Sigma Olomouc 20 Lovasik
5 Kascak
12 Skerle
8 Daniel Rossi
6 Onofrej
3 Dreska
23 Janotka *
17 Horava
16 Bajer **
22 Petr ***
7 Ordos
On The Bench 18 Drobisz
21 Veprek
9 Otepka ** (73)
14 Stepan *** (85)
13 Ulma
27 Stetina
29 Sultes * (73)
Everton 24 Howard
4 Yobo
2 Hibbert
3 Baines
18 Neville
25 Fellaini
19 Gosling
21 Osman *
20 Pienaar **
26 Rodwell
11 Jo ***
On The Bench 1 Nash
34 Duffy
17 Cahill
38 Wallace ** (66)
37 Baxter * (66)
8 Saha
22 Yakubu *** (76)
The Toffees suffered an early shock when Tony Hibbert was sent off for a professional foul with only seven minutes on the clock, and Sigma pushed forward immediately to try and take advantage.
But having weathered the storm, Everton hit back shortly before half-time through Steven Pienaar, whose emphatic strike effectively ended the tie and rendered Pavel Sultes' late equaliser a mere consolation.
Taking a comprehensive 4-0 advantage to the Czech Republic from the first leg, it seemed all that David Moyes' side had to do to ensure victory was guard against complacency.
But within minutes of the kick-off the Merseysiders had made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves, as Leighton Baines lost possession just metres from his own area.
Jakub Petr, who had already had one shot saved by Tim Howard, latched onto the ball and was brought down heavily from behind by Hibbert on the edge of the box.
Despite protests from the Everton players, the referee was in no doubt and immediately showed Hibbert the red card to reduce the visitors to 10 men.
Sigma looked to quickly seize the initiative, and after Lukas Bajer had rattled the crossbar direct from the free-kick, Tomas Horava and Tomas Janotka fired in an effort each within the next two minutes.
The hosts continued to dominate for the rest of the half, with Janotka in particular looking lively, but they could not convert their possession into goals and were made to pay for it three minutes before the break.
In Everton's first meaningful attack, Leon Osman broke clear on the right and pulled the ball back to find Pienaar arriving in the box. He took one touch with his left foot to control the ball before smashing it past Tomas Losavik with his right.
The goal appeared to deflate Sigma, and Everton looked comfortable after the break despite being a man down.
Osman and Pienaar were replaced by 17-year-olds James Wallace and Jose Baxter midway through the second half, while Yakubu came off the bench to make his long-waited return from injury with 15 minutes to go.
It was Sigma's substitute Sultes who managed to drill home for the hosts with 10 minutes to go, but it was too little too late for the Czechs as Everton advanced to the group stages.
Thursday 27 August 2009
Sigma Olomouc v Everton preview
Everton will be looking to get back their season back on track once more when they take a 4-0 first-leg lead to Czech Republic to face Sigma Olomouc.
Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell helped themselves to two goals each at Goodison Park last week as the Toffees rid themselves of their nightmare 6-1 opening day defeat to Arsenal.
However, David Moyes' men failed to build on their Europa League success losing 1-0 to Burnley at the weekend.
Moyes must once again lift his troops, who are now without the departed Joleon Lescott, and hope his side can regain their confidence with another morale-boosting victory.
With Lescott having finally departed to Manchester City the Merseysiders can now fully focus on matters on the pitch and although Moyes is almost certain to dip into the £24million to bring in a replacement before the window shuts next week captain Phil Neville is likely to continue to partner Joseph Yobo in defence for the time being.
Despite the defeat at Turf Moor, which leaves the Toffees bottom of the Premier League, the midfield should pick itself with Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell all set to start.
Comeback
Moyes has pointed out that he has no new injuries to worry about and has a fully fit Yakubu Aiyegbeni at his disposal.
The striker made his comeback from an Achilles injury for the reserves on Tuesday and took less than a minute to get on the scoresheet.
The Nigerian could be in line to start but faces competition from Saha, and Brazilian Jo, who was only a substitute at the weekend.
Youngsters Kieran Agard and Hope Akpan also travelled with the squad after impressing in the reserves and both could feature at some stage.
Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe are all still sidelined while new £9million signing Dimiyar Bilyaletdinov is awaiting a work permit.
Despite the enormity of the task Olomouc midfielder Tomas Horava has sounded a rallying cry to his team-mates insisting the tie is not over.
"It could be the match of our lives. We still believe. But it will be decided only on the pitch," he stated
Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell helped themselves to two goals each at Goodison Park last week as the Toffees rid themselves of their nightmare 6-1 opening day defeat to Arsenal.
However, David Moyes' men failed to build on their Europa League success losing 1-0 to Burnley at the weekend.
Moyes must once again lift his troops, who are now without the departed Joleon Lescott, and hope his side can regain their confidence with another morale-boosting victory.
With Lescott having finally departed to Manchester City the Merseysiders can now fully focus on matters on the pitch and although Moyes is almost certain to dip into the £24million to bring in a replacement before the window shuts next week captain Phil Neville is likely to continue to partner Joseph Yobo in defence for the time being.
Despite the defeat at Turf Moor, which leaves the Toffees bottom of the Premier League, the midfield should pick itself with Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell all set to start.
Comeback
Moyes has pointed out that he has no new injuries to worry about and has a fully fit Yakubu Aiyegbeni at his disposal.
The striker made his comeback from an Achilles injury for the reserves on Tuesday and took less than a minute to get on the scoresheet.
The Nigerian could be in line to start but faces competition from Saha, and Brazilian Jo, who was only a substitute at the weekend.
Youngsters Kieran Agard and Hope Akpan also travelled with the squad after impressing in the reserves and both could feature at some stage.
Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe are all still sidelined while new £9million signing Dimiyar Bilyaletdinov is awaiting a work permit.
Despite the enormity of the task Olomouc midfielder Tomas Horava has sounded a rallying cry to his team-mates insisting the tie is not over.
"It could be the match of our lives. We still believe. But it will be decided only on the pitch," he stated
Everton agree a deal for Distin
Everton have agreed a deal to sign defender Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth, with the Frenchman set to undergo a medical on Thursday.
The 31-year-old moves to Goodison Park following Joleon Lescott's departure for Manchester City.
The Toffees are without Phil Jagielka until October at the earliest and have been using Phil Neville at centre-back.
"All the formalities have been completed," said Everton chief executive Robert Elstone.
"After Sylvain made it clear his preferred destination was Goodison, the chairman moved quickly to finalise the deal and Sylvain is now on his way to Merseyside to undergo a medical."
Pompey had been linked with a move for Manchester City's Richard Dunne, but he now appears set to join Aston Villa.
Everton eyeing up Celtic's Brown
Everton are preparing a £6m offer for Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.
The 24-year-old Scotland international was earlier this month linked with a £10m offer from Tottenham Hotspur.
It is understood that Everton had been approached by an agent offering Brown and Celtic defender Stephen McManus but said they were not interested.
However, having missed out on other targets, they are now poised to make a move after watching Brown facing Arsenal in the Champions League.
Brown, who was in the Celtic side that lost 3-1 at the Emirates on Wednesday, was bought by Celtic for £4.4m from Hibernian in 2007.
Everton and Spurs were thought to be interested in Brown at that time as Celtic beat a host of clubs, including Glasgow rivals Rangers, Bolton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Reading, to the midfielder's signature.
Celtic reportedly turned down a £9m offer from Portsmouth in January.
But economic conditions have taken a downturn and the Scottish Premier League runners-up recently announced that their profits had halved.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp this month admitted that he rated Brown, who ended the season as the SPFA Players' Player of the Year.
However, he played down suggestions that he was interested in signing a player who was also named among 14 players on world governing body Fifa's "ones to watch in 2009" list.
Brown, who won his 17th cap in Scotland's World Cup qualifying defeat by Norway, had recovered from a disappointing first season with Celtic during which he had to cope with injury, suspension and the death of his sister.
Like Brown, McManus missed the start of this season through injury and the Celtic captain has just returned to training in time to be linked with a move away from the club.
Celtic are believed to be willing to sell the 26-year-old or allow the Scotland defender to leave on loan, with Ipswich Town thought to be leading the interested clubs.
Wednesday 26 August 2009
EVERTON LAND BILYALETDINOV
Marquee signing: Bilyaletdinov is an established Russia international and talented winger
It was a long time coming but with Joleon Lescott's sale to Manchester City out the way David Moyes's summer spending finally got underway today with the confirmation from Everton that the Club has signed Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow.
An Everton delegation met the 24 year-old winger and officials from the Russian club in Hamburg yesterday — Bilyaletdinov does not yet have a visa to enter the UK but Russian citizens can enter Germany without one — where an undisclosed fee, believed to be £10m, was agreed.
The Russia international also agreed personal terms, passed a medical and with Everton having reportedly cleared the formality of a work permit, a visa is the last hurdle for the player to clear before he can join up with his new teammates.
That's not expected to be until the first week of September when he and his Russian teammates arrive in the UK for a World Cup qualifier against Wales. Bilyaletdinov would be ineligible for the Europa League playoff second leg against Sigma as the Uefa registration deadline has passed and it's unlikely he'll arrive on Merseyside in time to prepare for weekend trip to Wigan.
The estimated £10m outlay represents the third-highest fee that Moyes has spent on a player since becoming Everton manager, behind the £12.9m paid for Marouane Fellaini and the 11.5m it took to acquire Yakubu from Middlesbrough.
It was a long time coming but with Joleon Lescott's sale to Manchester City out the way David Moyes's summer spending finally got underway today with the confirmation from Everton that the Club has signed Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow.
An Everton delegation met the 24 year-old winger and officials from the Russian club in Hamburg yesterday — Bilyaletdinov does not yet have a visa to enter the UK but Russian citizens can enter Germany without one — where an undisclosed fee, believed to be £10m, was agreed.
The Russia international also agreed personal terms, passed a medical and with Everton having reportedly cleared the formality of a work permit, a visa is the last hurdle for the player to clear before he can join up with his new teammates.
That's not expected to be until the first week of September when he and his Russian teammates arrive in the UK for a World Cup qualifier against Wales. Bilyaletdinov would be ineligible for the Europa League playoff second leg against Sigma as the Uefa registration deadline has passed and it's unlikely he'll arrive on Merseyside in time to prepare for weekend trip to Wigan.
The estimated £10m outlay represents the third-highest fee that Moyes has spent on a player since becoming Everton manager, behind the £12.9m paid for Marouane Fellaini and the 11.5m it took to acquire Yakubu from Middlesbrough.
Saturday 11 July 2009
Sheffield United have given Everton permission to open talks with Kyle Naughton after accepting an offer for the young defender. The Blades turned do
Everton have re-signed Brazilian striker Jo on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
The 22-year-old spent five months on loan from Eastlands at Goodison Park last term, and the former CSKA Moscow player - an £18m signing for City last summer - will spend the next 12 months with the FA Cup finalists.
Jo scored five times in 12 appearances for Everton last season, but his future at City was put in doubt by the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers.
The Brazilan has been training with the Toffees at a pre-season training camp in Scotland ahead of the deal going through.
INTERNATIONAL CLEARANCE
Meanwhile. the Merseyside club has also confirmed they will go to tribunal to agree a compensation package with Leeds United for the transfer of teenager Luke Garbutt.
Club officials had been in discussions with Leeds following the 16-year-old's switch to Goodison earlier this month.
Garbutt will not feature for the Blues until the issue is resolved, the official Everton website confirmed.
Meanwhile, new signings Anton Peterlin and Skhodran Mustafi have both received international clearance to feature against Bury in Friday night's friendly.
Sheffield United accept Kyle Naughton bid from Everton
Sheffield United have given Everton permission to open talks with Kyle Naughton after accepting an offer for the young defender.
The Blades turned down a reported £3.5m offer from Everton last month, but have now agreed to an undisclosed fee for the 20-year-old full-back, who is currently with the rest of Kevin Blackwell's first-team squad on a pre-season trip to Malta.
"We have accepted a bid for Kyle, that's correct," said the club's international chairman, Terry Robinson. "The two clubs have been negotiating this last week and we have agreed terms with Everton, but nothing has been agreed with the player.
"We won't be revealing the amount until any deal is done and our acceptance is conditional on Kyle reaching agreement with them over personal terms. It's a good deal for the player and Sheffield United. We wouldn't have agreed to it if it wasn't a good deal for the club."
Sheffield-born Naughton, who has been at Bramall Lane since he was eight, burst on to the first-team scene at the start of last season and quickly established himself as a regular in Blackwell's side.
He soon attracted the attention of several top flight clubs and won his first England Under-21 call-up – against the Czech Republic in November – after just 11 appearances for the Blades.
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Everton Confirm Discussions With Manchester City About Loan Deal For Jo
Everton manager David Moyes was impressed by Jo's half-season loan spell at Goodison Park last term, and is keen on renewing terms with Manchester City in order to secure the Brazilian's services for a further year.
Chief Executive Robert Elstone confirmed that negotiations had already begun, and told the club's official website, "We have had a conversation with Manchester City over the options available to us and discussions are set to continue."
Jo, who scored five times for the Toffees last season, is currently on pre-season training in Scotland with Everton.
The player former City manager Sven Goran Eriksson courted could be deemed surplus to requirements at Eastlands, following the arrivals of Craig Bellamy, Robinho, and Roque Santa Cruz.
The following players have been included in the squad for the Toffees' tour of Scotland: Carlo Nash, John Ruddy, Iain Turner, Tony Hibbert, Leighton Baines, Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Louis Saha, Dan Gosling, Lukas Jutkiewicz, James Vaughan, Jose Baxter, James Wallace, Hope Akpan, Seamus Coleman, Shkodran Mustafi, Kieran Agard, and Shane Duffy
Chief Executive Robert Elstone confirmed that negotiations had already begun, and told the club's official website, "We have had a conversation with Manchester City over the options available to us and discussions are set to continue."
Jo, who scored five times for the Toffees last season, is currently on pre-season training in Scotland with Everton.
