PORTSMOUTH (0) vs (1) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Did not manage to catch much of the match as I'd some friends over for dinner. Still, I watched the last part and boy was it nail-biting. Everton really hung on to win the watch. Brave fight against Portsmouth. Loads of on the line clearances, and there was even time for Pienaar to get injured by a defender's rough-house tackle.

Score: Portsmouth 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Heitinga
Subs: Bily, Jo, Hibbo

CARLING CUP: HULL (0) vs (4) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Actim Players Ranking: 220909

Top 100 players

Bainsey: 34th (88) - Best position: 34th
Saha: 63rd (72) - Best position: 63rd
Pienaar: 68th (70) - Best position: 33rd

EVERTON (3) vs (0) BLACKBURN - FULL TIME

Everton sees Heitinga starting this match but Bily who had a great game against AEK Athens is out due to groin injury.

It has been a lazy game with both sides not threatening much. It was one of those lazy moments that Blackburn nearly scored. A weak clearance in the 19th minute saw the ball back in the Everton penalty area and the subsequent strike hit the woodwork. Really close shave.

Everton scored in the 21st minute off a free kick. The entire Blackburn defence expected a high ball, but instead it was a low curler from the left channel that saw Saha tap the ball into the left of the goal. Everton 1-0 Blackburn. Assist by Bainsey.

Everton had started to control bit and pieces of the match and they showed with a thunderous shot in the 31st minute by Pienaar. Totally blistering the palms of the opposing goalkeeper. Everton has shown that they have controlled the first half. Will they go on to win it, or end up being the silver spoonist like their last game against Fulham.

Second half sees Everton pressing Blackburn once again. Still, Blackburn made sure that Everton remain on their toes.

In a good counter attack in the 53rd minute, Felli swung a lovely cross into the penalty area and Saha rose majestically to head the ball into the right corner of the post. Everton 2-0 Blackburn. Assist by Felli.

Almost game over for Blackburn when they gave the ball away to Ossie in the 57th minute who hammered the ball only to be palmed away by the opposing goalkeeper. A minute later, Yobo came up first to the ball as he slid it into goal. Everton 3-0 Blackburn.

Everton continues to press their cause though there are players out there with some tired legs. Jo is on for Saha. Great, great game by Saha who scored a brace. Timmy is also rested, Hibbo comes on. Final change - Gosling for Ossie.

Pienaar was a total handful for Blackburn, while Rodwell also gave a good account of himself. Howard also sees a second cleansheet of the season. Everton's also out of the relegation zone. So many positives for Everton as they go into the Carling Cup match against Hull.

Score: Everton 3-0 Blackburn
Scorers: Saha (2), Yobo
Assists: Bainsey, Felli

One in (Neill), One Out (Vaughany)

Why is Everton always linked to free transfer? Well, simple answer, we do not have the money to bring in five star players. Still, free agent Lucas Neill will provide apt cover for Neville who will be out for at least a couple of months.

As one player comes in, we see another leave on loan to Derby. Vaughny who became the youngest player to score for Everton, was sent out to gain match fitness after all his injuries.

EVERTON (4) vs (0) AEK ATHENS - FULL TIME

Great to see Everton win one game, then lose another. Only if the Toffees can spread out their goals a little. Still, it was a good game. Yobo and Distin scored the first two goals. The third was a smasher of a goal by Pienaar, while the fourth came from Jo.

Bily, playing his first full game for Everton, actually showed that he was truly a class player with all wonderful passes and crosses. But he got injured halfway through the game. Bummer! I'll be rubbing my hands in glee if he brings this form into Sunday's premiership game against Blackburn.

Anyway, Saha is the latest player to be sent off after Hibbo was shown the red card in the previous Europa match.

Score: Everton 4-0 AEK Athens
Scorers: Yobo, Distin, Pienaar, Jo
Assists: Bily (3), Yak
Subs: Ossie, Yak, Saha

Actim Players Ranking: 150909

Top 100 players

Bainsey: 80th (57) - Best position: 80th

FULHAM vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton's players who were away on their international matches came back pretty much unscathed. Saha does not play as he's injured but Distin continues in the centre back position. New players Johnny and Billy are on the bench, so too are Yak and Felli. Everton also had the opportunity to be acquainted with former Everton striker - AJ.

Everton had a number of chance all in the 15th minute. A shot, a block, a shot, and then another block. Pienaar, Jo and even Rodwell took pot shots at the opposing goalkeeper.

Everton scored a sweet, sweet goal in the 32nd minute. From a free kick by Bainsey on the left channel, Timmy planted a firm header into the bottom left corner of the net. First time this season that Everton has scored in the first half. Fulham 0-1 Everton. Assist: Bainsey.

It was a lovely penetrating pass by Pienaar in the 42nd minute that saw Ossie creeping into the opposing goal area only to be stopped by the goalkeeper.

The second half was quite a dull but Fulham started to pull the strings. Neville has been making silly challenges and in the 56th minute, he has given one stupid free kick and subsequently, Fulham scored. How idiotic! Take Neville out!!! Fulham 1-1 Everton.

Everton needs to make a change and I got that wish (Not this way for him to leave the field) with Neville being stretchered out after a crunching tackle. Johnny comes in for Neville in the 64th minute. Jo is replaced by Felli in the 69th minute.

Everton has been pegged back by alot of tentative play and I really hope that Moyes is not trying to play defensive here as Everton's without a striker! And here we go. Without a striker, we are down by a goal in the 79th minute. What is Moyes thinking??????? Fuham 2-1 Everton.

Everton nearly scored in the 80th minute. Felli header, palmed away, Yobo hit a rebound but was cleared away. All so close but not close enough. Yak is in for Ossie. A little too late I suppose? Everton nearly scored again but all they have tried to do, has gone to waste!

Score: Fulham 2-1 verton
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Bainsey
Subs: Johnny, Felli, Yak

Transfer Window Closes

Selling Lescott was truly a blessing in disguise. Not only Everton won their last match, they'd use the the defender's sales proceed to bring in three quality players - Sylvain Distin (Though a tad bit old to have spent £5 million on him), Russian left Diniyar (Billy) Bilyaletdinov, and the final day purchase, versatile defender Johnny Heitinga.

Have a look at the video of Johnny and you'd wonder if this boy is really a defender or is he an attacking midfielder. Or it might have been how the video was edited. If Johnny shows this kind of performance in Everton colour, the fans will forget Lescott's name in a snap!

Actim Players Ranking: 010909

Top 100 players

Still playing badly. No players worthy of the top 100!

