailing his love for music, Leighton Baines revealed an admiration for the Beatles. And to paraphrase the Fab Four, the left-back is now determined to get both Everton and himself back to where they once belonged. Baines was influential on Monday night as David Moyes’s side ended a seven-game run without a win with a morale-boosting 2-1 triumph at championship-chasing Manchester City. But while Everton may have struggled for form in previous weeks, the same cannot be said for the 26-year-old. Indeed, Baines’s impressive showings have been such that Bayern Munich are prepared to test the waters with a £9million move for the player. The Bundesliga giants, though, are likely to be frustrated, with the defender more intent on staying at Goodison and helping the team overcome their disappointing start to the campaign and push for European qualification. “The win at City has to be platform for us to push now,” says Baines. “It has to be. We have talked it to death the reasons why we haven’t been winning, we are sick of talking about it, we just want to start doing it and hopefully we have started and we can build on it now. “We are just not sure why consistency has been a problem. We have been playing well in games but just not scored and it has been tough because it has been hard to pinpoint the reasons. “But there is no point looking back now. We need to look forward and hopefully this result will give us that springboard.” Baines’s ultimately decisive goal at Eastlands was his fifth for Everton but his first ever with his right foot. And, having provided numerous assists for Tim Cahill, the defender believes it was about time the favour was returned. “I think there were a few passes leading up to it,” says Baines. “I had made an overlap, realised I wasn’t going to get the ball and so carried on my run and before I know it Tim has set me. “There was a player in front of me that I could use to guide the shot round and that has given me a bit of a marker to use. “I said to Tim it’s about time he set me up. We were laughing about it. “That will have been my first goal as a professional with my right foot and probably the first time other than a penalty I have scored from inside the box. I wouldn’t fancy my chances with my right foot from outside the box. I just need a header now!” The performance of Baines in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea earlier this month suggested that if Ashley Cole is England’s premier left-back, then the Everton man cannot be far behind. However, Baines has been left out of the cold by Fabio Capello since being controversially culled from the final squad that travelled to the World Cup in South Africa last summer. And the defender is determined to force his way back into Capello’s thinking, with England next in action against Denmark in February. “The frustrating thing at that time in the build up to the World Cup the media is crazy,” he says. “I am not used to dealing with the media on that level.
“I was down after the Mexico game but I was down because I had played rubbish. We had one day where we could go home and I have ended the interview saying I want to shoot off, my family is here, I want to get back up the road. “He said ‘do you not like being away?’ and I said it’s the hardest part but it’s the same for every single player you go you train and come back you miss your family. It’s natural. Not once did I mention the word homesick but that is the way it was manipulated.” Baines adds: “I would like to get involved again, it is an honour to be picked because it means you are one of the best players in the country at that time which is fantastic and it is everyone’s dream. “If you are playing in the Premier League and playing for a good club you want to get on to the international scene. I’m the same as everyone else.” Baines concedes that during his formative years at Wigan Athletic he fought with the demons of a lack of confidence and self-belief. But under the tutelage of then Latics manager Paul Jewell, the Kirkby-born left-back blossomed, progress that has moved forward significantly following his move to Everton in August 2007. “When I was a bit younger self-belief was probably a bit of an issue,” admits Baines. “I was probably self-conscious and always wondering if I was good enough or not but you grow out of it and come into your own when you are a bit older and I feel like I am doing that now. “Paul Jewell played a massive part in my career and he was always encouraging me and telling me that if I believed in myself as much as he believed in me I could do okay. “It was nice to hear. I feel that way now I feel more confident, I have never been a cocky type of lad I have always been quite levelled in the sense that I try not to let the highs get too high and lows get too low I try and stay the same all the time. “It has been mentioned a few times in the past that I have lacked self-belief but I would like to think that is beyond me now. “I am pretty happy with how it has gone and personally I am at an age where I am looking to step it up again really. “That is the question mark for me, I want to improve some more and hopefully I can do that and hopefully the team can do that.”
Everton FC latest: Leighton Baines rules out Bayern Munich transfer
Dec 23 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
LEIGHTON BAINES has given Everton some festive cheer by declaring he has no intention of leaving the club next month. Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with a move for the left-back, with reports in Germany suggesting they are prepared to test David Moyes’s resolve with a £9million offer when the transfer window reopens in a fortnight. The Bundesliga side have watched the England international post a succession of impressive performances in recent weeks, and were in attendance when Baines scored in the 2-1 win at Manchester City on Monday night. Everton manager Moyes has previously stated he has no plans to cash in on any of his leading players to fund transfer moves in January. And Baines, who signed a new five-year contract in the summer, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Goodison cause. “I haven’t seen too much of the speculation, I don’t know too much about it,” said the 26-year-old. “I am just concentrating on trying to play for Everton. “I have just signed a new contract and I tied myself to the club in the summer and I have no intentions at the moment of leaving the club. “I am not looking elsewhere and I am completely focused on what I am doing here and I have only just committed myself to the club.” Everton’s other goalscorer at Eastlands on Monday was Tim Cahill, the Australian taking his tally for the season to nine Premier League strikes in 17 games. And such has been Cahill’s impact at the club since arriving from Millwall more than six years ago, goalkeeper Tim Howard believes the 31-year-old is approaching legendary status among the Goodison faithful. I don’t know how long you have to play to be considered a legend, but with Tim it has to be getting into that realm,” said the United States international. “I have been here five years and Tim six or seven and it is getting that way. “People will remember him for the passion he plays with, for the goals he scores, the importance of those goals and his determination to play through injuries. “He is a cult hero and people love him. You hear it now with people talking about players like Graeme Sharp and him being remembered for all the right reasons and I think it will be that way with Tim. “As team-mates when you stand alongside him you feel that bit more confident, that bit more bravado inside yourself and he is a guy you want in your team.” Everton officials remain confident the Boxing Day clash with Birmingham City will go ahead despite the wintry weather that has decimated the football programme and brought many areas of the country to a standstill. Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said: “Work is continuing throughout the club and despite the severe conditions and no forecast of a rise in temperatures, we still expect the game will go ahead. I’d particularly like to thank Paul Morrison and Liverpool City Council for their assistance regarding the areas surrounding Goodison.” Meanwhile, reports in the North East yesterday suggest Moyes is contemplating a January move for Middlesbrough centre-back David Wheater. Everton scouts have been spotted at recent games at the Riverside where they are thought to have been running the rule over the 23-year-old. Moyes is a long-time admirer of Wheater while his assistant Steve Round knows the player from his time at Boro. Wheater is out of contract at the end of the season, so a bid of around £2million could be enough to prise the young defender away from the Championship outfit.
Everton lead chase for Boro's David Wheater
Dec 22 2010 by Eric Paylor, Evening Gazette
PREMIER League Everton are at the forefront of the chase for Boro defender David Wheater. The Goodison club have been represented at all of Boro’s recent games. Everton boss David Moyes is believed to have been a fan of Wheater for a long time and has been monitoring the Redcar lad’s development. Now Boro must wait to see if Moyes finally follows up his interest with a written bid next month. Tony Mowbray does not want to lose the home-grown defender, who is the clear leader in the Evening Gazette’s star ratings league this season. But Mowbray knows that Wheater can walk away for nothing in the summer under freedom of contract. So Boro are unlikely to stand in the way of the Teessider next month if an acceptable bid is received from Everton or any other club. Media speculation suggests that Everton will have to pay around £2m to get their man, but Boro will be looking for more if possible. In this respect, it will suit Boro if other Premier League clubs submit written offers. North-east neighbours Newcastle and Sunderland are the latest clubs linked by the media with interest in Wheater. But the Gazette understands that Everton are clear favourites at this stage. Wheater has long made it clear that he has ambitions to play in the Premier League again. In an ideal world, he wants to do so with Boro. But Mowbray admitted only last week that Boro were unlikely to be able to offer Wheater this opportunity in the immediate future. If Wheater leaves, then Mowbray will ask for money to bring in a new centre-back. He believes that he needs a big, strong, no-nonsense defender to complement the athletic skills of Matthew Bates, especially as Stephen McManus is likely to be sidelined for some time as he recovers from an operation. Mowbray also has Seb Hines as cover, while Jonathan Grounds is expected to return from Hibs next month, but the Boro boss will still seek a direct replacement for Wheater. For his part, Wheater is a level-headed lad who is unlikely to be fazed by all the transfer stories. But Mowbray will hope the situation does not drag on until the very end of January. Coincidentally, there has been strong, but so far unconfirmed, speculation in the North-west media that both Bolton and Wigan are very interested in Hines. Meanwhile Boro have revealed that Mickael Tavares is on loan with the club until the end of the season, and not until January as previously stated. FORMER Boro defender Andrew Davies is back training at Rockliffe Park. The Stockton-born 26-year-old is currently on Stoke’s books but isn’t part of manager Tony Pulis’s plans. Davies, who moved from Boro to Southampton in October 2007 before joining Stoke in August 2008, is now looking for a move away from the Britannia and would relish a Riverside return.
Howard Kendall: Landon Donovan loan blow is not the end of the world
Dec 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
I’M SURE a lot of Everton fans will be disappointed to hear Landon Donovan isn’t coming on loan again in January. But it won’t have been bad news for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Seamus Coleman. They will have an added impetus to get into the team now, and might have had their routes blocked by the arrival of Donovan for a second spell. In reality it was only ever going to be a short term thing. It will mean David Moyes switches to the other targets on his list of loan players, and then he will have his work cut out - particularly if he has to scour Europe. It’s never easy to pick a player who you maybe haven’t seen as much as you’d like to have. Sometimes it’s easier to get them over on trial first, but that may not be a luxury available to the manager. I remember when we had a look at Robert Warzycha at Bellefield, and saw him in training and gave him a run out with the reserves. He was outstanding and erased any doubts we might have had, so we knew he would fit in with our squad. Similarly Thomas Myhre was a good goalkeeper we took for a trial, and he proved that by going on to play many times for us and then forging a successful career in the top flight. There are jewels out there!
Former Everton player John Paul Kissock says Southport FC can help him realise his dream
Dec 24 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
JOHN PAUL KISSOCK hopes the sea air can breathe new life into his career. The ex-Everton prospect has joined Conference side Southport in a bid to create his footballing re-birth. Released by the Blues at the end of the 2008-09 season, Kissock embarked on a painful journey of dashed hopes which took from Scotland to the edge of England. But the 21-year-old hopes to have finally found a platform to give his career a shot in the arm on the Sefton coast. Having started the campaign in the West Cheshire League with Newton before a move to Vodkat Premier Division Formby, Kissock is now edging back to former heights. "There were a lot of good players at Everton in front of me - players like Steve Pienaar,” said Kissock. “They also wanted me to play in wide areas but I have always seen myself as playing down the middle as a centre forward. Leaving Everton was just one of them things. "The biggest club who I trialled with in the summer was Brighton and I came close to signing for them. Gus Poyet said some really encouraging things, including they were ready to build the team around me, but it never materialised in the end. Karl Robinson made me an offer at MK Dons but the money on the table would not have been enough for me to survive on. I had just come to him at the wrong time. "I'm now in the right frame of mind and have a good team around me so really, really want to push back towards the Premier League. I really am hoping for this and you have just got to believe in yourself. "This definitely feels like a second chance and I'm really happy to be at Southport. "I really see this as a stepping stone to get my career back on track so all I am focused on doing is working hard and not giving up.”
Howard Kendall: David Moyes is a master motivator
Dec 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
DAVID Moyes has many great qualities as a coach, but his man managing ability is sometimes under-rated. That fantastic win over Manchester City on Monday emphasised his powers of inspiration, and how he can get players to produce the best for him. Take Victor Anichebe. It was a surprise to see him leading the line, especially given his contract situation and the negative publicity which surrounded him after the Wigan Athletic game when it emerged he had knocked back a new deal. But Moyes showed he does not hold grudges, or let things effect his selection and showed faith in the lad, which in turn was reciprocated in a good first half performance from him. It’s been the same with Steven Pienaar. His contract is still in the air, but he has been consistently playing well and it says a lot about how Moyes treats these players. The only time you’d think back in hindsight and question whether a player should have started was Joleon Lescott when Everton lost 6-1 to Arsenal at the start of the 2009/10 season. David has said since that he probably shouldn’t have played him, and he can be forgiven for thinking it might have worked. I was very impressed with the passing and movement on Monday night. Leighton Baines’ run off the ball to be in the right place and finish that goal with his right foot was superb. You can see why some other big clubs have taken notice of him. Tim Howard too was magnificent. Maybe he didn’t make the grade at Manchester United for whatever reasons, but their loss was Everton’s gain.
Howard Kendall: No need for winter break in the UK
Dec 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
I’M ESCAPING the winter weather to spend Christmas in the Spanish sunshine, and I’ll be following the Blues from my favourite bar over there. This recent spate of sub zero temperatures and snow fall has only confirmed my view that a winter break would be no good in the Premier League. You just never know when winter is going to come for starters!! We were hunkering down and dealing with the freeze in November and December, so it’s too hard to judge the right time to halt the league. I can see the arguments for it, and it may give the England players a better rest in seasons when there is a tournament, but I'd be surprised if it happened any time soon. What would we watch on Boxing Day?
Dave Prentice: Can you name Six of the Best Everton number ones?
Dec 24 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
HERE’S a Royal Blue Christmas teaser for you. Since squad numbers were introduced to the Premier League in the summer of 1993, six goalkeepers have worn the number one jersey for Everton. Some great, some not so celebrated. I’ll give you one to get you going but leave the rest to you. The first correct answer e-mailed to me at dave.prentice@liverpool.com, can have a copy of Steve Johnson’s excellent new reference book – Everton: The Official Complete Record. All six goalkeepers have played at least one match with the number one jersey on their backs. Correct answers and lucky winner next week. In the meantime, have a Happy Christmas and a successful (weather permitting) Boxing Day!
Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell set to return against Everton
Dec 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
BIRMINGHAM defender Liam Ridgewell is poised to return for the Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Boxing Day. Ridgewell was forced to miss City’s last match, against Wolves nearly two weeks ago, through illness and was replaced by David Murphy. Midfielder Alexander Hleb has returned to training after being sidelined for almost a month with a hamstring injury suffered in the 1-1 draw at Fulham. Blues boss Alex McLeish has to decide whether the on loan Barcelona player has regained sufficient sharpness to be involved. Birmingham will be looking to avenge the only home league defeat they have suffered in the last 15 months - 2-0 to Everton, at St Andrew’s in October.
Everton FC defender Tony Hibbert is ready to step into the breech against Birmingham City FC
Dec 24 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
TONY HIBBERT is no stranger to tall orders. The Everton defender’s no-nonsense attitude meant he didn’t think twice when asked to play centre half against the imposing frame of Peter Crouch in the run up to last Christmas. A clash with Spurs and a dearth of fit central defenders led David Moyes to ask his 5ft7 right back to plug a gap against the 6ft 7 striker, and sure enough he passed the test with flying colours. Hibbert might rarely win plaudits or make headlines, but his worth among the staff and players at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground is immeasurable. Ego-less in the extreme, the 29-year-old admits he will operate anywhere along the back line, and may have to again on Boxing Day. With Phil Jagielka facing a month out, and John Heitinga struggling to shrug off a knee injury, Hibbert is ready and waiting. And he could well have his hands full, if Sunday’s opponents Birmingham City, decide to unleash Serbian striker Nikola Zigic, a full half inch taller than Peter Crouch. “I’ll play anywhere,” says the Huyton-born defender. “I don’t know whether Johnny will be fit, but I’ve played there in Athens and I’ve played there at Spurs against Crouch! “I’m happy to play there. It’s a defensive role and I just view it as that.” Hibbert, who came through Everton’s academy and learned from players like Alan Stubbs, Richard Gough and David Weir, has now found himself in the mentor role, particularly to promising young star Seamus Coleman. And even though the Irishman’s emergence has meant Hibbert’s place in the side has fallen under threat, the older man is happy to help him progress. “We need more young lads coming through like Seamus, It’s great,” he says. “He’s learning all the time and you’ve always got to help the young lads, no matter what. “It’s a tightly bonded squad. Since I started out at the academy the spirit and togetherness has been amazing. It’s a nice environment to work in, like a close family. If a foreign lad or young lad comes in, it’s nice for them to be around. We try and help them through.” Hibbert admits that last Monday’s courageous win over Manchester City has sent confidence coursing back through blue veins, but believes they can only get back on track by rectifying their home form, starting with three points over Alex McLeish’s side on Sunday. “City was a fantastic lift. We’ve got a great record there and the lads knew it was going to be a hard game. When Victor got sent off we knew it was going to be even tougher, but it was brilliant. “I think all season we’ve been playing lovely football, but at City we scored from it and then went on and held it. That’s the difference. “The luck changed for us on Monday. Without a doubt the confidence is back. Knowing we’ve got the points and the pressure is off a little bit is good, but we need to start winning at home. “The players can feel the nerves at Goodison and we do feel it. We haven’t had the best home record this season but we’re desperate to change that as quickly as possible. “I really feel our football at Goodison has been unbelievable at some points, but we've been luckless.” Hibbert is full of admiration for the Blues of the Midlands. “They are a good side,” he says. “We just need the results now, but Birmingham go about their business in a good frame of mind. They are very hard to beat, but we need to kick on after City. Slowly and surely they’ve improved and now they’re looked at as a strong squad. “The players they’ve got in are strong and you don’t take them lightly for a minute. “They’ve evolved as a club in a similar way we have, improving by the season. “There’s definitely similarities. But I still see them as a team we need to take points off if we’re going to start moving up the table.” Birmingham, thanks to owner CarsonYeung, have had money to spend in recent transfer windows, but Hibbert insists Monday’s result over City proves the Moyes mantra that big-spending is not the only blue-print to success. “It shows money isn’t everything. Manchester City are the richest club in the world, and they’re never afraid to spend the cash,” he says. “But it shows that a group of together players can overcome that. No other team in the Premier League has got the character we have. “You can’t buy what we have.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes backs Mikel Arteta to rediscover top form
Dec 24 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has backed Mikel Arteta to rediscover the form which made him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Spaniard is back in contention for Everton’s Boxing Day show-down with Birmingham City after completing a three-game suspension, and has been challenged to raise his game after a below-par start to the season. Moyes has not ruled out keeping Arteta, 28, on the bench for Sunday’s game, after the impressive central midfield performance of Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell during the Blues 2-1 win over Manchester City on Monday. but the Everton boss insists that the Basque’s quality is permanent, and will inevitably see back to his best before long. The Toffees tied Arteta down to a new five-year-deal this summer despite interest from several big clubs, and Moyes was delighted to retain the long-term services of his playmaker. He said: “I don’t think Mikel has had the best start, and he’d be the first to admit that. He hasn’t started as well as he finished last season, but we need him to come back to form. We were determined to keep him in the face of a lot of interest in the summer, and we fought tooth and nail to keep him at the club. “It was what all the supporters wanted us to do. “Maybe because of that Mikel is carrying a lot of expectation on his shoulders, but he’s a big part of how we go forward. “I haven’t noticed a change in him. I’m trying to find reasons for his form not being so good. “We were disappointed to lose him and Fellaini for disciplinary reasons though. “Mikel’s quality is permanent and it will come back. He’s regarded as one of the best midfield players in the premier league for a reason.” Moyes hopes that Arteta’s return can help inspire the rest of the squad in the forthcoming absence of Tim Cahill, who leaves for the Asia Cup on January 1 after the away clash with Stoke City. “I think Mikel can step up in Tim’s absence,” said Moyes. “The players look up to Mikel for his play in the same way they look up to Phil Neville for his leadership. “I’m hoping the second half of the season will see Mikel come back in the way he did last year. “He is over the international disappointment now I think. His form over the last couple of years merited it, and he must have come close.” Meanwhile, Moyes has not completely ruled out Phil Jagielka featuring on Boxing Day. It was feared the defender would be out until the new year with a thigh strain but Moyes has not yet struck him from the squad to face Birmingham. John Heitinga is also a doubt with his ongoing knee problem, meaning there is a potential selection problem in defence. But the manager has the opposite problem in midfield, with Mikel Arteta back from suspension and Steven Pienaar also in with a chance of returning from his groin problem. Victor Anichebe misses the game through suspension following his red card at Manchester City.