The player former City manager Sven Goran Eriksson courted could be deemed surplus to requirements at Eastlands, following the arrivals of Craig Bellamy, Robinho, and Roque Santa Cruz.
The following players have been included in the squad for the Toffees' tour of Scotland: Carlo Nash, John Ruddy, Iain Turner, Tony Hibbert, Leighton Baines, Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Louis Saha, Dan Gosling, Lukas Jutkiewicz, James Vaughan, Jose Baxter, James Wallace, Hope Akpan, Seamus Coleman, Shkodran Mustafi, Kieran Agard, and Shane Duffy
Monday 8 June 2009
Everton Star Steven Pienaar Dismisses Atletico Madrid Link
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has responded to rumours he could leave the club this summer.
The South african international is reportedly a target for both Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, but insists he is happy to remain at Everton - at least for the time being.
“It is true that I only have two years remaining on my contract,” Pienaar told KickOff.com.
“It has been a happy two years at the club so far and I am delighted to have played a small part in the success we have achieved in finishing fifth in consecutive seasons and reaching the FA Cup Final.
“But you never know in football what tomorrow will bring. Who knows in one or two years’ time where I will be? I am a proud Everton player at present and would welcome it if the club moved to secure my long-term future, but that kind of thing is out of my hands.”
Despite welcoming the possibility of a contract extension at Goodison park, Pienaar admitted the lure of the Primera Liga could take him to Spain at some point in the future.
He added, “I enjoyed playing in the Champions League with Ajax [Amsterdam] and have been really pleased when I see how my ex-teammates like Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart have gone on to excel in Spain.
“But at this time I can only reiterate that any speculation regarding my future is exactly that.”
The South african international is reportedly a target for both Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, but insists he is happy to remain at Everton - at least for the time being.
“It is true that I only have two years remaining on my contract,” Pienaar told KickOff.com.
“It has been a happy two years at the club so far and I am delighted to have played a small part in the success we have achieved in finishing fifth in consecutive seasons and reaching the FA Cup Final.
“But you never know in football what tomorrow will bring. Who knows in one or two years’ time where I will be? I am a proud Everton player at present and would welcome it if the club moved to secure my long-term future, but that kind of thing is out of my hands.”
Despite welcoming the possibility of a contract extension at Goodison park, Pienaar admitted the lure of the Primera Liga could take him to Spain at some point in the future.
He added, “I enjoyed playing in the Champions League with Ajax [Amsterdam] and have been really pleased when I see how my ex-teammates like Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart have gone on to excel in Spain.
“But at this time I can only reiterate that any speculation regarding my future is exactly that.”
Friday 5 June 2009
Moyes to bring Owen back to Merseyside
Everton are again being strongly linked with a move for Michael Owen and The Mirror suggest that David Moyes will sign him on a free transfer from Newcastle if the striker will reduce his salary demands to £50,000 a week.
The Blues are likely to have little more than £15m to spend on new players this summer which makes Bosman-style transfers attractive to Moyes.
Owen, despite his England credentials, is now 30, however, and continues to struggle with injuries.
The Blues are likely to have little more than £15m to spend on new players this summer which makes Bosman-style transfers attractive to Moyes.
Owen, despite his England credentials, is now 30, however, and continues to struggle with injuries.
Agent: Premier League interest in Martins
The agent of Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins claims that his client has been the subject of enquiries by three clubs from the upper echelons of the Premier League.
The Nigerian hotshot is almost certain to leave St James' Park after the Barcodes' demotion to the Championship and has been linked with a big-money move abroad, as well as with Everton, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The Blues would be the underdogs in a bidding war for the 24 year-old, though, given David Moyes's comparatively small budget.
The Nigerian hotshot is almost certain to leave St James' Park after the Barcodes' demotion to the Championship and has been linked with a big-money move abroad, as well as with Everton, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
The Blues would be the underdogs in a bidding war for the 24 year-old, though, given David Moyes's comparatively small budget.
Transfer rumours
City targeting Lescott; Moyes looks at Neill
Manchester City have reportedly sounded out Everton regarding Joleon Lescott and are thought to be initially offering £12m for the star defender.
The Blues are clearly not interested at that price but rumours suggest they may be tempted to cash in for around £20m.
While useful to a club with Everton's limited budget, few would regard £20m as enough for one of the Blues' most import, an England international to boot, and many fans feel that moneybags City should shell out an awful lot more for a player of his calibre.
David Moyes, meanwhile, is reported to be interested in talking to Lucas Neill after the fullback rejected a new contract at West Ham. The Australian international is 31 but could be a useful addition given Everton's weakness at right back.
Manchester City have reportedly sounded out Everton regarding Joleon Lescott and are thought to be initially offering £12m for the star defender.
The Blues are clearly not interested at that price but rumours suggest they may be tempted to cash in for around £20m.
While useful to a club with Everton's limited budget, few would regard £20m as enough for one of the Blues' most import, an England international to boot, and many fans feel that moneybags City should shell out an awful lot more for a player of his calibre.
David Moyes, meanwhile, is reported to be interested in talking to Lucas Neill after the fullback rejected a new contract at West Ham. The Australian international is 31 but could be a useful addition given Everton's weakness at right back.
Thursday 23 April 2009
CHELSEA 0 EVERTON 0
Match Report
Everton stymied Chelsea's much-vaunted attack for the second time this season as they held the Champions League semi-finalists and their opponents in next month's FA Cup Final to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. After frustrating the Londoners at Goodison Park in December in a game that also finished 0-0, the Blues put a sizeable dent in Chelsea's title hopes this evening by blanking them again and though they survived a late scare when Didier Drogba was denied by the woodwork, David Moyes's side will probably be kicking themselves for not winning this one.
As expected, David Moyes made changes in each of the outfield areas of the pitch, resting the injured Marouane Fellaini entirely and dropping Phil Jagielka, Tony Hibbert and Louis Saha to the bench after the odyssey against Manchester United at Wembley. Joseph Yobo and Lars Jacobsen came into the defence, Jô returned to spearhead the attack and Segundo Castillo was perhaps a surprise inclusion alongside Phil Neville in central midfield.
While they struggled to put anything meaningful together during 120 minutes of football on Sunday, the Blues showed they were in purposeful mood early on, Jô heading the first chance of the game into Petr Cech's arms from Steven Pienaar's third-minute cross.
Then, at the end of a terrific Everton move in which Tim Cahill collected Neville's pass and threaded a perfectly-weighted ball ahead of the Brazilian's run, Jô was foiled by Cech as he tried to beat him with a low drive. A chance reminiscent of his recent goal against Wigan, but this time he couldn't sneak the ball under the advancing 'keeper's body and what turned out to be the Blues's best chance of the match went begging.
Chelsea were looking below par and were being restricted to long-range efforts and free kicks in their attempts to make a breakthrough at the other end. Michael Ballack headed one set-piece wide and curled another safely over, while Frank Lampard showed that his sights were off by despatching a drifting shot from 30 yards into the stands behind Tim Howard's goal.
The main threat continued to come from Everton and they had a decent penalty shout turned down when Alex tripped the excellent Leighton Baines as he tried to cut past him. A minute later, Cahill finished a nice counter-attack by collecting Jô's square ball, turning in one movement and firing goalwards but Cech parried his shot and collected at the second attempt.
And the Blues weren't done there. Just before the break, Jô found himself in another excellent position but he became the latest victim of an oil-slick surface when he slipped just as he was pulling the trigger and his shot sliced away from goal.
Everton picked up after half-time where they'd left off going into the interval and Cahill again tested the goalkeeper with a close-range header and Pienaar's cheeky shot following a short corner had Cech scampering across goal to cover as the ball whistled not far away from the angle of crossbar and post.
So far so good for Moyes's boys who had matched their hosts for possession by this stage and created all the best opportunities. Yobo had shrugged off his early jitters to form an almost impregnable partnership with Joleon Lescott in central defence, Baines was playing out of his skin at left back and Castillo, after resembling a headless chicken for the opening 20 minutes, suddenly found his feet and spent the rest of the match doing his best Claude Makalele impression.
As the second period progressed, though, the game opened up a bit more from Chelsea's pespective and they finally started exerting some of the pressure that Moyes must have been expecting.
John Terry prompted Howard into a sprawling save with a stirring effort from 30 yards, substitute Salomon Kalou headed Florent Malouda's cross narrowly over and saw another great chance deflect over off Lescott's head, while the home faithful screamed for a penalty on three separate occasions for accidental handballs that referee Mark Halsey rightly waved away.
Meanwhile, with Guus Hiddink's side meeting a solid white wall of resistance, Everton continued to threaten to spring a surprise away victory. Jô blazed over from 18 yards under pressure from Alex and, after Lescott's shot ricocheted across goal to Cahill, the Australian rattled a shot into the side-netting.
And with 5 minutes remaining of normal time, the Blues raced downfield on the counter and Cahill laid it off invitingly for Pienaar but although he set himself confidently enough, he flashed a left-footed shot the wrong side of the post when he should have done better.
Moyes made a couple of late changes when Jacobsen and Jô came out of separate challenges limping heavily. Jagielka and Saha came on for the last few minutes and Jack Rodwell also came on for Leon Osman in injury time.
Chelsea had been ratcheting up the pressure in the closing stages but Everton were throwing bodies and legs in front of everything they threw their way. It wasn't until two minutes into stoppage time that a clear-cut chance fell the home team's way and it was almost decisive. Drogba expertly turned Lescott to get a clear sight of goal but, thankfully, lashed a right-footed shot off the face of the crossbar and out to the far side and safety from Everton's point of view.
Overall, a decent performance by Everton and one that, with better finishing, might have yielded all three points and a first win over Chelsea this century — guess we'll have to wait until Wembley next month for that!
Yes, there was perhaps a case for putting Saha or James Vaughan on for the last 10 minutes to inject a bit more sharpness and fresher legs into the attack but a point and a clean sheet from Stamford Bridge is not to be sniffed at.
The result sets the Blues up nicely for the final five games where they will attempt to edge Aston Villa out of fifth place, and on this evidence few would bet against them.
Player Ratings: Howard 7, Jacobsen 7, Yobo 8, Lescott 8, Baines 9, Neville 7, Castillo 8, Osman 6, Pienaar 7, Cahill 7, Jo 7
Everton stymied Chelsea's much-vaunted attack for the second time this season as they held the Champions League semi-finalists and their opponents in next month's FA Cup Final to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. After frustrating the Londoners at Goodison Park in December in a game that also finished 0-0, the Blues put a sizeable dent in Chelsea's title hopes this evening by blanking them again and though they survived a late scare when Didier Drogba was denied by the woodwork, David Moyes's side will probably be kicking themselves for not winning this one.
As expected, David Moyes made changes in each of the outfield areas of the pitch, resting the injured Marouane Fellaini entirely and dropping Phil Jagielka, Tony Hibbert and Louis Saha to the bench after the odyssey against Manchester United at Wembley. Joseph Yobo and Lars Jacobsen came into the defence, Jô returned to spearhead the attack and Segundo Castillo was perhaps a surprise inclusion alongside Phil Neville in central midfield.
While they struggled to put anything meaningful together during 120 minutes of football on Sunday, the Blues showed they were in purposeful mood early on, Jô heading the first chance of the game into Petr Cech's arms from Steven Pienaar's third-minute cross.
Then, at the end of a terrific Everton move in which Tim Cahill collected Neville's pass and threaded a perfectly-weighted ball ahead of the Brazilian's run, Jô was foiled by Cech as he tried to beat him with a low drive. A chance reminiscent of his recent goal against Wigan, but this time he couldn't sneak the ball under the advancing 'keeper's body and what turned out to be the Blues's best chance of the match went begging.
Chelsea were looking below par and were being restricted to long-range efforts and free kicks in their attempts to make a breakthrough at the other end. Michael Ballack headed one set-piece wide and curled another safely over, while Frank Lampard showed that his sights were off by despatching a drifting shot from 30 yards into the stands behind Tim Howard's goal.
The main threat continued to come from Everton and they had a decent penalty shout turned down when Alex tripped the excellent Leighton Baines as he tried to cut past him. A minute later, Cahill finished a nice counter-attack by collecting Jô's square ball, turning in one movement and firing goalwards but Cech parried his shot and collected at the second attempt.
And the Blues weren't done there. Just before the break, Jô found himself in another excellent position but he became the latest victim of an oil-slick surface when he slipped just as he was pulling the trigger and his shot sliced away from goal.
Everton picked up after half-time where they'd left off going into the interval and Cahill again tested the goalkeeper with a close-range header and Pienaar's cheeky shot following a short corner had Cech scampering across goal to cover as the ball whistled not far away from the angle of crossbar and post.
So far so good for Moyes's boys who had matched their hosts for possession by this stage and created all the best opportunities. Yobo had shrugged off his early jitters to form an almost impregnable partnership with Joleon Lescott in central defence, Baines was playing out of his skin at left back and Castillo, after resembling a headless chicken for the opening 20 minutes, suddenly found his feet and spent the rest of the match doing his best Claude Makalele impression.
As the second period progressed, though, the game opened up a bit more from Chelsea's pespective and they finally started exerting some of the pressure that Moyes must have been expecting.
John Terry prompted Howard into a sprawling save with a stirring effort from 30 yards, substitute Salomon Kalou headed Florent Malouda's cross narrowly over and saw another great chance deflect over off Lescott's head, while the home faithful screamed for a penalty on three separate occasions for accidental handballs that referee Mark Halsey rightly waved away.
Meanwhile, with Guus Hiddink's side meeting a solid white wall of resistance, Everton continued to threaten to spring a surprise away victory. Jô blazed over from 18 yards under pressure from Alex and, after Lescott's shot ricocheted across goal to Cahill, the Australian rattled a shot into the side-netting.
And with 5 minutes remaining of normal time, the Blues raced downfield on the counter and Cahill laid it off invitingly for Pienaar but although he set himself confidently enough, he flashed a left-footed shot the wrong side of the post when he should have done better.