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

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

EVERTON BEATS BURNLEY IN A RESERVE MATCH

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

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.

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 180809

Top 100 players

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

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

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.

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

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

Pre Season: EVERTON vs MLS ALL-STAR - FULL TIME

This is Everton's final match in the US of A. Great that we won on 4-3 on penalties after our 1-1 stalemate in normal time.

As the saying goes, a win is still a win, no matter what. So sit back, and watch this match.Gooooaaalllll!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK2sXWJSJjo

Everton This Week

Transfer

Moyes brought in three promising youngsters - 22 year-old American Midfield Anton Peterlin, 17 year-old German Shkodran Mustafi, 16 year-old English Luke Garbutt.

Still, the return of Jo from Manchester City on loan is something to crow about. He did not prove to be a clinical finisher last season but still, he has skills that will come in useful. Afterall, he's a Brazilian!

Friendly

The first friendly of Everton's season ended in a 1-2 defeat by Bury. Everton played quite a number of youngsters while allowing some senior players to have a run-out as well. First teamer Bainsey, Neville, Saha, Vaughny and Gosling started the game, with the rest of the players hailing from the youth team. Saha scored in the first half, and during half time, Everton made a wholesale change of players. All the 1st half first teamers were taken out, while Hibbo, Ossie and Jo had their share of play.

Newcomers Peterlin and Mustafi were also given the opportunity to dirty their boots a little. This is more of a run-out for all players game. Let's see what happens to the other games as we draw closer to the start of the brand new 09/10 season of Barclays Premier League.

Everton's Transfer News: Jo & Mustafi

Everton has closed the deal on talented German teenager Shkodran Mustafi. Singaporean-Evertonian (SE) reported about this deal previously, albeit a bit late. This boy is for the future and Everton is definitely a place for him.

Another player will most likely join Everton on loan once again.

Jo, who had a wonderful loan spell with Everton, has also linked up with the club as they take their pre-season training to Scotland. Welcome back Jo!

Lescott Going?

I've this feeling in my bones that Lescott will be going. When news reports of him moving to Manchester City came up, there was no word from him to rubbish them. When Chelsea's John Terry was courted, he came out to say that he will not be budging.

But not Lescott. Anyway, there's always a price for the players. Pay the club enough and they will budge. Will we see the last of Lescott at Goodison?

Adieu Lars Jacobsen

Fellow Evertonians must be wondering why David Moyes brought a decent Danish International Lars Jacobsen in at the start of 08/09 season only to release him to Blackburn Rovers for free.

The right back joined Everton from Nuremburg for free, injured himself in an International match, played 5 games, inclusive of one FA Cup Final, and now he leaves. He was a pretty decent player. But why did Moyes let him leave? Seemingly, the gaffer could not guarantee Jacobsen a first team place. It seems that Hibbo is still his first choice. Still, there needs to be cover an Hibbo was totally exposed, showing his lack of speed when time and time again during the FA Cup Finals, the marauding Chelsea attackers strolled past him.

One of many gaps that Moyes will have to fill now.

July 1 Transfer: Shkodran Mustafi

Everton has signed Hamburg's promising teenager Shkodran Mustafi at the end of May 09. A German U17 International, the young defender will join up with the rest of the squad when the transfer window opens.

With his 1.84m frame, he seems to be in the mold of Robert Huth.

FA CUP: EVERTON (1) vs (2) CHELSEA - FULL TIME

Everton plays in Wembley in front of 90,000 fans. Lovely, lovely atmosphere. Kofi Annan, FA Cup special guest, heads to the field to shake the hands of both teams. Everton is in their traditional blue and white, while Chelsea is in a banana colour. Let's give this a good go!

What a goal within the 1st minute! What a poor clearance by Chelsea!!! It went as far as Felli who headed the ball back into the opposing penalty area. Saha was left open and he let fly a volley which saw it zing past Cech! Incredulous! Everton 1-0 Chelsea.

Everton are holding well so far. Cross my fingers that it remains this way. So close! Pienaar curled in a lovely ball in the 14th minute. Just missed Felli's bushy head.

Oh no. Drogba scores in the 21st minute. Everton 1-1 Chelsea. Man! It's 42 degrees celcius in UK. Can that be? Hibbo looked wasted as Chelsea continues to attack the right flank. Such a killer of the weather. The players trooped in for their well derserved water break.

Jacobsen replaces Hibbo as all could see the latter had ran himself flat out. Everton is soaking in the pressure and they have to do it for another 40 minutes! It's a little worrying that Everton seems to be losing their shape. So close for Chelsea in the 59th minute.

What good fighting spirit from Timmy in the 61st minute that shot him block a shot from a defender and then smashing the ball from the distance. On target but no goal. Pienaar has been drawing most of the fouls and that provides the team with opportunities. It was one of those free kicks in the 66th minute that Saha nearly scored once again.

Chelsea scores again in the 72nd minute. Everton 1-2 Chelsea. Tough for Everton now. Vaughny replaces Saha. A strike by Chelsea's Malouda saw the ball went pass the line but the goal was not given. It was really only on slow-motion replay that one could see the goal.

Final substitution in the 82nd minute for Everton - Gosling on for Ossie.

Everton have tried their best and their best was not good enough. Dissappointed for an otherwise good Everton season. Congrats to Chelsea. Great job by the Everton boys! Timmy really fought his heart out!

Score: Everton 1-2
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Felli
Subs: Jacobsen, Vaughny, Gosling

FULHAM (0) vs (2) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Ossie scores a brace
Photos courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Everton is just waiting for the FA Cup Final but Moyes is not letting off. The manager rested Felli, and also Jo, who will be returning to Man City after a wonderful loan stint in Everton.

So the team is still like any first XI that Moyes will put out. On the other side, both former Evertonian AJ and Simon Davis are out of the game due to injuries.

Everton made their intent known with in the 2nd minute where a looping header by Saha rocked the bar. After that, the flow of the game felt like both teams were at a practice match. I was hoping for an exhibition match actually. Both trading cautious passes but Everton soon grasp hold of possession. Rodwell is having a good game in midfield while the tricky Pienaar was a nuisance all over the park.

Everton scores a wonderful goal with Pienaar carving out the brilliant chance in the 44th minute. A nice through pass saw Ossie beating the offside trap, made the goalie commit, then sliced the ball into goal. Fulham 0-1 Everton.

Nearly! Saha was open in the 53rd minute and he basically had a free header, but it was nicely saved by the opposing goalie.

Everton is starting to look a little shaky now but are still holding on.

Gosling replaces Neville in the 75th minute. Castillo replaces Saha in the 78th minute. Moyes has pushed Timmy up front. Maybe he should give youngster Baxter or Vaughny a chance on the field.

