Blue Boys: Academy duo shine in England U-18 win over Italy
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2012
ACADEMY duo Chris Long and Conor Grant impressed for England U-18s in their 2-0 victory over Italy in Mansfield. The Toffees pair were watched by coaches Kevin Sheedy and Duncan Ferguson as they helped Noel Blake’s side beat one of the continent’s best young international teams.
Striker Long netted the Three Lions’ first goal in a lively display. “There were some good individual performances,” said Blake. “Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was here two years ago at this stage and I told the lads that.”

Blue Boys: Passing game suits us best says Kevin Sheedy
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2012
REVENGE will be the aim for Everton’s U-18s when they travel to West Brom on Saturday hoping to make amends for their undeserved defeat by the Midlanders on the first day of the season.
The return trip is the first of three straight away fixtures for Kevin Sheedy’s side and a chance to show how they have progressed since August. He said: “They were fortunate to beat us with a long ball and goal against the run of play so we’d like to go there and win. “We missed numerous chances back in the first game but our finishing has improved since then and we go there an improved side.” Sheedy added that he wants his side to play a passing game. “We play from the back and had twice as many passes as West Ham last weekend. We always encourage the lads to play from the back and through the midfield and it’s nice to do that and get results. We enjoy playing that way.”

Blue Boys: Everton U-18s recover from slow start to grab point against West Ham at Finch Farm
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2012
KEVIN Sheedy’s Everton U-18s side had to be content with a point from their clash with West Ham at the weekend. The young Blues felt aggrieved to go behind to a Hammers penalty for handball in the first half of the game at Finch Farm, with weather conditions particularly difficult in Halewood.
A freezing and fierce wind made it hard to get the ball down and play, but it was the visitors who adapted quicker and took the lead. Kieran Sadler’s shot struck the arm of Jake Adelson and Sadler duly sent Mason Springthorpe the wrong way. Just before the break the dangerous Sadler was involved again when he turned smartly inside the box but fired his shot narrowly wide of the target.
But Everton responded well to force a spot-kick of their own after good work down the flank by former Cheltenham Town winger Courtney Duffus, and Joe Williams held his nerve to level the scores. Everton ended the game comfortably on top and created a string of half-chances but were unable to get the goal their domination merited. “Not for the first time this season we had a very young side out,” said Sheedy, who lost several of his usual players after they were selected to play for Alan Stubbs’ U-21 side. “We finished the game against West Ham with six players from our U-16 group on the pitch which is a great experience for them and encouraging for other scholars to see what can be achieved with hard work. “They have handled playing above their age group well and it keeps everyone on their toes which is an added bonus. “They’re still learning but doing well overall.
“We can’t afford any complacency. There are a lot of talented young players here.”

Everton FC’s Shane Duffy in Ireland squad
Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2012
REPUBLIC of Ireland captain Robbie Keane will miss next month’s friendly against Greece as manager Giovanni Trapattoni assesses other players. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker, the country’s record goalscorer, is not included in the provisional 26-man party Trapattoni has named for the match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on November 14. Trapattoni, who is under pressure after a disappointing Euro 2012 and a 6-1 hammering by Germany in World Cup qualifying this month, has said he intends to “try out new players”. The latest squad does contain experience in the likes of John O’Shea, Paul McShane, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady and Kevin Doyle.
But there are also 12 players who have made less than 10 appearances, including uncapped Everton defender Shane Duffy and Chelsea midfielder Conor Clifford. Trapattoni said: “As we have a break from competitive games for a few months, I am using this fixture as an opportunity to try out new players and view their potential. Greece will provide a very difficult opposition.” Everton’s Seamus Coleman is also inlcuded in the squad.

Everton FC run rule over pole prodigy Arkadiusz Milik
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 1 2012
EVERTON are monitoring Polish teenage goal-grabber Arkadiusz Milik – after the 18-year-old became the youngest leading scorer in Europe. The 6ft forward has netted six times in eight games for Polish top-flight side Gornik Zabrze, and already has two full international caps for his country after making his debut against South Africa at the start of October and then facing England in the 1-1 draw in Warsaw. Milik, who is being chased by Lyon, Udinese and Anderlecht, began with career with Rozwój Katowice, where he scored twice on his debut at the aged of 16. His form earned him trials at Tottenham and Reading in 2010, and while neither followed up their interest the teenager has developed quickly in Poland, where he has been compared to Borussia Dortmund hot shot Robert Lewandowski. Milik could cost around £1m and is more a long-term potential prospect for the Blues, rather than a priority in the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Blues defenders Shane Duffy and Seamus Coleman have been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming friendly against Greece. The duo were included in Giovanni Trapattoni's provisional 26-man squad ahead of the game in Dublin on November 14. Coleman has been in impressive form at right-back for Everton in recent weeks, while fellow defender Duffy has proven to be a goal-scoring skipper for Alan Stubbs' Under-21 side. The squad will be shortened to 23 players before November 11.
l Evertonians have the chance to score a Goodison Park hat-trick with a special offer on tickets to the Blues’ next three home games. Fans can attend the matches against Sunderland (November 10), Norwich (November 24) and Arsenal (November 28) for a combined price of £90 for adults. That figure drops to £60 for over-65s and £45 for kids.
Call 0871 663 1878 or visit the Park End box office for details.

Everton FC: Nic Davies’ Blue Watch
by Our Correspondent, The Liverpool Post
Nov 1 2012
SUNDAY’S derby was a pulsating encounter and a very interesting tactical tussle.
Our approach was similar to that deployed against Rodgers’ former side Swansea last season.
Strategically we looked to press high up field, disrupt rhythm, cut off angles for forward passes and build possession in the opposition half, predominantly via Osman and Baines whose 29 combinations was the most of any players on the pitch. Passes wise, we had more of the ball with 66% final third possession with 234 v 108 final third touches leading to us creating 14 chances to Liverpool’s 11.
Our opponents were slightly more positive on the ball with 54% of their passes being forward ones compared to our 51%. Liverpool also played more long balls, unsurprising given the fact they spent most of the game in their own half and were reliant on counter attacks. Defensively we looked shaky again with our high pressing /high defensive line combination meaning there was plenty of space in behind for Suarez to operate. Liverpool’s main attacking strategy was to get the Uruguayan to arrow into pockets of space left by the marauding runs of Baines. Distin is a great defender but always struggles against Suarez’s speed and quick feet. Going forward for us, Mirallas was the player of the first half and led the poor Wisdom a merry dance with his trickery and direct running although in fairness to the hapless Wisdom he was afforded little protection from Sterling in front of him.
Magaye Gueye’s second half cameo was equally tepid; whereas Mirallas’ direct running inside complemented Baines, the Senegalese’s reliance on his left foot encroached on the space available on the touchline, thus negating the threat of his fullback in the second period. This, combined with Rodgers’ switch to a back three to counter our aerial threat, meant the second half was something of a damp squib in comparison. The result means we have now drawn three on the bounce – all against sides in the bottom half of the table – although our powers of recovery to retrieve a result from a losing position in each game should be applauded. Next up is a tricky looking fixture against the very watchable Fulham. Jol’s side have some classy players such as Ruiz and Berbatov and play with a passing tempo as fast as anyone in the division. Moyes has a decent record against the Dutchman, having won five of their last six duels and all three last season. Another win will be a big ask but this Everton side is very capable of delivering.
Oct 2011 Fulham 1-3 Everton
A dramatic finale and a terrible miss combined to earn the visitors victory. After Royston Drenthe and Fulham substitute Bryan Ruiz traded fine goals in either half, a manic injury-time period saw Bobby Zamora miss an open goal before Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell struck.
Sep 2010 Fulham 0-0 Everton
A hard-earned goalless draw wasn’t enough to prevent David Moyes’s side slumping to the bottom of the Premier League table as the Cottagers maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign. The visitors shaded possession but Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer denied Yakubu and Mikel Arteta.
Sep 2009 Fulham 2-1 Everton
Everton saw a first-half lead slip away as they remained ensconced in the relegation zone. Tim Cahill’s header put the visitors deservedly ahead until Paul Konchesky’s shot deflected in off Sylvain Distin before, after Phil Neville had been carried off, Damien Duff netted the winner.
May 2009 Fulham 0-2 Everton
Everton warmed up for their FA Cup final appearance against Chelsea in the ideal fashion by securing their first victory at Craven Cottage in 43 years. After Louis Saha struck the woodwork, Leon Osman scored in either half as David Moyes’s side finished the season in an impressive fifth place.
Mar 2008 Fulham 1-0 Everton
David Moyes had no excuses for an extremely disappointing performance from the visitors, who were undone by two former players. A cross from Simon Davies was flicked by Joseph Yobo into the path of Brian McBride, who headed beyond Tim Howard midway through the second half.

QPR star still confident R’s can be a force this season
Thursday, November 1, 2012
London 24
Julio Cesar believes QPR can get their season back on track against Reading this weekend and thinks they were unlucky against Everton and Arsenal. Rangers were denied a late penalty shout in their 1-1 draw with Everton before going down to Mikel Arteta’s controversial late winner at the Emirates on Saturday. QPR lie bottom of the table after their hellish start to the season but Brazilian stopper Cesar insists they have the quality and ambition to turn things around. He told QPR’s official website: “The little things, like the penalty we should have had against Everton and the goal which Arsenal scored which was offside, are going against us. He continued: “We’re in a difficult situation, but there’s no reason not to be positive. “We have a good team, we made good signings in the summer and we have players with strong ambition to achieve but unfortunately we haven’t managed to win games yet. “But the time to talk about this is at the end of the season.
“The place to talk is on the pitch; to win games, get points and move on up the table.
“When we win the first game, it will come together.”

Everton FC jury: Little satisfaction with Merseyside Derby point, Gerrard was out of order
By Peter Guy
Nov 1 2012
Sam Carroll, Walton
ALTHOUGH Liverpool will bemoan their bad luck, it was surely Everton's turn to have some fortune.
But it is a sad reflection that we needed a dodgy flag to avoid defeat against a team who, apart from the beleaguered Southampton, were the weakest side to visit Goodison this season. It was evident from the start that we were nervous, and our lack of a cool head cost us two sloppy goals. However, it was heartening to see such a classy retaliation. Had Mirallas stayed on the pitch, things could have been very different indeed. Andre Wisdom will be having nightmares for weeks to come after being terrorised by the new Gwladys Street favourite. Luckily, a bad decision rescued the draw for Everton. It is a sign of the changing mentalities, however, that unlike our rivals, we weren't satisfied with the point.
David Taylor, St Helens
THE less said about Gerrard’s rant the better – suffice to say that we were not at our best and toiled far more than we usually do... and they still couldn’t beat us. It was disappointing to only draw a home derby and the result now means we have drawn the last three games against teams in the bottom half of the league, which puts extra emphasis on the need to pick up three points at Fulham.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that we rarely lose a game but if we are serious about finishing in a European spot we do need to start turning some of these draws into hard-earned wins.
I stand by the importance I placed on the last two games as regards our finishing position, but a win at Fulham would certainly make the ‘10 game view’ a healthy one.
Matthew Jones, Prenton
IN KEEPING with Merseyside derbies down the years, debate still rages days later.
Both sides can feel aggrieved at certain decisions. Blues will claim the Suarez challenge on Distin should have been more severely punished, whilst Reds will no doubt point to the disallowed goal.
Everton deserve great credit for their fightback. I, no doubt along with many other Blues, was resigned to thinking 'not again' after Liverpool surged to a 2-0 lead. But the comeback emphasised that this season’s side is made of sterner stuff. Further evidence of this was the attitude of the players after the game, who were disappointed to only pick up a point. After drawing our last three, getting back into the winning habit is vital. We have four very winnable fixtures on the horizon before a very tough December. Its imperative we take advantage of this.
Chris Douglas, Old Swan
SUNDAY’S derby could have been over inside the first 20 minutes thanks to some more poor defending, yet by half time I was slightly disappointed not to be leading. The second half was inevitably deadlocked; however that might have been different if Liverpool hadn’t kicked the outstanding Kevin Mirallas out of the game. Once he was gone the imaginative attacking was gone and we had to settle for a deserved draw. Moyes might have got what he deserved by mentioning the diving habits of Suarez but hopefully the last moments of the game will prove everyone gets their just desserts in the end. The main problem Everton are having at the moment is not turning draws against opposition such as QPR, Wigan and Liverpool into wins. As always keep on keeping on.

Mark Lawrenson: Plenty of positives for Liverpool and Everton to take from the derby
The Liverpool Post
Nov 1 2012
BOTH Everton and Liverpool will take positives from the derby.
It was a great game, especially the first half which wasn’t like a normal derby. Having been 2-0 up, Liverpool will be a little bit annoyed they couldn’t hang on and protect the lead, but they will also be aggrieved at Luis Suarez’s last-minute disallowed goal. Everton, after making such a bad start, came back strongly and probably edged the game in terms of overall possession. David Moyes’s side were certainly in control at 2-2, but Liverpool always looked the more likely to score on the counter-attack and had the better chances. With Liverpool being away from home in a derby, they have to be pleased with a point. They’d have taken that before the game. Everton would have been less happy, but having been two goals down so early on they will be pleased with the outcome given the way the game panned out. There wasn’t a great deal between the two teams, which suggests they will be battling it out for supremacy throughout the season. Both managers had their reasons to moan, but for the neutral it was an excellent watch. Everton at times looked vulnerable defensively, but Liverpool were also the same. There were plenty of derby debutants, but Kevin Mirallas was the most impressive, and his failure to reappear for the second half made a difference.
He clearly understands how to play as an attacker, and Moyes will play him anywhere across the front three. There were a couple of occasions in the first half when he just ghosted past Liverpool players like they weren’t there. He wasn’t overawed by the occasion and his attitude is extremely good. And perhaps the form of Mirallas could give Nikica Jelavic a kick up the backside as well.
For Liverpool, Joe Allen also had an impressive first derby, but it was more difficult for Suso and Nuri Sahin because of the nature of the game – they wouldn’t have played too many games at 200mph.
I felt a little bit sorry for Andre Wisdom, particularly when he was up against Mirallas.
The youngster will be better for it. What is experience? It isn’t coming in and winning games.
It’s losing a few games, having a few bad displays and seeing how you react, analysing your game and seeing how it can improve. It was also a first Merseyside derby for Brendan Rodgers, and for me the Liverpool manager answered a few of his critics. Rodgers would have been miffed to have been 2-0 up and come in at half-time level with Everton in the ascendancy. But he has reacted. You’d have to give him credit. He decided the worst Liverpool would leave with was a point, and it worked.
For all the tactics and best-laid plans, you have to be able to change – something people have said Rodgers is unwilling to do. You can have a preferred way of playing but in modern-day football with suspensions, injuries and fatigue, you have to change it around a bit. You have to be open to change and the best managers are. Manchester City and United have been changing this season.
It’s all about the personnel you have and are up against, and Rodgers responded to that.

