Everton: Lucky One Point

The referee and linesman awarded Everton a penalty when actually, there was should not even be a shout.

Everton starts without Coleman who injured himself in the last game. Felli is also out injured and he will be missed.

Everton started the game with much impetus. Holding the ball well and spraying good passes. The first 10 minutes saw Sunderland giving Everton a couple of good chances with poor calls in their defence. Cahill even had the opportunity to run through on goal only to stop by Sunderland's goalkeeper in that one-on-one situation.

The Toffees then had another chance at Sunderland. Bainesy got through in the 13th minute, made a telling cross but was cleared by Bumbling Bramble. Corner taken by Bainesy once again only for Cahill to head it wide. Everton wins a corner in the 15th minute. A lovely floater by Drenthe only for Saha to miss the header altogether. What's more, no one was marking him.

Sunderland had their chances too. It was Sunderland's Bentner who had Hibbo sticking to him like a leech. The Sunderland's striker took a shot but was blocked by Hibbo. Sunderland then made their first forced change with Bramble taken out due to injury.

But against the run of play in the 25th minute, Everton went a goal down. Total defence failure! Jag should have been covering, but he was day dreaming and Distin and Hibbo had to rush in to cover for him, leaving the right channel open. Sunderland 0-1 Everton.

Suddenly, Everton stopped attacking. The wings looked non-existent.

Everton sputtering start to the 2nd half continues. But it was Ossie jinking run in the 50th minute that earned Everton a penalty. What happened? Ossie tripped over his own feet! Bainesy stood up and was counted when he cooly slotted the ball into the top right corner of the net. Sunderland 1-1 Everton.

For the next 20 minutes, Moyes kept to the same team when the fans are calling out for a proper striker. Moyes made a straight swap - Magaye in for Drenthe and in the 83rd minute, another straight change of Vellios for Saha. Final replacement, Faddie in for Cahill in the 86th minute.

Everton could have ended it in such a sweet note if any other players other than Distin was at the end of the ball. At the end, it's a good point for Everton. A very lucky game for the club.

Score: Sunderland 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Bainesy (Pen)
Assist: Nil
Subs: Magaye, Vellios, Faddie

Everton: Important Three Points

Everton grabbed a good three points with Ossie scoring a lovely header.

Moyes still continues with his 4-5-1 but as the Singaporean Evertonians were discussing last week, it would be best for Cahill to be rested as he has not been able to contribute effectively to the team. Drenthe and Coleman are slotted back into the two wings while Ossie takes the place of Cahill. Strac has impressed the last match and is warming the bench. Other substitutes include Faddie, Distin, Magaye and Barkley.

One thing that this game shows is that there is no weak teams in the Premiership. Swansea came to Goodison fighting and their passing was magnificant while Everton's wings looked a lot more lively. Still, the Toffees lacked the final incisive touch.

The game was played at a pretty breath-taking pace.

Unfortunately, Coleman has to be taken out due to injury and Magaye takes the winger's place in the 30th minute.

Drenthe moved over to the right and immediately, swaggered left and right to create a chance for Saha who headed wide. Everton has been winning free kicks and corners but so far nothing has come out of it.

Everton has a great chance in the 36th minute. It started with a sliced pass by Ossie. Bainesy puts in a low cross for Magaye to smash the ball towards goal. Palmed away by the goalkeeper, only as far as to Magaye who tried to tuck the ball into the net. Stopped by two Swansea defenders, unjustly with the use of hands. But the referee chose not to give Everton the penalty.

Another handball at the edge of the box gave Everton a chance to put in past the goalkeeper via a deadball situation. Bainesy puts it over. Magaye had another try on target but the goalkeeper was equal to it to prevent the winger for scoring. By the end of 1st half, Swansea has not taken a single shot at Everton's goal.

Everton has strong possession - numerous free kicks and corners but are not turning them into goals. The weak link really is the final third whereby the midfielders also need to chip in their fair share of goal, rather than just relying on Saha.



Once again, Everton starts well with loads of flowing passes. The pressure from the front is not there. Strac indeed have to come in sooner than later. Drenthe's pace and control is definitely giving Swansea alot to think about and finally, a Drenthe cross saw Ossie rising like a salmon to head part the goalkeeper. 60th minute goal. Everton 1-0 Swansea. A good mid-way goal. But I guess with this, Moyes will not bring on Strac. Or maybe he will for Saha.

Everton needs to prop up their goal difference and this home game should accord Everton with that. Swansea is now coming back harder and they had the first chance on goal. Howard was not too troubled.

Saha wins Everton a free kick near the box, Drenthe though ballooned it. All the free kicks taken today don't seem to be heading towards the net. Still, Drenthe looked like a good loan deal with loads of running and defending from the front.

Strac in for Saha in the 70th minute and final substitution, Cahill on for the magnificant Drenthe in the 80th minute.

The last 10 minutes or so, Swansea just could not breach the Everton's defence. So a great three points for Everton to bring us into a lovely Christmas!

Score: Everton 1-0 Swansea
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Drenthe
Subs: Magaye, Strac

Everton: Two points dropped

This is one game that Everton needs to win but didn't. Two points lost.

Moyes started with Magaye while Bily was left on the bench. Neville comes in for Rodwell in defensive midfield.

Everton dominated the first 25 minutes and you just hope that it would not end up with a score such as the Toffees last match against Arsenal. They need to score to sooth some nerves. So far, the Norwich defence have held well.

So in the 28th minute, the prophesy came true. Heitinga marked the striker so tightly and yet the Norwich striker was able to squeeze the ball into the net. Everton 0-1 Norwich. We control much of the match but don't look dangerous upfront adnd everyone knows that you that if you don't score, you don't win.

Everton starts the 2nd half unchanged but looked totally deflated. Moyes then brings in the second striker in Strac for only so what must have been a rare 4-4-2. The manager just does not like to play two up.

In the 70th minute, Moyes made another change. Drenthe in for Magaye and he delivers.

Drenthe time and time again, ran at the Norwich defence and in the 81st minute, Drenthe made another run at the defence and nobody made any effort to stop him. He released a stinging shot and Ossie came in from the blind side to deflect the ball past the keeper. Everton 1-1 Norwich. Drenthe assist.

What a strike by Drenthe in the 86th minute! Fierce shot the deflected off former Everton goalkeeper Ruddy. Drenthe is really taking it against Norwich on his own!

The substitutes truly made a difference to the team. But still, it's not good enough for Everton.

Final change - McAleny for Saha in the 87th minute. The score still remains in parity.

Score: Everton 1-1 Norwich
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Drenthe
Subs: Drenthe, Strac, McAleny

Manager Costs Us The Game

Frustrating game that the manager has to take responsibility for. He managed to somehow take out the only established striker in a 4-5-1 formation and replaced him with Distin. Why in the world would a manager do that?

