Sunday, December 30, 2007

EVERTON vs ARSENAL - FULL TIME

Hibbo is back in the team as Tommy is not fit for this match, while Neville is played in the middle of the park beside Cars.

Everton looked ready for a fight as the Toffees tried to close any space that Arsenal had rather quickly. Arsenal seemed to be in control for the first five minutes. Everton started to pile a little pressure in the 10th minutes with a cross by Neville which Almunia saved. In the 15th minute, Pienaar, threaded a pass to Timmy, who back-hilled the ball back to Pienaar. The latter then sliced the ball to Yak who carved the open the opposing defence. But the pass on the ball to Pienaar was a little heavy.

Everton has taken the lead in the 19th minute!!! A cross from Arteta saw a mad scramble by Arsenal's defenders. Both Yak and Timmy were there to ensure that the ball entered the net, no matter what. It was a close call as to whether it was Timmy or Yak who scored, but the ground commentator attributed the goal to Timmy. Everton 1-0 Arsenal.

Everton was not giving them any space whatsoever. In the 25th minute, Everton won another corner, but was subsequently cleared by the Arsenal defence. With such a work-rate from Everton, we will surely need to make use of our three substitutes.

Lescott marauding run into the opposing penalty box in the 29th minute was sheperd out for a corner. It was so weird to see Yobo and Lescott so far upfront as they traded passes along the left channel! Somehow Arsenal looked scared!

Once again, Everton needed to get a second goal to calm the nerves and should not be sitting back. In the 36th minute really saw the touches so many players - Arteta, Hibbo, Yak, and finally it led to an over-the-bar shot by Neville. Half-time Everton leads but don't expect Wenger to take it lying down. Expect changes to the team.

Everton started the second half on the offensive, but Arsenal scored on the counter attack. Jag failed to clear and now it's evens stevens. The price you pay for not taking your chances earlier and this has placed Everton under needless pressure. Everton 1-1 Arsenal.

Yak was all alone in the 56th minute but he could not score when the ball was floated into the opposing penalty area. Everton is now a goal down as he turned Jag and scored an unstoppable goal. Everton 1-2 Arsenal. A total lost of concentration!

Arsenal is now playing long balls to try to hold on to their lead. Think not too long ago Wenger was complaining that we were playing the long ball. Everton needs to take Jag out. Instead, Hibbo was taken out, and AJ was brought in. Neville should now occupy the right back position.

Red card for Bendtner! Everton must fight back now. 15 more minutes to press! C'mon Everton! What a stupid mix-up between Yobo and Howard! Now Everton looked like in a horrible state! Everton 1-3 Arsenal. All their hard work undone; total let-down by the defenders.

Crazy crazy match! Arteta got sent off for an elbow. What an act by the Arsenal player! Lescott's winning all the ball, but just not directing them into the net. We saw a total collapse of Everton. The defence totally leaked the goals.

Score: Everton 1-4 Arsenal
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Arteta
Substitute: AJ

Saturday, December 29, 2007

EVERTON vs ARSENAL - Preview

We have always visited big clubs with much trepidation. But this year the feeling is all so different. Everton somehow seems to relish these big confrontations. Their narrow losses to Man United and Liverpool showed that the Toffees can fight tooth and nail against the top four clubs.

Today's confrontation with Arsenal is no different. There's not much expectation on Everton as they are the under-dogs, but for Arsenal, they are expected to win Everton to stay within striking distance of Manchester United. Pressure to stay within the top two will only leave gaps at the back, and that Everton will exploit the gaps today.

There's just this strange confidence that Everton will win even when others are saying that Everton will not.

Predictor: Everton 1-0 Arsenal

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

EVERTON vs BOLTON - FULL TIME

Tommy got his first start and that should be exciting while Pienaar who made the mistake in the last game, was retained. Pienaar did performed well in the last game and should rightly continue. Everton would want to keep Anelka and Diouf quiet.

The first two minutes saw the ball in Everton's half, while the next ten minutes was pretty much scrappy. Tommy looked like he needs a little warm-up with all his misplaced passes.

The first shot at goal was from Bolton in the 15th minute, but it was high and wide. Then, everything was dead and quiet once again.

In the 19th minute, Everton broke away with Pienaar on the left channel. Lescott took over the ball and centred the ball to Arteta who thundered the ball towards goal but was deflected wide.