Phil Jagielka says he is eager to iron out Everton FC’s defensive uncertainties, but is happy to see strikers saving the day
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2012
IT has been a week for reflection on Merseyside, with the ashes of last weekend’s derby clash still smouldering in the background. The battle for the moral high ground in the days since the 219th meeting of Everton and Liverpool has been as fiercely contested as last Sunday’s 2-2 Goodison Park draw. The fire was stoked – please pardon the pun – briefly by the post-match words of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, and dampened somewhat by his subsequent retraction. The emotion of derby day in this city can get to even the most experienced of campaigners, it seems. How else would you explain Phil Neville’s yellow card for diving? EVERTON are monitoring Polish teenage goal-grabber Arkadiusz Milik – after the 18-year-old became the youngest leading scorer in Europe.
Phil Jagielka, for his part, has viewed the fallout with something approaching bemusement. A laid back individual at the best of times, the England international is not for inflammatory headlines or public wars of words. His response to Gerrard’s “long ball” claims earlier in the week were, typically, respectful, considered, free of controversy. Less than 48 hours have passed since that derby contest when Jagielka rolls up to a Belle Vale supermarket. He admits he is still feeling the effects of a gruelling Sunday. He is here as part of the Topps Match Attax tour, and spends over an hour posing for photographs, signing merchandise for supporters young and old. Even the teenager in the ‘Gerrard 8’ Liverpool shirt. And, naturally, derby talk is still high on the agenda. In particular, Luis Suarez’s disallowed stoppage-time goal. “I’ve been told by many people who watched it that it was a great game to watch,” says Jagielka. “Well it wasn’t the best game to play in, I can tell you!
“It was a decent point for both teams, I think. Obviously they’ll feel a little bit aggrieved with the goal being chalked off for offside when it wasn’t. It was fantastic timing from Suarez, but unfortunately for him the linesman thought he was a little bit too quick! “The angle I was at, (Sebastian Coates) headed it back across and in the corner of my eye I could see the linesman. You’re praying for the flag to go up, but my prayers were answered. We were delighted to come away with a point, because it could have been a lot worse.” The Suarez controversy, of course, proved to be the headline-stealer from a memorable contest. It made for an explosive finish, but for Everton the focus could be more on their beginning to the game as, for the third Premier League fixture in a row, David Moyes’ men found themselves trailing early on. It is credit to their spirit and belief that in each of those games they have recovered to take a point, but Jagielka, a fierce self-critic, is eager to put a stop to the Blues’ defensive charity. “It’s just one of those things,” he says. “We don’t like the fact that we are conceding too many goals at the moment, regardless of the timing of them. “We’ve been a little bit unlucky with deflections and what have you, but at the other end of the spectrum we got very lucky with the goal that was chalked off against Liverpool.
“Obviously we are not happy conceding goals, any goal, but sometimes there is nothing you can do. You look at the early goals we have conceded in our last two games, one shot (at QPR) Tim Howard is going to throw his hat on, and the next (Suarez) one is going to go wide towards the corner flag.
“The other side is that we are showing resilience to get back into games. We’ve scored a lot more goals and created more chances than we have in previous seasons. “That may be because we’ve had to because we’ve conceded early and had to come back, but in other games we’ve started well, scored goals, and looked to go on and score more. Maybe in previous seasons we might have perhaps shut up shop and tried to defend our lead. “But the way the squad is set up now, the players that we’ve got, it is more suited to playing a little bit more expansive football. That is bringing with it more goals, but just at the moment we’re maybe conceding a few too many, too.”
To be fair to Jagielka, he needn’t be too defensive of his side’s clean sheet record. Only Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals this season than Everton. And with the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Marouane Fellaini, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith all in sparkling form at the other end, the Blues have been content to play on the front foot in any case. “It does take a bit of pressure off, to have those attacking players,” Jagielka says. “If you can look around and see four or five team-mates that could potentially create something or score you a goal, then it takes the anxiety of making a mistake away a bit, which can only be positive. “I think it changes the mentality of not just the defenders but the whole team. Going behind early on, we know that we will create chances and that we have players who can put them away too.” Jagielka is expected to continue his record of having played every minute of every league game for Everton this season when the Blues travel to west London to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. He says he feels “as fit as ever” following the frustrations of last season, when a knee injury cost him his place in David Moyes' starting line-up. He missed the FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool at Wembley as a result.
Now, though, he has re-established himself as one of Moyes' indispensables. And his focus now is on helping his side maintain their push for a top-six finish this season. “We are desperate to get back to winning ways, and get creeping back up that league,” he says. “We didn't win at Fulham for years and years, but we've gone down there the last couple of seasons and picked up a result, be it a draw or win. “They've started off really well. Martin Jol is a really good manager, and he is proving now what a good coach he is. “It's his team now. He's got quite a few players in over the last year or so, and he has made some fantastic signings. Obviously Dimitar Berbatov has hit the ground running, especially at home, so we are fully aware of how hard it is going to be come Saturday. But we are up for it, and very confident, as we always are.”

David Prentice: Sex, booze and pills – the Andy van der Meyde story
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2012
THANKS to the phenomenon that is Twitter, I’ve exchanged pleasantries this week with the enigmatic former footballer that is Andy van der Meyde. He is fit and well, is taking his coaching badges – and jokes “in a few years I make Everton champions of the Premier League, ha ha!”
He is also hoping to top the best seller lists in his native Holland with a recently published autobiography. The bad news for British fans is that there are no plans to sell in the UK – bad news because it sounds like a hugely entertaining romp of a read – a sort of Addicted (Tony Adams’ upfront autobiography) meets The Good, The Bad and the Bubbly (George Best’s first life story).
The Sun carried excerpts last weekend, although van der Meyde insists he did not give an interview to the newspaper reviled round these parts. “They (Everton) offered me £30,000 a week — more than double my pay at Inter Milan. I bought a Ferrari and first stop was the Newz Bar, a popular place in Liverpool. After a couple of hours of alcohol I drove to the nearest strip club. Getting drunk in a strip club in the middle of Liverpool was not very smart. But I had a strong longing for naked women.” As you do, then ... “I saw a brunette and I wanted to have sex with her. But after I’d had sex with Lisa once I was addicted, she was wild, crazy and horny.” Followed by ... “Two days later I had to say goodbye to my daughters Isabella and Purple – I could have punched myself in the face.”
And ... “I threw up and my puke was blood and red clots, very scary. I passed out and woke up in hospital. They said probably some guys put some drug in my beer. I had to go to David Moyes and he fined me £30,000 because Everton have a rule that you can’t be seen in any bar or club two days before a game.” Or ... “At West Ham I was 19th man and got a ticket for the stands. I just walked out still in my Everton kit and got a cab back to Liverpool.” Plus ... “Moyes grabbed me by the throat and screamed: ‘You are going to do your training.’ I said: ‘Go on hit me, hit me!’ Steam was coming out of Moyes’ ears but he let me go and two minutes later he gave me his hand and apologised.”
And ... “He (Phil Neville) was Moyes’ pet so I picked on him a lot. I think he told everything that was going on to the boss and that’s why he was captain, he was a snitch. It is a complete joke he played more than 250 games for Manchester United and almost 60 games for England.” Then finally ... “Soon I couldn’t sleep without popping a pill – I was addicted. The pills were pretty heavy, the kind you only get with a doctor’s prescription. So I stole them from the office of the club doctor and no one noticed, for more than two years I stole those pills.” There may even be mention of the two contributions he made on the pitch during his Everton career – a short-corner routine he clipped in for James Beattie to head a Premier League matchwinner against Middlesbrough, and the cross that Dan Gosling converted to etch his name into derby folklore – but they didn’t make The Sun’s precis.
Not one of the most productive Everton careers, but certainly one of the most colourful. Now when is Bernie Wright going to pen his memoirs...?

Everton FC must beat Fulham or risk losing ground on Champions League chasing pack, says Bryan Oviedo.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2012
EVERTON must beat Fulham tomorrow or risk losing crucial ground on the Champions League chasing pack, says Bryan Oviedo. With Chelsea and Manchester United beginning to pull away from the rest, Everton’s third consecutive draw last weekend in the Merseyside derby saw them replaced in the Premier League’s top four by Tottenham. However summer signing Oviedo, 22, is convinced the Blues have the mental strength and attacking flair to maintain their European challenge – and can prove it by winning at Craven Cottage tomorrow. He said: “It is very important for us to win this weekend because we what to stay in the top places. We need to win to keep close to the Champions League positions. “But we have a very good team, very strong defenders and good players in midfield and attack. “The team has a strong mentality. We have come back from being 1-0 and 2-0 down in recent games and the team is very united.” The left-sided Costa Rican international is having to bide his time when it comes to first team opportunities at Goodison with the formidable duo of Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar ahead of him, but he impressed during a brief cameo in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. And if he gets the chance to feature against Martin Jol’s men, his friendship with international team-mate and captain Bryan Ruiz will be put firmly on hold.
“It is nice to play against Bryan,” said the former FC Copenhagen player. “I talk with him a lot and we are the only two Costa Rican players in England. We need to win and take the three points.
“I spoke to him before I joined Everton and we still speak on the telephone. I congratulated him on the goal (he scored against Reading last weekend). He is a very good guy and our national team captain. He is a good person. “I spoke with him two days ago too, he told me Fulham need the three points but I told him it is the same for Everton. Maybe after the game we will swap shirts.
“I think Fulham has good attacking players; Berbatov, Bryan and Rodallega are good players so we will need to be careful.”

Howard Kendall: There should be no complaints with derby point
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2012
SOMETIMES there’s just no pleasing some football supporters – especially after a Merseyside derby. The 219th showdown was a wonderful game, packed full of incidents and excitement, but both sets of fans were grumbling on the local radio phone-ins afterwards. From an Everton manager’s point of view, when you go 2-0 down against your city rivals to fight back to 2-2 and then get a decision going for you in the last seconds of the game which saves you a heart-breaking defeat, you’ve got to be happy with that. The linesman who got that late goal call wrong aside, I thought the officials did well. Compared to the Chelsea versus Manchester United game the referee was okay. At least he kept 22 players on the pitch and didn’t brandish any unnecessary red cards, like we’ve seen so often in this fixture. He could have sent people off too. Luis Suarez was lucky with his stamp on Distin, and it really annoys me that players who have been injured in a tackle that sees the opponent booked still have to go off the pitch and wait to come back on. It’s an unfair disadvantage. When it’s simply an incident of a player being injured but no foul, then by all means ask him to go off and come back on – it could deter fakers. But otherwise, it makes the team who have lost a man have to change their system even for a minute or so which can be costly. I see Steven Gerrard apologised for his comments comparing Everton to Stoke and rightly so. However, that post match period is dangerous for players when they’re still pumped up and can be tempted to say things without thinking. THERE was plenty of talk about diving before the derby and it always reminds me just how much the game has changed. When I had Trevor Steven at Everton he was the type of player who would never dream of going down easily – quite the opposite. He’d glide across the pitch going past defenders with ease and when he used to get into the area he was that quick there was always likely to be contact from the defender. Trevor would stumble and do everything he could to stay on his feet and sometimes I’d have to say to him, ‘If there’s contact you can go down – it’s not cheating!’.
He was just such an honest, determined player it would never have occurred to him to throw himself down with the merest touch of a defender. There are not many like him these days that’s for sure.
Saying that, on the topic of diving Luis Suarez took some criticism before the game for his reputation but he didn’t actually dive during it – only that celebration in front of David Moyes after Leighton Baines’ own goal. It was clearly a pre-planned thing and something he’d probably devised after reading Moyes’ comments. When all’s said and done it was quite funny and Moyes handled it well.
SOMETIMES there’s just no pleasing some football supporters – especially after a Merseyside derby. The 219th showdown was a wonderful game, packed full of incidents and excitement, but both sets of fans were grumbling on the local radio phone-ins afterwards. From an Everton manager’s point of view, when you go 2-0 down against your city rivals to fight back to 2-2 and then get a decision going for you in the last seconds of the game which saves you a heart-breaking defeat, you’ve got to be happy with that. The linesman who got that late goal call wrong aside, I thought the officials did well. Compared to the Chelsea versus Manchester United game the referee was okay. At least he kept 22 players on the pitch and didn’t brandish any unnecessary red cards, like we’ve seen so often in this fixture. He could have sent people off too. Luis Suarez was lucky with his stamp on Distin, and it really annoys me that players who have been injured in a tackle that sees the opponent booked still have to go off the pitch and wait to come back on. It’s an unfair disadvantage. When it’s simply an incident of a player being injured but no foul, then by all means ask him to go off and come back on – it could deter fakers. But otherwise, it makes the team who have lost a man have to change their system even for a minute or so which can be costly. I see Steven Gerrard apologised for his comments comparing Everton to Stoke and rightly so. However, that post match period is dangerous for players when they’re still pumped up and can be tempted to say things without thinking.

David Prentice: Roll on May for another Merseyside derby classic
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 2 2012
THE fall-out from the 219th Merseyside derby has just about settled down – until the next time. And there have probably been more talking points after this one than at any time since the series was revived in 1962, following a seven year derby drought. We’ve talked tactics, simulation, goal celebrations, the competence of linesmen, pre-match mind games and who passed the ball more often, more accurately and more horizontally. And it’s been great. Too many times in recent years the post-match emphasis has been unsavoury. We’ve had vile chants, violent challenges and intimidating atmospheres to talk about. This time the chat has been almost exclusively football-related. If you took offence at Luis Suarez’s swan-dive, Steven Gerrard’s inaccurate long-ball allegations or David Moyes’ pre-match mind games then you really do need to seek a sense of humour. The 219th derby was edgy, intense and controversial – as it should be – but it also stayed on the right side of decency. And it was one of the most memorable in living memory. That first 45 minutes was as thrilling a half of derby match action as I’ve ever witnessed – and if you include a pre-season friendly and a testimonial I reckon I’ve seen 74 first hand, and not missed one for 20 years. Maybe the Gary McAllister derby of 2001, or the autumnal 1985 five-goal thriller just had the edge for overall incident. The over-hyped 4-4 draw had more goals, but for me it was too error-laden, too much a case of one team hanging on in there to be considered a classic.
Sunday saw both teams enjoy periods of dominance, both teams miss chances and both sides have reasons to feel aggrieved. Liverpool were undoubtedly robbed by a linesman – twice, while Everton pointed out Raheem Sterling’s phantom tumble which led to the second goal and a red card which should have been shown to Luis Suarez. Football incidents, things which happened on the pitch, moments which fans had totally different views of depending on whether they wear blue or red tinted glasses. Which is when the Merseyside derby is at its best. Sunday’s was undoubtedly one of the better occasions. Can’t wait ‘til Saturday May 4 (for now) when we do it all again.

Everton FC: The Belgian revolution sweeping Goodison
The Liverpool Post
Nov 2 2012
ASKED for the most popular from a list of famous Belgians, many would pick someone who doesn’t exist and who they probably thought was French in the first place. But it doesn’t require the super sleuthing skills of Hercule Poirot to discover which two names would be at the top of the list for Evertonians. With his curly mop, physical style and tendency to nab important goals, Marouane Fellaini has long been a favourite of the Gwladys Street. Now the midfielder will have to share the stage with his compatriot Kevin Mirallas following the wide man’s electrifying performance against Liverpool last weekend, a 45-minute demonstration of the type of wing play many fear is being slowly eradicated from the game. Mirallas had previously shown flashes of why David Moyes was prepared to gamble £5.3million to bring him to the Premier League from Olympiakos.
Only an ankle injury picked up towards the end of the first half that forced him off at half-time could thwart the rampaging Belgian. But, for Phil Jagielka, there was enough evidence before the interval to suggest Mirallas will prove a major success at Everton. “Kevin’s performance in the first half was definitely up there with the best I’ve seen from anyone coming into a Merseyside derby for the first time,” says the England international. “We’ve seen him do that before in training, for five or 10-minute periods in games, maybe for half-an-hour, but not for a whole half. “If he’d have been able to come out for the second half, then he’d possibly have played that well throughout the entire game. “You’ve got to bear in mind that Kevin hasn’t actually been here that long. We didn’t pay a lot of money for him, although £5million for us is a fair amount. “He is showing he is a fantastic player, and you can see he is slowly getting better and better. He’s a fantastic signing.” Everton are hopeful Mirallas will have recovered for Saturday’s trip to Fulham, although the return of Steven Pienaar from a one-game suspension – the South African looking to make his 150th start for the club – gives David Moyes plenty of options out wide. Of course, Mirallas and Fellaini are not alone in flying the Belgian flag in the Premier League. With Vincent Kompany, Moussa Dembele, Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Romelu Lukaku and Simon Mignolet all aged 26 or under, there is a strong, youthful presence in this country. And Mirallas says: “It is true that in Belgium at the moment there is this new generation of fantastic players and there is likely to be talk of a coincidence because they are all along at the same time, but basically that’s what it is. “The English Championship is the best in the world and lots of players want to be here. “In Belgium, have spent a lot of money on the training centres for the young people, and they’ve actually led to more younger people playing on the top division of the Belgian football. “There is a relation between the investment and the production of talent.” Sunday’s dramatic derby was the first time Everton had been two goals behind to Liverpool and not lost, and was the first time four goals had been scored in a derby before half-time since September 1935. The comeback from Moyes’s men ensured they have still only lost once in the Premier League this season. But Jagielka admits: “I wouldn’t say we were happy at how the derby ended up, but we were a little relieved because we could have lost the game at the end. “Suarez timed his run perfectly but the linesman didn’t agree which was unfortunate for Liverpool but fortunate for us. “To be honest, I think the draw was a fair result. I’m sure if you asked Liverpool they’d say something different, though!” Jagielka admits he will be having a quiet word with Steven Gerrard when the duo meet up for England ahead of the friendly against Sweden later this month, with the Liverpool captain having suggested in the immediate derby aftermath that Everton were similar to Stoke City in their tendency to play the ball long.
“We’ll have a laugh and a joke anyway about it,” says Jagielka. “It does make you chuckle, but if Stevie is saying things like that then there must be a reason behind it which must be that we are doing something well. “If Stevie says we are a long ball team then I’m not going to deny the fact that we play long balls. “Do we play long balls for the full 90 minutes? No. But we play quite direct.
“Who wouldn’t when you have someone in form like Felli who can bring the ball down from fun and we start creating things from there? Why wouldn’t you do that? “We won’t change the way we play. We won’t start to look to put in a thousand passes a game. “It’s a little bit disrespectful to players like Bainesy, Ossie and Kevin who are players who do create a lot of chances for us.
“That’s why we can take it with a pinch of salt. This season is the most goals we have scored, the most chances we have created, and I know the stats from the derby add up to us having more possession and more chances.”

On-loan Everton man excited by FA Cup debut
Nov 2 2012 By Jacob Murtagh
Hounslow Chronicle
JAKE Bidwell is champing at the bit ahead of the prospect of making his FA Cup debut at Boreham Wood tomorrow. Brentford will be hoping to avoid an upset when they travel to Meadow Park to take on the Blue Square South side. The on-loan Everton left-back, 19, has dreamed of playing in the famous old trophy since was a kid and was at Wembley to watch the Toffees' defeat to Chelsea in 2009. Bidwell was just a toddler when Everton beat Manchester United 17 years ago, but says he has fond memories of the competition growing up. “I remember Giggs scoring against Arsenal in the semi-final at Villa Park,” he said. “He was swinging his shirt around when he scored, but I'm not sure I'll be doing the same thing! That's probably the game that sticks out. “I was only two when Everton won it back in 1995. I went to the final a few years ago when they played Chelsea. It wasn't the right result but it was a great occasion to be there. “I didn't get permission to play last year, so I'm looking forward to it if I'm picked. It's one of the most famous cup competitions in the world and I'm really looking forward to it.”