Everton was caught sleeping in the 84th minute but Howard made sure the ball does not bulge the net. Final replacement in the 85th minute, Pienaar is replaced by Vaughny.

What a wonderful goal by Ossie! He created his own space in the 87th minute to place the ball pass the diving goalie.

Final whistle goes and Everton is the fifth best club in UK. The other two clubs that will be leaving the Premiership are Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Score: Fulham 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Ossie (2)
Assist: Pienaar

EVERTON (3) - (1) WEST HAM

Saha scores the team's third goal
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Didn't get a chance to watch the match live but great to hear that Everton won their final home match. But here're the details.

Score: Everton 3-1 West Ham
Scorer: Saha (2), Yobo
Assist: Timmy, Pienaar(2)

EVERTON (0) vs (0) TOTTENHAM - FULL TIME

Felli sprinting for the ball
Photo courtesy of http://www.evertonfc.com/

Everton sees two youngsters in the first XI - Rodwell and Gosling, while the Neville fits into the right back position as Hibbo is still recovering for his injuries. Both sides are still tying to settle into the game, but Tottenham suddenly came to life in the 7th minute. In three successive attacks, Spurs placed the Toffees defence under stress but still the Blues are holding on.

The ball is starting to go all over the place with the downpour. Still, Everton has not got hold of the possession. Both Lescott and Yobo have been lazy in their tracking of the opposing players and with the run-up to Tottenham's freekick close to the six-yard box, Lescott and Pienaar both earned themselves yellow cards due to infringements.

Up till the 20th minute, Everton have been pegged back and have not even had a decent chance on goal. Tottenham, on the other hand, split the Everton's defence in the 22nd minute and only Yobo's intervention prevented the ball from going in. Everton looked shell-shocked!

What was Yobo doing? In the 28th minute, the opposing striker strolled into the penalty area and he did not pick him up. Nearly, it so nearly ended with a goal. Are we playing at Goodison??? The Tottenham midfield is just strangling any play out of Everton.

I really have my doubts of how Gosling is playing on the right wing. He has no speed, and somehow no good ability to make good crosses. Good pass in the 40th minute by Pienaar to set Jo free, only to be marked out by two Tottenham defenders. Still no shot on goal. Felli tried a shot in the 43rd minute but it was totally off target.

Good set-up play in the 44th minute with Rodwell shooting just above the bar. The players trudge into the tunnel for pep talk by both managers.

Everton is fighting much harder in the 2nd half but I still think Gosling should go. A great shot by Timmy in the 58th minute but just outside of the goal. Tottenham is starting to make mistakes but still not culminating into goals.

Oh boy! A shot by Gosling deflected away via the post. So nearly scored in the 68th minute. Finally, Ossie is on for Gosling, while Saha is on for Jo. You'd have realised that Moyes will never change three players at one go anymore. Tottenham came very close in the 69th minute. Pienaar had a chance in the 71st minute but the thunderous ball was always going wide.

Two positives in this match - Howard has broken Everton's longstanding record of 14 cleansheets, and also, Everton has confirmed that they will end the season with at least a sixth placing.

Score: Everton 0-0 Tottenham

Scorer: Nil

Assist: Nil

Subs: Ossie, Saha

SUNDERLAND (0) vs (2) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Pienaar scored the first goal and was the man-of-the-match
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Everton started with five changes:- Jacobsen for Hibbo, Lescott for the injured Jag, Gosling and Timmy for Castillo and Ossie. Jo also returns as he was not allowed to face his parent club - Manchester City.

The start of play has so far been scrappy but Everton had string together a couple of good passes. In the 9th minute, Timmy was unmarked when he headed the ball towards goal. But being just at the edge of the six yard box, the distance was just too much. Good Timmy shot at goal in the 10th minute.

In the 14th minute, Jo had a chance when Pienaar sliced open the defence but the Brazilian shot just flew across the goal post. Sunderland is starting to grasp hold of the game with their quick counter-attack while Everton is not making any progress upfront. Jo has been trying to win the headers but somehow the shorter Sunderland players are getting to the ball. Also, the right flank, manned by Gosling, has been very quiet. He even blocked a goal bound shot by Pienaar. Gosling needs to be replaced.

Everything else from thereon has been very scrappy, it's pretty close to crappy. Let's take a look at the second half.

What a calm and collected goal by Pienaar in the 48th minute. A pass from Neville on the right to Jo whose pass put Pienaar in. The South African still had to hold back the attention of a defender before toe-poking the ball through the legs of the oncoming goalkeeper. Sunderland 0-1 Everton.

Pienaar is just fighting for every ball like his whole life depended on it. Just after the goal, the whole tempo just headed into the doldrum once again.

In the 64th minute, Felli was about through on goal with Jo's flick but was cleared away by the opposing defender. Pienaar is taking crfeating all the foul opportunities for Everton.

And who else to set up the goal on the right flank? Pienaar! In the 70th minute, Pienaar slip the ball into the centre of the penalty box where Felli was waiting just to tap in the ball. Sunderland 0-2 Everton.

Rodwell in for Jacobsen in the 73rd minute. Everton is grinding out this win in a very clinical style. Pienaar has even played a sweeper role by intercepting passes. Saha in for Jo in the 80th minute. Last sub, Castillo in for Gosling in the 86th minute. Gosling should have gone off way earlier as Pienaar had to do Gosling's mule work.

Everton wins. One word - Clinical.

Score: Sunderland 0-2

Scorers: Pienaar, Felli

Assists: Pienaar, Jo

Subs: Rodwell, Saha, Castillo

Actim Players Ranking: 280409

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 21st (419) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), (14/4), (21/4), Fourth (20/1), (24/3), (7/4), Fifth (3/2), (17/3), (28/4) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 25th (409) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1), (7/4) - Best position: 23rd
Fellaini: 37th (376) - Best position: 31st
Arteta: 44th (368) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Neville: 45th (364) - Best position: 35th
Timmy: 47th (362) - Best position: 38th
Jag: 56th (352) - Best position: 38th
Ossie: 60th (347) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 76th (320) - Best position: 69th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

Everton is Through to the New Europa League!

Everton need not even kick the ball. Chelsea won their game against West Ham yesterday and thus, the Blues has guaranteed their own place in the Champions League. With this, the runners-up of the FA Cup tie will be guaranteed a european placing.

I hope that with this revelation, the Everton players can still maintain their hunger for the game and give it their best shot to finish fifth in the Barclay Premier League's standing.

COYB!