This is one difficult away game as Arsenal has been on wonderful form. Everton sees the return of Neville while bumbling Bily retains his slot. Saha returns from his injury. Evertonians got to see Arteta in red though.

Both clubs started pretty tentative but in the first 20 minutes, Arsenal had a number of chances and it looked like Everton was living a charmed life so far.

Arsenal's Walcott had so many chances to score against Everton but have somehow been making erronous choices. Instead of shooting he passes. But to be fair, Arsenal as a whole have been rather wasteful. A nicely floated cross appeared to have reached Walcott, only for the offside Van Persie to pick it up. Wasted opportunity.

Even Ramsey who was gifted a chance, went on to spurn it.

Dangerman Gervinho has been giving Everton's defence plenty to think about with his pace. When the Arsenal striker skipped past the entire defence, it was Howard who stood tall, blocking the striker's shot which was destined to bulge the net.

Everton is riding their luck with this first half draw 0-0.

The 2nd half sees Everton defending more than attacking and Moyes puts it one up - He substituted our only striker for a defender. Saha replaced by Distin. So what are we playing now? 5-5-0?

And after that, Everton is down by one goal. Van Persie scores in the 69th minute. Arsenal 1-0 Everton. So what is Everton going to do now without their striker? Maybe Moyes will bring in another defender???

From Everton's point of view, Moyes is really looking for just one point. That's weak!

Double substitution in the 76th minute - rookie McAleny and Magaye in for Neville and Bily.

Rubbish play and this time, it's the manager that did the team in.

Score: Arsenal 1-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Distin, Magaye, McAleney

Everton: The Referee won the game!

Moyes's prediction came through. It's a fluke back to back wins that we had. And now we are not that mighty anymore. We may even fall into the lower half of the table.

A one minute cheer for the recently departed Everton midfielder Gary Speed. His team mates were in presence on the field - Unsworth, Stuart and Ferguson among many others. After that, the full concentration was on the game. Vellios and Bily start with no Drenthe and Saha in sight.

Everton controlled the first 10 minutes of the game but there were clear signs that the Toffees were having problems with the long high balls that Stoke were throwing at the defence and it was their first corner that they took a lead against Everton. A smashed shot in the 14th minute after Everton failed to clear that corner. Everton 0-1 Stoke.

Everton was neither attacking nor creating much effort and Stoke nearly punished them once again in the 34th minute from a cross. Fortunately for Everton, no players managed to reach the ball.

There were a few shouts for fouls and penalties but were all rubbished by the referee! Poor game by Everton standards.

The horrendous game continued into the 2nd half Rodwell was brought in for Bily in the 63rd minute. The Russian should never ever be allowed to play for Everton, ever again.

I really can't understand Moyes. Strac for Vellios in the 75th minute when we are a goal down? Final change. Magaye in for Hibbo in the 82nd minute.

A chance with a cross by Bainesy in the 84th minute but all of Everton's players missed the ball.

The referee was impossible!

Score: Everton 0-1 Stoke
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Rodwell, Strac, Magaye 

Everton wins! Two goals and one red card

Another win by Everton and we goes up the league table! We are climbing. The sent off of Bolton's defender helped and no one in blue would be complaining.

Everton started without their on-loan livewire Drenthe who was bruised and battered in the last game. Neville, Distin and Anichebe continue with their rehabilitation. Bily comes in on the left channel.

Bolton started on a stronger foot with Bolton's Kevin Davies testing Everton's backline as early as the 2nd minute. Everton too, started to grow into the game, especialy the ever wonderful Bainesy who seemed to be mechanically putting in cross after cross.

In the 18th minute, Everton was given a very good opportunity as Bolton has been reduced to 10 men with a poor tackle by a Bolton's defender on Bily.

Everton was then given a free kick after Bainesy was tripped. Heitinga took set-piece but was saved, too easily. Even with one extra player, Bolton do not look any way inferior to the Toffees.

The Toffees started the second half with great dominance and 3 minutes from the start of the second half Bily placed in a cross from the left and Felli was on hand to bulge the net. Bolton 0-1 Everton. Assist Bily.

Coleman has been running himself silly and still, no Bolton players had wanted to mark him. So he ran all the way into the six yard box and shoots but was palmed away.

Everton was let off the hook in the 64th minute when a sliced pass saw Bolton's Klasnic getting on the end of the ball. Instinctive save by Howard.

Everton then goes on the attack with none other than the marauding Bainesy who placed a pass into the path of Bily. The Russian lobbed a high ball and everyone waiting with great anxiety as Cahill was rising as high as a salmon - on target, but too soft as the cross was not placed at a good height.

Coleman is running at the Bolton's defence for the entire night and once again, they backed off from him. The ball arrived at Ossie who took a good pot shot at goal. Saved.

Vellios came in for Saha in the 73rd minute and soon after, he made the Bolton goalkeeper uncomfortable. His strike was saved by the keeper. But not for long. Bainesy delivered a long ball towards goal, Cahill was in full stretch to hook the ball back towards the penalty area and the lurking Vellios was at the right place to finish the ball. Bolton 0-2 Everton. 

Barkley comes in for Cahill in the 87th minute. Good substitution! Final sub, Magaye in for Bily.


Score: Bolton 0-2 Everton
Scorers: Felli, Vellios
Assists: Bily, Bainesy
Subs: Vellios, Magaye

A well deserved win!

A penalty nearly cost Everton, but it was a late penalty that won this match for Everton.

Everton sees a changed backline with Distin and Neville out. In comes Heitinga to shore up the central defence. Good to see both Felli and Drenthe back in midfield. Cahill continues to pair up Saha as the guy in the hole. This is one game that we truly have to win.

Drenthe did not evoke much confidence as he made a dangerous pass in his own half as early as the 1st minute. Thank goodness the danger was averted.

A lovely chance in the 15th minute. Cahill set up a lovely chance for Saha who knocked the ball towards goal. Saved.

Drenthe has been pegging along the left channel and have been creating havoc in that area but putting in cross after cross.

A sweet one-two between Drenthe and Bainesy in the 22nd minute that forced a rushed clearance by Wolves. The corner amounted to nothing once again. It's been awhile since we last saw an Everton player score from a corner kick.

After all the possesion, Everton gave away a penalty in the 37th minute and Wolves is now in front. Everton 0-1 Wolves. Felli made that challenge but I can't blame the referee for giving it as it looked like a penalty. But with the chance of instant replay, Felli looked like he did not touch the Wolves player at all.

Suddenly Wolves started to play flowing football. But against the run of play, Everton won themselves a free kick which was dispatched by Baines. Jag rose the highest and directed the ball into the net. Everton 1-1 Wolves.

In the final minute, Felli struck the ball with so much power that the goalkeeper could not hold on to the ball. Cahill was in but was seemingly pulled back. No penalty? Why? After this incident, the referee quickly blew his whistle, most likely to extricate himself from the field just in case Felli runs him down.

