Sunday, August 30, 2009

EVERTON (2) vs (1) WIGAN - FULL TIME

Everton gave Sylvain Distin his league debut with the other new signing Billy and also Felli on the bench. Timmy had a header on target in the 9th minute. Great composed strike by Rodwell in the 14th minute but was saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Everton had the better of the first half and Distin also had a pretty safe game. In the 30th minute, nice turn from Rodwell who threaded a pass to Timmy. He pushed the ball to the byline before making a lovely cross for Saha to strike at goal. Only to be stopped by the opposing goalkeeper. Sometimes when things are going your way but you can't score, you really wonder if they will ever score.

In the 2nd half, Everton saw themselves a goal down in the 56th minute but Everton drew within five minutes of that goal. An inswinger cross by Bainsey allowed Saha to squeeze a header into goal. Everton 1-1 Wigan.

Everton is calling the shots but Wigan is still a thorn in the skin with their rough house tactics and counter attacks. Everton nearly went a goal down as they had committed eight players in the penalty box and were caught unawares in a Wigan counter attack. It was a five attack versus two defence and only a well timed stop by Howard prevented Everton from collapsing into a heap!

Everton continued to press in the final minutes of the game and it took a great solo move by Jo who took the ball into the penalty area only for the opposing defender to foul Jo. Penalty! The fans were on their feet. Saha missed a penalty in our last game. Who will be taking the penalty this time round? Bainsey stepped up will everything on his tiny shoulders. And it's a goal! His penalty was of the highest quality. In the 92nd minute too! What a nerve wrecker! Everton 2-1 Wigan. The Latics really stretched Everton who was totally low in confidence. This is Everton's first 3-points. This is Everton's first points of the season.

Score: Everton 2-1 Wigan
Scorers: Saha, Bainsey
Assist: Bainsey
Subs: Felli, Jo, Billy

Friday, August 28, 2009

Europa League: Everton's Opponents

Everton has been placed in Group I and their opponents are Benfica, AEK Athens and BATE.

Moyes reply? He's satisfied with the draw. No doubt it'll be tough Looking at the other groups (Fulham face Roma, Basel and CSKA Sofia), I think we should be truly happy with the draw.

Sylvain Distin In!

Moyes must be desperate to bring in Distin as a cover for the departed Lescott. The gaffer had mentioned that he'd rather keep the average age down, but not with a 31 Years Old. What's more, Everton payed £5.3 million for him.

Even Distin himself wondered why that amount of money was payed for him. Guess Moyes had to fork out that kind of money as he really don't have the time to pander over whether can he get a defender before the close of the transfer window.

I did not really think Distin did well in the last match against Arsenal too. We really need another Centre Back. Any worthy Centre Back.

SIGMA OLOMUC (1) vs (1) EVERTON - FULL TIME



Everton lost Hibbo as early as the 5th minute. But Everton held on and even scored first. Ossie crossed the ball from the right channel for Pienaar to slam the ball into goal. Though The Toffees conceded a goal, Everton still advanced to the next stage.

This match also saw the debut of young defender James Wallace, and the return of Yak.

Score: Sigma Olomuc 1(1)-(5)1 Everton
Scorer: Pienaar
Assist: Ossie
Subs: Wallace, Baxter, Yak

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

EVERTON BEATS BURNLEY IN A RESERVE MATCH

It's so great to see Yak back in the fray.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov In!



Everton brought in a long awaited winger - Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. He the second Russian to join the club since Andrei Kanchelskis and was the captain of Lokomotiv Moscow.

"Billy" will operate on the left while Pienaar will most surely be placed on the right.

Actim Players Ranking: 250809

Top 100 players

None! Everton have played that badly.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

BURNLEY (1) - (0) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton played the same players that were involved in the Europa Cup but as early as the 1st minute, Neville frailty in centre defence showed as he allowed the Burnley striker a free header at goal only to be kept out by the goal post. Straight after that, the opposing team had another free header at Howard. Recently promoted Burnley is really giving Everton a run for their
money. The Toffees were pegged back for the first 30 minutes without even whimpering!

The first opportunity at goal came from a corner. Rodwell headed a weak ball towards goal and the chance was gone. In the 34th minute, Everton was down by a goal. The defence was half hearted in their marking and the opposing player had an easy chance to curl the ball into goal.

Once again, Neville was the defender marking the opposing player. Just too much space! Burnley 0-1 Everton. Sometimes you feel it in the bone that it is not Everton’s day when Felli can’t even win headers! There was no fluidity in the game and Everton had not even made like five decent passes. The confidence is fast fading and it was evident that if Burnley scored another goal, this game is as good as gone for Everton. It is really these types of games that Everton will really have to win.

Everton was quick off the mark in the second half but every quickly, Everton is back into the laggard mode. Not moving too fast; not really sure who they can pass to. Everton needed to bring in Jo to press for goals though he is by no way a prolific scorer! Timmy had a totally quiet game and he should be taken out.

