DAVID MOYES IN SHOCK BID TO BRING LESCOTT BACK
Daily Star
1st December 2012
By Peter Ferguson
DAVID MOYES is ready to take Joleon Lescott back at Everton – despite the huge row that surrounded his exit from Goodison. Everton boss Moyes was furious at the sale of England defender Lescott to oil-rich Manchester City after two public bids and a transfer request were snubbed.
But three years on, Moyes holds no grudges over the loss of the £22m centre-half with theJanuary transfer window just a month away. And Lescott, a firm favourite with fans before the rift, has lost his place in the champions’ defence to new Roberto Mancini signing Matija Nastasic. Moyes said: “If Joleon wanted to come back - if I thought we needed him - I’d be delighted to have him back. I’d have no problem having Joleon back. “I’ve not thought about it but if he was available then I think he’d be someone I would maybe show an interest in.” Moyes axed Lescott in the bitter build-up to his move, citing his “bad attitude” and claiming his head had been turned by City’s public courtship.
But he said: “When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now. Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they were then. “So I can understand why the player wanted to go – there was a big project going on at City, but it was still disappointing for me. I saw Jags and Joleon as being behind Terry and Ferdinand as the next England partnership, and maybe I’m not that far off the mark.” Everton have since sold another star to City, collecting £12m in August for 21-year-old midfi eld prospect Jack Rodwell, who has gone on to play for England. Moyes admitted: “I didn’t see it coming, but it allowed us to address one or two other things. It allowed me to go and get Kevin Mirallas for example.” Rodwell won’t face Everton today after suffering another hamstring problem, his sixth hamstring injury in 12 months. Moyes said: “It was a difficult decision to sell an up-and-coming England player. I’m disappointed for Jack. He’s a really good lad and a great lad to work with.”

LEON OSMAN: 'I NEED AN ENGLAND CAP WITHOUT MY MO'
Daily Star
1st December 2012
By Chris McKenna
LEON OSMAN desperately wants another England cap – so he can have a picture of himself playing without a dodgy moustache. But the one-cap Osman is happy to sacrifice himself for Everton – even if it means missing out on future England appearances. The Everton midfielder won his first England cap last month – sporting a Movember moustache – in the 4-2 defeat against Sweden. Boss Roy Hodgson praised his efforts and Osman, 31, wants to be involved when next year’s World Cup qualifiers come round – but knows he has to keep up his high-level club performances. The Toffees visit the Etihad Stadium today to face champions Manchester City, so a good performance is certain to be noticed – especially if Everton pull off a surprise win. But Osman is happy to play any role for David Moyes’s side, even if it means he will not get to sparkle. He said: “It’s nice, it gives you a boost (Hodgson’s positive comments) but at the same time if I’m not playing well when the time comes to pick the next squad, it doesn’t matter if he’s been considering me or not. “Your form still has to be up there if you are going to be knocking on the door again. I’m pretty certain games like this do showcase you more, they are games when you probably have to show a bit more. “But if we go there and my role is one where I have to sacrifice myself for the team, then I will do that as well. “I play for Everton and it’s not about me going out and showcasing myself to the detriment of the team, it’s about Everton performing as a unit.” Apart from the honour, Osman wants to win another England cap minus his facial hair. “I debated whether I should get rid of the moustache or not,” he said. “But it’s a charity thing we’re doing and I’m not vain enough to care about things like that. “If it is my only experience with England then so be it. But hopefully I will be able to get more – and I’d have the second one without!” Osman is still confident Everton can make the top four, despite six draws from their last eight games meaning they are now four points behind West Brom in the final Champions League spot. He added: “They were big opportunities missed but it’s not a devastating time for us. “It’s a time to turn draws into wins and we will hit a purple patch and we will be up there when we do.”

David Moyes would have Joleon Lescott back but believes his sale helped rebuild Everton FC
By Ian Doyle
December 1 2012 Daily Post
DAVID MOYES would consider taking Joleon Lescott back from Manchester City – but believes the defender’s controversial departure has helped rebuild Everton FC. Lescott moved to Eastlands in a £24million deal back in August 2009 under a cloud with Moyes unhappy at City’s pursuit of the player. The centre-back subsequently won the FA Cup and the Premier League with City while also appearing in the Champions League. However, Lescott has fallen down Roberto Mancini’s pecking order this season, failing to make the bench for the last two league games and likely to again be sidelined for Everton’s visit to City this afternoon. And asked if he would consider a loan move for the England international, Moyes added: “If Joleon wanted to come back, if I thought we needed him, I'd be delighted to have him back, I'd have no problem having Joleon back. “I've not thought about it but if he was available then I think he'd be someone I would maybe show an interest in.”
Moyes believes Everton are in a far healthier state than when Lescott left, partly due to the funds raised by his sale and that of Jack Rodwell, also to City, for £15million this summer. “We have used the monies that we got from them as well as we can, and the club will always be bigger than any player or manager,” said the Goodison manager. “You lose a player, he wants to leave, then fine, you have to find a solution and fix it. That's what we've had to do. “When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now. I know we had a year we finished fourth, but if you look at Everton today I think there's more solidity, and Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they were then. “So I can understand why the player wanted to go, there was a big project going on at Manchester City but it still was a disappointing one for me. “I saw Jags and Joleon as being at that time behind Terry and Ferdinand as the next England partnership, and maybe I'm not that far off the mark, where they are now.” Rodwell will definitely miss out this afternoon with a fresh hamstring problem, his sixth such setback in the past 12 months. And Moyes said: “I’m disappointed for Jack because he's a really good lad and a great lad to work with, he'll be disappointed. “For quite a young lad he's had quite a lot of football, I know he's missed quite a lot through injuries, but he's been on the scene quite early. “It was difficult to sell him because he's a young up and coming England international and I've tended to keep those players. “But I knew that I probably needed to find something from somewhere and the only solution was possibly Jack. I didn't see it coming, I didn't think there was a deal in the offing. “When it did, I thought maybe it allows us to address one or two others, it allowed me to go and get Kevin Mirallas for example. “And because of that it gave me the feeling I could be a bit more offensive, a bit more attack-minded if we could get another forward who could score us some goals.” Everton have won eight of their last 10 games against City but were defeated 2-0 at Eastlands last season, after which Moyes attracted some criticism for his stifling tactics. The manager, though, is unlikely to repeat that approach with his side having improved considerably since. “If you think about where we were this time last year and at that time Man City were flying,” said Moyes. “We went into that in a real difficult situation and we put up a really good show, we were unlucky in the end not to take something from it.”
Moyes, meanwhile, is unlikely to risk Leighton Baines this afternoon after the left-back suffered a hamstring strain during the closing stages of Wednesday’s 1-1 home draw with Arsenal.
“We've a lot of games coming up and we have to think about that,” he said. “But he's a tough lad so we'll have to see.”

DAVID MOYES BACK FOR JOLEON LESCOTT
Saturday December 1,2012
By Paul Joyce
Daily Express
DAVID MOYES is interested in rescuing Joleon Lescott from the wilderness at Manchester City and bringing the defender back to Everton. Lescott has fallen out of favour with City manager Roberto Mancini and is unlikely to feature against his former club today. The England international quit Everton in 2009 in an acrimonious £22million defection, but Moyes remains an admirer of the 30-year-old and will monitor Lescott’s situation at City. “When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now,” said Moyes. “I think there’s more solidity and Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they were then. So I can understand why the player wanted to go. there was a big project going on at Manchester City but it still was a disappointing one for me.
“If Joleon wanted to come back, if I thought we needed him, I’d be delighted to have him back. I’d have no problem having Joleon back. When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now David Moyes “If he was available, then I think he’d be someone I would show an interest in.”

David Moyes ready to give Roberto Mancini another bloody nose as Everton punch above weight
The last Premier League visitors to win at the Etihad head there again today challenging for a Champions League place
Ian Herbert
Saturday 01 December 2012
Independent
There was a lot of managerial talk in that rather retro midweek Premier League football programme but none of it finer than that of David Moyes reflecting, in defence of Arsène Wenger and in appreciation of Rafael Benitez's plight, that people get "bored" of longevity and get paid to put the boot in. "There's a lot of people employed now in this business to talk about football managers, football players and the football business," the Everton manager said on Tuesday. "I know what it's like because I've been there in difficult times of different types. That's football." It was generous, because Benitez has not always been entirely generous about him, but it reflected the turbulence of the past few seasons. There have been plenty of whispers wondering whether Moyes has reached the end of his tenure at Goodison in that time. That he should today be travelling to Manchester City, a team for whom he represents a bête noire, believing he can achieve the finest accomplishment of his 10-year Goodison career – a Champions League place in the division's billionaire owner era – poses the question of why the Brendan Rodgers, Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Martinez types are more fashionable than Moyes, all over again. City are one of the clubs who represent everything Everton are not, taking some of Moyes's best possessions, Joleon Lescott and Jack Rodwell, and arming themselves so completely that the last time the Scot took a team to east Manchester he said he felt like he was going into a gunfight with a knife. They have given City a bloody nose back for good measure. Everton's win at the Etihad almost two years ago – on the night Roberto Mancini was unwise enough to go nose-to-nose with the Glaswegian – was the last inflicted on the champions by Premier League opposition there. But even before today's encounter Moyes can carry the satisfaction that he got most out of the £34m received for Lescott and Rodwell – using the money to equip a side which suddenly and unexpectedly resembles top-four material, while Lescott is a player Mancini has always harboured some doubt about and Rodwell is yet to make a mark. How deeply satisfying it must have been for Moyes to say at yesterday's press conference that he had not given any thought to the idea of taking back Lescott, who moved heaven and earth to leave Goodison in 2009 and is now dislodged from the team by Matija Nastasic. "If Joleon wanted to come back, if I thought we needed him, I'd be delighted to have him back," he said. "I'd have no problem having Joleon back. I've not thought about it but if he was available then yes, I think he'd be someone I would maybe show an interest in." Lescott might care to look at the way Steven Pienaar – safely and joyfully restored from Tottenham Hotspur – played in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday. It was the best we have seen of the midfielder in many a month and it allows Moyes, who a year or so ago had no room for manoeuvre, to think where he might relocate him in the side. "I don't want to be predictable. I will move Steven now and again so people can't plan for it."
Rodwell's sale helped Moyes buy winger Kevin Mirallas, who has prospered as much as Nikica Jelavic – a player who Moyes feels might have had more than his six goals had he only been given the service he was getting earlier in the season. The manager can also reflect on the way that Leon Osman, a player he has always considered to be more intelligent than some of the big spending clubs realised, showed in his excellent England debut against Sweden what Everton have always known: that he can play like Mikel Arteta. "I can't say it's gone under the radar because he's been selected for England but maybe he hasn't had the plaudits he's deserved. He's definitely made us play," Moyes said. "He is our Arteta. "I said [when Roy Hodgson picked him] that I thought Ossie would help make England play; that he would take the ball, turn with the ball and change the direction of the play. He has got a goal in him if required. England have got a very good team but sometimes you just need that cog to make it work. Maybe Ossie helped get them on the ball and get things started for them." Moyes knows that no sense of security can last long in football but with Everton on the edges of the Champions League places again he does feel he might be reaching the time when his players are his own, not simply there for richer clubs to plunder. "It's taken a long time to get to this sort of point," the manager said. "But what we're looking to do at Everton is see if we can get to the point where it's easy to keep all your good players."

Everton have no reason to fear trip to Manchester City, says Leon Osman
• 'We need to turn draws into wins,' midfielder adds
• Leighton Baines doubtful for match because of hamstring injury
Andy Hunter
The Guardian, Saturday December 1 2012
Leon Osman has said Everton still believe they can qualify for the Champions League and have no cause to fear Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. David Moyes's team, who may be without the influential Leighton Baines against the champions, produced a much-improved display against Arsenal on Wednesday but were unable to add to Marouane Fellaini's equaliser. Everton have drawn six of their past eight games to lose ground in the race for Champions League qualification, but Osman insists confidence has not been undermined by the sequence as performance levels have, with one or two exceptions, been high. "We all believe we will get our reward in the end," the midfielder said. "There is certainly no downheartedness in the dressing room. It is opportunities missed but it is not a devastating time for us. We need to turn draws into wins but we will hit a purple patch and we will be up there again when we do. "We showed great character after giving a good team like Arsenal a head start. We didn't bury ourselves, we took the ball, played it, knocked a couple of direct ones and in the end we got our reward. In the end we could have gone on and won it. We're just not managing to turn these draws into wins at the moment." Baines played the final 15 minutes against Arsenal with a hamstring problem and is doubtful for the visit to City but regardless of whether the defender passes a late fitness test, Osman believes Everton have proved themselves against the top sides. He added: "We feel we are a good side and we play the game the way it should be played. We play at the back, we can mix it up and we're confident in each other's ability. We've just had too many draws. If we do want the opportunity of the top four, of being high in the league – it doesn't matter whether those draws are against Norwich or Arsenal – we have to turn them into wins. We just have to be more clinical."
Osman admits his self-belief has increased after winning his first England cap in the recent friendly against Sweden, at the age of 31. The midfielder earned widespread praise for his performance with the manager, Roy Hodgson, confirming he would be considered for international duty again, and Osman believes it will bring more consistency to his game. "I believed in myself before I went there but to go into the game and enjoy it as I did, feeling reasonably comfortable in those surroundings, was great," he said. "It's a cliche but if you want more of it you have to earn it and keep on playing the way you are. It probably puts more pressure on you but that's a good thing." Osman has added incentive for a secondEngland cap having sported a moustache for his debut as part of the Movember campaign. He admitted: "I debated whether I should get rid of the moustache or not but it's a charity thing and I'm not vain enough to care about things like that. If it is my only experience with England then so be it. But hopefully I will be able to get more and I would have the second cap without [the moustache]."

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta credits Marouane Fellaini for Everton's rise up Premier League table
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta says Marouane Fellaini is virtually unrecognisable from the team-mate he played alongside at Goodison Park 18 months ago.
Telegraghp
By Chris Bascombe
December 1 2012
Fellaini was in goalscoring form again in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal on Wednesday. Arteta believes the clubs will go head-to-head in the race for fourth and he sees the Belgian midfielder as the inspiration behind an Everton renaissance. “I have seen a tremendous improvement in him, especially in that forward position around the box,” Arteta said. “He is one of the most difficult midfielders to play against because of his size. You don’t normally come up against players like that in that position. “It is much more difficult to play against him when he is in that forward role. He creates a lot of problems, uses his size well and is a threat as you can see from his goals. For me, he is much more efficient playing there than when he is deeper.” Arteta says his former club is now a genuine threat for a Champions League position. “I think Everton have got a good chance if they keep everyone fit,” he said. “I think the first XI is really strong and they have started the season well which I know from my time there is not normal. “I always want Everton to do the best they can. I love the players and the club and they are a big part of my life.”

David Moyes admits he would be tempted to bring Joleon Lescott back to Everton FC in January.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
DAVID MOYES admits he would be tempted to bring Joleon Lescott back to Everton on loan in January. The England international is currently out of favour at Manchester City – the club he left Goodison for in a £22m summer 2010 switch. Lescott has made 75 appearances for City and helped them win the Premier League title last season, but has fallen behind youngster Matija Nastasic in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium after a recent spell on the sidelines. The 30-year-old was troubled by a back injury earlier this month but has been available for the last four games and unable to reclaim his place, with speculation mounting that he could be deemed surplus to requirements in the new year. Moyes, who has also been weighing up a move for Molde defender Vegard Forren as he bids to strengthen his leaky back line in January, insists he would have no problem working with a player he fell out with before his drawn-out move to Manchester.
He said: “I’ve not thought about it but if he was available then I think he’d be someone I would maybe show an interest in. “If Joleon wanted to come back, if I thought we needed him, I’d be delighted to have him back, I’d have no problem having Joleon back.” Lescott insists he is prepared to bide his time for now. “I’ve been fit for a couple of weeks now and while it was disappointing to be left out of the squads at Chelsea and Wigan, the manager has to pick a team and bench that he thinks can do a job on the day and I respect that,” he said. “It is tough being out of the team and frustrating because it’s natural to want to play every game, but if anyone comes in and does well, why would you change things? The situation means the former Wolves defender is unlikely to feature as his former club visit Eastlands today. “I always look forward to playing Everton, but it’s never less than a tough game for us as well so I’ve mixed feelings, I suppose,” he added.
“I’d like to think I had a good relationship with the supporters when I was at Goodison Park so it’s a shame that didn’t continue after I’d left, but it happens in football and it’s understandable that they were upset. “I think the fact we’ve won the Premier League and FA Cup since I came to City has proved my decision to have been a good one and it’s one I don’t regret, but I enjoyed my time at Everton and have a lot of good memories of playing for the club.”

Barry Horne: Joleon Lescott would be welcomed back by Everton FC supporters
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
JOLEON LESCOTT was one of a long list of players to join Everton under David Moyes, who came from relative obscurity to find their career trajectory take a decidedly upward curve.
A fairly expensive gamble, at £5m from Wolves, Moyes’ instincts on Lescott proved correct. Player of the Year in 2008, he established himself as an England international at Goodison, and as a goalscoring defender. He scored ten goals in one memorable campaign. The circumstances surrounding his departure could have been handled a lot better from his side, but I remember writing at the time that it was likely to be the agent, not the player, creating the majority of the tension. Everton, as ever, handled the situation brilliantly, getting a very good fee for the player, and reinvesting that money into their squad. Lescott, for his part, has done well since his move, continuing his international career and emerging as a regular in Manchester City’s title-winning side. Statistically, last season he was one of the best defenders around. Not bad for a defender who made his name at Everton as an attack-minded full back. Roberto Mancini’s style of management, it seems, is not about man-management. He places little store in making players feel loved or valued, preferring, to an outsider, to generate friction and conflict among an extraordinarily talented squad. His assistant, David Platt, has been unable to give a satisfactory answer as to Lescott’s future, with some reports linking him back to Everton, on loan. Why not? He had great success here, and David Moyes knows him better than anyone. The supporters may find it hard to forgive, but they managed it with Steven Pienaar. It could be a good deal all round.

Royal Blue: Everton FC trying to turn Liverpool blue this Christmas
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
EVERTON want to turn the city Blue this Christmas – and the club is calling on all Evertonians to help.
A virtual map of Liverpool has been created on the club’s official website and every supporter can play their part to turn the city increasingly blue throughout December. Just by picking up a ticket for a match over the festive period or tweeting with the hashtag #bluecrimbo, Blues can make a difference and help the colour to change. So if you’ve swapped your stocking on the fireplace for a blue one or added Everton baubles to the Christmas tree, share your photos. Go to evertonfc.com/bluecrimbo to find out more.

Royal Blue: Everton FC celebrate five years helping Alder Hey
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
ALDER Hey Children’s Hospital and Everton in the Community are celebrating the fifth anniversary of a successful partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of patients. Over the past five years, coaches and volunteers from the Blues’ official charity have been working with the hospital to provide free fun, daily activity workshops to distract children from their hospitalisation. The workshops incorporate physical activity and multi-sports games, which encourage better rehabilitation. Steve Johnson, disability manager at Everton in the Community, said: “We are honoured to make a contribution to the recovery of some Alder Hey patients. To see the children smiling, having fun, and forgetting about why they are in hospital is a wonderful sight.” For information call 0151 530 5253.