Jol: Everton ‘are the best of the rest’
by Dan on November 2, 2012
Martin Jol is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing his Fulham side tomorrow describing opponents Everton as ‘the best of the rest’ outside the Premier League’s top four.
David Moyes’ side have enjoyed an excellent start to the current campaign and currently sit fifth in the table after last weekend’s enthralling Merseyside derby draw. Jol admits he’s hoping to improve on last season’s record – after Everton won all three fixtures between the sides last term – but was full of praise for the talent within the Toffees’ squad despite the meagre resources Moyes has at his disposal. I think Everton are probably the best of the rest. They don’t have the same resources as some of the bigger clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur but they still finish high in the league. Last season we were like them and we had the same points but lost our final game against Spurs and they went four points ahead of us. That was a great statistic – to be near Everton – because I see them as the best of the rest and we were almost there so that was great to see. There’s a good structure at that club; you don’t see a lot of changes all the time, they buy one player almost every year and fit him in, and that shows their consistency. They are almost always in the top 10 and hopefully we can do the same; we have managed that in the last couple of years and hopefully we can do it in the future. They are certainly the benchmark for a lot of clubs.
I feel that they have a lot of team players. They have one who I have always liked; Marouane Fellaini. Even when he was playing in Belgium he was always a star and he’s an unbelievable player. Then of course there’s Steven Pienaar who’s an individual who can hurt you. They’ve got Nikica Jelavic who came from Scotland and he was probably the player they needed, so I feel they are a good team, full of team players. At the back they’ve got Sylvain Distin, who’s an awesome player, and Phil Jagielka who is maybe a bit underestimated, but he’s an international player. Leighton Baines is, I think, recognised as the best full-back in Britain, so I like Everton. They’ve got another side, though, as they are tough and physical, but they can play so it’s a great combination. Moyes will likely to be able to call upon summer signing Kevin Mirallas after the Belgian forward made encouraging progress in fighting off the ankle injury he sustained during the derby on Sunday, whilst South African midfielder Pienaar returns from his suspension, which could see Steven Naismith relegated to the substitutes’ bench. Former Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson is reportedly not fit enough to return from a thigh problem that has plagued him since the start of September.

Everton a 'perfect guide' for Fulham, says boss
By Yann Tear
Nov 2 2012
Fulham Hammersmith Chronicals
Fulham v Everton - Saturday, 3pm
MARTIN Jol says Everton have become the yardstick by which he judges how well Fulham are doing.
The Whites manager was full of compliments about David Moyes' team on the eve of this year's clash between the teams at Craven Cottage. He fancies his team's chances against anyone at home these days, but considers Everton to be one of the toughest assignments on the fixture list.
“I think we always admired Everton. They are a benchmark for a lot of clubs,” said the Dutchman.
“It was always difficult against them. They set a good example. I don't know how long David Moyes has been there now, but most of the time they were in the top seven and outside of the recognised top clubs, I think they are probably the best of the rest. They are tough and physical, but they can play and it's a great combination.” Jol, who identified Marouane Fellaini as the dangerman, added: “They don't have the resources of a lot of other clubs like Liverpool, Man City or Chelsea, but there's a good structure there. “Last season, we were almost at the same level as them and that was a great statistics – to be near Everton – because I see them as the best of the rest and we were almost there.”

Everton FC are the best of the rest in the Premier League says Fulham’s Martin Jol
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
MARTIN JOL will today measure Fulham’s free-scoring progress in the Premier League this season against an Everton side he describes as “the best of the rest”. The Fulham manager has seen his side score 19 league goals so far, a tally only bettered by leaders Chelsea and Manchester United.
But it is David Moyes’ side who Jol believes are the standard bearers for sides such as Fulham.
Jol said: “We always admire Everton. Everton are an example for so many clubs.
“Over the last 10 or 12 years most of the time they were in the top seven. Outside the recognised top clubs I think they are the best. “They don’t have the resources of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs. Last season we were almost like them and then we lost to Spurs and they were four points ahead of us and that was a great statistic to be near Everton because I see them as being the best of the rest.” Fulham lie in seventh position, two places behind Everton but a win for either side at Craven Cottage today could take them into the top four depending on results elsewhere. Yet Jol admits his biggest problem is keeping a squad happy with so many striking options. Fulham may have lost the firepower of Clint Dempsey and Mousa Dembele in the summer transfer window but Dimitar Berbatov, Brian Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric have given Jol a headache when it comes to selecting a striking partnership. Jol said: “We have scored as many goals so far as normally we would until February or April, so that is good. “We lost our top scorers but up until now it is more productive than it was before.” Asked if it was a challenge keeping them all happy, he said: “It is difficult but that is my job. I see them as luxury problems with all these players up front.” Everton are no slouches either when it comes to goals, having scored 17 in their nine games so far this season. Jol puts the Everton success down to the consistency of manager Moyes, who has assembled a squad of quality players. Jol said: “If you are at a club like Everton for many years then you must be doing something. There is a good structure to the club, they buy one player every year and fit him in. There is a consistency. “We have done that in the last couple of years and hopefully we can do that in the future. They are the benchmark for a lot of clubs.”
This season Jol has identified one or two outstanding Everton individuals who are making a difference at Goodison Park. One is full-back Leighton Baines, who stood in for Arsenal’s Ashley Cole in England’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino. Jol said: “Baines is the best full-back in Britain at the moment. I like Everton, they are tough and physical and they can play. It is a great combination.” Another who gets the Jol seal of approval is Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Jol said: “They have real team players. Fellaini is an unbelievable player. He has developed into a top international player. “Steven Pienaar is an individual who can hurt you too. Then they have (Nikica) Jelavic, who came from Scotland, and he was the player they needed. Phil Jagielka is underestimated but he is an international player. They are a good team.” Fulham have no new injury worries with defender Chris Baird having recovered from a minor injury he received when he slid into advertising hoardings celebrating his headed goal against Reading last weekend. Meanwhile, midfielder Simon Davies continues to recover from a hip operation while French midfielder Mickael Tavares is out with a hamstring problem.

Royal Blue: Everton FC fans can print tickets at home
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
EVERTONIANS can now print match tickets at home for every fixture at Goodison Park.
The new facility will make it easier than ever to buy tickets to watch the Blues in action, with supporters no longer having to wait for tickets to arrive in the post or queue to collect pre-ordered tickets before a match. Alongside other recent developments including the launch of city centre ticket outlets at the TicketQuarter in Queen Square and Everton Two in Liverpool One, the move is designed to make life easier on match days for fans. To print tickets at home, supporters can simply select the ‘print at home’ option on evertonfc.com/eticketing and they will be sent an email confirmation with their ticket(s) attached. For more information the club’s website features a handy Q&A or you can call the Fan Centre on 0871 663 1878.

Royal Blue: Young Blues shine on international stage
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
IT SEEMS like Everton’s world-renowned academy remains in fine fettle. No fewer than five of the players involved in the England versus Wales U-16 Victory Shield tie in Port Talbot on Thursday night were Finch Farm team-mates. England skipper Ryan Ledson was joined in the Three Lions mix by Jonjoe Kenny and Liam Walsh, while James Graham and Charley Edge lined-up against them in the red shirt of Wales. England ran-out 1-0 winners as Ledson led by example with a brave, battling display which suggests the Everton way continues to shine on the international scene.

Barry Horne: Phil Neville and Steven Gerrard showed their class this week
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
THEY say nobody is infallible, and footballers are no different. Two of the modern players I most admire made mistakes this week – big mistakes. Typically, however, both were smart enough to spot their errors, and man enough to try to rectify them as quickly as possible. It is perhaps strange for an Evertonian like myself to confess my admiration for a man whose very name is synonymous with the red half of Merseyside, as Steven Gerrard’s is. Or, indeed, to profess my deep respect for a man who has won sackfuls of trophies at Manchester United, as Phil Neville (inset) has.
Neville, for me, typifies everything that is good about Everton FC. He is humble, hard-working, respectful and professional. And his embarrassment – shame, even – over his yellow card for diving was plain for all to see last Sunday. It would have been easy for him to hide, but he fronted it out in front of the TV cameras, held his hands up, and apologised unreservedly for his error. How refreshing to see a modern-day football figure taking his medicine in such a manner.
Similarly, Steven Gerrard realised quickly that his comments comparing Everton to Stoke were, at best, ill-advised, at worst downright wrong. But again, he could not have been more frank in his apology, and his words, heart-felt as I believe they were, should help draw a line under an issue that had the potential to get a little out of hand. Just as an aside, incidentally, I afforded myself a smile at the “long ball” element to Steven’s comments. I am sure that most Evertonians were terrified in the 91st minute as the Liverpool skipper prepared to launch a high ball towards three towering centre halves in the penalty area. It’s a tactic Tony Pulis has used on more than one occasion!

Duffy on top in Finch Farm Fifa challenge
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
IT'S official – Germany is the new Spain.
Or at least the Bundesliga is the new La Liga in terms of the cool factor when it comes to Fifa 13.
Most of Everton's players opted to go Bavarian rather than the usual Real or Barca, when the EA sports pro player tournament bus arrived at Finch Farm recently; with Shane Duffy choosing Borussia Dortmund, Victor Anichebe choosing Bayern Munich and Conor McAleny choosing Wolsburg. At least one kept it local – with Darron Gibson picking Everton. In case you're wondering, Shane Duffy came out on top.

Barry Horne: Kevin Mirallas’ exit was Everton FC’s derby day turning point
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
l I enjoyed last Sunday’s Merseyside derby, it ebbed and flowed as a derby match should, and the controversial moments, thankfully, seem to have been taken in good spirit by both sides.
There were lots of turning points you could point to, but for me the loss of Kevin Mirallas was the main one for Everton. He was the first half’s outstanding performer. He has shown his undoubted quality only in fits and starts so far – understandable given the massive step up he has made coming to England – but the signs are that the Belgian is another gem of a signing from David Moyes.
Let’s hope he can start to showcase his talent on a more consistent basis.

Royal Blue: Detractors prove Blues are heavy weights
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
WOULD you rather be patronised by a foe or considered a rival worth baiting? That’s the question David Moyes and in turn Evertonians should consider in the light of criticism this season of their style of play; most recently from Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard but also from Alex Ferguson whose 12 league titles during his Old Trafford tenure make his opinion especially relevant aside from the tiresome agenda of domestic sniping. When Fergie grumbled about Everton’s use of Marouane Fellaini during their thrilling triumph at Goodison in August, it followed a curmudgeonly pattern which has developed in recent seasons, notably in April when he declined to give the Blues much credit for their part in that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford which many claim cost him a 13th championship medal. But nobody should view the change in the Scot’s blue-tinged outlook as a negative. Quite the opposite. His friendship with compatriot David Moyes is no secret and for many seasons when the Red Devils would turn over Everton despite a plucky performance from the Toffees, Ferguson would give them plenty of praise as he departed with three points safely tucked away. It’s no coincidence that has dried up as Everton’s ability to compete has improved.
So the occasional bout of sniping by irked opponents shouldn’t rattle anyone at Goodison, even if it’s always likely to get a response when it’s from the other side of Stanley Park, just as siblings are so often the most efficient wind-up merchants. Maybe it’s all relative. The man in the opposition dug-out today Martin Jol reckons his side don’t get enough credit by comparison to Everton.
He’s got a point too. While the Cottagers have generally kept pace with the Blues in recent seasons, they tend to get less blessings than Moyes’ men who are actually considered media darlings in some quarters for, ironically, their style of play as much for their oft-quoted tendency to punch above their weight. Maybe Jol’s side will have their day soon enough, but for Everton there’s something right with the world when men like Ferguson and even Roberto Mancini are sniping.

Royal Blue: Hollies classic hits right note on both sides of park
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
HE AIN’T Heavy He’s My Brother’ has crossed Stanley Park now it has been chosen as the Hillsborough charity single – following the emotional playing of the song at Goodison in September. But the relationship between the Hollies classic and the Blues is significant – and relatively uncharted. Hollies’ lead singer Peter Howarth provided the perfect pick-me-up with his rendition of the classic at the Blues’ post-FA Cup final party at London’s Grosvenor Hotel in 2009. It captured the moment then, as it did at St Georges’ Hall in 2010 when it was played at the club’s end of season awards – and again at the shareholder forum later that year. Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright personally selected the song to be played for a fourth time in connection with the Blues when it so memorably encapsulated the mood in the city before the clash with Newcastle and following the publication of the Hillsborough Panel Report. The worldwide acclaim it – and Everton’s response to the progress on Hillsborough received – will live long in the memory. Now “He Ain’t Heavy” is symptomatic of the solidarity shown by the two clubs over the families’ campaign for justice. Let’s hope the new version, recorded in London last week, gets to the top of the charts.

Barry Horne: Next generation of Everton FC stars impress in Victory Shield clash
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
I WAS at Port Talbot on Thursday night to watch England take on Wales in the BSKYB sponsored Victory Shield. For those who don’t know, the Victory Shield is for Under-16 players, and has seen the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Welbeck star in recent years.
Thursday’s game was interrupted by the mother of all hail showers, but finished 1-0 to England, thanks to a goal by Dominic Solanke. Solanke plays for Chelsea, whilst the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal were also, naturally, well represented. Yet a glance at the respective squads made for interesting reading. Everton had three players in the England squad – captain Ryan Ledson, Jonjoe Kenny and Liam Walsh – and also two in the Wales squad – Charley Edge and James Graham – which meant they were the most represented side out there.
I know how hard Neil Dewsnip, his scouting staff and his coaching team work to produce the next generation of professionals at Everton, so this is a real feather in their cap, and something they can be tremendously proud of. And while none of the players I mentioned stood out as Gethin Jones, for example, did a few years back, I think it is safe to say the future of our great club, hopefully, is in safe hands. Everton, of course, has a proven track record of bringing through young players well, and this I believe is something that can be used as a powerful tool when it comes to attracting players.
With Brendan Rodgers raising the bar in terms of youth development at Liverpool, improving his club’s reputation in that area in the process, competition is likely to be fierce for talented young Merseyside players in future.

Everton FC boss David Moyes insists detractors don't bother him as long as his side keeps winning
Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
THE FAMILIAR Gwladys Street refrain insists they don’t care what their local rivals say – and David Moyes insists that sentiment applies to all. His upwardly mobile team have had a mix of high-profile dissenters as well as admirers so far this term – and the Blues boss is taking it all in his stride.
In the week that Steven Gerrard joined his own manager and Alex Ferguson in claiming Everton are reliant on a direct approach, Moyes was quick to remind everyone that he will always be a tactical pragmatist at heart – even if he is proud of the cultured football they have played lately.
“I really don’t care what people are saying about us,” he says when asked about the post-Merseyside derby sniping which put his side’s style under the spotlight. “We have to keep doing what we are going, which is getting results. “I think people who have watched us will say we’re playing really well, but more importantly if you ask our fans they’ll tell you they’re happy with the way we’re playing, and ask managers – they’ll say they are impressed by what we’ve achieved.
“I genuinely don’t bother. The facts prove it’s not the case. I don’t care – really. I don’t actually care how we win so long as we win, but we have been doing it in style, and I think our football has been outstanding at times, it really has.” While some profess that passing the ball endlessly and trying to emulate Barcelona is the purest way to success, Moyes believes that is not always the case.
“I watched Chelsea play Bayern Munich in the Champions’ League final and they didn’t come out at all, they hit it long, but they are European champions,” he says. “That means they played the right way on the night. There are different ways of playing, and the most important thing is to win.”
Indeed the Everton manager accepts that dissent from influential figures like Alex Ferguson is a back-handed compliment. “I know, absolutely, that when Fergie has a dig at you, it means it’s a compliment in a way. Maybe we have been competing better against United in recent seasons, and we are beginning to compete better against most of the top clubs now, so that’s perhaps why this things are being said. “I’d sooner get that, them having a dig, than people being nice about us because we’ve lost. When you’re easy beat then it’s easy to be nice, but the thing is, we are definitely not easy beat these days. “You know what, I don’t think too many teams play better football than Everton. I would pay to watch us and there are certainly a lot of teams I wouldn’t pay to watch because I get a bit bored with them. “We are competitive, sure, that’s what we do, but we are exciting to watch. We have quality going forward, and at times we have played some incredible football.” Everton’s willingness to play to Marouane Fellaini’s considerable physical strengths is part of their detractors’ case, but Moyes insists that is unfair on the talented Belgian.
“I thing people look at Felli and his height and make assumptions, but the thing is, that’s not his biggest asset by any means,” he says. “I’d say his best quality is his feet and his touch on the ball. He has some wonderful skills. “He has the touch to take it soft on the chest and control from there, and the ability to use the ball. His aerial ability is certainly not his best quality. “But I don’t think people in the game are thinking he’s one-dimensional. They know he’s a top, top player who has a real balance to his game, and there are a lot of top clubs who recognise that because there are a lot of top clubs who want to sign him.” Moyes is happy for the focus to shift back to today’s visit to Fulham, and the chance to get a much-needed three points as they bid to keep pace with the pack chasing European qualification. That, he admits, has been tough given his side’s recent fixtures.
“It’s been four games, three away and the one at home being a derby makes it difficult period. The away games have been tough. “Wigan are a good team as people will find out, QPR are forgetting better and Fulham are a decent side. There are no gimmes and this is a difficult period for us.
“Most people, me included, would say it has been a far better start than we’ve had in the past and if we win at Fulham it will be a really good start. “But if we are going to hang onto the coat-tails of the teams above us we are going to have to keep winning games and playing well. “When you are challenging at the top people try to get to you and make sure you don’t do as well but we’ve enjoyed it. “We will just keep doing what we have been doing in recent weeks. I am pleased with the way the players are playing. “We’ve got a tough game at Fulham, who I can see being one of the sides pushing to be in Europe. “We’ve always found games against them tough and going to Craven Cottage is a hard place to go. “But if we keep playing as well as we have been we’ll win games.”

