EVERTON vs ASTON VILLA - FULL TIME

Did not have the opportunity to write about this match because of a soccer injury that I'd sustained and had to pay a visit to the hospital. I managed to watch the match though and it was all so painful to see Aston Villa draw Everton.

Final Score: Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

Actim Players Ranking: 220408

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 10th (518) - Best defender (4/9), (22/4); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2), (26/2), (4/3), (14/3), (1/4); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Howard: 30th (430) - Second best goalie (26/2), (4/3); Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2), (14/3); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2), (1/4), (22/4); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 27th
Arteta: 33rd (411) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Yakubu: 36th (403) - Best position: 18th
Neville: 38th (397) - Best position: 30th
Jagielka: 55th (361) - Best position: 49th
AJ: 80th (310) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Yobo: 83rd (309) - Best position: 70th
Cars: 95th (290) - Best position: 72nd
Timmy: 98th (288) - Best position: 64th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Pienaar: 95th (251) - Best position: 62nd
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

EVERTON vs CHELSEA - FULL TIME

An elusive goal for AJ to make it his 100 career league goals, another clean sheet to an impressive tally for Howard. How about Yak for his 20 goals? Can the want of breaking their records push these players beyond their abilities? I hope so and for the sake of Everton. But against such a team as Chelsea, the only way if Everton can win is when Chelsea fails to turn up. Everton's still a little short of players and I believe that's why Moyes has to field Mishap Manny...oh boy.

Everton kicks off and the players look lively. Manny had to give the ball away which led to Chelsea earning their first corner but thank goodness the opposition has not really warmed up yet.

Manny curled a beautiful freekick in the 15th minute that forced the opposing goalkeeper to make a reflex save. But both sides are just finding the final third a little congested. Everton's missing Arteta who could help to unlock the opposing team's defence. Everton has two good opportunities as Lescott and Pienaar did a one-two to set Lescott free in the penalty area only for the opposing defence to clear the ball. Then Manny had a chance but he skied it.

Jag slided in to stop a one-on-one situation and aptly cleared the ball in the 35th minute. Ok, Everton is now trailing. Howard has to wait another day. Everton 0-1 Chelsea.

Howard has to make that crucial save in the 42nd minute to prevent Everton from going two goals down. Half time. TAKE MANNY OUT!!! He may have done well in his free kicks, but he has ben giving away balls and creating more problems than neccessary.

Start of second half and Manny is still around. Why can't he make use of his skills a little bit better? Moyes is ringing in the change. AJ is replaced by Tommy and Pienaar replaced by Anichebe. Manny is taking good free kicks and if he can score one, much of his clumsy play would be forgiven. Neville has also started to day dream., and his crosses are not worthy of a captain. What's wrong with him?

I don't think they can even hold on to their possible UEFA cup placing.

Score: Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Hmm
Subs: Tommy, Anichebe

EVERTON vs DERBY - FULL TIME

Finally, Everton has three fit strikers. Something that we have been lacking for quite a number of matches. But now, the midfield looks a bit flat though hopefully, that would not pose much of a problem.

Manny is in the side but I'm still as concerned with his dilly-dallying ways that saw him lose the ball to an opposing player as early as the 1st minute. Everton nearly scored in the 3rd minute but somehow Everton missed it with the goal wide open. Another ball stolen off Manny in the 5th minute! and it nearly cost Everton. Take him out!

Somehow, Everton seems to be on the back foot. So much for any shock and awe. What a miss!!! Open goal on 16th minute and Yak misses! Yak is human after all. Oh boy. Everton seems like they are already on holiday. So much to fight for, but they are just wasting their opportunity. Neville is another player that is playing horrendously and I don't blame Moyes from taking him out last week. he sucks this week too. I can sense the frustration of the crowd. Am I now too.

Everton is totally switched off. Even till the 41st minute when Everton won themselves a free kick, Arteta can't even score from the edge of the box. A loud boo from the crowd at half time. deservingly so!

Frustrating! Even in the second half. Bring on Tommy, or even Anichebe. Whoever! Manny tried firing a shot in. saved by the goalie. Yak then followed-up but nothing in the end. First shot by Everton in the 53rd minute? Oh boy.