Royal Blue: Everton FC legend Kevin Sheedy all set for Decembeard
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
MOVEMBER may be over but that doesn’t mean all the facial hair will quickly be shaved clean at Finch Farm. This week Kevin Sheedy has been sporting some unusual facial topiary all in aid of charity. The Blues legend is backing Beating Bowel Cancer’s ‘Decembeard’ campaign following his own battle with the disease. The charity is encouraging people to sport a beard during December and get sponsored to grow, make or fake a beard. Kevin was diagnosed with bowel cancer in the summer and following successful surgery is back coaching the Academy team. He now wants to raise awareness of the condition and get more people to recognise the symptoms. He said: “I knew something wasn’t right as I was going to the toilet more often than normal and when I noticed I was passing blood I knew I had to visit to the doctor. I lost my mum to bowel cancer and my dad had a successful operation, but it was still a shock to be diagnosed. Thankfully I got help early and I was able to have an operation which was successful. Now I’ve teamed up with the charity Beating Bowel Cancer to help raise awareness of the condition to ensure more people go to the doctor when they experience symptoms; it’s so important not to bury your head in the sand.

Royal Blue: Everton FC boss David Moyes has strong hand in contract talks
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
YOU wouldn’t want to play poker with David Moyes. When it comes to matters of importance, the Everton manager is a master of concealment, and manoeuvring – remaining stoney-eyed and expressionless under questioning and revealing only what he wants. The slightly gruff exterior he often presents to journalists is largely a default setting which can hide a myriad of emotions, but the Blues boss rarely allows his mask to slip. So woe betide anyone who engages in negotiations with him, and currently – to persist in poker terms – Moyes is holding a pretty strong hand in the talks that matter. For the first time this week, the Scot flashed a bit of the muscle which his imminent contract expiry provides, when he revealed that he won’t talk about his new deal until after January.
For him that means the club refusing to entertain bids for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini while allowing him to strengthen where possible so as to keep a top four finish possible in this, his watershed season in charge. Previously he has simply batted the question away with vague soundbites about there being no rush for him to sit down with Bill Kenwright because, as both remind us often, they speak regularly. But while the pair’s relationship remains strong, the recent departure from the script was telling. Moyes isn’t afraid to use the situation he finds himself in to try and gain a little leverage when it comes to his ambitions for Everton. Make no mistake, the perfect outcome for the Blues boss is Everton qualify for the Champions League and he signs a new deal.
So if there is any room to push and prod the board to do what they can – and remember they are not sitting on a pot of gold here – he will. It’s a shrewd tactic and if it works in the short term and suitors for Everton’s prize assets are rebuffed in January it could succeed. After all, should the Toffees fail to break the top four there’s every chance that the club can cash in on the pair next summer and the rebuilding precess can begin all over again albeit with a question mark hanging over who will mastermind it. Perhaps the only dud note in Moyes’ mind games is the suggestion that Everton fans might be bored of him. That won’t wash. If he goes in May it will be on his terms – and nothing to do with 99% of supporters who revere him.

Barry Horne: Everton FC fans should not be too worried over David Moyes contract delay
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
IT never surprises me to see managers using the tired old cliche of a club’s “ambition” when they are due for contract talks. After all, what better way to squeeze a few extra quid out of your employers than to question their ambition? David Moyes, though, is no ordinary manager. And I believe his comments this week, in which he said he will wait until after January before discussing a new deal at Goodison Park, were genuine and heartfelt. They were not out of any desire for financial gain.
He has proven himself at the club for more than 10 years as a manager capable of signing, developing and motivating players, and has done a genuinely remarkable job for the Blues.
In his time, the players he has brought to the club, and the results he has given supporters, have been phenomenal. The only thing lacking, of course, has been that elusive trophy. Nevertheless, if he was to walk out of the club tomorrow, he would leave behind the best squad of players the club has had for more than 20 years, and a pair of massively big shoes to fill. Of course, nobody at Goodison Park wants that to happen. The hope is that January will be a good month for Everton, and that February will be even better, with Moyes signed on for another few years. But if he were to leave, could anyone really hold it against him? Another cliche rolled out by managers is that they “need a new challenge”, or that they “have taken the club as far as they can”. I don’t think David is at that stage yet, even as we approach the end his 11th year in charge, but he has certainly given Everton some remarkable service. And when he says he will wait to decide his future, we should respect that.

Everton FC have sharper edge at Etihad stadium gun-fight this time around, says David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
A YEAR ago David Moyes likened a trip to face Manchester City as like taking a knife to a gunfight. The line was from the Untouchables and at times last term with David Silva weaving his magic, City were the Unplayables. But even though Roberto Mancini’s men have still not lost at home since Everton beat them at the Etihad stadium in 2010, Moyes admits that the task of defeating them on home turf today is not quite as fiercely daunting. That isn’t to suggest Moyes believes City no longer represent the toughest of tests for any visiting side, but he knows his own team have evolved since that frank assessment in 2011. “I feel a bit better,” says the Scot who is hoping to close the gap on fourth-placed West Brom by ending City’s remarkable 36-game unbeaten run in East Manchester this afternoon. “If you think about where we were this time last year and at that time Man City were flying. “We went into that in a real difficult situation and we put up a really good show, we were unlucky in the end not to take something from it. “It’s very hard to just say you’re going to attack teams. I watched Chelsea and Man city and they found it hard to attack them because they’re a really good team.” Moyes deployed Jack Rodwell to man-mark Silva last term and set his stall out to stifle the home side, a shrewd formation that almost worked before a booking limited the Everton midfielder’s remit and City ran out eventual 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Mario Balotelli and James Milner, who will miss today’s game. “People who were looking at it would understand where Everton were at that time, and maybe said they’ve tried to go there and get themselves a result – and let’s be fair, for 70, 75 minutes we’d done a job. It needed to be,” says Moyes.
“At that time David Silva was the best player in the Premier League and running every game. Every game I’d seen him play he was outstanding and still is.” While there has been no love lost in this fixture over recent seasons, particularly since the £22m sale of Joleon Lescott to Mark Hughes’ City in 2009, Moyes knows that cash from that deal – and the £10m sale of Jack Rodwell in the summer – have helped his club progress. “We have used the monies that we got from them as well as we can, and the club will always be bigger than any player or manager,” he says. “You lose a player, he wants to leave, then fine, you have to find a solution and fix it. That’s what we’ve had to do.
“It was difficult (selling Rodwell) because he’s a young up and coming England international and I’ve tended not to do that, I’ve tended to hold and keep those players. "But I knew that I probably needed to find something from somewhere and the only solution was possibly Jack. I didn’t see it coming, I didn’t think there was a deal in the offing. “When it did, I thought maybe it allows us to address one or two others, it allowed me to go and get Kevin Mirallas for example.
“And because of that it gave me the feeling I could be a bit more offensive, a bit more attack minded if we could get another forward who could score us some goals. “When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now. “I know we had a year we finished fourth, but if you look at Everton today I think there’s more solidity, and Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they were then. “So I can understand why the player wanted to go, there was a big project going on at Manchester City but it still was a disappointing one for me. “I saw Jags and Joleon as being at that time behind Terry and Ferdinand as the next England partnership, and maybe I’m not that far off the mark, where they are now.” With question marks remaining over the fitness of key players like Kevin Mirallas and now Leighton Baines ahead of today’s showdown, Moyes is glad to be able to call on durable veterans like Leon Osman – who he has deployed in a deeper role in skipper Phil Neville’s absence. “I used him wee bit deeper the other night because with Phil Neville out of the team he has to take on that role a little bit for us,” he says. “We’d like to get him a bit nearer the edge of the box a bit more, where he can sort of tricky-dicky a little bit. “The nature of the game (v Arsenal), we needed him. “He’s had to take over a bit of that role in the middle of the park, being around and not leaving the middle of the pitch too often and being in position. “Whereas we’d be quite happy to let him go and have a wander and maybe get around the edge of the box a bit more and nick a goal sometimes. “I’ve said many times he’s got good football savvy which means that you tell him and he understands and he’ll do it to the best of his ability.” Another midfielder Moyes will be glad to have at his disposal today is Steven Pienaar, who appeared to have rediscovered top form against the Gunners. Moyes added: “It was the best he’d played for a long time. I didn’t want to break up the balance of Pienaar and Baines because they’ve been playing so well.
“But because I don’t want to be predictable I will move Steven now and again so people can’t plan for it. “He’s had four or five games where he’s just been a bit off-colour, it was good to get him back at the level which we know he can play at.”

Everton FC legend Neville Southall backs Tim Howard and says it’s Jan Mucha who needs pushing
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
EVERTON legend Neville Southall has backed current Blues keeper Tim Howard and says the US international doesn’t need competition for his place in order to play well. Howard, who hasn’t kept a clean sheet for 10 games now, has found his form under the microscope this season and was criticised in some quarters for Norwich’s last-minute equaliser at Goodison Park a week ago.
Boss David Moyes was also linked with a move for former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon this week to help keep Howard on his toes but Southall doesn’t think the American needs the presence of another senior player in his position at the club to produce good performances.
He said: “Tim’s done well at Everton – exceptionally well. If you look at people all the time you can pick faults in their game but I think Tim is as good as anybody in the Premier League.
“I think the criticism of him is very harsh but then goes with the job for goalkeepers. “Joe Hart’s been going through a bit of a dodgy time of late but I don’t see any clamour to replace him. “Tim Howard is far from finished. He’s an outstanding goalkeeper and just because Everton haven’t got the results they’d have been hoping to get in recent weeks, people are looking at him. “Tim has been slaughtered for not coming for the cross for Norwich’s equaliser at Goodison Park but I don’t think he could have got to it anyway.” Southall, who maintained his own high standards at Goodison for many years without ever seriously being challenged for the number one jersey, does not believe that extra competition for places is the answer. However, he has questioned the role of Howard’s current understudy at the club, Jan Mucha. The Slovakian international arrived at the Blues in the summer of 2010 after turning out in the World Cup finals but now in his third season with the club, he is yet to feature in a Premier League game. Southall said: “People are saying that Tim needs competition but what is Jan Mucha doing? “If they reckon Tim isn’t being pushed hard enough, perhaps they need to push Jan Much too because otherwise what is he doing at the club?
“If he’s not providing the competition for places then they should get rid of him.
“Tim will be hurting at the moment but think of the number of games he’s kept Everton in it and his own form is nothing to do with competition for places. “Olympic gold medallists don’t have competition for places when they’re training, it’s your own personal pride and ambition to push yourself as far as you can that spurs you on. “If they did bring another goalkeeper in then it would obviously be a kick up the a*** from the manager – not that Tim needs it.” Given that former £9million keeper Gordon was released from Sunderland due to injury problems, it remains questionable how hard he would realistically push Howard for a regular first team berth so if Everton are to recruit a new goalkeeper in the future, Southall believes it should be a serious contender for the number one spot. He said: “The only one I’d think would be available in the Premier League is Robert Green and I don’t think he’s any better than Howard. “Other than that there’s Jack Butland and Wayne Hennessey.”

Manchester City 1-1 Everton FC - final whistle match report
by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 1 2012
MAROUANE FELLAINI continued his excellent season in front of goal as Everton battled to a well-deserved draw with Manchester City. The towering Belgium international put the Blues ahead just after the half hour mark at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon with his eighth goal of the campaign.
However it would be Fellaini’s foul on Edin Dzeko which led to the host’s equaliser just before the break. The Blues talisman was adjudged to have dragged the striker to the ground inside the area and from the resulting penalty, Carlos Tevez slotted the ball past Tim Howard. The reigning Premier League champions emerged for the second half with intent but David Moyes’ side were resolute and stubborn in defence and were well worth the point. An eighth draw of the league season – and third 1-1 in a row – keeps Everton sixth in the standings though Nicika Jelavic came close to snatching the win in the final minute when Joe Hart produced a fine save to keep out his dipping free-kick.
Just as they finished the game, Everton began the match with confidence and their breakthrough just after the half hour mark certainly came as no shock. Leighton Baines’ cross was inadvertently flicked on towards the back post by City captain Vincent Kompany from where Fellaini headed instinctively on goal. Hart parried the effort but Fellaini was quickest to react and bundled the ball home. The goal stirred City and Tim Howard was forced into a fine save to deny Tevez’s header before reacting well to Edin Dzeko’s volley from inside the area. City would eventually restore parity though when Fellaini was adjudged to have dragged Dzeko to the floor as a corner came into the Everton box. This time, Howard was unable to prevent Tevez scoring as the Argentina striker sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot. The Blues ended the first-half well though and Hart showed terrific reflexes to save Fellaini’s header. Roberto Mancini’s side came out strongly after the break but found Everton in stubborn mood. Maicon fired a stinging drive on target which Howard parried but other than that, the hosts struggled to get clear sights of the American’s goal.
City maintained a stranglehold on possession for much of the half but failed to make the most of it.
As they slowly ran out of ideas, Everton started to find more of the ball themselves and came close to snatching a late winner.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1) Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov (Zabaleta 7), Barry, Toure, Silva, Tevez (Aguero 67), Nasri, Dzeko (Balotelli 81). Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Toure, Garcia, Sinclair, Aguero, Balotelli.
Goals: Tevez (43 pen)
Cautions: Lescott, Zabaleta
Red Cards:
EVERTON (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka ©, Distin, Baines, Naismith (Oviedo 73), Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic. Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios.
Goals: Fellaini (33)
Cautions: Fellaini
Red Cards:
Referee: Lee Probert

Manchester City 1 Everton 1: Premier League match report
From Stuart Brennan at the Etihad Stadium
December 01, 2012
Manchester Evening News
Carlos Tevez’s penalty ensured that Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the season stretched to 15 games in the Premier League. The Argentine striker, back in the team after three games on the bench, struck three minutes from the break after Marouane Fellaini had tugged Edin Dzeko over in the box. Fellaini had given the visitors the lead ten minutes earlier, as City had a poor first half which threatened an unbeaten home run in the league which stretches back nearly two years – to when Everton won 2-1 at the City of Manchester Stadium in December 2010. The draw came at a price, with Aleks Kolarov lasting just six minutesbefore limping off, so Pablo Zabaleta – who had been given a well-earned break on the bench – was again called into action. But the Blues were lacking in punch and panache for most of the first half, and it was no great surprise when Everton took a 33rd minute lead. The Toffees had targeted the suspect City right flank, where Maicon is a far better attacker than he is a defender, and when Leighton Baines swung in a cross and Vincent Kompany could only glance it on, Fellaini was waiting. His header was brilliantly beaten out by Joe Hart at point-blank range, but the big Belgian followed in to knee the ball over the line. At least the goal sparked the Blues into life, and Tevez’s clever header was turned round the post by Tim Howard, while Dzeko’s volley from Gareth Barry’s chest-down was again saved by the keeper. It was tight, and the Blues needed a stroke of fortune. They got it when Fellaini was judged to have tugged Dzeko to the ground as they awaited a corner. It was nothing like as blatant as David Luiz’s shirt tugging on Kompany last week, or even as bad as Ronnie Stam doing the same to Barry in midweek, but ref Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Tevez, who has now scored 13 out of 15 penalties for City, confidently stuck his shot down the middle and City were level, two minutes before half time. The Blues improved massively after the break, penning Everton back for long spells, but in the end were indebted to Hart for a good save late on.
Manchester City v Everton: Stuart Brennan's player ratings
7 HART Couple of top quality saves, but unfortunately the best of them didn’t count as Fellaini followed in to score
6 Maicon Exposed by Baines at times in the first half, but with City attacking in second half he looked far better
8 KOMPANY showed his class, not just as a defender, but as a footballer, carrying the ball out of defence and keeping possession
7 LESCOTT Good response to being left out recently, and to David Moyes’ suggestion that he would have him back at Everton
6 KOLAROV Hardly had a kick before he was forced off with an injury on six minutes, to continue the Blues’ horrendous full back injury jinx
6 Y. TOURE The big man has played an awful lot of football this season, and maybe it is starting to show – no thrust and passing not always great
9 BARRY With Yaya below par, he has grown in stature. His work in front of the back four was magnificent, and he contributed to the attack as well
7 SILVA Too deep at times to have real influence, but when he did get inbetween Everton’s ranks, he posed a real threat
7 TEVEZ Confident penalty under pressure, and led from the front with his industrious pressing game
6 NASRI Mancini asked for him to step up to the plate – well, it didn’t happen here, and he faded from view in second half
6 DZEKO Still can’t get his game together from the start, and perhaps his lack of confidence led to some bad decisions
Substitutes
ZABALETA (for Kolarov 6) Usual, committed stuff 8
AGUERO (for Tevez 68) Barely had a sniff 6
BALOTELLI (for Dzeko 81) couldn’t get it right 6
Not used: Pantilimon, K. Toure, Garcia, Sinclair
EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Naismith (Oviedo 73), Gibson, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic (Heitinga 90)
Referee: Lee Probert 7
Attendance: 47,386

Roberto Mancini rues Manchester City's striker struggle
December 01, 2012
Manchester Evening News
Manager Roberto Mancini admitted his strikers' struggle is hurting Manchester City after the 1-1 draw with Everton. Carlos Tevez scored from the penalty spot after Marouane Fellaini had opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium. Some fans were unhappy when Tevez was replaced with Aguero and Dzeko left on for the second substitution, but Mancini defended his decision. Mancini said: “Our strikers aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment and not scoring enough goals, but they worked hard today and they will have periods like that during the season. “I took Carlos off because I thought Dzeko might get us another goal – I have my reasons for making the change, but that takes nothing away from Carlos who played very well. “We are not going to go through the season winning every game and sometimes you have to accept that it is not your way and take something out of the game, which we did.” Mancini added on www.mcfc.co.uk: “Against Everton is always a difficult game because they work hard and are well organised. When we fell behind we had to take risks to get back in the game. “We spent most of the second half in Everton’s half but we couldn’t find a way through.”

Spurs ace to miss Panathinaikos and Everton clashes after injury against Fulham
Saturday, December 1, 2012
London 24
Gareth Bale is expected to be out of action for up to two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Fulham, manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed. Bale hobbled off in the second half of the London derby after falling awkwardly following a shot at goal.
Spurs fans feared their star winger could be set for a long-term layoff, but Villas-Boas played down those concerns after the match. The Tottenham manager also lost Michael Dawson during the game due to a hamstring injury, but he could be fit for next weekend’s game at Everton. “Both Bale and Dawson have suffered hamstring muscle injuries,” the Spurs boss said in his post-match press conference. “One looks more serious than the other although both are controllable. “With muscle injuries it’s very difficult but it might keep him out for one to weeks. Dawson a little bit less.”