Moyes made a couple of late changes when Jacobsen and Jô came out of separate challenges limping heavily. Jagielka and Saha came on for the last few minutes and Jack Rodwell also came on for Leon Osman in injury time.
Chelsea had been ratcheting up the pressure in the closing stages but Everton were throwing bodies and legs in front of everything they threw their way. It wasn't until two minutes into stoppage time that a clear-cut chance fell the home team's way and it was almost decisive. Drogba expertly turned Lescott to get a clear sight of goal but, thankfully, lashed a right-footed shot off the face of the crossbar and out to the far side and safety from Everton's point of view.
Overall, a decent performance by Everton and one that, with better finishing, might have yielded all three points and a first win over Chelsea this century — guess we'll have to wait until Wembley next month for that!
Yes, there was perhaps a case for putting Saha or James Vaughan on for the last 10 minutes to inject a bit more sharpness and fresher legs into the attack but a point and a clean sheet from Stamford Bridge is not to be sniffed at.
The result sets the Blues up nicely for the final five games where they will attempt to edge Aston Villa out of fifth place, and on this evidence few would bet against them.
Player Ratings: Howard 7, Jacobsen 7, Yobo 8, Lescott 8, Baines 9, Neville 7, Castillo 8, Osman 6, Pienaar 7, Cahill 7, Jo 7
Wednesday 22 April 2009
Chelsea v everton match preview
Just days after the climactic events at Wembley Stadium where they booked a place in the FA Cup Final, Everton have to quickly come down from Cloud 9 and prepare for a particularly tricky away game at Stamford Bridge against their opponents at Wembley next month, Chelsea.
The Blues stayed in London after Sunday's triumph over Manchester United in the semi-final and they will hopefully be in relaxed but focused mood for a match that promises to be one of their toughest yet.
Guus Hiddink's rejuvenated charges are still in the running for three trophies and are themselves riding a wave of confidence having disposed of Liverpool in the Champions League last week and Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday. They will have taken heart from the 4-4 draw between those two teams in the Premier League last night as they look to put more pressure on United at the summit.
So David Moyes can expect little let up in intensity from the Londoners while he will be concerned with the state of his small squad and the effects on it from 120 gruelling minutes on an energy-sapping pitch at the weekend.
He will welcome Jô back who was cup-tied for the semi-final and had to watch from the stands and will be pleased that James Vaughan came through extra-time with no ill-effects after returning from a long injury lay-off. Add Louis Saha, who will be a few more days further on from the stomach virus that disrupted his cup preparations last week, and the manager finally has options in attack. Expect the Brazilian to start, with the other two kept as weapons for the second half.
With one eye on the visit of Manchester City to Goodison Park on Saturday and the other on Arsenal who, after that draw at Anfield, could be kept in the Blues' sights at 7 points with an Everton victory this evening, Moyes may be conflicted over whether or not to rest a couple of players.
Stephen Pienaar: tired visibly at Wembley
Joseph Yobo is fit and could come into central defence to give either Phil Jagielka or Joleon Lescott a break while in midfield he may also want to make changes, with Steven Pienaar flagging visibly in the extra half-hour at Wembley. Knowing Moyes, it wouldn't be all that surprising if he fielded his strongest XI to start with and perhaps looked to introduce players like Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling in the second half, but he must be mindful of the fatigue levels of his players.
Chelsea will be without Joe Cole, Paolo Ferreira, Jose Boswinga and Deco but they have enough strength even without that quartet that Hiddink won't be fazed.
Moyes would no doubt be happy with a repeat of last year's result, a 1-1 draw secured by Tim Cahill's spectacular overhead kick in the dying minutes and that would be enough to elevate his team above Aston Villa and into 5th place on goal difference. Seeing as this a dress rehearsal of sorts for the Final next month, though, he'd love to get one over the Pensioners and beat them for the first time in his tenure as Everton boss.
The Blues stayed in London after Sunday's triumph over Manchester United in the semi-final and they will hopefully be in relaxed but focused mood for a match that promises to be one of their toughest yet.
Guus Hiddink's rejuvenated charges are still in the running for three trophies and are themselves riding a wave of confidence having disposed of Liverpool in the Champions League last week and Arsenal in the FA Cup on Saturday. They will have taken heart from the 4-4 draw between those two teams in the Premier League last night as they look to put more pressure on United at the summit.
So David Moyes can expect little let up in intensity from the Londoners while he will be concerned with the state of his small squad and the effects on it from 120 gruelling minutes on an energy-sapping pitch at the weekend.
He will welcome Jô back who was cup-tied for the semi-final and had to watch from the stands and will be pleased that James Vaughan came through extra-time with no ill-effects after returning from a long injury lay-off. Add Louis Saha, who will be a few more days further on from the stomach virus that disrupted his cup preparations last week, and the manager finally has options in attack. Expect the Brazilian to start, with the other two kept as weapons for the second half.
With one eye on the visit of Manchester City to Goodison Park on Saturday and the other on Arsenal who, after that draw at Anfield, could be kept in the Blues' sights at 7 points with an Everton victory this evening, Moyes may be conflicted over whether or not to rest a couple of players.
Stephen Pienaar: tired visibly at Wembley
Joseph Yobo is fit and could come into central defence to give either Phil Jagielka or Joleon Lescott a break while in midfield he may also want to make changes, with Steven Pienaar flagging visibly in the extra half-hour at Wembley. Knowing Moyes, it wouldn't be all that surprising if he fielded his strongest XI to start with and perhaps looked to introduce players like Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling in the second half, but he must be mindful of the fatigue levels of his players.
Chelsea will be without Joe Cole, Paolo Ferreira, Jose Boswinga and Deco but they have enough strength even without that quartet that Hiddink won't be fazed.
Moyes would no doubt be happy with a repeat of last year's result, a 1-1 draw secured by Tim Cahill's spectacular overhead kick in the dying minutes and that would be enough to elevate his team above Aston Villa and into 5th place on goal difference. Seeing as this a dress rehearsal of sorts for the Final next month, though, he'd love to get one over the Pensioners and beat them for the first time in his tenure as Everton boss.
Kenwright delight
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has again heaped huge praise on manager David Moyes.
Kenwright is full of praise for his boss, who he feels has turned the club back into a top-six side.
The Toffees supremo was talking just over 24 hours after Moyes guided Everton into the FA Cup final after a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Wembley.
"When David arrived I never looked at the first game of the season, I looked at the last to see who we had to beat to avoid the 'r' word (relegation)," said Kenwright.
"We've had Wayne Rooney leaving and no money every season - but now we're up there and I think you can truly say now we are a top-six club again."
"I've been in situations when I've thought I can't go on and he's said 'don't leave, the players and I will miss you. Come on, we'll do this together'.
"I think he is the greatest manager in the world bar none but he's my best friend in football and I'd do anything for him.
"When you see him looking up (into a stand) with that clenched fist he's looking at me saying 'look where we've got to'."
Kenwright is full of praise for his boss, who he feels has turned the club back into a top-six side.
The Toffees supremo was talking just over 24 hours after Moyes guided Everton into the FA Cup final after a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Wembley.
"When David arrived I never looked at the first game of the season, I looked at the last to see who we had to beat to avoid the 'r' word (relegation)," said Kenwright.
"We've had Wayne Rooney leaving and no money every season - but now we're up there and I think you can truly say now we are a top-six club again."
"I've been in situations when I've thought I can't go on and he's said 'don't leave, the players and I will miss you. Come on, we'll do this together'.
"I think he is the greatest manager in the world bar none but he's my best friend in football and I'd do anything for him.
"When you see him looking up (into a stand) with that clenched fist he's looking at me saying 'look where we've got to'."
Monday 13 April 2009
villa steal a point
Everton: Howard, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Hibbert, Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill, Jo
Bench: Nash, Gosling, Rodwell, Jacobsen (Hibbert), Saha (Jo), Castillo, Van der Meyde
Referee: Howard's Way
With a face full of chocolate it was off to Villa in the sun for some further revenge following the last second robbery at Goodison. Last week Moyesy mentioned that he wanted the lads to put right the wrongs of the Wigan away performance and they did in style, dishing out a 4 nil tonking, this week it was more of the same please.
It was no surprise to see the same team and it was also no surprise how the game panned out, you know the phrase, 'The Toffeemen NEVER let you down' well today it was certainly the case. Whatever the reason, the boys in blue took us on an Easter roller coaster ride. A win would take us above Villa into 5th, we also had the small matter of the FA Cup semi next Sunday so we did not want any injuries or suspensions, however I don't think anyone in the ground expected what was to follow. Although Lavo's Best Bet could have given us a clue. The man in the middle was Sir Cliff, firm but fair and a Sue Barker fan, so we knew what to expect, or did we? The game kicked off in the spring sunshiiiiiiiine and gave us no idea what we were in for. The first 15 mins did not see a shot at either end, it was mainly Villa taking the game to us, there was a worry though as Tim had flapped at a couple of crosses in true Wavy Davy style and it looked as though Moyesy had misheard Basil when he said 'thigh' injury, looked more like an eye injury which was worrying. Anyway, our first shot on target was a goal! Hayley burst down the left and put right his dodgy start to the game, whipping in a cross for Screech to tap in, cue the Toffeemen going berserk, one up and dancing in the sunshiiiine! It was to get even better.
After an iffy start we were now taking the game to Villa and carrying on where we left off against Wigan, it wasn't long before we were two up. From a corner on the left, Peanuts fired over a good one, there was mayhem in the box, all sorts of pushing and shoving but Sir Cliff was happy. Up popped Timmy springing highest of them all only to see his header crash against the bar but he was first to react and nodded in the rebound. Two up against a dodgy Villa, it looked like revenge was on the cards we duly celebrated.
Now a couple of things, Villa had not won for nine games, we have not won away since last December and they reckon you are at your most vulnerable straight after a goal, well we weren't disappointed. Tim did the hokey cokey putting himself in and then going back as again he missed a Villa cross, it landed at Barry's feet and he mis controlled but sent it across the box, two Villa's got in each others way as the ball popped up nicely for Carew who duly smashed it in past Tim and a brave Jags effort on the line. If only we could have held on to the lead, the Villa fans at two down were shell shocked but having pulled on back they were now up for it shouting 'handball' at every opportunity, the Toffeemen took the piss shouting 'Handball' in Ole-style as the blues passed the ball around.
Villa were on top now but we held out until the break and went in happy but knowing that something needed to change as we were under the cosh.
HALF TIME 1-2
We were hoping for a Moyesy bollocking or a tinkering at least to put things right. Hibbo, the white Kafu, had his hands full with Ashley Young and had been booked, another yellow and he was in danger of missing the semi, too many players were below par, Tim, Ossy, Hayley, Roger, even Captain Nev yet we were still in front and that revenge was on the cards.
Whatever Moyesy said certainly made no difference initially, it was onto the back foot and backs to the wall as Aston Villa went for the equaliser. However, relief and the return of the two goal lead was just around the corner and it came from a most unlikely source. No-one can fault the workrate of Peanuts, he drives you mad though with every other pass going astray, one thing is for sure is that he does not score enough goals (ever looked him up on You Tube and see the belters he scored for Ajax?) today he pulled out a scorcher. From a mazey run across the edge of the box he let fly and it fizzed past the ex-redshite to put us 3-1 ahead. Happy days.
So what do we then do? We allow them to score even quicker this time, less than a minute after they kicked off but courtesy of a favour from Sir Cliff. Future redshite Barry cried to Sir Cliff that he had been fouled by Timmy 20 yards out and he go the free kick. Milner duly blasted it past Tim who was rooted to his line. They were back in it now and smelling blood.It was one way traffic.
'Alright der Lars?' came on for the white Kafu so we could save the Scouser for next Sunday but it did not ave much effect on the pattern of play. With the crowd now appealling for everything it was no surprise when Sir Cliff awarded them a penalty when at the most it should have been an indirect free kick! Roger tried an overhead kick to clear the danger as Petrov advanced into the box, he nearly took his head off and a penalty was awarded. Tim dived out of the way as Barry smashed it straight down the middle. 3 all, oh shit.
To be honest from this point it was about survival, we brought on King Louis for Jo but it made little difference as Villa went for the winner. Tim redeemed himself with a late save and we held on for the point which we probably would have taken before the game but to be two in front twice in the game left a bit of a hollow feeling. On the plus side for Wembley it was another three goals, we can score for fun, on the bad side was the defending and also, unusually, Tim's wobbles. Moyesy has some work to do this week.
We went home in the sunshiiiiine thinking of what might have been, the Toffeemen NEVER let you down. Bluekipper Star Man was narrowed down to just a few, Screech did well, as did Peanuts and Hibbo, the defence were all over the place so my shout goes for Timmy Cahill, non-stop effort, always a threat from set pieces and a great goal. COYB FTRS
Full Time 3-3
Bench: Nash, Gosling, Rodwell, Jacobsen (Hibbert), Saha (Jo), Castillo, Van der Meyde
Referee: Howard's Way
With a face full of chocolate it was off to Villa in the sun for some further revenge following the last second robbery at Goodison. Last week Moyesy mentioned that he wanted the lads to put right the wrongs of the Wigan away performance and they did in style, dishing out a 4 nil tonking, this week it was more of the same please.
It was no surprise to see the same team and it was also no surprise how the game panned out, you know the phrase, 'The Toffeemen NEVER let you down' well today it was certainly the case. Whatever the reason, the boys in blue took us on an Easter roller coaster ride. A win would take us above Villa into 5th, we also had the small matter of the FA Cup semi next Sunday so we did not want any injuries or suspensions, however I don't think anyone in the ground expected what was to follow. Although Lavo's Best Bet could have given us a clue. The man in the middle was Sir Cliff, firm but fair and a Sue Barker fan, so we knew what to expect, or did we? The game kicked off in the spring sunshiiiiiiiine and gave us no idea what we were in for. The first 15 mins did not see a shot at either end, it was mainly Villa taking the game to us, there was a worry though as Tim had flapped at a couple of crosses in true Wavy Davy style and it looked as though Moyesy had misheard Basil when he said 'thigh' injury, looked more like an eye injury which was worrying. Anyway, our first shot on target was a goal! Hayley burst down the left and put right his dodgy start to the game, whipping in a cross for Screech to tap in, cue the Toffeemen going berserk, one up and dancing in the sunshiiiine! It was to get even better.