In the 23rd minute, Arteta was fouled just outside the penalty area. Free kick. Time for Arteta special, but was headed away. Everton won themselves another free kick two minutes later but once again cleared by Bolton. Everton was now piling the pressure but still not profiting from it.

Yak was in a good position in the 32nd minute when Arteta's cross came in, but Yak was pressured by the opposing defender to head the ball out instead of into the goal. Yobo's passing also seemed to be failing him as well. Everton will need to play the channels to break Bolton's defence.

Few and far between attacks - Tommy struck the ball well but it was deflected. Yak then scored but was ruled offside. Half time Everton 0-0 Bolton.

With the kick of the ball in the 45th minute, Yak controlled the ball and cut it back for Timmy who tired to place the ball past the opposing goalie but the latter was quick to react to the ball. The subsequent corner saw Lescott missed a wonderfully good chance.

Everton earned two other corners in the 49th minute but could not score. Then came the opener in the 51st minute! From the right channel, Neville delivered a cross which eluded the on rushing goalkeeper and defender. So is it a cross or is it a chip? Does it matter? Everton 1-0 Bolton.

Sigh of relief from the Everton crowd after intense pressure on Bolton.

Arteta then bamboozled three defenders with his mazy run and was then halted by a body-check. Everton has started their flowing moves. Jag then made a crucial block in the 58th minute to prevent a possible strike on Everton's goal. Jag then made three other crucial stops in quick succession.

Everton needs to get their second goal as Bolton. Lescott cleared off the line in the 65th minute! Magnificant clearance!

Advantage played and Everton scores in the 7oth minute!!! Lovely, lovely play. A tackle on Tommy was given the advantage as the ball reached Lescott who played himself onside. Lescott cuts back the ball for the lil jellybean Timmy to slot it past the goalkeeper. Everton 2-0 Bolton.

Timmy and Lescott looked very influential. Even Yak has been standing his ground around the opposing penalty area. Arteta has also started to take pot shots at goal. Tommy goes off and is replaced by AJ.

Bolton might feel a little bit hard done by the referee's decision. But sometimes, things just go the other way. The opposition was then through on goal in the 81st minute but Howard was alert to stop the ball. Neville's off, and Hibbo's on. Everton had a scare in the 87th minute as the ball flew past the left post of Howard's goal.

Final change, Yak off and Vaughany's on. Scrappy play again for the last three minutes but it does not matter as Everton has taken the three points.

Score: Everton 2-0 Bolton
Scorer: Neville, Timmy
Assist: Lescott
Subs: AJ, Hibbo, Vaughany

EVERTON vs BOLTON - Preview

This is the moment Everton should grasp hold of and make sure that the Toffees get back to a winning start.

Their opponent - Bolton - will not be an easy club to face, but at least Everton is playing at home. Well, this the season to be Jolly! Arteta is expected to be back, and if that's so, it'll most likely be the 4-5-1 formation.

Predictor: Everton 4-2 Bolton

Sunday, December 23, 2007

MAN U vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton started without Arteta but were still handling well in the first five minutes. Fiesty match that saw two Man U players getting their yellow cards.

In the 9th minute, Man U nearly scored. Howard and Jag could not make a clean clearance and Tevez slid in to nearly score. Everton attacked in the 12th minute with a Lescott low cross but the opposing goalie was up to it. Shortly after, Timmy and Hibbo received their yellow cards respectively. It seemed that the referee was fast losing the control of the game.

In the 22nd minute, Ronaldo scored an unstoppable goal just outside the penalty area. Unstoppable. Man U 1-0 Everton.

Everton fought back and scored!!! From the left channel, Pienaar floated in the ball that saw Timmy raised above two opposing defenders to head the ball past Man U's goalkeeper.

Man U 1-1 Everton.

In the 31st minute, AJ worked the left channel once again and centred the ball that saw Yak set up Neville who skied the ball. Nearly. Shortly after, Lescott had to clear off the line in the 32nd after a good play by Man U's Rooney. Tevez tried his luck at goal in the 38th minute but saw Howard picking up the ball quite easily.

Everton has been hustling the Man U players and have not really given them time to settle. But with a quick counter move, Ronaldo nearly scored.

Half time break came at a well deserved timing as both teams were going at each other for the 45 minutes.

Everton won two corners in quick succession after the break but nothing came out of both the corners. In the 50th minute, Tevez tried but was cleared away. Man U started to press once again and Everton has been soaking in the pressure for the last five minutes. Howard made a wonderful save off Tevez as he caught the deflected ball.