MANCHESTER CITY 1 - EVERTON 1: ROBERTO BOGEYMAN MOYES SLAMS SPOT-KICK HORROR SHOW
Sunday Star
There were five or six situations that I didn’t like but I thought the penalty was a penalty
2nd December 2012
By Steve Millar
THE bogeyman paid a visit to Manchester yesterday – and gave City boss Roberto Mancini one hell of a fright. Everton boss David Moyes, celebrating his 600th league game as a manager, definitely has the hoodoo over Mancini. Seven times they have faced each other across their technical boxes and Moyes has triumphed in five of them and now drawn once. But denying Mancini all three points did not sit happily with Moyes this time. He grumbled that the penalty which rescued City was a murder mystery. TV replays clearly showed that Marouane Fellaini hauled down Edin Dzeko but the officials told him Leon Osman was the culprit. Anyway, the penalty which Carlos Tevez tucked away was unjust in Moyes’ ice-cold eyes. The fact that Fellaini had put Everton ahead was scant comfort. Moyes said: “It’s not a penalty kick. That’s the first thing. I don’t know how many City have got at home recently but I have been told it’s quite a few. “If you are going to beat the champions you can’t have decisions like that. If you are, there would be penalty kicks every time there was a corner. “The information we got immediately after the game was that it was a foul by Leon Osman and the referee said it was given for a foul by Osman. “We knew at half time that Ossie never touched him. But even if it was Fellaini it was nowhere near a penalty kick. It changed the game. “You can lose to Manchester City anyway but I thought that was a real soft one. “To get a goal against you for that here is harsh. They say it levels itself out but...” Mancini had problems of his own – notably having his ears burned with a chorus of boos for substituting local hero Tevez and replacing him with Sergio Aguero.
He said: “I didn’t agree with some of the decisions by the referee. “I am not happy with some of the decisions. There were five or six situations that I didn’t like but I thought the penalty was a penalty.” But while the result was a huge disappointment to Mancini in his bid to retain the title, City can point to the fact that they are unbeaten in 37 games at the Etihad.
It is a record that goes back to December 2010 – when the victors were Everton.
You would have thought news from Upton Park of Chelsea’s defeat would have made Blue hearts beat faster, knowing one of City’s major title threats look like imploding. But the champions began at pedestrian pace with a definite lack of their trademark flowing football.
City were not helped by Aleksandar Kolarov pulling up injured after just six minutes, with Pablo Zabaleta taking his left-back berth. It was a disruption, though, which had no bearing on the fact that City were looking disjointed and scrappy. That was a sure sign of a low-key performance which lively Everton were delighted to exploit, with daring raids spelling danger in every marvellous move. And it was no surprise when Everton stormed into a deserved 32nd-minute lead. Leighton Baines’ cross flicked off Vincent Kompany and Fellaini powered in a header. Hart saved the point-black effort brilliantly but Fellaini reacted first to knee the ball past the startled City keeper. Four minutes later City finally woke up from their unexplained slumber, as Samir Nasri floated the ball in and Gareth Barry chested down for Dzeko, whose snapshot was pushed away by Tim Howard. But from the resulting corner Fellaini stupidly hauled down Dzeko and referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Tevez stepped up to slam the ball down the middle as Howard dived to his left. It was the signal for City to look like their old selves and Moyes’ men were forced back to defend and fight for survival. But they did a great job to leave the Etihad with a valuable point, Moyes heading down the tunnel with a purposeful stride.

MANCHESTER CITY 1 - EVERTON 1: MAROUANE FELLAINI ON A FLYER TO FOIL SLIPSHOD CITY
Sunday Express
Sunday December 2,2012
By John Richardson
THE bogey men came calling to place a dent in Manchester City’s ambitions of retaining their Premier League title. Maybe next time they face Everton manager Roberto Mancini should give Ghostbusters a ring as the Merseysiders’ incredible record against City continued at the Etihad.
Everton arrived here having won eight of the last 10 league meetings, manager David Moyes leading them to five of the six successes. This time it ended all square – something City can’t really afford in the battle to keep United at bay. City will have to display a greater hunger and urgency when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side arrive next Sunday. This was a display, slipshod and lacking conviction, more in keeping with their horror shows in the Champions League. At least the only unbeaten record in all four divisions survived – it’s 37 league games since they last tasted defeat in front of their own fans. The last team to win here? Everton. It was a hard-fought game and my players were worthy of a point

With time running out and many City fans heading for the aisles, history could have repeated itself, keeper Joe Hart spilling a free-kick from Nikica Jelavic before recovering to push the ball around the post. City’s biggest problem was trying to deal with the mobile skyscraper which is Marouane Fellaini. With his shock of black hair, the Belgian has long been a cult hero among the Goodison Park faithful. But the worry is whether they can hold on to their prized asset, who is coveted by a number of rivals including Chelsea. Not that his manager was too enamoured with his £30million-rated attacking midfielder when, after steering Everton into a deserved lead, he pulled down Edin Dzeko in his own box for Carlos Tevez to exact swift retribution.

Bottom of Form
Until City fans began a chant of ‘stand up for the champions’ midway in the first half, it was easy to forget the club’s triumph last season. Everton had exuded confidence, prepared to go at City with neat, intuitive passing leaving Mancini’s side looking leggy and lethargic.
Their lead was well merited although a little hard on Hart, who had performed heroics to keep out Fellaini’s header as his team-mates froze from a Leighton Baines cross which had skimmed off Vincent Kompany. England’s keeper was powerless to prevent Fellaini forcing in the follow-up. But Fellaini erred from a Samir Nasri corner after Tim Howard had forced a stinging attempt from Dzeko around the post. His pull on Dzeko was spotted by referee Lee Probert, and Tevez calmly clipped the spot-kick down the middle once Howard had committed himself. According to Moyes, the penalty award was cloaked in mystery. The Everton boss revealed: “The fourth official said it was for an offence by Leon Osman. The players were also told it was committed by Ossie. Even if it was Fellaini, it was nowhere near a penalty kick. “I’ve been told City have had quite a few penalties at home recently. I don’t know how many.” It’s actually 21 in the past two seasons. Moyes added: “It was a hard-fought game and my players were worthy of a point.” City stepped up a gear in the second half, their best effort a Maicon piledriver which was pushed out by Howard.
Mancini earned the wrath of some fans for taking off Tevez in favour of Sergio Aguero. He said: “I have my reasons. I’m not stupid. I understand the supporters. They are happy if I take off four defenders and put on four attackers. “It’s difficult to win every game at home. If you don’t pay attention, you can lose three points. It’s better sometimes to take a point.
“I think we are in good form, but we are missing goals from our strikers.”Ref: L Probert Att: 47,386MAN CITY: Hart; Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov (Zabaleta 7); Barry, Toure; Silva, Tevez (Aguero 67), Nasri; Dzeko (Balotelli 81).
EVERTON: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Pienaar, Gibson, Fellaini, Osman, Naismith (Oviedo 74); Jelavic (Heitinga 90).MAN of the MATCH: Marouane FellainI ¬– Another towering performance from the big Belgian. At times he is unplayable, a fact noted by big-spending Premier League clubs.

Everton FC face either Cheltenham Town or Hereford United in FA Cup
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 2 2012
EVERTON FC face a trip to either Cheltenham Town or Hereford United in the FA Cup third round.
League Two Cheltenham entertain Conference outfit Hereford tomorrow evening, with the chance of facing the Blues going to the winners. David Moyes' men have never played either side in a competitive senior game - though an Everton XI did play a friendly at Hereford's Edgar Street ground earlier this year. Everton U-21s left-back Luke Barbutt as on loan at Cheltenham last season as they narrowly missed out on promotion to League One. Third round games will be played the weekend of January 5 and 6 January.

Everton FC manager David Moyes blasts referee over penalty which saw Manchester City equalise
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
DAVID MOYES hit out at the officials after his side conceded a controversial penalty in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Manchester City. The Toffees were leading the Barclays Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium through Marouane Fellaini when the Belgian was penalised after tangling with Edin Dzeko just before half-time. Everton protested about the decision, feeling Dzeko went to ground too easily, and Moyes was still complaining to the fourth official as the players left the field at the break. Carlos Tevez was not affected by the commotion as he converted from the spot to cancel out Fellaini’s headed opener. Moyes said: “It is not a penalty kick. “I don’t know how many penalties Manchester City have had in their home games recently, but as far as I know it is quite a few. They got another one today. “You can’t be giving ones like that. There’d be a penalty every time there’s a corner kick.” Moyes’ complaints to fourth official Anthony Taylor also seemed to be exacerbated by a case of mistaken identity. The Scot said: “The fourth official told me that it was given for a foul by Leon Osman, so I’ve got my doubts if the referee saw the incident. “But even if it was Fellaini, it’s not a penalty kick, nowhere near. “They say it levels itself out. We’ll see.”
The result was Everton’s seventh draw in their last nine games but unlike with some of the previous stalemates, Moyes felt the point was ultimately a good one. He said: “We’ve been playing well in most of the games and we showed it again against the champions. “I was pleased with that and then 20 minutes after half-time we knew we would have to weather it. “Manchester City tend to get better in the second half and they did do. “It was a good draw for us. We’ve had some bad draws but that was a good draw.”

It was a penalty, says Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini after draw with Everton
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini disagreed with David Moyes’ verdict on the penalty which earned City a share of the spoils. “I am not happy with some decisions,” Mancini said. “There were five, six or seven situations that I didn’t like. “I think the penalty was a penalty. The fourth official was very close with me. “How it is possible he (Moyes) can see from there what is going on in the box – it is difficult. The referee was there.” City remain unbeaten in their title defence and have not lost at home in the League for 37 matches, a run stretching back to a defeat to Everton two years ago. Yet Everton remain a recurring problem for City, having lost eight of their 10 previous games against the Merseysiders. Mancini said: “Everton is always a difficult game because they work hard, they defend very well. “In the second half we played better, probably deserved to score another goal. “In the end we are not happy but the season is long and this doesn’t change anything. “If you don’t pay attention you can lose three points and it is sometimes better to take one.” Although Carlos Tevez got on the scoresheet, Mancini remains frustrated with the goal output of his strikers. He said: “In this moment we are not very strong with our strikers. We need them to score more goals. “They are four top strikers but this can happen during the season. “It is important they work hard like they worked today. Dzeko, Tevez, Sergio (Aguero), Mario (Balotelli) – I think we will solve this problem.”

Everton FC: David Moyes hopes return of injured forwards can bring back Champions League form
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
DAVID MOYES admits securing Champions League football will be difficult given the size of Everton’s squad – but hopes the return to fitness of a pair of injured forwards can help turn draws into wins.

The Blues returned from the Etihad Stadium with a well-deserved point on Saturday afternoon as Marouane Fellaini scored his eighth goal of the season to put them in front against Manchester City.
City were awarded a hotly-disputed penalty just before half-time which Carlos Tevez converted to level the game and though the reigning Premier League champions came out strong in the second half, Everton repelled the attacks and had chances to snatch the win late on. The draw, the Blues eighth of the season and third consecutive 1-1, keeps them sixth in the table and just three points outside the top four. But Moyes concedes that breaking back into the Champions League qualifying positions is going to be tough. “I think it will be hard for us over the piece, it’ll be a big thing for us to be there,” he said. “I think when we play over 90 minutes against someone we’ve got a good chance. “Can we do it over 38 games? We’re missing Kevin Mirallas, Victor Anichebe and we’re just shot of other forward options at times to maybe win us the games, that’s why we’re always had the draws. “When I looked at their team today and what they have available to them we always knew it was going to be hard, we started with the same XI as we had in midweek so it’s not as if we have been able to make too many changes but we clicked right into where we were against Arsenal and I thought we played well again today. “You would have to expect Man City to have some of the game and they certainly did that after half-time but I thought we had our fair share of the game before that.” “I don’t want to be a manager who keeps saying we’re playing well and not winning because I’d rather be a manager whose team weren’t playing well and winning it but the facts are there to see and have to hope that good performances lead to good results.” Fellaini will again grab much of the attention after another excellent display – and another goal. The towering Belgian’s best Premier League season in front of goal saw him strike nine times during his first campaign in England but Moyes says the 25-year-old is in the mood to better that. “He’s getting into positions to score,” said the Everton manager. “I thought he did a good job for us, the longer it went on you could see it got tougher, he ran out of energy, we were struggling to keep it going right to the end but the boys are doing a good job. “If he’d scored ten we’d have been delighted with that. “We haven’t set him any target but he’s got a wee bit between his teeth at the moment, is enjoying scoring the goals and I think he’s actually enjoying playing the position he is in now. “There were maybe questions about it but I think now he’s realising I’m getting recognised for it now. “Steven Pienaar is playing much better and is back in form for us now so we’re in a position where hopefully we can start getting three points instead of one now.”

Manchester City draw was a good point, says Everton FC defender Leighton Baines
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
LEIGHTON BAINES said Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City was a point gained for Everton FC, rather than two dropped. The Blues and England left-back, who shrugged off a hamstring injury to play on Saturday, said: “It is a decent point. “We were under quite a bit of pressure in the second half and that point in the game I think we would have been happy with a point. “We were still trying to hit City on the break but they played well in the second half. “I think we defended well and this is a much better point than some of the other points we have picked up in recent weeks. “This is the best of the bunch. “When you come away to a team like this you expect a tough game. “In the second half we showed that grit we need to come away from sides like this with a point.” Everton’s recent sequence – they have drawn seven of their last nine games – has seen them slip from second at the start of October to sixth but Baines is still satisfied with the position. He said: “We are probably where we feel we deserve to be. We have conceded quite a few late goals, which has disappointed us. “It is easy to look back and say we could have had an extra few points here or there, but there is no point. You’d drive yourself barmy. “We look forward now. We have got another tough run of games in front of us. “There are no ’gimmes’ in this league. We have got to find a way to start getting three points.” One aspect of the performance that pleased Baines was how the Toffees nullified City’s attacking threat. The 27-year-old said: “That’s the pleasing thing. The majority of the play was in front of us. “I thought the midfield lads worked tirelessly for us and did a great job defensively. That kept them off our backs a bit. “When they eventually did get through to us at the back Jags and Sylvain Distin stood up to them. I thought we did well.”

Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard donates shirts to Liverpool underwear company to send to Hurricane Sandy victims
by Gemma Jaleel, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012EVERTON FC goalkeeper Tim Howard teamed up with a Merseyside underwear company to give a helping hand to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. Tim donated a bunch of signed Everton shirts to Urban Active which is sending 2,500 items to pupils of a New York high school including winter clothing, such as underwear, hats, scarves and gloves. The signed shirts, which were quickly sorted by chairman Bill Kenwright, will actually be sent to the famous Irish bar Mr Dennehys in Manhattan, which has its own Everton chapter called EFCNYC.com. The bar is going to raffle the shirts, with all proceeds going to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Tim, who comes from New Jersey, said: “Hurricane Sandy affected many people and many areas that I know well. "There are a lot of similarities between Liverpool and New York and the spirit and generosity of the people are just two of them. It’s great that the people of Liverpool are helping out – but it’s no surprise. I am delighted to help out in any way I can.” Paul Gordon, of Urban Active, praised the American superstar for giving his support. He said: “The co-operation and quick response from Everton FC to assist the victims of the Hurricane Sandy disaster has been wonderful. “Tim was fantastic. He knows many people devastated by Sandy. “It means a lot that the club were so quick to support our project.”

Manchester City 1 Everton FC 1: Greg O’Keeffe’s verdict on the Blues well-earned point at the Etihad
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
THE question persists whether Everton FC are truly Champions League material. Even David Moyes is not yet fully convinced but at least Roberto Mancini seems certain. On the eve of Everton’s trip to the Etihad stadium the City manager insisted the Blues have the quality to finish fourth – and after they took a well deserved point from his reigning Premier League title-holders he was even talking about the Blues in terms of a Champions League final. Of course the later comment was a pompous dig from a manager nursing a bruised ego, but Mancini will know an afternoon when he was booed by his own fans for making a substitution could have been much worse. If Lee Probert had not awarded a laughable penalty to the home side just before half time, there’s every chance the Toffees might have ended City’s two-year unbeaten run at home. So forgive Mancini his strop and file it under further evidence that the Blues are really ruffling the feathers of the big boys this season. City’s manager joins his curmudgeonly rival from across Manchester in having a dig at Everton after not getting things their own way. Moyes’ men were unable to repeat the heroics of that victory over United in August, but in out-shining the champions on their home turf, for the first half at least, they gave their own self-belief exciting new impetus. There are good points and bad points – with draw-specialists Everton experiencing the whole range of nuances in between during a campaign when they have now shared the spoils in eight of their 15 matches. But this impressive outing was certainly a positive to counter-balance the frustrations of Fulham and Norwich in November. Traditionally the Blues are not even at the races as Christmas approaches, with their new year annual surge in form leaving a host of lingering-what ifs come May. Last term it was the wishful-thinking argument that if the season started in January, Everton would have finished third.This time around things are different. Even all those draws have not proven as damaging to Everton’s ambitions as they felt at the time, and the Blues are reasonably well-positioned. Even as the season’s half-way stage approaches, the Premier League table remains formative and the Blues are only three points away from Chelsea in third place. Granted, the fact they are also now only a point ahead of Stoke, with Liverpool and Arsenal breathing down their necks proves that nobody at Goodison should be getting too smug. But consider this – have Everton really looked inferior to sides such as United, City, and Arsenal which usually make up the top four? Certainly not. The only way they were lacking at the Etihad was in their desperate need for an ‘out ball’ when under pressure. Nikica Jelavic’s form continues to fluctuate, although his work-rate remains at the required rate - but the Blues missed Kevin Mirallas or Victor Anichebe more than ever in the second half when City began to gain the upper-hand. That spell was far removed from a first half when the visitors took the game to their opponents, proving that they were intent on far more than containment. Last season Moyes used Jack Rodwell on a man-marking mission to stifle David Silva at the Etihad, but this time he instructed his players to focus more on making City worry about them. With Leon Osman and Darron Gibson out-shining their expensively assembled counterparts in midfield, and the indomitable Leighton Baines causing havoc, Everton were good value for their lead.Marouane Fellaini notched his eighth goal of the season after he met another perfect cross from the England full-back and twisted in the air to steer a powerful header towards goal. Joe Hart made a fine save but was powerless to prevent the towering Belgian from bundling the rebound over the line with his knee. Fellaini was in the thick of it again just before the break when City got their controversial leveller. It was Edin Dzeko’s tumble after routine jostling between the pair which Probert somehow seemed to believes constituted a spot-kick. The same hands-on marking happens every weekend in games up and down the country without resulting in penalties, so Moyes was entitled to feel aggrieved that his side were once again left to rue a baffling call from an official. Carlos Tevez made no mistake from the spot, and his side came out determined to knock the stuffing out of Everton in the second half. But Everton soaked up everything a side containing several individuals of exceptional attacking ability could muster and came back at them. Tim Howard made a strong save from Maicon’s stinging drive and did well to stop a Tevez header, but the Blues were resilience personified as Phil Jagielka contributed his usual string of blocks and tackles to limit City’s intent. Indeed with time running out it was Everton on the front foot, and Joe Hart could only parry Jelavic’s well-struck free-kick. Only one side took anything from the Etihad last season, and Everton became just the second to avoid defeat there this time around. This Blues team has a happy habit of matching the supposed best – and they’re certainly tough to beat. An added dash of goal-scoring zest to help them rediscover the winning habit would be the perfect early festive gift.

Tim Howard: I can push myself just as hard as any under-study for Everton FC
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 3 2012
TIM HOWARD believes he is capable of pushing himself just as hard as any under-study could as he bids to help Everton FC into the top four. The USA international was back to his best as he helped Everton bag a well-deserved point against reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Howard has been the subject of some criticism for recent displays, and David Moyes has admitted he would like to add greater competition to his goal-keeping ranks to ensure his number one stays focused. But the 33-year-old said: “I think it (competition) is important I really do. But I have never really allowed myself to get too caught up in the competition element of it. “I think every team needs competition for every place if they can afford it, maybe even three players. I’m 33. I’ve been around, played a lot of seasons, had to push people and I’ve been pushed. “But I’m a firm believer that I work as hard as anyone. I don’t miss days in training, I don’t stay in the physio room too long if ever, I push myself and drive myself hard. That’s what’s important. “If you want to be the best you can’t rely on other people to drive you. “We all get our head down in the training ground and work hard but in the big games you need your keeper to make a few big saves. It’s so hard to contain the best sides, you’ve got 11 quality players but I was able to make a few saves.” Everton stayed in sixth place in the Premier League table after their impressive display against Roberto Mancini’s men, and Howard believes they must take their form to another level in January if they want to compete for the top four. “We need to go to another level in January,” he said. “We have to try and challenge ourselves, and if we want to be where we think we should be we have to get better. We’ve had a good start, and we’ve played well consistently. “I think we’re right there in the thick of it with the top teams. We went toe to toe with the Champions and gave as good as we got. The second half was tough for us, but our defensive shape and commitment was really good.
“The draw midweek and the point against City were good – it was the one against Norwich which really messed us up a bit.” Everton looked capable of victory during an impressive first half display, and Howard was thrilled at how they matched City. He said: “It wasn’t lost on us that not only were we in the game, we had moments when they (City) couldn’t keep up.”