Everton FC v Birmingham City Preview: Why David Moyes wants a happy home this Christmas
Dec 24 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
CHRISTMAS is an occasion to enjoy among the family. And David Moyes admits it is high time Everton started giving their home faithful something to cheer. The outstanding 2-1 victory at Manchester City on Monday not only provided a welcome morale boost but also highlighted the schizophrenic tendencies of this Goodison vintage. Away from home, Everton have lost only two of their nine Premier League games with only City and Chelsea conceding less goals.At Goodison, though, only two wins and a miserly 10 goals from nine games underline why Moyes’s men continue to loiter in the wrong half of the table. They will hope to address that shortcoming on Boxing Day when Birmingham City, who have already been defeated at St Andrew’s this season, visit for the traditional festive fixture. And Moyes believes his players must start transferring the heart, spirit and desire shown at Eastlands to their home performances.“The dressing room was excitable on Monday because of the all-around display, and what was required to get a result,” says the Goodison manager. “The spirit was abundant, and to hang on under pressure with 10 men for so long was really good. “The point was we’d gone and done it at the top end. I said to the players you’ve got to be big enough and brave enough to do it at home as well. “We’ve been playing okay at home but just not really taking our opportunities. Then on Monday night, we actually had very few opportunities. I think we only had four shots on target all night. Against Wigan we had 16 or 17 and couldn’t score a goal. “Goals change games dramatically. The players were resilient against Chelsea the week before, and we’re playing not bad without it being absolutely flowing, but we need to take our chances at home.” An easy observation to make, but it was clear from the resolute manner in which 10-man Everton defended their lead in the face of a City onslaught in the final half-hour demonstrated team spirit was a chief difference between the sides. “I think it comes from time,” says Moyes. “I can chat to my players every day, and sometimes bring them into the office, and over time it becomes a relationship. “That sort of bonds us all, and on the field you can see that. You could see it at the end as well against City. It was a long night for me as well, holding on for that time, wondering if we’d get the points we needed. “There wasn’t much football played over the weekend, and we were trying for points against a side which people have asked often whether they can win the Premier League. “It was a big win, and more importantly away, with 10 men. If it had been a win against any team I think I might have been celebrating. We needed the points.” Among the most impressive performers at Eastlands was Sylvain Distin, the centre-back marshalling a superb rearguard action by successfully keeping Carlos Tevez in check. Eyebrows were raised when Moyes splashed out more than £5million for a player only six months off his 32nd birthday in August 2009. But Distin’s displays this season have justified the expense. “For me he was proven in the Premier League which we needed as it was a late deadline,” says Moyes. “We knew he was ready to go. “I was concerned about paying the money for someone of his age, something we’ve avoided if we can help it. But he’s been great value, and is playing really well at the moment. “I think he would admit he has thrived here as well, and taken on from where Joleon (Lescott) left.” Distin had a self-confessed difficult time during the 3-3 draw against Manchester United in September, but Moyes says: “I think a few of the centre-halves have had bad games, or bad moments, but Phil Jagielka and Sylvain have been quite consistent. “There was never a consideration about leaving him out (after the United game). Yes, he made a couple of mistakes, but that was not like him.” One player, though, who has largely been below his best this campaign is Mikel Arteta. But while the Spanish schemer, who returns on Sunday from a three-match suspension, has only fleetingly realised his top form, Moyes has no fears over his quality. “I don’t think Mikel has had the best start, and he’d be the first to admit that,” says the Goodison manager. “He hasn’t started as well as he finished last season, but we need him to come back to form.“We were determined to keep him in the face of a lot of interest in the summer, and we thought tooth and nail to keep him at the club. “It was what all the supporters wanted us to do. Maybe because of that Mikel is carrying a lot of expectation on his shoulders. He’s a big part of how we go forward. “I haven’t noticed a change in him, though. I’m trying to find reasons for his form not being so good. “We were disappointed to lose him and (Marouane) Fellaini for disciplinary reasons. “I think Mikel can step up in Tim’s absence. The players look up to Mikel for his play in the same way they look up to Phil Neville for his leadership. “I’m hoping the second half of the season will see Mikel come back in the way he did last year. “His quality is permanent and it will come back. He’s regarded as one of the best midfield players in the Premier League for a reason.”
Blue Watch: Nothing can dampen Everton FC festive spirits after City win
Dec 24 2010 by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
JUST for a change, we’ll put this bit first instead of tagging it on at the end: here’s hoping that Everton can produce the same levels of energy and commitment against Birmingham City on Boxing Day as they did in their epic win at Eastlands on Monday. While no-one wants to pay Manchester City the compliment of being as pleased at beating them as you would be if we won at, say, Old Trafford, the manner in which Everton turned them over – yet again – made the match the highlight of the season so far.That’s right, probably even better than the derby, thanks to the exquisite agony we all lived through while the team defended that one-goal lead with ten men.Away at any Premier League ground that sort of result would have been fulfilling, but our recent history with Manchester City, and all that they have come to represent, gave the evening that extra fission.City's unlimited wealth is almost like a black hole at the centre of English football – so utterly massive that it warps and distorts the very fabric of everything around it.Everton’s performance though, built around togetherness and honest graft, stopped Roberto Mancini's side from going top of the league and showed that there is still some measure of resistance to their financial brute force. The snoods and scarves worn by the City players have been the subject of much mirth making, and apparently Sir Alex Ferguson has forbidden the Manchester United players from wearing them. You suspect though that David Moyes has no need to make any similar declaration though, because the atmosphere in the Goodison changing room is such that no player would even dare for fear of his teammate’s derision, never mind that of the manager or the supporters.While that team ethic is what saw Everton prevail on Monday, a number of individuals stood out, and none more so than an ex-City favourite Sylvain Distin. Ever since his nightmare afternoon against United, the Frenchman has been almost faultless, showing great character to go with his undoubted ability, and the irony of him playing so well while the man he was brought in to replace at a fraction of the cost now sits below Dedryck Boyata in the Eastlands pecking order has not been lost on anyone.A win always makes a world of difference, and even the loss of Phil Jagielka and the news that Landon Donovan won’t be returning can’t dampen the spirits at the moment, because we all know that a bit of adversity tends to bring the best out of these Blues. Happy Christmas.
Bayern Munich’s interest in Leighton Baines doesn't surprise Everton FC boss David Moyes
Dec 24 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON manager David Moyes is not surprised clubs of Bayern Munich’s ilk might be interested in in-form left-back Leighton Baines. Baines rubbished suggestions he might leave Goodison Park following fresh speculation linking him with the German giants. The former Wigan defender has been one of Everton’s few standout players during a difficult first half of the campaign and he is tipped for an England recall. Yet while that maybe attracting attention, Moyes – like the player himself – is adamant the 26-year-old will not be moving. Moyes said: “As far as I can see it can only be speculation. “There has been no contact but it seems to have got quite a lot of headlines. “He is in good form, undoubtedly. He is rightly getting admiration from big clubs but I can guarantee, to my office, there has been no contact. “We don’t let our top players go, we keep them.” Baines signed a five-year contract last summer and intends to honour that despite reports Bayern are preparing to table a £9million bid next month. “I tied myself to the club in the summer and I have no intentions at the moment of leaving the club,” said Baines, who scored in a memorable 2-1 defeat of Manchester City on Monday. “I am not looking elsewhere and I am completely focused on what I am doing here.” Moyes, however, could certainly use the money as he has admitted he will have to concentrate on loans to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window. Because of that he says rumours suggesting he is set to move for Middlesbrough’s highly-rated David Wheater are untrue. “I have said many times I don’t talk about players at other clubs,” said Moyes. “But I don’t know what people think I have said before. We won’t be spending in the January window and I expect that player to cost money. “So, for us, that wouldn’t be a goer.” Another player who will not be joining Everton is United States star Landon Donovan. The Los Angeles Galaxy forward enjoyed a successful loan at Goodison during the Major League Soccer close season last year. Everton were keen to re-sign him but the player this week ruled it out.
Everton FC latest: I haven’t given up on Victor Anichebe, says David Moyes
Dec 24 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES has not given up hope of Victor Anichebe staying at Everton – and has told the striker Goodison is the best place to further his career. Anichebe, who is out of contract at the end of the season, caused a stir earlier this month when it emerged he had turned down a lucrative new deal. The forward was subsequently jeered by the home supporters when introduced from the bench at Everton’s last home game against Wigan Athletic. However, Anichebe impressed in a starting role during the Barclays Premier League win at Manchester City on Monday before blotting his copybook with a needless dismissal for two bookable offences. And Moyes hopes that the forward will see sense and realise his development would be best served by signing a new contract. “I hope he does because I actually think it is the right place for him if he really wants to have a career,” said the Goodison manager. “Some people might think it’s better to leave here it might work for them but I don’t think it does. “For Victor, if he wants to have a long career, I would try and get this sorted here. “I think there’s a chance we can get something sorted. “I think deep down he probably realises this is the best club for him. “He lacks a bit of self belief at times in himself.” Anichebe played a part in both Everton goals in the 2-1 win at Eastlands on Monday night when handed only his second start of an injury-affected season. And Moyes added: “I think Victor was more like himself. He needed to perform and I thought he did (against Man City). “On his day the boy is a handful. “If he starts to believe a bit little more he can become a really good player. If we can get him on the field often enough, we can make something of him. “If you’re not out there often enough it doesn’t give you a chance to improve. But I thought he did well the other night. “He was a bit unfortunate to get sent off. You could say he was stupid, but I wasn’t overly angry with the boy because I was delighted with the result. I was a bit disappointed after seeing the first booking. I didn’t think it merited a booking.” By contrast, City’s £24million forward Mario Balotelli suffered a miserable evening on Monday, and Moyes said: “Sometimes it’s hard to judge the difference between a player whose worth £5-6m and a player who is worth £25m. “Sometimes there is not an awful lot between it. “We’re in the market for the £5m ones and below rather than the £25m ones.” Anichebe’s red card on Monday night at Eastlands means he serves a one-match suspension and will miss Boxing Day’s Premier League visit of Birmingham City. However, Mikel Arteta is available after completing a three-match ban while Moyes believes Steven Pienaar has a chance of being available after missing the last two games with an ankle problem. Phil Jagielka, despite being expected to be out for up to a month with a thigh problem, has not been ruled out by Moyes, but with John Heitinga still doubtful with a knee complaint, Tony Hibbert or Phil Neville could be asked to play at centre-back alongside Sylvain Distin.
Everton FC 12 days of Christmas - 12 Hall of Fame legends
Dec 24 2010
There are many prominent figures who stand out in the Blues rich footballing history, but the contribution of 12 legends has been officially recognised by the English Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame seeks to celebrate the talents of the greatest players and managers to have graced the English leagues. Potential inductees must either be retired or at least 30 years of age if they are still active in the game. The Hall of Fame is housed at the National Football Museum, currently being relocated to Manchester.
Dixie Dean - 2002 inductee
William "Dixie" Dean, perhaps Everton's most famous footballing son, was among the 22 inaugural inductees when the Hall of Fame began in 2002. For more on Dixie Dean's legendary exploits in the Blue shirt, check out the ninth day of Everton FC Christmas - Dixie Dean, football's greatest number nine.
Paul Gascoigne - 2002 inductee
Like Dixie Dean, Gazza was included in the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees back in 2002. Despite arriving at Goodison Park in the autumn of his playing career, Gascogine did enough to endear himself to the Everton faithful, scoring his first goal against Bolton Wanderers in November 2001 and making more than 30 appearances for the club.
Alan Ball - 2003 inductee
For more on EFC legend Alan Ball, see our eighth day of Everton FC Christmas - the greatest number eight of them all, little curly Alan Ball.
Tommy Lawton - 2003 inductee
Prolific forward Tommy Lawton scored goals wherever he went. After a season at Burnley, he joined the Blues in 1936 and stayed until 1939. Playing alongside the ageing Dixie Dean, Lawton ran riot in his second and third seasons at Goodison Park, scoring 62 goals in those two campaigns.
Gary Lineker - 2003 inductee
Lineker wasn't at Everton long, but he certainly made an impact: 40 goals in 57 appearances. He scored three hat-tricks for the Blues and helped them to the FA Cup Final and second place in the league.
Howard Kendall - 2003 inductee
An Everton great as a player and perhaps even greater as a manager. For more on Howard Kendall, see our third day of Everton FC Christmas - the Holy Trinity.
Peter Beardsley - 2007 inductee
Peter Beardsley has the rare distinction of being inducted into the Hall of Fame twice - first as a player and a year later as a Community Champion. He has the even rarer distinction of representing both Liverpool and Everton and still being adored by both sets of supporters.
Mark Hughes - 2007 inductee
Hughes wasn't at his most deadly while at Everton, but he did make 16 appearances for the Blues over the course of two seasons, getting on the scoresheet once against Watford before leaving for Blackburn Rovers.
Neville Southall - 2008 inductee
Everton's greatest Number One. For more on Big Nev, see the first day of Everton FC Christmas - One Neville Southall.
Ray Wilson - 2008 inductee
Ray Wilson, a member of the England 1966 World Cup squad, was Everton's left-back for the latter half of the 1960s. He won the FA Cup for Everton in the same year he won the World Cup for his country and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the Blues.
Joe Mercer - 2009 inductee
Left-half Joe Mercer was born in Ellesmere Port and played the first half of his career with Everton. In total, with seven years absence due to the Second World War, he made 186 appearances for the Blues and netted twice, winning the 1938/39 league title on the way.
Harry Catterick - 2010 inductee
Opportunities were few on the Goodison Park pitch for Harry Catterick, who played around 60 games for Everton between 1946-51, but in the dugout he was a great success. His Blues side won the league in 1962/63 and 1969/70, as well as picking up the FA Cup in 1965/66.
Everton v Birmingham City: Colin Tattum's pre-match notes
Dec 25 2010
Birmingham Evening News
EVERTON v BLUES
WHO’S HOT: Still has to be Ben Foster as there has been no game since the Wolves debacle.
WHO’S NOT: Unable to take to the pitch last Saturday, so hard to tell. Blues have a grim determination to get a result after Molineux.
LAST FIVE GAMES
EVERTON...........................................DLDDW
BLUES................................................WDWDL
BLUES (from): Foster, Carr, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Murphy, Dann, Johnson, Jiranek, Larsson, Fahey, Bowyer, Ferguson, Michel, Gardner, Beausejour, Jerome, Zigic, Phillips, Derbyshire, Taylor. Injured: McFadden (knee), Hleb (hamstring).
THE OPPOSITION: Everton can welcome back Mikel Arteta after a ban but Victor Anichebe sits it out due to suspension. Phil Jagielka is also sidelined, leaving Everton with defensive problems.
Referee: A Taylor (Cheshire).
■ FORECAS
T: Colin Tattum........................Draw.
Everton FC vs Birmingham game postponed because of freezing weather
Dec 26 2010 By Neil MacDonald
BURST and frozen pipes at Goodison Park caused by the winter weather mean Everton's Boxing Day game against Birmingham has been postponed. Despite stadium and safety teams working around the clock, the club took the decision this morning that the stadium is not in a fit condition to stage a Premier League football match, one of which would have attracted an almost capacity attendance. A new date for the fixture will be announced as soon as possible. Any supporters who have purchased a match ticket for this game should note that the ticket will be valid for the rearranged match.
* Refunds will be accepted for any supporter unable to attend the rearranged match.
* Any booking fees incurred at the time of purchase cannot be refunded.
* Refunds will be processed within 28 days of receipt of the refund application.
* Refund application requests should be sent to The Refunds Department, The Everton Fan Centre, Goodison Road, Liverpool. L4 4EL, and must be accompanied by the relevant unused ticket.
Bogey-boys Everton are back in town!
Dave Evans, West Ham correspondent Sunday, 26 December, 2010
Newham Recorder
THE USUAL reaction from any West Ham fan contemplating an upcoming match with Everton is a simple one – ‘we never beat them’! Usually it turns out to be a fallacy, but in the case of the Toffees there is certainly some truth in it. The Hammers have not beaten Everton in seven matches and in fact have lost their last four home games against the Merseysiders, including a Carling Cup quarter-final clash in 2007. The last time they did manage to grab the three points was back in those magical Carlos Tevez days when an early goal from Bobby Zamora was enough to keep them on the road to the Great Escape. Since then it has been nothing but misery. It was 2-1 last season with Louis Saha one of those on target, the year before it was 3-1 with that man Saha grabbing a couple more. David Moyes’ side have made another of their characteristic slow starts to the campaign. They bought no-one in the summer, only bringing in Jermaine Beckford on a free, and seemed to pay the price for that as they slumbered near the bottom of the table. But slowly, and surely they have found their feet, culminating in their superb 2-1 victory at Manchester City on Monday night. One of the scorers was Tim Cahill, a strike that gave him his ninth goal of the season, a prolific tally for a midfielder who belies his lack of height by being superb in the air. He must be the one to watch on Tuesday, though Saha, who seems to love playing and scoring against the Hammers will be not far behind him if he gets the nod from the start. Everton are also likely to have Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta back in their ranks after recent absences and that could spell a difficult afternoon for West Ham. Before Monday, the Blues had only managed one away victory all season, beating Birmingham City 2-0, and aside from Cahill, they have been struggling for goals with only Arteta (3) and Beckford (2) making any real contribution to the scoring statistics. That should give West Ham some heart in a tight game, but having been blown away by the same Manchester City side that were beaten by Everton, it will certainly not be easy. Can the Hammers break that seven game run without a win against Everton? Probably not. Possible team: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Coleman, Cahill, Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini, Saha. Prediction West Ham 1 Everton 2
Frozen pipes problem at Goodison Park forces Everton to postpone match with Birmingham City
Dec 27 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON’S scheduled Premier League encounter against Birmingham City at Goodison Park was postponed yesterday morning because freezing temperatures left the stadium in an unfit condition for the match. The club reported there were “several miles of frozen pipes, many of which burst during the course of Christmas Day night.” A Blues official explained: “Our stadium and safety teams worked ‘round the clock but due to the rapidly deteriorating conditions – and in the interests of safety and hygiene we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the game. “A new date for the fixture will be announced as soon as possible.” Any supporters who bought a match ticket for the game should note that the ticket will be valid for the rearranged match. Refunds will be accepted for any supporter unable to attend the rearranged match, although booking fees incurred at the time of purchase cannot be refunded. Refunds will be processed within 28 days of receipt of the refund application and should be sent to The Refunds Department, The Everton Fan Centre, Goodison Road, Liverpool L4 4EL, and must be accompanied by the relevant unused ticket. A raft of other matches fell victim to the Arctic conditions with games north and south of the border called off. All yesterday’s race meetings were called off, with Kempton forced to abandon the second day of their festival fixture that should have included the William Hill King George VI Chase and the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle. ON the local non-League front, hopes of fans being warmed up by some tasty festive derby matches today, including Marine’s home clash with Burscough in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division and Bootle’s meeting with Formby in the Vodkat League Premier Division have been dashed by the severe wintry conditions. Southport’s scheduled game with Barrow at Haig Avenue yesterday had been postponed on Christmas Eve. The Sandgrounders are due to play tomorrow at Fleetwood (3pm).
Sylvain Distin has proved a value for money 30-something says Everton boss David Moyes
Dec 27 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
HE may ply his trade in the freezing mud and thunder of the English Premier League, but the sunny disposition of a balmy island heritage is never far from Sylvain Distin. Always quick to flash a broad grin in conversation, the laid back 33-year-old, whose family hail from the French-owned tropical island of Guadeloupe, is a popular and respected figure in the Everton dressing room, as much for his sense of perspective as for his wealth of experience. Some eyebrows were raised when David Moyes invested a not inconsiderable chunk of the £22m Joleon Lescott money on the services of the then Portsmouth centre-half in 2009, but Distin has rarely looked anything but a shrewd acquisition since. He was singled out for criticism earlier in the season largely due to a shaky 20-minute spell of defending in the dramaic 3-3 draw with Manchester United, but refused to let that ruin his confidence. And that’s why the French man-mountain is reluctant to heed the growing praise he has received for a string of superb performances at the heart of David Moyes’s defence lately. Distin was typically outstanding under the mounting second half pressure at Manchester City last Monday, and could well be the first name on David Moyes’ team-sheet as he looks to let the air out of West Ham’s tyres tomorrow at Upton Park. “I don’t pay much attention to it,” he says. “Good or bad criticism – I try to keep my mind clear of it. “You know how football is. Tomorrow I could have a bad game and the same people who have been singing my praises will bury me, so I try to just be consistent and focus on myself.”
