Ian Snodin: Dejected after Everton FC's Carling Cup exit
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
IT WAS obviously a huge disappointment to crash out of the Carling Cup at the hands of Chelsea.
I thought Chelsea started well and coped admirably with being reduced to 10 men. But in the end, despite the set-back of Jan Mucha’s error, the whistle for the end of normal time just came too soon for Everton. For the last 15 minutes it was all the Blues, and Chelsea had to withstand some sustained bombardment. There was only going to be one winner during that last spell, and when we couldn’t quite manage it we suddenly had to hope for penalties. Royston Drenthe did nobody any favours with a silly red card, especially when it was a challenge he didn’t have to go through with. He could easily have pulled out of it and avoided ruining his side’s one-man advantage. Our momentum went after that, and suddenly there was only going to be one winner. What made it harder to swallow was that I believed we sent out a team capable of progressing, and had we squeezed past Chelsea then the smell of Wembley truly gets in your nostrils. It would have been massive for the club, and we’re left wondering what might have been again – at least until January when the FA Cup third round arrives.

Ian Snodin: Everton FC must target win at high-flying Newcastle United
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
NEWCASTLE UNITED up next and although they’ve been flying high I look at their squad and at Everton FC’s and know which I’d rather manage. But for me, the Magpies haven’t really played anyone yet and I see this as a game we should be aiming to win, nevermind targeting a point on our travels. Yes Alan Pardew’s side work hard and they’ve got a good spirit at the moment because things are going well but they’re far from outstanding, and probably not going to be in the top five for much longer. Look at our display at St James’ Park last season, and you realise we can go and play there on our day. However, the kick-off time is awful once again. A pointless 12pm KO against Man U, and now 12.45pm in the North East meaning a very early rise for our travelling fans. I don’t think it helps the players much either. When I was playing I preferred Saturdays at 3pm, or if it was a weeknight then 7.45pm was fine. At mid-day and 12.45pm just doesn’t feel right, it was always in the back of my mind, and it certainly means the atmosphere in the ground can suffer on some occasions. I’m sure there will be plenty of noise in Tyneside on Saturday though, and knowing the devotion of Everton fans they’ll get there regardless.

Goodison Park win over Everton FC means Manchester City loss is ‘forgotten’ says Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
PARK JI-SUNG is looking forward to the rest of the season confident Manchester United’s derby mauling is now forgotten. The champions bounced back from their 6-1 home thrashing by Manchester City with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Alex Ferguson’s side now face Otelul Galati in midweek hoping to take another step towards the Champions League knockout stages before hosting Sunderland at Old Trafford next weekend.
Park said: “It was very important for us - we had to get back to winning ways after the defeat against City. “The boss told us that in the club’s history, we always get over (bad results). He encouraged us to play and be confident. “We had to show that and the players had to fight to win the game and the determination was great. “Goodison Park is always a hard game for us, we have had difficulty there. We had to win the game.” United’s form has generally dipped over the past month but, with a relatively kind run of fixtures ahead, Park believes momentum can be built. The Korean, 30, said: “It is very important to improve ourselves for the rest of the games. Hopefully we can continue to play like that.”

Marouane Fellaini warns Everton FC to start converting their chances if they are to halt losing streak
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
MAROUANE FELLAINI has warned Everton FC they must start converting their chances if they are to halt their losing streak. The Blues have lost five of their last six matches, and those defeats have been notable for lacking a clinical edge in front of goal. Fellaini believes that weakness meant Everton failed to get the outcome their efforts merited against Manchester United on Saturday.
Javier Hernandez’s 19th minute header was the difference against the champions on an afternoon when Tim Howard was barely tested by the nervy champions. Fellaini is frustrated that, despite dominating long spells of possession and creating more chances than their visitors, the Blues ended the game as losers. Now the Belgian midfielder wants the Toffees to recapture their killer instinct against Newcastle on Saturday, even if he is suspended for the St James’ Park clash. The 23-year-old said: “We’re disappointed, it’s always a difficult game against Manchester United but we had three or four chances to score but we couldn’t. “Manchester United only made three or four chances but scored. It’s not easy against a big team and we played well but couldn’t score. “If you don’t score you can’t win and when that happens you are less confident, but hopefully next Saturday we can win.” Fellaini will miss the St James’ Park trip because of an injury-time yellow card against United that takes him to five bookings for the season. And he insisted it will be frustrating to watch the last game before the international break from the sidelines, after starting to hit top form in recent weeks. “It’s difficult, I haven’t missed any games this season and I don’t want to miss a week,” he added. “But hopefully I’ll come back from international duty feeling fit.” Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka also believes the Blues’ superior possession against Manchester United bodes well for the visit to the North East. Everton had 18 goal attempts to United’s seven but David De Gea was rarely pressed into anything more than routine action. Jagielka said: “I thought we did enough to get something from the game but we didn’t. “When we needed a little bit more quality in the final third we struggled a bit. “We had quite a few shots but unfortunately we didn’t manage to put one away.
“We probably had about 10 half chances and not really any clear-cut ones. “It was frustrating for all of us but we can take a lot of positives from the performance. “I thought we played some good football at times and hopefully we can produce that away at Newcastle next month and come away with a couple of goals.” SEAMUS COLEMAN and Apostolos Vellios will be at Everton Two today for a signing session. The Blues duo will be at the Liverpool One shop from 5-6pm to meet fans and sign merchandise.

Ian Snodin: Why Everton FC need to sign a striker in January
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
IF THERE’S one conclusion we can safely take away from Everton FC’s defeat by Manchester United on Saturday, it’s that they still desperately need a new striker. For me the only realistic options for David Moyes at present are Louis Saha and Apostolos Vellios, and that’s not enough if we’re trying to make progress in the league. I really hope there is money available for Moyes to spend in the January market, because the way things are heading we could be in a bit of a predicament. The Blues are down to 16th now, and although I’m confident we won’t be down there for long, there is always the danger you can get sucked further towards the bottom. We have some winnable games on the horizon at last, but if results don’t automatically click into place it can affect confidence and suddenly we could be going into the festive season still at the wrong end of the table. To stop that happening in the short term we need to be more ruthless in front of goal, and in the long-term we need to sign that elusive forward in January. Take the United game. Alex Ferguson was complimentary about Everton afterwards, praising how we played after that 120 minutes against Chelsea in mid-week, and Everton did probably deserve more against his side. We were missing three experienced, big game players in Phil Neville, Sylvain Distin and Tim Cahill, which would be a blow to any side, and even though energy levels could have been low after the Chelsea game we started brightly Seamus Coleman did well to cut inside and get a shot off, but his effort epitomised the off-colour finishing that plagued us all day. The other dilemma Moyesy had to contend with from the dug-out was United’s midfield three of Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley.
We just couldn’t live with that for a while, and United dominated because of their choke hold on the game in the centre – we couldn’t get near them. I heard a lot of people on the phone-ins after the game suggesting Moyes should have played 4-4-2 with Vellios and Saha up front. It’s a common argument. But in my opinion that would only have made us more vulnerable, as it would have mean just two in our central midfield, and we would have been more swamped than we already were. Of course, Leighton Baines’ free-kick could have changed the game. If that was two inches lower, it might have been a very different outcome. The second half saw more Everton pressure, and we went close to scoring more times than the visitors – even if I don’t think Patrice Evra’s challenge on Magaye Gueye was a penalty. I always ask myself if I’d be happy if it was given against us, and it was a non-starter for me.

Everton FC Goodison Park tour for Jain Group
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2011
THE group interested in buying Everton FC have already had a tour of Goodison Park, the ECHO can reveal today. Senior representatives from India’s Jain Group were shown around the EFC stadium during a meeting with club chief executive Robert Elstone last month. And although the construction giants, who also have vast energy and property interests in their homeland, have proved they have the funds necessary to complete a takeover, they have yet to progress to the due diligence phase of any potential deal. The ECHO understands they were introduced to Everton after learning of their ongoing search for a new stadium and wealthy owner, and have also held talks with chairman Bill Kenwright at his London office. But it is believed the Jain Group last contacted the Blues more than 10 days ago, and as further time elapses the long-term prospects of any deal actually happening diminish. It means speculation that an Indian firm are on the brink of injecting hundreds of millions into Everton, which has grown on internet forums over the last three weeks and reached fever-pitch yesterday, is wide of the mark. Jain are one of several companies theatre impresario Kenwright has met on a regular basis, and despite their initial interest have yet to do anything to convince him those first meetings will materialise into something substantial.
While the firm are looking to expand to the UK, and have visited Merseyside to scout for investment opportunities in the city, they are not the only Indian company to have expressed an interest in Everton. The ECHO understands a separate company from the sub-continent have shown interest, along with a major financial player from China. Reports yesterday suggested Jain are exploring whether to loan the Blues money and leave Kenwright in control, or complete a full takeover.
And while club sources hinted that the healthy levels of interest in Everton is a good sign they can still attract a new owner despite the ongoing world recession, they are keen for supporters’ expectations not to be raised unrealistically. Kenwright was present at Goodison as usual on Saturday for his side’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday, and was joined by fellow director Robert Earl. US-Based Planet Hollywood magnate Earl is a rare presence at games due to work commitments across the Atlantic.

Everton FC takeover talk concerning Indian group Jain Group is wide of the mark
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 1 2011
RUMOURS suggesting Everton FC are on the verge of a takeover from Indian investors Jain Group are wide of the mark, the Daily Post understands. Speculation has gathered pace in recent weeks that Mumbai construction firm Jain Group were ready to pump millions of pounds into the Goodison Park outfit but there is no deal in place. It is believed Jain Group have visited Merseyside as they look to invest money in the area and have also held talks with chairman Bill Kenwright in London.
Also involved in energy and property ventures in their homeland, the Indian firm have shown interest in Everton after learning of their desire for a new stadium and fresh investment in order to keep pace with the top clubs in the Premier League. However, Jain Group are just one of several parties Everton have held discussions with and it is understood Kenwright has not seen anything in the Indian talks to convince him their meeting will lead to a concrete offer of investment at this time.
Secondary reports said Jain Group were also looking into the possibility of loaning Everton money and allowing the current chairman to remain in control, as well as exploring the idea of completing a full takeover.

Marouane Fellaini challenges Everton FC to rediscover clinical streak
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 1 2011
MAROUANE FELLAINI has warned Everton FC they must rediscover their clinical edge in front of goal if they are to avoid further disappointment this season. David Moyes’ men had plentiful possession against Manchester United on Saturday but were unable to convert that dominance into an equalising goal after Javier Hernandez opened the scoring in the first half. A lack of cutting edge cost Everton dear in the Carling Cup last week against Chelsea and in the weekend’s lunchtime kick-off they were could not capitalise on a nervous United. Everton have shown their ruthless side this season, with the win at Fulham a case in point, but that quality has deserted them since. Fellaini now wants his team-mates to begin to put away their chances to halt a run of five defeats in the last six matches, starting with his Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United. “We’re disappointed, it’s always a difficult game against Manchester United but we had three or four chances to score but we couldn’t,” the 23-year-old said. “Manchester United only made three or four chances but scored. It’s not easy against a big team and we played well but couldn’t score. If you don’t score you can’t win and when that happens you are less confident, but hopefully next Saturday we can win.” Fellaini is suspended for the weekend’s trip to the North East (12.45pm) having picked up a fifth booking of the season in the dying seconds against Manchester United. The ban comes as a frustration to the Belgium international as he was gathering momentum with Everton. Fellaini will then jet off to play for his country before returning to Merseyside in time for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“It’s difficult, I haven’t missed any games this season and I don’t want to miss a week,” he added.
“But hopefully I’ll come back from international duty feeling fit.”

Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC’s priority remains avoiding relegation
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 1 2011
DESPITE some assertions to the contrary, I still believe Goodison Park must be classed as one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League. There was a feeling of deflation amongst sections of the Everton support following Saturday lunchtime’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.
A sense that not even the thought of an intimidating welcome at Goodison was enough to rattle even the most complete of sides. I disagree and believe that Everton at home will always give you a good game, even when they are having a bad day. The supporters get right into the opposition and right on the referee’s back. This is very much going in Everton’s favour but of course they currently do not seem to have the quality to get in front against one of the top six sides. And for the foreseeable future it looks like being a problem. The manager David Moyes can only make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear for so long. Everton’s attacking intentions were not helped by Nemanja Vidic being immense on the day. Plus they cannot expect the young Greek striker Apostolos Vellios to become world class in three months. I know sections of the Everton fan base will be peeved at the current situation but their club are just doing what every club outside the top six are doing - concentrating on avoiding relegation. The manager cannot come out and say this because it would not give the fans any reason to come and watch the side, but it remains the reality. In the cold light of day, Everton are no longer in the position to think otherwise.

Everton FC’s Seamus Coleman determined to improve finishing to help Blues solve goal deficit
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2011
SEAMUS Coleman is determined to improve his finishing as he aims to helps Everton FC solve their goal-scoring deficit. The 23-year-old scored six times for EFC last season after being deployed on the right wing by David Moyes, but has so far failed to find the back of the net this term. Republic of Ireland international Coleman had a good chance early in the defeat by Manchester United on Saturday but failed to convert, and no Everton FC player has scored more than twice yet during this campaign. He said: “Before finishing wasn’t really part of my game because I was a right back, but last year I started playing right midfield and got a few. “Now it’s got to the point where I need to start working on it a bit more. I’ve been doing extra sessions with the assistant manager working on my finishing. I can always improve, that’s what I aim to do and I might get a few goals myself. “I got a couple last season, and there’s no better feeling than scoring for Everton.” By comparison this weekend’s opponents Newcastle United boast the talents of in-form forward Demba Ba, and the former Toffees’ transfer target has struck eight in nine appearance for the Magpies already this season. Everton’s main forward Louis Saha, is one of a few players stuck on two goals, but Coleman insists Saha can over-take Ba in the goal-scoring charts by the end of the campaign. “It’s great for them having Demba Ba, his goals have been crucial and he got his hat-trick on Tuesday,” he said.
“Obviously Louis when he gets a couple of games in a run will start going up the goal scoring charts too. “We see how world class he is every day in training, and if he gets a run of games he’ll show everyone that again. When he’s on fire there’s not many better. I look at Louis a lot for tips on how to finish.” Coleman has backed Everton to recover from their poor run of form during a stern run of fixtures, which has seen them lose four of their last five league games. He said: “We always knew it was going to be hard, but we would’ve liked to have got a bit more from the games. “I thought we did well on Saturday (against United) and had a lot of the ball, we just couldn't really get that goal. It’s given us confidence going into the Newcastle game anyway. “There were a lot of positives from the game. The only disappointing bit was not getting the goal. We missed Drenthe. He was playing well until his suspension and we missed his speed against Manchester United.” Meanwhile, young defender Luke Garbutt has had his loan spell at Cheltenham Town extended for another month. The promising left-back has impressed at the high-flying League Two club and has started five games since moving to Whaddon Road. Garbutt, 19, hasn't looked back since setting up a goal on his debut and has been entrusted with taking corners and free-kicks, helping the Robins rise to fifth in the table. He joined Everton from Leeds United in the summer of 2009, played in the first team friendly against Bohemians in August 2011 and was a reserve team regular before his loan switch. Cheltenham manager Mark Yeates was delighted with the news. He said: “Luke has done well during his first month here with the club. “We are all obviously delighted because Luke has settled right in and has put in some very good performances over the last few weeks. Everton have been great once again and I would like to thank them.”

Everton FC manager David Moyes is one of best in the world, says Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 2 2011
ALAN PARDEW has hailed David Moyes as “one of the best in the world” as he prepared to go head-to-head with the Everton FC manager. Pardew’s Newcastle United entertain Moyes and his players on Saturday hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season. The Magpies moved up to third position with a 3-1 win at Stoke City on Monday night. Along with Manchester City, they are the only team to have yet lost in the top flight, with a trip to Eastlands to come later in the month. But before then, manager Pardew admits Newcastle will do well to come away with a draw in their clash against Moyes and his players this weekend. “I think we have an immediate goal in front of us,” he said. “We are playing against an Everton side on Saturday who have some good players and a manager who is one of the best in the world. “If we can get through that game – even get a point – and get to Manchester City unbeaten that would be fantastic. That would be my immediate goal to the team. “We are not really looking at the bigger picture, we are looking at the next game and if we can focus on that we can have a really good season.” Everton will be without Marouane Fellaini for the trip to St James’ Park, the Belgian serving a one-match suspension after accruing five bookings this season. And Jack Rodwell believes the in-form Belgium international will be a big miss – while setting his sights on a lengthy union with his colleague. Since the departure of Mikel Arteta on transfer deadline day in August, Rodwell and Fellaini have started every game together while forging an increasingly impressive partnership. “Fellaini has been on form, he’s colossal in there and wins his tackles and headers and he’s been playing really well,” said Rodwell. “Hopefully I can form a good partnership with him. “I am pleased to get games under my belt. Last season I was injured a lot so it feels really good to be getting games for both Everton and England.
“I feel a lot fitter, that match fitness is there; I feel sharper in the matches and also the confidence is there as well. It is all part of it and I feel strong at the moment.” Rodwell added: “There are a lot of players who have seen their progress interrupted by injury and, regretfully, that was the case for me last season. So hopefully I can stay fit this time and get the games and the experience I need. “It is out of my hands really but you can only do what you can. Make sure you are as fit as you can be, not take any chances or cut any corners in training and do your extra work in the gym. “You know you are going to get knocks and niggles over the course of the season – that is inevitable – but hopefully I can avoid any serious injuries and play plenty of games.” Rodwell believes Apostolos Vellios has the potential to establish himself firmly in the Everton first-team picture Vellios has made an impact from the bench this season, scoring against Wigan Athletic and Chelsea before earning a first start in the away win at Fulham. And Rodwell added: “Hopefully he will get plenty of games or he can come on and make an impact like he has done recently. “He is a young striker and is from Greece so he needs to keep learning about the game in England but I think he has a lot of potential.”