Everton has to make Goodison a true fortress that teams will be afraid to play at. How to do that is to really plummet these teams with all we have.

How did Everton not score? A good run by Coleman. Beats his man, lovely low cross into the penalty area. Saha backheeled the ball for Cahill and he struck the ball sweetly. Stopped by both the defender and goalkeeper. Shortly after in the 70th minute, Drenthe had a chance but it was thumped away.

In the 73nd minute, Cahill is out Vellios is in and it was a pull on him that Everton has been awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute. Bainesy stood up and made it count. Everton 2-1 Wolves.

In the 85th minute, Drenthe out, Bily in. Why oh why is he brought in? Final sub in the 90th minute. Saha out, Strac in.

It does not matter. Everton has taken the three points. That is what matters.

Score: Everton 2-1 Wolves
Scorers: Jag, Bainesy (Pen)
Assist: Bainesy
Subs: Vellios, Bily, Strac

Everton: We Came, We Saw, We Lost, Again!

Another loss, and Everton now is so close to the relegation zone. We are really in trouble.

Everton is in the dumps as their confidence dipped to their lowest point. It is one thing to play against the big clubs back-to-back, but it's another thing when they did not even take a single point from that match. And now they are facing Newcastle - a club that is now sitting in the top half of the table.

Drenthe is back after his suspension while Heitinga comes in for Distin. Coleman has been moved to the left. Not too sure if he's comfortable with that.

Everton got sucker-punched as early as 12th minute. A cross was mildly deflected by Bainesy and it caught Heitinga in two minds. Before he could say "No!", he fully stretched leg could only direct the ball into his own goal. Newcastle 1-0 Everton.

Everton started to threatened and in succession, Saha and Ossie had their opportunities by then received a second sucker punch. A blazing stike that Howard had not a single chance to save. Newcastle 2-1 Everton.

Everton tried to fight back but when everything went the Toffee's way, the post had to deny Saha his goal. Sigh! To make matters worse, Neville is taken off in the 41st minute and on came Distin.

Everton is down by two goals and the only way to get back on is to score the first goal, and that was just what Everton needed. In the 45th minute, Drenthe curled in a sweet corner which was met by a stinging header by Rodwell. Newcastle 2-1 Everton. Drenthe assist.

Start of the second half. Saha had a glorious chance in the 53rd minute but his shot was deflected wide no less by traitor Gosling with his hands. But the referee did not see that.

Timmy in for Heitinga in the 55th minute and he made jos first contribution with a back header and a shot on goal all within 4 minutes of his entry. Saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Drenthe has now moved over to the left while Coleman is back in his comfortable right wing.

Final change by Everton - Faddie in for Hibbo in the 80th minute. But in the end, it meant for nothing.

Score: Newcastle 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Rodwell
Assist: Drenthe
Subs: Distin, Timmy, Faddie

Everton: An important 3 points

Fulham did Everton a favour by not scoring in the dying minutes and Everton made them pay with two goals in injury time.

After hard-nosed Moyes continued to play the same personnel even after their back to back losses, he finally throw in Drenthe and Vellios into the starting line-up while Cahill and Saha have to warm the bench. Neville is also back in the first XI. Andy Johnson faces Everton and hopefully, he will score none.

Everton starts the game with a goal, and it's all Drenthe! In the 2nd minute, a tangle in the final third of Fulham's half saw Rodwell setting the ball up for Drenthe. He then runs with the ball before hammering the ball into the top left corner of the net. Fulham 0-1 Everton.

A lovely cross on the right from Bainesy in the 11th minute, and Rodwell's head was at the end of it. Just flew wide.

Drenthe is really giving his all against Fulham. Another good shot from the right in the 18th minute. Stopped by Fulham's golakeeper. Everton had another chance in the 20th minute. A flick by Drenthe to Hibbo. A juicy cross ensued but the end product by Vellios was poor.

A stupendous save by Howard to palm the ball away in the 24th minute. Total blinder of the shot but a one handed save! Must be the save of the season!

Everton will need to get their second goal in order to arm-twist Fulham to push men forward. Howard made another save in the 29th minute with a tip-over. The next 15 minutes of so was all Fulham. The half time whistle was definitely a good time for Everton to re-group. This is Everton's chance since Fulham has spent quite a bit of their strength playing in Europe during the mid-week.

Fulham starts the second half and Hibbo puts in a good last-ditch tackle to stop them from scoring. another close shave.

In the 50th minute, Everton brings Saha in for Vellios where the latter has done his fair share of running and troubling Fulham. Everton will really need to score one more goal to put the game away.

But instead, Everton was just backing up and are not picking up the attackers and they paid the price for it. Hibbo was totally out of position! Fulham 1-1 Everton.

Coleman and Timmy are in for Neville and Ossie respectively in the 75th minute. How did Fulham missed in the 88th minute? Rounding up Howard, he smashes the ball beyond the bar. Saving grace for Everton. And what happened next was truly a sucker punch for Fulham. Drenthe puts in a reverse header, Saha picked up the ball and slotted it past the goalkeeper. Fulham 1-2 Everton.

In quick succession. Everton wins a free kick on the left channel. A cross by Drenthe, Fulham defender cleared it only as far as Rodwell who drilled in a fine shot beyond the goalkeeper. Wonderful goal. Fulham 1-3 Everton.

Important three points. Everton now moves up the league table. Close, close shave.

Score: Fulham 1-3 Everton
Scorers: Drenthe, Saha, Rodwell
Assists: Rodwell, Drenthe
Subs: Saha, Cahill, Coleman

Everton: Losing Streak

Yes, Everton have done well against Chelsea over the last couple of seasons, but we have not strengthen our squad and this time, it would be a tricky away game for Everton and results do not lie. The Toffees kept the same team that lost the Liverpool after Rodwell was wrongly sent off.

Everton have soaked in the early pressures well and even had a chance at goal via Saha from the left channel. Chelsea is giving Everton the chance to have a go at them. That would work well for Everton.

The first 20 minutes saw Felli putting in a number of poor first touches and even earning himself an early yellow card. Jag has also not been his usual steady self in the last couple of games. Chelsea has the lion share of the play but Everton is playing the counter attack.

Chelsea totally sliced Everton's defence apart in the 31st minute that resulted in a goal. So much for keeping a clean sheet. Chelsea 1-0 Everton.

Everton players are pretty static and it's worrying to see that we may even have a hard time staying in the top half of the table. Everytime The Toffees are in Chelsea's half, they lose all creativity. There was just a trickle of support from midfield. This is really the situation where you pay peanuts, you get Chelsea stealing even the last nut!

Oh did I say Chelsea scored about just at the half way mark. Chelsea 2-0 Everton. Enough damage for one half.

Second half and Ossie nearly score from the start only to be denied by the post. What luck. Everton then got sliced open once again in the 51st minute but thankfully it ended in nought.

