West Brom 0 Everton 1: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
By Chris Lepkowski
Jan 1 2012
Birmingham Mail
ALBION kicked off 2012 with a bad defeat and an ever-growing injury list. Happy New Year it most certainly wasn’t. Victor Anichebe stepped off the bench to send Albion to their sixth home defeat of the season. The game was head for a a 0-0. A bore draw - but at least it would have been a point. Maybe it was lethargy, perhaps the previous three games had caught up with them, but Albion fell short in the ideas department. It was damaging, but the fall out more so. Jonas Olsson and Youssouf Mulumbu were already injured. Chris Brunt was forced off with an injury which now requires a scan. Shane Long, meanwhile, played having undergone injections to ease a back injury. To put it another way, the entire spine of Albion’s side has been decimated in the space of a few days. Handy for Roy Hodgson that a January transfer window has opened. Less handy for that Albion traditionally use this period for no more than topping up. Hodgson’s decision to not bring on any substitutes caused consternation in the stands and elsewhere. The critics have a point. Graham Dorrans or Somen Tchoyi could have made a difference perhaps. We’ll never know. Hodgson said afterwards that he didn’t think any of his subs were capable of changing the game - read it into what you will. Cynics might argue that it’s the cry of a manager who wants new players in the transfer window. One thing is clear, Albion were very flat against the Toffees. Both sides were poor for most of the game. A mistake was always going to swing the game. There was little intensity, barely any invention and even when the game opened up after the break, there were bad decisions being made, poor passes being executed. New Year’s Day games traditionally have a hungover feel to them. Sky Sports got what they deserved by demanding that 23,000 poor souls traipse out of their beds for a lunchtime kick-off on what should be a lazy morning for all concerned. As a result the atmosphere was subdued, especially for the opening half - though the lack of action on the field went some way to prompting that. Perhaps next season they’ll think twice about such ridiculous scheduling of matches. It was a poor opening from both sides. And it seldom improved. It had none of the intensity of Albion’s Boxing Day draw with Manchester City and all of the spark of a game played at lunchtime on New Year’s Day. It took 18 minutes for the first chance to be presented.
Chris Brunt’s cross from the left was headed over by Shane Long. Everton, even more sleepier than Albion early on, had a decent chance in the 22nd minute when they won their first corner.
The ball was hooked into the mix by Louis Saha. Ben Foster failed to get any distance with his punch, Jack Rodwell pounced but the Albion keeper reacted to block the effort. The quality was low. Louis Saha’s miss just after the half-hour mark summed up the wretched nature of 2012’s opening game. Phil Jagielka headed the ball across the box. Albion’s defence rubbernecked as Saha slid in and scooped his side hopelessly wide. Rodwell did little to lift the mood when he sent a header wide from Leighton Baines corner. Albion were typically seeing plenty of the ball in front of the Everton penalty box. Yet where lush delivery was needed, the final deliveries were sub-standard or, at best, predictable. The movement was lacking and the anticipation was more akin to a team of strangers - lacking the synergy and flow of recent performances. Yet Odemwingie missed the chance of the game in the 47th minute. The Nigerian reacted quickly to pounce onto James Morrison’s header. He managed to untangle himself from Phil Jagielka but only succeeded in scooping his instinctive shot over the bar. Albion’s intensity improved after the break. Odemwingie looked more lively and Brunt briefly came to life. His long-range effort on 53 minutes flew over. And the Baggies skipper was unlucky to not make more of James Morrison’s excellent chipped pass a few minutes later. Brunt was crowded out by Everton shirts as he took the ball under control. Paul Scharner skewed a shot over the bar in the 63nd minute as the home side continued their dominance. But it was to no avail. The period of pressure did not produce any chances of note. Tim Howard did not have any saves of note to make. All too often Albion were negative or unwilling to go for the kill. It was all very tired. The visitors had their chances. Substitute Magaye Gueye’s volley forced Foster into a save on 68 minutes. Morrison needed to come to Albion’s rescue in the 77th minute when the lively Stracqualursi powered past Dawson, cut past Shorey and sent in a low cross. The Albion midfielder was quickest to react. Everton’s substitutions made an impact. Gueye caused problems, while Anichebe’s time was to come in the 87ths minute. Tony Hibbert’s cross was headed back across the box by Paul Scharner. The ball fell into the feet of Anichebe, who managed to scramble the ball over the line from close range, despite the presence of three defenders - none of whom were able to clear the danger. While Hodgson opted to leave his substitutions until injury time - when Graham Dorrans replaced the injured Chris Brunt, which becomes a worry in itself - Moyes’s decision to make three changes early on paid off.

West Brom 0 Everton 1
Sunday 1st January 2012
Express & Star
A late winner by Everton substitute Victor Anichebe condemned Albion to defeat in a wretched New Year’s Day clash at The Hawthorns, writes Steve Madeley. The Baggies failed to follow up their excellent end to 2011 with a similar performance and were punished by Anichebe on 87 minutes.
The Nigerian striker forced the ball home after a goalmouth scramble to settle a game of few chances and little quality. And Albion, who had lost Jonas Olsson to a pre-match calf injury, suffered a further blow when captain Chris Brunt limped off in the closing stages. The first half was a complete non-event with neither side creating a clearcut scoring chance. Shane Long sent a full-stretch header wide of the target from a Chris Brunt cross after a neat Albion build-up. Ben Foster then made a good block from a Jack Rodwell shot for Everton after pawing away a high ball in a goalmouth scramble. And Rodwell sent a difficult glancing header wide just before half-time from a Leighton Baines corner. But it was little surprise to see the scoresheet blank at the break. Albion should have been in front two minutes after the restart, however, when a James Morrison header sent Peter Odemwingie clear of the Everton bench. The Nigerian was presented with a tricky chance but he fired over when he should have tested Tim Howard in the Toffees’ goal. Long was another cross, this time from Jerome Thomas, drift away from him agonisingly at the far post on the hour-mark. And the first effort on target arrived on the hour-mark but even then a low shot from Anichebe was straight at Foster. But it was Anichebe who opened the scoring just three minutes from time. Albion failed to deal with a high ball from the right and it dropped for the Toffees substitute to finish a scruffy move with a neat finish.

Anichebe earns Everton victory against West Brom
West Brom 0 Everton 1
John Curtis Sunday 01 January 2012
Indenpentent
Everton substitute Victor Anichebe scored his first Barclays Premier League goal of the season to earn his side victory against West Brom at the Hawthorns. Anichebe struck with three minutes remaining after Albion had failed to clear a cross from Tony Hibbert. It earned the Toffees their fourth away win of the campaign and allowed them to leapfrog Albion in the table. The Baggies have won only two of their home league games this season and their tally of seven goals in front of their home fans remains the joint worst record in the top four divisions. Both sides had struggled to carve out clear-cut openings before Anichebe struck with Toffees keeper Tim Howard not having a shot to save in the entire 90 minutes. Albion were the first to settle and winger Jerome Thomas got on the end of a low ball into the danger area from Billy Jones but lost his footing. It was 18 minutes before the first reasonable opportunity when Shane Long headed just over after getting on the receiving end of a deep centre from West Brom skipper Chris Brunt. Then John Heitinga produced a fine tackle inside the Everton area to halt the run of James Morrison. West Brom keeper Ben Foster flapped at an overhead kick from Louis Saha following a Leon Osman corner. But the former England keeper atoned for his error by rushing out to block the resulting shot from Jack Rodwell.
Everton looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Nicky Shorey blocked a fierce drive from Leighton Baines after his initial corner was half cleared. Saha sent a half-volley just past the post after Albion failed to clear a Baines free-kick fully. Everton defender Phil Jagielka screwed a shot just wide from another Baines centre. Albion looked short of attacking ideas and Heitinga blocked a long-range attempt from Peter Odemwingie. Rodwell should have done better with a free header from a Baines corner but he directed it wide. Albion showed more purpose at the start of the second period and Odemwingie missed a clear chance after 47 minutes. The Nigeria international stayed onside in running onto a looping header forward from Morrison and got clear of the Everton rearguard. But Odemwingie lacked composure and lifted his shot over the bar. Jagielka did well to cut out a low Jones cross with Long waiting in space behind him to take advantage. Heitinga managed to nick the ball away from Odemwingie as he prepared to shoot inside the Everton area.
Morrison floated a pass over the Everton defence to Brunt but Sylvain Distin had read the move and was able to get back and block his shot. Foster saved a volley from Everton substitute Magaye Gueye at the foot of a post. Then, with three minutes left, Anichebe netted the winner. Osman's neat flick found Hibbert in space and Scharner failed to deal with his cross. The ball broke to Anichebe who slotted home his first league goal of the season.

West Bromwich Albion 0 Everton 1: match report
By John Percy at the Hawthorns
01 Jan 2012
(Telegraph)
Victor Anichebe’s injury problems over the past 18 months have been a constant source of frustration for David Moyes but at least the forward and Everton’s manager can finally look ahead with optimism.Injured forwards are nothing new to Moyes and are one of the reasons for Everton’s lack of tangible recent progress but the portents are promising after Anichebe’s first Premier League goal in nearly two years.The 23 year-old made only his third appearance of the campaign, after a serious groin problem, and his close-range strike three minutes from time ensured another chastening experience for Roy Hodgson on home soil.The West Brom manager was so frustrated he was pictured by television cameras banging his head against the dugout.In West Brom’s last game at the Hawthorns they left the field hailed as heroes after a spirited 0-0 draw with Manchester City but this was a sixth home defeat and a harsh reminder that Hodgson requires assistance from his board to avoid the necessity for nail-biting in May.
For Everton, however, the victory suggests that another strong second half to the season could happen, especially if Anichebe can stay fit.“Victor has had no games and I’ve not even been able to play him in the reserves but he’s someone we’ve missed,” Moyes said. “He’s got a lot of potential if we get the opportunity to unwrap it. I don’t think Victor is the striker that can get us loads of goals but he’s a good all-round forward player and has a lot of real good attributes which are really important in the Premier League.“The goal and the reaction from the supporters will help him. We’ve had to grind it out here and over the years that’s what we’ve done at Everton.”What Hodgson would do for such qualities at home. The Hawthorns is fast emerging as the Borethorns for Albion and they are the lowest scorers at home in the league with only seven goals.The first half was an insipid, uninspiring experience and would have done little to ease any sore heads.Ben Foster, the Albion goalkeeper, almost shattered the tedium when he spilt a hooked cross by Louis Saha but then recovered impressively to repel Jack Rodwell’s effort from close range. Saha then produced a dreadful miss after the hosts failed to clear.The second period was only a marginal improvement. Peter Odemwingie slashed a shot wildly over the bar just a minute in while Chris Brunt and Paul Scharner both attempted to test Tim Howard from distance.Everton made three substitutions in an attempt to regain superiority and one of them, Magaye Gueye, forced a save from Foster with a powerfully struck volley. But Anichebe punished dithering defending in the 87th minute to earn Everton all three points and their fourth away win of the campaign.Hodgson is not expected to receive substantial funds in this transfer window – with only a couple of loan signings predicted at best – but made it abundantly clear that reinforcements are needed, after this defeat.“I’d like to think we’ve got to the stage where the type of players who would help us would cost money and demand high wages,” he said. “I’m not certain at the moment that’s the way we are looking to go forward. If we are going to have a good season we need some help but we want to get players in who are better that what we’ve got.“We’ve shot ourselves in the foot today and we are going to be in the same type of battle to avoid losing our spot in the league as a lot of other teams.”Referee watch: Stuart Atwell. All eyes were on Stuart Attwell after his performance at the Emirates but he will probably not have a less stress-free afternoon this season.Decision-making: Only one major call to make: a penalty shout against Sylvain Distin. Replays proved Attwell right to turn it down.Bookings: Only two cautions were needed. Leighton Baines was given a yellow card for fouling Shane Long and claimed he had been fouled only seconds before, but again it was the right decision.Managers: Neither Moyes or Hodgson had any comment to make on Attwell – which will have been a relief after such scrutiny over the past few days.Performance: 7/10. As comfortable an afternoon as the 29 year-old could have wished for – and one he undoubtedly needed.

West Brom 0 Everton FC 1. Final Whistle Report
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 1 2012
VICTOR Anichebe marked his return to action with the winner, as Everton FC edged a flat New Year’s Day clash against West Brom.The 23-year-old has not featured since August, but he punched the air with delight at the final whistle after helping the Toffees pinch three points at a subdued Hawthorns.It wasn’t pretty, but David Moyes’ substitutions in the second half did enough to ensure his side start 2012 with a win.Moyes had started by handing Jack Rodwell his first taste of action since the game against Stoke on December 4, and with Royston Drenthe injured, the England midfielder played on the right of a narrow midfield.Alongside him was Phil Neville and John Heitinga, with Leon Osman again being used on the left despite shining in a more advanced role against Swansea.Seamus Coleman’s thigh strain ruled him out again, and it quickly became apparent that the visitors were desperately short of pace and directness in midfield.The first real chance of the game fell to the Baggies. Chris Brunt’s raking long ball evaded Sylvain Distin but Shane Long headed over at the far post.Everton’s midfield was shorn of creativity, and the Blues struggled to muster any threatening possession in the opening period, all too often passing sideways and backwards.It was only when Leighton Baines got the ball, that Everton looked like creating something and the England full-back started a move which resulted in John Heitinga trying his luck from outside the area only or his effort to be blocked.Then from a Baines corner, Saha hooked the ball over head and as home goalkeeper Ben Foster flapped, Jack Rodwell set himself to shoot but the former England goalkeeper was quick to smother him.And as Everton began to hog the ball, Louis Saha fired wide from a decent position in front of goal and Rodwell’s header from a corner was off-target.The second began with another wasted chance, this time West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie blasted woefully over the bar when put through against Tim Howard.Moyes added the width he had so sorely lacked by replacing Rodwell with Magaye Gueye on 57 minutes, and at least the young Frenchman’s first touch was a shot even if it was wildly off-target. In response Paul Scharner, so often a thorn in Everton’s side, rifled a first time effort over Howard’s bar. It prompted further changes for the Blues, with Victor Anichebe making his first appearance since August, and Denis Stracqualursi replacing the ineffectual Saha.At least the more attacking shape gave the away supporters something to get excited about, even if it did little to improve the game’s overall quality.Anichebe and Gueye conspired to nearly create an opportunity from Osman, as Everton looked the most likely to break the deadlock.And so they did finally. Osman’s inspired pass found Tony Hibbert who crossed to the far post for Anicbebe to hold the ball up manfully, swivel and fire home as the Baggie’s back four tied itself in knots.It was to be the game’s only moment of real quality, and now the search for reinforcements in the transfer window must go on.
EVERTON: (4-3-2-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Neville (Capt) (Anichebe, 65) Osman, Rodwell (Gueye, 57), Cahill, Saha (Stracqualursi, 65).
Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley, McFadden.
Bookings: Baines, Stracqualursi
Goals: Anichebe (87)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: (4-4-1-1) Foster, Jones, Dawson, McAuley, Shorey, Scharner, Brunt (Dorrans, 90) Thomas, Morrison, Odemwingie, Long.
Subs not used: Fulop, Tchoyi, Reyes, Thorne, Cox, Fortune.
Bookings:
Goals:
Ref: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 23,038

Let’s try and unwrap Victor Anichebe’’s potential says Everton FC boss David Moyes
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Jan 2 2012
DAVID MOYES hailed the contribution of Everton FC match-winner Victor Anichebe, who put a four-month injury nightmare behind him to score the only goal in the win over West Brom at the Hawthorns.Anichebe suffered a groin injury when on international duty with Nigeria in September and then an ankle setback with the Toffees.But he marked his return by coming off the substitutes’ bench to net an 87th-minute decider against Roy Hodgson’s side.Everton manager Moyes said: “It was a serious injury. Victor has had no games. I’ve not even had him playing in reserve games. Then he had an ankle injury when he came back in training. “He is someone we have missed because we can play him in several roles and he is someone who has got a lot of potential if we get the opportunity to unwrap it.“He is a good all-round forward player, he can play wide, he can play through the middle and has a lot of real good attributes which are important in the Premier League.“He has missed a lot of football. At times he lacks a bit of self-confidence but the goal today and the reaction of the supporters will help him.”Moyes admitted he would have been content with a point from a game of few chances before Anichebe found the target.He said: “The game overall was a draw. I didn’t think there were many chances for either of the teams. “We tried to make it difficult for West Brom like they make it difficult for teams.“It was a bit of a stalemate at times. I don’t think you’ll buy the DVD of the game!“But at the end of the day, this has been a hard place for us. We’ve not won here for a while and the victory gives us a chance to look forward.“You need to grind out results and over the years at Everton we’ve needed to do that at times.”West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson wants to bring in new quality signings but is uncertain whether he will be given the financial backing.Hodgson, whose current contract runs out this summer, said: “If we are going to have a good season, we need some help. Whether there are players out there who can help is another matter.“I’d like to think we have got to the stage where the type of players that would help us would cost money and demand high wages.“I’m not certain at the moment that is the way we are looking to go forward.“I’m not interested in bringing bodies or extra names into the club unless I am sure they are better than what we have got.”Hodgson was disappointed his side failed to hold on for a share of the spoils after collecting seven points from the previous three games.He said: “It was a 0-0 sort of game. Both teams defended quite well and I thought nullified each other somewhat.“But it wasn’t a 0-0 game, that’s the point. It was a 0-1 game. The 0-1 games – especially when the goals come so late, as it did against Stoke earlier in the season – are the hardest results to accept.“I’m very disappointed we couldn’t continue what has been a very good run in the last three games and continue playing the same level of football.”

West Brom 0 Everton FC 1: Blues start the New Year Victory party with win at West Bromwich Albion
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 2 2012
EVEN David Moyes had to admit that if this game was released on DVD he wouldn’t buy it.
In truth it could be in the cut-price section during the January sales, and the most ardent bargain-hunter would be wise to think twice.There was very little to ease the hangovers of the travelling Everton fans, or the watching nation, in this insipid New Year’s Day contest at the Hawthorns, absurdly given an early kick-off for broadcast on Sky Sports.Watching in the visitors’ dug-out, Landon Donovan must have wondered why he has swapped the beaches of LA for a wet and windy Premier League winter.In turn Evertonians will have been watching for 87 mind-numbing minutes, and praying the American still has that jet-fuelled pace to provide them with some much-needed attacking impetus.But in the end it was an altogether more unlikely saviour who stepped from the bench to score the solitary goal that gave Everton a winning start to 2012. Victor Anichebe had not even had the requisite fitness boosting run out for the reserves, when he was included among the substitutes in the Midlands, but the big forward made all the difference with his first taste of Premier League action since August. Three points won’t entirely silence the murmurs of concern at a starting line-up which was sorely lacking in width or invention, but ultimately Moyes provided any critics with the right response.It’s almost always about winning with the Everton manager, and that his side did just that is partly testament to a classic away performance.The Blues were deployed primarily not to concede, with two defensive players in Phil Neville and John Heitinga in central midfield, and no Royston Drenthe in the squad. It wasn’t pretty, at times it was downright ugly, but Everton weathered the storm (or mild gust of wind), which represented the Baggies’ attacking threat, and then Moyes made the changes which counted in the end. The endless endeavour of Denis Stracqualursi and improvement provided by Magaye Gueye and Anichebe will give their manager food for thought ahead of two home games when he will also consider his remit to entertain.Moyes had started by handing Jack Rodwell his first taste of action since the game against Stoke on December 4, and with no Drenthe, the England midfielder played on the right of midfield. That he hobbled off feeling his tight hamstring again will give further concern to Moyes, who is frustrated at how little he has been able to use Rodwell since he was injured playing for England against Sweden in November.Leon Osman was again used on the left despite shining in a more advanced role against Swansea.The first real chance fell to Roy Hodgson’s side when Shane Long headed over at the far post as, unsurprisingly, the Blues struggled to muster any threatening possession in the opening period, all too often passing sideways and backwards.It was only when Leighton Baines got the ball that Everton looked like creating something, and the England full-back started a move which resulted in Heitinga trying his luck from outside the area only or his effort to be blocked.Then from a Baines corner, Louis Saha hooked the ball over his head and as home goalkeeper Ben Foster flapped, Rodwell set himself to shoot but the former England goalkeeper was quick to smother him.As Everton began to hog the ball, Saha fired wide from a decent position in front of goal and Rodwell’s header from a corner was off target.The second half began with another wasted chance, this time West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie blasted woefully over the bar when put through against Tim Howard.Moyes added the width he had so sorely lacked by replacing Rodwell with Gueye on 57 minutes, and the young Frenchman’s first touch was a shot – even if it was wildly off target. In response Paul Scharner, so often a thorn in Everton’s side, rifled a first time effort over Howard’s bar. It prompted further changes for the Blues, with Anichebe giving the Baggies back four a headache, and Stracqualursi replacing the ineffectual Saha.At least the more attacking shape gave the away supporters something to get excited about, even if it did little to improve the game’s overall quality, and Everton looked the most likely to break the deadlock.And so they did finally. Osman’s inspired pass found Tony Hibbert who crossed to the far post. After collecting Scharner’s awful attempt to clear, Anichebe swivelled and fired home. It was the game’s only moment of real quality, and enough to seal the points.Livid with his side's defending, Hodgson hammered his head against the back of the dug-out.Not a classic then, and everybody will hope the New Year contains more inspiration to go with the perspiration, but victory against a side that held Manchester City to a scoreless draw on Boxing Day isn’t to be sniffed at. Just avoid the DVD.“I think he needs a bit of love and for the supporters to get behind him. He’s a really good player – he’s powerful, he’s quick and strong and I think we’ve missed him.” DAVID MOYES extols Victor Anichebe’s virtues."I didn't think we played very well, to be perfectly honest, I didn't think Everton had to do very much to keep us out. I thought that 0-0 would have been a satisfactory result on the day because it wasn't one of our better performances.” ROY HODGSON bemoans West Brom’s luck.
WEST BROM: Foster, Jones, Dawson, McAuley, Shorey, Scharner, Brunt (Dorrans, 90) Thomas, Morrison, Odemwingie, Long. Subs not used: Fulop, Tchoyi, Reyes, Thorne, Cox.
EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Neville (Capt) (Anichebe, 65) Osman, Rodwell (Gueye, 57), Cahill, Saha (Stracqualursi, 65). Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley, McFadden.
GOALS: Anichebe 87.
CARDS: Booked – Baines, Stracqualursi.
REFEREE: Stuart Atwell.
ATTENDANCE: 23,038.

Victor Anichebe thanks Everton FC fans after scoring late winner at West Brom
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 2 2012
VICTOR ANICHEBE paid tribute to the fans who chanted his name after the “emotional” comeback against West Brom which saw him seal victory for Everton FC.The 23-year-old forward scored the only goal of the New Year’s Day victory at the Hawthorns, making his first appearance for David Moyes’ side since August.Anichebe, who badly damaged his groin on international duty with Nigeria in early September, reacted quickest to stab home the goal the moved an injury-hit Everton side up to ninth in the Premier League table.He said: “We’ve had the short straw with games over Christmas but the fans have been great as ever. "They came out once again against West Brom and they were singing and willing us on so it was nice to see them bouncing at the end.“It’s good to show your appreciation to them because they’re supporting us – especially on a New Year’s Day when they might be feeling rough.“I could hear them singing my name when I scored and it’s a nice touch – especially on New Year. "It was an emotional day.” Anichebe described his frustration at being sidelined for most of the season so far, the latest in a long list of injuries which have limited his chance to shine for the Blues.He said: “Words can’t really describe how frustrating it’s been. "Sometimes I’d go home after training and wonder why is this happening? "But I’ve got good friends and family who help me get through it. "They helped me get through it last time when I was out for 12 months. "It’s frustrating but as long as the team does well I’m happy, and hopefully now I can help them out.“Every time I get injured I try to think of it as a blessing in disguise. "Every time I come back hungrier and I always see every set back as a challenge. Hopefully I can come back and want it more and show it. I had a chance of travelling to the Sunderland game but we thought it was going to be a bit too early. I found out just before kick-off that I was going to be involved. "Then he told me and Denis to warm-up and go on. It happened so quickly. "Tim Cahill helped me to get into the game, and we nicked a goal which I think was well deserved.”The powerful attacker has been receiving treatment with specialists in Belgium alongside his usual rehab and Finch Farm, and hopes he can now avoid injuries for the rest of the campaign. “My aim now is just to stay on the pitch,” he said. “I’m tired of doing rehab in the gym. It can drive someone insane.“The physios at Everton and the guys in Belgium helped me get back and I’d like to thank them too. Sometimes you’re in the same environment all time when you’re injured and you need to change it.“Fellaini recommended the guy in Belgium to me and he was great. He works you really hard, like four sessions a day. I know it was that good because I hated it so much. He’s got me back to this point and Danny, Dom, Matt, Craig all the physios here. Just like us they’re a team and they’ve helped me so much. Hopefully I can stay away from it now.”Anichebe hopes the winning start to 2012 can pave the way to Everton’s traditional post-January resurgence.And he believes any new signings in the transfer window will only increase his hunger to remain among the action. He said: “We always have a good second half of the season but we’d like to have a good first half too. Landon will give us a push and whoever we can bring in too. The lads have said I’ll be like a new signing.“Hopefully we can all add to it and finish the season strong. The most important thing is keeping a clean sheet and we did that.“I’m not setting targets for myself anymore. If we do bring in someone it’s good for the team. Competition for places can only help. You can’t deny that we have some good forwards too though.“Luis and Tim are still great players, and Denis’ work-rate today was phenomenal. Tolis wasn’t involved either and he’s important. Nobody can object to signings though. It’s all about the team.”

Ex Liverpool FC and Everton FC defender Gary Ablett dies aged 46
By Tina Miles
Jan 2 2012
FORMER Liverpool FC and Everton FC defender Gary Ablett has died aged 46 after a long battle against cancer.The ex-LFC reserve manager and Blues coach lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last night. Gary began his career at Liverpool FC and won two league titles and an FA Cup. He then moved to Stanley Park where he again lifted the FA Cup with Everton FC.He made more than 100 appearances for both clubs, before enjoying three years at Birmingham City.He managed Stockport County from 2009 to 2010.A statement from the League Managers Association said: “On behalf of Gary Ablett’s family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. “Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed.“The LMA’s thoughts and condolences are with Gary’s wife Jacqueline and children.”

Let’s unwrap Victor Anichebe’s potential declares Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 2 2012
DAVID MOYES hopes Victor Anichebe’s dramatic late winner against West Bromwich Albion can help rebuild the Everton FC striker’s confidence.Anichebe came off the bench to mark his first appearance in four months with an 87th-minute winner at The Hawthorns yesterday.The win moved Everton up to ninth place in the Premier League and stretches their unbeaten run over the festive period to four matches.It was Anichebe’s first goal for the Goodison outfit since August after suffering a serious groin injury while on international duty with Nigeria.And a delighted Moyes hailed the return of the 23-year-old, who netted only the eighth league goal of his career. “Victor hasn’t even had a reserve game before this because he got an ankle injury when he first came back,” said the Goodison manager.“He’s someone we have missed as he can play in several roles. He has a lot of potential, if we get the opportunity to unwrap it.“I don’t think Victor is a striker who will ever score loads of goals, but he is a good all-round forward player.“He can play wide and up the middle, he has a lot of good attributes. He is a powerful, powerful boy and is very quick.“At times he lacks a bit of self-confidence but the goal and the reaction of the supporters will help him. “But even though he has played just 25 minutes, he was saying afterwards he was tired, so it’s a matter of getting him match fit.”Anichebe was one of three changes made by Moyes around the hour mark in an attempt to shift the course of the game back in Everton’s favour. Denis Stracqualursi and Magaye Gueye were also introduced, and the Goodison manager believes all three contributed to the win.“The subs made a positive impact on the outcome of the game,” said Moyes.“We had to make sure the game didn’t go in West Brom’s favour. They started to get some steam up and we wanted to alter it.“We needed to do something different. We chopped and changed and the subs made an impact, Victor with his goal and Denis with his contribution. Magaye also gave us a bit of balance when he came on.“I wanted to get as many senior men in at the start and give ourselves a chance of getting a result.”One of those making way was Jack Rodwell, whose comeback from injury was cut short on 57 minutes as a precaution.“Jack felt his hamstring tighten up again,” said Moyes. “It disrupted us for a wee while as we were going to make a few changes and he wasn’t one of them.”Of the game, Moyes – who saw Royston Drenthe join Marouane Fellaini and Seamus Coleman on the sidelines – added: “The game overall was a draw. There didn’t look like being many chances for either team.“We tried to make it difficult for West Brom. It was a bit of a stalemate, and you wouldn’t buy the DVD of it. But this has been a hard place for us over the years and we have needed to grind out results lately.“We wouldn’t have said a point was a bad result. West Brom have been doing really well lately. I saw today as a tough game but to come and win gives us a good start to the new year.“Everybody is drawing attention to the fact we keep having a good second half to the season but there’s no guarantee it will happen. You need to work at it.”Meanwhile, Rubin Kazan have been linked with a £6million move for out-of-favour winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who was an unused substitute yesterday.

West Brom 0 Everton FC 1: Victor Anichebe ensures a happy New Year for Blues
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 2 2012
NEW YEAR and many happy returns. None, though, will have been quite as heartfelt as that of Victor Anichebe.The 23-year-old has spent much of the campaign in the treatment room having toiled to recover from the groin injury that had sidelined him for four months.There was little fanfare when Anichebe slipped on to the substitutes bench almost unnoticed for yesterday’s Premier League clash at West Bromwich Albion.But, having been thrown into the fray shortly after the hour to breathe life into a listless Everton attack, the striker announced his comeback by netting a dramatic late winner for David Moyes’s side.Small wonder the mixture of delight and sheer relief on Anichebe’s face as he wheeled away to celebrate in front of a jubilant away support.2011 was a year to forget for the Nigerian. And nor will it be recalled with any great affection by any of Everton’s strikers.That it was only Anichebe’s eighth Premier League goal and first in the top flight since March 2010 indicates he has never been the most prolific scorer.But with Moyes now desperately seeking striking reinforcements during the January transfer window, this was a timely reminder of an option already at his disposal.Even the Goodison manager was gracious to admit that until Anichebe capitalised on some woeful West Brom defending, the game had goalless draw written all over it.Everton, though, won’t mind a jot. This extends their unbeaten run to four games, a sequence built on the foundation of a defence that has now conceded just five goals in their last eight games. And while only eight goals have been scored in that period, the signs point towards yet another strong showing during the second half of a campaign.Moyes can take some credit for this victory following a raft of second-half substitutions that ultimately swayed the game in Everton’s favour.There had been a distinct lack of width to the starting line-up, with Royston Drenthe joining Seamus Coleman on the sidelines and both Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and James McFadden on the bench.Leon Osman and Phil Neville patrolled the flanks, leaving the visitors incredibly narrow in midfield and once again reliant upon Leighton Baines raiding down the left to provide any genuine width.Indeed, it was frustrating to see Tim Cahill delivering crosses when the Australian should be in the box getting on the end of such deliveries.Clearly, the arrival of Landon Donovan – watching on from the dug-out yesterday – is a timely one, the United States international available for Wednesday’s visit of Bolton Wanderers.Although Marouane Fellaini again missed out, Jack Rodwell returned to midfield after rib and hamstring injuries had restricted him to just 27 minutes of action since impressing on his full England debut against Sweden almost seven weeks ago.But there will be concern that Rodwell departed less than an hour into his 50th Premier League start complaining of a tight hamstring.As Moyes intimated afterwards, someone should have a word with whoever scheduled this for an early kick-off on New Year’s Day.With many of the crowd still feeling the effects of the previous night’s revelry, the atmosphere was more akin to a pre-season friendly than a crunch Premier League encounter.Not that there was much on the pitch to become excited about.The best thing about the first half was that there was only one minute of added time.Passes went astray, tackles were missed, headers dropped to nobody and the less said about the shooting the better.West Brom had impressed in earlier festive outings, following a 3-2 win at Newcastle United with a goalless draw at home to leaders Manchester City. But here they were anything but.Roy Hodgon’s side created the first chance on 18 minutes when Shane Long momentarily lost Sylvain Distin but headed over Chris Brunt’s diagonal cross from the left.There were ambitious shouts for penalties after good tackles from John Heitinga and Distin, but that was the sum total of the home threat before the interval.Everton posed the greater goalmouth intent. Midway through the half, West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster met Louis Saha’s overhead kick into the six-yard box with a weak punch, but redeemed himself by blocking Rodwell’s shot.Saha later dragged a shot woefully wide after a poor headed clearance fell invitingly 12 yards out before Rodwell glanced wide an inswinging Baines corner.The second half saw little improvement in quality. And that came to Everton’s rescue two minutes after the interval, when Peter Odemwingie raced in behind Phil Jagielka but ballooned his effort horribly over the crossbar.Both Brunt and Long were similarly off target from range as West Brom began to gradually increase the pressure on the Everton backline.Recognising the need for change, Moyes completely restructured his attack by throwing on Magaye Gueye, Denis Stracqualursi and Victor Anichebe.Gueye solicited a smart stop from Foster with a low drive, while the Frenchman and Anichebe later almost fashioned an opportunity for Osman as Everton finished the stronger.And they were duly rewarded three minutes from time. A clever ball from Osman released Tony Hibbert down the right, and after Paul Scharner and Billy Jones got in a muddle trying to clear the right-back’s cross, Anichebe reacted smartly to swivel inside the six-yard box and lift the ball over Foster.It ensured the New Year celebrations went on a few hours longer for Everton and their supporters.