Everton FC should be wary of Magpies team spirit, says Steven Taylor
Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 2 2011
NEWCASTLE UNITED defender Steven Taylor has warned Everton they will encounter an equally indomitable team spirit at St James’ Park on Saturday. Alan Pardew’s side have made a hugely impressive start to the season despite losing a clutch of players in recent times. Monday’s 3-1 win at Stoke City, courtesy of a Demba Ba hat-trick, lifted the undefeated Magpies up to third in the Premier League table, one point behind Manchester United. Newcastle continue to defy the pundits who had tipped them to struggle having lost the likes of Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton in the last year. However, far from affecting morale, those high-profile departures appear to have galvanised the dressing room as, with some shrewd additions in the summer, Newcastle have gone from strength to strength. And crucially Pardew has them playing as a team, an attitude typified at the Britannia Stadium where winger Jonas Gutierrez spent more time helping out in defence than attacking in order to combat Stoke’s threat from wide areas. “The forwards are running around to make it difficult for balls to come into midfield and the wingers were a massive part,” said Taylor, who played with a face mask protecting a broken nose. “We knew if Jonas and Gabriel Obertan were on fire, running up and down and getting the ball in, we were going to cause them problems. “We are just playing as a team, that is all we are doing. We can’t afford to carry one person because we are a small squad and it has shown because everyone has pulled their weight.” The real test will come over the next few weeks with matches against Everton, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. How they do in those games will provide a more accurate gauge of how well Newcastle could do this season, but Taylor insisted the players were keeping their feet on the ground even if expectations among fans were rising by the week. “We are not going to get carried away, it is still early stages,” he added. “We have been lucky in some games but we just have to get on with it. “We will keep on going and enjoy it really.” Meanwhile, young Everton defender Luke Garbutt’s loan spell at npower League Two side Cheltenham Town has been extended by another month. The 19-year-old left-back made impressed in five appearances since moving to Whaddon Road, and Cheltenham manager Mark Yeates said: “Luke has done well during his first month here with the club. “We are all obviously delighted because Luke has settled right in and has put in some very good performances.” Another Everton youngster, centre-back Shane Duffy, has entered the third month of a loan spell at npower League One outfit Scunthorpe United. And the Iron manager Alan Knill said: “I’m hopeful we can keep him for the rest of the season because he’s a big part of the team. He’s growing into that leader role.”

Red Ryan Taylor plots Everton’s blues
Wednesday 2 November 2011 12:30
Sunderland Echo
LIVERPUDLIAN Ryan Taylor will play for Scouse honour when Newcastle host Everton on Saturday, writes Craig Hope. The boyhood Liverpool fan is relishing the visit of David Moyes’s side, with the makeshift left-back insisting: “I need no motivation for Everton as I was a Red when I spent my days in Liverpool. “I don’t want to see Everton get any points – especially off us!” The Everton game is followed, after a two-week international break, by back-to-back away games against the two Manchester clubs, who occupy first and second places in the league, then Chelsea visit St James’s Park in early December. Taylor added: “We can set ourselves up for the big three – the home game against Everton’s one we’d like to win. “Now we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on. Come the Manchester games, there’s no pressure on us whatsoever. “It’s not like we’re down there fighting for points. “We’ve given ourselves a little cushion for the Manchester games, because we knew they were coming up. “The games come quick and fast. “We’re sitting pretty in the league, and on a nice number of points. We’re not fighting for those points and there’s no pressure on us.”
H Haris Vuckic and Mehdi Abeid were on target as Willie Donachie’s Newcastle Reserves won 2-0 at Wigan yesterday. Alan Smith played his part and is still hopeful of being involved at first-team level this season. But he is backing Alan Pardew’s success: “The club’s ambitions are to finish in that top 10,” he said. “The club have changed their policy and are bringing in younger players who will develop and are hungry. “If they can develop, the club can too and then go in the right direction. “That’s what the club foresees for the next few seasons coming forward. It will be about buying 20-25 year-olds and developing them. If the team finishes in the top 10, they can push on from there.”

Liverpool fan Taylor targets old enemy Everton
Wednesday 2 November 2011 13:30
The Shield Gazette
LIVERPUDLIAN Ryan Taylor’s playing for Scouse honour when Newcastle United take on Everton.
The boyhood Liverpool fan’s relishing the visit of David Moyes’s side to St James’s Park. Taylor’s been outstanding so far this season as a makeshift left-back. Taylor’s gone from M6 to top six
And the 27-year-old won’t need any extra motivation when he takes to the field against Everton, who are struggling near the foot of the Premier League table in contrast to Newcastle, whose win over Stoke City on Monday night moved them into third place. “I need no motivation for Everton as I was a Red when I spent my days in Liverpool,” Taylor told the Gazette. “There’s no motivation needed – I don’t want to see Everton get any points, especially off us!” The Everton game is followed, after a two-week international break, by back-to-back away games against the two Manchester clubs, who occupy first and second place in the league. Chelsea also visit St James’s Park in early December, and the importance of adding to the Magpies’ remarkable 22-point haul ahead of that daunting sequence isn’t lost on Alan Pardew’s grounded players. Taylor added: “We can set ourselves up for the big three – the home game against Everton’s one we’d like to win.
“Now we’ve given ourselves a platform to build on. Come the Manchester games, there’s no pressure on us whatsoever. “It’s not like we’re down there fighting for points. We’ve given ourselves a little cushion for the Manchester games, because we knew they were coming up. The games come quick and fast. “We’re sitting pretty in the league, and on a nice number of points.
We’re not fighting for those points, and there’s no pressure on us.”

Krul focused on Everton – not Europe
By MILES STARFORTH
Wednesday 2 November 2011
The Shield Gazette
TIM Krul would love to return to European competition with Newcastle United – but the goalkeeper is refusing to look beyond Everton’s visit to St James’s Park. The 23-year-old made his first senior appearance for the club in a UEFA Cup fixture away to Palermo exactly five years ago. Krul – who helped Alan Pardew’s side to a 3-1 win over Stoke City on Monday night – kept a clean sheet at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in what was United’s last campaign on the continent. The Stoke win moved Newcastle up to third in the Premier League, and a victory over Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off will propel them into second place ahead of Manchester United, who play Sunderland later in the afternoon. And supporters are already talking about a top-six finish being a realistic aim for the team. However, Krul insists he and his colleagues, for the moment, are focused on shorter-term goals. “It’s really special, and we’re third in the league – what else can you say?” Krul told the Gazette. The manager said judge us after 10 games, and look where we are now. We’ve got Everton on Saturday, and then a little break again. “We’ll recharge our batteries for the games after that. We’ve got targets every six games, and we’re reaching our targets. It’s special.” Asked about unbeaten United’s chances of qualifying for Europe, Krul added: “We’re not looking at that yet – we have to be careful. “We have those six-game targets every time, and as long as we reach them, we’ll be up there.” Krul was handed his chance against Palermo with Shay Given and Steve Harper injured, and the Holland international rewarded then-manager Glenn Roeder with an outstanding performance between the posts in a 1-0 victory. “It’s five years ago – that’s a long time,” reflected Krul. “A lot of things have happened, and look where we are now. Talk of the Toon Tim Krul focus
“It was my debut in Sicily. It was a special night, and it was another special night coming to Stoke and getting three points. “I came here at 17 as a young boy, and there was a line set out for me. You never know if all the targets are going to be reached. “I’ve always said you have to be patient, and if I played my cup games, I’ll be ready. I’m ready now, and I’ve got to keep fighting, and keep working hard. Long may it continue.” Krul feels the performance at the Britannia Stadium, where summer signing Demba Ba scored his second hat-trick for the club, was every bit as special as that in Sicily.
In a first-half which saw Ba net twice, Pardew’s side ably defended Stoke’s set-pieces and repeatedly hit them on the break. And they were resilient after the interval, when Mike Dean awarded each side a penalty. “What a performance – it was incredible,” said Krul. “It was really important to go 2-0 up. It gave us a little bit of a breather. What a night! “Demba and Bestie (Leon Best) worked their socks off, and we were a solid unit again. They threatened us with their set-pieces, but other than that, not much else. “We knew our plan. The manager said as well that we shouldn’t focus too much on it as we just have to deal with it, and defend it. “All the lads who came this summer have gelled.”

Ferguson hails Manchester United resistance at Everton
by Pat McGatt.
Wed 02 Nov 2011 Manchester Click
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the way his side defended against Everton last weekend. The hard-fought 1-0 win was the perfect antidote to their embarrassing humbling at the hands of Manchester City and sets them up for the visit of Otelul Galati tonight in the Champions League. Ferguson said: "There are two things about Saturday that come to mind.
“First, Everton on their own ground against Manchester United is always a tough game. And secondly, in the second half they were playing into their favourite end and it was very difficult to handle. "They kept pumping that ball into the box and you have done well not to lose a goal."

Ba expects NUFC will kick on against Everton
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 2 2011
NEWCASTLE United hotshot Demba Ba sees no reason why the Magpies cannot keep flying high in this Saturday’s meeting with Everton. Ba is now Newcastle’s top ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, rated seventh, and has eight goals in his last five games for the Magpies.
Grumbles from fans about the lack of a No 9 have been put to one side with the Toon’s No 19 proving his worth to the team. Ba told the Chronicle: “We won’t change the ethics of the team.
“It’s about hard work and getting results. “Giving everything for our fans will drive us on. We are already looking forward to Everton now and this is a game we feel we can win, especially at home.”
United can stay in the top three with a win over Everton – something that would have been thought of as unthinkable just a couple of months ago. But Ba warned: “It’s going to be tough. “The fans have stuck with us all the way through. “If we keep up there then they are happy and we’re happy.
“The team can give more. Everybody is just focused on beating Everton in the next game.”

Everton FC youngster Jack Bidwell gets latest England call
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
JAKE Bidwell has been named in the England Under-19s squad for a game against Denmark next week. Bidwell, the current academy player of the season, is part of an 18-man party for the match at Brighton's Amex Stadium on Thursday week. He can operate at left-back or in central defence and has previously been part of England Under-16 and 17 parties. Bidwell made his reserve team debut in April 2009. In December 2009 he made his first-team debut at Goodison in the Europa League, becoming Everton's youngest ever player in a European game.

Blue Boys: Manchester City can spend at every level, says Kevin Sheedy
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
MANCHESTER City are currently in pole position at the top of the Premier Academy League, and Kevin Sheedy is unsurprised. “They’re very strong,” said the Everton coach. “They have obviously spent a lot on buying youngsters into their academy from all over the world, and that big budget will eventually mean a string of very good youth sides. “We’ve bought in a few foreign players ourselves, but nobody can match Manchester City in that respect so we rely on local talent.”

Blue Boys: Everton FC’s U-18s coach Kevin Sheedy not impressed by 3-2 defeat at Wolves
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
ACADEMY Coach Kevin Sheedy was unimpressed after his side slumped to a 3-2 defeat against Wolves at Finch Farm at the weekend. Sheedy blamed uncharacteristically sloppy defending for the defeat which hit their chances of progressing up the Premier Academy League table. The Blues took the lead after 10 minutes through midfielder Adam Thomas after a deflected Anton Forrester shot.
But a poor back pass allowed Wolves back into the contest, Everton took the lead again when the prolific Chris Long netted to continue his hot-streak in front of goal. Unfortunately more defensive naivety followed, and Wolves scored two in quick succession which saw them take all the points.
“It was probably our worst performance of the season yet,” said Sheedy. “We just didn’t compete like I know we can and we made far too many individual errors to concede three sloppy goals.
“I take a couple of positives from our goals, particularly the vein of form that Chris Long is in, but otherwise it was a disappointing and frustrating afternoon. “Even at 2-2 it was only a matter of time that we conceded again with the way we were defending. “We didn’t clear the ball properly when we had the opportunity to. “We’ve been scoring a fair few goals lately which I’m pleased about but clean sheets have been few and far between even when we’re won.” Next up for the u-18s is Stoke away on Saturday, a challenge which Sheedy says is similar to facing Tony Pulis’ senior team.
“Like their first team they are a big, strong side so we will have to defend well. “It’s a different style of footballing test from what we are used to and I expect is to show willing to match them, and earn the right to play our game.”

Everton FC fans Jury on Indian takeovers, Manchester United and the return of Royston Drenthe
Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
RICHARD KNIGHTS, West Derby
AFTER half an hour I thought Man United were going to beat us by a cricket score, so ineffectual was our performance. Credit to the team for turning the game around, Fellaini magnificent again. However, apart from long range shots we didn’t really trouble their keeper. Man United were happy to play the game out without breaking sweat. The next few games will define the season – mid-table mediocrity or a dour relegation battle. I don’t blame David Moyes he can only use the players at his disposal, he has the smallest first team squad in the Premier League, but the tactics have been pretty dire, one striker and try to stifle the game. It isn’t exciting, it isn’t Everton. Frankly I’m just fed up of all the takeover rumours, Tata, Jain group, any other old group. But the brutal truth is that without new investment, new ideas and a new board, we are going nowhere. Time to let go of the train set Bill. DEBBIE SMAJE, Upholland
ANOTHER top side, another defeat. While there is no doubt we played better against United than the recent league games at Chelsea and City, Saturday showed exactly why we are struggling the way we are. Our defending is just utterly poor, to the extent we just can’t keep a clean sheet. And at the other end, we are so predictable up front, teams aren’t scared of letting us have the ball. The stats will show that we were unlucky and had lots of chances, but actually watching the game showed that United were perfectly happy to let us have as much of the ball as we want because they weren’t scared of what we could do with it. We now enter a much kinder run of fixtures, but we struggled against the poorer teams last season because they too were all happier to defend against us. We have to start attacking in numbers, because we need to score at least twice just to have any hope of winning games.
MIKE WILLIAMSON, Chester
IT was strange to see Manchester United put ten men behind the ball but Ferguson knows Everton well and rightly banked us on having nobody with the creativity required to break through. The team tried hard but without the flair of an Arteta or Pinnear we looked like an average, boring side that is going nowhere. Rodwell must be on bonus pay for the number of sideways passes he makes in a game while some of us are beginning to feel a bit embarrassed at the words England and Jagielka being used in the same sentence. Bily is simply one of the most ineffective players ever to be on the books and only the manager knows how he stayed on instead of being substituted by McFadden, who did one of the longest warm-ups in Premier League history. We can talk all day about individual players and tactics but until we have a new board in place we will continue to fade away and face another season of struggle and disappointment.
LEE MOLTON, St Helens
LOOK out the Indians are coming! No it’s not Red Indians coming for a fight, it’s a potential takeover at Goodison! Evertonians have been dreaming of being taking over by a rich billionaire – wouldn’t it be great if it finally did happen? To compete with the big boys, we simply need new owners and sooner rather than later! Please don’t get rid of the Scouse Pie though. The Man United game was disappointing as they were beatable. A poor display from United but we lacked a goal threat up front. Baines was very unlucky with his free-kick and we did have a few other good attempts.
Another early morning departure for Evertonians with Newcastle coming up, a team that is high on confidence and playing some good football. The return of Drenthe will boost our chances and we need to be positive and go for a win.

Everton FC fans letters - how David Moyes with cash to spend would be a dream come true
Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
IT would be nice to have the investment to offer Everton FC a sustainable level of stability. All the blue sky talk being discussed at the moment is a bonus even if 20% of it came through. It goes without saying that it would be fantastic to see what Moyes could do with a level of financial freedom as he deserves it. Also, great if Bill’s loyalty and love for the club could be combined into a new model in some way. COYBs
Ozzie2010
I SUSPECT we’ve already missed the bus as far as major investment is concerned – who is going to throw their money away trying to compete with City or Chelsea? It’s simply not possible. Instead we’re left with the dregs and the fact that this latest lot are from the same country as Venkys does worry me, because if they share anything like the same mindset as their compatriot clowns then we’ll be in even bigger trouble than we already are. Moyes will be straight out the door and for Steve Kean read Steve Round.
staygold
WE can but hope that a deal is done and that it is the right deal, as EFC are a true community based club, steeped in history and dignity. Given the dough, Davey Moyes could then go onto to show his true capabilities.
Felix
NO doubt Kenwrong will again put some unreasonable obstacle in the way like him staying on as Chairman and negotiations will break down and Bill will again come up with some sob story and blame the potential buyers. Seen all all before. Heard it all before.
ScouseBluenose
NEGATIVE fans moan when there’s no interest because BK is setting too high a price and moan when there is interest. Can’t win. Personally, I don’t pin many hopes on this story but it’s interesting to see how it plays out.
You really never know!
babysop
EFC are a great club with great tradition and they deserve owners of the same stature. It’s a pity however that some fans seem to be stuck with the caveman mentality, unable to refrain from mischievous and damaging innuendo.
MrClean
DOES anyone know how big the Jain group is? I hear it’s quite big, and if the stadium tour is £8.50, and we’re currently £26.5M in debt (after the recent sales). Then as long as they have just over 3million people in the company, all taking the tour, then we could be debt free by Christmas.
edtheblue
As a lifelong supporter of Everton, it continues to absolutely amaze me how Bill Kenwright is still chairman of the club. Under his stewardship the club has never progressed and indeed continues to be left further and further behind with each passing year. The only reason we have survived this long is down to David Moyes and I really fear for the club over these next few years and would not be at all surprised if we soon end up in the Championship, as David will not be there.
John, Everton supporter

Six reasons why Everton FC aren’t scoring enough goals, according to legendary striker Graeme Sharp
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
IT’S already becoming the season when goals rained on the Premier League. Clean sheets in the top flight this term are as rare as a week without Mario Balotelli in the tabloid headlines. But so far Everton haven’t been invited to the party. Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie has scored 10 already – the same tally as the entire Toffees squad combined. Increasingly the Blues’ lack of cutting edge up front is returning to haunt them - typified by a frustrating afternoon in front of goal during Saturday’s defeat by Manchester United. Goodison legend Graeme Sharp follows his team home and away, and believes there are six factors preventing the Blues from hitting the back of the net more frequently.
1) ONE UP FRONT.
“People have said that Demba Ba is ‘one that got away’ because Everton were linked with him in the summer, and he’s scored eight goals in the Premier league so far. “There’s no doubting that he has a good predatory instinct, but it’s important to remember he’s playing with a strike partner, usually Leon Best. “Everton have largely favoured the modern approach of five in midfield with one up front. “For a few reasons that’s the type of system that simply suits them best because of personnel. “But let me tell you it’s not easy playing up there on your own. I’ve done it, and it can be a thankless task, running side to side and in and out of the box. “Hopefully Louis Saha can start building on his recent fitness improvement, and settle into the role of lone striker.”
2) NOT ENOUGH GOALS FROM MIDFIELD.
“Traditionally Everton have been able to rely on a fantastic amount of goals from Tim Cahill. While he’s never stopped in terms of his work-ethic, they’ve been thin on the ground lately and we miss them. “Tim will start scoring again, no doubt, but in the meantime nobody has chipped in to fill the quota required from midfield. “When Everton used to edge tight games 1-0 it was built on a template of a good defence and Tim Cahill scoring. Hopefully players like Royston Drenthe and Jack Rodwell can build on their goals already, because both know how to score.
3) DEFENSIVE VULNERABILITY.
“It’s all well and good scoring, but you need to build that on a solid foundation. The Blues have only kept one clean sheet so far this season, away at Blackburn, and it makes life much harder for them.
By conceding early in games, like Manchester United, you really put the pressure on the forwards.
4) TEAMS HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK ON LEIGHTON BAINES.
“Opposition managers aren’t daft. They’ve realised that our most potent weapon is the left-flank, and that if you stop Bainesy you hurt Everton. “Last weekend Alex Ferguson used Park Ji-Sung to neutralise him, and other managers will double up to peg him back. “Equally Bainsey has missed Steven Pienaar badly. He has got to develop the same trust with another left sided midfielder, say for example Royston Drenthe, and that means being reassured that they will fill in for him if he pushes on. So far Royston hasn’t quite cottoned onto the need to do that. While he’s an exciting talent he has to pitch in with the defensive work.”
5) NOT ENOUGH THREAT FROM THE BACK.
“Good teams usually have a threat from defenders at set-pieces. I know David Moyes has said he wants more goals from the likes of Jags and Distin, and he’s right. They’re both big guys and good headers of the ball so they must start chipping in from corners. of course they need the right deliveries too, so I’m sure they’re working on that.
6) NEVER MIND SIGNING A NEW STRIKER, A WINGER COULD BE AN OPTION TOO.
“Everton could do with another forward in January. But while they’re strong in the middle of the park with Jack and Felli, they wouldn’t go wrong with a winger who can cut inside and score for them. Hopefully Drenthe can do that, but if not it maybe something they can maybe address in January.