Everton FC Manchester City draw shows progress, says David Moyes
By Ian Doyle
Dec 3 2012
DAVID MOYES believes Everton’s battling display at Manchester City underlines how far they have progressed during the past 12 months. Moyes’s men continued their excellent recent record against the moneybags Premier League champions with a richly-deserved 1-1 draw at Eastlands on Saturday.
While having now lost only two of their last 11 meetings between the sides, the Goodison manager attracted criticism for a perceived negative approach in their most recent defeat at City in September last year. Everton, though, were much more attacking at the weekend with only a late save from Joe Hart from a Nikica Jelavic free-kick denying them victory. And Moyes is convinced his team, who have only lost two of their last 24 top-flight games, are now a much sterner proposition. “Last year we came and marked Silva, albeit Silva was the best player in the Premier League at that time by a long way, but also we probably weren’t in the mental condition we are now,” said the Goodison manager. “I think we have got confidence, the players are playing really well, we are just lacking maybe getting over the edge. “I don’t want to be a manager who keeps saying we’re playing well and not winning because I’d rather be a manager whose team weren’t playing well and winning it. “But the facts are there to see and I have to hope that good performances lead to good results.”Saturday’s draw came four days after a similarly impressive display yielded the same scoreline at home to Arsenal. And Moyes said: “The way we have been playing, we wanted to go to City and try to make a challenge. I think the game against Arsenal as much as this one against Manchester City shows we can have a go. “Whether we’ll ever have enough to be right among those teams when it comes to it… but we’re not a million miles off them on a Saturday, we can be quite close to them. “It’s difficult to come to City – our players have improved and the quality we have got have given us a chance to come here and give it a go. “But any team who comes here are going to have it tough because they’re very good at keeping the ball and they have got players who can score in different fashions – Dzeko, Aguero, Tevez, Balotelli. “You would have to expect Man City to have some of the game and they certainly did that after half time but I thought we had our fair share of the game before that.” Despite a resolve that has seen only City lose fewer Premier League games this season, Everton have drawn seven of their last nine games to slip from second down to sixth place, three points adrift of the Champions League qualification places. “We should have had more points,” admitted Moyes. “It’s not been today’s point or the point against Arsenal, it’s a couple of games before that where we’ve let winning positions slip to draw them. “It’s very rare it’s been coming back from a losing position to draw, it’s winning positions we’ve let slip. “Can we finish top four? I think it will be hard for us over the piece, it’ll be a big thing for us to be there. I think when we play over 90 minutes against someone we’ve got a good chance. “Can we do it over 38 games? We’re missing Kevin Mirallas, Victor Anichebe, we’re just short of other forward options at times to maybe win us the games, that’s why we’re always had the draws.”

Everton FC can snatch Champions League qualification, says Phil Jagielka
By Ian Doyle
Dec 3 2012
PHIL JAGIELKA believes Everton are giving themselves a chance of becoming the latest team to capitalise on the “crazy” Premier League by snatching Champions League qualification.
David Moyes’s side stayed in touch with the top four with a battling 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City on Saturday. With Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal all losing at the weekend, Everton are now only three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who they entertain on Sunday. And despite recording their seventh draw in nine Premier League games, Jagielka is convinced the Goodison outfit are in position to capitalise on the poor form of their main rivals. “It is going to be quite wide open,” said the centre-back. “The last few seasons, the Premier League has gone a little bit crazy, with teams finishing almost anywhere. “The title has been between two or three teams but the Champions League is there for anyone. Tottenham have done it, Newcastle had a crack at it. “We have only got to look back at the last two seasons to see how we have started. We haven’t given ourselves a chance. “We aren’t favourites to finish fourth by any stretch of the imagination but at least we are in the mix. It’s no good if you are having to claw back a 20-point gap at Christmas.” Jagielka added: “Whether we are underestimated or not, we have still not got a very big squad. We don’t have that many options on the bench. “Maybe that is why people are not talking us up. But is doesn’t bother us. The squad isn’t going to get much bigger, so it will be all down to how the manager manages us.” Having attracted criticism for their defensive performance in a 2-0 defeat at City last season, Everton were far more expansive on Saturday, taking the lead through Marouane Fellaini on 33 minutes before Carlos Tevez equalised from the spot 10 minutes later. And asked if Everton had proven a point with their display, Jagielka responded: “We have got a different squad with different options now. The manager can set the team up however he wants. “We were so close to getting a point last season and it was only after a little deflection off me led to them scoring the goal which led to our demise.” Everton are now unbeaten in Premier League games against Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Liverpool this season. “We like playing these sort of games,” added Jagielka. “It is a no-lose situation for us. City are looking to retain the title, so nobody was expecting Everton to do well. “If you look at the balance of play, we did well with our game in the first half but in the second half it was pretty much about keeping them at bay.“We had a couple of chances but you have to expect them to have a lot of ball retention. If you look at how many saves Tim Howard had to make in the second half, I suppose you would have to say we were happy with the point.” Everton were unhappy with the penalty awarded to City by referee Lee Probert, who adjudged Fellaini to have fouled Edin Dzeko as they tussled to reach David Silva’s corner. “I don’t think the referee could tell you who fouled who,” said Jagielka. “It’s unfortunate. These things happen in football. “Me, Felli and Sylvain all get pulled at the other end but I am yet to see them be given. Maybe they had a bit of luck but what can you do? “The referee gave it but we showed great character. We didn’t feel sorry for ourselves. The talking points make the games so exciting.”

Manchester City 1 Everton FC 1: Marouane Fellaini continues standing tall
By Ian Doyle
Dec 3 2012
NEW boots, same Marouane Fellaini. His footwear may change, but the Belgian remains at the epicentre for Everton this season. It wasn’t the only way in which the status quo was maintained at the weekend to leave the travelling Goodison faithful thinking they had seen it all before.
From losing a lead, drawing a game, being victim of a contentious refereeing decision through to sticking a significant spoke in a major rival’s progress, David Moyes’s side ticked many of the boxes which have become expected this season. But the biggest, both in terms influence of sheer physical stature, remains Fellaini. And on Saturday the midfielder demonstrated the growing presence that is making him impossible to ignore for potential suitors. That profile prompted Warrior, kit providers for neighbours Liverpool, to approach Fellaini to publicise their debut foray into the football boot market – the Skreamer – which was given a first outing at Eastlands. Of course, it will not have gone unnoticed that none of the Belgian’s main contributions at the weekend were with his feet, Fellaini forcing the ball over the line with his knee for Everton’s opener and then adjudged to have dragged back Edin Dzeko for Carlos Tevez to equalise from the spot shortly afterwards. Fellaini now has eight goals for the season, only one fewer than his best Everton tally in 2009, and has scored against City, Manchester United and Arsenal. Such productivity didn’t prevent the 25-year-old reiterated before the match his reticence at operating in an advanced midfield role. Moyes, though, has another take.
“If he’d scored 10 this season we’d have been delighted with that,” admits the Goodison manager.
“We haven’t set him any target but he’s got a wee bit between his teeth at the moment, is enjoying scoring the goals and I think he’s actually enjoying playing the position he is in now. “There were maybe questions about it but I think now he’s realising I’m getting recognised for it now and that’s a big part for us.” While Fellaini was the most prominent, he wasn’t the only Everton player to catch the eye in a game from which a point was the very least the visitors merited. Moyes had attracted plentiful criticism, primarily from disgruntled Everton supporters, by parking the bus at City last season, a decision which nevertheless appeared to have paid dividends until a late Mario Balotelli-inspired period earned the hosts a 2-0 victory. The Everton manager always maintained it was a case of needs must. And with his team in a much stronger mental and physical state than last September, Saturday’s was a much more expressive, progressive performance, prompted by the solid base of Leon Osman and Darron Gibson in central midfield, overshadowing the more exalted Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry. Even in just two games back after almost three months on the sidelines, Gibson has already made a significant difference with his passing and willingness to provide a protective shield for the back four. The latter was required for a lengthy spell after half-time in which City cranked up the pressure. However, with Phil Jagielka providing an heroic final buffer, Tim Howard was rarely troubled. “I thought Jags was really good,” says Moyes. “He has been good all season in the main but in the last eight weeks in particular he’s been exceptional.
“I don’t know where he’s at – I think there are some great English centre halves, Terry, Ferdinand – but Jags has got something that not all of them have got. “He’s got great recovery, really good speed which sometimes goes unnoticed and he’ll throw himself in front of things. He’s a good all round defender.” Not that Everton were ever hanging on. Far from it. Having started the brighter, they deserved their 33rd-minute lead when, with Leighton Baines given time to shape a cross, the ball flicked off Vincent Kompany to Fellaini at the far post. The Belgian’s initial header was superbly saved by Joe Hart, but Fellaini was alert to force the rebound home with his knee. With Everton having been the last team to win at Eastlands in the league back in December 2010, and boasting such a good record against City, the home team and crowd feared the worst. But they were handed a lifeline 10 minutes later when, after Howard shovelled behind a shot from the hugely underwhelming Edin Dezko, from the resultant corner Fellaini dragged back the City striker and referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Yes, it was a soft penalty. And yes, it’s the kind of thing that happens often at set-pieces. But it was a foul, and Tevez kept his cool to convert. Hart produced another fine save to repel a back header from Fellaini on the stroke of half-time, but other than Howard beating out a drive from Maicon – or whoever it was masquerading as the former Brazil international – Everton kept City comfortably at arm’s length. And they almost snatched victory in the final minute when, having been upended by Pablo Zabaleta, the previously infuriating Nikica Jelavic curled a free-kick that Hart saved and was then relieved to see spin wide. With seven draws in their last nine games, Moyes will no doubt be mindful his team don’t become one that puts not getting beat ahead of winning in their pursuit of a top-four place. But Saturday was a point proven in more than one way for Everton.
MAN OF THE MATCH. Phil Jagielka. Ensured City were restricted in their opportunities, particularly in the period after half-time

MANCHESTER CITY 1 - EVERTON 1: CITY HAVE TO FIND TOP GEAR QUICKLY
Daily Express
Monday December 3,2012
By Richard Tanner
ATTEMPTING to work out whether Manchester City or neighbours United are in better shape ahead of Sunday’s derby is about as hard as trying to combat Marouane Fellaini. Fellaini, he of the big hair and big penalty box presence, completed a notable personal treble – his goal against City following strikes in his last two appearances against United. But while David Moyes was left satisfied with further evidence of Everton’s ability to mix it with both Manchester clubs, Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson have much to ponder ahead of the top-ofthe-table showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini is frustrated his strikers are not scoring more goals but happy that City have the more solid defence. Ferguson is exasperated at United’s defending but relieved he possesses a free-scoring attack that is constantly getting his team out of jail. City do not lose any games – they are unbeaten now in their last 21 Premier League fixtures – but United win more and hold a three-point advantage. He has got the bit between his teeth at the moment, is enjoying scoring the goals and enjoying playing the position he is in now Rarely this season have either of them put together compelling 90-minute performances, but they are clearly the two best teams in the country and, with the campaign not even at the halfway mark, they have already turned the championship into a two-horse race. When asked to assess City’s season so far, Mancini’s trusted right-hand man David Platt summed it up succinctly when he said “solid”. As he talked, United were proving anything but in a seven-goal first half at Reading. Platt argues that comparisons with last season’s blistering start are unfair because City’s results were freakish – 12 wins, two draws and an incredible 48 goals in their first 14 games. He said: “A lot of comparisons have been made with our form last season but the amount of goals we were scoring at the beginning was alien. I don’t think anyone was going to hit those heights on such a consistent basis. “Last season we lost for the first time in our 15th game at Chelsea. This season we are still unbeaten after 15. In many ways, it’s fair to say we haven’t hit top gear yet on a consistent basis but what we have been is solid. The reason we have gone so long unbeaten is that we are a good team.” One thing is for sure: no side – not even United – causes City more problems than Everton. Saturday’s well-merited point followed eight victories over City in the previous 10 encounters. Platt pointed out that it is not just City who have problems against Moyes’ welldrilled team. It is easy to forget that Everton wrecked United’s title bid with a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford last April and followed that up by beating them on the opening weekend in August.
A few days before holding City, they had the better of a draw against Arsenal. The common denominator in all those games is Fellaini, described in midweek as “unplayable” by Arsene Wenger.
Fellaini proved a handful – literally – in both penalty areas. He displayed his prowess in the air by putting Everton in front. His header from Leighton Baines’ cross was saved by Joe Hart but he reacted quickly to knock the loose ball over the line with his thigh. He was then left incredulous after being harshly penalised by referee Lee Probert for tugging Edin Dzeko’s shirt – the sort of incident that goes unpunished in games every weekend – and Carlos Tevez equalised from the spot.
Fellaini’s eighth goal of the season underlined he relishes the big occasion – three of his strikes have come against United, Arsenal and City. With over half the season left he only needs two more to get into double figures for the first time in his Everton career. Moyes said: “We haven’t set him any target but he has got the bit between his teeth at the moment, is enjoying scoring the goals and enjoying playing the position he is in now.” The biggest tribute that can be paid to Fellaini is that he would not look out of place for either Manchester club in Sunday’s derby.

MANCHESTER CITY 1 - EVERTON 1: ROBERTO MANCINI GIFT FOR SIR ALEX
Daily Star
3rd December 2012
By Jeremy Cross
FESTIVE cheer is the last thing you’d expect between warring Manchester rivals City and United, but it looks like Roberto Mancini is about to buck the trend. Mancini did his best Santa Claus impression at the Etihad Stadium when he failed to lead the Blues to all three points against a stubborn and well- organised Everton outfit. There were no such favours from United in return as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men duly came from behind to win at Reading and open up a three-point lead at the top. But it looks like the presents Mancini seems intent on giving out to his neighbours won’t stop there as the Italian enters one of the biggest weeks of his time in charge so far. Tomorrow the Blues travel to Germany to face Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund in the final Group D game in the Champions League. It is the last thing the Blues need, considering it comes just a few days before United visit for the mother of all derbies and a clash that promises to have a huge outcome on the destination of the title. Mancini’s men cannot even qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, even with a win in Dortmund. However, if he thought he could take the chance to rest some of his biggest and most influential stars then he can think again. Firstly, the Italian has a growing injury crisis that is leaving even his massive squad looking vulnerable, with James Milner, Micah Richards, Gael Clichy and now Aleksandar Kolarov all ruled out. Secondly, and much more importantly, the Blues’ owners in Abu Dhabi are desperate for the club to remain in Europe by securing a place in the Europa League. The problem is, however, that several of Mancini’s men look desperately in need of a rest, which is exactly what most of United’s leading lights will get from Fergie when his side entertain Cluj this week, having already reached the last 16 of the Champions League. Mancini’s men will trail United by six points should they surrender their long, unbeaten league record at home when Fergie’s men bob round on Sunday. The significance of the week ahead is not lost on Maicon, even if the demands of defending in English football might be at times.The Brazil star said: “We are playing for pride on Tuesday, but also for practical reasons because we want to carry on playing in Europe, even if it is not in the top competition.
“The Europa League is important to us, so we need to try to stay in Europe until the end of the season if we can. “All over the world, the derby is a different game to any other.
“It is a passionate game, whether you are in Manchester, Milan or Brazil, and I am sure next Sunday will be just the same.” Everton took the game to the hosts, dominating possession and putting the Blues defence under pressure before taking a deserved lead on 33 minutes through Marouane Fellaini. Fellaini, who was a giant throughout in more ways than one, bundled home Leighton Baines’ cross at the second attempt after Joe Hart had done well to block his initial header.
It was just a shame Fellaini blotted his copybook by pulling down Edin Dzeko to concede a needless penalty which Carlos Tevez duly converted just before half-time to haul his side level. Moyes was less than impressed with referee Lee Probert’s decision – not least because the official told him the foul had been given against Leon Osman. But he will be fuming even more this morning when he discovers the Blues have been awarded 21 penalties in the Premier League since the start of 2010 – more than any other top-flight team. Not for the first time in recent weeks, Mancini left the talking to assistant boss David Platt afterwards. “The fortunate thing is that it is a Tuesday night game in Dortmund and we’ve got an extra day to recover because the derby isn’t until Sunday,” said Platt.

“Four days is enough to recover. You don’t grumble about that. With everybody we have got on the treatment table we are not going to have much choice when it comes to resting people. “We haven’t got an advantage over United. They have already qualified and can pick any team they want, but between Tuesday and Sunday there’s plenty of time for us to recover.”

Manchester City 1 Everton 1: Stuart Brennan's match analysis
December 03, 2012
Manchester Evening News
The two Manchester teams should be heading into Sunday’s derby full of ferocious intent, and surging with confidence. But with United’s leaky defence springing more holes at Reading, and City stumbling to a draw against bogey team Everton, the meeting of the top two may be tense and fraught. The Blues would normally be sharpening their teeth and salivating at the sight of the Reds’ back line being ripped apart by one of the Premier League’s less fearsome strike forces. The problem was City had just put on a display of plodding mediocrity. They deserved the draw for a much brighter second half, but it would hardly strike fear into the hearts of any watching United scouts. Many column inches have been devoted to what has ‘gone wrong’ at City this season. It is a preposterous notion. The Blues remain the only unbeaten side in the top seven divisions of English football. They are unbeaten in their last 21 league games, just one more game away from equalling a club record. They have the best defensive record in the country, and in the Premier League only United have scored more goals. And yet they are clearly not the free-flowing, impenetrable team which destroyed all domestic opposition a year ago. Instead, in terms of performance, they look more like the team which fumbled its way towards Easter, losing its way in the title race before they re-discovered their mojo in spectacular style. That is why City fans should be encouraged by their team’s status. They ARE playing like champions, in that champions collect points even when they do not entirely deserve them. Saturday’s game was the kind the Blues would have lost before this season. Everton – in recent years – have become masters of forging ahead at the City of Manchester Stadium, and then maintaining that lead. They had won five of the previous six encounters between the two teams, notwithstanding the fact City have left them floundering in terms of squad development and league achievement. When Marouane Fellaini bundled the ball over the line 12 minutes before half-time, those fresh memories of the Toffees silencing the City fans, and then doggedly holding out against the inevitable siege, were awakened. Everton were the last team to win a league game at City, almost two years ago. The old City would have wrapped itself in doubt, and played with panic and frustration, probably conceding a second goal. The new City, imbued with the belief of being the best in England, found a way – even without truly finding their best form.
The equalising goal had a touch of fortune. Undoubtedly, Fellaini’s tug at Edin Dzeko’s shirt as they both manoeuvred to attack a City corner, was an offence. It also happened directly in the sight-line of referee Lee Probert, while other offences in the melee which passes for a corner kick these days, went unspotted and unpunished. The foul was nowhere near as clear-cut as David Luiz’s attempts to undress Vincent Kompany at Stamford Bridge six days earlier, or even as blatant as Ronnie Stam’s wrangling with Gareth Barry’s shirt at the DW Stadium on Wednesday. So, perhaps City had a decision coming, and it was Everton who happened to cop for it. Everton cannot argue Fellaini’s challenge was illegal, just that illegality is par for the course in the penalty box when corners are taken. David Moyes’ men can also barely argue that City did not deserve at least a point. They penned the visitors back in the second half and, despite hardly testing goalkeeper Tim Howard, did enough to warrant parity. The Champions League game at Borussia Dortmund is now almost an irritation in the build-up to Sunday’s derby, with few people seriously believing the noises emanating from the club about wanting to win to qualify for the Europa League. While the Reds are worried about the state of their defence, the Blues are puzzling over the bluntness of their attack in the last two games. Tevez was all the usual hustle and bustle, and despatched his penalty with ease, but he rarely troubled the well-organised and determined Everton back line. Dzeko put in his usual display from the start, entirely unconvincing, while substitutes Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli failed to set the match alight when they came on. It was noticeable that City’s stand-out performers were Gareth Barry, again controlled, clever and purposeful in midfield, the Rolls Royce-like Kompany, and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who made three excellent saves to deny Everton. That needs to change on Sunday. If the Blues keep the same defensive and midfield solidity, and the strikers can move up a gear, they will reclaim top spot in the table with a derby win.