EVERTON (1) vs (2) MAN CITY - FULL TIME

Everton's mounting list of injury.
Courtesy of http://www.evertonfc.com/

Once again, Everton's match was not shown on cable. I'ts always the "big four" matches that are being shown. Well, too bad I guess.

Anyway, Robinho chose this match to showcase his talents. The Brazilian scored one and set up one. This was Everton's third game in six days and yes, this is not an excuse as to why Everton lost the game. Today, Manchester City was just more hungrier than Everton. They were also putting Everton on the back foot with their fast counter attacks.

Two sucker-punch goals in each half of the game saw Everton reeling. Coupled with the fact that Jag wne out injured after Moyes had made his three substitution, Everton was playing with a man down but was still able to claw a goal back with Gosling tucking in a Pienaar cross...but it only happened in the 94th minute.

Score: Evertom 1-2 Manchester City
Scorer: Gosling
Assist: Pienaar
Subs: Vaughny, Timmy, Gosling

CHELSEA (0) vs (0) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Battle of the two shorties
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

After a glorious win over Manchester United in the FA Cup Semi Final tie, Everton had to face the mighty Chelsea, whom the Toffees will face once again in the FA Cup Final.

I was half expecting Moyes to field a weakened side due to the exertion of the players in the 120 minute+penalty kick thriller in the cup tie. But it turned out that key players were still included in this squad, with the exception of non cup playing players such as Jo, Castillo, Jacobsen and Yobo.

Everton took the match to Chelsea and they created a whole load of problems for the Chelsea defence. Jo had a host of chances but the opposing goalkeeper was equal to the task. Howard also pulled off a couple of stupendous save to help maintain parity.

Score: Chelsea 0-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Saha, Rodwell, Jag

Actim Players Ranking: 210409

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 15th (412) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), (14/4), (21/4), Fourth (20/1), (24/3), (7/4), Fifth (3/2), (17/3) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 25th (389) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1), (7/4) - Best position: 23rd
Fellaini: 31st (369) - Best position: 31st
Arteta: 32nd (368) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Jag: 41st (354) - Best position: 38th
Neville: 42nd (354) - Best position: 35th
Timmy: 44th (353) - Best position: 38th
Ossie: 64th (323) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 75th (305) - Best position: 69th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

FA CUP: EVERTON (4) vs (2) MAN UTD - FULL TIME

Everton wins through penalties
Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

This is the best chance for Everton with Manchester Utd playing quite a few of their second stringers! Still the opposition backline is pretty impressive - Vidic and Ferdinand.

Felli pt in a beautiful through pass in the 10th minute but the person at the end of the ball - Neville - was far from being a striker and thus, ballooned the ball wide. In the 21st minute, Man U's goalkeeper nearly went suicidal as he took too long to pump the ball out of his penalty box and was caught by Saha but was saved by a fortunate deflection.

Everton is under bombardment at this point. Still, there were one or two chances but other than that, it's a pretty evens stevens.

A good shot by Timmy in the 53rd minutes. Though from a distance, it still troubled the opposing keeper a little. In the 67th minute, the Everton fans shuddered at the thought that Everton has given away a penalty. Jag tried to clear the ball and was somehow impeded by the opposing striker. It was really a 50-50 call for penalty.

Saha replaced by Rodwell in the 69th minute.

Everton are being stretched by the Man Utd youngsters. Everton needs to bring in pace - Vaughny. Man Utd are holding Everton well and it means that the Toffees are burning off their energy. Somehow, the blues look second best even though the players Moyes put out are all first XI. The score still remains 0-0 at full time, and now it'll move to extra time.

The start of the extra time saw Timmy smashing the ball towards goal but was saved by the legs of the opposing keeper. Man Utd is just pulling Everton from left to right. Vaughny really needs to come in. The game is fast going into a walking pace.

Felli is replaced by Vaughny.

Second half of the extra time, Bainsey put in a lovely cross into the penalty box the final touch by Vaughny wasdeflected wide. Ossie came close as well after Rodwell made a nice pass from the left channel. Pienaar has run his lungs out and he'd been tackled all over the park.

Will the match move into penalties? Oh boy, another mistake by Man U keeper. A good block by Vaughny and the keeper chased and pushed Bainsey off the ball resulting in a free kick, but it amounted to nothing. Into the penalties we go.

Timmy - Miss! Everton 0-0 Man U
Howard - Saved! Everton 0-0 Man U
Bainsey - Scored! Everton 1-0 Man U
Howard - Saved! Everton 1-0 Man U
Neville - Scored! Everton 2-0 Man U
Howard - Failed! Everton 2-1 Man U
Vaughny - Scored! Everton 3-1 Man U
Howard - Scored! Everton 3-2 Man U
Jag - Scored! Everton 4-2 Man U!!!!!!!!!!

Everton's through!!!!!!! Such a difficult match! After 14 long years!

Actim Players Ranking: 140409

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 15th (412) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), (14/4), Fourth (20/1), (24/3), (7/4), Fifth (3/2), (17/3) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 23rd (389) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1), (7/4) - Best position: 23rd
Fellaini: 31st (369) - Best position: 31st
Arteta: 32nd (368) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Jag: 38th (354) - Best position: 38th
Neville: 39th (354) - Best position: 35th
Timmy: 40th (353) - Best position: 38th
Ossie: 60th (323) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 69th (305) - Best position: 69th


Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

ASTON VILLA (3) v (3) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Villa's Barry scores the equaliser
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Everton started with a largely unchanged side with Jo leading the strike once again. The first 10 minutes see Everton soaking in the pressure but Villa have still not really threatened. A great thunder strike by Neville in the 16th minute but was palmed away by the opposing goalkeeper. The subsequent corner was cleared away.

In the 18th minute, Bainsey made a good pass to Jo in the penalty box but the opposing defence, could only clear as far as where Bainsey stood on the left channel. The defender then curled in a nice ball for Felli to tap in the ball. Villa 0-1 Everton.

In the 22nd minute Jo moved the ball into the final third before releasing the ball to Timmy on the left channel who slid the ball towards goal but was . Goal!!! Timmy scored from the corner. From the corner, Timmy got to the ball first but it bounced off the post. It was Timmy once again who went in for a rebound. Villa 0-2 Everton.

Villa strikes back in the 32nd minute. This time Everton defence were in their sixes and sevens. Villa 1-2 Everton. The Toffees have been stung by that goal. Hopefully, they do not go into their shells. Villa are just throwing in the crosses and the long balls for all their big players up front. Half time prove a good reprieve for Everton.