Kevin Mirallas will flourish after proving he has the heart for the physical nature of the Premier League, says Everton FC boss David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
KEVIN MIRALLAS will flourish after proving he has the heart for the physical nature of the Premier League, says David Moyes. The Everton manager has been delighted by how quickly his £5.5m summer signing from Olympiacos has adapted to the rigours of the English game, and believes he showed he has the muscle to match his ability during a string of combative recent fixtures against Wigan, QPR and Liverpool. Mirallas, 25, could be fit to play a part in today’s trip to Fulham after being forced off at half-time during last Sunday's derby with an ankle injury. The Belgian international has been able to take part in some training during the week, and Moyes admits the forward’s confident displays have been a pleasant surprise. He said: “Mirallas gives us another dimension. I am surprised, if I'm honest at how quickly he's settled in, because I was worried at the start of the season he wasn't ready to play 90 minutes in the Premier League. “Yet he seemed to relish the challenge in the derby, and in some of the tough away games we have had there have been real signs. “You can see he can be a top, top player. His record of scoring goals is really good too, and I think there is that to come from him. Maybe in the second half of the season we'll see that from him.
Player Stats — Kevin Mirallas
Games Played 9
Minutes Played 585
Starts 7
Interceptions 8
Substitution On 2
Substitution Off 6
Duels Won 34.4%
Aerial duels won 25%
“He can play in any of the three positions across the front line, and I like that about us, that we have some versatility, because Pienaar can play in different positions too, and we want options and alternatives, we want to ensure we are not one-dimensional in games. “I think he's shown he's coming to term with the Premier League now. I think if you watch English football, nobody rolls over, every single game you have to grind to a result, whereas maybe where he has played before, there have been a few gimmes when you can ease off. You can't do that here.” While Everton will be without Darron Gibson again today, as the midfielder still struggles with the thigh problem he picked up against West Brom in early September, Moyes is pleased with the options in his squad, and in particular the contribution so far of another summer arrival, Steven Naismith. “He came in and did a good job for us (against Liverpool),” he said. “I think he'll improve. He had his first cruciate at Rangers and I spoke to Walter Smith and he said it took him six months to get back. “Actually he was back in form when he did his second cruciate and he's only just back, so it might take six months to get him back where we want him. But I think he did well in the derby, getting the goal.
“Part of the reason for bringing him was because we knew he could bring us goals so if he could get me between eight and 10 goals it would be good and that's what he needs to try and do.
“We want Jelavic to keep scoring as well because he's important to us, but Naisy getting the goal is important to us.”

Sir Alex Ferguson criticism shows Everton FC on right track
By Ian Doyle
Nov 3 2012
WHEN Sir Alex Ferguson stops being your pal, you know you’re doing something right.
The Manchester United manager, who continues to be prime Premier League puppet-master sat on his Old Trafford perch, is renowned for a friendly approach to managers who he doesn’t deem a threat. So David Moyes wouldn’t have minded too much when his Scottish compatriot and top-flight counterpart stuck the boot into Everton after United’s 1-0 defeat on the opening weekend of the season. “Fellaini is a handful,” said Ferguson back in August. “He is a big, tall, gangly lad and they just lumped the ball forward to him. “That's all they did. They worked from that base all the time and they got a goal from him, so it's justified.” The suggestion Everton are little more than route-one merchants has continued to linger at the back of the minds of some observers, brought to the fore once again by Steven Gerrard’s mischievous words in the wake of last weekend’s controversial derby draw. Gerrard later retracted his comments, but in some respects it has done Moyes and his players a favour for discussion over their approach to be brought into the public domain.
Indeed, few could argue Everton have been playing a more expansive game this season – not even Ferguson. “I know, absolutely, that when Fergie has a dig at you, it means it's a compliment in a way,” says Moyes. “Maybe we have been competing better against United in recent seasons, and we are beginning to compete better against most of the top clubs now, so that's perhaps why these things are being said. “I'd sooner get that, them having a dig, than people being nice about us because we've lost. When you're easy beat then it's easy to be nice, but the thing is, we are definitely not easy beat these days.” Moyes adds: “We are competitive, sure, that's what we do, but we are exciting to watch. We have quality going forward, and at times we have played some incredible football. “You know what, I don't think too many teams play better football than Everton. I would pay to watch us and there are certainly a lot of teams I wouldn't pay to watch because I get a bit bored with them.” Everton have become standard bearers for those outside the leading clubs, with Fulham manager Martin Jol, whose team entertain Moyes’s men this afternoon, yesterday declaring them as “the best of the rest” and “an example for so many other clubs”. The Goodison outfit have nevertheless dropped out of the top four following three successive draws, and have yet to register a victory since Moyes was named September’s manager of the month.
Despite not being 100% fit, Marouane Fellaini underlined against Liverpool last week why he has been a major attacking threat this campaign. But Moyes insists it is lazy to tag the lanky Belgian as a mere target man given the significant other strings to the midfielder’s bow. “I think people look at Felli and his height and make assumptions, but the thing is, that's not his biggest asset by any means,” says the Everton manager. “I'd say his best quality is his feet and his touch on the ball. He has some wonderful skills. “He has the touch to take it soft on the chest and control from there, and the ability to use the ball. His aerial ability is certainly not his best quality. “But I don't think people in the game are thinking he's one-dimensional. They know he's a top, top player who has a real balance to his game, and there are a lot of top clubs who recognise that because there are a lot of top clubs who want to sign him.” Another Belgian, Kevin Mirallas, was the stellar performer last Sunday until being forced off at half-time with an ankle problem. Mirallas is expected to be available for today’s Craven Cottage clash, and Moyes has been impressed by the speed at which the 25-year-old has adapted to English football. “I am surprised if I'm honest at how quickly he's settled in, because I was worried at the start of the season he wasn't ready to play 90 minutes in the Premier League,” says the Goodison manager. “Yet he seemed to relish the challenge in the derby, and in some of the tough away games we have had there have been real signs. “You can see he can be a top, top player. His record of scoring goals is really good too, and I think there is that to come from him. Maybe in the second half of the season we'll see that from him. “He can play in any of the three positions across the front line, and I like that about us, that we have some versatility, because Pienaar can play in different positions too, and we want options and alternatives, we want to ensure we are not one-dimensional in games. “I think with Mirallas, he's shown he's coming to term with the Premier League now. I think if you watch English football, nobody rolls over, every single game you have to grind to a result, whereas maybe where he has played before, there have been a few gimmes when you can ease off. You can't do that here.”

David Moyes ignores critics of Everton's style of football
By Ian Doyle
Nov 3 2012
DAVID MOYES has laughed off criticism of Everton’s playing style – and believes Chelsea’s Champions League triumph underlines the long-ball approach remains as effective as ever.
Everton’s tactics were put under scrutiny in the wake of last week’s 2-2 derby draw with Liverpool when Steven Gerrard compared them to renowned route-one side Stoke City. While Gerrard later retracted his comments, the suggestion Everton are a long-ball team has been rebuked by a succession of observers pointing to the more expansive game that has seen Moyes’s men enjoy their best start to a season in years. Nevertheless, Goodison centre-back Phil Jagielka made no apologies for Everton mixing up their attack by utilising the aerial strength of Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic. And Moyes, whose team are at Fulham in today’s early Premier League match, said: “I watched Chelsea play Bayern Munich in the Champions' League final and they didn't come out at all, they hit it long, but they are European Champions. “That means they played the right way on the night. There are different ways of playing, and the most important thing is to win. “We pass it very well and hit lots of good long balls at the right time as well so I think we mix our game up and that is why people are talking about Everton.” Moyes added: “I really don't care what people are saying about us. We have to keep doing what we are doing, which is getting results. “I think people who have watched us will say we're playing really well, but more importantly if you ask our fans they'll tell you they're happy with the way we're playing, and ask managers – they'll say they are impressed by what we've achieved. “I genuinely don't bother. The facts prove it's not the case. I don't care – really. I don't actually care how we win so long as we win, but we have been doing it in style, and I think our football has been outstanding at times, it really has.” Everton have slipped out of the Champions League qualification berths after successive draws at Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and last week at home to Liverpool, and have won only two of their last eight games in all competitions. And Moyes admitted: “We've got four games, three away and the one at home being a derby makes it difficult period. “The away games have been tough. Wigan are a good team as people will find out, QPR are forgetting better and Fulham are a decent side. There are no gimmes and this is a difficult period for us. “Most people, me included, would say it has been a far better start than we've had in the past and if we win at Fulham it will be a really good start.”
While Kevin Mirallas is hopeful of recovering from the ankle problem that forced him off at half-time in the derby, Darron Gibson remains some weeks away from a return as he strives to recover from a tendon problem in his thigh. Meanwhile, Moyes has expressed his sympathy for supporters after Everton’s trip to Southampton was switched to Monday, January 19 for live television coverage – and fears such fixture changes are dissuading fans from attending far-flung away matches.
“Everybody needs the extra TV revenue, especially Everton, so we are not against that,” said the Everton manager. “We're happy to get it, but I've got to say for the supporters to try and go to Southampton on a Monday night is a really tough ask. “If I was a supporter I'd be wondering how could I get down there for a Monday night and get back for work on a Tuesday morning. I just don’t think you can do it. “I think it will definitely stop Everton fans from going to the game.
“Maybe Everton fans who live in the London area will go, but for fans in the North West is tough. We've got to watch that it doesn't start to put loyal supporters off.”

Fulham manager Martin Jol a fan of David Moyes’ Everton FC
by Our Correspondent, DPW West
Nov 3 2012
MARTIN JOL will measure Fulham’s free-scoring progress in the Premier League this season against an Everton side he describes as “the best of the rest”. The Fulham manager has seen his side score 19 league goals so far, a tally only bettered by leaders Chelsea and Manchester United.
But it is David Moyes’ side who Jol believes are the standard-bearers for sides such as Fulham.
Jol said: “We always admire Everton. Everton are an example for so many clubs.
“Over the last 10 or 12 years most of the time they were in the top seven. Outside the recognised top clubs I think they are the best. “They don’t have the resources of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs. “Last season we were almost like them and then we lost to Spurs and they were four points ahead of us and that was a great statistic to be near Everton because I see them as being the best of the rest.” Fulham lie in seventh position, two places behind Everton, but a win for either side today could take them into the top four depending on results elsewhere.
Yet Jol admits his biggest problem is keeping a squad happy with so many striking options.
Dimitar Berbatov, Brian Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric have given Jol a headache when it comes to selecting a strike partnership. Jol said: “We have scored as many goals so far as normally we would until February or April, so that is good. We lost our top scorers but up until now it is more productive than it was before.” Asked if it was a challenge keeping them all happy, he said: “It is difficult but that is my job. I see them as luxury problems with all these players up front.”
Everton are no slouches either when it comes to goals, having scored 17 in their nine games so far this season. Jol puts the Everton success down to the consistency of manager Moyes.
Jol said: “If you are at a club like Everton for many years then you must be doing something. There is a good structure to the club, they buy one player every year and fit him in. There is a consistency.
“They are the benchmark for a lot of clubs. We have done that in the last couple of years.”

Fulham FC 2-2 Everton FC - Final whistle match report
by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Nov 3 2012
EVERTON were forced to settle for a fourth successive draw in the Premier League after Fulham’s Steve Sidwell equalised in the final minute – but the point was still good enough to take the Blues into the top four on goal difference. Trailing at half-time to Bryan Ruiz’s early free-kick at Craven Cottage, David Moyes’ men came out roaring after the break and looked to have done enough to win the game. After a series of near misses, Marouane Fellaini found the breakthrough when he drilled home Kevin Mirallas’ cross before the giant Belgian put the Blues in front with a wonderful solo goal. Everton went in search of a third goal but Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer produced a string of fine saves to keep their advantage to just one. And in the final minute of the game, substitute Sidwell pounced at the back post after Sascha Riether’s cross was not dealt with by the Everton defence to level the scores at 2-2 and rescue and undeserved point for the home side.
Moyes will have been thrilled by the Blues’ powerful second half performance but left ruining the chances his side missed to close out the game and secure all three points. The Blues had dominated the first-half as well and despite making a positive start, they went behind. After Phil Neville was penalised for a foul on the edge of the area, Ruiz curled a free-kick over the wall which went in via a touch from Tim Howard, despite the Everton goalkeeper getting a hand to it. The goal may end up being credited as an own-goal for the America as it crossed the line after Howard had pushed the ball onto the post only for it to ricochet back off him. Either way, it was the sixth successive game in all competitions that Everton have conceded the first goal of the game. It briefly gave Fulham momentum but Everton were soon back in control of the game but were finding clear cut chances hard to come by. When the Blues played with a good tempo they looked more dangerous, with Seamus Coleman impressing in the first half. Mark Schwarzer was equal to Marouane Fellain, Leon Osman and Coleman before Nikica Jelavic headed Everton’s best chance over the bar.
Phil Jagielka would go close either side of half-time, first with a piledriver from the edge of the area which deflected inches wide before his glancing header just after the break skipped agonisingly beyond the far post. But the travelling Evertonians would not have to wait much longer for the equaliser as Fellaini struck. Again Coleman was involved and he fed Kevin Mirallas into space down the right and the Belgian pulled the ball back for his compatriot who drilled the ball past Schwarzer.
By now Everton had momentum and only a superb tackle by Sascha Riether denied Jelavic a clear sight of goal before Mirallas wasted a good opportunity after Leighton Baines’ backheel had played him in. But soon after Fellaini struck again. This time, it was a solo effort as the big Belgian chested down a long ball, held off Aaron Hughes, chested the bouncing ball once more before firing low and hard past Schwarzer. Fellaini almost grabbed a hat-trick when his deflected effort hit the post with Steven Naismith’s effort from the rebound, cleared off the line. Schwarzer made a string of other fine saves as Everton pushed for the third and it kept Fulham in the game.
And in the dying minutes, the Blues were punished for the missed chances as Sidwell pounced.
FULHAM (4-4-2) Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise (Dejagah 59), Duff, Baird, Diarra (Petric 76), Kacaniklic (Sidwell 68), Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Sidwell, Petric, Karagounis, Rodallega, Dejagah.
Goals: Ruiz (7) Sidwell (90)
Cautions: Riise, Diarra, Baird
Red Cards: None
EVERTON (4-4-1-1) Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Mirallas (Naismith 79), Neville ©, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic (Distin 89). Subs: Mucha, Oviedo, Naismith, Distin, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Anichebe.
Goals: Fellaini (55, 72)
Cautions: Osman
Red Cards: None
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 25, 699

Jol overjoyed by Fulham's lucky break against superior Everton
Nov 3 2012 By Yann Tear
Eailing Gazette
MARTIN Jol could barely conceal his delight after his side somehow got out of jail against Everton in a match they should have lost by a country mile. Fulham were under the cosh for most of the afternoon at Craven Cottage, but escaped with a 2-2 draw, thanks to a 90th minute equaliser from sub Steve Sidwell. "To come away after a bad day like we had today with a point is great," said the Whites' boss. "You need a bit of luck in football, and I feel that they could have scored a third and a fourth one and then we got an equaliser, so that was very positive. "I felt that although they were the better team, we never gave up and we played with a lot of attacking players, although [two goal Marouane] Fellaini was a big problem for us. "It was great after the disappointment of last week at Reading. It was really nice because I really thought that this was not our day." Jol felt something wasn't quite right about Everton's second goal - with Fellaini brushing aside to defenders to control a ball launched from deep before firing in to make it 2-1 to the Blues. But at the same time, he conceded replays were inconclusive and that the goal had been merited. "They deserved the lead and they deserved probably the win," Jol said. "They were pinning us down in our own half. They play good football. We couldn't play our football."