Everton FC’s Leon Osman: Tony Hibbert is one of the best full-backs in the country
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2011
LEON OSMAN insists that Tony Hibbert has established himself as one of the best full-backs in the country this season. The pair have been team-mates for more than 10 years, and Osman believes the 30-year-old right-back is in the form of his career. Osman, 30, has backed Hibbert to continue his fine form against a potent Newcastle United attack on Saturday, and the Blues hope to have the added boost of four key men available again. Tim Cahill, Phil Neville and Sylvain Distin are likely to recover from knocks that kept them out of the defeat by Manchester United, while Royston Drenthe returns from suspension, although Marouane Fellaini replaces him on the sidelines. Osman said: “It’s credit to him, he’s a top player and I’ve been saying for years that he’s one of the best full-backs in the league, and in the country, and he’s finally getting his rewards for that. “He loves playing against an out-and-out winger where he’s going to get a tough battle and it’s good to finally see him get the plaudits he deserves.” The Magpies have not lost in the Premier League this season, and their 3-1 win over Stoke on Monday took them to third and just a point behind champions Manchester United. But Osman scored an impressive goal in last term’s 2-1 St James’ Park victory, and hopes the Blues can repeat their success. “They are third in the table now they are unbeaten after 10 games of the season and are looking very strong - particularly at home,” he said. “It’s another very difficult game but it’s one where we are going to be positive, go up there and try and get the win. “The win there last year summed up the season for us, after adversity we came back and really triumphed. “We had a 2-1 win and it was probably the start of a nice little run for us.”
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe United manager Alan Knill says defender Shane Duffy is becoming ‘a leader’ as the Blues youngster continues to impress at the League One club. Duffy is now in his third month with the Iron, making 11 appearances to date and scoring his first goal in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Tranmere Rovers at Glanford Park. The teenager’s loan is currently on a month by month arrangement, but Knill is keen to secure a longer deal when the transfer window opens in January. He said: “He (Duffy) is a big part of the team and he’s growing into that leader role. “It’s a youth loan which we will continue and then before January we will speak to Everton about trying to extend that until the end of the season. “We feel it’s beneficial to both parties but it’s up to Everton. I think he’s been excellent for us, it’s easy to forget that he’s so young, I think he’s going to be a really good player. “You have to talk to him properly. There are certain ways you can go about it but if you speak to him and show him he will continue to get better. I think his performances are getting better. “He has a great chance to be a really good defender. He has good feet and I’m delighted for him.” Another Everton youngster, Jack Rodwell, has been selected for England’s next U-21 squad for games against Iceland and Belgium, while Jake Bidwell is in the U-19s.

Everton FC Tony Hibbert is one of the best full-backs in England, says Leon Osman
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 3 2011
LEON OSMAN has hailed Tony Hibbert as “one of the best full-backs in the country” and believes the Everton FC defender is finally being recognised for his contribution. Hibbert began the season on the bench but has since won his way back into the Everton FC first team at the expense of club skipper Phil Neville. The 30-year-old has started the last seven league games and is expected to retain his role for Saturday’s visit to high-flying Newcastle United. Only David Weir, Duncan Ferguson and David Unsworth have made more appearances in the Premier League for Everton than Hibbert. And team-mate and fellow homegrown talent Osman said: “It’s credit to him, he’s a top player and I’ve been saying for years that he’s one of the best full-backs in the country and he’s finally getting his rewards for that. “He loves playing against an out-and-out winger where he’s going to get a tough battle and it’s good to finally see him get the plaudits he deserves.” Last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United consigned Everton to a fifth defeat in their last six games. However, they will take heart from their last visit to St James’ Park in March, when Osman netted in a 2-1 victory. “Newcastle are third in the table now they are unbeaten after 10 games of the season and are looking very strong – particularly at home,” added the midfielder. “It’s another very difficult game but it’s one where we are going to be positive, go up there and try and get the win. “The win there last year summed up the season for us, after adversity we came back and really triumphed. “We had a 2-1 win and it was probably the start of a nice little run for us.” Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley have been named in the England under-21 squad for the Euro 2013 qualifying double-header against Iceland and Belgium later this month. And Jake Bidwell has been named in the England U19s squad for a game against Denmark next Thursday, which is a sell-out at Brighton’s Amex Stadium.

Ian Doyle: Why Everton FC manager David Moyes must beware suspicious mind games
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 3 2011
EVERYBODY appreciates a compliment. But Everton FC manager David Moyes may well be growing suspicious at his Premier League brethren telling him how great he is. Alan Pardew this week became the latest manager to publicly state his admiration for Moyes and the job done during his time at Everton FC. Andre Villas-Boas did the same last month. “David Moyes’s work is something fantastic,” said the Chelsea manager. “It is a club which is well organised and managed and something that should make the English public proud.” That, though, didn’t stop Chelsea then winning at Stamford Bridge before their second string triumphed in the Carling Cup at Goodison less than a fortnight later. Now Pardew is at it. “We are playing against an Everton side on Saturday who have some good players and a manager who is one of the best in the world,” the Newcastle manager said earlier this week. “If we can get through that game – even get a point – that would be fantastic.” This is despite the fact the Magpies are unbeaten in the Premier League this season and have lost only one home game all year – which, admittedly, was to Everton in March. Such mind games, as they’re known these days, are nothing new. Legendary Liverpool manager Bob Paisley created a niche for what he called giving the opposition “a bit of toffee” before games. Recalled Kenny Dalglish: “Bob brought out the toffee for special occasions only; when he wanted to give an opposition player a compliment to soften him up.” One such occasion was when extolling the virtues of Gordon Strachan ahead of a European Cup tie against an Aberdeen side led by then just a plain old Alex Ferguson. Strachan, inevitably, made little impact, and Liverpool eased through. It left its mark on Ferguson, who has since used psychological warfare as part of his battle plan at Manchester United. If you’re a friend of the Scot, then you’re of no threat to him; witness his treatment of Arsene Wenger, Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho, compared to that towards Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce and associated cronies. Moyes, then, shouldn’t really want to hear kind words from Ferguson, Pardew, Villa-Boas or indeed anyone that have the slight whiff of being patronising. Certainly, the manager, along with every Evertonian, would sooner be hauling silverware than personal accolades. For that to realistically happen, however, fresh investment is needed at the club. Hence the frenzied reaction from supporters to the news Indian construction firm Jain Group has held talks with the Goodison board and owner Bill Kenwright. Jain have the funds, and have already been on a tour of Goodison. But that’s about it. An initial interest, but nothing more. At least for now. Any news should be good news given how little takeover speculation there has been in recent years. But there’s a danger this publicity could cause a backlash among fans by falsely raising their hopes. After all, it’s now almost a fortnight since Jain were last in contact with Everton. Even if they do make their interest concrete, Kenwright could find himself between a rock and a hard place. The experience of Venkys at Blackburn Rovers will put many fans off an Indian takeover, but should Kenwright resist their overtures, he’ll no doubt stand accused of not doing the best for the club. Like Moyes, Kenwright has received plentiful praise from peers for the way Everton is run. But like Moyes, he’d prefer trophies to tributes. How, though, remains the question.

Seamus Coleman welcomes return of Royston Drenthe for Everton FC
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 3 2011
SEAMUS COLEMAN has welcomed the return of Royston Drenthe for Everton FC – even though the Irishman may be the one to make way at Newcastle United this weekend. Drenthe missed Everton FC’s 1-0 home defeat to Manchester United last Saturday through suspension having been sent off against Chelsea in the Carling Cup three days earlier. The Dutchman had started the previous two games in favour of Coleman on the right of midfield and netted a superb opener in the 3-1 win at Fulham last month. And Coleman, who regained his wing slot against United, said: “He’ll be back for Saturday and he’ll be raring to go. “He was playing fantastic up until that suspension and we definitely could have done with him against Manchester United, he’s really fast.” As well as Drenthe, Everton are hopeful Phil Neville, Tim Cahill and Sylvain Distin, who all missed out last Saturday through injury, will be available for the trip to Tyneside, although Marouane Fellaini is serving a one-match suspension. A demanding fixture list which has seen Everton lose five of their last six games shows no signs of letting up on Saturday, with Newcastle unbeaten in 10 league games this season and currently occupying third place. And Coleman said: “We do need some big performances. You always go out intending to play well and sometimes it doesn’t work out.
“The next couple of weeks we’ll try to get the points on the board. “We have got a difficult game at Newcastle up next and it is really important for us to get three points after the hard run of games we have had. “Newcastle are flying at the moment, they are doing really well and beat Stoke on Monday. “It is always difficult to go there no matter what sort of form they are in. “This Saturday may be extra difficult but we will go there looking for three points and they won’t find it easy against us.” Demba Ba, a former Everton target, netted a hat-trick for Newcastle in their 3-1 win at the Britannia Stadium. And Coleman admits David Moyes’s men will look to stop the in-form Senegalese striker. “They have brought in some good players and are unbeaten in the league at the moment but it is up to us to stop that on Saturday,” added the Irishman. “They are quite solid defensively and Demba Ba is a threat, he got a hat-trick in the week. “He scored goals at West Ham and is doing it again now. He is one we will have to watch. “They are good team but we have played against good teams before and we will be confident as well.” No Everton player has scored more than twice this season and, having scored six last campaign, Coleman is keen to contribute more in front of goal. “Before, finishing wasn’t really part of my game because I was a right-back, but last year I started playing right midfield and got a few,” he said. “Now it’s got to the point where I need to start working on it a bit more. I’ve been doing extra sessions with the assistant manager working on my finishing. “I can always improve, that’s what I aim to do and I might get a few goals myself.
“I got a couple last season, and there’s no better feeling than scoring for Everton.”

Bluewatch: Can Everton FC boss David Moyes conjure up another winter wonderland?
by James Connor, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 3 2011
THE miserable month of October has finally passed, now Everton FC can start looking to the future once again. A drab 1-0 defeat against an ordinary looking Manchester United simply emphasised Everton FC’s desperate need for some quality in attack. The bluntness of the Toffees’ frontline cannot be over emphasised at the moment. Had EFC not claimed the three points against Fulham the club would have been plunged into even greater despair than they are now. But the run of difficult fixtures is not over yet. A resurgent Newcastle United are the next side seeking to take the scalp of Everton and St James’ Park has never been an easy place for the Blues to go to. In many ways Alan Pardew’s men are emulating Moyes’ own achievements in 2005. Just like Everton back then, the Geordies have sold a star striker for bags of cash and seen the remaining players perform way above anybody’s expectations. However, you would have to bet against Newcastle staying in the top four – as Moyes managed – until the end of the season, so surely their run of good fortune is due to come to an end soon. But the clash early on Saturday afternoon will see two contrasting teams – one riding high in confidence the other labouring to keep up with standards set in recent years. The only real way out of the well of gloom that Everton find themselves in is to see significant investment in the team, and at last news emerges that not every businessman in the world thinks that the Blues are a financial basket case. Indian suitors have spiced up hopes among the Goodison faithful that the days of the Mersey Millionaires may be on their way back, with construction firm Jain being strongly linked with the Blues. The problem with these takeovers is that there is simply no way of knowing whether these potential owners have the best interests of the club at heart. The truth will only emerge after they own the business – and it’s too late then.
But Everton are in no position – it seems – to reject any possibility of an injection of cash into the club. So the sooner some money does come in the sooner Moyes can go on his long-awaited shopping trip. Most disenchanted fans count the years since their team last won silverware. Evertonians count the years since we last signed a player. There must be a cupboard at Goodison that contains a pile of new contract forms just waiting to be filled in, gathering dust in an unused office. So the Blues are desperate for new owners, investment or cash. But it seems any deal will be many months away – if it ever happens at all. None of this helps Moyes. Defeat at Newcastle would see Everton drift well behind the top half of the table, and with there being little chance of new signings arriving in January it is difficult to see how the Scot could perform another miracle and lift Everton. But Moyes seems to be at his best when Everton are at their worst. The hardest run of games is over and November can be the month when the Blues strike back.

Howard Kendall: Jonas Gutierrez will pose Everton FC problems
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Nov 4 2011
WE WON’T know until the end of the season if Newcastle United are in a false position or not.
It is ironic that the club find themselves third in the Premier League after losing Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. I am not criticising any of those lads but perhaps there is a better atmosphere in the dressing room. Of course, only the players and manager can tell you that.
But there also has to be more than a better mood behind Newcastle’s rise from a bottom six side to third in the Premier League; the side has got to have some ability. The manager must take credit because it is his job to get the best out of his players. I don’t know Alan Pardew but know it was a difficult job to take on because the fans will have been surprised by his appointment. But for certain they will be pleased with him now. Newcastle are unbeaten but for Everton there is not much that needs saying ahead of kick-off. All the lads need to know is that Newcastle’s run is going to end sooner or later and why not on Saturday? Watching Newcastle the other night against Stoke City, Demba Ba looked as sharp as anything. He will be a real threat this weekend but the player I have liked the look of for a long time is Jonas Gutierrez. He’s an international player, left-sided, direct and consistent. I can’t believe that when Newcastle were relegated, clubs were not doing all they could to sign him. He has quality, a great work ethic and you can understand why Newcastle extended his contract.

Everton FC legend Paul Bracewell recalls a visit to Newcastle United which effected his career
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Nov 4 2011
THE thought of St James’ Park stirs conflicting emotions in Everton FC great Paul Bracewell.
A platform for renaissance, the home of Newcastle United was also where Bracewell was cut down at the peak of his powers. As champions of Division One, holders of the European Cup Winners’ Cup and having added the Charity Shield to their collection, Everton and Bracewell greeted the onset of 1986 with a confident smile. Howard Kendall’s men were third in the standings and playing well on the first day of the New Year, up in the North East. Bracewell, one part of the midfield axis so vital to the Blues dominance the previous season, had won three England caps in 1985 and appeared destined to represent his country at the World Cup in Mexico. But as the gifted midfielder recalls his career was soon given a jolt. “It was January 1, 1986 and we were flying,” recalled Bracewell, now 49 and director of Complete Leisure in Newcastle. “I remember it being a wet day, we were playing well but I was on the end of a bad challenge from Billy Whitehurst. “I played in fits and starts until the end of the season but knew I had real problems with my ankle. “I’d been in the England squad prior to that game but ended up having six operations over a two-and-a-half year period.
“The club were fantastic with me and I ended up seeing the country’s top specialist who referred me to the world’s leading surgeon in San Francisco. “It was a long, long time before I got back and there was a lot of heartache and rough times. But the club and my family stuck by me. “I was 22 and going to be in the England squad for the World Cup but felt like I had the world pulled from beneath me.” As Bracewell described, he soldiered on for the remainder of the 1985/86 campaign but was sidelined for the following season as Everton returned to the top of the domestic pile. Bracewell describes his return to football in 1988 as “incredible” but by then Everton’s powers had diminished.
Yet the former Sunderland player’s memories of Goodison Park - and the wonderful side which won at home and abroad - are wholly positive. And when asked to describe what made Kendall’s team of 1985 run so smoothly Bracewell touched on themes which still resonate with the Blues today.
“Howard Kendall was a fantastic manager because he got everyone round. He made some cheap buys and some expensive ones as well but there was a real team spirit,” said Bracewell. “We were a side that could play but we knew how to mix it up as well. We had that nice balance. “When you speak to people who were around in that era, everyone agrees it was a fantastic time for the club and the supporters. When we have reunions the amount of support we still get is great. “What made the difference was the squad we had. We had 19 or 20 players who all wanted to win and be successful. It proved a very successful time both personally and collectively. We had everything, the European nights and we felt indestructible. We won game after game and it was the team ethic which was so important. “European nights under the lights at Goodison were special and the semi-final against Bayern Munich will always stand out. The atmosphere the whole night, even on the way to the ground, was fantastic. The whole place was electric. “We went 1-0 down but turned it around and so it is a memory of Goodison that will stay with me forever.” On the current Everton side, who go to Newcastle this weekend, Bracewell added: “Everytime I see them they always stick together. They take the knocks but bounce back. It is something ingrained in anyone who wears the shirt. Even when they are having a bad time they’ll give you a game and Newcastle will know that.” Part of Kevin Keegan’s cavalier side of the early 1990s which followed promotion to the top flight with qualification for the UEFA Cup the next season, Bracewell watches the fortunes of his former club closely. Like many, he admits to being surprised as to how well Alan Pardew’s men have started the season. “A lot of things happened in pre-season with players leaving but Newcastle have done remarkably well,” he said. “People thought they would be struggling but they have gone from strength to strength. “When they get it right in the North East it becomes a really difficult place to go.”

