Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Actim Players Ranking: 290108

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 14th (350) - 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), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 18th (321) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 33rd (281) - Third best goalie (4/9); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 32nd
Neville: 36th (274) - Best position: 34th
Yakubu: 53rd (253) - Best position: 18th
Timmy: 72nd (220) - Best position: 71st
Pienaar: 75th (216) - Best position: 62nd
Yobo: 95th (200) - Best position: 74th
AJ: 97th (199) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Cars: 99th (198) - Best position: 87th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
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

Thursday, January 24, 2008

CARLING CUP: CHELSEA vs EVERTON - 2ND LEG

Manny is in for the very first match for Everton and the team went for the jagular straight from kick-off as both teams tried to settle. Chelsea started attacking in the 2nd minute and nearly profited.

Both clubs seemed to be taking shots at each other continuously, trying to test each other's strengths. Everton had a header on target in the 9th minute when Lescott planted a firm header towards the opposing goal, only for the goalkeeper to palm the ball away.

Manny and Arteta looked good as they controlled the midfield well. Everton seemed to be doing a good job shackling their opponent and also causing problems with wave after wave of attacks. Chelsea started to stamp their authority from the 25th minute as they too started their attacks on Everton. Ashot on Everton's goal in the 28th minute but Howard made a good stop.

Everton coming to life in the 38th minute with a shot by AJ, but was deflected wide. The subsequent corner was wasted. No breakthrough for Everton as the boys headed to the dressing room at half time.

Chelsea came out firing all cylinders and nearly took Everton out of the equation, but for the crossbar. Everton will really need to push for a goal! What a shot at goal by Neville and what a save by the opposing goalkeeper. Everton nearly scored again with a Jag back flick.

Everton needs to go for broke by bringing in a second striker. Chelsea scores against the run of play. 1-0.

AJ struck the ball towards goal but was blocked by Chelsea's goalkeeper, and that's really the closest that Everton has gotten to a goal. Everton's dream of a Carling Cup final has come to an end.

Score: Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Scorer: Nil
Subs: Anichebe, Vaughany

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Actim Players Ranking: 220108

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 12th (350) - 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), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 17th (321) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 33rd (281) - Third best goalie (4/9); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 32nd
Neville: 36th (274) - Best position: 34th
Yakubu: 52nd (253) - Best position: 18th
Timmy: 71st (220) - Best position: 71st
Pienaar: 75th (216) - Best position: 62nd
Yobo: 95th (200) - Best position: 74th
AJ: 97th (199) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Cars: 99th (198) - Best position: 87th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
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

Sunday, January 20, 2008

WIGAN vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Ossie and AJ are back in the squad but Everton is still a little thin in terms of players because of the African Cup. Manny is on the substitute bench though.

The first 5 minutes see both teams testing each other while not really troubling either of the goalkeepers. With Everton playing 4-4-1-1 formation, they looked a little lightweight upfront. Wigan seemed to be giving Everton the shivers with their passing. Everton looked somewhat disjointed.

Cars took a shot on the volley in the 15th minute but it flew past the cross bar.

Everton nearly scored in the 16th minute with some strong running from AJ on the left flank. AJ managed to cross the ball for Arteta who side-footed the ball towards goal, but was palmed away by the opposing goalkeeper.

Wigan nearly scored in the 21st minute but for the cross bar. Former Everton player Marcus Bent nearly put the ball in, and they nearly scored again in the 24th minute, but Timmy intervened with a sliding tackle. I really think that Moyes will really need to bring in Manny and Vaughany. Everton seemed to be suffering in terms of size and were letting Wigan control the game.

AJ had a try on goal in the 33rd minute but he was feeding off scraps.

Thank You Titus Bramble! I would usually not mention the name of the opposition player, but he gift-wrapped the goal for AJ to score. Stupid mistake that allowed AJ to go one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper. Wigan 0-1 Everton.

Everton was under pressure by Wigan until that stupid mistake.

Poor, poor defending in the 40th minute by Wigan that sees Everton lead by two goals. From a corner by Arteta, the ball bobbled around the opposing penalty and Lescott strike the ball into the net. Wigan 0-2 Everton.

The opposing team looked frustrated as they made a double substitution in the first five minutes of the second half.

Own goal by Everton's Jag in the 52nd minute as Wigan fought back. Oh boy. Jag could not get himself out of the way though. Wigan 1-2 Everton. The Toffees will need to score another goal to prevent a fiery ending as the opposing team will throw every together with the kitchen sink at Everton.

Seemed like Everton has gone into slumber once again, and Timmy even tried to fake a penalty. Oh boy. What's happening to Everton in this game. They are playing alot of long balls for AJ to chase.

Ossie nearly scored in the 66th minute but the ball just whizzed past the right of the goal post.

