Everton defender Phil Jagielka is looking forward to a "fantastic" World Cup - whether he makes Fabio Capello's England squad or not.
Jagielka is back in contention for a place in the party to travel to South Africa after overcoming a 10-month lay-off to play a part in Everton's strong finish to the season.
The 27-year-old had just forced his way into the England side when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in a club game against Manchester City last April.
He did not return to first-team action until February but has started all of Everton's last 10 games and impressed enough to suggest a trip to South Africa is not out of the question.
Jagielka said: "You dream about playing for your country in the World Cup and if I get the opportunity to travel with the squad, especially after the previous 10 months, it would be amazing.
"If I am lucky enough to go I'll be buzzing - but, if not, I'll still be smiling, I'll still be putting my shirt on supporting the boys.
"There will be plenty of boys to support anyway, as far as club lads go.
"I won't support them all for too long, but I will at least at the group stages. It will be fantastic."
Jagielka underwent surgery in the days immediately following his injury and could only watch as Everton took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final last May.
His presence was then sorely missed as the Toffees made a poor start to the current campaign, collecting just 15 points from their opening 14 Barclays Premier League games.
Their form since has been outstanding with just two defeats in 23 games but their late charge for a European place has fallen just short.
Jagielka admits his rehabilitation was a frustrating period but he does not want to wonder now about what might have been had he not got injured.
"It's football and I can't complain," said the former Sheffield United player.
"I'd had eight or nine fantastic seasons and then the first major injury I had last year ruled me out for some time.
"If I can keep myself fit now for the remainder of my career I will look back feeling I was one of the lucky ones having not spent that much time on the sidelines.
"It's not been the best year but all I can do is smile. I have had enough of being sulky and moody.
"I've not played a lot of football but the last couple of months have flown by."
Jagielka admits he still feels some discomfort in the knee but is confident of making a full recovery.
"It is okay, not amazing," he said. "I've been told it will still take a little while for it to feel as good as it should do but that is more than good enough.
"I'll keep working on it and working on it and hopefully it will get back to the strength it was."
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Steven Pienaar wins Everton FC's player of year award
STEVEN PIENAAR’S outstanding campaign has earned him the Everton FC player of the season award.
He was handed the honour last night at the club’s end of season awards in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
The South African topped a poll of Everton supporters and succeeds last year’s winner Phil Jagielka.
Pienaar has been the creative force of the Goodison outfit’s run of just two defeats in 23 league games that pushed them to the brink of European qualification following a poor start to the season.
The 28-year-old has netted seven goals this season – equalling his best tally as a professional.
Pienaar will spearhead the host country’s World Cup challenge next month, and is hopeful of overcoming an ankle problem to play in Everton’s final Premier League game of the season at home to Portsmouth on Sunday.
Everton manager David Moyes is hopeful of holding on to Pienaar next season, despite him approaching the final 12 months of his contract.
Talks have stalled over a new deal for the South African, with his situation being closely monitored by Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Moyes has previously stated his intention to keep his squad intact, adding “one or two” key players to bolster his resources.
And Jagielka believes that continuity can help Everton come racing out of the blocks when the new campaign gets underway.
“We’ve got an important season coming up,” said the centre-back. “We would have hopefully gelled in all the new players and we’ll be looking for those – and the ones who’ve been here for a while – to put in a good start and give the fans something to cheer about from day one rather than Christmas time.
“We hope everyone has a fantastic World Cup with the numbers that are going there – but first and foremost we don’t need any more injuries.
“Hopefully we will have a strong team and everyone will be used to playing with each other and there won’t be a bedding-in period.
“We hope to have a good start, we’ve struggled to do that over the last few seasons.”
Monday, 3 May 2010
Toffees stunned by Webb decision
Everton were left baffled as their hopes of a place in next season's Europa League came to an end following a 0-0 draw at Stoke on Saturday.
Needing a victory to maintain their challenge, it looked as though they would be granted that wish when Phil Jagielka found the net in the 72nd minute.
The defender's firm downward header from Mikel Arteta's corner was helped in by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
However to Everton's astonishment referee Howard Webb disallowed Jagielka's effort, apparently because Victor Anichebe was offside.