Dave Prentice: Gazza’s recipe for Everton FC success . . . four bottles of wine, 14 sleeping tablets, two treble brandies and a cigarette!
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 4 2011
FOUR bottles of wine, 14 sleeping tablets, two treble brandies and a cigarette. The prelude to a Man of the Match performance from an Everton FC midfielder. No ordinary pre-match preparation, but then Paul Gascoigne was no ordinary footballer. And he details the bizarre bender in his entertaining new autobiography “Glorious: My World, Football And Me.” Gazza recalled: “We were due to play Sunderland at home on 12 January 2002. I had a load of mates who were Sunderland supporters and they kept calling to tell us that Gavin McCann was going to p*** all over us in the match. “They were just winding us up, but it got to me. I guess it was the excuse I had been looking for. “I was with Jimmy at the time and asked him to nip out and get four bottles of wine. He wasn’t happy about it, but I insisted. “That night I drank three-and-a-half bottles, took 11 sleeping tablets, woke up at 6am with the shakes, took a couple more tablets, finished off the wine, fell back asleep, had a treble brandy, another sleeping tablet, a smoke, and went to the game. “I was in a terrible state, shaking badly, so I had another treble brandy, took another tablet and went out on the pitch and played a blinder. “Afterwards I went straight home and fell asleep. “Next morning I asked Jimmy how I had done. ‘Look at the table’ he said, pointing to a big bottle of champagne. ‘You won Man of the Match.’ “It is hard to call that match a highlight, even though I played well, because it marked the start of yet another decline.” An apocryphal tale? Wildly exaggerated? Or a figment of Gazza’s then deluded imagination? Apparently not. I can’t verify the quantity of his alcoholic and pharmaceutical intake, but the influence of his performance is detailed in black and white in the pages of my Monday match report in the Echo. “The reward was a hugely deserved 1-0 win, with the inspirations both men who are more familiar with the word injury than most,” ran the report. “Jesper Blomqvist is still stepping carefully back to the fitness he enjoyed as a Manchester United treble winner, while Paul Gascoigne’s enthusiasm and appetite for simply playing football is an utter joy to behold. “Blomqvist was instrumental in a first half which Everton dominated totally, Gazza took over after the break when he worked harder than anybody to preserve a lead the Swede’s goal had given his side.” Blomqvist actually got the Echo’s Man of the Match award, but Gascoigne merited honourable mentions. Gazza, of course, is far from alone in the annals of inebriated Evertonian inspirations. Duncan Ferguson famously scored his first derby match goal, 48 hours after failing a breath test in Liverpool city centre. Graham Stuart shook off the demon drink even quicker.
A neighbour of mine in the mid 1990s, ‘Diamond’ needed the comfort of a Thursday night drink to ease the pain of being bombed totally from Mike Walker’s first team plans. A quiet evening became a long and eventful one when we bumped into the similarly ostracised Vinny Samways and a former team-mate of Graham’s, then at Manchester City. Many hours and many drinks – but definitely no sleeping tablets – later, after a stay behind in Formby’s Grapes Hotel (thanks, Colin!), everyone headed home. Graham rang later that day, hung over and horrified. True to erratic form, Mike Walker had put him back in the Blues’ first team squad for the visit of champions elect Blackburn.
At least Graham had a night in his own bed to prepare. His Manchester City mate had a night in a South London hotel ahead of him, after a six hour coach trip to Crystal Palace. Graham’s constitution was clearly more robust. The Blues match was barely five minutes old when Diamond lived up to his name, producing an exquisitely crafted and supremely executed chip from 20 yards over England goalkeeper Tim Flowers to give Everton the lead.
His pal?
He was hauled off at half-time at Selhurst Park. If there’s a moral to these anecdotes, other than you can never be entirely sure what the players you’re watching on a Saturday afternoon have just been through, it’s that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. And Gazza’s new book is well worth a look. l “Glorious.” All good book shops (but only a tenner in Tesco.)

Seamus Coleman hopes Marouane Fellaini signs new deal at Everton FC
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Nov 4 2011
SEAMUS COLEMAN says Everton FC will receive a massive boost if Marouane Fellaini commits his long-term future to the club. The influential Belgium international is out of contract in September 2013 and free to begin negotiations elsewhere when moving into the final 12 months of that deal.
Coleman, 23, insists the rest of the Blues’ squad must let Fellaini get on with sorting out his career but the Republic of Ireland player says Everton are desperate for him to stay. Fellaini penned a five-year agreement on signing for David Moyes’ men in 2008 for a club record £15m from Standard Liege on transfer deadline day. The 23-year-old has grown into a cult hero with the Goodison Park faithful and his progress has continually attracted the attention of teams such as Chelsea. Moyes has recently expressed confidence over Fellaini extending his stay at Everton beyond 2013 and Coleman hopes the Blues can tie the midfielder down to another significant deal. “We just let him get on with it, he’ll know himself what he wants but on the pitch he’s a massive, massive player - he’s fantastic,” said Coleman. “He never stops running and we’d all be thrilled if he signed a new contract. We’d be more than happy to see him sign.” Everton travel to in-form Newcastle United on Saturday in the lunchtime kick-off (12.45pm) with Coleman under no illusions as to the task which awaits them. The former Sligo Rovers man admits he sees similarities between the Blues and United, who are third in the Premier League, with the close scrutiny and passionate fan bases of both clubs. Everton will be without the suspended Fellaini. “It’s never easy going up there regardless of what form the team is in,” he said. “Their fans are great and they make a good atmosphere. They’re playing really well now as well, but we’re still looking for three points.
They’ll be more than happy with the points they’ve got on the board so far. But they’ve still got to play the tough teams, and hopefully we’ll be one of those on Saturday.” “I suppose it’s similar,” he added. “Inside we don’t get bogged down in negative talk. Newcastle have had a lot of negative press but they’ve got off to a great start. We need to get our form back on Saturday and start getting points on the board. “They’ve surprised everyone. They lost a lot of big players in January, with Andy Carroll, and in the summer but they seem to have knitted together and done really well.”

Everton FC: Apostolos Vellios aims to learn from Louis Saha
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 4 2011
APOSTOLOS VELLIOS is prepared to steal from Everton FC team-mate Louis Saha – in an effort to make himself a better player. Vellios has forced his way into the Everton FC first team this season following his arrival from Greek side Iraklis in January. Having netted in substitute appearances against Wigan Athletic and Chelsea, the 19-year-old striker was rewarded with a first-ever starting role for the trip to Fulham last month. Vellios was back on the bench last week against Manchester United and is likely to remain there for tomorrow’s visit to Newcastle United with Saha poised to lead the line against a former club for the third successive weekend. But the Greece under-21 international believes he can learn much from his fellow forward. “Louis is helping me so much,” said Vellios. “We speak every day and I definitely want to steal some of his moves! “He is a great player and he helps me so much. He is a big star and gives me lots of really good advice. “Training here is obviously very different from Greece. We train a lot harder, there is much more focus and the level is higher. It helps you in the games.” Vellios scored within 18 seconds of coming on at Stamford Bridge, but admits it was a more demanding experience to start from the first whistle at Fulham the following weekend. “My family was there (at Chelsea) and I was so happy to score in front of them but we lost the game and that was more important than whether I scored or not,” he said. “I knew a day before the Fulham game that I was going to start and I was a little nervous, but that is normal. “I wanted to start – it is very different to coming into a game on 70 or 80 minutes – and it gave me great confidence as now I know what it is like to start a game in the Premier League.”
Of tomorrow’s match, Vellios added: “I know so far Newcastle are unbeaten this season. But I think we can beat them. “I never like to say before a game that we will win or lose but we need the three points and will train and work hard to get the result.” Meanwhile, Everton youngster James Wallace has joined npower League Two outfit Shrewsbury Town on a month-long loan. The 19-year-old midfielder is the latest Goodison starlet to be allowed to gain experience in England’s lower leagues, with Jose Baxter, Femi Orenuga, Shane Duffy and Luke Garbutt already on loan. Shrews manager Graham Turner said: “James comes highly recommended by David Moyes both as a player and as a professional.”

Everton FC aim to overcome their stage fright at Newcastle United
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Nov 4 2011
FACING a team unbeaten in the Premier League and possessing arguably the top flight’s most in-form striker at a venue where they have rarely done well, the dangers are prominent for Everton FC tomorrow afternoon. But perhaps the most worrying portent for David Moyes and his players isn’t on the pitch or the dugout – but instead in the gantry. After all, the presence of live Premier League television cameras has not augured well for the Goodison outfit in recent times. Three times already this season, Everton have been beamed to the nation. On each occasion, they lost. Taking in the previous campaign, Moyes’s men have won only four of 16 live league encounters, a figure that improves only to 13 in 46 when taking in the last three years. Admittedly, many of those matches have been against the so-called leading clubs, or at venues such at St James’ Park which have not proven happy hunting grounds. The 2-1 win on Tyneside in March, earned by goals from Phil Jagielka and Leon Osman, was their only triumph in their last nine league visits. And Everton can expect to walk out to a vociferous wall of noise tomorrow with the game heading for a sell-out, the first of the season at the stadium. Newcastle are expecting a 50,000-plus crowd after a huge take-up of its discounted season-ticket offer, with more than 4,000 extra tickets having been sold since the deal was launched last week. And Magpies manager Alan Pardew believes the biggest crowd of the season would be a just reward for his in-form team, who moved up to third after Monday’s 3-1 win at Stoke City. “What’s important is that we stay unbeaten,” says Pardew. “It’s a great start, but we’re coming up against an established Premier League team with great players. “Everybody’s got their feet on the ground. We’ve just got to keep it going. “It looks like it’ll be a bumper crowd, and that will help us. It’s a reward for our players to have 50,000 at St James’s Park. “We’ve sold another big allocation of season tickets because of the offer we’ve put on, and a lot of them are to young fans. That’s important. We’ve put pride back into the shirt.” Pardew admits even he is surprised at how well his Newcastle side has started the new season. Pardew was always confident his team could prosper despite the summer departures of Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton and the failure to land a big-name striker to replace Andy Carroll, but even he did not expect them to be flying quite so high. “Yes, of course I’m surprised,” he says. “You don’t expect to go this far in the Premier League and not be beaten. “We have had a couple of shaky games where it was definitely on the cards that we could lose, but we have managed to get something out of the game. “I can’t say I am not slightly surprised by how well we have done.” Despite a thus far favourable fixture list, the more optimistic Toon Army members are starting to believe a top-six finish and European qualification may not be too far-fetched, particularly given the form of Demba Ba who, with his hat-trick at the Britannia, now has eight goals in his last six games. Pardew, however, is happy to resort to the cliche of taking one game at a time, and laughed off wilder suggestions that the Magpies could get themselves involved in the title race. “We have had a great start and we are showing a lot of sides to us as a team,” he says. “We will just take that into Everton and look no further.” Managing expectation is something successive Newcastle managers have not really had to do since Sir Bobby Robson’s era, although Pardew is confident nobody is allowing themselves to be carried away. “I don’t think it’s a problem,” he says. “I think our fans are underestimating about their knowledge of the game. I think they know exactly where we are at.”

Manchester United reserves 2 Everton 0
November 04, 2011
Manchester Evening News
Manchester United reserves moved into second place in the Premier Reserve League table after getting the better of a strong Everton side at Moss Lane, Altrincham. Both sides made a lively start but it was United were celebrating in the sixth minute after William Keane scored from close range.
The game developed into a closely fought contest with chances being created at both ends. Denis Stracqualursi, Everton’s 24-year-old Argentinian striker, went close to providing the visitors with an equaliser and teammate Adam Forshaw was foiled by Ben Amos in the United goal. Mame Biram Diouf was unlucky early in the second half and Everton’s Magaye Gueye rattled Amos’s crossbar.
The game was put beyond Everton eight minutes from time when Jesse Lingard slid home United’s second goal after meeting Sean McGinty’s cross. Troubled Manchester United youngster steps into Twitter storm UNITED: Amos, Vermijl, Fryers (McGinty 46), M Keane, Fornasier, Pogba (Thorpe 88), Cole, W Keane (Cofie 90), Doiuf, Petrucci, Lingard Subs not used: Coll, Morrison

What are your predictions for NUFC v Everton?
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
FEW would have predicted that Newcastle would still be unbeaten at the start of November, but here we are. Once again, the Magpies can only go into this game feeling confident especially after seeing off Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Monday night in what many considered a tougher test. Everton have lost their last two Premier League games, but the top flight isn’t that simple.
Wigan turned up at St James’ Park two weeks ago and put on one hell of a fight with a late goal the only difference between the Latics and United. Patience may be the key word once again at St James’, but with a bumper crowd in store, an early goal from the Magpies could see Everton crumble. CHARITY BET: The prize pot stands at over £330 for the Sunshine Fund. I came up trumps in the Stoke game with a 6/1 bet that the first goal would be a header, this week I’m going for Newcastle to be leading after 30 minutes’ play.

Gosling has no regrets over Newcastle move
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
DAN GOSLING today revealed he has “no regrets” about his controversial move to Newcastle United from Everton last year. The Toon midfielder joined United after they took advantage of a loophole in his contract at Goodison Park and landed the former Plymouth Argyle youngster on a free transfer. Gosling netted a last-gasp extra-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2009 to make him an instant hero in the eyes of Toffees fans. But should he get the chance for the Magpies against Everton tomorrow, Gosling will have a different challenge on his hands. Gosling told the Chronicle ahead of what will be his first meeting with his old side: “It’s another game but I suppose there is a bit more significance in the fixture for me. “But it’s another game and I hope that we can get three points. “I had a good time there and I have great memories of the place. “I still have a lot of friends down there as well who I am still in contact with. “It was a sad way to part, but maybe we have to save that for another day. “I still have friends there and respect the club and the manager and everybody down there.” Gosling’s transfer caused fury at Goodison Park when he left the club after they failed to agree a new deal but he is still delighted to be at St James’ Park. He said: “The circumstances swayed it. “But the history of the club, the fanbase, size of the stadium and everything about Newcastle United makes it a great club to be at. “I am still really proud to be here.” Gosling came on as sub against Stoke City but is hungry for more action in black and white.
He said: “I had a few minutes at the end but I want to be starting games. “I just have to keep working hard, then when a chance finally comes I have to be ready.“ And against his old side he knows it will be tough, he said: “I think they have a good record at St James’ Park, I played here and they drew 0-0 a few years back. “They still have fantastic players. “I’m sure they will be up and around the European places come the end of the season.” Gosling is on standby for England Under-21’s double header with Iceland and Belgium. He said: “I was disappointed not to be involved. “But if I get the call up then I will be more than happy to help the team. “It’s a great feeling to be called up but we’ll what happens.”

Danny Guthrie is in line for Everton match
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
ALAN PARDEW says Danny Guthrie could be in line to face Everton – even if Cheick Tiote is declared fit in time for the Toffees clash. Tiote missed the games at Blackburn and Stoke with a knee problem. Pardew has been mightily impressed by Guthrie’s willingness to wait for his chance and then grab it. And while United will give Tiote every chance to prove his fitness, Pardew told the Chronicle today: “I don’t know how Cheick’s going to respond in the next couple of days, but there’s part of me that would look to Danny anyway. “Danny’s been absolutely superb in those two games. Stoke didn’t suit him at all, but he did the other side of the job – that fighting, being diligent, marking and everything else that goes with the central midfield role. “Cheick Tiote’s a fantastic player. You’d miss him out of any team. We’ll miss him if he doesn’t play – I can’t say any more than that.” As revealed in the Chronicle last night, Gabriel Obertan will miss the meeting with Everton due to a toe infection. And this could see flying former Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux come in on the right-hand side. Pardew says opportunity knocks for the Frenchman who many fans have declared their wish to see more of. Pardew said: “Danny Guthrie’s proved that, as has Ryan Taylor. “Danny’s been absolutely superb. Stoke didn’t suit him at all, but he did the other side of the job – that fighting, being diligent, marking and everything else that goes with the central midfield role.
“Obviously, I don’t need to say any more about what Ryan’s done. “If somebody else gets a chance, let’s hope they produce the same level of performance that those two have done. “I’ve been rewarded with Ryan for the faith I’ve shown in him, and I’ll have to see if I’ll stick with Danny.”