Joe Hart: We will rule at home yet again
Manchester Evening News
December 03, 2012
Joe Hart believes City can keep their amazing unbeaten home run alive by seeing off United in Sunday’s derby. The Blues’ 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday means it is now 37 games since they have lost in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium. Although the Reds won 3-2 there in the FA Cup last season – a match which saw City reduced to 10 men following the first-half dismissal of skipper Vincent Kompany – the Blues beat their rivals 1-0 in the league match in April. Everton were the last team to beat City at home in the league in December 2010. Keeper Hart says it is crucial they continue their stunning home form against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. “It’s a great record – one we need to keep going, but with more wins than draws,” said Hart. “We move on to the derby now and we’ve obviously got Dortmund tomorrow. “We’ve got a tough one in Germany. We need to finish the Champions League group with a bit of pride. “Hopefully we’ll get a good result there and we’ll get into the derby. We’ll deal with that when it comes. “The game with Everton was a tough one. We wanted to win but we haven’t lost. “They are a good team, they work for each other. They have got some good players and a good manager, and all that added together makes them a tough team to play against.” Dortmund, meanwhile, prepared for tomorrow night’s game by drawing 1-1 with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Toni Kroos gave Bayern the lead in the 67th minute, but Mario Goetze equalised seven minutes later for third-placed Dortmund.

Manchester City are still the only team unbeaten in the league – but they must up their attacking game going into the derby
Mancheter Evening News
Stuart Brennan
December 03, 2012
The two Manchester teams should be heading into Sunday’s derby full of ferocious intent, and surging with confidence. But with United’s leaky defence springing more holes at Reading, and City stumbling to a draw against bogey team Everton, the meeting of the top two may be tense and fraught. The Blues would normally be sharpening their teeth and salivating at the sight of the Reds’ back line being ripped apart by one of the Premier League’s less fearsome strike forces. The problem was City had just put on a display of plodding mediocrity. They deserved the draw for a much brighter second half, but it would hardly strike fear into the hearts of any watching United scouts. Many column inches have been devoted to what has ‘gone wrong’ at City this season. It is a preposterous notion. The Blues remain the only unbeaten side in the top seven divisions of English football. They are unbeaten in their last 21 league games, just one more game away from equalling a club record. They have the best defensive record in the country, and in the Premier League only United have scored more goals. And yet they are clearly not the free-flowing, impenetrable team which destroyed all domestic opposition a year ago. Instead, in terms of performance, they look more like the team which fumbled its way towards Easter, losing its way in the title race before they re-discovered their mojo in spectacular style. That is why City fans should be encouraged by their team’s status. They ARE playing like champions, in that champions collect points even when they do not entirely deserve them. Saturday’s game was the kind the Blues would have lost before this season. Everton – in recent years – have become masters of forging ahead at the City of Manchester Stadium, and then maintaining that lead. They had won five of the previous six encounters between the two teams, notwithstanding the fact City have left them floundering in terms of squad development and league achievement. When Marouane Fellaini bundled the ball over the line 12 minutes before half-time, those fresh memories of the Toffees silencing the City fans, and then doggedly holding out against the inevitable siege, were awakened. Everton were the last team to win a league game at City, almost two years ago. The old City would have wrapped itself in doubt, and played with panic and frustration, probably conceding a second goal. The new City, imbued with the belief of being the best in England, found a way – even without truly finding their best form.
Maicon-manchester-city-will-be-kings-of-europe-one-day"> Maicon: Manchester City will be kings of Europe one day Derby can wait says Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart The equalising goal had a touch of fortune. Undoubtedly, Fellaini’s tug at Edin Dzeko’s shirt as they both manoeuvred to attack a City corner, was an offence. It also happened directly in the sight-line of referee Lee Probert, while other offences in the melee which passes for a corner kick these days, went unspotted and unpunished. The foul was nowhere near as clear-cut as David Luiz’s attempts to undress Vincent Kompany at Stamford Bridge six days earlier, or even as blatant as Ronnie Stam’s wrangling with Gareth Barry’s shirt at the DW Stadium on Wednesday. So, perhaps City had a decision coming, and it was Everton who happened to cop for it. Everton cannot argue Fellaini’s challenge was illegal, just that illegality is par for the course in the penalty box when corners are taken. David Moyes’ men can also barely argue that City did not deserve at least a point.
They penned the visitors back in the second half and, despite hardly testing goalkeeper Tim Howard, did enough to warrant parity. Tomorrow’s Champions League game at Borussia Dortmund is now almost an irritation in the build-up to Sunday’s derby, with few people seriously believing the noises emanating from the club about wanting to win to qualify for the Europa League. While the Reds are worried about the state of their defence, the Blues are puzzling over the bluntness of their attack in the last two games. Tevez was all the usual hustle and bustle, and despatched his penalty with ease, but he rarely troubled the well-organised and determined Everton back line. Dzeko put in his usual display from the start, entirely unconvincing, while substitutes Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli failed to set the match alight when they came on. It was noticeable that City’s stand-out performers were Gareth Barry, again controlled, clever and purposeful in midfield, the Rolls Royce-like Kompany, and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who made three excellent saves to deny Everton. That needs to change on Sunday. If the Blues keep the same defensive and midfield solidity, and the strikers can move up a gear, they will reclaim top spot in the table with a derby win.

Norwich City Under-18s 0, Everton Under-18s 3
Monday, December 3, 2012
Eastern Daily Press
The young Canaries were beaten at home once again in the FA Premier Academy League, as the focus now switches to Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup third round tie against Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road. With some scholars rested or away with the under-21s, City were unable to break down a stubborn Everton defence at Colney. After Gethin Jones gave Everton an early lead, they sealed the win with a second half brace from Callum Dyson. The Canaries threatened with Cameron Norman and Rian Carroll having efforts, but the visitors held on for what was a well-deserved victory. Jones headed a right wing corner past City ‘keeper Joe Gill in the 14th minute to put Everton ahead. Dyson’s first-time finish from Ben McLaughlin’s cross doubled the visitors’ lead on 62 minutes. Everton put the result beyond any doubt in the 77th minute when Dyson grabbed a second, nipping in at the far post to make sure Harry Charsley’s shot found the back of the net.
John Ruddy: City star's Christmas City coach Neil Adams told the club’s official website: “I was pleased with some of the individual performances from the lads, but I can have no complaints about the result. “I thought Everton had more desire than us today, which is a little bit disappointing, because I think that leads to quality football.”
• Norwich City Under-18: Gill, Carroll, Grant, Hayden, Fox, Lokko, Norman, Young, Saint Louis (Peacock 55), Sarmento (Sweeney 74), Browne. Subs (not used): Wyatt, Oxborough, Hodd.
• Everton Under-18: Griffiths, Duffus, Johns, Kenny, Langton, Molyneux, Jones, Williams, Wring, Charsley, Dyson. Subs: McLaughlin, Thornley, Newell, Davies, Connolly.

More of the same: Everton chase another Belgian in winger Nacer Chadli
3 Dec 2012 12:19
Daily Mirror
The £7m rated Twente winger could join pals Fellaini and Mirallas at Goodison Park
Everton chief David Moyes is on the trail of a THIRD Belgian – with exciting Twente star Nacer Chadli in his sights, writes the Sunday People. Toffees scouts have visited Holland to watch the winger, who could join compatriots Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas at Goodison Park. Chadli is a close friend of Fellaini, who also has Moroccan roots – with the Twente star playing for his birth country before swapping allegiances. But Moyes may only be able to move for Chadli if Fellaini is sold to Chelsea, or another admirer. Twente are flying high in the Dutch league and their English boss Steve McClaren will want £7million for his prized asset. Meanwhile, Craig Gordon is set to join Everton. The injury-plagued 29-year-old goalkeeper, Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper, was released last year by Sunderland who paid Hearts £9million for him. Roy Keane, the Black Cats boss at the time, said then that the Scotland international was “untouchable”.

Moyesy neighbours: Mancini must be sick of the sight of Everton
3 Dec 2012 22:32
Daily Mirror
Bobby Manc probably can't wait to move on to clash with Fergie, after his long-time bogeyman David Moyes gets another result off him Speechless: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini can't find an answer to David Moyes It will come as something of a relief for Roberto Mancini to see Sir Alex Ferguson in the opposing dug-out at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. For while Mancini would appear to have the measure of Ferguson, having done the double over Manchester United last season, Everton boss David Moyes remains the City ¬manager’s nemesis. In seven meetings with Moyes, Mancini has won just once, compelling proof Everton remain City’s toughest ¬opponents, more so than title rivals United. So after the 1-1 at the Etihad, Mancini will be glad to see the back of Moyes and Everton, at least until mid-March, by which stage City’s chances of a successful title defence should be a lot clearer. This has been a curious season for City. They remain the only team still unbeaten in the Premier League and sit second in the table, just three points behind United. Yet Champions League elimination at the group stage for the second season running, combined with a failure to match their explosive start to last term, has led to a peculiar sense of disenchantment around the club. It was evident in City fans booing Mancini’s ¬decision to take Carlos Tevez off with 22 minutes left. Yet there is nothing like a derby to spark a club’s season into life and Mancini’s men know victory over United can strike a potentially significant ¬psychological blow in what is looking increasingly like another all-Manchester title race. City defender Maicon, who played in derbies in his native Brazil, as well as in Italy, knows from personal experience how victory in such encounters can change the course of a season. “All over the world, the derby is a different game to any other,” he said. “It’s a passionate game, whether you’re in Manchester, Milan or Brazil, and I’m sure Sunday will be just the same. “I played for Cruzeiro against Atletico Mineiro, at a time when Mineiro were the better team. We won and it changed our whole season for the better. “This is something built into derbies – it can give the team a boost of confidence for the rest of the season.” The one consolation for City, given their own inconsistencies this season, is United are finding it equally hard to develop any kind of form, despite winning a seven-goal thriller at Reading. First-team coach David Platt acknowledged City had failed to hit the heights of last season, but claimed it was unrealistic to expect them to do so. At this stage last term, they had scored 49 goals and conceded 15 to open a five-point lead over United. This time around they have scored 28, conceded 11 and trail United. But despite another ¬disappointing draw, City’s sixth in the league this campaign, Platt said: “A lot of comparisons have been made with our form last season and this time around. “But the amount of goals we were scoring last season was alien. I don’t think anyone was going to hit those heights on such a consistent basis. “We’re unbeaten after 15 games, but last season we lost our 15th game at Chelsea. “In many ways, we haven’t hit top gear yet on such a consistent basis, but we’ve been solid.” Marouane Fellaini gave Everton the lead on 33 minutes, turning the ball in from close-range after Joe Hart had produced a fine save to keep out his initial header. City equalised two minutes before the break with a soft penalty, converted by Tevez, given after Fellaini was ruled to have fouled Edin Dzeko.
Moyes v Mancini
Saturday: Man City 1-1 Everton
Jan 31, 2012: Everton 1-0 Man City
Sep 24, 2011: Man City 2-0 Everton
May 7, 2011: Everton 2-1 Man City
Dec 20, 2010: Man City 1-2 Everton
Mar 24, 2010: Man City 0-2 Everton
Jan 16, 2010: Everton 2-0 Man City

Manchester City 1 Everton 1
The Sun
December 3 2012
By Neil Curtus
ROBERTO MANCINI will have shared a post-match drink with David Moyes and then bid him good riddance. The pair have now met seven times and Mancini has won just once, losing five and drawing this one. No other manager has caused him so many problems since he came to England to kick-start the Manchester City revolution. Two years ago they denied the club Christmas No 1 spot for the first time in 81 years. That 2-1 defeat on December 20, 2010 was the last time City lost at the Etihad. Which shows you just how good Everton are when the odds are against them.
Mancini — roundly booed midway through the second half when he withdrew the influential Carlos Tevez — had called it right on Friday when he praised the strength of Moyes’ side. He pointed out how all the big clubs have trouble with them. In fact, every club. Moyes has targeted fourth place this season for his side and Mancini believes they can do it. The only frustration for the Everton boss must be that eight of their 15 games this season have ended in stalemate. Mancini will rue these dropped points, too. Still they remain the only unbeaten team in all four divisions. Indeed, going back to last season, that is 21 league games without defeat. But it is four points dropped at home now, twice as many as last season and a sixth draw from their 15 league games. In a title battle that promises to be as tight again, Mancini will want to stop those points leaking away.
After the goalless draw against Chelsea a fortnight ago Mancini had a go at his misfiring strikers.
He could quite easily have done the same again yesterday. Despite using all four at different stages they were largely shackled. After a sorry first half hour yesterday it was Everton who took the lead through the brilliant Marouane Fellaini with his eighth league goal this season After Arsenal’s draw at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, Arsene Wenger told Moyes that he found his Belgian ace unplayable when he is on top form. He was not quite that yesterday but certainly kept the City back four busy and did well for his goal. Leighton Baines put the far-post cross in from the left and Pablo Zabaleta completely lost his man. That allowed Fellaini a free header which was met by a fine save from Joe Hart. The ball came straight back out and Fellaini was ready for it, reacting quicker than Zabaleta to prod home. City were woken from their slumber and responded immediately.
A cross from Samir Nasri was met by a Tevez flick header which Tim Howard saved well at full stretch low down just inside the far post. Nasri was the supplier again when Gareth Barry chested the ball off to Edin Dzeko, whose volley was well saved. From the resulting corner came the penalty incident that lead to the equaliser. Nasri swung the ball in and Fellaini pulled Edin Dzeko back. Contact might have seemed minimal and it was a soft penalty — but it was still a penalty.
Up stepped Tevez to fire down the middle for his seventh goal of the season. Everton’s heads never drop, though, and in first-half injury time they almost had the lead back. A cross from Steven Pienaar was met by Fellaini’s header and Hart had to dive full length to stop it. The half ended with David Silva and Mancini shouting and gesticulating at each other over how the chance had come about. City went about getting a winner straight from the restart but they were struggling to carve out any clear-cut opportunities. Edin Dzeko claims he does not want to be known as a supersub. But the problem is when he starts games he just does not do it. Yesterday, when Mancini decided to bring off Tevez for Sergio Aguero instead of him, the boos rang round. “I have my reason for this, I am not stupid,” said Mancini after the game. When Dzeko went off in the 81st minute for Mario Balotelli the response from the crowd was one of relief. But not even Aguero and Balotelli could change things round for City. Indeed, Everton came close to snatching it a minute from time when Nikica Jelavic’s curling free-kick was bundled round the post unconvincingly by Hart.
Next up for City here is the derby. Another performance like this and that unbeaten home record could be over.
DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — JAGIELKA (EVERTON)
MAN CITY: Hart 7, Maicon 6, Kompany 7, Lescott 6, Kolarov 5 (Zabaleta 7), Y Toure 6, Barry 6, Silva 6, Tevez 6 (Aguero 5), Nasri 7, Dzeko 5 (Balotelli 5). Subs not used: Pantilimon, Javi Garcia, Sinclair, K Toure. Booked: Lescott, Zabaleta.
EVERTON: Howard 6, Hibbert 6, Jagielka 8, Distin 7, Baines 7, Gibson 6, Osman 7, Naismith 6 (Oviedo 5), Fellaini 8, Pienaar 6, Jelavic 6 (Heitinga 5). Subs not used: Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios. Booked: Fellaini.
REF: L Probert 5

Everton FC must wait to discover FA Cup opponents
by Tom Evans, Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
EVERTON must wait until next week to find out their FA Cup third round opponents after Conference side Hereford earned a draw at League Two Cheltenham. Striker Shaun Harrad gave the home side the lead after 15 minutes, but the Bulls charged back courtesy of Josh O’Keefe four minutes later.

Sylvain Distin says recent spell out of Everton FC team reinvigorated his hunger to carry on playing.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
SYLVAIN DISTIN says his recent spell out of the Everton team reinvigorated his hunger to carry on playing. The French defender turns 35 this month but insists he has no intention of hanging up his boots anytime soon. Distin lost his place in David Moyes’ side last month, and had to be content with a place on the bench for three weeks, sitting out matches against Sunderland and Reading.
But he has impressed since his recall to the starting line-up, helping the Blues to solid defensive displays against Arsenal and Manchester City. He said: “I’m working hard every day not to be on the bench, but we have four great centre-backs. “We have an England international (Jagielka), a Dutch international who played in the final of the World Cup (Heitinga) and then you have me and (Shane) Duffy. “It’s tough competition but it is healthy competition. We enjoy playing with each other and there is no tension between us. “This can only make us better and we know that we have to perform week in and week out, otherwise there will be another two players who will be picked. “Being on the bench, I didn’t like it and I think it’s my longest spell on the bench since I started football. “So, if you ask me, I did hate it. But I did try to take the positives out of it and it made me realise that I’m not ready to stop at all. I’m not ready to be on the bench, and that’s a good thing.” Distin was in upbeat mood following the 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. I know a lot of people will moan at us for not winning games but they have to remember where we were at this time last season,” he added. “We haven’t conceded many goals, we are scoring more and we are sitting in a comfortable position. “I was asked before Arsenal about whether we have a point to prove. We don’t because we prove a point every week. “People have to be realistic. “Some people might think I’m being pessimistic but I’m not – I want to win every single game and I want to play in the Champions League, who doesn’t? “But we have to realise that at the moment we are doing really well.”

Marouane Fellaini is too clever to leave Everton FC in January, insists Steven Pienaar
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
MAROUANE FELLAINI is too clever to leave The Belgian midfielder’s future has been the subject of speculation as the new year transfer window approaches, with David Moyes bracing himself for interest in the club’s top scorer. However Pienaar believes the 25-year-old, who notched his eighth goal of the season during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, will be smart enough not to depart Goodison at a pivotal point of his career on Merseyside when he is playing better than ever. He said: “He’s enjoying his game at the moment so I don’t think he’ll want to disturb that progress. He’s clever enough not to go. “I don’t think he will go in January. I’m sure the manager will keep hold of him. “There’s a lot of speculation about but he’s still contracted to the club, and if we keep going like this we know it might still be hard to keep hold of him in the future – but who knows? He’s been very important to us these last few weeks.”
Fellaini has already confirmed he is happy to remain at Everton if the Blues can qualify for the Champions League next season.
Player Stats — Marouane Fellaini
Games Played 13
Minutes Played 1,165
Starts 13
Interceptions 9
Substitution On 0
Substitution Off 2
Duels Won 44.4%
Aerial duels won 52.5%
“If Everton finish in the top four then I’m happy to stay because I want to play in the Champions League,” said the former Standard Liege player last month. “I’d be happy to do that at Everton. I want to do that.” It is a situation Pienaar, 30, can relate to. He left Everton when he completed a £3m switch to this Saturday’s opponents Tottenham in January 2011 to further his ambition of playing in the Champions League. Pienaar struggled to break into Harry Redknapp’s first-team line-up at White Hart Lane ahead of Gareth Bale, and rejoined the Blues permanently for £4.5m last summer after returning on loan in January. Subsequently the former South Africa captain maintains he would not criticise £30m-rated Fellaini if he eventually chose to call time on his four-and-a-half year Everton spell. “He’s a grown man and everyone makes his own decisions,” he added. “You have to make decisions that have risks in life. “If you’re scared to get out of bed and take a risk, you’re not enjoying life. I think if the opportunity comes for him eventually and he takes it we’ll wish him all the best but I definitely don’t think it’ll be in January.” Pienaar also believes the spirit in Everton’s camp remains one of the club’s biggest strengths, and said it will help another of Moyes’ key-men, striker Nikica Jelavic, recapture his best form. “We all have our off days. He just needs to keep going,” he said. “The world changes. We’re in a job when we get opportunities to get things right. Against Arsenal he had a fantastic game and kept the two centre halves busy. All credit to him after the week when he was sick and didn’t train. He showed up and put in a shift. “He’s a popular guy in the dressing room and the way things are going we’re a very healthy team. We make eachother smile and encourage eachother, which is important.”