Finally! Lovely pass by Manny in the 55th minute. Ossie is found totally open and he struck the ball sweetly into the goal. Everton 1-0 Derby. Suddenly, Manny seems to be more confident now. Ossie strikes at goal again on 60th minute but saved by the keeper for a corner.

Howard save on 63rd minute when Derby was on a one-on-one situation. Good passing in the 66th minute led to Ossie striking on goal but well save by the opposing goalkeeper. Yak is replaced by Anichebe and Manny is replaced by Jag. Final replacement where Arteta was replaced by Valente.

Nothing exciting after that. They have to buck up after one of their worst performance this season. We need to boost our strike and also our midfield. Manny may not be the answer.

Score: Everton 1-0 Derby
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Manny
Subs: Anichebe, Jag, Valente

Actim Players Ranking: 010408

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 12th (468) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2), (26/2), (4/3), (14/3), (1/4); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 30th (399) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Yakubu: 32nd (364) - Best position: 18th
Howard: 33rd (390) - Second best goalie (26/2), (4/3); Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2), (14/3); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2), (1/4); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 27th
Neville: 42nd (369) - Best position: 32nd
Jagielka: 52nd (341) - Best position: 49th
Yobo: 70th (295) - Best position: 70th
Timmy: 78th (288) - Best position: 64th
AJ: 87th (278) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Cars: 91st (272) - Best position: 72nd

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.
Pienaar: 95th (251) - Best position: 62nd
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL - FULL TIME

This will be one tough match for Everton. Away game, no Cahill, AJ nor Anichebe. No matter what, the Toffees must give it their all.

First shot off from Arteta in the 1st minute. He found that little space but his tame ball was saved comfortably by the opposing goalkeeper. Everton is slowly pecking Liverpool back but the Reds are causing their own little problems for Everton, and Liverpool has taken the lead in the 7th minute. Liverpool 1-0 Everton. Yak should have just clear the ball.

Everton don't seem to be able to settle. It's always a concern when you do not have a striker on the bench to change the scene if there lies a need to. The Toffees are not threatening Liverpool at all and Yak has shown much frustration for playing the lone striker and one which has been lacking support.

Arteta seemed to have moved into a more central midfielder position, lending Yak a little more help. In the 58th minute, a header by Ossie from Arteta's free kick nearly went in. Nearly is the word. Pienaar is replaced by Fernandes. Oh boy. I'm always concerned about Fernandes's commitment when he's playing. Soon after, Neville is being replaced by Bainsey and he very quickly won a corner for Everton, but it came to nought.

Everton continued to press ahead for the equaliser. Good link play between Ossie, Arteta and Yak to earn themselves a corner. But it was ably cleared by Liverpool.

Everton loses this derby match against Liverpool. But Everton really fought hard for every ball. That's what we as fans would want to see.

Score: Liverpool 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Fernandes, Bainsey

EVERTON vs WEST HAM - FULL TIME

It's the best time for Everton to extend their lead as both 6th placed Portsmouth and 7th placed Aston Villa faltered in both their matches. Timmy and Anichebe are back for Everton, but AJ, Yobo and Pienaar are all out due to injury.

Everton went in search from the word go, but it was West Ham who struck the cross bar first in the 4th minute. Everton then went on the attack but could only put the ball off target via Ossie's header.

Everton has the lead in the 7th minute! A nice back header by Anichebe reached Yak, who shook off the defender, controlled the ball with his head, powered ahead of two other defenders before placing a shot past the opposing goalkeeper. Everton 1-0 West Ham.

Oh no, Timmy is out injured. What's happening to Everton's players in the final few games? He is replaced by Fernandes. But you know things are not doin too bad when even Ossie is winning his headers. Yak scores again, but he was deemed offside. Fernandes seems to be a little tentative in his play. His confidence is a little suspect.

Everton is giving West Ham an uncomfortable time in the 24th minutes as they continue to put pressure on the opposition through back-to-back free kicks and corners. The opposition themselves look like they are disintegrating with arguments between team mates and also, with the referee. But they nearly scored through a mixed up between Arteta and Jag.

Jag is proving to be a revelation with stop after stop to prevent West Ham from troubling Howard. Anichebe was put though on goal by Yak but the goalkeeper made a wonderful save.

What a reflex save by Howard! A free kick by West Ham broke through the wall, deflected off the knee of Lescott but stopped by the foot of Howard. Half time and Everton will need to extend their lead.

