Saturday, 9 April 2011
Monday, 4 April 2011
End-to-End Romp ends All-Square
A desperate injury crisis effectively picked the team, with seven of Moyes's first-choice players out injured... compounded by having no less than NINE out on loan! — resulting in a line-up of the eleven senior players left, of which seven were defenders...
Heitinga, Bily and Beckford came in Rodwell, Cahill and Saha, with a slew of unknown kids named on the bench, not one of whom had ever played a Premier League game, including Gueye and Vellios, goalscoring stars from the rather poor Everton Reserves side.
Everton ran at Villa from the kick and a muddle between Beckford and Collins allowed Baines to run in momentarily but he was not alert enough to shoot
A really poor free-kick execution by Heitinga was drifted pathetically into the wall.
Downing went on a mazey run through the Everton defence but Distin blocks his shot superbly. Beckford got free on a looped ball over the top but struck it first time. Some great work set up Osman, on 10 mins with a glorious chance that he lashed at Friedel.
Villa weathered the storm and looked threatening on each attack, but each time, the release ball was a lofted one for the pacey Beckford to chase. But Villa came back with more incisive passing and plenty of good corners right into the danger area.
On 20 mins, it was Everton's turn to attack, Hibbert getting fouled out wide, but the delivery did not threaten the Villa goal. They won another free-kick that was delivered better by Baines but to no effect. but Everton won their first corner.
Young then made late contact with Osman on the left edge of the Villa box but their tall defence again came out on top defending the lazy lofted balls Everton were putting in.
At the other end, again some good chances for Villa, a good save by Howard and a brilliant block by Hibbert saving Everton's blushes. Heitinga got booked for a clumsy block on Downing, then Jagielka got booked for his challenge on Agbonlahor.
Despite the end-to-end action, a goal was a long time coming but when it did on 37 mins it was a fine piece of solo work from Leon Osman, released down the left by a fine ball from Bily. Osman took on Collins in his run to goal, and deftly fired an early low shot that hit Friedel but had enough legs to bobble over the line.
Beckford turned awkwardly and looked to do his ankle in but Moyes decided to keep the obviously injured player hobbling around on the field until half-time, no doubt with the instruction to run it off.
Beckford reappeared after the break and kicked-off for Everton who decided to start on the back foot, and it was simple stuff for Villa Downing cutting in unchallenged from the right and Bent lashing it home with ease inside 2 mins of the restart. After Howard went out of his area to challenge A Kyle then missed a sitter that would have put Villa ahead.
Was this now the moment to release the famous Everton secret weapon? It was Coleman who seemed to be suffering with his ankle injury and Moyes finally gave a debut to Magaye Gueye, the French Under-21 star, just as Bilyaltedinov got his ankle trodden on and HE went off for treatment!
From a corner, Heitinga surely would score with a close range header but Friedel saved it amazingly with his head! Osman with the afters should have curled it in but instead curled it past the far post from a great position. Osman then had a brilliant chance to score with the goal gapping at his mercy, ghosting in behind everyone but his first-time half-volley blazed horribly way over the bar.
Gueye took a free-kick deep on the right but it drifted poorly into Friedel's hands. Meanwhile, Downing was behind so much for Villa, running into gapping spaces the Everton defence ceded him.
A great through ball got forward to Beckford in acres of space in front of Friedel and he was lashed at the crossbar whence it appeared to come crashing down perhaps just over the line but the assistant referee was a little too far back and it wasn't given as Everton questioned the decision, while Freidel's clearance was headed on to Bent in space and suspiciously offside he rolled it with ease past Howard. 2-1 into 1-2, just 20 seconds later!
Howard was then chopped down by Walker, who went in the book, as Everton struggled to come to terms with the impossibility of the scoreline, having now lost all initiative. But Beckford won a free-kick that Baines cleverly pushed out to Bily, his cross came down nicely for Osman, Everton's superb technical ball-player, and his sent his third gapping chance high over the bar, a shocking, shocking miss.