In the 50th minute, a juicy pass from Neville to Pienaar who was given space to shoot from outside the box. Goal! Villa 1-3 Everton. But soon after, Villa pulled a goal back in the 55th minute. Villa 2-3 Everton. I believe Everton needs to bring in Saha soon to stretch the opposition and maybe take Hibbo out as he's on a yellow card.

Villa is applying much pressure on Everton and it's pretty nerve wrecking! Howard is not handling the crosses well enough. It'll be a long 30 minutes. Hibbo is replaced by Jacobsen. Lescott tried to clear the ball but with the Villan player sticking his head in, the referee surprisingly awarded a penalty. Why? How? Villa scored. Villa 3-3 Everton. We need Saha!

It was dive after dive by Ashley Young! What load of crap from this player! Jo is replaced by Saha.

No point saying that Everton should have won. The last penalty did not help but at least Everton picked up a point away from home. Sigh.

Score: Villa 3 - 3 Everton
Scorer: Felli, Timmy, Pienaar
Assists: Bainsey, Neville
Subs: Jacobsen, Saha

Actim Players Ranking: 070409

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 17th (401) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), (24/3), (7/4), Fifth (3/2), (17/3) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 24th (378) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1), (7/4) - Best position: 26th
Arteta: 28th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Jag: 35th (348) - Best position: 38th
Fellaini: 36th (343) - Best position: 36th
Neville: 42nd (335) - Best position: 35th
Timmy: 43rd (332) - Best position: 38th
Ossie: 60th (316) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 76th (292) - Best position: 76th

Previous Top 100.

Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

EVERTON (4) vs (0) WIGAN - FULL TIME

Jo scores Everton's first goal
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Cahill is back in the first XI and this team looks to be the most complete in terms of shape and form. For the first 10 minutes, Everton had the impetus but failed to put their good ball control into any advantage.

Wigan is doing well on the counter and had put the ball just wide of the Toffee's goal in the 16th minute. Everton look pretty weak in the final third. But a sudden turn and Everton is in the lead. It started with Howard passing the ball to Lescott who put in a long ball. Felli chested the ball, and passed it to Ossie. The latter saw a gap on the left and put in a precise pass to Jo who banged the ball in from the left channel in the 25th minute. Everton 1-0 Wigan.

Quite an even fight but Everton took their one chance well and thus derservingly are ahead at half time.

In the second half, Wigan started their game with much gusto but still fell behind by another goal. In the 46th minute, Neville took a throw-in on the right channel and that started a one-two with Ossie. Neville then put in a crisp cross for Felli to tap the ball past the opposing goalkeeper. Everton 2-0 Wigan.

The Toffees are in ascension now as they continue to dictate the scheme of things and soon, Everton was 3-0 up. In the 50th minute, Pienaar, Ossie and Felli put in some good passes among themselves before Felli struck the ball towards goal. The goalkeeper saved it but it went only as far as Jo who put in a simple tap-in. Everton 3-0 Wigan.

Everton was not done yet. In the 60th minute, Felli took a long pot shot way outside the 6th yard box. The opposing goalkeeper could only palm the ball towards Ossie who made the simplest of all tap-ins. Everton 4-0 Wigan.

With three points in th bag, Moyes made the three substitutions in quick succession. Rodwell, Gosling and Saha came in for Cahill, Pienaar and Felli.

Everton takes all three points and has closed in on Aston Villa. Next week's game against them might be the decider as to who will take fifth position.

Score: Everton 4-0 Wigan
Scorer: Jo (2), Felli, Ossie
Assists: Ossie, Neville, Felli (2)
Subs: Rodwell, Gosling, Saha

Actim Players Ranking: 240309

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 17th (383) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), (24/3), Fifth (3/2), (17/3) - Best position: 15th
Arteta: 19th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Howard: 29th (355) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 26th
Jag: 38th (328) - Best position: 38th
Timmy: 42nd (322) - Best position: 38th
Neville: 44th (319) - Best position: 35th
Fellaini: 63rd (292) - Best position: 50th
Ossie: 81st (276) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 82nd (275) - Best position: 82nd


Previous Top 100.

Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

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

Everton went behind 2-1.
Photo courtesy of http://www.evertonfc.com/

Everton will be without talismatic Timmy for this game and Moyes has been forced to include Saha in his first XI. Jacobsen will also make his first start in the right back position. The entire substitue bench makes up of youngsters! It reads Baxter, Rodwell, Gosling, Wallace and Agard. Only experienced heads come from Castillo and reserve goalkeeper Nash.

Everton starts in marauding form with Saha winning a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. Bainsey scores in the 4th minute!!!! Bainsey curls the ball beyond the wall, and into the net off the post. Portsmouth 0-1 Everton.

Jo is showing some pretty good touches and drawing quite a few fouls on himself. But Portsmouth drew parity from a corner in the 22nd minute. Portsmouth 1-1 Everton. The Toffees just did not clear the line fast enough. Now, Everton are being pressed by Portsmouth.

Currently, there's nobody holding the midfield for Everton. Felli and Neville are not really doing much of a job. Jo had an opener and all the space in the 35th minute, but he blasts it off target. He seems to be losing confidence like a rock dropped into the sea. He seems to be doing Felli's job of setting up the ball when he actually needs to be at the end of it.

Everton start the second half with Jo striking on target but was picked up easily by the opposing goalkeeper. The issue Everton has on hand now is that they do not have someone to change the complexity of the game. Jacobsen is having a pretty good game so far. But not good enough for Everton to draw parity. Portsmouth 2-1 Everton.

There's no one to control Everton's midfield at all. Also, no one on the bench can really make that difference. Bet that Moyes will bring in Gosling. Everton seems very disjointed and even in the last 10 minutes of the game, they are not able to mount a decent attack. Gosling comes on to replace Jacobsen who had a good game. Rodwell is also in to replace Jo who limped off the field.

Poor, poor game by Everton's standards.



Score: Portsmouth 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Bainsey
Assist: Nil
Subs: Gosling, Rodwell

Actim Players Ranking: 170309

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 13th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1), (17/3) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 18th (371) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2), (17/3) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 28th (351) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 26th
Timmy: 38th (322) - Best position: 38th
Jag: 40th (320) - Best position: 40th
Neville: 43rd (317) - Best position: 35th
Fellaini: 62nd (284) - Best position: 50th
Ossie: 80th (269) - Best position: 50th
Baines: 97th (246) - Best position: 82nd

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

EVERTON (3) vs (1) STOKE CITY - FULL TIME

Felli scores Everton's thrid goal

This game was not shown live in Singapore. So had to track the score online. It was only on Sunday afternoon that they showed the game. Sigh! Anyway, we welcome back our former striker, James Beattie.