Vaughany came in for Neville and the team looked much more balanced. But it was still Wigan that continued to threaten. In the end, Wigan just fizzled out.

Score: Wigan 0-2 Everton
Scorer: AJ, Lescott
Assist: Jag
Sub: Vaughany

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Actim Players Ranking: 150108

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 15th (319) - 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), (8/1), (15/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 19th (301) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 32nd (267) - Third best goalie (4/9); Fourth best goalie (15/1), Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 32nd
Neville: 34th (259) - Best position: 34th
Yakubu: 43rd (253) - Best position: 18th
Pienaar: 69th (216) - Best position: 62nd
Timmy: 81st (207) - Best position: 79th
Yobo: 89th (200) - Best position: 74th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.
AJ: 99th (184) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Cars: 89th (150) - Best position: 87th
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

Sunday, January 13, 2008

EVERTON vs MANCHESTER CITY - FULL TIME

Everton did well in the first match without their top scorer - Yak, playmaker - Pienaar, and first team defender Yobo.

Arteta showed why the Toffees missed him so much by providing his team-mates with many excellent crosses and free kicks. One of which reached Lescott who tucked the ball past the opposing goalkeeper.

It was not all one-way street as Manchester City fought back. But Everton barely held on and had to thank Howard for his final save just before the referee's final whistle.

Everton needs to now look at staying in the top five, and they have to look at it one game at a time. For now, the players can now have a good rest as they do not have another match until they face Wigan on 20 Jan.

Score: Everton 1-0 Manchester City
Scorer: Lescott
Assist: Arteta
Subs: Vaughany, Bainsey

Saturday, January 12, 2008

EVERTON vs MANCHESTER CITY - Preview

With the African Cup, Moyes will have to put up a changed team for the match against Manchester City. Yobo, Yak and Pienaar have all departed for the African competition.

AJ is also out injured thus leaving the striking department with quite a bit of headache. Arteta is back in the squad and hopefully, he will help make that difference.

Faddy and Anichebe will make up the front two strike force, while Valente comes in for the Yobo.

Everton does not look as strong at home as the start of the season. So with this depleted team, I'm expecting a draw of a loss.

Predictor: Everton 0-0 Manchester city

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

CARLING CUP: CHELSEA vs EVERTON - 1ST LEG

This is one of Everton's biggest match in this two leg games starting at Stamford Bridge. This will also be the final time where Yobo and Yak will play before they link up with their country for the African Cup.

Everton kicks off. First mini scare for Chelsea. Timmy headed the ball down for Yak, who chipped the ball towards goal for AJ. Just a little short and was easily picked up by the opposing goalkeeper.

Cars got a stupid yellow in the 9th minute for complaining about the previous tackle. He living on the tenterhooks now. Chlesea seems to be tightening the screws now as they try to take control of the game. Everton must learn how to pace themselves and not run themselves to the ground in the first half. Faddie has been holding the ball well and has earned Everton a number of free kicks, but Yak has been scuffing quite a few set-up plays.

After 20 minutes, Everton has not had a first shot on goal as this proves to be a very tight game. But Chelsea found the opener in the 25th minute as they carved open Everton's defence. Chelsea 1-0 Everton.

Everton really looked like they are short of a few quality players. Lescott timely tackles have saved Everton quite a number of time now. The teams break off for half time with Everton showing no strength in midfield and hardly for the front pair of Yak and AJ to do anything.

The start of the second half shows Chelsea in ascendency once again. But Chelsea has offered Everton with the chance to fight back as one of their players received a red card in the 54th minute for a tackle on Neville.

Everton is back on track! Faddie took the free kick which Yobo set up the ball for Yak to score with a total blistering shot. Chelsea 1-1 Everton.

Faddie nealy scored in the 68th minute as he danced into the penalty area and took a shot which bounced off the left post. Jag does not look comfortable in the centre-half. He is too eager to commit even when he's the last man. This means that when he misses the ball and take the man, he'll most definitely be sent off.

Chelsea still looks dangerous with their 10-man team. Everton will need a change of personnel as some of the players look beat! Finally, Yak is off and Anichebe is on the field. Faddie's passes are all too fuzzy. He's a good player but nobody knows what is he going to do.

The shortest man from Chelsea scored against Everton. Unbelievable. Chelsea 2-1 Everton.

Score: Chelsea 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Yak
Assist: Yobo

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Actim Players Ranking: 080108

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 18th (290) - 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), (8/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 29th (267) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Yakubu: 36th (253); Best position: 18th
Howard: 39th (249) - Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Third best goalie (4/9); Best position: 38th
Neville: 48th (237) - Best position: 48th
Pienaar: 62nd (216) - Best position: 62nd
Timmy: 79th (201) - Best position: 79th
Yobo: 80th (200) - Best position: 74th
AJ: 99th (184) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Cars: 89th (150) - Best position: 87th
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

Sunday, January 06, 2008

FA Cup: EVERTON vs OLDHAM - FULL TIME

You wondered "what happened?" Playing at home and against a Division one club, this match should be a no-brainer. But somehow Everton got booted out of England's oldest cup competition.