With 10 mins left, Moyes made a 'brave' decision [Cough!] of bringing on untried Apostolos Vellios to presumably provide some aerial challenge to he giants in the Villa defence, with Distin sacrifie=ced to make way, but for once Everton then decide to play it along the ground, Gueye setting up Hibbert for a great run in and screams to shootm but he didn't. Then Jagielka ran in and was tripped inside the area, Baines stepping up to fire the penalty straight through Friedel's legs to equalize, much to Goodison's relief.
Osman caught Downing and was booked, as Villa still threatened with each attack, making it a very entertaining if nervy spectacle. Osman finally put an aerial ball in that Vellios laid down nicely for Baines but he wanted the ball on his left foot and then fired over, with time running out.
Three minutes of added time and Bily scamperd down the left to cross well for an excellent snapshot from Vellios that was deflected away from Freidel for a corner. Then a free-kick for Baines on the left driven in low that Osman totally messed up, it hitting his standing leg. Why were Everton now playing so few aerial balls from set-pieces with Beckford, Gueye, Vellios, and the defenders available to challenge?
Villa won a late free-kick that Howard claimed all the way and that was it. Full-time, and a draw stolen from the jaws of victory, principally by some horrendous misses by goalscorer Osman. It was a hugely entertaining game, though, some great end-to-end stuff, lots of incident, some real controversy and a lovely sunny spring day to boot. Just a terrible pity that Everton – not the first time in this crazy season – failed to win a game that by rights, they really should have won.
Heitinga, Bily and Beckford came in Rodwell, Cahill and Saha, with a slew of unknown kids named on the bench, not one of whom had ever played a Premier League game, including Gueye and Vellios, goalscoring stars from the rather poor Everton Reserves side.
Everton ran at Villa from the kick and a muddle between Beckford and Collins allowed Baines to run in momentarily but he was not alert enough to shoot
A really poor free-kick execution by Heitinga was drifted pathetically into the wall.
Downing went on a mazey run through the Everton defence but Distin blocks his shot superbly. Beckford got free on a looped ball over the top but struck it first time. Some great work set up Osman, on 10 mins with a glorious chance that he lashed at Friedel.
Villa weathered the storm and looked threatening on each attack, but each time, the release ball was a lofted one for the pacey Beckford to chase. But Villa came back with more incisive passing and plenty of good corners right into the danger area.
On 20 mins, it was Everton's turn to attack, Hibbert getting fouled out wide, but the delivery did not threaten the Villa goal. They won another free-kick that was delivered better by Baines but to no effect. but Everton won their first corner.
Young then made late contact with Osman on the left edge of the Villa box but their tall defence again came out on top defending the lazy lofted balls Everton were putting in.
At the other end, again some good chances for Villa, a good save by Howard and a brilliant block by Hibbert saving Everton's blushes. Heitinga got booked for a clumsy block on Downing, then Jagielka got booked for his challenge on Agbonlahor.
Despite the end-to-end action, a goal was a long time coming but when it did on 37 mins it was a fine piece of solo work from Leon Osman, released down the left by a fine ball from Bily. Osman took on Collins in his run to goal, and deftly fired an early low shot that hit Friedel but had enough legs to bobble over the line.
Beckford turned awkwardly and looked to do his ankle in but Moyes decided to keep the obviously injured player hobbling around on the field until half-time, no doubt with the instruction to run it off.
Beckford reappeared after the break and kicked-off for Everton who decided to start on the back foot, and it was simple stuff for Villa Downing cutting in unchallenged from the right and Bent lashing it home with ease inside 2 mins of the restart. After Howard went out of his area to challenge A Kyle then missed a sitter that would have put Villa ahead.
Was this now the moment to release the famous Everton secret weapon? It was Coleman who seemed to be suffering with his ankle injury and Moyes finally gave a debut to Magaye Gueye, the French Under-21 star, just as Bilyaltedinov got his ankle trodden on and HE went off for treatment!