Everton took a 2-0 lead in the first half with Jo and Lescott scoring. Jo is starting to become the striker that Manchester City had purchased him for as his confidence in himself has markedly increased. At half-time, Timmy was substituted due to injuries sustained and after that Everton somehow went downhill.

Everton conceded a goal and was constantly on the back-foot. The fans could sense the desperation and had wished that the referee would blow his whistle as early as the 60th minute. It has to be Felli with his new hairdo that help Everton ensured victory. His long extended leg nestled a high ball to the ground before blasting it into goal. Everton survived somehow.

Score: Everton 3-1 Stoke City
Scorer: Jo, Lescott, Felli
Assist: Felli, Timmy, Bainsey
Subs: Saha, Rodwell

Actim Players Ranking: 100309

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 9th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), (10/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Howard: 26th (336) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 26th
Lescott: 33rd (324) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Neville: 39th (309) - Best position: 35th
Timmy: 43rd (304) - Best position: 43rd
Jag: 44th (302) - Best position: 42nd
Ossie: 74th (257) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 87th (247) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

FA CUP: EVERTON (2) vs (1) MIDDLESBOROUGH - FULL TIME

Felli scores the first goal
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

The Everton team remains pretty unchange from the victory against WBA. Within the 1st minute, Boro puts Everton in an early pressure and the pressure continues even into the 12th minute. Everton don't seem to be warming up as yet.

Everton had a couple of chances from Felli's header, to Ossie strike from outside the box, but the ball was always cleared away. Yobo even had a free header in the 16th minute, but it was easily saved by the opposing goalkeeper. But shortly after that, Boro goes back into the ascension once again.

In the 30th minute, Yobo stopped the opposing striker from scoring with a brilliant stop. Everton has still not really gone off the blocks. Do they not want to play in the FA Semis? They already know they will face either Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. Not easy teams by any means. Good header by Felli in the 40th minute. Saved by the goalkeeper.

Ok, Everton is one goal down. No surprises. Everton 0-1 Boro. We need Saha to be out there to create the chances. Everton was totally flat!

Tactical change at the start of the 2nd half with Saha coming in for Rodwell and Everton goes level in the 49th minute. Timmy has been asked to pull the strings in midfield and from his cross from the right channel, Felli raises highest to put a header beyond the opposing goalkeeper. Everton 1-1 Boro. Assist by Timmy. Everton fans have now gotten their voices back and are asking the questions.

And did I say? Saha scores in the 55th minute. Ossie puts a cross in, but was cleared only as far as Pienaar. The midfielder put a cross in and a stealthy Saha glanced the ball into the net. Everton 2-1 Boro. Assist by Pienaar.

A free kick in the 63rd minutge and Bainsey hits the bar and the ball goes out of play. Timmy is holding the midfield rather well with Felli playing more ofthe supportive role to Saha. Lovely play all round, but the fear now is that the Everton players are going into a lull once again.

All so open for Saha in the 87th minute! But he just couldn't score! and Saha had another 1-on-1 chance in the 88th minute but the goalkeeper stopped Saha's advance. From a Boro free kick in the 89th minute, Howard's mishandled the ball and it so nearly crept into goal if not for Lescott's clearance.

Boro wins a corner in the final minute of the four minutes injury time. The Boro goalkeeper was running towards the goal, but the referee blew the whistle before the goalkeeper could try his chance, and Everton is through to the semi-finals!

Score: Everton 2-1 Boro
Scorer: Felli, Saha
Assist: Timmy, Pienaar
Subs: Saha, Gosling

Actim Players Ranking: 030309

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 8th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), (3/3), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Howard: 27th (324) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 27th
Lescott: 30th (317) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Neville: 36th (302) - Best position: 35th
Jag: 42nd (293) - Best position: 42nd
Timmy: 46th (286) - Best position: 46th
Ossie: 75th (249) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 80th (245) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

EVERTON (2) vs (0) WEST BROMICH ALBION - FULL TIME

Timmy Scores the Opener
Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

I was half watching the match, half doing my work as I had to discuss matters over the telephone. Thus, was not really concentrating on the match though I did catch all the important moments such as the 36th minute goal by Timmy, Jag saving Everton in the 59th minute by clearing off the line.

Without the gelling impact of Arteta, Everton was running along like a headless chicken. Everton was going into a lull and WBA was taking full advantage of it. In the 65th minute, a WBA striker was through on goal but Timmy ran all the way back to make that important tackle.

But, maestro Moyes made an important change that saw Saha replacing Felli and what an impact it made. What a turn, what a strike, what a goal. In the 69th minute, Pienaar fought to win the ball in WBA's half. The ball reached Saha with his back to goal, he tapped the ball to the right, and struck it towards goal. Everton 2-0 WBA.

Everton was in ascendency as in the 73rd minute, Pienaar toe-poked the ball towards goal and would have scored if not for the reflex of the opposing goalkeeper

This was one game that Everton did not play well but win.

Score: Everton 2-0
Scorer: Timmy, Saha
Assist: Bainesy, Pienaar
Subs: Ossie, Saha, Castillo

Actim Players Ranking: 240209

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 8th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), (24/2), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 27th (317) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 31st (305) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 28th
Neville: 40th (286) - Best position: 35th
Jag: 49th (268) - Best position: 43rd
Timmy: 65th (251) - Best position: 52nd
Ossie: 75th (240) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 83rd (236) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

NEWCASTLE (0) vs (0) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Worrying Injury To Arteta

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Everton are without five first team players but Yobo is back in the first XI, while Moyes continues to field Gosling and debut goal scorer Rodwell.

Within the 1st minute, Gosling bamboozled the defenders and took a shot - missed left but now, Arteta is out with injury. He has seemingly injured his right knee. Not good! Castillo comes in for Arteta. The Toffees have to continue to believe in themselves.

Bainsey took a freekick in the 9th minute but it's just too high. Missing Arteta already!

Everton nearly took the lead in the 18th minute if not for the goal line clearance! Yobo came in from the blind side with a header, but was pushed away by the opposing goalkeeper. Immediately after that, a threatening cross came into the penalty box of Newcastle once again and Jag took a wild swing that went totally wide. The opposing goalkeeper saved Newcastle once again when Jo took hold of a loose ball and tried to hook it above the oncoming goalkeeper but the latter stopped the shot.

Everton nearly scored again through Rodwell in the 28th minute. Gosling took a corner from the left and it floated past all players in the box except for Rodewell who smashed the ball towards goal but was stopped on the line by the opposing defender.