Loads of Man U pressure while Everton just continued to take it in while trying their best to push out of their half. It's the 70th minute and Man U still trying to break Everton. They brought in Saha to add to Man U's firepower. On the 73rd minutes, Hibbo made a school boy foul just outside the penalty area and that gave Ronaldo the opportunity to set up Rooney who nearly bulge Howard's net.

Tommy has come in for Yak and hopes to solidify the midfield. Pienaar seemed to be everywhere and he is the player that is pulling te strings for Everton. The Toffees won themselves a free kick in the 80th minute but once again, nothing came out of it.

Everton made their second change in the 85th minute, taking off harworking Timmy for Anichebe. In the 86th minute, Rooney's thunderbolt shot was pushed away by Howard.

Penalty! Ronaldo scores. Everton has created problems for themselves. Pienaar tripped Giggs in the box. Man U 2-1 Everton. Sickening, sickening game. Sigh.

But good play by Everton all round.

Score: Man U 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Pienaar
Subs: Tommy, Anichebe

MAN UTD vs EVERTON - Preview

Everton is without Arteta, while Man U's Ferdinand does not even make it to the bench because of the Christmas party that went wrong. Alex Ferguson is not perturb by dropping his top players if they cross his path.

though it may look like Everton will profit from this, we should never under-estimate the depth that Man U has.

Even the newspapers, bookmakers and even the television hosts are expecting Everton to lose. We'll see if the naysayers are correct.

Predictor: Man U 1-2 Everton

Saturday, December 22, 2007

UEFA CUP: Everton in Last 32

Everton topped the table for their group matches and will now face a team that finished third in their group - SK Brann. If they were to make it through to the next round, they will face either Rosenberg or Fiorentina.

Let's take it one step at a time and look at SK Brann first. A strong team from Norway even though they may have finished third in their group matches. But Everton has won the battles but not the war.

Last 32 is an achievement, but making it all the way would be heavenly!

Friday, December 21, 2007

AZ ALKMAAR vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Let's forget about the negatives and just look at the positives. It's been years since Everton has had it this good.

Everton left five senior players in England - Yobo, Timmy, Yak, Neville and Arteta - big names that would have affected any team. But Moyes had wanted to show that those players warming the bench were ready to take on the challenge of the current first teamers, and they really showed what they were made of.

AJ was a man on fire as he made sure that his name was on Moyes mind by scoring in the 1st minute. AJ battled his way through the AZ defence and nicely despatched the ball past the stunned opposing goalkeeper. AZ 0-1 Everton.

But a lapse of concentration saw AZ draw parity. Jag was nearest to the opposing striker but could not stop the ball from going in. AZ 1-1 Everton.

In the 43rd minute, Everton won a corner which was taken by Faddie. AJ once again created mayhem in the opposing penalty box. He instinctively cut back the ball which Lescott smashed it goalwards only to see it cleared off the line. But Jag was first off the block as he headed the ball back into the net! AZ 1-2 Everton.

AZ then clawed its way back with a nicely placed header that Lescott could not get the ball out. AZ 2-2 Everton. AZ was definitely not giving up.

Everton had the last say though. With Anichebe picking up a long ball, he moved the ball and saw Vaughany running into space from the blind side. A lovely high pass that saw Vaughany tapping the ball beyond the opposing defender and goalkeeper. Delicate delicate goal! AZ 2-3 Everton.

100% win in the Group stages, 7th consecutive away win, 13 games undefeated. Many records to be broken. What's more, youngsters Anichebe and Vaughany played brilliantly, AJ, Hibbo, Tommy and Faddie also gave good accounts of themselves. Moyes even had time to blood two young players - Vidarsson and 16 year-old Jack Rodwell. Keep the latter name in mind as he is now the youngest player to make his debut in Everton colours, beating Looney Rooney and even Vaughany.

What fine performance! Bring Manchester United on for the English Premier League match this Sunday. We may lose or draw this upcoming game, but Everton will make it difficult for our opposition.