From a corner, Heitinga surely would score with a close range header but Friedel saved it amazingly with his head! Osman with the afters should have curled it in but instead curled it past the far post from a great position. Osman then had a brilliant chance to score with the goal gapping at his mercy, ghosting in behind everyone but his first-time half-volley blazed horribly way over the bar.
Gueye took a free-kick deep on the right but it drifted poorly into Friedel's hands. Meanwhile, Downing was behind so much for Villa, running into gapping spaces the Everton defence ceded him.
A great through ball got forward to Beckford in acres of space in front of Friedel and he was lashed at the crossbar whence it appeared to come crashing down perhaps just over the line but the assistant referee was a little too far back and it wasn't given as Everton questioned the decision, while Freidel's clearance was headed on to Bent in space and suspiciously offside he rolled it with ease past Howard. 2-1 into 1-2, just 20 seconds later!
Howard was then chopped down by Walker, who went in the book, as Everton struggled to come to terms with the impossibility of the scoreline, having now lost all initiative. But Beckford won a free-kick that Baines cleverly pushed out to Bily, his cross came down nicely for Osman, Everton's superb technical ball-player, and his sent his third gapping chance high over the bar, a shocking, shocking miss.
With 10 mins left, Moyes made a 'brave' decision [Cough!] of bringing on untried Apostolos Vellios to presumably provide some aerial challenge to he giants in the Villa defence, with Distin sacrifie=ced to make way, but for once Everton then decide to play it along the ground, Gueye setting up Hibbert for a great run in and screams to shootm but he didn't. Then Jagielka ran in and was tripped inside the area, Baines stepping up to fire the penalty straight through Friedel's legs to equalize, much to Goodison's relief.
Osman caught Downing and was booked, as Villa still threatened with each attack, making it a very entertaining if nervy spectacle. Osman finally put an aerial ball in that Vellios laid down nicely for Baines but he wanted the ball on his left foot and then fired over, with time running out.
Three minutes of added time and Bily scamperd down the left to cross well for an excellent snapshot from Vellios that was deflected away from Freidel for a corner. Then a free-kick for Baines on the left driven in low that Osman totally messed up, it hitting his standing leg. Why were Everton now playing so few aerial balls from set-pieces with Beckford, Gueye, Vellios, and the defenders available to challenge?
Villa won a late free-kick that Howard claimed all the way and that was it. Full-time, and a draw stolen from the jaws of victory, principally by some horrendous misses by goalscorer Osman. It was a hugely entertaining game, though, some great end-to-end stuff, lots of incident, some real controversy and a lovely sunny spring day to boot. Just a terrible pity that Everton – not the first time in this crazy season – failed to win a game that by rights, they really should have won.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Life-long Everton fan and US executive Bernard Mullin seeks consortium to buy out the club
Liverpool-born businessman Bernard Mullin, a life-long Everton fan, has approached a number of high profile individuals around the world to get them interested in buying Everton... but with little success. His search to put together a consortium, based on a brief prospectus that underscores Everton's investment needs, has thus far proved fruitless. A number of rumoured investments, both domestic and international, have failed to materialise.
Any formal process to sell Everton would most likely be handled by Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce, the investment banker hired by Mike Ashley to sell Newcastle United. However, sources said that Everton would engage with Mullin if he found a legitimate buyer.
Mullin has sent out a formal three-page document to potential buyers detailing Everton’s valuation and the amount of investment required at the club. He believes the holdings of Everton’s top three shareholders, which total 75 per cent, could be acquired for between £75 million and £100 million.
In addition, he has told prospective buyers that any renovation to Goodison Park is likely to require a minimum of £250 million investment to create a state-of-the-art 50,000 seat stadium.
He added that Everton’s debt, which stands at £44.9 million, is covered by the group’s property assets — which includes the stadium, offices, training ground and retail outlet.