Last-gasp Sidwell ensures Fulham share spoils with Everton
By Yann Tear
Nov 3 2012
Fulham Hammersmith Chronicals
STEVE SIDWELL rescued a point for the Whites in injury time after second half goals from Marouaine Fellaini had looked set to give the Merseysiders all three points at the Cottage. The midfielder (pictured), who came on midway through the second half, has a habit of popping up with key goals for Fulham and did it again – getting on the end of a low cross from Sascha Riether that Dimitar Berbatov had made a hash of from close range. In truth, the Whites could have had few complaints about a defeat, as David Moyes' men hogged possession and always looked more threatening.
But Martin Jol's men do not lose many on home soil and they once again found a way back when all looked lost. Fulham scored with their first real attack when Phil Neville clipped Berbatov for a free-kick within Bryan Ruiz range. The Costa Rican's curl over the wall found the net via Tim Howard – the ball cannoning back off the keeper and over the line after it had been finger-tipped onto a post.
It was the club's 500th Premier League goal since they first set foot in the Promised Land 11 years ago. After taking that seventh minute lead, the Whites spent most of the first half camped in their own half defending it, although one dynamic counter-attack almost yielded a second goal when the overlapping Riether cut back for Damien Duff to fire in at Howard. Leighton Baines, identified by Jol as one of the best defenders around, is also a thrilling attacker and most of Everton's raids seemed to come from him. But the Whites more or less kept their opponents' chances to a minimum, although Fellaini, Nikica Jelavic and Phil Jagielka all came close to getting Everton back on level terms. Fellaini's effort from six yards was the most threatening, but after controlling a high ball, he could only stab straight at Mark Schwarzer. Jagielka's effort from distance might have been closer had it not deflected off Chris Baird. Everton finally drew level 10 minutes after the restart, when Kevin Mirallas provided an extra man out wide on the right and hooked the ball back for an onrushing Fellaini to sweep into the roof of the net from eight yards. Moments later, Berbatov almost restored the lead when he drifted in behind the last line of defenders – Alex Kacaniklic slipping him into the inside left channel. But the Bulgarian could not beat Howard from an angle.
The Whites introduced the energetic Ashkan Dejagah on the right, with Duff filling in at left back for John Arne Riise, who appeared to pick up a knock. But it was Everton who lifted the tempo most and the bubble-haired Fellaini once again caused Fulham maximum grief - outmuscling Aaron Hughes as the players contested a route one ball from half way. Three Fulham players converged on the Belgian, but there was no stopping him as he rifled low to Schwarzer's right. The striker very nearly claimed a hat-trick, with a shot on the turn that Schwarzer did well to turn aside. It proved vital, as Fulham charged back up the field to score at the death.
Line-up: Schwarzer; Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise (Dejagah 59); Duff, Diarra (Petric 76), Baird, Kacaniklic (Sidwell 68); Berbatov, Ruiz. Subs not used: Stockdale, Senderos, Karagounis, Rodallega.
Attendance: 25,699

Jol overjoyed by Fulham's lucky break against superior Everton
By Yann Tear
Nov 3 2012
Fulham Hammersmith Chronicals
MARTIN Jol could barely conceal his delight after his side somehow got out of jail against Everton in a match they should have lost by a country mile. Fulham were under the cosh for most of the afternoon at Craven Cottage, but escaped with a 2-2 draw, thanks to a 90th minute equaliser from sub Steve Sidwell. "To come away after a bad day like we had today with a point is great," said the Whites' boss. "You need a bit of luck in football, and I feel that they could have scored a third and a fourth one and then we got an equaliser, so that was very positive. "I felt that although they were the better team, we never gave up and we played with a lot of attacking players, although [two goal Marouane] Fellaini was a big problem for us. "It was great after the disappointment of last week at Reading. It was really nice because I really thought that this was not our day." Jol felt something wasn't quite right about Everton's second goal - with Fellaini brushing aside to defenders to control a ball launched from deep before firing in to make it 2-1 to the Blues. But at the same time, he conceded replays were inconclusive and that the goal had been merited. "They deserved the lead and they deserved probably the win," Jol said. "They were pinning us down in our own half. They play good football. We couldn't play our football."

FULHAM 2 - EVERTON 2: STEVE SIDWELL RAID HAS THE BOYS IN BLUE BAFFLED
Sunday November 4,2012
By Colin Mafham
Sunday Express
IF anyone from the Crown Prosecution Service had been in the crowd they would have done Fulham for daylight robbery. Steve Sidwell’s dramatic late equaliser was the nearest thing to a footballing smash-and-grab felony you’ll see all season. Poor David Moyes. The Everton manager had watched his impressive side run the show virtually all afternoon only to be robbed of the three points they deserved 30 seconds from time. Even the most partisan Fulham fan would have had to concede it looked nothing less than criminal. There was plenty for Moyes to admire about his side’s display but this one was definitely bittersweet for the Toffees. “I can’t believe it,” the Everton boss said. “We were terrific at times, but I am frustrated because if we want to hang on to the teams at the top we have to be winning these games. “We looked a very good team today, but we were incredibly wasteful in front of goal and made a big mistake for their last goal. He were terrific at times, but I am frustrated because if we want to hang on to the teams at the top we have to be winning these games Everton manager David Moyes “At the moment, though, I think Everton look as good as any of the top teams. But it is hard to win any Premier League games away from home and we really should have won this one,” he added. You can say that again, even though Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz briefly turned on the style after just seven minutes. Berbatov, in that languid way of his, was cutting a path through the Everton defence before Phil Neville unceremoniously halted his progress. Ruiz’s resultant free-kick will go down as an own-goal because Everton keeper Tim Howard helped the ball into the net off the post. But there was no denying the Costa Rican’s magical part in it. If there had been any justice, Everton should have been home and dry before the break, such was their dominance. Picking the ball out of the net was the hardest work Howard had to do in the first half. Mark Schwarzer, on the other hand, made crucial saves from Steven Pienaar and Seamus Coleman, besides having to deal with a string of corners. Phil Jagielka and Nikica Jelavic also went close as lucky Fulham lived decidedly dangerously. But whatever Martin Jol said to his players at half-time didn’t work, Marouane Fellaini missing a sitter for Everton minutes after the restart. I swear my granny could have put the ball into an empty net, but somehow the Belgian uncharacteristically missed it. But he made amends soon afterwards with a cracking equaliser, set up by Kevin Mirallas. Berbatov threatened to make a mockery of all that had gone before, forcing Howard to make his first real save of the game. But then normal service was resumed, with Everton totally in charge. Mirallas (twice) and Jelavic both went close as the visitors laid siege to Schwarzer’s goal with pressure that just had to pay off. And after 72 minutes it did. Fellaini was Fulham’s destroyer again, taking a long ball on his chest before turning on a sixpence to fire home hard and low. Great stuff. There should have been more, but amazingly it was Fulham who pinched a point right at the death. Substitute Sidwell was allowed to force home Sascha Riether’s last desperate cross and you really could have cried for Moyes and co. Even Mr Jol had to concede ‘defeat’ graciously afterwards. “Everton are a very good team and they dominated us today,” he said. “The only real positive thing I can say is that we never gave up. “And don’t forget, we could have been in the top four if we had won a couple of those games we have drawn.”

FULHAM 2 - EVERTON 2: SID VICIOUS KO'S MOYESIE
Sunday Star
We’ve dominated several times this season without winning. We just couldn’t get the goals. It’s frustrating because we wanted to hang on there at the top
4th November 2012
By Paul Brown
STEVE SIDWELL rode to the rescue to turn the tables for Fulham, who scored rather than conceded a last-minute goal for once. Twice in recent weeks, against Reading and Southampton, they have come a cropper in the closing stages. This time they snatched an unlikely point when they looked well beaten. Fulham had led after an embarrassing own goal from Tim Howard. But Everton battered them after that to go 2-1 up with Marouane Fellaini scoring twice. And the Toffeemen will be kicking themselves at letting this one get away, because they should have been out of sight after a sensational second half. As it is, they clung on to fourth spot because of results elsewhere. But this was a fourth draw in a row – and a real choker. Everton boss David Moyes said: “We’ve dominated several times this season without winning. We just couldn’t get the goals. It’s frustrating because we wanted to hang on there at the top. “But you would have come away today thinking Everton look as smart as any of the sides up there after that. We just didn’t finish it off.” Once a bogey ground for Everton, they had not lost here since September 2009 and boasted an impressive recent record against their opponents. Unbeaten in their last six against Fulham, they went into this one with their tails up after coming from two down to draw last Sunday’s derby with Liverpool. But while Everton have been enjoying praise for their best start to a season in years, Fulham have been staying under the radar. It is something that clearly rankles with Martin Jol, who thinks his side do not get enough credit – and he used his programme notes to say so. Fulham have certainly been full of goals – and they were ahead in the seventh minute as both teams picked up where they left off last weekend. Everton conceded early for the second game running, after Phil Neville clumsily hacked down his old Man United team-mate Dimitar Berbatov just outside the box. Bryan Ruiz took it, bending it over the wall but Howard got his hand to it and should have done better than push it on to the post and in off his own back. Costa Rican Ruiz came off the bench to change the game in last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Reading and the decision to start with him here clearly paid off. Everton have had to come from behind a lot this season and Fellaini had a shot saved before Nikica Jelavic wasted a fine chance by heading a Leighton Baines cross wide. Phil Jagielka watched a fine curling effort from long range whistle inches wide of the far post, while Jelavic should have done better again when clean through on goal, lobbing over the bar. It was all Everton at this point, with both Johnny Heitinga and Fellaini inches away from turning home Baines’ free-kick. The visitors did not have long to wait, though. Seamus Coleman fed Kevin Mirallas down the right and he stormed into the box to cut the ball back for Fellaini, who smashed it into the roof of the net. Howard then made up for his earlier howler with a fine save to deny Berbatov but Jelavic was only stopped at the other end by a fine block from Sascha Riether. And when Jagielka sent a 40-yard pass upfield, Fellaini was there to control it with his chest and fire home. He would have had a third but for a fine Schwarzer save. There was then a sting in the tale when Riether swung in a last-minute cross and Sidwell turned it home. Fulham boss Jol said after the match: “Everton dominated us, and in our home games that is not what I want. “We don’t give away the lead and lose here much. I was happy we managed to keep that statistic going.”

Toffees less than sweet for Moyes
Sunday November 04 2012
The New Ross Standard
David Moyes was stunned by Everton's failure to take three points despite overwhelming Fulham throughout the Barclays Premier League clash at Craven Cottage. The Toffees, who climb to fourth place in the table, left London with a point after substitute Steve Sidwell fired a 90th-minute equaliser that secured a 2-2 draw. It was a sickening outcome for frustrated Moyes, who watched his side's slick passing and invention create a host of chances that went begging. "I can't believe we only got a draw out of that, it's incredible," the Everton boss said. "We've played really well this season but that one we should have won. We were terrific at times but couldn't get the goals. I'm really frustrated because if I really want to hang on to the boys at the top I need to win these games when they come along. "To win away in the Premier League is really hard for any side and we should have won that comfortably but we didn't. Today you'd have to go away saying Everton look as smart as any side. That's the way we've been playing." Apart from Bryan Ruiz's seventh minute free-kick and Sidwell's late strike, Fulham were over-run as Everton created chance after chance. Marouane Fellaini buried two of them, but Nikica Jelavic, Steven Pienaar and Steven Naismith were among those who failed to capitalise on the second-half fireworks. "Give Fulham credit, they kept at it and their keeper made a couple of saves, but we were incredibly wasteful in front of goal," Moyes said. "We were playing that well last season, the difference was Nikica was fully firing and at the end of all that good play he was the one getting us the goals. That's just form, it comes and goes. We went 2-1 up and Steven Naismith misses a couple of good chances to put it out of sight."
Martin Jol admitted Fulham had been taught a lesson, but offered only limited sympathy for Everton failing to claim the reward they deserved. "It doesn't mean anything in football if you don't score the goals," Jol said. "They dominated us, all we could do was try to be positive. They are a very good footballing team. They are a settled team and know exactly what to do. Normally we are a good team, but I couldn't see that today. Although we took the lead I still felt they were stronger. The only positive thing I can say is that we never gave up."

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2 - PETERBOROUGH 1: BANK ON BARKLEY
Sunday Star
4th November 2012
By Graham Boon
EVERTON loanee Ross Barkley grabbed his fourth goal of the season as Dave Jones’ side leapfrogged Peterborough to haul themselves out of the bottom three. The England Under-21s international, highly-rated by the Goodison side, struck seconds after the re-start with defender Miguel Llera adding a second after 76 minutes. But the Hillsborough side were made to sweat as George Boyd found the target 11 minutes from the end to set up a nerve-jangling finale. Wednesday boss Dave Jones said: “It was a hard-fought victory and I felt we could have had more goals. We didn’t play as well as we have in other games but we got the result and that’s what counts.” While Posh’s Darren Ferguson said: “We were in control of the game but we played at a tempo which suited them. The way we started in the second half was a disaster but I thought when Boydy scored we would get a second. “Because of our poor start we have put ourselves into a position where every game is a cup final. We have put ourselves under a lot of pressure but I have faith.” Full-back Lewis Buxton set up Wednesday’s opener, his long ball downfield was flicked on by Chris O’Grady and Barkley fired in from 15 yards, the ball taking a slight deflection off Grant McCann to curl into the right-hand corner.
The Owls added a second 14 minutes from time. Midfielder Michail Antonio’s deceptive cross found Llera who headed in from close range. Peterborough’s response was immediate, Lee Tomlin’s corner was cleared to the edge of the area and Boyd finished.

FULL TIME EVERTON U21´S 2 WBA U21´S 1
November 5, 2012
Goals; Kennedy (14), Yasse El Ghanassy (1-1), Hope (84)
Everton: Mucha, Browning, Touray, Junior, Duffy, Pennington, Kennedy, Hitzlsperger, Vellios (Lundstram 78), Anichebe( Hope 21), Gueye Unused Subs: Taudul, Forrester, Hammar
West Brom: L Daniels, Atkinson, Garmston, O´Neil, D Daniels, Gayle, Roofe (O´sullivan 88), Mantom, Sawyers, El Ghanassy (Nabi 64), Thomas. Unused Subs:Lewis, Birch, Jones

BILL KENWRIGHT: I WANT TO SHARE MY LUCK WITH ALL OF YOU
Theatre producer Bill Kenwright
Sunday Express November 4,2012
By Mark Shenton BILL Kenwright is a man at the top of not one but two professions. He is Britain’s busiest theatre producer with more than a dozen shows running in London or touring constantly around the country. He also manages The Queen’s local theatre, the Theatre Royal in Windsor. His ties to Liverpool also run deep where he is chairman of Everton. As we have lunch in a restaurant next door to the London Palladium, where his production of the perennial festive musical Scrooge opens on Tuesday with Tommy Steele in the title role, his two worlds neatly collide when a fellow diner stops him to talk about being a fan of Everton. Kenwright, who began his career in showbusiness as a young actor playing Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street, has come a long way since then but will be back on TV screens for a Sky Arts show, Stagestruck, judging competing amateur theatre companies with Miriam Margolyes and Quentin Letts. He also regularly produces films. His latest, Broken, starring Cillian Murphy, Tim Roth and Rory Kinnear, was premiered at this year’s Cannes and London film festivals.

Now 67, he shows no sign of slowing down. “It is all about tomorrow for me, it is all about what is next. There is always a decision to be made, or two or three or four, about what you are going to do. I think it is all ahead of me. I think I have got to start getting it right and getting it better.”
He is delighted to be working with one of his childhood icons again: “Tommy Steele is a huge part of my love story with the theatre and showbusiness. “When I was a kid we didn’t do holidays but we did do a long weekend in Blackpool. It was like Vegas for me. You would arrive and see posters for Frankie Vaughan, Max Bygraves and Hylda Baker. There would be about 16 or 17 headliners. When I was 11 Tommy Steele did Blackpool and you could not get a ticket but I queued on my own and I saw him. It is difficult to explain how colossal he was: there was him and there was Elvis and that was it! He was still a teenager and we didn’t know what teenagers were!” The same Christmas , Tommy made his theatrical debut in a pantomime at the Royal Court in Liverpool.
“I remember like it was yesterday. My mum took the jam jars and lemonade bottles back to get a few shillings together and she queued to get us three tickets for me, my brother and her.
“I can still see it now: it was set in a circus caravan and Tommy sat on the steps and sang his big hit Butterfingers, which is still one of my favourite records of all time. Halfway through he got out a comb and ran it through his hair and you have never heard screams like it. The place erupted. I decided then that was what I wanted to be.” Bill would go on to record as a solo artist and with a band. He says: “My absolute inspiration was Frankie Vaughan because he was from Liverpool and taught us that you could dream big even though you were from there. It was a forgotten place after the war.” Now Bill is an integral part of that city’s cultural legacy from theatre to football and he says: “I’m at home when I’m there.” Liverpool also gave him Blood Brothers, his biggest theatrical hit, a show that has run for 24 years in the West End and finally closes next weekend but continues to tour nationally and which he also took to Broadway. “I think it is the most loved and protected show in London. All producers love their show but I think we have looked after it and kept it as important as you can make it.” For the final fortnight he has reunited many of the former stars to appear in the show. “The average age has got to be 54 or 55. We all spoke about the wonderful memories we had but when we got down to the work it was like yesterday.” Last night the simultaneous UK tour finished two sold-out weeks in Birmingham too. “If you can get a production that the public can claim as their own, that is when you have cracked it. It is the public who have made it what it is, you cannot fool them.” D espite the successes he confesses to self-doubt, which is also what drives him forward. “I don’t think anyone has ever produced as many shows as I have or will again but I don’t take pride in it because it has to come from insecurity. One is never good enough. I have got to do more and more. Sometimes I think I have got to get off this treadmill. Why can’t I just relax? “One of my heroes is the most successful Everton manager of all, Howard Kendall, who told me that the best and worst moment of his life was when he won the FA Cup for the first time. As he held up the cup to 100,000 people, he then thought: ‘What next?' ”
For Bill, that includes wanting to be at the Palladium “for ever”. “This is by far and away the greatest theatre in the world and I’d love to strike gold again with another play like Stepping Out.
“Do I have ambition? Yeah, for Everton, it would all be Everton. Do I have joy? Yes, when I stood outside the Palladium and saw my name outside it with Tommy Steele’s a few weeks ago.”
• Scrooge opens at the London Palladium on Tuesday and runs to January 5. See page 26 for details of our special Sunday Express reader offer with Scrooge tickets from just £10 on December 4. Box office: 0844 412 4655. For more Kenwright shows, visit kenwright.com.