Ian Snodin: Darron Gibson showed why he’s been so missed for Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
EVERTON FC have missed Darron Gibson more than some people perhaps realised.
They have been crying out for his calming presence in midfield for weeks, and now he’s back I feel the team looks far more solid. He was superb against City, and probably enjoyed it particularly with his United background. You can tell Darron is a very popular figure in the Everton dressing room, because he is the type of player you like alongside you. He’s not the type to bawl and shout during games, he is unfussy and just gets on with his job. That’s not to suggest there isn’t real ability behind his quiet efficiency – in fact he’s a very classy ball-player and when he gets a chance I think we’re going to see more goals from him particularly from the edge of the area or even further out because he has a lovely ability to strike a ball powerfully. I just hope he now manages to stay fit and injury-free for the rest of the season and if he does Everton will certainly benefit from it.

Ian Snodin: Etihad penalty against Everton FC was harsh but correct
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
IT WAS typical rotten luck for Everton FC that ref Lee Probert decided to give a penalty against Marouane Fellaini at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. That’s not because it wasn’t a spot-kick – I’ve watched it several times and technically I understand why the ref gave it. But it just seems that if that is how the rules are going to be applied there will now be a several penalties in every Premier League game every weekend for the rest of the season. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t have been calling for a penalty if Edin Dzeko had pulled Fellaini down in the opposite box, but I would never have dreamed it would be given. Every game you see defends and strikers not looking at the ball, as they pull each other’s shirts, block their runs and grapple as a corner is taken. This was two very tall players with similar builds just jostling but crucially Dzeko timed his theatrical tumble just right for the ref to see it and make his mind up. I don’t think he gave it especially because it was Manchester City – but I do think it was very unlucky for the Blues and it’s coming on the back of a series of poor decisions from officials in recent weeks which must have David Moyes tearing his hair out.

Ian Snodin: Roberto Mancini should know better than cheap digs at Everton FC
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 4 2012
ROBERTO Mancini was being pretty ungracious to say the least when he declared that Everton FC treat a game against Manchester City as if it was the Champions League final. Mancini needs to be a bit more respectful and a bit more self-aware when talking about the two teams. After all the Italian has had the pick of Europe when it comes to players and money has been no object for him during his time in charge, so to have a little indignant pop at Everton like that doesn’t reflect too well on him. Not only that – I think he’s wrong. While it’s true that players like to test themselves against the best, and City as current Premier League champions are that – I don’t think David Moyes would prepare for a game at the Etihad any different than he would any other game. Mancini might have blamed himself after City were beaten at Goodison last season saying he didn’t prepare properly, but you’ll never be able to accuse Moyes of that. He will go through the same meticulous approach for a trip to Manchester as he will Hereford or Cheltenham in the FA Cup, and he won’t let his players treat them differently either. Everton played well on Saturday and dominated the early stages, so maybe Mancini was trying to deflect from that. The Blues are a really good side and Mancini will have been grateful to have got a point when it comes down to it because he could easily have come away from that game with his side’s unbeaten record at home over and nothing else to show for it. From Everton’s point of view it was a positive afternoon. They’ve had some pretty galling draws lately against Norwich and Fulham but this was definitely a good point. Not many teams go there and get a result so Everton should take a lot of heart from the way they played in the first half. The Blues scored first and silenced the crowd, and they arguably played the much more convincing football before the half time and the set-back of a “soft” penalty to pinch Phil Jagielka’s rather apt description. It certainly puts the squad in high spirits ahead of the game against Spurs on Sunday and reminds everyone that Everton are capable of being in the mix for the top four places.They were more than a match for Arsenal, dealt with what City could throw at them and let’s not forget the way they turned over Manchester United. Roll on Sunday!

Sylvain Distin eager to extend Everton FC career after bench spell
By Ian Doyle
Dec 4 2012
SYLVAIN DISTIN admits his recent spell on the bench has made him more determined than ever to extend his Everton career. Distin, who turns 35 next month, is in the final year of his present contract with Goodison manager David Moyes keen to offer the centre-back a new deal.
The veteran Frenchman was nevertheless demoted to a substitute role for last month’s Premier League games against Sunderland and Reading before winning back his place. And the defender believes the experience on the sidelines has convinced him he is not ready to even consider hanging up his boots. “I’m working hard every day not to be on the bench, but we have four great centre-backs,” said Distin. “We have an England international (Phil Jagielka), a Dutch international who played in the final of the World Cup (John Heitinga) and then you have me and (Shane) Duffy.
“It’s tough competition but it is healthy competition. We enjoy playing with each other and there is no tension between us. “This can only make us better and we know that we have to perform week in week out, otherwise there will be another two players who will be picked. “Being on the bench, I didn’t like it and I think it’s my longest spell on the bench since I started football. “So, if you ask me, I did hate it. But I did try to take the positives out of it and it made me realise that I’m not ready to stop at all. I’m not ready to be on the bench, and that’s a good thing.” Distin impressed in helping Everton earn a deserved 1-1 draw at his former club Manchester City on Saturday. It was a seventh stalemate in nine games for Moyes’s men, prompting them to slide to sixth in the Premier League table. Everton, though, are six points better off than at this stage last season and can surpass fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with victory when the teams meet at Goodison this Sunday.
And Distin added: “I know a lot of people will moan at us for not winning games but they have to remember where we were at this time last season. “We haven’t conceded many goals, we are scoring more and we are sitting in a comfortable position. “I was asked before Arsenal about whether we have a point to prove. We don’t because we prove a point every week.
“People have to be realistic. Some people might think I’m being pessimistic but I’m not – I want to win every single game and I want to play in the Champions League, who doesn’t? “But we have to realise that at the moment we are doing really well.”

Everton FC youth academy awarded elite status
By David Prentice
Dec 4 2012
EVERTON FC'S highly regarded Youth Academy has been awarded elite status by the Premier League.
The Blues' Category One status is worth a minimum £775,000 per year in funding from the Premier League's youth development pot. The Blues have been granted a licence to operate a Category One academy for the next three years by the Professional Game Board Youth Group under the new youth development system, Elite Player Performance Plan, being introduced in England. Twelve clubs applying for Category One status have been inspected so far. Champions Manchester City, European champions Chelsea and Manchester United were the first clubs to achieve Category One status. Now they have been joined by the Blues. But Newcastle, Blackburn and Crystal Palace have all missed out on the top grading. All 92 Premier and Football League clubs are to have their Academies audited by an organisation which fulfils a similar role in Germany. Academies are rated on four criteria: Productivity minimum £775,000 per year in Premier League funding from the youth development pot. Category Two clubs receive a minimum £480,000, Category Three £210,000 and Category Four £100,000 The Everton Academy underwent a stringent independent audit this autumn. Everton Academy rate Coaching provisions Quality of facilities Education and welfare provisions. Under the funding mechanism for the new plan, each Category One club is projected to receive a Manager, Alan Irvine, is delighted by the Premier League's decision. “When we try to attract players to the club, we are delighted to be able to say that we have Category One status,” he explained. “We are one of the leading academies in the country and on top of that there is a pathway to the first team. That is a very important selling point for us because everyone can see the opportunities that talented young players are given here. “Over the years we have had a lot of young players come through and been given a chance and that is not always the case at the big Premier League clubs. We wouldn’t like that to be undermined by the fact that we weren’t Category One. “There’s no doubt that this is about certainly no reason why players can’t break through in other categories of academy, but we want our players playing against the best. We want to have increased access to players. We what you are able to do to help the players make the progression into the first team. There is want to have the freedom to recruit nationally if we choose to do so. So being a Category One academy is essential.” Twenty-three clubs, 17 from last season's top flight and six from The Championship, applied for the very top status. Twelve clubs have been inspected so far. Irvine continued: “We won’t take it for granted. We won’t assume we’ll produce players just because we are a Category One academy. That will still require a lot of hard work, and still be a very difficult job. But the biggest thing, as I say, is being able to have the opportunity
to let the players see the pathway to get through to first-team football if they are good enough. "I am delighted that we have that pathway.”

Television encounters for Everton FC
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
EVERTON will face Manchester United in front of the Sky television cameras for a second time this season. The Blues trip at Old Trafford has been moved to Sunday, February 10 and will kick-off at 4pm. When the two sides clashed on the opening weekend of the season, the Sky cameras broadcast the fixture live from Goodison Park as David Moyes’ men won 1-0. Meanwhile, the Blues FA Cup third round tie will take place on Monday, January 7 and will be shown live on ESPN. Everton are still waiting to find out if they are to travel to Cheltenham Town or Hereford Town but know the game will kick-off at 7.45pm.

Signing sessions from Everton FC legends Neville Southall and Bob Latchford
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
NEVILLE SOUTHALL will be helping raise money for Everton in the Community when he signs copies of his acclaimed autobiography, Neville Southall: The Binman Chronicles, before Everton’s match against Tottenham in St Luke’s Church on Sunday afternoon. Profits from the signing in the iconic church on the corner of Goodison Park will be donated to Everton in the Community. Copies of the book will be sold on the day and Southall will be signing copies from 1.30pm onwards.
In addition to this event, James Corbett will be signing copies of his new title the
Everton Encyclopedia, accompanied by Everton Legend Bob Latchford on Saturday afternoon at Everton Two, Liverpool One from 4.00pm onwards.
Arrive early to both to avoid disappointment.
More deCoubertin Books’ events this week
Neville Southall, Waterstones Southport, Thursday 18:00-19:00
Neville Southall, Waddleworths, St Helens, Saturday 11:00-12:00
Neville Southall, Waterstones Bold Street, Saturday 14:00-15:00
Bob Latchford, James Corbett, Everton Two, Saturday 16:00-17:30
Neville Southall, St Lukes Church, Goodison Road, Sunday, 13:00-14:30

Everton FC’s Steven Pienaar urged to make South Africa return
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
STEVEN PIENAAR has been urged to reconsider his international retirement – after being labelled ‘selfish’ and ‘egotistical’ for quitting South Africa. The Everton play-maker announced his decision to step down from national football in October, saying trying to balance club and country football was proving too difficult. Pienaar’s decision to stop playing for South Africa means he will miss the Africa Cup of Nations in his home country in January. Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, chairman of the Local Organising Committee, pleaded with Pienaar to change his mind after launching a stinging criticism of the 30-year-old, who used to captain his country. “I would say to [Steven Pienaar], he must remember that he came from the ghettos in South Africa and he became a national player because the South African FA identified him and developed him to be where he was,” said Nonkonyana. “He would not have gone to England unless he had some international caps. "I hope he is listening to me. My plea is for him to reconsider and join the national team.” Of the decision of Pienaar – and Ghana’s Michael Essien who has been asked to be excused from the tournament – he added: “It cannot be right for any player produced [in Africa] to say I prefer my club “That is selfishness in my view; it is very egotistical. It is time to instil in every player national pride.” He went onto say: "It is time now for players to be proud of their own nations. The gentlemen we are talking about, they are megastars now as a direct result of the contribution of their national associations," he said. "For them to disclaim their own national associations, their own country, it is something we cannot smile about. It is a pity they have decided that way.”

We can match the best insists Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
DAVID MOYES remains unsure if Everton FC have the strength in depth to sustain a challenge for Champions League qualification, but performances against Arsenal and Manchester City have shown him the Blues can match the best in the division. Saturdays well-deserved 1-1 draw with reigning champions Manchester City came just three days after the Blues superiority was not rewarded with a win against Arsene Wengers side. Moyes felt that with a full complement of attacking options, Everton may even have been strong enough to have taken maximum points in both of those games, but the manager was nevertheless satisfied to have picked up draws with Arsenal a team who have enjoyed 15 years of successive Champions League football and City, a team with designs on becoming a real force in Europes top club competition. But the Everton boss knows that although points against the leading sides are welcome, his side must cut out being pegged back from winning positions as they have done at times this season. I think thats the way we have been playing, we wanted to go and try and make a challenge, said Moyes. I think the game against Arsenal as much as this one against Manchester City shows we can have a go. Whether well ever have enough to be right amongst those teams when it comes to it (I dont know) but were not a million miles off them on a Saturday, so we can be quite close to them. We should have had more points. Its not been Saturdays point or the point against Arsenal, its a couple of games before that where weve let winning positions slip to draw them. Its very rare its been coming back from a losing position to draw, its winning positions weve let slip. Although the talk is of Everton strengthening the squad in January, the form and fitness of those currently at the club is of greater importance.
Defender Phil Jagielka, who captained the side at the weekend in the absence of Phil Neville, has been in excellent form so far this season and Moyes believes the former Sheffield United man has qualities other English centre-halves do not have. He has been good all season in the main but in the last eight weeks in particular hes been exceptional, said the Everton manager. I dont know where hes at I think there are some great English centre halves, Terry, Ferdinand but Jags has got something that not all of them have got. Hes got great recovery, really good speed which sometimes goes unnoticed and hell throw himself in front of things, I think he did that with a Dzeko shot in the second half on Saturday. Hes a good all round defender.

Jagielka backing Nikica Jelavic to rediscover Everton FC scoring touch Phil
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
PHIL JAGIELKA has warned that when Nikica Jelavic rediscovers his goal scoring touch then Everton FC will be a force to be reckoned with. Jelavic has found the net just once in the last eight league games with Marouane Fellaini leading the way for the Blues this season with eight goals.
But Jagielka is unconcerned by the Croatian striker’s difficult run and believes it is only a matter of time before the 27-year-old is back in the type of form which saw him plunder 11 goals after joining the club from Rangers in January.
Player Stats — Victor Anichebe
Games Played 6
Minutes Played228
Starts 2
Interceptions 0
Substitution On 4
Substitution Off 1
Duels Won 41.5%
Aerial duels won 50%
Such dips are normal says Jagielka, who uses the example of how a pair of Newcastle United strikers have continued to share the scoring burden at St James’ Park over the last year. And the Blues stand-in captain believes that when Jelavic is back amongst the goals then it will give Everton’s bid to qualify for the Champions League a major shot in the arm. “Everything was working for him when he came and now the person who is playing up front with him – Felli – everything is coming off for him,” said Jagielka. “Look up at Newcastle, Demba Ba was on fire then Papiss Cisse came and Ba didn’t score. This season it is the opposite way round, that is the way cycles go. “We’d love to have both Felli and Jela firing on all cylinders but it’s not like Jela is getting into four or five good positions and missing easy chances every game. “It is just not breaking for him. “He knows we’re supporting him and he’ll get frustrated on the days it doesn’t happen but we know he’ll come good. And, at the moment we’re doing ok without his goals so when he does hit the ground running again he’ll make us even stronger.” And having backed Jelavic to return to his best, Jagielka believes he is still working towards what he considers his most pleasing period at Everton. “I had a little spell before I got injured when I was younger, which I would put up their with my best periods of form,” said Jagielka. “I was playing alongside Jo (Joleon Lescott) and we were getting through to the FA Cup final and that season was where I felt most confident. “I feel like I’m getting back to being there.”
Jagielka has suffered two knee injuries in his Goodison career and just hopes to remain fit and healthy. “My knees have been feeling better than they have been for a while and so I do feel in a good state of mind everytime I go into a game, touch wood,” he added. “It has only been 15 games so once we get through Christmas and the New Year and if my form is still up there then I will be able to look at it better.” Jagielka was speaking at EA Sports’ Need for Speed challenge event, held at Finch Farm yesterday.

Stan Osborne’s tale of trying to make the grade at Everton in the 70s
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Dec 5 2012
HE was a young Everton footballer during a campaign which has gone down in Goodison folklore.
He was at Bellefield every day, was in the dressing room the night the league title was clinched and was personally presented with a pair of white Hummel boots by Alan Ball. Yet the name Stan Osborne doesn’t feature in any of the autobiographies, encyclopaedias or annuals chronicling Everton’s stunning League title success of 1969/70. Stan was an Everton apprentice, a starry-eyed youngster who dreamed of emulating heroes like Colin Harvey, Howard Kendall and Alan Ball, a Kirkby schoolkid – and a teenager who realised an ambition of pulling on a Royal Blue jersey. It’s a side of seventies football which has gone largely unrecorded, until now. In “Making The Grade” Stan has charted the “Upstairs, Downstairs” life of an apprentice footballer. And it’s a colourful account. There are fights, cruel injuries, ecstatic highs and crushing lows, plus Kirkby’s first sighting of the exotic fruit hitherto known as an avocado pear. There’s also eye-watering intimacy with a Christmas turkey which makes Jim’s apple pie scene in the Hollywood blockbuster ‘American Pie’ look tame!But it’s Stan’s day-to-day dealings with some of the giants of Everton Football Club which offer a fresh and unique insight into their characters. Some, like the much loved Brian Labone, have their already considerable reputations enhanced. Stan was one of the apprentices charged with clearing and cleaning the home dressing room after Everton had clinched the 1969/70 league title against West Bromwich Albion. He recalls the occasion vividly, not least for an act of kindness by the man dubbed the Last of the Corinthians. Stan writes: “It was then that Brian Labone made a small but very important gesture. “Dressed in his immaculate suit and matching club tie, he trawled around the dressing room picking up each champagne bottle he could find and gauged the contents of each one, putting any that weren’t empty near his place. “One of the players challenged him saying: ‘Hey Labby, you’re not thinking of having that lot for yourself, are you?’ Brian smiled and replied: ‘Don’t worry, there’s plenty left for you.’ “He then pointed to the assembled apprentices and said ‘These lads haven’t had a chance to celebrate yet. Get yourselves over here and have a drink.’ “He then proceeded to pour every one of us a glass of champagne and insisted that everyone in the room joined us in a toast to Everton Football Club. “I was the last one to receieve my drink, which coincidentally was the last one from the bottle. Brian handed me the empty champagne bottle and said: ‘Keep hold of that and every time you look at it remember tonight and remember just how special Everton Football Club is.’ “Delighted with my gift from the club captain I borrowed a pen and went around the dressing room asking the players, Mr Catterick and Wilf Dixon to autograph the label to make it a treasured memento from a unique night in the club’s history. “Brian Labone’s gesture to me and my fellow apprentices meant a great deal to us. Having spent the entire season doing the unglamorous behind the scenes jobs, it meant a lot to everyone to be acknowledged in that way and spoke volumes about the kind of person he was.” There are other anecdotes, not all as reputation-enhancing in an evocative trip down Memory Lane. Making The Grade by Stan Osborne abailable for £9.99 on www.legends publishing.net/efc, at the club Shop from next week, on iTunes and Pritchards Book Shop, Crosby.