Score: AZ 2-3 Everton
Scorer: AJ, Jag, Vaughany
Assist: Anichebe
Subs: Vidarsson, Vaughany, Rodwell

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Actim Players Ranking: 181207

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 13th (252) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Lescott: 17th (244) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Yakubu: 18th (244); Best position: 18th
Howard: 38th (205) - Fifth best goalie (28/8); Third best goalie (4/9); Best position: 38th
Neville: 57th (186) - Best position: 53rd
Yobo: 74th (167) - Best position: 74th
Pienaar: 76th (164) - Best position: 76th
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Cars: 89th (150) - Best position: 87th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.
AJ: 96th (90) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Stubbsy: Nil - 80th (78) - Fifth best defender (21/8), (28/8); Best position: 18th
Anichebe: Nil - 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

Saturday, December 15, 2007

WEST HAM vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton has remain unchanged and the battle between West Ham and Everton continues.

West Ham started as they did in the previous match and they threatened Everton in the first couple of minutes. The opposition continued to press and they nearly scored in the 14th minute.

Somehow, Yak looked a little lonely up front with minimal support from Arteta and Timmy as they are playing rather deeply. Very little separate the two teams but whenever West Ham attacked with high balls, they looked dangerous. Everton was not closing the opposition quickly enough too.

There were many half chances for both sides but none were converted. But just before half time, the scrooge of West Ham strikes again! A nice cross into the penalty box by Arteta, a return header by Timmy who set up none other than Yak! This man seemed to have the midas touch. Scoring with his left and right legs, now he scores with his head. West Ham 0-1 Everton!

The starting of the 2nd half was a tight one once again. In the 56th minute, Everton won themselves a free kick which was taken by Arteta. The opposing goalie punched the ball away from the penalty area. The ball reached Cars who took a first time chance outside the box. The ball was streaking towards the top left of the net until it was headed away from goal by the opposing defender.

West Ham started to maintain the pressure on Everton in the 60th minute and the crowd was egging them on. Everton seemed to have moved all their players into their own half. Very dangerous play.

Everton nearly scored in the 68th minute when the opposing defenders just switched off as they played Yak off side but Ossie ran in from the blind side and picked up the ball on from an on-side position and chipped the keeper and it just missed the goal.

West Ham does not sit back as they continued to attack. The pressure was on Everton penalty area as West Ham continued their search for their equaliser. But Everton pressed back with Yak's header stopped by the opposing goalie and then the goalie made another save from Cars thunderbolt drive.

The West Ham crowd were getting a little restless with their team's misplaced passes. But the pressure was on once again on Everton but the West Ham players undid everything with further bad passes and crosses.

AJ came on for the tiring Yak and immediately made an impact. While West Ham tried their very best to equalise, Everton hit back and scored a second. With a long clearance from defence, the opposing defender could not get a clean header which AJ gratefully picked it up and coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

Everton has put four goals past West Ham over the last two matches and the latter really did not have an answer to Everton.

Score: West Ham 0-2 Everton
Scorer: Yak, AJ
Assist: Timmy, Neville
Sub: AJ

WEST HAM vs EVERTON - Preview

Hope this will be a deja vu match as how it was played out on Wednesday.

West Ham will come back strong on two counts. Firstly, they are like a wounded animal ready for revenge. They would not have enjoyed one bit when they lost to Everton the last time, what's more in front of their home crowd.

Secondly, cup-tied players such as Solano will be back to play for West Ham. It'll be a tough match. However, Everton is in rich form and Yak should be up there creating problems for the opposing defence once again.

Predictor: West Ham 0-3 Everton

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Carling Cup: WEST HAM vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton fielded a strong team with only one forced change in the left back position where Lescott has slotted in for the injured Bainesy, while Jag moves into central defence.

For the first five minutes. both teams looked cautious and were gingerly testing each other's defence. Somehow, Everton's midfield looked a little flat with Arteta, Pienaar and Ossie not really imposing themselves. Shortly, West Ham scored in the 12th minute with both the central defence pair of Yobo and Jags not pressing the opponents for the ball, and for Howard running to claim the ball, only not to get it! Totally lathargic play! 1-0 down in this away match.

Everton seemed to be losing all the 50-50 chances and headers and have not really string any passes worth mentioning. Even Arteta's perfect crosses were deserting him.

Everytime West Ham breaks, they looked so dangerous.

About 30 minute has past and nothing meaningful has come out of Everton's play. Passes have continued to go astray. Only in the 38th minute that Everton made their first attack but without testing the opposing goalkeeper.

Then Everton woke up! In the 38th minute, Pienaar received the ball in the penalty area, controlled the ball and made a sublime pass to Ossie whose first time strike saw Everton draw themselves back to parity. West Ham 1-1 Everton.