West Brom: Roy Hodgson reveals why he delayed making substitutions during Everton match
Jan 2 2012 (Birmingham Post)
ROY Hodgson explained his reasons for not bringing on any substitutes until the final minute of stoppage time.While David Moyes had made all three changes by the 65th minute, Hodgson kept faith with his side – only bringing on Graham Dorrans in the third minute of added-on time, following Chris Brunt’s enforced withdrawal.His decision was all the more surprising given that Shane Long was carrying an injury and had needed pain-killing jabs before the game to ease a back problem.Hodgson said: “I didn’t think there were any changes that would win us the game. “I was fearful any changes I made might lead to them scoring a goal.“As it happened, they got the goal anyway.”Speaking about Long, the Albion boss continued: “I was pretty hopeful and optimistic we would draw 0-0.“And as Long was still doing his work and is useful to us in the penalty area on set-plays, which are an Everton weapon, I wasn’t anxious to replace him.”Hodgson could not contain his disappointment or anger after the game.“I’m very, very disappointed that we couldn’t continue what has been quite a good run in the last three games, continue playing the same level of football and, most importantly, couldn’t continue amassing points,” he added.“We gave three very big points to our rivals, who certainly did well enough to deserve a draw.“They must be very grateful that we gifted them the goal three minutes from the end.”

WEST BROM 0 - EVERTON 1: BIG VIC TIPS SCALES FOR THE TOFFEES
Peter Odemwingie should have done better after springing the visitors’ back line
2nd January 2012
By Dave Armitage (The Star)
HEAVYWEIGHT Victor Anichebe delivered the KO blow which provided the one highlight of a totally forgettable game.The big Nigerian looks like he’s feasted on Christmas pud over the festive period.But he single-handedly came to the rescue to shunt Everton into ninth spot courtesy of his 87th-minute goal.Anichebe bearing down on goal is a formidable sight. He’s 6ft 3in in his stockinged feet and is officially listed as weighing in at just over 12 stone.Whether he was standing on the scales on just one leg is subject to a stewards enquiry, but his weighty intervention in this game was much needed.Up to that point, there had been little or nothing to commend it and when Anichebe came on as a 65th-minute sub for Phil Neville, this match was already dying a slow death.However, Anichebe was the ­unlikeliest of knights on a white ­charger – he hasn’t scored in the league for almost two years.This was his first of this season and he failed to score in 19 appearances for the Toffees last season.In fairness to him, he has been dogged by an injury picked up while on international duty.But he didn’t need any reminding of how to find the net when West Brom gifted him the crucial late goal.Leon Osman made it all possible with a delightful clipped pass down the right which sent Tony Hibbert racing clear.Hibbert’s cross swept to the back post, where Albion’s Paul Scharner made a right pig’s ear of things.He managed to nod the ball back across his own goal and right into the path of Anichebe, who turned his giant frame into position before shooting home from close range.And that, in a nutshell, was that. This might have been the Premier League’s first offering of a brand new year, but Anichbe’s goal apart, the rest of the match is destined never to be aired again.By the time Anichebe intervened, half the crowd were in danger of sleeping off any excesses of the night before.The opening 45 minutes were dire. The second half was only 90 seconds old when it offered up a chance far better than anything that had been forthcoming before that.Peter Odemwingie should have done better after springing the visitors’ back line to chase down a header from James Morrison which had looped ­towards the penalty spot.Odemwingie managed to wriggle clear of Phil Jagielka and seemed certain to score as keeper Tim Howard tried to make himself as big as he could.But the striker, a shadow of the predatory beast that he was last season, rushed things and ended up not even hitting the target.Up to that point neither Howard nor opposite number Ben Foster had really been called on at all.The Everton man had no more than a couple of routine collections to deal with, but nothing even remotely resembling a save.It was much the same for Foster, though he had caused unnecessary panic in his box when he flapped at Louis Saha’s overhead kick, only managing a weak punch into the path of Jack Rodwell.Rodwell seized on the opportunity and got in a first time shot which ­cannoned away off a defender.Saha really should have tested Foster midway through the half, but, inexplicably, sliced the ball hopelessly wide.And right on half-time the only slightly contentious issue presented itself when Jerome Thomas tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Sylvain Distin.But replays clearly showed the big defender had nicked the ball away first before making any contact with Thomas.When the half-time TV highlights show a succession of fans yawning or looking generally brassed off, that perhaps says as much as you need to know.It took a substitute to get in the first on-target effort of the game – Magaye Gueye taking just a few minutes to make an impression after replacing Rodwell.It was still 67 minutes in coming – Magaye cracking a first time volley with such force that Foster had to go down to the foot of his right-hand post to keep it out.

Exclusive: Everton join chase for £4m-rated League One star
02/01/12 By Alan Nixon (The Star)
Everton boss David Moyes has joined the chase for Huddersfield hot shot Jordan Rhodes - but will have to find £4 million to get the new Scotland cap.Moyes is looking for a goalscorer and will rival West Ham and Celtic for the prolific forward who is pushing Lee Clark’s side towards promotion. The Goodison chief will be given money for a new forward by owner Bill Kenwright. His budget is below Rhodes’s asking price, but he can pay for the striker in installments.Rhodes has shown his class for club and country this season and Everton spies think he could be the answer to their problems.The Terriers are reluctant to sell but they have an auction on their hands and may take the biggest bidder if it reaches the £4 million figure.Hammers are also committed to landing Rhodes, but his valuation may be too rich for SPL giants Celtic who would have to sell before they can fund his capture.

West Brom 0-1 Everton: Daily Mirror match report
02/01/12 By James Nursey
Everton substitute Victor Anichebe scored his first Barclays Premier League goal of the season to earn his side victory against West Brom at the Hawthorns.Anichebe struck with three minutes remaining after Albion had failed to clear a cross from Tony Hibbert.It earned the Toffees their fourth away win of the campaign and allowed them to leapfrog Albion in the table.West Brom were forced to make two changes for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.Central defender Jonas Olsson (calf) and midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu (groin) were ruled out and replaced by Michael Dawson and James Morrison respectively.Dawson was making his first start since the 3-0 defeat at Swansea in September while Morrison had recovered from a hamstring injury.Everton boss David Moyes recalled fit again midfielder Jack Rodwell, after a three game absence with a hamstring injury, in place of Royston Drenthe.Everton skipper Phil Neville propelled an early long throw into the Baggies box but it went straight into the hands of goalkeeper Ben Foster.Jerome Thomas floated a deep cross into the Everton area but Nicky Shorey's header lacked power and direction.It was a quiet start to the game between two mid-table sides and Dawson, starting his first league match since September, easily dealt with a Leighton Baines free-kick.Everton forward Louis Saha needed treatment after a knock to the head in a clash with Albion defender Gareth McAuley.Thomas got on the end of a low ball into the danger area from Billy Jones but lost his footing.Both sides were guilty of some wayward passing in the opening 15 minutes. Tim Cahill summed up proceedings by slicing his cross high and wide from a good position on the left.It was 18 minutes before the first reasonable opportunity when Shane Long headed just over after getting on the receiving end of a deep centre from West Brom skipper Chris Brunt.John Heitinga produced a fine tackle inside the Everton area to halt the run of Morrison.Foster flapped at an overhead kick from Saha following a Leon Osman corner, but the former England keeper atoned for his error by rushing out to block the resulting shot from Rodwell.Everton looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Shorey got in the way of a fierce drive from Baines after his initial corner was half-cleared.Saha sent a half-volley just past the post after Albion failed to fully clear a Baines free-kick.Everton defender Phil Jagielka then screwed a shot just wide from another Baines centre.Albion looked short of attacking ideas and Heitinga blocked a long range attempt from Peter Odemwingie.Rodwell should have done better with a free header from a Baines corner but he directed it wide.Cahill, without a domestic goal in 2011, received a kick to the head from Brunt after the two had clashed.Distin produced a fine tackle to halt Thomas despite Albion fans appealing in vain for a penalty.Albion showed more purpose at the start of the second period and Odemwingie missed a clear chance to put them ahead after 47 minutes.The Nigerian international stayed onside in running onto a looping header forward from Morrison and got clear of the Everton rearguard.But Odemwingie lacked composure and lifted his shot over the bar.Jagielka did well to cut out a low Jones cross with Long waiting in space behind him to take advantage.But play soon drifted back into mediocrity with the passing from both sides showing little improvement on the first 45 minutes.Heitinga managed to nick the ball away from Odemwingie as he prepared to shoot inside the Everton area.Moyes made his first change after 57 minutes with Rodwell replaced by Magaye Gueye whose first attempt on goal flew well wide.Albion enjoyed a spell of possession and Morrison floated a pass over the Everton defence to Brunt, but Distin had read the move and was able to get back and block his shot.Moyes made his second and third substitutions with Victor Anichebe and Denis Stracqualursi replacing Neville and Saha respectively after 65 minutes.Foster saved a volley from Gueye at the foot of a post.Brunt produced a fine tackle to halt Osman's run and Morrison cut out a centre from Stracqualursi.But the general play continued to be below par and Odemwingie sliced a cross high into the crowd when in space to the left of the Everton box.Even Morrison, one of the few players to emerge with much credit, could not keep his volley down. But with three minutes left Anichebe netted the winner.Osman's neat flick found Hibbert in space and Scharner failed to deal with his cross.The ball broke to Anichebe who slotted home his first league goal of the season.

Ian Rush pays heartfelt tribute to 'true Scouser' Ablett
02/01/12 By MirrorFootball
Ian Rush, who played alongside Gary Ablett during his two spells at Liverpool in the 1980s and 90s, said Merseyside will be united in their sorrow today."He sums up what people are like in Liverpool, In 1989 (FA Cup final) when Liverpool and Everton fans were together, this will be exactly the same for Gary," Rush said."He's a true Scouser and when things are going wrong people stick together, they get together, both Liverpool and Everton supporters will support each other. That's what people on Merseyside will be doing today."He added on Sky Sports News: "We're absolutely gutted, Gary was a gentleman both on and off the pitch. When I received the news this morning I just couldn't believe it. It was terrible news and my heart goes out to his family."What you saw is what you got with Gary. Whoever he played for, be it Liverpool, Everton, Birmingham or whoever, he always gave 100%. That's very rare these days. In those days people just saw him as a normal player, but I think in today's game he'd be right up there because these sorts of players don't come by anymore."Rush also praised Ablett's coaching ability, adding: "People don't realise what a good coach he was."I remember him when he was managing Liverpool reserves, he put his voice across in the right way. He wasn't a shouter or a raver, he put it in the right way. His knowledge of the game was getting better all the time.

Gary Ablett passes away aged 46
02/01/12 The Sun
EX-EVERTON and Liverpool defender Gary Ablett has died aged 46 after a 16th-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Ablett began his career at Liverpool, before moving to across to the blue half of Merseyside in 1992. He made over 100 appearances for both clubs, before enjoying three years at Birmingham City.He managed Stockport County from 2009 to 2010. A statement from the League Managers Association said: "On behalf of Gary Ablett's family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma."Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed."The LMA's thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children."A Liverpool statement read: "Liverpool Football Club were today saddened to learn of the death of former player Gary Ablett."The staff of Liverpool FC would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Gary."A statement from Everton said: "Everyone at Everton was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Ablett."The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Gary's family and friends at this tragic time."Former Liverpool striker and boyhood Everton fan Michael Owen tweeted: "So sad to hear the news that Gary Ablett has passed away today aged 46. He played for some great clubs and had a career to be proud of. RIP."

West Brom 0 Everton 1
By GRAEME BRYCE
02/01/2012 (The Sun)
Supersub Victor Anichebe came off the bench to produce a late smash and grab after 87 minutes of stalemate, which left Roy Hodgson nursing a New Year's Day headache. The 23-year-old's winner was his first league strike for Everton since he struck against Birmingham in March 2010. And it prompted the gutted Albion boss to bang his head against an advertising board in frustration!
To be honest, he wasn't the only one who felt the urge to erase this game from the memory bank. Like the play which preceded it, Anichebe's goal was untidy, unremarkable — and totally unexpected. Not that David Moyes will care after making the hat-trick of substitutions which eventually turned this match on its head and saw his side leapfrog the Baggies into ninth place. Anichebe had almost become a forgotten figure since suffering a groin injury playing for Nigeria 12 weeks ago. Fortunately for the comeback man, West Brom forgot the art of defending crosses once too often and were cruelly punished. Leon Osman produced one of the few incisive passes of the afternoon to send Tony Hibbert clear on the right. His cross should have been helped on its way effortlessly. Instead, Paul Scharner got tangled up with team-mate Billy Jones and nodded the ball down into his own danger area. In the almighty scramble which followed, Anichebe wheeled round to send a left-foot shot beyond Ben Foster and his frantic defenders to nick three welcome points. It has to be said, though, West Brom and Everton kicked off the New Year with 90 minutes which were flatter than the dregs from the previous night's party. Both sides had ended 2011 in decent form on the back of three-match unbeaten runs but they did their best to hide it yesterday. To make matters worse for Hodgson, skipper Chris Brunt limped off near the end and is likely to miss tomorrow's visit to Spurs. It was Brunt who provided a rare glimpe of class after a turgid opening 18 minutes when he carved Everton open with a diagonal cross to Shane Long. But, with the goal at his mercy, the Baggies striker headed over from eight yards. Peter Odemwingie kept up the trend two minutes after the break when he burst clear, only to slash his shot wildly over. It has to be said, though, West Brom and Everton kicked off the New Year with 90 minutes which were flatter than the dregs from the previous night's party. Both sides had ended 2011 in decent form on the back of three-match unbeaten runs but they did their best to hide it yesterday.To make matters worse for Hodgson, skipper Chris Brunt limped off near the end and is likely to miss tomorrow's visit to Spurs.It was Brunt who provided a rare glimpe of class after a turgid opening 18 minutes when he carved Everton open with a diagonal cross to Shane Long.But, with the goal at his mercy, the Baggies striker headed over from eight yards. Peter Odemwingie kept up the trend two minutes after the break when he burst clear, only to slash his shot wildly over.Moyes had seen enough and sent on Magaye Gueye, Anichebe and Denis Stracqualursi in a decisive eight-minute burst.It almost paid off after 68 minutes when French Under-21 star Gueye connected with a rebound from a blocked Osman shot but Foster smothered the rocket at his near post.When Odemwingie tried an outrageous volley from a tight angle which flew hopelessly wide, you suspected any unlikely winner would have to come from a blunder.So it proved, as Anichebe struck after Scharner's howler.
DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN - VICTOR ANICHEBE (EVERTON)
WEST BROM: Foster 6, Jones 6, Shorey 6, McAuley 6, Dawson 6, Brunt 7 (Dorrans 3), Scharner 6, Morrison 6, Thomas 8, Odemwingie 6, Long 7. Subs not used: Fulop, Tchoyi, Cox, Thorne, Fortune, Jara Reyes.
EVERTON: Howard 6, Hibbert 6, Distin 6, Jagielka 7, Baines 6, Rodwell 6 (Gueye 6), Neville 6 (Anichebe 8), Heitinga 7, Osman 6, Cahill 5, Saha 6 (Stracqualursi 6). Subs not used: Mucha, McFadden, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley. Booked: Baines, Stracqualursi.
REF: S Attwell

Ex Liverpool FC and Everton FC defender Gary Ablett dies aged 46
By Tina Miles
Jan 2 2012
Liverpool Echo
FORMER Liverpool FC and Everton FC defender Gary Ablett has died aged 46 after a long battle against cancer. The ex-LFC reserve manager and Blues coach lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last night. Gary began his career at Liverpool FC and won two league titles and an FA Cup. He then moved to Stanley Park where he again lifted the FA Cup with Everton FC.
He made more than 100 appearances for both clubs, before enjoying three years at Birmingham City. He managed Stockport County from 2009 to 2010. A statement from the League Managers Association said: “On behalf of Gary Ablett’s family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. “Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed. “The LMA’s thoughts and condolences are with Gary’s wife Jacqueline and children.”

West Brom: Roy Hodgson reveals why he delayed making substitutions during Everton match
Jan 2 2012 Birmingham Mail
ROY Hodgson explained his reasons for not bringing on any substitutes until the final minute of stoppage time. While David Moyes had made all three changes by the 65th minute, Hodgson kept faith with his side – only bringing on Graham Dorrans in the third minute of added-on time, following Chris Brunt’s enforced withdrawal. His decision was all the more surprising given that Shane Long was carrying an injury and had needed pain-killing jabs before the game to ease a back problem. Hodgson said: “I didn’t think there were any changes that would win us the game. “I was fearful any changes I made might lead to them scoring a goal. “As it happened, they got the goal anyway.”
Speaking about Long, the Albion boss continued: “I was pretty hopeful and optimistic we would draw 0-0. “And as Long was still doing his work and is useful to us in the penalty area on set-plays, which are an Everton weapon, I wasn’t anxious to replace him.” Hodgson could not contain his disappointment or anger after the game. “I’m very, very disappointed that we couldn’t continue what has been quite a good run in the last three games, continue playing the same level of football and, most importantly, couldn’t continue amassing points,” he added. “We gave three very big points to our rivals, who certainly did well enough to deserve a draw. “They must be very grateful that we gifted them the goal three minutes from the end.”

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett dies after losing long battle against cancer
Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after a long battle against cancer, the League Managers Association said today. He was 46.
By Telegraph
02 Jan 2012
Ablett, who had a season as Stockport manager in 2009-10, lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last night. "On behalf of Gary Ablett's family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," said an LMA statement. Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed. "The LMA's thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children." Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans said: "It's a big shock. Obviously we know Gary's been ill for a while. It's a really sad day." Recalling Ablett as a player, Evans added: "He was good at everything he did as a player. "He went into coaching and stamped his personality onto that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level. I remember he had bit of a difficult first spell at Stockport, but overall he's had a great career in football, he's a big loss to the sport. "He made a big contribution to the game." David Fairclough, who played for Liverpool between 1974 and 1983, added: "He was a lovely lad, he always conducted himself in the right way. He was great with people, always personable. What always came through with Gary was his attitude was just always very, very right." Ablett took up a coaching role with Ipswich in July 2010 but was taken ill while at the club's training ground and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. "Liverpool Football Club were today saddened to learn of the death of former player Gary Ablett," said a statement from the club. "The staff of Liverpool FC would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Gary." A statement from Everton said: "Everyone at Everton was saddened to learn of the death of Gary Ablett. "The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Gary's family and friends at this tragic time." In October Ablett spoke of the shock at being diagnosed with the disease. Jacqueline took one look at me and took me straight to the doctors," he said in an interview with Everton's official website to support Blue September - a campaign to raise awareness of forms of cancer specifically affecting men. "The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there "We said 'for tests' but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I'd be in serious trouble. "From diagnosis to that first session of chemotherapy was less than three days, so it was a massive shock." Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who became Stockport manager in 2011 a year after Ablett left the post, said on Sky Sports News: "It's devastating news. He's a very highly regarded and respected man on Merseyside and a true legend."
Paul Walsh, who played alongside Ablett at Liverpool in the 1980s, described the news of Ablett's death as "absolutely tragic". He said: ""I'm absolutely stunned at the news, I knew he wasn't well, but 46 years of age is absolutely tragic." "He was was a hell of a nice person. He was a top lad. Just wanted to get in there and do well, didn't do anything fancy but a great pro who trained hard with a great attitude to everything he did. "There was also a steely determination about Gary. You don't get in the Liverpool team and come through the ranks at Liverpool and play 100 times for them if you haven't got that little bit of steel." Michael Owen said on his Twitter account: "So sad to hear the news that Gary Ablett has passed away today aged 46. He played for some great clubs and had a career to be proud of. RIP." Former club Birmingham have announced a minute's silence will be observed before their npower Championship match at Peterborough today with another held at St Andrew's on Saturday prior to their FA Cup third round tie with Wolves. "The thoughts of everyone connected with Birmingham City Football Club are with the friends and family of Gary Ablett," said a Blues statement. "Just like he battled as a fierce competitor on the pitch, Ablett fought non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for over year before passing away peacefully last night. "Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Gary's wife Jacqueline and his children and everyone else that knew him." Ipswich's players will wear black armbands for this afternoon's visit of Nottingham Forest and Ablett will be honoured with a minute's applause. "It's desperately sad news," Town chief executive Simon Clegg said. I stayed in touch with Gary as he battled his illness over 18 months, which he did with bravery and dignity and our thoughts go out to his wife Jacqueline and their children at this very difficult time."

Paul Scharner reveals West Brom home truths
Monday 2nd January 2012, Express & Star
Midfielder Paul Scharner today lamented Albion’s home form as he admitted responsibility for Everton’s Hawthorns winner. The Austria international conceded the Baggies must improve their ecord of just two wins from 10 home Premier League matches. They suffered their sixth Hawthorns defeat of the season yesterday as they went down 1-0 to Everton. Scharner said: “It is definitely something we have to put the focus on and we need to start picking up points at home otherwise we are struggling. Maybe at home everyone is waiting for us to dictate the game and create chances and keep possession and at the moment we can’t reach our top level at home. The record is terrible.
“This season we haven’t scored as many goals as last season. Yesterday wasn’t what we were looking for on the first day of the new year. It was a horrible game from us.” Victor Anichebe’s scrambled 87th-minute winner settled a poor game and Scharner shouldered the blame after his poor attempted clearance saw the ball drop to the feet of the Nigerian. Scharner said: “It was a missed header from me. Me and Billy Jones both went for the ball and you are never sure ‘can I go?’ or will he go?’ We were disappointed. We couldn’t get the tempo high and we couldn’t create any chances and then we conceded a goal like that.”

Gary Ablett, Liverpool and Everton FA Cup hero, dies at the age of 46
• Ablett lifted FA Cup with Liverpool in 1989 and Everton in 1995
• 'Our thoughts are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children'
Andy Hunter
Guardian
Monday 2 January 2012
Gary Ablett, the only man to win the FA Cup with Liverpool and Everton, has died following a long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. He was just 46. The Liverpool-born defender died on New Year's Day having been diagnosed with the illness in the summer of 2010 while working as an assistant to Roy Keane at Ipswich Town. Among the many to pay tribute to Ablett was Michael Owen, who wrote on Twitter: "So sad to hear the news that Gary Ablett has passed away today aged 46. He played for some great clubs and had a career to be proud of. RIP". The Labour MP and Everton fan, Andy Burnham, also wrote: "So sad to hear about Gary Ablett. Achieved rare feat of playing for, and being loved by, both clubs. A measure of the man he was. RIP."
Ablett, who also played for Birmingham City, Blackpool and had a short spell in America, won two league titles and the 1989 FA Cup for Liverpool in an Anfield career spanning 147 games. He joined the club as an apprentice in 1983 and was handed his first-team debut by Kenny Dalglish three years later, initially establishing himself at left-back in the 1987-88 title-winning campaign before featuring more regularly at centre-half and winning the league once more in 1989-90. The Liverpool manager said today: "The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl. It's a sad, sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club. Obviously he had a long battle and I'm sure it was a lot of suffering and a lot of pain for him, but the only thing you can say is at least he won't be suffering any longer.
"I gave Gary his debut and remember him scoring on his first start at Anfield against Nottingham Forest. He was a really good servant to the football club not only as a player, but also as reserve-team coach. He served the club proudly and credibly. It's very sad for everybody." Under Dalglish's replacement as Liverpool manager, Graeme Souness, Ablett lost his first-team place and was sold across Stanley Park to Everton for £750,000 in 1992. He went on to make 156 appearances for the Goodison Park club and secured a unique place in Merseyside football history in 1995 when Joe Royle's team beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final to give Ablett his second winner's medal in the competition. He was also part of the Liverpool team that lost the 1988 FA Cup final to Wimbledon. Ablett went on to make over 100 appearances for Birmingham before ending his playing career in 2001 after a brief spell with Long Island Rough Riders. He then returned to Everton to take up a coaching role with the club's youth teams, where he enjoyed great success for four years before being offered the position of reserve- team manager with Liverpool. He guided Liverpool's reserves to the Premier Reserve League north title in his second season in charge and took his first senior management job at Stockport County in 2009 with the club in administration throughout his only season in charge. Following relegation from League One with Stockport, Ablett was offered a coaching role at Ipswich by the then manager Keane but was diagnosed with the disease shortly after his arrival in July 2010. He appeared at Everton's end of season awards dinner in May last year and fronted the club's cancer awareness campaign in September. David Moyes, the Everton manager and a friend of Ablett's, said: "It is so, so sad about Gary. He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months and he was a lovely man, well liked by everyone. My thoughts are with all his family at this terrible time." Birmingham have announced there will be a minute's silence observed before their Championship game at Peterborough today, and prior to their FA Cup tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Andrew's on Saturday, while Ipswich players will wear black armbands for the visit of Nottingham Forest this afternoon. The Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg said: "It's desperately sad news. I stayed in touch with Gary as he battled his illness over 18 months, which he did with bravery and dignity and our thoughts go out to his wife Jacqueline and their children at this very difficult time."

Former Birmingham City, Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett dies
Jan 2 2012
Birmingham Post
Former Birmingham City, Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett has died after battling cancer for more than a year. The former Stockport County manager, who had won league and FA Cup titles with Liverpool during his playing career, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in August last year. The League Manager's Association confirmed the news today saying that Ablett had died peacefully last night. He was 46-years-old. The LMA siad: "On behalf of Gary Ablett's family the LMA has today confirmed that Gary passed away peacefully last night following a hard fought 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma," said an LMA statement. "Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike Gary will be sadly missed. The LMA's thoughts and condolences are with Gary's wife Jacqueline and children."

Everton enter race for Huddersfield hotshot Rhodes despite hands-off warningBy Sportsmail Reporter
2nd January 2012
Daily Mail
In demand: Jordan Rhodes is wanted by a host of higher-ranked clubs Everton are the latest club to throw their hat into the ring for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes. The 21-year-old Scotland international is on a remarkable run of form having scored 19 League One goals in just 16 starts this season, while also bagging hat-tricks for his country's Under 21 side. That has led to definite interest from SPL giants Celtic, as well as Norwich, QPR and West Ham, the latter of which have had a bid of around £3million rejected out of hand. Despite issuing a hands off warning to suitors, the promotion-chasing Terriers would consider opening talks with should a bidding war take the striker's price about £4m. As it stands cash-strapped Everton would be unable to match such an amount but Bill Kenwright would suggest payment over installments, according to the Daily Mirror. Signing Rhodes would not be the first time the Toffees have taken a punt on lower league players, having secured Jermaine Beckford's services following the end of the striker's contract with Leeds. He, though, lasted just one season.

Everton join Fulham in chase for PSG striker Hoarau as Moyes targets reinforcements
Daily Mail
2nd January 2012
Everton are ready to rival Fulham in their interest for Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau, 27, and are also keen on former Newcastle target Mevlut Erdinc, 24. Both strikers are on the fringe of the first team amid the new additions in Paris and Everton are hopeful of a loan deal.

EVERTON ARE SECOND BEST STILL
3rd January 2012
Daily Star
By Scott Coleman
PHIL NEVILLE reckons Everton can still push for Europe this season. Sunday’s 1-0 win at West Brom pushed the Toffees up to ninth place before yesterday’s fixtures. Everton, who face rock-bottom Bolton tomorrow, have a history of kicking on in the second half of a season after slow starts under boss David Moyes. Captain Neville said: “It is a massive win for us, it is a great start to the year. Hopefully now we can kick on and challenge for a European place, because that is where we want to be. “When you play teams like West Brom and it is so tight, you’ve got to take your chances.” Moyes said: “We tend to go on runs in the New Year. I’ve got to hope this is the start of one.”

Phil Neville challenges Everton FC to produce annual late flourish
Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 3 2012
PHIL NEVILLE has challenged Everton FC to produce another strong second half to the season and target European qualification. David Moyes’s Everton FC side began 2012 with a dramatic late victory at West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day. Having started the season in a traditionally slow manner, the Goodison outfit are in the top half of the table having extended their mini-unbeaten run to four matches. And Neville is hopeful the triumph at The Hawthorns can prove a catalyst for the remainder of the campaign. “It is a massive win for us, it is a great start to the year,” said the 34-year-old. “Hopefully now we can kick on and challenge for a European place because that is where we want to be. “When you play teams like West Brom and it is so tight, you’ve got to take your chances, particularly away from home. “Roy Hodgson has his team really well drilled, probably the most well drilled team in the league, with two banks of four and good pace and quality upfront. “If you don’t take your chances, and that has probably been the story for the last year and a half, then it is a battle. “Luckily we had one chance near the end of the game and we took it.” Victor Anichebe’s 87th-minute winner at West Brom was only Everton FC’s 19th goal in 18 Premier League games this season. But Moyes is hopeful his team’s forward line can gain greater self-belief by the good run of results. “We’ve not been that consistent this season but, if you look at our past history, we tend to get better as the season goes on,” said the Goodison manager. “We tend to go on runs in the New Year. I’ve got to hope this could be the start of one. Everyone is talking about it and drawing my attention to it. “Sometimes I’d rather just go along quietly and at the end of the season say: ‘Hey, we’ve had another good second half to the season’. “We haven’t won enough games to date. We probably haven’t played well enough. “Recently we have played well but not scored goals. We may need to grind a few results out. Over the years at Everton, we’ve needed to do that at times. “Hopefully that might rebuild some confidence in terms of scoring some goals.
“We are unbeaten in four games and it is the sort of run you need to go on regularly if you are going to be near the top. We will try and build on it

Everton FC’s Victor Anichebe dedicates winning goal at West Bromwich Albion to his father
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 3 2012
VICTOR ANICHEBE dedicated his winner to his ill father after making a dramatic return to action for Everton FC. Anichebe stepped off the bench to mark his first appearance in four months by netting a dramatic 87th-minute winner to give David Moyes’s side a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion. The 23-year-old has been sidelined by a serious groin injury suffered while on international duty with Nigeria in September. And the forward has revealed the goal was for his father, who is currently in hospital. “It was great, a big sigh of relief,” said Anichebe. “It was good because of all the hard work me and the physios had put in to get me back here today. “That was for my dad as well. He’s not feeling very well at the moment and is in hospital. That goal was really dedicated to him. “Hopefully he can be better and come out of hospital. Hopefully that can spur the team and my family on.
“It’s always great to be back playing. When you aren’t playing it’s always hard. I’ve been there before, though. The players, manager, family and friends have helped me get through it. “I’ve had a few setbacks throughout my career but hopefully with the turn of the year I can put that behind me and stay on the pitch and keep going.” Anichebe’s goal helped extend Everton’s unbeaten run to four games with man-of-the-match Sylvain Distin urging the team to maintain such momentum.
“It’s a good run, we have to carry on,” said the Frenchman. “We have to turn the draws into victories and that would be even better.” Everton have now conceded just five goals in their last eight games but Distin believes the plaudits should not be restricted to just the back four. “It’s not only the defence, it’s the team,” he said. “If you only expect the back four to defend you are never going to succeed and keep a clean sheet, you start from the front and everybody worked hard today and at the end we’ve got three points and a clean sheet, which is perfect.” Of the backline, Moyes said: “The defence has been terrific and the boys playing really well. “West Brom had a few chances, but they were more shots off target. I don’t recall our keeper having a save to make.” Anichebe’s winner came after West Brom duo Paul Scharner and Billy Jones failed to clear a Tony Hibbert cross. And Baggies manager Roy Hodgson admitted his team had only themselves to blame for the defeat.

“It was a very hard result to take,” said Hodgson. “It was a nil-nil game and both teams had defended well. But it wasn’t a nil-nil game, it was a nil-one game. “We’ve given three very big points to our rivals who did well enough to get a draw, but would be feeling very grateful we gifted them a draw. Their goal was an obvious mistake. “We didn’t create anywhere near enough chances. Shane Long was struggling with a back injury and needed an injection to play, and Peter didn’t have as much as impact as recently. “I was optimistic and hopeful we would draw the game nil-nil. We have shot ourselves in the foot.”