Marouane Fellaini is extra special says Phil Jagielka
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2012
PHIL JAGIELKA paid tribute to the ‘special’ performance of Marouane Fellaini at Craven Cottage.The big Belgian scored twice, hit the post and was denied a hat-trick by an outstanding save.Jagielka said:“Felli scored with two fantastic finishes.“First half I thought he was good but second half he was special.“Right from the first minute, he brought it down on his chest and you know that he is going to be a handful.“He proved that because his first goal was good but his second was even better.”He manages to kill a ball quite well. If you have ever tried to control a 40-yard pass from me on your chest it’s not the easiest thing in the world!“But he manages to pick up the flight really well and cushion it down.“I think he stands out, along with Peter Crouch, as a player who can use his chest to his advantage.”Jags added: “When Felli is in that sort of form it not only excites the fans but also the players around him know that if it’s played up there it will stick and we can play off him.”But Fellaini’s display was the only bright spot for the Blues defender after a last gasp equaliser denied Everton victory.“I thought we played okay first half, but in the second we played very well,” he added. “We showed signs of how well we have been playing for most of the season. “We took control of the game and got the two goals. We could have got a third goal which would have killed the game off.“There were not too many people smiling after the game.“It feels like two points lost.”

Matthew Kennedy inspires Everton Under-21s to victory over West Bromwich Albion
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2012
MATTY KENNEDY and Hallam Hope fired Everton U-21s to victory over West Brom yesterday.Victor Anichebe was named in an experienced Blues line-up which also featured Thomas Hitzlsperger, Magaye Gueye and Jan Mucha.But Anichebe’s afternoon lasted just 21 minutes as he went down under a heavy challenge and was withdrawn.By then the impressive Kennedy had already put Everton in front, cutting in from the left, bamboozling his marker and firing an exquisite shot into the top corner.Yassine El Ghanassy levelled after 56 minutes before Hope, on for Anichebe, side- footed home six minutes from time after more excellent work from Kennedy.

Nikica Jelavic goals will come says Everton boss David Moyes
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2012
DAVID MOYES admits Nikica Jelavic is currently ‘off-colour’ but has backed the Croatian striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch.Marouane Fellaini struck twice to put Everton into the lead at Fulham on Saturday before Steve Sidwell grabbed a last minute equaliser for the home side.The giant Belgium international is now the Blues’ top scorer with five league goals, having overtaken Jelavic, but Moyes believes the former Rangers man will soon get back amongst the goals.Jelavic’s last goal came against Wigan at the beginning of last month and he missed a couple of decent chances at Craven Cottage on Saturday.“We have just to keep giving him the opportunity to score the goals because he is a really good goalscorer,” said Moyes.“We were playing as well as this towards the back end of last season and Jelavic was the one who was giving us the one or two goals and getting the games out of sight a little bit.“Just at the moment we are missing his real fire. But players will do that and go through periods of different form during the season.“I’ve just said to him that he needs to keep going and the goals will come.“He is a really important player for us and you can see what he did for us last year.“The team have now improved and we are giving him opportunities to score.“He’ll get his goals and contribute between now and the end of the season I have no doubt.”Despite the disappointment of being pegged back by a last minute equaliser at Fulham, Everton still moved back into the top four of the Premier League on goal difference.Moyes admits it was scant consolation given he felt the Blues missed a glorious opportunity to claim all three points.The Blues’ boss believes his side has a genuine chance of finishing in the Champions League places but knows they cannot afford many more afternoons like they had in west London.“Yes, but you need to get the points on board right now,” said Moyes when asked if being fourth gave him any satisfaction.“I felt we missed an opportunity. Ten games is a relative time to ask ‘how’s your start been?’ and I think we’ve had a good start, compared to Everton’s usual starts.“But we feel we have had a couple of games where we were hard done by but today we were not hard done by. We’ve done it to ourselves because we didn’t finish well enough and gave away a stupid second goal which had never really looked like it was coming.“I think this is the best we have been playing since I’ve been here but I couldn’t yet say if it is the best team because the team that finished fourth were a really consistent team. We were resilient and winning 1-0.“But this team have an awful lot of attacking options.“I hope we are pushing for the top four at the end of the season but I don’t know because of the level you need to be at.“But I do know that when you get the opportunities to win games you need to take them. We had an opportunity today which we didn’t take.“We will take a lot of confidence because of the way we played, but it was quiet in the dressing room because it feels like a defeat.”Meanwhile, when asked why he changed his mind about selecting Victor Anichebe as one of his seven substitutes, despite the striker being named on the official team-sheet for the game with Fulham, Moyes said: “I just decided not to use him at the last minute. “I won’t elaborate on it anymore.”

Everton FC played in style of Barcelona, says Fulham boss Martin Jol
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2012
FULHAM boss Martin Jol paid tribute to David Moyes’ Everton FC ‘Barcelona Blues’ on Saturday.The Fulham manager admitted his side had got lucky to escape with a draw from a one-sided contest at Craven Cottage.When asked whether his side’s good home form played a part in their dramatic comeback, Jol praised the spirit of his players, and also the style of the opposition, comparing the Toffees to Barcelona. “The only thing that I can say that’s positive is that we never gave up. Everton were stronger than us, they are a very good team and they pressed us and their full-backs were almost playing like Barcelona’s do,” he said.“We were playing a very good team who had a lot of possession but the game changed over 90 minutes.“They dominated us and Alexander Kacaniklic was nearly playing at left-back, while Damien Duff over the other side was the same.We had a spare man in midfield, but they were almost playing a 4-2-4 and Fellaini was more of a striker than a midfield player today and it’s a very good and brave style. “I feel that when you play against the better teams, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-5-1, you could play around them, and we did that two or three times, but that’s not enough. The first ball was always to Fellaini and the second ball was for them and then they started playing as well.“We are a good team and you could see that in the first-half where we took the lead through a great free-kick from Bryan Ruiz, but you could see that they were probably still physically stronger and that helps.“We had problems closing them down at the back and in making lots of interceptions in midfield, so they had a lot of chances in on goal.”But while Jol admitted Fulham had been taught a lesson, he offered only limited sympathy for Everton failing to claim the reward they deserved.“It doesn’t mean anything in football if you don’t score the goals,” Jol said. “They dominated us, all we could do was try to be positive. They are a very good footballing team. They are a settled team and know exactly what to do.“Normally we are a good team, but I couldn’t see that today. Although we took the lead I still felt they were stronger.”

Everton FC: Leighton Baines rues EFC lack of cutting edge
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 5 2012
LEIGHTON BAINES rued Everton FC’s lack of a clinical edge in front of goal as they missed a string of chances to put Fulham to the sword – and paid with a heart-breaking late equaliser at Craven Cottage.The Blues dominated Martin Jol’s men in a one-sided second-half when Marouane Fellaini scored a brace, but ultimately had to be content with a draw which felt like a defeat, according to the England defender.Everton moved back into fourth place in the Premier League on goal difference after Tottenham lost, but Baines said the Blues must improve if they are to realise their potential and cement themselves in the European places for the long run.He said: “We were gutted. We probably started slowly but really grew into it and then totally dominated the second-half. We should have scored more goals and it shouldn’t have been an option for them to get a late equaliser. We didn’t take our chances and got punished for it. When we’re at our best we mix it up; we go long and we play football as well and that’s when teams don’t know what to do with us.“They’re not sure whether to come in and get tight or stand off. We’re not over-reliant on creative players or passing that can sometimes be a bit one-dimensional; we’ve got a bit of everything. We can beat teams up and play around them.“There were so many chances. Even if we’d taken one at 3-1 it would have been game over, but we just weren’t clinical enough. So we’re really disappointed because to come away with a draw felt like a loss.” Baines said the disappointment among Everton FC’s players proves how much they believe in their ability, but insisted they must quickly go up another gear.“It’s maybe an indication of how well we played that we’re gutted, but overall an indication of how far we’ve come would’ve been that we won the game,” he said. “So if we want to get to the level we want to be at we need to win games against Wigan and Fulham when we create chances. If we want to get where we want to be, that’s what we must do. We feel we’re on the cusp of it because of the good stuff we’re playing but we need to be less naive defensively at times and use our wits to see games out, and be more clinical.”Fellaini was the game’s outstanding player, and gave the Cottagers a torrid time, but Baines believes the Belgian is one of several game-changers the Blues have in their ranks.He said: “We’ve got good attacking players like Steven Pienaar, Kevin Mirallas and we’ve got Seamus Coleman bombing down. Then we’ve got the option to play it up to Felli. We want to win every game and there hasn’t been one when we haven’t set out to win it, or looked like we could win it.“Felli was awesome. When he plays like that, and he’s been like that a few times this season, you just can’t defend him. He’s such a handful and hopefully we can get him playing like that every week.“You’ve got to take the positive that we’re back in fourth but we’ll dust ourselves down and after a couple of days see it in the positive light we should.”

Fulham 2 Everton 2
By DAVID COVERDALE
05th November 2012 (The Sun)
Marouane Fellaini’s second goal may have come from the type of punt Steven Gerrard said was the Toffees’ trademark in his post-Merseyside derby jibe. But David Moyes’ visitors dominated at Craven Cottage like no other team has done this term. And it was not via route one. Fellaini’s second-half brace looked like winning it for Everton, who could have had a hatful if Nikica Jelavic had been on form. But after Tim Howard’s early own goal, Steve Sidwell nipped in with a last-minute leveller to steal a point for the hosts. MARTIN JOL was not overly impressed with how his side were pinned back by Everton at homeA fourth draw on the spin left Moyes quite rightly scratching his head. The Everton boss said: “I can’t believe we’ve only got a draw. “We were incredibly wasteful in front of goal. I think Jelavic is a little bit off colour as far as his goals go at the moment. “I’m really frustrated because if I want to hang on to the boys at the top, I need to try to win the games when they come along. “Today you would have to go away and say that Everton look as smart as any other side. “We just didn’t finish the job off and we should have done.” Fulham made a cracking start when Dimitar Berbatov’s trickery drew a Phil Neville foul and Bryan Ruiz curled his 25-yard free-kick in off Howard. The Costa Rican will feel aggrieved to have such a fine strike chalked off his tally. But Howard deserved an own goal by his name for a feeble attempted save that saw him palm the ball on to a post before it cannoned in off his shoulder. Toffees could have got back on terms when Fellaini struck a tame shot straight at Mark Schwarzer. Then Leighton Baines swung one into Jelavic only for the Croatian to bury his free header into the deck and over. Seamus Coleman tested keeper Schwarzer and then Phil Jagielka hit a fierce deflected strike just wide of a post. Jelavic again could have levelled before the break but this time his attempted dink over the Fulham stopper was far too high. But Everton continued to press in the second half and were well worth their equaliser when it eventually came. Coleman slipped in Kevin Mirallas and he pulled it back to fellow Belgian Fellaini, who powered home a shot from eight yards out. Berbatov immediately forced Howard into a fine save with a stinging drive on the turn. But it was all Everton and they deservedly took the lead when Jagielka punted a long ball forward for Fellaini, who chested it down, muscled off Hughes and fired in his fifth of the campaign. Fellaini nearly had a hat-trick when his deflected strike hit a post before sub Steven Naismith’s follow-up was cleared off the line. And Fellaini then forced Schwarzer into another save with a powerful volley. But, from nowhere, sub Sidwell nipped in past Coleman to tuck home Sascha Riether’s cross after Berbatov had missed the ball. The last-gasp equaliser means Martin Jol’s side have still lost only two home games in 2012. Jol said: “I can’t remember the last time we gave away a lead and lost, so I was very happy to keep that statistic going.”
Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise (Dejagah 59), Duff, Diarra (Petric 76), Baird, Kacaniklic (Sidwell 68),Ruiz, Berbatov. Subs not used: Stockdale, Senderos, Karagounis, Rodallega. Booked: Riise, Diarra, Baird.
Goals: Howard 7 og, Sidwell 90.
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Mirallas (Naismith 79), Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic (Distin 89). Subs not used: Mucha, Oviedo, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Duffy. Booked: Osman.
Goals: Fellaini 55, 72.
Att: 25,699
Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Not good enough: Jagielka says Everton rocked by last-gasp lapse against Fulham
05/11/12 (The Mirror)
Phil Jagielka did not look like a player whose team had just moved back into the top four.Instead, the frustration written on the England star’s face after this hectic match told the story of an opportunity, and chances, missed.The Everton defender knew teams who qualify for the Champions League have to win games like this.David Moyes’ side battered Fulham for most of the afternoon and launched 27 shots, with nine on target. But despite two fine goals from Marouane Fellaini, the visitors failed to kill off the contest and fell victims to Steve Sidwell’s 90th-minute -equaliser – and the home side’s ¬resilience.While Everton escaped with a point in the Merseyside derby when Luis Suarez’s goal was wrongly disallowed, they gave two back at Craven Cottage in their fourth consecutive draw.“There are not too many people smiling in the dressing room,” Jagielka admitted. “As a professional you feel as though you should be winning those games.“It might be the difference between us finishing a place higher in the league. We created a lot of chances again, as we have all season.“The last minute we must have switched off. I am very frustrated. it doesn’t feel like we have played well. “That’s four games without a win, which is not good enough.“We need to be more professional in finishing games off.“I don’t mean that in a bad way to any of our strikers or our creative midfielders. We all play a part in defending and in attacking, but we created over 20 chances and only scored twice. “That is not the standard we have set ourselves.“The Fulham fans will go home happy to have nicked a point, whereas obviously last week we were fortunate for an offside goal not to be given in the last minute for us to gain a point.”The hosts held the half-time lead after Bryan Ruiz’s seventh-minute free kick was saved by Tim Howard – only for the ball to bounce in off the keeper from the post. Fellaini equalised from a Kevin Miralles’ cutback and the big Belgian gave Everton the lead when he controlled a long ball from the back.A week after Stevie Gerrard’s retracted comments about Everton’s Stoke-like style, Jagielka could at least see the funny side. “I’m sure for Felli’s goal people will have a laugh, but we put a lot of passes together and had a lot of possession,” said the centre-back.“In the second half Felli was near enough unplayable.”Mark Schwarzer denied Fellaini a hat-trick with a great save, while Nikita Jelavic missed two clear chances.But Moyes insisted he will stick by his misfiring forward. “You keep giving him the opportunity to score goals,” said the Scot. “He’ll come back because he’s a good goalscorer.”Fulham have scored 21 goals this season – only the top two have netted more – but have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season after taking the lead in seven games and winning only four.Mahamadou Diarra said: “We didn’t do anything good after Bryan scored. We didn’t keep the ball well. It was good to get a point in the end.”