COMMENT: Hopes high for unbeaten NUFC
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
EVERTON today arrived in a city which was rocking and swaying with excitement ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime clash with top-three Newcastle United. It may only be for a few hours, but tomorrow the Magpies could go into second spot in the Premier League if they beat the Toffees – yes really! Something unthinkable just a matter of weeks ago. At Alan Pardew’s Press conference ahead of the game, a question from a national journalist was posed: Have expectations risen at St James’ Park? Pardew was quick to reply: “You can’t underestimate the knowledge of the fans up here.” In a nutshell, Pardew was simply saying United are flying high but nobody is realistically thinking of Europe at the moment, the fans are enjoying the ride and watching a team full of confidence. I mean, come on! Europe or the Champions League, no less, after 10 games. I’m not saying it can’t happen because at St James’ Park, anything can happen when the Geordie public get the bit between their teeth. Ask John Carver. Just a decade ago, with Sir Bobby Robson at the helm and Carver as his No 2, the Magpies went from mid-table fodder to Champions League material in nine months. But even though a Europa League slot should not be classed as out of reach, things can change very quickly in football. To be even talking about Europe, though, whether tongue in cheek or not, has to be an achievement. Just three months ago, the scene in Newcastle was gloomy, bleak and negative with Tweets from Joey Barton and Jose Enrique painting a miserable scene. Now, going into the first week of November, the city is buzzing like it hasn’t for a long time in my humble opinion. Dare we suggest Newcastle are better off without the moaners and groaners? The feeling at the moment is positive, fresh and optimistic, and it hasn’t been like this since the money dried up during the Freddy Shepherd era and the Magpies began to fall away from the Premier League’s top four. True, promotion in 2010 was impressive. Winning the Championship was fun, but in reality it was relief and there was still a feeling fresh in the memory banks that Newcastle should never have really been going to Plymouth and Scunthorpe in the first place. They say every cloud has a silver lining though. In Newcastle’s case it was attracting new younger fans to St James’ Park, who only wanted to encourage the team, and the current start has resulted in thousands of young Magpies coming to St James’ Park to see new heroes. Let’s not forget, some walked away and vowed never to return in anger until Mike Ashley was gone. But this current crop of players has wooed some of them back. The evening after the win over Stoke City, I walked through the city centre just after 5pm when people were finishing work and it was a different Newcastle to back in August. Yes, just 12 weeks ago, the city spewed out an angry and bitter feeling. No real money spent, no big-name players coming in and popular figures like Barton, Kevin Nolan and Enrique sold down the Tyne. Was it a masterplan, or a fluke by the current board?
The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle, with the ironing-out of club finances with a manager and coaching team in place who know how to work the resources they have, something previously lacking. This team seem to have captured the imagination of the city. OK, the advent of cheap season tickets has helped, but the fact the Magpies have had to call in extra ticket staff shows the demand. The feeling in Newcastle is now very different as we head into the biting cold of a Tyneside winter. As I ventured through the crowds to board the Metro the other evening, the place was buzzing. Revellers heading out on a Tuesday night to party in greater numbers than normal, the chatter on the Metro carriages was about Demba Ba, the great win over Stoke and where people were meeting up before the game with Everton on Saturday. People can’t believe that Newcastle are third, and while it will be a huge job maintaining that position, the team and the fans are working in unison to keep it going for as long as possible. We’re told the days of the club bringing in “trophy signings” are over. But in some ways, what would you rather have? The likes of Michael Owen, Geremi, Albert Luque or Jean-Alain Boumsong? Or hungry competitors such as Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux mixed with the likes of youngsters such as Mehdi Abeid and Haris Vuckic who are literally kicking and screaming their way to the first-team pool via the reserves? Some will always go with the big names, but while Ashley has made it clear he wants to keep the club bubbling along with the finances tight, there has been an indication that Newcastle have not ruled out bringing in players that will excite their fans. Pardew said recently: “It doesn’t mean we won’t bring in an expensive player.” The name of Modo Maiga would appear to be favourite to be emblazoned on the back of a black-and-white shirt this January – and if that means another player arriving at Newcastle who has a point to prove, then all the better for the thousands of adoring Geordies who await him. For now, it’s time to enjoy being in the top three. Victory against Everton would set the Magpies up nicely indeed for the clash with the big three of Man City, Man U and Chelsea. If being third is the stuff of wild dreams, then what would getting anything out of Eastlands and Old Trafford be classed as? As for Chelsea, aren’t they struggling at the moment?
How long it all lasts, who knows? But hey, we’ll take it. Long may it continue.

Make sure you enjoy big match, says Pards
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
ALAN PARDEW will tell his players to go out and enjoy the occasion against Everton tomorrow when St James’ Park will host its first 50,000-plus crowd of the campaign. Pardew acknowledged the feel-good factor in the city at the moment with Newcastle flying high in third spot as they rub shoulders with Premier League title contenders Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. With over 4,000 extra season tickets sold after an offer for existing seat holders to buy an extra ticket at half-price, the crowd will be swelled against the Toffees. And individual tickets have been selling fast for the game, with fans today urged by the club to buy tickets in advance, as no cash turnstiles will be in operation. But Pardew was delighted with the response to his side’s start to the season. He told the Chronicle: “You aim for that as a football manager. “You want to create a feeling that fans are enjoying their football and obviously winning and playing the game in the right manner. “We can’t ask for anything more than that at the minute. “The team have been exceptional and they deserve the support that’ll be there for us tomorrow.” But Pardew feels that Everton will still provide one of United’s toughest tests to date. He added: “Everton are a strange team in terms of their starts to seasons. “Then they just charge through the league. “We don’t want that charge to start on Saturday. “They’ve got a fantastic manager, and great players. It’s a great club. “They’ve been best of the rest over the last 10 years. “It’ll be a good indication for us.”

Steven Taylor: I'll play through the pain barrier
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Nov 4 2011
STEVEN TAYLOR has revealed he has no qualms about playing through the pain barrier for Newcastle United against Everton tomorrow – but he will put club before country. The Toon’s man in the mask performed magnificently against Stoke City last Monday night and goes into the battle with Everton as one of the in-form English defenders – prompting talk of an England call-up for the experimental friendlies against Spain and Sweden in the next fortnight. Taylor, though, was more focused on the test with the Toffees. And he told the Chronicle: “The mask is something you get used to. “It won’t stop me playing for Newcastle, that’s for sure. “Everybody wants to be part of the team in the top three and I’m no different. “It was a great win for us at Stoke, we showed we can mix it but now we focus on Everton and getting through another tough game. “There is so much determination here to succeed.” United have the best defensive record in the Premier League with just seven goals conceded so far in their top-flight encounters. Without Taylor they have conceded seven in two games in the Carling Cup, but the player says it is a team effort at St James’ Park these days. He said: “We can take a lot of confidence from it. “We play as a unit and we showed against Stoke. “Now we just want to keep up the stability and consistency we’ve shown so far.” Taylor, who skippered the England Under-21s under Stuart Pearce, would jump at the chance of playing for his country after his one and only call up to the Three Lions squad resulted in a role as an unused sub under Steve McClaren. He said: “My main priority is Newcastle United. “After that we’ll see what happens. It’s always an honour to represent your country.”

Fellaini suspended for Newcastle trip
November 4, 2011 Evening Echo
Marouane Fellaini is suspended for Everton’s trip to Newcastle tomorrow after accruing five bookings this season. However, fellow midfielder Royston Drenthe returns having served a one-match ban in last weekend’s defeat at home to Manchester United. Phil Neville (hamstring), Sylvain Distin and midfielder Tim Cahill, both carrying knocks, will all have late fitness tests.
Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Drenthe, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Barkley, Osman, Saha, Vellios, Mucha, Neville, Mustafi, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Gueye.

Royal Blue: Former Everton FC skipper Mark Higgins backs Healthy Heart scheme
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
FORMER Everton captain Mark Higgins knows more than most the importance of keeping your heart healthy. Mark, 52, who this week gave his backing to Everton in the Community’s Premier League Men’s Health programme, suffered a heart attack in September 2001. “I didn't realise it! I popped out for a curry with friends on the Saturday night and woke up the next morning with what I thought was heartburn,” said Higgins. “In the following days I played two rounds of golf and I was still feeling ill, so my friend took me to the hospital, where I found out about my attack. The surgeons said I was very lucky to be alive, especially after the golf! I think somebody up there likes me! “I had been for a full medical about a month before with an ECG and passed with it with flying colours. It's important that no matter how healthy you think you are it can happen to anyone,” continued Mark, who played 152 games for the Blues between1976 and 1985. The Men’s Health programme aims to help men aged 18-35 years enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Based at the Everton Active Family Centre, Goodison Park, the programme helps men access gym, health information, regular health checks, personal mentoring and advice from coaches.

Royal Blue: Everton FC skipper encourages bonfire night safety
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
PHIL NEVILLE is encouraging people to stay safe this Bonfire Night. The Blues skipper has backed Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s latest campaign to make sure Scousers enjoy a safe November 5.
Along with tackling the sale of illegal fireworks to kids, the fire service has worked hard to rid the streets of potential bonfire material. “Listening to safety advice on Bonfire Night is so vital. I’d urge everyone to enjoy their fireworks and to be sensible,” said Neville. “Saturday is a big one for Everton and Saturday evening is a big one for everyone! Here’s to a successful conclusion to both!”

Royal Blue: Everton FC book Blues & Beatles hits the shelves
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
FORMER Echo writer Neil Roberts is celebrating the publication of his new book. ‘Blues & Beatles’ is a heart-felt, honest, at times poignant and others hilarious account of Neil’s dual obsession with Everton and the Beatles. Neil’s book is full of interesting anecdotes about a long and varied career covering news and football on Merseyside, and how the bond of supporting Everton kept his relationship with his dad alive.

Royal Blue: Jair interest in Everton FC shows it could be time to start making the Football Quarter vision more than just a dream
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
FROM Famine to...well, bite-sized snack. Credible talk of new suitors to take over Everton has been painfully thin on the ground for some time, so while the latest news of interest from India’s Jain Group should not yet herald a torrent of excitement, many supporters will at least take consolation from a healthy degree of fresh interest. It would seem the man most likely to be behind that interest - Mannoj Jain - is not willing to go into too much detail. Not only has he avoided several ECHO attempts to contact him this week, he gave similarly short shrift to Calcutta-based newspaper The Telegraph, telling their reporter only “We do not want to put all our eggs in one basket. We also want to be international.” That paper was at least able to confirm our understanding that Mannoj Jain has been in Merseyside this year, discussing infrastructure projects to the value of £300 million with potential partners including the city council. They added, ‘He has also let it be known that he is interested in investing in a sports project without revealing whether it is football’. It is believed that Jain were introduced to Everton by Liverpool council, and the chance to buy a Premier League club apparently grabbed the conglomerate’s attention and led to a narrowing of their focus. But what were they over here to discuss in the first place, and how could they – or other Indian or Far East firms – invest in the city on a wider scale? The answer could be that commendable brainchild of some Everton and Liverpool supporters, the Football Quarter. To the uninitiated it’s a proposal to explore a joint future for both clubs based not on a shared stadium, but a shared infrastructure centred on Stanley Park with two separate grounds. An official prospectus is due next week, but it’s worth recalling what makes the Football Quarter such an exciting plan. It’s a vision that would reap multiple benefits, chiefly for the deprived areas of Anfield and Walton. With the two stadiums acting as anchors, or attractors, it’s envisaged that educational, recreational, leisure and community facilities would be developed to exploit and provide for the inevitable draw it would represent.
That draw would be dragging some of the city-centre’s potent, Liverpool One galvanised, tourist pull out to two of the poorest, most run-down boroughs in the city. The scheme takes heed of the entirely different scale and profile of each club It would see Everton do what has oft been ruled out - redeveloping Goodison Park, (possibly turning The Old Lady through 90 degrees to make it possible).
Crucially it also envisages Goodison becoming an economically-viable SMART stadium that could be used 365 days a year to generate money instead of only for nine months. Liverpool, for their part, could develop the current Anfield into a 70,000 plus seater ‘super stadium’. Alternatively, and with the financial helps both clubs would receive from the enabling companies, they could build a new ground on Stanley Park. That better place to build an International Football Museum than a city that has held a World Cup semi-final and European Championship games? The quarter could also have University faculties of sport science and business, spread throughout. For amateur footballers, improved pitches and coaching areas could be built; along with themed cafes, restaurants and hotels on the shore of Stanley Park lake. It could all enable Liverpool’s regeneration to step up to another level entirely. But ‘could’ and ‘would’ are fine words. The cold and over-riding conclusion centres on that thorny subject of funding for a potential half a billion pound plus plan. Dewy-eyed talk and artists impressions are fine, but can the council step-up and kickstart the delivery of a dream?
If they can it would be an enduring legacy

Barry Horne: Keeping deal details behind closed door best policy for Everton FC
Nov 5 2011
THE local and national press were awash with the rumours of Everton becoming the latest Premier League to go under foreign ownership. Whilst everything over recent weeks has made it clear that massive investment is required, there has been no official comment from the club. Through the media, we have been told that Everton have held some talks with the Jain group, an Indian company, but that is as far as the dealings have gone at present. Although the supporters would welcome the club speaking out about the rumours of an Indian takeover and feel they should be informed of every minutiae of the club’s business, this is not the way forward. Surely the best course of action on such matters, for everyone concerned, is the way Everton are doing things now. Any business they may be doing should be done behind the scenes and in private with confidentiality. I have never experienced business at this level but I imagine negotiations – particularly at a club like Everton where the problems are clear – are difficult and no doubt protracted. I would imagine there is much toing and froing in such circumstances and changing of position. With that it would therefore be counter productive of Everton to comment on anything potential deal until it is certain.
Otherwise they would get everybody excited about a deal, which is reality, a long way fron any conclusion. The supporters and everyone who cares about Everton has to trust that Bill Kenwright and Robert Elstone are doing their utmost to look after the future of the club. We should all therefore let them get on with it and believe they will get it right. Blues will miss Fellaini – but they could still win NEWCASTLE United have made a fantastic start to the season yet I still believe Everton will come away from St James’ Park with something today. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was three points which the Blues returned home with this afternoon. We gave good games to Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks and whilst we have unfortunately fallen short in the final third I believe those clubs are a different calibre to Alan Pardew’s team, despite their lofty league position suggesting otherwise. The returning Royston Drenthe can hopefully boost our creative play. One player Everton will be without is Marouane Fellaini who is suspended for the game.
He has now accumulated five bookings in 12 appearances. When he first came to the club he generated a lot of negativity as a persistent offender. He appeared to have lost the tag somewhat and stamped it out of his game but it seems to be creeping back in unfortunately this year.
Whilst many of Fellaini’s fans will say he continues to be unlucky in many circumstances when it comes to bookings he gets himself into positions where the referee has the option to book him.
In many squads, a suspension at this time would only really be a problem for the player, who then has to fight to get his place back in the side. But for Everton, a side with limited resources, Fellaini’s ban this weekend becomes a problem for the team.
*AN ARTICLE in one of the broadsheets summed up my thoughts on the GB football team at the Olympics next summer. David Beckham has been mentioned as possibly one of the sides three over aged players. Whilst you can’t disagree that Beckham is showing admirable desire to continue his playing career and be am ambassador for the Football Association, his selection for the GB team would make a mockery of the tournament. The Olympics should be the best of the best and the highlight of a competitor’s career. The public are split on football at the Olympics as it is.
The World Cup is the pinnacle for any footballer.

Everton FC boss David Moyes admits clash with Newcastle could have significance for his side’s season
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
DAVID MOYES admits today’s clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park could have significance for Everton’s season as the Blues look to halt their losing streak. The Toffees have lost four of their last five Premier League games against some of the top flight’s big sides, and face another tough task against in-form Newcastle. And, with Moyes’ admitting he was interested in signing the Magpies’ eight-goal striker Demba Ba this summer, he knows today’s hosts will be difficult to beat at home.
“It is a big game for us. It’s important for us to get something out of the game,” said the Scot, who was full of praise for Alan Pardew’s side. “We could do with that. Newcastle are probably the form side at the moment. "They are a strong, powerful team and it’s always a tough place to go, it’s a big pitch and big ground. It’ll be a big ask. “I think Newcastle look as if they’ve straightened out a bit. They’ve got rid of the things that are too big, and brought things back into line. They’re a big club, they get 50,000 every week. If you get that crowd, you’re a big club. Now they look like they’re building from below, and maybe buying a little more conservatively than in the past. They got rid of some players in the summer, and you thought it would make Newcastle struggle, but they’ve probably built from there. “They have good history, and fan base and it’s big for them the position they’re in. It’ll give them all a boost.” Everton must contend with in-form striker Ba, who on Monday at Stoke hit his second hat-trick of the season. Moyes had watched the Frenchman when he was at West Ham last season and he was considered as a potential signing, but now must come up with a plan to stop the big front man. “We were interested in Demba. I think he has done terrifically and done what a lot of people thought he could do at West Ham,” said the manager.
“He scored the goals there and that brought him into everyone’s eye-line and we did have an interest in him.” On tomorrow’s opponents, he added: “Newcastle have had a great start and got themselves into position right away. They are probably now thinking about doing much better than just staying in the league, they are probably looking at one of the European spots. “Alan has done a good job; he has turned it round because he was not always everyone’s choice but has done the job steady and he is winning football matches.” Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Pardew is convinced his team will undergo another stern examination at the hands of Everton and says he has great respect for Moyes. He said: “Myself and David came on to the scene at a similar time and I have followed his career. “Our careers have been slightly different but we were contemporaries at Preston and Reading, and he has had a terrific career. “This year, without any funds, it’s been a little bit tougher, but again, he has shown his quality in terms of where they are at the moment and no doubt, they will finish higher than they are.”

Newcastle United v Everton FC preview: Tony Hibbert still the Blues' go-to guy after all these years
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
DAVID Moyes will turn to a familiar face today as he bids to thwart a potent Newcastle attack.
The Magpies have soared to third place in the Premier League on the back of an unbeaten run, with goals aplenty for the Tyneside faithful to savour. And if Moyes’ side hope to re-enact their stirring victory at St James Park last season, they must prioritise recording only their second clean sheet of a see-saw campaign. Step forward Tony Hibbert, a man the statisticians will tell you has won 83% of all headers he has contested so far this season, and has earned rave reviews from his team-mates this week. The right-back’s detractors may question the validity of Leon Osman’s assertion that his friend is among the best in the country, but nobody can question Hibbert’s enduring reliability for the royal blue cause. But it is his newly honed attacking ability that has most pleased his manager so far this term. “Tony Hibbert has actually developed as a player going forward, and against Aston Villa he put in some great crosses for the goals,” says Moyes who is determined to halt a run of five defeats in six games. “His defensive qualities have always been the things we have enjoyed about him. We can trust him against the quickest wingers, he sticks to people. “The question was always whether his general play was good enough, and I think that has improved and he has got better. You do with age. “The main thing with Tony is that he is reliable defensively, he tends to do the right things and tends to be in the right position. He makes some really good tackles.” Ever the thorough analyst, Moyes even credits Hibbert with helping force Bobby Zamora into the vital miss at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago which gave Everton a much needed fillip. “When Zamora went around the keeper at Fulham the other week, we didn’t give Tony Hibbert any credit for getting back on the line and making it as difficult as possible for the player to score,” he says. “Stuff like that goes unnoticed because people are more interested in the bad miss. But Tony stopped him rolling the ball into the net. “Tony probably gets taken for granted a bit, he’s been playing more than 11 years in the Premier League now. “He’s not been everybody’s main player.” Moyes admits the Huyton-born defender has stiff competition to keep his place, despite being a league ever-present since starring against Aston Villa on September 10. “There has been good competition at right-back, Phil Neville and Seamus Coleman can both play there, but Hibbo has kept going,” he says. “We can rely on him. He doesn’t let us down. “There are always things he can do better, but he has been a steady player for us. You need that when you are going to places like Newcastle. You know he will stand up and been counted. He’s had a great career at Everton. Since I’ve been here, he’s always been in the team. “He played in my first game against Fulham, he’s had competition and been in and out of the team, but he’s never been far away. “Now he’s the one the other players have to try and dislodge. He’s kept at it. There were times last year when he wasn’t happy when he wasn’t in the team. I’ve not got competition in all the positions, but right-back is one.” Moyes always gives extra credit to professionals willing to step into the unknown for the sake of the team, and insists Hibbert has never shirked a tough spot of miscasting. “Hibbo also did a great job when he went to centre-half for a couple of games,” he recalls. “Not because he is tall, but because he is a good all-round defender who knew the fundamentals of tackling and being in the right position.” Hibbert’s current renaissance was all the more unlikely more than two years ago, after he was given a torrid time in the heat of a Wembley FA Cup final. “He had that bad day in the FA Cup final, and it’s taken him a wee while to get back to where he was,” says the Blues boss. “But he is beginning to re-establish himself. He knows he is going to have to play well to keep his place.”