After an iffy start we were now taking the game to Villa and carrying on where we left off against Wigan, it wasn't long before we were two up. From a corner on the left, Peanuts fired over a good one, there was mayhem in the box, all sorts of pushing and shoving but Sir Cliff was happy. Up popped Timmy springing highest of them all only to see his header crash against the bar but he was first to react and nodded in the rebound. Two up against a dodgy Villa, it looked like revenge was on the cards we duly celebrated.
Now a couple of things, Villa had not won for nine games, we have not won away since last December and they reckon you are at your most vulnerable straight after a goal, well we weren't disappointed. Tim did the hokey cokey putting himself in and then going back as again he missed a Villa cross, it landed at Barry's feet and he mis controlled but sent it across the box, two Villa's got in each others way as the ball popped up nicely for Carew who duly smashed it in past Tim and a brave Jags effort on the line. If only we could have held on to the lead, the Villa fans at two down were shell shocked but having pulled on back they were now up for it shouting 'handball' at every opportunity, the Toffeemen took the piss shouting 'Handball' in Ole-style as the blues passed the ball around.
Villa were on top now but we held out until the break and went in happy but knowing that something needed to change as we were under the cosh.
HALF TIME 1-2
We were hoping for a Moyesy bollocking or a tinkering at least to put things right. Hibbo, the white Kafu, had his hands full with Ashley Young and had been booked, another yellow and he was in danger of missing the semi, too many players were below par, Tim, Ossy, Hayley, Roger, even Captain Nev yet we were still in front and that revenge was on the cards.
Whatever Moyesy said certainly made no difference initially, it was onto the back foot and backs to the wall as Aston Villa went for the equaliser. However, relief and the return of the two goal lead was just around the corner and it came from a most unlikely source. No-one can fault the workrate of Peanuts, he drives you mad though with every other pass going astray, one thing is for sure is that he does not score enough goals (ever looked him up on You Tube and see the belters he scored for Ajax?) today he pulled out a scorcher. From a mazey run across the edge of the box he let fly and it fizzed past the ex-redshite to put us 3-1 ahead. Happy days.
So what do we then do? We allow them to score even quicker this time, less than a minute after they kicked off but courtesy of a favour from Sir Cliff. Future redshite Barry cried to Sir Cliff that he had been fouled by Timmy 20 yards out and he go the free kick. Milner duly blasted it past Tim who was rooted to his line. They were back in it now and smelling blood.It was one way traffic.
'Alright der Lars?' came on for the white Kafu so we could save the Scouser for next Sunday but it did not ave much effect on the pattern of play. With the crowd now appealling for everything it was no surprise when Sir Cliff awarded them a penalty when at the most it should have been an indirect free kick! Roger tried an overhead kick to clear the danger as Petrov advanced into the box, he nearly took his head off and a penalty was awarded. Tim dived out of the way as Barry smashed it straight down the middle. 3 all, oh shit.
To be honest from this point it was about survival, we brought on King Louis for Jo but it made little difference as Villa went for the winner. Tim redeemed himself with a late save and we held on for the point which we probably would have taken before the game but to be two in front twice in the game left a bit of a hollow feeling. On the plus side for Wembley it was another three goals, we can score for fun, on the bad side was the defending and also, unusually, Tim's wobbles. Moyesy has some work to do this week.
We went home in the sunshiiiiine thinking of what might have been, the Toffeemen NEVER let you down. Bluekipper Star Man was narrowed down to just a few, Screech did well, as did Peanuts and Hibbo, the defence were all over the place so my shout goes for Timmy Cahill, non-stop effort, always a threat from set pieces and a great goal. COYB FTRS
Full Time 3-3
Friday 3 April 2009
Blues To Make Football History
Everton have always led the way in English Football, and once again in 2009, they will lead the way this time with a goal line experiment in our home match against West Ham on May 16th.
Goal line technology has long been advocated, and at a meeting at FA Headquarters on Tuesday it was decided that the Blue match v De Hammers, and Pompey's match with Sunderland goal line camera's will get their first outing in top flight English football.
Sensors will be placed inside the posts, and a signal will show with the fourth official as to whether any shot has crossed the line or not. Sky TV have backed the plans, and their technology will be integral to the whole experiment.
The FA have the blessing of UEFA and FIFA, who will be watching the experiment closely. Once again the eyes of the football world will be on Goodison Park.
Jeff Ahctog FA Spokesman says: "The FA is willing to use any goal-line technology that would improve decision-making while not disrupting the game. I think it's has been inevitable because the rewards for success and the penalties for failure are so massive." (01/04/09)
Semi Tickets Go On Sale
Tickets for this month’s semi final against Manchester United will go on sale to non season ticket holders from 8am on Monday, April 6. In the first instance any supporter who has attended four or more home games from the current season will be eligible to purchase a single ticket with criteria set to change dependant on tickets remaining.
All league and cup fixtures that have taken place at Goodison Park during 2008/09 are included in the eligibility criteria and for the avoidance of doubt these include:
All Barclays home Premier League games up to the Wigan Athletic fixture on April 5.
All home FA Cup games including the replay v Liverpool
The Uefa Cup game v Standard Liege.
Supporters should note, that in order to be eligible to purchase a semi final ticket, details of any tickets purchased for the above home matches MUST be recorded against an individual customer number. Any supporters who have purchased tickets on more than one customer number should note that it will not be possible to merge records in order to reach the required sales criteria.
Supporters can view their sales history online by logging onto evertonfc.com/eticketing and selecting ‘Purchase History’. Details of how to log on and view the purchase history are displayed on this page. Tickets are priced £24.50 and available from the Park End Box Office or by calling 0871 663 1878. Please note tickets are strictly limited to one ticket per supporter.
Any remaining tickets thereafter will go on sale to supporters who have attended 3 or more of the above home games, from Tuesday 7th April. Further announcements will be made if necessary in due course via evertonfc.com.
All league and cup fixtures that have taken place at Goodison Park during 2008/09 are included in the eligibility criteria and for the avoidance of doubt these include:
All Barclays home Premier League games up to the Wigan Athletic fixture on April 5.
All home FA Cup games including the replay v Liverpool
The Uefa Cup game v Standard Liege.
Supporters should note, that in order to be eligible to purchase a semi final ticket, details of any tickets purchased for the above home matches MUST be recorded against an individual customer number. Any supporters who have purchased tickets on more than one customer number should note that it will not be possible to merge records in order to reach the required sales criteria.
Supporters can view their sales history online by logging onto evertonfc.com/eticketing and selecting ‘Purchase History’. Details of how to log on and view the purchase history are displayed on this page. Tickets are priced £24.50 and available from the Park End Box Office or by calling 0871 663 1878. Please note tickets are strictly limited to one ticket per supporter.
Any remaining tickets thereafter will go on sale to supporters who have attended 3 or more of the above home games, from Tuesday 7th April. Further announcements will be made if necessary in due course via evertonfc.com.
Monday 23 March 2009
No money - No problem
David Moyes has scoffed at the spending row between Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez.
The Manchester United and Liverpool bosses spent the build-up to this weekend sniping about the amount of money each has shelled out in pursuit of the Premier League title.
Benitez says Ferguson as the financial clout, while the Scot says he has had the figures checked and it is the Anfield club who have splashed out more on transfers.
But Moyes, who has guided Everton to sixth having spent far less than either, says he is he delighted with his shoestring achievements so far this season and that money should not be the be-all and end-all.
"I was laughing about it," he told Goals on Sunday.
"One was saying you've been spending a bit more than me but when we go to play Liverpool or Man United it very rarely gets talked about.
Educated
"When you cross that white line it's 11 v 11 and you just get on with the job. Over the years we have to take a few beatings and folk say 'why have you not won? Is that the best you can do?', it is obvious why.
"But I'll tell you what, this year we've had a right good go at stopping the teams above us and that is credit to the players and the attitude they have and the spirit they've got.
"I think the supporters are all pretty much educated but when it comes to two o'clock on a Saturday and they're walking to the ground, you're not worried about whether the opposition have spent more money than you, all you want is to get a result for your team - whether you've got the money or not.
"And in the main, we've done that with the budget we have."
Moyes also refuses to believe that the top four in the Premier League is beyond the reach of anyone but those two, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Tight
Everton are the only side to have broken that monopoly when they finished fourth in 2004-05 and made the qualifying stages of the Champions League.
This season Aston Villa have been as high as third and for Moyes, that proves that there is still hope for the so-called smaller clubs.
"I think my job is to get into the top four, without or without what we spend," he said.
"I think Villa have done a great job, I really do. I actually thought three or four weeks ago, Aston Villa were in poll position - and they still might actually make it.
"But we're pushing hard, we want to try and get in there and our games against the top four have been quite tight."
Moyes also had a dig at some his Premier Leagye counterparts for signing too many imported players.
Opportunity
He says he takes great pride in the young talent Everton have produced down the years and believes the likes of Jack Rodwell and James Vaughan are far better investments than expensive foreign singings.
"I want young players to see Everton as a place to go because they can actually get near the first team," jhe said.
"We don't block it up with players from abroad, we try to put our own boys in. What we're doing is giving them an opportunity and they think they've got a chance.
"What we are then saying is come on then, let's see if you can actually make it onto the pitch. In the end you have got to give the young boys an opportunity and see if they can take it."
The Manchester United and Liverpool bosses spent the build-up to this weekend sniping about the amount of money each has shelled out in pursuit of the Premier League title.
Benitez says Ferguson as the financial clout, while the Scot says he has had the figures checked and it is the Anfield club who have splashed out more on transfers.
But Moyes, who has guided Everton to sixth having spent far less than either, says he is he delighted with his shoestring achievements so far this season and that money should not be the be-all and end-all.
"I was laughing about it," he told Goals on Sunday.
"One was saying you've been spending a bit more than me but when we go to play Liverpool or Man United it very rarely gets talked about.
Educated
"When you cross that white line it's 11 v 11 and you just get on with the job. Over the years we have to take a few beatings and folk say 'why have you not won? Is that the best you can do?', it is obvious why.
"But I'll tell you what, this year we've had a right good go at stopping the teams above us and that is credit to the players and the attitude they have and the spirit they've got.
"I think the supporters are all pretty much educated but when it comes to two o'clock on a Saturday and they're walking to the ground, you're not worried about whether the opposition have spent more money than you, all you want is to get a result for your team - whether you've got the money or not.
"And in the main, we've done that with the budget we have."
Moyes also refuses to believe that the top four in the Premier League is beyond the reach of anyone but those two, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Tight
Everton are the only side to have broken that monopoly when they finished fourth in 2004-05 and made the qualifying stages of the Champions League.
This season Aston Villa have been as high as third and for Moyes, that proves that there is still hope for the so-called smaller clubs.
"I think my job is to get into the top four, without or without what we spend," he said.
"I think Villa have done a great job, I really do. I actually thought three or four weeks ago, Aston Villa were in poll position - and they still might actually make it.
"But we're pushing hard, we want to try and get in there and our games against the top four have been quite tight."
Moyes also had a dig at some his Premier Leagye counterparts for signing too many imported players.
Opportunity
He says he takes great pride in the young talent Everton have produced down the years and believes the likes of Jack Rodwell and James Vaughan are far better investments than expensive foreign singings.
"I want young players to see Everton as a place to go because they can actually get near the first team," jhe said.
"We don't block it up with players from abroad, we try to put our own boys in. What we're doing is giving them an opportunity and they think they've got a chance.
"What we are then saying is come on then, let's see if you can actually make it onto the pitch. In the end you have got to give the young boys an opportunity and see if they can take it."
Sunday 22 March 2009
BLUES LOSE AT POMPEY
Everton: Howard, Jacobsen, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Felliani, Jo, Saha
Bench: Gosling (Jacobsen), Rodwell (Jo), Nash, Castillo, Wallace, Baxter, Agard
Referee: Peter Walton aka Les Battersby
Having just about recovered from the euphoria of Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Dinner at the Adelphi, we had to embark on our longest trip of the season, 500 mile round trip to Pompey. What a night Thursday night was, Big Dunc along with most Toffeemen in the room shed a tear during his emotional speech, it was undoubtedly the best yet – well played Snaggy, Tommy Birch & Roger – PLEASE do not make this the last one! It gave us plenty to talk about on the long journey, Blue Bill, Tony Kay, Rhino, Diamond Geezer, Howard forgetting he was presenting Dunc, Ernie Hunt bladdered and wearing a red wig but most of BIG Dunc, unbelievable!
So the luverly SKY had decided that for our longest journey they would give us a 12.45 kick off, where do they get their ideas from? Probably the FA!
This on the face of it was a tricky fixture. Whilst we owed them one for the 3-0 defeat at Goodison, which was one bizarre result given the balance of play that day, but Pompey are just above the relegation zone and playing for their Premiership future. The Toffee’s on the other hand had not won away since Boxing Day and we needed the 3 points to put pressure on Villa and The Arse so plenty to play for. We had heard that Timmy was not in the frame and knew Joey was out so what would Moyesy do? It was a debut for ‘alright ‘der’ Lars Jacobson at right back, The Jag and Roger in the middle, in midfield it was Fella & Nev in the middle and Jo plus King Louis up front, so 4-4-2, Moyesy was going for it.