Friends pay tribute to Liverpool and Everton FA Cup hero Gary Ablett
by Tina Miles, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 3 2012
THE world of football last night paid tribute to Gary Ablett – the only player to win the FA Cup with Liverpool and Everton – after his death from cancer. The former defender, and most recently manager of Stockport County, had suffered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, for more than 16 months. Last night, friends spoke about his great career in football and their profound sadness following his death, aged 46, on New Year’s Day. Former Everton manager Howard Kendall, who in 1992 signed the footballer for the Goodison Park club in a £750,000 deal, said: “We knew Gary had been ill for quite a while. “He fought it for a long time. That is the type of person he was. He was a super fella. It is a sad day. I’m stunned by it all. He was just 46.” Recalling him as a player, he added: “He was a tremendous worker and a good defender. I took him to Sheffield United as well. “He was a consistent player. He’s had a great career in football.”
Gary’s former Anfield team-mate, Jan Molby, said: “It’s very sad news. I last saw Gary at Goodison Park last May when he played in a charity match between Liverpool Legends and Everton Legends.
“I’ll remember Gary as a really good footballer. He was a very good reader of the game, a good passer and always used the ball well. “He did everything he could to the best of his ability. He was very composed and had a sweet left foot. Off the field, he was a quiet guy, he was a family man. He loved the fact that he had made it as a footballer, as that was all he had ever wanted to do.”
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, who handed him his debut against Charlton Athletic, in December, 1986, said: “It’s a sad, sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club.
“He was a really good servant to the football club not only as a player, but also as reserve team coach. He served the club proudly and credibly. It’s very sad for everybody.” The League Managers Association, which broke the news yesterday, said:“Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike, Gary will be sadly missed. “The LMA’s thoughts and condolences are with Gary’s wife, Jacqueline, and children.” David Fairclough, who played for Liverpool between 1974 and 1983, added: “He was a lovely lad, he always conducted himself in the right way. He was great with people, always personable. What always came through with Gary was his attitude was always very, very right.” Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans said: “He was good at everything he did as a player. He went into coaching and stamped his personality onto that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level.” Pat Nevin, former Everton winger, said: “I’m shocked and saddened. Gary was a lovely, lovely guy who was liked by everyone.” Everton manager David Moyes added: “He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months, and he was a lovely man, well liked by everyone.”

Mark Lawrenson: Things are improving for Everton
Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 3 2012
IT wasn’t pretty to watch, but Everton’s win at West Brom was a sign things are getting better. David Moyes’s men have acquired the ability to play ugly and win, and that’s always a really good trait to have. You don’t need free-flowing football every week, but what you do need is results. And Everton are getting them now. Having Landon Donovan available for the visit of Bolton tomorrow will be a big plus, as was the sight of Victor Anichebe back in action and scoring at The Hawthorns.
A few weeks ago, Everton were hovering about the relegation zone. Now they are ninth. They have to keep going, and historically they do better during the second half of a season under Moyes. The manager, though, needs a bit of help now. And he needs a new striker. I was surprised to see Macheda go on loan from Manchester United to QPR. Moyes would surely have considered a loan for the Italian, but perhaps QPR have guaranteed regular starts.

Ian Snodin: Tamworth can make life tough for everton, but blues still should win by four or five!
Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
I’VE been on both sides of the FA Cup giant-killing spectrum. I was an Everton player when Woking came to Goodison Park in 1991 and made life very difficult for us until Sheeds did what he usually did best and fired us into the fifth round. But I was also a proud Doncaster Rovers player when we came to Goodison Park to face the reigning champions and came with 10 minutes of forcing a replay.
Saturday’s visit of Tamworth is a match Everton should win by four or five goals – but I’ll settle for the Blues just getting through on the day! I regularly report on Conference matches for Premier Sports so I know exactly what we’re going to get from Tamworth. It’s a cliche to say it will be their Cup final, but that’s exactly how they will treat it They will close us down, make life difficult – and we will have to make sure we pass the ball well and allow our superior class to show. Tamworth aren’t a full-time football club so they won’t be able to keep going for 90 minutes – but above all Everton have to make sure our attitude is right.

Ian Snodin: Victor Anichebe’s goal spelled the end for my lanpshade!
Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
FOR 86 minutes I didn’t move from my seat on New Year’s Day. Then four minutes from the end the lampshade went flying! That’s what a late winning goal can do to you. Sunderland supporters will say the same thing after being pulverised for 93-and-a-half minutes by Manchester City – then snatching an unexpected winner. Everything that’s gone before is quickly forgotten. So while the match itself was pretty dire at West Bromwich Albion, that’s quickly banished from the memory banks as all we think about is Victor Anichebe’s winning goal. What makes it even more memorable is that Victor scored right in front of the travelling Blues fans. Those supporters deserve credit anyway for making the early start on New Year’s Day morning to travel down the M6 to support their team. And their reward was that strike right in front of them. The result moved us up to ninth in the Premier League table, and with another winnable home game looming tomorrow there’s an opportunity to climb even higher. There’s no doubt it’s been a difficult season so far, but moments like the one Victor provided four minutes from time at The Hawthorns make it all worthwhile.

Ian Snodin: Big chance looming for Victor Anichebe at Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
VICTOR ANICHEBE has a wonderful opportunity in the coming months to nail down a regular starting place at Everton FC – in his favoured striking position. In the past Victor has been used out wide, but he has all the qualities to make a success of a more central role. I am sure defenders hate playing against someone of his strength and stature. I’d just like to see him use that weight a little more to upset defenders and become a real handful. In the past injuries have prevented Vic from holding down a regular place up front. But with us struggling for goals so badly this season he now has a great chance to enjoy a proper run up front. It’s up to Victor now whether he can grab that opportunity. Obviously he will take some time to get back up to full match fitness again, but his confidence will be soaring after that winner on Sunday and he should have a spring in his step whenever he crosses that white line again. His return to the squad can help everybody – but he can help himself too!

Gary Ablett remembered: David Prentice pays tribute to a Merseyside marvel
By David Prentice
Jan 3 2012
MAKE sure you give me a good mention," shouted Gary Ablett "just like the old days!" I was sitting on a bench in the foyer of the BT Convention Centre last May, typing a report of Everton’s annual End of Season awards dinner. Gary Ablett, frail and stooped, was being supported by his wife when he shouted a typically cheery greeting. He needn’t have shouted. I’d already given Gary a "good mention." It was impossible not to. Unfailingly cheerful, permanently positive – he was that rare breed of person who always seems pleased to see you – which is a difficult trick to pull off when you’re talking to a journalist. But Gary did, and you knew he always meant it. I got to know him well when he played for Everton in the 1990s – and he went under the unusual nickname ‘Ninja’ ... his team-mates of that era had a greater developed sense of imagination than most and reckoned he resembled a ninja warrior. At Anfield, where he started his career, he was simply Abbo. Playing either left-back or centre half, Abbo started 20 matches in one of the most dazzingly talented Liverpool sides of all-time of 1987/88. He featured in 49 matches in the following season, but struggled for a regular place in the 1989/90 championship-season. Graeme Souness sold him to Everton for £750,000 in January 1992, the kind of transfer which only a man of robust character could carry off. Gary did so spectacularly. He made 156 appearances scoring six goals – and was an integral member of the last trophy winning side to grace Goodison, the 1995 FA Cup winners.
Few Blues fans will forget his storming run down the Elland Road wing to catch an overhit Anders Limpar pass, then cross for Daniel Amokachi to clinch Everton’s Wembley place – or his diving header against West Ham to finally clinch a first win of the season under Mike Walker – at the 15th time of asking! The previous season Ablett had also endured the ignominy of scoring an own goal in a match which might have seen Everton relegated. That gave Wimbledon a 2-0 lead – but Gary showed the strength of character to help his team-mates recover and secure a famous victory.
He left Goodison in 1996 for Birmingham City, where he built a good understanding at the heart of the other Blues’ defence with Steve Bruce. When Bruce left to become player-manager at Sheffield United, Ablett was appointed captain of the club. He later played for Wycombe, Blackpool and the American side Long Island Rough Riders before turning to coaching. He spent a few years as coach at Everton's academy and in the summer of 2006 returned to Liverpool as manager of the reserve team. His interview, to then manager Rafael Benitez, was outstanding and the Reds couldn’t believe they had managed to prise a talented young coach back from the Blues more than a decade after he had made the trip in the opposite direction. That appointment soon brought success. Under Ablett's guidance Liverpool won the Premier Reserve League (North) in April 2008 and a month later became national champions. His second season in charge was anti-climactic and he became a victim of Benítez’s youth system revamp in the summer of 2009. Named as the new manager of League One club Stockport County in July 2009, Ablett had to cope with the most difficult circumstances of his football career with the club in administration. County had a miserable 2009/10 season, were relegated back to League Two in April, 2010 and two months later it was announced that Ablett had left the club. But in the summer of 2010 he was offered a way back into the game by Roy Keane at Ipswich Town, who wanted to add him to his coaching staff. Unfortunately, before he was really able to take up this new post in earnest, Ablett was rushed to hospital after being taken ill on the training ground. It was subsequently confirmed that the 44-year old was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma – the same form of cancer that ex-Arsenal midfielder David Rocastle died from in 2001. Gary fought the disease bravely for 16 months: "I thought it can't be me, it just can't," he said. "I felt so strong – I had played for the best two teams in the world, coached for the best two teams in the world. It can't be me. But unfortunately it was. "Jacqueline (his wife) took one look at me and took me straight to the doctors. The following day they whisked me to Ipswich hospital and the sister asked us if we knew why we were there "We said ‘for tests’ but she told us they had found a really aggressive lymphoma and that without immediate treatment I’d be in serious trouble.
"From diagnosis to that first session of chemotherapy was less than three days, so it was a massive shock." "In terms of what I’ve been through with the chemotherapy, the blood transfusions, the platelet transfusions, eight radiotherapy sessions, the lumbar punches and a bone marrow transplant . . . the list can go on and on." That list has now, tragically, ended. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who gave Ablett his debut during his first spell as Reds boss, put it all into perspective. "The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl," he said. "Obviously he had a long battle and I’m sure it was a lot of suffering and a lot of pain for him but the only thing you can say is at least he won’t be suffering any longer." Another good mention for a truly good guy, Gary Ablett RIP.

Gary Ablett remembered: Fans and family pay tribute to Liverpool and Everton FA Cup hero
by Tina Miles, Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
FRIENDS today paid tribute to former footballer Gary Ablett – the only player to lift the FA Cup with Liverpool and Everton FC – after he lost his battle against cancer. The Liverpool-born defender lost his 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma aged just 46 on New Year’s Day. Tributes to the 46-year-old dad-of-three flooded Twitter within minutes of the announcement, while football fans left their condolences on the ECHO’s website. The footballing world also remembered the former Everton and Liverpool youth coach, who also managed Stockport County, applauding his contribution to the sport. Ablett was diagnosed with the illness soon after he took up a role assisting Roy Keane at Ipswich in July 2010. He was taken ill while at the Suffolk club’s training ground. Former Everton manager Howard Kendall, who brought Ablett to Goodison Park from Anfield in 1992 in a £750,000 deal, told the ECHO: “We knew Gary had been ill for quite a while. I heard recently it was bad news and it would be a matter of time. “He fought it for a long time. That is the type of person he was. He was a super fellow. It is a sad day and I am stunned by it all. He was just 46.” Recalling him as a player, he added: “He was a tremendous worker and a good defender. I took him to Sheffield United as well. “He was a consistent player. He had a great career in football and made a big contribution to the game.” Ablett began his career at Anfield, winning two league titles and an FA Cup in 1989. He then moved across Stanley Park, winning the FA Cup with Everton in 1995. His former Anfield teammate Jan Molby said: “It is very sad news. I saw Gary at Goodison Park last May, when he played in a charity match between Liverpool and Everton Legends.
“I will remember Gary as a really good footballer. He was a very good reader of the game, a good passer and always used the ball well. “He did everything he could to the best of his ability. He was very composed and had a sweet left foot. “Off the field he was a quiet guy, he was a family man. He loved the fact that he had made it as a footballer because that was all he had ever wanted to do.”
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who handed Ablett his debut against Charlton Athletic in December 1986, said: “The most important thing just now is to pay our respects to Gary, his wife Jacqueline, the two boys and his wee girl. “It is a sad day for his family and everyone connected with Liverpool FC. He was a really good servant to the football club not only as a player but also as reserve team coach. “He served the club proudly and credibly. It is very sad for everybody.”
Everton manager David Moyes said: “It is so, so sad about Gary. He was a regular visitor here to Finch Farm over the last six months and he was a lovely man, well-liked by everyone.”
Ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans said: “It is a big shock. Obviously we know Gary was ill for a while. It is a really sad day. “He was good at everything he did as a player. He went into coaching, stamped his personality onto that and was doing a very good job, certainly at youth level.”
Former Everton winger Pat Nevin said: “He was a classy defender and had decent quality going forward as well. He was not dirty in any way. “I played against him a lot when I was at Everton and he played at left-back. It says something that I enjoyed playing against him even in the Merseyside derby, which is one of the most stressful games in world football, because he was just such a nice guy. “I am shocked and saddened. Gary was a lovely guy who was liked by everyone. I do not think anyone will have a bad word to say about him.” Ex-Reds frontman David Fairclough added: “Gary was a lovely lad, he always conducted himself in the right way. “He was great with people, always personable. What always came through with Gary was his attitude was just always very right.”
Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush said: “Gary was a really versatile player, somebody who would play anywhere the manager asked him. The fact he played for both Liverpool and Everton says something about how good he was as a player. “He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final. He was so proud to win something for the team. “He was a very knowledgeable football man too. He was not a shouter and a raver, he was more of a coach. He knew a lot about the game and he could see potential in young players – a skill in itself. “Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you with anything, he would.” The League Managers Association, which broke the news yesterday morning, said: “Respected throughout the game by players, coaches and managers alike, Gary will be sadly missed. “The LMA’s thoughts and condolences are with Gary’s wife Jacqueline and children.” The Everton Former Players’ Foundation said it will set up a book of condolence at Liverpool’s Metquarter shopping centre, in Whitechapel.

Ian Snodin: Excellent player, but more importantly Gary Ablett was also a lovely, lovely man
Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
WHEN Gary Ablett first crossed the park to Everton FC in 1992 I was a little wary – as most players probably are – of someone who has played for their fiercest rivals. When Abbo left Everton FC in 1996, however, I thought of him as a friend, a top bloke and a lovely, lovely man. He was the kind of fella you’d call up if you ever fancied a pint – and you can’t always say that about your team-mates.
But such was Gary’s personality and the way he conducted himself that he quickly became very popular at Goodison. It takes a special kind of person to have the courage to make that move from Liverpool to Everton. Gary was under a lot of pressure when he made the switch, from fans of both sides, but the way he played and the way he conducted himself meant he won them all over.
He certainly won the lads over at Everton. He mixed in straight away, but the only way you can win the respect of fellow professionals is if you can play, and Gary was an excellent footballer.
You don’t make as many appearances as he did for Liverpool without having quality – and after winning trophies with the Reds he came across to us and became an FA Cup winner in 1995. He could play full-back or centre-back equally well because he was so comfortable in possession of the ball. But much more important than any football qualities he might have had, he was also a lovely lad. I always looked forward to chatting with him and I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about him. We invited him onto the radio show a couple of months ago, but he said he didn’t want to talk about his illness, he just wanted to talk about the game he loved. That sums up the kind of person he was – no self pity, no bitterness, just a lovely bloke who felt fortunate to have enjoyed the kind of career he had. I feel for his family and friends to lose someone at such a young age.
And I think the reaction on both sides of Stanley Park will underline what a special person he was. Both football clubs will almost certainly pay their own tributes to Gary Ablett – which is fitting.
But I think the fact both sets of fans will mourn his passing equally is the biggest tribute to you can pay to him. Gary was a winner – for Liverpool and Everton – and he was also a top fella. Abbo, RIP.

Greg O’Keeffe gives his verdict on Everton FC’s season so far
Liverpool Echo
Jan 3 2012
ASKED what he predicts for the second half of Everton FC’s season, a stony-faced David Moyes made no attempt to sugar coat his club’s circumstances. Given the level of spending by their contemporaries in the summer and acknowledging another tight budget for this month’s transfer market, a top half finish would, he said, represent a realistic achievement. There was a time such an assessment would have been met with knowing nods from the assembled hacks. Moyes is a master of the under-statement, ever careful to control expectations. The one time he felt ennobled to voice genuine optimism, before the start of the 2010/11 campaign, his dream of a top four finish fell flat. Fingers burned; perhaps this was David Moyes back at his old game? Sadly not. Everton FC’s manager is genuine in his less than glowing forecast for the second half of this campaign. But should he be? Has the first half of this chequered season really been so bad that simply finishing in the top 10 is the best Everton can hope for? Let’s examine the Blues Half Term report, and see what can be gleaned from the highs and lows of a turbulent four months.
HIGH POINT
It says something about Everton’s results since August that the high point of the season came from an off-the-field development. Marouane Fellaini’s decision to sign a bumper new deal and commit his future to Goodison was a major boost. On his day the Belgian can be one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and the Blues are always stronger with the hard-working athlete anchoring their midfield. Make no mistake, the vultures were circling around Fellaini, and his decision to hang around, for now, removes one major headache for Moyes in the next couple of transfer windows. Ross Barkley’s new deal - signed promptly after his 18th birthday - was also promising. On the pitch, a morale-boosting win over Fulham was enlivened by Royston Drenthe’s scorcher.
LOW POINT
Tough to swallow defeats by Manchester City and Liverpool (given Jack Rodwell’s red card) were disappointing. A dismal loss to Stoke City at Goodison was painful too. But the overall problem is the growing realisation that – on this term’s evidence so far – Everton can no longer administer a bloody nose to the Premier League’s big spending top four. After years of defying the odds, even Moyes’ powers of causing an upset appear to be buckling under the strain of financial inactivity.
The legacy of Mikel Arteta’s summer sale has been a huge creativity drain, which has also made it harder for Everton to finish off the well-organised mediocre sides of the top flight.
GOAL OF THE SEASON SO FAR
Royston Drenthe took just three minutes to stun Craven Cottage – so long a bogey ground for Everton – into silence with a stunning exocet that set the Blues on the road to victory over Martin Jol’s Fulham.
BLUNDER OF THE SEASON SO FAR
It was bad enough to see the Blues dip out of the Carling Cup against Chelsea at Goodison Park. But the painful moment when Jan Mucha let a tame shot slip through his grasp to hand the Londoners a lead will still trigger winces in those present that night. Mucha is a solid, international goalkeeper but such is the lot of a deputy in a high-stakes game.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON SO FAR
Cut-price Greek U-21 forward Vellios has shown plenty of promise, along with the joyously inconsistent but always entertaining contributions of Royston Drenthe. As ever Leon Osman has led the way when backs have been against the wall, often providing the only true source of craft in midfield. But Everton’s player of the season will surprise nobody. A man who has established himself in Fabio Capello’s England team, and more often than not made the Blues tick from full-back: Leighton Baines. The Kirkby-born defender boasts a wand of a left foot, an endless engine, and has found new ways to create openings for his side despite missing his best wing-man Steven Pienaar.
PROUD TO BE BLUE MOMENT
Gary Speed’s untimely death still leaves many questions unanswered. But a spine-chilling tribute to the former Everton captain at Goodison Park was note perfect, and left Gary’s father in tears on the pitch.
PROBLEMS THAT WON’T GO AWAY
The divide in Everton FC’s fan base, epitomised by two protests organised by campaign group the Blue Union show a deep unrest at the club’s ongoing financial difficulties, lack of new investment, and no solution to their stadium dilemma. lso looming on the horizon is the thorny scenario Moyes faces when he must eventually replace ageing key players, while viable replacements from elsewhere remain out of his budget. However, despite a mixed start to this season, Everton begin the New Year in ninth position. With fitting symmetry for this half-way point, they are positioned just above the mid-point of the table. With nine wins , nine defeats and three draws in all competitions, Everton have at least managed to leave some avenues for a positive term open. A top seven finish may be unlikely, but it’s far from impossible with Moyes’ experienced guidance.
And could this finally be the year for the Toffees to go all the way in the FA Cup? A successful trip to Wembley would end the unfinished business of May 2009 and end that 16 year wait for addition to the Goodison trophy cabinet. Both aims will be hugely influenced by a successful month in the January transfer market. A striker or two, a pacy winger and some further creativity in the centre would all be useful. Here’s hoping.

Jaaskelainen doubtful for Everton showdown
Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Bolton News
OWEN Coyle could be forced into a goalkeeping change for Wanderers’ crucial Premier League game at Everton on Wednesday after revealing Jussi Jaaskelainen is a major injury doubt. The Reebok veteran has a thigh strain and could be forced to sit out the Goodison Park clash. Adam Bogdan is on standby. Coyle has an otherwise clean bill of health as he considers his team selection.

David Moyes on alert to give Reds’ outcast an exit
January 03, 2012
Manchester Evening News
Everton could be ready to offer Darron Gibson a way out of Old Trafford. David Moyes is readying a bid for the Republic of Ireland international, who was close to joining Sunderland last summer. That deal fell through and the 24-year-old was left on the fringes for much of the season by Sir Alex Ferguson. It was only the crippling spate of injuries suffered by the Premier League champions that led to a recall for the Boxing Day win against Wigan. Gibson impressed on his return to the first team – but he has not impressed Ferguson with his part in the night out with team-mates Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans that evening. His immediate future could depend on Ferguson’s ability to bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window. United are already without Tom Cleverley and Darren Fletcher in the centre of midfield, while Anderson has just returned from a knee injury.

Everton FC boss David Moyes believes Victor Anichebe can be top player if he believes in himself
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 4 2012
Victor Anichebe and Leighton Baines celebrate at West Brom
WITH his imposing physique and laid-back approach to life, Everton FC striker Victor Anichebe rarely seems to lack self-belief. The trappings of Premier League fame came to the powerful forward early, after making his Everton FC debut aged just 17, and he has always appeared to take things in his stride. But Victor Anichebe’s physical attributes and experience beyond his years actually mask a less than hubristic soul, according to David Moyes. And as the Everton FC boss welcomed Anichebe’s match-winning return from his latest injury on New Year’s Day, he says he will carry on playing amateur psychologist to coax the best from the 23-year-old. “He does lack belief and he needs support,” says Moyes, who believes the applause Anichebe received after his goal against West Brom will have encouraged him. “I hope that he gets the support from me and the staff here. I think we do give it to him. “He needs to accept that and take it on board, give a bit back himself. It was good that the crowd got behind him. “It’s never easy if you are not going to get the backing of the support, it makes your job that much harder. “We have to give him encouragement and we have been tough with him. We don’t let him away with it. But we can only do it when he is fit. For much of the time, he hasn’t been ready to play so we couldn’t get the work in to him. When he has confidence, he can be a handful.” Moyes rates Anichebe highly – but with the knowing caveat that only the Crosby-raised star can ultimately unlock his own vast potential. “I’m just generally trying to boost the boy’s self-esteem and he did well,” Moyes says, when quizzed on his glowing remarks about Anichebe at the Hawthorns. “He has got all the attributes to be a really good player. If he wants to be a top player, he can. He needs to really want it himself.” Moyes accepts that at times Anichebe has not made it easy for himself, whether through simply being a victim of injury misfortune or a lack of focus. “It would have been easy to say ‘hey, go on, you’re going to have (go)’,” he says. “He has had a couple of bad injuries. But the staff around him have got a lot of faith in him. “If we can get him on the pitch... he is a good boy, he needs a shake to keep him alive at times. “But he has got attributes that are important and we have played him in some big games. He has been useful to us. I don’t see us giving up on him. “We are not going to do that. He needs to give us something back now so we can keep believing in him and pushing him on.” Everton allowed Anichebe to travel to Belgium and work with the same renowned injury specialist who has helped Marouane Fellaini in the past, and the striker has returned vowing that he is more determined than ever to stay on the pitch. “He went there for four or five days, a guy who Felli works with,” says Moyes. “He had picked up an ankle problem, so we sent him over there for a change. We didn’t want him hanging around. He has been in California training. We have tried to get him in good shape. If he says he’s sick of rehab that’s great, isn’t it? I hope to see him on the grass more often in 2012.” For all his admiration of the young Nigeria international, Moyes is not convinced he can be the answer to his need for a goal-scoring centre forward. “I’m not sure he will quite be the main one,” says Moyes. “Even though he is a big lad, he might be someone that needs to play around the sides. He is probably a wide striker. He can play on the right or the left very well. He can play through the middle as well. But he is at his best coming in off the sides.” One thing is beyond doubt, however, Moyes insists that Anichebe would have featured a lot more this term if he had not suffered a serious groin injury on international duty in September. “If he had been fit, he would undoubtedly have played plenty of games. But he had a bad injury,” says Moyes. “When he gets himself fit and he is ready, we will see how the opportunities come for him. He has got some bits about him. He needs to try and become more of a regular player if he can. He needs to keep himself fit.” Moyes will consider using Anichebe once again tonight against bottom-club Bolton Wanderers side, but despite the Trotters’ woes he refused to patronise manager Owen Coyle with sympathy.
“I don’t think he would want any,” he says. “Owen knows how the game works. He knows the job is to win games and he isn’t daft. He has proved himself as a really good manager at Bolton, Burnley and St Johnstone. “He will be able to do the job OK. He is a good, up and coming manager. I don’t see his position in any jeopardy at all. He has got a good reputation. The loss of Lee Chung-yong, (Stuart) Holden are two really big players. It is not easy to replace them.” The Everton boss can at least sympathise with Coyle over his predicament with Gary Cahill, who continues to be pursued by Chelsea. Moyes has had many of his stars chased relentlessly by wealthier clubs over they years, but thinks the resolution of a drawn-out transfer can sometimes be cathartic. “You never want to lose your best players but sometimes when you do (after lots of speculation) there is a breath of fresh air,” he says. “You can say “that’s it – done”; Gary Cahill is a really good player, an important player. It is hard to see past that. When you have got them, you don’t want to lose them.”

Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright sees profits at theatre company fall to £2m
by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Echo
Jan 4 2012
EVERTON FC chairman Bill Kenwright reported profits of £2m at his theatre and film company as hit shows such as Joseph and Blood Brothers helped it ward off the worst of the downturn. In newly-filed accounts at Companies House, Bill Kenwright Productions said turnover for last year stood at £35.6m. The group said that was a strong performance in tough times, with established productions performing well while new shows such as Spamalot began to pay dividends. These results are not directly comparable with 2009, when the company reported 13-month rather than annual figures. For those 13 months to December 2009, the company reported a pre-tax profit of £2.4m on sales of £39m. In 2010, the group also continued its expansion into Europe. However the company failed to recoup its investment in 2009 film Cheri, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, which was a box office disappointment. As well as receiving pay of £404,000 in 2010, Mr Kenwright – the company’s sole director – received dividends of £3m. But, as he regularly admits, his fortune still cannot compare with those of other Premier League club owners – so his search for new investors in Everton continues. The report said: “Despite worsening economic conditions, the group’s core business of producing quality theatrical plays and musicals continues to yield reliable returns.
“The group’s core shows – Joseph, Blood Brothers and plays from its Agatha Christie catalogue – continue to attract substantial audiences and deliver year-on-year. “Furthermore the group’s strategy of complementing its established shows with new productions and investments (Dreamboats And Petticoats, Evita, Jekyll And Hyde, Rocky Horror Show, Spamalot) is starting to generate returns.” The group said its strong balance sheet would allow it to invest on new projects, such as 2010’s European tour with Evita. It is still “performing strongly” and expects to report a profit for 2011. Many Everton fans are angry Mr Kenwright has not found a buyer for the club.
In December, Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said “genuine conversations” were taking place with a number of interested parties, adding: “As our chairman has acknowledged repeatedly in recent years, we need new investment to further our ambition.”

Everton FC boss David Moyes believes Victor Anichebe can be top player if he believes in himself
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 4 2012
WITH his imposing physique and laid-back approach to life, Everton FC striker Victor Anichebe rarely seems to lack self-belief. The trappings of Premier League fame came to the powerful forward early, after making his Everton FC debut aged just 17, and he has always appeared to take things in his stride. But Victor Anichebe’s physical attributes and experience beyond his years actually mask a less than hubristic soul, according to David Moyes. And as the Everton FC boss welcomed Anichebe’s match-winning return from his latest injury on New Year’s Day, he says he will carry on playing amateur psychologist to coax the best from the 23-year-old. “He does lack belief and he needs support,” says Moyes, who believes the applause Anichebe received after his goal against West Brom will have encouraged him. “I hope that he gets the support from me and the staff here. I think we do give it to him. “He needs to accept that and take it on board, give a bit back himself. It was good that the crowd got behind him. “It’s never easy if you are not going to get the backing of the support, it makes your job that much harder. “We have to give him encouragement and we have been tough with him. We don’t let him away with it. But we can only do it when he is fit. For much of the time, he hasn’t been ready to play so we couldn’t get the work in to him. When he has confidence, he can be a handful.” Moyes rates Anichebe highly – but with the knowing caveat that only the Crosby-raised star can ultimately unlock his own vast potential. “I’m just generally trying to boost the boy’s self-esteem and he did well,” Moyes says, when quizzed on his glowing remarks about Anichebe at the Hawthorns. “He has got all the attributes to be a really good player. If he wants to be a top player, he can. He needs to really want it himself.” Moyes accepts that at times Anichebe has not made it easy for himself, whether through simply being a victim of injury misfortune or a lack of focus. “It would have been easy to say ‘hey, go on, you’re going to have (go)’,” he says. “He has had a couple of bad injuries. But the staff around him have got a lot of faith in him. “If we can get him on the pitch... he is a good boy, he needs a shake to keep him alive at times. “But he has got attributes that are important and we have played him in some big games. He has been useful to us. I don’t see us giving up on him. “We are not going to do that. He needs to give us something back now so we can keep believing in him and pushing him on.” Everton allowed Anichebe to travel to Belgium and work with the same renowned injury specialist who has helped Marouane Fellaini in the past, and the striker has returned vowing that he is more determined than ever to stay on the pitch. “He went there for four or five days, a guy who Felli works with,” says Moyes. “He had picked up an ankle problem, so we sent him over there for a change. We didn’t want him hanging around. He has been in California training. We have tried to get him in good shape. If he says he’s sick of rehab that’s great, isn’t it? I hope to see him on the grass more often in 2012.” For all his admiration of the young Nigeria international, Moyes is not convinced he can be the answer to his need for a goal-scoring centre forward. “I’m not sure he will quite be the main one,” says Moyes. “Even though he is a big lad, he might be someone that needs to play around the sides. He is probably a wide striker. He can play on the right or the left very well. He can play through the middle as well. But he is at his best coming in off the sides.” One thing is beyond doubt, however, Moyes insists that Anichebe would have featured a lot more this term if he had not suffered a serious groin injury on international duty in September. “If he had been fit, he would undoubtedly have played plenty of games. But he had a bad injury,” says Moyes. “When he gets himself fit and he is ready, we will see how the opportunities come for him. He has got some bits about him. He needs to try and become more of a regular player if he can. He needs to keep himself fit.” Moyes will consider using Anichebe once again tonight against bottom-club Bolton Wanderers side, but despite the Trotters’ woes he refused to patronise manager Owen Coyle with sympathy.
“I don’t think he would want any,” he says. “Owen knows how the game works. He knows the job is to win games and he isn’t daft. He has proved himself as a really good manager at Bolton, Burnley and St Johnstone. “He will be able to do the job OK. He is a good, up and coming manager. I don’t see his position in any jeopardy at all. He has got a good reputation. The loss of Lee Chung-yong, (Stuart) Holden are two really big players. It is not easy to replace them.” The Everton boss can at least sympathise with Coyle over his predicament with Gary Cahill, who continues to be pursued by Chelsea. Moyes has had many of his stars chased relentlessly by wealthier clubs over they years, but thinks the resolution of a drawn-out transfer can sometimes be cathartic. “You never want to lose your best players but sometimes when you do (after lots of speculation) there is a breath of fresh air,” he says. “You can say “that’s it – done”; Gary Cahill is a really good player, an important player. It is hard to see past that. When you have got them, you don’t want to lose them.”