Distin believes the win at Eastlands was perfectly timed to boost Everton ahead of two games in six days. “The confidence was already there,” he added. “Mentally it was difficult because we were playing quite well without getting the results. “We have to win the next game. That will make the victory against City worth even more than it is. “If we draw or lose then it wasn’t worth fighting that hard.” David Moyes is certainly grateful he invested in the fighting qualities of the former French international. “For me he was proven in the Premier League which we needed, as it was late deadline,” says Moyes of the £5m transfer in August last year. “We knew he was ready to go. I was concerned about paying the money for someone of his age, something we’ve avoided if we can help it.“But he’s been great value, and is playing really well at the moment. “I think he would admit he has thrived here as well, and taken on from where Joleon left. The money was justified.” Moyes admits he has so far lacked the consistency that he usually expects from his central defensive pair, but now believes Phil Jagielka, who may yet feature in East London tomorrow, and Distin are forging a band of steel at his side’s heart. “I think a few of the centre halves have had bad games, or bad moments, but Phil and Sylvain have been quite consistent,” he added. “There was never a consideration about leaving him out (after Man U). Yes he made a couple of mistakes but that was not like him. “The dressing room was excitable because of the all around performance at Manchester City, and what was required to get a result. “Spirit was abundant, and to hang on under pressure with 10 men for so long was really good. “The point was we’d gone and done it at the top end. I said to the players you’ve got to be strong enough to do it at home as well, but we have been doing at home. “We’ve been playing okay but just not really taking our opportunities. “Then on Monday night, we actually had very few opportunities. I think we only had four shots on target all night. Against Wigan we had 16 or 17 and couldn’t score a goal,” he says. “Goals change games dramatically. The players were resilient against Chelsea the week before, and we’re playing not bad without it being absolutely flowing, but we need to take our chances at home. “There wasn’t much football played over the weekend, and we were trying for points against a side which people have asked often whether they can win the Premier League. “It was a big win, and more importantly it was achieved away from home with 10 men. If it had been any team I think I might have been celebrating because we needed the points, but to do it against a team like City with 10-men speaks volumes for our character and togetherness.”
Tim Cahill could be in David Moyes' forward planning
Dec 27 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES may ask Tim Cahill to lead the Everton attack before he jets off for his enforced Asian Cup absence. Everton’s forwards have struggled in front of goal all season – managing just three goals between them in 18 Barclays Premier League games – but Cahill is having no such trouble. The talismanic Australian midfielder netted his ninth of the campaign in last week’s memorable win at Manchester City and Moyes is considering pushing him right into the front line. Victor Anichebe started up front at Eastlands but was sent off and is now suspended for tomorrow’s trip to West Ham, while Louis Saha, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford have all laboured for little reward this term. But with Steven Pienaar hoping to return from injury and Mikel Arteta back from suspension, Moyes has the midfield options that could make moving Cahill feasible. Moyes said: “I wanted all the strikers to get a chance to see if they could find their form, get the goals, but in truth they haven’t. Nobody has really stepped forward. “At the moment we are probably close to starting Tim Cahill as a centre forward because we are not getting enough goals from the forwards that are there. “We have tried every avenue. We are struggling to find a way to score goals and I need to find one.” Any solution involving Cahill, however, can only be temporary as the 31-year-old will be joining up with his Australia team-mates for the Asian Cup after the January 1 game against Stoke. The importance of Monday’s victory to the players was obvious as they celebrated on the pitch with Moyes after the final whistle. Moyes said: “We have not had many wins this season so any win felt like a big win. “The players have felt bad because they have not been able to give the supporters any performances. “We set ourselves up with high expectations and the other night I thought we matched them. For the rest of the season we haven’t done that. “That is not because we are playing badly or the effort isn’t there – we have just lacked the quality to win the games. “We need to find that again, we need people to try to come up with goals. “We are reliant on the centre forwards but at the moment we are not getting many, if it is not Tim Cahill – and when he goes we are going to be looking for goals from somewhere else.” Moyes has generally been pleased with his side’s performances despite their results but admits it is important Monday’s success at City is followed by more wins. The Toffees lie a disappointing 14th in the Barclays Premier League standings. “We have to make sure we get some results to make sure we are away from the bottom end of the table,” said Moyes. “If we win them all then we will be starting to look at the top end. “But until we are completely away from the bottom end then we can’t talk about the top.” West Ham’s victory at Fulham yesterday eased the pressure on boss Avram Grant, whose job was reportedly on the line over the festive period. The former Chelsea boss hopes the club’s first away win in the league since the opening day of last season – 27 games ago – will prove the turning point in the club’s season. He was also praying for more of the good fortune they enjoyed yesterday against Everton tomorrow, insisting they deserved it. “I hope, I hope. We deserved more than this before,” said Grant, who hailed Carlton Cole’s alertness for his two goals. “I always say to the players, when you work hard – we worked hard also in the first half – sometimes things like this happen and you need to be awake. “He was very awake because it was dead ball and he took the chance.” Grant, who is looking to become only the second manager to save a side from relegation having been bottom at Christmas, revealed his daughter had sent him a text message congratulating him on his win. Asked if a he had received a similar message of support from the club’s owners, he said: “The owners are very good with me. “I need to stick in my job and I’ll say again, I only care that I speak with the owners and the owners were very supportive, even in the difficult times. “We have a vision at the club; it’s not easy to turn things in a few months but people do it.” West Ham captain Matthew Upson described his side’s come from behind win as a “major boost”. Aaron Hughes put Fulham ahead early on but goals from Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne put the Hammers ahead at the break, before Cole finished off the scoring. “It’s a major boost. It was a massive day for us today, the whole occasion. We needed to get three points,” he said.
How Everton and Liverpool battled through football’s original Ice Age
Dec 27 2010 By David Prentice
IF Blackpool’s ice-bound pitch or Goodison frozen pipes meant you were sat at home on Boxing Day, twiddling your thumbs and forced to watch West Ham win at Fulham, just take time out to think about what your dad or granddad went through. This winter has been the most challenging in modern memory. But 48 years ago things were worse. Much, much worse. Known as the Big Freeze, the winter of 1962/63 saw the country covered in snow on Boxing Day with no thaw in sight until March. Between December 22nd 1962 and February 12th 1963 neither Everton nor Liverpool played a single league match – the only action of any kind played by either side being a couple of FA Cup ties. And they were lucky. While Liverpool won at Wrexham in round three and Everton overcame Barnsley, the third round of the competition actually took 66 days to complete and involved a total of two hundred and sixty-one postponements. The FA Cup final between Manchester United and Leicester City was eventually played on the 25th of May, with the two-legged final of the League Cup between Birmingham City and Aston Villa being played either side of it. The country was battered by blizzards, freezing fog and icy temperatures as low as -22C. It was so cold that many lakes and rivers froze over. In January temperatures plunged so sharply that a one mile stretch of sea was covered in ice. In February more snow came and winds reached Force Eight. A 36-hour blizzard caused heavy drifting snow in most parts of the country. Drifts reached 20 feet (6.1m). Gale force winds howled with wind speeds reaching up to 81mph (130km/h). On the Isle of Man, wind speeds were recorded at 119mph (191km/h). It wasn’t until the morning of March 6 1963 that Britain woke up to a frost free morning. Goodison Park had become the first English ground to fit under-soil heating in 1958 (although Arsenal had experimented, unsuccessfully, with it beforehand), but the severity of the weather meant that even warm pipes couldn’t help. It was the coldest winter in Britain since 1740. Faced with the onerous job of having to keep their players fit with only occasional match practice clubs had to think laterally. Many trained indoors, while Coventry City flew to Ireland (which had escaped the worst of the weather) for friendly matches at the behest of manager Jimmy Hill, including a match against Manchester United in Dublin that was played in front of a crowd of 20,000 and ended in a 2-2 draw. Several clubs managed to defrost their pitches only for them to freeze again straight away, leaving them in an even worse state than before. Norwich City used military flame-throwers on the Carrow Road pitch and flooded it, while at Blackpool similar flooding led to then England internationals Jimmy Armfield and Tony Waiters being photographed ice skating on the pitch at Bloomfield Road. Halifax Town saw this through to its natural conclusion, turning the pitch at The Shay into a public ice rink and charging to use it. The football pools companies, horrified at the losses that they were running up with the mass cancellations, took action and the pools panel came into being. The first panel was made of of the extravagently-moustached Consiverative MP Gerald Nabarro, former players George Young, Ted Drake and Tommy Lawton and former referee Arthur Ellis, who would go on to find national fame on the television show "It’s A Knockout." They first sat on the 26th of January 1963, giving their verdict on what they felt would happen in matches that had been called off, and they still sit today. When things started to get back to normal, Everton were the team to react to all of the disruption and won the Football League championship by six points (under three points for a win, they would have won it by eleven points), with Tottenham Hotspur finishing in second place, Burnley finishing third and Leicester City in fourth place.
One club that didn’t react well to the distraction was Manchester United, who finished the season just three points and two places above the relegation positions. United did, however, finish the season on a high, beating Leicester City in the FA Cup final and their supporters may also have taken heart from the surprise relegation of local rivals Manchester City, who went down with Leyton Orient, who were playing their only season of top division football in their history.
They were replaced by Stoke City (who featured a by then 48-year old Stanley Matthews) and Chelsea.
Almost half a century on, lessons have been learnt from that particularly long and harsh winter as well as others that have followed it. Advances in technology and more sophisticated groundskeeping means that under-soil heating isn’t even always required to keep matches going in cold weather. And frustrating though this weekend has been, forecasters insist that winters as severe as those in 1962/3 are becoming less frequent. Speaking during last winter’s cold snap, Peter Stott, climate scientist at the Met Office, said: "Despite the cold winter this year, the trend to milder and wetter winters is expected to continue, with snow and frost becoming less of a feature in the future. "The famously cold winter of 1962/63 is now expected to occur about once every 1,000 years or more, compared with approximately every 100 to 200 years before 1850." But don’t worry, by 2962 football will be played in indoor stadia with central heating and sliding roofs. Even at Blackpool!
Hot streak can fire Everton FC up the table in the New Year insists Leon Osman
Dec 27 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
LEON OSMAN is convinced Everton can still enjoy a red-hot second half of the season despite falling victim to the big freeze on Boxing Day. The midfielder believes European qualification is far from impossible, and wants to play his part in the required surge up the table after a frustrating time on the sidelines injured. That bid to kick-start their climb up the Barclays Premier League was put on hold yesterday when the home clash with Birmingham City had to be postponed after frozen water pipes in Goodison Park burst on Christmas Day. Club ground staff had been racing to make the Goodison surface playable despite the freezing conditions, but the game was eventually called off in the morning due to safety and hygiene reasons. It meant Osman, 29, and his team-mates will have to wait until tomorrow’s away journey to resurgent West Ham United, who were buoyed by a 3-1 win over Fulham on Boxing Day, before they can get going again. Osman returned to the side for the impressive 2-1 win over Manchester City last Monday after a long absence with an ankle injury. The prolonged break due to yesterday’s cancellation may now make it more likely that David Moyes will have Steven Pienaar and Phil Jagielka fit for the trip to East London. But even though his place in the starting line-up could be in doubt, Osman is focusing on how victory at Eastlands made it three games without defeat, and says the nature of the league means Everton are more than capable of challenging at the top end of the table. He said: “We have to remember it has been a strange season and while we have not picked up the results we have wanted regularly enough, we are still not that far off the European places points wise. “It is still all there to play for and hopefully we can put a real run together in the second half of the season. “We need to start converting chances – that is the first thing. And once we do that, I think we will put a run together and end up nearer the top of the league. I am confident on that.” Before playing against Manchester City, Osman hadn’t featured since being substituted in the 2-0 win over Liverpool in October. He had a similar spell on the sidelines last term and admits there’s nothing worse than watching on from the stands. “Doing the rehab and the hard work to get back fit isn’t the problem,” said Osman. “What is frustrating is the fact that you are injured and the rest of the players are out there playing in the games that you can’t play in. Watching the matches is what makes it hard. “That’s especially the case when the results aren’t what everybody wants them to be and you want to get back out there and help the team. It can be so frustrating.”
Sylvain Distin is vital to our ambitions, says Everton manager David Moyes
Dec 27 2010 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES believes Sylvain Distin has vindicated Everton’s multi-million pound outlay by emerging as vital to their aspirations. The Goodison Park manager shelled out £5.3million for the experienced central defender in August last year, prising Distin away from Portsmouth and has finally been rewarded with a string of fine displays from the Frenchman. Although Everton have suffered indifferent form so far this season – which sees them lying 14th in the Premier League table ahead of tomorrow’s trip to West Ham United – 33-year-old Distin has emerged as a figure of consistency in recent weeks. And though Moyes admits splashing so much cash on an ageing player went against his transfer policy of buying for the long-term future, Distin is showing himself to be worth every penny. However Everton were left frustrated on Boxing Day as their scheduled game at home to Birmingham City fell victim to the cold weather. A frozen water supply at the ground created a health and safety issue which forced the game to be postponedBut it has handed some of Moyes’ injured players – Phil Jagielka in particular – chance to recover and the manager time to reflect on the improving Distin. “For me he was proven in the Premier League which we needed as it was late and close to the deadline,” said Moyes of the Frenchman. “We knew he was ready to go. I was concerned about paying the money for someone of his age, something we’ve avoided if we can help it. But he’s been great value, and is playing really well at the moment. I think he would admit he has thrived here as well, and taken on from where Joleon (Lescott) left. The money was justified. “I think a few of the centre halves have had bad games, or bad moments, but Sylvain have been quite consistent. “There was never a consideration about leaving him out (after 3-3 draw with Manchester United). Yes, Sylvain made a couple of mistakes but that was not like him.” Distin was part of the side which upset title chasing Manchester City last Monday and though thwarted by the icy conditions on Boxing Day, Moyes hopes his side can carry the feel good factor to Upton Park with them tomorrow evening (5.30pm kick-off). “The dressing room was excitable because of the all around performance, and what was required to get a result,” buzzed Moyes. “Spirit was abundant, and to hang on under pressure with 10 men for so long was really good. “The point was we’d gone and done it at the top end. I said to the players you’ve got to be strong enough to do it at home as well.” The Everton manager says the 2-1 win at Eastlands was a perfect example of what the Goodison Park side are capable of achieving if they take chances in front of goal. With only a handful of opportunities against Man City, Everton prospered but failed to trouble the Wigan Athletic net the week previous despite carving out a plethora of clear sights on goal. “We’ve been playing okay but just not really taking our opportunities,” assessed Moyes. “Then on Monday night, we actually had very few opportunities. I think we only had four shots on target all night. Against Wigan we had 16 or 17 and couldn’t score a goal. Goals change games dramatically. The players were resilient against Chelsea the week before, and we’re playing not bad without it being absolutely flowing, but we need to take our chances at home. “There wasn’t much football played over the weekend, and we were trying for points against a side which people have asked often whether they can win the Premier League. It was a big win, and more importantly away, with 10 men. If it had been any team I think I might have been celebrating. We needed the points.”
West Ham can beat fatigue and defeat Everton, says Avram Grant after Fulham win
27th December 2010 Dail Mail
Avram Grant is confident the emotional high of West Ham's win over Fulham will trump any physical advantage Everton may have in Tuesday's Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors will be 'more fresh' than his side after their game against Birmingham on Boxing Day was postponed due to the frozen and burst pipes at Goodison Park. But West Ham go into Tuesday's match in east London having hauled themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow strugglers Fulham. There was also the added boost of it being their first league victory away from home since the opening day of last season - 28 matches earlier - as well as the fact it was achieved after they fell behind. 'Sometimes, when you win, it's also better than good training, so there's a psychological side,' said Grant, who nevertheless admitted he would rather Everton had played on Boxing Day. 'I would have preferred that they had played and we had come with an equal situation. Maybe we can use the psychological side and continue with winning. 'We have the character also to play two games in three days.' Grant, who was reportedly going to be sacked if he failed to record a win over the festive period, added: 'I can assure you that nobody that will play Tuesday will be tired.' Finding 18 fit players could be the biggest problem for the Hammers, who were without 10 first teamers at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy played no part against Fulham, while Luis Boa Morte was suspended. Boa Morte will return on Tuesday and there will be several fitness tests ahead of the game, in which Grant will definitely remain without Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger. 'We need to wait and see who from the players who were a little bit injured can play Tuesday,' Grant said, revealing he was forced to put loan star Obinna on the bench at Fulham. 'Obinna didn't train in the last three weeks. Because of the situation, we didn't have any players. I'm happy that we didn't need to use him. We will see about Tuesday.' Grant knows the fragile confidence gained from yesterday's result could be shattered by a resurgent Everton, who won at Manchester City in their last outing. 'Everton is a very good team, with very good players,' said Grant. 'They played fantastic in the last game against Man City.' If West Ham are going to survive, they will need to learn how to put together back-to-back league wins, something they have not managed since Grant took charge. 'We spoke about this a lot of times, how to do this,' said the former Chelsea boss, who revealed he had targeted two victories from the club's three festive fixtures against Fulham, Everton and new basement side Wolves. The latter game on New Year's Day is arguably more crucial than Tuesday's match, with it being against another team fighting against relegation. Both that and the Everton game are at Upton Park, where the Hammers have won two of their last three in all Competitions. Grant said: 'We played against Man United; we won against them in the Carling Cup;
West Ham: Hammers on a high for Everton clash
Yorkshire Evening Post 27 December 2010
Avram Grant is confident the emotional high of West Ham's win over Fulham will trump any physical advantage Everton may have in tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors will be "more fresh" than his side after their game against Birmingham yesterday was postponed due to the frozen and burst pipes at Goodison Park.
But West Ham go into tomorrow's match in east London having hauled themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow strugglers Fulham. There was also the added boost of it being their first league victory away from home since the opening day of last season - 28 matches earlier - as well as the fact it was achieved after they fell behind.
"Sometimes, when you win, it's also better than good training, so there's a psychological side," said Grant, who nevertheless admitted he would rather Everton had played yesterday. "I would have preferred that they had played and we had come with an equal situation. "Maybe we can use the psychological side and continue with winning. "We have the character also to play two games in three days." Grant, who was reportedly going to be sacked if he failed to record a win over the festive period, added: "I can assure you that nobody that will play Tuesday will be tired."
Finding 18 fit players could be the biggest problem for the Hammers, who were without 10 first teamers at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy played no part against Fulham, while Luis Boa Morte was suspended. Boa Morte will return tomorrow and there will be several fitness tests ahead of the game, in which Grant will definitely remain without Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger. "We need to wait and see who from the players who were a little bit injured can play Tuesday," Grant said, revealing he was forced to put loan star Obinna on the bench yesterday.
"Obinna didn't train in the last three weeks. Because of the situation, we didn't have any players.
"I'm happy that we didn't need to use him. We will see about Tuesday." Grant knows the fragile confidence gained from yesterday's result could be shattered by a resurgent Everton, who won at Manchester City in their last outing. "Everton is a very good team, with very good players," said Grant. "They played fantastic in the last game against Man City." If West Ham are going to survive, they will need to learn how to put together back-to-back league wins, something they have not managed since Grant took charge. "We spoke about this a lot of times, how to do this," said the former Chelsea boss, who revealed he had targeted two victories from the club's three festive fixtures against Fulham, Everton and new basement side Wolves. The latter game on New Year's Day is arguably more crucial than tomorrow's match, with it being against another team fighting against relegation. Both that and the Everton game are at Upton Park, where the Hammers have won two of their last three in all competitions. Grant said: "We played against Man United; we won against them in the Carling Cup; we won against Wigan; we lost against Manchester City.
"We are better at home than before."
West Ham's Avram Grant on emotional high for visit of Everton FC
Dec 28 2010 by Gary Bainbridge, Liverpool Echo
AVRAM GRANT is confident the emotional high of West Ham’s win over Fulham will trump any physical advantage Everton may have in tonight’s Premier League clash at Upton Park. Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors will be “more fresh” than his side after their game against Birmingham was postponed due to the frozen and burst pipes at Goodison Park. But West Ham go into tonight’s match in east London having hauled themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow strugglers Fulham. There was also the added boost of it being their first league victory away from home since the opening day of last season - 28 matches earlier - as well as the fact it was achieved after they fell behind. “Sometimes, when you win, it’s also better than good training, so there’s a psychological side,” said Grant, who nevertheless admitted he would rather Everton had played on Sunday. “I would have preferred that they had played and we had come with an equal situation. “Maybe we can use the psychological side and continue with winning. We have the character also to play two games in three days.” Grant, who was reportedly going to be sacked if he failed to record a win over the festive period, added: “I can assure you that nobody that will play Tuesday will be tired.” Finding 18 fit players could be the biggest problem for the Hammers, who were without 10 first teamers at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy played no part against Fulham, while Luis Boa Morte was suspended. Boa Morte will return tonight and there will be several fitness tests ahead of the game, in which Grant will definitely remain without Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Liverpool FC and Everton FC harnessing power of football to help men’s fitness
Dec 28 2010 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
AN INNOVATIVE health programme is harnessing the power of football to encourage young men to pay closer attention to their fitness.Premier League Health (PLH) has been adopted by 16 Premier League clubs - including Liverpool and Everton - in an attempt to reach out to over-18s.The £1.6m of funding from The Football Foundation allows the clubs with PLH status to implement programmes designed to raise men’s awareness and help them adopt healthier lifestyles.A Premier League spokesman said: “An increasing proportion of young men are overweight or obese, leading to a significant risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and fat-related cancer, amongst other health problems.“Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, low physical activity levels and other risk-taking are estimated to account for over 14 years of lost life.” The spokesman added: “Currently there is limited provision for tackling the health needs in these vulnerable groups of men.”