Moyes and the rest of the Evertonians had enough. Drenthe in for Coleman in the 60th minute, and with that change, came Chelsea's third goal. How did that happen? Lightning speed. Chelsea 3-0 Everton.

Second change for Everton - Neville in for Cahill in the 71st minute.

Ossie had a good chance in the79th minute, but the ball did not pick up enough spin towards goal. Final change, Vellios for Saha in the 80th minute, and Vellios scores! How? A reverse header by Felli, Drenthe puts in a very quick cross from the left channel, and in came a sliding Vellios. Chelsea 3-1 Everton.

This game is a full write-off.

Score: Chelsea 3-1 Everton
Scorer: Vellios
Assist: Drenthe
Subs: Drenthe, Vellios, Neville

Everton: The Referee Destroyed the Game!

Poor poor refereeing that cost Everton the game. Liverpool looked no more dangerous but the referee just had to give them the advantage by sending Rodwell off for a legit tackle.

At the start, this merseyside derby is all that Toffee fans are waiting for. Saha and Cahill lead the line. This is all so rare for Moyes to finally play the 4-4-2 formation. Moreover, it's Saha first start of the season. Still, a win against will put Everton above Liverpool for only the second time this season. We have Reds and Blues fans standing side-by-side. Some families in Liverpool are split down the line. But after 90 minutes, someone will have bragging rights till the next derby game.

Everton started with great fire and in the 2nd minute, it looked as if Cahill was pulled in the penalty area. Penalty not given. The ball reached Felli who shoots, deflected for a corner. Bainesy took the corner but it all came to a nought.

So close for Cahill in the 8th minute where Coleman floats a lovely cross into the penalty box. Cahill as usual, was there to head the ball. It was going in and only palmed away by Reina. In the follow-up ball, Distin came close to scoring. The defender cuts into the six yard box like a striker and lets fly. Just past the horizontal.

There was no contribution from Rodwell and the only thing that we see is a red card for him in the 24th minute. Disaster!!! It was not even a red card!!!!!!!! His tackle was totally fair. Now the referee is not playing fair. Cahill got a yellow for a high challenge when Adams too had a high boot. The referee has spoilt the game.

Jag gives away a penalty. Kuyt took it and Howard saved it!!! What a fantastic save! Right at the end of half time. Not this time Kuyt, not this time. In the last minute of extra time, Adams struck the ball towards goal. Bounced off the bar!

Second half, Everton just have to do it. It's 14 reds versus 10 blues.

Everton setting up a chance for themselves in the 52nd minute. Lovely movement up front that ended with Saha curling the ball beyond the goal. Everton making their first substitution - Drenthe on for Coleman in the 58th minute.

In the 60th minute, nobody wanted to mark Saha who strikes from distance. Missed right. Reina was furious! Neville on for Ossie in the 69th minute.

Pool scores in the 70th minute. It does not matter. Everton truly tried.

Final change. Vellios on for Hibbo in the 78th minute.

Pool scored another goal in 81st minute. Everton's trying everything that they have. Shot from distance, chasing every ball.

Just horrendous refereeing that cost Everton this derby game. Let's dedicate the game to the referee then.

Score: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Scorer: Referee
Assist: Referee
Subs: Drenthe, Neville, Vellios

Everton: Three Points In The Bag

Great , great three points for Everton! It's the day of the substitutes. Vellios scored his debut goal. Strac helped to set up the last goal. Drenthe scored his debut goal too.

Moyes seemed so happy with the team that played against Villa that he chose not to make any changes facing Wigan.

Everton started where they left off and they controlled the midfield. In the 5th minute, a one-two saw Bily jinked his way into the penalty area only to be repelled by the defence. The ball reached as far as Bainesy who crossed the ball into the centre.Coleman head made connection with the ball. Palmed away by the goalkeeper. The subsequent corner came to nought.

A love three-man move nearly saw Everton score. Ossie reverse pass saw Bainesy running into the penalty box. He then carve out a low cross to Cahill. Crowded out, Cahill still managed a shot. Booted away by the opposing defender.

Cahill had another chance when the last defender clumsily mispass the ball. But Cahill cuts the ball short, too short to reach Ossie.

And now, Everton is behind after all the good work that pressing for the last 31 minutes. This is what happened when you do not take your chances! Everton 0-1 Wigan.

But within a minute, Jags brought Everton back to parity! Everton 1-1 Wigan. Cahill's strike hits the bar and rebounded only as far as Jag who aplombly directed the ball into the net. Good recovery. Everton better learn from this.

Somehow everything that Bily does, it is not coming through. Every cross, every chip. Take him out! I really don't know why Moyes still plays the Russian.

Everton struggled on for 13 minutes before Moyes was contented to put Drenthe in for ineffective Bily in the 58th minute.

Second substitution comes in the 66th minute - Vellios for Coleman.

Vellios brought Everton forward in the 67th minute. Ossie was open on his right but the striker was a little too selfish and he took the shot himself. One more good chance wasted.

Everton do not seem to be too concerned that they are heading for a draw. Stroking the ball from left to right, and back to the defence.

Strac is brought in to give Everton a bit more impetus. Immediately, Everton is on the offensive. Lovely cross by Hibbo for Vellios to put  in a looping header. Debut goal. Great goal. Everton 2-1 Wigan. Hibbo assist.

Wigan tried to came back strong but got super-punched by the Everton boys! In the 97th minute, Strac puts in a back header which eluded everyone except Drenthe who body feint made the goalkeeper commit. He then cleverly slotted the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and Wigan. Another debut goal to cap his wonderful run. Everton 3-1 Wigan. Assist: Strac.

Not the prettiest of win and the result was only clear near the end. Three points for Everton and they truly needed that.

Score: Everton 3-1 Wigan
Scorers: Jags, Vellios, Drenthe
Assists: Hibbo, Strac
Subs: Vellios, Drenthe, Strac

Everton: So Close To Getting All Three Points

Everton truly played their hearts out and was unlucky to not take all three points at Goodison.

Everton new loanees Strac and Drenthe are both on the bench. This will definitely frustrate the crowd if the Toffees do not score first. The commentator seemed to suggest that Moyes is deploying a 4-4-2 formation with Cahill and Ossie up front.

Within the 1st minute, Everton had their first call for a penalty. Former Evertonian Richard Dunne placed a hard challenge on Ossie in the penalty area. But the referee allowed play to continue.

A great set-up on the left between Bily and Bainesy in the 7th minute which saw the former crossed the ball. Cleared by Villa's defender for a corner. A good cross saw Ossie striking the ball towards goal. Kneed away by the Villa's goalkeeper, cleared by their defender.

So far so good for Everton.

A lovely lovely set up and a wonderful goal! It was at set for an Everton goal with a consistent pressure for the full 19th minute. A sliced ball into the penalty area arrived at the feet of Cahill. He seemed to be dragging the ball away from goal before putting in a reverse pass. Ossie was at the right place at the right spot to slot the ball into the left corner of of the net. Everton 1-0 Villa. Assist: Cahill.