Manager David Moyes looking to entertain Everton FC supporters and boost attendances
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 4 2012
DAVID MOYES admits he must do more to entertain Everton FC supporters and bolster falling home attendances this season. Everton FC have scored only nine goals in nine home Premier League games, with only West Bromwich Albion netting fewer on their own patch. That has contributed to Moyes’s men winning only three times at Goodison, compared to a better away record with the New Year’s Day triumph at West Brom their fourth on their travels. Everton FC supporters have shown signs of wavering in recent weeks, with last month’s visit of Norwich City prompting the lowest league attendance since Moyes assumed control in March 2002. And as he welcomes struggling Bolton Wanderers this evening, the Everton manager admits the team have to begin luring fans back to Goodison with average attendances more than 2,000 down on this point last campaign. “I totally understand,” said Moyes. “I am a football supporter, first and foremost. I know how it works. If I am winning games, supporters will turn up. “I, as manager of, Everton, have not won enough games this season for them to come. “I have not entertained them enough. I have not scored enough goals. I need to do that to get the supporters to fill Goodison. Over the years, in the main, we have done that. “But the fans on the road, they come with us and they have seen a few victories. The fans deserve a lot better because at home we haven’t given them a lot this season. In truth, the away fans have seen more than the home fans.” While without a game at Goodison over the festive period, Everton were one of several Premier League teams to be scheduled two home matches in the week before Christmas, a period when crowds are traditionally below average. There were 32,000 at the Swansea game and it looked more than there had been at Norwich (five days earlier),” said Moyes. “I think the way it has worked with the television games, Everton fans haven’t had anything at home over the holiday period. “I don’t know how it has worked out but because the Bolton game has been moved, a lot of folk are now back at work. We should probably have played on New Year’s Eve and then on the Monday.” While Landon Donovan could make his second Everton debut this evening after returning for another short-term loan, Moyes is waiting on the availability of a clutch of players. Marouane Fellaini (abductor), Seamus Coleman (thigh) and Royston Drenthe (ill) all missed the 1-0 win at West Brom, while Jack Rodwell departed during the second half with a tight hamstring. “We’ve got one or two knocks and a bit of illness so we’ll see how we are,” said Moyes. “But you expect it – it’s very difficult to have the same players all the time in the games.” Victor Anichebe, who scored the winner at The Hawthorns on his first appearance in four months, is likely to again be on the bench. Meanwhile, Everton supporters will be given the opportunity to pay their respects to Gary Ablett ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Tamworth at Goodison. Media and publications manager Darren Griffiths said: “We have spoken with Gary’s family over the last two days and they have indicated that they would like to come to Goodison Park on Saturday. In accordance with their wishes, we will now pay our respects to Gary before we play Tamworth.” The players will wear black armbands against Bolton and official books of condolence have been opened in both the Everton One and Everton Two stores. Ablett, a former Everton player and coach, died earlier this week at the age of 46 following a long battle against non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Having already acquired Donovan for a short-term loan, Moyes remains in the market for further attacking reinforcements and has run the rule over Paris Saint-Germain forward Guillaume Hoarau.

Victor Anichebe owes a debt to Everton FC and David Moyes for belief they have shown in him
Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 4 2012
FEW players can have tried the patience of Everton FC manager David Moyes quite as much as Victor Anichebe during recent years. Time and again, the Everton FC manager has spoken of the need to place the proverbial rocket up the backside of the striker in an effort to bring the best out of him.
Given Anichebe’s wretched run of injuries and less than prolific scoring record – eight Premier League goals in six years tells its own story – it would have been easy for Everton to cut their losses on the Nigerian. Moyes, though, has never wavered, and was rewarded on Sunday when Anichebe stepped off the bench to mark his latest comeback with a dramatic late winner at West Bromwich Albion. And now the Goodison manager has challenged the 23-year-old to keep on justifying the faith of the club. “It would have been easy with Victor to say ‘hey, go on, you’re going to have to go’,” says Moyes. “He has had a couple of bad injuries. But the staff around him have got a lot of faith in him. “He is a good boy, he needs a shake to keep him alive at times. “But he has got attributes that are important and we have played him in some big games. He has been useful to us.
“I don’t see us giving up on him. We are not going to do that. He needs to give us something back now so we can keep believing in him and pushing him on.” Confidence has been an issue for Anichebe ever since his debut as a 17-year-old in an FA Cup tie against Chelsea in January 2006.

Moyes spoke at the weekend of trying to unwrap the potential of the forward, who missed four months of the campaign after suffering a serious groin injury while on international duty in September. And the manager says: “Victor does lack belief and he needs support. I hope that he gets the support from me and the staff here. I think we do give it to him. He needs to accept that and take it on board, give a bit back himself. “I’m just generally trying to boost the boy’s self-esteem and he did well. He has got all the attributes to be a really good player. If he wants to be a top player, he has got the attributes to be one. He needs to really want it himself.” Anichebe’s goal was greeted joyously by the travelling support at The Hawthorns on Sunday, a sharp contrast to the jeers he received during the home game against Wigan Athletic barely 12 months earlier after it emerged he was stalling on the offer of a new contract. “It was good that the crowd got behind him on Sunday,” adds Moyes. “It’s never easy if you are not going to get the backing of the support, it makes your job that much harder. “We have to give him encouragement and we have been tough with him. We don’t let him get away with it. “But we can only do it when he is fit. For much of the time, he hasn’t been ready to play so we couldn’t get the work in to him. When he has confidence, he can be a handful. “The onus is on him, though. He has got the ability, undoubtedly. He has got some great talents. He is powerful, fast. He can play several roles and we have missed him.” Anichebe visited a specialist in Belgium in an effort to regain his fitness, and also had a spell training in California. Having tired during his 25-minute substitute appearance at the weekend, the forward will again start from the bench for tonight’s Premier League visit of rock-bottom Bolton Wanderers.
But when asked if Anichebe was on his last chance, Moyes responds: “I don’t know about that. When he gets himself fit and he is ready, we will see how the opportunities come for him. “He has got some bits about him. He needs to try and become more of a regular player if he can. He needs to keep himself fit. “If he had been fit, he would undoubtedly have played plenty of games. But he had a bad injury. I hope to see him on the grass more often in 2012.” Bolton have lost 14 of their 19 league games this season, including a 2-0 home reverse to Everton in November. Moyes, though, believes sympathy is the last thing Trotters counterpart Owen Coyle would want, while confident his fellow Glaswegian’s job is not under any threat. “Owen knows how the game works,” he says. “He knows the job is to win games and he isn’t daft. “He has proved himself as a really good manager at Bolton, Burnley and St Johnstone. He will be able to do the job okay. “He is a good, up and coming manager. I don’t see his position in any jeopardy at all. He has got a good reputation. The loss of Li-Park, Holden are two really big players. It is not easy to replace them.” Bolton’s preparations have been disrupted by the ongoing Gary Cahill transfer saga, the centre-back still on the brink of a move to Chelsea. Cahill is nevertheless expected to line up this evening, and Moyes says: “You never want to lose your best players but sometimes when you do (after there has been so much speculation) there is a breath of fresh air. You can say ‘that’s it – done’. “But Gary Cahill is a really good player, an important player. It is hard to see past that. When you have got them, you don’t want to lose them.” There were 32,000 at the Swansea game and it looked more than there had been at Norwich (five days earlier),” said Moyes. “I think the way it has worked with the television games, Everton fans haven’t had anything at home over the holiday period. “I don’t know how it has worked out but because the Bolton game has been moved, a lot of folk are now back at work. We should probably have played on New Year’s Eve and then on the Monday.” While Landon Donovan could make his second Everton debut this evening after returning for another short-term loan, Moyes is waiting on the availability of a clutch of players. Marouane Fellaini (abductor), Seamus Coleman (thigh) and Royston Drenthe (ill) all missed the 1-0 win at West Brom, while Jack Rodwell departed during the second half with a tight hamstring. “We’ve got one or two knocks and a bit of illness so we’ll see how we are,” said Moyes. “But you expect it – it’s very difficult to have the same players all the time in the games.” Victor Anichebe, who scored the winner at The Hawthorns on his first appearance in four months, is likely to again be on the bench. Meanwhile, Everton supporters will be given the opportunity to pay their respects to Gary Ablett ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Tamworth at Goodison. Media and publications manager Darren Griffiths said: “We have spoken with Gary’s family over the last two days and they have indicated that they would like to come to Goodison Park on Saturday. In accordance with their wishes, we will now pay our respects to Gary before we play Tamworth.” The players will wear black armbands against Bolton and official books of condolence have been opened in both the Everton One and Everton Two stores. Ablett, a former Everton player and coach, died earlier this week at the age of 46 following a long battle against non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Having already acquired Donovan for a short-term loan, Moyes remains in the market for further attacking reinforcements and has run the rule over Paris Saint-Germain forward Guillaume Hoarau.

Everton FC owner Bill Kenwright reports £2m profit and goes into Europe
by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 4 2012
EVERTON FC chairman Bill Kenwright reported profits at his theatre and film company of £2m, as hit shows such as Joseph and Blood Brothers helped it ward off the worst of the downturn. In accounts newly filed at Companies House, Bill Kenwright Productions said turnover for the period stood at £35.6m. The group said that was a strong performance in the teeth of a tough economic climate, with core productions performing well, while new shows, such as Spamalot, began to pay dividends.
These results are not directly comparable with 2009, as the company that year reported 13-month, rather than annual, figures. For those 13 months, to December, 2009, the company reported a pre-tax profit of £2.4m on sales of £39m. In 2010, the group also continued its expansion into Europe.
However, the company failed to recoup its investment in 2009 film Cheri. The movie, which starred Michelle Pfeiffer, was a box office disappointment. As well as receiving pay of £404,000 in 2010, Mr Kenwright – the company’s sole director – received dividends of £3m. But, as he regularly admits, his fortune still cannot compare with those of other Premier League club owners – so his search for new investors in Everton will continue. Wavertree-born Kenwright began his career as an actor, starring as Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street, before becoming a theatrical impresario. The report said: “Despite worsening economic conditions, the group’s core business, of producing quality theatrical plays and musicals, continues to yield reliable returns. “The group’s core shows – Joseph, Blood Brothers and plays from its Agatha Christie catalogue – continue to attract substantial audiences and deliver year on year. “Furthermore, the group’s strategy of complementing its established shows with new productions and investments (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Evita, Jekyll and Hyde, Rocky Horror Show, Spamalot) is starting to generate returns." The one major disappointment has been the failure of the feature film, Cheri, to live up to its box office expectations and to recoup its investment.” The group said its strong balance sheet would allow it to invest in new projects.
It said: “In 2010, the company commenced its first European tour, with its critically acclaimed production of Evita. This has been followed in the spring of 2011 by the London Palladium production of the Wizard of Oz, and later in the year with the co-productions of Legally Blonde and South Pacific.” The report says that the state of the economy is putting pressure on theatre attendance levels – but it says the group aims to keep theatregoers interested “by offering a wide spectrum of productions that appeal to the largest possible audience.” It added: “The group is performing strongly and is expected to generate a profit in 2011. “The director (Kenwright) is confident that the group will continue to prosper throughout 2011 and beyond.” Over the year, the group made donations of £15,000 to medical charities, £5,000 to wildlife charities and £5,000 to cultural charities. Many Everton fans are angry that Kenwright has not found a buyer for the club. But, last month, Everton’s chief executive, Robert Elstone, insisted “genuine conversations” were taking place with a number of interested parties. He said: “As our chairman has acknowledged repeatedly in recent years, we need new investment to further our ambition.”

Moyes wary of Bolton but happy to call on Donovan
January 4 2012- Irish Times
Everton v Bolton: EVERTON MANAGER David Moyes claims recent results show why nobody can take anything for granted in the Premier League. New Year’s Eve saw Manchester United and Chelsea suffer shock defeats at home to Blackburn and Aston Villa respectively, before league leaders Manchester City were beaten by a last-gasp goal at Sunderland 24 hours later. Everton, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-0 win at West Brom and the odds look good for them continuing the sequence with another triumph tonight when they host Bolton. Wanderers are bottom of the table and lost 2-0 at home to Everton in November, but with the top flight seemingly as unpredictable as ever, Moyes is not about to underestimate his team’s task at Goodison Park.
“The Premier League is back to the topsy-turvy way it was last year when you didn’t know who was winning what,” Moyes said. “Just over the last couple of weeks we have started to see that again. There is no guarantee when you play any games who is going to win or lose at the moment, so you need to go about your job correctly. “We got a good three points (at the Reebok Stadium) and it would be great if we could do it again, but there is nothing guaranteed and I wouldn’t take anything for granted. Bolton are difficult opposition – they have their own fight at this moment in time while we are trying to push up the league.” Moyes will be able to call on Landon Donovan for the first time since it was announced in December that the United States international would be rejoining Everton on a two-month loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan proved a success in a stint of the same duration with Everton in 2010 and says he feels “more prepared” this time, although Moyes has stressed it is only when he takes part in matches that the 29-year-old can properly be assessed. Asked if he thought Donovan had “hit the ground running” in training, Moyes said: “He looks okay, I have to say, but how can you tell? Even though we have seen some football, we have not seen any games yet. “But fitness-wise he is not someone who carries a lot of weight. He is quite lightweight and he looks okay. He came before and did well for us – scored a couple of goals, played well and showed some qualities.” Everton have announced that players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Gary Ablett, and that there will be a period of silence ahead of the FA Cup match with Tamworth at Goodison Park on Saturday. It was confirmed on Monday that former Everton defender and coach Ablett, who also played for Liverpool, had died at the age of 46 after a 16-month fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Speaking about Ablett yesterday, Moyes said: “It was a really sad moment when I heard about Gary. “It is a great thing to be able to say that he played for both sides. “They are both great clubs and I’m sure Gary was very proud of that. It just shows that you can do that and be respected from both sides of the city.”

Everton 1 Bolton 2: Tim Howard goal not enough for Everton FC
by Merseyside Sport, Liverpool Echo
Jan 4 2012
GOALKEEPER Tim Howard scored for Everton but Bolton came from behind to claim the points and haul themselves off the foot of the Barclays Premier League thanks to a winning goal from Chelsea target Gary Cahill at Goodison Park. The Toffees took the lead in freak circumstances in the 63rd minute when Howard beat opposite number Adam Bogdan with a clearance from his own box.
However, David Ngog made it 1-1 four minutes later with a smart finish, before Cahill - once again named as Trotters captain despite a fee for him being agreed with Chelsea - smashed in the winner with 12 minutes remaining. The result takes Bolton off the bottom of the standings and up to 18th, a point adrift of safety, while Everton remain 11th. With talks ongoing over his proposed move to Chelsea, it had been a matter of interest as to whether or not Cahill would play this evening, and in the end, manager Owen Coyle’s decision to hand him the skipper’s armband paid off handsomely.
Jussi Jaaskelainen was unable to keep his place due to injury and was replaced in goal by Bogdan, while Chris Eagles came in for Ivan Klasnic. For Everton, Landon Donovan, eligible to play for the Toffees for the first time since rejoining them on another two-month loan deal, came straight into the attack along with Denis Stracqualursi, who making his first league start. Donovan’s first contribution was to win a free-kick in the opening minute which was curled into the danger zone by Leighton Baines but bounced harmlessly off Stracqualursi and behind. At the other end, Gretar Steinsson flashed a cross-shot across the face of goal, but it was the hosts who were looking more threatening in the blustery conditions as Donovan looped a header into Bogdan’s arms and then cut the ball back for Stracqualursi, who fired wide. Toffees striker Louis Saha was presented with an opportunity on the quarter-hour mark when Bolton centre-back Zat Knight inadvertently teed him up with a header from Baines’ cross, but the Frenchman skewed his effort off target. Steinsson tried his luck again only to find the side-netting and an Eagles cross caused problems in the Everton area, Howard eventually tipping the ball over the bar. The lively Donovan laid the ball to Leon Osman, whose shot from outside the box was gathered by Bogdan, and Knight slid in to beat Stracqualursi at the near post to Baines’ centre. Everton looked to have the momentum again, with Osman driving an attempt just wide, but it took a block from Phil Jagielka to deny Ngog. Jagielka sustained an injury in the incident which led to him being substituted soon after, Rodwell the man to take his place. The Toffees were then left fuming in the 44th minute when Donovan went down in the box under the attentions of Sam Ricketts and referee Phil Dowd waved away their appeals for a penalty. Moments later, though, they were indebted to Howard for keeping things level as he pushed Ngog’s strike over the bar. Three minutes after the restart Baines’ corner came off Bogdan to Rodwell, who was unable to poke the ball in and like Osman, soon had to come off. Howard then produced two good saves, tipping away efforts from Mark Davies and Ngog, before pulling off something even more spectacular. The American lofted a huge kick down field which - assisted by the wind - travelled towards the Bolton box and bounced over the stranded Bogdan into the net.
It was another error of judgement on the part of Bogdan - who had made a couple of costly mistakes in his previous league appearance, the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea - and a shock blow for the visitors, but they responded well to equalise within four minutes, Ngog turning and slotting the ball into the corner. Cahill then vindicated Coyle’s decision to play him by snatching what proved to be the decisive goal. Everton failed to clear a set-piece properly and Eagles laid the ball off to the England international, who fired past Howard. Wanderers survived a scare at the death when Baines rattled the crossbar with a free-kick, the ball eventually scrambled away as three precious points were secured.

Everton FC prepare for FA Youth Cup test against QPR
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
EVERTON’S U-18s are itching to kick-start the second half of their campaign as they approach two big games this month. The young Blues face Stoke City in the Premier Academy League at Finch Farm on Saturday, before they prepare for their fourth round FA Youth Cup clash against QPR next Thursday. Their preparations have not been helped by the abandonment of a friendly against Wigan arranged for Tuesday, which had to be called off due to the fierce winds which have battered Merseyside this week. Coach Kevin Sheedy was frustrated at the missed opportunity of another chance to prepare, but believes his side will be eager to make up for lost time after their Christmas break. “We have been eager to get our last game, a 4-1 defeat by Wolves which was our worst of the season, out of our system,” he said. “Having no game since then has been far from ideal, but the Christmas break has given the lads a chance to recharge their batteries and refocus their minds.
“We now prepare for Stoke which will be tough because they’re a good side. We have beaten them once already in the league, which was a fine performance because they were doing well and remain a tough side to beat. “We won 2-1 last time because we played like a team, and I want to see more of the same. We must hit the ground running and be ready. “The big motivating factor for the players selected for Stoke will be that everyone wants to be involved in the FA Youth Cup. They will need to do well to earn their places.” Sheedy hopes to have Ross Barkley available for the QPR game, although the 18-year old’s involvement will depend on whether he is used by David Moyes in the senior team’s game against Spurs the night before.

Everton FC’s Jake Bidwell making good impression on loan at Brentford
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
EVERTON academy graduate Jake Bidwell is making a good impression on loan at Brentford.
Bees boss Uwe Rosler wants to keep the left-sided defender for the rest of the season, after he has has made five appearances since his switch to Griffin Park. Bidwell has scooped two Man of the Match awards, but is due to return to Goodison after Saturday’s trip to Tranmere. Sheedy said: “It’s great experience for him. Nothing beats playing competitive football, and Jake is learning a lot by playing for Brentford. “He is a reliable lad and you always know what you’re going to get from him. Jake’s a solid defender who can play left back and left side of central defence, and he’ll never let you down. I hope he carries on making big strides forward.”

Everton FC Academy devastated by Gary Ablett’s death
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
GARY ABLETT’S death has been felt throughout Everton – with the academy staff still devastated by the news, according to Kevin Sheedy. Sheedy, who knew Ablett well, said: “It was a sad day for football when we heard the news Gary had passed away. “He was a real gentleman and an excellent coach with a lot of knowledge and experience about the game. “It’s so sad that someone so young has been taken away. I got on with Gary well and we’re all very sad for his family. Everyone at the academy would like to extend their condolences to his wife and lovely children.”

Everton FC v Tamworth preview: I hope EFC have discovered they’re not playing a pub side, says Tamworth official
by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
ROD HADLEY keeps Tamworth FC’s football business running from a cluttered portable cabin little more than nine feet square. The interior is piled so high with the essential paraphernalia of the administrators’ trade that the club’s football secretary can barely find a room for his desk and chair.
Everton, Tamworth’s Premier League opponents in the FA Cup this weekend, might well devote a suite of offices and several staff to the tasks undertaken in Hadley’s tiny domain. They’ve sent him a Christmas card, which is perched precariously on top of a pile of files and papers. But Hadley, the only full-time employee working on the non-playing side of Tamworth’s operations, is proud of the way the modest Blue Square Conference club has responded to the logistical challenges presented by the third round tie. “I hope Everton have discovered they are not dealing with a pub side, that we do things properly here,” Hadley said. “When the draw was made everyone – the players, coaches, staff, directors and supporters – were in the clubhouse and the place exploded. “It meant a lot of work and we have the organisational skills here to cope. And Everton are certainly a nice club to deal with. They are not big-time Charlies Šlike you would expect to find some from the Premier League to be.” Tamworth may be one of the smaller clubs in the Conference but they have an impressive record in the FA Cup. This is the third time they’ve Šreached the third round in seven years. In 2006 they held Championship club Stoke City to a draw at the Britannia Stadium then lost the replay on the sloping pitch at The Lamb Ground only after a penalty shootout. A year later they lost a third round tie at home to Norwich City. Only last season, Tamworth beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1 in the first round before losing 3-2 to Carlisle in round two. Those results were achieved when Tamworth were a part-time club. This season they are effectively full-time. Manager Marcus Law has the players training four mornings a week. The wages are modest by Conference standards, reflecting the club’s determination to live within its means. Hadley said: “There are players earning four figure sums in a week in this league but not here. We are lucky with our chairman (Bob Andrews). IfŠ there is a deficit he has always sorted it. We’ve done better over the last couple of years and last season we broke even.” Even so, Tamworth will splash out on an vernight stay on Merseyside on Friday. Hadley said: “We will be off early on Friday morning and be at Goodison by 11am, to get all the souvenirs and the photos, to look around the place and get it out of our system. Then the players will have a training session in the afternoon, to get the cobwebs out.” Hadley expects Tamworth to sell around 5,000 tickets for the Everton game. “At first I thought there would be more but there are no jobs in the town and money is tight,” he said. He is already preparing for the event of a replay on the sloping pitch of The Lamb with its 4,000 capacity. He said: “I would anticipate a replay would be televised and the broadcasters would want to take up locations around the ground. “So in my own mind I expect we could fit 3,800 people and Everton would have 800 behind the top goal. We will be ready to go if we get a draw at Goodison and you can’t rule anything out in football. We’ll print the tickets on Sunday morning and we could sell them by 2pm Šthe same day if needs be.”

Everton FC v Tamworth preview: Tamworth director who shared digs with Everton FC legend Graeme Sharp
by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
Graeme Sharp celebrates scoring the 1984/85 goal of the season in the Merseyside derby TAMWORTH’S FA Cup pairing with Everton FC is a 30-year-old bolt from the Blue for John Holcroft.
As a director of the modest, Blue Square Conference club from the West Midlands, Holcroft will take his seat at Goodison on Saturday and calculate that whatever the outcome on the field, Tamworth will emerge as financial winners from the third round tie. But he won’t be able to suppress the thought of what might have been about his own path or the time, three decades ago, when the dream of a career in professional football with Everton was within touching distance. Holcroft spent 18 months as an apprentice in Everton’s youth setup in the early 1980s. He shared digs with Graeme Sharp, a young centre-forward from Scotland who would go on to spearhead the great Everton side of the mid-1980s. He shared ambitions with fellow trainees such as Ian Bishop, Stuart Rimmer, Ian Marshall, Robert Walkinshaw and John Morrissey who did not hit the heights with Everton but went on to enjoy full-time careers with other clubs. Holcroft was denied even that consolation. Released by Everton while still a teenager, he moved on to Shrewsbury Town and then to West Bromwich Albion where he played under non-contract terms. An ankle injury made his next decision easy. “The doctor said I would be out for 12 months so I decided I had to do something else,” Holcroft recalled this week. “I got involved in business. I bought some property and converted it to a nursing home and it grew from there. “I could have returned to football but I just becameŠ too involved in businesses. I never looked back.” Holcroft has no regrets about the opportunity lost for a very different kind of life and holds only positive memories of his time with Everton. He said: “When I was a schoolboy I trained with West Brom and Aston Villa during the school holidays. Then I went to Everton and I loved it there. I was so pleased when I got to sign for them as an apprentice. “I think I was 16 or 17 at the time and I was living away from my home in the West Midlands but Everton had such a warm family atmosphere I felt comfortable there. “Ray Minshull, who was in charge of the youth setup, looked after us very well. He was genuine. When I first arrived the manager was Gordon Lee, who was brilliant. Then Howard Kendall came in. “My claim to fame was sharing digs with Graeme Sharp for a short while. When I first arrived at Everton, the first-team backline was Billy Wright, Mark Higgins, John Barton and John Bailey. I was in awe of them. When Howard Kendall came in the club started signing quite a few players. I wasn’t kept on and had to move on.” It Holcroft had made the grade at Goodison he would have graduated into the senior ranks just as Everton were entering the most successful phase of their history under Kendall. He said: “You need ability and commitment to succeed in football but you also need the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time. Luck plays a big part in football. Just take Tamworth’s cup run this season. We were losing 2-1 in injury time to Hinckley in the first round and came back to snatch a draw. Now we’re playing Everton.” Holcroft was happy to “enjoy football from the outside” while his business career developed and began watching his local club Tamworth around 10 years ago. He said: “I have known the chairman (Bob Andrews) for a long time and after a few years he asked me to come on board and get involved as a director. “We are a small club in Conference terms, in respect of budget and facilities but we’re able to punch above our weight and hold our own in this division.
“People often ask: just where is Tamworth? We’ve got an indoor ski centre, the Snowdome and that’s about it. The football club does a good job in giving the town a national profile and the Everton game is going to help that a lot.” The windfall from Tamworth’s share of the Goodison gate receipts this weekend should be sufficient to ensure the directors don’t have to put their hands in their pockets to cover a trading loss at the end of this season. There might be money left over to fund a new signing or two and some improvements to the 4,000 capacity Lamb Ground.
Even so, Tamworth will continue to rely on the devotion and goodwill of dozens of volunteers to keep the club running. Brian Whitehouse is among them. The club’s company secretary and his wife have been spending recent afternoons selling tickets for the Everton game. Whitehouse said: “It is fair to say this club could not function without the volunteers who give up their time to keep things going. People put inŠ hours here, working Šaround their ownŠ jobs and there are a lot of retired people like myself doing their bit. “The Everton tie means a lot to the club’s finances. ItŠ will keep us in the black for this season. “And it has brought a bit of cheer to the town, which we certainly need at the moment.” The economic recession is hitting Tamworth hard. “There’s a lot of unemployment in the town,” Whitehouse said. “Times are hard and the £1 shops are doing well. The situation has been difficult for some years and the youth employment is particularly high. “Tamworth is a town of warehousing. Focus Do It All had a national distribution centre here. Now that’s gone and it’s cost us a lot of jobs. “As a club we’ve lost sponsors and things have been tight. We don’t live beyond our means here. If we got into serious financial difficulties we would not survive in this division. We would go backwards. So the chairman and the board are very good. They take great care and pride in keeping the club running and giving the town a name.”

David Moyes makes no excuses for Everton FC's Bolton defeat
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
DAVID MOYES had absolutely no excuses after Everton were beaten by rock bottom Bolton on a wretched night at Goodison Park. “I have no qualms about the result,” he declared. “We didn’t deserve to be in front and Bolton deserved to win the game. “We cannot perform like that and expect to win.” Everton were handed a freak lead when Tim Howard’s clearance caught in the wind and sailed over opposite number Adam Bogdan, but the Blues failed to build on the gift and conceded goals to David Ngog and Gary Cahill. Moyes refused to use the conditions as an excuse.
“Those conditions are never good to play in,” he added “but two teams have to handle that.
“I suppose it is a little easier to play in it away from home. You have to make the play at home and we never made any play tonight, so I’ve got no arguments about the result. “It was a freak that we were one nil up but we would have taken it and obviously we should have gone on and done better but we couldn’t hold onto it after that. “But give Bolton credit – they worked hard for the result and we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we have been. “Bolton stuck at it and deserved the points.” Moyes selected out of form Louis Saha alongside Argentinian striker Denis Stracqualursi, handed his full Premier League debut, but the Blues rarely threatened. “We tried to go with two centre-forwards tonight,” he went on. “If we hadn’t people might have questioned it. “But that’s not the reason we lost. We just didn’t perform. Apart from our goalkeeper and bits of Landon Donovan, it was hard to see any positives.” To compound a dreadful night for the home side, Moyes now faces an anxious wait on two key players after Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell both limped off injured. Jagielka injured his right knee challenging David Ngog and after trying to continue collapsed and was led off. Rodwell, only on as a substitute for Jagielka, lasted 20 minutes before he, too, fell to the turf holding his hamstring. Moyes confirmed afterwards: “We’ve got two or three injuries, but I don’t know how they are. It’s still too early.”

Everton FC analysis: David Moyes’ response will be interesting as EFC plunged back into bleak mid-winter
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
WELL isn’t that just typically Everton FC? A pair of out and out strikers, the USA national team’s all-time top scorer wide on the right – and not a single defender on the seven-man subs bench. Then a goalkeeper goes and scores. But even more typically Everton, just minutes after Tim Howard was being congratulated for a highly unusual opener, Everton’s defensive resilience cracked and Bolton snatched a more conventional equaliser. And just when they needed a Cahill on the scoresheet, it was Bolton’s Gary who obliged. With Phil Jagielka limping off holding his knee and Jack Rodwell beating the turf in frustration after pulling his hamstring again – a thoroughly wretched night off the pitch was matched on it. After a couple of promising results and performances, Everton were awful.
The freak effort from Howard was the only occasion Adam Bogdan was stretched all night, while Howard was called on to pull off two outstanding stops. David Moyes’ response to this setback will be interesting. The Blues boss hasn’t exactly undergone a Road to Damascus conversion in recent weeks, but there certainly seems to have been a significant shift in his thinking. Criticised by some supporters for an overly negative outlook, he’s been the polar opposite since 2012 chimed.
A trio of attacking substitutions away from home on New Year’s Day, TV shots of him laughing and joking during the most miserable match of the season at The Hawthorns – followed by an attacking team sheet last night. But no matter how positive the intent, there’s no substitute for quality – and on an evening when a strong and swirling wind made conditions as difficult as they’ve been in living memory, Bolton had the classier contributors. David Ngog’s equaliser was polished and precise.
Chris Eagles’ pass cute and defence splitting, and Gary Cahill’s finish, from a defender, better than anything Everton’s forward players could produce. Denis Stracqualursi and Louis Saha were chalk and cheese. Stracqualursi will never be easy on the eye. All ungainly stumbles and two-touch controls, he is nonetheless an endlessly willing runner with refreshing eagerness in and around the penalty area. During a promising first half a series of positive darts got him in front of his marker on numerous occasions. Twice he fired shots a foot wide, while on a third occasion he horribly misdirected a header away from goal. But he was in there pitching. One couldn’t help think that if Louis Saha had been in similar positions, Everton may have been celebrating two or three first half goals. But while the Argentinian was eager and positive, if technically limited, the infinitely more gifted Saha appears to be enduring a crisis of confidence, not helped by an almost vampiresque fear of crosses. Whenever balls arrive in the penalty area, the Frenchman is usually struggling to make up ground to get into the box. And on the occasions he did get on the end of decent deliveries, he miskicked in much the same fashion as at The Hawthorns on Sunday. His troubles, Tim Cahill’s enduring goal drought and Stracqualursi’s limitations have left Everton impotent in front of goal – even against opposition as accommodating as Bolton have been this season. The reaction of Everton’s frustrated fans at the final whistle was understandable. Just days earlier David Moyes admitted: “I know how it works. If I am winning games, supporters will turn up. I, as manager of Everton, have not won enough games this season for them to come. I have not entertained them enough. I have not scored enough goals. I need to do that to get the supporters to fill Goodison.”
Maybe a night of biblically bad weather, against bottom of the table opposition, just after Christmas – and throw in a worldwide recession for good measure – was always going to be a tough ask to shift tickets for. But the gate of 29,561 was the first time an attendance has dipped under 30,000 for a Premier League match in Moyes’ decade at the club. And there was precious little last night to tempt them back. Landon Donovan was sharp and showed flashes of class, although the Californian must wonder what happened to the concept of global warming in the UK. His last debut for the Blues was in an Arctic blizzard at Arsenal. This time an ill wind blasted around Goodison Park. A wind of change? There’s precious little Moyes can do to change things given the financial straitjacket he’s trying to work from within. Just when things started to look up ever so slightly at Goodison Park, we’ve been plunged back into a bleak mid-winter.