Blue Boys: Southampton and AFC Liverpool up next before Christmas break
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
A TRIP TO Southampton in the FA Youth Cup and a testing clash with AFC Liverpool in the Liverpool Senior Cup await Everton U18s before their Christmas break.The young Blues must travel to the South Coast to face the Saints on Monday, December 10, before hosting AFC Liverpool on December 18.“They will both be tough games,” said Kevin Sheedy. “We want to progress in the FA Youth Cup and do well in that competition and the Senior Cup is always a stern test.”

Blue Boys: Everton U-18s finish first phase of league competition on a high
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
EVERTON U18s ensured they will compete against the best in the country next year by clinching a third place finish in the first stage of their league campaign.Kevin Sheedy’s side beat Norwich City 3-0 at Finch Farm on Saturday to make the grade, meaning they will face the clubs that also finished in the top three of the other two Barclays U18 Premier League groups.Goals from Wales youth international Gethin Jones and a brace from Callum Dyson put the Canaries to the sword in a game they dominated.Sheedy said: “It was a good performance and now we will be where we want to be when the competition moves into its second phase in the new year.“Obviously we wanted to finish first but we were playing catch-up after losing our first three games to make it difficult for ourselves.“In our last eight games we have only lost once so it shows how far we’ve come, and we have been difficult to beat.“Full credit to the players they have stuck at it and it’s good that they can continue testing themselves against the best sides now.“It will mean a lot more travelling to away fixtures in the new year which is a useful experience for the lads and stands them in good stead for their future careers.”The young Blues were even more youthful than normal against Norwich a result of injuries, suspensions and several of their ranks being involved with the Under-21s squad.Four Under-16s started and finished the game, with two Under-15s also appearing from the bench.And it will have been a satisfying experience for Sheedy's players, as they started brightly and maintained their disciplined performance throughout the contest.

President of the other Everton set for Goodison return to celebrate year of success in Chile
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
EVERTON have already lifted a trophy this year – but don’t pinch yourself it happened more than 7,000 miles from Goodison Park.The Mersey Blues are shaping up for a good season under David Moyes after a strong start to the current Premier League campaign, but for fans of ‘the other Everton’ in Chile it’s time already to reflect on their success.Supporters of Everton Vina Del Mar – named after the Toffees when the club was founded in 1909 – are still smiling after their club clinched promotion back to Chile’s top flight via a nail-biting play-off final last month.The ‘Ruleteros’ became one of the first Chilean sides ever to play in the UK when they visited Goodison in August 2010 to contest the inaugural Brotherhood Trophy – but a 2-0 defeat by their English hosts sparked a run of poor results which saw them relegated that term.Now manager Víctor Hugo Castañeda has put the club back where it belongs, and outgoing President Antonio Bloise is making a special return trip to L4 to celebrate before Sunday’s home game against Spurs at Goodison.The popular businessman is stepping down as chairman of the club he supports, and will be presented with a silver platter on the pitch by members of the Merseyside-based Ruleteros Society in recognition of his achievement, and his dedication to strengthening the links between his club and their Premier League counter-parts.“He’s having a bit of a farewell tour and this was something he felt he really wanted to do,” said Ruleteros president Tony Heslop.“President Bloise was very proud when he bought his club to Goodison in 2010, and it’s been a special season for the club he loves.“Everton Vina Del Mar are the fourth biggest club in Chile and it was very disappointing when they were relegated two years ago.“They didn’t win a match for the rest of that campaign after they came and played Everton during our pre-season. But they responded the right way by reaching the play-offs the following campaign and then going one better and getting promoted this season just gone.“Luckily they managed to keep together their squad and are hoping to compete again next time around.“The Chilean season runs from February to November so they are still basking in the glow of getting back into the Primera Division.”The Ruleteros society celebrated its 10th anniversary in July after being formed in 2002 in Hardman Street’s Valparaiso Restaurant.And after playing an instrumental part in bringing Everton Chile to Goodison, the society would now like to arrange for David Moyes’ side to make the trip to South America in the future.“We would love to see the Blues play the next Brotherhood Trophy at the Estadio Sausalito,” said Goodison season-ticket holder Tony.“Obviously it would be a big trip but the Blues have gone to Australia in pre-season before so you never know.”

Blue Boys: Duncan Ferguson has potential to be top manager, says Kevin Sheedy
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
DUNCAN FERGUSON has the potential to be a top manager, according to Kevin Sheedy.The former Everton striker has been helping prepare Everton U18s this season, and stepped-up his role when Sheedy was away from Finch Farm undergoing treatment for bowel cancer.Although Ferguson is still in the process of becoming a fully-qualified coach, Sheedy has been very impressed. “Duncan has done very well and worked extremely hard,” he said. “In my opinion he is a good manager in the making.“He’s a very committed and passionate guy who loves being out on the training ground working with the lads who certainly think very highly of him. My era as an Everton players was a long time before them but they can really relate to him as a Blue icon so he’s very well respected but it’s as much for his ability as a coach as for his playing reputation.”

Everton FC say they have had no contact from Zenit St Petersburg over Marouane Fellaini
Greg O'Keeffe
Dec 6 2012
EVERTON FC officials said they have received no contact from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg over their reported interest in a January move for Marouane Fellaini.A spokesperson for Zenit said: “The management team expect to strengthen the midfield during the winter transfer window.“The signings will be players of very high quality. For example, the Belgium international Marouane Fellaini is on the list – he has proved himself in his games for Everton.”David Moyes will urge his board to shun any offers for the 25-year-old and the player himself has insisted he wants Champions League football, something the wealthy Russian club, who are already out of this year's competition, are not guaranteed next term.Zenit, who are bankrolled by Russian gas giants Gazprom, flexed their financial muscle in September when they signed Fellaini’s compatriot, midfielder Alex Witsel, from Benfica for £32m and splashed out an identical fee on Porto striker Hulk.

Everton FC forward Steven Naismith to pay for homeless Christmas lunch at Liverpool’s Whitechapel Centre
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
GOALS might be his main target for Everton – but Steven Naismith has some other festive aims on Merseyside. The Scotland international is determined to make a difference, and not just to the Blues ongoing mission to break into the Premier League’s top four.Naismith is already a committed charity supporter north of the border, and now he wants to continue that work in his adopted city.Shortly before Christmas the 26-year-old will host a lunch for people sleeping rough at city homeless support charity the Whitechapel Centre.The former Rangers player began funding a similar event in Glasgow last Christmas, and will continue that sponsorship back home this month alongside the new event in Liverpool – all paid for out of his own pocket.Naismith, who hopes to make the yuletide lunch an annual event, said: “I support the homeless in Glasgow through a charity called Loaves and Fishes.“They are similar to the Whitechapel Centre in the work that they do in feeding the homeless and trying to get them into their own accommodation. I am delighted to help the Whitechapel Centre in what is my newly adopted city.”David Carter, chief executive officer of the Whitechapel Centre insists it is a very welcome gesture on several fronts.“We would like to thank Steven for sponsoring this Christmas dinner,” he said. “In addition to the money, which is very much needed and welcome, there is the other benefit of the awareness of the work done here.”The Loaves and Fishes event in Glasgow was in danger of being cancelled before Naismith stepped in last winter, and the former Kilmarnock player is even working towards setting up a trust when he retires.Naismith, whose father is a social worker and whose mother works in a supermarket, was brought up in Stewarton, Ayrshire, and has said his charitable instincts did not come from any religious upbringing.“I am an observant person rather than a big talker and I tend to notice things,” he said.“It does not take long before you realise there are people who need help,” he told reporters in Scotland last Christmas.“I do not feel special because I am a footballer.“I feel lucky. I was an average student. I had dyslexia. I was terrible at reading.” The Whitechapel Centre was set up in 1975 to address the growing numbers of homeless people around inner city Liverpool.The charity employs more than 60 staff and helps up to 1,800 people in the region each year by helping them meet basic needs such as breakfast, shower and laundry facilities, along with preventing people becoming homeless by giving free housing and welfare rights advice.Staff also support people with mental health, drug and alcohol issues to stay in their own home.

Leighton Baines is Everton FC’s unstoppable driving force, says Tim Howard
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
LEIGHTON BAINES is Everton’s unstoppable driving force, says Tim Howard.The England defender overcame a hamstring injury to play an influential part during the Blues impressive draw with Manchester City last weekend, providing the cross for Marouane Fellaini’s first half goal.David Moyes feared he might have been without his normally ever-present left-back, when the 27-year-old felt a twinge during the previous 1-1 draw with Arsenal, but Baines was determined not to miss out.The Blues boss has spoken previously this season of his concern that opposition teams will become accustomed to Baines’ threat, but his goalkeeper believes that won’t be a straight-forward task for rivals.He said: “Every other team knows he is our go to guy. They try and stop him but most teams struggle because he’s so clever, and has an amazing engine. He just keeps going and going.“We wouldn’t have let him not play (on Saturday).“We would’ve dragged him out there and stuck a shirt on him and kicked him over the line regardless.“He was brilliant as he is every week.”The USA goalkeeper insists modest Baines is becoming more comfortable with being regarded as one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe.Baines has become an England regular under the stewardship of Three Lions coach Roy Hodgson and is also the first player in Europe's top five leagues to reach 50 chances created this season.And Howard has noticed a positive change in his team-mate. He added: “I think he seems comfortable as one of the top players now. “That comes with consistent performances. People can say it about you and you can brush it off, but eventually you have to belief it because the evidence is there week in, week out.”

Everton FC: Zenit St Petersburg plan January deal for Marouane Fellaini
by Ian Doyle, The Liverpool Post
Dec 6 2012
MAROUANE FELLAINI has emerged as a target for moneybags Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.Fellaini is in demand across Europe on the strength of his excellent form for Everton, the Belgian international netting his eighth goal of the campaign in the 1-1 draw at champions Manchester City last Saturday.The player declared last month that he would be happy to stay at Goodison beyond the end of the season provided the club ensured Champions League qualification.But that has not deterred Zenit, coached by Luciano Spalletti, from plotting a move for the 25-year-old during the January transfer window, according to sources in Russia. A spokesperson for Zenit said: “The management team expect to strengthen the midfield during the winter transfer window.“The signings will be players of very high quality. For example, the Belgium international Marouane Fellaini is on the list – he has proved himself in his games for Everton.”Zenit, who are bankrolled by Russian gas giants Gazprom, flexed their new-found financial muscle in September when they signed Fellaini’s compatriot, midfielder Alex Witsel, from Benfica for £32m and splashed out an identical fee on Porto striker Hulk.Zenit acknowledge the need to further bolster their midfield given Konstantin Zyryanov, 35, and 36-year-old Sergei Semak are in the twilight of their careers, and hope the presence of Witsel can persuade Fellaini to turn his back on the Premier League.Moyes, though, has no intention of parting with the Belgian in January with his team challenging for a top-four berth.Fellaini will aim to match his Everton-best tally of nine goals in a season when Tottenham Hotspur visit Goodison on Sunday.David Moyes’s side have drawn seven of their last nine games although the two most recent stalemates have eplace him.“Leon Osman has moved to that position and done a fantastic job but as you can see been against leading rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. Both have featured Darron Gibson, the midfielder having recovered from the thigh injury that sidelined him for almost three months.And Phil Jagielka admits the Republic of Ireland international was a key component to Everton’s blistering start to the season – and is hoping his return can help propel Moyes’s men back into a Champions League qualification berth.“It’s made a big difference having Darron back, especially after losing Phil Neville to injury,” said Jagielka.“I’m not saying they are the same sort of player but we were light in numbers.“Gibbo gave us a mass of different option when he was playing.“It was partially down to him that we had such a good start.“ His range of passing and his composure on the ball enabled us to play well.“In the Man United and Villa games, he was very influential and when we lost him at West Brom we struggled to r from the squad, by putting Felli up top, selling Jack Rodwell and losing Nev, we haven’t got that many options in midfield. “I don’t think Gibbo is firing on all cylinders just yet but hopefully he can get a few more minutes under his belt and crack on.”Everton beat Tottenham 1-0 at Goodison in March, with Moyes’s side unbeaten in their last 12 home games in all competitions.And Jagielka added: “We have done well at Goodison this year and we want to make it a hard place to come.“It is going to be difficult, Spurs are free-scoring at the moment and keeping clean sheets but they have not had the best of runs when they have come to Goodison before and we want to make sure they go home at the weekend with a similar feeling.”

Everton FC: Nic Davies’ Bluewatch
by Our Correspondent, The Liverpool Post
Dec 6 2012
IT SAYS something of the threat we carry when the champions change their team selection significantly at home specifically to deal with the danger we pose. Despite an impressive run of clean sheets, Mancini broke up his defensive centre to recall his best aerial stopper Lescott whilst key man Aguero was left out. When the Argentine was introduced it was top scorer Tevez who made way and not Dzeko. The Bosnian has a reputation as a ‘super sub’ but is consistently selected against us from the start for his aerial ability in defending set plays. Post match Mancini said: “You need your attackers to help you defend, especially when you play a team like Everton who are good at set pieces.” Yaya Toure was also held back to concentrate on marking Fellaini from Howard’s goal kicks. Our defensive approach was all about shape and making the pitch as small as possible and less so about pressing the ball. Mancini’s petty rants about us are now customary but there is clear praise if you delve deeper into his post match comments. He talked about ‘no team’ being able to defend better than the Blues in the league, leading him to propose that there is ‘maybe no solution’ to breaking us down. Coming from an Italian coach well versed in the principal of catenaccio that’s quite a compliment. A touch run of fixtures concludes on Sunday when a win against Andre Villas-Boas’ Spurs could possibly see us rise as high as third in the table – a situation most Toffees would have taken at the start of this three-game run against tasty opposition. With Mirallas set to return, we should go into the game pretty much at full strength with a clear week to prepare. Spurs, on the other hand, have a crucial Europa League game on Thursday night and will be without injured star man Gareth Bale for both games. Villas-Boas has received unwarranted hostility since arriving in the Premier League with widespread scepticism of his methods at both clubs he has managed. Since taking the reigns from wide boy operator and serial tap-up merchant of Toffee talent Harry Redknapp, his results have been mixed but recent form is very good. Ever since the age of 17, when Villas-Boas produced his first scout report for Bobby Robson at Porto, the Portuguese has been making a living out of diligently and successful studying opposition teams and plotting ways to beat them. I’d much rather have that intel in my locker than the brash bravado of his predecessor.
Hopefully, his post will make for uncomfortable viewing match analysis of Sunday’s fixture.
Everton FC letters: There’s no substitute for right substitutions
Liverpool Echo
Dec 6 2012
MUCH as I like reading David Prentice’s comments on Everton, I have to take him to task on last Friday’s article. While I don’t have a coaching badge I do have 54 years of watching Everton.
I have a view on things that I see. My view differs from Dave’s in that he seems to think Everton had nobody suitable to bring on against Norwich (taking David Moyes’s side). He may recall that Pienaar was having a stinker, with Jelavic not far behind. Is he seriously saying Ross Barkley and Vellios could not have possibly changed things, given 15 minutes or so? The booing aimed at David Moyes was justified. Subs don’t always work but if you don’t try you’ll never know!
Do you know what you’re doing? (Only joking!)
Brian Hunter, Edge Lane
SO here we are, a third of the way through the season sitting fifth in the league, playing generally well and lots of optimism. Or so it seems! Maybe we are all getting a little carried away with ourselves? Even Hitzlsperger suggested that we should take a reality check. Sounds about right after the inept performances at Reading and at home to Norwich. A reality check it is then! I think it’s fair assessment to say that, apart from games against Man U, Villa, Swansea, Fulham and those 25 minutes of Brazilian-like magic against Southampton, we have been inconsistent and often average.
After the bright start it appears the injuries, suspensions and the dip of form of our key players is gradually taking its toll on a squad inadequate in quantity and quality following yet another frustrating pre-season for Moyes and the fans. Are we still expected to believe that Bill Kenwright is working 24/7 to find someone suitable to invest sufficient funds – not billions – but enough for Moyes to add three or four quality players to give Everton a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe? A squad strong enough to cope with the demands of the league and European campaign?
It is very flattering when we listen to so many TV pundits predicting that we will finish fourth.
However, without the sufficient funds to strengthen the squad the likelihood of European football is slim. Over to you, Mr Kenwright!
John Jelliman, Woolton
I HAVE an idea to improve Everton’s percentage of converting chances into goals. We should take a leaf out of Barcelona’s book. They gave up on Eto’o and Ibrahimovic and played without a centre-forward – and Hey Presto they are now the greatest team of all time.
So either give Jelavic a new role or drop him and put another midfielder in. i.e. Ross Barkley.
Anthony Doran, HMP Liverpool

Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC showed they're no pushovers at Manchester City
The Liverpool Post
Dec 6 2012
EVERTON showed how far they have come at Manchester City last weekend. David Moyes demonstrated a bit of balls. He sent his side out there not to sit back and soak up possession, but to give it a real go and take the game to the champions. It worked. And it showed what we knew already – Everton can compete with anyone on the day. They don’t give anybody and easy game and that’s one of the traits they have gained from their manager. They might lack a bit of quality in certain areas but they weren’t frightened by City. While Everton never really looked they could get the win, they were more than comfortable. In fact, they made City look like they have done in the Champions League this season, a little laboured and lacking in ideas going forward.
City, of course, know all about the problems Everton can cause, and probably gave Moyes’s men more respect than any other team to visit the Etihad in the Premier League this season.
City knew it was going to be a tough game, and Everton didn’t disappoint. Marouane Fellaini is just having that stellar season, and thoroughly deserves to be Premier League player of the month for November. His goal and performance at City extended that run of form. But if there is great encouragement from the Belgian, then there continue to be concerns about Nikica Jelavic.
Some goalscorers are simply natural goalscorers, who can miss four chances but not let it affect them and keep plugging away. Then there are those that I would call streaky, an example of which is Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe. Jelavic looks like he is missing confidence and needs an extra touch, but he still works for the team. But someone like Defoe, you could argue, if he’s not scoring his contribution is negligible. That’s not true with Jelavic. And that’s important. Everyone knows about his one-touch finishing, and that doesn’t desert you forever. If Jelavic continues to work for the team, then his fortunes will change.