Everton start with a full seven minutes of pressure on West Ham. But the opposition also have a punch of their own and through a corner, showed that they could attack too. Everton hit back in the 56th minute but Yak did not have the opportunity to have a clean strike at goal.

Fernandes really looked off form or totally not interested at all. In the 64th minute, the referee played the advantage after the opposing defender had trip him the ball reached Ossie, slide a pass to Bainesy who came one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But the latter made a wonderful save. Then, West Ham came back to score the equaliser. Everton 1-1 West Ham.

Once again, Moyes's hands are tied as he really have no other strikers to go for. They are really looking lost now. Everton won themselves a point, but barely.

Score: Everton 1-1 West Ham
Scorer: Yak
Assist: Anichebe
Sub: Fernandes

FULHAM vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton started with the same team that played against Fiorentina with AJ and Yak playing upfront. For the first 5 minutes, Fulham tried to played the direct ball which posed Everton with some threat.

In the 13th minute, AJ seemed to have sprained his ankle and was replaced by Hibbo. That change disrupted the entire flow of attacking soccer as Fulham started to peck Everton back. Only in the 24th minute that Everton made their first shot albeit off target. Everton did one better but still not score when Yak squeezed his way into the penalty area but his subsequent shot was saved by the opposing goalie.

Fulham seemed to be winning most of the 50-50 balls. Everton chances came in dribs and drabs. Arteta took a free kick in the 37th minute but it came to nought. Yak then created his own chance in the 42nd minute but the goalie once again stopped his powerful shot.

Half time Everton 0-0 Fulham. Would Everton be jinxed again at Craven Cottage or will Everton break that jinx?

In the 47th minute, Arteta won a free kick which he took. The ball floated into the penalty area but it went pass everyone. Neville tried to run through to goal in the 56th minute but was abruptly stopped by Fulham. That was Arteta's territory but his free kick was deflected and the chance was lost.

In 63rd minute, a low pass saw the ball coming into the path of Neville but his shot was blocked. Bainesy came on for the pretty ineffective Pienaar. Very quickly after the substitution, Everton is down by one goal in 66th minute. Everton 0-1 Fulham. What's happening to Everton? Why is the substitution bench without a known striker? So I understand from the commentator that all the known strikers are out injured. Oh boy.

A free header by Yobo in the 70th minute sees the ball fly way beyond the goal post. Everton is pressing right now but is it too late? Yak tried a shot in the 79th minute but once again, stopped by the goalie. Everton nearly went two goals down but the ball was cleared away. Fulham really looked like the hungrier side.

Usually when teams are behind, they will pressure the opposing team in the final 10 minutes. But Everton is not even doing that, and that's a loss for Everton. That possibly means the lost of 4th place as well.

Score: Fulham 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Substitutes: Hibbo, Bainsey

Actim Players Ranking: 140308

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 8th (458) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2), (26/2), (4/3), (14/3); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 28th (376) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 29th (375) - Second best goalie (26/2), (4/3); Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2), (14/3); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 27th
Yakubu: 32nd (364) - Best position: 18th
Neville: 34th (355) - Best position: 32nd
Jagielka: 49th (332) - Best position: 49th
Timmy: 65th (287) - Best position: 64th
Yobo: 70th (283) - Best position: 70th
AJ: 76th (278) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Cars: 82nd (266) - Best position: 72nd
Pienaar: 95th (251) - Best position: 62nd

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

UEFA CUP: EVERTON vs FIORENTINA (2ND LEG)

Timmy s out injured but still Everton came out firing on all cylinders. A cross by Arteta and a threatening shot at goal by Ossie. Both sides are attacking but it was good to see even AJ and Ossie fighting for headers.

It's the 12th minutes and Everton has not scored an early goal. But the good thing is that they are pegging back their opposition. And Everton scores from a free kick!!! Arteta made a short pass for Pienaar to pick up the ball on the left who managed to cross the ball. Yak made a nuisance of himself in the opponent's penalty area and the goalkeeper missed catching the ball. AJ was just behind to tuck the ball into the goal via his chin. It really does not matter how Everton scores. So AJ has used his shoulder, and now his chin! Everton 1-0 Fiorentina.