The decision left manager David Moyes baffled and remonstrating with the fourth official.
Moyes skipped the post-match press conference and his assistant Steve Round said: "We thought it was a perfectly good goal. We cannot quiet understand why it was disallowed. The officials made the decision and we have to respect that.
"He (Anichebe) is in an offside position but is he interfering, I don't know. We have taken a corner and it has been headed straight in the net."
It was a pivotal moment not just in the game but also in Everton's season after a miserable few months at the beginning of the campaign.
They have lost only twice in the league since November but Europe is now out of reach.
Round said: "We are very disappointed as we wanted to win today to keep the pressure on.
"We felt after Stoke's defeat last week they would be in an aggressive mood and determined to show everyone it was a one-off.
"We were hoping to take control of the game in the last 30 minutes but unfortunately we could not quite do it.
"We are determined to be in Europe every year. That's the ambition of the club. We want to be in the Champions League if not the Europa League. It does test your resources but we want to be in these competitions.
"We had a disappointing start with key players missing. We have been on an excellent run of form. We have not lost in 10 and that bodes well for next season."
Round admitted Everton missed the services of Steven Pienaar, who was sidelined through injury.
He said: "Steven is a quality player, who has been in great form. He just rolled his ankle in training. It is nothing serious."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased to see his side keep a clean sheet following the 7-0 mauling by Chelsea last weekend.
It could have been even better for his side had Rory Delap not missed a gilt-edge chance shortly after half time.
He side-footed his effort wide of the post when it seemed easier to score following a cross from Matthew Etherington.
Pulis said: "We have a great bunch of lads. It is a good place to be at this club. We do not want players who think they are doing us a favour.
"The result at Chelsea was a massive disappointment. Our away form has been brilliant, we have been really solid. We showed a response today.
"We hope we have the opportunity to move people out and bring people in. That has always been the case.
"We cannot be making great strides. You cannot be too quick. We will be working as hard as we can to take this club on."
Needing a victory to maintain their challenge, it looked as though they would be granted that wish when Phil Jagielka found the net in the 72nd minute.
The defender's firm downward header from Mikel Arteta's corner was helped in by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
However to Everton's astonishment referee Howard Webb disallowed Jagielka's effort, apparently because Victor Anichebe was offside.
The decision left manager David Moyes baffled and remonstrating with the fourth official.
Moyes skipped the post-match press conference and his assistant Steve Round said: "We thought it was a perfectly good goal. We cannot quiet understand why it was disallowed. The officials made the decision and we have to respect that.
"He (Anichebe) is in an offside position but is he interfering, I don't know. We have taken a corner and it has been headed straight in the net."
It was a pivotal moment not just in the game but also in Everton's season after a miserable few months at the beginning of the campaign.
They have lost only twice in the league since November but Europe is now out of reach.
Round said: "We are very disappointed as we wanted to win today to keep the pressure on.
"We felt after Stoke's defeat last week they would be in an aggressive mood and determined to show everyone it was a one-off.
"We were hoping to take control of the game in the last 30 minutes but unfortunately we could not quite do it.
"We are determined to be in Europe every year. That's the ambition of the club. We want to be in the Champions League if not the Europa League. It does test your resources but we want to be in these competitions.
"We had a disappointing start with key players missing. We have been on an excellent run of form. We have not lost in 10 and that bodes well for next season."
Round admitted Everton missed the services of Steven Pienaar, who was sidelined through injury.
He said: "Steven is a quality player, who has been in great form. He just rolled his ankle in training. It is nothing serious."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased to see his side keep a clean sheet following the 7-0 mauling by Chelsea last weekend.
It could have been even better for his side had Rory Delap not missed a gilt-edge chance shortly after half time.
He side-footed his effort wide of the post when it seemed easier to score following a cross from Matthew Etherington.
Pulis said: "We have a great bunch of lads. It is a good place to be at this club. We do not want players who think they are doing us a favour.
"The result at Chelsea was a massive disappointment. Our away form has been brilliant, we have been really solid. We showed a response today.
"We hope we have the opportunity to move people out and bring people in. That has always been the case.
"We cannot be making great strides. You cannot be too quick. We will be working as hard as we can to take this club on."
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Toffees Czech in for group stages
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)