With countless rumoured investments in Everton failing to materialise, sceptics have questioned whether Kenwright is serious in his intention to sell his stake. The roles of Robert Earl and Lord Grantchester, both shareholders at Goodison Park and men of sufficient wealth to offer substantial backing to Moyes, have also come under a degree of scrutiny.
From 2004 to 2008, Mullin was president and chief executive officer of Atlanta Spirit, which represented the ownership group for the Hawks, the Thrashers and Philips Arena. The US executive now runs US-based sports marketing firm The Aspire Group.
Any formal process to sell Everton would most likely be handled by Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce, the investment banker hired by Mike Ashley to sell Newcastle United. However, sources said that Everton would engage with Mullin if he found a legitimate buyer.
Mullin has sent out a formal three-page document to potential buyers detailing Everton’s valuation and the amount of investment required at the club. He believes the holdings of Everton’s top three shareholders, which total 75 per cent, could be acquired for between £75 million and £100 million.
In addition, he has told prospective buyers that any renovation to Goodison Park is likely to require a minimum of £250 million investment to create a state-of-the-art 50,000 seat stadium.
He added that Everton’s debt, which stands at £44.9 million, is covered by the group’s property assets — which includes the stadium, offices, training ground and retail outlet.
With countless rumoured investments in Everton failing to materialise, sceptics have questioned whether Kenwright is serious in his intention to sell his stake. The roles of Robert Earl and Lord Grantchester, both shareholders at Goodison Park and men of sufficient wealth to offer substantial backing to Moyes, have also come under a degree of scrutiny.
From 2004 to 2008, Mullin was president and chief executive officer of Atlanta Spirit, which represented the ownership group for the Hawks, the Thrashers and Philips Arena. The US executive now runs US-based sports marketing firm The Aspire Group.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Everton striker Louis Saha admits he is unlikely to play again this season after injuring ankle against Fulham
Louis Saha has admitted he may not play again this season after injuring his ankle in last weekend’s Premier League victory against Fulham, leaving Everton with just one fit senior forward for the remainder of the campaign.
“I am on crutches at the moment,” the 32-year-old told L’Equipe. “I am not well. Am I going to be out for days, weeks, months? I do not know. But it will be difficult to play again by the end of the season.
“I am getting fed up with it because it always happens when I am trying to start something. It is hard, but when I see what is happening in Japan, I do not want to complain. This year has been very frustrating, doing all the physical preparation and hurting myself in the process.
“There have been many moments where I have wanted to drop everything, especially when I was at Manchester United, but fortunately I am surrounded by people that help me see the bright side of life.”
David Moyes will now have to mastermind a strong finish to a disappointing season with just Jermaine Beckford as a recognised striker.
The Scot has increasingly been forced to use Tim Cahill in that role, though his midfield options are equally scarce, with Marouane Fellaini unlikely to play again this season and Mikel Arteta expected to be absent for as much as another month.
“I am on crutches at the moment,” the 32-year-old told L’Equipe. “I am not well. Am I going to be out for days, weeks, months? I do not know. But it will be difficult to play again by the end of the season.
“I am getting fed up with it because it always happens when I am trying to start something. It is hard, but when I see what is happening in Japan, I do not want to complain. This year has been very frustrating, doing all the physical preparation and hurting myself in the process.
“There have been many moments where I have wanted to drop everything, especially when I was at Manchester United, but fortunately I am surrounded by people that help me see the bright side of life.”
David Moyes will now have to mastermind a strong finish to a disappointing season with just Jermaine Beckford as a recognised striker.
The Scot has increasingly been forced to use Tim Cahill in that role, though his midfield options are equally scarce, with Marouane Fellaini unlikely to play again this season and Mikel Arteta expected to be absent for as much as another month.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Everton 2 FULHAM 1
David Moyes enters his 10th year as Everton manager with the return of his first opponents, Fulham. Everton have an impressive 100% home record against Fulham in the Premier League... but wins remain at a distinct premium and what little creative spark there was in this current squad has been cut out with the loss of Mikel Arteta to a hamstring injury. Fellaini, the enigmatic midfield defensive rock, is also missing for the rest of the season, but Tim Cahill returns after hopefully recovering from pushing his body beyond the limits to play for Australia in the Asia Cup — an unneeded effort that has denied Everton meaningful service from their leading scorer for the best part of three months!!! Will we see the real Tim Cahill step up into the void today?