FULHAM 2 - EVERTON 2: NIKICA JELAVIC DYING TO FIND HIS KILLER TOUCH
Monday November 5,2012
By Paul Brown
(The Express)
DAVID MOYES is backing Nikica Jelavic to rediscover his killer instinct and help stop Everton shooting themselves in the foot. The Merseysiders wasted a host of chances in a second-half barrage which should have been enough to beat Fulham, with Jelavic particularly off target.The Croatian is now goalless in his past three games, all of which Everton have come from behind to draw, and his side are clinging on to fourth spot by the skin of their teeth.They roared back in this one, after Tim Howard’s own-goal gave Fulham the lead, with stunning strikes from Marouane Fellaini, before coughing up a last-minute equaliser from substitute Steve Sidwell.But if Jelavic and his team-mates had taken their chances when they were swarming all over the home side in a totally dominant 30-minute spell, it would have been a very different story. After all, it is not every day you have 26 shots away from home, with 15 of them on target.But Moyes insists it is only a matter of time before the striker, who scored 11 goals in 16 matches last season after his £5 million move from Rangers, is back in business.The Everton boss said: “Jelavic had chances, but he’ll come back because he’s a really good goalscorer. At the moment we are missing his real fire.“But I’ve said to him that his goals will come. He’s a really important player to us.“We saw the difference he made for us last year and the team has improved now and is giving him the opportunity to score.“He’ll score his goals, there’s no doubt about that.“We have played as well as this in one or two other games this season and Jelavic was the one getting us the goals that put those games out of sight a little bit. We had plenty of chances against Fulham – I was wondering how many more we were going to miss really.“We have been hard-done-by in some games. This time we did it to ourselves because we didn’t finish as well as we can do.”Fellaini scored two brilliant goals to give Everton the lead after Howard’s clanger from a Bryan Ruiz free-kick, but they went to sleep when Sidwell turned in a late Sascha Riether cross.England defender Phil Jagielka later admitted the killer instinct Everton currently lack is what separates the great from the good at the top of the table.Jagielka said: “We had enough chances to score another one and to kill the game off. But unfortunately again we’ve dropped two points in the dying minutes.“We want to be pushing up the league. That’s four games without a win, which is not good enough for us.“It might be the difference between us finishing a place higher in the league.”Fulham boss Martin Jol admitted Sidwell is now pushing for a return to the starting line-up after being overlooked for Mahamadou Diarra in recent weeks.Jol said: “Diarra came back from injury and I had to make a decision. But he is a confident player and is always capable of doing something.”
Fulham (3-5-2): Schwarzer 6; Riether 5, Hughes 5, Hangeland 7; Riise 6 (Dejagah 59, 6), Duff 5, Baird 5, Diarra 5 (Petric 76, 7), Kacaniklic 6 (Sidwell (67, 6); Ruiz 6, Berbatov 6. Booked: Riise, Diarra, Baird. Goals: Howard og 7, Sidwell 90.
Everton (4-4-2): Howard 4; Coleman 5, Heitinga 6, Jagielka 6, Baines 7; Mirallas 5 (Naismith 79), Neville 5, Osman 7, Pienaar 6; Fellaini 8, Jelavic 5 (Distin 89). Booked: Osman. Goals: Fellaini 55, 72.
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).fulham 2
everton 2

Match Report: Moyes is left baffled by the points that got away
Fulham 2 Everton 2: Fulham manager Jol concedes his side were ‘dominated’ before Sidwell’s late equaliser
Nick Szczepanik 05/11/12 (The Independent)
A draw that will feel like a defeat took Everton up to fourth place in the Premier League yesterday, but they will know that this was a game they could and should have won.A goal down early on when Tim Howard fumbled a free kick, David Moyes’s side took a while to muster a serious effort on goal. But the second half belonged almost entirely to the men from Merseyside. Marouane Fellaini was almost unplayable, scoring twice and coming close to a hat-trick on two occasions, but the third goal would not come, and Everton paid the price when Fulham scored another scrappy goal as the clock reached 90 minutes.“I couldn’t believe we’ve only got a draw out of that,” Moyes said – it was his team’s fourth in succession. “We’ve played really well this season but that one we should have won. We were terrific at times but couldn’t get the goals.“It’s quite incredible, but give Fulham credit, they kept at it. The keeper made some saves but we were incredibly wasteful in front of goal. We were terrific at times but we just couldn’t get the goals. To win away in the Premier League is really difficult. We made it look as if we would win that one comfortably but we haven’t. That’s disappointing – we just didn’t finish it off.”Everton started as they meant to go on, Leon Osman twice having shots blocked on the edge of Fulham’s penalty area in the first four minutes, but when he conceded a free kick for a foul on Dimitar Berbatov a similar distance from his own goal after six minutes, his team went behind. Bryan Ruiz’s free kick beat the wall and curled towards the net but Howard, diving to his left, appeared to have it covered. Yet instead of catching the ball or palming it aside, the goalkeeper flapped it against the inside of the post and it rebounded off his shoulder and in.Fulham looked as though they would try to press home their advantage as Damien Duff tested Howard on the break, but before long Everton were pressing them back. To some extent that worked against the visitors, who were confronted with a white and black wall, but even so, Seamus Coleman wriggled through to draw a save from Mark Schwarzer after 37 minutes, Phil Jagielka hit a low shot that was deflected wide and Nikica Jelavic wasted a good chance when Chris Baird’s ill-judged backpass fell into his path.“Early in the season Jelavic was fully firing and I think he is just a little off-colour at as far as his goals go at the moment,” Moyes said.Everton must have thought their luck was still out early in the second half as Fellaini failed to make contact with the ball at the far post when Jagielka flicked on Leighton Baines’s free kick. But it brought the Everton fans behind the goal to life and Fellaini made amends after 55 minutes when Kevin Mirallas, just onside, took Coleman’s pass down the right and laid the ball back for the Belgian to hit home from six yards.Fulham tried to reply when Berbatov anticipated John Arne Riise’s pass and drew a save from Howard, but it was a brief respite from what was now an Everton onslaught, and Jelavic’s shot from Fellaini’s clever pass was only deflected wide by Sascha Riether’s well-timed tackle.Moyes’s men were disproving the suggestion made a week ago by the Liverpool captain that Everton were a long-ball team, but their second goal, ironically, was pure route one. Jagielka, 10 yards inside his own half, hoisted the ball to the edge of the Fulham penalty area, where Fellaini, in an unanswerable combination of power and technique, held off Aaron Hughes to chest the ball down and hit a first-time shot on the turn low past Schwarzer’s right hand and into the corner of the net.The hat-trick beckoned, and it almost came with an angled shot from the left that looped up off Brede Hangeland and rebounded from the post. Steven Naismith, the substitute, smacked the loose ball towards the net but Baird was on hand to kick clear. Then Fellaini hit a volley on the turn that Schwarzer palmed aside at full stretch.But although Fulham have given away 12 points this season from winning positions, they are also resilient. And instead of celebrating victory, Everton were left to rue their misses as Riether crossed low, Berbatov – of all people – fluffed his shot, and Steve Sidwell appeared at the far post to punish the visitors.Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, admitted: “It doesn’t mean anything in football if you don’t score the goals. They dominated us and all we could do was try to be positive. They are a very good footballing team. They are a settled team and know exactly what to do.“Normally we are a good team, but I couldn’t see that today. Although we took the lead I still felt they were stronger.“Our wingers had to play as fullbacks. Fellaini was more like a striker than a midfield player. But I can’t remember giving away a lead and losing and I was very happy to keep that statistic going. The only positive thing I can say is that we never gave up.”
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise (Dejagah, 59); Duff, Diarra (Petric, 76), Baird, Kacaniklic (Sidwell, 67); Ruiz; Berbatov.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines; Mirallas (Naismith, 80), Osman, Neville, Pienaar; Fellaini; Jelavic (Distin, 89).
Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
Man of the match: Fellaini (Everton)
Match rating: 7/10

Alan Stubbs hails resilience of Everton U-21s and impact of Matthew Kennedy after 2-1 win over West Brom on Sunday.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 6 2012
ALAN Stubbs hailed the resilience of his Everton U-21 side after they hung on to beat West Brom 2-1 on Sunday. The Blues were not at their best but goals either side of half-time from Matthew Kennedy and Hallam Hope were still enough to see them leapfrog their opponents and go fifth in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League National Group 1. The win means Everton remain in the hunt for a play-off spot with just four games remaining. “We did okay but I thought West Brom had the lion’s share of the possession, he said. “At times our lads at the back defended their 18-yard line really well and got some vital blocks in but performance-wise we’ve been better. “They stuck at it and they got a result and it’s good if you can do that. They understand that when they’re not playing well they have to stay in the game.” Stubbs was particularly impressed by 18-year-old winger Kennedy, a summer signing from Kilmarnock. “Matthew scored a great first goal and he had a massive part in the second goal and they were probably the two bright points in the game. “He’s done well since he’s come in. We want to keep his feet firmly on the ground but we’ve been happy with what he’s done and we’re hoping that he keeps progressing.”
* Tickets for Everton’s first-team game against Sunderland on Saturday are now on general sale. Call 0871 663 1878 to buy or visit the Park End Box Office, Ticket Quarter or Everton Two.

Everton FC captain Phil Neville goes back to school to support the Kick It Out campaign
by Gemma Jaleel, Liverpool Echo
Nov 6 2012
EVERTON captain Phil Neville enjoyed a training session with young people as part of the anti-racism Kick It Out campaign. Phil talked to the students about his experiences and what to do if they witness discrimination as part of an anti-racism workshop. The Blues skipper, who has been vocal about his passion for kicking discrimination out of football and the wider community, visited University Academy Liverpool in Toxteth. He also took part in a coaching session with students to show Everton’s commitment to promoting equality in sport. Phil said: “Quite simply, there is no place for any form of abuse or discrimination in football. “We have a responsibility to keep supporting the Kick It Out campaign.”

Blues legends Bob Latchford and Howard Kendall signs copies of the Everton Encyclopaedia
Nov 6 2012
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EVERTONIANS were in seventh heaven at Formby Books on Saturday when a Goodison legend was on hand to sign copies of an exhaustive reference work of all things Toffees. Bob Latchford joined Howard Kendall and author James Corbett to promote the Everton Encyclopaedia at Formby Books.
The tome took four years of intensive research, contains 350,000 words and is 656 pages in length.
James, a Leighton Baines fan, said: “I would often work through the night but I finally finished writing last December. “It was an emotional moment seeing it roll off the printers.”
* READ excerpts from the Everton Autobiography here and here - buy Everton - The Official Autobiography for £11.99 (usual RRP £16.99) from Merseyshop here

Ian Snodin: Nikica Jelavic will come good despite lack of recent form
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 6 2012
IT’S been a tough spell for Nikica Jelavic lately and his usually prolific touch in front of goal seems to have dried up a bit. But even the very best strikers, and I class the Croatian international as one of them, go through lean spells when it just won’t go in for them. The important thing is that he is still working hard, not hiding and getting in chances were he can be a threat.
Player Stats — Nikica Jelavic
Games Played 9
Minutes Played 738
Starts 9
Interceptions 2
Substitution On 0
Substitution Off 6
Duels Won 35.1%
Aerial duels won 36.5%
There was a headed chance at Craven Cottage which Jelavic made a particular hash of, but he seems the type of player not to allow his confidence to be undermined by a bad day at the office.
Crucially Everton have goals from other areas to compensate for their main man’s lack of form.
Marouane Fellaini has chipped in and Kevin Mirallas certainly looks to have a few goals in him.
I’d be more concerned if Everton were only creating a couple of goal-scoring chances per game, that when misses really do become costly. But with the amount of exciting attacking players we have, that’s thankfully not been a problem when maybe it was once. Steven Naismith had a chance cleared off the line on Saturday and Fellaini hit the post – Naismith may not be 100% yet but it’s clear he’s got goals in him.
Seamus Coleman will learn from costly mistake at the Cottage
LOSING THE ball in a key area and then being punished for it is a defender’s worst nightmare – so I really felt for Seamus Coleman on Saturday afternoon. I’ve done it myself, and as soon as he lost possession he’ll have been thinking ‘Please don’t let them score from this’. Seamus should have got his body in a better position at the far post as well, in order to see Steve Sidwell coming in.
He’s still young but a more experienced player might have been a bit cannier and got the ball into the corner to waste time. It was a shame but he’s bright and will learn from it.
Premier League’s top four seems wide open
WITH BOTH Arsenal and Tottenham losing at the weekend and going through difficult spells it seems the Premier League’s top four is more open than it has been in a while. That means an opportunity for Everton to do what they did in 2005 and muscle back into the clique at the top. It’s odd to say but at the moment even qualifying for the Europa League would feel like under-achievement.
The season has plenty of twists and turns left, but these are exciting times.
Teams really fear Everton at the moment.

Everton FC are tougher opponents than Manchester United or Manchester City says Fulham full-back Sascha Riether
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Nov 6 2012
EVERTON are better than title-chasing Manchester rivals United and City, according to Fulham’s German defender Sascha Riether. The full-back reckons the Blues are the best side he has faced in England since signing a season-long loan from German club FC Koln in the summer. Fulham lost to both Manchester giants earlier in the season while grabbing a point on Saturday at Craven Cottage, but nevertheless the 29-year-old was highly impressed. He said: “We played against a very good team. "We were lucky but that’s football. "I’m told Everton had 27 shots which is a lot so we’ll have to work on that. “I can understand why Everton are disappointed. They’re the best team we’ve played this season. We had to fight until the end and we did it.” Everton’s recent costly habit of conceding early goals this season continued on Saturday when Bryan Ruiz’s seventh-minute free-kick went in off Tim Howard, but Everton dominated after as Marouane Fellaini bagged a brace.
It looked like the Blues had done enough to win all three points until Riether’s cross was missed by Dimitar Berbatov but bundled home by substitute Steve Sidwell. “I saw Dimitar and crossed but then Sidwell knocked it in,” said Riether, who joined manager Martin Jol in singing Everton’s praises after the contest. "But it didn’t matter who scored. "We needed a goal in the last minute so we’re happy. “In football you always have to be positive. "In the last games we’ve conceded goals in the last few minutes but we always know we can score and we’d get a chance because we’ve got quality all over the pitch. "It was important that we didn’t lose.”

Everton FC must be more ruthless says skipper Phil Neville
by Ian Doyle, DPW West
Nov 6 2012
PHIL NEVILLE believes Everton must regain their cutting edge or become in danger of being reliant on Nikica Jelavic for goals. In what skipper Neville believes was their best performance of the season, David Moyes’ side frittered a number of chances as they were held to a 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage at the weekend. It was fourth successive Premier League stalemate for Everton, following similar scorelines against Wigan Athletic and Liverpool and a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers. Despite four goals in 10 games this season, Jelavic has struggled to match the explosive opening to his Goodison career on arriving from Rangers in January.
And Neville has urged the Croatia international’s team-mates to help ease the goalscoring burden.
“The Fulham game was probably the best we’ve played all season, maybe the best we’ve played since January,” said the 35-year-old. “We went to Fulham and totally dominated the game, we had all the possession, we had all the quality and they had nothing, probably two shots on goal, and scored two goals. “I think we created maybe six or seven chances where maybe if we’d been a bit more clinical we’d have come out probably 7-2 winners. That’s how it felt playing.
“We just need to be a little bit more ruthless, not totally dependant on Jelavic scoring all the time and chip in with goals from centre midfield, wide areas and at the back. It’s up to us all to do it.”
Results elsewhere meant Everton moved back into the Champions League qualification places in fourth place ahead of Tottenham on goal difference. But Neville admits the Goodison outfit should be a lot nearer to front-runners Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. “Drawing is our Achilles heel at the moment and we need to win these games,” he added. “But we’ve got to take confidence from the performance – it was outstanding. “We’re playing full of confidence and with movement and teams are finding it hard to play against us.” Meanwhile, Fulham’s German defender Sascha Riether claims Everton are better than title-chasing Manchester rivals United and City.
The full-back reckons the Blues are the best side he has faced in England since signing a season-long loan from German club FC Koln in the summer. Fulham lost to both Manchester giants earlier in the season but on Saturday the 29-year-old was highly impressed with Everton. He said: “We played against a very good team. We were lucky but that’s football. I’m told Everton had 27 shots which is a lot so we’ll have to work on that. “I can understand why Everton are disappointed. They’re the best team we’ve played this season. We had to fight until the end and we did it.” Everton’s recent costly habit of conceding early goals this season continued on Saturday when Bryan Ruiz’s seventh-minute free-kick went in off Tim Howard, but Everton dominated after as Marouane Fellaini bagged a brace.
It looked like the Blues had done enough to win all three points until Riether’s cross was missed by Dimitar Berbatov but bundled home by substitute Steve Sidwell. “I saw Dimitar and crossed but then Sidwell knocked it in,” said Riether. “But it didn’t matter who scored. We needed a goal in the last minute so we’re happy. “In football you always have to be positive. In the last games we’ve conceded goals in the last few minutes but we always know we can score and we’d get a chance because we’ve got quality all over the pitch. It was important that we didn’t lose.”