Everton survived! In the 30th minute, Newcastle created a one-to-one opportunity against Howard, but the opposing player shot marginally wide. What a miss by Newcastle.

Everton's starting to get pretty wobbly without a holding midfielder. In the 43rd minute, a totally horrendous two-footed tackle by a Newcastle player!!! It looked like the player was ready to break Anichebe's legs! Another player out with injury and Fellaini comes in to replace the injured striker in the 51st minute. And no, it's not even the second half yet. Totally destructive game for Everton.

Latest news is that Arteta was rushed back to Merseyside for medical treatment.

Everton is not really pressing Newcastle even though the latter is one player down. Rodwell has three headers without much power. Sigh. No left or right wingers, crosses and corners all over the place. You wonder where the goals will come from and more importantly, who will create it.

I'm hearing all the boos from the terraces and wonder what the Newcastle's fans are booing about. The zebras are totally out of sorts and ill disciplined!

Final change in the 73rd minute - Saha in for Gosling. Castillo is a powerful man. I think way too powerful as his shots are always over the goalpost. Maybe even above the final stand of the stadium. It's a total scrap match now. Rodwell tries his luck from distance in the 90th minute. Not that close to goal though.

Big problem for Everton in their future matches, especially without Arteta. But at least Timmy and Hibbo will be back for the next game.

Score: Newcastle 0-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Castillo, Fellaini, Saha

Actim Players Ranking: 170209

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 7th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), (17/2), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 24th (312) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 28th (296) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 28th
Neville: 36th (276) - Best position: 35th
Jag: 43rd (267) - Best position: 43rd
Timmy: 57th (251) - Best position: 52nd
Ossie: 68th (240) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 76th (233) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw

We need to keep clear of Chelsea and Manchester United! Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal will not meet the Toffees. We are at home to West Ham/Boro! Got chance!!!

If Everton can play the way they've played over the last couple of months, we should be through to the semi-finals.

FA CUP: EVERTON (3) vs (1) ASTON VILLA - FULL TIME

Timmy Wheeling Away After Scoring Everton's Third Goal

Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Anichebe is back in the fray after a supposed bust-up with Moyes. Other young players in the starting XI includes Gosling and Rodwell. Tough, tough match it'll be. Once again, Yobo remains on the bench as the regular back four of Bainesy, Lescott, Jag, and Hibbo continue their partnership. This is revenge time for Everton!

Everton scores! From a corner in the 2nd minute, Timmy powers his header towards goal. Handball on the line! But the referee plays the advantage and Rodwell powered the ball into goal! Everton 1-0 Aston Villa. This is Rodwell first ever goal for Everton. Oh no! Villa wins a penalty from a Hibbo's tackle in the 8th minute. Villa scores the penalty. Everton 1-1 Aston Villa. All square once again.

Oh no, Timmy got the first yellow card for a handball in the opposing penalty area.

Everton wins another penalty in the 24th minute! Anichebe was on his way down before the tackle in the box. Still the tackle was made. Arteta takes the penalty and scores. Everton 2-1 Aston Villa.

Gosling has a go in the 26th minute but the shot was a little too soft, and slightly off target too. Everton continues to put pressure on Villa. Everton goes into the half leading by a goal.

Everton starts the second half asking the question but hopefully they are not sitting back. Timmy is fighting for every ball, while Arteta continues to rule the midfield with his trickery and tidy passes.

Fantastic save by Howard! The ball was deflected off an Everton player towards goal in the 61st minute but his fingertip save prevented the ball from bulging the net. Anichebe is caught offside. I don't know. He seems he lacks that extra confidence.

Cahill powered the shot towards goal in the 66th minute but was saved. Timmy is truly amazing in the air. So difficult to pick him up. Everton got to pick up the pace again as Villa is attacking Everton with much intent now.

What a wonderful goal in the 75th minute!!! Straight from a counter attack from Everton's penalty area. Bainsey pulled out from a tackle in the penalty box and the Villa player could not control it and it landed back to Bainsey who carried the ball up the left channel. A pass to Anichebe, who played a one-two with Timmy. Anichebe then crossed the ball from the left flank. The ball went past Gosling but not Timmy who sliced the ball past the on-rushing Villa goalkeeper. Everton 3-1 Aston Villa.

Villa is pressing hard to claw back a goal, or hopefully two. Let's see. Yobo on for Anichebe and Castillo on for Arteta. The final whistle and Everton goes through to the next round! Poor performance by Aston Villa, but I'm definitely not complaining!

Score: Everton 3-1 Aston Villa
Scorer: Rodwell, Arteta (Pen), Timmy
Assist: Anichebe
Sub: Yobo, Castillo

Actim Players Ranking: 100209

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 7th (381) - Third best midfielder (10/2), Fourth (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 24th (312) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 28th (296) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 29th
Neville: 35th (276) - Best position: 35th
Jag: 43rd (267) - Best position: 43rd
Timmy: 55th (251) - Best position: 52nd
Ossie: 67th (240) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 75th (233) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

EVERTON (3) vs (0) BOLTON - FULL TIME

Jo Wins Over The Goodison Crowd With His Two Goals

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Two key players are out for Everton - Felli and Pienaar. In comes new loan recruit Jo, and FA Cup hero Gosling. he back four remains the same, which means that Timmy move back into midfield. I hope there's a chance for VdM to make his presence felt once again. I believe the fans love him and no one wants him to fail.

So close! Bainsey puts in a cross in the 2nd minute, and Timmy just had to put in a heavier touch as the goal was all his. Just that tad bit harder and Everton would have been one up.

So close again in the 9th minute! A deflected ball looped into the Bolton penalty area and Jo stretched to strike but was cleared by the Bolton's defence. Soon after, Neville put in a lovely cross from the right channel only to be blocked.

In the 10th minute, Bainsey put in a lovely cross and the ball bobbled around in the penalty area and Lescott volleyed the ball only to be deflected away by the Bolton defence. Everton is really turning the screw now. Gosling made a cross in th 14th minute and Jo volleyed the ball beyond the goal. Jo has to get his confidence up. Maybe Timmy should score one first to ease the pressure.

In the 22 minute, Jo misfires again in a one-on-one situation, but he put in a turning shot in the 23rd minute when he was in the penalty area but was well deflected.

Such a great touch from Arteta to cut open the Bolton's defence in the 32nd minute. The ball reached Lescott (He's in the penalty area?) who smashed the ball just wide of the right post. Arteta shoots in the 35th minute after more than 10 passes. Saved by the Bolton's goalkeeper.