Moyes really have alot to talk to the team about during the half time break and the first thing he might have mentioned in no uncertain terms was that Everton was giving the opposing team too much space and they would really have to close down the opposition.

Everton started much better in the second half. Timmy has started to fight for every ball. The 3,000 strong Everton supporters were really shouting themselves hoarse!

The two teams are battling well. But Everton seemed like they're starting to get lathargic once again. Everton might need to ring in one or two changes to liven things up a little. Timmy has battled hard but may just be in the need for hardworking AJ to toil the ground.

It's not a good sign when the Everton midfield goes quiet once again. Ossie was nowhere to be seen and Everton just can't seem to get the ball off West Ham.

Then West Ham gave a gift to Everton in the 87th minute!

With a high ball, West Ham defenders failed to clear the ball and with the muddle between the opposing goalie and his defenders, Yaks sneaked in to put the ball beyond the bumbling backline. West Ham 1-2 Everton.

That's the final result and Everton's through to the Semi-finals! Yaks scored once again! and 11 matches undefeated.

The irony? Everton meets West Ham this Saturday which the latter will be looking for revenge. Bring it on I say!

Score: West Ham 1-2 Evertom
Scorers: Ossie, Yaks
Assists: Pienaar, Jag

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Actim Players Ranking: 111207

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 16th (237) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Lescott: 22nd (228) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Yakubu: 29th (207); Best position: 29th
Howard: 48th (185) - Fifth best goalie (28/8); Third best goalie (4/9); Best position: 42nd
Neville: 63rd (170) - Best position: 53rd
Ossie: 77th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Yobo: 80th (151) - Best position: 80th
Pienaar: 83rd (149) - Best position: 83rd


Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

AJ: 96th (90) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Stubbsy: Nil - 80th (78) - Fifth best defender (21/8), (28/8); Best position: 18th
Anichebe: Nil - 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8); Best position: 5th
Cars: Nil - Best position: 87th (39)

Sunday, December 09, 2007

EVERTON vs FULHAM - FULL TIME

So many positives today even though the weather placed a dampener on things.

Both teams were having a go at each other with Lescott making the opposing keeper save as early as the 2nd minute. Baines, Ossie, Cars, Pienaar and Timmy were all very lively in the first 10 minutes. Arteta has also caused mayhem in the opposing area with his pin-point corners and free kicks.

But Everton had to make a change. With a nice one-two that set Bainesy away on the left flank, he slowed to a stop as he had pulled his hamstring and had to be replaced by Jag in the 22nd minute.

Somehow with the change, the nature of the game seemed to lose its fluidity. Yaks looked a bit flat in the first half even though he was a ready runner. Playing as a loner striker, they will just have to find a way to break Fulham down. It was not one sided though Fulham has not made an impact in the final third. Half time.

Second half saw Everton attacking the way they did in the first 10 minutes of the first and it soon led to Everton's first goal. With a high header into the opposing penalty area, Timmy lashed the ball towards goal. The opposing goalie parried the ball only as far as Yaks who placed the ball beyond the goalie. 1-0 to Everton.

The goal has removed the shackles and Everton started to attack with pomp. But it did not mean that Everton did not have their fair share of scares from Murphy and Dempsey.

After an Ossie try that the opposing goalie somehow saved, Arteta once again took a sweet corner which Jag had a flick-on and Yaks headed the ball into the net. 2-0. Yaks seemed to have came alive in the 2nd half. Arteta had been delivering great crosses all throughout the game. Ossie also seemed to be having his better game today.

Jag is also showing what a quality player he is with him popping into the penalty box with headers and creating a nuisance of himself there.

Yaks created an opener in the 68th minute when he broke free from the offside trap and squared the ball to Arteta. The last man recovered in time to tap the ball beyond Arteta. One good chance went bagging.

In the 75th minute, Yaks ran after a high clearance and was behind the opposing defender. He used his body strength well and surged past the defender who made a quick recovery and slid the ball out for a corner.

That did not deter Yaks from scoring the third in the 78th minute. A nice through pass from Pienaar cut the opposing defence into half. Yaks took hold of the ball, cut back from a charging defender, and dispatched the ball nicely into the top right corner of the goal. 3-0! and Yaks has his hat-trick.

Off Timmy and Yaks who have clocked in a good shift. On came AJ and Faddie. This is Everton with depth as the substitutes could walk into most teams in the Premiership.