Arteta is on song today with much to prove. He took a lovely free kick in the 19th minute that was creeping in san a save from the goalkeeper. Everton was closing them down very fast and not letting them settle.

Ossie is fighting and shielding every ball and he's drawing quite a number of fouls on himself. A quick free kick in the 34th minute saw Arteta threading a ball to Yak who shook off a challange by the opposition's last defender, but was saved by the goalkeeper. AJ was through in the 42nd minute but a last minute tackle ensured that the striker does not score. Half time.

Everton continued their quest for goal in the seocnd half. The opposition is trying to come back but Everton needs to continue to push them back. The worry is Everton might start to leave gaps. In the 63rd minute, AJ managed to get in a cross in for Yak to turn and shoot, but it was blocked.

What a goal!!!! Everton, with Yak tracking back to tackle, brought the ball forward. He checked back and passed the ball to Arteta, who strode forward without any opposing defenders marking him. Seeing that opening, Arteta took a shot from distance and the ball just flew past the diving goalkeeper. Everton 2-0 Fiorentina.

What a great double save! One was cleared off the goal line, and the other was a save from a flying header of Yak. A great save in the 76th minute as Howard, who has been rather erratic with his kicks, made a tremendous save off a header by the opposing striker.

Everton needs to get the third goal and they are really pressing hard.

But finally, Everton did not get the third goal, and lost out to penalty kicks. But it was a great game by Everton in all sense. All the fighting, all the teamwork. It only bodes well for Everton and her future.

Score: Everton 2-0 Fiorentina
Scorer: AJ, Arteta
Assist: -

SUNDERLAND vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton was without Cars and Ossie, but welcomed Arteta back to the starting line-up. AJ was also in the first XI.

Nothing to note in the first three minutes but AJ has just won his first header! Moyes has asked Everton to forget about the 7-1 thrashing and Sunderland was definitely playing with greater conviction. They are not giving Everton much space and the game was pretty scrappy. Are they suffering from the UEFA Cup hangover?

Somehow, whenever Neville gets hold of the ball, I also kinda shudder as I really don't know what he'd be about to do. Lots of mis-passes recently. In the 25th minute, Lescott brought down the ball well in the penalty area but chose to pass instead of shoot and the chance is gone. There we go, Neville made another unforced error. What's wrong with this guy?

It was also wierd that Lescott seemed to be playing more like a left winger. Neville is not doing himself any use as I'm not even sure which position he is suppose to play. The most exciting thing so far was the foul on Pienaar! We're in the 40th mintue and there's not even a shot on goal. The 43rd minute then saw three consecutive corners, a deflection off the cross bar after Timmy's header, and AJ's follow-up header saw the ball sailing over the bar.

End of first half. What a yawn.

The start of the second half sees Sunderland controlling the match. Everton can't seem to get near the goal at all. Something needs to change. Anichebe should be brought in, and maybe Tommy for the useless Neville.

The game will definitely open up now! In the 54th minute, Arteta crossed from the left and AJ and Timmy both went for the ball. The former somehow scored via a shoulder. But like they always say, it doesn't matter how you score, so long as it's in the net. Sunderland 0-1 Everton.

Sunderland will need to attack now and definitely will not be able to play their ultra defensive game of seeing 10 men behind the ball. In the 65th minute, Everton was nearly caught with their pants down. Sunderland came back with a quick counter attack after a failed free kick set piece at the other end. All the big guys such as Yobo and Lescott were upfield at that time. It was Pienaar who tracked back with all his might to ensure that Sunderland do not trouble Howard.

Everton was split opened by a lovely pass by Sunderland in the 75th minute but Jag cleared the ball. Bainesy is on for the hardworking Pienaar. Then everything is back to scrappy again.

A great joy for the next replacement. The 16 years old Jack Rodwell is in for Timmy, and Anichebe is in for Yak. Sunderland is still pressurising Everton's defence. A superb superb save by Howard in the 92nd minute to keep Everton in the game. The final whistle goes and Everton is now back on par with Pool in the league table.

Not the best game that Everton has played so far.

Score: Sunderland 0-1 Everton
Scorer: AJ
Assist: Arteta
Subs: Bainesy, Rodwell, Anichebe

UEFA CUP: FIORENTINA vs EVERTON (1st LEG)

My apologies for not writing this report as this game was not shown in Singapore. Anyway, nothing much to write as well since Everton lost 2-0. I appeal to our local cable company to broadcast the return leg. Pleeeaseeee!