Cahill has been all over the pitch, defending from the front.

Sexy play by Everton once again in the 33rd minutes that involved the giant Felli, Cahill and ended with Ossie shooting on target. Saved by Villa's goalkeeper. Everton is putting pressure on Villa all over the pitch.

Everton has control of the ball and Villa were just encouraging The Toffees to shoot, which Rodwell rifled his shot towards goal. A hefty deflection by a Villan defender saw the ball bounced off the upright for a corner but it came to nought.

Half time whistle goes. Everton looked totally assured with no answers from Villa. A good round of ball possession by Everton.

Everton started their match as they did in the 1st half. Strong call for penalty in the 50th minute when Bainesy was tripped in the penalty area. No penalty? How could it be?

Great defending by Distin who sewed Agbonlahor into his side pocket. A poor clearance by Villa nearly gifted Everton a goal in the 6oth minute. Felli got a header to the ball who saw Jag of all person putting in a stooping header that just flew past the horizontal.

A goal out of nothing from Villa in the 62nd minute. Everton 1-1 Villa. When you don't make your chances count, the opponents will punish you. Moyes needs to do something here!

Penalty!!!! A climb on Ossie after Cahill bullet header was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Bainesy puts Everton in front with the penalty! Everton 2-1 Villa. Let's march on!!! The Everton crowd is now singing.

Everton brings Drenthe on for Bily in the 71st minute. Let's see what can this young boy do. He steals the ball at the left channel and drove himself into Villa's final third. A nice ball to Ossie in the penalty area. The midfielder puts in a good shot only to be blocked by a diving defender.

Barkley comes in for Coleman in the 80th minute. Coleman has really gave Villa alot to think about. Everton got sucker punched again! Everton 2-2 Villa.

Final substitution for Everton Vellios for Cahill in the 84th minute.

Vellios caught out Villa's goalkeeper in the 89th minute but his final opportunistic shot just missed the goal. Barkley was in full run and was covered by three players but still, he managed a pass to Vellios who shot on target but was palmed away by the goalkeeper.

It could have been all three points for Everton but it was just not Everton's day. The positives are that Everton played really well and they truly banished the ghost of Arteta. Youngsters such as Drenthe, Coleman, Barkley and Vellios have shown that they are indeed the future of Everton.

COYB!

Score: Everton 2-2 Villa
Scorers: Ossie, Bainesy
Assist: Cahill
Subs: Drenthe,Vellios, Barkley

 

Everton Leads a Charmed Life

Crazy game that Everton really did not deserve to win. In the end, Arteta's penalty made the biggest difference as Everton went on to win the game, barely.

Everton is making three changes and have included the influential Arteta and Felli as Moyes tries to change their fortunes. Anichebe has also been brought in for Becks who sits on the bench.

For the entire 45 minutes, both teams did not really test each other. What is more of a concern is that Everton has not have a shot at goal. Not even a single opportunity. Anichebe as usual, is only interested in falling over or using his body strength to bump the opponents off the ball.

Just at the second half, Everton's darling puts out a trailing leg in the penalty area and his rawness showed. Penalty. This is upsetting. But Howard stood up to the challenge. What a great save. Truthfully, Blackburn took the penalty poorly as well.

That was very well the last contribution for Barkley. Timmy replaces him in the 52nd minute. Barkley tried but had a couple of misplaced passes and for his young soul, might have taken a toll on his confidence.

Moyes brings on the second change - Bily for Ossie in the 62nd minute.

Finally, a shot on goal by Bainesy in the 67th minute. He cuts in from the left and cstruck a blistering ball at goal. Palmed away by Blackburn's goalkeeper.

Unbelieveable miss by Felli in the 69th minute. Anichebe crosses the ball from the left and Felli was there to meet the ball. But his shot was off target.

Everton is really living on a live wire now. From an Everton attack in the 78th minute, it suddenly became a counter attack that Blackburn so nearly scored. It needed Howard to make that save.

Jag puts in a foul in the penalty area. Why oh why Everton. This is truly horrendous! The striker took the penalty. Beat Howard but saved by the woodwork! Incredulous!

Everton made their final substitution in the 84th minute - Becks for Heitinga.

Everton took the lead. Such an undeserving lead. A dodgy foul on Felli in the penalty area. But really, it did not look like a foul at all. Still, the penalty was given to Everton. Arteta stood up and dispatched the ball beyond the reach of the Blackburn goalkeeper. Blackburn 0- 1 Everton.

How Blackburn lost the match is anyone's guess. Twice they struck the post, twice they were given penalty, two key saves by Howard and by now you know that Everton is leading a charmed life. 

Everton's season has started.

Score: Blackburn 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Arteta
Assist: Nil
Subs: Timmy, Bily, Becks

Carling Cup: Everton's First Win

Everton moves into the third round of the Carling Cup after dismantling Sheffield United. It was good to see the return of Felli and Arteta. Anichebe was also brought in while Barkley made this his second start of what seems to be a long enterprising career ahead of him.

Still, things did not start as well for Everton as they fell behind by a goal in the 23rd minutes even after it seemed that Everton had camped in the opponent's half.. The crowd must have felt the deja vu. Will Everton be able to pull themselves back into the game? Everton 0-1 Sheffield Utd.

The Toffees did not allowed that to affect them as within three minutes, Everton drew level. Rodwell came in from the left. A hopeful low cross into the penalty area saw a Sheffield player turning the ball in. Game on. Everton 1-1 Sheffield Utd.

Then Everton turned the screw and soon, Barkley who was so impressive in his debut game, was again instrumental in the second goal. Ossie made a good run from Everton's third before dispatching a pass to Barkley on the right channel. Barkley sliced a delicious pass that Anichebe lapped it up with much pleasure. Everton 2-1 Sheffield Utd. Assist: Barkley.

The third goal was truly a peach of a goal. Lively Barkley cuts from the right and was about to shoot, only to be foiled by the opposing defender. The ball rolled towards Arteta who curled the ball beyond on-rushing defenders and a diving goalkeeper. Everton 3-1 Sheffield Utd.
Ossie even had a chance to score when his thunderous shot smacked the bar and went out of play.

Still, it was a good match and Everton marches forward into the 3rd round of the Carling Cup.

Score: Everton 3-1 Sheffield United
Scorer: OG, Anichebe, Arteta
Assist: Nil
Subs: Saha, Neville, Baxter

Everton: Disastrous Start!

Mutiny may just happen. No money, no players brought in, no wins.

Everton season starts today and it is really set up in a very good way where we meet a recently promoted QPR. Ross Barkley is roped in for his debut and the crowd left the loudest cheer for him.

The Toffees looked solid and they have to take the lead first to puncture the morale of QPR.