In the middle was Les Battersby look-a-like Peter Walton. The sun was shining on the south coast, it was like a summers day and the Toffeemen were there in force, in fact we were bladdered when we got there – still from the Hall of Fame! We had the perfect start. After a good period of early possession Distin fould King Louis on the edge of the box and Bainsey stepped u to the plate having taken over the mantle in the absence of the best little Spaniard we know. Now Bainsey hit the bar from a similar positon last week so expectations were high and Hayley did not let us down. He left wavy Davy routed to the spot as he bent it round the wall and inside the right hand post. Just 3 minutes gone and the Toffeemen were dancing, long journey, sun, Stella, mental celebration – my head hurts!
With the Blues on top and playing well, Les Battersby came up with his first howler. Peanuts was clattered from behind by one of Pompey’s big bruiser’s, Jeez they are a big side, this time it was the right back, the result was just a ticking off. His next howler proved more costly. Johnson had a shot from way out, it nearly killed a seagull on the beach and Walton claimed that it had come off Bainsey. From the resultant corner the ball was knocked back into the box, Lars was easily outjumped by Johnson and the Freak outjumped Roger to nod in the equaliser.
Walton continued his howlers booking Ossy for a foul on Nugent when it looked like he got the ball. Next we saw the ugly side of Jo, from a neat move down the right the ball fell to him unmarked on the edge of the box with only Wavy to beat. He looked up, saw Coco between the sticks and pulled his shot well wide of the post, it was a shocker. Jo had so many options it was embarrassing to see the final result, not even forcing a save, he needs to do far more to get us looking for his signature.
King Louis tried the spectacular just before half time trying a scissor kick from a Lars cross, it looked good but went wide. Two minutes added time went without incident and we went in all square when really we should have been in front and the worrying thing was that Pompey were upping their game. Moyesy needed to work some half time magic.
HALF TIME 1-1
We have a phrase, ‘The Toffeemen never let you down’, sure enough, the second half was to epitomise the phrase. Must win game for Champion’s League challenge, must outfight Pompey as they are fighting relegation, must not lose, Toffeemen have been up since 6am for a 500 mile round journey so they must perform. Guess what? Second half, remember the half-time concerns? We never heeded them, we were poor, in fact poor is possibly too good for the description, FOR FUCK’s SAKE POMPEY WERE UP FOR THIS! Why weren’t we? We were shite in the second half, King Louis did not look fit, Jo tried hard after realising his 1st half howler could dent his future wage packet, Ossy was Ossy (Moyesy’s face after one free kick was a picture), Lars got subbed because after 8 months up to his debut he still looks like he enjoys Chinese Takeaways and more to the point he did not excel on his debut. But who did?
Toffeeman Nugent was subbed for Kanu after just over an hour, at the time it looked like a strange decision, 5 mins later, we were behind. Unbelievely we left the Freak unmarked from a corner, he ran from the edge of the box and outjumped Saha to head the winner. I say the winner because despite 15 mins to go we had been so poor it was difficult to see a way back, guess what? There wasn’t. Herman could have been sent off for elbowing Fella but we were clutching at straws.
How fuckin’ disappointing? If you look at the run in’s for Villa, The Arse and ourselves, ours is by far the easiest, starting today but with the Pompey crowd behind them they saw out what was in the end an easy victory, they even hit the post with 10 mins to go, we just caved in. Bitter disappointment. Super Dan came on for Lars or Lard but to no avail.
Final whistle from Les and we’d lost, a few shockers today, in no particular order really, unless you want to read into this, Ossy, Lars, Fella, Louis, Peanuts, Jo and Roger. Blue Kipper Star Man was Phil Neville, never gave in and kept on trying despite this very bad day at the races. Ah well, two weeks rest, get Timmy back and get back on to winning ways against the Pie Eaters but it now looks like UEFA Cup again next year. COYB FTRS
Full Time 2-1
Bench: Gosling (Jacobsen), Rodwell (Jo), Nash, Castillo, Wallace, Baxter, Agard
Referee: Peter Walton aka Les Battersby
Having just about recovered from the euphoria of Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Dinner at the Adelphi, we had to embark on our longest trip of the season, 500 mile round trip to Pompey. What a night Thursday night was, Big Dunc along with most Toffeemen in the room shed a tear during his emotional speech, it was undoubtedly the best yet – well played Snaggy, Tommy Birch & Roger – PLEASE do not make this the last one! It gave us plenty to talk about on the long journey, Blue Bill, Tony Kay, Rhino, Diamond Geezer, Howard forgetting he was presenting Dunc, Ernie Hunt bladdered and wearing a red wig but most of BIG Dunc, unbelievable!
So the luverly SKY had decided that for our longest journey they would give us a 12.45 kick off, where do they get their ideas from? Probably the FA!
This on the face of it was a tricky fixture. Whilst we owed them one for the 3-0 defeat at Goodison, which was one bizarre result given the balance of play that day, but Pompey are just above the relegation zone and playing for their Premiership future. The Toffee’s on the other hand had not won away since Boxing Day and we needed the 3 points to put pressure on Villa and The Arse so plenty to play for. We had heard that Timmy was not in the frame and knew Joey was out so what would Moyesy do? It was a debut for ‘alright ‘der’ Lars Jacobson at right back, The Jag and Roger in the middle, in midfield it was Fella & Nev in the middle and Jo plus King Louis up front, so 4-4-2, Moyesy was going for it.
In the middle was Les Battersby look-a-like Peter Walton. The sun was shining on the south coast, it was like a summers day and the Toffeemen were there in force, in fact we were bladdered when we got there – still from the Hall of Fame! We had the perfect start. After a good period of early possession Distin fould King Louis on the edge of the box and Bainsey stepped u to the plate having taken over the mantle in the absence of the best little Spaniard we know. Now Bainsey hit the bar from a similar positon last week so expectations were high and Hayley did not let us down. He left wavy Davy routed to the spot as he bent it round the wall and inside the right hand post. Just 3 minutes gone and the Toffeemen were dancing, long journey, sun, Stella, mental celebration – my head hurts!
With the Blues on top and playing well, Les Battersby came up with his first howler. Peanuts was clattered from behind by one of Pompey’s big bruiser’s, Jeez they are a big side, this time it was the right back, the result was just a ticking off. His next howler proved more costly. Johnson had a shot from way out, it nearly killed a seagull on the beach and Walton claimed that it had come off Bainsey. From the resultant corner the ball was knocked back into the box, Lars was easily outjumped by Johnson and the Freak outjumped Roger to nod in the equaliser.
Walton continued his howlers booking Ossy for a foul on Nugent when it looked like he got the ball. Next we saw the ugly side of Jo, from a neat move down the right the ball fell to him unmarked on the edge of the box with only Wavy to beat. He looked up, saw Coco between the sticks and pulled his shot well wide of the post, it was a shocker. Jo had so many options it was embarrassing to see the final result, not even forcing a save, he needs to do far more to get us looking for his signature.
King Louis tried the spectacular just before half time trying a scissor kick from a Lars cross, it looked good but went wide. Two minutes added time went without incident and we went in all square when really we should have been in front and the worrying thing was that Pompey were upping their game. Moyesy needed to work some half time magic.
HALF TIME 1-1
We have a phrase, ‘The Toffeemen never let you down’, sure enough, the second half was to epitomise the phrase. Must win game for Champion’s League challenge, must outfight Pompey as they are fighting relegation, must not lose, Toffeemen have been up since 6am for a 500 mile round journey so they must perform. Guess what? Second half, remember the half-time concerns? We never heeded them, we were poor, in fact poor is possibly too good for the description, FOR FUCK’s SAKE POMPEY WERE UP FOR THIS! Why weren’t we? We were shite in the second half, King Louis did not look fit, Jo tried hard after realising his 1st half howler could dent his future wage packet, Ossy was Ossy (Moyesy’s face after one free kick was a picture), Lars got subbed because after 8 months up to his debut he still looks like he enjoys Chinese Takeaways and more to the point he did not excel on his debut. But who did?
Toffeeman Nugent was subbed for Kanu after just over an hour, at the time it looked like a strange decision, 5 mins later, we were behind. Unbelievely we left the Freak unmarked from a corner, he ran from the edge of the box and outjumped Saha to head the winner. I say the winner because despite 15 mins to go we had been so poor it was difficult to see a way back, guess what? There wasn’t. Herman could have been sent off for elbowing Fella but we were clutching at straws.
How fuckin’ disappointing? If you look at the run in’s for Villa, The Arse and ourselves, ours is by far the easiest, starting today but with the Pompey crowd behind them they saw out what was in the end an easy victory, they even hit the post with 10 mins to go, we just caved in. Bitter disappointment. Super Dan came on for Lars or Lard but to no avail.
Final whistle from Les and we’d lost, a few shockers today, in no particular order really, unless you want to read into this, Ossy, Lars, Fella, Louis, Peanuts, Jo and Roger. Blue Kipper Star Man was Phil Neville, never gave in and kept on trying despite this very bad day at the races. Ah well, two weeks rest, get Timmy back and get back on to winning ways against the Pie Eaters but it now looks like UEFA Cup again next year. COYB FTRS
Full Time 2-1
Friday 20 March 2009
EVERTON V POMPEY TEAM NEWS
The Blues make their longest domestic journey of the season to Pompey, so what do the TV execs do, give it a dinner time kick off to really piss the fans off. Joey Yobo as we heard earlier today will be out for a good few weeks with a hamstring problem, so that may mean a first start of the season for Lars Jacobsen who had his own injury worries last year. We hear on the grape vine that Moyesy may be resting Tiny Tim, but I reckon the Aussie will fight tooth and nail to start, but if he does start, it will be the usual suspects in the line up, as that's all we have.
The players are most definitely focused as at the Hall of Fame Dinner last night, I got chatting with Phil Jagielka (name dropping, you bet I am), and I said get us to the Cup Final Jag. He told us he did not want to talk about it, as we had loads of important League games to play, and it was on Moyesy's orders, get in there, now that being focused.
The Blues are still in hot form, losing only one match in eighteen, and conceding only once in the last five games. In saying that though we have to go back to Christmas since our last Premiership win on the road, also our last two away games ended up in nil all draws, so were due one on the road. We owe Pompey after our thumping 3-0 defeat back in August, and our form at Fratton Park is good losing only once there since 1957. COYB FTRS
Moyesy says: There has been a momentum going for a few months. The players have kept going and shown great attitudes, wherever they have been asked to play. We have ground out results in the last few weeks and prior to that we were playing some fantastic football in a great style. Aston Villa and Arsenal are in the pole positions to qualify for the Champions League and we want to hang on to their shirt-tails and keep close to them.
We have to win our games and they have to win theirs to stay away from us. We have closed the gap a bit but there is a bit to go and we won't be giving up. The points total we have now won't be enough to finish in sixth position because the teams below will gain more points than that. We have to keep picking up points for that reason too. We would like to be able to spend a bit more to give ourselves more of a go at getting closer to them. But with what they (the board) give me, we do everything we can. The players here have done a great job and I would like to give them added support. They deserve it, you can see the way they are playing and the spirit they have, so if I could add one or two to support them, it would be ideal." (21/03/09)
XI To Start: Howard, Jacobsen, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Pienaar, Felliaini, Neville, Jo, Cahill
Everton from: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha, Jo, Rodwell, Baxter, Nash, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling, Wallace, Van der Meyde.
The players are most definitely focused as at the Hall of Fame Dinner last night, I got chatting with Phil Jagielka (name dropping, you bet I am), and I said get us to the Cup Final Jag. He told us he did not want to talk about it, as we had loads of important League games to play, and it was on Moyesy's orders, get in there, now that being focused.
The Blues are still in hot form, losing only one match in eighteen, and conceding only once in the last five games. In saying that though we have to go back to Christmas since our last Premiership win on the road, also our last two away games ended up in nil all draws, so were due one on the road. We owe Pompey after our thumping 3-0 defeat back in August, and our form at Fratton Park is good losing only once there since 1957. COYB FTRS
Moyesy says: There has been a momentum going for a few months. The players have kept going and shown great attitudes, wherever they have been asked to play. We have ground out results in the last few weeks and prior to that we were playing some fantastic football in a great style. Aston Villa and Arsenal are in the pole positions to qualify for the Champions League and we want to hang on to their shirt-tails and keep close to them.
We have to win our games and they have to win theirs to stay away from us. We have closed the gap a bit but there is a bit to go and we won't be giving up. The points total we have now won't be enough to finish in sixth position because the teams below will gain more points than that. We have to keep picking up points for that reason too. We would like to be able to spend a bit more to give ourselves more of a go at getting closer to them. But with what they (the board) give me, we do everything we can. The players here have done a great job and I would like to give them added support. They deserve it, you can see the way they are playing and the spirit they have, so if I could add one or two to support them, it would be ideal." (21/03/09)
XI To Start: Howard, Jacobsen, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Pienaar, Felliaini, Neville, Jo, Cahill
Everton from: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Saha, Jo, Rodwell, Baxter, Nash, Castillo, Jacobsen, Gosling, Wallace, Van der Meyde.
Liverpool Club Shop
You don't have to take the piss out of the redshite. They do it themselves.
Fuck me. You can just see the 'Sons/daughters/knob 'eds Of Shankley' on their next jaunt with these on.
The redshite cape can be bought from the official redshite shop.
Turner out on loan
Nottingham Forest have swooped to sign Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old is set to make his debut for the struggling Championship side when they face Wolves on Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to it," Turner told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I've been hoping to go out on loan all season.
"I'm here for seven games to show what I can do, I've been dying for the chance. Forest are a good team but the Championship is a funny league."
Turner joined Everton from Stirling Albion in 2003 but has made only six appearances for David Moyes' side.
He has had spells on loan with Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but has not played a competitive match since May 2007.
Turner added: "I had an unbeaten spell at Palace and a good spell at Wednesday too, so I hope I can keep that run going.
"Most teams want an experienced keeper, someone who can talk to the rest of the team, so the more games you play I guess the bigger your influence is."
Forest boss Billy Davies was desperate to bolster his squad after Saturday's 5-0 humbling at Burnley, which left them in the relegation zone ahead of the visit of leaders Wolves.
"It's no secret that we've been looking for a goalkeeper to provide competition," said Davies, who publicly criticised Forest keeper Paul Smith at the weekend.