Faddie made the keeper save twice since coming on. Both AJ and Faddie looked lively too.

Wondering win. The first hat-trick in four years. Everton has also extended their unbeaten run to 10. Moyes is definitely the best manager for Everton in the 21st Century.


Score: Everton 3-0 Fulham
Scorer: Yaks (3)
Assists: Timmy, Jag, Pienaar
Subs: Jag, AJ, Faddie

Friday, December 07, 2007

EVERTON vs FULHAM - Preview

A few ex- Everton players will be in the Fulham team. McBribe who played really well for the club and can still pop in a goal or two. But he's generally being deployed as a substitute. Davis is another player who can pop a few goals. But I believe that Everton dropped them from the books at a good time.

They are no longer the players they were before. But they can prove me wrong in this match. Still, Everton should pip them to the three points. Valente and Hibbo are doubts but generally, the entire team is raring to go.

Predictor: Everton 1-0 Fulham

Thursday, December 06, 2007

EVERTON vs ZENIT ST PETERSBURG - FULL TIME

This is the first time ever that Everton has made it to the last 32. The best that Everton has done was to get to the third round, and that was in 1964-65!

David Moyes and Bill Kenwright has definitely brought the club forward.

Everton started the game with fire. In the 2nd minute, Faddie took a throw-in close to the final third. The ball floated into the penalty area. The opponent's defenders failed to clear the ball which then landed in front of Arteta who chipped the ball over the goalie. The ball was subsequently cleared off the line. In the 8th minute, it was Faddie who skipped pass a tackle and tried to centre the ball to AJ who was in the penalty area, only to be cleared nervously by the opposing defender.

Everton was in luck. In the 28th minute, Everton was awarded a penalty as Timmy's goalward shot was deflected off a Zenit defender who was unfortunate. The ball had actually hit the defenders chest, but was sent off by the referee for handball.

Just dessert! Arteta missed the subsequent penalty shot.

Arteta then took a lovely free kick in the 35th minute which would have crept in if not for the acrobatics of Zenit goalkeeper.

Closer too, Cars shot rebounded off the left goalpost!

In the second half, Howard was needed to stop Zenit from taking the lead and Everton somehow went into a lull. The 85th minute changed the entire complex of things. With Arteta's corner, Lescott headed the ball towards goal but was blocked. Lescott had a second bite of the cherry but was blocked by the goalkeeper, and in came Timmy who slided in to put Everton in front.

Everton has taken a big stride in extending their UEFA Cup dream.

Score: Everton 1-0 Zenit
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Lescott
Subs: Anichebe, Vaughany

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Actim Players Ranking: 041207

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 18th (217) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 25th (207) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 50th (168) - Fifth best goalie (28/8); Third best goalie (4/9); Best position: 42nd
Neville: 65th (154) - Best position: 53rd
Yakubu: 70th (151); Best position: 66th
Yobo: 92nd (134) - Best position: 84th
Pienaar: 98th (130) - Best position: 85th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

AJ: 96th (90) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Stubbsy: Nil - 80th (78) - Fifth best defender (21/8), (28/8); Best position: 18th
Ossie: Nil - 89th (66) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Anichebe: Nil - 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8); Best position: 5th
Cars: Nil - Best position: 87th (39)

Sunday, December 02, 2007

PORTSMOUTH vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

It was a totally uninteresting match between the two teams. This time round, Portsmouth was the better team with more shots on goals and they were also more threatening.

Moyes started with the same team that thrashed Sunderland last week. Valente is slowly claiming his place as left back. This means that Baines was not in the team. Joning Baines were Faddie andTommy.

Many of the Everton players did not perform up to par. Arteta on the left wing found it rather difficult to pass his markers and Pienaar had to resort to fouling his opponents. Everton needed Howard to be in top form to save two near goals. This was one game that Everton would love to forget. Nothing to crow about.

Score: Portsmouth 0-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil

Saturday, December 01, 2007

PORTSMOUTH vs EVERTON - Preview

After Everton's emphatic win, they now have to knuckle themselves them and focus on the next match. Redknapp might be facing problems with the police probe, but it does not mean that his team is not dangerous.

Portsmouth is one place above Everton, and they also have home advantage. What's more, they have a deadly striker in the form of Benjani. Yaks may not be the best for Everton, but at least he's scoring now.

Predictor: Portsmouth 1-1 Everton