Everton’s totally out of sorts and it needed Timmy in the 58th minute to run half the length of the field and he struck the ball well, though deflected wide. Everton came lucky again when Howard had to tip over a certain goal in the 62nd minute. Jo is in for Felli. Actually, there are many more players who should be benched!

Saha missed a penalty after Hibbo was brought down in the 75th minute! Unbelievable! He did not look like he believed in himself. Everton is pressing but they are not getting anything! And deservingly, as they did not play well for ¾ of the time.

Score: Burnley 1-0 Everton
Scorer: Not even close!
Assist: Neville (Hmm)
Subs: Jo

Friday, August 21, 2009

EVERTON (4) vs (0) SIGMA OLOMUC - FULL TIME

After a 6-0 humiliation by Arsenal, Everton really had to lick their wounds and just move on. This was all very much an important match not solely for the fact that it's Everton's door into the Europa League, but this is one game that was critical to see if they can survive without Joleon Lescott.

Moyes triumphed, showing that no player is bigger than the club.

Check out the clip.



Everton started rather tentative, largely due to the lack of self-belief. Howard even had to make a couple of magnificant saves. The first goal came in the 33rd minute when Felli evaded a defender on the right channel to put in a cross. Saha, who was man-marked by a defender, sliced the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. Lovely goal. Everton 1-0 Sigma.

Next goal was a cracker. A freekick by Bainsey from the right channel saw the ball rebounded off the opposing defender. It reached the foot of Rodwell who unleased a powerful shot outside the penalty box. It was just too much for the goalkeeper. Everton 2-0 Sigma.

The third goal was the bomb. Similar situation whereby Bainsey floated the ball into the penalty area from a free kick. It was cleared only as far as Rodwell who blasted the ball from 25 yards. The best the goalkeeper could muster was a touch on the blistering-paced ball. Everton 3-0 Sigma.

The fourth came from the right channel once again. A nice pass from Ossie to Saha who brought the ball towards the penalty area. He unleased a low shot that went in to the right of the goalkeeper.

Everton had to vent their anger after our last defeat, and Sigma Olomuc was just at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Score: Everton 4-0 Sigma Olomuc
Scorer: Saha (2), Rodwell (2)
Assist: Felli, Ossie
Subs: Gosling, Jo, Vaughny

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Actim Players Ranking: 180809

Top 100 players

Pienaar: 33rd (21) - Best position: 33rd

Sunday, August 16, 2009

EVERTON (1) vs (6) ARSENAL - FULL TIME

Start of the season and Everton has just the platform to show why they are fifth in the table last season. Alternatively, if they lose this match, then it might just be an early signal that we may not be able to compete for the top four position. Everton is playing 4-5-1 with Jo thrusts upfront. Pienaar who had a slight ankle injury during midweek is back in the side. Interesting to see how Lescott performs in what might be his last match at Goodison. Maybe he wants to leave because the new jersey looks horrendous! Anyhow, here goes.

The play's pretty scrappy for the first 10 minute. But the danger for Everton is that they are sitting back just that slight bit. Good stop by Yobo to prevent Arsenal from taking a crisp shot in the 12th minute.

Everton had good possession in the 15th minute with good passing all round but the attack came to nothing. Cahill nearly got clear with a wonderful Pienaar pass in the 21st minute. Still there was not shot.

Ossie was set free on the right but could not get pass the defenders. Very quickly in the 25th minute, Arsenal struck back effectively, putting the ball past Howard. Everton 0-1 Arsenal. Everton has to show character now. Either they fight back or crumble. The singing is now coming from the Arsenal crowd within Everton's ground. The nerve of them!

Everton wins their first corner, and then another in the 32nd minutes. Nearly by Felli but cleared off the line. The crosses are coming in but the Everton players are just not at the right positions. The midfield is for Everton to win but somehow, Timmy is not there to control the game. Open goal for Arsenal in the 36th minute from a free kick. The defence is in shambles! Everton 0-2 Arsenal. Their new defender scored. This is a total insult on home ground. And Arsenal scores again in the 40th minute. Everton 0-3 Arsenal.

The lack of quality players is impacting Everton so early on in the season. Lescott has not look assured in the defence at all. He truly looked unsettled. Total annihilation in the first half. Let's look at our injury list. When's Yak, Arteta and Jag coming back? Hope that they got a hairdryer treatment from Moyes!

Start of the second half and within 2 minutes, they are 4 goals down! Its an onslaught! Score doesn't matter now. It's how they are willing to fight back. Saha needs to come in for the ineffective Jo. As for Ossie? I really don't know if there's a attacking midfielder on the bench.

Ossie, Jo and Hibbo are being replaced by Saha, Rodwell and Gosling. Moyes has tossed in all in coins as he seldom puts in three substitutes after the lesson he'd learnt last season whereby three changes were made early and afterwhich Everton suffered and injury and they had to play with 10 men.