"Iain Turner fits the bill perfectly. He is a keeper with good pedigree and great potential and this situation helps us and Everton."
The 24-year-old is set to make his debut for the struggling Championship side when they face Wolves on Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to it," Turner told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I've been hoping to go out on loan all season.
"I'm here for seven games to show what I can do, I've been dying for the chance. Forest are a good team but the Championship is a funny league."
Turner joined Everton from Stirling Albion in 2003 but has made only six appearances for David Moyes' side.
He has had spells on loan with Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but has not played a competitive match since May 2007.
Turner added: "I had an unbeaten spell at Palace and a good spell at Wednesday too, so I hope I can keep that run going.
"Most teams want an experienced keeper, someone who can talk to the rest of the team, so the more games you play I guess the bigger your influence is."
Forest boss Billy Davies was desperate to bolster his squad after Saturday's 5-0 humbling at Burnley, which left them in the relegation zone ahead of the visit of leaders Wolves.
"It's no secret that we've been looking for a goalkeeper to provide competition," said Davies, who publicly criticised Forest keeper Paul Smith at the weekend.
"Iain Turner fits the bill perfectly. He is a keeper with good pedigree and great potential and this situation helps us and Everton."
Thursday 19 March 2009
Lescott wants Europe
Joleon Lescott is hopeful of Everton finishing high up in the European spots this season, and says he and his team-mates are taking each game as seriously as the next.
"Every game is vital now as every team is playing for something," Lescott told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"We're confident, playing well and creating chances. We've got to go into every game showing a lot of respect."
Speaking about Saturday's trip to Portsmouth, the defender said, "We don't want to talk about revenge but we owe them from early in the season when they beat us 3-0 here.
"So we're going there showing them a lot of respect but feeling confident.
"We don't talk about the record ourselves but we're confident going into every game and we believe we can create chances."
"Every game is vital now as every team is playing for something," Lescott told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"We're confident, playing well and creating chances. We've got to go into every game showing a lot of respect."
Speaking about Saturday's trip to Portsmouth, the defender said, "We don't want to talk about revenge but we owe them from early in the season when they beat us 3-0 here.
"So we're going there showing them a lot of respect but feeling confident.
"We don't talk about the record ourselves but we're confident going into every game and we believe we can create chances."
New delay to stadium plans
14
Mar
2009
at 07:05
Everton's new stadium could be delayed for a year even if it does get the green light . The results of a nine week public inquiry are now not expected to be known until late this year.
And this means Everton will stay at Goodison for another season even if the plans get approval .
Hazel Blears will now rule on destination kirkby on or before November 27, the new date has surprised many as inspector Wendy Burden thought this would be submitted by mid june .
A Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “This is a complex proposal in which strong views have been expressed and Ministers need to give it careful consideration.
“We recognise that there is a lot of interest in this case and we will look to issue the decision as quickly as possible.”
Parliment have indicated that the result will not be done by the recess of Parliment at the end of July and they don't return until October.
All parties involved have always stressed that a quick move is all important , Patrick Clarkson told the inquiry "“It is extremely urgent - if the club is to meet the 2011/12 season, a start on building is necessary this spring.“A delay will lose a year with all the accompanying issues as to delivery and cost of delay.”
Despite another delay in the process it does not mean the demise of Destination Kirkby, NSNO's favorite Evertonian club spokesman Ian Ross said “In an ideal world we would have welcomed an earlier decision but we understand that processes like these take a lot of time and effort.
“The wheels of Government don’t move as quickly as we would like. All through this we’ve let it be known there’s a sense of urgency and that it is time sensitive.
“We are impatient but equally happy that they’ve taken on board the urgent nature of the application.
“We remain totally focused and optimistic that it will go ahead.”
Tesco Spokesman Michael Kissman said the application was crucial not just for the future of the club but for the regeneration of Kirkby.
He said: “We hope that they are all working to their full capacity to get the final decision.
“Not knowing the decision is creating a great deal of uncertainty as an investor in Merseyside and for the residents.
“The sooner we can get a conclusion, preferably a positive one for us, the better.”
Knowsley council have also said they are committed to making this project go forward and are extremely keen to press for a resolution.“The council remains fully committed to this project which will transform Kirkby for the benefit of generations to come and bring vital investment into the local economy.
Mar
2009
at 07:05
Everton's new stadium could be delayed for a year even if it does get the green light . The results of a nine week public inquiry are now not expected to be known until late this year.
And this means Everton will stay at Goodison for another season even if the plans get approval .
Hazel Blears will now rule on destination kirkby on or before November 27, the new date has surprised many as inspector Wendy Burden thought this would be submitted by mid june .
A Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “This is a complex proposal in which strong views have been expressed and Ministers need to give it careful consideration.
“We recognise that there is a lot of interest in this case and we will look to issue the decision as quickly as possible.”
Parliment have indicated that the result will not be done by the recess of Parliment at the end of July and they don't return until October.
All parties involved have always stressed that a quick move is all important , Patrick Clarkson told the inquiry "“It is extremely urgent - if the club is to meet the 2011/12 season, a start on building is necessary this spring.“A delay will lose a year with all the accompanying issues as to delivery and cost of delay.”
Despite another delay in the process it does not mean the demise of Destination Kirkby, NSNO's favorite Evertonian club spokesman Ian Ross said “In an ideal world we would have welcomed an earlier decision but we understand that processes like these take a lot of time and effort.
“The wheels of Government don’t move as quickly as we would like. All through this we’ve let it be known there’s a sense of urgency and that it is time sensitive.
“We are impatient but equally happy that they’ve taken on board the urgent nature of the application.
“We remain totally focused and optimistic that it will go ahead.”
Tesco Spokesman Michael Kissman said the application was crucial not just for the future of the club but for the regeneration of Kirkby.
He said: “We hope that they are all working to their full capacity to get the final decision.
“Not knowing the decision is creating a great deal of uncertainty as an investor in Merseyside and for the residents.
“The sooner we can get a conclusion, preferably a positive one for us, the better.”
Knowsley council have also said they are committed to making this project go forward and are extremely keen to press for a resolution.“The council remains fully committed to this project which will transform Kirkby for the benefit of generations to come and bring vital investment into the local economy.
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Wembley Ticket Info
The Blues have received 31,825 tickets for this seasons FA Cup Semi Final at Wembley. The allocation of the tickets and days of purchase was announced by the Blues today. The club have used a sliding scale of season ticket coupled with away game credits to reward fans who attend most matches.
All season ticket holders though will be eligible for a ticket, then after that a big fight will ensue for the remaining few thousand tickets that are left in the pot. Details will again be announced on April 6th for those remaining tickets.
Full Ticket Details
Also today local councilors issued a plea to the FA over the wisdom in staging the Semi Final at Wembley, and more to the point the ludicrous time and day it is scheduled for. No doubt the FA will take everything into consideration, read the pleas, then do what the hell they also do, and think of no one but themselves and their need to pay their huge debts off. Ahhhhh, don't start me !!
Local Councilor says: "Why not Eastlands, or Analfield, or Villa Park? Unfortunately that's not going to happen because this is all about the FA filling their coffers and not thinking about the fans. But the least they can do is change the time." (17/03/09)
All season ticket holders though will be eligible for a ticket, then after that a big fight will ensue for the remaining few thousand tickets that are left in the pot. Details will again be announced on April 6th for those remaining tickets.
Full Ticket Details
Also today local councilors issued a plea to the FA over the wisdom in staging the Semi Final at Wembley, and more to the point the ludicrous time and day it is scheduled for. No doubt the FA will take everything into consideration, read the pleas, then do what the hell they also do, and think of no one but themselves and their need to pay their huge debts off. Ahhhhh, don't start me !!
Local Councilor says: "Why not Eastlands, or Analfield, or Villa Park? Unfortunately that's not going to happen because this is all about the FA filling their coffers and not thinking about the fans. But the least they can do is change the time." (17/03/09)
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Zidane could grace Goodison
Goodison Park is to welcome some of the world’s most famous footballers at the end of the season.
Zinedine Zidane, Oliver Kahn, Lothar Matthaus and Marcel Desailly are amongst those who it is hoped will take part in a match at Goodison on Saturday 23 May to raise money for charity.
Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer is helping to pull the event together and there will also be high profile games at both Anfield and Prenton Park as the three Merseyside clubs join forces to help Liverpool Unites, Save The Children and The Prince's Trust.
The three-match event has been labelled CAUSE — Children's Aid Using Soccer Events — and Everton’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Elstone, is looking forward to the Goodison leg.
"It’s a magnificent idea and we are delighted to be staging the opening game of the three," he said.
"From speaking to the organizers there will be some huge names from the worlds of football and show-business and I am sure supporters of all three clubs involved will fully embrace and support the games.
"As well as the three nominated charities, each club will also be able to secure funds for their own respective charitable causes."
McAteer is being helped by former team-mate Steve McManaman and also football agent, Dave Lockwood,
"It is dangerous to set numbers, but I think we would hope to raise £1m over three games," announced Lockwood.
"The events will be entertainment showpieces as well as a football matches."
McAteer explained a bit more about the whole concept.
"We have spoken to showbiz stars like Gordon Ramsay, Tim Lovejoy and Chris Evans, while Westlife stars Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan have already confirmed their participation in the first match (at Goodison)," he said.
"It’s all about getting the three Merseyside clubs uniting together in a common cause. Four legends from each of the three clubs will form a Merseyside team, against a European All Stars team."
The second match will be played at Tranmere Rovers later this year with Liverpool staging a third game at Anfield in 2010.
Zinedine Zidane, Oliver Kahn, Lothar Matthaus and Marcel Desailly are amongst those who it is hoped will take part in a match at Goodison on Saturday 23 May to raise money for charity.
Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer is helping to pull the event together and there will also be high profile games at both Anfield and Prenton Park as the three Merseyside clubs join forces to help Liverpool Unites, Save The Children and The Prince's Trust.
The three-match event has been labelled CAUSE — Children's Aid Using Soccer Events — and Everton’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Elstone, is looking forward to the Goodison leg.
"It’s a magnificent idea and we are delighted to be staging the opening game of the three," he said.
"From speaking to the organizers there will be some huge names from the worlds of football and show-business and I am sure supporters of all three clubs involved will fully embrace and support the games.
"As well as the three nominated charities, each club will also be able to secure funds for their own respective charitable causes."
McAteer is being helped by former team-mate Steve McManaman and also football agent, Dave Lockwood,
"It is dangerous to set numbers, but I think we would hope to raise £1m over three games," announced Lockwood.
"The events will be entertainment showpieces as well as a football matches."
McAteer explained a bit more about the whole concept.
"We have spoken to showbiz stars like Gordon Ramsay, Tim Lovejoy and Chris Evans, while Westlife stars Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan have already confirmed their participation in the first match (at Goodison)," he said.
"It’s all about getting the three Merseyside clubs uniting together in a common cause. Four legends from each of the three clubs will form a Merseyside team, against a European All Stars team."
The second match will be played at Tranmere Rovers later this year with Liverpool staging a third game at Anfield in 2010.
Sunday 15 March 2009
Everton 3 Stoke 1
Everton: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Pienaar, Jo, Felliani
Bench: Castillo, Jacobsen, Nash, Gosling, Rodwell (Jo), Wallace, Saha (Cahill)
Referee: Andre Marriner (He's All At Sea)
What a week?!
It is over a decade since we worried about FA Cup semi-final tickets, it's also while since the Missus didn't speak to you for nearly a week because of your over exuberant celebrations, it's been a good week.
OK, so it's not been so long since the Mrs didn't talk to you?! Anyway, I've enrolled my Mrs into a Bridge Club, she's got her first jump next Tuesday!
So after a hectic week, and seeing the shite beat the Manc's (it doesn't matter!), we headed for the ground. Awaiting us were Stoke City, as Robert Plant sang, 'It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely.................... time. Yes, it was Peter Dobbin or was it Sir Stanley Matthews last time? But it as a must win game for both sides. Us, so we could march on to Europe and The Potter's for survival and don't forget, The Toffeemen never let you down!
Now,we had our usual selection problems, so we reckoned that Jo was defo getting a game. Getting a game with a Moyesy bollocking after two shite performances for the Man City man , both games saw him getting the curly finger. King Louis was being rested on a gold crusted sedan whilst Jo was taking his place and we were also welcoming Biffa Beattie back, who can ever forget the double head butt on Gallas? And the frustration of a player who should have made it at Goodison? Would he return to haunt us?
We started well and looked as if we were going to crush Stoke but they fought back with a couple of corners, it was after the second that we went ahead. Word was spreading that Fella had been to the barber's and he was distinctly lighter when he fed Jo who duly dispatched it home after just 15 mins to put The Toffeemen in front, it must have been that Moyesy rollocking, it certainly did the trick.
Not long later, about 5 mins, it was two. Timmy has been a star this season, coming back after injury to not only score goals but he should be sponsored by Martini - any time, any place, anywhere. Who else but Timmy nodded goalward, the Stoke goalie parried and Roger was there to pounce for his 5th of the season, don't you just love a defender scoring? If you ever played at the back y'self then you will know the feeling! Two up and cruising. Who were this team that had come up via the play off's? It looked like a breeze. But you know, the Toffeemen never let you down - despite a few chances to put the game to bed before the break, we went in just the two up at the break.
HALF TIME 2 - 0
It was to be expected because the Toffeemen never let you down! Just 5 mins into the second half, Stoke pulled one back from a corner, I think Lawrence sent it over and Shawcross nodded it in. Here we go, the sphincter was now going. Not as bad as the last 10 mins against Boro but nevertheless, we could do without it. Needless to say, their tails were up and they came a us but once we'd seen off the surge we then looked as if it meant more to us.
They had ex-shite Diao playing for them, as always he was a figure of fun and encouraged the St. End to give us 'Kopites are Gobshites'. Thankyou. We love it. A friend of Blue Kipper, Bill Cooper, used to time the chant coming out of the St. End - the earlier the better lads, you can never tire of hearing ' Kopites are Gobshites!'.