Actim Players Ranking: 040308

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 8th (438) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2), (26/2), (4/3); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Howard: 25th (353) - Second best goalie (26/2), (4/3); Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 27th
Arteta: 29th (347) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Neville: 32nd (334) - Best position: 32nd
Yakubu: 35th (328) - Best position: 18th
Jagielka: 51st (297) - Best position: 51st
Timmy: 64th (281) - Best position: 64th
Cars: 72nd (262) - Best position: 72nd
Yobo: 75th (260) - Best position: 74th
AJ: 85th (251) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Pienaar: 93rd (243) - Best position: 62nd

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

EVERTON vs PORTSMOUTH - FULL TIME

A very tricky match for Everton as Portsmouth has a pretty strong frontline of Defoe and Kanu, while on the bench, we see Baros and Utaka. The Toffees are without Arteta due to injury.

Yak wins Everton a free kick within 15 seconds and they scored all within one minute!!! Pienaar took the free kick. The ball then bounced akwardly into the lurking Yak who headed the ball in. Assist by Yobo who had the last touch before Yak scored. Everton 1-0 Portsmouth.

Yak wins Everton another free kick with some smart shielding, but Cars balloons the ball over the goal. Everton's passing seemed to be much smoother than the last couple of matches. A nice cross by Ossie in the 15th minute but Yak could not make a clean connection. Very quickly, Everton attacked again through a nice one-two that saw Pienaar put a lovely cross into the penalty area. Timmy pounced on it but once again, the connection was a soft one and the ball was subsequently cleared away from the penalty area.

Everton is holding the game well and they definitely need to score a second to ensure that the Toffees will not endure a nervy end in the last 10 minutes. Loads of lovely touches that totally carved open Portsmouth's defence in the 24th minute. Ossie struck the ball but was off target.

The Toffees have been able to both defend and attack as a unit. Everton seems to be able to throw bodies up front with ease and speed. Pony-haired Pienaar has another opportunity in the 32nd minute but the ball flew past the left upright.

Crafty little Defoe has scored against Everton. Everton 1-1 Portsmouth.

Portsmouth are giving Everton some problems in the second half and Moyes might need to bring in a runner, someone who can stretch their opponent. Suddenly, the field looks so big to Everton as they are losing so many balls and are chasing the shadows of Portsmouth's players. Everton needs to get back their self belief.

Hibbo is replaced by AJ in the 65th minute and made an immediate impact. He latched onto the ball and pressed the opposing defenders back. A lovely low cross which Pienaar could not convert.

Finally, Everton takes the lead! Timmy has broken his duck after a tough season of injury. Yak shielded the ball really well and he pushed it back to Pienaar who made a lovely cross for the unmark Timmy to score. What a header. Everton 2-1 Portsmouth.

What a finish!!! A total striker's goal by Yak. A route one by AJ in the 81st minute that saw Yak picking up the ball. A little shimmy created some space between Yak and his marker and the vicious strike by Yak saw the ball whizzing past the opposing goalkeeper. Everton 3-1 Portsmouth.

A lovely header by Yobo in the 87th minute nearly saw Everton extend their lead. Pienaar is replaced by Bainesy. Sheer hard work by Pienaar, who deserves to be in the ranks of Everton.

Score: Everton 3-1 Portsmouth
Scorer: Yak (2), Timmy
Assist: Yobo, Pienaar, AJ

Actim Players Ranking: 260208

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 8th (424) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2), (26/2); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 24th (347) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 27th (340) - Second best goalie (26/2); Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 27th
Neville: 32nd (323) - Best position: 32nd
Yakubu: 57th (278) - Best position: 18th
Jagielka: 58th (276) - Best position: 58th
Cars: 76th (252) - Best position: 76th
Timmy: 80th (249) - Best position: 71st
Yobo: 84th (246) - Best position: 74th
AJ: 89th (241) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Pienaar: 100th (227) - Best position: 62nd

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.

Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

MAN CITY vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Everton starts the game without playmaker Arteta and with AJ on the bench as they revert to a 4-5-1 formation. The Toffees looked to soak in the early pressure. Somehow, the Toffees don't look like a side who are capable of controlling the game with their passes and it is up to them to prove the fans wrong.