Everton FC boss David Moyes confirms Blues will bid to take Landon Donovan on loan again in January
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
LANDON Donovan will once again become a loan target for Everton FC in January, according to David Moyes. The Blues will try to persuade the 29-year-old American forward to return for a three month loan spell, after the success of a similar deal in 2010. Moyes was keen to repeat the arrangement at the start of this year, but Donovan instead wanted to rest after a busy season with his club, Major League Soccer side L.A. Galaxy. Now Moyes, who is desperate to add attacking threat and pace to his squad, is likely to try to lure the US national team’s all-time leading goalscorer back to Goodison again. He said: “Possibly, depending on how he sees where he is physically. We need to see where he is. “Last year, he felt as though he’d played too much (for him not to come). It’s something we will probably try and look to see if there’s an interest. He was popular here, and we could do with some speed and width on the right. “It wouldn’t be something we’d be against, that’s for sure. It’s unrealistic to sign him on a permanent deal, though.” Donovan, below, scored twice in 10 appearance for the Blues, and quickly established himself as a popular figure with supporters. And last winter he reiterated that he never considered being loaned to another club other than Everton, hinting he would like to return in the future. Meanwhile, Moyes has warned England boss Fabio Capello it could be counter productive to select Phil Jagielka in his squad next week for the forthcoming friendly with Spain. The defender is playing through the pain barrier for his club, after receiving injections on a fractured toe, and has been unable to train. “We’ve told them he’s playing with an injection in his toe,” said Moyes. “We’ve relayed it to the England medical team. He’s not able to train so if he went with England he couldn’t take part. He’s not taking the injection every day, just on game days to play. “I think not being able to train would be the reason he probably wouldn’t be able to go, he likes them to train. “But if England call him up they call him up.” However, Moyes is confident Jack Rodwell is up to the challenge posed by a potential senior England call-up but he wants the player to be selected on merit. The 20-year-old has been tipped as one of a number of new faces Capello will select in his latest squad. Moyes suspects Rodwell, who has 20 caps and two goals for the Under-21s, may be drafted in to cover for the absence of other players after this weekend’s round of Barclays Premier League matches. And he would prefer the midfielder, who has started eight of nine league matches this season, to earn his place outright.
I think a senior call-up can come too early. You want it to be merited for the right reasons,” said the Toffees boss. “You want him to go into the team. If he played he wouldn’t let anyone down because in international football he has some very good qualities. “Jack has done well. He has improved over the recent weeks and I think because of that he is getting close (to the full England team). “He is obviously going to be mentioned. He has played well in the games. “I don’t know how many call-offs England might have this weekend – I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot – but that might bring Jack forward if that is the case. “He has started to just find his feet here. He’s beginning to look more composed and competent in the team and at the moment we are happy with the way he is going. “Is he ready for the big full international stage? That is something we will all need to wait and see.” Everton still have doubts over the fitness of Sylvain Distin, Tim Cahill and Phil Neville ahead of today’s game against Newcastle. All three missed last week’s game against Manchester United and the Blues boss admits they will all be checked on ahead of the lunchtime kick-off at St James’ Park.

Newcastle Utd 2 Everton FC 1: Final whistle match report
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2011
EVERTON FC’S losing streak continued as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. EFC never fully recovered from handing the home side a 2-0 lead during the first half on Tyneside, through a John Heitinga own goal and a stunning Ryan Taylor strike. And although Jack Rodwell gave them a life-line with a fine header just before the interval, David Moyes’ men did not have enough in attack to capitalise on a shaky, injury-hit second half for the Toon Army. Newcastle were denied a seventh minute penalty claim when Heitinga appeared to shove Demba Ba in the area. And from resultant corner, Danny Guthrie’s shot from outside the area was well held by Tim Howard. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before Everton fell behind in the most dismal of circumstances. Newcastle advanced a fairly routine attack and right back Danny Simpson crossed into the area, and as Demba Ba lurked, Heitinga prodded the ball into his own net presumably without a call from his goalkeeper. It was an infuriating way to begin what was already a stern task.
Stung into action, Everton had a threatening spell of their own. Royston Drenthe, who had already switched flanks with Seamus Coleman, whipped a dangerous cross into the area that Jack Rodwell headed at Tim Krul. Seconds later Everton went close again, this time Leon Osman flashing a shot straight at the home goalkeeper. A hat-trick of wasted opportunities was completed an instant after, when Louis Saha evaded the off-side trap to latch onto Tony Hibbert’s long punt but blasted over when he should at least have tested Krul. From trying to grab parity, suddenly the visitors were pegged back further. Former Tranmere Rovers defender Ryan Taylor seized on a loose ball and unleashed an unstoppable strike that gave Howard no chance. Naturally the Liverpool fan celebrated with extra panache, albeit marking the arrival of his baby son. Everton could have hit back almost immediately. Coleman burst down the left and cut the ball across for Phil Neville to shoot at goal. The skipper’s strike was intercepted by Saha who tried his own luck and hit the angle of post, and Drenthe lashed the rebound into the side netting. Dan Gosling replaced Yohan Cabaye to add insult to the injuries of a torrid first half. Then Everton lost their half-fit captain when Neville hobbled off injured, to be replaced by Sylvain Distin. Newcastle had largely defended solidly with two compact banks of four, and set pieces appeared to be Everton’s best hope. So it was just before the break, when the unmarked Jack Rodwell scored with an emphatic header from Drenthe’s corner.
The second half started with a Saha shot deflected wide for a corner after prolonged Everton possession. Then Magpies sub Sammy Ameobi out-sprinted Tony Hibbert on the counter attack, and poked his first touch wide. Newcastle were struggling with injuries, and as the game wore on they were forced to rely on their second string midfield. But the quality of Everton’s attacking intent had withered anyway, and with Saha looking isolated again, Moyes appeared ever more agitated in the dug-out. And the introduction of James McFadden could do nothing to prevent the Blues slumping to their fifth defeat in six games.
EVERTON: (4-5-1) Howard, Hibbert (McFadden 82), Jagielka, Heitinga (Cahill, 55), Baines, Rodwell, Neville (Distin, 40) Coleman, Drenthe, Osman, Saha. Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley. Bookings: Heitinga, Baines, Drenthe
Goals: Rodwell (45+2)
NEWCASTLE UNITED: (4-4-2) Krul, Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Taylor, Guthrie, Cabaye (Gosling, 37) Gutierrez, Marveaux (Ameobi, 53) Best (Ben Arfa, 72), Ba. Subs not used: Elliot, Santon, Lovenkrands, Perch. Bookings: R Taylor
Goals: Heitinga OG (12), R Taylor (29)
Referee: Andre Marriner.
Attendance: 50, 671

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 - EVERTON 1: RYAN TAYLOR WONDER GOAL EQUALS BEST START SINCE KK'S DAYS
Sunday Star
6th November 2011
By Clive Hetherington
THE CLOCKS may have gone back a week ago but Newcastle yesterday reversed the hands of time once again. THE CLOCKS may have gone back a week ago but Newcastle yesterday reversed the hands of time once again. Alan Pardew’s side are ticking along very nicely, thank you – an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, now stretching to 11 games, is proof of that. It equals the start of the 1994-95 campaign in the cavalier era of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’. In fact, Pardew’s high-flying Magpies are undefeated in 14 league matches including their final three outings last season. Everton have now lost six of their last seven in league and cup and Johnny Heitinga was guilty of a self-inflicted wound here. The Dutch central defender’s 12th-minute own goal gave Toon the perfect start and Liverpool supporter Ryan Taylor doubled Everton’s trouble in the 29th minute with a memorable strike. Taylor, scorer of a terrific, match-winning free-kick this season at Sunderland, enhanced his hero status with a Bonfire Night sparkler of a display. Jack Rodwell’s clearing header fell short and the left-back let fly with a dipping shot that rocketed in off the underside of the bar.
Taylor dedicated the goal to six-week-old son Henry by cradling his arms in celebration. The Scouser admitted: “I have scored a few tap-ins but the goals usually seem to be special ones. Everyone knows who it was for.’’ Pardew said: “Ryan has been brilliant and it was a fantastic goal. “After the second goal we were brilliant for 15 minutes. “I don’t think anyone could have played against us in that period.” The absence of winger Gabriel Obertan with a toe infection gave fellow Frenchman Sylvain Marveaux his first league start for Newcastle since signing on a free from Rennes last summer. Louis Saha – another Gallic star who once played for Manchester United and Newcastle – set up the first clear opening in the eighth minute when he flicked on for Seamus Coleman but the Irish midfielder didn’t connect cleanly. If that was disappointing for the Toffees, it was nothing compared to what followed. Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson swung the ball in from the right and Heitinga stuck out a leg to beat keeper Tim Howard. At the other end, Tim Krul kept out quickfire efforts from Rodwell and Leon Osman before Saha broke clear only to blaze over.
Then Taylor produced another stunner to add to his growing collection before Saha smacked a shot against a post. Dan Gosling’s introduction for the injured Yohan Cabaye met with jeers from Everton fans due to the bitter contract wrangle that triggered his move to Newcastle on a free almost 18 months ago. But David Moyes’ men grabbed the goal they deserved in first-half stoppage timr as Rodwell headed home Royston Drenthe’s inswinging corner. Chances were scarce after the break but Saha was unlucky to see one shot deflected away by the hand of the grounded Gosling.
Moyes said: “It was a stonewall pen – and the ball was going in. “The own goal was a joke and we probably had more chances than Newcastle.’’ Toon’s next three games see them visit Manchester City and Manchester United before they host Chelsea but Pardew insists his side don’t fear the Premier League big boys. He added: “After Barcelona, you would put Man United and Man City second and third best in Europe. “But we genuinely enter these games thinking, ‘What can we get out of them?’ “It’s nice to go to City unbeaten because it gives us confidence. “I don’t think anyone will go there and say, ‘We can’t win’, but that inner belief has still got to be there after 30 minutes when they start producing their power.” But Newcastle are likely to be without midfielders Cabaye and Marveaux with groin injuries.

Newcastle 2 – 1 Everton: Ryan Taylor’s wonder strike maintains Newcastle’s unbeaten start
Nov 6 2011 by Alan Oliver, The People
IT wasn’t as if the 48,000 Newcastle fans in the crowd did not know it. But the match announcer made sure at the end anyway. Newcastle United were second in the Premier League. It may have only been for a couple of hours but the Toon Army did not care as they whooped it up. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was not born the last time the Geordies went 14 games unbeaten in the top flight. That was way back in 1950-51 . And the Magpies did it despite losing three key players, Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Leon Best, in the match through injury.
Fantastic
Pardew said: “It wasn’t easy for the three lads who came on – Dan Gosling, Ben Arfa and Sammy Ameobi – to do their stuff at this level but I thought they all did fantastic. Ben Arfa was quite superb when he came on buying us some breathing space with the way he kept hold of the ball “So too was our defence. They’re so resilient. In fact I would say that this was probably our best defensive display so far this season.” Everton have now lost five of their last six games in all competitions and while manager David Moyes was down, he was far from out. He said: “We probably created more chances than Newcastle in the first half including a shot from Louis Saha which hit the inside of the post, but we gave away two bad goals. “The own goal was a joke and, while I don’t want to take any credit away from the lad who scored the second, the ball was only half cleared to him. “Our goal at the end of the first half gave us a life-line, but we just could not get the chances in the second, although we should have had a penalty when Dan Gosling handled a shot in the area.” The “lad” who scored the second and eventual winning goal was Liverpool fan Ryan Taylor. The early kick-off meant a Newcastle victory would see them in the second place, all-be-it for a couple of hours – the first time they had been so high since January 2003. But it was Everton who should have scored first in the eighth minute when Louis Saha flicked on Royston Drenthe’s left wing cross, but Seamus Coleman coming in from the opposite flank pulled his shot wide. Everton were left to rue this miss when another ­blunder, this time by John Heitinga, presented United with a 12th-minute lead.
Demba Ba was lurking when Danny Simpson crossed from the right, Tim Howard looked favourite to collect until the Dutch defender moved in front of the keeper and turned the ball into his own net.
This left Newcastle with the aim of maintaining their record of having won every Premier League game this season once they had taken the lead. Everton had a great chance to equalise on 25 minutes when Saha beat the offside trap but the ex-Newcastle man missed out. Once again Everton were made to pay as Newcastle increased their lead four minutes later. But if the first goal was lucky this one was a gem. There was no build-up as Ryan Taylor picked up a Jack Rodwell clearance and hit a right-foot volley which screamed into the net. He celebrated with the rocking cradle action of footballers whenever they have just become dads. Everton desperately needed a goal back but they were out of luck in the 32nd minute when Saha hit Tim Krul’s post with a left-foot shot from 15 yards after Phil Neville’s effort had been blocked. There was some tit for tat between the respective fans when Cabaye limped off in the 38th minute and was replaced by former Everton man Gosling to booing from the visiting fans. Newcastle fans did exactly the same when their former defender Sylvain Distin came on Neville three minutes later. Just when Newcastle thought they were going in at the interval with a two-goal lead, Everton pulled one back in first-half injury time when Rodwell got away from Simpson and headed in Drenthe’s right-wing corner. Newcastle had to make another substitution when Marveaux was fouled by Heitinga and went off to be replaced by Ameobi. Moyes responded by sending on Newcastle bogey man Tim Cahill for Heitinga in the 56th minute. The Aussie livened up Everton but they were unlucky when Gosling handled a Saha shot in the area.
And it is to Everton’s credit that the Newcastle fans were whistling for Andre Marriner to bring it all to an end. And were relieved and ecstatic when the referee did just that.

Ryan Taylor's sweet strike decisive as Newcastle see off Everton
Louise Taylor at St James' Park
Sunday Guardian. Saturday 6 November 2011
At the final whistle Alan Pardew clenched a fist, swivelled his hips and punched thin air. After long months of painstaking coaching, shrewd planning and meticulous attention to detail no one should begrudge Newcastle United's manager or his over-achieving players their place in the sun. Still unbeaten in the Premier League, Newcastle are defying so many gloomy expectations that it would not be entirely surprising if their manager were suddenly seconded to solve the Greek debt crisis, never mind made the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as the England coach. Accumulating 25 points from 11 games to hit the heights of third in the table represents a magnificent achievement for a club still engaged in a significant cost-cutting exercise. Despite starting without their customary enforcer Cheik Tioté and losing their playmaker, Yohan Cabaye for most of the afternoon, Newcastle did just enough to consign Everton to a fifth defeat in six matches. "We were brilliant for 15 minutes at the start, we were really on it and I don't think anyone could have played us," Pardew said. "But then the injury to Cabaye changed things, we lost a little bit of our rhythm, Everton pulled a goal back and they got back into things." Initially irrepressible, his side swiftly assumed the lead. Overlapping down the right, Danny Simpson unleashed a low, teasing cross which John Heitinga met with an outstretched foot. Coming at a movement when Tim Howard had already left his line, this attempted intervention ended calamitously with the centre-half merely succeeding in turning the ball into his own net at the near post. Considering that an unimpeded Howard would probably have successfully gathered that centre it was not Heitinga's finest hour. As David Moyes, Everton's manager reflected: "Newcastle were fantastic for the first 20 minutes but the first goal was a joke. We've got to start doing better and winning some games." Very much an unsung hero of Newcastle's startling renaissance, Ryan Taylor has enjoyed a few highs this season and, once Jack Rodwell's headed clearance was intercepted by the left-back, another beckoned. Although currently deployed out of position, Taylor is technically highly accomplished and, from Everton's viewpoint the ball could have fallen to few more dangerous opponents. Sure enough he chested it down effortlessly before using the outside of a boot to unleash an expert half-volley which flew past Howard and on into the top corner from just outside the left-hand edge of the area. Despite seeing a Louis Saha shot rebound off the inside of a post, visiting supporters did not have too much to cheer during an opening period in which Everton only really began to get a grip following Cabaye's exit with groin trouble which threatens to keep him out of Newcastle's next game, at Manchester City in a fortnight's time. While Danny Guthrie, Tioté's energetic replacement, impressed, Dan Gosling, the former Evertonian asked to fill Cabaye's boots started slowly and, observing his early struggles, Everton sensed hope. On the brink of half-time Rodwell duly nipped in front of Simpson and directed a powerful header beyond Tim Krul after connecting with an excellent corner from the sporadically tricky Royston Drenthe. It seemed as if fortune might be really frowning on Newcastle when Sylvain Marveaux hobbled off but the pace and mobility of his 19-year-old replacement, Sammy Ameobi, worried an improved Everton whose attacking manoeuvres were consistently thwarted by some splendid organisational discipline and tight defending on the part of the Premier League's meanest backline. Not to mention a spot of kindly officiating when the referee neglected to notice that a Saha shot appeared to have been blocked by Gosling's arm. "With a few injuries we're a bit down on numbers," Pardew said. "But whatever challenge is put in front of my players, they always think they're going to win. They've got that inner belief which is so important." A disconsolate-looking Moyes did not demur. "Newcastle have earned the right to be up there," he said. "They've got the winning habit and it's a great one to have."