A few corners at both ends and some long range efforts were not going to change the score but the newly trimmed Screech had other ideas. Everyone has been talking about a Brazilian since he arrived at Goodison for various reasons, Marouane must have overheard the conversation but got it wrong - either way, there are now Toffee Wigmakers throwing themselves off the Pier Head! Screech left it until the last minute to put the game to bed, burying it from Bainsey's cross with a sweet left foot well after his candy floss has gone it was not going to be a header was it?!
So a good result against a team who had it all to play for. Europe beckons again but before that it is the new Wembley. The Toffee's look focused, driven on by Moyesy who celebrated his 7th Anniversary and his birthday with 3 points, he must be looking back at the horrendous start to the campaign we had and thinking, what if? Stoke came on strong for the last few minutes but it was over. The ref was the loveable Andre Marriner - nutcase, although today he behaved himself for once. So it's six on the bounce now at Goodison, that's the way it should be, and moving in to the last two months of the season, we still have plenty to play for.
Lavo's best bet maybe down the pan but it was another Stella Sunrise on the horizon after 3 more points in the bag. Plenty of contenders for the Blue Kipper Star Man today but my vote goes to Phil Neville, who of late has been immense, well played. COYB FTRS
Full Time 3-1
Bench: Castillo, Jacobsen, Nash, Gosling, Rodwell (Jo), Wallace, Saha (Cahill)
Referee: Andre Marriner (He's All At Sea)
What a week?!
It is over a decade since we worried about FA Cup semi-final tickets, it's also while since the Missus didn't speak to you for nearly a week because of your over exuberant celebrations, it's been a good week.
OK, so it's not been so long since the Mrs didn't talk to you?! Anyway, I've enrolled my Mrs into a Bridge Club, she's got her first jump next Tuesday!
So after a hectic week, and seeing the shite beat the Manc's (it doesn't matter!), we headed for the ground. Awaiting us were Stoke City, as Robert Plant sang, 'It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely.................... time. Yes, it was Peter Dobbin or was it Sir Stanley Matthews last time? But it as a must win game for both sides. Us, so we could march on to Europe and The Potter's for survival and don't forget, The Toffeemen never let you down!
Now,we had our usual selection problems, so we reckoned that Jo was defo getting a game. Getting a game with a Moyesy bollocking after two shite performances for the Man City man , both games saw him getting the curly finger. King Louis was being rested on a gold crusted sedan whilst Jo was taking his place and we were also welcoming Biffa Beattie back, who can ever forget the double head butt on Gallas? And the frustration of a player who should have made it at Goodison? Would he return to haunt us?
We started well and looked as if we were going to crush Stoke but they fought back with a couple of corners, it was after the second that we went ahead. Word was spreading that Fella had been to the barber's and he was distinctly lighter when he fed Jo who duly dispatched it home after just 15 mins to put The Toffeemen in front, it must have been that Moyesy rollocking, it certainly did the trick.
Not long later, about 5 mins, it was two. Timmy has been a star this season, coming back after injury to not only score goals but he should be sponsored by Martini - any time, any place, anywhere. Who else but Timmy nodded goalward, the Stoke goalie parried and Roger was there to pounce for his 5th of the season, don't you just love a defender scoring? If you ever played at the back y'self then you will know the feeling! Two up and cruising. Who were this team that had come up via the play off's? It looked like a breeze. But you know, the Toffeemen never let you down - despite a few chances to put the game to bed before the break, we went in just the two up at the break.
HALF TIME 2 - 0
It was to be expected because the Toffeemen never let you down! Just 5 mins into the second half, Stoke pulled one back from a corner, I think Lawrence sent it over and Shawcross nodded it in. Here we go, the sphincter was now going. Not as bad as the last 10 mins against Boro but nevertheless, we could do without it. Needless to say, their tails were up and they came a us but once we'd seen off the surge we then looked as if it meant more to us.
They had ex-shite Diao playing for them, as always he was a figure of fun and encouraged the St. End to give us 'Kopites are Gobshites'. Thankyou. We love it. A friend of Blue Kipper, Bill Cooper, used to time the chant coming out of the St. End - the earlier the better lads, you can never tire of hearing ' Kopites are Gobshites!'.
A few corners at both ends and some long range efforts were not going to change the score but the newly trimmed Screech had other ideas. Everyone has been talking about a Brazilian since he arrived at Goodison for various reasons, Marouane must have overheard the conversation but got it wrong - either way, there are now Toffee Wigmakers throwing themselves off the Pier Head! Screech left it until the last minute to put the game to bed, burying it from Bainsey's cross with a sweet left foot well after his candy floss has gone it was not going to be a header was it?!
So a good result against a team who had it all to play for. Europe beckons again but before that it is the new Wembley. The Toffee's look focused, driven on by Moyesy who celebrated his 7th Anniversary and his birthday with 3 points, he must be looking back at the horrendous start to the campaign we had and thinking, what if? Stoke came on strong for the last few minutes but it was over. The ref was the loveable Andre Marriner - nutcase, although today he behaved himself for once. So it's six on the bounce now at Goodison, that's the way it should be, and moving in to the last two months of the season, we still have plenty to play for.
Lavo's best bet maybe down the pan but it was another Stella Sunrise on the horizon after 3 more points in the bag. Plenty of contenders for the Blue Kipper Star Man today but my vote goes to Phil Neville, who of late has been immense, well played. COYB FTRS
Full Time 3-1
Saturday 14 March 2009
Everton V Stoke Pre match
Moyesy only has the chosen few to call on again. Hibbo is still out for another week or two with his ropey thigh. The back four will remain the same, with The Jag carrying on at right back, but up front me thinks listening to Moyesy that Louis Saha has done enough of late to displace Jo in the race to partner Tiny. Shandy won't be on the bench after hurting himself in training, so its the barest of bare bones once again. In Moyes we trust.
The boys have not conceded in open play since Robin van Persie netted in the last minute against the Arse back in January. But I hear you scream what about manure's Ronaldo, who if you remember netted from the spot. So from open play we have not let one in for nearly 450 minutes, keep it up boys, that's great work. However we welcome Biffa back, and I for one hopes he gets a good round of applause on his return to the Shrine. Biffa fitted in at the time, but what Moyesy has done over time is bring more quality in, season in season out. At that point of our rise under Moyesy Biffa fitted the bill, however brief. Lets hope he does not carry on his decent run of scoring against one of the meanest defences in the Premiership. COYB FTRS
Moyesy says: "I think we have to keep an eye on his overall injuries and make sure we get the best out of him. I think he's doing a great job for us now. I think he's ready to start. I think he's come off the bench now in two or three games.
What I've got to decide is where and when I use him, so that I get the most benefit out of him. But he's definitely helped us, he's got fantastic ability as everybody knows." (13/03/09)
The boys have not conceded in open play since Robin van Persie netted in the last minute against the Arse back in January. But I hear you scream what about manure's Ronaldo, who if you remember netted from the spot. So from open play we have not let one in for nearly 450 minutes, keep it up boys, that's great work. However we welcome Biffa back, and I for one hopes he gets a good round of applause on his return to the Shrine. Biffa fitted in at the time, but what Moyesy has done over time is bring more quality in, season in season out. At that point of our rise under Moyesy Biffa fitted the bill, however brief. Lets hope he does not carry on his decent run of scoring against one of the meanest defences in the Premiership. COYB FTRS
Moyesy says: "I think we have to keep an eye on his overall injuries and make sure we get the best out of him. I think he's doing a great job for us now. I think he's ready to start. I think he's come off the bench now in two or three games.
What I've got to decide is where and when I use him, so that I get the most benefit out of him. But he's definitely helped us, he's got fantastic ability as everybody knows." (13/03/09)
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Semi final dates
FA confirms Cup semi-final dates
FA Cup
The Football Association has revealed Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley will be staged on Saturday 18 April, with a 1715 BST kick-off.
The Blues will take on either Arsenal or Hull, who play their quarter-final at the Emirates on Tuesday 17 March.
Manchester United's last-four tie with Everton at Wembley is scheduled for Sunday 19 April at 1600 BST.
If Arsenal beat Hull, the Cup's line-up may open up a European spot for the seventh-placed Premier League team.
UPDATE:
Everton's FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United will take place on Sunday 19 April at Wembley Stadium, kick off 4pm.
Everton and FA officials met to finalise arrangements for the match earlier this week, and Everton can now confirm the tie will take place on this date, and will be screened live on ITV1.
The clash will be the second of the two semi-finals, with the match between Chelsea and either Arsenal or Hull City taking place on Saturday, 18 April at 5.15pm, which will be screened live on Setanta.
Everton booked their place in the last four with wins over Macclesfield Town, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough respectively.
Ticket prices for the semi finals have also been confirmed, and will be available for £24.50, £34.30, £44 and £53.80.
Details of Everton's ticket allocation and on-sale dates will be revealed on evertonfc.com once arrangements have been confirmed.
FA Cup
The Football Association has revealed Chelsea's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley will be staged on Saturday 18 April, with a 1715 BST kick-off.
The Blues will take on either Arsenal or Hull, who play their quarter-final at the Emirates on Tuesday 17 March.
Manchester United's last-four tie with Everton at Wembley is scheduled for Sunday 19 April at 1600 BST.
If Arsenal beat Hull, the Cup's line-up may open up a European spot for the seventh-placed Premier League team.
UPDATE:
Everton's FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United will take place on Sunday 19 April at Wembley Stadium, kick off 4pm.
Everton and FA officials met to finalise arrangements for the match earlier this week, and Everton can now confirm the tie will take place on this date, and will be screened live on ITV1.
The clash will be the second of the two semi-finals, with the match between Chelsea and either Arsenal or Hull City taking place on Saturday, 18 April at 5.15pm, which will be screened live on Setanta.
Everton booked their place in the last four with wins over Macclesfield Town, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough respectively.
Ticket prices for the semi finals have also been confirmed, and will be available for £24.50, £34.30, £44 and £53.80.
Details of Everton's ticket allocation and on-sale dates will be revealed on evertonfc.com once arrangements have been confirmed.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Pround Kenwright
Blues Chairman and fan Bill Kenwright is rightly proud of Moyesy and the boys for taking the club to The New Wembley for this season's FA Cup Semi Final. It has been a long time coming for the Blues, fourteen years in fact to make the trip back to the Twin Towers, or the Arch thingy whatever it is now called. We certainly won't be going though just to enjoy the day as history shows us when manure have been the hot favourites against us, the Blues have done a job on them and gone on to win the cup, 1995 and 1966 ring any bells.
Blue Bill says: "There might be a happier man in the world, but I doubt it. A wonderful day. A day that came out of a first half that really, really left us wondering at half-time if this was going to be our year or not. And as ever, this season, they just pulled it out again. I've had congratulations messages from every other club in the Premier League other than the four still left in the Cup. I think this is a will towards Everton being successful this season because a), they know what we've come through, and b), they know what an extraordinary squad and manager we've got - and that's great for me.
There was a bit of tension in the Boardroom just before the draw, but we knew we were going to have to beat them (Manchester united) either in the final or the semi-final, they are an awesome team, as we saw on Saturday. But what a way to get there - if we actually get to the final, via Villa, Liverpool, Man United, Middlesbrough - and don’t forget Macclesfield, who put up a great performance against us. You can’t imagine how extraordinary it feels to be chairman at this Football Club. It always has done to me but, I find it unbelievable. It was certainly beyond my wildest dreams at the start of the season, but there won’t be a prouder chairman in the world that weekend.What he (Moyesy) has done is just remarkable. I have to say, it’s been an odd season of upheaval at this Football Club. I’m always a very proud chairman. I was a very proud chairman at Macclesfield and I will be the proudest chairman in the world at Wembley, so proud." (10/03/09)
Everton V Boro Post Match
Everton: Howard, Jagielka , Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Pienaar, Neville Rodwell, Osman, Fellaini, Cahill.
Bench: Van der Meyde, Nash, Gosling, Wallace, Jacobsen, Saha (Rodwell 45m), Castillo.
Referee:Mark Halsey
Sorry it's late lads but I'm sure you will understand.
The celebrations went on late and there's only so much Stella one can take before you arrive in that state of oblivion, anyway, it's probably the first valid excuse ever!
I burst through the front door at half past and there she was stood in the hallway wth the light on. She said, 'Look at you, you're staggering'. I said, 'You're not bad looking y,self, now get up them stairs because I've got a semi on!' What a game, we went through every emotion, what support, the second half was memorable, and what a night!
First Merseyside team at the new Wembley, just like we were the first Merseyside team at the old one. It also looks like it will be the Big Four in the semi's! There was a beauty being sung as the Park End spilled out,
'The City's all yours,The City's all yooooooours,We're off to Wembley,The City's all yours!'
But it wasn't all plain sailing that's for sure, you know the phrase 'The Toffeemen never let you down' well it was certainly true. Everton pulled on every emotional string we had in an amazing game. Y'know a few weeks ago, we had moved up to a new level, we were coming to games almost knowing we'd win, just like we did against Villa in the last round, however since then things have changed. We have lost the services of the best little Spaniard we know and we've seen dour performances against The Skunks, WBA and Rovers, the plus point being three clean sheets, so whilst some were over confident , others were less so.
Boro had been on a good run of late and just last week had resoundingly beaten Rafa'a Marvels - the shite (how I enjoyed watching that in the boozer surrounded by shite, well I was surrounded until the second went in - the pearl was when the sub came on and one of The Deliverance said, 'Fuckin ell, we've got no chance now, we're bringing No'Good on - belter!) but they were brought down to earth with a tonking at Spurs in midweek - how would it go?
Moyesy decided that Louis was not fit enough to start so Screech, my grandson, was back in to help Timmy up front, he also kept Jags at full back to counter the £15m man Downing, it worked because the buggered off to the right wing in the last half hour. We'd staked our claim, Moysey and Captain Nev had delivered the war cry and it ws time to deliver for the fans. The fans were up for it too, the old lady was rocking, te four o'clock kick off meant and extra couple of Stella plus the statutory FA Cup large snifter so the mood was good.