Or will it finally be the day Magaye Gueye gets his league debut? The "secret weapon" appears on the bench after apparently recovering form an injury. Andy Johnson returns to Goodison, playing upfront for Fulham, managed by Mark Hughes, once of this parish.
A Neville long throw won the first Everton corner, taken well by Baines. Cahill was next to pump one in from the left wing, Everton starting toward the Gwladys Street. Johnson's first effort was to overrun the byeline. After a dozen or more throw-ins down the left, in the first 6 mins, play was finally switched to the right and it eventually fell to Osman wide left of the area but his hurried shot was hopeless.
Hibbert blocked Dempsey well for a corner to two to Fulham, Dembele pushing Howard over. At the other end, Baines tried a rather hopeful volley. Osman's technique let him down badly when he failed to control a very opportune knockdown but neither side were doing much beyond resolute defence, with Neville gifting Johnson a free-kick on 14 mins that Murphy planted on Dempsey's head, thankfully directed well away from the Everton goal.
Cahill won a corner but it did not get past Johnson, the first defender; Johnson then returned the honour, and Hibbert won a nice duel to dispossess Murphy. But a quarter gone and the game was as shapeless, formless, and downright boring as we have come to expect, the Goodison crowd understandably quiet until Saha won Everton's third corner and almost the first chance for a shot on goal that just would not come.
Everton's fourth corner was delivered very well by Osman but diverted away from the waiting Saha. Cahill won Everton's fifth after good work by Osman and it resulted in a Saha header that was bundled off the line. A great Baines cross was tamely headed to the keeper by Rodwell.
Rodwell had a shot blocked in the next attack on the half-hour, and it seemed nothing of note would happen before half-time, but Baines switched a ball back to Osman instead of looping in yet another cross and it inspired Osman to pick out Coleman at the far post with a peach of a cross and he planted his header fair and square beyond Schwarzer for a worthy opening goal that would hopefully energize what was in danger of becoming a turgid mid-table end-of-season display.
The next attack and Coleman was fouled but Baines drilled it off the wall as Johnson blatantly infringed the 10-yard rule with no punishment from the ref. Dempsey might have done better at the other end but Distin did enough to put him off as half-time was signalled.
Rodwell woke up a little and went on a fairly impressive run, winning a free-kick that Baines touched a foot or two to Saha who lashed it into the bottom corner, hopefully wrapping this one up after less than 5 mins of the second half. Everton finally relaxed a little, Coleman going on a run but mistiming his cutback, Baines getting in his run but Haggeland defending it away. Osman booked for silly shirt-tugging that led to a few potshots by Fulham.
Coleman was really having fun, running at Fulham and shooting, forcing a save from Schwarzer. But at the other end, the Everton defence parted for Dempsey to put Fulham right back in the game.
Hibbert was next in the book for a studs-up challenge, and Cahill, who had done remarkably little, was then replaced buy Heitinga as Everton looked to hang on to what had been thought was a comfortable lead.
After a dreadful spell where Everton could not lift themselves above the level of dross, Bily finally replaced the almost completely invisible Rodwell. Coleman went on another run but it was Keystone Cops as he ran into Osman in the Fulham area and collapsed in a heap.
With 10 mins left, from a bizarre corner, Osman delivered a great ball for Jagielka to head just inside the post but Salcido was there on the post again to head it away. Distin did well to contain AJ, who was then replaced by Gudjohnsonen.
A free header for Zamora was thankfully squandered as the click ticked on and the Blues appeared to have weathered the storm. Saha seemed to land a little heavily and nay have done his ankle in. The stretcher came on, as did Beckford.