Barkley has such maturity beyond his age. In the 21st minute, he took on one, two, three defenders at the edge of the penalty area and the only way QPR could stop him was to bring him down. Free kick. Bainesy was at the end of it, curling it towards goal. Hits the bar! Everton should have been two goals up by now.

Everton, however, has not struck fear in the hearts of their opponent and even worse, made a mess in defence. Nobody closed the QPR player down and he had placed a sickening curler of a ball past Howard. Everton 0-1 QPR. Total disaster for Everton.

Everton had the opportunity to go level in the 39th minute but Cahill's header flew just wide. Cahill was presented with another chance in the 43rd minute but it went just over the bar.

The referee blew to draw the first half to an end. Total lack of creativity and we truly need a change of personnel. But Moyes kept faith with the team he set off in the first half.

With the manager's voice stinging their ears, Rodwell started the game with an opportunist shot at goal. Smack on target but too meek. Finally in the 54th minute, Arteta is in for Rodwell. The latter had put in many stray passes and made quite a few wrong decisions. Poor, poor game from the number 26.

Felli comes in for Becks in the 63rd minute. So who is the striker now? Felli immediately sets up for Cahill who got his shot on target. Saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Barkley has displayed numerous sublime touches that truly place the senior players to shame. Final substitution. Saha for Heitinga in the 73rd minute.

The last 25 minutes was sickening. Moyes played 4-5-1 at the start, 4-5-1 when they are losing, 4-5-1 to everything. Why? There were no players to change the game. Is this the start of the end for this club? What a loss at Goodison.

Score: Everton 0-1 QPR
Scorer: Were there even strikers???
Assist: Nil
Subs: Arteta, Felli, Saha

Everton: New Season

We are a bit of a slow starter as we are one game behind most other clubs due to the riots in London. Nevertheless, Everton fans all over are rubbing their hands eargerly over our first game at Goodison.

Though the club brought in no new players, we still have one young and exceptional player who will definitely play a part in the club's campaign this season - Ross Barkley. Actually, I am quite sure he will play today. Not much has been heard about him previously. But he has shown great character and guile. A decisive through pass here, a jinking run there, this 17 years old lad is making heads turn.




So let the games begin.Let's take three points off QPR.

Triumph Against Bury

Everton started their pre-season with a game against Bury. Old boy Steven Schumacher was on hand to play against their former club. The fans were in for a treat.

Yak is back for the club - truly bitter sweet as he can perform well one day, but not the next. Still, having him in the squad is better than not since he can be our potential match winner. Felli is also back after a long layoff due to injury.

The first goal for Everton can courtesy of Yak. A lovely cross from Arteta saw the ball bounced around. Felli headed the ball back into the penalty area and Yak need not require a second helping to head the ball beyond the diving goalkeeper. Bury 0-1 Everton. Assist: Felli.

Gueye was having a swell of a time. He smacked one ball towards space. But his subsequent attempt bore fruit. A poor pass by a Bury defender saw Gueye stealing the ball. He sprinted forward and struck the ball. The goalkeeper palmed the ball only for Gueye to pick it up and slotted it into the net. Bury 0-2 Everton.

The third goal came from a good play on the left channel. Neville, wandering aroung the six yard box, make a square pass to Ossie. A Bury defender attempted to slide the ball away but missed. Ossie picked it up, took one look, and launched a unstoppable shot into the top right corner of the net. Bury 0-3 Everton.

Everton had other ideas and the fourth goal was beckoning. Once again Gueye, looking destined to push himself into the first team, moved the ball well, shimmied the defender leaving him on his bum, and then unleashing a thunderous shot that left the goalkeeper grasping air.

All Everton goals came in the first half. Moyes then made four changes during the half time break and Everton, though still in ascendeny, could not make their superiority count.

Eveton's old boy Shumacher exacted a level of revenge as his free kick was a gem, curling into the far post of Mucha.

The result was still sweet for the fans as it ended 4-1 in Everton's favour.

10-man Everton defeats Chelsea!

This is the final game of the season. Nothing for Everton to really fight for except for pride.

Everton so nearly got ahead in the 6th minute. A corner by Arteta saw Jag rising like a salmon out of the water to head the ball. Only to see it bouncing off the horizontal and out of play.

Becks had a wonderful chance after a good inter-play with Arteta. The striker was through on goal but somehow, it seemed like he could not decide whether to go for a srike on goal or cross. Either way, the ball reached nowhere.

In the final minutes. Howard had to pull two fabulous saves to ensure that Everton stays in the game.

Half time. Chelsea has the personnel to win the game but the thought of the team being disbanded after this final match must be playing on them.

What a cheat. Mikel just wanted to get Coleman sent off after the latter put in a legitimate tackle. Cheat, cheat, cheat! Now Everton has to play with 10-man.

Becks had his chance in the 58th minute but just not clinical enough. A good pass from Hibbo that sliced the Chelsea's defence open. Becks marauded forward but his strike went straight towards the goalkeeper. Everton is still fighting hard, even with 10 men.

Everton takes the game to Chelsea with a good strike by Arteta in the 65th minute. Just wide of the goal. But that does not stop Everton.

From a Chelsea attack, Everton took the initiative right from the penalty area of Howard. Becks took the ball, ran, and ran and ran. Came up against three defenders. Skips past them with a fortunate deflection. All alone against Chelsea's goalkeeper. With his right foot, Becks puts in a sublime chip. GOAL!!!! With 10 men! That's really in the face of Ancelotti. Tata Chelsea's manager! Everton 1-0 Chelsea.

In the 79th minute. Becks is off, and Anichebe is in and Timmy comes in for Arteta in the 89th minute.

Distin has been hoofing everything that looked like a ball. Something that gave good comfort to Howard.

And...Everton wins! With only 10 men. Deservingly! A good end to the season.

Score: Everton 1-0 Chelsea
Scorer: Becks
Assist: Nil
Subs: Anichebe, Timmy

Everton's Mind On Next Season?

Lack lustre, lack much bite, lack enthusiasm. That's what Everton's team looked like.

Everton in their bright pink away colours, saw three changes in their line-up. The Toffees welcomed back Arteta, while Timmy and Anichebe were brought in after their long bouts of injury as well.

The team that Moyes has lined up is not one that is attack-minded and when you make Anichebe your chief striker, you will usually get more duds than success. Wigan showed good control of the ball and  Everton had no answer to their controlled play.

Soon, Everton was down 1-0. Everton was caught playing Wigan's striker on-side in the 20th minute. Howard tried to close down the angle but was hookwinked after the Wigan striker curled the ball beyond Eveton's goalkeeper.

Ossie went for an immediate reply with a large smack on the ball in the 22nd minute. Palmed away by Wigan's goalkeeper.

Ossie made a nuisance of himself again a short corner taken by Bainesy, picked up by Ossie in the penalty area in the 24th minute. Good body feign that caused the Wigan player to tackle him from behind, drawing that penalty. Arteta stood up to take the penalty but was saved! On hindsight, the penalty should have been taken by Bainesy! What a waste!