In the 5th minute, Pienaar's cross carved out an opening for Yak who toe-poked the ball towards goal but was cleared out for a corner. Shortly after, Everton further threatened Man City's goal with the likes of Yak and Timmy, but the final ball was ballooned by Hibbo.


Good interception by Pienaar who robbed a ball off a Man City midfielder and was on the way forward but was aptly stopped by the opposing defence. Man City looked to control the game while Everton are covering well for each other. Man City continues to peg Everton back whenever they have the ball but Everton is still playing well as this game needs a goal to open up the game a little bit more.


In the 27th minute, a route one ball floated into the path of Timmy who passed the ball out to Pienaar. The latter's immaculate chip saw the ball clip the upright. What a close call.


Everton is in the lead! In the 29th minute, Everton movement outside the sixth yard box saw the Toffees trading passes among Yak and Timmy. The latter then sent a low cross into the penalty area and Yak was there to put the ball into the net. Everton 1-0 Man City.


What a blunder by the Man City's defence in the 37th minute. From an Everton's cross, the ball was cleared out of Man City's goalmouth. Cars got hold of the ball, and crossed the ball back in for Lescott to score with a header. Everton 2-0 Man City. A good half time result for Everton.

The start of the second half saw Everton and Man City and trading blows once again. Lots of running by the spritely Pienaar who has played the creative role well. Everton will need to score a third to put the game beyond Man City's reach. Everton nearly did that with Timmy sliding in on Yak's low cross, only to be cleared by the Man City's defence.

Pienaar is being replaced by Manny in the 54th minute. Seemed like Pienaar has suffered a slight strain. Man City is trying to claw their way back as Everton backline continues to give Howard adequate cover.

The substitute Manny has been replaced by AJ because of injury. Manny don't look too impressive in his second stint with Everton. A stupid handball by a Man City just outside their penalty area nearly cost them. But the danger was cleared. Surprising shot by Cars from a free kick when everyone just stood still and waited for the referee to blow his whistle.

The game now is end-to-end as Man City, looking for the elusive goal, has fully stretched themselves for Everton to exploit. Neville is not doing Everton any credit with his continued mistakes game after game.

A cross by Lescott in the 83rd minute saw AJ pounced on the ball, only to be saved by the reflexes of the opposing goalkeeper. Soon, the action was over at the Everton's side as Howard made an important save.

Everton has now proven to be a top side that's pushing Liverpool, and maybe Chelsea to the wire.

Score: Everton 2-0 Man City
Scorers: Yak, Lescott
Assists: Timmy, Cars

UEFA CUP: EVERTON vs BRANN (2ND LEG)

Everton come into this match with a two goal lead but Moyes selection of players suggested that the Toffees are not resting on their laurels. In comes Arteta and Pienaar. So we should expect a little bit more creativity from Everton as they have taken up a 4-4-2 formation.

The opening five minutes saw both teams trying to settle though Everton is starting to control more of the game. In the 5th minute, Brann was through but their striker was seemingly fouled by Cars outside the penalty area, but the referee said play on. Don't think it would be dangerous but definitely it would have been uncomfortable.

Low shot by Brann in the 10th minute and it was dealt very cleanly by Howard. Once again, Everton seemed to be soaking in the pressure while going on a counter attack.

Cars is controlling well from the centre and have continually placed the ball into the penalty area and that allowed Everton to earn their first corner, but it came to nought. This, like the game in the first leg, looked to be a pretty tight affair.

Brann was not really threatening, but Everton was also not. Everton's final third are losing too many balls. Also, too many misplaced passes by the midfield and this only showed what tight defence Brann had.

From a save from Howard, to a goal at the other end. In the 35th minute, Pienaar made a pass to Timmy, who flicked it on to Yak who did a one-two with Timmy and the former then nicely curled the ball into the net. Assist by Timmy. Everton 1-o Brann.

Everton is turning this into a display match. In the 42nd minute, AJ picked up the ball and was sheperded to the right of the field, That did not stop AJ from taking a shot that went past the opposing goalkeeper and into the net. Everton 2-0 Brann.

Half time. Think Moyes may want to bring in Anichebe for a run in the last 20 minutes or so to rest those tired legs of either Yak or AJ.