NEWCASTLE 2 EVERTON 1: UNBEATABLES CONTINUE GLORY RUN
Sunday November 6,2011
Sunday Express
By Clive Hetherington
THE CLOCKS may have gone back a week ago, but Newcastle United yesterday reversed the hands of time again. Alan Pardew’s side are ticking along very nicely – an unbeaten start to the Premier League season now stretching to 11 games is proof of that. It’s a run that equals the beginning of the 1994-95 campaign in the cavalier era of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’'. In fact, Pardew’s high-flying Magpies are undefeated in 14 league games, including their final three outings last season.
This was their third straight league win and fifth in their last six top-flight games. Everton have now lost six of their last seven in league and cup and defender John Heitinga was guilty of a self-inflicted wound. The Dutchman’s 11th-minute own-goal gave Newcastle the perfect start and Ryan Taylor doubled Everton’s trouble shortly before the half-hour mark with a memorable strike. It was a stonewall penalty – and the ball was going in Everton manager David Moyes Jack Rodwell’s clearing header wasn’t strong enough and Taylor’s dipping shot careered in off the underside of the bar.
Taylor dedicated the goal to his six-week-old son Henry by cradling his arms in celebration. He said: “I have scored a few tap-ins, but the goals usually seem to be special ones.’’ Pardew said: “Ryan has been brilliant and it was a fantastic goal. It was a difficult game for us, but after the second goal we were brilliant for 15 minutes. I don’t think anyone could have played against us in that period.
The absence of former Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan due to a toe infection presented fellow Frenchman Sylvain Marveaux with his first league start for Newcastle since signing on a free transfer from Rennes this summer. It was another Gallic star who once played for Man United and Newcastle – Louis Saha – who set up the first clear opening in the eighth minute. He provided the flick-on for Seamus Coleman, but the Irishman didn’t connect cleanly. If that was disappointing for the visitors it was nothing compared to what followed. Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson swung the ball in from the right and Heitinga stuck out a leg to steer past keeper Tim Howard. At the other end, Tim Krul kept out quickfire efforts from Rodwell and Leon Osman before Saha broke clear, only to blaze over. Then Taylor produced another stunner to add to his growing collection. The woodwork came into play as Saha smacked a shot against a post and the inspired Taylor grazed the Everton bar with a left-wing cross. But David Moyes’ men grabbed the goal they deserved in first-half stoppage time, Rodwell heading in Royston Drenthe’s inswinging corner. Chances were scarce after the break, Saha looking the most likely to score and seeing one shot deflected away by Gosling. Moyes said: “It was a stonewall penalty – and the ball was going in. The own goal was a joke, and we probably had more chances than Newcastle.’’

Everton FC midfielder
Jack Rodwell earns first full England call-up
Liverpool Daily Post Nov 7 2011
EVERTON'S Jack Rodwell and Daniel Sturridge of Chelsea have been handed their first England call-ups by Fabio Capello for the friendlies with Spain and Sweden. The pair have both been elevated from Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad after excelling for Chelsea and Everton respectively this season. As expected, John Terry is also named, whilst Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney are omitted from a 25-man squad. Capello had already confirmed John Terry would be named in the squad. Terry is currently the subject of Metropolitan Police and Football Association investigations over an alleged racist remark made to Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's recent Premier League defeat at QPR. There has been a big external debate over whether the 30-year-old, who has denied making a racist remark, should be selected. Some, including QPR owner Tony Fernandes, believe Terry should be picked on the grounds he remains innocent until proven guilty. Others feel the allegation is so grave, it would be fairer to leave Terry out until such time as the matter was resolved. However, a meeting was held between Capello and senior FA figures – chairman David Bernstein, chief executive Alex Horne, Club England managing director Adrian Bevington and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking – in central London on Saturday. None of those present were aware of the details of the allegation or any evidence that has been gathered. The meeting was followed by a personal trip by the England coach to Chelsea's Cobham training ground, to confirm Terry was in. “He will be in the final squad,” said Capello. Everyone spoke about John Terry and we decided on this – the FA and us together. “Yesterday I met him personally. I spoke to him. “We need to wait for what will happen about the FA investigation and the police investigation, but I can tell you he is innocent until proven guilty. “This is a really important thing – for me and the FA. For this reason I select him.” Capello also took the trouble to have a word with Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who has maintained a consistent stance by picking Terry through the present problems, naming him again this afternoon for the Premier League trip to Blackburn. That Terry's long-time central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand – brother of Anton – will not be involved is bound to raise an eyebrow. Yet Capello maintains that move will be made purely on form grounds. Indeed, whilst acutely sensitive to the on-going process, Capello emphasised that he has never come across any racism in English football. “Look. I never see. I never heard. I never found racism problems in England football in my experience,” said Capello. The fans never boo. Never. Racist problems between the players do not exist.” Capello insists he is “not concerned” about the potential reaction to his decision. Neither does he regret restoring Terry to the captaincy in March, 13 months after stripping him of the honour following claims of an affair with an ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge. However, the move has not been made without a lot of thought, with three FA meetings having taken place over the past fortnight before arriving at this latest position. All this and Terry might not even face the world champions, with Capello considering whether to assess the abilities of other members of his squad against the highest level of opposition. “I don't know if he will play,” admitted Capello. “It will only be for football reasons. I know the value of John Terry. It will be really important to know the value of other players when you play against the world champions. “I need to see them because there will be injuries and suspensions so I will play (Joleon) Lescott or (Gary) Cahill or (Phil) Jagielka.” And it is because he has such intimate knowledge of Ferdinand that he will be left out, Capello stating firmly that it had nothing to do with the potential for conflict. “It's not excuses. It's real what happened,” said Capello. “What did Sir Alex, who knows everything about him, say? He can see him every day during training. He needs more games.” Capello claimed Ferdinand agreed this fact when they had a brief conversation at Ferguson's 25th anniversary dinner at Lancashire County Cricket Club on Tuesday. When assessing Terry's form after his performance against Arsenal last week, Capello said: “He played well before the last game he played against Arsenal. “I saw the games. Normally he in good form but he has played a lot of games and it is impossible to always play well.” ENGLAND squad to face Spain and Sweden: Hart (Man City), Carson (Bursaspor), Stockdale (Ipswich); G Johnson (Liverpool), Jones (Man Utd), Cahill (Bolton), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Chelsea), Baines (Everton), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Walker (Tottenham); Lampard (Chelsea), Rodwell (Everton), Downing (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), A Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Parker (Tottenham), Walcott (Arsenal); Bent (Aston Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Zamora (Fulham), Welbeck (Man Utd).

Baby Blues for downbeat Everton FC manager David Moyes
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 7 2011
DAVID MOYES blamed his side's defensive fragility for the defeat at Newcastle on Saturday. John Heitinga set the tone with a calamitous own goal after 12 minutes before a sloppily-conceded throw-in wasn't dealt with convincingly and Ryan Taylor punished the Toffees with a second. Jack Rodwell pulled one back but for an Everton side struggling badly to score at the moment, the damage was already done. Moyes said: “We created lot of chances in the first half, but if you miss them, then... “It should still have been 0-0, but we gave them two very simple goals from our point of view, the first one especially. “The second one wasn't an awful lot better, but at least you give the boy a bit of credit for a terrific finish. “But we didn't deal with the long throw, we only half-cleared it and the boy volleyed it in. “But the first one, the own goal, was a joke.” Taylor made it a day to remember for his baby son as he cemented Newcastle's place among the Premier League's top three. Six-week-old Henry Taylor was in the crowd at St James' Park on Saturday to see his father smash home the stunning volley which ultimately secured three points at the expense of Everton. Taylor Junior may not have been too aware of what he was witnessing, but his dad, a childhood Liverpool fan, will make sure he sees it again when he is a little older. The 27-year-old full-back said: “It's the first goal his dad has scored and it was a special one against his dad's enemy, which is always nice. “When he grows up, I will show him that one.” Taylor's sumptuous dipping 29th-minute volley was his third goal of the season – his others were a famous derby winner at Sunderland and a Carling Cup strike against Scunthorpe – and will have been a source of satisfaction for manager Alan Pardew for more than one reason. The former Wigan player said: “The Gaffer encourages me to shoot every week. You can get chances to shoot and today I took one of them. “I'm sure he will be delighted just as much as me because he is screaming from the sidelines to shoot whenever I get a chance, so it worked out well. “But it's not really about scoring goals when you are playing in a defence. “If we can keep it tight at the back and I can chip in with a few goals, then so be it, but the main thing for us at the back is to try to keep clean sheets and try to win games.” Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said: “Let them (the fans) dream. We will keep it realistic, but they can dream.”

Newcastle United loss summed up our season says Everton FC's Phil Jagielka
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo Nov 7 2011
PHIL JAGIELKA believes Everton's frustrating defeat at Newcastle summed up their season so far. The England defender rued the missed chances that saw the visitors fail to earn a point at St James' Park, and admitted the run of five defeats in six Premier League games has left confidence perilously low. But Jagielka, 29, is hoping Everton can deal with their latest disappointment, and emabrk on the opposite run to the one they have just endured. He said: “Unfortunately it's been the tale of our season so far, I won't say we've gone up there and played brilliantly but we've been OK in patches and created chances, and not taken them. “While at the other end sort of any other mistake that happens they've seized on. Tim Howard hasn't had too much to do but they've scored two goals. “It's not good. I'd be lying if I said we were all high-fiving each other in the changing room, we're all absolutely gutted, managers and coaches included. “We always knew it was going to be tough, but I don't think we'd have expected to have got so few points from this run. We normally do well as under-dogs but that's five out of six we've lost.” Jagielka insisted the Blues can take some hope from their recent displays, even if the results have not been favourable. “We've been in the games, at least until 70/80 minutes, and in the past we might have nicked a draw or a win but it's just been one of those periods,” he said. “There's not much we can do about those games other than try and take some experience. “The manager's got a hard job to do now in terms of getting confidence and morale back up. “But some of the lads will go on international break and play for the countries, and it's all about coming back with fresh minds and being ready to kick on. Hopefully we can go on and get five or six wins.” Jagielka accepts the Blues are lacking in the creativity stakes, but was reluctant to blame the depaerture of Mikel Arteta in September for their woes. He said: “I think we had a couple of one on ones, but I take the point that we haven't got as much craft with losing Miky. “But there's nothing we can do about that, it's just the state of play we're in. It was a good move for him and we brought some money in. “It's not as if we can reject everyone's bid for every single one of our players and spend £12m every transfer window. “We know that's not going to happen, and it didn't. It'd be easy to say we miss Mikel, but the boys who've come in and played otherwise have done well and we can't just look for one player. “We hope we can get someone in January, but the manager is the guy to do that. We've still got some good players. Maybe not with the confidence you'd need though. “The forwards need confidence in us keeping clean sheets as well, and it bounces off everyone. “At the moment the strikers are low on confidence because they're not scoring much and the defenders aren't exactly buzzing because we're conceding one or two every game. It's a frustrating time from back to front. “There's no point finger pointing, hopefully we can get out of it together.”

Newcastle United 2 Everton FC 1: It all goes up in smoke for battered Blues on Bonfire Night
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo Nov 7 2011
STOP me if you've heard this one before – Everton undid themselves with sloppy defending, sorely lacked any creative edge and had a controversial refereeing decision go against them. Not much of a gag, granted, but then there's very little to laugh about for those of a blue persuasion lately. The all-too familiar tale of woe that has dogged the Blues so far this season continued on Tyneside, where there was no place to hide for the visitors in the all-amber strip. The fiercest blaze Everton's players will have seen on bonfire night was the look in their manager's eyes at half-time, after a 30-minute first half spell that probably represented their worst football this season. No longer just a blip in form, this fifth defeat in six games is close to becoming a decline which could seriously undermine any ambitions of a memorable season for David Moyes' men. With the best part of two months remaining until reinforcements even become a possibility, it's time the Toffees became difficult to score against, and tough to beat again. You could hardly say they made it difficult for a buoyant Newcastle to take the lead, even if Alan Pardew's men were without influential performers Cheik Tiote and Gabriel Obertan. Quite how a defence containing two England internationals, a Dutch World Cup finalist, and the US goalkeeper conspired to concede this game's opening goal is baffling. Newcastle advanced a fairly routine attack, and right-back Danny Simpson's low cross into the area should have been dealt with comfortably. Instead John Heitinga either didn't hear, or didn't receive, the shout from Tim Howard, and prodded the ball into his own net as Demba Ba lurked nearby. By comparison there was precious little Everton could do about Newcastle's second, apart maybe from clearing their lines more emphatically. Former Tranmere Rovers defender Ryan Taylor seized on a loose ball outside the visitor's area and unleashed an unstoppable dipping strike that gave Howard no chance. In celebration, the Liverpool supporter evoked Bebeto's popular cradle-swing gesture to mark his baby son's arrival. But worryingly for Everton, Newcastle aren't quite Brazil. It's not that the Magpies don't deserve their lofty position in the Premier League table – their big-club status is underlined with regular 50,000 plus crowds and their current idols are well-drilled, dangerous in attack and spirited. But even though they have flourished on a bedrock of defensive resilience this term, thanks to inspirational captain Fabricio Coloccini, they seemed vulnerable when Everton attacked. More's the pity then that Moyes' troops couldn't really test Tim Krul. Royston Drenthe, who had already switched flanks with Seamus Coleman, whipped a dangerous cross into the area that Jack Rodwell headed straight at the Newcastle keeper. Seconds later Everton went close again, this time an otherwise subdued Leon Osman flashed a shot directly into the Dutchman's arms. Indeed, not long after Taylor's stunner the Toffees should have scored. Coleman burst down the left and cut the ball across for Phil Neville to shoot at goal. The skipper's strike was intercepted by Saha who tried his own luck and hit the angle of post, and Drenthe lashed the rebound into the side netting. A goal did arrive eventually. Just before the interval, Rodwell continued his own impressive run of form with a bullet header from Drenthe's corner. Only Everton had won on Tyneside this calendar year, a run of 14 games, and Pardew had hinted before the game that a point would not be deemed a failure. But Everton's fine victory at St James' Park in March was largely thanks to an inspired performance by Mikel Arteta, and a lot has changed in the ensuing months. There's no Arteta any more for starters, and even though the second period saw Newcastle's Sylvain Marveaux join first-half casualty Yohan Cabaye in an early exit, Everton couldn't capitalise. With Apostolos Vellios injured in the warm-up, Moyes' striking options were limited further, and the pressure remains on Saha to convert more of his opportunities. The Frenchman is rarely far off-target, but appeared increasingly isolated in the second half. Everton had lost skipper Phil Neville to injury, and his replacement Sylvain Distin lent some previously lacking cohesion to their defensive efforts – but the arrival of Tim Cahill in the 55th minute added some even more sorely lacking attacking edge. Much to their manager's bemusement – and quiet derision afterwards – Everton were denied a late chance to grab a point by referee Andre Marriner, who failed to spot sub Dan Gosling handle Saha's goal-bound strike in the area. But, for all their ensuing bluster, it was the only gilt-edged chance Everton had as the quality of their attacks withered. From being frustrated at the start of October after losing two consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years, the Blues have lost with alarming regularity since. Their confidence may well be wounded, but losing simply cannot be allowed to become a habit. “We were very fortunate against Fulham the other week and you earn your luck. Our defending in the first half wasn't good enough, especially in the opening 20 minutes. It was a terrible own goal to concede.” DAVID MOYES was honest about his side's shortcomings. “What we want to do is make sure we keep our momentum and confidence through those three games and when you're coming up against the teams we're coming up against it's easy to get that knocked.” ALAN PARDEW dwells on the approach of the sort of tough run Everton have just endured.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: (4-4-2) Krul, Simpson, Taylor, Coloccini, Taylor, Guthrie, Cabaye (Gosling, 37) Gutierrez, Marveaux (Ameobi, 53) Best (Ben Arfa, 72), Ba. Subs not used: Elliot, Santon, Lovenkrands, Perch.

EVERTON: Howard, Hibbert (McFadden 82), Jagielka, Heitinga (Cahill, 55), Baines, Rodwell, Neville (Distin, 40) Coleman, Drenthe, Osman, Saha. Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley. Bookings: Heitinga, Baines, Drenthe.

GOALS: Heitinga og 12, R Taylor 29; Rodwell 45+2.

CARDS: Booked – R Taylor; Heitinga, Baines, Drenthe.

REFEREE: Andre Marriner.

ATTENDANCE: 50, 671.

Everton FC's Jack Rodwell called up for first time by England for friendlies with Spain and Sweden
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo Nov 7 2011
EVERTON'S Jack Rodwell has been handed his first England call-up for the friendlies with Spain and Sweden. The 20-year-old has been touted as a future England regular for some time but following a couple of years of injury problems, it's only this season the Southport-born midfielder has started to fulfil his great potential and hold down a regular spot in the Blues side. Rodwell has missed just one game this term – against Blackburn away – and since Mikel Arteta's transfer deadline day move to Arsenal he has cemented his place in David Moyes' starting line-up, overcoming a controversial derby sending off against Liverpool which was overturned, and building up a fledgling partnership in the Everton engine room alongside Marouane Fellaini. He has also netted goals against Fulham and Newcastle, where Everton lost 2-1 on Saturday. Rodwell and Chelsea's Danny Sturridge have both been elevated from Stuart Pearce's Under-21 squad. Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines make up the Everton contingent in the squadLiverpool's Stewart Downing retains his place and Glen Johnson returns after injury, but there is no place for Andy Carroll, who was in the squad for England's last game in Montenegro last month As expected, John Terry is also named, whilst Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney are omitted from a 25-man squad. There is also a return for Aston Villa's in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor, at the expense of Carroll. Joleon Lescott is back too, with Ashley Young the fourth member of the squad that faced Montenegro last month to miss out, this time through injury. As usual, there was no captain named, and it remains open to debate whether Terry will wear the armband.

Newcastle United 2 Everton FC 1: Blues' short comings are laid bare at St James' Park
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post , Nov 7 2011
DAVID MOYES didn't need his players decked in alarming amber to see the warning signs at the weekend. There was a throbbing sense of déjà vu as Everton's shortcomings and misfortune were both once again painfully exposed during another disappointing 90 minutes. With poor defending, self-inflicted wounds and desperate finishing, the Goodison outfit were reading from a well-thumbed script that even included that old perennial nemesis, the unsympathetic referee. Small wonder the slightly haunted look that seeped into Moyes's appearance as he addressed the media in the wake of this latest defeat, a sixth in Everton's last seven games, five of which have come in the Premier League. These are difficult times. In a week when hope of fresh investment was briefly lit by news of interest from India, the need for such an injection to strengthen the squad became more apparent. “We had everyone fit bar Victor Anichebe,” said Moyes. “For anyone thinking there are lots of players to come back at Everton, that is not the case.” He's right. And while a worrying matter, it at least concentrates the minds of all involved to turn around a season that has thus far lived down to the low expectations of supporters following a disappointing summer. Perhaps the international break has come at the right time for Moyes and his players, allowing them the chance to regroup and refocus after a demanding run of fixtures. Some far more inviting games are appearing on the horizon, but the pressure on Everton to capitalise has intensified following their poor return in recent weeks. Facing Manchester City and United, Liverpool, Chelsea and an in-form Newcastle United was never going to be an easy task. But Everton were unbeaten in those games last season, whereas this campaign they have lost them all. Only victory at historic bogey ground Fulham a fortnight ago has prevented a major concern from developing into a full-blown crisis.