Everton FC jury: Blues fans on the latest EFC issues
Dec 6 2012
Everton FC juror Paul McAllister: Fourth place is still achievable Tottenham but we must beat Hotspur at Goodison Park on Sunday NORMALLY we’d be pleased with a point against Arsenal and away to Man City, but not this season. Whilst we should be encouraged by the fact that we dominated the Gunners and more than held our own against the defending league champions, once again we’ve come away from games feeling that there’s a lot to be desired. Fourth place is still very much achievable but we’ve allowed ourselves to surrender the initiative thanks to our wastefulness in fixtures that we could have and probably should have won. Newcastle, Wigan, QPR, Reading, Norwich? Spurs this weekend can only be described as a must-win game. We have to deliver the knockout punch to AVB’s men. If not, then the dream of qualifying for the Champions League will only continue to drift further away. Everton FC juror Martin Shaughnessy: Great to see Darron Gibson embarrass Manchester City’s midfield talent WE have certainly suffered some frustrating games and results recently and once more, we got an all-too familiar result Saturday.
But like the previous, this was again a credible performance and a result which most would be happy to take before the game – even if we didn’t win our Champions League final! Great to see our measly million pound man Gibbo’s skill and panache in the middle, embarrassing about £75m worth of City talent. Fortunately, when we have dropped points recently, so too have most of the other European place contenders and so with 15 games gone, we still find ourselves within touching distance, ready to mount our annual second half season attack. Spurs will be one of our challengers and have shown recently what a few wins can do to your league position.A draw would again be a good result, but a win would be better.
Everton FC juror James Campbell: The draw against Manchester City felt like one point gained
WHEREAS recent draws against the likes of Fulham, Norwich and even Arsenal have left Evertonians with a sour taste in the mouth, this draw at the Etihad Stadium certainly had a feeling of one point gained. The penalty decision given against Fellaini WAS correct, but these cases of holding/pulling/blocking happen at every corner and Moyes is right to feel annoyed that when a referee finally gives a decision to award a spot-kick for these offences – it is against Everton. We look a lot more solid now Gibson is back and Moyes must be hoping that he stays fit and we can also get Mirallas on the pitch for the busy Christmas period ahead. Manchester City would be a big test for the team’s resolve. Thankfully the players produced excellent performances in both games. Crucially we looked very solid at the back, a deflection and soft penalty being the only goals conceded. Whilst Hibbert’s return has been a boost, I think Jagielka has put in some of his best performances in a blue shirt. However if fourth place is to be a realistic target we have got to start winning more games. Hopefully getting both Gibson and Mirallas back from injury will start to give the team an extra edge. Gibson has returned and looked as sure-footed as he did before he got injured. Mirallas can add some much-needed pace and creativity to our attacks, especially down the right hand side, which will hopefully turn draws into wins. Games now against Spurs, Stoke and West Ham will be tough, and after these three we will have a better idea of exactly how realistic our aims for a European spot really are.
Everton FC juror Darroch Mackie:
Hopefully we will soon have Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas to call upon AFTER a disappointing run of results, a home game against Arsenal and a visit to to Manchester City would be a big test for the team’s resolve. Thankfully the players produced excellent performances in both games. Crucially we looked very solid at the back, a deflection and soft penalty being the only goals conceded. Whilst Hibbert’s return has been a boost, I think Jagielka has put in some of his best performances in a blue shirt. However if fourth place is to be a realistic target we have got to start winning more games. Hopefully getting both Gibson and Mirallas back from injury will start to give the team an extra edge. Gibson has returned and looked as sure-footed as he did before he got injured. Mirallas can add some much-needed pace and creativity to our attacks, especially down the right hand side, which will hopefully turn draws into wins.

Everton FC set to get into festive spirit at Goodison before Spurs clash on Sunday
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
THE Blues will be getting into the festive spirit this weekend to celebrate the final visit to Goodison Park before Christmas. Ahead of Everton’s kick-off against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, there will be a special treat in store for junior supporters as Blue Santa and his reindeer will be at the stadium to meet them. Blue Santa will arrive on his sleigh with his reindeer at 1pm to wish supporters a very merry Christmas. The Salvation Army band and youngsters from St Sebastian’s and St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School choir will also sing carols on and off the pitch before the game. There’s also another chance for junior Evertonians to make sure Blue Santa receives their wishlists in time for Christmas with two special Everton postboxes in place at the Family Enclosure and near the Everton roadshow in the Park End car park. And there’s a special Christmas giveaway in this Sunday’s match programme with the chance for one lucky supporter to win a Half Season Ticket. Evertonians have been rushing to secure their seat for the second half of the season since the 10-match package went on sale last month, and to celebrate the Blues dedicated festive fixture, a ‘Golden Half Season Ticket’ has been hidden inside one copy of the match programme. Half Season Tickets are now available to buy. Call 0871 663 1878, visit evertonfc.com/eticketing or drop into the Box Office at Goodison Park Everton Two. Tickets are still available for Sunday’s game and start at £31 for adults and half-price for juniors. To buy tickets, simply visit the Box Office at Goodison Park, Everton Two or the TicketQuarter in Queen Square. Alternatively call 0871 663 1878 or visit evertonfc.com/eticketing.

Everton or FC chef wins national award from his employer
by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
THE head chef at Everton FC has won a national competition. Gareth Billington, 45, who heads the 32-strong catering team at Goodison Park, was voted Unit Chef of the Year by his employer Sodexo. The food and facilities management company holds its annual Star Awards to recognise and reward its employees. Dad-of-two Gareth, who trained at London’s Garrick Club and was also formerly in charge of patisserie on the QE2, was nominated after successfully catering for a string of high-profile events this year. As well as his work at Goodison Park, this year he was also in charge of two restaurants and food outlets at Royal Ascot, the catering at Lord’s during the Olympics 2012 archery contest and cooked for the Paralympic contestants at London’s Olympic stadium.

Phil Jagielka quicker than Theo Walcott - official!
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
IT IS probably the first time Phil Jagielka has been quicker than Theo Walcott.
The Everton centre-half was delighted to have clocked a time almost a second faster than the Arsenal flyer – even if it was on a computer game. EA Sports brought their Need for Speed driving challenge to Finch Farm this week and it was Jagielka who emerged victorious in the battle of the Blues players, after he bettered the times set by Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas.
Jagielka moves to third in the national leader board of all Premier League clubs despite saying he is not well schooled in racing games. The 30-year-old prefers to a more leisurely round of virtual golf, though admits there is no substitute for the real thing. “It’s always good fun to get the boys playing computer games against each other,” he said. “That was an equal test because some of the lads play a lot of FIFA and Call of Duty at home and so don’t stand a chance. I’ve not played racing games for a while but me and Bainsey had a good little battle.” He added: “I’m massively into my golf so play on the Tiger Woods games. “My little boy is getting into FIFA now and so end up playing that at the most basic of level. “Like all little lads he’s a Lionel Messi fan but sometimes he puts me up front and scores me a couple of goals. He runs through and tells me that I’ve just scored and I know that he’s playing FIFA because it doesn’t happen in real very much. “Golf is my number one hobby but not that easy at this time of year. The schedule tends to be quite hectic at this time of year as well so it’s just about going to the range and improving my game for when the nights get a little bit warmer.” Jagielka was speaking at the Need for Speed Most Wanted Pro Player tournament. Need for Speed Most Wanted is out now for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, Playstation VITA, PC, IOS and Android.

Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka says ‘I’m happy here and talk doesn’t faze me’
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
PHIL JAGIELKA has heard all the transfer tittle tattle there is. The England man is a veteran when it comes to handling the vagaries of the transfer window. Last year, the Everton centre-half was repeatedly linked with a move to Arsenal. The deal, of course, never materialised and any interest from north London, if it existed, remained only that. Nevertheless, Jagielka found his name constantly in the newspapers, across the radio airwaves and on various television stations as that infamous rumour mill worked relentlessly in January and again over that summer. For Jagielka, the speculation was easy to deal with because unless David Moyes decided otherwise, his long-term future was at Goodison Park. As the latest transfer window approaches, Everton’s top talent are certain to be linked with a variety of moves away from Merseyside but Jagielka is relaxed about it all.“Different people deal with it in different ways,” he said. “For me it was the most simple decision in the world: nothing was going to happen with me until the day arrived that Everton came and said they were selling me. “As much as you pick up the paper and see yourself linked and have people asking you all the time, it was all as simple as that for me. “Every player is different. Another player might want to move or another player has his head filled with numbers by an agent. But my agent knows exactly what I want and how I work, my parents know how I work and so it was always a simple one for me. “It will happen, some of our players will get linked but hopefully the club is in a strong position now to not have to take any bids.”

Everton FC: Phil Jagielka dreams of a European return with the Blues
by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
EVERTON FC defender Phil Jagielka didn’t get a wink of sleep, but he was not too bothered.
As thousands of Evertonians descended on the south German city of Nuremberg in November 2007, their enthusiasm made it difficult for the players to get some rest. But it mattered little as Everton won at the easyCredit Frankenstadion that night thanks to late goals from Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe to make it back-to-back wins in the Uefa Cup group stages. And though Jagielka was only used as a last minute replacement, the whistle stop tour of Nuremberg still left an impression on the defender. Everton have been without European football since 2010 but their encouraging start to the Premier League season has allowed hope of a return to the continent to grow. Jagielka says qualifying for the Champions League remains the ultimate aim but knows securing a place in the Europa League will be celebrated. Europe’s premier club competition has gross commercial income estimated at 1.09bn Euros, with the Europa League said to generate less than 20% of that figure, despite having 24 more clubs involved. Jagielka understands that every club would love to tap into the riches of the Champions League but says there is real value in playing in the Europa League, as the fans in Germany that night proved. “We were in the hotel in Nuremberg and when we looked out the window, there were fans on top of the bus stop,” Jagielka says with a smile. “We probably couldn’t sleep because of the noise the fans were making but it was great to see them and one of those European memories that really stays with me. “Also, I made my comeback against Sporting Lisbon after my injury and I got a nice reception off the fans. “There have been different nights, for different reasons in Europe which have stood out for me but it would’ve been nice to have gone a little bit further. “I know the manager is desperate and he would love to go in the Champions League but there are going to be two of three teams that are knocking on the door for that fourth spot. He added: “A lot of people are desperate to get in the Champions League but are not so keen to get in the Europa League because of the financial difference between the competitions.
“The Champions League is massive but you don’t start making money until the latter stages of the Europa. But if you talked to the players about the nights we had three or four years ago, then I’m sure they’ll all say it’s fantastic. ”It’s another cup you want to try and win and they’ll be a lot of very good teams in it again next year. It makes the season longer and a little harder but at the same time it gives the squad even more chance to become one and give lads more chance to play.
“We’d love to be in Europe. Ideally it would be for the Champions League but the club have finished fourth before and not made it through to the group stages, so there are no guarantees.
“We’d love to be able to give European football as a thank-you to the fans and though all the travel becomes expensive, I know they’d love it.”

Leon Osman: Everton FC are not too reliant on Marouane Fellaini
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
LEON OSMAN insists Everton FC are not overly reliant on Marouane Fellaini – but says the Belgian should not carry the goal-scoring burden alone. The former Standard Liege midfielder has scored five of his side’s last six goals and taken his personal tally for the campaign to eight, but David Moyes’s men have also had 10 different goalscorers so far this term. Despite struggling for top form, Nikica Jelavic has found the back of the net five times, and with Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Osman himself all chipping in, the midfielder does not believe Fellaini’s presence is Everton’s only attacking threat. He said: “He’s a massive player for us at the minute – that’s evident in the way he’s playing and the way we play. “But we’re not a one-man team; we’ve got a number of good players this year. I think it’s shown in our football this year how we’re developing as a team and that we’re becoming a better footballing team. “It’s always important to try and spread the goals, but at the same time you’re going to get a period in the season where it’s tough and you need your players playing up the pitch to score the goals. Felli’s certainly been doing that for us lately.” With Tottenham Hotspur next to visit Goodison on Sunday, Osman is excited by the prospect of a third high-profile encounter in 10 days following 1-1 draws with Arsenal and Premier League champions Manchester City. The recently-capped England international added: “It’s another tough test, of course. Tottenham are one of the better teams in the league. They were unlucky not to get a Champions League place last year after finishing fourth, so it’s important that we’re on our game this weekend for a difficult match.” TICKETS for Sunday’s home game against Tottenham are now on general sale.

Howard Kendall: In form Spurs will be tough test for Everton FC
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
EVERTON FC have a big test ahead of them on Sunday when in-form Spurs arrive at Goodison, and it seems Andre Villas-Boas has got his act together. He made a few surprising calls early on at White Hart Lane – like dropping goal-machine Jermaine Defoe, but it didn’t seem to dent the little striker’s confidence. I think AVB has learned from his experience at Chelsea because generally he is not trying to make too many changes at Goodison this time. That said he still seems to get a prickly reception in some parts of the London media and I wonder why? As a manager dealing with the newspaper reporters is an important part of your job. If you make their job a bit easier they, in turn, are more inclined to be positive about your club and also less keen to slate you when things aren’t going smoothly. Anyway, as much as Spurs are starting to look the business I think Everton are facing them at a good time. The point against City has given everyone at the club a lift and it’s better to come up against another upwardly mobile side when your tails are also up. I’ve been particularly impressed by how Sylvain Distin has done since coming back into the side too.

Howard Kendall: Everton FC dominated Manchester City
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Dec 7 2012
EVERTON FC didn’t just acquit themselves well at the Etihad Stadium, for at least 45 minutes they were comfortably better than the current champions of England. They were superb in the first half and fully deserved taking something out of the game. Unlike City it’s not just about expensively assembled and talented individuals with Everton, it’s about a committed team effort.
I was surprised to see Joleon Lescott start for the hosts especially after all the talk in the media before the game, when David Moyes took the unusual step of saying he’d be interested in signing him on loan. I’m not sure some Everton fans would be too welcoming if the England international did return to Goodison because, while I’m sure he remains popular with Everton’s players, fans have long memories and will recall how he declined to applaud them before the Arsenal game shortly before he left. Anyway, Marouane Fellaini had Lescott on his toes during Saturday’s game – and eight goals already is a tremendous return from him. It’s not just goals that the Belgian contributes though, it’s his presence and how he draws opposition defenders to him and creates space for his team-mates. Fellaini’s form is helpful at the moment with things not clicking in front of goal for Nikica Jelavic. At leas the Croatian is working hard and it will only be a matter of time before it clicks for him. I thought Roberto Mancini was a bit cheeky saying Everton treat games against City like a Champions League final. He obviously hasn’t seen a Merseyside derby if he thinks the Blues have an intense approach when they go to East Manchester. The remark smacked of sour grapes.

Leon Osman says Everton FC must spread goals throughout team
By Ian Doyle
Dec 7 2012
LEON OSMAN has urged Everton to banish any suggestions of being a one-man team by continuing to spread goals throughout the team. Marouane Fellaini’s consistently impressive performances have seen him pull away as the club’s leading Premier League scorer this season with eight strikes, three more than Nikica Jelavic. England international Osman accepts any team is reliant on their forward line to contribute the majority of goals. But while the strikeforce have contributed more than half of Everton’s top-flight total of 24, six other players have also found themselves on the scoresheet. And Osman, who has netted against Southampton and Liverpool, believes that demonstrates the willingness of David Moyes’s side to share the striking burden. “It’s always important to try and spread the goals, but at the same time you’re going to get a period in the season where it’s tough and you need your players playing up the pitch to score the goals,” said the midfielder. “Felli’s certainly been doing that for us lately. He’s a massive player for us at the minute, that’s evident in the way he’s playing and the way we play. “We’re not a one-man team, we’ve got a number of good players this year. “I think it’s shown in our football this year how we’re developing as a team and that we’re becoming a better footballing team.” Everton entertain Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the last in a triumvirate of games Moyes believes will give a true indication of his team’s ambition for the remainder of the campaign. The Goodison outfit followed last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal with a similarly impressive point at champions Manchester City.
While Tottenham currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League berth, an Everton victory at the weekend would see them leapfrog the Lilywhites. And Osman added: “It’s another tough test, of course. Tottenham are one of the better teams in the league. “They were unlucky not to get a Champions League place last year after finishing fourth, so it’s important that we’re on our game this weekend for a difficult match.” Meanwhile, Everton will once again take Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson on trail later this month. The 23-year-old, capped twice for the United States national side, is currently enjoying a spell at Stoke City before moving on to Finch Farm on December 10, having spent time with Everton last winter during the MLS close season. Johnson is looking forward to again linking up with USA international Tim Howard and goalkeeping coach Chris Woods, who works with both Everton and the USA national team. “Having been in with the national team a lot more this past year, training with Chris and Tim again here is a fantastic opportunity to keep some continuity and show how I’m growing,” he said. “To be in that environment day-in and day-out and make yourself a better goalkeeper will do wonders for me as a player.”

David Moyes vows to continue Everton's top-four push despite draws
Everton take on Spurs this weekend
Phil Medlicott (The Independent)
Friday 07 December 2012
Everton boss David Moyes curses some of the draws his team have been held to recently - but has stressed there is still plenty of the season to go as they continue their top-four push. The Toffees made a flying start to the campaign with four wins and just one defeat in their opening six Barclays Premier League fixtures, prompting plenty of talk about their chances of claiming a top-four finish to qualify for the Champions League. They have only lost one more game in the nine that have followed, but their progress has stuttered due to seven of the matches ending in draws and they are currently sixth in the table, three points behind fifth-placed West Brom, fourth-placed Tottenham who they play at Goodison Park on Sunday, and third-placed Chelsea. While 1-1 stalemates against Manchester City and Arsenal in their last two outings have not left Moyes too displeased at all, some of his side's other draws - they have also emerged with a point from clashes with Norwich, Fulham, Liverpool, QPR, Wigan and, earlier in the season, Newcastle - have been hugely frustrating for the Scot. He is not losing sight of the fact Everton still have 23 league fixtures ahead of them, though. Asked if he curses some of the draws, Moyes said: "I do, but it is the start of the season. "It is still quite early - we are not into Christmas time and a lot will change over the next month or two. "So you don't need to be right up there right away, even though I'd like to be. "But yes, I do curse one or two of those results we have picked up." He added: "I think there are good draws and bad draws. "The good parts of the Man City and Arsenal matches were that in both games, there were periods where we could have won and there were also periods where I was happy with how we defended and made sure we didn't concede. "But I think there have been other draws before that where we could say we let points slip and should have done a little bit better." Everton's bright beginning to this season followed a strong finish to last term, in which January signings such as striker Nikica Jelavic - purchased for a reported £5.5million from Rangers - proved key. Moyes has indicated he does not expect to be spending much money during the forthcoming January transfer window, although he emphasised that, as in the case of Jelavic, funds to buy a player can suddenly become available. Asked about the Croatia international and if he was anticipating making a couple of tweaks to his squad in January, Moyes said: "No, I don't think so. "I think we may go into the loan market to see if we can find anything in that area - I think that is probably where we will be looking. "But then that was the same as what we were doing last year, and then we made a sale with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov going back to Russia (to join Spartak Moscow) and it freed us up a little bit of cash to go and make the signing. So you never can tell." Moyes has also made it clear he is not worried about the prospect of other clubs coming in for his players. "I've said many times - if they want to come, they can come," Moyes said. "It is no problem for them to come and watch from the stands. But they better come with a big cheque book."

EVERTON v Tottenham: Mirallas and Coleman back in contention for Spurs clash
7 December 2012 Daily Mail
Everton could have Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman available for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham at Goodison Park.
Toffees boss David Moyes says forward Mirallas, who has missed four games due to a hamstring injury, and full-back Coleman, sidelined for three by an unspecified problem, have 'outside chances' of featuring against Spurs.
Victor Anichebe (hamstring) and Phil Neville (knee) remain on the casualty list.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Naismith, Osman, Gibson, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Duffy, Oviedo, Barkley, Gueye, Vellios, Mirallas, Coleman.

Everton duo set to return for Spurs clash but two remain out
Friday, December 7, 2012
(Tottenham Journal)
Everton could have Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman available for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham at Goodison Park. Toffees boss David Moyes says forward Mirallas, who has missed four games due to a hamstring injury, and full-back Coleman, sidelined for three by an unspecified problem, have “outside chances” of featuring against Spurs.Victor Anichebe (hamstring) and Phil Neville (knee) remain on the casualty list. Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Naismith, Osman, Gibson, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Duffy, Oviedo, Barkley, Gueye, Vellios, Mirallas, Coleman.

Spurs star doubtful as four miss out for Everton clash
Friday, December 7, 2012
(Tottenham Journal)
Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has only a slim chance of recovering from his hamstring injury in time to face Everton on Sunday.
Winger Gareth Bale is out with hamstring problem while Hugo Lloris is expected to replace Brad Friedel in goal after the American started the Europa League win over Panathinaikos.Midfielder Scott Parker (Achilles) and left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are a week away from full fitness and defender Younes Kaboul (knee) is also unavailable.
Provisional squad: Friedel, Lloris, Gomes, Cudicini, Walker, Naughton, Gallas, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Falque, Carroll, Mason, Livermore, Sandro, Huddlestone, Dembele, Dempsey, Adebayor, Defoe.