Ian Snodin: Premier League’s top four seems wide open
by Our Correspondent, DPW West
Nov 6 2012
WITH both Arsenal and Tottenham going through difficult spells it seems the Premier League’s top four is more open than it has been in a while. That means an opportunity for Everton to do what they did in 2005 and muscle back in. It’s odd to say but at the moment even qualifying for the Europa League would feel like an under-achievement.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Jose Semedo raves about Ross Barkley
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Bevereley Guardian
JOSE Semedo is tipping Ross Barkley to become one of the best midfield players in the country.
Semedo sees at close hand what an impact the 18-year-old from Everton is making in the Owls midfield. The experienced Portuguese star also believes that the calibre of the youngsters in the Hillsborough squad makes his job easier. Barkley has lived up his billing as an outstanding prospect, since Everton allowed him to join Wednesday on loan to gain League experience.
Impressive displays have also brought him four goals, including three in the last two games.
“He’s a top player,” says Semedo. “He’s going to be one of the best midfield players in England within a few years. “You can see he wants the ball all the time; he wants to play; he wants to be involved in attacking play, and he can run back and defend.” “It makes my job easier: when he gets the ball he wants to go forward if we are attacking, I am resting, waiting to defend afterwards!”
Semedo, with a current role as a defensive screen in front of the back four, reveals that he and the two centre halves are the only ones in the team who are under instructions to sit back; others, including the full backs, have licence to go forward when appropriate. Barkley and either Paul Corry or Rhys McCabe have provided more of a creative edge in central midfield,
McCabe is a likely starter against Blackpool tonight, because of Corry’s ankle injury, suffered on Saturday, and is a talented though different type of player when compared to Barkley, says Semedo:
“Ross is looking more for the goal, for the spectacular things, and to take players on. Rhys is a fantastic player as well, very clever, like the brain in the team when he plays. They are different, but such good players.” With Corry also having made a good impression, Semedo says: “They are such good players for their age. Things in football move quicker thah before, When I was 20 I was not so experienced or so mature. “They (the young players) do not need much help from me.”
Semedo’s Man of the Match performance against Peterborough was described by Dave Jones as his best of the season. “It is good if he has said that, because it means I am doing what he wants me do,” said the midfielder. “I feel much better for the second win (on the trot). I think everybody did the right job. “What I am doing now is not much different to what I have done before. I played in a midfield three, in front of the back four, when I first moved to England, and I played there a few times in Portugal. “For so long I have been playing in a two, now I am playing in front of the back four again. Jones says: “It was Semi’s best game for us on Saturday for doing what he does best, which is breaking up a lot of things. “It also gives the two youngsters a freedom to do what they’re capable of. He’s their safety net. We’re trying to get him on the ball a lot more. We have adapted Semi in such a way that it enables us to go about business in other ways. “He helps the team and the two youngsters, and gives us a bot more security in front of the back four and behind the front players.” Jones believes that persevering with the 4-1-4-1 formation has paid off: “Now it’s starting to come together. We stuck to what we believe in.” Teams and ref
OWLS (possible): Kirkland, Buxton, Llera, Gardner, Jones, Semedo, Bothroyd, Barkley, McCabe, Antonio, O’Grady (4-1-4-1).
BLACKPOOL (possible): Gilks, Eardley, Cathcart, Baptiste, Crainey, Osbourne, Martinez, Gomez, Ince, Taylor-Fletcher, M Phillips (4-3-3).
Andy D’Urso (Essex): Has sent off three players in his last four games, the latest Leicester’s Zak Whitbread in the 83rd minute of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Watford, for two bookings. Has also issued 24 bookings in his 12 matches.

Sunderland’s Saha wants first goal at Everton
Sunderland Echo
Tuesday 6 November 2012
LOUIS SAHA is eager for his first Sunderland goal to be a meaningful one as he looks to break his duck at former club Everton this weekend. French frontman Saha is yet to find the net for the Black Cats after making 10 appearances – seven of which have come from the bench – since penning a one-year deal at the Stadium of Light in the summer. But the 34-year-old is getting closer to hitting the mark – heading just over the top with keeper Brad Guzan beaten in last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa. That would have provided a priceless leveller for goal-shy Sunderland and Saha wants to open his account with such a meaningful strike. Saha said: “You always work hard for that first goal and the pressure is off when you get it. “But you want to make sure you get when it’s the right moment. You don’t want to score when you’re 3-0 down and you don’t need it.” Saha couldn’t pick a much more opportune moment for his first Sunderland goal than this Saturday’s trip to Goodison Park. The striker spent three-and-a-half years with the Toffees, making more than 100 appearances for the club before he moved to Tottenham on a free transfer last January. Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill will hope Saha can haunt his former club, with Sunderland in the doldrums after three defeats in five games and a measly tally of just six Premier League goals all season. Saha can understand the frustration among supporters – particularly with Sunderland drawing six of their nine top flight outings this season – yet he is confident that the victories are not too far away for O’Neill’s side. “You always want to do more and I think the team can do it and as a player I think I can do more as well,” added the former France international. “When you’re drawing many games, you always expect more because we’re here to win games. But we’re training to improve. We’ve done okay, but the fans can ask more because they see things. “But football is a difficult job and I really think we are close to winning games.”

Gary Rowell: Goodison fortress particularly tough for Sunderland in weekend Everton clash
Sunderland Echo
Tuesday 6 November 2012 11:01
IF you asked Sunderland fans to name the places they’d least like to go to when they needed a good result, I can guarantee you Goodison Park would be right near the top of the list. Sunderland’s bogey team of the modern era par excellence! So guess who is next up for us? Everton at Goodison Park. The one saving grace we used to have was that Everton always started the season abysmally before getting up an irresistible head of steam. Get them early in the season like we have now, and you might be lucky to get them still searching for their best form. Well, we’ve got them pretty early in the season and where are they this time around? In a Champions League spot! That’s going to make Saturday’s game as tough as they come for Sunderland, Make no mistake, Everton will be as aware of our recent horrendous record against them as we are, and they’ll be looking to make the most of it. They’ll see this as three points to reinforce their Champions League position and they’ll be looking forward to this fixture with no fear. In fact they’ll be bursting with confidence and eager to get the game on. Even when Sunderland have got a decent result there – like the draw in the FA Cup last season – they messed up on the replay, which only went to confirm Everton’s status as the side with the Indian sign over us. I’ll be at Goodison hoping Sunderland’s capacity to shoot themselves in the foot is only matched by their ability to surprise. At least I’ll be in good company, because this is always a game where the away support is outstanding. I made one of the highlights of last season the magnificent support 6,000 Sunderland fans gave in that FA Cup game. And although the support will be less in this fixture because of the ticket allocation, I know it will be no less fervent. I only hope Sunderland can finally give their fans something to cheer.

Ian Snodin: Excellent Everton made mockery of Steven Gerrard's comments at Craven Cottage
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Nov 6 2012
EVERTON made a mockery of a few things at Craven Cottage on Saturday. For starters they made those comparisons to Stoke look daft – but at least Steven Gerrard had the grace to retract what he said in the heat of the moment. But also they made a mockery of conventional footballing stats for an away team going to a difficult ground against a talented team. To dominate and have 61% of possession and 26 shots is incredible, and taking that into account it’s all the more hard to take that the Blues came away from West London without three points. David Moyes looked gutted at the final whistle and Martin Jol was almost sheepish as he shook his hand a few moments after Steve Sidwell had grabbed his team a late, late equaliser. I’d be surprised if Jol watches a better team come to Fulham all season, and he was certainly generous with his praise for the Blues afterwards when he made the far more pleasant comparison of Barcelona – even if I don’t think we’re quite in that mould yet! To be honest I don’t think Everton are like anyone – they’ve got their own excellent blend of styles and a growing sense of self belief in what they’re about. You won’t see the players questioning themselves or trying to fit into anyone else’s ideas about how they should play.
They passed it in lovely style for their first goal, and then Jags went long for the big Belgian’s second.
I bet the Everton players were scratching their heads wondering just how they hadn’t won all the way back to Merseyside - I know the feeling when you’ve battered a team and still drawn - as Leighton Baines said it does feel like a defeat. The important thing is using the frustration that will be building all week after that draw and taking it out on Sunderland when they come to Goodison on Saturday. The Wearsiders will be a tough prospect even if they haven’t picked up as many points as Martin ONeill would want so far this term, and they have a poor record against the Blues over recent years so there’s always the concern they are due a result. But I sense Everton are ready to give someone a pasting soon and it could be at the weekend, when they’ll be champing at the bit to get that fourth consecutive draw out of their system and make a statement about their ambition for this season. I’m speaking with my head and not just my heart when I say I firmly believe Everton can beat anyone in the Premier League this season. They have enough quality to give any side – and that includes Manchester United and Chelsea – a game and if they can stop the drawing habit there’ll be no stopping them!
Fulham display was Marouane Fellaini at his devastating best
MAROUANE Fellaini was excellent against Manchester United during Everton’s first game of the season but he was even better at Craven Cottage when he went on the rampage.
It was the best performance from a midfielder in an Everton shirt I’ve seen in a few seasons.
It was interesting to hear Fabrice Muamba and Stuart Holden discussing what it’s like to play against Fellaini while they were on Sky’s Goals on Sunday. That’s when the term ‘unplayable’ cropped up again, and both of them said he is a nightmare to compete against because of his mix of physicality and skill. Yes Everton do knock balls to him but the nice thing to see is how he brings them down, keeps possession and brings others into play. The only worrying thing when he’s in this sort of form is that eventually a big Champions League club will come in with a huge bid. There aren’t many like Felli in the modern game, so it won’t be long before Everton maybe get an offer which is hard to refuse. In the past there has been talk of Real Madrid and I see him in that class.
I’d be surprised if he wasn’t playing in the Champions League soon enough – but let’s hope it’s in a blue shirt for Everton.

Everton FC striker Kevin Mirallas in 10-goal target
DPW West
Nov 7 2012
KEVIN MIRALLAS has set himself a 10-goal target for his first season in English football.
Everton’s Belgian forward has made an instant impact in the Premier League since his £5m switch from Olympiakos in the summer, with a string of thrilling displays confirming him as a crowd favourite at Goodison Park. But while the 25-year-old has been notable for the number and quality of his assists so far, Mirallas wants to add to his goals tally with the Blues. After two goals on his full debut against Leyton Orient in the Capital One Cup he has scored just once in the Premier League at Swansea City. But after top-scoring for champions Olympiakos in the Greek Super League last season with 20 goals, Mirallas believes there is more to come from him at Goodison.
“I think at the moment I have more assists than I have goals,” he said. “I’ve provided one or two decent passes for my colleagues to score, but at the same time I’m hoping to continue to improve in front of goal and I think 10 goals is a reasonable target for my first season. “If I can manage 10 goals this season then that would be decent.” Another penetrating run and cross for international team-mate Marouane Fellaini in the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage last Saturday – added to a dazzling run and pass for Nikica Jelavic against Southampton and a foul on him for a penalty at Wigan Athletic – means that Mirallas has been involved in the creation of six goals for Everton already this season, even better than prime goal creator Steven Pienaar’s record. Mirallas admits that it’s a part of his game which seems to come naturally to him. “It’s a part of the game I’m not bad at and my delivery is quite good,” he said. “Sometimes it’s easier to supply the pass for a goal than to add that finishing touch, especially when you have lads in the middle of the quality of Nikica Jelavic and Marouane,” he added. “It encourages you to put crosses in when you have players like that in the middle.”

Everton FC midfielder Ross Barkley pays tribute to Sheffield Wednesday boss Dave Jones for loan success
Liverpool Echo
Nov 7 2012
ON-LOAN Everton FC midfielder Ross Barkley has won Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Month award for October by a landslide. And the young midfielder has credited former Everton defender Dave Jones, now Hillsborough boss, for the progress he has made in Yorkshire. Barkley scored his fourth goal in just 10 appearances for The Owls against Peterborough on Saturday, but more importantly feels that his game is progressing from the experience he has gained playing regular football in The Championship. “I have followed the career of Dave Jones for a long time, to when he was at Cardiff. “He’s a Scouser from the same area as me so I have always taken an interest in his career. I was made up when I found out he was interested in bringing me to Wednesday.
“I have really enjoyed my time here so far. I feel as if I have made a lot of progress and that is the most important thing. “The manager and the coaching staff talk to me all the time and that’s a great help. I am playing regular football at a good level in the Championship so I am really pleased with how things are going.” After an inauspicious start to his loan spell – Wednesday lost the first four matches he featured in – The Owls have now won back to back games against Ipswich and Peterborough, with Barkley scoring twice at Portman Road and a clinical finish last Saturday against Posh. “We have just come out of a bad run of results with two wins but I was always confident we would start winning games again,” he added. “There are some really good players here and I’m enjoying playing with them. I wouldn’t like to pick out any individuals because everything we do is a team effort. “I’m taking things one step at a time and we will see what happens from here. I see my future in the long term with Everton but right now, I am enjoying my football and the experience I am getting with Sheffield Wednesday.” Wednesday’s experienced Portuguese star, Jose Semedo, has been Barkley’s midfield partner and has been enormously impressed by the young Blues star.
“He’s a top player,” said Semedo. “He’s going to be one of the best midfield players in England within a few years. “You can see he wants the ball all the time; he wants to play; he wants to be involved in attacking play, and he can run back and defend.” “It makes my job easier: when he gets the ball he wants to go forward if we are attacking, I am resting, waiting to defend afterwards!
“Ross is looking more for the goal, for the spectacular things, and to take players on. On his Player of the Month award, Barkley said: “Any award is great but coming from the fans makes it all the more special.”

Louis Saha desperate to get off the mark against Everton FC
Liverpool Echo
Nov 7 2012
LOUIS SAHA managed 35 goals in 115 Everton FC appearances prior to his switch to Spurs last season. But while the French forward is still searching for his first goal in Sunderland colours after 10 outings he hopes that if he does break his duck at Goodison on Saturday, it’s not a meaningless strike. Sunderland come to Merseyside looking to shake off an ignominious stat. The Black Cats are the most shot shy team in the Premier League, with only marginally more shots on target all season than Everton managed in total at at Fulham last Saturday. Saha, 34, who arrived as a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Wearsiders, said: “You always work hard for that first goal and the pressure is off when you get it. “But you want to make sure you get it, when it is the right moment. “You don’t want to score when you are 3-0 down and you do not need it.”
Steven Fletcher is the only Sunderland player to have found the net in the Premier League this season, reflected in Sunderland’s position in the bottom half of the Premier League.
“You always want to do more and I think the team can do it and as a player I think I can do more as well,” said Saha. Sunderland have drawn six of their nine top flight outings this season, while Everton have drawn their last four in a row. Saha added: “When you’re drawing many games, you always expect more because we’re here to win games. But we’re training to improve. We’ve done okay, but the fans can ask more because they see things. “But football is a difficult job and I really think we are close to winning games.” But while the Frenchman is set for a Goodison reunion on Saturday, there is unlikely to be a Royal Blue return for James McFadden, who recently penned a short-term deal at Sunderland. The 29-year-old Scot picked up a hamstring problem in training last Thursday and although the extent of the damage is as yet unknown, it is anticipated that McFadden could be ruled out for the remainder of his short-term contract, which runs until the end of January.
“I don’t know if we will see James in the team any time soon because on Thursday he pulled up with a hamstring,” revealed Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill. “It is a real shame because James has worked exceptionally hard on his fitness and was enjoying the training. “James has not accepted the length of the contract, but it was as much for him because I think he felt if he had not made an impact by the end of January, particularly with the number of games coming up, then he might need to look elsewhere. “He needs to have a chance and I hope the hamstring is not too serious.”

Everton FC forward Kevin Mirallas aiming to reach double figures in goals in his first season in English football
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Nov 7 2012
KEVIN MIRALLAS has set himself a top ten goals target for his first season in English football.
Everton’s Belgian forward has made an instant impact in the Premier League since his £5m switch from Olympiakos in the summer, with a string of thrilling displays quickly confirming him as a crowd favourite. But while the 25-year-old has been notable for the number and quality of his assists so far for the Blues, Mirallas wants to add to his goals tally. After two goals on his full debut against Leyton Orient in the Capital One Cup he has scored just once in the Premier League at Swansea.
But after top-scoring for champions Olympiakos in the Greek Super League last season with 20 goals, Mirallas believes there is more to come from him at Everton. “I think at the moment I have more assists than I have goals,” he said.
Kevin Mirallas' season stats so far
Player Stats — Kevin Mirallas
Games Played 9
Minutes Played 585
Starts 7
Interceptions 8
Substitution On 2
Substitution Off 6
Duels Won
34.4%
Aerial duels won 25%
“I’ve provided one or two decent passes for my colleagues to score, but at the same time I’m hoping to continue to improve in front of goal and I think 10 goals is a reasonable target for my first season.
“If I can manage 10 goals that would be decent.” Another penetrating run and cross for international team-mate Marouane Fellaini at Craven Cottage last Saturday, added to a dazzling run and pass for Nikica Jelavic against Southampton and a foul on him for a penalty at Wigan means that Mirallas has been involved in the creation of six goals already this season – even better than prime goal creator Steven Pienaar’s record. He admits that it’s a part of the game which comes naturally to him.
“It’s a part of the game I’m not bad at and my delivery is quite good,” he said. “Sometimes it’s easier to supply the pass for a goal than to add that finishing touch, especially when you have lads in the middle of the quality of Nikica Jelavic and Marouane,” he added. “It encourages you to put crosses in when you have players like that in the middle.” Mirallas’ club captain Phil Neville, meanwhile, has urged his team-mates to be more ruthless in front of goal to start turning the chances that are being created by Kevin and co. into victories. "Saturday at Fulham was probably the best we've played all season, maybe the best we've played since January," he explained. "We went to Fulham and totally dominated the game, we had all the possession, we had all the quality and they had nothing, probably two shots on goal, and scored two goals. "I think we created maybe six or seven chances where maybe if we'd been a bit more clinical we'd have come out probably 7-2 winners. That's how if felt playing. We just need to be a little bit more ruthless, not totally dependant on Nikica Jelavic scoring all the time and chip in with goals from centre midfield, wide areas and at the back. It's up to us all to do it. "Drawing is our Achilles heel at the moment and we need to win these games," he added. "But we've got to take confidence from the performance – it was outstanding.”