Opening for Rodwell but lashing it wide in the 61st minute. Oh boy, Everton conceded their 5th goal. It's free play by Arsenal. First time I'm seeing fans heading home that early. Arsenal is in devastating form. Saha shoots just wide in the 75th minute. Saha had another chance in the 79th minute but shot wide left. Then it was 6 goals while Saha scored the only consolation goal in injury time. Total disaster!

Score: Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Nil
Subs: Saha, Rodwell and Gosling

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Everton Preview on ESPN Star Sports

So the season starts today and Everton will meet visiting Arsenal at Goodison Park. Check out my comments on ESPN Star Sports http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item306856/ or read from below.

What is the best / worst your club can achieve this coming season?
Back in the 90s, it was a shuddering time for Evertonians as the club seemed only interested in fighting relegation battles. Now, Evertonians are still shuddering because David Moyes always leave it late when buying players to bolster the squad. Yes, we managed to bring back Marouane Fellaini's "twin brother" big-haired Jo, to the club. But there are no other major signings. So finishing in the top four is the best that Evertonians can hope for. The worst that can happen would be mid-table mediocrity.

Who is your key player?
Mikel Arteta with his silky dribbling skills is definitely a key player, but he's currently injured. As of now, it has to be the show-stopper, ball catcher, goal-post protector, Tim Howard. He's been consistent in his performance and last season, he set a club record of keeping 15 clean sheets.

Who is the unsung hero in your team?
I'd say Leighton Baines. He is a class act but in his first season with Everton, he was kept at the sidelines with Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott playing extremely well. It was rumoured that David Moyes was ready to offload Bainesy in January 2009. But the saving grace came when Yobo suffered an injury, and lil' Bainsey played his heart out and he had even earned himself two player-of-the-month awards. Thank God Moyes did not sell him!

Who is a waste of space?
I'm fear Phil Neville is fast becoming the chink in Everton's armour. I feel his reading of the game is deteriorating and it seems that in most games last season, he'd either make at least one strong but useless challange that will give away a dangerous free kick to the opposition or, he will just give the ball away.

Describe your best moment of last season.
Any win over our Merseyside neighbour - Liverpool - will bring about euphoria! Evertonians know what I'm driving at - The FA Cup fourth round replay win over Liverpool! Youngster Dan Gosling scored an exquisite extra-time goal. Sweet!

Is David Moyes the right person for the job?
Other than Howard Kendall, no modern day manager has brought more glory and hope to Everton than David Moyes. He gave the fans the belief that we are good enough to stay in the top six.

Which area do you think your team needs strengthening?
It'll be easier to say which area the team needs strengthening if I know whether Lescott and Steven Pienaar is leaving or not. But if I don't take these two players into consideration, I'd say we need to strengthen our midfield. We need a good right winger to put in those crosses. Arteta had operated on the right wing before but he's more effective through the centre. Pienaar can operate in that position but he has made the left wing position his own.

Young player to look out for?
Jack Rodwell! He has been lighting up the stage with his skills and excellent passing. He earned plaudits with his performance during the 2009 European Championship. He even scored a wonderful headed goal in the match against Germany U21. Can't wait to see him back in action with the start of the new Barclays Premier League season.

Can Everton break into the Top Four this season?
Everton in the top four? Only if Arsenal continue to sell their players, and the "galacticos" of Manchester City start to trip over each other. If not, top six would be a reasonable target.

Name your all-time favourite player at the club.
It has and will always be Duncan Ferguson. I love the way he cowed players to submission. Above and beyond that, Ferguson has a knack for scoring wonderful headers. He has a slight height advantage over opposing defenders as he's 6ft4in (1.93 metres).

Which three teams will be relegated this season?
After last season's relegation of Newcastle United, no other Premiership clubs can say that they are too good to go down. Also, with all the financial woes, clubs could increase their chances of relegation by not spending wisely. Also, there's always at least one promoted club that will head back down to the Championship. So here's my pick. 1. Portsmouth - They are literally broke and are selling their top players. 2. Hull - Don't think they have the players to keep their heads above waters. 3. Burnley - They have one of the smallest squads in the league and because of that, I don't think they can last the distance.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Who's Our Europa League Opponent?

Czech Republic's Sigma Olomouc, that's who. We'll be playing them in a home and away match sequence. Our opponent's players are largely homegrown with one Brazilian each in defence and midfield.

No players that I know, but still, for any team to get into the Europa League, this team must be of some decent quality.

BLACKPOOL vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

And so we lost again, no less to a championship outfit.

Score: Blackpool 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Jo

Sunday, August 02, 2009

COVENTRY vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Two goals apiece but somehow, Everton always do rather badly for their friendlies. I'm just concerned as to whether they can even put a decent team together when the season starts.

Score: Conventry 2-2 Everton
Scorer: Timmy, Baxter