Moyes has moved faster than I thought for the substitution. Cars and Timmy are out, and Hibbo and Fernandes are in.

Everton nearly had their thrid with AJ breaking through but the upright saved Brann from further embarassment. With Fernandes in, Everton looked so much more dangerous and soon enough, Everton scored again in the 57th minute. Pienaar passed the ball to Yak, who strode into Brann's half towards goal. With a little turn of his body, he left two defenders on their butts, and then curled the ball nicely into the net once again. Sheer class. Everton 3-0 Brann.

Brann came back to score from no where from a free kick, aided by a bumpy ground. Everton 3-1 Brann. Everton are starting to commit silly fouls.

But a couple of passes and Everton scored another goal in the 69th minute. A pass from AJ, to Pienaar, who passed to Yak. He controlled the ball and swept it to the path of Arteta who took a shot and scored through a massive deflection by the opposing defender. Everton 4-1 Brann.

Yak scores his second hat-trick for Everton in the 71st minute. Pienaar centred the ball. It bypassed all the opposing defender but not Yak, who went on to score an easy goal. Everton 5-1 Brann. Pienaar assist. That was the last contribution by Yak who was replaced by Anichebe. Potent display by Yak.

Everton is still not letting up as they continue to chase the ball.

Oh so close. Anichebe brought through on the right and made a telling cross. Arteta then went on to set Pienaar up who tried to place the ball beyond the opposing goalkeeper. Once again, the upright saved Brann. Everton too was saved by the post as Brann tried to get their consolation goal.

And what a late goal by AJ as he inflicted more pain to Brann's all so painful wound. Picking up the ball from the left, AJ released a thunderous shot that bulged the net. Everton 6-1 Brann.

Brann was just clinging on and hoping for the referee to blow his whistle, which he did to end their suffering. What a game, what a thrashing!

Everton will now go on to meet Fiorentina.

Score: Everton 6-1 Brann (Aggregate: 8-1)
Scorer: Yak (3), AJ (2), Arteta (1)
Assist: Timmy, Pienaar

UEFA CUP: EVERTON vs BRANN (1ST LEG)

Everton starts the first leg of the last 32 teams in UEFA Cup. Yak is now back into the team and will partner AJ in a 4-4-2 formation. The Toffees though will be without two creative players - Arteta and Pienaar.

Everton kicks off and Yak has the first shot on goal in the 43rd second. Everton are passing the ball around well enough and Brann are trying to keep pace with the Toffees. Brann came fighting back in the 9th minute after a clumsy challenge by Fernandes. Brann took the free kick and the header just skimmed the cross bar. Brann is definitely not an easy opponent.

Timmy still looked singed as he had made a couple of bad passes and clumsy tackles. Jag did well in th 16th minute with an important lobbed clearance. Brann is still doing well at the back with former Leeds defender Eirik Bakke marshalling his backline. Once again, Jag made a crucial tackle to ensure that parity was maintained. I'm still waiting for Everton to win their first corner. That's where they can threaten.

The opposing defence was tight and it looked difficult to unhinge their back four. Everton wins their first corner in the 29th minute but Cars took a wild shot that suits rugby more than soccer! Somehow, Everton's defence seems to look more fragile than their opponents and Brann has a couple of pacy attackers to trouble Everton.

Nice curler in the 32nd minute by Ossie, forcing the opposing goalkeeper to make a one-handed save. Still, I'm not convinced with Everton's midfielders. Neville is creating quite a bit of problem for themselves with his bad passes and he gave the ball again to cause more worries for Everton.

I'm starting to wonder if VdM will make a difference if he is ever brought in. The Everton midfield looks pretty dead. Fernandes does not create enough for the strikers, Timmy having his off day, Cars is ballooning every ball he receives. Only Ossie looks interested in the game. Even the Everton defence are also making quite a few unforced errors. Drama at the end of the first half as the ball was bundled into the net but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Howard. That was close.

Both teams enters the dressing rooms at the halfway mark. Brann showed that even though they are off-season in their league, they are still playing with alot of gusto and have done better than the Toffees so far. Believe that Moyes will give them some dressing down for their slack play.