Come half time, Moyes made no changes. Maybe he felt that they were playing well? He must be watching a different game. Why not bring in Becks?

Everton nearly went two down only for Howard to pull off two wonderful reflex saves in the 59th minute. Toothless!

Becks and Coleman were brought in for Arteta and Cahill. Everton earned themselves a penalty once again. Wigan has been giving Everton all the chances but they have failed to take their chances so far. This time, Bainesy took the penalty with such aplomb! Wigan 1-1 Everton.

Final change for Everton saw Magaye coming in for Anichebe.

Neville had to make his once a game near fatal pass! Overan with attackers but Wigan just had to fluff it!
Everton did not deserve the additional two points and what's more, they have lost their race for 6th position. Sigh. Becks made no impression in the game at all! Sigh. Moyes was also playing so defensively. Sigh sigh sigh!

Score: Wigan 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Bainesy (Pen)
Assist: Nil
Subs: Becks, Coleman, Magaye


 

Another three points

Everton 2-0 Blackburn.

My cat deleted my first half report! If you're a teacher and I'm a student, you'd never believe me. But it's true! Talk about Murphy's Law. But thank goodness, nothing much to report in the first half. A try in the 1st minute by Becks who was released by his sheer speed. But he blasted the ball.

Everton then had an injury to contend with in the 14th minute with Heitinga seemingly pulling his hamstring. On came Rodwell. After that, a slew of yellow cards were shown and Everton had another chance by Neville who blasted it over the bar.

Came second half, Magaye is proving to be a handful on the left. His confidence is growing with each match he starts. In the 52nd minute, Everton won a corner. Everton seemed to have practised the corner as Magaye took it short on the right. Ossie picked up the ball, faked a shot that dumbfounded a defender. Ossie pushed the ball slightly before him and took a good hard shot. The ball screamed past the goalkeeper via a deflection. Everton 1-0 Blackburn. Ossie is in lightning form!

Seamus "The Lungs" Coleman has recovered from his injury and has replaced Magaye in the 65th minute. It's always good to see him back and what impact he is making! Coleman earned the team a penalty in the 73rd minute which Bainesy expertly dispatched. Everton 2-0 Blackburn. Bainesy was given so much liberty to run against the defence, which kept backing off. A pinpoint pass to Ossie who was seemingly pushed in the back. Nothing given. But Coleman was quick to pick up the ball and the defence was in total shambles and the only route was to up-end Coleman in the penalty area.

In the 85th minute, Vellios came on for Becks who has been running like a hare all day. Four minutes later, Vellios so nearly scored with a downward header. Only to be palmed away.

But in the end, the game was Everton's. Blackburn did not seemed to have turned up for the game though.

Score: Everton 2-0 Blackburn
Scorers: Ossie, Bainesy (Pen)
Assist: Magaye

Subs: Rodwell, Coleman, Vellios

Everton's Moving Up

A point from this game means that it is confirmed that Everton will not be heading down. Moyes has to play half fit Coleman while none of the players on the bench are of known names.

Everton started strongly with a chance coming as early as the 8th minute. Becks picked up the ball and ran against the defence. His shot was on target but was parried away by the Villan's goalkeeper.

After that, the game became a little scrappy with Everton earning themselves two yellow cards. Heitinga and Jag for unsporting behaviour.

But Everton did pull ahead in the 37th minute, Bily broke Villa's play in their half. The Russian then placed a lovely pass for Ossie, who did not have to break his stride. His jinking run totally bamboozled Villa's defence. With two defenders sticking close to him, Ossie unleashed a speculative shot. Villa's goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out. Everton 1-0 Villa.

Good for Everton. But Moyes has a problem at hand. In the 40th minute, Becks seemed to have pulled his hamstring. Looking at the reserve bench, you have Gueye, Vellios and Mustafi. Know any of these names? Nope! But well, Moyes will have to choose one of them. We'll get to see a young player upfront. A true baptism of fire.

Miraculously, Becks is back on the field with his right hand being wrapped up. Huh? Thought it was his thigh?

Villa took the chance well straight from the 2nd half and got themselves back with a goal in the 47th minute. Everton 1-1 Villa.

We see Gueye for the first time with him replacing Coleman in the 52nd minute.

Gueye's first contribution was from a corner in the 56th minute. Heitinga puts in a blinding header but was palmed away instinctively. Ossie had a chance for himself in the 59th minute but his shot was just wide. To be fair, it was a difficult bal to control. Gueye is showing us that he has a pretty good right feet.

Becks hits the bar and it has crossed the line! But instead, Everton is now trailing by a goal. What a sucker punch! There should also have been a goal line technology! Everton 1-2 Villa. What a mess!

Ossie had a chance from free kick in the 74th minute but he blasted it!

Moyes is debuting Vellios for Distin whi had a tremendous game.

It was Everton pressuring Villa for the last 10 minutes and it has to be Jag who led the way. A wonderful run was somehow halted in the penalty box. Penalty. Cooly taken by Bainesy! Everton 2-2 Villa.

Ossie had a chance again in the 91st minute but once again fluffed the shot. He should have scored a brace of goals right now.

This was one game that Everton should have won. It ended as a draw and the good thing is that we gained a point while Pool got none.


Score: Everton 2-2 Villa
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Nil
Subs: Gueye, Vellios

Everton's slim win over Fulham

It was a tight win that could have been so different if Everton had been more disciplined. The chances were there for Everton to romp home. That did not happen. Everton won by a one-goal margin. Fortunate. Still, it meant that Everton is safe from the drop.

Everton seaw the return of Timmy and Neville. Both are war-hardened warriors that would add bite to the Toffees. We may even get a chance to see young Magaye play on the left wing some time during the match.

AJ is back in the fold for Fulham. He had served Everton well.

It is all Everton for the first 10 minutes. Crosses were coming in from both flanks but none have been on target. Everton nearly scored through Saha in the 27th minute through a header. Only to be cleared off the line by a Fulham defender.

Everton needed to turn their supremacy into goals and it happened in the 35th minute.The play was concentrated on the left. Ossie bamboozled two defenders before crossing the ball. The entire Fulham defence remained static and all Coleman had to do was to head into an empty net. Everton 1-0 Fulham. Assist: Ossie.

The rest of the 1st half was pretty much a bore. Still it was good for Everton to have gone into the half leading the game.

Right from the start, Everton pressed Fulham and once again, they were rewarded. Rodwell was bundled over and the referee gave Everton a freekick in a pretty dangerous position. Bainesy and Saha stood over the ball. Saha took the shot and it crept pass the wall and into goal. Everton 2-0 Fulham. Straight off the training ground.