Ian Snodin: Rest won’t give Everton FC the advantage at West Ham United
Dec 28 2010 Liverpool Echo
IT was the perfect opportunity to carry on the feelgood factor from Manchester City, and there would have been an expectant full house at Goodison. Instead it meant a frustrating start to the festive run, because the players trained and then were left without a game which is never nice when you’ve got in the frame of mind and shape for a match. Instead West Ham, tonight’s opponents, did play and got their own morale boost with an away win. That will give them the edge.I’d take that rather than a longer rest any day. Avram Grant will ask his lads to keep going as they did against Fulham, and Everton are at risk of being caught cold. David Moyes will hope to frustrate the Hammers for the first half hour or so, and then let the Upton Park fans get anxious and start to turn on the tram which they are known for doing. Then the Blues can capitalise and take advantage of a defence which has leaked a lot of goals this season. It won’t be easy because the Hammers have had the better preparation,However, Everton are good enough to take all three points and they need to if they are serious about salvaging something from this season.Let’s hope Tim Cahill carries on producing his best form before he leaves, and our good run of results in East London continues. Season’s greetings, and an early Happy New Year!
Ian Snodin’s half term report: Everton FC should be pushing top six by now
Dec 28 2010 Liverpool Echo
THE half term report for Everton is summed up by two words; frustration and disappointment. If you’d asked me in the summer I’d have been convinced Everton would be in the top six by now. I’d probably have told you they’d be pushing hard for one of the Champions League qualifying spots too, so to look at the table and see us so lowly is deflating. The league tells its own story though. Some of our lads just haven’t been fulfilling their potential, and we’ve dropped points against sides we absolutely should be beating. Newcastle, Wolves and West Brom spring to mind. The galling thing is that these dropped points, or draws have largely come at Goodison where traditionally we’ve been so strong and tough to beat. Nobody has relished coming to Goodison Park as an away team, but that air of superiority has faded a little this season and teams come here fancying they can get something. That has to be a priority for changing. It’s not just a high league finish everyone was expecting in the summer, we all wanted a trophy too. It’s been far, far too long until we had another trophy in the cabinet at Goodison, and it’s not just the fans who will be feeling that utter frustration. It’s David Moyes too. He’ll be tearing his hair out at the slow start we’ve had, but there are signs of recovery and the FA Cup is still there to be played for. The lack of goals has obviously been a major factor in the difficult start we’ve had so far. You’ve got strikers like Yakubu and Louis Saha who in theory should be scoring 15 goals a season each. OK they’ve not always been playing, and very rarely together as a pairing but they have had game time and the goals have certainly not flowed. It’s not just up front either. You need your midfielders to weigh in with goals, and they’ve mostly been conspicuous by their absence. Steven Pienaar needs to start chipping in, and it’d be nice to see Mikel Arteta build on his couple of strikes. Then of course you want your centre backs scoring too, maybe weighing in with three of four goals themselves. There are a few mitigating factors. Niggly injuries have made it hard for Moyes to pick his ideal team on a good few occasions, and other key players have been missing through silly things like suspension. But they need to pick it up, and thankfully there is time yet. The table is so tight, that we are not as stranded from the top six as we might be in any other season. There’s hope – we need to start walking the walk though.
Ian Snodin’s highs and lows of the year for Everton FC The high point of the season so far is the derby. Any win over Liverpool is welcome, and we played really well. If the boys had played like that in more games at Goodison then we wouldn’t be so low in the table. Yes, it wasn’t Liverpool at their best, but it was a great afternoon and there was a good atmosphere at Goodison which always makes it special. The low point has to be crashing out of the Carling Cup to Brentford. It’s a competition that gets derided in some places, but not by David Moyes. He wanted to do well in it, and fielded a strong side. Seeing them struggle to such lowly opposition, and then go out on penalties was depressing. The defeat at home by West Brom was another miserable day, as was the failure to finish off Wolves which set the tone of our struggles. The goal of the season goes to Leighton Baines for that wonderful free kick he curled up high over the wall and past Gomes at Tottenham. Bainsey has been a real plus point this season, and that summed up how much he is flourishing. He deserves more England caps, and his consistency has been terrific. Save of the season was Tim Howard’s stop against Wigan. World Class. Late in the game he stopped a bad day becoming a terrible one. He’s had a couple of clangers but generally Tim is superb, and always does a lot more good things then bad. He is a wonderful goalkeeper, and that stop summed him up.
I’ll never do a better transfer deal than Tim Cahill, claims Everton FC boss David Moyes
Dec 28 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID Moyes is so adept at finding super stars amid life’s also-rans that he could find alternative employment as a judge on the next series of X-Factor. The Everton manager turned Joleon Lescott from a £5m Championship player into a £25m England international, put Leighton Baines on a similar trajectory, and took the unfancied Steven Pienaar from Bundesliga anonymity to a highly sought-after inspiration for club and country. But of all his mega bargains, the Scott insists Tim Cahill is the best piece of business he has ever done. Moyes’ capture of Cahill for £1.5m in the same summer that Wayne Rooney left Goodison Park, barely caused a ripple at the time. But fast forward five years, 65 goals, and countless tub-thumping performances, and the unknown Aussie he took a risk on has become an icon feared and revered in equal measure by opposition throughout the top flight. “As I’ve said many times, a lot of our team selection revolves around Tim Cahill,” says Moyes. “He scores goals for Everton like Lampard does for Chelsea, not quite in the same quantity, but he has done it over five or six years now. He scores goals every season and has been really vital for us. “I don’t think I’ll ever do a bit of business as good as him again. There will always be business done when you pick someone up from the lower leagues but I don’t think that will be done in the English leagues. “You might do it abroad, but maybe not in England again because it’s getting harder and the talent is identified earlier on in the lower leagues these days.” Moyes concedes that Everton’s pauper status in the transfer market would currently make funding a move for ‘the next’ Cahill difficult. “A lot of the problem would be with the price. We got Tim for £1.5million, but you might have to spend £5m or £6m to get the same type of player now from the lower leagues,” he says. “We would not be able to do that these days and maybe Tim would be worth £7m or £8m. The three or four who might step up from the Championship would be worth big money.” Fortunately for Everton, Cahill is going strong at the age of 31, and showing no signs of his body buckling under the wear and tear he puts it through on the pitch for the Toffees and Australia. He has illustrated his worth by keeping the Blues afloat with his goals so far this season, and was never better than a rampaging tour de force against Manchester City when he put poor Pablo Zabaleta through the mill during an old-fashioned attacker versus defender clash. Nemandja Vidic too may still rub his jaw at the memory of the aches and strains he no doubt felt after that memorable tussle with Cahill at Goodison earlier in this campaign. It all serves to underline why Moyes is so disappointed to be losing the attacker’s services from January 1, during a crucial run of games that include a Merseyside derby, an event Cahill normally rises to with aplomb. He will lead the Toffees’ forward line this evening against West Ham, in the first of a string of away games as that flight to the Asia Cup in Qatar edges closer. We have lacked that sort of player at the top end of the pitch that can take the fight to the opposition, and Tim has been doing that for that,” says Moyes. “It’s often been said that we don’t play with two forwards, but anyone who knows anything about the game will say that for the majority of the season Tim has been playing as a centre-forward. “We will miss Tim’s approach; he takes the fight to the opposition. That’s also why he has so many goals.” “Over the seasons in the Premier League Tim is proven. He scores goals and is a great team player. We don’t know what affect it will have on us really until he goes. But I think Tim has been really important for us this season, especially over the last three or four weeks.” The forthcoming departure of Cahill has only intensified the spotlight on Everton’s other misfiring forwards, a problem Moyes is working tirelessly to solve – if only because he is sick to the back teeth of talking about it.“To be fair, we have been talking about it since the opening week of the season,” he says. “I have tried to give them confidence, given them games to have the opportunities. It’s up to them to take the opportunities when they come along for them. “I think it’s a bit of form, I think we have been creating enough, but I don’t think there’s any one solution to it. “You have to hope they get a goal that gives them confidence and helps them move on. I see them in training every day so I have more insight of how they are doing, and sometimes with my team selections there is a message in there as well.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes facing January transfer window dilemma
Dec 28 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES admits Everton could have done with the potential home comfort of Boxing Day’s postponed Goodison Park game – and he concedes that he faces a tough task to snap up a striker that can bring guaranteed goals in the January transfer window.The Everton boss prepares his side for a challenging string of three matches on the road, disappointed his team did not have the chance to revitalise their home form in the league this season by beating Birmingham City, while also maintaining the feel-good factor after last week’s morale-boosting win at Manchester City. But those burst water pipes at Goodison on Christmas Day mean there has now been a nine-day gap since Everton’s last game, and Moyes is determined to ensure his players keep their focus against a buoyant West Ham this afternoon. Phil Jagielka, John Heitinga and Steven Pienaar have all benefited from the extra rest, however, and are closer to possible selection against Avram Grant’s relegation-troubled side. Moyes said: “I hoped that we could bring it back to Goodison. At Goodison we haven’t given the supporters an awful lot to shout about and to be fair the supporters have been quiet too. “Boxing Day is a good family atmosphere and I wanted us to keep it going but there’s nothing we can do. “To play three games away from home in the Premier League in a row is a tough ask. "It’s a difficult period we are in right now. "We trained yesterday afternoon.” Moyes admitted he is facing an equally tough task as he prepares to enter the loan market in January’s transfer window, but insisted he needs to inject goals into his team somehow. He said: “I’m looking for something to happen. I need goals. We are going to lose Tim Cahill who is the third top scorer in the Premier League, which is a great record. "He goes in a couple of games’ time.“We could do with an addition but where do you find a striker in the January window who you are going to get for no cash and on loan who is going to make a difference? It’s going to be difficult. “You will always bring players in who you hope to be involved in the squad but in the main we are now trying to bring players in that are going to go straight into the team.“In the last five or six years we have hardly been out of the top seven. To get players in what we want for value is really difficult for us now.“I think we are as attractive as we have ever been. We have a good team and really good players. "We have shown that on several occasions this year but not enough. We haven’t been consistent enough. "We’ve come back to it a lot of times, but taking more of our chances would have made a big difference. If good players are out there and don’t think they are involved enough, we would be interested.” Meanwhile, Leon Osman is a slight doubt for the 5.30pm kick off at Upton Park tonight after suffering a bout of sickness, but Moyes will be able to call on the services of Mikel Arteta once more after the Spaniard completed a three-game ban. He said: “I am looking for him to step up. “We know Mikel can play better and he knows it as well,” added Moyes. “His form will come back, there’s no doubt it will return.”
Everton FC boss David Moyes braced for a tough January transfer window
Dec 28 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DAVID MOYES has not given up hope of unearthing a new striker in the January sales – but concedes it will be more difficult than ever to get his man. The Everton manager remains on the lookout for reinforcements given a faltering Goodison forward line that has undermined his team’s efforts this season. Tim Cahill has assumed the role of chief goal threat and, with nine strikes from 17 games, stands fourth in the Premier League’s leading scorers. But the Australian’s imminent month-long departure to represent his country at the Asian Cup in Qatar has further increased Everton’s need for a fresh face up front. And with at present no money to spend and forced to scour the loan and free market, Moyes admits he faces an uphill task to bring in the quality required to bolster his squad. “I’m looking for something to happen,” said the Everton manager, whose team visit West Ham United this evening. “I need goals. "We are going to lose Tim Cahill who is the third top scorer in the Premier League, which is a great record. "He goes in a couple of games’ time. “We could do with an addition but where do you find a striker in the January window who you are going to get for no cash and on loan who is going to make a difference? "It’s going to be difficult. “You will always bring players in who you hope to be involved in the squad but in the main we are now trying to bring players in that are going to go straight into the team.“If good players are out there and don’t think they are involved enough, we would be interested. "But it’s not bodies that we need. "We have them.”Despite his team’s inconsistent form this season, Moyes believes Everton’s record of recent seasons can act as a significant lure to any prospective new signings. “In the last five or six years we have hardly been out of the top seven,” added the Goodison manager. “To get players in what we want for value is really difficult for us now. “I think we are as attractive as we have ever been. We have a good team and really good players. We have shown that on several occasions this year but not enough. “We haven’t been consistent enough. We’ve come back to it a lot of times, but taking more of our chances would have made a big difference.” The Boxing Day postponement against Birmingham City means Victor Anichebe is ruled out this evening at Upton Park as he serves a one-match suspension following his red card at Manchester City last week. However, Mikel Arteta is available after completing a three-match ban while Moyes believes Steven Pienaar has a chance of being available after missing the last two games with an ankle problem. Phil Jagielka, despite being expected to be out for up to a month with a thigh problem, has not been ruled out by the Goodison manager but with John Heitinga still doubtful with a knee complaint, Tony Hibbert or Phil Neville could be asked to play at centre-back alongside Sylvain Distin. And Moyes will make a late check on Leon Osman, who was suffering from a bout of illness yesterday.
Avram Grant hoping Fulham win can spur West Ham on to victory against Everton FC
Dec 28 2010 Liverpool Daily Post
AVRAM GRANT is confident the emotional high of West Ham’s win over Fulham will trump any physical advantage Everton may have in today’s Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Hammers boss Grant accepts the visitors will be “more fresh” than his side after their game against Birmingham was postponed due to the frozen and burst pipes at Goodison Park. But West Ham go into the match in east London having hauled themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of a 3-1 Boxing Day success at fellow strugglers Fulham. There was also the added boost of it being their first league victory away from home since the opening day of last season - 28 matches earlier - as well as the fact it was achieved after they fell behind. “Sometimes, when you win, it’s also better than good training, so there’s a psychological side,” said Grant. Grant, who was reportedly going to be sacked if he failed to record a win over the festive period, added: “I can assure you that nobody that will play Tuesday will be tired.” Finding 18 fit players could be the biggest problem for the Hammers, who were without 10 first teamers at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna, Pablo Barrera, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer and Benni McCarthy played no part against Fulham, while Luis Boa Morte was suspended. Boa Morte will return tomorrow and there will be several fitness tests ahead of the game, in which Grant will definitely remain without Jack Collison, Manuel Da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
David Moyes challenges Everton FC strikers to fill whole left by Tim Cahill’s departure
Dec 28 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
HE’S the signing that David Moyes admits may never be emulated. But now the Everton manager has challenged his players to fill the sizeable hole that will soon appear with the departure of Tim Cahill. For Moyes, the £1.5million spent on signing Cahill from Championship side Millwall back in the summer of 2004 represents the best bit of business of his near nine-year Goodison tenure. Yet even by the Australian’s exalted standards, this season has been one of unparalleled success. Pushed forward into a striker’s role, Cahill has assumed the responsibility from his misfiring forward colleagues by netting nine goals in 17 Premier League appearances. Only three players have scored more times in the top-flight this campaign, with the 31-year-old’s performances rightly gaining recognition from outside Merseyside. Frustrating, then, that Everton could be without their talisman for a month with Cahill poised to jet off after Saturday’s visit to Stoke City to represent his country in the Asian Cup in Qatar. And Moyes accepts the days of plucking a player like Cahill from the lower leagues for modest outlay have long gone. “As I’ve said many times, a lot of our team selection revolves around Tim Cahill,” says the Everton manager. “He scores goals for Everton like Lampard does for Chelsea, not quite in the same quantity, but he has done it over five or six years now. He scores goals every season and has been really vital for us. “I don’t think I’ll ever do a bit of business as good as him again. There will always be business done when you pick someone up from the lower leagues but I don’t think that will be done in the English leagues. “You might do it abroad, but maybe not in England again because it’s getting harder and the talent is identified earlier on in the lower leagues these days. “A lot of the problem would be with the price. We got Tim for £1.5million, but you might have to spend £5m or £6m to get the same type of player now from the lower leagues. “We would not be able to do that these days, and maybe Tim would be worth £7m or £8m. The three or four who might step up from the Championship would be worth big money.” It’s not only with his goals that Cahill sets an example. The irascible Aussie brings the devilment to Everton’s player, a physical presence up front that none of his striking partners have thus far been able to match. Moyes admits the loss of that is a concern. “We have lacked that sort of player at the top end of the pitch that can take the fight to the opposition, and Tim has been doing that for us,” he says. “It’s often been said that we don’t play with two forwards, but anyone who knows anything about the game will say that for the majority of the season Tim has been playing as a centre-forward. “We will miss Tim’s approach, he takes the fight to the opposition. That’s also why he has so many goals. Over the seasons in the Premier League Tim is proven. He scores goals and is a great team player. We know what affect it will have on us really until he goes. But I think Tim has been really important for us this season, especially over the last three or four weeks.” In Cahill’s absence, the pressure will increase on a strikeforce that has netted just three Premier league goals between them in 18 games this season. And Moyes reveals the coaching staff have done almost everything to help the forwards to rediscover their touch. “To be fair, we have been talking about it since the opening week of the season,” he says. “I have tried to give them confidence, given them games to have the opportunities. It’s up to them to take the opportunities when they come along for them. “I’ve not thought about going along the lines of bringing a forwards coach in. “Is it more a mental thing? I think it’s a bit of form, I think we have been creating enough, but I don’t think there’s any one solution to it. “You have to hope they get a goal that gives them confidence and helps them move on. I see them in training every day so I have more insight of how they are doing, and sometimes with my team selections there is a message in there as well. “Moyes will turn to Cahill once again this evening when Everton travel south to take on relegation-threatened West Ham United. Upton Park has been a happy hunting ground for his team in recent seasons, with the Goodison outfit having won on their last four visits to East London. All told, Everton have lost only five times in 23 years at West Ham, although Moyes is mindful of facing a Hammers side buoyed by moving off the bottom of the table on Boxing Day with a 3-1 win at Fulham. “They had a really good result against Fulham on Sunday and we’re going to have to go there and play well to get a result,” he adds. “I thought it was a great result for them against Fulham and it will give West Ham a lot of confidence.”Boxing Day brought only frustration for Everton, however, when their attempt to build on the momentum of the 2-1 win at Manchester City last Monday was checked by the burst pipes that forced the visit of Birmingham City to be postponed. With the trip to the Britannia Stadium to come on New Year’s Day, Everton face three away games in succession. And Moyes says: “Boxing Day is a good family atmosphere and I wanted us to keep it going but there’s nothing we can do. “To play three games away from home in the Premier League in a row is a tough ask. It’s a difficult period we are in right now.”