Everton FC 1 Bolton 2: Tim Howard wonder goal counts for nothing as abject EFC cave in to Bolton
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
IF EVERTON’S players struggled with the gale-force conditions last night, it was nothing compared to the hurricane they will have faced in the dressing room afterwards. Forget Alex Ferguson’s infamous hair-dryer. David Moyes will have howled and raged with every bit as much force as the winds that ripped through Merseyside. This abject home defeat to a club that was bottom before kick-off will do little to convince the stay-at-home fans who ensured the lowest league attendance under Moyes’ reign that they were wrong. Everton FC’s manager surprised everyone by starting with two outright strikers, dropping Tim Cahill, and giving Landon Donovan an instant return. Yet the conditions created EFC's only goal, and they failed to click up front again despite their newly-configured attack. But for the mighty gust that carried Tim Howard’s second-half goal kick up, up, away and over his opposite number’s head, Bolton’s stand-in keeper Adam Bogdan was barely troubled. Moyes is keenly aware his side needs to entertain more in order to halt those dwindling attendances at Goodison. And nobody can suggest the Scot didn’t try to inject some extra panache into a side that started clear favourites against Bolton. But ultimately the only Evertonian with any reason to smile at full time would be whoever mistakenly backed Howard for first scorer on their coupon. The Blues can point to damaging injuries to Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell that certainly hurt their cause, but this was still a visiting side that had tasted victory just five times all season before kick-off. Everton just could not capitalise on their first half dominance. It seemed as if their new attacking shape would pay instant dividends at first. Donovan was upended on the left of the area, and Denis Stracqualursi was close to connecting with Leighton Baines’ free-kick only for the ball to cannon off his waist. Then Donovan got the better of Samuel Ricketts minutes later to whip a dangerous delivery across goal that the Argentine latched onto smartly but fired wide. Both sides found it tough to adjust to the conditions, and Howard had to be alert to punch over his bar when Bolton sent a long deep cross at his back four. Donovan’s inclusion certainly looked wise. He appears to have lost little of his pace, and gave Ricketts a torrid time by chasing everything sent even vaguely in his direction. Stracqualursi also provided another energetic shift in the first half at least, getting himself into dangerous positions and badgering Knight and Gary Cahill relentlessly, although he faded as the game wore on. Long balls were a problem for both sides to deal with, and when Bogdan sent a punt upfield the ball’s trajectory fooled both Tony Hibbert and Jagielka who let it bounce before David Ngog controlled it and shaped to shoot. It took some characteristically excellent recovery defending from Jagielka to deny the former Liverpool striker. Unfortunately the England man injured his right knee by making that vital block, and although he tried to run it off, he had to be replaced a few minutes later by Jack Rodwell. It did little to disrupt Everton’s first-half dominance, and the home side felt they might have had a penalty when Donovan tumbled under Rickett’s penalty area challenge. Replays showed, however, that any contact was minimal. Two corners in quick succession after the break almost saw the deadlock broken, but eventually Jack Rodwell sidefooted wide at the far post. Then Mark Davies produced some graceful footwork in the Everton area to skip past Sylvain Distin and draw a fine save from Tim Howard at the other end. The American then bettered it with a diving one-handed stop to deny Ngog. For the second time in as many games, Rodwell’s hamstring forced him to leave the contest and the England midfielder punched the turf in frustration. But if he was irked it was nothing compared to what Bogdan felt next. Howard’s punt bounced then arced over his head – a unique moment in Goodison’s modern history that is destined to be watched for many years to come. Classy as ever, the USA international was muted in his celebration of his only career goal in the Premier League due to empathy for his opposite number. Bolton reacted superbly. Just three minutes elapsed when Saha misplaced a pass and Coyle’s side produced a slick move involving Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker before Ngog got a yard ahead of Distin and curled a fine finish inside Howard’s right post. It got worse. The wind was a factor as Howard punched a wafted free kick away, and Chris Eagles reacted fastest to slip a wonderful pass to Gary Cahill that left Everton’s defenders flat-footed and allowed the Chelsea target to score with a low drive across the keeper. In injury time Everton were unlucky when Leighton Baines’ free kick struck the bar, but otherwise they would struggle to suggest they deserved more than they got. It was a dismal ending for a dismal game, the only consolation being an instant chance to atone in three days against Tamworth in the FA Cup, not that the non-league side will have watched with any particular dread.
EVERTON: (4-4-2) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka (Rodwell, 41, Cahill, 60), Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Neville (Capt), Donovan, Osman (Gueye, 52) Stracqualursi, Saha.
Subs not used: Mucha, McFadden, Anichebe, Bilyaletdinov.
Bookings: Distin
Goals: Howard (63)
BOLTON WANDERERS: (4-5-1) Bogdan, Steinsson, Cahill (Capt), Knight, Ricketts, Muamba, Petrov, Eagles (Pratley, 81), Davies, Reo-Coker, Ngog (Davies, 87).
Subs not used: Lynch, Robinson, Tuncay, Klasnic, Wheater.
Bookings: Ngog, Reo-Coker, Cahill
Goals: Ngog (66) Cahill (77)
Attendance: 29,561
Referee: Phil Dowd

Tim Howard admits Everton FC players were speechless after Bolton defeat
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 5 2012
TIM HOWARD admitted Everton FC’s players were speechless after their crushing defeat by Premier League strugglers Bolton at Goodison Park. The Blues took the lead via a freak second half goal from their USA goalkeeper, when his punt upfield bounced over opposite number Adam Bogdan, but Wanderers responded with two goals to take the spoils on a wind-battered night. To compound Everton’s woes Phil Jagielka was forced off with an injury to his right knee, and is believed to have left the ground on crutches – while Jack Rodwell also departed the contest early for the second consecutive game with a hamstring problem. But Howard said there can be no excuses for the woeful performance that saw Everton’s mini-unbeaten run ended by Owen Coyle’s relegation-haunted side. He said: “We need to look at ourselves in the mirror because it wasn’t good enough, we were all kind of lost for words. “It was very poor and that’s why we’re all so bitterly disappointed. At the very least we needed a point from that game, that was the minimum. “We’ve got to be more professional, more resilient and we didn’t do that. We didn’t deserve the points. We need to try and find a way even on nights when it’s really ugly and we’re not at it. We need to be more professional. We’ve got strong characters and we need to show we can make it through games.” Howard admitted the treacherous weather conditions made it hard for both sides, but believes Everton FC were more affected by those key injuries. “It was cruel,” he said of the weather. “You saw the back fours and the keepers not being able to believe balls all night, and at the back one wrong step and it can be a nightmare. “For our goal I was disappointed from a goalkeepers’ union standpoint. You never want to see that happen. It’s not nice, it’s embarrassing, so I felt for Adam but you have to move on from it. “The changes hurt us, we had to make some key substitutions. I think it was tough got Jack to get in the game, then he had to come off. And Ossie is one of the guys we look for to solidify things in midfield and he had to come off. Losing Jags was mentally difficult for us because he’s our rock. It didn’t help but it’s not an excuse.” Howard said the focus must switch to atoning against non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup third round at Goodison on Saturday, and insisted the performance of Landon Donovan on his Everton return was a rare positive. “We need to get ready for Tamworth, there’s no sense in looking back,” he said. “It was a bad game and it is what it is, but Tamworth will come and fight like dogs. “It was good for Landon to get the game under his belt. The thing about him is his technique is very clean, and he makes defenders back off him and if they come very tight he skips past them. “He’s a good outlet to have – like Steven Pienaar you can rely on him to let the ball flow through him, and he rarely takes a bad touch.”

Everton FC 1 Bolton Wanderers 2: Ian Doyle’s verdict as EFC lose despite Tim Howard goal
By Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 5 2012
GOODISON has been waiting all season for a goal from Cahill. But when it arrived last night, not one Everton supporter was celebrating. While Tim's barren run continues, Bolton namesake Gary struck to bring Everton's festive momentum to a shuddering, shocking halt. It was that kind of evening, as atrocious conditions contributed to one of the most surreal sights the famous old stadium has seen in many a year. When Everton fans arrived expecting a United States international to add thrust to their attack, they probably didn’t have Tim Howard in mind. But as Landon Donovan began his second stint at the club, Howard took advantage of the howling wind inside Goodison to score in the 63rd minute with a 90-yard clearance from the edge of his own area that bounced once before floating over backpedalling Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan. Yet within 15 minutes the game was turned on its head as former Liverpool striker David Ngog and Cahill scored to drag Bolton off the foot of the table and consign a poor Everton to a deserved, dismal defeat; their worst of a difficult campaign. Not quite the drama David Moyes was seeking given his pre-match promise to offer greater entertainment to the long-suffering home support. Everton's ongoing Goodison travails – now just three home wins in 10 Premier League games – are sapping the faith of supporters and contributed to an attendance last night of only 29,561, the lowest home league crowd during Moyes's tenure and the worst top-flight Goodison turn-out since 28,138 saw Southampton beaten 2-0 in December 2001. To be fair, Bolton only brought 250 away fans. But they were the ones rejoicing at the final whistle as Everton's players steeled themselves for a gale-force battering from their manager in the dressing room. Moyes was accurate in this assessment that, Howard and Donovan apart, his team did themselves few favours. Certainly, that the former now needs only two goals to be Everton's leading scorer underlines why the Goodison manager is desperate to bolster his attack during this month's transfer window. Seeking an answer using current resources, Moyes handed Denis Stracqualursi a first Premier League start alongside Louis Saha in a two-pronged attack. It didn't work, the Argentine lacking a cutting edge while Saha's only real contribution was to have a hand in Bolton's equaliser. Everton were no better defensively, although they suffered the disruption of losing Phil Jagielka before half-time, the centre-back twisting his leg while bravely blocking a shot. His replacement, Jack Rodwell, lasted only 19 minutes before suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem. Worryingly, the midfielder has now been restricted to just 103 minutes of action since his impressive full England debut against Sweden on November 15. Everton wore black armbands as a mark of respect for former defender and reserve coach Gary Ablett, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 46 after a long battle with cancer. Donovan was given a warm reception before beginning his second short-term loan stint from LA Galaxy in three seasons and, handed a role on the right of midfield, he was involved in the only talking point of a dour first half. Running on to a Stracqualursi flick, Donovan fell to ground as he challenged Bolton left-back Samuel Ricketts. Referee Phil Dowd instantly waved away the American's appeals, with replays suggesting the Everton man had fallen over his own feet. Donovan had taken less than a minute to make an impact when his pace drew a foul from Ricketts. From the resultant inswinging Leighton Baines free-kick from the right, Stracqualursi's attempt to connect only succeeded in knocking the ball wide off his body. The Argentine was similarly wasteful midway through the half he met another Baines free-kick unmarked inside the area but headed sideways rather than towards goal. In mitigation, Stracqualursi was not helped by the wind that contributed in the 14th minute to Zat Knight misjudging the flight of a Baines cross and heading straight at the feet of Saha, who hurriedly snatched his shot well wide of the Bolton goal. The conditions continued to play havoc on 37 minutes. Both Tony Hibbert and Jagielka misjudged a hopeful punt forward with the latter then injuring himself in blocking Ngog's eventual shot. Leon Osman had earlier driven a shot wide of the far post while Bolton while, in in first-half injury time, a poor clearance from Howard allowed Nigel Reo-Coker to give Ngog a sight at goal but the keeper parried well. And the goalkeeper made an even better stop five minutes after the interval when Bolton midfielder Mark Davies tip-toed around two challenges but was denied by the legs of Howard. Howard topped that shortly before the hour, springing to his left to repel Ngog's curling effort, before his moment to remember embarrassed Bogdan. That Howard's celebrations were muted indicated his sympathy for his unfortunate Bolton counterpart. But Bolton were level four minutes later. In attempting to help out his defence, Saha succeeded only in passing to Reo-Coker, who fed Ngog inside the area to finish expertly into the bottom corner. And the Trotters sealed victory 12 minutes from time when, with Everton struggling to clear a free-kick, Chris Eagles slipped Gary Cahill into space inside the area and the centre-back shot under Howard. Baines struck an injury-time free-kick against the crossbar before the final whistle was greeted with a smattering of boos from the fed-up Goodison faithful.

Everton FC: David Moyes pulls no punches after ‘deserved’ Bolton defeat
Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 5 2012
DAVID MOYES admits Everton got what they deserved after slumping to a dreadful home defeat against struggling Bolton Wanderers. Despite being given the lead by goalkeeper Tim Howard’s incredible wind-assisted 90-yard punt, the Goodison outfit’s four-match unbeaten run shuddered to a halt with a 2-1 defeat last night. David Ngog and Gary Cahill struck in the closing quarter to drag Bolton off the foot of the Premier League table in front of Everton’s lowest home attendance in more than a decade. And Moyes, who saw both Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell limp off through injury, pulled no punches with his assessment of a lamentable performance in gale-force conditions.
“I have no qualms about the result,” said the Goodison manager. “We didn’t deserve to be in front and Bolton deserved to win the game. “We cannot perform like that and expect to win. Conditions like that are never good to play in but two teams have to handle that, although I suppose it is a little easier to play in it away from home. “Maybe the onus is on the home team to make the play but we couldn’t do that at all.” Howard’s strike made him only the fourth goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal after Peter Schmeichel – at Goodison for Aston Villa – Paul Robinson and Brad Friedel.
The United States international made a point of refusing to overly-celebrate his effort, and said: “It is hard for the Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan. “It’s not a nice place to be and it is embarrassing. I feel for him. I have been beaten by a goalkeeper before and it is quite awful.” Moyes gave Landon Donovan a debut on his second loan stint from LA Galaxy, while Denis Stracqualursi was paired with Louis Saha in attack for his first Premier League start since his temporary switch from Argentine side Tigre last summer. “If we hadn’t gone in with two centre forwards tonight, people might have questioned it,” said Moyes. “But that’s not the reason we lost. We just didn’t perform. “Apart from our goalkeeper and bits of Landon, it was hard to see any positives. “It was a freak that we were one-nil up but we would have taken it. But give Bolton credit – they worked hard for the result and we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we have been. “Bolton stuck at it and deserved the points.”
Jagielka left Goodison on crutches after damaging his right leg making a block, while Rodwell pulled up only 19 minutes after replacing the centre-back having against aggravated a hamstring problem. Both will have their injuries assessed at Finch Farm tomorrow. Bolton’s win was only their fifth of the campaign and moved them up to 18th place in the table. And Trotters manager Owen Coyle was understandably delighted at the manner in which his team recovered from Howard’s opener.
“Young Adam Bogdan was terrific for us and he was in a good position, but we have seen a few times how the ball could gather pace,” said Coyle. “Of course you start to think the bad luck we had in 2011 had carried over in 2012 but I thought we would come back because of the way we were playing and the way we did was a measure of our character and resilience. It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves.” Gary Cahill’s winner came on what could be his last appearance for the club, with Chelsea having agreed a fee for the England international. And Coyle added: “Cahill was magnificent. Quite apart from the football aspect, you have to admire his attitude when you have got a club of Chelsea’s stature after him.”

Focused Cahill gives Whites lift-off
Thursday 5th January 2012
Bolton News
OWEN Coyle praised Gary Cahill’s attitude after he supplied the perfect parting gift to lift Wanderers off the bottom of the Premier League. The England defender struck a winner in the 78th minute at Goodison Park last night as the Whites came from behind to win a league game for the first time this season. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had given the Blues a shock second-half lead before David Ngog equalised four minutes later. Cahill then provided the heroics on what looks like being his final appearance for the club, with Coyle hinting the centre-half could be rested for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Macclesfield Town. But with a £7million deal due for discussion later this week, Coyle was full of praise for his defender’s focus amidst reports that his move to Stamford Bridge was on the rocks. “The price is agreed and Bolton are a gentlemanly club and nothing will change on that,” he said. “To date, there has still only been one meeting and a lot of mis-reporting. Chelsea were respectful that we had a huge game and Gary’s head has not been turned. He was completely focused. “I’m led to believe there will be further dialogue in the next couple of days and if that comes to fruition then I wish him the very best. If he doesn’t, then he will continue to do everything he can for us because that’s the way he is.” It emerged before the game that Harry Redknapp had not given up hope of taking Cahill to Tottenham, and was watching from the stands for the first hour. But Coyle said a deal with Spurs was unlikely. “Tottenham have always been admirers,” the manager said. “But not getting ahead of myself, that might be a different deal because they are more interested in swapping players, and we could probably never afford their salaries so I don’t know whether that will come about. “We have agreed a fee with Chelsea and we honour our word.” Coyle was delighted to see his side rally after Howard’s amazing 70-yard wind-assisted strike. “Prior to the freak goal I thought we were the team in the ascendancy,” he said.
“Young Adam has done nothing wrong. He just took up a position on the six yard line, the ball hit the turf and gathered pace then flew high into the net. “Other than that I thought he was terrific, coming taking crosses and taking pressure off his back line. I really felt for the kid. “I thought about all that bad luck that hit us here last year – but the belief in the squad was great. Two or three weeks ago we would have lost that game 3-0 because we’d feel hard done by.”

Everton 1-2 Bolton: Daily Mirror match report
January 5, 2012 By David Maddock
Daily Mirror
For Bolton, at last, it is an ill-wind that blows some good. But not before Owen Coyle's side thought their incredible misfortune this season had plumbed new depths when they trailed to the most remarkable gale-assisted goal from Everton keeper Tim Howard. Watch video of Howard's amazing length-of-the-pitch goal My word - it's Tweet my Goal! The best gags from Newcastle 3-0 Man United and Everton 1-2 Bolton It was an impossible goal, the most unlikely finish of this or many a season, and the visitors could have been forgiven for being simply blown away by such a ridiculously malevolent force of nature. Yet, shaken by the cruelty of the gods, they for once defied the impossible bad luck that has flattened their campaign, and set about creating a whirlwind of their own that ultimately provided only their second, perhaps crucial, away win. And just for good measure, their winner was scored by defender Gary Cahill, who put aside his impending departure to make what could be one final massive contribution to the club. A victory seemed the most unlikely prospect though when Howard managed the first goal of his illustrious career, and quite possibly the most remarkable this famous old stadium has witnessed. Fielding a back-pass from defender Sylvain Distin, he launched a kick upfield from within his own box, and watched in studied amazement as the wind caught hold of the ball on the bounce outside the visiting area, to carry it in an impossible, insane arc over Adam Bogdan in the visiting goal. That came in the 63rd minute, and seemed to sum up Bolton's desperately unlucky season. Given their form in recent weeks, a comeback seemed an impossibility, with an incredulous Blues boss David Moyes wondering how that stroke of huge fortune didn't seal the game. "It was a freak we were leading, but we should have taken it and defended it. Give Bolton credit though, they worked hard for their result and we didn't play anywhere near as well as we have been," he said. "I have no qualms about the result, we didn't deserve to be in front, and Bolton deserved to win. We cannot perform like that - it is hard to see any positives from us." Maybe Bolton were roused by the sheer perversity of the situation, because their anger translated into a remarkable fightback, and within four minutes they were level.
Mark Davies' ball found its way to David Ngog via a poor Louis Saha attempt at a block, and the former Liverpool man finished perfectly for only his second goal for his new club. If that seemed unlikely, then Cahill proved that the ill wind isn't blowing in just one direction for Wanderers.
He has been the subject of much fevered speculation over a move to Chelsea and latterly Spurs - with their boss Harry Redknapp an interested spectator at Goodison. Many thought he shouldn't even play, but he proved his value to the club he skippers by popping up 12 minutes from time to move onto a fine reverse pass from Chris Eagles to finish emphatically from close range. As boss Coyle said afterwards, Cahill epitomised the spirit of his team, despite the setback. "It was one of the flukiest goals I have ever seen in football, and I thought the incredible bad luck we had in 2011 had carried on into 2012," said Coyle. "But the players showed incredible belief. We could have folded with that sort of misfortune, but we showed remarkable spirit, and I don't think, freak goal or not, anyone could deny we deserved the victory. "When you are in the bottom three, the stigma that comes with it you have to deal with it, but this victory makes us believe we can get out of the bottom three. We don't feel we should be there, but what we have to do now is get a run together."
Everton entered the game on the back of an unbeaten run that had stretched out over a month, and seen them rise to a respectable ninth in the table. Yet their tally of just four goals over that period spoke not of a side on the ascendancy, but one grinding out results as winter's bitter chill took an icy hold. And so it was in this terse affair - made worse for the home side by worrying injuries to Phil Jagielka, who left the ground on crutches, and Jack Rodwell. With the wind howling off the Mersey and bringing with it a serious amount of debris strewn across the pitch, the game had a feel of the derelict, which both sides struggled to shrug off. There was so little action in the opening period you worried about the health of the goalkeepers rooted in the cruel gale that took hold of the long night, with neither tested beyond the limits of the mundane. Eventually, Howard's astonishing feat blew life into the game, and ultimately into Bolton's fight against relegation, even if Coyle admitted it will almost certainly be waged without Cahill, despite a suggestion of the deal with Chelsea breaking down. "There are no problems with the deal. We have agreed a fee with Chelsea, and there has been one meeting between Gary's representative and Chelsea," he said. "Like all talks, it was an opening gambit. They have gone away to consider it. "It is up to Mr Abramovich to sanction whatever he feels Gary is worth, but apparently he is away somewhere in the world at the moment.
"I wish him all the best if he leaves. He's an outstanding player and I understand if he wants to now further his career at an elite club."

EVERTON 1 BOLTON 2: GARY CAHILL LEAVES BOLTON ON HIGH NOTE
5th January 2012
Daily Star
By Kevin Francis
GARY CAHILL gave Bolton the perfect goodbye gift to take the wind out of Tim Howard’s sails.
The Bolton defender is in talks over a move to Chelsea this month but there was no slacking last night as he delivered the winner to lift Bolton off the bottom of the Premier League. He also took the spotlight from Everton keeper Howard who had given his side the lead with a freak wind-assisted 80-yard goal. Howard’s moment of glory came after 63 minutes. Team-mate Sylvain Distin played a back pass and the American keeper’s clearance from inside his own box bounced deep in the Bolton half and over a stunned Adam Bogdan. Howard was beaten himself four minutes later as Bolton recovered to equalise. David Ngog rounded Everton defender Johnny Heitinga and the former Liverpool striker struck a left-foot shot into the corner of the net. Bolton took the lead with 12 minutes remaining. Chris Eagles crossed into the box and Cahill fired home from an acute angle.
After seeing his team string together a run of four matches without defeat, Everton boss David Moyes put the emphasis on attack. He had two players up front with Louis Saha and Denis Stracqualursi giving Bolton’s defenders plenty to worry about. Cahill, the target of a £7m bid from Chelsea, was a busy man. Only 29,561 fans turned up, the lowest home league crowd in the 10-year reign of Moyes. But they saw Saha and Stracqualursi go close in the opening 15 minutes. Argentine marksman Stracqualursi was first out of the traps after 12 minutes after being put into a cracking position by the returning Landon Donovan. Donovan, playing his first game since returning to the club on loan from LA Galaxy, crossed brilliantly from the right wing and Stacqualursi hammered a right foot shot that flashed wide of a post. Then from a Leighton Baines cross, Saha failed with a weak effort. Everton had rock-bottom Bolton on the ropes and came close to finding the net in the 35th minute, with the dangerous Leon Osman sending a shot flashing past Bogden. Everton had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Sam Ricketts appeared to push Donovan to the floor.
Bolton almost went ahead in first-half injury time after a botched clearance from Howard. His kick was intercepted by Nigel Reo-Coker and pumped back into the penalty area. Ngog fired goalwards but Howard brilliantly punched the danger away. In the last minute Baines hit the bar for Everton from a free-kick but Bolton survived.

How about that! Tim’s 92-yard goal
Everton 1 Bolton 2
January 5 2012-01-05 The Sun
KEEPER Tim Howard put the wind up Bolton with a freak 92-yard goal for Everton. The Toffees' stopper hit a clearance from the edge of his area, which bounced 30 yards from Bolton's net and was blown over the head of Adam Bogdan in the visitors' goal. American Howard joined Peter Schmeichel, Paul Robinson and Brad Friedel as goal-scoring Premier League keepers. But his 63rd-minute strike was in vain as Bolton hit back with goals from David Ngog and Gary Cahill. Cahill's winner lifted the Trotters off the bottom of the Premier League and could have been a farewell gift, with the £7million-rated England centre-half being chased by Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs.
BOLTON boss delighted with departing defender's effort against Everton Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: "Their goal was the flukiest one I have ever seen in football and it could have knocked the stuffing out of many teams. "But we didn't allow that to happen and made our game in hand count." Everton chief David Moyes said: "It was a freak that we were 1-0 up. But give Bolton credit — they worked hard for the result and we didn't play anywhere near as well as we have been."

Everton 1 Bolton 2
By PHIL THOMAS
The Daily Sun
04 Jan 2012
IF it does prove to be Gary Cahill's final farewell, he could not have given Bolton a better parting gift.
Wanderers defender Cahill is on the brink of a £7million move to Chelsea, although personal terms are still a stumbling block. It is not helped by the fact Stamford Bridge supremo Roman Abramovich is away soaking up the Caribbean sun on his yacht and so far incommunicado. And it has prevented him signing off the transfer and giving the nod to how much Cahill will be allowed to earn
With Manchester United waiting in the wings should anything unexpected happen, Coyle knows it is only a matter of time before his prize asset packs his bags. But Coyle had nothing but praise for his skipper after last night's winner. Cahill showed an eye for goal most strikers would kill for, as he drilled a 78th-minute effort into the corner of Tim Howard's net to lift his side off the Premier League's basement. Yet it was the all-round display from John Terry's England — and future — Stamford Bridge partner which really earned his manager's praise. Coyle said: "Gary was magnificent, both with his football and especially his mentality. "It cannot be easy with a club of Chelsea's stature after you, although to be fair they have respected the fact we had a game.
"I expect there will be more dialogue between them over the next couple of days, but in the meantime Gary has showed tremendous desire to play for Bolton — that's why he will play at the highest level for years to come." While Coyle was delighted with Cahill, stand-in keeper Adam Bogdan was not far behind him, after being left with a face as red as his hair as Everton grabbed an astonishing breakthrough. EVERTON manager says his side did not deserve anything from Bolton match Everton keeper Howard was just clearing his lines with a punt downfield as Chris Eagles closed him down. Yet the ball took a horrible bounce in the swirling wind and Bogdan found himself in no-man's land as it looped over him and into the net. Given Bolton's dreadful fortunes this term, you could hardly have blamed them if an air of resignation set in. Yet on 69 minutes David Ngog pounced to fire them level. Everton's Louis Saha was the unwitting provide as his toe-poke fell for the ex-Liverpool striker. And Ngog, who had already drawn two impressive stops from Howard, made it third time lucky by burying his effort in the corner. At that moment the travelling fans would have taken a point — but not Cahill. And when Eagles picked him out in the box, the Bolton captain neatly found the corner to hand his side a fourth away win of the season. Even Goodison chief David Moyes conceded his side got what they deserved. He admitted: "We cannot perform like that and expect to win. It was a freak when we were 1-0 up. But give Bolton their credit, they worked hard to get it and we did not." To complete a miserable night for Moyes, sub Jack Rodwell — another Chelsea target — lasted just 19 minutes before limping off with a damaged hamstring.
And Phil Jagielka left on crutches after tweaking knee ligaments.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN - DAVID NGOG (Bolton)
EVERTON: Howard 7, Hibbert 6, Jagielka 6, Distin 6, Baines 7, Osman 6, Heitinga 5, Neville 6, Donovan 6, Stracqualursi 6, Saha 5. Subs: Rodwell (Jagielka 41) 5, Gueye (Osman 53) 5, Cahill (Rodwell 61) 5. Not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, McFadden, Anichebe. Booked: Distin.
BOLTON: Bogdan 5, Steinsson 6, Cahill 7, Knight 6, Ricketts 7, M Davies 7, Muamba 6, Reo-Coker 6, Petrov 7, Ngog 7, Eagles 6. Subs: Pratley (Eagles 81) 5, K Davies (Ngog 87) 5. Not used: Lynch, Robinson, Tuncay, Klasnic, Wheater. Booked: Ngog, Reo-Coker, Cahill.
REF: P Dowd 7

Everton 1-2 Bolton
Thursday 05 January 2012
Morning Star
by Mike Wilton at Goodison Park
Football: A captain's goal by Gary Cahill completed a marvellous comeback for bottom of the table Bolton after the Trotters went behind to a freak goal from an unlikely source. Just after the hour mark Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard cleared the ball from inside his own penalty area. The kick cleared all other players and the bounce caught the wind, sailing over the stricken Adam Bogdan to give the hosts an unexpected and undeserved lead. Owen Coyle’s basement battlers could have fell hard done by but they fought to regain parity. It took them a mere four minutes to get back on level terms, when a well-crafted move was finished off by David Ngog, the former Liverpool striker turning the Everton defence before curling the ball into the far corner. Bolton reiterated their dominance 10 minutes later. After a Howard punch, skipper Cahill pointed to Chris Eagles exactly where he wanted the ball delivered and when it arrived with pinpoint accuracy, he fired into the net.
It was a fitting end to what could be the last match the defender makes in a Bolton shirt as he prepares to complete a reported £7m move to Chelsea. Wanderers boss Coyle said would like the transfer finalised sooner rather than later. "There's merit in getting the deal done as soon as possible,” he said. Gary Cahill is an outstanding young man and he has aspirations of playing at the highest level, in the Champions League and for his country.” However Coyle also admitted that he would shed no tears if the deal fell through, even though the 26-year-old is out if contract at the end of the season. "If it's not done, then I've got a fantastic player [for rest of the season] who can only help us in the position we are in." Despite a last-gasp scare when Leighton Baines rattled the woodwork with a freekick, Bolton were good for their victory but Everton didn't make it difficult for them, with only the return of USA's London Donovan, on another two month loan from LA Galaxy, giving the Toffees anything to be hopeful about. Everton boss David Moyes cut a forlorn figure in the post-match press conference and made no excuses for a dismal performance, despite the awful blustery conditions and losing two players to injuries. "We didn't deserve to win, Bolton did,” he said. “We didn't deal with the conditions particularly well. They adapted better than we did."
"We’ve [picked up] one or two knocks but I haven’t had a chance to find out how they are yet.”
It was in fact Everton's two most prized assets that took serious knocks as Phil Jagielka was withdrawn late in the first half before his replacement Jack Rodwell also went off just 15 minutes after the restart. Moyes was also in no mood to credit Howard with his first goal of his career.
"It was a freak goal and we hadn't really deserved to be ahead. When we were 1-0 up, I hoped we might have enough to keep the lead but we didn't have."

Everton keeper Howard sorry after scoring incredible 80-yard goal against Bolton
Daily Mail
5th January 2012
Everton's Tim Howard admitted he felt 'awful' after becoming the only the fourth goalkeeper to score in the Barclays Premier League - because he felt sorry for his opposite number.
The USA international stunned Goodison Park on Wednesday night when he opened the scoring after looping a 80-yard clearance over the head of helpless Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan. Howard joins Peter Schmeichel - who also scored at Goodison, over 10 years ago for Aston Villa - Brad Friedel and Paul Robinson to celebrate unlikely goals as goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Collector's item: Howard's long clearance bounces up and over Bogdan Can you believe it? The players race to celebrate with Howard after his memorable strike But the 32-year-old was ultimately left disappointed as lowly Bolton clawed their way back to win 2-1 on an incredibly gusty evening on Merseyside, which Howard admits assisted his amazing 63rd minute freak strike. 'I was delighted that we were in the lead and would hopefully go on to get three points, but it's not a nice feeling for a keeper,' said Howard. 'It's really awful actually. For the back four and the goalkeepers at both ends, there was an awful wind swirling. 'You could see everybody was mistiming balls. Defenders were missing clearances that normally they would put up the field. Well done, pal: John Heitinga congratulates Howard on his strike Nightmare: Adam Bogdan can't believe has has been beaten by Howard 'I think the wind is the hardest condition to play in. Snow, rain, sun doesn't matter, but the wind really does play tricks on you.' Everton boss David Moyes added: 'It was a freak goal and we hadn't really deserved to be ahead. When we were 1-0 up, I hoped we might have enough to keep the lead but we didn't have.' Bolton boss Owen Coyle couldn't believe his eyes as Howard was mobbed by his Everton team-mates but was pleased his side managed to fight back to secure a precious win thanks to goals from former Liverpool striker David Ngog and Chelsea-bound defender Gary Cahill. 'Howard’s goal was quite possibly the most freakish I have seen,' said Bolton boss Coyle. 'Adam Bogdan was magnificent and was in a good position. The lad certainly wasn't at fault. But we then showed character and resilience. 'You start to think the bad luck we had in 2011 has carried over to 2012 but I thought we would come back because of the way we were playing and the way we did was a measure of our character and resilience.'