Everton has to play better than the first half and they won two corners in succession but but came to nought. The Toffees are definitely missing Arteta's holding ability and pin-point crosses. If this persist, Moyes may have to remove a striker and add a midfielder to stranglehold the centre of the field. Timmy finally came to life in the 52nd minute as his long shot bounced off the left post.

Everton continues to wallow in their under-par performance as they could not even deliver a simple cross with Neville one of the culprits once again.

Everton scored through Ossie in the 58th minute and what a placement of a shot. A clearance by the opposing defender saw Ossie latch on to the ball and his shot curled beyond the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper. Brann 0-1 Everton. Ossie has been a real handful for Brann.

Again, everton goes into slumber. The defence are waiting for the ball to come to them and are not closing down the opposition quickly enough. Timmy looks really tired and may need to be substituted. Anichebe is in, AJ is being substituted.

Fernandes took a pot-shot in the 76th minute. The ball bounced akwardly in front of goal but was well saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Good try.

Howard made a tremendous save in the 82nd minute to punch the ball away for a corner and Brann nearly profited from it. Brann is really pressing for the equaliser but Everton is trying to slow the pace of the game down and then Everton struck. Lescott marauding run on the left was left unchecked for quite a bit. He was allowed to make a cross into the penalty area which Anichebe gladly pounced on to score Everton's second goal. Brann 0-2 Everton. There was a tinge of offside though. Everton was lucky to be given that goal.

Baines is in, Yak is substituted. The referee blows the final whistle and Everton is one step closer to the last 16.

Score: Brann 0-2 Everton
Scorer: Ossie, Anichebe
Assist: Lescott

Actim Players Ranking: 120208

Everton players in the Top 100.

Lescott: 9th (386) - Best defender (4/9); Second Best Defender(18/9), (2/10); Third Best Defender (25/9), (30/10), (6/11), (5/2), (12/2); Fourth Best Defender (9/10), (23/10), (18/12), (8/1), (15/1), (22/1), (29/1); Fifth Best Defender (13/11), (27/11), (04/11) Best position: 9th
Arteta: 19th (347) - Fifth best midfielder (28/8), (30/10); Best position: 8th
Howard: 29th (320) - Third best goalie (4/9), (12/2); Fourth best goalie (15/1), (22/1), (29/1), (5/2); Fifth best goalie (28/8), (8/1); Best position: 32nd
Neville: 31st (313) - Best position: 34th
Yakubu: 65th (253) - Best position: 18th
Jagielka: 73rd (245) - Best position: 73rd
Timmy: 85th (233) - Best position: 71st
AJ: 87th (233) - Fifth best striker (4/9); Best position: 22nd
Yobo: 94th (224) - Best position: 74th

Those who have previously made it to the top 100.
Cars: 97th (214) - Best position: 87th
Pienaar: 90th (216) - Best position: 62nd
Ossie: 86th (153) - Fifth best midfielder (14/8); Best position: 9th
Hibbo: 100th (89) - Fourth best defender (14/8); Best position: 19th
Anichebe: 84th (52) - Third best striker (14/8), Best position: 5th

EVERTON vs READING - FULL TIME

Everton really looked out-of-sorts today. It's easy to find a scapegoat and definitely we have one - Yaks. But beyond that, everton seemed weak in all departments. I tend to believe that other teams have figured out AJ, and thus nullifying any threats. I missed the 1st half and I found out that I didn't miss much. So here's the 2nd half.

A great cross by Arteta in the 60th minute, and the Reading defence cleared it out of the box reaching as far as to Ossie. The defence closed in on him rather quickly and Ossie had little choice but to pump the ball back into the penalty area. The Reading defence played Jag in whose looping header saw it beat the opposing goalkeeper. Everton 1-0 Reading.

Everton came to life after that goal. In the 66th minute, Ossie struck the cross bar with a lovely cross shot. So close. Once again, Everton will need to score another goal to make sure they win.

Neville has been giving away a whole lot of balls and that's not too good a sign, and he gave the ball away! again!! Neville has wasted so many attacking opportunities.

Vaughny tried an overhead kick on the 76th minutes and was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Great shot! Everton nearly conceded. Lescott missed the clearance and it was one-on-one with Howard. But Jag sliding tackle ensured Everton maintains their lead.

One of the worst game I've ever seen Everton play.

Score: Everton 1-0 Reading
Scorer: Jag
Assist: Ossie
Sub: Vaughny