West Ham United 1 Everton 1
Dec 28 2010 by Merseyside Sport, Liverpool Echo
WEST HAM UNITED 1 EVERTON 1
EVERTON hit back from a Tony Hibbert own goal to earn a point at West Ham with a Seamus Coleman equaliser that moved them up to 11th in the Premier League table. The Hammers, who had climbed off the foot of the table thanks to Sunday’s victory at Fulham, took the lead when Hibbert - playing as a makeshift centre-half due to Phil Jagielka's injury - diverted Radoslav Kovac’s tame overhead kick into his own net. The visitors hit back three minutes before half-time through Coleman before Carlton Cole wasted a glorious opportunity to win it for the home side. After ending their 27-game wait for an away win in the league two days earlier, the Hammers were looking for back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time this season. But they were up against an Everton side who had won on their last four visits to Upton Park and had come away with a victory at table-topping Manchester City last time out. With David Moyes opting to play Tim Cahill as a lone frontman and leave three strikers on the bench, the visitors nevertheless went close to an early opener when Sylvain Distin ghosted in behind the Hammers defence but his touch took him too wide to shoot on target. West Ham, who rested Craven Cottage hero Cole, had enjoyed more than one slice of luck in that 3-1 win at Fulham and they got another to take a 16th-minute lead today. Tim Howard parried a James Tomkins header from a corner to Kovac, whose overhead kick looked harmless but took a huge deflection off Hibbert and into the net, instantly cranking up the noise levels at Upton Park. Distin blazed over and the fit-again Victor Obinna also drilled wide in what was a lively opening quarter from both sides. Although there were flashes of the defensive uncertainty that have dogged them this season West Ham started to boss proceedings, with Obinna their biggest threat. Matthew Upson headed over the on-loan Inter forward’s free-kick under real pressure. Everton began to get back into it and the home side suffered a blow when they were forced to replace injured left-back Herita Ilunga - playing for the first time in a month - with Jonathan Spector in the 34th minute. It proved costly as Everton equalised eight minutes later when Coleman got in behind the substitute to sidefoot home Cahill’s far-post cross. Upson nodded a difficult chance off-target from a corner and Scott Parker sent a 25-yard chip narrowly over as West Ham tried to regain the initiative, while Coleman arced a stoppage-time effort wide. Fit-again Toffees midfielder Steven Pienaar brought a low-key start to the second half to life when he curled narrowly over in the 52nd minute. But neither side were able to impose themselves, and West Ham boss Avram Grant made his second change in the 56th minute when Cole came on for Frederic Piquionne. With Cahill ineffective as a makeshift striker, Everton finally brought on Ayegbeni Yakubu for Jack Rodwell just past the hour mark. Kovac picked up the game’s first yellow card for fouling the increasingly influential Pienaar but both goalkeepers continued to prove mere spectators. That should have changed in the 70th minute when Obinna brilliantly sent Freddie Sears clear on the break and the winger’s cross found Cole, who made a complete hash of his left-foot finish. Basic errors continued to flow from both sides but Everton had several chances in the space of three minutes to score a late winner. First Cahill steered Pienaar’s cutback straight at Robert Green, Parker then produced a last-gasp tackle to thwart Yakubu before Green repelled Marouane Fellaini’s bullet header from the resulting corner. Cahill did then slide the ball into the net but he was well offside after being found by Yakubu’s mishit scissors kick. Zavon Hines came on for Obinna for the final five minutes, Jermaine Beckford followed for Pienaar in the final minute and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for Mikel Arteta in stoppage time.
EFC boss David Moyes admits he’s yet to find solution to goalscoring problem
Dec 29 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES believes he is no closer to solving his side’s goalscoring crisis – after benching his three strikers for the 1-1 draw with relegation-haunted West Ham United. The Everton manager played Tim Cahill as the main forward in a 4-1-4-1 formation, asking Mikel Arteta and Jack Rodwell to support the Aussie – but still saw his team only net once, via Seamus Coleman. Moyes’ team hogged possession in the second half of the encounter, with Hammers’ keeper Rob Green pulling off a superb save from Marouane Fellaini, but the Blues boss admitted that his side’s troubles still lie in the final third of the pitch. He said: “I thought if any team was going to win it, it was going to be us. But I thought we looked as though we didn’t really believe we could score the second goal. I don’t think we believed we could win the game. “We had some really good play at times but we couldn’t find the final part to it. “We’re disappointed. It’s a point but I’d have liked it to have been three. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t go on and win it, maybe we didn’t quite do enough, and we were maybe a little bit disjointed at times. “We tried to play Tim Cahill up front and get Jack (Rodwell) and Mikel Arteta in behind him. We’ve been looking to try and find a solution to scoring goals – but we didn’t find it tonight. “I thought we should have won it earlier on, never mind later on. We got the byline two or three times in the first half but didn’t pick anyone out. “Robert Green didn’t have many saves to make. Our approach play was good enough but we couldn’t find the final pass to get the goal.” Moyes will lose Cahill for up to a month after the New Year’s Day clash with Stoke City, and insisted the 31-year-old is one of the best attackers in the league. He said: “Everybody who has seen us this season will know Tim is one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season so I had no problem playing him up front. “Our best players were midfield players, Rodwell and Arteta, and I’d have had to have left either one of them or Pienaar out of the team to accommodate a forward, but I think those midfielders are our better players and didn’t want to drop any of them. “Tim’s going to be going away shortly so we need the strikers to step up. “I take the argument that Tim does better breaking off a main striker, but we wanted to do something different with Jack Rodwell and Mikel breaking forward in support of Tim. “We’ve been looking to try and find a solution to scoring goals – but we didn’t find it tonight.” Moyes was left frustrated when Phil Jagielka failed to pass a late fitness test, and right-back Tony Hibbert had to operate alongside Sylvain Distin in central defence. He said: “We dominated most of the second half and were only really caught on a few breaks. “We were always going to be caught short at times because we had a right-back playing at centre-back. To get away with that was always going to be difficult, but we got away with it. “We had a lot of the ball but we couldn’t open them up a bit. “I think we have got a very good team and good players and we just haven’t been able to turn our good football into goals. We will have a look and maybe try something else.”
West Ham 1 Everton FC 1: Greg O'Keeffe on the Blues' draw
Dec 29 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
FROM frozen pipes to frozen ambitions – Everton’s hopes of a surge towards the top of the table continue to flatter to deceive. Where recent history suggests there is no holding the Blues back when they turn a corner, as against Manchester City, this season’s corners lead only into cul-de-sacs. Victory against a West Ham United side which has defended poorly all season could have propelled the Blues to tenth in the table – and above Liverpool for 24 hours at least. But instead, they played like a team who badly needed the momentum and confidence, that playing on Boxing Day so soon after that satisfying night at Eastlands, might have afforded them. The curse of Groundhog Day returned; during a campaign that mirrors the Bill Murray comedy where he wakes up to find every day is the same. First, Tony Hibbert produced another unfortunate own goal in this fixture after doing exactly the same last season. Then Everton’s attacking play mirrored practically every other game of this campaign, Manchester City aside, whereby it all went smoothly until the final ball. This time, even the much-maligned strikers were blameless – because there were none on the pitch for the first 61 minutes. David Moyes surprised everyone by keeping all three of his frontmen on the bench, and starting with Tim Cahill leading the line alone, in front of a fluid midfield which was instructed to assist him at will, with only Marouane Fellaini sitting deep in front of his back four. Understandably, Moyes was reluctant to drop any of the players who glittered at Eastlands, while also keen to restore Mikel Arteta to the side. So with Victor Anichebe suspended, he eschewed any striking presence and hoped the host of talented ball players in a packed midfield would conjure the right formula. Did it work? The scoreline answers that – nearly, but not quite. Louis Saha or Yakubu might have been the more effective option to begin with, allowing Cahill to persist in the role behind the frontman where he thrives. Even though Everton’s football was highly-polished at times in the first half – despite going a goal behind when Hibbert’s attempted block deflected past Tim Howard – there remained a sense that the hosts were there for the taking. Immaculate ball retention and pretty passing are only ultimately worthwhile when followed by the crucial currency of goals. Despite looking vulnerable defensively, West Ham were galvanised by their previous game, a 3-1 win at Fulham, and displayed an early verve and confidence that belied their worries. The Blues were forced onto the back foot as they contemplated the misfortune of their calamity. But they refused to let the setback ruin their game plan, and their patience paid off. Just like against Roberto Mancini’s title contenders, the Blues elegantly played their way from their own half, and Arteta ghosted into the space behind West Ham’s midfield and defence. The Spaniard stroked the ball to Cahill who bent an accurate cross into the box, Jack Rodwell distracted the home defence and an unmarked Seamus Coleman side-footed home. It was another collective team goal that would have the purists cooing if it had been scored by Arsene Wenger’s artists, and provided a deserved foothold back in this game. Coleman had been muted for the first half-hour, but was suddenly revitalised and should have had a brace shortly after when he cut inside but drilled his shot wide. The Blues still ended the half in the ascendance, and started the second with renewed conviction. Nevertheless, Moyes opted for a switch with half-an-hour left. Off came Rodwell, and Yakubu’s introduction allowed the Blues to play a more familiar 4-4-1-1 formation with Cahill supporting the Nigerian. The verdict on the Everton manager’s first half set-up was mixed; neither totally flawed nor fully vindicated, but he clearly suspected his side would prosper with Cahill back where he is best, instead of having to lead the line entirely. The game remained wide open, West Ham were left to rue an awful miss by Carlton Cole after great approach play by Victor Obinna and starlet Freddie Sears. And then the Toffees were denied a lead only by the excellence of Rob Green, who wonderfully parried Fellaini’s point blank header from a corner. Cahill’s close range strike was ruled out for offside with seven minutes left, and five minutes added time offered further cause for titillation. There was no late Christmas present though. Yakubu failed to get going, leaving Moyes presumably looking at his options and seeing scant consolation. He tries it with strikers and it doesn’t quite work; he tries it without them and gets the same. January will be the make or break month of the season. A new forward must arrive. Finding him won’t be easy, but the harder option will be the gut-wrenching frustration of watching all Everton’s potential slide into nothing.
Seamus Coleman admits frustration as Everton FC fail to take chances at West Ham
Dec 29 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SEAMUS COLEMAN admitted the frustration factor of failing to convert chances continues to loom large over Everton’s attempts to climb up the table. The Ireland defender scored his second league goal of the season to ensure the Toffees took a point from Upton Park last night, but was left ruing the lack of killer instinct elsewhere which has hampered much of their campaign. Coleman, 22, netted the equaliser against relegation haunted West Ham United in the first half of an eventual 1-1 draw, which saw David Moyes leave all three of his conventional strikers on the bench. He said: “We badly wanted all three points, and their goalkeeper getting man of the match shows that we probably should have. “We were on top a lot in the game, but then we produced a few sloppy passes at times that let them come back on the break. We were unlucky to concede that goal, and it was disappointing. “I scored but the team is more important to me and I’d rather have the points. It’s a consolation to get a goal though. “It’s very frustrating, because you need to get a goal in the periods when you are on top. Their keeper made a great save from Felli and you wonder when you’re going to get another chance as clear as that. “We need to start taking the three points. After Manchester City we were all full of confidence. “But if you look at it in a different way, four points from two games isn’t really that bad. “It was a frustrated dressing room though, and we need to start tuning those draws into wins.” Coleman insisted his manager’s decision to deploy Tim Cahill up front alone was not behind his side’s failure to find a winner. He said: “It’s a different job for Tim, but he’s a top player who is very good in the air and I think the lads can play in a few positions. Tim gives his all.” But the former Sligo Rovers youth player admitted that the postponement of Everton’s boxing day game against Birmingham City did them no favours. He said: “It was frustrating when you’re all set, especially the night before and then the morning of the game. “We were all ready for it and then didn’t find out until 10.30am. “It could have been a chance to get three points in front of the home fans, so it was frustrating. You could tell West Ham benefited from beating Fulham, and they had confidence.”
West Ham 1 Everton FC 1: Striking right balance still proving difficult
Dec 29 2010 Ian Doyle
SUCH has been the continuing displeasure of David Moyes with his misfiring forwards this season that it was perhaps only a matter of time before the Everton manager lost patience with all of them. But whether that day should have come with a visit to a struggling West Ham United is a question that will have occupied the travelling support as they embarked on the long journey north from Upton Park last night. An opportunity to build on last week’s impressive victory at Manchester City was spurned as Moyes’s men once again failed to produce the cutting edge to go with their impressive approach play. The forwards couldn’t be blamed here. In the most obvious sign yet of frustration with his strikeforce, Moyes left the trio of Yakubu, Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha on the bench and instead asked leading scorer Tim Cahill to lead the line by himself. Perhaps it was a shock tactic designed to encourage a much-needed response. But there was a nagging sense Moyes may have been cutting off his nose to spite his face, especially with the Goodison manager later admitting West Ham had been there for the taking. Of course, the evidence this season suggests there is no guarantee Everton would have garnered all three points with a forward on the field. But playing without a striker served only to stifle the visitors’ ambition against an opposing defence that has kept only two clean sheets this Premier League term. Everton did find a way through three minutes before the interval when a fine passing move ended with Seamus Coleman netting his third goal for the club. That was required to draw Moyes’s men level after the unfortunate Tony Hibbert put through his own goal on 16 minutes, the second season in succession the defender has scored past Tim Howard at Upton Park. Groundhog Day for Hibbert, then. And Groundhog Day, too, for Moyes. His team’s enterprise bolstered by the return of both Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar, Everton weaved pretty patterns once again and, in the second half, were the dominant force. But that killer touch remains beyond them; while the Goodison outfit are now unbeaten in eight away games, six of those have been drawn. As well as having no strikers in their starting line-up, Everton began the game with only one recognised centre-back with neither Phil Jagielka nor John Heitinga having recovered from their respective injuries. Hibbert, then, was asked to reprise his successful centre-back stint of 12 months earlier alongside in-form Sylvain Distin. But the defender suffered the worst possible start when inadvertently gifting West Ham a 16th-minute lead. It was a poor goal for Everton to concede. James Tomkins rose highest to meet a Scott Parker corner from the left, but a combination of Phil Neville and Tim Howard repelled the header. Distin’s sliced clearance then succeeded in finding Radoslav Kovac inside the area, but there appeared little danger from the midfielder’s improvised effort until Hibbert stuck his body in the way and deflected the shot beyond an anguished Howard. The goal came against the run of play with Everton, the confidence of that win at Eastlands coursing through their veins, began the game confidently. They came close on seven minutes when, after West Ham failed to clear their lines, Coleman found Distin inside the area but the centre-back’s shot from the left flashed harmlessly across goal. And the Frenchman twice came close to an equaliser when, in quick succession, he saw a header and then a shot deflected behind from Arteta corners. While West Ham, having moved off the foot of the table with victory at Fulham on Boxing Day, were visibly buoyed by their opener, only Victor Obinna seriously threatened, the Nigerian shooting excitedly wide after clever nutmegging Arteta on the right flank. And Everton drew level three minutes before the break. Accepting the ball in the centre circle, Pienaar fed possession to Arteta who in turn found Cahill on the left-hand edge of the area. The Australian, so often the scorer this season, turned creator by switching the ball to his right foot and crossing to the far post where the criminally unmarked Coleman was given the simple task of sidefooting the ball underneath West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green. West Ham sought to respond immediately and an ambitious, cheeky chip from the industrious Parker floated narrowly over Howard’s crossbar, while at the other end a fine passing movement ended with Coleman turning the ball on to his left foot but shooting wastefully off target. The second half was something of a curious non-event. Everton, building on the momentum of their goal, were the dominant force but with Cahill understandably stretched by his makeshift role, chances were at a premium. The visitors conjured an opening on 51 minutes when Pienaar’s trademark right-footed curler from the corner of the area drifted too high, but the game soon descended into a nervy midfield skirmish from which both sides struggled to break clear. However, when West Ham did manage one counter-attack on 70 minutes, they should have scored. A fine pass from Obinna sent Freddie Sears scurrying down the inside right channel, and his cross found substitute Carlton Cole at the far post. However, the striker, who netted twice at Craven Cottage two days earlier, snatched at the opening and pulled his shot wide. By now, Yakubu had been introduced for the tiring Rodwell to offer Cahill some much-needed support, and helped Everton find a second wind during the final 10 minutes After Cahill had moments earlier found Green with a shot from Pienaar’s pass, the West Ham keeper made a much more impressive save when beating out Fellaini’s header from a Leighton Baines corner. But that late charge quickly petered out. And with 2010 drawing to a close, Moyes appears no nearer to solving the striking conundrum that could yet do the same to his team’s campaign.
Everton FC needed more belief to win at West Ham - David Moyes
Dec 29 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
DISAPPOINTED David Moyes admits Everton lacked the belief to earn victory at West Ham United – but defended his decision to start the game without a recognised striker. Seamus Coleman’s 42nd-minute strike earned Moyes’s men a point from a subdued 1-1 draw against the relegation strugglers yesterday. Tony Hibbert, employed as a makeshift centre-back in the absence of injured duo Phil Jagielka and John Heitinga, had earlier put through his own net for the second successive season at Upton Park. Despite dominating possession during the second half, Everton rarely looked capable of providing a cutting edge to their neat approach play. And Moyes said: “I thought if any team was going to win it, it was going to be us. “But I thought we looked as though we didn’t really believe we could score the second goal. “I don’t think we believed we could win the game. “We had some really good play at times but we couldn’t find the final part to it. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t go on and win it, maybe we didn’t quite do enough, we were maybe a little bit disjointed at times.” Having been critical of his strikers throughout the campaign, Moyes, already without the suspended Victor Anichebe, yesterday elected to leave Louis Saha, Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford all on the bench and push midfielder Tim Cahill into a lone striker’s role. And while unapologetic about the decision, the Goodison manager admits it did not address his team’s problems in front of goal. “Everybody who has seen us this season will know Tim is one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season so I had no problem playing him up front,” said Moyes. “Our best players were midfield players, Rodwell and Arteta, and I’d have had to have left either one of them or Pienaar out of the team to accommodate a forward, but I think those midfielders are our better players and didn’t want to drop any of them. “I take the argument that Tim does better breaking off a main striker, but we wanted to do something different with Jack Rodwell and Mikel breaking forward in support of Tim. “We’ve been looking to try and find a solution to scoring goals – but we didn’t find it tonight.” Both Cahill and Marouane Fellaini forced saves from West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green during the final 10 minutes, but Moyes believes Everton should have made more chances earlier in the game. “I thought we should have won it earlier on, never mind later on,” he said. “We got to the byline two or three times in the first half but didn’t pick anyone out. “Robert Green didn’t have many saves to make. “Our approach play was good enough but we couldn’t find the final pass to get the goal. “We dominated most of the second half and were only really caught on a few breaks. “We were always going to be caught short at times because we had a right-back playing at centre-back. To get away with that was always going to be difficult, but we got away with it. “We had a lot of the ball but we couldn’t open them up a bit.” The Everton manager added: “I think we have got a very good team and good players and we just haven’t been able to turn our good football into goals. “We will have a look and maybe try something else.”
West Ham extend unbeaten run to three by drawing with Everton
Jamie Jackson at Upton Park The Guardian
Tuesday 28 Decembe 2010
Avram Grant's men are unbeaten in three league games and, as Scott Parker stated folllowing this battling draw, will approach the visit on Saturday of Wolverhampton Wanderers – who are bottom – with credible confidence that they can now avert the drop. "We have a big game at the weekend and there are some positives to take. There are times when it will be a bit edgy when you are down the bottom of the league but we are confident we can get ourselves out of this," the midfielder said. "We needed to win today but we have come off a good result against Fulham [3-1 on Boxing Day], we have not lost a game and that's important." Before this contest against David Moyes's fellow strugglers West Ham's return had been a draw at Blackburn Rovers and the victory over Fulham, so Grant hoped his team would climb from the relegation zone by beating an Everton side that had defeated Manchester City in their previous outing. The Israeli, unable to select 10 first team regulars due to injury and suspension, also put Carlton Cole on the bench for a breather and witnessed a first half that ended in frustration due to Seamus Coleman's soft equaliser. Before kick-off Grant had spoken confidently of his team feeling no exhaustion due to the tonic derived from the win on Sunday and on the quarter hour two moments suggested he was correct. First came West Ham's opener. Freddie Sears forced a corner that was lifted in from the left by Parker. When a James Tomkins header was repelled by Tim Howard, Radoslav Kovac reacted first to hook the ball towards goal where Tony Hibbert sliced an unwanted finish beyond his keeper and the watching Coleman. The second illustration of West Ham's appetite came when Coleman, Everton's £60,000 acquisition from Sligo Rovers last year, zipped beyond their rearguard towards Green. But Matthew Upson raced back swiftly to thwart the threat. Moyes had plumped for Tim Cahill as the lone striker in Everton's 4-1-4-1 formation. Though Everton pressed West Ham, the threat was sporadic and the sense was that Cahill would be better utilised in the less advanced position that allows him to shape play or drift forward. "That is an argument," Moyes said. "But I chose who I thought were the best players today." Everton's equaliser arrived when Cahill dropped back and Coleman did the drifting. Steven Pienaar rolled a ball forward for Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard moved left before unloading a pass to Cahill who saw Coleman ghosting towards the post. The left-back, Jonathan Spector, newly introduced for the injured Herita Ilunga, should have been patrolling there but the American had been sucked inside and Coleman calmly claimed a second league goal for Everton. His strike gave Moyes a simpler half-time chat than Grant, who required only 11 minutes of the second half to decide that Cole should be introduced for Frédéric Piquionne. Cole was subsequently presented with a golden chance by Sears when his delivery from the right dropped sweetly into the forward's path but he could only scuff a disappointing attempt with his left foot. Grant said: "I'm very pleased with the effort of the boys. To play two games in 48 hours is difficult." Now, he hopes for victory over Wolves.