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard refuses to get blown away by freak goal over Bolton's hapless Adam Bogdan
Tim Howard refused to celebrate despite becoming only the fourth goalkeeper to score in the history of the Premier League with a freak goal from inside his own area in Everton's home match against Bolton.
By Telegraph
05 Jan 2012
The United States international's first-time clearance from a back pass bounced about 30 yards from the Bolton goal and was blown by the wind over visiting keeper Adam Bogdan, who was stood on the edge of his own six-yard line. Howard, who was making his 250th appearance for Everton, didn't react out of consideration for Bogdan and was walking back to his own goal when he was mobbed by teammates. "It's not a nice place to be," Howard said. "I've been there before - a long, long time ago - and that was why I didn't celebrate." The only other goalkeepers to score in the Premier League's 20 years are Peter Schmeichel (2001), Howard's fellow American Brad Friedel (2004) and Paul Robinson (2011). It ended up being a bittersweet night for Howard, who put his team ahead with his goal in the 63rd minute but conceded two goals in the next 15 minutes as Bolton rallied for a 2-1 victory. "I was delighted that we were in the lead and would hopefully go on to get three points, but it's not a nice feeling for a keeper, it's really awful actually," Howard said.
Howard's clearance only ended up in Bogdan's net because of a vicious wind that played havoc throughout the match at Goodison Park, with both teams misplacing passes and making mistakes.
"You could see everybody was mistiming balls. Defenders were missing clearances that normally they would put up the field," Howard said. "I think the wind is the hardest condition to play in. Snow, rain, sun doesn't matter, but the wind really does play tricks on you." Howard's goal meant he upstaged compatriot Landon Donovan, who was returning to Everton to start a two-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

Gary Cahill's farewell gesture lifts Bolton Wanderers off the bottom after freak Tim Howard goal for Everton
Gary Cahill hit a delightful winner in what could be his final league appearance for Bolton in an incident-packed match which will be remembered for a freak goal scored by the Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
By Neil Johnston at Goodison Park
05 Jan 2012
The Telegraph
Boltonrefused to be blown off course after Howard’s wind-assisted 80-yard kick severely embarrassed Adam Bogdan, his opposite number, and left the visitors staring at a 20th defeat in 25 top-flight games. The former Liverpool striker, David Ngog, marked his return to Merseyside with a fine equaliser before Cahill, who is closing in on a £7 million move to Chelsea, fired a 78th-minute winner to earn his struggling side only a second win in nine league games. The result lifted Bolton off the bottom of the table. Talks between Chelsea and Cahill’s representatives have stuttered in recent days with Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp was present at windswept Goodison, showing late interest in the player. But the England defender is still likely to leave the Reebok before Owen Coyle’s side return to league action at Manchester United on Jan 14. “The clubs [Chelsea and Bolton] have agreed a fee. Gary’s representatives and Chelsea have only had one meeting about personal terms,” said Coyle. “It can’t have been easy for Gary but I thought he was magnificent and showed tremendous desire. No doubt, we fell behind to one of the freakiest goals I have ever seen. It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves but we showed an awful lot of character.”
Bolton move two places up the table, above Blackburn and Wigan, after spoiling Landon Donovan’s Goodison return. Twenty-two months since he was last seen in action for Everton, Donovan received a rousing reception from Goodison’s lowest league crowd during David Moyes’s 10 years in charge.
Donovan had won every Premier League match he played at Goodison during his first spell two years ago, including victories over Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. Despite making an early impact last night, David Beckham’s LA Galaxy team-mate was unable to continue that record as his two-month loan started in defeat. Donovan forced an early save from Bogdan before teeing up Denis Stracqualursi for a chance. Leon Osman forced a rare save from Bogdan before flashing another effort narrowly wide before the break. Everton’s frustrations grew when Phil Jagielka went off injured three minutes before half-time, Jack Rodwell replacing his England team-mate. Donovan thought he had won a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Sam Ricketts but referee Phil Dowd waved away the home side’s strong appeals. Then, right on half-time, Howard rescued Everton when he denied Ngog after a defence-splitting pass by Nigel Reo-Coker. With the gale-like conditions worsening by the minute, Bolton started to grow in confidence. After Rodwell, who later went off injured, screwed a fine opportunity into the side-netting, Bolton’s Mark Davies was denied by Howard’s left leg. Ngog was again left frustrated by Howard before the keeper became an unlikely scoring hero in the 63rd minute. The American’s huge 80-yard clearance, from Sylvain Distin’s pass back, bounced once before deceiving Bogdan, who was standing outside his six-yard area, and into the goal. Bogdan looked embarrassed while Howard was mobbed by his jubilant team-mates. Not that Howard was in the mood to celebrate. “It’s hard for Adam Bogdan,” said Howard afterwards. “It’s not a nice place to be and embarrassing. I feel for him. I’ve been beaten before by a goalkeeper and it’s quite awful.” Bolton showed impressive character to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Ngog, who was impressive, showed great authority inside the Everton area following a clever flick by Davies before producing an exquisite finish which took the smile off Howard’s face. With 12 minutes left Cahill found the net from an acute angle following good work by Chris Eagles. Leighton Baines was then denied an equaliser by the woodwork in stoppage time.
“We didn’t deserve to be in front and Bolton deserved to win the game,” said the Everton manager, David Moyes. “It was a freak that we were 1-0 up but we would have taken it. But give Bolton credit – they worked hard for the result and we didn’t play anywhere near as well as we have been. Apart from our goalkeeper and bits of Landon, it was hard to see any positives.”
Match details
Everton (4-4-2): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka (Rodwell 42, T Cahill 61), Distin, Baines; Donovan, Heitinga, Neville, Osman (Gueye 53); Stracqualursi, Saha. Subs: Mucha (g), Bilyaletdinov, McFadden, Anichebe. Booked: Distin.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Bogdan; Steinsson, G Cahill, Knight, Ricketts; Eagles (Pratley 81), M Davies, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov; Ngog (K Davies 87). Subs: Robinson, Tuncay, Klasnic, Wheater, Lynch (g). Booked: Ngog, Reo-Coker, G Cahill.
Referee: P Dowd (Staffs).

Tim Howard's punt for Everton fails to blow victorious Bolton away
Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
The Guardian, Thursday 5 January 2012
If this was Gary Cahill's final act in a Bolton Wanderers shirt, and Owen Coyle gave no indication it will not be, he left a precious parting gift. The coveted defender cast aside doubt over his future to lift his current club off the foot of the Premier League with a deserved late winner over a windswept and woeful Everton. Whatever money Chelsea or perhaps the watching Harry Redknapp pay for Cahill, it cannot come close to matching his value towards Bolton's prospects of survival. Until 12 minutes from time, when Cahill angled Chris Eagles' reverse pass into the far corner of the Everton net, the night belonged to Tim Howard as he joined the exclusive band of goalkeepers to score from their own half. Hopes of an increased American threat at Goodison Park had centred on the returning Landon Donovan but it was the USA goalkeeper who provided the breakthrough when his clearance from a Sylvain Distin back-pass sailed over the Bolton defence, bounced and caught on the breeze, then sailed over the goalkeeper Adam Bogdan. Adhering to the goalkeepers' union rules, Howard refused to celebrate. "I feel for him. I have been beaten by a goalkeeper before and it is quite awful," he said. By the end, with his side third from bottom and a point behind QPR, only Owen Coyle and his players had reason to. "There's no doubt that was one of the freakiest goals I've ever seen in football," the Bolton manager said. "I feared the bad luck we had in 2011 had carried over into 2012 but I thought we would come back because of the way we were playing. It would have been easy to feel sorry for ourselves but the players showed real belief." None more so than the England defender, who could become a Chelsea player within days, providing personal terms are agreed. Cahill was commanding in his natural habitat and decisive in attack but, despite the precariousness of Bolton's league position and the slender resources available to Coyle, the Scot will not stand in the way of a possible lucrative move for a player who is out of contract in the summer. "It is what it is," Coyle said. "If Gary goes, I will wish him nothing but the best and we will go from there," Coyle said. "He was magnificent. Quite apart from the football aspect, you have to admire his attitude when you have got a club of Chelsea's stature after him. To be fair to Chelsea, they have not tried to press us. They knew we had a massive game this week. It may happen in the next few days but there is a lot of interest in Gary." That Howard provided Everton's greatest threat all night once again highlighted the deficiencies in David Moyes' ranks. The Everton manager continues to place his trust in Louis Saha and continues to be let down by the striker, though Moyes is hardly blessed with alternatives and the Frenchman was not alone in his inability to adapt to the wild conditions. Bolton's players showed few such problems. Donovan, back for a second loan spell from LA Galaxy, provided Everton's only attacking impetus and the home side would have been as fortunate as Howard had been to bank all three points. With Goodison still reverberating from his goal, however, the former Liverpool striker David Ngog ended a fine team move with a polished finish. Everton lost Phil Jagielka to a medial knee ligament injury, then the substitute Jack Rodwell within 18 minutes of his arrival, and then saw Leighton Baines strike the bar in stoppage time from a free-kick. But there were no complaints. "We cannot perform like that and expect to win," Moyes said.
Striking goalkeepers
Tim Howard is not the first keeper to score from within his own half
Charlie Williams April 1900
Manchester City keeper became the first to score with a goal‑kick. Sunderland's Teddy Doig was beaten.
Pat Jennings August 1967
Kick out of hands bounced over Manchester United's Alex Stepney to score for Spurs in 1967 Charity Shield.
Peter Shilton October 1967
Scored for Leicester in a 5-1 win against Southampton.
Paul Robinson March 2007
Free‑kick bounced over Watford's Ben Foster in win for Tottenham.

Howard Kendall: Everton may need to use the loan market to provide a quick striking fix
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
DAVID MOYES has made no secret of the fact that he wants to – and needs to – bring in a new striker during this transfer window. And the defeat to Bolton proved exactly why that is the case.
Yet it is all well and good saying Everton need a striker, the real questions are: Who is he? Is he available? And if so, how much will cost? David has already brought in Landon Donovan, who was bright on his debut against Bolton, but that is a short-term option. It may plug a gap over the next few weeks but, ideally, the real solution should be one for the longer-term. The worry is, Everton’s financial state is such that the only real option available is a loan move or a free transfer gamble.
I’ve never been a huge fan of the loan market, especially for loans between Premier League clubs, but Bolton picked up Daniel Sturridge in that manner last season, and Sunderland had Danny Welbeck from Manchester United. Both of those players did well, and both are now on the international scene as a result. So there are chances to pick up players who can make a different in the short-term. The trouble is, Everton’s striking problems look like they need more than a quick fix.

Howard Kendall: Gary Ablett deserves to be remembered as both a great player and a great person
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
EVERTON will pay tribute to Gary Ablett ahead of the game with Tamworth this weekend, and rightly so. I was the man who signed Gary from Liverpool back in 1992, and I can honestly say he deserved every tribute that has come his way since he was passing. He was a top professional, fantastic to work with, and a really superb player, who gave Everton fantastic service during his four years. But more than that, he was a genuine guy with a wonderful personality. He never gave up the fight against his terrible illness, which was typical. He is a sad loss to both the game and the world. And people should remember both the player and the person.

Howard Kendall: Everton FC cannot dwell on Bolton Wanderers defeat as Tamworth test looms
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
IT was an extremely strange night for Everton FC at Goodison Park against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday, one which raised eyebrows in more ways than one. Tim Howard’s goal will be one that is replayed over and over during the next few weeks, and owed everything to the horrendous conditions which were swirling around Goodison all evening. Despite that freak incident, I actually think the weather helped Bolton more than Everton. The home fans, generally, demand more quality than the away supporters, but conditions on Wednesday made it so hard to provide that, and Everton didn’t handle them particularly well. It was a huge disappointment. Having picked up a battling win at West Brom last weekend, the expectancy had to be three points against the league’s bottom club. So to not get anything at all is very disappointing. Add to that the injuries to Leon Osman, Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell, and it was a pretty disastrous night all round. Fortunately, we meet a team on Saturday, in Tamworth, that should enable David Moyes’ side to cope without such players. Of course there is always a danger with non-league clubs; I remember when I was player-coach at Stoke and we were beaten by Blyth Spartans. It was one of the lowest points I can remember, and the manager, George Eastham, got the sack afterwards. Tamworth will be organised; they have got this far, after all. For them, this is their big day. It will feel like a Wembley experience for them, and they will be out to enjoy it. Everton, though, must be professional and do the job they are paid to. They can’t afford to dwell on Wednesday night.

Looking back: Everton FC’s FA Cup clashes against non league opposition
by Peter Guy, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
1962 FA Cup 3d round Everton FC 4 King’s Lynn 0
SOUTHERN LEAGUE King’s Lynn were Everton FC’s first non-league FA Cup opponents for 35 years – and were no match for a team barely six months away from embarking on a successful title winning campaign. In fact the biggest problem Harry Catterick’s side had to contend with was hoping the Norfolk side actually made it to Goodison Park on time! It took the non-leaguers 12 hours from leaving East Anglia to get to their team hotel in Southport – a journey diligently reported by the local press. “Travelling by coach to Southport they were halted six times between Nottingham and Derby due to engine failure, probably caused by melting ice in the tank,” reported the Daily Post’s Horace Yates, showing a commendable grasp of vehicle engineering. He added: “In desperation they had to change coaches at Derby to complete their journey, but it meant a complete rearrangement of their plans. Gone was their opportunity to see the pantomime ‘Humpty Dumpty’ in Southport, for all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t get their coach moving again.” Manager Len Richley optimistically declared: “I am glad to say that none of the lads appear to have taken these mishaps as a bad omen at all – and I reckon we might even beat Everton now!” Skipper Gerry Mackey added: “This has been a welcome relaxation for our nerves and now nobody is worried about anything Everton have to offer. We will go out there and shake them rigid!” In the event it was just bravado. Goals by Billy Bingham, Bobby Collins, Jimmy Fell and a successful Roy Vernon penalty earned Everton comfortable progress, with the non-leaguers left to bank £4,000 as their share of the 44,916 gate. The Daily Post reported: “There was never the slightest danger of Everton losing. Everton’s defence can scarcely have had an easier day. Labone was so much in control that Gabriel and Harris did more attacking and Parker was often up with the forwards. Once only did I see Labone break into anything more than a trot. “Everton got four goals when they might have had a dozen and King’s Lynn did not get a shot on target until the score was 4-0.” King’s Lynn, established in 1879, were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal.
1966 FA Cup 4th round Bedford 0 Everton FC 3
DEREK TEMPLE achieved Everton FC immortality with the goal which won the FA Cup in 1966. But Temple almost claimed lasting footballing fame that same season, with the rarely celebrated feat of scoring in every round. The only round the Everton striker failed to score in was the semi-final “and I set up the winner that day for Colin Harvey,” he smiled. But Temple did score twice when Everton faced a potentially tricky trip to Southern League Bedford Town. The non-leaguers had a record for giant-killing – having drawn 2-2 at Highbury in 1956 and come within four minutes of knocking out Arsenal in the replay – but Everton had few problems. “It was a tidy little ground but quite a nice set up,” recalled Temple. “It was packed inside and outside. I had friends from my time serving in the forces in Kenya, who lived in the area. “I scored two. I think Scotty (Alex Scott) crossed for both – one was a low cross which I touched in with my foot, the other was a header. “Fred Pickering scored the other and we were never in any trouble.” Like King’s Lynn before them, Bedford Town were wound up in 1982 before reforming under the same name in 1989.
1975 FA Cup 3rd round Everton FC 1 Altrincham 1 Replay Altrincham 0 Everton FC 2
“IT’S wet and windy with a deep depression over Bellefield,” joked Billy Bingham with press-men on the eve of Everton’s third round tie in 1975. He was referring to Everton’s injury list. But barely 24 hours later he might have been referring to Everton’s FA Cup fortunes. Against Northern Premier League Altrincham, Everton came as close as they ever had to suffering the shame of being knocked out by a non-league side. It was almost the shock of the season. Everton went into the third round tie one point off the top of the table – but after a superb autumn, Billy Bingham’s Blues had wobbled as Christmas approached. To add to the inconsistent form, Bingham revealed an injury list on the Friday – which would worsen the next day. “Steve Seargeant is out,” he revealed. “Martin Dobson will not play, John Hurst is not fit and Mick Buckley cannot be risked.” As a result Ken McNaught made his Blues debut – and hit the crossbar within 10 minutes – while Gary Jones hit the post 10 minutes later. But a nine minute spell threatened to wreck Everton’s season. Saturday’s Daily Post had warned: “30-goal John Can Be A Danger” – and John Hughes did, as Horace Yates had warned: “slip one past them.” Perhaps shaken by the goal, winger Gary Jones then lost his composure, swung a right hook at Morris – which connected – and was sent off, then a minute before half-time a “vicious looking tackle by Davison” left John Connolly with a leg broken in two places and he was stretchered out of Everton’s season. “The Everton and Altrincham players looked at each other threateningly,” reported Ken Lawrence “and the match never recovered.” Everton’s 10-men equalised 20 minutes from time, skipper Dave Clements hammering a shot into the roof of the net after Dave Irving had been tripped. With a full complement of 11 players for the replay, staged at Old Trafford, Everton won comfortably with goals by Lyons and Latchford. But Altrincham did get their top flight scalp 11 years later, when Birmingham City were dispatched in the third round. For an hour at Goodison Park one wintry afternoon in 1975 it was very nearly Everton.
1985 FA Cup 5th round Everton FC 3 Telford 0
TELFORD United made life ‘tough’ for Everton in the spring of 1985, literally. The sight of six players queuing for treatment at Bellefield on Monday as Everton chased a trophy treble spoke volumes.
The sight of Graeme Sharp being carried off on physio John Clinkard’s back with a blanket wrapped round him (the 80s was no place for the niceties of golf buggies or stretchers) was a symbolic image of an afternoon when Telford accepted that they couldn’t outplay Howard Kendall’s talented young side, so tried to outmuscle them. The Daily Post’s Ian Ross had no doubt who was to blame. “By showing a basic lack of respect for the rules, referee Mr Trevor Spencer allowed Stan Storton’s over zealous tough guys to dictate the pattern of play,” he reported. “They were never going to win, and they knew it, but my goodness how they managed to soil Everton’s eventual triumph. “It is to Everton’s immense credit they refused to be intimidated by tackles which would be frowned upon in Sunday football circles and ultimately bury the minnows beneath an avalanche of class.”

Only 23 minutes remained when Peter Reid deftly flicked Gary Stevens’ ferocious drive past Charlton. Kevin Sheedy then buried a penalty and Trevor Steven added a third from the edge of the box. But an injury list which included Sharp (two week lay-off with damaged ankle ligaments), Peter Reid (damaged achilles and bruised foot), Derek Mountfield (bruised back), Andy Gray (sight ankle injury), Paul Bracewell (knee) and Gary Stevens (ankle and knee injuries) left a sour taste.
1991 FA Cup 4th round Everton FC 1 Woking 0
TIM BUZAGLO was the darling of the national media after a second half hat-trick inspired non-league Woking to an unlikely 4-2 victory at second tier side West Bromwich Albion in 1991. Buzaglo’s scoring feats saw him placed in the FA’s Team of Heroes to commemorate 125 years of the FA Cup in 2006. But it was an Everton sharp-shooter who ensured Buzaglo’s moment in the spotlight was fleeting. Kevin Sheedy scored 97 goals in his Everton career – he is the only midfielder to feature in Everton’s all-time top 10 scoring list – and his clinical strike against Woking was typical. Sheedy, back at Goodison as a youth coach, recalled: “We knew it would be a tough game and it certainly turned out to be a challenge. Luckily my goal deflated them. Ian Snodin crossed, Sharpie headed it down and I volleyed it in. “They were massive under-dogs but they made it hard for us, just like Tamworth will do. “Tamworth will have nothing to lose and anything can happen so early in the cup. Their keeper will either have a glory day with loads of crucial saves, or we will score early and make life tough for them, maybe even force them to collapse. I’m sure the lads will overcome the threat and go into the next round, but Tamworth will bring lots of fans, and lots of spirit. Non league sides can never be underestimated.”

Everton FC fan forum: EFC fans react with dismay to Bolton Wanderers loss
Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
HEAVEN knows what Everton actually do in training as never has a team so lacking in ideas, pace, imagination and guile graced Goodison Park. After finally putting two players up front against Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night, David Moyes plays a midfield of Heitinga and Phil Neville and Leon Osman on the left flank. In every post-match interview of late our manager uses the phrases "hang on"; "grab a goal"; "steal a win". It’s no wonder our team play ‘Anti-Football’ with comments like this week after week. If you have a team which aren’t performing, lack confidence, or are struggling to get a win, you will find a warm welcome at Goodison Park, who are only to happy to help you out of a dip in form! What has happened to Ross Barkley? Royston Drenthe?
The whole club is in dire need of an overhaul from top to bottom. When you see teams like Swansea City and Norwich City playing attacking football, who are eager to get forward, to play ‘one touch’ football, to work for each other, you realise how far we have fallen behind in even the basics of footballing terms. Tamworth in the FA Cup tomorrow... Saha at left-back, Hibbert up front and me heavily sedated, hiding behind the couch. Again.
MC, Woolton
WEDNESDAY night was poor; no creativity brought about by a central midfield of two defenders, a central midfielder on the left wing, and a forward on the right wing. Not to mention ‘King’ looking like he couldn’t be bothered once more and his first touch has gone, and Denis who chases everything and gives 100% but is still finding his feet. fully understand and respect the financial issues we face as a club, but that does not stop us from running into space and offering an option when we have the ball. Even at throw-ins we are static.
Ozzie2010
WELL, after Wednesday that’s probably the last we’ll see of 4-4-2 for this season. But you could have played Van Persie and Ba up-front for the Blues against Bolton and they still wouldn’t have scored.

Why? Because a central midfield consisting of two defenders is never going to deliver the service required. I know that; all Blues know that; David Moyes clearly doesn’t. There’s no point throwing caution to the wind and playing two up-front when you can’t deliver any service to them.
staygold
REGARDLESS of financial constraints, we should be turning in better performances than the shambles on Wednesday night against Bolton. Overall, I think David Moyes has been great for us, but he’s getting it wrong at the moment.
TopBalcony
WHY do dithering David Moyes and Steve Round wait for so long to make substitutions when everyone in the crowd at Goodison on Wednesday could see that Saha and Cahill are finished.
Drenthe did more in the first couple of minutes than Saha and Cahill have done in the last couple of matches. The next manager of Manchester United? More like Macclesfield Town.
John Murray, Anfield
IT WAS a really disappointing result on Wednesday night but on the plus side I was very impressed by the contribution of Gusto Wind. He provided a spark of invention so sadly lacking this season. The way he turned Tim Howard’s aimless punt into a goal was truly worthy of a place at the School of Science. Come on Moysie, sign him on before one of the big boys snap him up.
welsh dragon WHAT should have been a springboard to the season, with the away win against WBA, came crashing down to earth at home to lowly Bolton on Wednesday at Goodison. The match was a massive opportunity for us to gain momentum; but what has to be asked, is did the players want it enough or put it more poignantly, are some of the players past their best? This game, irrespective of the conditions, should be the conclusive indicator that a watershed is required, in order to bring in the necessary reinforcements to bolster any potential progress, of what remains of the season. Home loss to QPR; draw against Norwich; scrape through against Swansea; Cahill and Saha unable to conjure up anything in front of goal – all are worrying statistics and drastic surgery is needed, to prevent any relegation scrap which may ensue. We need investment quickly, but if this not forthcoming then I see club nose-diving.
David Kearns, Aintree
AS AN Evertonian exile I travelled on a 500-mile round trip to see one of the most awful displays ever on Wednesday night. On the excuses side we had no Fellaini and lost Rodwell after five minutes and then Jagielka. My assertion would be why doesn’t David Moyes have more faith in the youngster and start him... he’s a full England international? No Barkley, the classiest footballer we’ve got. Hibbert, ever-present for an age, was seriously exposed yet again and Saha was more like Haha! Moyes can’t indulge ex-King Louis anymore. We made Bolton look like Brazil. Poor passing and leaderless on the field.
Look out, here come Tamworth!
ramondjohnhughes

David Prentice: Is romance of the FA Cup dead?
By David Prentice
Jan 6 2012
NOWHERE will the romance of the Cup be in greater evidence than at Goodison Park tomorrow.
Except it seems that non-league Tamworth have eschwed romance for cold, hard realism. Everton have cut prices for the third round tie – £20 adults and £5 juniors is a significant reduction – but the Blues wanted to go further. They believed that slashing prices to £15 and a fiver, less than half-price, would encourage an even greater gate Both parties have to agree on a pricing structure in the FA Cup, however, and Tamworth refused. They preferred a greater guaranteed income rather than hoping to tempt a few more through the turnstiles. After Wednesday night’s woes at Goodison it might be the sensible call. FA get the message over referees THE FA have clearly, belatedly, learned some lessons about derby day diplomacy following Martin Atkinson’s red card error back in October. Atkinson will be back in the middle for an Everton fixture next Wednesday, only 15 games later. And sensibly, the venue for Atkinson’s return to refereeing an Everton match will be White Hart Lane, not in front of a Goodison crowd still seething with a sense of injustice. The FA, correctly, deems that enough water has now passed under the bridge to allow Atkinson to take charge of a Blues match again. Which makes you wonder how much water has to pass under the bridge before Mark Clattenburg ever handles an Everton fixture again. Four years and three months have now passed since Clattenburg had his well publicised meltdown in a Merseyside derby . . . the last time he took charge of any Everton match. Since then Clattenburg has taken charge of 131 matches, including two Liverpool fixtures, but has come nowhere near Goodison Park.

Everton FC jury on Bolton defeat and EFC's prospects for the season
Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
Everton FC juror Tony Scott: Everton are a club that is dying BOLTON were bottom of the Premier League for a reason, but they just wanted it more and put us to shame in our own back yard.
All Evertonians’ conversations lately sound like broken records, we’re all saying the same thing.
My theory now is Heather Mills with an infected leg could do better than both Tim Cahill and Phil Neville, to say they are finished is an understatement. They are both running in quicksand and don’t deserve to be remembered for this. The whole top and bottom of it though is we’re just terrible whether Moyes plays 4-5-1 or 4-4-2, that ageing, slim squad is dreadful. There are lots of players in this squad that need replacing but as long as Bill Kenwright is in charge we are stuck with them so it’s going to get a lot worse. The decline we have had to witness in front of our own eyes since the FA Cup final has been frightening and Evertonians need to grow a spine and save our club because it’s dying. Everton FC juror Debbie Smaje: Everton FC manager David Moyes has come to the end
BLAME the recession all you like for Everton’s falling crowds. People will only pay so much for so long to watch gutless, diabolical alehouse football, and I’m afraid Moyes has come to the end.
Everton were utterly clueless against Bolton, and not for the first time. Owen Coyle isn’t exactly a tactical genius, but he had the nous to get his side playing football on the floor, because the conditions demanded it. We spent 90 minutes hoofing it up and watching it blow over Stracqualursi’s head, and once it paid off with a complete freak of a goal. When your goalkeeper has your only meaningful attempt before stoppage time, something is seriously wrong with the players, the attitude, and the entire club, which is quite simply, stale and rotten from top to bottom.
Yet again, two defenders made up our central midfield, despite being at home to bottom of the League, and we approached the game like they were there to just turn up and beaten. The entire negative attitude at the club stinks. Tamworth will no doubt be rubbing their hands together.
Everton FC juror Mike Williamson: Watching the gradual disintegration of a once great club is painful beyond words TO NOBODY’S great surprise, Everton’s version of Groundhog Day continued against Bolton. Everybody sympathises with the manager about the lack of funds but watching the gradual disintegration of a once great club is painful beyond words. Bringing back Donovan for two months is farcical and just emphasises the stupidity of letting Beckford go simply because we could make a profit on him. How Saha even gets in the squad is a mystery and it can only be hoped that we find a buyer to take him off our hands before the transfer window closes. The manager doesn’t seem to know his best team from one game to the next but nobody can blame him for sitting tight on £70k a week with an adoring chairman who showed the same lack of objectivity with a certain Walter Smith. The people managing this club need to wake up and realise how close many of us are to giving up our season tickets for good and when that happens there will be no coming back. Loyalty should not be mistaken for stupidity. Everton FC juror Cole Fraser: Everton FC have to be really wary of relegation WRITING these pieces has pained me over the last few months. Everything that I have to say is negative. Things aren’t getting any better and something has to be done about it. We’re playing just as poorly as any other team in the Premier League and, without reinforcements, we could find ourselves in deep trouble. We’re not untouchable, and relegation looks a possibility if we can’t find some good form soon. No doubt, the players haven’t produced the goods this season, but David Moyes has to take some of the blame. Playing at home to Bolton, the bottom side, and starting with six defenders on the pitch is ridiculous. Playing two strikers is also useless, if we don’t back them up with midfielders. Everybody knows how desperate were we for investment before January. Unfortunately nothing has materialised, so e need Moyes to get his bargain-hunting head on. He needs to bring in players who can turn our season around. A striker is still a necessity.

Liverpool FC and Everton FC to pay tribute to FA Cup hero Gary Ablett
by Alan Weston, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
LIVERPOOL FC will pay tribute to former defender Gary Ablett with a minute’s applause before tonight’s FA Cup third-round tie at home to Oldham Athletic. The 46-year-old FA Cup winner died on New Year’s Day after a 16-month battle against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Black armbands will also be worn by players for the home team, for whom Gary made 147 appearances. Merseyside rivals Everton FC, whom Ablett joined after leaving Anfield in 1992, have already opened books of condolence. The club announced earlier this week there will be a period of silence before Saturday’s FA Cup tie at home to Tamworth. The match at Goodison Park will also be attended by members of Gary’s family. Speaking earlier this week, Everton boss David Moyes said: “It was a really sad moment when I heard about Gary. “He has been coming to our training ground quite regularly since he became ill. “I went to see him in hospital when he first got diagnosed and since then I kept a real close watch on how he is going. I think there were good signs at times, but then we heard bad news at different times that he was not so well. “He was in with his boys not too long ago and he came and watched a bit of training – we tried to keep him involved as much as we could.
“But I think in his own mind, Gary probably knew himself – I am sure he did. “All I can say is that my thoughts are with his wife and family, and we will miss him greatly here.” He added: “It is a great thing to be able to say that he played for both sides. “They are both great clubs and I am sure Gary was very proud of that. It just shows that you can do that and be respected from both sides of the city.” Aigburth-born dad-of-three Ablett began his career at Liverpool, winning two league titles and an FA Cup. He then moved to Everton, where he again lifted the FA Cup in 1995. He made more than 100 appearances for both clubs before enjoying three years at Birmingham City. He managed Stockport County from 2009-2010.

Everton FC: EFC fan Joe Collister hopes to play in goal for Tamworth at Goodison Park
by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012
EVERTON FC fan Joe Collister had to wait a long time for his first-team breakthrough with Tamworth. Now the 20-year-old goalkeeper from Hoylake on the Wirral hopes his promotion to the number one spot this week will be confirmed for the Conference club’s biggest game in more than two decades. The right to pull on the gloves for The Lambs in the FA Cup third round tie against Everton on Saturday would be a boyhood dream come true for Collister, who always counted himself among the Blue persuasion of Merseyside football fans. Collister began to wonder whether his best chance of establishing a career in the professional game had slipped away last summer when he was released by Tranmere Rovers at the end of a two-year contract. He eventually found the chance of a new start with Tamworth -- thanks in part to some help from Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg. But by the time Collister arrived at The Lamb Ground, Tamworth manager Marcus Law had given Jonathan Hedge the chance to establish himself as first choice keeper. Collister had to settle for a handful of appearances in minor cup competitions until New Year’s Day, when he was selected ahead of Hedge following a run of poor results which culminated in a 5-2 Boxing Day defeat at Alfreton. Collister did his cause little harm in the return Conference holiday fixture against Alfreton at The Lamb, in which Tamworth halted a run of defeats with a 2-2 draw.
“I hope that performance has stuck in the gaffer’s mind and I will carry on playing,” Collister said this week. “It is not a bad time to get into the team. We all know what is coming up next.” Collister was among teammates, club officials and supporters who crammed into the social club Šwhen the third round draw gave Tamworth the right to face Everton at Goodison. “The place went wild,” Collister said. “It’s been a fantastic boost for the club and for the town. “When you are in the Conference it is everyone’s dream to draw a big Premier League team and it’s even more special for me, supporting Everton. “There is Ša lot of excitement around the town. When we go to the gym, people come up to us and say they are going to Goodison to cher us on. The whole town wants us to do well. “If I’m selected, it will be the biggest game I’ve played -- but that decision is up to the manager.” Collister counts a League One fixture at Huddersfield as the biggest game of Tranmere career that covered 14 first-team appearances. He admitted: “Getting released by Tranmere came as a shock to me because I thought I did alright there. But that’s football. Things change from one day to the next. “I went into the summer without a club. I worked hard at trying to keep myself fit and still no offers came. It was worrying.” Achterberg, who was goalkeeping coach at Tranmere before joining Liverpool, found the Tamworth connection. Collister said: “John told me Tamworth were looking for a goalkeeper. I gave the goalkeeper coach here a ring, came down for a trial and after two days I signed. “I absolutely love it here. The gaffer, the staff and the boys are brilliant.” Collister is finding that his experience of two years with a League One club counts in his favour in the Lambs dressing room. “I feel is more respect here,” he said. “I came up through the youth system of Tranmere, so I was a kid there. I have grown up a bit. I enjoyed my time at Tranmere and I’m enjoying it is much here if not more.” Collister shares digs with 10 members of the Tamworth squad in a large house in the town. “It can get a little bit crazy and our cleaner quit,” he said. “No one thinks we are going into mission impossible at Everton. We are going there to give a good account of ourselves and hopefully get a result.” Tamworth’s coaching staff at Goodison will be augmented by Paul Hall, a much travelled winger who was a popular character with Tranmere fans during a run to the League One play-offs in 2004/05. He volunteered his services to Tamworth three months ago.
Hall boasts a UEFA A coaching licence but points out: “It’s like having a driving test certificate. You have to be competent to pass it but it’s when you go out on the road and drive that you really start learning. “It’s good for me to be able to help out at Tamworth and the players here relate to me because I have been in the league, which is somewhere they want to go.” Hall admitted: “Part of me will want to get my boots on and play on Saturday! I’ve played at Goodison before I once scored against Neville Southall for PortsmouthŠ at Fratton Park. “But really my job is to help prepare the players. The adrenalineŠ going through them on Saturday will be tremendous. All they need is one thing to happen that puts their tails up. Everton are going to try make sure that does not happen.
“The gap between ourselves and Everton is a big one. They are overwhelming favourites. “Tamworth are doing the right thing by taking the players to Goodison on Friday, so they don’t get overawed by the place. They are up against the best but it is also an opportunity to make a name for themselves. “We will drip feed them a little bit of that but point out that it’s just a game of football. You don’t want to put them under so much pressure that they freeze on the day. “We will say this is a massive game but they have to enjoy it Šlike a boy in the playground. It’s a fine balance.”