Certainly, Everton can – and must – improve. Yet they appear stuck in a vicious circle; an inability to keep clean sheets putting extra onus on a strikeforce struggling to score goals, which is then demanding more of a defence unable to keep out the opposition. And so on. And so on. Something has to change. Whether it's a rotation of personnel, or a fresh tactical outlook, the status quo cannot continue. Moyes knows this. But, as he is also acutely aware, the Goodison manager has precious little room to manoeuvre given the tools at his disposal. Yes, there was yet more misfortune to bemoan at St James' Park on Saturday when, of all people, former Everton man Dan Gosling effectively saved Louis Saha's goalbound shot with an outstretched arm inside the area as the visitors chased a second-half equaliser. Neither referee Andre Marriner nor his assistants saw anything untoward. But, as Moyes later admitted, you make your own luck. And Everton simply didn't deserve any following a shocking opening half-hour their manager charitably described as “rubbish”. At both ends, the visitors failed to produce, most notably in the 12th minute when, after Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson was allowed to maraud down the right and send in a low cross, John Heitinga couldn't resist sticking out a leg and diverting the ball into the goal as Tim Howard waited to collect. It was typical of Everton's defending this season, lacking both composure and communication; a mere six clean sheets in 47 games stretching over 12 months indicates problems may have become deep-rooted. And while Howard had no chance with Ryan Taylor's dipping volley shortly before the half-hour that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, Everton had failed to clear the initial long thrown that led to the opportunity, or then close down the former Tranmere Rovers man. Basics. And that's what Everton need to get back to in the next fortnight if they are to arrest their slide. Moyes will surely also have his men in for extra shooting practice. Saha, indifferent against Manchester United last week, was similarly uninspired here, too often snatching at opportunities, the worst example of which came in the 25th minute when, sent clear by Tony Hibbert's long ball, the Frenchman thrashed horribly over. To be fair, Saha did strike the post shortly afterwards after the ball dropped invitingly inside the area during an attack that eventually ended with Royston Drenthe firing into the side-netting from the angle. And there were some positives amid the gloom. The ever-improving Jack Rodwell, who was second only to Phil Jagielka as Everton's best performer and stepped up in the absence of the suspended Marouane Fellaini, showed his colleagues how it's done by heading in Drenthe's corner on the stroke of half-time and, with Sylvain Distin on for the crocked Phil Neville and Tim Cahill replacing the hapless Heitinga, matters did improve after the break. But, despite a decent amount of possession and some nervy Newcastle play, Everton just couldn't build any momentum, leaving home goalkeeper Tim Krul without a save of any particular note all afternoon. While equalling a club record of 11 games unbeaten from the start of a Premier League campaign, Newcastle did not play well. But they didn't have to. And that's what Moyes must address before Wolverhampton Wanderers visit in two weeks, making his team more stubborn, irascible and much less compliant. Everton have to start being more like the old Everton again.

We should have taken more points says Everton FC's Phil Jagielka
Liverpool Daily Post, Nov 7 2011
PHIL JAGIELKA admits Everton should have taken more points from their demanding run of Premier League fixtures. David Moyes's side slumped to a fifth league defeat in six games on Saturday when they lost 2-1 at in-form Newcastle United. It was the final match of a run that has seen the Goodison outfit previously take on leading clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool while also travelling to bogey ground Fulham. Everton were unbeaten in the corresponding encounters last term, but this time have only the dramatic 3-1 win at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago to show for their endeavours. And a disappointed Jagielka reveals Moyes's men had expected a better return. “We always knew it was going to be tough, but I don't think we'd have expected to have got so few points from this run,” said the centre-back. “We normally do well as underdogs but that's five out of six we've lost in the league. “We've been in the games, at least until 70-80 minutes, and in the past we might have nicked a draw or a win here and there, but it's just been one of those periods. “There's not much we can do now about those games other than try and take some experience out of it. “The morale is not good. I'd be lying if I said we were all high-fiving each other and being happy in the changing room, we're all absolutely gutted, managers and coaches included.” John Heitinga's own goal and a Ryan Taylor thunderbolt put Newcastle in command inside half-an-hour before Jack Rodwell gave Everton hope with a header on the stroke of half-time. However, the visitors struggled to fashion many chances during the second half, leaving them a fortnight to mull over another setback before their next game at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. “The manager is pulling his hair out,” added Jagielka. “We have some home games coming up where we could possibly get some points. And it's all about getting the wins now, it's not about the performances but the results. “I don't necessarily think it will get easier as I think there will be pressure on us now. “The manager's got a hard job to do now in terms of getting confidence and morale back up. “But some of the lads will go on international break and play for the countries, and it's all about coming back with fresh minds and being ready to kick on. Hopefully we can go on and get five or six wins.” Of Saturday's game, Jagielka added: “Unfortunately it's been the tale of our season so far. I won't say we've gone up there and played brilliantly but we've been okay in patches and created chances and not taken them. “While at the other end, any other sort of mistake that happens they've seized on. Tim Howard hasn't had too much to do but they've scored two goals.” Newcastle's Liverpool-born goalscorer Taylor, who began his career at Tranmere Rovers and was a boyhood Anfield regular, celebrated his strike with a Bebeto-style cradle salute to his recently-born son. And Taylor said: “My son Henri was born up here in September, so he is a born and bred Geordie. He has already got Newcastle kits, but I have to admit he has got Liverpool kits as well. “When I play against Everton I want to win, but it is not the same as being a fan. “They were my rivals as a kid but that has all changed now. “I still look out for their scores, but I am Newcastle through and through now.”

Everton FC ‘have a lot of things missing' admits David Moyes
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post , Nov 7 2011

DAVID MOYES believes there are “a lot of things missing” from his Everton team after they slipped to a sixth defeat in seven games at the weekend. John Heitinga's early own goal and a Ryan Taylor wonderstrike rendered Jack Rodwell's header on the stroke of half-time as mere consolation with Newcastle United winning 2-1 at St James' Park on Saturday. The result kept Everton hovering precariously above the relegation zone, a position Moyes admits his team justify following a poor run of results. And the Goodison manager says the recent setbacks have exposed the limitations of his squad. “You need confidence, you need a run of results,” said Moyes. “You see that Newcastle went into the game against us with that. That's not the only thing missing for us – we've got a lot of things missing. “But winning and gaining confidence can cover up a multitude of sins and maybe when you start losing games you start to see the weaknesses, so that's what happens. “The own goal was a joke and the second one wasn't an awful lot better but you have to give the boy a bit of credit because it was a terrific finish. “We were rubbish for the first 30 minutes but in that time we still created four or five chances.” Moyes added: “I think on the games we've played our league position is representative. We've lost them. So it's a true reflection of how we've played. “We've not scored enough and we've not defended well enough and that was probably noticeable against Newcastle.” Everton had a strong claim for a penalty in the second half when former Goodison midfielder Dan Gosling clearly handled Louis Saha's goalbound shot. And Moyes said: “It was a stonewall penalty when it hit his hand. “The ball was going in as well. The goalkeeper wasn't getting it. “But we came here not expecting to get anything from anybody. “From any officials, I'd be surprised if we'd got anything.” Newcastle's win extends their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to 11 games and keeps them a point behind second-placed Manchester United. And Moyes added: “They're certainly making a good go of it. They're making themselves hard to beat, they're scoring goals, they've added quality in the middle of the pitch in one or two players, they're doing very well. “If you get off to a good start it helps. If you're at the top you can lose and still not be that far away, get one back and still be up there. You've just got to keep hanging in. “It's Easter time when you really see whether you're in the mix or not and what we had to do – what every team will have to do somewhere down the line – is win some really big games if you're going to do it. It's a long way to go.” Moyes believes the international break has come at the wrong time for Everton, who are now without a game until the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday week. “You never want to go into a break on the back of a defeat, so we've got to suffer for two weeks before we can go out and do it again,” he said.

Dave Watson named new youth coach
by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle , Nov 7 2011
NEWCASTLE UNITED today unveiled former Everton star Dave Watson as their new Under-18 coach. The 49-year-old Scouser arrives at St James' Park from Wigan Athletic as youth team coach and links up with Academy boss Joe Joyce and development chief Willie Donachie. The post has lay vacant since ex-Oldham Athletic Frankie Bunn departed Tyneside after just a few months to take the assistant manager job at League One Rochdale. Watson will be remembered by United fans after scoring the header that knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup at Goodison Park in 1995. The Academy side are currently top of the table in Premier League Group D. The Under-18s won 4-0 on Saturday at Huddersfield Town with sharpshooter Adam Campbell grabbing two to go with strikes from JJ Hooper and Dennis Knight.

Match report: Newcastle United 2 Everton 1
Shield Gazette
By MILES STARFORTH
Monday 7 November 2011
WHATEVER happens at the Ehtiad Stadium and Old Trafford, one thing's for certain. This isn't your average Newcastle United team. And it'll take more than a defeat, or two, to dampen the enthusiasm on Tyneside for the job Alan Pardew and his players have done so far this season. Still, on the evidence of the last 11 Premier League games, the two Manchester clubs might not have it all their own way later this month, however many millions have been lavished on their respective squads. What money can't buy is team spirit, and third-placed United, thankfully, have that in abundance. Everton left St James's Park on Saturday believing they should have taken something from the game, a 2-1 win for Newcastle. On another day, they might well have taken a point, or maybe all three. But they didn't, and that owed everything to the togetherness which has been fostered at the club over the past two seasons. Before the break, United looked unstoppable at times. They moved the ball quickly and intelligently, and attacked with purpose, and that early pressure told in the 13th minute, when Danny Simpson, on the overlap, put in an inviting ball for Leon Best which a panicking John Heitinga turned past his own goalkeeper. A delightful lofted ball from Yohan Cabaye for Demba Ba almost created a second goal, but the striker's touch was heavy and Everton recovered. At the other end, David Moyes's side had chances, though former St James's Park loanee Louis Saha snatched at those which fell to him. As the half-hour mark approach, it was clear Cabaye was struggling, but Newcastle got their second before he left the field. A headed clearance from Jack Rodwell was chested down by Ryan Taylor on the edge of the box, and most of St James's Park knew what was coming as the makeshift left-back hit it on the half-volley.

The strike sailed high before dipping wickedly beyond a despairing Tim Howard, who for the second time was helpless. St James's Park's biggest crowd of the season was in full voice as the break neared, but it didn't come soon enough, Rodwell heading a Royston Drenthe corner past Tim Krul at his near post after escaping marker Danny Simpson. In the second half United never hit the heights they had before the interval, but their other qualities came to the fore. They were resilient, and substitute Sammy Ameobi was a welcome outlet, the striker time and again carrying the ball into the opposition half and relieving pressure on Pardew's dogged defence. On this evidence, Ameobi will have a significant role as his elder brother Shola this season. Dogged they had to be, and a Newcastle were fortunate referee Andre Marriner was unsighted when Dan Gosling blocked a shot from his former Goodison Park team-mate Saha with his arm early in the half. Gosling was Cabaye's replacement, and he and Danny Guthrie worked tirelessly in Pardew's midfield. There was tireless work to be done elsewhere as well, and that's been a hallmark of Pardew's side this season. For every moment of magic, like Taylor's goal, there's been a hundred more tackles, blocks and hard yards run. There will be many more needed at the Ethiad Stadium a week on Saturday, but the legs, clearly, are willing.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul 7; Simpson 7, S Taylor 8, Coloccini 7, R Taylor 8; Marveaux 6 (Sammy Ameobi, 54, 7), Guthrie 8, Cabaye 7 (Gosling, 37, 7), Gutierrez 7; Best 7 (Ben Arfa, 73); Ba 7. Subs not used: Elliot, Santon, Lovenkrands, Perch.

EVERTON: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga (Cahill, 56), Baines; Coleman (McFadden, 82), Rodwell, Neville (Distin, 41), Osman, Drenthe; Saha. Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Vellios.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Steven Taylor was again immense. It was just a shame Fabio Capello wasn't watching. HIGHLIGHT: Ryan Taylor's goal – you won't see many better in Europe this season. LOWLIGHT: The free header given to Jack Rodwell. The goal changed the complexion of the game.

Goals: Heitinga 12 (og), R Taylor 29, Rodwell 45

Bookings: Heitinga 51, Baines 65, Guthrie 79, Drenthe 83.

Referee: Andre Mariner (West Midlands)

Attendance: 50,671 (2,061 Everton).

 

Everton need confidence boost admits Phil Jagielka
The Independent
Carl Markham Monday 07 November 2011

Everton defender Phil Jagielka admits the club's current run of poor results has crushed confidence within the squad. Saturday's defeat at Newcastle was their fifth in six Barclays Premier League matches while they have also exited the Carling Cup to Chelsea during that period. It has left the Toffees 17th in the table, just a point above the relegation zone - although they have played one match fewer than all their rivals. The season began badly when the opening game of the season at Tottenham was postponed because of rioting in the capital and when their campaign finally kicked off Everton lost 1-0 at home to newcomers QPR. David Moyes' side, traditionally slow starters, appeared to bounce back by taking seven points from their next three fixtures but a run of games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham, Manchester United and Newcastle has brought just one win against the Cottagers. "We are a little low on confidence and morale is not quite there with the league position and the points we have got," said the centre-back, who has been named in the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden. "The strikers are low on confidence because they're not scoring much and the defenders aren't exactly buzzing because we're conceding one or two every game. "The forwards need confidence in us keeping clean sheets as well, and it bounces off everyone. "We've still got some good players. Maybe not with the confidence you'd need though. "The manager's got a hard job to do now in terms of getting confidence and morale back up." But while it may be Moyes' job to lift the spirit within the squad, Jagielka knows it is the players' responsibility to start getting results on the pitch. "There's not much we can do about those games other than try and take some experience," he told the Liverpool Echo. "It's a frustrating time from back to front but there's no point finger pointing, hopefully we can get out of it together. "It is only us that can turn it round." The international break may be a blessing in disguise for the beleaguered Everton players but when they return in just less than a fortnight's time they have an important spell ahead of them. Wolves visit Goodison Park on November 19 but Arsenal are the only club currently inside the top seven whom they face until the trip to Manchester City on February 1. But although their fixture difficulties have eased Jagielka insists they can take nothing for granted. "It is a long season and hopefully we can pick ourselves up and look to the Wolves game and pick up some points," he told evertontv. "I don't necessarily think it will get easier as I think there will be pressure on us now. "In the games we have lost there was not that expectation on us to get points but - and rightly so - we will be expected to get points from our next four or five games and start climbing the table. "This is where we need to put our foot down and start scoring goals and keeping clean sheets."

Newcastle 2 Everton 1
The Sun
November 7, 2011 By STEVE BRENNER

IT would not have been a shock to see Alan Pardew sweeping the steps at St James' Park on Saturday night. After all, the Toon boss was multi-tasking like no other as he led, temporarily, his surprise packages into second place. History teacher, cheerleader, motivator, football boss and the man who has injected bucketloads of belief into his Tyneside public. Pards was doing it all and in style. Having made sure his Newcastle players knew a win would equal the club's best-ever starts in 1951 and under Kevin Keegan 16 years ago, Pards then got to work. Of course, he had to do a job on his players with three injuries, including one to outstanding Yohan Cabaye, disrupting his plans. We saw a glimpse of what is sure to happen when the treatment table begins to fill up. The likes of Sami Ameobi came on though and did a job with the minimum of fuss and with the effort meter ramped to maximum. Where Pardew's squad may lack the depth of the huge guns they are rubbing shoulders with right now, they more than make up for it with guts. But Toon edged this win for determination to not let anything pass. While Fabricio Coloccini was again outstanding, Steven Taylor, mask and all, was superb. The Geordie boy is playing out of his skin so what a shame Fabio Capello has no idea on how to get to the North East to check him out. Nerves were getting frayed in the stands as David Moyes' boys pushed hard late on and pulled one back for 2-1 through Jack Rodwell. So up pops Pards to whip up the crowd with a few thumbs up and lots of arm waving. Everyone, for once at a club which never seems to make sense, is pulling in the right direction. Pardew said: "It's important to try and get people going when you are out on the pitch. There was some understandable anxiety in the crowd when we were slashing a couple of clearances. If you keep hearing the groans it does have an effect, so it's nice to hear them singing to try and help us. It calms things down." Trying to keep calm now is the key but Pardew has not got a problem with some rampant excitement flooding through the Geordie nation. Why shouldn't they dream of the Champions League after years of hurt and mediocrity? Pards added: "I don't want to dampen expectations and the mood. I'm not here for that. I want fans to enjoy this and if they're dreaming of the Champions League, let them dream. "In the dressing room we must be more conservative about our approach. We're a new team and have done terrific." Next up are Manchester City and Manchester United away — finally the two acid tests to show just where Newcastle are right now. But confidence is high and no one epitomises the Geordies more than Ryan Taylor. The makeshift left-back added to John Heitinga's sloppy own goal early on with a superb dipping 20-yard screamer, which crashed in via the underside of the bar. The Scouser, just a back-up player last season, is exceeding expectations. He said: "Things could have worked out the other way after Jose Enrique left. "Thankfully the gaffer gave me a chance and it's worked out well."

SUN STAR MAN — STEVEN TAYLOR (NEWCASTLE)

NEWCASTLE: Krul 6, Simpson 7, Coloccini 8, S Taylor 9, R Taylor 8, Marveaux 6 (Sammy Ameobi 7), Cabaye 6 (Gosling 6), Guthrie 8, Gutierrez 6, Best 6 (Ben Arfa 5), Ba 6. Subs not used: Elliot, Santon, Lovenkrands, Perch. Booked: Guthrie, R Taylor.

EVERTON: Howard 6, Hibbert 6 (McFadden ?), Heitinga 4 (Cahill 6), Jagielka 7, Baines 6, Coleman 6, Neville 6 (Distin 6), Rodwell 7, Osman 6, Drenthe 6, Saha 6. Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley. Booked: Heitinga, Baines, Drenthe.

REF: A Marriner 6