West Ham 1 Everton 1: Coleman cancels out Hibbert's howler as Hammers blow a golden chance
By Laura Williamson
Daily Mail Dec 29 2010
Avram Grant insisted West Ham had the 'character to play two games in three days'. But after watching his side draw against Everton, fresh from a free Boxing Day after their match with Birmingham City was postponed, the West Ham boss was forced to reconsider. His side missed the chance to escape the drop zone, but five points from their last three games has made the outlook slightly rosier for Grant. The Hammers manager took the opportunity to call for his squad to be made 'bigger and stronger' in January. West Ham had 10 first-team players missing through injury and there were four changes from the side that beat Fulham 3-1 on Boxing Day. Carlton Cole was on the bench, despite scoring his first Premier League double at Craven Cottage, to protect his knees. But the Hammers have only won two of the last 46 Premier League games when they did not lead at half-time. And so it proved again last night, as Seamus Coleman equalised for Everton after a Tony Hibbert own goal. Grant seemed to be less happy with the schedule after the game, saying: 'It's not easy to play two games in 48 hours; this is the only country that does it. They need to think about equal chances. 'It's OK if both teams have equal chances but if one team has played two days before and the other comes fresh, it's a big disadvantage.' Hibbert, playing in central defence in the absence of Phil Jagielka, put West Ham ahead after 16 minutes when he diverted Robert Kovac's overhead kick past Tim Howard. It was Hibbert's second own goal at Upton Park in as many seasons but it did not galvanise West Ham. Instead, it was the visitors who seized the initiative, with Marouane Fellaini thriving in the midfield anchor role and sending wingers Steven Pienaar and Coleman free down the flanks with his neat passing. And as Scott Parker was left to marshal West Ham's midfield - with Kovac anonymous and Freddie Sears and Luis Boa Morte passengers - Everton always looked the more likely to score. David Moyes had put his trust in his midfield players by leaving Louis Saha, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu on the bench - the trio have managed just three league goals between them this season - and it paid off when Everton equalised after 42 minutes. Mikel Arteta fed Cahill on the left and the Australian scooped a cross to the far post, where Coleman ghosted past Jonathan Spector to slot home the equaliser, his third goal of the season.
Cahill has scored or made seven of his side's last eight goals, as well as contributing nine of Everton's 21 league goals this term. But he has just one game left - away at Stoke on New Year's Day - before joining up with the Australia squad for the Asia Cup in Qatar, which starts on January 7. He will be missed. Moyes said: 'There's no problem for me in terms of a centre forward - Tim Cahill's one of the top scorers in the league. I wasn't tempted to start with Yakubu or Saha. I thought my best players were my midfield players. '(But) we need them (our strikers) to step up. I'll look at the loan market (in January) but I think we've got a very good team. We've just not been able to turn our good football into goals.' West Ham could not find a winner either, as Cole wasted a wonderful chance after 70 minutes. Victor Obinna set Sears free on the right and the midfielder found Cole in space on the left, only for the striker to send the ball wide. The hosts had Robert Green to thank for a fine save from Fellaini's header in the 81st minute, but the second half was particularly low on quality. 'It was OK,' said Moyes. He summed up proceedings rather nicely.
WEST HAM 1 - EVERTON 1 - AVRAM GRANT OWES IT TO HIBBERT HOWLER
29th December 2010 By Paul Brown The Daily Star
West Ham 1 - Everton 1
AVRAM GRANT can breathe a little easier – but David Moyes should be tearing his hair out in frustration. West Ham boss Grant was given four games over Christmas to save his job and is unbeaten in the first three after this stalemate with draw specialists Everton. Beating Wolves on New Year’s Day would almost certainly lift the Hammers out of the bottom three. West Ham needed an own-goal from makeshift Everton centre-back Tony Hibbert to set them on their way yesterday. But if Everton had a striker worthy of the name, they would have taken all three points at a ground where they had tasted victory on their previous three visits. Without one, they had to rely on a solitary strike from Seamus Coleman to earn a seventh draw in 11 matches. Coleman is a full-back, playing on the wing, who cost £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in January 2009, and there is the problem for Everton boss Moyes. He does not have the funds to compete with the Premier League money men, and admitted after the game that he will be shopping in the loan market next month. West Ham’s only shot on target came during the move which led to Hibbert’s own-goal, but they are off the bottom and only two points from safety. Grant said: “I think it’s good. You always want it to be better, of course, but I think we are more efficient now. We had been playing well without taking points. “I think we are on the right way. I see a lot of improvement in the last three games, but we need to win on Saturday against a very good team.” Everton may have beaten Manchester City at Eastlands with 10 men before Christmas, but they had big problems going into this one. They were able to field only one recognised centre-half, with full-back Hibbert filling in for injured Phil Jagielka and Johnny Heitinga. So poor have their strikers been this season that they started the game without one, preferring to go with midfielder Tim Cahill alone up front. They dominated long spells of the game, but could not find a winner even with Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu on as substitutes at the end. Moyes is looking anxiously over his shoulder with his side four points above the drop zone and could soon be without his top scorer Cahill for six weeks. The nine-goal Australian is off to play in the Asian Cup in Qatar after Saturday’s trip to Stoke, putting pressure on Beckford, Yakubu and Louis Saha. He said: “We need them to step up, yes. Our approach play was good enough, but we just couldn’t find the final pass to try and get the winning goal. “If you are down there, you have got to try and get out of it. “We are not that far ahead of it ourselves, so we have got to make sure that we are away from it as well. “I thought if any team was going to win, it would be us, but I didn’t think we really believed we would score a goal.” West Ham were on a high after winning away for the first time in 16 months at Fulham on Boxing Day.
But Grant made three changes and his side looked disjointed as Everton started brightly. The Toffees were well rested after broken water pipes at Goodison Park caused their Boxing Day clash with Birmingham to be postponed. But disaster struck for the visitors when Hibbert gave the Hammers a 16th-minute breakthrough, deflecting a tame Radoslav Kovac shot past Tim Howard.
It came after Howard could only parry a James Tomkins header from Scott Parker’s corner, with Hibbert’s clumsy attempt to clear ending up in his own net. Everton fought back and grabbed a well-deserved equaliser three minutes before the break when Coleman rounded off a sweeping move to score his third of the season. Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta were involved before Cahill picked him out at the far post for a close-range volley. Parker almost caught Howard out with a sneaky chip which landed on the roof of the net before Pienaar fired a curling shot just over at the other end. Second-half sub Carlton Cole wasted a good chance for the home side by shooting wide, Cahill had a shot saved and Rob Green parried a Marouane Fellaini header.
West Ham 1-1 Everton: Daily Mirror match report
Dec 29 2010 Daily Mirror
By John Cross
Judgment day has arrived for Avram Grant. One win and two draws from the three games Grant was given to save his job as West Ham manager. Far more worryingly, West Ham are still stuck in the relegation zone and Grant does not look any more like he can be the club's saviour than he did before. And whoever in the Upton Park boardroom decided it should be the three games - Blackburn, Fulham and Everton - must have got their sums wrong. Because Saturday's home game with bottom-of-the-table Wolves will surely decide Grant's fate as it has become do-or-die for West Ham. Defeat would be unthinkable and would surely result in the inevitable for Grant while victory will breath new life into West Ham's struggle to beat the drop. It means the jury is still out on Grant not just as West Ham boss but as a manager in general. Grant took Chelsea to within a penalty kick of winning the Champions League after inheriting Jose Mourinho's team. Then took Portsmouth to an FA Cup final but could not prevent them from being relegated amid a financial disaster. West Ham was Grant's chance to finally prove himself in the Premier League and four months later we are still waiting to discover whether he is the real deal. But served up with three games to save his own skin, Grant was able to snatch a draw at Blackburn, inspire an unlikely win at Fulham on Boxing Day and then struggle to a scrappy point against Everton. Another frustrating game resulted in West Ham leaving the pitch to sporadic boos ringing in their ears after Everton bossed the game at Upton Park and they should have left with all three points. Instead, Everton's lack of a recognised striker - with manager David Moyes leaving Yakubu, Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford on the bench - left them painting pretty patterns in midfield but with no killer instinct up front. That was West Ham's salvation as Everton have now drawn seven of their last 11 games while Grant said that Carlton Cole - the two goal hero of their win at Fulham - was not fit enough to start two games in three days. It meant that the game was full of frustration and wasted openings and West Ham blew a glorious chance to chalk up their first back-to-back wins of the season. West Ham took a 16th minute lead when their talisman, Scott Parker, put over a corner and James Tomkins saw his header well saved by Everton keeper Tim Howard. The loose ball pinged around the penalty box, Tomkins found Radoslav Kovac and his overhead kick was deflected by Everton defender Tony Hibbert and into his own net past the helpless Howard. But Everton always looked capable of putting the better moves together and typically it was Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill who fashioned a lovely 42nd minute equalising goal for Seamus Coleman. Aussie midfielder Cahill, playing as a lone striker, supplied a perfect cross to the back post, Coleman ghosted in past substitute Jonathan Spector and the Irish midfielder fired home at the far post. Coleman cost just £60,000 from Sligo Rovers in January 2009 and yet he did what £24m worth of striker talent on the Everton bench have not been able to do on a regular basis. From then on, Everton took charge of the second half as the lively Pienaar went close, Cahill was always a threat and Arteta was the most inventive player on the pitch. But they just did not have a goalscorer to finish the job. West Ham had one decent opening as Freddie Sears raced down the right, pulled a cross back to substitute Cole and the England squad player dragged his shot wide from close range. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor were watching in the stands and they saw Saturday's opponents just about hang on for a point. Parker made a great last ditch tackle to stop substitute Yakubu from shooting while Marouane Fellaini's close range header was brilliantly saved by West Ham keeper Rob Green. Finally, West Ham had one last chance when Hibbert conceded a clumsy free kick just outside the Everton box. But, in keeping with the rest of the game, Parker lofted a free kick over the top of his strikers and behind the Everton goal. That summed it up.
WEST HAM 1 EVERTON 1
Dec 29 2010 The Sun
By Mark Irwin
AVRAM GRANT insists he still has the backing of West Ham's owners despite blowing a chance to end their miserable year on a high. Victory over Everton would have taken the Hammers out of the drop zone for the first time this season. But they were unable to hang on to a gift of an early Tony Hibbert own goal and now enter 2011 deep in the brown stuff. Now Upton Park chief Grant is banking on a major cash injection to improve his ailing squad in the transfer window and get him out of trouble. He said: "The owners bought a club with £100million worth of debt and they're doing everything they can to stabilise the situation. "But they also know we must make the team stronger. "Today we didn't have a single midfield player on the bench and even when everyone is fit we still need a bigger squad. "The owners are trying their best to find the financial solution for this because it hasn't been easy for us to play two games in 48 hours. "England is the only country in the world where this happens and it's OK if it is the same for both teams but not if one of the teams didn't play two days earlier. "I had no choice but to make four changes to the team which won at Fulham on Boxing Day - and that was a big advantage for Everton." The Hammers boss believes some of his players are simply not fit enough to play two games in such a short space of time and made four changes to the side which won 3-1 at Craven Cottage. Among the casualties was striker Carlton Cole, whose reward for the first Premier League double of his career was a return to the Upton Park bench. Everton, whose Boxing Day fixture against Birmingham had been postponed, arrived in London with an even more curious line-up. David Moyes had complained about the lack of goals from his forwards in the build-up to this match and then challenged them to start matching the efforts of Tim Cahill. But the Everton boss did not even give them that opportunity, kicking off without a single recognised striker in his line-up. The Merseysiders had won on their last three visits to Upton Park and had an early chance to extend that run when Seamus Coleman's clever pass found Sylvain Distin unmarked in the West Ham penalty area. But the French centre-half was forced wide by his poor first touch and ended up shooting across goal from a tight angle. It was a good chance wasted and one which was to cost the visitors dear when they fell behind in the 16th minute to Hibbert's own goal. Everton thought they had cleared the danger when Tim Howard reacted well to beat out James Tomkins' powerful header from a Scott Parker corner. But when Radoslav Kovac hooked the ball hopefully back into the mix, the hapless Hibbert sliced his attempted clearance wildly beyond his keeper. Hibbert was only playing as an emergency centre-half because of injuries to Phil Jagielka and Johnny Heitinga and looked a bundle of nerves all night. Yet West Ham's defence was even less convincing as Everton's impressive passing game threatened to rip them apart down the flanks. Cahill was only denied by the outstretched leg of Matthew Upson as he closed in on Leighton Baines' low cross into the six-yard box. But there was not one Hammers defender in sight when Coleman drifted in unmarked at the back post to volley home from Cahill's 42nd-minute cross. It was an impressive finish from the young Irishman, 22, and he almost struck again just before the break but curled his shot just too high. Everton, unbeaten on their travels since August, suddenly sensed the chance to improve their own disappointing season as West Ham started to wilt. Steven Pienaar fired narrowly over and Cahill's first-time shot was saved low down by Robert Green. Grant finally tried to regain the initiative by sending on Cole for Frederic Piquionne after 56 minutes. But the England international was unable to reproduce his Boxing Day heroics and shot tamely wide when played in on goal by Freddie Sears 20 minutes from the end. That was to prove West Ham's last chance to test Howard as Everton finished the match stronger. Marouane Fellaini's close-range header was met with a good reaction save from Green and Cahill had the ball in the net at the death - but only after coming back from an offside position. Now West Ham must beat Mick McCarthy's Wolves at Upton Park on New Year's Day to avoid a swift return to the foot of the Premier League. Grant might have done just about enough to cling on to his job but he is not out of the woods yet.
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN - SEAMUS COLEMAN (Everton)
WEST HAM: Green 7, Faubert 5, Tomkins 7, Upson 7, Ilunga 5 (Spector 5), Sears 5, Parker 6, Kovac 6, Boa Morte 6, Obinna 5 (Hines 5), Piquionne 6 (Cole 5). Subs not used: Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Stanislas. Booked: Kovac.
EVERTON: Howard 6, Neville 6, Hibbert 5, Distin 6, Baines 7, Coleman 8, Rodwell 7 (Yakubu 5), Arteta 5 (Bilyaletdinov 4), Fellaini 6, Pienaar 7 (Beckford 4), Cahill 6. Subs not used: Mucha, Saha, Duffy, Baxter.
Hard-working Hammers earn another precious point
Steve Blowers
Tuesday, 28 December, 2010
Newssham Recorder
West Ham made it three games without defeat after a battling draw with Everton at Upton Park Bottom of Form
West Ham United 1 Everton 1
The hard-working Hammers extended their unbeaten run to three games with a dogged draw against Everton at Upton Park, where Avram Grant’s men moved to within just two points of safety writes STEVE BLOWERS Tony Hibbert’s fortuitous own-goal may have given the East Enders the lead but there was certainly nothing lucky about this purposeful performance that could have yielded a win but for Seamus Coleman’s 42nd-minute equaliser. Despite the valuable victory at Fulham on Boxing Day that had lifted the Hammers off bottom spot, Grant still made quartet of changes as Herita Ilunga, Julien Faubert, Victor Obinna and Luis Boa Morte came in for Danny Gabbidon, Tal Ben Haim and substitutes Carlton Cole and Junior Stanislas. Although 14th-placed Everton had seen their festive fixture against Birmingham City frozen off, they had warmed up for Christmas with a win over Manchester City eight days earlier. And following their Eastlands endeavours, the Toffees made a trio of switches changes as Mikel Arteta, Hibbert and Steven Pienaar were recalled in place of Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman and the suspended Victor Anichebe. With just a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, the hapless Hibbert must have been wishing that he had stayed back home on Merseyside, for after needlessly conceding the Hammers first corner of the evening, the defender then inadvertently gave the Hammers the lead, after Everton failed to clear Scott Parker’s consequent flag kick. The home fans amongst the crowd of 33,422 were left wondering why the mercurial midfielder does not take the corners more often, when he floated a textbook centre on to the forehead of James Tomkins, who saw his point-blank header beaten down by Tim Howard and hooked away by Sylvain Distain. But when Radoslav Kovac cleverly sent an overhead kick back into the danger zone, the red-faced Hibbert stuck out a flailing foot and deflected the ball beyond Howard. Buoyed by that opener, the Hammers quickly went in search of a second and Obinna skipped past Arteta before almost uprooting a stanchion with an angled screamer, while the subsequently penalised Frederic Piquionne then found himself bizarrely tussling with Howard by the corner flag as the Everton ‘keeper desperately tried to thwart another break, The orange-booted Obinna also floated a fine free-kick onto the head of Matthew Upson, who nodded just inches over the top and, although Sylvain Distin fired across the face of goal and then high and wide, West Ham were well and truly in the ascendancy against an increasing physical Everton outfit, who were testing World Cup final referee, Howard Webb, to the limit. Ten minutes before the break, Ilunga pulled up awkwardly and although his replacement Jonathan Spector wasted no time charging down a Phil Neville scorcher, the American substitute was found wanting just before the break. With just three minutes of the first-half remaining, Arteta burst from halfway before playing the supporting Tim Cahill, whose searching left-wing centre fell to the unmarked Coleman at the far post and he comfortably sent a side-footed volley beyond the unprotected Robert Green. The Everton youngster’s third goal of the season had certainly come against the run of play and Man-of-the-Match, Parker then embarked upon a rampant run that climaxed with him depositing the ball onto the roof of Howard’s net in a defiant demonstration that the Hammers had not had the Christmas stuffing knocked out of them by that leveller. Ten minutes after the restart, Piquionne hobbled away to be replaced by Sunday’s two-goal hero, Carlton Cole and then Moyes introduced Yakubu at the expense of Jack Rodwell. And after Kovac was booked for felling Pienaar, the Hammers produced the move of the night, when Obinna sent Freddie Sears galloping free down the right but when the 21-year-old sent an equally perfect pass across the feet of both Distin and Hibbert, Cole wastefully sent his low, angled eight-yarder back beyond the far post. Second half chances were certainly at a premium and Cahill would have been equally frustrated with the weak effort he sent towards the well-placed Green with just ten minutes remaining, while Marouane Fellaini was left running his hands through his long, frizzy locks after the Hammers keeper beat out his header to guarantee a hard-fought, well-earned point for Grant’s men.
HAMMERS: Green, Faubert, Ilunga (Spector 33), Upson, Tomkins, Sears, Boa Morte, Parker, Kovac, Piquionne (Cole 55), Obinna (Hines 85). Unused subs: Boffin, Reid, Barrera, Stanislas. EVERTON: Howard. Neville, Baines, Hibbert, Distin, Coleman, Rodwell (Yakubu 61), Fellaini, Arteta (Bilyaletdinov 90), Pienaar (Beckford 89), Cahill. Unused: Mucha, Saha, Duffy, Baxter.
Everton valuation of Yakubu Ayegbeni scuppers West Ham move
Dec 29 2010 The Guardian, By Jamie Jackson
Everton's valuation of Yakubu Ayegbeni means he will be priced out of a potential move to West Ham United despite the interest of the manager Avram Grant. Grant hoped to buy the striker, who following Everton's 1-1 draw at Upton Park last night admitted to frustration at again being on the bench, in the summer. But West Ham were told then that the price was £8m while David Sullivan, the co-owner, said publicly that Yakubu was worth "£1m to £2m". Grant is aware of Yakubu's qualities having worked with him when manager of Maccabi Haifa in 2002. However, the 28-year-old had not featured for a month before David Moyes introduced him as a second-half substitute against West Ham and he appears to have lost favour with the Everton manager. "It's frustrating as a striker when you don't play," the Nigerian said of Moyes's reluctance to select him. "I want to play. When you don't have chances to play it's really hard for you as a striker. It's frustrating sitting on the bench. But the team are playing really well [so] you have to wait and take your chance. At the moment everything is good. I just concentrate on my work as a striker. There is pressure when you play and don't score goals." Everton's point at Upton Park took their tally to 22, just three above the relegation zone yet potentially only seven below qualification for European football next season. And Yakubu believes this should be the realistic ambition for the club. "That's our target," he said. "We want to finish in Europe. We'll see how it goes. We'll take each game as it comes and work hard in training. It's not going to be easy but we'll try. We are disappointed not to take three points [against West Ham] but one is better than nothing. "As a player you want to keep winning every week. Sometimes we don't do that but we want to keep doing the right things in training. At the moment results are not always going for us." Everton's stuttering season has featured seven draws in their last 11 league games. "It's frustrating. You want to win. Sometimes we play badly, or we play well and get a draw," he added.