Everton FC Phil Jagielka injury woe leads to Shane Duffy Scunthorpe loan recall
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Jan 6 2012

EVERTON FC have recalled Shane Duffy from his loan spell with Scunthorpe United as they learned Phl Jagielka’s knee injury will keep him out of action for three to four weeks. Jagielka sustained damage to his right knee making a last-ditch challenge on Bolton striker David Ngog during Everton FC's 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. Having initially tried to carry on, the England international was eventually forced from the field, and left the ground on crutches. The 29-year-old, an ever-present in the Premier League this season, will miss tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth. Phil Jagielka has a history of knee problems, having suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee back in 2009, which kept him out for the best part of a year. Blues boss David Moyes does have options in the centre of defence, with John Heitinga able to drop back from the midfield berth he has occupied of late. Duffy, 20, was due to remain at League One Scunthorpe until next week having signed an extended loan deal back in November. But the Republic of Ireland U21 defender has been recalled by Everton three days early, and will now be available for selection this weekend, as Moyes faces a series of selection dilemmas. Along with Jagielka, both Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell were forced off early during the defeat to Bolton. Rodwell, introduced as a first-half substitute for Jagielka, suffered a recurrence of the hamstring complaint which had limited his involvement in the Blues’ festive fixtures, and is certain to miss out against Tamworth. Also on the injured list are Seamus Coleman, who has missed the last three games with a thigh problem, and Marouane Fellaini, who is rated as ‘touch and go’ to be fit in time for Wednesday’s rearranged Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane. Royston Drenthe, who has not played since Boxing Day due to illness, could be in contention to return against Tamworth, while the likes of Ross Barkley, Magaye Gueye, James McFadden and Victor Anichebe could all be pushing for starting places against the Blue Square Bet Premier Division outfit. Louis Saha, meanwhile, has admitted he needs to improve his form, but says he is confident he can turn things round in the second half of the season.
Saha played the full 90 minutes in defeat to Bolton, but made little impact. The Frenchman has managed just one league goal this season, and tweeted after the Bolton loss: “Critics are spot on. Way too much bad perf from me but I’m still confident one good game can turn it around for me.”
Elsewhere, young Blues left-back Jake Bidwell is to remain on loan at League One side Brentford until February 14, after the two clubs agreed an extension.

Everton FC half-term report - your say on the Blues' 2011/12 season so far
Dan Kay
Jan 6 2012
Everton FC's season so far
EVERTON FC went into the 2011/12 season as the only team in the Premier League not to have spent any money during the summer transfer window. The deadline day loan acquisitions of Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi were offset by the departure of midfield maestro Mikel Arteta to Arsenal and led many fans to believe the Blues were set for a season of struggle - sections of the Blues support held protests before the home games against Aston Villa in September and Wolves in November. Results have been mixed since a shock home defeat to newly-promoted QPR was followed by a late win at Blackburn, with the Blues rarely veering more than a couple of places above or beneath the middle of the league table. High points have been the emergence of promising youngsters Ross Barkley and Apostolos Vellios, along with the securing of the locally-born 18-year-old midfielder and Belgian star Marouane Fellaini to new long-term deals at the club.
Before Christmas, we asked you to vote in our half-term survey on the Blues' season so far, with hundreds of you taking part - here are the results, and please add your comments below too.
1. Who is your Everton FC player of season so far?
2010/11's player of the year Leighton Baines has carried on where he left off last season, his consistent form ensuring he polled 49.4% of the vote. The left back has been a solid presence in the Blues rearguard and has offered quality delivery from the flanks when getting forward, as well as contributing three important goals from the penalty spot. New recruit Royston Drenthe edged out Leon Osman for second place with Marouane Fellaini, Tony Hibbert and Sylvain Distin also featuring in the voting.

Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka ruled out for up to a month with medial ligament damage
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 6 2012
EVERTON FC’S Phil Jagielka has been ruled out for three-to-four weeks with medial ligament damage. The England international hobbled out of Wednesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Bolton and left Goodison Park on crutches but the damage is not as bad as initially feared. Also missing for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth are Jack Rodwell (hamstring), Leon Osman (knee) and Tony Hibbert (groin). Everton FC manager David Moyes has recalled young Irish defender Shane Duffy from his loan spell at Scunthorpe as he looks to add defensive cover. Moyes, who this week allowed centre-back German Shkodran Mustafi to join Italian club Sampdoria, was left without any recognised defenders on his seven-man bench against the Trotters when Jagielka had to be withdrawn. Duffy, 20, has made 19 appearances for The Iron this season and was due to return to Goodison next week. However, with Scunthorpe without a game this weekend, Moyes has decided to bring back the 6ft 3in centre-back early.

Can David Moyes find a formula to get Everton FC up for the FA Cup?
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post
Jan 6 2012
FOR all the moments Everton FC’s 2009 FA Cup run brought, the competition has bitter-sweet memories for David Moyes. Three seasons ago the Scot came the closest yet to breaking his trophy duck at Goodison Park but even Louis Saha scoring the fastest FA Cup final goal in the history of football’s oldest competition, Everton went on to lose 2-1 to Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea side and it arguably could have been worse had Florent Malouda’s third not been wrongly disallowed (replays showed that his effort was over the goal-line). But while Evertonians were able to celebrate a dramatic penalty shootout success over an albeit depleted Manchester United side at Wembley that season plus a famous derby success over Liverpool, now tempered somewhat given that the winner came from Dan Gosling seeing as the youngster left Goodison under a cloud, results in the competition have not always been kind to Moyes. Apart from that run to the final in 2009, Everton have not made it into the last eight of the competition and have been humiliatingly dumped out at the third round stage on three separate occasions. In Moyes’ first FA Cup tie in charge of Everton, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Conference-bound Shrewsbury Town and given that former Goodison skipper Kevin Ratcliffe’s side were three divisions below their opponents it remains in terms of the opposition, the worst result in the club’s history. Other early exits followed at Goodison both in 2007 against Blackburn Rovers (4-1) and Oldham Athletic a year later when the League One Latics recorded a shock 1-0 victory. Indeed in a decade of FA Cup combat in charge at Everton, Moyes has only won 10 of the 26 ties his sides have competed in. Given that a financial glass ceiling has prevented the Goodison outfit competing for Premier League titles under the Scot, domestic cup competitions provide the most realistic opportunity for silverware but far too often Everton have fallen flat on their faces, none more so than last season. Having started their FA Cup campaign in fine style with a 5-1 away win at Scunthorpe United, Everton held Chelsea to draws both at Goodison and Stamford Bridge in the fourth round. Penalty shootout success for Moyes’ men in the replay in London ensured billionaire Roman Abramovich’s men had lost a tie in the competition for the first time in three years but it was a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’ in the fifth round as yet another Goodison exit – Everton also went out at home to Manchester United in 2005 and Birmingham City in 2010 – against Championship Reading ensured that hopes of another crack at Wembley were dashed. Given the tragic premature death from cancer this week of Gary Ablett – the only man to win the FA Cup with both Everton and Liverpool – fans on either side of Stanley Park will be looking for a good run in this season’s competition. Indeed, native Scouser Ablett was of course part of the last Everton side to win a trophy when he helped them lift the cup against hot-favourites Manchester United in 1995. Moyes’ men will be hoping there are no upsets on the cards when Blue Square Premier outfit Tamworth visit tomorrow but if they’re looking for inspiration then they could do a lot worse than watching a DVD of the exploits of Joe Royle’s ‘Dogs of War

Daune Courtney buzzing for Tamworth's FA Cup trip to Everton
by Gregg Evans
Jan 6 2012
Birmingham Mail
DUANE Courtney is Tamworth’s jack-of-all-trades. The 26-year-old is the Lambs club captain, skills expert, joker of the pack and an experienced head in a youthful team. Proud of his Champions League and UEFA Cup exploits, when he represented Welsh side TNS, Courtney is a confident man, always quick to turn a serious conversation into a giggle. “It’s great to have Champions League experience on your CV, especially when you’re putting it (the ball) through people’s legs and doing lollipops on them,” he said. But there’s a serious side to the Oldbury-born stopper, who rejected Wolves in favour of a move to Burnley in 2005, where he stayed for a season. “I’m captain of the side and if I play against Everton it will be a big honour,” he added. “We’re really excited. We’re all buzzing for it and if we get anything it will be an incredible day. “It’s a massive day for the club and we’re going there to enjoy the day. “Everton are a big Premier League club so we’re happy to be going and we’ll take it from there. “I’ve been to Villa Park and a few other big grounds but I’ve never been to Goodison so it’s an experience for myself and as well as all the other lads.
“I’ve been at a high level, yes, but it’s still a new experience for me as well, not just the team.
“We’re not putting ourselves under any pressure and we haven’t got to win so we’re going to go out there and enjoy it.”

Luckless Mills will be at Goodison in spirit
Tamworth herald
Friday, January 06, 2012
DANNY Mills will be unavailable for the weekend trip to Everton in the third round of the FA Cup – but that won't stop him cheering on the Lambs anyway. Mills returned to his parent club, Championship side Peterborough United, this week, after spending the first half of the season on loan at the Lamb. This towering front-man played mainly a bit-part role in the side during his time at Tamworth but did net goals against Braintree and Luton during December. The end of his loan means he will miss out on Tamworth's biggest-ever FA Cup clash at Goodison Park but he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings at Everton. He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Tamworth and have made some good friends. "Unfortunately, I will not be coming back now my loan has finished, but that does not stop me from wanting them to do well and cheering them on this weekend. "I am gutted to have gone back before the game. It is a match a lot of the lads are looking forward to and, of course, everyone would love to play a part in it. "I will be watching it, though, and can only cheer the team on and hope they go on and do well. They deserve it."

Having returned to London Road, Mills will now take time before assessing where his future may be.
He said: "I am going to take stock and re-evaluate things over the next few days before making any decisions about what I want to do now. I will speak to people at Peterborough and maybe see if there is another club that is willing to have me on loan. "I am a player and, like any other footballer, I just want to play. "I want to get 90 minutes under my belt week in and week out, so I need to go somewhere where I will be do that."

We're not there just to make up the numbers – Richard
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald
RICHARD Tait is aware he has a challenge on his hands come Saturday – whoever Everton pick.
Tait has been a near ever present for the Lambs this season, making the right-back spot his own.
But with the likes of Roysten Drenthe and James McFadden for David Moyes to call upon the Scottish full-back is sure Saturday will not be one of his easiest afternoons. He said: "To play at this level is huge. "The Premier League is probably the best league in the world and Everton are a big part of that, so it is going to be tough, that is a certainty. "In terms of direct opponents I think Roysten Drenthe has played down that wing – the guy is on loan from Real Madrid – so you kind of know he is going to be a talent. "If he doesn't play, I have heard James McFadden may get a game.
"He is not a bad player either, so it will be nice to come up against him also. "He is a bit of a Scottish legend for some of the quality goals he has scored for the national side. "Either way they have quality coming at you, and you need to be at your best to deal with that kind of threat."
Despite the obvious task awaiting Tait, and the Lambs, the full-back is refusing to just go and turn up on the day. He said: "As a squad and a team of players, this is huge, but also not a game that we just want to turn up and play in. "We want to give them a game and know as players we can do something. We don't want to just take part, the FA Cup is magic so we need to believe in that.
"I saw something from Everton TV I think it was on YouTube, the guy on that said they have had a few shocks in the past, and that is what we need to aim to achieve. "We missed out on this last year when we lost to Carlisle in the second round, so this year it has made it worthwhile. "Not just for us as players, but for the fans who come and cheer us on week in week out."

For Thomas, this is nothing new...
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald
DANNY Thomas says the Lambs will be going to Goodison Park with a winning mindset as he faces a second FA Cup date with Everton this weekend. Winger Thomas, last season's Herald player of the Year, was a member of the Macclesfield side beaten 1-0 by the Toffeemen in the third round in 2009.
'We're ready' – Danny Thomas.
Back then, a Leon Osman goal sealed victory for David Moyes' visitors after a gutsy showing by Macclesfield. Now Thomas believes his team-mates at Tamworth can cause Everton problems on Saturday afternoon. It's been an exciting week building up to the game and we are looking forward to it now," said Thomas. "Of course, Everton are a Premiership side, a big one at that, and people will be expecting them to ease home. "We are under no illusions as to the task we face. We have to be organised and make sure we avoid making mistakes. "They will give us time on the ball but, if we give it away, they have the kind of class players who will punish us. "They know how to work the ball once they win possession and they will be very dangerous in the final third. "But we are going there with confidence and in a positive mindset and hopefully we can get a dream result. "We need to start well. Our aim will be to get into their faces as quickly as possible. "If we can nick an early goal, or frustrate them, the more nervy they will get." Thomas has experienced FA Cup success with the Lambs in his two seasons at the club but admits the Everton game tops last year's heroics.

Thomas netted a stunning winner as the Lambs upset League Two side Crewe in round one last year.
He also netted in the second round at Carlisle before the Lambs bowed out 3-2. "Last year was great and I have a lot of good memories," he said. "We were in the spotlight but there was nothing like the media exposure we have had for this. "It's been great but the lads haven't let it affect them. We have just gone about our day-to-day routines. "Now it's coming closer though, we can't wait. I really want to test myself, if selected. "Everton pride themselves on being organised. "To be able to face them will be a great opportunity for us to show what we're capable of."

Look sharp, lads, Tamworth are coming to win – Graeme
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald
TAMWORTH may have to deal with the likes of Louis Saha and Landon Donovan come Saturday – but they should be grateful that one former Toffees legend is no longer around on the pitch to cause them problems. Graeme Sharp played in four cup finals for the Merseyside club, famously being part of the squad that wrote themselves into the history books by winning the 1984 showpiece final against Watford. And despite admitting the lure of the Premier League is huge, the former Scottish international added that the famous old cup competition still had a fond place in his heart. He said: "The FA Cup is magical to me, and it does really annoy me when people say it is not the same as it once used to be. "I loved the competition and I was lucky enough to play in four cup finals, winning one of them, so I can't knock it as a format. "Everton, as a club, were always one of the big sides that took the competition seriously and they still do today. "It is a measure of David Moyes as a manager that he wants to do well in it, and, believe me, he will taken nothing to chance with this game coming up. "He has watched Tamworth play himself personally and also would have had them watched on other occasions since the draw was made. "He will know all about their weaknesses and where to exploit them. "That to me shows what the cup is about, and why it is so special." To take anything from the game, Tamworth will need to overcome an Everton side with a rich tradition in the cup – the Toffeemen having won the cup five times. But despite their enviable pedigree in the cup, Sharp added that the beauty of the competition is that the Lambs would still arrive at Goodison Park in confident mood. He said: "Tamworth will be confident of getting something here. "They will sense there is a chance of an upset, that is for sure. "They will have seen the likes of Oldham come here and win and Reading also knocked us out. "Those kind of results will be looked at and used to inspire Tamworth. "That is what the cup is all about, and that is why Everton will be leaving nothing to chance." Sharp, who is still part of the Everton family now that his playing days are over, enjoyed an illustrious career but said he counted the 1984 final as the highlight. He added that the Tamworth squad may see this as a personal highlight. He said: "I'm sure the Tamworth lads will come down to the club and whatever happens will give a good account of themselves. They will be coming here for the win but also to enjoy the day. "They will be welcomed here that is for sure but although the club will want them to enjoy the day, to enjoy the ground and the occasion, they will want them to do so without them taking home the positive of any kind of result at the end of it."

Wait is over for Iyseden as he gets another crack at Everton
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald

IYSEDEN Christie is hoping it's second time lucky as Tamworth prepare for their gargantuan test at Everton on Saturday afternoon. The former Coventry City striker saw his dreams of playing at Goodison Park shattered by injury in 2002 when Leyton Orient made the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Now he has the opportunity to put that right and he's hoping he has done enough to keep his place in the Lambs side after returning to the starting line-up against Alfreton on New Year's Day. "I have had some good experiences in the FA Cup," said Christie. "Probably the best were from 2002 with Leyton Orient. "We played against Portsmouth in the third round and thumped them 4-1. "I was just coming back from 16 months out through injury at the time but got a goal in the game. "It was a great day for me and my family but, unfortunately, I missed the next round which was ironically against Everton because I got injured again. "So I was a bit unlucky there. "I travelled up to Goodison with the squad, so I did get something from the experience, but sadly had to sit and watch in the stands. "So it's nice to get the chance to go there again ten years later with this set of Tamworth lads. "It might be my last opportunity to play at a Premier League ground so it's a chance that I want to take with both hands." Christie added: "I'd love to start the game but obviously that's up to the gaffer (Marcus Law) to decide. "I feel I have done well this season since returning to The Lamb. "I haven't started a lot of games recently and Marcus had a chat with me the other day about where I am at in terms of state of mind. "I came back in for Alfreton and scored a goal, although it was a mistake by me that led to their second goal. "But I can't complain about things really this season. "I've scored 11 goals from 14 starts and that's good for any striker, so we'll see whether I have done enough to start this weekend." Christie insisted this Saturday's trip was one that the squad should relish. "It's really good for us to be playing Everton. It's great for the team.
"If you draw a Premier League club you want it away from home and to play at a top ground.
"But this draw is great for everyone associated with the club, the fans and volunteers who have been at the club through thick and thin. "Hopefully we can go to Everton and put on a good performance for the fans following us up there in their droves. "We know that we are massive underdogs but we will go there in a positive frame of mind and try to take the opportunity to show what we are about at Tamworth. "For a non-league club to get to the third round at any time is a great achievement.
"Only one or two teams generally achieve that each year. So for us to get there and to draw Everton makes it all the more special."

Old boy Ebdon urges stars to seize moment in the spotlight
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald
MARCUS Ebdon has told Tamworth's players to 'grab their chance with both hands' as they prepare to face Everton on Merseyside this weekend. The ex-Lambs midfielder started his professional career at Goodison Park, spending seven years in Liverpool after joining the Toffees as a 13-year-old in 1983. After long spells with Peterborough and Chesterfield, he eventually found a new home at The Lamb, captaining the side in the Conference before retiring in 2009. Now his two former clubs go head to head and Ebdon is hoping Tamworth's players will take their opportunity. "It's a fantastic draw for Tamworth and I am sure the whole town is buzzing with excitement," Ebdon said.
"These kind of occasions don't come along that often so I am sure the supporters will make the most of what will be a great day out. "For the players, especially the younger ones, it's a chance for them to go out and make a name for themselves. "It's the kind of game where some players might get lost in the intensity of the whole day but others might rise to occasion. "It's a superb opportunity to shine and I hope the Tamworth lads grab their chance with both hands." Ebdon (pictured above on the ball) believes how the Tamworth players deal with the atmosphere will be the key to whether they can cause an upset. He said: "Goodison is quite a tight ground and the fans are right on you.
"That can be quite intimidating. It's okay when it's around 1,000 fans at the Lamb but if you multiply that by 25 or 30 it's a big deal. "If the players can overcome that and play with no fear, as well as being organised, who knows what might happen? "It's the FA Cup at the end of the day and there have been cup upsets in the past, so you just never know. "I am sure David Moyes will be determined to avoid an upset, of course. "For Everton, as massive a club as it is, winning the Premier League is a long way off at present because of the financial strength that the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Man City have. "But the FA Cup is their chance to win some silverware and it's a competition that the Everton fans love and have enjoyed great times in over the years.
"So I expect David Moyes will play a strong side, perhaps giving some fringe players a run out, but also selecting some experience." Ebdon added: "I'm looking forward to seeing how the Lambs get on. Players always like to see how their former teams get on. "For me, I had a great time at Everton during their glory years in the 1980s. "As a youth player, I was mixing with the likes of Peter Reid, Gary Stevens, Graeme Sharp and Kevin Ratcliffe. "They were great days for the club. "I travelled with them in England and abroad and it was a great schooling for me which set me up for a professional career. "Tamworth was also an enjoyable period at the end of my career, so I will be following the game with interest and hopefully the Lambs can enjoy the moment and get a dream result."

'Never mind them – I want them to worry about me'
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tamworth Herald
KIERON St Aimie is leaving reputations at the door this weekend as he bids to score the goals needed to help Tamworth make history at Goodison Park. If selected, St Aimie could find himself up against the likes of Phil Jagielka or Sylvain Distin – but the former Kettering man is not thinking about that.
Instead, St Aimie – who already got goals against Kings Lynn and Hinckley United to his name in the competition this year – is looking to let his own game be the focus point. He said: "As a player you cannot go out there and be worried about what the opposition are going to do, or who they are.
"If you do that, the game is lost before you have even played in it. "I know if I am picked I could be up against someone like Jagielka, and I know that has played for England before. "But as a forward I cannot be worried about that, I need to think about my game and what I can do." St Aimie has been one of the stars of the first half of the season for Marcus Law's Lambs, although he was not selected for the New Year's Day game against Alfreton Town. Despite missing out on that match, though, the striker remained confident that he had done enough to be with a chance at Goodison Park. He said: "It is tough as a striker here at the moment, the goals seem to be coming from all of them.
"Iyseden Christie grabbed one on Sunday, and Kyle Patterson has been in great form in the cup so far. "Despite that I am hopeful that the manager has seen what I can do, and will pick me for the game come Saturday. "We have a lot of good players here he can chose from up-front, though, so I have to show in training between now and the game what I can do and help to make up his mind."

Diehard fans played part in Goodison glory
Friday 6th January 2012
Bolton News
OWEN Coyle has thanked the hardy souls who braved the high winds to support Wanderers at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. Around 350 travelling fans made the trip, and the Wanderers boss revealed they were name-checked in the pre-match team talk he gave in the dressing room before the 2-1 victory. “There have been gales blowing for the last two or three days, so it was easy to sit in the house and not go to Goodison and support your team,” he said. “But they were there, and they were vocal. “When we left the Reebok we saw them getting on the buses and I said to the players ‘they are getting out there on a horrible night to support you because of what this club means to them’. “They don’t need convincing of that, but it was good to use that as a little positive, and know that we have put a few smiles on faces.” Coyle admits the Everton win came as a huge relief heading into a series of league fixtures against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. But while some of Wanderers’ relegation rivals have also started to pick up points over the festive period, the Scot is confident his side need not be cut adrift during the difficult run. “I can’t say the last couple of days has been enjoyable because I’ve had to watch everyone play their games, when they have had the opportunity to open up a gap on us,” he said. “That’s why it was important we capitalised on the game in hand. Everyone has mentioned how tough the fixture list was in January but we went to Everton and showed we can get results. “We need to stay right in touch now over the next few weeks and I have got no doubt we can lift ourselves out of the bottom three.”

Everton v Tamworth: Jonathan Hedge is getting shirty
by Mark Woodward, Birmingham Mail
Jan 6 2012
JONATHAN Hedge is fighting for two shirts at Everton tomorrow – the Tamworth goalkeeper’s jersey and Phil Jagielka’s. The Lambs keeper is a massive Sheffield United fan and is desperate to swap shirts at the end of the game, providing he is on the pitch himself. Hedge, who still lives in Rotherham, has been the No.1 choice all season until last time out when he was replaced by Joe Collister after the 5-2 defeat against Alfreton Town. Today he is travelling to Merseyside, ahead of a rare overnight stay, unsure of whether he will start but excited about the game. “I’ll be eyeing up Phil Jagielka’s shirt because he used to be one of my favourite players when he was at Sheffield United,” he said. “The Blades are my team and I watched them at Wembley when we lost to Burnley. “Tomorrow’s game is a really exciting challenge for us all at Tamworth though.” Former Tranmere goalkeeper Collister also has his own personal reasons for wanting to keep the jersey even more than ever as Everton were his boyhood heroes. “Me and Hedgey have been battling for the shirt all season, we have be driving one and other on to be better on the pitch and have remained good mates off it as well,” he said. “I got the shirt last Sunday and thought I did okay. “I am taking nothing for granted regarding tomorrow, although, as an Everton fan as a kid, it would be great to play.”

Daune Courtney buzzing for Tamworth's FA Cup trip to Everton
by Gregg Evans
Jan 6 2012
Birmingham Mail
DUANE Courtney is Tamworth’s jack-of-all-trades. The 26-year-old is the Lambs club captain, skills expert, joker of the pack and an experienced head in a youthful team. Proud of his Champions League and UEFA Cup exploits, when he represented Welsh side TNS, Courtney is a confident man, always quick to turn a serious conversation into a giggle. “It’s great to have Champions League experience on your CV, especially when you’re putting it (the ball) through people’s legs and doing lollipops on them,” he said. But there’s a serious side to the Oldbury-born stopper, who rejected Wolves in favour of a move to Burnley in 2005, where he stayed for a season. “I’m captain of the side and if I play against Everton it will be a big honour,” he added. “We’re really excited. We’re all buzzing for it and if we get anything it will be an incredible day. “It’s a massive day for the club and we’re going there to enjoy the day. “Everton are a big Premier League club so we’re happy to be going and we’ll take it from there. “I’ve been to Villa Park and a few other big grounds but I’ve never been to Goodison so it’s an experience for myself and as well as all the other lads. “I’ve been at a high level, yes, but it’s still a new experience for me as well, not just the team. “We’re not putting ourselves under any pressure and we haven’t got to win so we’re going to go out there and enjoy it.”

Sam Oji hoping to be on song for Tamworth against Everton
by Gregg Evans
Jan 6 2012
SAM Oji will be singing from the rooftops – just like his chart-topping cousin Lemar – if he is handed his first Tamworth start on Saturday. The former Birmingham City defender, who made his first competitive appearance for two-and-a-half years last week after suffering back-to-back cruciate knee injuries, is excited at finally being involved in match-day action again. Injuries have been cruel to the 26-year-old throughout his career and have left him down in the dumps for long periods on the sidelines. But he will be hitting the high notes – which made his Fame Academy winning-relation a worldwide success – should he get the chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage.
“Being in the Midlands I don’t see Lemar too often but we spent a lot of time together growing up,” he said. “I used to go round to his mom’s all the time and I’d see him there but he was closer to my 33-year-old brother Franki, who is his age.” Oji is hoping his injury nightmare is firmly behind him and that he, too, can start to fulfil the potential that was so clear in his younger years.
“For me this game against Everton is a good mark of progression because the last few years I’ve been injured so to come back and play is a big boost,’’ he said. “To be involved in going to Goodison Park is a massive turnaround from what I’ve been dealing with over the past few years.
“It’s good to be back playing again and I’d be delighted to start. “It’s hard being injured because you are on the outside looking in on your friends and team-mates doing well. “On the other side, it’s given me a much stronger mindset to come back and get to where I am today.” Oji started his career at Arsenal, where he trained with the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, as a youngster. With the huge array of quality the Gunners had on board, he felt a move elsewhere would help his career. Steve Bruce sold a move to Blues to him but he made only one appearance – ironically in the FA Cup against Reading. Twists of fate were then cruel to the Campden-born man, starting with a disastrous setback when he ruptured his cruciate on his last game on trial with Turkish Superleague side Diyarbakirspor. On his return he suffered a similar injury while playing for Leyton Orient reserves but is grateful to Tamworth boss Marcus Law for giving him a chance to impress. “From what I’ve experienced since I’ve been here I’ve found he’s a very nice guy,” he added. “He’s methodical in what he does, he thinks a lot and pays so much attention to detail. ‘‘I’m sure he’s put things in place for the lads to give us the best chance of going to Everton and getting something from the game.’’

Barry Horne: FIFA’s latest initiative doomed to fail
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
lFIFA’s latest initiative to impose a salary cap on what agents earn from transfer deals is a futile exercise.Their impression that this issue can be changed is like the boy with his finger in the dyke. It is doomed to fail and rightly so.Such a move would contravene labour laws, however this issue is very interesting and says a lot about how much money is going out of the game.FIFA have said they want to make the maximum amount agents can take from a single deal at £1.2million.

Royal Blue: Tim Howard’s way better than keeper clowns
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
IF EVERTON’S home defeat to Bolton wasn’t enough of a farce, even goalkeeper Tim Howard looked embarrassed after he’d put the Blues ahead with his fluke goal.The American custodian’s wind-assisted long punt upfield bounced over opposite number Adam Bogdon’s head and into the Wanderers net but despite John Heitinga’s enthusiastic celebrations, an almost apologetic Howard seemed less than impressed with his effort – perhaps he knew what lay ahead for his team?Howard’s strike means that half of the four goals scored by keepers in the Premier League have taken place at Goodison Park with Peter Schmeichel somehow volleying past Paul Gerrard for Aston Villa when a ricocheted corner-kick found its way to the Dane’s feet back in October 2001.At least Howard had not deliberately tried to humiliate a fellow member of the ‘Goalkeepers Union’ unlike all these keepers who lumber upfield for late corners these days – although he has been guilty of attempting that crime himself in the past.Ever since Jimmy Glass famously nicked one in such circumstances to keep Carlisle in the Football League it’s become de rigueur for keepers to chance their arm in late set-pieces.t never used to happen and I can’t be the only one who thinks the process is distinctly undignified and I’d like to see more of these clowns getting caught on the break as they desperately try and get back in their area after their vain attempts have inevitably failed.This arbitrary fee as had the agents’ union up in arms.

Barry Horne: Disappointing night for Everton FC on windy Wednesday against Bolton
Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
I was at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening for what was a very windy and very, very disappointing night.On many occasions when Everton have been at home this year, the Blues have been the better team and played the better football for the vast majority of these games. Their defence has been solid and Tim Howard has regularly been the least used person on the pitch. This has been backed up by recent Opta stats.Where Everton have struggled is in creating opportunities out of the posession and positions they have got themselves into.Often life has been made difficult for them by a piece of skill combined with a bit of good fortune - almost against the run of play.On Wednesday night I thought the tables had turned when Tim Howard scored. I thought 'great' we've got the break for once.But having been gifted the lead our disappointment is almost doubled when we let them back in.David Ngog could've scored a hat-trick in the game and Everton were thankful it was not someone of better quality given those chances.After Bolton equalised they were the better team and I can't disagree with Owen Coyle's assertion that his team were good value for the three points.The night was made worse by the fact Everton lost three players to injury, two of their star performers of recent times as well.Nevertheless I was surprised to hear that the manager David Moyes has hinted that there be a shift in his January plans and finding another centre half to replace Phil Jagielka may become his priority.Sylvain Distin has a fabulous appearance record and Phil Neville is an experienced stand-in if required.Although I understand that Victor Anichebe is coming back to fitness, I still think the striking situation should remain Moyes' priority.