5 mins of nervey added time, Beckford did get free but his shot was very poorly executed. And that was pretty much it. A victory snatched from the jaws of a threatening draw.
Or will it finally be the day Magaye Gueye gets his league debut? The "secret weapon" appears on the bench after apparently recovering form an injury. Andy Johnson returns to Goodison, playing upfront for Fulham, managed by Mark Hughes, once of this parish.
A Neville long throw won the first Everton corner, taken well by Baines. Cahill was next to pump one in from the left wing, Everton starting toward the Gwladys Street. Johnson's first effort was to overrun the byeline. After a dozen or more throw-ins down the left, in the first 6 mins, play was finally switched to the right and it eventually fell to Osman wide left of the area but his hurried shot was hopeless.
Hibbert blocked Dempsey well for a corner to two to Fulham, Dembele pushing Howard over. At the other end, Baines tried a rather hopeful volley. Osman's technique let him down badly when he failed to control a very opportune knockdown but neither side were doing much beyond resolute defence, with Neville gifting Johnson a free-kick on 14 mins that Murphy planted on Dempsey's head, thankfully directed well away from the Everton goal.
Cahill won a corner but it did not get past Johnson, the first defender; Johnson then returned the honour, and Hibbert won a nice duel to dispossess Murphy. But a quarter gone and the game was as shapeless, formless, and downright boring as we have come to expect, the Goodison crowd understandably quiet until Saha won Everton's third corner and almost the first chance for a shot on goal that just would not come.
Everton's fourth corner was delivered very well by Osman but diverted away from the waiting Saha. Cahill won Everton's fifth after good work by Osman and it resulted in a Saha header that was bundled off the line. A great Baines cross was tamely headed to the keeper by Rodwell.
Rodwell had a shot blocked in the next attack on the half-hour, and it seemed nothing of note would happen before half-time, but Baines switched a ball back to Osman instead of looping in yet another cross and it inspired Osman to pick out Coleman at the far post with a peach of a cross and he planted his header fair and square beyond Schwarzer for a worthy opening goal that would hopefully energize what was in danger of becoming a turgid mid-table end-of-season display.
The next attack and Coleman was fouled but Baines drilled it off the wall as Johnson blatantly infringed the 10-yard rule with no punishment from the ref. Dempsey might have done better at the other end but Distin did enough to put him off as half-time was signalled.
Rodwell woke up a little and went on a fairly impressive run, winning a free-kick that Baines touched a foot or two to Saha who lashed it into the bottom corner, hopefully wrapping this one up after less than 5 mins of the second half. Everton finally relaxed a little, Coleman going on a run but mistiming his cutback, Baines getting in his run but Haggeland defending it away. Osman booked for silly shirt-tugging that led to a few potshots by Fulham.
Coleman was really having fun, running at Fulham and shooting, forcing a save from Schwarzer. But at the other end, the Everton defence parted for Dempsey to put Fulham right back in the game.
Hibbert was next in the book for a studs-up challenge, and Cahill, who had done remarkably little, was then replaced buy Heitinga as Everton looked to hang on to what had been thought was a comfortable lead.
After a dreadful spell where Everton could not lift themselves above the level of dross, Bily finally replaced the almost completely invisible Rodwell. Coleman went on another run but it was Keystone Cops as he ran into Osman in the Fulham area and collapsed in a heap.
With 10 mins left, from a bizarre corner, Osman delivered a great ball for Jagielka to head just inside the post but Salcido was there on the post again to head it away. Distin did well to contain AJ, who was then replaced by Gudjohnsonen.
A free header for Zamora was thankfully squandered as the click ticked on and the Blues appeared to have weathered the storm. Saha seemed to land a little heavily and nay have done his ankle in. The stretcher came on, as did Beckford.
5 mins of nervey added time, Beckford did get free but his shot was very poorly executed. And that was pretty much it. A victory snatched from the jaws of a threatening draw.
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