Things do happen in soccer, but we do hope that this is not the first sign of Everton going into a major slump. Losing 1-0 to Oldham somehow brings about the trend that I've been talking about. Everton wins one, loses one, then its the same cycle once again.

So they should win at Chelsea?

Score: Everton 0-1 Oldham
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Anichebe, Yak, Lescott

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

MIDDLESBOROUGH vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton starts without Arteta, Yobo and Timmy and both teams are trying to settle. Everton has continued on their dogged style. Faddie and AJ are in the starting line-up.

I'm a bit concerned that Jag is playing in the centre and hope he does not fowl up this time round. Everton has to keep that clean sheet. There's a 7th minute scare when Boro was one-on-one with Howard as the latter rushed out to stop the ball. The danger of playing the off-side gamev as seen in full view.

Other than that scare, Everton was still doing alright but needed to press the opponent better. Boro was doing their own pressing in the 16th minute when Valente could not get to the pass but the ball went out of touch for Everton's goal kick. But Boro is pressing Everton back and Cars headed the ball away from goal.

Faddie took a pot shot in the 21th minute but was deflected for a corner. Nothing came out of the corner as Everton tried their best to press. Boro though looked dangerous on the counter.

Valente play was rather sloppy with all the missed passes and with that, placed Everton in quite a bit of pressure. But both sides are still quite evenly matched. Boro attacked well and they nearly scored, but for an off-the-line clearance by Jag. Faddie has somewhat dissappeared from the game and Yak has to come deep to pick up the ball.

It's the 34th minute but still Everton don't really had a shot at goal so far. as Boro seemed to have settled much better. Things looked rather lack lustre.

It's a rather quiet first half as Faddie and Neville posed no threat to the opposing defence, while once again, Everton has to rely on Pienaar to provide that creative flair. Half time 0-0.

No change in the second half, both for personnel and Boro's attack. An opening for Everton in the 47th minute but Yak skied it. We're missing Lescott's run into the opposing penalty area as he'd need to hold fort in the centre of defence.

With no creativity whatsoever, the departure of our African Cup players will bound to take effect on Everton's stay in the top six.

Everton nearly went behind in the 56th minute, and Jag nearly gave away a penalty! Once again! Howard made a tremendous save to prevent Boro from leading. Everton's living by the skin of their teeth. Everton countered by it seemed like they are straining themselves.

Moyes really needs to make the change! Valente, Jag and even Faddie! He has to remove players that are not helping the cause. Somehow Faddie's most dangerous moves were his throw-ins than anything else.

Against the odds, Everton scores in the 68th minute! Yak crossed the ball and was picked up by Pienaar who flicked gingerly to AJ. Pushing the ball past two defenders, AJ tucked the ball into the bottom left of the net. Boro 0-1 Everton.

Everton still has alot to do and they have done it in the 72nd minute. Faddie started a one-two with AJ and the former curled it nicely into the bottom left corner once again. Boro 0-2 Everton.
Once again, it's still not over until the final whistle. Everton needs to run down the clock. Baines now replaced Faddie.

Pienaar looked a little tired now. Moyes should take him off before he makes any mistakes. Vaughany is in for Yak.

Everton was still attacking in the 92nd minute. That's the spirit. Anichebe is on for Pienaar.

Final whistle blows and Everton win without three of their important players in the first XI. Boro looked beat without a prolific goalscorer, but still looked like a difficult team to beat.

Well, Arteta will not be around for two more matches and Everton just have to play above themselves to seal any future victories. No matter, it's still three points gained and my prediction of winning after losing the last macth, came true.

Score: Boro 0-2 Everton
Scorers: AJ, Faddie
Assists: Pienaar, AJ

MIDDLESBOROUGH vs EVERTON - Preview

It's been a win, then a lost, and afterwhich a win and a lost. If you're going by this sequence, Everton is suppose to win next. But we really do not know which Middlesborough will turn up. Also, Arteta will be out for the next three matches because of his red card.

Thank goodness the next two other matches are not against the big teams and the Toffees should be able to cope with its current depth of players. Yak is going back to his old club and this should be incentive enough for him to demolish them for not treasuring him as a player.

Everton should be bitterly upset that they did not get anything from the Arsenal game. So with much bubbly and good cheer, let's get our New Year on the road and give them a thrashing that they'll never forget.

Predictor: Boro 1-4 Everton