In the middle was the usually steady Mark Halsey, today he was to have an absolute nightmare. The whole ground was to become incensed with his ineptitude and Hackett would do well to send this bloke to the cooler along with young Attwell. Boro won the toss and made us kick the wrong way, so along with Halsey things were looking good for them. To be fair, they were by far the better team in the first half, O'Neill was everywhere and Arca was pulling the strings. They had beasts at the back in Pogatez and Wheater and the rest of the team worked their bollocks off closing us down, winning the ball and taking the game to us.
Even Tim Howard looked a bit shaky as he dealt with his first cleaance. Boro were camped in our half and looking the more likely to score, they were restricted fortunately to a few long range efforts and a few dangerous crosses. Our first decent chance was not until just before half time when Screech went close with a header from Jags cross, their keeper saving low down to his right and pushing it out for a corner. It was only a few minutes later and right on half time that Boro went ahead. From a cross wide on the right, Wheater rose to head past Tim, only Wheater will know what he was doing there but either way, Boro were in front.
Now Mr Halsey got a ironic cheer also just before half time. He awarded a foul against Boro for the defender putting both arms over Tim Cahill before fouling him to head the ball, if it wasn't over the shoulders it was around the waist, they had been at it all half and he'd missed two clear pentalties but that was not to take away from the fact that we were very poor. Moyesy needed to change something and dish out a bollocking.
HALF TIME 0-1
Bollocking duly dished out and Louis on for young Jack. Tim went into midfield and ran his bollocks off and Screech was pushed up front. There was an immediate improvement and an immediate impact. Just four minutes into the second half Timmy crossed and there he has all 7ft of Screech (hair included) to glace in the equaliser - that's my boy! The place erupted, we knew we could do this and we did.
Six minutes later the place went mental. A cross from the right was missed by Louis but picked up on the left by Peanuts, he crossed and King Louis earned his new nickname, again nodding in after he'd picked himself up. What a turnaround, the difference in play was remarkable, none more so than from Peanuts who ran himself to a stand still until his substitution.
But Everton being Everton never let you down and as the clock ran down Boro seemed to get closer and closer, Downing had moved ovr to the right to try out Bainsey and when he went close we thought it was all over but no, time for one last heart attack. Boro had made every substitution and thrown everything at us but one last long range effort was spilled by Tim and with their forward about to pounce Roger cleared - what a relief, nails were bitten, voices were lost, eyes were covered until we heard Halsey reluctantly blow that final whistle. We'd done it got to a semi for the second season, now for a final.
The place went bonkers, 'It's a grand old team' struck up and we sang our way to the boozer and beyond. Great stuff. Tell me Ma, me Ma..........
Blukipper Star Man could go to anyone in the second half but the choice is Timmy the Blue Kangaroo for none stop effort and defying all belief once again, not just up front where he battled non-stop but then in the middle. Wembley here we come, not once but twice. COYB FTRS
FULL TIME 2-1
Bench: Van der Meyde, Nash, Gosling, Wallace, Jacobsen, Saha (Rodwell 45m), Castillo.
Referee:Mark Halsey
Sorry it's late lads but I'm sure you will understand.
The celebrations went on late and there's only so much Stella one can take before you arrive in that state of oblivion, anyway, it's probably the first valid excuse ever!
I burst through the front door at half past and there she was stood in the hallway wth the light on. She said, 'Look at you, you're staggering'. I said, 'You're not bad looking y,self, now get up them stairs because I've got a semi on!' What a game, we went through every emotion, what support, the second half was memorable, and what a night!
First Merseyside team at the new Wembley, just like we were the first Merseyside team at the old one. It also looks like it will be the Big Four in the semi's! There was a beauty being sung as the Park End spilled out,
'The City's all yours,The City's all yooooooours,We're off to Wembley,The City's all yours!'
But it wasn't all plain sailing that's for sure, you know the phrase 'The Toffeemen never let you down' well it was certainly true. Everton pulled on every emotional string we had in an amazing game. Y'know a few weeks ago, we had moved up to a new level, we were coming to games almost knowing we'd win, just like we did against Villa in the last round, however since then things have changed. We have lost the services of the best little Spaniard we know and we've seen dour performances against The Skunks, WBA and Rovers, the plus point being three clean sheets, so whilst some were over confident , others were less so.
Boro had been on a good run of late and just last week had resoundingly beaten Rafa'a Marvels - the shite (how I enjoyed watching that in the boozer surrounded by shite, well I was surrounded until the second went in - the pearl was when the sub came on and one of The Deliverance said, 'Fuckin ell, we've got no chance now, we're bringing No'Good on - belter!) but they were brought down to earth with a tonking at Spurs in midweek - how would it go?
Moyesy decided that Louis was not fit enough to start so Screech, my grandson, was back in to help Timmy up front, he also kept Jags at full back to counter the £15m man Downing, it worked because the buggered off to the right wing in the last half hour. We'd staked our claim, Moysey and Captain Nev had delivered the war cry and it ws time to deliver for the fans. The fans were up for it too, the old lady was rocking, te four o'clock kick off meant and extra couple of Stella plus the statutory FA Cup large snifter so the mood was good.
In the middle was the usually steady Mark Halsey, today he was to have an absolute nightmare. The whole ground was to become incensed with his ineptitude and Hackett would do well to send this bloke to the cooler along with young Attwell. Boro won the toss and made us kick the wrong way, so along with Halsey things were looking good for them. To be fair, they were by far the better team in the first half, O'Neill was everywhere and Arca was pulling the strings. They had beasts at the back in Pogatez and Wheater and the rest of the team worked their bollocks off closing us down, winning the ball and taking the game to us.
Even Tim Howard looked a bit shaky as he dealt with his first cleaance. Boro were camped in our half and looking the more likely to score, they were restricted fortunately to a few long range efforts and a few dangerous crosses. Our first decent chance was not until just before half time when Screech went close with a header from Jags cross, their keeper saving low down to his right and pushing it out for a corner. It was only a few minutes later and right on half time that Boro went ahead. From a cross wide on the right, Wheater rose to head past Tim, only Wheater will know what he was doing there but either way, Boro were in front.
Now Mr Halsey got a ironic cheer also just before half time. He awarded a foul against Boro for the defender putting both arms over Tim Cahill before fouling him to head the ball, if it wasn't over the shoulders it was around the waist, they had been at it all half and he'd missed two clear pentalties but that was not to take away from the fact that we were very poor. Moyesy needed to change something and dish out a bollocking.
HALF TIME 0-1
Bollocking duly dished out and Louis on for young Jack. Tim went into midfield and ran his bollocks off and Screech was pushed up front. There was an immediate improvement and an immediate impact. Just four minutes into the second half Timmy crossed and there he has all 7ft of Screech (hair included) to glace in the equaliser - that's my boy! The place erupted, we knew we could do this and we did.
Six minutes later the place went mental. A cross from the right was missed by Louis but picked up on the left by Peanuts, he crossed and King Louis earned his new nickname, again nodding in after he'd picked himself up. What a turnaround, the difference in play was remarkable, none more so than from Peanuts who ran himself to a stand still until his substitution.
But Everton being Everton never let you down and as the clock ran down Boro seemed to get closer and closer, Downing had moved ovr to the right to try out Bainsey and when he went close we thought it was all over but no, time for one last heart attack. Boro had made every substitution and thrown everything at us but one last long range effort was spilled by Tim and with their forward about to pounce Roger cleared - what a relief, nails were bitten, voices were lost, eyes were covered until we heard Halsey reluctantly blow that final whistle. We'd done it got to a semi for the second season, now for a final.
The place went bonkers, 'It's a grand old team' struck up and we sang our way to the boozer and beyond. Great stuff. Tell me Ma, me Ma..........
Blukipper Star Man could go to anyone in the second half but the choice is Timmy the Blue Kangaroo for none stop effort and defying all belief once again, not just up front where he battled non-stop but then in the middle. Wembley here we come, not once but twice. COYB FTRS
FULL TIME 2-1
Everton V Boro Pre Match
Fingers crossed, toes crossed, everything crossed. I am happy that it is a Sunday, happy its on Sultana TV, like the Villa and shite games earlier in the competition. My grundies and socks will be the same, yes I have washed them, same top, same jeans, same trip to the match, superstitious, you bet I am.
Moyesy though is taking it all in his stride, and as always injury worries are top of his mind. Tiny, Leon and Peanuts all have had to put their feet up since Wednesdays bore draw against Blackburn as they are nursing slight knocks. Hibbo has joined the long term absentees looking for space on Basil's treatment table, but his diagnosis is slightly better than his team mates. Screech's back is playing up, and I suppose that is no surprise with the weight he is carrying on his head. Jo is cup tied, so Louis should partner Tiny up front, with the back four of The Jag, Bainsey, Roger and Joey hopefully carrying on in protecting Tim's goal.
So it seems the midfield is the problem area, and fingers crossed they all come through their fitness tests, but remember we now have Jack the Lad, and goal hero against the shite, Dan G Laaa to call on. If all fit, I am sure Moyesy will go with his most experienced line up, as we attempt to reach Wembley for the first time since 1995.
If the Blues reach the Semi's, it will be their twenty fifth appearance in the Worlds Premier Cup Competition (got to say that as we have a chance of winning it). If we do do it, it will be the hard way, Macclesfield apart, we have beaten Premiership opposition along the way. Form is good for us, still unbeaten at Goodison since early December 2008, and ironically our last visit to the last eight of the FA Cup was back in 2002, against Boro, losing 3-0 in Walter Smiths last match. COYB
Moyesy says: "Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar haven't trained since the game on Wednesday night. But I'm hopeful they will all be back training tomorrow. When I saw Ossie getting hit in the head the other night, I was thinking it was just our luck that he would have a fractured skull or something. But what I will say it that the players have coped really well, whoever I've put in, they have bonded together. We're not quite at the level we want to be at because of that, but the players understand, I hope the supporters do as well and we want them to be patient on Sunday - hopefully we can all get through together. He (Screech) has had a back problem. He actually cracked a small bone in his back so I'm hoping that he's going to be okay. I think it should be basically what we had before. Jo is cup-tied, but I think everyone else is roughly back.
There have been a lot of disappointments here in the past - I'd like to put that right. I want to give them something that they can get excited by, so we're looking forward to getting through. But the draws in this competition have been really tough for us. There have been years when we've had difficult draws, and this year is one of those. Luckily enough for us we've got through those ties against Liverpool and Aston Villa and now we have another Premier League team - Middlesbrough.
We can't take anything for granted, but I think there are signs that we are improving in the cups. Last year we got to the semi-final in the League Cup, we had a decent run in the Uefa Cup, so there are one or two signs that we are improving. Middlesbrough will have the Premier League in mind. The Cup could take the pressure of them though because you don't feel that at the end of the game you have to check the league table to see where you lie, so I suppose that does make it easier." (07/03/09)
Everton from: Howard, Jagielka, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Rodwell, Neville, Pienaar, Gosling, Saha, Nash, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Jacobsen, Baxter, Wallace.
Moyesy though is taking it all in his stride, and as always injury worries are top of his mind. Tiny, Leon and Peanuts all have had to put their feet up since Wednesdays bore draw against Blackburn as they are nursing slight knocks. Hibbo has joined the long term absentees looking for space on Basil's treatment table, but his diagnosis is slightly better than his team mates. Screech's back is playing up, and I suppose that is no surprise with the weight he is carrying on his head. Jo is cup tied, so Louis should partner Tiny up front, with the back four of The Jag, Bainsey, Roger and Joey hopefully carrying on in protecting Tim's goal.
So it seems the midfield is the problem area, and fingers crossed they all come through their fitness tests, but remember we now have Jack the Lad, and goal hero against the shite, Dan G Laaa to call on. If all fit, I am sure Moyesy will go with his most experienced line up, as we attempt to reach Wembley for the first time since 1995.
If the Blues reach the Semi's, it will be their twenty fifth appearance in the Worlds Premier Cup Competition (got to say that as we have a chance of winning it). If we do do it, it will be the hard way, Macclesfield apart, we have beaten Premiership opposition along the way. Form is good for us, still unbeaten at Goodison since early December 2008, and ironically our last visit to the last eight of the FA Cup was back in 2002, against Boro, losing 3-0 in Walter Smiths last match. COYB
Moyesy says: "Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar haven't trained since the game on Wednesday night. But I'm hopeful they will all be back training tomorrow. When I saw Ossie getting hit in the head the other night, I was thinking it was just our luck that he would have a fractured skull or something. But what I will say it that the players have coped really well, whoever I've put in, they have bonded together. We're not quite at the level we want to be at because of that, but the players understand, I hope the supporters do as well and we want them to be patient on Sunday - hopefully we can all get through together. He (Screech) has had a back problem. He actually cracked a small bone in his back so I'm hoping that he's going to be okay. I think it should be basically what we had before. Jo is cup-tied, but I think everyone else is roughly back.
There have been a lot of disappointments here in the past - I'd like to put that right. I want to give them something that they can get excited by, so we're looking forward to getting through. But the draws in this competition have been really tough for us. There have been years when we've had difficult draws, and this year is one of those. Luckily enough for us we've got through those ties against Liverpool and Aston Villa and now we have another Premier League team - Middlesbrough.
We can't take anything for granted, but I think there are signs that we are improving in the cups. Last year we got to the semi-final in the League Cup, we had a decent run in the Uefa Cup, so there are one or two signs that we are improving. Middlesbrough will have the Premier League in mind. The Cup could take the pressure of them though because you don't feel that at the end of the game you have to check the league table to see where you lie, so I suppose that does make it easier." (07/03/09)
Everton from: Howard, Jagielka, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini, Rodwell, Neville, Pienaar, Gosling, Saha, Nash, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Jacobsen, Baxter, Wallace.
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