Jo was there again in the 37th minute but he's header was deflected wide. Jo wins a penalty in the 39th minute! Total clumsiness by the Bolton defender and Jo just had to fall. Arteta scores with the penalty! Everton 1-0 Bolton.

Bolton is all over the place. What dominance by Everton! So close! Arteta's corner meets Jag's head. The ball bounced off the horizontal of Bolton's goal. Nearly, oh so nearly in the 43rd minute. Arteta was given all the space in the world to bring the ball from midfield to the final third. He stuck the ball, Ossie intercepted it and smashed the ball towards goal only to be deflected by a desperate sliding tackle. What a breath-taking 1st half!

Jo scored in the 47th minute! From a Neville's long ball, Jo trapped the ball well, and put the ball past the Bolton goalkeeper! Everton 2-0 Bolton.

Free kick by Bainsey in the 57th minute and Gosling was left all by himself. The header was palmed away by Bolton's goalkeeper. Wonderful free kick in the 62nd minute by Arteta, palmed away by Bolton's goalkeeper and a Gosling shot saw a great save from the opposing goalkeeper.

Great save by Howard in the 68th minute. Gosling looking a little tired now and it was his dallying on the ball that gave Bolton the potential opening. The Toffees looked really tired now. Sudden change of tide.

Free kick by Bainsey in the 74th minute met the head of Timmy whose ball just flashed past the left post. Rodwell comes in for Timmy. Yobo replaces Bainsey. The latter has really been a fantastic left back. Good shot by Jo in the 91st minute that was on target but was saved by the goalkeeper.

Everton wins a penalty! A Gosling cross was handled by a Bolton defender. Jo picks up the ball, placed in on the penalty spot, and scores! Everton 3-0 Bolton! What a game! Everton is flying and this is the best game Everton has played all season. An even better game than the one last played against Liverpool. One word, MAGNIFICANT!

Score: Everton 3-0 Bolton
Scorer: Jo (2), Arteta
Assist: Neville
Subs: Rodwell, Yobo, VdM

FA CUP: EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL - FULL TIME

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

Everton has played Liverpool three times this year and we have obtain 2 draws and a loss. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the "Bird" whenever they played the city rival. Today, Anichebe has been left out because of a training ground altercation with Moyes. This is really dumb as now is the time that we need all players to be counted.

Pool has the first shot on everton's goal in the 6th minute but missed right. Close. The Reds has more of the ball and are passing pretty well. Hurray!, Great to see Pool's Gerrard out of the game with Benayoun coming in to replace the Red's captain in the 15th minute.

From a free kick in the 24th minute, Everton gave Pool a bit of a headache with the final shot by Ossie that zipped past the horizontal bar. Timmy had a better chance in the 25th minute but he was totally crowded out by three defenders in the penaltybox.

Felli has been rather ineffective in the 1st half and has been replaced by young Gosling. Felli had barely won any balls for Everton, but got a yellow card for his toil instead. Pienaar is replaced by Rodwell in the 60th minute.

A bad, bad pass by Jag in the 61st minute nearly caught Everton out if not for Howard's brilliant save to ensure the ball goes out for a corner instead of going into goal. In the 70th minute, Timmy lay-off the ball for Ossie who smashed the ball against the goal post! So close! Pool's player got sent off. Second yellow card.

Pool should just give up. Both teams now move into extra time ET). Both teams will be all so tired. But I guess it will be harder for Pool with one man short. Their strikers are not threatening Everton much now.

Start of the 1st extra time with Everton pressing the issue. Double save byPool from Ossie's shot and thn Gosling's follow up. for the corner, Cahill attacked the ball very well and all it needed was a touch in the penalty box. That did not come. In the 8th minute of ET, a cross by Hibbo found Gosling open but the latter headed wide. 1st ET is done.

Finally!!! So, so long a fight. A lovely cross by VdM from the right flank. The ball was well trapped by Gosling within the penalty box. He turned two defenders before curling the ball into the far right corner of Pool's goal. Everton 1-0 Pool. And Everton wins!

Totally brusing match!

Score: Everton 1-0 Liverpool
Scorer: Gosling
Assist: VdM
Subs: Gosling, Rodwell, VdM

Actim Players Ranking: 030209

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 8th (353) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), (13/1), (3/2), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 22nd (310) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1), Fifth (3/2) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 29th (276) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 29th
Jag: 43rd (257) - Best position: 43rd
Neville: 48th (253) - Best position: 38th
Timmy: 52nd (246)Best position: 52nd
Ossie: 56th (240) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 69th (233) - Best position: 50th

Previous Top 100.
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

Seamus Coleman Coming In? Yes.

Latest, U21 Irish International is said to be joining Everton. Have not heard of him. But when Moyes says he's worth it, he's worth it.

We Are Getting Jo?

Most likely when I wake up tomorrow, Everton would have already signed Jo on loan from Manchester City. I've watched him play - totally out of sorts, totally out of favour. These are the players that we are looking for.

Verdict? Jo's totally useless for Manchester City, but with such a daft in the striking department, any 19 million pounds striker will do.

MAN UTD (1) vs (0) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

In the next 90 minutes, we'll get to find out if Moyes is wise or fool-hardy as he has opted to play Felli and Timmy. Both of whom were listed as doubtful but both are starting. Just got news that my two friends, Errol and PC are at Old Trafford watching the game. Damn! Love to be there.

Looking at Everton, you really wonder where the goal will come from. Man U's defence is holding up pretty well.

Howard had to make an impossible save in the 12th minute! Man U's crisp passing is causing Everton loads of problems. Timmy is still fighting to win every ball and that's total commitment! Off the post in the 25th minute by Man U! So, so close. Timmy tries from a distance in the 26th minute but could hardly trouble the opposing goalkeeper.

The threats from Everton have been coming in from the left wing with crosses from Bainsey but they somehow have not met the boys in blue. Oh boy! Man U wins a penalty in the 43rd minute. Man U 1-0 Everton.

Start of the second half sees both teams trading punches like two seasoned boxers. Everton, however, is playing it slow. Too slow for my liking. But if it continues to stay at 1-0, there's still hope!

Arteta takes a freekick in the 60th minute but it's saved comfortably by the opposing goalkeeper. Felli is being replaced by Anichebe. Everton really needs to seek out that goal. The Toffees had a chance in the 72nd minute but Pienaar fluffed the shot after a good layoff by Timmy.

Ok we lost. Everton gave a good fight and we will just have to move on from here. Man U has been the most difficult team to play against so far and I wish them all the best for their title chase. Liverpool? Don't think they will even have a sniff of the title, period.

Score: Man U 1-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Sub: Anichebe