Everton FC fans’ forum - more points dropped by Blues against West Ham
Dec 30 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
YET again, another two points dropped by the Blues – this time against West Ham United on Tuesday evening. It’s hard to believe this was the team that won at Manchester City last week. David Moyes must take the blame for another shocking performance and his obsession with defensive methods, adding insult to injury by subbing with only a few minutes left. Fans, like me, over 60 years (yes, 60) of loyal support are getting sick and tired of us squeaking draws against teams we should wipe the floor with. For goodness sake, somebody do something! Blooper DAVID MOYES took his levels of cautiousness to new heights against West Ham on Tuesday – not one recognised striker in the starting 11. Three strikers on the bench at the beginning of the match, Moyes starts to chase the game with three strikers coming on. Why not just start with them? Who knows, we just might slot in a few goals before they knew what had hit them. If I was Jermaine Beckford,I'd be putting in a transfer request as soon as possible. He's a good striker, who is having his confidence completely knocked out of him. Bluewings TUESDAY’S encounter at West Ham United was a poor game that we should have won to turn our season around. Tony Hibbert should have been substituted allowing Jack Rodwell to drop into that position. And when we need to win games, why does David Moyes leave it to the final five minutes to bring on the last of his substitutes? It’s hardly time for them to get up to speed with the game, let alone make a difference. Things need to change starting with Moyes’s decision making and get some fire in the players’ bellies for heaven’s sake! blueboy4ever MR Kenwright – can you spare £3m to go and buy Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City. They will let him go for £3m – a bargain. When he was at Blackburn this lad was good. I think he would do a good job for us. bazza72 EVERTON should arrange a deal with Tottenham during the January transfer window. Get Steven Pienaar to go to White Hart Lane in exchange for Peter Crouch. Crouch would score goals – it makes sense. Ajo WE should release Louis Saha on a free transfer, sell John Heitinga for £8m, bring in Barnsley winger Adam Hammill for £500k and bank the rest. Job done! Staygold FROZEN water pipes that put paid to our game on Boxing Day against Birmingham City – that’s why we need a new stadium! Bluewinner HAVING read in the ECHO about the horrendous winter of 1962-63 which had a dreadful effect on the football, I do remember those good old days when men were men. I can't remember anyone getting hurt because of the weather then. Where did all these health and safety rules come from? scousefreemo
Everton FC boss David Moyes warns misfiring forwards to ‘step up'
Dec 30 2010 Liverpool Echo
DAVID MOYES has warned Everton’s misfiring strikers they need to “step up” after delivering the ultimate snub to them in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at West Ham. Moyes controversially played Tim Cahill as a makeshift target man in the Premier League game at Upton Park, leaving Ayegbeni Yakubu, Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford on the bench. The Toffees boss was unapologetic over the move afterwards, one which he will not be able to repeat after Saturday’s match at Stoke with Cahill absent for up to a month with Australia at the upcoming Asian Cup. Moyes said of his forwards: “We need them to step up.” “We’ve got a really good team. We’ve just not been able to turn our good football into goals. We’ll have another look, we’ll try something else and see if we can.” Jermaine Beckford hasn’t started a match since September 18, when he was withdrawn at half-time against Newcastle. Since then he has been used as an impact substitute, most notably against Bolton and Chelsea, but was hardly given any time to make an impression at Upton Park coming on in the 90th minute. Yakubu was introduced with half-an-hour to go, his first outing of any sort since he endured an unhappy afternoon against West Bromwich Albion in November, while Louis Saha was an unsed substitute and is still searching for his first Premier League goal since February. Defending his selection Moyes added: “Manager’s prerogative, isn’t it? I thought that Tim was a goalscorer, I thought my best players were midfield players, (Jack) Rodwell, (Mikel) Arteta. “I would’ve needed to leave (Steven) Pienaar, Rodwell, Arteta out of the team to accommodate one of those players and I didn’t see that was right. I thought my better players were on the pitch.” The visitors hit back from an early Tony Hibbert own goal before half-time through Seamus Coleman, but otherwise lacked a cutting edge until Yakubu’s second-half introduction. “I thought we had all the game, really, in the second half,” added Moyes. “There’s no doubt we had plenty of the ball and lots of opportunities but we never took them.”
Despite failing to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, second-bottom West Ham extended their unbeaten run to three games, keeping their survival hopes alive. Manager Avram Grant said: “I think the most important thing is we closed the gap. We played many games better than the other teams but we didn’t take points. Now I think we are doing it more efficiently.”
Everton FC deny reports that James Vaughan is on the brink of joining Cardiff City
Dec 30 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
EVERTON last night denied reports that striker James Vaughan was on the brink of joining Cardiff City. But Blues boss David Moyes could still make room for another striker in his shot-shy forward line in January with Derby and Leicester keen to take a player both clubs have had on-loan. Cardiff City, managed by former Everton defender Dave Jones, were reported to have agreed a £1m deal for Vaughan’s signature last night. But the Blues say they have had no contact from the Championship club. Vaughan has just returned to Goodison after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace where he scored five goals in 14 appearances, but despite Everton’s much publicised striker goal drought, Moyes is prepared to let the youngster go. Any funds generated would be unlikely to give Moyes any extra spending power, but it would help in his bid to bring in a striker on-loan. Vaughan has made 59 appearances for Everton, but only 11 of those have been starts and his progress has been slowed by serious knee, foot and shoulder injuries. His last senior appearance for Everton was at Tottenham almost a year ago and his last goals against Burnley on December 28 last year. He came on as a substitute in the FA Cup final of 2009 and famously slotted a nerveless penalty kick in the semi-final shoot-out against Manchester United, but his last start for the Blues was in a Carling Cup tie at Blackburn in September 2008. Since then he has had loan spells at Crystal Palace, Leicester and Derby. Yakubu is one of the strikers under pressure at Everton, with only one goal to his name this season, and he accepted last night he and his fellow forwards must improve. “We are the strikers and we are really, really struggling to score goals at the moment,” said Yakubu, who made his first appearance for a month at West Ham. “It’s really frustrating sitting on the bench. “But what can I do? Just keep working hard in training and hopefully I’ll get my chance.” Everton go to Stoke City on Saturday, with the Potters missing key defender Robert Huth. Huth, the German centre-back who has already scored four times this season, is out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday against Fulham. Potters boss Tony Pulis is, however, hopeful of having ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant available to face the Blues. Pennant’s loan deal from Real Zaragoza has now expired but Pulis is hoping to do a deal in time for him to feature on New Year’s Day.
Everton FC’s Yakubu eyes January move to West Ham
Dec 30 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
AYEGBENI YAKUBU could be set for a January exit from Everton after expressing his desire for a move to West Ham United. The Nigerian was the subject of a controversial approach by the Hammers during the summer transfer window. Six weeks after seeing Everton reject their £6million bid for the player, West Ham enraged the Goodison outfit by lodging a second, lower bid that was dismissed as “derisory”. Nevertheless, West Ham manager Avram Grant is keen to bolster his strikeforce and has not lost interest in Yakubu, having worked with the forward when in charge at Israeli side Maccabi Haifa. Grant was spotted talking to the Nigeria international during half-time of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw between the teams a Upton Park. Yakubu has endured a difficult campaign, netting just once in seven starts and among the batch of strikers that continue to misfire under Moyes this season. And it has now emerged the 28-year-old would be willing to make the move to London after growing frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities this season. Everton would have to lower their summer asking price for Yakubu if West Ham are to make any serious offer, but Moyes may be tempted to move the Nigerian on and free up funds to bring in a replacement during next month’s transfer window. Although Tuesday’s draw – their seventh in their last 11 games – means Everton are ensconced in mid-table with 22 points at the halfway point of the Premier League season, but Yakubu believes European remains a realistic ambition. “That’s our target,” he said. “We want to finish in Europe. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll take each game as it comes and work hard in training. “It’s not going to be easy but we’ll try. As a player you want to keep winning every week. Sometimes we don’t do that but we want to keep doing the right things in training. At the moment results are not always going for Moyes’s displeasure at his struggling forwards was made clear on Tuesday evening when Yakubu and the two other available strikers, Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford, were all named on the bench. Yakubu eventually emerged after an hour at Upton Park, and of his first-team chances this season he said: “It’s frustrating as a striker when you don’t play. “I want to play. When you don’t have chances to play it’s really hard for you as a striker. “It’s frustrating sitting on the bench. But the team are playing really well, so you have to wait and take your chance. “I just concentrate on my work as a striker. There is pressure when you play and don’t score goals.”
Blue Watch: Half way through season and EFC still no closer to knowing best 11
Dec 30 2010 by Mark O'Brien, Liverpool Daily Post
DID the Everton squad spend the entire festive period at Goodison Park, frantically waving hairdryers at frozen water pipes and dashing around strategically placing buckets and pans to catch the leaks and drips? If so, it might explain their tired and miserable performance at Upton Park the other night. After all the praise they received after the Manchester City game, where their snoodless, short-sleeved manliness was held up, quite rightly, as an example of English football’s most traditional and laudable qualities, for long periods against West Ham they might as well have been wearing big tiger feet slippers and ‘slankets’, such was the lack of any real drive. Not that the team selection helped, of course. The whole season so far was summed up by David Moyes’s starting eleven, as he answered those critics who accuse him of a lack of imagination by attempting to solve a goalscoring crisis by picking no out and out strikers against one of the division’s weakest outfits. He was certainly thinking outside of the box there, which after all was where the ball resided for 99 per cent of the game. The post-match comments only confused matters further, when the manager said his thinking was based around trying to accommodate two of his better players, Mikel Arteta and Jack Rodwell. Now the Spaniard’s lack of form has been well documented, but there are very few people who wouldn’t have put him back into the side given that we know all about the quality he possesses. Rodwell though? For all his potential and reputation as one of the brightest young stars in the English football, can anyone honestly say that he has done nearly enough this season to warrant even making the starting eleven, never mind having the team reshaped around him? In short, we are halfway through the season, only just above the relegation places, and we are still saying exactly the same things we did at the beginning, i.e. that no one seems to have any idea what our best team is, including the man who matters most. If any further proof of that were needed, it was when Yakubu, who has been missing for so long that his picture has started appearing on the side of milk cartons, came on as sub after presumably losing a game of rock, paper, scissors to Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha. Most Evertonians want to have confidence in Moyes and these players, but it’s difficult when they seem to lack any real belief in themselves.
Howard Kendall: Scott Parker looked the real deal when West Ham played Everton FC
Dec 31 2010 Liverpool Echo
FOOTBALL fans are full of contradictions, which of course is nothing new – but you do have to feel sorry for some managers. Look at the Fulham supporters who have chanted and called for Mark Hughes to be fired. He has been on a limited budget there, and is missing his goal scorer in Bobby Zamora but the fans want to see results and have less patience for excuses – even when they’re so compelling. Then there’s Avram Grant, having his future questioned all season. But they did well against Everton, and didn’t look like relegation doomed players who have given up. In Scott Parker they have an exceptional midfielder who doesn’t look like leaving any time soon. He was a real headache for the Blues on Tuesday, and you can see why he has earned rave reviews. The moment when he tried to lob Tim Howard and just narrowly missed was sheer class, and he was tackling and tracking back like there was no tomorrow. Any manager would walk over hot coals to have him at his disposal. My only question mark over him is why he has had so many clubs at a relatively young age. He has played for Charlton, Chelsea, and Newcastle, and you don’t move on a player of his quality without some reason. What that could be, I haven’t a clue, but it is puzzling.
Howard Kendall: Everton FC boss David Moyes will be hoping Phil Jagielka’s fit for trip to Stoke
Dec 31 2010 Liverpool Echo
THE Britannia stadium may be a very difficult place to go searching for three points, but I’m an eternal optimist. Most of the team should pick itself at the moment, and in reality there should be only one or two positions up for grabs. It would be a real boost if Phil Jagielka was passed fit, because the defence is always going to look a lot stronger with him and Sylvain Distin side by side. Tony Hibbert is a fantastic full back, and can do a perfectly good job at central defence, but it would be a tough ask to pit him against a team like Stoke who may well pump long balls and crosses at Everton’s back four all afternoon. David Moyes will want his England international there, looking resolute and heading everything that comes his way.
Howard Kendall: Arteta needs to find his form as underdogs make life tough
Dec 31 2010 Liverpool Echo
IT IS the season of the under-dogs so far. Teams who most pundits probably had down as relegation fodder before a ball was kicked, are turning up and getting results in the unlikeliest of places. Look at Wolves at Anfield on Wednesday night, and think back to when they came to Goodison Park and frustrated Everton, a isappointing point which began their slow start to this campaign. You need something a little bit special to play through these teams. They are packing midfields with strong, athletic players who press the ball relentlessly, and deny oppositions any space. There is probably only Arsenal who have the players to play their way through these tough midfields. They can cut through thanks to their finesse players, but even sides like Chelsea have struggled and you only need to glance at the league table to see how the under-dogs are thriving. So, Everton’s ability to open up teams is going to depend increasingly on Mikel Arteta. Unfortunately he is struggling, although now is not the time to judge him after one game back from his suspension. The worrying thing is that the supporters are talking increasingly about what the Spaniard earns, after he signed a lucrative new deal with the club in the summer. Everyone wanted him to stay but when supporters talk about what a player is earning, or the fee the club paid for him, you can be sure it’s because he’s not performing on the pitch. Likewise, when he is doing the business every weekend, nobody cares what he is earning. There will be a greater onus on Arteta to perform when Tim Cahill goes to the Asia Cup in January, but I think he can step up Equally, that’s a job the strikers must grasp, which is why I was puzzled to see none of them play from the off-set against West Ham. Using them all at different points, and then dropping them all, is the manager’s prerogative of course and you can understand why he has done it. But it suggests he still doesn’t know what his strongest team is, and that is a worrying message. That is a situation which can lead to the players doubting themselves as well. The problem is that David Moyes will want to see evidence from his players that they can show who their strongest team is too. Managers need to get some inspiration from their players too. It’s a two way thing.
Former Everton stars Stuart McCall and David Unsworth take charge of Motherwell and Preston
Dec 31 2010 Liverpool Echo
FORMER Everton players Stuart McCall and David Unsworth were yesterday put in charge of Motherwell and Preston respectively. McCall has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to replace Craig Brown as manager of Motherwell while Unsworth was placed in caretaker charge of Preston following the sacking of boss Darren Ferguson on Wednesday. McCall has been out of football management since parting company with Bradford in February and takes over from Brown after the veteran boss quit for Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals Aberdeen. He took charge of the team yesterday ahead of his first game against Hamilton at the weekend. He said: “I am excited by the job and will give it my all. “I know Motherwell very well as a club and have long respected what they are all about. “They have produced some special talent over the years and done so in an entertaining way. “I have inherited a good squad with a proven system for identifying new and young talent. “I want to build on that starting today to ensure we compete for success in the league, cup and Europe. ” Preston first-team coach Unsworth, 37, has been handed the reins as the club search for Ferguson’s successor, with former Wigan boss Paul Jewell thought to be among the leading candidates. Preston are bottom of the npower Championship after a disastrous first half of the season and former Everton defender Unsworth is seen as the man to steady the ship. Chairman Maurice Lindsay said: “We are delighted David has agreed to take care of the club at a difficult time; it couldn’t be in better hands. David is a Preston man. He loves the club and is one of most enthusiastic people in the game of football.” Micky Adams has been appointed manager of Sheffield United.
Review of the Year: January 2010
Dec 31 2010 by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
THEY may go through the month unbeaten in the Premier League but, for Liverpool, January 2010 is a month to forget – and a worrying precursor for the year to come. A chastening defeat at home to Championship strugglers Reading in the FA Cup Third Round replay is bad enough, but off the field the disastrous reign of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett takes yet another turn for the worse. Replying to an e-mail from Reds supporter Stephen Horner, board member Tom Hicks Jnr’s response is foul-mouthed, classless and, sadly, utterly in-keeping with much that has gone before it. A hasty apology arrives, but the damage is done. Hicks Jnr resigns in disgrace – with Casey Coffman, Ian Ayre and Philip Nash added to the board - whilst his father’s stock on Merseyside continues to plummet. It would get much, much lower before the year was out. There are some reasons for optimism at Anfield; Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez arrives from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, whilst the unwanted Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin depart for Napoli and Dynamo Moscow respectively, but a frustrated Rafael Benitez finds himself priced out of a move for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones, as the Reds’ transfer spending continues to fall. On the blue half of the city, things are marginally more promising. A 2-0 win over Manchester City is the high-point, though David Moyes’ men also exit the FA Cup early, losing at home to Birmingham in the Fourth Round. Philippe Senderos and Landon Donovan arrive on loan, whilst Lucas Neill departs for Galatasaray. On a sad note, former Blues defender Alex Parker – a title winner in 1962/63 – dies of a heart attack, aged 74. It is a good month for young hurdler Jack Meredith, who records impressive wins at the Manchester Indoor Open and the Northern Indoor Championships in Sheffield, continuing his rapid ascent up the British athletics’ ladder. Meanwhile, St Helens’ Dave Chisnall enjoys a fairytale run to the final of the BDO World Darts Championship. The 30-year-old beats top seed Tony O’Shea – who saw off Fazakerley thrower Stephen Bunting – and reigning champion Ted Hankey en route, but succumbs to veteran Martin Adams in a thrilling finale.
Review of the Year: March 2010
Dec 31 2010 by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
LANDON DONOVAN bids an emotional farewell to Everton. The American may have only spent 12 weeks on loan at Goodison Park, but his impact is undeniable. A goal on his last home appearance, against Hull City, is an apt send-off. There is an international debut for Blues left-back Leighton Baines, who turns out for England against Egypt at Wembley, whilst David Moyes closes in on the signing of Portuguese whizz-kid Joao Alves. Everton complete the double over big-spending Manchester City with a 2-0 win at Eastlands, whilst Moyes and Roberto Mancini record a draw in a petty touch-line squabble late on. Liverpool march on in the Europa League, as they defeat French side Lille 3-1 on aggregate to set up a quarter-final clash with Benfica. The in-form Fernando Torres – the newly crowned ECHO Sports Personality of the Year -–is again on target. Midfielder Alberto Aquilani, a £17m summer signing from Roma, also enjoys a productive month. Derided by many as one of manager Rafael Benitez’s white elephants, the Italian scores his first Liverpool goal in a 4-1 win over Portsmouth. There are, again, mixed results for Reds fans however; a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford hurts, but Torres scores one of the goals of the season as Sunderland, and Steve Bruce, are brushed aside at Anfield. Albert Riera causes a stir with a cutting assault on Benitez, claiming his manager’s communication with his players is “absolutely zero”. The Spanish winger is later involved in an alteraction with a young reserve team player, and his time at Anfield looks up. He would never play for Liverpool again. Tranmere announce losses of just under £1million, as the financial clouds gather over Prenton Park. Their fans respond by handing over a cheque for £11,000 to manager Les Parry, as part of their ‘Les Aid’ campaign. The Smith family enjoy a near-perfect month. Paul successfully defends his British super-middleweight crown at the ECHO Arena with a hard-fought points victory over fellow Merseysider Tony Dodson, whilst there are comfortable victories on the undercard for brothers Stephen and Liam. Youngest brother Callum, meanwhile, picks up bronze at the Commonwealth Championships in Dubai, though loses out to city rival Anthony Fowler in the Merseyside ABAs later in the month. 17-year old Heptathlete Katarina Thompson steals the show at the Aviva England Indoor Championships in Birmingham. The Liverpool Harrier sets a new Championship record in the Long Jump, and a personal best in the 60m hurdles as she breezes to glory.