Royal Blue: Few have earned the respect that Gary Ablett had
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
WHILE Gary Ablett’s tragically premature death did not come as a shock given the terrible illness he had been battling during recent months, it has united all of the city’s football fans in grief.Few can be so universally respected by supporters on either side of Stanley Park but after departing Anfield for Goodison Park 20 years ago, Ablett always showed great passion and commitment.As part of Joe Royle’s ‘Dogs of War’ team, most of Ablett’s greatest moments in the royal blue jersey came during the triumphant FA Cup run of 1995.Famously, Ablett is remembered for setting up Daniel Amokachi in the semi-final win over Spurs after bombing down the left wing but those Blues fans present at Elland Road that day will also recall little things like his ‘crank it up’ gesture to the crowd just before Matt Jackson’s opening goal.It worked a treat as the noise levels inside Elland Road were immediately raised to ear-splitting decibels by the travelling Evertonians and they never really went down from then on.It will contrast greatly to the period of silence to honour his memory before today’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth.

Everton FC v Tamworth preview: Tamworth manager praying to the FA Cup gods
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
TAMWORTH manager Marcus Law will make the trip to Everton today hoping the FA Cup gods are shining favourably on his non-league side.The Lambs, of the Blue Square Bet Premier division, are one of only four teams from the outside the Football League remaining at the third-round stage of this year’s competition and they face easily the toughest task at Goodison Park.Sutton United were the last non-league outfit to see off a club from the top flight when they famously upset Coventry at Gander Green Lane 23 years ago.Tamworth will have to rewrite the history books if they are to take their place in Sunday’s fourth-round draw and Law, who was on Merseyside to watch Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Bolton on Wednesday night, hopes his players can spring an upset.“It was the second time I’ve watched them, obviously I’ve also done my homework watching DVDs and reading reports,” the Tamworth manager declared.“I’m searching for that 0.0001 chance, I’m looking for anything that may give us an opportunity. Over x amount of games it probably never would come but we will prepare and hope and hang on it, and if it comes our way we’ll hopefully pounce.“I’ve come away (on Wednesday night) knowing we’re going to be playing a very competent, organised, elite group of players and if we can just go and embrace it, enjoy the occasion and understand what the game can throw up then we’ll let the FA Cup gods look after the fixture.”Law, speaking at Wolverhampton Racecourse where his squad were taking in a specially-organised ‘Blue Square Wish Tamworth Good Luck Handicap’, is reminded of the last time one of England’s elite crashed out to non-league opposition.“It was 1989, January 7,” he replies immediately. “I’m from Coventry, fate is very strange, it throws up a few things.”Tamworth are no strangers to the third round having reached the same stage in 2006 and 2007 only to bow out to Stoke and Norwich respectively – both in the second tier at the time – but they have never progressed further.This afternoon provides one of the biggest days in the club’s history, not to mention a handsome payday, with more than 4,000 supporters expected to make the trip.Hoping to lead the line will be 11-goal top scorer Iyseden Christie who, at 35, has experience of coming up against the likes of Newcastle and Blackburn from his earlier days at Coventry, Mansfield and Leyton Orient among a well-travelled career. “I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s the biggest cup competition in the world.“It’s a massive game for the club and for a lot of the players, I think all of them bar myself have never played in the third round so it’s going to be good for them as well.”He added: “I think you’ve always got a chance. There’s been lots of cup upsets in the past and there’ll be lots in the future, there’s no reason why we can’t be one.”

Royal Blue: Home comforts are hard to find for Everton FC fans
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
VOCAL protestors like the Blue Union are still in the minority when it comes to criticising Everton FC’s hierarchy but there are a much larger group of supporters making their feelings felt at Goodison Park in a silent manner.They are the stay-away fans, once match-going regulars who are choosing not to attend games and alarmingly their numbers are growing all the time.Wednesday’s dismal 2-1 home defeat to a bottom of the table Bolton Wanderers side was witnessed by just 29,561 hardy souls – the first sub 30,000 gate for a Premier League game in David Moyes’ near decade-long reign.There were plenty of mitigating factors such as the midweek nature of the fixture, cash-strapped Merseyside fans in austerity Britain being even more skint than usual just after the festive period, bad weather, Bolton’s lack of appeal and the Trotters’ awful lack of away support despite the fixture being a mere half-hour motorway dash for their fans.However, Everton should be looking at some uncomfortable reasons for such a poor attendance much closer to home.The Blues have now lost half of their matches at Goodison Park in the Premier League so far this season (five out of 10 games), averaging just a single goal a game, as well as being knocked out of the Carling Cup on home soil. Hardly the kind of form to get ‘em packing in.Everton’s prices might be at the cheaper end of the Premier League scale and they do offer decent concessions when possible – like Liverpool last night, young fans can get into this afternoon’s cup tie for a fiver – but it seems that many Evertonians are consciously taking the decision not to invest their hard-earned cash on the club while the club continues to avoid investing on its playing staff.The halcyon days in which Moyes was able to shatter the club’s transfer record on four separate occasions to draft in James Beattie (£6million), Andrew Johnson (£8.6m), Ayegbeni Yakubu (£11.25m) and Marouane Fellaini (£15m) appear to be long gone and the Scot has not spent a penny on fees for a senior pro since he used the last of the Joleon Lescott cash to bring in John Heitinga a full two-and-a-half years ago.Ahead of Everton’s FA Cup semi-final in 2009, Moyes boldly declared that it was a matter of when rather than if his squad would win a trophy but if his hands remain tied financially then a bunch of players, now with an average age of 30, are unfortunately only going to keep going downhill – along with attendances.

Everton FC v Tamworth preview: David Moyes does his homework on FA Cup opponents Tamworth
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
TRUE to his attention to detail, David Moyes has not taken the task of preparing for the visit of Tamworth anything other than thoroughly.Everton, of course, kick-off as overwhelming favourites to dispatch their non-League opposition and move into the fourth round of the FA Cup without incident or scare this afternoon.But Moyes refuses to dismiss the threat of the mid-table Conference side and testament to his need to leave no stone unturned, the Blues manager made a December 6 trip to Gloucestershire to watch Tamworth’s match at Forest Green Rovers.The visitors lost 3-1 that Tuesday evening and Moyes has studied Tamworth on a further five DVDs – one supplied by Southport FC manager Liam Watson.Kyle Patterson, who played three times for LA Galaxy in 2009 and alongside Everton loanee Landon Donovan, has been identified by some as a possible threat to Everton’s back four.Given a sizeable difference in quality is expected to materialise this afternoon at Goodison Park, Tamworth may try and bridge the gap by using their strength and physicality.But Moyes says his side will be ready whatever the non-Leaguers serve up and knows Tamworth are certain to put on a performance worthy of their big chance.“I have got about five DVDs and have been to watch them myself, we have watched them in every game since we knew the draw,” said Moyes.“I went to watch them three to four weeks ago when they played Forest Green but I know their team has changed quite a bit since then.“They have chopped and changed a lot.“If it came down to physicality I would fancy my boys, I would have no problem with that. But you can’t really get away with that so much.“They will come here and raise the standard of their performance, I am sure they have been waiting for this game since the draw." “We have to do the right things. It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, we have to earn the right to play and we will go and give them the same respect as anyone. If anyone is turning up thinking they will roll over and make it easy then they have not seen it right.“It is always a tough round to go through because it’s the first one. The draw a lot of times has been pretty poor for us. But then again I’ve thought we’d got a good draw and it’s not worked out that way.“Even the year we got to the final, I kept thinking ‘I don’t like this draw and I don’t like that draw’ but we kept getting through.”Moyes has hinted there will be changes made from recent Premier League fixtures but the Everton side which starts the tie will be befitting of the competition.The boss failed to hide his desire to lead the Blues back out at Wembley again, as he did in 2009, but insists the league remains the priority and today’s selection will have Wednesday night’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur in mind.“We have looked at them and we’ll do everything we possibly can to give them the respect they deserve,” added Moyes on Tamworth.“The attitude of the players has to be correct on the day and if we do that then hopefully the gulf in the league we play in and the league they play in will show up.“The draw is at home and that’s the big thing. We are at Goodison Park and we have to make it work for us. “We would love to get back on that Wembley trail but ask me again after we’ve got past two or three rounds.“I’ve always said that the Premier League comes first because of the amount of money involved and what we can get from it.“But nothing would give me greater pleasure to take the players and supporters back to Wembley in a final.”

Everton FC: New centre half becoming a priority for EFC following injury to Phil Jagielka
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
DAVID MOYES admits Phil Jagielka's injury has altered his January transfer plans with signing a new centre half now a pressing concern.England defender Jagielka hobbled off just before half-time on Wednesday night when Everton FC played host to Bolton Wanderers and having undergone scans, the 29-year-old has been ruled out for up to six weeks with medial ligament damage.The injury leaves the Blues painfully thin in that position and though Moyes recalled 20-year-old Shane Duffy from his loan at League One side Scunthorpe United this week, scouring the loan market this month for a more experienced operator is at the forefront of his thinking.Permanent transfers are unlikely before the close of the window admits Moyes, though the manager continues to go in search of bargain buys.With Leon Osman requiring treatment to rid his knee of floating bone and Jack Rodwell to be given additional time to allow his hamstring injury to mend correctly, Everton are nursing several knocks as they prepare for the visit of Tamworth in the FA Cup today.Moyes, who also had concerns with over Ross Barkley, is confident the side can cope but says this afternoon's selection will have one eye on the midweek trip to Tottenham Hotspur.Only Sylvain Distin and John Heitinga remain as fit senior central defenders and though Moyes could ask others to deputise out of position should the pair pick up injuries, heading to White Hart Lane in four days without a proven partnership would be a daunting prospect."It wasn't a priority, we had other priorities, but that may change at the moment because of Jagielka's injury," said Moyes on finding a new centre half."He has got medial ligament damage which will keep him out for up to six weeks."We are looking to try and do something (in the transfer window). We are looking in the loan market. But if we will see if there is anything else which will be right for us."We always try to give the supporters every bit of information we can when we have anything to give. We would like to add in one or two certain positions. The injury to Phil Jagielka leaves us short at centre half but adding one or two is not easy in this month. It has never been an easy time to bring players in but we will try."Shane Duffy is in the frame for today's game because we have only got two centre halves."Moyes was able to welcome Royston Drenthe back to training yesterday and remained hopeful Marouane Fellaini and Seamus Coleman - both absent from the 2-1 defeat against Bolton - will be involved this afternoon. "We'll still get people games," he said."We have a big game coming up at Tottenham in the league so have to be ready for that as well."I've got enough to pick from, the squad is okay. Royston Drenthe returned to training yesterday after being ill for nearly two weeks so we'll see how he is."Ross has been out injured because of a problem with his knee. We're not sure how long he will be out, I couldn't be sure." Although the threat of an FA Cup upset will linger in the air before kick-off, Moyes admits he is far happier facing non-league Tamworth in the third round than one of the Premier League powerhouses.But having taken old club Preston North End into tie with heavy favourites from the top tier, Moyes is aware that the Conference side will serve up a performance worthy of the occasion.Following the midweek loss to Bolton, Moyes made it clear he was deeply unhappy with the performance and says certain players must improve today against a Tamworth side who are sure to be full of fight."I would rather be playing Tamworth at home than Chelsea. We prepare the game in the same fashion, go into it the same way, give the players their warnings but obviously expect them to go out and perform," said Moyes."I have been there before and you always remember it. I have been a manager at Preston when we have been 2-0 up against Arsenal, who had Vieira, Petit, Overmars and Henry and Bergkamp, a minute before half time. I’ve been there and know what it is like.“ I have been here as manager as Preston and I've been to Chelsea as manager of Preston so I know what that is like. The teams always raise their games where as it can be harder for the teams who are favourites to do that."It reminds you of the fear that you don't want to have again, but I think nobody has asked me about the great run we had en route to the final, the great teams we had to beat to get there."The players one or two individually have to perform much better than they have done. It will also give one or two others a chance to show what they are capable of."

Everton FC boss David Moyes admits he is in the market for a new centre-back after Phil Jagielka ruled out
By Ian Doyle
Jan 7 2012
DAVID MOYES admits he is in the market for a new centre-back during this month’s transfer window after confirming Phil Jagielka faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.Jagielka will be out for up to six weeks after suffering medial ligament damage in his right knee while challenging Bolton Wanderers striker David Ngog during Wednesday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Goodison.Moyes, who has already brought in Landon Donovan on a short-term deal, was previously concentrating on bolstering a misfiring strikeforce with a couple of loan moves.But the Everton manager admits that focus has changed with Sylvain Distin and John Heitinga now the only two recognised senior central defenders at the club.“It wasn't a priority, we had other priorities, but that may change at the moment because of Jagielka's injury,” said Moyes. “It leaves us short at centre-half, but adding one or two new players is not easy in this month. It has never been an easy time to bring players in but we will try.“Jags has got medial ligament damage which will keep him out for up to six weeks.“We are looking to try and do something. We are looking in the loan market and would like to add in one or two certain positions.”Everton responded to Jagielka’s injury by recalling Republic of Ireland under-21 international Shane Duffy early from his loan spell at npower League One side Scunthorpe United.Duffy will go straight into the squad for this afternoon’s FA Cup third round clash against Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Tamworth at Goodison. Moyes will be without a number of players for the tie, including Leon Osman who faces surgery to remove a floating bone on his knee.Jack Rodwell (hamstring), Ross Barkley (knee) and Tim Cahill (groin) are also out, although Marouane Fellaini and Seamus Coleman may return after both missing much of the festive period while Royston Drenthe has overcome illness.Rodwell, who has played just 103 minutes since an impressive full debut for England in mid-November, has limped off in successive games after aggravating a problem that first surfaced a month ago.“Jack's injury is not serious,” said Moyes. “Every time we get him scanned it is just a grade one, very light. He comes back and doesn't feel anything. “We will have to give him a week or so longer to make sure this time “Ross has been out injured because of a problem with his knee. We're not sure how long he will be out, I couldn't be sure.“Marouane Fellaini and Seamus Coleman are both improving and both are close to being in the squad for the game.“Royston Drenthe returned to training yesterday after being ill for nearly two weeks so we'll see how he is.”While James McFadden, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Magaye Gueye are all pressing for a start this afternoon, Victor Anichebe is likely to again be restricted to bench duty as he regains fitness following a long-term groin problem.

 

Lambs heroes aim to etch their names in cup history
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Tamworth Herald
MARCUS Law says the fantastic following Tamworth are taking to Goodison Park on Saturday can help them rewrite the history books this weekend.Law's Lambs will be roared on by more than 4,500 fans when they face Premier League side Everton in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday (kick off 3pm).It's the first time Tamworth have faced a club from the top-flight of English football and victory would see them go further in the world-famous competition than any side in Lambs history.For Law, only the vocal backing of the fans travelling up to Goodison on Saturday can ensure the dream continues.He said: "Seeing 4,500 Tamworth fans in that corner of Goodison, all squeezed in, chanting for the club will be fantastic."Hearing that number chanting the players' names, chanting for Tamworth will help my players."Their shoulders will be broader, their shirts will be filled out even more by their bigger chests and they will be bursting at the seams with pride."Through the work I have done, the players know the history that the Tamworth shirt holds, and the best thing is they are adding to the club's rich history."I did say in a talk at the start of the year that I wanted to add what this club has achieved in the past."And I am hoping that through what we have all achieved we have done that."There will be near enough 30,000 fans inside Goodison watching a team representing Tamworth and we should all be proud of that."To continue their fantastic journey in the FA Cup this season Tamworth will need to regain their form, though.After a 5-2 defeat on Boxing Day to Alfreton Town, the Lambs managed to hold the same side to a draw on New Year's Day.Despite faltering of late, though, Law insisted he was not worried going into the big match.He said: "The league form has gone to pot, so to say, but history does tell us that we are not unique in that happening."Burton Albion did not win a game between the draw and their game with Manchester United so we are not the only ones who have found it hard."You can only do so much to control the situation, to keep things calm."The thing is you don't know what is going on at home – you know people are phoning them left, right and centre and you know the lads are sitting in their cars talking about it."They are bound to have been excited about the game."Although Law says the Lambs will be full of confidence, he added that he would still remain respectful.He said: "You have got to be realistic – we are playing elite football players at the top end of the game."We can go out and say we will do whatever we want to do, but that is not how we work."We are a competitive bunch of people, we will enjoy the game and enjoy the occasion, but we do not want to go out there and make a mockery of it."When it comes to the hour and a half on the pitch we will be competing as much as we can and tactically we will do our upmost against an elite manager and an elite bunch of players."Tamworth will be hoping that Scott Barrow overcomes a knee injury in time for Saturday's money-spinning clash.They are without Paul Green through suspension and Chez Isaac, Callum Reynolds and Connor Gudger, who are cup-tied.

Tamworth supporters talk of FA Cup dreams ahead of Everton clash
by Mike Lockley, Birmingham Mail
Jan 7 2012
“I DON’T believe it – she’s here at last,” whooped Brian Whitehouse, his arms held high in a show of triumph as the breathless blonde stumbled into the sparse football club shop.“This,” he laughed, “is our missing fan.”Short of sending out a search party Tamworth FC, the FA Cup minnows who face mighty Everton in a David-and-Goliath third round tie today, couldn’t have done more to locate die-hard fan Charlotte Parker and hand over her three ‘big match’ tickets.“Where have you been?” mocked Brian, The Lambs company secretary, as the 23-year-old St John Ambulance worker shuffled uncomfortably under interrogation.“We’ve been on Facebook, forums, our website, 192.com, the phone book…”Such is the bond betwixt fans, club officials and players at the mud and nettles tier of English football.Premiership club supporters have the opportunity to berate their pampered stars on internet sites.‘Tammies’ – the collective noun for followers of the Blue Square Premier outfit – can give them an ear-bending in the bar afterwards.Of the near 5,000 flock of Lambs supporters who will travel in 40 coaches and three trains to Goodison Park, Charlotte is a straggler: one of the last to collect the treasured £20 tickets.“First chance I’ve had to get off work,” she shrugged, greedily snatching the slips. “They’re for me, my ex-boyfriend and his dad.”Eyeing my notebook suspiciously, Charlotte added quickly: “He was my ex-boyfriend BEFORE I got the tickets.”She’s been following Tamworth – one of the smallest clubs, with the smallest budgets in the former Conference division – since the age of 14.“I have a funny feeling,” she winked, scanning the dream ticket, “that we’re going to win 2-1.”That funny feeling isn’t shared by ashen-faced Everton supremo David Moyes. Frankly, it isn’t shared by many at the heart of Tamworth FC.Officials do, however, have a funny feeling today’s flirtation with domestic soccer’s elite will result in a six-figure pay day. Unlike Charlotte, they’re probably right.There’s also the pin-money from a battery of cup merchandise, including commemorative mugs, polo shirts and kits, to consider.And ‘friendship scarves’, incorporating Everton and Tamworth’s colours, have proved the fans’ favourite ‘must have’ item – with over 300 snapped-up at £10-a-throw.Tamworth general manager and secretary Rod Hadley, 60, put down the half-eaten slice of toast on his cluttered desk and talked hard cash, not giant killing.“It means for the rest of the season we are not paying bank charges on an overdraft,’’ he said.‘‘It means for the second year running, we’ve broken even. It means we can do things to the ground, such as the floodlights.”He admits chances of a cup fairytale are slim for his team.“I hope they won’t be disgraced, that’s the one thing you dread. I hope we will be good enough to give them a game.‘‘I wouldn’t be too disappointed if we could bring them back here. That would be a phenomenal achievement and put the club in the history books. Any goalscorer would be remembered for all time.”Everton’s big-earners would not relish a replay at Tamworth’s windswept and well-worn home, The Lamb.It takes a certain kind of football fanatic to endure 90 shivering minutes in one of the exposed stands. Tamworth FC, on a good day, has 1,200 of them.None, however, are more fanatical than 49-year-old Andy Farrington, self-styled head of The Lambs’ baaaa-rmy army.The businessman has snapped-up 70 tickets for today’s game. They’ll be distributed to fellow members of The Tamworth Train Crew – an elite knot of supporters known for their club tattoos.Andy, who has followed his beloved side for 30 years, intends to make the most of the Merseyside adventure. “We’re going for a good day out and as long as they try, that’s all we can ask.“But,” he warned, “I can’t see us winning.”Chris Clearly – boss of The White Lion, a favourite haunt of fans – also fears the worst.The 50-year-old has created a ‘Tamworth Cup’ cocktail to mark the occasion, but believes it will be bought to drown sorrows following the game.He said: “I think we’ll get tanned. Tamworth aren’t firing on all cylinders at the minute and I’m going for 2-1 Everton. Mind you, at 16-1 it’s worth putting a few quid on.”Yet Tamworth are no strangers to cup upsets.In 2006, they drew 1-1 with Stoke City away – also in the third round – before losing the replay on penalties.Then, they had the talisman of mascot Tammy the Lamb, aka Jason Treadwell. Today they do not.He was injured in a motorbike accident and told press members: “I wouldn’t be able to do the cartwheels, or anything like that.”Super-fan Andy Paylor has splashed out on a ‘Tammy’ T-shirt for his five-year-old daughter.“I’m a fanatic,” admitted the 32-year-old, who is travelling by train to the big game.“I’ve still got my inflatable carrot from the FA Vase final in 1989.“I hope we win, but I’ll be happy with a draw.”Despite the stampede for tickets, the town itself is surprisingly devoid of banners and shop-window displays. It’s not so much football fever in the centre, more a head-cold.“It’s weird,” said 21-year-old Ashley Smetham, “and disappointing that shops haven’t put up scarves. I think they could have done more. Maybe it came too soon after Christmas.”Those who run Tamworth Football Club have not lost sleep over the lack of public displays of allegiance.That’s because, win, lose or draw today, The Lambs are about to make a mint.

Everton 2 Tamworth 0: match report
Read a full match report of the FA Cup third-round game between Everton and Tamworth at Goodison Park on Saturday Jan 7 2011.
By Chris Bascombe, at Goodison Park
07 Jan 2012
The Telegrapgh
Tamworth’s hopes of inflicting one of the FA Cup’s biggest shocks were ended by a lacklustre Everton performance at Goodison Park. The non-league Staffordshire club made their illustrious opponents sweat for their 2-0 victory, recovering from the concession of an early Johnny Heitinga goal to keep the tie alive deep into the second half. Leighton Baines’ 78th minute penalty ensured the Conference side’s replay hopes belatedly succumbed. After fighting so diligently and for so long, manager Marcus Law left Merseyside with pride intact and a reputation enhanced. Before kick-off there was a moving tribute to former Everton defender Gary Ablett, as his family and former team-mates joined in a minute’s applause. The Goodison faithful hoped the performance would be a fitting memorial and they started well. Heitinga headed Everton ahead after five minutes, converting from the excellent Landon Donovan’s left wing corner. Expectations this would lead to a comfortable victory were premature as Tamworth enjoyed themselves and the hosts anxieties grew.
The 4,500 visiting fans were loving it, cheering each pass, shot and tackle like a winning goal. They also relished every misplaced pass from an Everton player, with Phil Neville given a particularly rough time by the visitors. His amusing main offence, according to the away chants, appeared to be not being his brother, Gary. Although Moyes was without Jack Rodwell, Phil Jagielka and Leon Osman, his side still possessed enough quality to make the gulf in class seem more apparent. Too many Everton players were stuck in first gear. There was a slight improvement in tempo in the second half, but Tamworth keeper Joe Colister was not unduly troubled. Inevitably, creating opportunities was Tamworth’s problem and for all their endeavour, Tim Howard was a virtual spectator. David Beckham’s former LA Galaxy team-mate Kyle Patterson came closest to equalising. He was inches away on 30 minutes, when his run and shot from the edge of the box had Howard beaten. But it was a rare attack. That ensured the early strike was always going to be enough, although it needed the introduction of substitutes Baines and Roysten Drenthe to put the tie beyond doubt. Drenthe was tripped in the box by left back Sam Habergam, and Baines made no mistake from the spot. For those making the journey from the Midlands, mixing it with the Premier League side was an afternoon to remember. For Moyes and the Evertonians, regardless of progress into Round Four, it was utterly forgettable.

Everton 2 Tamworth 0: Match report
Jan 7 2012
Birmingham Mail
Tamworth's FA Cup run came to an end in the third round at Goodison Park as Everton ground out a win against the Blue Square Premier League side. The Lambs were looking to become the first non-league team to beat top-flight opponents since Sutton knocked out Coventry in 1989 but they made a disappointing start when Johnny Heitinga headed in Landon Donovan's corner inside five minutes.
Tamworth gave as good as they got after that, particularly in the latter stages of the first half, but they could not find an equaliser and Everton substitute Leighton Baines wrapped up victory from the penalty spot 11 minutes from time. Everton boss David Moyes, with his options limited by injuries, named a reasonably strong side and handed a first start to James McFadden since his return to the club, while Toffees fan Joe Collister made only his second appearance in goal for Tamworth. Before the match, former Everton defender Gary Ablett, an FA Cup winner with the Toffees in 1995, was remembered with a minute's applause. The 46-year-old died of cancer on New Year's Day and members of his family and former team-mates joined the two teams on the pitch. Ninety-four places separate the sides across five divisions but Tamworth are no stranger to the third round having also reached this stage in 2006 and 2007 while Everton have lost to Shrewsbury and Oldham during Moyes' reign. What the underdogs needed was a good start but they found themselves behind inside five minutes. It was not a good moment for 20-year-old Collister, who missed Landon Donovan's corner and defender Heitinga headed in via a deflection off Tamworth captain Duane Courtney. The Premier League side were well on top early on and Collister did well to block a shot on the turn from Victor Anichebe before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov blazed over the bar from 15 yards. McFadden also had two decent early chances to net his first goal since August 2010, first heading wide and then guiding a shot just past the post after a neat backheel from Bilyaletdinov. Everton's dominance soon passed, and the visitors, roared on by an estimated 5,000 fans, became an increasing presence in the game. They almost had a special goal to cheer in the 29th minute when striker Kyle Patterson set off on a run from the half-way line to the edge of the area but placed his shot just past the far post. Patterson, a former team-mate of Donovan and David Beckham at the Los Angeles Galaxy, then shot straight at Howard as the home fans began to get a little frustrated.
What Moyes definitely did not need was more injuries, but he was forced into a change 12 minutes into the second half when Seamus Coleman limped off after seeing Collister tip over a cross-shot.
Baines came on, and at the same time Marouane Fellaini was also receiving treatment after a crunching tackle from Patrick Kanyuka, but he was able to carry on. There had been a distinct lack of quality in the second half in particular but Everton finally put together a decent move in the 77th minute as Donovan and Baines combined to set up Bilyaletdinov for a shot that was beaten away by Collister. And moments later the Toffees were given the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot. Substitute Royston Drenthe did not need much help going down under pressure from Sam Habergham but referee Robert Madley was unmoved by the Tamworth protests and Baines sent Collister the wrong way. Donovan then went within inches of making it 3-0 with a superb right-footed shot from 25 yards that beat Collister but crashed off the angle of post and bar.

Everton grind out win against Tamworth
Everton 2 Tamworth 0
The Indenpendent
Eleanor Crooks Saturday 07 January 2012
Tamworth's FA Cup run came to an end in the third round at Goodison Park as Everton ground out a win against the Blue Square Premier League side. The Lambs were looking to become the first non-league team to beat top-flight opponents since Sutton knocked out Coventry in 1989 but they made a disappointing start when Johnny Heitinga headed in Landon Donovan's corner inside five minutes.
Tamworth gave as good as they got after that, particularly in the latter stages of the first half, but they could not find an equaliser and Everton substitute Leighton Baines wrapped up victory from the penalty spot 11 minutes from time. Everton boss David Moyes, with his options limited by injuries, named a reasonably strong side and handed a first start to James McFadden since his return to the club, while Toffees fan Joe Collister made only his second appearance in goal for Tamworth. Before the match, former Everton defender Gary Ablett, an FA Cup winner with the Toffees in 1995, was remembered with a minute's applause. The 46-year-old died of cancer on New Year's Day and members of his family and former team-mates joined the two teams on the pitch. Ninety-four places separate the sides across five divisions but Tamworth are no stranger to the third round having also reached this stage in 2006 and 2007 while Everton have lost to Shrewsbury and Oldham during Moyes' reign. What the underdogs needed was a good start but they found themselves behind inside five minutes. It was not a good moment for 20-year-old Collister, who missed Landon Donovan's corner and defender Heitinga headed in via a deflection off Tamworth captain Duane Courtney. The Premier League side were well on top early on and Collister did well to block a shot on the turn from Victor Anichebe before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov blazed over the bar from 15 yards. McFadden also had two decent early chances to net his first goal since August 2010, first heading wide and then guiding a shot just past the post after a neat backheel from Bilyaletdinov. Everton's dominance soon passed, and the visitors, roared on by an estimated 5,000 fans, became an increasing presence in the game. They almost had a special goal to cheer in the 29th minute when striker Kyle Patterson set off on a run from the half-way line to the edge of the area but placed his shot just past the far post. Patterson, a former team-mate of Donovan and David Beckham at the Los Angeles Galaxy, then shot straight at Howard as the home fans began to get a little frustrated.
What Moyes definitely did not need was more injuries, but he was forced into a change 12 minutes into the second half when Seamus Coleman limped off after seeing Collister tip over a cross-shot.
Baines came on, and at the same time Marouane Fellaini was also receiving treatment after a crunching tackle from Patrick Kanyuka, but he was able to carry on. There had been a distinct lack of quality in the second half in particular but Everton finally put together a decent move in the 77th minute as Donovan and Baines combined to set up Bilyaletdinov for a shot that was beaten away by Collister. And moments later the Toffees were given the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot. Substitute Royston Drenthe did not need much help going down under pressure from Sam Habergham but referee Robert Madley was unmoved by the Tamworth protests and Baines sent Collister the wrong way. onovan then went within inches of making it 3-0 with a superb right-footed shot from 25 yards that beat Collister but crashed off the angle of post and bar.

Everton FC 2 Tamworth 0 Final Whistle Report
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Jan 7 2012
EVERTON FC progressed into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a drab 2-0 win over non-league side Tamworth. The Blues failed to muster much excitement in their encounter with Marcus Law’s outfit, but at least avoided any jittery moments against their unfancied opponents thanks to goals from John Heitinga and Leighton Baines. This was far from a classic cup encounter, and David Moyes will have been largely unconvinced by the auditions of his fringe players who started against the Midlanders. The sight of Seamus Coleman hobbling off injured again did nothing to boost the mood around Goodison either, even if the overall consolation must be that the next round can only get better for EFC. Everton took the lead from their first corner, when Heitinga beat his marker and headed home easily at the far post as Tamworth’s defence floundered. Then Victor Anichebe forced visiting goalkeeper Joe Collister to save with his legs from Magaye Gueye’s low cross into the area. And James McFadden almost doubled Everton’s lead with a low drive on 24 minutes after he latched onto Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s back-heeled pass. While Tamworth were generally laboured and nervy in response, they at least signalled some intent when Kyle Patterson’s fierce shot flew only narrowly wide. The second half began at a similar slack pace, but Everton should have had a free kick from a dangerous central position outside the area, when Patrick Kanyuka scythed down Marouane Fellaini with a dreadful challenge that somehow evaded the official’s attention. Everton’s current injury predicament is bad enough, so the last thing Moyes needed was to lose another first team regular. He can only hope now that Coleman's withdrawal is not be for a serious added complication to his previous thigh problem. Even the introduction of Royston Drenthe failed to add an immediate injection of entertainment, but the Dutchman did raise a smile when he slipped over at his first attempt to run at the Tamworth defence. At least Bilyaletdinov forced Collister into another save with a vicious shot from 20 yards as the clock ticked down. A 79th minute spot kick for the Blues failed to raise much more than a brief flurry of excitement, when Sam Habergam was adjudged to have hauled Drenthe over. But reliable as ever, Leighton Baines converted cooly to seal the tie. Landon Donovan had toiled to little effect, but almost provided a quality finish from open play that the tie had sorely lacked when his 20 yard strike hit the cross bar. Tamworth, for their part, had applied the odd spell of pressure, and even if there was zero end product to their possession, the visiting fans did their club proud.
EVERTON: (4-4-2) Howard, Neville (Capt), Distin, Heitinga, Coleman (Baines, 57) Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov, Gueye, Donovan, McFadden (Drenthe, 65), Anichebe (Stracqualursi, 73).
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Vellios, Duffy, McAleny.
Bookings:
Goals: Heitinga (5) Baines (Pen, 80)
TAMWORTH: (4-4-2) Collister, Tait, Habergam, Courtney (Capt), Francis, Thomas (Shariff,67) Pastterson, Barrow, Christie (St Aimie, 62), Kanyuka, McKoy.
Subs not used: Hedge, Oji, McDonald, Taylor, Wallen.
Bookings: Collister
Goals: