Barry Horne: Congratulations to Wrexham’s Supporters Trust
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
HEARTFELT congratulations to Wrexham Football Club.Their Supporters’ Trust got everything signed off this week and are now in control, which signifies a brand new start for my first club.It has been a long 10 years for members of The Trust to get to this point.But while there is still much hard work to be done, this week’s takeover does represent something of a landmark. I’m thrilled for them.

Barry Horne: Greedy Carlos Tevez is just a cash cow
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
I HAVE written at least three times this year about Carlo Tevez.His latest indiscretion has used gallons of newsprint and filled hours of air-time – and given much satisfaction to those wishing City to fail.On Tuesday Graeme Souness, the best TV pundit by a mile, nailed the situation with his withering comments.Dwight Yorke appeared uncertain, at first sympathising with Tevez but eventually agreeing with the authoritative Souness.Mark Hughes was, interestingly, more sympathetic than Souness.I would love to be a fly on the wall the day one of Mark’s players refused to go into battle for him!As modern a man and manager as Mark Hughes is, I suspect the player would be told in no uncertain terms that he was wrong.Most people have made the connection that Mark Hughes signed Tevez for City. I think a more plausible reason is that they share the same agent.Carlos Tevez is a cash cow for Kia Joorabchian and, forgive me for stretching the analolgy, it is up to Joorabchian to milk the cow as often as he can.Forget the family, forget professional ambition, forget repeated lame excuses for poor behaviour, forget insincere apologies – this is about greed.When certain commentators suggest Tevez should hang his head in shame, that’s not going to happen.People like him have no shame and in his mind he will be able to justify his actions.I am willing to believe Tevez’s actions on Tuesday were completely calculated.He knows that one way or the other he will get exactly what he wanted.

Royal Blue: Everton FC owner’s shirt gesture deserves praise
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
EVEN Bill Kenwright’s most fervent critics would be hard pressed not to commend his gesture of refunding fans who bought Everton shirts with Mikel Arteta and Jermaine Beckford’s names on them.The Everton chairman was willing to refund the near 300 people who bought shirts at roughly £54 each, and with almost 90% of those disgruntled supporters subsequently taking him up on his offer, the outcome is set to cost the theatre impresario dearly.Such a refund might be meaningless if it came from Roman Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour of Eastlands, but from Kenwright, who faces constant questioning of his own finances and inability to attract more to Goodison, there is a genuine nobility about it.

Royal Blue: Time for another Everton FC teen to shine in the derby?
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
IT’S been a couple of years since an Everton teenager briefly carved himself cult hero status by netting against the Reds.Most of the nation were watching a Tic-Tac ad while Dan Gosling’s late goal won that 2009 FA Cup replay at Goodison, but Evertonians will always remember the midfielder for it even if he left on sour terms in the end.Now no less than Kevin Ratcliffe reckons the stage could be set for another Toffee Teenager to do the business.Rats is backing Apostolos Vellios to make an impact in today’s derby and after a string of impressive performances who’d bet against him?

Royal Blue: Why Man City's Carlos Tevez should look at the example of Everton FC’s Tim Cahill
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
THEY stood just a few yards apart in the opposing dug-outs of the Etihad stadium last weekend, but there was a massive gulf between David Moyes and Roberto Mancini – and it wasn’t solely financial.Yes, there is a huge disparity in the scale of the spending power between Everton and Manchester City but more topically is the difference in attitude between the two dressing rooms.Consider what Mancini has had to contend with this week. Aside from a major strop unbefitting Edin Dzeko, a Bosnian international who has spoken about his impoverished upbringing in a nation gripped by Civil war, there was the small matter of Carlos Tevez.The Argentinean’s refusal to play has won him few friends among the footballing world, as his exorbitant wages render any fine City could impose largely irrelevant.Moyes, who may understandably envy his Italian counterpart in so many ways, and even joked on radio that there would be a home for Tevez at Goodison (I’d dare him to tell the Scot he wasn’t prepared to play), can at least look around his changing room before today’s derby and see a loyal, committed bunch of players who by and large restore one’s faith in the modern footballer.Consider Tony Hibbert, who would play out of position for five minutes at the end of game if asked. A man who has never let anyone down when tasked with playing centre-half against Peter Crouch.Or Leon Osman, who never griped in the spells when he struggled to break into the first team over recent seasons and quietly worked his way back into the team.Yes, in a perfect world Louis Saha may apparently have shown more enthusiasm to play for the reserves before the recent game against Wigan, but even his brief moment of petulance pales vastly into significance compared to Tevez.Then you listen to Tim Cahill.If, as expected, the 31-year-old starts against Liverpool today, he will at the least be carrying an injury which ensures his afternoon will be far from comfortable.But it is par for the course for someone who should put Tevez to shame.“I come back and I have never played in the reserves,” he told Australian 4-4-2 magazine. “I always get thrown into the thick of it. I make sure I am in peak form when I return and I spend every day on the bike for half an hour, plus doing weights in the gym, yoga.“If I have a leg injury, I still do one-legged bike work while that is repairing.“You always need to be a good ambassador for the club and players. I make sure I am still leading the team as the manager looks to me to provide inspiration to the other lads. You always need to be at the games, whether you are fit or not. A massive part of the game is being pleased for, and supporting, your teammates. Our motto at Everton is ‘there is no I in team’.”Already the sulky semantics of Tevez and co seem a million miles away, but Cahill’s will to win, and compete, shine through everything, even when asked how he loses his marker so effectively during games.“First of all, when I want to shake off a marker, I make sure I am fitter than him,” he said. “You also have to constantly move and make sure you are on their shoulder where they can’t see you.“Just make sure that you do everything to ensure they don’t know where you are.”Cahill’s attitude to winning grudge matches also reflects his professionalism. “The biggest thing I teach kids now is ‘treat every game the same’,” he said. “Whether you are playing Scunthorpe or Brazil you have to play your hardest every time. Professionalism and efficiency are the most important aspects of my game.“If I am playing consistently then I am ready for the grudge matches as I’m used to winning all of my battles, no matter what.”And what of criticism? “Criticism is the best motivation and the best form of ammunition,” said Cahill. “People usually criticise due to their own insecurities and you have to turn that negative into a positive.”

Barry Horne: Forward planning so crucial to David Moyes’ Merseyside derby hopes
by Barry Horne, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
THERE’S not much to say about the derby that hasn’t already been said this week.And, for that matter, twice a week for the past 117 years!The interest before the game from an Evertonians’ point of view is how we approach it.It’s generally accepted that ever since pre-season, Liverpool have struggled to give Pepe Reina the opportunity to once again top the clean sheets charts at the end of this season.It’s a fact that Liverpool have been leaking goals and that will not have gone unnoticed at Goodison and must be foremost in David Moyes’ thoughts.The question must be, do Everton cast off the shackles which have been forced upon David Moyes in recent weeks, as a result of injury and a lack of fully match-fit strikers?When Louis Saha took to the pitch for a cameo against Sheffield United, I commented on how fit and well he looked.He is apparently injury free, but if he is not fit enough to start a game when Everton really need him then you have to assume that somebody somewhere is doing something wrong.Assuming he is training and fully fit, many Everton fans would be thrilled to see him link up with Apostolos Vellios, who has looked the part every time he has pulled on a Royal Blue jersey.But the fact of the matter is that David Moyes has more or less the same options tomorrow as he has had for the last three or four games.So there is no reason to suppose he will move away from a system and personnel that he has come to trust and rely on.Whilst Saha and Vellios would be an exciting thought, or maybe Denis Stracqualursi, it’s more likely that one or both of them will get a chance later on with the tried and tested having seen Everton through the early stages of the game.

Everton FC boss David Moyes relaxed about the difference between his side and Liverpool FC as he prepares for Mersey derby showdown
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
Everton FC manager David Moyes enjoys a smileDAVID MOYES is not a man prone to jealousy – but he readily admits there was a time he coveted at least two of Liverpool’s squad for today’s Merseyside derby.The Toffees manager was unsuccessful in his pursuit of both Charlie Adam, whose agent is Moyes’ bother Kenny, and Craig Bellamy.In both cases Everton’s paucity of finances made deals impossible, with Adam eventually making the switch from Blackpool to the red half of Liverpool, and Bellamy swapping the bench at Manchester City’s for the bench at Anfield.The transfers, warns Moyes, are examples of why the shared glory days of Merseyside football when both clubs duelled for the title, are unlikely to return anytime soon.But while Liverpool have progressed since those halcyon days, if not quite back to winning titles at least to winning trophies, Everton have also made quieter progress, not least their move to a training ground in Halewood which is the envy of the Premier League.It is from that base on the outskirts of the city, that Moyes feels his men can prepare for derbies in a more relaxed way than in days gone by at Bellefield.“I quite enjoy it."When you’re in there (Bellefield) you’re in the heart of it, people pouring over the fences."But it’s much calmer out here,” he says ahead of his latest in nearly 10 years worth of all-Merseyside clashes.“It’s always been a tough game for us because we’re up against good opposition, and Liverpool have always had a level of finance which has allowed them to buy a different level of player than us.“Over the years we’ve tried to be competitive, tried to get as close to them as we can.“We know it’s a big rivalry in the city, and I’m aware of that, but most people are aware there have been differences over the years between Liverpool and Everton, and all of it has been financial.”The situation does not move Moyes to look longingly across the park. “I don’t think I look with envy,” he says.“I’m just stating facts. It has never been any different here“We have always worked within our means, and in many seasons the same things have happened and we’ve still always found a way of getting there, so hopefully we can do that again this year.“It has been hard to get above Liverpool in the league table, and we have done everything we can to win as many derby games as we can, which has been tough.“We’ve tried to be competitive against them, tried to hang onto their shirt tails, and at times try to get above them, but as I say, it’s not been easy.”In spite of the challenge posed by the reds and forthcoming games against Chelsea and Fulham, Moyes has been relaxed this week. “I think in many ways the mentality comes from the manager,” he says.“The players notice how I am – I could be more stressed than normal or more relaxed than normal – they pick up on the vibes.“But we have been quite happy. We were pleased with what we did at Man City last week – I know we did not get the result – but we did a lot of things right and we have had a relaxed week."The eyes have popped out a few times but no more than normal!”

Liverpool FC's money means nothing in Merseyside derby battle – Everton FC boss David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 1 2011
DAVID MOYES admits Liverpool FC’s summer spending splurge was tough to swallow – but insists money means nothing in the heat of derby battle.The Everton manager believes his side came closest to over-taking Liverpool last season since 2005 when they finished above their city rivals in the Premier League.But despite the Toffees going unbeaten against the reds last term, the two clubs had vastly contrasting summers in the transfer market, with Kenny Dalglish spending £56m on seven players while Moyes was could only make two loan signings on deadline day.He said: “I felt we were getting closer to them. I felt as though we had a good team last year."We’d been edging closer and I think that was proven last season.”Moyes accepts he felt a sense of deflation at the subsequent gap in finance.“You do at first,” he said.“But once it’s done and you take it in then you say ‘Stuff it. I’m getting on with it’. You do what you can. “Look, it’s happened at other times before in different seasons and different eras. “It’s a big challenge for us to get up to Liverpool because they have a lot of things going in their favour. But I think we’ve tried to make a fist of it as much as we can.“I said this time last year that there were difficult times at Liverpool. People were talking about the banks wanting this and the bank wanting that.“When you cross the line it doesn’t matter what has happened, who has paid what. It’s just two teams competing.”Moyes is hopeful he will have Tim Cahill fit to play in today’s 216th derby, and could yet restore Louis Saha to his starting line-up with the Aussie deployed behind him in the Blues’ attack.Cahill took part in full training yesterday and will have a fitness test this morning, with Moyes having no further injury concerns aside from Victor Anichebe’s long-term absence.Moyes will be in charge for his 21st derby today, and admits they are still special.“When I look back after it is all over I will feel very proud and privileged that I was involved in so many,” he said. “My job is to now make sure I get a few more wins in them.”Tickets are still available for today’s game. Supporters who have attended a game this season or last can buy a ticket from today by calling 0871 663 1878 or from the Goodison box office which opens at 9am.

Everton FC boss David Moyes: I was deflated by Liverpool FC's summer spending but it counts for nothing on derby day
Ian Doyle
Oct 1 2011
DAVID MOYES admits he was left deflated by Liverpool’s summer spending spree – but warned the Anfield outfit’s riches will count for nothing when they cross the white line at Goodison this afternoon.Everton manager Moyes takes his team into the 216th Merseyside derby hoping for a repeat of last season’s corresponding fixture almost 12 months ago, which his team won 2-0.It came at a time when Liverpool were languishing in the relegation zone and had just days earlier been spared administration when taken over by new owners Fenway Sports Group.Since then, however, while Moyes has once again been forced to work within financial restraints, his neighbours have splashed out more than £100million on new players.And the Goodison manager has revealed his frustration at the gap having seemingly once again widened between the clubs.“I felt we were getting closer to them,” said Moyes. “I felt we had a good team which is why there was the disappointment we did not do so well at the start of the season.“I felt we had been edging close to Liverpool, and that was proven last year.“So you do feel a sense of deflation at first when they get the finances. Then when you take it in, you think ‘stuff it’ and get on with it. It’s happened before in different seasons and different eras. “It’s a big challenge getting up to Liverpool as they have a lot of things going in their favour."We’ve tried to make a fist of it as much as we can.“This time last year there were difficult times for Liverpool and people were saying ‘the bank want this and the bank want that’ but it changed very quickly for them.”Moyes revealed Everton’s finances had prevented a move for Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam, whose agent is Kenny Moyes, brother of the Everton manager.“I was interested in him a while back,” said Moyes, who had also tracked another Liverpool signing, Craig Bellamy. “I couldn't afford him. I couldn't afford my brother’s wages either.“I think Charlie Adam has really come to the fore since he made the move to Blackpool. I thought it was a great move for him. In a way it resurrected his career.”Despite the lack of financial parity, Moyes is determined to improve a derby record that has seen him win just four in 20 attempts.“Managing in the derby doesn’t get any easier, but I’ve always said it makes me proud to have managed in so many of those games,” he said. “But I would like to win more.“It’s a derby but a lot people outside Merseyside tend to see it as one-sided because of the finances.“At the present time, we have not had the finances Liverpool have had given to them in the last year or so. But when you cross the line, it doesn’t matter. It’s just two teams competing.“Even when it’s been like that before, we have competed. But it will always be a tough game, Liverpool are a good team and a good club.”Moyes added: “This is a really important game. We have to win it. But I’ve found the build-up quite normal. Out here in Finch Farm, you are a little bit out of it.“When we were at Bellefield you are in the heart of it with people pouring over the fences. It’s much calmer out here. But we know exactly what this game means and we are ready for it.”The Goodison manager will make a late decision on Tim Cahill, who returned to training yesterday after suffering a badly bruised shin when on the receiving end of a poor Vincent Kompany challenge during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.“We’d never put anybody in half-fit no matter what game it is,” said Moyes. “We have to make sure with Tim.“But he’s someone who has scored important goals for us. He is lacking goals at the moment, but they will come.”

Why moving to Liverpool FC was never for an option for me - Everton FC defender Leighton Baines
Ian Doyle
Oct 1 2011
OF all the rumours signposting imminent Goodison departures during a tense summer for Evertonians, there was one that caused greater nail-biting than most.Losing Phil Jagielka, Marouane Fellaini or Jack Rodwell would have been bad enough. But the prospect of Leighton Baines making the short journey across Stanley Park to Liverpool brought anyone of a Blue persuasion out in a cold sweat.In a football city that thrives dangerously on speculation – think Juan Roman Riquelme perennially joining Everton, Zinedine Zidane spotted at John Lennon Airport every six months – such conjecture is always taken with a significant pinch of salt.But while on the surface appearing to have more substance, Baines believes the talk was more outlandish than any previous offering on the Mersey grapevine.After all, as the Kirkby-born defender insists, when it comes to local players, you are either Everton or Liverpool. Not both.“As far as I am concerned it was just speculation, it was never an option, just one of those things,” says Baines. “When you're from Liverpool, it's either Liverpool or Everton, one and not the other.“You do one but you don't do both and that's that. You understand it more if you're brought up in the area and know what it means to everyone.“You'll get some who do it, people from outside the area, but once you know the people and you're a part of it, it's not something you do.“Obviously I was made aware of the stories but as far as I'm concerned it wouldn't have got beyond that. You are one and you stick with that.”Of more credence was Bayern Munich’s pursuit of the England international, the Bundesliga outfit heavily linked although no bid was eventually forthcoming.“There was a stronger interest in that one definitely,” says Baines. “It wouldn't be ideal leaving this league, but I do have ambitions to get to that level (Champions League) and hopefully the tide will turn at some point and enable us to do that here.“It has been a while when Everton were at that level and it looks a tougher task given the money other teams were spending. I will just get my head down and keep doing what I am doing.”That attitude has served Baines well during his career. Having been released by Everton as a youngster, thanks to the persistence of renowned scout Sid Benson he forged a reputation at Wigan Athletic and, following a slow start to his Goodison career, has blossomed into a first-team regular with arguably only Ashley Cole a better left-back in the Premier League.“There is a fine line and I was lucky enough to make it at that point and that’s why I will always have a massive feeling for Wigan and the people there,” says Baines. “They did so much for me.“Sid Benson brought me to Everton a couple of times and tried to get them to take me. He obviously felt I should have been kept on here but eventually he got in touch with someone at Wigan and got me in there. I owe Sid a lot.”Few footballers are as grounded as the likeable Baines, an approach the defender will take into this afternoon’s 216th Merseyside derby at Goodison, a game many fans and players dread but one the left-back anticipates with relish.“I do enjoy them and I enjoy the Goodison one more,” he says. “I find the atmosphere more intense at Goodison.“I would probably hate to watch a derby from the stands if I was injured though. You get edgy when you watch games but playing in them is totally different.”Everton won the equivalent fixture 2-0 last season, but Baines admits, thanks to the backing of new owners, it will be a different Liverpool in opposition.“They were on a bit of a downward spiral at the time and they have managed to turn that around and they look better for it now,” says Baines, who has not missed a Premier League match since October 2009.“There are a lot of teams who don't spend money they haven't got. You could probably sit down and think about and analyse it a lot, but maybe it is more the manager who gets frustrated than the players.“Hopefully somewhere along the line the tide will turn for us a little bit. But it doesn't always guarantee you success either. A win at the weekend will put us above Liverpool.”Baines reveals his family reflects the divide that so often appears in the city on derby day.“Even now my family is still split,” he says. “There has been no crossover to Everton from the reds in my family since I joined the club. They still want Liverpool to win. There is no messing about.“All the cousins who I grew up with and who are a bit older than me, and were big reds, are still the same.“There is not the slightest bit of interest or compassion for the fact that I’m playing for Everton. They are not interested. If I’m in Kirkby I’ll see them at my mother’s or my nan’s and there will be plenty of banter.”However, there’s an exception to every rule. And Baines reveals there is one family member who has been, shock horror, both Everton and Liverpool.“The only one who has come across is my dad, who was a red and now supports Everton because of me,” he says. “He had to make a bit of an effort with being my dad didn’t he?“I don’t know if he still slyly roots for them but he comes to every home game and a lot of the aways and I’d say he definitely follows Everton now.“I’ll probably get him slaughtered by his mates for saying that now. For all I know he might still leg it down the boozer with a Liverpool scarf on when they’re on the telly. I’m bigging him up as this massive blue and his mates might slaughter him in work.”

Everton 0 Liverpool 2 Final whistle match report
by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo Oct 1 2011
ANDY CARROLL etched himself into derby day folklore by helping Liverpool to victory over 10 man Everton in a controversial game. The £35m forward opened the scoring in this afternoon's 216th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park mid-way through the second half before strike partner Luis Suarez doubled the Reds' lead with less than 10 minutes to go. David Moyes' men were up against it following the 23rd minute dismissal of midfielder Jack Rodwell when referee Martin Atkinson ruled he had fouled Suarez. Television replays confirmed the suspicions of many that Rodwell had in fact taken the ball – Rodwell and the Everton supporters were visibly upset by the decision. The set-back did not deter Everton who had been the better side up to that point but they had to survive two scares as the opening 45 minutes came to a close with Dirk Kuyt having a penalty saved by Tim Howard and Charlie Adam smashing a fierce drive against the underside of the bar. Everton appeared to have weathered much of the Liverpool storm but their determination was struck a blow with just less than 20 minutes remaining as Carroll converted Jose Enrique's low cross to make it 1-0.
Eleven minutes later Suarez punished a rare defensive lapse from Sylvain Distin to make it 2-0 and ensuring the three points were heading back across Stanley Park to Anfield. Louis Saha earned a first Premier League start of the season as Moyes placed the onus back on the previously out of favour striker. The Frenchman replaced Phil Neville in the only change for the Blues from last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City. Likewise, Liverpool manager Dalglish made just one alteration from the 11 players who kicked off against Wolverhampton Wanderers seven days ago with Dirk Kuyt preferred to Jordan Henderson on the right hand side of the Reds' midfield. Marouane Fellaini had the first shot of the opening derby of the season but saw his low drive from the right hand side, deflected out for a corner. But it was the visitors who registered a shot on target as Kuyt capitalised on Phil Jagielka's miscued clearance to cross for Luis Suarez, but the forward's header was directed straight at Tim Howard. Within seconds, Everton responded in kind as Tim Cahill's towering leap above Jamie Carragher saw him nod Seamus Coleman's cross goalward only for Pepe Reina to produce a fine save to tip the ball over the ball. The Blues used the momentum and went close soon after as Sylvain Distin's neat turn in the area so nearly broke the deadlock but the defender's curled effort whistled over the bar. Saha also saw a low drive narrowly miss the target as Liverpool became ragged – however Rodwell's red card gave the Reds a fresh impetus. The Everton youngster was dismissed after 23 minutes having been adjudged to have fouled Suarez but television replays showed Rodwell winning the ball before making contact with the Uruguayan. Suarez went down in pain and received treatment from the Liverpool medical staff as Rodwell traipsed off the field, visibly upset at the decision. It was the 20th red card in this game as a Premier League fixture. Everton remained positive in the face of the set-back but it would be Liverpool who had the golden chance to take the lead just before half-time. Suarez was fouled in the area by Phil Jagielka but from the penalty, Kuyt's low effort was saved by Howard. However the American goalkeeper had the underside of his crossbar to thank when Charlie Adam's venomous striker crashed back off the woodwork. It brought an increasingly wild first half to a close. Buoyed by the salvo, Everton continued in upbeat manner after break and Saha dragged one just wide early on before the striker turned his hand to defensive work by clearing Andy Carroll's header off the line. Jagielka too was alert to the danger as he put a dangerous ball in the area out for a corner before Carroll's downward header squirmed through on goal, only for Howard to palm out at full stretch. Kuyt was then guilty of missing another decent chance when Stewart Downing's quick free-kick found him with space in the box but the Dutchman's first time effort was wayward. Saha went close once more as he fired on goal from distance. Dalglish introduced Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy from the bench with just over a quarter of the game remaining in a bid to enliven Liverpool's attack. Having earlier brought on Royston Drenthe, Moyes responded to his opposite number's move by replacing Leon Osman with captain Phil Neville. Liverpool's substitutions made the first impact as Bellamy fed the overlapping Jose Enrique whose cross found its way to Carroll who found the back of the net.
The Reds could have added to their lead but Kuyt seemed certain not to score his 50th Premier League goal as his late striker struck the post. Everton directed their anger at the final whistle for official Atkinson.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, (Vellios 79) Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman (Drenthe 59), Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman (Neville 69), Cahill, Saha. Not used: Mucha, Bilylaetdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley
Goals: None
Cautions: Cahill
Red Cards: Rodwell (23)
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2) Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas (Henderson 88), Adam (Gerrard 67), Downing (Bellamy 67), Suarez, Carroll. Not used: Doni, Henderson, Coates, Spearing, Flanagan.
Goals: Carroll (71) Suarez (82)
Cautions: Lucas
Red Cards: None
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 39, 510

EVERTON 0 LIVERPOOL 2: ANDY CARROLL AND LUIS SUAREZ SECURE VICTORY FOR REDS
Sunday Express
October 2,2011
By Gary Jones
Liverpool hit-man Luis Suarez played the villain for Everton fans at Goodison Park after playing a role in Jack Rodwell's Dismissal and managing to score the second goal that sealed The Toffees' fate.
The Uruguay international was berated as a cheat by the majority of Goodison Park - and appeared to have a coin thrown at him - after making the most of Rodwell's sliding tackle midway through the first half. He also won a penalty - which Dirk Kuyt missed - to add to his growing reputation as Mr Unpopular with the Blue half of Merseyside. Suarez, and the performance of referee Martin Atkinson, somewhat overshadowed Andy Carroll's first Barclays Premier League goal of the season.
His strike was the breakthrough and set his side on the way to victory which Everton had worked so hard for so long to deny their visitors. The last time Kenny Dalglish left Goodison Park as Liverpool manager more than 20 years ago after a 4-4 FA Cup draw the major story developed two days later when he surprisingly quit citing health problems, brought on partly by the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. Dirk Kuyt almost made it 3-0 when he hit the post in added time. However, on his first match back as Reds boss, the headlines were being written as early as the 23rd minute. Rodwell slid in to challenge Suarez and although seemingly winning the ball with a tackle which did not appear to be dangerous Atkinson immediately brandished a red card. It was the 20th dismissal in 39 Barclays Premier League meetings, 13 of which have been Everton players with eight of those coming in the last 10 games at Goodison. Prior to that Everton had produced the best chances with Tim Cahill - passed fit after struggling with a shin injury all week - forcing Jose Reina into a fingertip save after rising highest at the far post and Sylvain Distin blazing a shot just over.
But momentum of play changed in an instant after the dismissal as Cahill, who had been posing a threat to the Liverpool defence in an advanced role behind Louis Saha on his first start of the season, was dropped back into a left-sided midfield role. Everton's high-tempo pressing play was abandoned for a deeper-lying, more measured approach and that played into the visitors' hands as they were able to control possession of the ball. However, they struggled to make a breakthrough until Phil Jagielka brought down Suarez on the corner of the penalty area just before half-time and Atkinson pointed to the spot. Kuyt, scorer of five derby goals, stepped up but Howard saved brilliantly low to his left - the first miss from the spot in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler in April 2001. Howard joined fellow Evertonian George Kitchen and Liverpool duo Sam Hardy and Bruce Grobbelaar as goalkeepers who have saved penalties in cross-city meetings. And while Charlie Adam did beat Howard in added time at the end of the half his 25-yard shot cannoned down off the crossbar. Everton continued to make light of their reduced number after the break with Saha shooting just wide after being teed up by Cahill just inside the area. But Liverpool were starting to create more openings and Carroll's header looked to be creeping inside the post from Stewart Downing's corner before Saha hacked away. Another Carroll effort had Howard scrambling to his left to turn around the post while Kuyt deflected Adam's quickly-taken free-kick wide. Saha rifled a 25-yard shot just wide of Reina's right-hand post before, in the 67th minute, Dalglish sent on Steven Gerrard, making only his third substitute appearance after six months out after a groin operation, and Craig Bellamy to win him the game. But it was not the talismanic Reds captain who made the difference but his fellow substitute. Just four minutes after coming on the Wales international's run down the left released Jose Enrique and Kuyt cleverly ducked under the Spaniard's cross to allow Carroll to power home from eight yards. The match was wrapped up in the 82nd minute when Suarez grabbed the second. Collecting Kuyt's knockdown he was lucky to have Distin's clearance bounce into his chest but he made the most of it to place a left-footed shot past Howard from six yards. The striker's celebrations in front of the Gwladys Street end were interrupted by a number of bottles being thrown onto the pitch. Kuyt then hit a post before Suarez showed Atkinson a coin which he alleged had been thrown from the stands. This match has gained a reputation for being the 'friendly derby' over recent years. It was definitely not on this occasion.

EVERTON 0 - LIVERPOOL 2: JACK ASS
Sunday Star
2nd October 2011 By Steve Millar
EVERTON boss David Moyes last night told ref Martin Atkinson: You RUINED the Merseyside derby.
Moyes was furious at Atkinson’s controversial first-half decision to send off Jacl Rodwell for a tackle on Luis Suarez. Rodwell was the 20th player to be dismissed in a Premier League Merseyside derby.
Ten-man Everton went down 2-0 to second-half strikes from Suarez and Andy Carroll. And Moyes rapped: “I just thought the red card ruined the game. It wasn’t a bad tackle. "I don't know if we can appesl. But i would have been disappointed if it had been a free-kick. If he had given a yellow card you would have said: 'What's that for'. David Moyes was careful not to turn the air Blue when you wouldn’t have blamed him for screaming some reffing expletives. The Everton boss refused to totally condemn blunder referee Martin Atkinson for his crazy, diabolical decision to send off Jack Rodwell – the 20th red card in Mersey Premier League history. Atkinson cocked up after Rodwell won the ball with a hefty but clean tackle on Luis Suarez on 22 minutes. But there was nothing comical about the sending off, just a tragedy for a young player like Rodwell who couldn’t quite take it in that Atkinson had decided to send him for an early bath. Rodwell stood there in disbelief – and Moyes was equally baffled in the post-match conference, where he somehow managed to maintain his composure.
Moyes, who was fined for comments the last time Atkinson refereed Everton, said: “I just thought it ruined the game. We have not had him since me and my assistant Steve Round were fined a year ago against Manchester United. And they sent him into both clubs to do a refs’ appraisal prior to the game. “I don’t know if we can appeal. But I would have been disappointed if it had even been a free-kick. If he had given a yellow card, you would have said, ‘What’s that for?’ “The game nearly stopped at that moment. Jack’s a young boy making his way in the game and for him to go off like that is a big day for him.” Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish had every sympathy, when quizzed, whether the result would have been the same if 11 had faced 11. Dalglish said: “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the incident again and I don’t know whether he deserved red or not. But it’s hypothetical to say if we would have won or not. “After they went down to ten men, we were very composed when sometimes it’s difficult playing against a team with a man down. It was never going to be easy.”
The only fitting judgment on Atkinson was left to the furious Goodison faithful who to a man, woman and child booed the official and chanted: “You’re not fit to referee.” Atkinson further infuriated the home fans when he awarded a Liverpool penalty three minutes from half-time – although this time the referee got the decision right. Dirk Kuyt, though, saw his spot-kick saved by Tim Howard in the American’s 13th derby – the first penalty stop by an Everton keeper in 119 years of inter-city league clashes. Kuyt’s blushes were spared by Andy Carroll, with his first Premier League goal of the season, before Suarez finished the game off with a simple second after being one of many away players pelted with debris by irate Goodison fans. Mind you, there was little to warn us of the drama ahead when these derby enemies both came close to opening the scoring after just eight minutes. First, Kuyt grafted tirelessly to save the ball from going out and guided back for Suarez to head straight into Howard’s arms when finding the back of the net was an easier option.
And a split second later, Tim Cahill rose to meet a Seamus Coleman cross but Pepe Reina tipped his header over. Sylvan Distin launched a curling drive which flew just over as Everton cranked up the pressure before being stunned by that controversial sending off. Then to rub more salt into gaping Everton wounds, Phil Jagielka brought down Suarez just inside the box and Atkinson immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Kuyt, who arrowed the ball towards the bottom-left corner only to see Howard pull off a brilliant save. Howard knew little about the next chance, a vicious 20-yard shot from Charlie Adam which smacked the bar. After the break, Adam’s corner was met by Carroll, whose nodded effort was hooked away by Louis Saha. Then Carroll’s bouncing header was pushed clear by Howard. The move of the match came from Dalglish when he made a double substitution – taking off Adam for Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing for Craig Bellamy after 66 minutes.
It was a magical switch as Bellamy’s cleverly weighted ball two minutes after his appearance found Luis Enrique on the overlap and Kuyt ducked under his cross to leave Carroll enough room to sweep home. Liverpool added to their lead in the 81st minute when Kuyt directed a header into Suarez’s path in the danger zone. Leighton Baines nicked the ball off Suarez’s toes only for Distin to half clear into the striker, who was left with the simple task of rolling in number two. It could have been three in stoppage time but Kuyt hit the post when a goal would have been a just reward for his efforts.

Everton see red over derby defeat
Independenpent on Sunday
By Steve Tongue at Goodison Park
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Red was the colour of the day in the Mersey derby, the visitors running out ultimately comfortable winners after a red card midway through the first half for Everton's Jack Rodwell, a decision that will leave the trigger-happy referee Martin Atkinson's face the same colour as a Liverpool shirt once he watches a replay; the tackle was not worth even a free-kick. Tim Howard gave his team-mates and the home crowd a boost shortlybefore half time by saving Dirk Kuyt's penalty – a decision with which there could be no argument – but Everton, forced to withdraw Tim Cahill to a deeper position, were inevitably on the back foot after having made the early running. In the final 20 minutes Andy Carroll scored his first League goal of the season and Luis Suarez doubled the lead. Until the fourth sending-off by Atkinson in seven games this season, this was shaping up to be an intriguing, even contest. After it, Liverpool failed to touch any heights, though they appear to be settling into a system that uses the very different talents of Suarez and Carroll, with Stewart Downing and Dirk Kuyt supplying them, to best effect. Kuyt, whose head might have gone down after missing the penalty, was able to leave the pitch with it held high. Once Rodwell was dismissed, however, the only question realistically was whether Liverpool would score. "I just thought that ruined the day," Everton's manager David Moyes said with justification. "I'd have been disappointed if it was even a free-kick. We were in there competing with Liverpool but the game stopped at that moment."
Kenny Dalglish, returning to Goodison for his first match since retiring 20 years ago in the wake of a fraught FA Cup tie, admitted that the game had been "pretty even at 11 against 11" but praised Kuyt for his reaction and, characteristically, "the team effort". There had been an early chance each, with Suarez finding no power in a header from Kuyt's cross and Cahill, a minute later, doing much better from Seamus Coleman's centre, Pepe Reina saving well. Shots by Sylvain Distin and Louis Saha were offering them further encouragement before the key moment of the whole drama. Rodwell slid in with one foot to win the ball from Suarez, catching him a minor blow on the follow-through, and the snorts of disbelief from old derby warriors like the watching Graeme Souness and Jimmy Case were easy to imagine as Atkinson brandished a straight red card. It was the 12th in the two clubs' past 16 meetings, but will be rescinded if sense prevails. Fortunately for the officials, there was no dispute about the penalty awarded to Liverpool a minute before the interval, Phil Jagielka's clip of Suarez's legs was so blatant that his hands were raised in self-disgust rather than protest. Kuyt, seeking his 50th League goal, struck his kick right towards the bottom corner but Howard was down splendidlyto push it away. The goalkeeper was beaten when Charlie Adam thumped a drive against the bar in the next attack before half-time. From the start of the second half Liverpool pushed Martin Kelly further forward down the right, and Carroll, quiet hitherto, began winning some headers in dangerous positions. Although Saha and then Howard thwarted him, he was not to bedenied. Steven Gerrard came on to add another 25 minutes' work to his recovery programme, but the most influential substitute was Craig Bellamy. In the 71st minute his run and pass sent Jose Enrique down the left to pull back a cross that Carroll swept in with a left-footed shot. Ten minutes later a second goal materialised, Kuyt finding Suarez, who was dispossessed by Leighton Baines, only for Distin to clear feebly against the Uruguayan, who beat Howard from an angle. Saha then wasted a chance to spark a late revival.Suarez complained of having objects thrown at him near the end before he took a quick corner from which Kuyt hit the post. "The team did everything and it was us lost the game, not the referee," Moyes said generously. "We made a couple of defensive lapses." With net spending of £112 million less than Liverpool's since he moved to Goodison, the Everton manager has a thankless task and supporters can hardly be looking for much more than respectability this season or any other until the club is sold to someone with deeper pockets than poor Bill Kenwright.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert (Vellios, 78), Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman (Drenthe, 59), Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman (Neville, 69); Cahill; Saha
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique; Kuyt, Adam (Gerrard, 67), Lucas (Henderson, 88), Downing (Bellamy, 67); Suarez, Carroll.
Referee Martin Atkinson.
Man of the match Kuyt (Liverpool)

Everton manager David Moyes says referee ruined Merseyside derby with Liverpool
Telegraph on Sunday 02 Oct 2011
The 20-year-old was dismissed in the 23rd minute for an innocuous-looking tackle on Luis Suarez in the centre of the pitch. On a hot day Everton worked valiantly to reduce the impact of their numerical disadvantage but their resolve was eventually broken by goals from Andy Carroll and Suarez in the final 19 minutes. "I thought it ruined the game," said Moyes of the red card. "There are a lot of questions that people ask about derbies, tackles and seedings-off but that wasn't down to a bad tackle. "I would have been disappointed if it had been a free kick and if he had given a yellow card you would have said 'what is that for?'. "It would have been hard playing Liverpool 11 v 11 – it was a really tough game for us and it became tougher." Moyes has history with Atkinson as he was fined £8,000 by the Football Association 12 months ago for confronting the official at the end of their 3-3 draw with Manchester United at Goodison Park. "We've not had this referee since myself and Steve Round were fined one year ago against Manchester United," said the Scot.
"It was interesting that the PGMO (Premier Game Match Officials Ltd) sent him into both clubs this week to do the referee's appraisal prior to this game. "It needs people who watch and play the game and understand it and write about it to see it (Atkinson's decision) because it is easy for me to say it. "Too often people talk about the players not doing it right but it wasn't the players today.
"I don't think anyone in this world thought it was [a sending off] but it is one of these things that we just have to take that it was wrong and move on. I don't know if we can appeal the red card." Moyes admitted, however, that other factors contributed to their defeat. "The team did everything but at the end of the day it wasn't the referee that lost us the game, we made a couple of defensive lapses," he added.

Everton 0-2 Liverpool: Sunday Mirror match report
October 2 2011 By Simon Mullock

Kenny Dalglish returned to the place where it all got too much for him 20 years ago and went home a winner. But after 70 minutes of the 216th Merseyside derby he must have wondered whether he should pack it all in again. The Liverpool boss had seen Everton reduced – quite ¬ridiculously – to 10 men when referee Martin Atkinson ¬decided that Jack Rodwell’s sliding challenge on Luis ¬Suarez was worthy of a red card. But Dirk Kuytsquandered the chance to break the deadlock when his penalty kick was saved by Tim Howard two minutes before half-time, and the visitors struggled to make their ¬numerical advantage pay. Andy Carroll looked anything but a £35million ¬striker, there was little invention from wingman Stewart Downing, and midfield pair Charlie Adam and Lucas had been dragged into the kind of slugfest in which David Moyes’ men excel. But then Carroll came up with the kind of finish that prompted Dalglish to smash the Anfield transfer record last January.
Craig Bellamy’s introduction three minutes earlier had added fresh impetus to a ¬Liverpool side that was beginning to flag. And when the Welshman freed Jose Enrique down the left, his cross was expertly despatched by ¬Carroll from 12 yards. It was a difficult finish made to look easy by the Kop’s
No 9. Suarez, that Uruguayan box of tricks, made the game safe eight minutes from the end benefitting from indecision between Leighton Baines and Sylvain Distin. And suddenly the strain on Dalglish’s face evaporated. This was King Kenny’s first return to the Goodison ¬touchline since he famously quit in the aftermath an FA Cup epic tie in 1991 – and he looked younger than he did back then as he paid tribute to his team. “I don’t know whether the sending off changed the game or not,” said Dalglish. “But it can sometimes be ¬difficult to play against 10 men.You know what you are going to get with Everton and after the ¬sending off they ¬became even more determined to keep it at 0-0. I think we deserve credit for staying professional and ¬composed. I always knew we would create a chance – but whether we would take it or not was another thing. “I signed Andy and Luis because it was good business for the club – and I’ve no reason to change my opinion of them on today’s performance.” Not surprisngly, Moyes had a different take on how ¬Rodwell’s dismissal changed the course of the contest. The home team were in the ascendancy when the young midfielder was given the ¬opportunity to show that he had followed his manager’s advice to add more bite to his game. Rodwell’s challenge on Suarez was tough and uncompromising, but he seemed to take the ball cleanly. Referee Atkinson took a ¬different view from only a few yards away and brandished an instant red card. A distraught Rodwell had to be guided away from more trouble by Adam, but Moyes said: “It ruined the game. “People ask about derby matches but that wasn’t even a bad tackle. I would have even been disappointed if the referee had awarded a free-kick. They sent the referee to both clubs before the game, but we haven’t had him since I was fined a year ago after he had refereed our game against Manchester United. “The referee didn’t cost us the game – defensive lapses did that – but we were having our fair share of the ball ¬before the sending off.”
Earlier Pepe Reina had ¬excelled to tip over Tim ¬Cahill’s header, before Everton were forced to retreat following Rodwell’s dismissal. But when Kuyt was denied from 12 yards by Howard after Phil Jagielka had rashly lunged into the back of Suarez it seemed as though Dalglish would suffer. In the end, though, he returned to the other side of Stanley Park with three points and a smile.
VERDICT: Everton were always up against it once they had been reduced to ten men, but Liverpool still struggled to make the advantage tell until the closing stages. Once they made the breakthrough and scored it was all over. THE BIG ISSUE: Can David Moyes pull off the impossible and lift Everton above Liverpool this season? The Goodison boss continues to make sure Everton punch well above their weight and despite being reduced to 10 men this clash was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Everton were in the ¬ascendancy when Jack ¬Rodwell was harshly sent off in the 23rd minute for a challenge on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. And on the evidence of the 90 minutes there is little to choose between the Merseyside rivals. But Liverpool had the edge yesterday and, over the course of a 38-game season, the greater quality Kenny Dalglish can deploy makes it difficult to see how Moyes can mastermind a shift of power. Moyes is once again ¬finding that spirit, organisation and a sprinkling of real quality can only stretch so far in the Premier League.

Everton FC sign 15-year-old Bradford City starlet George Green
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
EVERTON have agreed a deal to sign Bradford City starlet George Green, beating a host of Premier League clubs to his signature. The 15-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the country’s top prospects, and a number of clubs have been monitoring his progress. But he is now set to switch to the Blues’ respected Finch Farm academy after Academy Director Alan Irvine agreed a deal.
Bradford City's head of football development Archie Christie said: “This is one of the highest deals ever for a 15-year-old from a League Two club,” he said. “But George is the best I've seen in his position at his age. He could become another Wayne Rooney or Paul Gascoigne.” Meanwhile, Jack Rodwell will learn tomorrow whether the three-match ban for his controversial red card during Saturday’s Merseyside derby will be overturned. Everton formally appealed against the dismissal yesterday, and have until tomorrow lunchtime to submit any paper-work to support their appeal with the hearing taking place at 1pm. The decision will follow later. The FA are yet to receive ref Martin Atkinson’s report so have not formally began any inquiry into allegations that coins were thrown at players on the pitch during the game at Goodison.

Everton FC captain Phil Neville’s dismay at Jack Rodwell’s derby red card
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
EVERTON skipper Phil Neville insisted that Jack Rodwell’s red card cost Everton the 216th Merseyside derby. “It’s disappointing with two teams both fighting for local pride,” said Neville. “But a sending off has cost us the game. “I don’t think it was a sending off, it was a bad decision but we all have bad days – we all play badly, but today we don’t think we got the rub of the green with decisions. “Up until the sending off we were on the front foot, we were just shading it but that was the turning point in the game. “It was just a poor decision. I don’t want to have a go at referees because they have an unbelievably tough job and he doesn’t need me telling him that he was poor but it’s a bitter pill to swallow because we lost the game in the manner that we did.”

Everton FC to appeal Jack Rodwell's Merseyside derby red card
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
EVERTON will appeal against Jack Rodwell’s controversial red card during Saturday’s Merseyside derby – despite manager David Moyes’ initial hopes that the FA might consider rescinding the decision without being asked. Blues chief executive Robert Elstone said: “Following a review of the video evidence we believe the decision to be wrong and we will be contacting the FA requesting that the red card is rescinded.” The Blues will submit written documentation to officials at Wembley Stadium today. Unless the decision is overturned Rodwell will sit out almost the entire month, missing trips to Chelsea and Fulham and the Carling Cup visit of Chelsea. He would not be available again until the October 29 visit of Manchester United. Immediately after the match Moyes said: “I would expect the people in power to stand up and say ‘we got it wrong’ because good people admit their mistakes and hold their hand up and accept it. “I think if you’re in this game there’s no shame in doing that. “Referees have apologised in the past. Some have picked up the phone and said ‘hey, I got that way wrong.’” But the Everton manager was bemused by the FA’s decision to send the derby referee in to see both clubs ahead of the fixture. “I found it really strange that they sent the referee in to see both us and Liverpool this week,” he added. “And I was surprised it was the first game he’s done since the Manchester United game when myself and Steve Round were fined a year ago. “He’s not had one other Everton game since then. “It’s up to the PGMO who they pick for games. “But you wouldn’t expect players or staff to be happy with a decision of that magnitude. When it was 11 v 11 it was a pretty close game, even stevens, and because of that I just thought it ruined the game. “We always warn the players to be careful. But that sending off today wasn’t to do with bad players’ discipline or anything like that. Nothing to do with that whatsoever. “We have to be careful we don’t go down the line of ‘another ill-tempered derby’ because it was certainly not that. It was a bad decision. It was nothing to do with the players running around kicking each other. “I didn’t think it was a foul. But it’s no point me saying that otherwise it’s a manager having a bit of sour grapes. “Football people – people who watch, people who play and people who write it, have to say it because otherwise all you’re doing is setting up the manager, we get fined all the time and you all think the same as what I’m saying.” Despite having to play for more than an hour in 80 degree temperatures, however, Moyes did not blame the red card for his side’s defeat. “At the end of the day it wasn’t the referee who lost us the game,” he added. “We lost because we made a couple of defensive lapses. “It would have been hard playing Liverpool with 11 v 11 and it became even tougher but I think the players kept at it. “We had a couple of defensive lapses just when we were maybe beginning to grow into the game. “With 11 v 11 I thought we were doing okay and getting more than our fair share and it wasn’t a bad game.”
Moyes also had words of reassurance for Rodwell. “He’s a young boy who’s making his way in the game and for him to go for that is a big day for him. “We’ll just have to tell him it was wrong and move on from it. “He’d made a terrific tackle on Kuyt on the touchline just before that,” said the Blues boss.

Dave Prentice's Mersey derby verdict: Sorry seems to be the hardest word for Premier League refs
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
AT a rough count, and if the sub-editors have been kind, there will be 800 words of copy below, attempting analysis of a football match which effectively ended as a contest after 23 minutes.
That word count represents a fleeting fraction of the printed words published on the Merseyside derby yesterday and this morning. The digital arena will have hosted, quite literally, millions more.
Then there’s the air waves, not to mention the TV coverage all devoted to the 216th Merseyside derby match. Yet in amongst all that analysis, all that reportage and all that comment – there has not been one single word from the man who mattered most. Martin Atkinson has been mute.
And there’s so much he could have said. An explanation of his decision to dismiss Jack Rodwell, a pointer to perhaps something everybody else in the stadium missed, or failing that, just a sincere, heartfelt apology. That last option wouldn’t give Everton any Premier League points, but it would prevent a decent young footballer in Jack Rodwell from suffering an undeserved suspension.
And it would stop everybody with the faintest interest in Saturday’s lunchtime football match from asking: “Why?” It was a common, perhaps the only theme, post match. The man who collects the trolleys in my local supermarket. The girl at the cash desk at the petrol station. Every person I spoke to in my local on Saturday tea-time – of a red and blue hue. My newsagent yesterday morning. All they wanted to know was: “Why did he send him off?” They all presupposed that the media get some degree of insight into a referees’ mindset that the ordinary fan doesn’t. We don’t.
Referees are insulated in an ivory tower of the FA’s making and it doesn’t help the reputations of the men with such a terrifically difficult job. Sorry. That’s all Martin Atkinson needed to do to prevent the reputation of our referees suffering another grievous blow. Players publicly apologise when they let down their team-mates for getting sent-off. Why not match officials? Of course an apology presupposes that Mr Atkinson actually accepts he called Jack Rodwell’s red card hopelessly wrong. A compliance officer at the FA once told me that Mark Clattenburg still clung to the belief he’d handled the October 2008 derby competently, adding more fuel to the belief that too many referees are arrogant with no sense of remorse for ruining football matches. We’ll never know Martin Atkinson’s reasoning until he writes his autobiography – another recent addition to the portfolio of the celebrity ref. It wasn’t until publicising his own autobiography that we learned Graham Poll accepted he’d called another last minute derby day decision wrong. And he belatedly aplogised. Too late to halt thousands of words of analysis of another contentious derby decision, but a belatedly self deprecating gesture all the same which made us think that a man christened The Thing From Tring was human after all. Of course, referees get things wrong. But they do sometimes say sorry. Mark Halsey once rang David Moyes after dismissing Joseph Yobo at Newcastle. He didn’t get that decision wrong. But new guidelines governing the last man had just been introduced and Halsey rang Moyes to explain that while he hadn’t wanted to show a red, his hands were tied. The gesture was appreciated. Halsey is the kind of referee who should always be appointed for a derby match. He shows cards, after careful consideration, when he feels he has to, not as a knee-jerk reaction to a theatrical tumble. Martin Atkinson’s appointment to the fixture was viewed nervously on both sides of Stanley Park. A man who had shown more red cards than any other referee this season, and more red cards than any other in the last calendar year, was appointed to handle a fixture which had yielded more cards than any other in Premier League history. And Atkinson had previous, after being involved in an incident which cost David Moyes and Steve Round eight grand apiece after he blew for time with Phil Jagielka bearing down on Manchester United’s goal last season. The FA were clearly aware of the fixture’s history, which is why they sent Atkinson to Everton and Liverpool’s training grounds the week before the clash.
Yet they still chose to toss a lighted match onto a powder keg. They deserve as much criticism as the match official himself. As for the match itself, all analysis is rendered redundant. Everton had been the brighter side for 20 minutes, forcing five corners to nil, seeing shots by Saha and Distin fizz wide and a towering Tim Cahill header touched over. But they also showed defensive deficiencies which gave up an excellent opening to Luis Suarez, which he uncharacteristically missed, and suggesting we could have been in for a humdinger of an afternoon. Atkinson’s impetuosity ended that possibility. The 39,500 fans inside the stadium, and the millions watching live on TV, who saw a promising afternoon’s entertainment wrecked, can forget any explanation or otherwise. Because for referees sorry really seems to be the hardest word.

Everton FC 0 Liverpool FC 2: Another derby, another dreadful decision - why did the Blues even bother turning up?
By Greg O'Keeffe
Oct 3 2011
MARTIN ATKINSON visited Everton’s training ground before the 216th Merseyside derby to lay down the law, but he would have better served the Toffees by advising them not to turn up.
Or at the very least the Bradford official might have mentioned that he deems tackling, in its best executed and cleanest form, as a red card offence. If there is a secret sect of referees who vie for membership by writing their name into Mersey derby folklore, it certainly has a new member.
Atkinson joins an inglorious list of officials, including Clive Thomas, Graham Poll and Mark Clattenburg, who have stolen the limelight from this classic British game by their own ineptitude.
Quite simply, Saturday’s game was effectively over as a genuine contest the instant Atkinson showed Jack Rodwell a red card for a challenge on Luis Suarez that would have raised eyebrows had it even merited a free-kick. Everton’s 20-year-old midfielder showed lovely technique to win the ball with his leading foot, his trailing leg tucked neatly behind him. It was a fine challenge, and typical of the impressive way in which Rodwell had started the game. Cue shameful histrionics from Liverpool’s Uruguayan forward, who is so supremely talented that such blatant simulation does him a disservice. Then Atkinson took centre stage, and stunned the 39,510 inside Goodison Park with his bewildering decision. What compounds the mind-numbing awfulness was that the official was so close to the scene. According to the platitude we are so regularly served with, everyone makes mistakes. Referees are only human. Indeed they are, but this was not an ambiguous, difficult to judge flash-point when the referee could be forgiven for getting it wrong. It was the 23rd minute, and prior to that spectators had enjoyed an intriguing derby match which looked set to develop into an even contest Everton looked like shading. If the FA has any desire to improve the standard of refereeing in the Premier League, Atkinson will be demoted and Rodwell’s three-match ban will be swiftly over-turned on appeal. But ultimately, that will not give Everton any points. It will not prevent the history books from recording another Liverpool victory in this fixture. It will not refund the supporters who paid for their tickets, or travelled from far and wide spending hundreds, hoping to see a fair game. And it will not help Everton’s task of going into games against Chelsea, Fulham and Manchester United with anything other than a burning sense of injustice. What of consistency? Atkinson underlined his utter unsuitability for the fixture by failing to book Marouane Fellaini for catching Dirk Kuyt, and did not even spot Tony Hibbert’s mistimed challenge on Charlie Adam.
Before Rodwell’s pivotal dismissal there was plenty to be positive about from a blue perspective. Everton had created more chances, one a powerful header from Tim Cahill that forced Pepe Reina to tip smartly over his cross-bar, used their width intelligently and were dominating the midfield.
Rodwell has clearly listened to his manager’s advice for him to impose himself more on games, and he had already won one firm but fair tackle. Fellaini too started well, registering his side’s first shot on goal by taking down a long free-kick from Leighton Baines and forcing a corner with his rifled effort. The Belgian enjoyed a sterling performance and covered every inch of the Goodison turf.
For his part, Leon Osman pressed the ball relentlessly, and forced Liverpool to concede ground.
Cahill appeared none the worse for his bruised shin against Manchester City, winning more than his fair share of headers against Jamie Carragher, and doing enough to spoil things even when he didn’t.
Even a man down, Moyes’ troops deserve credit for getting to half-time with the game still scoreless.
But the unseasonal heat, high tempo and disparity in personnel was always going to scupper them, and so it eventually proved. Dalglish wisely introduced Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy, and the Welshman made good use of an overlapping run from the superb Luis Enrique down Everton’s understaffed right-hand side. The Spanish full-back crossed, Kuyt cleverly ducked and Andy Carroll fired home. Nobody could accuse Moyes of being defensive. Even with the odds stacked against him, his first instinct was to leave Cahill and Louis Saha, Everton’s previously two most advanced players, on the field. Then his first change was to bring on Royston Drenthe for Seamus Coleman. But that adventure and positivity was unrewarded. Saha battled on gamely, although he won little against Martin Skrtel and tired after sending a couple of howitzers whistling narrowly past the opposition goal. And with 10 minutes left he swapped a defender, Hibbert, for a forward in Apostolos Vellios.
However, while there was plenty of mitigation for the result, the sloppy defending which has seeped into Everton’s displays returned when Suarez was gifted with Liverpool’s second courtesy of a penalty-area mix-up and a rushed Sylvain Distin clearance. Defeat meant Everton’s run of not losing consecutive games for almost two years was cut cruelly short, just like hopes for an even derby.
“Jack feels as if he has cost us the game and we have said to him ‘you have not cost us the game at all’. Three years ago that wouldn’t have even been a foul.” Skipper PHIL NEVILLE was quick to defend his distraught team-mate after Atkinson’s abberation. “It was pretty even at 11 against 11 but it is hypothetical to ask what would have happened if there had not been a sending off because we will never know.” Reds manager KENNY DALGLISH refuses to be drawn into discussing the ramifications of Rodwell’s dismissal
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard; Hibbert (Vellios 79), Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman (Drenthe 59), Fellaini; Rodwell, Osman (Neville 69), Cahill; Saha Not used: Mucha, Stracqualursi, Bilyaletdinov, Barkley
LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique; Kuyt, Lucas (Henderson 88), Adam (Gerrard 67), Downing (Bellamy 67); Suarez, Carroll. Not used: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Spearing.
GOALS: Carroll (71), Suarez (82)
CARDS: Booked – Cahill; Lucas. Sent off – Rodwell
REFEREE: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
ATTENDANCE: 39,510

Everton FC’s Leighton Baines says derby injustice will bolster Blues through toughest run of fixtures
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
LEIGHTON Baines believes a burning sense of derby injustice will bolster Everton throughout this season’s toughest run of fixtures. The Blues were devastated after referee Martin Atkinson ruined their hopes of derby victory with the incorrect dismissal of Jack Rodwell just 23 minutes into Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool. Now Baines acknowledges Everton face the biggest test of their entire campaign after rare consecutive defeats by Manchester City and Liverpool, will be followed by trips to Chelsea and Fulham before they face Chelsea again in the Carling Cup, then Manchester United at Goodison Park. But the England defender says the fury at Atkinson’s pivotal red-card, which follows an error-strewn display by Howard Webb at the Etihad stadium last weekend, could foster a siege mentality in the Everton camp. He said: “We always tend to dig deep and find something in adversity. "That’s what we’ll do now. "We’ve got the break to let it all settle and sort of get back after that and hope time heals it. "We can’t dwell on it, we need to look at the games next up and come out fighting. “You always try your best not to really talk about it and make excuses but sometimes it’s hard not to. "Most of their players were shaking their heads telling you it’s not a red card, so when you’ve got their lads saying that, it says enough. “From my point of view, if I’m on the receiving end of that tackle in a game like the derby I accept it.” Baines was surprised by Luis Suarez’s reaction to Rodwell’s first half tackle. The initial tackle is good,” he said. “It gets a tiny bit of him (Suarez) on the follow through. Minor. And he goes down. “Everyone’s different. There will be other lads on their team, and most of our team who would get up after that. "He obviously has a little roll around. "Maybe the little bit of contact did hurt him, you don’t know, but that’s less of a talking point than the decision.” Atkinson had visited both club’s training grounds last week to discuss new regulations ahead of the derby, and Baines says he made a conscious effort not to voice his dissent at the red card, which Everton have officially appealed against. He said: “I don’t know what he said. There were a few lads around the scene and I tried to stay away because that’s what we get told to do these days. They ask us not to make a scene and sometimes it’s hard not to when you see decisions like that go against you. “Yes he’d been to Finch Farm. It’s hard – we all make mistakes, we made a couple during the game, but those ones are tough not to criticise when it’s right in front of him and it’s a good, strong tackle. “They are the type of tackles you want to see in a way. They (referees) say something about tackles being too hard. I don’t know how you interpret that, it’s up to them “They come in every year and that’s why they say they give fouls for those tackles – they’re too hard. “They’ve got to decide what’s too hard, which probably makes it tough for them to decipher what’s what on the scale of hardness.” Baines was proud of how his team-mates responded to the setback, although he admitted that defensive errors contributed to their eventual downfall. “We will look at the game and the positives and negatives and there wasn’t much in it up until Jack’s dismissal,” he said. “Going a man down just gave them some extra space and we struggled sometimes to shut it off, but we still at various times looked like we could do something. We were still in it even at 1-0 and had chances that whistled past the post, but the second goal just killed us.”

Everton FC's Tim Cahill will not fly to Australia for World Cup qualifiers
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 3 2011
EVERTON FC midfielder Tim Cahill will not link-up with Australia this week ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Oman. The EFC midfielder will instead undergo intensive rehabilitation at Finch Farm for the next 10 days. Cahill had a scan on Sunday on the ankle he injured against Manchester City, and the medical advice is that he should not travel for the matches in Canberra and Sydney. Everton’s Head of Medicine, Danny Donachie, said: “Tim played through the pain barrier on Saturday against Liverpool but the scan showed that the best course of action now is rest and rehab. “Tim is disappointed but it is a straight-forward decision because he would not be fit enough to play in the games in Australia.”

Referee Martin Atkinson’s visit to training left us uneasy says Everton FC’s Tim Howard
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 3 2011
TIM HOWARD has questioned the decision to send Martin Atkinson to meet with Everton and Liverpool players just days before officiating the Merseyside derby. Atkinson visited Finch Farm and Melwood to issue a scheduled update on this season’s developments and interpretations of the game’s laws, despite having already been appointed to take charge of the weekend Goodison meeting between the clubs. The referee controversially deemed a 23rd-minute challenge by Jack Rodwell on Luis Suarez as a red-card offence, with Liverpool ultimately taking advantage of their numerical supremacy to secure a 2-0 victory. And Howard claims Atkinson veered from the guidelines he issued before Saturday’s match. “The referee came to visit us at the training ground in the week, and there were a few things he said he would clamp down on – none of which he did,” said the Everton goalkeeper. “I don’t know what the deal was bringing the referee for the Merseyside derby to the clubs just three days before a game. “It kinda makes everyone a bit uneasy. I’m sure they (Liverpool) would have been uneasy about it, we were uneasy about it, and it’s probably not the best idea. “I don’t know where that came from, who mandated it. “I don’t think he put into practice what he talked about.” Howard revealed Atkinson later did not explain his decision to send off Rodwell for what appeared to nearly everyone inside Goodison as a strong but fair challenge. “The referee didn’t speak to us after the game, but it was pretty self-explanatory,” he said. “I guess it will be shown all over the place tonight, tomorrow, and people will see it is a flat out wrong decision. “In layman’s terms, Jack won the ball, then his foot went into the ground, then there was contact, but there were like three contact incidents before the coming together with Suarez. “He jumped up and made enough of it, but I just don’t see how it’s possibly that call.
“Unfortunately, none of us have jurisdiction over those decisions, you just get on with it and deal with it and hope it works itself out.” Howard added: “It’s frustrating you know. It’s tough enough, isn’t it a Merseyside derby, without having it made tougher like that. “It’s hard to get anything out of a game as intense as that when you go down to 10 men so early. “The real frustrating thing is, we were showing a little dominance before that. We started the game well enough, and we felt we were doing the right things. “You can’t legislate for a sending-off like that though – it is a game-changer. “ Howard had kept Everton in the game by saving a penalty from Dirk Kuyt a minute before the break, the Dutchman having previously netted three spot-kicks past the Goodison goalkeeper in this fixture. Remarkably, it was the first-ever penalty save by an Everton keeper in a league derby, with the only other coming in an FA Cup tie in 1905 – from which Liverpool netted the rebound. “That’s the strangest stat I’ve ever heard in my life,” said Howard. “Interesting, because I’m sure there have been more than a few penalties. “It’s kind of a psychological war with Dirk, because I think he’s scored four against me, three in the derbies, one internationally. “I got it right this time, and maybe you’re bound to get one.”

Everton FC 0 Liverpool FC 2: Red concerns remain despite Merseyside derby joy
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 3 2011
OF all the chants that rained down from the Goodison stands on Saturday, there was one that proved most pertinent. Amid the din of Everton’s rightful indignation towards laughable referee Martin Atkinson could be heard a familiar refrain emanating from the travelling support calling for Steven Gerrard. And that Kenny Dalglish was ultimately compelled to throw on his recovering skipper spoke volumes for how Liverpool struggled to grab a gift-wrapped victory in the 216th Merseyside derby. It’s difficult to draw firm conclusions, certainly concerning Everton, from a match ruined by Atkinson’s disgraceful decision to dismiss Jack Rodwell midway through the first half. Dalglish will no doubt claim the wheel of fortune simply turned in his side’s favour, with Liverpool wronged by officials on several occasions already this campaign. But while millions have been spent on helping drag Liverpool back among the top-four challengers, the manager will be concerned it took the arrival of Gerrard and fellow substitute Craig Bellamy – who cost a combined total of nothing – to finally break Everton’s robust resistance. The new-look Anfield outfit have yet to convince. Speaking last week, first-team coach Steve Clarke described their start to the season as being ‘average’, a level they seemed hell-bent on maintaining for much of Saturday’s encounter. Money, as David Moyes always fears, did eventually talk, with Liverpool’s £58million strikeforce ensuring Dalglish made a winning return on his first Goodison derby as Anfield manager in more than 20 years. Until the weekend, any comparison between Andy Carroll and Duncan Ferguson would have centred on his lifestyle, a litany of off-field scrapes and the propensity to pick up niggling injuries. The striker will hope to have now added another. Ferguson forged his reputation in the Merseyside derby, and Carroll will pray his opening goal on Saturday can go some way towards kickstarting his spluttering Anfield career. It was a strike of some quality, a rare cutting Liverpool move culminating in a precise, ruthless finish as Bellamy released the overlapping Jose Enrique down the Everton right and the left-back – who was by far the game’s stellar performer – cut the ball back from the byline for Dirk Kuyt to duck out of the way and leave Carroll free to fire first-time beyond Tim Howard. That came on 71 minutes, just four minutes after Bellamy and Gerrard both joined the fray as Dalglish sought to improve creativity that had been stifled by Everton’s rearguard action and his team’s own shortcomings. Liverpool’s midfield flailed in the unseasonal sunshine, Stewart Downing a peripheral figure while Charlie Adam, other than smashing the crossbar with a rasping drive on the stroke of half-time, was alarmingly anonymous. Such a criticism will rarely be levelled at Luis Suarez, and the Uruguayan was inevitably involved in several flashpoints, not least in the 23rd minute when the tackle he received from Rodwell was adjudged worthy of a red card by Atkinson.
It’s not as though the dismissal could be described as a talking point, which would suggest debate over the decision. There wasn’t. Atkinson was perhaps the only person in the ground who thought the tackle merited such drastic censure, when in reality, while Suarez was caught by Rodwell’s momentum, it wasn’t even a foul. The referee will no doubt contend the players were warned what to expect when he dropped in on Finch Farm and Melwood last week for a liaison meeting, the timing of which was, in hindsight, somewhat misguided. So too was the appointment of Atkinson. Whose bright idea was it to send the referee who dished out the most red cards last season – and had already brandished five in eight outings this campaign – to officiate the Premier League’s most ill-disciplined match?
But Rodwell was not guilty of a bad foul. Outsiders may raise an eyebrow and tut at another derby dismissal – a 20th in 39 Premier League meetings – but it was down to the dreadful error of the referee and not the misdemeanours of the players, although an irate Everton at times sailed extremely close to the wind. That said, Liverpool appeared intent on making life easy for Atkinson during the opening quarter by refusing to put in a tackle at all, allowing Everton to grasp the early initiative with Pepe Reina at full stretch to turn over a Tim Cahill header before Sylvain Distin struck an angled drive too high. Atkinson at least called it right when awarding Liverpool a penalty on 44 minutes when the threat of Suarez drew a rash challenge from Phil Jagielka just inside the box. Kuyt, recalled after Dalglish had extolled his derby heroics and the scorer of three previous penalties in this fixture, stepped up but saw his spot-kick brilliantly beaten out by Howard. Remarkably, it was the first-ever penalty save by an Everton goalkeeper in a league derby. By then, 10-man Everton were on the retreat, although with Louis Saha, making his first start since March, firing in shots from range and demonstrating a voracious appetite for work, this was no repeat of the cautious approach that courted controversy in the previous weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.
Indeed, Moyes’s second-half substitutions, bringing on Royston Drenthe and Apostolos Vellios, indicated a belief the hosts could gain some reward from the game. But there was nothing left in the tank after Carroll’s opener. And a tired mistake with eight minutes remaining as the otherwise excellent Sylvain Distin smashed a clearance against Suarez allowed the Liverpool man to slide home his team’s second from close range. Kuyt struck the post during injury time, but a third goal would have been overly harsh on Moyes’s men.
While there could be no disputing Liverpool deserved victory, there was equally no doubt Everton were unfairly prevented a fair contest.

Everton FC lodge FA appeal Jack Rodwell’s red card in the Merseyside derby
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 3 2011
EVERTON have lodged an appeal over Jack Rodwell’s controversial derby dismissal – with David Moyes expecting referee Martin Atkinson to rescind the red card. Atkinson outraged Everton by sending-off Rodwell for what appeared a legitimate challenge on Luis Suarez midway through the first half of Saturday’s 216th Merseyside derby at Goodison. It left Everton with an uphill battle, and although Tim Howard saved Dirk Kuyt’s penalty shortly before half-time, second-half goals from Andy Carroll and Suarez sent Moyes’s men tumbling to a 2-0 defeat. And the Goodison outfit will now submit written documentation to the Football Association with Rodwell facing a three-match ban that would see the midfielder miss Carling Cup and Premier League clashes against Chelsea and the top-flight trip to Fulham. Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said: “Following a review of the video evidence we believe the decision to be wrong and we will be contacting the FA requesting that the red card is rescinded.” Moyes, who believes the early red card “ruined the game”, had intended to resist lodging an appeal with the FA on the premise either the ruling body or Atkinson should own up to a glaring error. But Everton have been compelled to appeal because the disciplinary process means the authorities can only overturn any refereeing decisions at the request of the aggrieved club. Moyes had said: “I’m not thinking just now about an appeal, because I would expect the people in power to stand up and say ‘have we got it wrong?’. “Good people admit their mistakes and hold their hand up and accept it and there’s no shame in doing that. “I’ve had an apology from a ref in the past. Some have picked up the phone and said ‘I got that way wrong’.
“But you don’t get things overturned. “The FA very much keep together with the PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials) and you find it very difficult to get anything overturned.
“And what if it was? “The disappointing thing was we wanted to take the three points. We’ve not won an important derby. “Liverpool played well with 11 men and made it hard for us. “It was a couple of poor defensive lapses that cost us the goals. “But you can’t hide the fact that it (the red card) cost us the game.” Atkinson visited both Everton and Liverpool’s training grounds only last week for a scheduled liaison to update the players on any changes in interpretations of the game’s laws this season. Saturday was the first time the referee had officiated an Everton match since the 3-3 draw with Manchester United 13 months ago, after which both Moyes and assistant Steve Round were fined £8,000 for comments regarding Atkinson’s decision to blow for full-time when Phil Jagielka was through on goal. “He’s not had one Everton game since then and he’s then sent in to both us and Liverpool,” said Moyes. “You’d have thought we’d have had him since then instead of the first game being a derby game.” Asked if Atkinson was not the ideal choice to officiate the Merseyside derby, Moyes added: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the PGMO. “They pick the referees, we’ve got no say in that and I wouldn’t attempt in any way to influence that.” Rodwell’s red card was the 20th in 39 Premier League derbies, but Moyes has dismissed any notion Saturday’s game was overly-physical. “You wouldn’t expect the players or us as a staff to be happy with the decision the referee makes in a game of that magnitude because as 11 against 11 it was a pretty good game,” said the Everton manager. “Because of that, I actually thought he ruined the game. “We always warn the players to be careful. I get asked on a Friday by the media ‘what about the tackles, what about the bookings and sendings-off?’. “But that wasn’t to do with tackles, that sending-off wasn’t to do with players’ bad discipline. “It was nothing to with that whatsoever so we’ve got to make sure we don’t go down the line of ‘another ill-tempered derby’ because it was certainly not that, it was a bad decision. “It wasn’t to do with the players running about kicking each other. It was nothing to do with that.” Everton could face further censure with the FA awaiting Atkinson’s match report before deciding whether to take action over the missile-throwing that took place on Saturday.
A coin appeared to be tossed at Luis Suarez and objects were also thrown at Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll during the second half from some sections of the home support.

Everton 0 Liverpool 2
By PHIL THOMAS
The Sun 03 Oct 2011
MARTIN ATKINSON may be public enemy No 1 on half of Merseyside — but no one could blame Andy Carroll for sticking a thank-you card in the post. The most appalling, laughable and disgraceful dismissal you will ever see wrecked the derby as a spectacle. But it certainly didn't exactly hinder Carroll's chances of finally seeing his Liverpool career take off. Atkinson was roundly — and rightly — condemned for his appalling decision in red-carding Jack Rodwell for a challenge that merited no more than a free-kick. The ref's fourth red card of the season in just seven games played no significant part in Carroll's 71st-minute resistance-breaker. But handing Liverpool a man advantage for an hour at Goodison definitely did. And, after finding the world and his dog debating his merits as a footballer, the £35million Geordie was grateful for any help he could get. Just three Premier League goals since his arrival last January had put Carroll in the spotlight, despite Kenny Dalglish's gripes that anyone doubting the striker's quality was way out of order. So what better stage to give your Liverpool career a launch pad than with a crucial goal at the home of your Mersey neighbours?
Rewind 17 years and witness what it did for another striker Duncan Ferguson on the blue half of the city. Back in 1994, in Joe Royle's first game as Everton boss, Big Dunc — who had been nicked for drink-driving 48 hours earlier — bagged the first in a 2-0 derby win to kick-start a loan spell from Rangers. It earned him instant cult status on the terraces, helped his move to Merseyside become a permanent one and ultimately ended with the giant Scotsman earning himself a place in Goodison folklore. What Carroll would give for something similar happening to him across Stanley Park over the coming months. Dalglish has constantly denied there was any problem with the England striker's confidence, and he had nothing to thank the club for. Well, the man himself certainly thought so. And he swiftly dished out his own vote of gratitude for everyone who has stuck by him over a difficult nine months at Anfield. Carroll, who neatly swept home Jose Enrique's 71st-minute cross, admitted: "The goal is for everyone really, Kenny, the others lads and the fans. Everyone who has stood by me. It is a great feeling and by far the highlight of my time here, easily. "Scoring against Everton and beating them at their place is special but you have got to keep it going.
"I had been speaking with Jose and I told him that I fancied getting my first of the season here. Before the game, I thought, 'This is the day' and it is a relief to get back on the scoresheet.
"We've got Manchester United next and I've got to make sure I keep doing well week in and week out now." Even Dalglish, for all his protestations to the contrary, had to admit it could only be a bonus to the player everyone seems to have an opinion on. The Anfield boss conceded: "No one will suffer from having scored in the derby. I cannot see anything else other than benefit.
"The big 'un has worked really hard in training and that is his reward for it. He has probably done better in games where he didn't score but today he did really well. "He had a couple of headers beforehand and was unlucky last week when he hit the post. He was getting closer and to see him get in the box and score one with his feet was good for us as well." When Luis Suarez added a second nine minutes from time — as Everton defenders Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines fluffed chances to clear — the Blue wounds were coated with a liberal dose of salt. Yet the man who opened those wounds in the first place remained the focal point — despite the heroics of Carroll and Suarez, and Tim Howard's stunning spot-kick save to deny Dirk Kuyt after Phil Jagielka had clipped Suarez's ankles in the first period. Had Rodwell, 20, dived in two-footed as he whipped the ball away from Suarez, then fair enough. Had he followed through on the Uruguayan, or raised a foot, then likewise. But the Everton youngster did none of those things — to the point that the Goodison crowd were already baying their anger when they thought Atkinson was merely about to produce a yellow card. The fact that it was a red was truly jaw-dropping. A shocking, disgraceful example of refereeing. But while King Kenny was basking in the glory of Liverpool's derby delight, there was still one worrying stat for those waving their red scarves... For all the millions he has spent since returning to the Anfield hotseat, it was only when Dalglish took off Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing — after leaving another of his summer signings Jordan Henderson on the bench at the start — that his side really ran at their opponents. Not that it stopped a celebrating Adam throwing his shirt to the away supporters after the final whistle. Although, in truth, it would probably have been more appropriate had ref Atkinson done the same.
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN - LUIS SUAREZ (Liverpool)
EVERTON: Howard 8, Hibbert 6 (Vellios 5), Jagielka 6, Distin 6, Baines 6, Coleman 6 (Drenthe 6), Fellaini 7, Osman 6 (Neville 6), Rodwell 6, Cahill 7, Saha 7. Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley. Booked: Cahill. Sent Off: Rodwell.
LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Kelly 7, Carragher 6, Skrtel 6, Jose Enrique 7, Kuyt 7, Lucas 8 (Henderson 6), Adam 6 (Gerrard 6), Downing 6 (Bellamy 7), Suarez 8, Carroll 7. Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Coates, Flanagan. Booked: Lucas.
REF: M Atkinson 3

Everton 0-2 Liverpool: Daily Mirror match report
Oct 3 2011 By David Maddock
This was the Merseyside derby that never was. And maybe, in fairness to those 40,000 supporters who paid 40 quid to watch a contest that never happened, the person – or people – responsible could offer them a refund. There is surely a case for an enterprising law firm to start a class action on behalf of the fans because this falls into the ‘gross negligence’ category. The referee Martin Atkinson, who spotted a phantom offence unseen by anyone else, destroyed this match in terms of entertainment. But the authorities are not blameless. What were they thinking of giving this game to Atkinson? An official with the worst record of dismissals in English football and one who struggles to keep players on the pitch. C’mon guys, this is the ­Merseyside derby – passions are high, tackles are made. You need a referee whose instinct is to keep 11 against 11 whenever possible. One like Howard Webb, who kept the World Cup Final a spectacle instead of a debacle. As Everton keeper Tim Howard said afterwards, it was impossible for anyone to see a red-card offence in Jack Rodwell’s challenge on Luis Suarez – except for hair-trigger Atko. Howard said: “It was just flat-out wrong. You could call many things there – it could have been no foul at all, it could have been a foul, a booking, but you could never have called a red card. “The referee didn’t speak to us after the game but he didn’t have to, it was pretty self-explanatory. I guess it will be shown all over the place tonight, tomorrow, and people will see it for what it is.” The referee was three yards away and still got it wrong. It’s not a conspiracy, he doesn’t do it on purpose and this is not a witch-hunt. But he ruined the game. Even worse is the possibility he has damaged both Rodwell and Everton. With such a thin squad they will struggle to cover for such a massive young talent for the three games he will be suspended – and he will be, because as Blues boss David Moyes said, the authorities will close ranks to cover their official. Moyes added: “The FA very much keep together with the PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials) and you find it very difficult to get anything overturned.” The authorities should never have allowed this to happen in the first place, because enough people pointed out beforehand the appointment of Atkinson had disaster written all over it. They also sent Atkinson to the Everton and Liverpool training grounds days before the game. According to Howard, a hero for his remarkable penalty save from Dirk Kuyt, it left a sour taste in the mouth. He said: “I don’t know what the deal was bringing the referee to the clubs just three days before a derby. I don’t know where that came from, who mandated it. I’m sure they (Liverpool) would have been uneasy about it, we were and it’s not the best idea. I certainly don’t think he put into practice what he talked about.”
The row overshadowed the continuing emergence of Andy Carroll. The Liverpool striker has endured criticism, but his goal – which effectively settled this non-contest because 10 men were never coming back in Saturday lunchtime’s heat – could be a landmark moment. Jose Enrique escaped down the left and Dirk Kuyt allowed the ball to travel to Carroll, who smashed it home.
Carroll said afterwards. “It’s a relief to get my first league goal of the season. This is by far the highlight of my time here.” Suarez scored Liverpool’s second eight minutes from time when he capitalised on a mix-up between Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines, giving the scoreline an unbalanced look. Everton were playing well enough before the injustice to Rodwell to have given us a real contest, not the non-event that followed.

Ian Snodin: Martin Atkinson’s pre-derby Everton FC and Liverpool FC visit was pointless
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
I JUST can’t understand what the powers that be hoped to achieve by sending Martin Atkinson to Everton and Liverpool’s training grounds in the week before the derby. Tim Howard has spoken about it making the players feel a bit uneasy and it mystified me. The personality of whoever is officiating is irrelevant to the players on the day. They don’t need to come up for a cup of tea and a chat before the game – what’s the point in that? No player is going to think before he tackles someone, ‘I better not because the ref came in this week’. The lads on the day are just focussed on playing and winning. Once that whistle goes they couldn’t care less who is in charge. I’ve got no problem with referees visiting the clubs in pre-season, sitting the players down and talking to them about the respect initiative in football. That’s all together a different thing. But before a derby it’s just pointless. In the heat and bluster of a derby players will always act on their instincts and all the ref has done in this case is infuriated the players and contributed to the atmosphere deteriorating on the day with his decision. The players shouldn’t have been bothered by anyone in the build-up.

Everton FC’s Tim Cahill to miss Australia's World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Oman after playing through pain barrier in derby.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
TIM CAHILL will miss Australia’s World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Oman after playing through the pain barrier in the Merseyside derby. The Everton midfielder was set to fly home for the Socceroos’ matches in Canberra and Sydney but the Toffees’ medical staff have insisted he needs more recovery time. The 31-year-old initially sustained an ankle injury in a clash with Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany nine days ago. Cahill suffered heavy swelling and bruising, and only trained properly for a day before being passed fit for Saturday’s 216th Merseyside derby which saw Everton suffer successive 2-0 defeats in the Premier League. Such is his belief in Cahill’s ability to upset the odds and find the net against Everton’s city rivals, manager David Moyes kept the former Milwall player on the field for the entire game against Kenny Dalglish’s men.
Now Cahill has been advised to rest the injured ankle, and work closely with the club medical staff rather than undergo a series of gruelling flights to Australia only to be pitched back into competitive action for his country. Everton’s head of medicine Danny Donachie said: “Tim played through the pain barrier on Saturday against Liverpool but the scan showed the best course of action now is rest and rehab. “Tim is disappointed but it is a straightforward decision because he would not be fit enough to play in the games in Australia.” Cahill will undergo intensive rehabilitation at Finch Farm throughout the international break, and he is not the only veteran socceroo to be rested. Fulham and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is also unavailable for international duty after aggravating a back injury in the Cottagers’ 6-0 demolition of QPR on Sunday. The news will at least be a boost for David Moyes who will relish having Cahill fit and rested ahead of a testing run of fixtures, beginning with the tea-time clash against Chelsea on October 15. Everton then travel to Fulham the following weekend, before hosting Chelsea again in the last 16 of the Carling Cup before preparing for the visit of table-topping Manchester United on October 29. Cahill had already missed two of Australia’s summer friendlies in order to rest a foot injury he picked up on Asia Cup duty with his national side, which marred the second half of his Premier League season.

Ian Snodin: Play-acting is ruining the English game
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
MY PET hate in the modern game is players feigning injury, and Luis Suarez’s reaction to Jack Rodwell’s tackle is a case in point. Players who roll around and simulate agony when in reality there’s very little wrong with them is my biggest bug bear. I’m not saying Jack didn’t catch him slightly with his knee but not with anything like the force to trigger that type of reaction.
It was such an extreme bout of writhing about, I instantly thought it must have been a worse tackle than it was. Obviously we have the benefit of TV replays up in the press box, but Martin Atkinson was just a few feet away so he really has little excuse for not positioning himself in the right place.
He seemed to rush his decision too. I think Atkinson has gone with Suarez’s reaction. Throughout my years in the game I only ever went down if I was genuinely hurt. I had to be injured to lay down and ask for treatment. To pretend, and then get up and run around is just embarrassing. I’d be too ashamed to do that. Sadly, there are less professionals who you can say that about – although men like Phil Neville and Steven Gerrard will only go down when they’ve been hurt. Play-acting is hurting football.

Ian Snodin: Mr Reliable Tim Howard shows his class again for Everton FC
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
ONCE again Tim Howard showed why he is priceless to Everton FC with a penalty save that was my derby day highlight. There may not have been much to get excited about in the end, but Tim’s save got Goodison rocking and it had to be top class because Dirk Kuyt’s penalty was heading for the bottom corner. Phil Jagielka certainly appreciated it, because he shook Tim’s hand at half-time and was clearly relieved that Mr Reliable had saved his bacon. The USA keeper’s record from the spot is amazing and long may it continue.

Everton FC quietly hope to have landed one of the brightest emerging English talents since Wayne Rooney in George Green
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
THEY stood watching from the sidelines, scouts from a string of high-profile Premier League clubs with their mouths agape, as 15-year-old George Green from a tough Yorkshire council estate ran rings around the cream of Aston Villa’s U-17 side. Among the throng of onlookers, coaches from Everton’s respected Finch Farm academy sensed this was one they could not afford to miss out on.
The Toffees may not be able to spend big in the transfer market, but they have a dedicated policy of investing in youth that could yet enable them to prosper in the long-term. Green, who until yesterday was a part of Bradford City’s youth system, had been given permission by his club to play in a trial match for Tottenham Hotspur at their Chigwell training ground, as a goodwill gesture after the Londoners had loaned City a goalkeeper. Green had come up through the ranks with League Two club Bradford, as part of the same impressive youth set-up that nurtured Manchester United’s lauded midfielder Tom Cleverley, Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph and promising Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom. But according to sources close to the West Yorkshire outfit, Green could outshine them all. An attacking midfielder of exquisite balance, with a rapacious appetite for goal-scoring, the teenager had already appeared on the wanted list of Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Southampton, and Rangers. Spurs, who thought they were in the driving seat to capture the youngster, are believed to be secretly livid at his switch to Merseyside. During that one-off friendly for the North London side two weeks ago, Green scored four – including two strikes when he dribbled past most of the opposition. The teenager will become a full-time part of Everton’s youth set-up next summer, and Blues academy director Alan Irvine is looking forward to working with him, while insisting in typically understated fashion that nobody should get too carried away just yet. “George is a young player who was attracting interest from a number of clubs,” he said. “He has got good potential but at the moment that’s all it is. He has got a lot of work to do and he knows that. We’re happy to have him and we’re looking forward to working with him here at the academy.” The mantra at Everton is never to over-hype youth players whatever their sparkling potential. For every Wayne Rooney, there is a Billy Kenny. For every Jack Rodwell, there is a Scott Spencer. But if Green progresses as expected, the Blues will have their work cut-out avoiding the type of comparisons deployed by Bradford’s head of football development Archie Christie. “This is one of the highest deals ever for a 15-year-old from a League Two club,” he said. “But George is the best I've seen in his position at his age. He could become another Wayne Rooney or Paul Gascoigne.” The fee Everton have agreed to pay certainly represents their belief Green could mature into a stellar talent. With all the numerous clauses in his deal fulfilled it could eventually rise to £1.6m, with an initial £170,000 fee down payment. “He has been training with lads aged 17, 18, and 19 at Bradford and he’s not even 16 until January,” said one source close to the Bantams. “Bradford are good at bringing on young players and making a profit from them. They hope to do well out of lads like Tom Cleverly and Fabian Delph and there’s no reason George can’t eventually play for the Everton first team. “David Moyes recognises his potential because he was keen to get him and the club invited George to the Merseyside derby at the weekend. “I think that game at Spurs was the ‘Kerching’ moment for Bradford. All of a sudden there were dozens of clubs phoning about him, and there had been a lot of interest beforehand. “But George doesn’t want to just disappear into the system at somewhere like Spurs who sign players like confetti. “His family have seen that Everton give young lads a chance if they show they’re ready. “You only have to look at Ross Barkley, whose two and a bit years older than George and he’s playing in the Premier League week in, week out. “You never know with young players ultimately. Bradford may have sold the next Gazza or he may not quite make the grade, but even if he turns out to be half the player they are hoping, Everton have got a star.”

Everton FC: Tim Howard’s derby penalty save was the first by Everton FC player since 1902
Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
“THAT’S the strangest stat I’ve ever heard in my life. Strange, but true. im Howard’s post-match reaction was entirely understandable. When he plunged spectacularly to his left to push Dirk Kuyt’s penalty kick round the post he became the first Everton goalkeeper to save a spot-kick in a derby for more than a century. January 25, 1902, in an FA Cup tie at Anfield, was the last time an Everton keeper was successful in a derby-day 12-yard shoot-out. And it was a hollow victory for George Kitchen because Liverpool’s Tom Robertson reacted quickest to lash in the rebound.
Liverpool drew 2-2 then won the Goodison Park replay. Tim Howard was at a loss to explain why he was the first Everton shot-stopper for 109 years to come out on top. “Interesting, because I’m sure there have been more than a few penalties,” he added. “It’s kind of a psychological war with Dirk, because I think he’s scored four against me, three in the derbies, one internationally.
“I got it right this time and maybe you’re bound to get one.” Evertonians will be praying it’s not more than a century for the next one!

Ian Snodin: It’s official - football is now a non-contact sport after Everton FC derby red card
by Eileen Harley, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
FOOTBALL has gone to the dogs – it has now become a non-contact sport. That’s the only sad conclusion after Jack Rodwell’s ridiculous dismissal during the Merseyside derby on Saturday for Everton FC. I spoke to various fellow ex-players after the game, a mix of Blues and Reds, and not one thought Jack deserved the red card that Martin Atkinson so laughably produced. Peter Reid, Joe Royle, John Aldridge, Howard Kendall – they were all nonplussed and stopped to wonder whatever happened to the tackling game in English football.Tackling used to be an art. You could admire the technique that midfielders and defenders used to win back the ball. It’s all about controlled power, timing and co-ordination – qualities Jack’s challenge possessed in equal measure.Even if Atkinson thought it was a foul – what happened to giving players a warning? It’s so frustrating because the incident spoiled what was shaping up to be a fantastic derby.It had been end to end, both sides had chances and the fans were in for a treat.The sending off changed everything. Tim Cahill had to drop into midfield and as a result we had little threat in attack. Then, in fairness, Liverpool simply controlled the game and did what they needed to do to record another victory. They kept the ball well, made the pitch big and made 10-man Everton sweat in the red-hot heat. It was particularly harsh on Jack Rodwell. A lot of pundits and fans have said he could be the complete midfielder if only he added a bit of steel and aggression to his game, and that’s exactly what he’s tried to do.He has got a lovely range of passing and can shoot with both feet but he needed to start winning tackles in order to evolve his game, and he has obviously tried.About five minutes before the dismissal he put in a fantastic tackle in the middle of the park and looked like he was ready to put in a committed display.He seemed to be in shock when Atkinson got out his red and was obviously saying he’s won the ball, and probably had to look twice at the colour of the card.I’m sure Liverpool supporters won’t mind – they won a derby and that’s all that counts.There won’t have been much sleep lost on the red half of the city because of the flash-point.But I honestly knew there was only ever going to be one outcome after Jack had walked, and play resumed.In that heat, with Liverpool’s various options and strength in depth on the bench, it seemed a foregone conclusion and it was.I hope Atkinson doesn’t get a big game like the derby again because he ruined this one. If there’s any justice he’ll hold his hands up and the FA will rescind the ban.

Police request CCTV of missile-throwing fans at Everton and Liverpool FC derby match
by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
POLICE will examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify football supporters throwing missiles at the weekend’s Merseyside derby.Bottles or coins were hurled at Liverpool FC players on three separate occasions during Saturday’s stormy fixture.Reds striker Luis Suarez picked up a coin and brandished it at referee Martin Atkinson as he prepared to take a last-minute corner.Substitute Craig Bellamy was also the target for objects thrown on the opposite side of the pitch. A bottle was also flung at Liverpool’s Andy Carroll as he celebrated scoring the opener at Goodison Park.Today, Merseyside police told the ECHO they had spoken to Everton FC and were arranging for stadium CCTV to be passed to officers.If the faces of suspects can be identified, attempts will be made to track down offenders and prosecute them.Everton described the incidents as “unacceptable”, and said they were ready to take decisive action against any fan caught in the act.The derby atmosphere turned sour after just 23 minutes when referee Atkinson sent off Blues midfielder Jack Rodwell for what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate tackle.Down to 10 men, Everton eventually lost the fixture 2-0, after holding out for 71 minutes of the match. The Football Association said they were awaiting a copy of the referee’s report before commenting any further. With details of the missile incidents likely to be in Atkinson’s report, Everton are at risk of receiving a fine from the governing body.Trouble outside the stadium was scarce, though. Just one arrest was made of a man suspected of selling parking spaces using forged residents’ permits.An Everton spokesman said: “We are pulling together CCTV from Saturday and will spend the next few days carefully analysing it. We will not hesitate from decisive and far-reaching action against any supporter who is positively identified as throwing any object onto the pitch.“It is absolutely unacceptable and will be condemned by all right-thinking Evertonians, which is 99.99% of our fanbase.”

Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard insists Jack Rodwell won’t let his confidence be ruined by derby red card.
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 4 2011
TIM HOWARD insists Everton FC team-mate Jack Rodwell won’t let his confidence be ruined by the controversial dismissal that marred the Merseyside derby.The Blues hope to learn today whether the England Under-21 midfielder will have a three-match ban for his challenge on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez rescinded. An appeal panel will meet at the FA’s Soho square headquarters at lunchtime, to review video evidence and photographs of the tackle that prompted Martin Atkinson to show a red card despite the 20-year-old appearing to win the ball cleanly.If the appeal is rejected, Rodwell is set to serve a three-game ban which will see him miss the league and cup fixtures against Chelsea and the trip to Fulham.But Howard (left) believes his team-mate has the mental toughness needed to respond to the set-back in the right fashion.He said: “Jack was disappointed – you never want to get sent off, he feels like he let us down but you can’t quantify mistakes. “The referee made a mistake and unfortunately Jack had to pay for it but he didn’t do anything wrong. He’s been fantastic for us, he started off well against Liverpool he was getting about the place, getting stuck into really clean tackles and unfortunately he’s been punished for them.“Jack is a very strong character, he’s a young kid but he’s got a bag full of confidence on and off the field so it won’t take much - but he knows he has our respect and our appreciation and he’ll be okay.”The Blues defeat on Saturday was the first time they have lost consecutive games since November 2009. David Moyes’ men now face fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United later this month. Howard admits it was disappointing to relinquish that near two-year record, but has backed the Toffees to rally when they return from their international commitments.“That’s something the manager took pride in and made us take pride in that we didn’t lose back-to-back games and we were resilient and could come back,” he said.“Unfortunately that has come to an end but we’ve got the international break to lick our wounds and get better. We’ve got no time to rest and this is going to be a tough stretch for us.”Meanwhile, Everton have vowed to take action against fans who threw missiles onto the Goodison pitch on Saturday.Officials have confirmed they are working closely with Merseyside Police to examine video footage from the game.Ian Ross, Everton’s director of communications, said: “We are fully aware of the incidents which occurred during Saturday’s derby game. We are currently working with Merseyside Police on collating and analysing all available CCTV footage of the incidents.“If we can identify any supporter who threw anything – and we mean anything – on to the pitch on Saturday we will take immediate firm and far-reaching action.“This behaviour is totally unacceptable and will be rightly condemned by all right-thinking Evertonians – and that is 99.9 per cent of our fan base.”TV footage suggested items were thrown from the crowd following Liverpool’s goals and late corners taken by both Craig Bellamy and Luis Suarez.

Everton FC win Jack Rodwell Merseyside derby red card appeal
Oct 4 2011
EVERTON FC have won their appeal against midfielder Jack Rodwell’s red card against Liverpool FC in the Merseyside Derby.The FA has today overturned the sending off and he will not serve a ban.The 20-year-old was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson in the 23rd minute for a challenge on Luis Suarez which appeared neither dangerous nor reckless. Everton lodged a claim for wrongful dismissal with the Football Association and the governing body’s appeals panel have upheld that claim. It means Rodwell’s three-match suspension, which would have been imposed for an offence of serious foul play, has been withdrawn. A statement from the Football Association said: ``Everton's Jack Rodwell has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld.“As a result, the three-match suspension handed to him has been withdrawn.“Rodwell had originally received a red card for serious foul play in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Saturday October 1.”Immediately after the match, which Everton lost 2-0, Toffees boss David Moyes expressed his amazement at Atkinson’s decision.“I thought it ruined the game. That wasn’t down to a bad tackle,” said the Scot.“I would have been disappointed if it had been a free-kick. I don’t think anyone in this world thought it was a sending off.”

Mark Lawrenson: Everton FC or Liverpool FC players would have ‘sorted out’ Carlos Tevez back in the 1970s and 1980s
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 4 2011
CARLOS TEVEZ can count himself lucky he wasn’t playing for Everton or Liverpool in the 1970s or 80s. Because if the Argentine had refused to come off the bench for either of those teams, he’d have been sorted out in the dressing room. That’s what happened in the old days. And while I am not one for banging on about how things were better in the past, there can be no argument that Tevez wouldn’t have been allowed to get away with that back then. Let’s face it, he refused to play; a footballer reputedly paid £230,000-a-week who doesn’t want to play football. Discuss. I know there is a bigger picture, there are maybe things we don’t know about, and Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian will no doubt have had some influence. But I’m sure within a few months Tevez will be somewhere else kissing the club’s badge and pretending everything is fine. Graeme Souness was right. Tevez was a disgrace not to play, and talking to one of two people I’m told he hasn’t exactly been over-exerting himself in training. I remember Graeme being dropped to the bench in May 1982 for a visit to Tottenham Hotspur. He was less than impressed, but he came on at half-time and had a stormer in the second half.

Merseyside Police request CCTV of missile-throwing fans at Everton FC
Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 4 2011
POLICE will examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify football supporters throwing missiles at the weekend’s Merseyside derby. Bottles and coins were hurled at Liverpool FC players on three separate occasions during Saturday’s stormy fixture. Liverpool FC striker Luis Suarez picked up a coin and brandished it at referee Martin Atkinson as he prepared to take a last-minute corner. Substitute Craig Bellamy was also the target for objects thrown on the opposite side of the pitch. A bottle was also flung at Liverpool’s Andy Carroll as he celebrated scoring the opener at Goodison Park.
Last night Merseyside police told the Daily Post they had spoken to Everton FC and were arranging for stadium CCTV to be passed to officers. If the faces of suspects can be identified, attempts will be made to track down offenders and prosecute them. Everton described the incidents as “unacceptable” and said they were ready to take decisive action against any fan caught in the act.
The derby atmosphere turned sour after just 23 minutes when referee Atkinson sent off Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell for what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate tackle. Down to 10 men, Everton eventually lost the fixture 2-0 after holding out for 71 minutes of the match. With details of the missile incidents likely to be in Atkinson’s report, Everton face the danger of receiving a fine from the Football Association.

Everton FC midfielder Jack Rodwell won’t be affected by derby day dismissal, say EFC team-mates
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 4 2011
JACK RODWELL has the mental strength to recover from his derby red-card controversy, according to his Everton FC team-mates. Rodwell was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson midway through the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool for a foul on Luis Suarez. The 20-year-old was fuming at the decision and initially refused to leave the pitch before being ushered towards the touchline by opposing midfielder Charlie Adam, after which the still-angry Rodwell kicked the side of the tunnel on his way back to the dressing room. If Everton’s appeal against the sending-off is not upheld, then Rodwell will miss the Premier League and Carling Cup clashes against Chelsea and the top-flight visit to Fulham. Central midfielder Rodwell has prospered in recent weeks having been given an extended run in the first team following the departure of Mikel Arteta to Arsenal on transfer deadline day. And both Everton skipper Phil Neville and goalkeeper Tim Howard are convinced the youngster will not be affected by Saturday’s red card. “Jack was outstanding and has been (in other matches),” said Neville. “We have persevered with him; he is getting a run of games, is showing fitness and confidence – but he is now facing three games out of the team.” Howard added: “He started off well, getting stuck into clean tackles and he got punished for it. “Jack is a very strong character, he is a young kid but he has a bagful of confidence on and off the field. “He knows he has our respect and appreciation and he will be okay.” The decision to dismiss Rodwell has been universally condemned, and Leighton Baines believes Everton can channel their frustration into bringing their season back on track. “We always tend to dig deep and find something in adversity,” said the left-back. “That’s what we’ll do now. We’ve got the break to let it all settle and sort of get back after that and hope time heals it. “We can’t dwell on it, we need to look at the games next up and come out fighting. “You always try your best not to really talk about it and make excuses but sometimes it’s hard not to. “Most of their players were shaking their heads telling you it’s not a red card, so when you’ve got their lads saying that, it says enough. “From my point of view, if I’m on the receiving end of that tackle in a game like the derby I accept it.” Meanwhile, Tim Cahill will not be joining up with Australia this week ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia and Oman.
The Everton midfielder will instead undergo intensive rehabilitation at Finch Farm for the next 10 days or so. Cahill had a scan on Sunday on the ankle he injured against Manchester City and the medical advice is that he does not travel for the matches in Canberra and Sydney. Everton’s head of medicine, Danny Donachie, said: “Tim played through the pain barrier on Saturday against Liverpool but the scan showed that the best course of action now is rest and rehab. “Tim is disappointed but it is a straightforward decision because he would not be fit enough to play in the games in Australia.”

Mark Lawrenson: Football is finished if Jack Rodwell’s tackle was worthy of a red card
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 4 2011
IF Everton FC player Jack Rodwell’s challenge on Luis Suarez really merited a red card, then clearly we may as well all pack up and go home. Football would be dead. It was NEVER a red card. No, no, no. It was debatable whether it was even a foul. Martin Atkinson’s positioning was so good, it’s not like the referee’s view was obstructed. It was there, right in front of him. A poor, poor decision.
I can understand why David Moyes had no intention of appealing until the disciplinary process meant Everton were compelled to do so. Atkinson, and the Football Association, should rescind it automatically. In fact, it’s a worry for me that the appeal hasn’t already been upheld. The FA and Atkinson may hide behind footballspeak, suggesting something like the initial tackle eventually resulted in a foul on Luis Suarez. Yes, Suarez goes down too easily, but which player doesn’t? He’s not a diver, but he’ll make the most of what contact he genuinely gets. And because of his small and light frame, he’s always going to attract a lot of that. I would have thought the referee authorities might have come out and said ‘you know what, we made a mistake’. But Atkinson refused to speak after the game, and that tells you everything. The big thing at the moment is the Respect campaign, shown from managers and players towards referees. I’m sorry, but we’re getting to the point where many are going to wonder what the point of that is if referees can make a mistake like that and then not be censured. Rodwell’s red card came when the game was very evenly-balanced. But the referee spoilt it. The old days of teams having a player sent off but being able to routinely gain a win have gone. These days, everybody understands tactically the use of space and making the pitch bigger, and the greater fitness does tell in the closing stages. That’s what happened on Saturday. Liverpool did make hard work of the win, but unless you are really on form then it’s difficult to raise your game during a derby. Of course, even with 11 against 11 and the game goalless going into the last 20 minutes, Liverpool will contend they could look to the bench and bring on Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard, a strength in depth Everton just don’t have. Everton are tough and difficult opponents, their team set up in a certain way to try and close the gap in funds compared to other teams. I don’t think they are over-physical. Hey, when you have Manchester City away and Liverpool at home, you have to be ultra-competitive, because you are making up for a difference in overall quality. Liverpool went to Tottenham Hotspur last month, weren’t physical enough, and they let Spurs run all over them and they were thrashed. They still need to be tougher, and before Rodwell’s red I don’t think they were competitive enough. Most teams in the Premier League can play if you let them – all the way down to Wigan Athletic – but quality sides like Barcelona aren’t averse to putting a foot in and closing people down. Liverpool must take note. Andy Carroll’s derby goal should be a huge boost to him, especially coming off the back of his display against Wolverhampton Wanderers that showed he can make a difference. If Carroll is going to be a regular starter alongside Suarez, then he needs to play as often as possible. Unlike Craig Bellamy, he isn’t the type to be an impact player – his fitness comes from minutes on the pitch. I was surprised Liverpool went with two strikers, but they both scored so it must have worked. However, there was that helping hand – holding a red card – of Atkinson.

Everton FC have spirit to bounce back from Liverpool FC derby blow, says EFC goalkeeper Tim Howard
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 4 2011
TIM HOWARD is confident Everton FC will bounce back from derby defeat – but admits the international break has come at the wrong time for the hurting Goodison outfit. The blue half of Merseyside continues to fume at the controversial red card shown by referee Martin Atkinson to Jack Rodwell after just 23 minutes of the 2-0 home loss to Liverpool on Saturday. Everton have lodged an appeal against the dismissal, with the Football Association expected to announce a decision this afternoon on receipt of Atkinson’s match report. David Moyes’s side are now without a game until Saturday week when they resume Premier League duties at Chelsea, the latest in a demanding sequence of fixtures. And Howard admits Everton would rather be straight back into a game rather than being forced to ponder back-to-back league defeats for the first time since November 2009. “That’s the hard part,” said the United States goalkeeper. “You go away from this game and have two weeks to think about it. “It’s brilliant if you win, but because we have dropped the points it’s hard to take. “We have to go away and lick our wounds, and that’s a long time to do that. “But we have been in good spirits this season, we have been positive and training has been good. We need to keep that up. “We’re in the middle of a tough stretch of games but we are prepared for it. If we can keep the level of our performances high and keep our players on the field, then we should be okay. “The manager made us take pride in the fact we didn’t lose back-to-back games, we were resilient and always came back. “Unfortunately that has come to an end but we have no time to rest because it is a tough stretch for us.” The Liverpool defeat, which followed a similar reverse at Manchester City the previous week, was the second in a run of seven games that will shape the coming months of Everton’s season. Next up is a trip to Stamford Bridge, where Everton haven’t won since 1994, after which Moyes’s men travel to Fulham, a ground where they have registered only one triumph in 44 years. Everton then take on Chelsea again at Goodison in the Carling Cup and three days later host Manchester United before a further test then awaits at fourth-placed Newcastle, who are unbeaten this season. And skipper Phil Neville believes Everton must improve their level of performance if they are to avoid slipping further down the Premier League table. “Take aside the sending-off and we gave away two bad goals and we didn’t play well enough on the day, and that is something we need to improve on,” said Neville. “We have to bounce back as we have Chelsea next and we have a run of games where we have to pick up points.
“We can’t just say we will lose against the big teams and beat the lower teams because it doesn’t work like that. “We have to pick up points and play better, show a bit more composure at times and lift our performance levels. Coming back, I am sure the manager will have us fired up.”
Meanwhile, Everton have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated 15-year-old midfield starlet George Green from Bradford City. Academy Director Alan Irvine has negotiated a package for the player, who has been pursued by several Premier League clubs. Bradford City’s head of football development Archie Christie said: “This is one of the highest deals ever for a 15-year-old from a League Two club. “But George is the best I’ve seen in his position at his age. He could become another Wayne Rooney or Paul Gascoigne.”

Steve Round welcomes Football Association decision to rescind Jack Rodwell red card
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Oct 5 2011
STEVE ROUND has welcomed the Football Association’s decision to rescind Everton FC midfielder Jack Rodwell’s controversial Merseyside derby red card. Everton were swift to lodge an appeal with the authorities following referee Martin Atkinson’s contentious move to send off the 20-year-old at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime after a challenge on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. Television replays confirmed the suspicions of many watching the game that Rodwell had clearly won the ball before catching the Reds forward. The Blues were yesterday informed that their bid was successful so Rodwell will now avoid a three-game ban and be available for next weekend’s trip to Chelsea.
Round believes the FA have shown commonsense in overturning Atkinson’s decision and is delighted Birkdale-born Rodwell, who is on international duty with England under-21s, will be able to continue his solid start to the new Premier League season when Everton go to Stamford Bridge.
“It's obviously the correct decision and I think everyone in football realised that as soon as it happened and we're just thankful they have looked at it and have come to the right decision,” said Round of the FA’s ruling. “I think Jack is really starting to gain some form and has steadily got better as the season has gone on. I thought he started the game on Saturday really, really well and is a real asset in these games coming up. “He's always done really well in games with Chelsea in the past and if he gets selected I'm sure he'll do the same again.” An FA statement read: “Everton's Jack Rodwell has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld. “As a result, the three-match suspension handed to him has been withdrawn. Rodwell had originally received a red card for serious foul play in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Saturday, October 1.” After the match on Saturday, manager David Moyes said of the sending off: “I would have been disappointed if it had been a free-kick. I don’t think anyone in this world thought it was a sending off.”

Everton FC assistant manager Steve Round hails international impact on form of Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo
Oct 5 2011
ASSISTANT manager Steve Round believes Everton FC will continue to reap the benefits of Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka being called up for England duty – but says their work at club level must not be overlooked. The pair are with Fabio Capello’s side for Friday’s final Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro and the Blues’ number two believes regular inclusion in the international set-up has improved their club form. Round knows better than most of the standards required when with England, having been a coach under Steve McClaren, and says Baines and Jagielka surrounding themselves with the best in the country can only be a positive experience. The Everton duo are unlikely to start at City Stadium in Podgarica in two days, where England require a point to seal England’s place in next summer’s tournament. But Round says that being able to push the more established internationals in the England squad is credit to the development Baines and Jagielka have shown over the past couple of years both at club and country level. “You don’t necessarily see an instant improvement but over a period of time you do see a steady improvement,” he said.
“And that is coupled with their maturity as a player with Everton because 95% of their work and development is done here. “They then go to England and it’s just that extra few percent it gives you. Over the last few years, steadily with the work here and then the little bits of international experience, we have seen Leighton and Phil develop into exceptional players.” It’s a very, very intense arena, not only in the game but in training,” added David Moyes’ deputy. “The concentration you have to show in training as well as the technique and talent is phenomenal every day. They will always come back that little more confident and better as a player. “Fabio Capello is an outstanding coach at the highest level and will impart little bits of knowledge onto Phil and Leighton. It’s a great experience for them and we’d love them play for their country more but they are up against some very good players in the team. “Jags is in contention and both him and Leighton are looking to play international football. “Unfortunately for them, they have some exceptional players in front of them in John Terry and Ashley Cole. But to say you’re not far off them is testament to the two lads.”
Round also highlighted the defensive qualities which have helped Baines become an England squad regular. “Leighton has been exceptional now for two and a bit years,” he said. “A lot gets said about his attacking play, about the way he gets forward and creates and scores goals but a little bit which gets overlooked is his defensive play. He’s a really good defender and very difficult to beat.
“He’s ready to play at the highest level and if he gets the opportunity then I’m sure he’ll be terrific.”

Robert Elstone: Jack Rodwell red card may cost Everton FC millions
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 5 2011
ROBERT ELSTONE fears Jack Rodwell’s derby dismissal may cost Everton FC millions of pounds in Premier League prize money. The Football Association yesterday upheld the Goodison outfit’s appeal against the red card shown to Rodwell midway through the first half of Saturday’s home defeat to Liverpool. The 20-year-old was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson for a challenge on Luis Suarez which appeared neither dangerous nor reckless. An FA insider said it took “a matter of minutes” to overturn the decision yesterday, which means Rodwell’s three-match suspension for serious foul play has been scrapped. But Everton chief executive Elstone believes the red card could ultimately hit David Moyes’s side in the pocket. “While we obviously welcome the news, it is no consolation to me or 40,000 fans who have gone to the game expecting to see a contest,” said Elstone. “Clearly we don’t know if the decision cost us one or three points but at nearly £1million a place in Premier League prize money these days it could prove to be a really expensive mistake, not to mention the biggest disappointment of all, which is for Jack. “The Merseyside derby is a special occasion and many of our fans will have made financial sacrifices to make sure they were there to support the team. “From the press, radio and television reports that surfaced in the aftermath of Saturday’s events, they were almost unanimous in their verdict and we are pleased with the news that quite rightly the red card has been rescinded.” Everton chairman Bill Kenwright added: “One of the biggest tragedies was for Jack himself. “He has had a terrific season and was by far and away the most influential midfielder on the pitch up to that point. “To deny him the opportunity to continue on such an important occasion must have been incredibly difficult for Jack – as it was for his team-mates, manager and, of course, the fans.” Everton assistant manager Steve Round is confident Rodwell, who is on international duty with England under-21s, will not be affected by the furore surrounding the red card. “It’s obviously the correct decision and I think everyone in football realised that as soon as it happened and we’re just thankful they have looked at it and have come to the right decision,” said Round. “I think Jack is really starting to gain some form and has steadily got better as the season has gone on. “I thought he started the game on Saturday really, really well and is a real asset in these games coming up. “He’s always done really well in games with Chelsea in the past and if he gets selected I’m sure he’ll do the same again.” While there has been no comment from the PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials), because there are no Premier League games this weekend is no threat of any immediate censure for Atkinson. However, that may become apparent when the next round of Premier League referee appointments are announced next Monday.

Bluewatch: Paying public left short changed by referee’s antics in Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park
by James Connor, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 6 2011
THE Goodison derby of 2011 will live on in Everton FC history as a day of infamy. To the list of Clattenburg, Poll and Thomas add the name Atkinson. The burning sense of injustice to Rodwell’s red card will inflame Evertonians for years, just as the actions of earlier referees has done.
What grates about the whole derby debacle is not the fact that Everton lost, Blues have had enough practice at dealing with defeats to Liverpool over the years. No, the real anger was fuelled by the notion that we were not given a fair crack. The referee’s immediate flourish of his red card astounded Goodison and ended the game as anything like a fair contest. The Premier League is inherently unfair off the pitch, with super-rich clubs competing with relative paupers. If we are to have that sense of injustice on the pitch as well, it will only damage the Premier League in the long term. Liverpool themselves have complained bitterly this season about refereeing – away at Stoke – so this is not a case of Everton fans wanting things their own way. The standard of match officials is having an undue influence on the results of matches. And fans don’t like it. On Saturday 40,000 people paid to watch 11 against 11, and the early exchanges promised a competitive match of two local teams, well-matched. Everton arguably had the upper hand and had etched out some half chances, notably from Saha and Distin. But then the paying fans had their entertainment ruined by Atkinson. The red card should be a punishment of the last resort, and yet it is all too frequently becoming the norm in modern football. The problem is the paying public don’t want this, and frustration with refereeing standards will only further disillusion supporters. None of this hides the fact that the game was lost after two disappointing defensive errors. Keeping a clean sheet is becoming as hard as scoring for Everton these days. Over the years Moyes has enjoyed his best success when Everton have had their backs to the wall, so maybe the manner of the derby defeat will galvanise the Blues in the next few weeks. They are going to need something, with two clashes against Chelsea, an away game at Andy Johnson-inspired Fulham and Manchester United on the way. Those fixtures are going to be hard enough, but Moyes won’t want to have to play against the referee as well. Let’s hope that the match officials can stop themselves from being the centre of the story for the rest of the season.

Everton FC could easily have been ‘lucky’ like Man City, says Bill Kenwright
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 6 2011
BILL KENWRIGHT claims Manchester City were “lucky” to be taken over by the Abu Dhabi group – and believes Everton could have instead been the beneficiaries had a new stadium been in place.
City have developed into Premier League title contenders, won the FA Cup and made their Champions League debut since being backed by the wealth of Sheikh Mansour, who became owner in 2008. Over the last few years a string of expensive signings have arrived to play at City’s recently-renamed Etihad Stadium, their home since 2003 when it was handed to them after being used to host the Commonwealth Games a year earlier. By contrast, Everton have been forced to operate on a limited budget with little immediate prospect of either a new ground or redeveloping Goodison following the collapse in the past decade of proposed stadia at Kings Dock and in Kirkby. The home game against Aston Villa last month was preceded by a peaceful protest involving several hundred supporters frustrated at the lack of progress in finding a buyer. Kenwright has often stated his desire to bring in new investors, and has suggested Mansour’s money may have headed Everton’s way if they had had an approved stadium project. “I know for a fact that you met a lot of individuals who said they had the money to buy Liverpool Football Club, and I think I have met 10 times as many people as you met,” said Kenwright, speaking to former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow in a radio interview last night. “I have to say, some of them were good and I thought we had a big chance. The main thing that has happened in the last three years is the recession, and football is a trophy asset more than anything. “You do not buy a football club to make money, believe me – I’m living proof of that. “All I can tell you is that there are various scenarios. It is a two-football-club city, it is not the capital and there is not huge, huge money in the world. Of course, you can throw Manchester City at me. But Manchester City had the stadium situation and there was a lot of what I believe was lucky manoeuvring going on there – not underhand at all, but lucky manoeuvring.” Asked if he thought the Abu Dhabi group might have bought Everton rather than City if a new stadium was in the offing, Kenwright said: “And if I had been in the right place at the right time – which was very, very important to that deal, because I know about that deal – then yes.”
Kenwright insists the majority of Everton fans have been understanding about the club’s predicament. “If you walked over to my desk right now and I showed you some of the mail I get, it’s humbling,” he said. “In the main, there is a lot of logic and understanding there, and pride – Evertonians have a lot of pride in the way their club is run, but there is always a discordant note in every symphony. “There shouldn’t be, but there is in football.” Kenwright also stressed it was not strong enough to say he would “like” to sell the club to someone with greater funds, offering “need” and “love” as more appropriate terms. However, he added: “I think Evertonians would rather stay with me, with all my drawbacks, if they knew (that a potential new owner would saddle the club with debt). “Part of the problem that Everton brings is the history. These fans, the ones making the loudest noises, a lot of them very young, have seen where we’ve come from. Our history is second to none, but until I find the right man, and I will find him, you’re better off with me.” Of Everton’s financial situation, Kenwright added: “We lose £4m to £5m (a year). That’s a lot of money. That’s a player to David Moyes. “A financier would look at us and say we can’t make money. “We lose money every year. Unless we have a new stadium? Absolutely. “We take in around £81million, which is fantastic compared to where we were 10 years ago, and we take out £85m. You don’t need a calculator to work out that’s a loss.”

Ian Doyle: Why David Moyes and Everton FC must beware the Mafia
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 6 2011
REFEREES can be very much like the Mafia: insult one of them, and you have offended the whole of the family. David Moyes needn’t worry about waking up one morning to find a horse’s head alongside him in bed. But the Everton FC manager should be wary of an adverse reaction to the fall-out from last Saturday’s Merseyside derby and the furore surrounding Jack Rodwell. It doesn’t matter that the Goodison outfit were right to appeal what was a resoundingly wrong decision by Martin Atkinson to dismiss the midfielder. It doesn’t matter that the referee and the Football Association have since admitted as much by rescinding the red card. What matters is Everton very publicly and very forthrightly questioned an official. And, as many teams have discovered in the past, that can often count against them in the immediate future. just look at Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish was singularly unimpressed by a clutch of decisions that went against his team in the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City last month. That would have irked the refereeing fraternity which, like the goalkeepers’ union, can be pretty impenetrable to outsiders. Sure enough, in Liverpool’s very next game at Tottenham Hotspur, they were punished with six yellow cards that ultimately resulted in reds for Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel. Both dismissals could easily be argued as being deserved, but the general consensus was Dalglish’s men got very little from the officials that afternoon. Perhaps that’s human nature; referees pulling rank and, whether subconsciously or not, treating those to have challenged or threatened their authority with far greater scrutiny. But it means Everton should tread carefully when they visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday week. Not too carefully, though. Having been guilty of too many slow starts in recent seasons, Moyes’s men have been noticeably more robust this time around, although maybe the loss of creative force Mikel Arteta from midfield has forced the Goodison manager’s hand. By and large, it has worked. But having accrued five bookings at Eastlands a fortnight ago and seen their derby approach, unfairly or otherwise, dissected in the wake of Rodwell’s red card, there will be a greater interest from both officials and observers in Everton’s combativeness. However, there is one guarantee. It won’t be long before another team is on the receiving end of a dodgy decision, and the focus will soon shift elsewhere.

Everton FC latest: Reprieved Jack Rodwell backed to carry on improving
by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 6 2011
JACK RODWELL has been backed to make the most of his red-card reprieve and carry on improving for Everton FC. Rodwell had a three-match suspension quashed after the Football Association rescinded his controversial dismissal by Martin Atkinson in last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool. The 20-year-old is now free to continue his recent encouraging form in Everton’s next Premier League game at Chelsea on Saturday week. Rodwell has grasped the opportunity presented by the deadline-day departure of Mikel Arteta to Arsenal. And Everton first-team coach Jimmy Lumsden believes the youngster is back on his way to realising the potential that had him earmarked as one for the future on his breakthrough almost four years ago. “The game at Man City where Jack man-marked David Silva was a learning curve for him and I thought he did really well,” said Lumsden.
“He stuck tight to him and got tackles in and that is a part of his game he has to learn – that when he is playing against someone he has got to win that individual battle first before he can play himself.
“It is like a personal battle when you are playing against another midfield player and you have got to win the battle if you are going to win the war. “You have got to tackle and get tight and it is not a case of you letting him play and him letting you play. “That will gradually come with Jack because he is strong, he is quick and he has all the attributes to be a really good midfield player.” Lumsden believes Rodwell has the versatility to produce in a holding role and as a conventional midfielder.
“He can do both jobs,” said the veteran coach. “He can probably brush up a wee bit defensively – spotting danger a bit quicker – but it is a learning process. That will come.”

Everton FC midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov vows to stay and fight for his EFC place
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV insists he will shun interest from his native Russia in January to stay and fight for his place at Everton FC. The 26-year-old midfielder was linked with a return to his homeland during the summer, after failing to nail down a regular berth in David Moyes’ starting line-up. But Bilyaletdinov, who has started only two of the Toffees’ eight games so far this season, is convinced he still has something to offer in the Premier League – and will not seek an exit from Goodison Park during the January transfer window. He said: “I want to stay here and prove something else. I’ve got my agent, and maybe he got something (in the summer) but I’d say not now please – don’t touch me. “We have got a lot of players in the midfield area and the task is different for every game. We need to use more players too like Royston Drenthe, and we have a new striker.
“We can play with two or one. I think every manager has to choose certain players for certain games based on his vision for how the team should play.” The former Lokomotiv Moscow captain accepts he could be viewed as a specialist player at Goodison, but will not complain about being used as an impact substitute. “What can I say?” he says. “I can only work and wait for the pre-match meeting – if you play or don’t play you need to be focussed even if it’s just for 10 minutes on the pitch because you can still change the game in that time.” Meanwhile, Everton first team coach Jimmy Lumsden believes Jack Rodwell is showing signs that he can fulfil his rich potential. Rodwell, 20, has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, despite his subsequently rescinded red card in the Merseyside derby, and is eager to make up for lost time following an injury-hit last campaign. The academy product has insisted he wants to recapture the type of form that saw him heralded as one of the country's brightest prospects, although his priority is consistent first-team football. Now that Martin Atkinson’s high-profile mistake has been corrected, Rodwell is free to continue at Chelsea a week on Saturday. Lumsden said: “The game at Man City where Jack man-marked David Silva was a learning curve for him and I thought he did really well. He stuck tight to him and got tackles in and that is a part of his game he has to learn – that when he is playing against someone he has got to win that individual battle first before he can play himself. “It is like a personal battle when you are playing against another midfield player and you have got to win the battle if you are going to win the war.
“You have got to tackle and get tight and it is not a case of you letting him play and him letting you play. That will gradually come with Jack because he is strong, he is quick and he has all the attributes to be a really good midfield player.” Lumsden believes he has the talent to perform various roles within the team, particularly as a holding player or as a more conventional central midfield player.
“He can do both jobs,” said the experienced coach. “He can probably brush up a wee bit defensively – spotting danger a bit quicker – but it is a learning process. “He is only a young boy – 20 years of age – and he has umpteen under-21 caps and a good amount of league experience behind him – that will come.

Everton FC fans Jury on Martin Atkinson and the Merseyside derby
Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
DAVID WALLBANK, Huyton
A TOUGH game last week was made almost impossible as numerical disadvantage proved too much for the Blues to overcome. Martin Atkinson now joins the ranks of Thomas/Collina/Poll who have all deprived Everton fairness in high profile situations. Thankfully Rodwell won’t be suspended, but radical change in how a football game is officiated at the very top level is long overdue. For example, a fifth official in the stands with technology to guide a referee on major verdicts like a penalty, sending off or an over the line decision. Why isn’t this happening? With so much at stake financially in today’s modern game, it’s a foolish choice to opt away from progression. On the plus side I felt Everton were confident and the standard of our football was a credit to the way the manager is moving the team along. But a few tricky away fixtures await
LEE MOLTON, St Helens
WAS Rowan Atkinson the ref on Saturday? I’m sure Mr Bean was in charge. The sending-off was incredible. Has tackling now been outlawed? Suarez made the most of it, too, and got Rodwell sent off. A more honest reaction to the tackle would probably have prevented a red card. The FA should look at suspending both the referee and Suarez for his over-reaction, this may stop players from doing it in future. The Blues played quite well, but were struggling when down to 10 men. We lack firepower up front and have to rely on midfielders for goals. Louis Saha did play well, though, and if he can stay clear of injuries could put together a nice run. With no game this weekend, we can look forward to Chelsea. We have got a good record against them recently, but a negative approach like at City and we will get beat.
DEBBIE SMAJE, Upholland
SO yet another Derby game has been ruined by a referee. It is some good news that Rodwell has had his ban overturned, as he has been playing well lately and will be an important player in the next three games. It doesn’t change Saturday though, and that decision cost us any chance of getting anything from the game, no matter how you look at it. That can’t be corrected now. We had started quite brightly too, and while that could have changed and we might have lost anyway – after the red card, it was inevitable. We are already a side that struggles for goals and clean sheets, so reducing us of probably our best player on the day up until that point, for a perfect tackle, was always going to make things nearly impossible for us. It showed, though, that we need to attack these sides more instead of being scared. We had more chances in those first 20 minutes than we had in 90 at City. We won’t beat Chelsea by just defending.
RICHARD KNIGHTS, West Derby
REFEREES are a strange breed. In his autobiography David Elleray revealed that as a teenager he used to watch Match of the Day dressed in a referee’s kit. He kept a scrapbook of press cuttings on top referees. He admitted that, “there was something satisfying about being in control and enforcing discipline.” He later became a house master at the top public school Harrow. Which brings us to Martin Atkinson and the worst performance by the man in black since Mark Clattenberg contracted out the refereeing to Steven Gerrard at Goodison in 2007. Martin Atkinson’s previous claim to fame was that in matches involving Man United he borrowed Alex Ferguson’s stopwatch. I can’t see him making a return to Goodison any time soon. Another referee to be inducted into the Clive Thomas Hall of Shame.

Everton U-18 thrash West Brom 4-0
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
EVERTON’S under-18s recorded their best result of the season so far with a slick 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion in the Midlands. The young Blues are yet to recapture the consistency which saw them win the National Academy League last season, but clicked into gear at the weekend courtesy of a double from striker Anton Forrester, an eye-catching solo strike from Chris Long and a goal from Wales U16s international Gethin Jones. The victory followed a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers at Finch Farm on September 24, and coach Kevin Sheedy was thrilled with the effort. “It was easily the best performance of the season,” he said. “West Brom started brightly, but we played our way into the game and our first goal by Gethin Jones is something we’ve worked on in training, when one wide player crosses and the other gets in the box on the end of it. “Against Bolton we improved second half and their goalkeeper was man of the match, after we created chances. It bodes well for the coming games and I was very pleased overall with how the boys did.”

Everton Fc fans letters, October 6 2011
Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
OUR first Cup Final of the season is done and dusted – and yet again we have failed to beat our arch rivals. Not many Evertonians will agree with me, but this is the onlyŠ fixture that counts. We are not going to win any trophies and will not qualify for Europe. There are a couple of questions I would like to ask David Moyes. Why is young Barkley not given a run out? He is strong, quick and likes to attack? Secondly, why is an experienced player like Neville on the bench for such a high tempo game? In response to the Liverpool fans who were, rightly, so annoyed with the bottle-throwing incidents, I ask myself, why was it just Evertonians throwing bottles? It was because of one man on the pitch, Mr Atkinson. He was the cause for the crowd unrest. Liverpool fans would have thrown things on the pitch had the decision gone against them. Suarez did not help the situation with his theatrics either, although there were worse tackles during the game that went unpunished. So the blame rests with the referee and no-one else. Finally a quick question to Arteta and Pienaar.ŠOne is in a relegation battle and the other can’t even get a game. Money talks. The grass is not always greener.
Jimmy, Croxteh Park
LIKE any Evertonian I do not condone the actions of a minority of our fans. But after reading the ECHO letters page full of outraged Liverpool fans I believe we should ask their club how to deal with this problem. Their club, after all, has had to deal with many similar incidents such as throwing mobile phones, urine and attacking Phil Neville physically in the past. That advice could prove helpful.
From Bootle Blue
BEFORE the derby game Kenny Dalglish was respected by Evertonians as a player, football manager and charity fundraiser. After his comments over the weekend that respect has gone. He has let himself down and I suspect, all fair-minded football supporters.
He must be the only person on Merseyside who:
1) Did not see the incident.
2) Practically endorsed the referees’ decision when he did review it.
3) Thought the sending off didn’t spoil the game.
So congratulations Mr Dalglish, you have managed to alienate all Evertonians and, I suspect, David Moyes. But in doing so you have galvanised our team and fans better than any inspirational Moyesie team talk. We may not win any silverware this season, but we have a manager and chairman with their integrity intact.
Brian Morton
I HAVE watched Everton for over 50 years and I’ve just witnessed the worst refereeing decision ever! No point in talking about the match. It was over after 26 minutes. Hang your head in shame.
Brian Hunter
Now that Rodwell has had his card overturned why hasn’t Suarez been charged with simulation? After all it has been proven that Rodwell never touched him but he was rolling around like he had been shot.
Dave Williams, Woolton

Derby day looms for Everton FC U-18 and U-16 sides
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
DERBY day is looming for Everton’s youth teams this weekend. The Blues senior side may have been on the end of a controversial defeat at Goodison, but the U16s and U18s sides face Liverpool at Finch Farm on Saturday, KO 11am. Kevin Sheedy’s U18s outfit will hope to replicate their 4-0 win in the same fixture last season. New academy recruit George Green, 15, may feature after signing on Tuesday.

Everton FC midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov vows to stay and fight for his EFC place
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 6 2011
DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV insists he will shun interest from his native Russia in January to stay and fight for his place at Everton FC.The 26-year-old midfielder was linked with a return to his homeland during the summer, after failing to nail down a regular berth in David Moyes’ starting line-up. But Bilyaletdinov, who has started only two of the Toffees’ eight games so far this season, is convinced he still has something to offer in the Premier League – and will not seek an exit from Goodison Park during the January transfer window.He said: “I want to stay here and prove something else. I’ve got my agent, and maybe he got something (in the summer) but I’d say not now please – don’t touch me. “We have got a lot of players in the midfield area and the task is different for every game. We need to use more players too like Royston Drenthe, and we have a new striker. “We can play with two or one. I think every manager has to choose certain players for certain games based on his vision for how the team should play.”The former Lokomotiv Moscow captain accepts he could be viewed as a specialist player at Goodison, but will not complain about being used as an impact substitute.“What can I say?” he says. “I can only work and wait for the pre-match meeting – if you play or don’t play you need to be focussed even if it’s just for 10 minutes on the pitch because you can still change the game in that time.”Meanwhile, Everton first team coach Jimmy Lumsden believes Jack Rodwell is showing signs that he can fulfil his rich potential. Rodwell, 20, has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, despite his subsequently rescinded red card in the Merseyside derby, and is eager to make up for lost time following an injury-hit last campaign.The academy product has insisted he wants to recapture the type of form that saw him heralded as one of the country's brightest prospects, although his priority is consistent first-team football. Now that Martin Atkinson’s high-profile mistake has been corrected, Rodwell is free to continue at Chelsea a week on Saturday. Lumsden said: “The game at Man City where Jack man-marked David Silva was a learning curve for him and I thought he did really well. He stuck tight to him and got tackles in and that is a part of his game he has to learn – that when he is playing against someone he has got to win that individual battle first before he can play himself.“It is like a personal battle when you are playing against another midfield player and you have got to win the battle if you are going to win the war. “You have got to tackle and get tight and it is not a case of you letting him play and him letting you play. That will gradually come with Jack because he is strong, he is quick and he has all the attributes to be a really good midfield player.”Lumsden believes he has the talent to perform various roles within the team, particularly as a holding player or as a more conventional central midfield player.“He can do both jobs,” said the experienced coach. “He can probably brush up a wee bit defensively – spotting danger a bit quicker – but it is a learning process.“He is only a young boy – 20 years of age – and he has umpteen under-21 caps and a good amount of league experience behind him – that will come.

Howard Kendall: Refs should have wised up to play-acting by now
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
REFEREES are supposed to have wised up to players who are known for playacting.It makes it harder to understand why Martin Atkinson seemed to be tricked by Luis Suarez’s reaction to that tackle in the derby.Certainly a few years ago, refs had the cards marked of men like Jurgen Klinsmann and even Andrew Johnson.It was unfair on AJ, I don’t think he was a diver despite the unfair reputation, so in his case match officials’ preconceptions worked against him.But with Suarez, aside from being a world class talent, you know what you’re going to get.Sometimes he may be genuinely injured, but I’m sure people would be more forgiving of refs who don’t punish imaginary fouls based on play-acting than those who occasionally miss a real one. Francis Lee was a player I look back on as having a reputation, but it seems to be the influx of foreign players into English football which has made simulation such a widespread problem.I’m not saying it’s easy for refs either - they can’t get inside a player’s head to assess whether their pain is real or not. But when they get up straight away and start sprinting about that’s always a good clue.

Howard Kendall: Merseyside derby defeat hurt most in the footballing stakes
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
I UNDERSTAND why Everton’s top brass are concerned that Jack Rodwell’s red card could cost the club money in league placing - but I’m sure everyone’s first thought was the damage it did to our derby hopes.Going down to 10 men in that particular game was always going to be a tough task. A few people have mentioned Liverpool being reduced to ten in a couple of recent derbies and still going on to win, but that’s ignoring Everton’s attacking shortage.Losing Rodwell meant Tim Cahill needing to drop deep, and it left Louis Saha isolated. It was hard to see what threat Everton could offer after that aside from the odd set piece.Everyone knows how much I rate Jack, and I’m pleased his card has been rightly rescinded. Everton missed him for the 70 or so minutes he wasn’t there and not just as an extra body - he has flourished over recent weeks.Knowing Bill Kenwright his first thought will have been anger at the red card, then after the game sadness at the result.The derby turned out to be a saving grace for Andy Carroll. Being brutally honest I thought his performance was poor, but his goal saved the day. The big lad’s touch didn’t seem great, and he lacked mobility but when the chance came along he grabbed it.With one strike he got himself out of jail. More importantly, he helped cement his place in the affections of Liverpool supporters, because there’s nothing that helps settle a new player in more than a derby goal.They’ll forgive a lot of things for that. I’d be worried by Carroll getting dominated by Distin, and even knocked aside once by Leon Osman, but overall I think he’ll come good.

David Prentice: In a referee’s mind, size really does matter
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
RAFA BENITEZ reiterated his infamous derby day put-down last Saturday morning: “I was right to call Everton a small club.”He then qualified the quip by explaining he was referring to the manner in which Everton came to Anfield to defend in a derby, rather than any slight against the stature and status of The Toffees.Rafa was clearly trying hard not to open old wounds, but I reckon he was right first time. In comparison to the five times European Cup winners with a worldwide fan base judged in the millions, Everton are a small club.And his assessment was important, as became painfully transparent later that day. Because referees do, subconsciously, find it easier to give match-changing decisions against ‘smaller clubs.’That’s a line of reasoning supported by a referee who made one such decision, blowing for full-time as what would have been a last minute Everton winner in a derby match was rolling towards an unguarded Liverpool net.Graham Poll explained: “Fans believe that referees tend to favour the big teams. When I was refereeing in the Premier League from 1993 until 2007 I thought that was rubbish.“However, watching games now I can fully understand that perception.”Poll then pointed to the four penalties conceded by inoffensive ‘little’ Norwich City in their first four games of this season and declared: “Let me guarantee you this: none of those penalties would have been awarded against Manchester United and yet they were against Norwich City. So are match officials really biased, do they deliberately favour the big teams?“The select group of referees which I served with did a lot of work with a sports psychologist, the excellent Craig Mahoney. He explained the difference behind conscious decision making and sub-conscious and that you can only really control conscious thought.“I don’t believe that any referee consciously goes out to give soft penalties against small teams but I know that they only give stonewall penalties against the biggest ones.“One of the reasons for this is that they know the fallout, from the managers and the media, if they give a soft penalty against one of the big teams and the subconscious mind kicks in to afford the referee a level of protection, quite naturally.”Intriguing stuff.So was Martin Atkinson’s subconscious reminding him of Kenny Dalglish’s recent highly publicised gripes about refereeing decisions going against his side, when Jack Rodwell slid in to challenge Luis Suarez last Saturday?Even Martin Atkinson, should he be so minded, would be unable to tell us what his subconscious mind was deciding.But an e-mail, which landed in the Echo’s inbox this week, suggested he’s not alone. A reader called Simon wrote: “Following the fuss this week I thought I would trawl through the memory banks and archive reports to find other appalling refereeing decisions in Mersey derby matches. I assumed that I would be able to offer hard-done-by Evertonians some solace and consolation that these sorts of decisions do balance themselves out over time.“Every derby match has its talking points and controversies so I have been careful to stick to the stand-out decisions that have in all likelihood affected the final result.“October 2011, Everton 0 Liverpool 2 – Martin Atkinson sends off Jack Rodwell at 0-0. Decision subsequently overruled.“October 2007, Everton 1 Liverpool 2 – Mark Clattenburg’s officiating provokes all kinds of conspiracy theories and he has yet to take charge of an Everton match since.“April 2000, Everton 0 Liverpool 0 – Graham Poll disallows an Everton winner in the final moments of the game. He has subsequently admitted his error and apologised.“February 1991, Liverpool 0 Everton 0 – Pat Nevin is denied the clearest of penalties. Everton initially incensed but at least they did go on to win the second replay.“December 1988, Liverpool 1 Everton 1 – Wayne Clarke thinks he has scored the winner but has it ruled out for ‘climbing’. Subsequent TV pictures confirm that contact was minimal.“March 1984, Everton 0 Liverpool 0 (Milk Cup Final) – Alan Hansen stops a goal-bound effort with his arm just a few feet from the goal line. Referee says ‘Play on’. Liverpool go on to win replay.“April 1977, Liverpool 2 Everton 2 – Bryan Hamilton thinks he has secured a late winner but referee Clive Thomas has other ideas. Goal disallowed but confusion has reigned since about the reason. Liverpool go on to win.“Unfortunately I have not been able to find much consolation for the blue half of Merseyside! “Has it really been the case that every major match-affecting, dodgy decision in the last 35 years has gone against Everton? “Can you think of any incidents of similar significance that have gone the other way? Do you think there is a story in this?” I was present at every match – and every claim has substance.As a counter I can only offer up Liverpool’s claims that Xabi Alonso was fouled in the build up to Tim Cahill’s opening goal in the Andy Johnson derby.An argument that Marouane Fellaini should have been red carded at the same time as Sotirios Kyrgiakos the season before last.And, erm, a harsh decision to red card Lucas in an FA Cup replay.Martin Atkinson has been involved in two decisions which have irked the Blues in recent seasons.One in a match against Manchester United, the other against Liverpool.Even the most passionate Evertonian couldn’t argue that both are ‘bigger’ clubs than Everton.Size doesn’t matter is one of those great falsehoods.It does, especially in football.

Jan Molby: Martin Atkinson got Merseyside derby red card wrong but referees should not be made to explain decisions
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
NEARLY a week has passed since Liverpool FC's derby victory, yet the debate is still raging about Jack Rodwell’s red card.My opinion on that is pretty much the same as every other sane person; it wasn’t a sending-off, and it had a massive effect on the game.Eleven v eleven, it was a contest but, with the extra man, Liverpool eventually won comfortably.I have to take issue, however, with those suggesting that referee Martin Atkinson should come out and explain his decisions afterwards. I don’t get that at all.What does that achieve?The fans who were angered by his decision would not be calmed down by this, if anything it would make them angrier because he would be admitting that he cost them the game.We have to assume that Martin Atkinson, at the time, saw Rodwell going in with his studs showing and catching Luis Suarez.Of course the replays show that wasn’t really the case, but we have to believe that referees make honest decisions in the heat of the moment, and that Martin made the decision based on what he thought he saw at the time.Coming out and admitting he got it wrong afterwards doesn’t change a thing. As long as you have human beings making decisions, you will get errors. That is just the way of the world.Another issue I have seen raised was the part of Suarez in the red card.Unfortunately, the way the game has gone now means that what Suarez did – and we don’t know whether he was genuinely in pain from the follow through – is par for the course.Britain always came across as the last bastion for honesty and integrity in the game, but diving and simulation are part of the game now, and there is very little we can do about that.It doesn’t make it right, but Luis Suarez is not the only one at it.

Inside track: How Everton FC landed George Green - one of English football’s most sought after teenagers
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
AS THE stirring opening drum roll of Z-Cars blurred out around Goodison Park, the hairs on the back of school-boy George Green’s neck stood-up.The 15-year-old may have been destined for a big-money move from League Two Bradford City to Tottenham Hotspur, but he had never experienced anything like the atmosphere of Goodison Park on derby day. Earlier that morning, one of the most highly-rated teenagers in England had been granted privileged access to Everton’s super-charged dressing room, before a chat with David Moyes in the manager’s office.It’s safe to say Moyes was determined to do all he could to give the Spurs-bound youngster pause for thought.Whatever the Everton boss said to him in that private meeting did the trick – because Green changed his mind and signed for the Blues last week much to the chagrin of Harry Redknapp, his chairman Daniel Levy and the assorted scouts of a host of other Premier League clubs.As revealed in the ECHO, the Toffees had been tracing Green all summer, after watching him play in an U-18s trial match for Spurs against Aston Villa when he scored a scintillating hat-trick that left the queue of watching scouts in awe.Archie Christie, Bradford’s head of football development, firmly believes Green can be every inch as good as the Bantam’s other former youth stars; Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley, Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph, and Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom.And the Scot is delighted his protegee chose Everton, ahead of a long line of other jealous clubs.“I’d spoken to Harry Redknapp shortly after George played for our reserves earlier this year and said, “We’ve got a boy here who’s as good as they come,” says the affable former Dagenham & Redbridge scout.“He was 15 playing for the reserves, challenging for headers he had no right to win against men. Harry had loaned us a goalkeeper at short notice so we owed him a good turn, and we agreed to let George go and have a trial down there.“For the first 15 minutes of the game against Villa he was quiet, then he took it by the scruff of the neck and scored three. His first was sublime, a 25 yard effort into the top corner, and for the second he beat about six opponents.“Everton had a scout watching and he sounded me out about speaking to David Moyes.“I said to George, ‘You'll be going to the Premier League and you need to go for the right footballing reasons, the money will come,’ and I knew there were so many clubs ringing me asking for him.”Liverpool were among the covetous throng of admirers, but Christie insists Green, who had an earlier trial with the Anfield club, was adamant he did not want to return. “He said he’d rather stay at Bradford than go to Liverpool,” he says. “He had been last year and was just told he wasn’t big enough, he wasn’t strong enough etc.“That made my job much easier. It was down to Arsenal, Everton, Rangers, Tottenham and Southampton. Davie Moyes phoned me and we had already agreed an offer for Spurs, but he asked to at least have the chance to speak to him.“So we took him to the Merseyside derby on Saturday. They told him this is the People’s Club and that you’re either red or blue in Merseyside, and he said ‘I’m a Blue’.“I told him about my pals Duncan Ferguson and Neville Southall. I told him they've got a great manager who gives young players a chance.“ ‘Everton are not going to go out and spend £50m on a foreigner, they will spend two or three years developing you,’ I said. “Look at Wayne Rooney and Jack Rodwell. Even the boy now Ross Barkley. Everton won’t go and spend £18m on an English midfielder from another club like Jordan Henderson. “I told him that if he works hard and shows what he’s capable of he could be in their first team frame in two or three years.”As Christie was advising his young charge, Everton scout Andy Philpott pushed the boat out. Green was presented with an Everton home shirt with his name and number 10 on the back, and the well-mannered Dewsbury lad, who turns 16 in January, was already thrilled by his derby experience during which he impressed staff by turning up in a shirt and tie. “It took 11 minutes to reach an agreement with Everton in the end,” says Christie. “Spurs caught wind of it and offered us double what we’d agreed with Everton. Daniel Levy offered in excess of £600,000 up front and better terms all round.“But we’d reached an honourable agreement with Everton, and decided to stand by it.”In the 24 hours after the deal, Christie told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus that Green reminded him of Wayne Rooney, a comment he regrets.“I shouldn’t have said that, it wasn’t fair on the lad,” he admits. “He is 5ft9in and stocky and plays as a number 10 behind the striker and that was the comparison in my mind.”

Mikel Arteta: Spirit in Everton FC’s dressing room is the best in football
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Oct 7 2011
The Spaniard left Goodison on transfer deadline day in a £10m switch to Arsenal, and has enjoyed a mixed start to his career with the Gunners. Arteta, 29, has already had his first taste of Champions League action, featuring against Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund.But Arsene Wenger’s men have struggled in the Premier League, where they currently sit below Everton in 15th place.And although the Basque is enjoying his new challenge, he believes the spirit in the Toffees’ dressing room will be difficult to match anywhere else.Arteta, who has played for clubs in Spain, France, and Scotland, said “I left behind the best dressing room I’ve ever been in, without a doubt, with jokes and great characters.“I have come to one that I do not know how to be, with many nationalities, more languages, younger people. And I’ve been very pleasantly surprised.“I have Brazilian friends on the team, and I knew Yossi Benayoun, Per Mertesacker is a fun German.”Meanwhile, Phil Jagielka is determined to break into England’s starting line-up in time to play during Euro 2012. The defender has been tipped to play at right-back in England's crunch qualifier with Montenegro tonight.Jagielka, 29, is yet to play in a big international competition but doing so remains a major ambition.“I have not been to a major tournament and it would be nice to do so,” he said.“We all know there is only one way of doing that - that is me progressing at Everton and playing a little bit better than we have done at the start of the season. The lads are still confident and morale is still good.”As well as performing well for his Club, Everton legend Graeme Sharp says there is another factor which could boost Jagielka's chances of appearing in Poland and Ukraine next summer.He's already played at right-back and central defence for England and has Premier League experience in the centre of midfield.“When it comes to the national side and someone asks you to play wherever, you take that opportunity and I hope if that is the case he does well and puts in a good performance,” said Sharp, a member of Scotland’s 1986 World Cup squad.“His versatility will help and as a manager you look at people who can fill in.“It would be a major achievement for him, the Euros are very prestigious now, as is the World Cup. Hopefully he can nail down a regular position and his versatility will surely help him get a place.”EVERTON’S Jack Rodwell played alongside Jordan Henderson of Liverpool in the England under-21s midfield last night as Stuart Pearce’s side triumphed 3-0 in Iceland.Reds defenders Jon Flanagan and Martin Kelly also started as Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a hat-trick.

Everton FC star Tim Cahill believes the future looks good for the Socceroos
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 7 2011
EVERTON’S Australia midfielder Tim Cahill is confident the Socceroos have enough strength in depth to cope when their big-name players finally call it a day.Coach Holger Osieck will get an idea of what the future may hold when they are gone as he is without the experienced quartet of Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Brett Emerton and ex-Liverpool player Harry Kewell for today’s friendly against Malaysia and the World Cup qualifier at home to Oman on Tuesday.Cahill and Schwarzer are injured while Emerton and Kewell, former Premier League footballers who have returned home, have not been selected because of a clash with the opening weekend of the domestic A-League.Six of Osieck’s 18-man squad are aged 23 or under and have just 38 caps between them but Cahill said it is important they are given their chance.“You have to remember that if you don’t play them you don’t know what they are going to be like and the good thing is the coach is starting to play them,” Cahill said. “Brett Holman is an exceptional attacking player. He plays in behind the striker similar to myself and can also play in midfield and should probably be playing in the Premier League.“When you incorporate these youngsters with experienced players they seem to gel well and that is the good thing at the moment.“But it is all about making sure we can keep those standards and stay consistent.”The midfielder is doing his bit to help boost the conveyor belt of new talent by expanding his own programme of Tim Cahill Coaching Clinics in Australia.A new course will run in January ahead of the established one in June but he plans to increase the regularity and geographical coverage in order to put something back into the game at grassroots level.“I am a realist and sometimes in Australia we can think we are a lot better than we are,” Cahill added.“We should be concentrating on what we are good at – which is working hard and making sure that, regardless of whether we think there will be some talent, we produce it by putting pressure on the top players.”

Everton FC star Tim Cahill believes the future looks good for the Socceroos
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post
Oct 7 2011
EVERTON’S Australia midfielder Tim Cahill is confident the Socceroos have enough strength in depth to cope when their big-name players finally call it a day.Coach Holger Osieck will get an idea of what the future may hold when they are gone as he is without the experienced quartet of Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Brett Emerton and ex-Liverpool player Harry Kewell for today’s friendly against Malaysia and the World Cup qualifier at home to Oman on Tuesday.Cahill and Schwarzer are injured while Emerton and Kewell, former Premier League footballers who have returned home, have not been selected because of a clash with the opening weekend of the domestic A-League.Six of Osieck’s 18-man squad are aged 23 or under and have just 38 caps between them but Cahill said it is important they are given their chance.“You have to remember that if you don’t play them you don’t know what they are going to be like and the good thing is the coach is starting to play them,” Cahill said. “Brett Holman is an exceptional attacking player. He plays in behind the striker similar to myself and can also play in midfield and should probably be playing in the Premier League.“When you incorporate these youngsters with experienced players they seem to gel well and that is the good thing at the moment.“But it is all about making sure we can keep those standards and stay consistent.” The midfielder is doing his bit to help boost the conveyor belt of new talent by expanding his own programme of Tim Cahill Coaching Clinics in Australia.A new course will run in January ahead of the established one in June but he plans to increase the regularity and geographical coverage in order to put something back into the game at grassroots level.“I am a realist and sometimes in Australia we can think we are a lot better than we are,” Cahill added. “We should be concentrating on what we are good at – which is working hard and making sure that, regardless of whether we think there will be some talent, we produce it by putting pressure on the top players.”