Review of the Year: February 2010
Dec 31 2010 by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL take the honours in a freezing cold, yet strangely heated, Anfield derby. Dirk Kuyt’s second half header - his 50th goal for the club – gives Rafa Benitez’s men a much-needed 1-0 win. Both sides finish the game with ten men; Sotirios Kyrgiakos is sent off in the first half, with Steven Pienaar – who is earlier lucky to escape a red card for a poor challenge on Javier Mascherano – following him down the tunnel in stoppage time. The result marks something of a watershed for David Moyes’ side, as they record impressive home victories over first Chelsea – with Louis Saha scoring twice – and then Manchester United, to fire themselves into European contention. There is European misery for Toffees fans though, as Everton crash out of the Europa League at the first knockout round. After beating Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at Goodison, the Blues collapse 3-0 in the away leg to exit on aggregate. Liverpool, however, book their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate success over Unirea Urziceni, with a rare Javier Mascherano strike the highlight of an attritional tie. There is mixed news for Steven Gerrard. Having missed out on the England captaincy – with Rio Ferdinand chosen to replace the deposed, and disgraced, John Terry – the Reds skipper can at least console himself with news that he is to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds! Meanwhile, the Reds are reported to have agreed a pre-contract agreement with Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic, who will join the club from Belgian outfit Standard Liege in the summer. Manager Rafael Benitez is himself the focus of fervent speculation, with reports linking him with a move to Italian giants Juventus. Chester City’s problems continue. The Deva Stadium club are suspended by the Football Conference after failing to fulfil a number of Blue Square Premier fixtures. St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham celebrates his 500th appearance for the club in their Super League clash with Bradford. There are victories for Merseyside boxers Steve Williams, who picks up the English light-welterweight crown, and Martin Murray, in a good month for the region. It is also a good month for 25 year-old Vicky Griffiths, as the Liverpool Harriers’ 800m runner earns a call-up to the Great Britain squad for the World Indoor Championships in Qatar, whilst Southport swimmer Fran Halsall stars as Great Britain beat Germany in the British Gas challenge.
Everton FC's Phil Jagielka hopes to continue form which earned praise from club and country
Dec 31 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
IF DAVID Moyes could hope for one final present under his Christmas tree ahead of a tricky away tie to Stoke City, it would be a fit Phil Jagielka. The combination of attacking power and aerial bombardment the Blues are likely to face at the Britannia Stadium, means the Blues boss could do with being able to call on the man who has forged a stubborn central defensive partnership with Sylvain Distin this season. While there have been worrying issues in other areas of the field so far, the 28-year-old has largely built on the form which saw him force his way back into Fabio Capello’s post-World Cup England squad, and earn high praise from the taciturn Italian. Moyes will hope that Jagielka’s extra rest, due to the postponement of Everton’s boxing day clash with Birmingham and a non appearance in the squad that faced West Ham, will give him a chance of a clean bill of health against Tony Pulis’s hard-to-beat outfit. For Jagielka, a successful second half of the season for his club will cap off a brighter period in his England career. Following the dejection of missing out on a call up to the ultimately ill-fated attempt to win the World Cup in South Africa. And if he needed telling that his progress remains on track, it came in the pleasant surprise of Capello declaring him a “leader” on the pitch ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in September. “I think he means I’m a little bit vocal on the pitch – obviously last month we didn’t have a great deal of experience with Rio [Ferdinand] and JT [John Terry] not being there,” says the defender with 346 combined appearances in the league for Sheffield United and Everton. “I’ve not got much international experience but I’ve quite a lot of league games, so hearing that from the manager was delightful. He was saying, in a sense, that I was one of the most experienced players available at the time. “Just to get the start in the first game against Bulgaria felt great. To look back on two quality results makes it extra special.” Jagielka’s recent thigh problems follow further minor complications with his knees, which prompted the darkest period of his career following the cruciate injury he suffered in 2009. “There are all sorts of motivational things to get you back from injury,” says the former Sheffield United defender. “But if you’d told me five or six months ago that I would play three England games on the spin and we’d win all three I would have laughed at you. It was definitely a fantastic moment in my career to be back with England, after probably the lowest point of my career with the injury.” Jagielka insists that playing alongside the experienced Distin this season has helped his game, but he also doffed his cap to former central defensive partner Joleon Lescott, who he still links up with in the England set-up. “It made life a lot easier, I’m 100 per cent confident playing alongside Joleon,” he says. “We complement each other quite well and we found a formula that works. It was nice to play alongside him again, even more so for your country. I was delighted when Joleon got the nod, and I thought that we had most things pretty much under control throughout the game.” But Jagielka is determined not to rest on his laurels, and even though his manager may be praying for him to pass a fitness test on Saturday morning, he admits there are still parts of his game which must improve – and will undoubtedly be tested if he is pitched into the fray against Stoke’s pulverising duo of Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller. “I think I’m an all-rounder really,” he says. “A decent defender, maybe not the biggest, so I have to work at being dominant in the air. I like to think I read the game okay, I just try to get the job done really.” Everton’s away form, even in a disappointing season to date, would be good enough for a top five placing so there is some cause for optimism ahead of the visit to the Midlands, particularly given that they won the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in October. Against weaker sides Stoke have been strong with seven wins and two draws from 12 games against teams below them in the League table. Yet the Potters have been less resilient against teams that have been ahead of them, with only one point from six games. David Moyes must hope his team can flourish on the road once again, with the presence of the popular defender who will never shirk an honest afternoon’s graft - which could well be on the menu in the Potteries.
Winning at all costs is Everton FC’s New Year’s resolution declares Sylvain Distin
Dec 31 2010 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
SYLVAIN DISTIN has outlined Everton’s uncompromising win at all costs New Year’s resolution. The in-form defender insists that the club’s impressive unbeaten away record is scant consolation for a season of disappointment so far. Everton’s draw with West Ham United at Upton Park on Tuesday took their unbeaten run on the road to eight games so far this season. That sequence is the Toffees’ best run of form away from Goodison Park since the league title was clinched by Howard Kendall’s all conquering side in May 1985. But Distin, 33, knows that only victories will be enough to help the Blues chase for a European finish, and he is preparing to do things the hard way against a physical Stoke City side at the Britannia stadium on New Year’s Day. He said: “We have had eight games unbeaten on the road but for me there are too many draws. Yes we have not lost for a while but how many wins have there been? “How many times have we got the three points? And the answer is not enough. We have to go for wins now. “That will be the attitude at Stoke, that will be the attitude for the rest of the season and if we work hard then hopefully it will come for us.” Distin has produced a string of outstanding displays so far this season, and will hope to resume his partnership with Phil Jagielka against Tony Pulis’s side tomorrow if the England star passes a late fitness test. But he knows that Stoke, roared on by their noisy home support, will not be in a charitable mood for an Everton side looking to recapture the feel-good feeling of their recent away win over Manchester City. He said: “It is a big physical test for us. Everyone knows what sort of team Stoke are, we know what to expect and we will be ready for it. “Stoke were really hard to break down when we played them at home but that is every week in the Premier League now. Every team is difficult now. It has been like that for quite a while but I think even more so this season.”
Meanwhile, James Vaughan’s Everton future remains shrouded in doubt. The club insist that they have received no bids from Cardiff City, or anyone else, for a permanent deal for the 22-year-old striker. But with sources in Wales insisting to the contrary, it could only be a matter of time until a move is agreed to provide David Moyes with extra financial strength in January’s transfer window.
Former Everton FC defender David Unsworth takes over as caretaker manager at Preston
Dec 31 2010 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
FORMER Everton favourite David Unsworth has been placed in caretaker charge of Preston following the sacking of boss Darren Ferguson yesterday. First-team coach Unsworth, 37, has been handed the reins as the club search for Ferguson’s successor, with former Wigan boss Paul Jewell thought to be among the leading candidates. Preston are bottom of the npower Championship after a disastrous first half of the season and former Everton defender Unsworth is seen as the man to steady the ship. Chairman Maurice Lindsay said: “We are delighted David has agreed to take care of the club at a difficult time; it couldn’t be in better hands. “David is a Preston man. He loves the club and is one of most enthusiastic people in the game of football and he will have full support of the club and the players.” Preston have also confirmed assistant boss Kevin Russell was sacked along with Ferguson.
Phil Jagielka set to make his return to drive Everton FC on at Stoke City
Dec 31 2010 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON hope to welcome back their defensive “driver” at Stoke City tomorrow, to steer them through an aerial bombardment which awaits them at the Brittania Stadium. Manager David Moyes is hopeful that Phil Jagielka – a man described by England coach Fabio Capello as “a driver, a leader of the back-four” can return for the testing New Year’s Day clash. Jagielka missed the midweek draw at West Ham with a thigh strain, but his aerial qualities will be more needed at Stoke where 10 of the 14 players who figured against Fulham in midweek were over six feet tall. “I think I’m an all-rounder really,” said Jagielka. “A decent defender, maybe not the biggest, so I have to work at being dominant in the air. “I like to think I read the game okay, I just try to get the job done really.” On Capello’s description as a “driver” Jagielka added: “I think he means I’m a little bit vocal on the pitch. Obviously last month we didn’t have a great deal of experience with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry not being there. “I’ve not got much international experience but I’ve quite a lot of league games, so hearing that from the manager was delightful. “He was saying, in a sense, that I was one of the most experienced players available at the time.” With Johnny Heitinga also struggling with a knee injury, David Moyes would be forced to turn to either Phil Neville or Tony Hibbert for emergency central defensive duties if Jagielka does not recover in time. The Blues manager insisted, however, that he would not be spending money in the transfer market in January to plug any holes in his squad. FC Utrecht midfielder Michael Silberbauer – at an asking price of £4.5million – was the latest player to be linked with a move to Goodison. But Moyes said: “We don’t have the cash to lay down plans. “I’d like to bring in players on loan, I’d like a centre forward if possible. “But anybody who sees any speculation linking me with anybody who is going to cost money might as well throw that aside. “It can’t be true, we don’t have any cash. We are out there trying to bring in some loans if we possibly can and that is the situation.” Everton, meanwhile, have continued to deny reports that striker James Vaughan is on the brink of joining Cardiff City. The Championship club, managed by former Everton defender Dave Jones, were reported to have agreed a £1m deal for Vaughan’s signature on Wednesday night. But the Blues say they have had no contact from the Welsh club. Leicester, Derby County and Hull City, however, are all keen. Vaughan has just returned to Goodison after a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace where he scored five goals in 14 appearances, but despite Everton’s much-publicised striker goal drought, Moyes is prepared to let the youngster go. Any funds generated would be unlikely to give Moyes any extra spending power, but it would help in his bid to bring in a striker on-loan.
Stoke City: Meet the Everton players likely to face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this weekend
Dec 31 2010. This is Staffordshire
BETWEEN THE STICKS
TIM HOWARD
THE USA number one has set consistently high standards since signing from Manchester United four years ago. His highlights this season include a superb performance to help Everton win 2-1 at Manchester City in the week before Christmas.
AT THE BACK
PHIL NEVILLE
ONCE ridiculed by England fans, but the 33-year-old is arguably now his country's best right-back. He's not as good going forward as Glenn Johnson, but is much sounder defensively. Can also play in central midfield.
SYLVAIN DISTIN
THE 33-year-old centre-back cost the Toffees £5.3m when he arrived from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009. The hefty outlay on a veteran went against Everton's usual policy, but Distin has emerged as a crucial player with some consistent performances this season.
PHIL JAGIELKA
THE former Sheffield United centre-half has been out with a thigh injury, but has a chance of returning to the line-up for the trip to the Britannia. The 28-year-old has leapfrogged Ryan Shawcross in the pecking order for an England place.
LEIGHTON BAINES
THE former Wigan left-back has been in superb form this season, even attracting interest from German giants Bayern Munich. However, the 26-year-old says he is happy at Everton.
IN THE MIDDLE
SEAMUS COLEMAN
THE 22-year-old spent the final three months of last season helping Blackpool get promoted from the Championship.
He was signed for just £150,000 from Sligo Rovers two years ago, but has emerged as a key player for Everton this season.
Can play at right-back or on the right of midfield.
MAROUANE FELLAINI
THE 6ft 3in midfielder, is more like 6ft 6in when you count his hair.
He cost Everton a club record £15m from Standard Liege in August 2009. The powerful performer will make his 60th Premier League start for the club tomorrow.
MIKEL ARTETA
THE 28-year-old midfielder has become a Goodison hero since his £2m move from Real Sociedad five years ago.
The Spaniard signed a new five-year contract in August. Now boss David Moyes wants more goals from him as Arteta's only scored three this season.
STEVEN PIENAAR
THE South Africa international's contract at Goodison is up at the end of the season. His future has been the subject of much speculation, with Tottenham reportedly keen to take him on a free in the summer or for a knock-down fee in January.
UP FRONT
TIM CAHILL
THE free-scoring midfielder cost David Moyes just £1.5m when he arrived from Millwall six years ago. He is crucial to the club, but plays his last game for them tomorrow before departing to play for Australia in the Asian Cup.
LOUIS SAHA
THE 32-year-old France striker has struggled for form this season, but remains a major threat on his day.
The striker scored 53 goals in just 117 league games at Fulham to earn a £12.8m move to Manchester United. He has scored 19 league goals for Everton after signing in the summer of 2008, but has yet to score in the league for the club this season.
ON THE BENCH
TONY HIBBERT
THE 29-year-old right-back is living the dream having been born in Liverpool and raised as an Everton fan. He has made 265 appearances for his beloved club since his debut in March 2001.
YAKUBU
"FEED the Yak and he will score" hasn't been heard too often from the Everton fans this season. The Nigeria striker has only managed one goal this season – in the 1-0 home win over Stoke in October.
DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV
THE left-sided midfielder is capable of some spectacular strikes. However, the 25-year-old Russia international has largely been a substitute since his move from Lokomotiv Moscow in August 2009.
JERMAINE BECKFORD
THE former Leeds striker has yet to prove he can handle the step up to the Premier League after being snapped up on a free transfer by Everton in the summer. He scored 72 goals in 126 league games for Leeds before allowing his contract to run down.
JAN MUCHA
THE 28-year-old keeper helped Slovakia reach the last 16 of the World Cup last summer. He had already agreed a pre-contract deal with Everton which saw him move on a free transfer from Legia Warsaw.
JACK RODWELL
THE 19-year-old Everton youth-team graduate is regarded as one of the brightest stars for England's future. He can play in central defence or central midfield and has attracted the interest of Manchester United.
However, he signed a new five-year contract at the end of last season.
JOSE BAXTER
THE 18-year-old midfielder is the former England under-17s captain. He made history as Everton's youngest first-team player when he made his debut in 2008 aged 16 years and 191 days.
Stoke City: Hard work begins now for 'new boy' Pennant
STOKE fans should be Fuller optimism for Jermaine Pennant as he begins life as a fully-fledged Stokie against Everton tomorrow (3pm), writes Martin Spinks.
This Is Staffordshire
Boss Tony Pulis believes Pennant's permanent signing this week has echoes of Ricardo Fuller's arrival just over four years ago. "We almost took Ric on a free transfer from Southampton and look how well he's done," said Pulis. "When I signed Ricardo everybody said I was taking a risk for all sorts of reasons – not just his knees, but because he can be temperamental. Well he's been all that, but he's also been terrific for us." To follow in Fuller's footsteps, however, Pulis says Pennant must ensure he never wanders off quality street and on to easy street. "Jermaine has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and we expect him to continue playing as well as he's done on loan," added the Stoke boss. "The last thing we want is Jermaine signing a contract and thinking 'I've got two-and-a-half years and I can take my foot off the pedal and put my feet under the table'. "I spoke to him after the game on Tuesday and told him he's been a wonderful acquisition for this football club, but it's no good signing a contract and then taking his foot off the pedal. "If you speak to people, they will say he can be a little bit lax. "Strikers run into form and out of form and wide players are the same. "That's the nature of constructive players, so we know there will be ups and downs. "We just ask that he gives 110 per cent for this football club every time he walks through the door." Pulis is confident Pennant has now grown up, however, and distanced himself from the days when well-publicised off-field problems would hinder his on-field contributions. "I think he's matured. He's got a baby and he's living in the area, so you just hope he can stay focused now. "He's got a chance to prove what a good player he is, but you have to do that over a period of time. "We need him, the supporters have really taken to him and he has to focus on being a professional footballer because you're a long time out of the game when you finish." Pulis says the deal with Real Zaragoza – an initial £1.725m rising to a maximum of £2.8m – was the product of Stoke holding their nerve as the end of Pennant's loan spell loomed into view. "The biggest thing with Jermaine's deal was how long we could leave it," he revealed. "If we'd signed him straight away it would have cost us a lot more money. To do the right deal, we had to wait until the last minute. "I'm not sure it's brinkmanship, it's more understanding how the market works. "We knew Zaragoza were keen to let him go and the player wanted to come, so everything in the mix was right to get the deal done. "But if we hadn't got the deal we wanted, I'd have walked away and looked at it again in the summer." PULIS is doing his best to laugh off the number of Stoke players being linked with moves away from the club next month.
The prospect of Tuncay joining Blackburn – at least before Sam Allardyce was recently sacked – was but one transaction thrown at the Stoke manager during his weekly press conference. "There's about 18 deals and now you're looking at another one," he laughed. "I have spoken to Sam and he's in Dubai, so I'll ring him back to see if he wants him out there with him."
Stoke City: Pre-match tactical analysis of Stoke's Premier League clash with Everton
CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Dec 31 2010 This Is Staffordshire
STOKE must break up their rock-solid central defensive partnership because Robert Huth serves a one-match suspension after picking up a fifth booking of the season. That is a double blow because Huth has been excellent at the back as well as a threat at the other end having scored four goals this season. His absence means a straight choice between Danny Higginbotham and Abdoulaye Faye to partner Ryan Shawcross in the centre. Higginbotham could get the job by a whisker Andy Wilkinson continues at right-back with Danny Collins on the left. Asmir Begovic's place is also safe, even though Tony Pulis felt the keeper could have done better for both Fulham goals in the 2-0 defeat on Tuesday. Everton have had problems up front all season as Louis Saha, Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford have all struggled for goals. David Moyes played Tim Cahill as a lone striker in the 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday. However, the manager is likely to recall Louis Saha to play up front.
MIDFIELD BATTLE
BY thrashing out a deal with Real Zaragoza for Jermaine Pennant, City have ensured the winger will be available for the Everton game after all. City will need Pennant and left-winger Matthew Etherington to open up a well-organised and hard-working Everton side. Dean Whitehead and Rory Delap will continue in the middle, where they will be pitted against classy play-maker Mikel Arteta and holding player Marouane Fellaini. Steven Pienaar offers pace and invention on the left flank, while Seamus Coleman will also be a threat on the right. The 22-year-old Coleman is a converted right-back, but has been one of Everton's better players of late. He has plenty of pace and is also a goal threat.
CUTTING EDGE
STOKE didn't force Mark Schwarzer into many saves, despite repeatedly getting the ball into the box against Fulham on Tuesday. That could see a rethink up front, where Ricardo Fuller is pressing hard for a recall to the starting line-up having come on as a substitute for the last two games. Jon Walters is more likely to make way than Kenwyne Jones, having been replaced by Fuller after 55 minutes against Fulham. Everton are hoping to have centre-back Phil Jagielka back from a thigh injury. They were forced to play right-back Tony Hibbert in the centre at West Ham on Tuesday, but will want a recognised centre-back to deal with what is likely to be an aerial bombardment at the Brit. If fit, Jagielka will partner Sylvain Distin. Phil Neville plays at right-back with Leighton Baines on the left completing the back four protecting Tim Howard. Baines has been Everton's outstanding player this season and is a huge threat going forward.
Stoke City: Pre-match stats for Stoke's Premier League clash with Everton
PREVIOUS MEETING
Dec 31 2010 This Is Stafforsshire
October 30, 2010: Premier League
EVERTON 1
(Yakubu, 67)
STOKE felt aggrieved by another questionable refereeing decision involving Lee Probert. Fresh from disallowing a Mama Sidibe goal at Aston Villa last season, Probert penalised Tuncay for shoving when netting in the second half at Goodison Park. The day's only goal came midway through the second half when Abdoulaye Faye tarnished an otherwise solid display by allowing a low cross to bounce against his shins to trigger the defensive panic that ended with Yakubu smashing the ball home from a narrow angle.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman (Saha, 62), Heitinga, Pienaar, Arteta, Cahill, Yakubu (Bilyaletdinov, 86).
Stoke City: Begovic, Huth, Collins, Shawcross, Faye, Walters (Pennant, 73), Whitehead, Wilson (Whelan, 77), Etherington, Tuncay, Jones.
Attendance: 35,513.
FORM GUIDE
Stoke City: DDLWL
Everton: LDDWD
WHO TO BOO
Phil Neville: Hasn't quite made the transition yet from Manchester United reject to respected veteran.
WHO WE'D LIKE TO SIGN
Tim Cahill: Pound-for-pound – or rather inch-for-inch – the best header of a ball in front of goal.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Andre Marriner (West Midlands): In charge of last season's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Last at the Brit for October's home defeat by Manchester United.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Stoke City: Begovic, Wilkinson, Collins, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Fuller, Jones.
Everton: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha.
PREDICTION
Jermaine Pennant slips the ball through Tim Howard's legs for a first-half winner... but Danny Higginbotham's goal-line clearance is needed to clinch a welcome win.
December 2010