Fulham constantly invited Everton to shoot. It was like a garden tea party. But as quickly as I had made that statement, Fulham scored in the 61st minute. Everton 2-1 Fulham. Suddenly the substitute that Fulham's manager made seemed to be a masterstroke. Suddenly Everton seemed to be all over the place.

In the 68th minute, Moyes replaced Timmy with Heitinga. That will not change the game. You need to bring on Becks to add more pressure rather than soak them in. If you let Fulham play, they would surely play. Moyes, make that change!!! Fulham is getting even more threatening.

Bily replaced Rodwell in the 77th minute? Why?

From a corner in the 81st minute, Jag planted a header towards goal. It was going in only for the Fulham defender to clear it off the line.

Still, Everton looked totally unrecognisable. They are jittery. Saha looked distraught and might have injured himself once again. His full weight was on his right ankle when he landed after a jump.

Finally, we get to see Becks who came in as a replacement for Saha in the 87th minute.

It started like peach but nearly ended as a pear. Very negative play for the last 30 minutes. Everton was made to sweat!

Score: Everton 2-1 Fulham
Scorers: Coleman, Saha
Assist: Ossie
Subs: Heitinga, Bily, Becks

Everton's Creeping up the League Table

Moyes played a more adventurous 4-4-2 and that drew dividends They only can try to get as far up the table as possible. It is really now or never.

Neville has been pushed up to central midfield while Arteta was asked to operate on the left wing.

The pressure was all even until Arteta came in from the left in the 16th minute. The defenders looked tentative and that encouraged Arteta to shoot. The goalkeeper could only palmed the ball away.

But it was Newcastle who got on the scoresheet. It was a poorly defended ball that Howard could only palmed as far as the opposing striker who headed it into the empty net. Newcastle 1-0 Everton.

Everton defence looked in shambles. Rodwell and Neville are not holding on well. Then the tide changed. In the 31st minute, Ossie covered a whole lot of ground through the centre. He passed the ball to Arteta on the left. The Spaniard had his head up and saw Ossie open. He then sliced the ball into the path of Ossie who had no problems slotting the ball home. Newcastle 1-1 Everton. Assist: Arteta.

Newcastle was caught with their pants down again! in the 36th minute. Bainesy curled in a delicious free kick and the final touch was by Jags! Welcome back! Newcastle 1-2 Everton. Assist: Bainesy.

Everton played well for the next 5 minutes and continued to pile the pressure. However, Newcastle nearly snatched a draw at half time. Just wide of the post. Half time could not come earlier for Everton.

In the 2nd half, Everton lost its captain Neville seemingly from a pulled hamstring. Heitinga came in for the former England national.

Everton attacked with a vengance. In the 53nd minuteArteta instrumental in midfield craved open Newcastle once again. Becks ran into the penalty area and even had a go. Palmed away by the goalkeeper. Becks gave it a go in the 60th minute and that stung the hands of the goalkeeper but the ball did not go past the custodian.

Everton made their second change in the 68th minute which saw 'crybaby' Anichebe coming in for Becks. The young striker has to stop rolling on the floor so much and really try to intentionally win those balls. In the midst of all these, Bainesy saved Everton with a last-minute tackle in the 71st minute.

Everton really let Newcastle off the hook. Arteta ran himself into the penalty area in the 73rd minute but Saha was a tad bit late as he slid in but missed the ball.

Newcastles's Kevin Nolan managed to irritate Anichebe once again with a intentional tap on the striker's ankle. Mr "Short fuse" exploded and both players then earned themselves yellow cards.

Everton placed themselves in a precarious position when Bainesy took a Newcastle player down so near to the penalty area in the 82nd minute. The subsequent free kick went through the wall and so nearly scored only for Everton's defenders to clear at the end.

The Toffees made their final change in the 84th minute - Coleman in for Ossie.

Everton caught Newcastle wide open in the 88th minute. Anichebe jinxed his way into the far left before putting a low cross. The entire Newcastle defence was like a million of miles away when Coleman picked up the ball. The defender turned midfielder gave all he got but was saved by the goalkeeper.

Everton had all the final chances but not scored any more goals. It did not matter this time as Everton took all three points. Just another five points from the last 10 matches and Everton will be safe.

Score: Newcastle 1-2 Everton
Scorer: Ossie, Jags 
Assists: Arteta, Bainesy
Subs: Heitinga, Anichebe, Coleman

Everton Out of the FA Cup

Poor game by Everton. This time, they could not pull the rabbit out of the bag when they went a goal behind.

Moyes has placed the most experience team out to win the match even when this was just an FA Cup. The manager knows that this is one ticket to Europe as the league front has dried up. Two changes made - Bily and Rodwell in for Felli and Becks.

Everton had full control of the match in the first 20 minutes with Coleman coming closest with a downward header that saw the bal skimmed past the post. 25th minute - With their very first foray into Everton's half, Reading scored. It came straight from a corner that was improperly cleared. Everton 0-1 Reading.

Suddenly the pressure was on Everton. A back-paddling Distin in the 28th minute was caught short. The ball was taken off him and Howard was forced to make an important save.

Everton was thought a lesson of making it count when you have the possession. Also, a 4-5-1 formation at home is not too attacking minded, isn't it? Close to the end of the first half, Ossie headed the ball just wide.
Half time whistle brought to a close a rather embarassing half for Everton and was led by a chorus of boos.

Moyes ringed in two changes to prove his discontent. Becks and Anichebe came in for the ineffective Bily and Coleman.

30 minutes in and Everton has nothing to show for. Everton needed to press harder as that allows the visitors lesser space.

Good chance in the 78th minute. Saha moved the ball around in the left wing. He puts in a lovely cross for the incoming Ossie. A sweet first time shot but the ball was palmed away by the opposing goalkeeper. So, so close.

Final change in the 87th minute, Baxter for Neville.

Overall, it was a horrible match that the players an fans should forget about it. Anichebe did not provide many good touches. Bad, bad game that Everton did not deserve to win

Score: Everton 0-1 Reading
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Becks, Anichebe, Baxter 

Easy Win for the Toffees

It was a clinical win by Everton as Sunderland posed no real threat to the Toffees.

It is always good to see Everton playing a little bit more adventurous - 4-4-2. But the first 5 minutes belonged to Sunderland who even saw a one-on-one opportunity. Fortunately, the Sunderland striker could only slice the ball past the goal post.

Sunderland was undone by Everton in the 7th minute. Ossie puts in a through pass that split the entire defence. Becks was on hand to pick up the pass, intricately chipping the ball into the net. Lovely move. Everton 1-0 Sunderland.

Everton nearly gave away their lead in the 27th minute, but Howard palmed it against the bar and back into play. Coleman, seemingly playing deeper right, does not look too comfortable at all. His overlapping play was terrible.

After Sunderland's threatening run, Everton struck once again in the 38th minute. Arteta, receiving the ball on the left, shimmied his way through the defence before cutting in an incisive pass which Becks so cleverly curled it in. Everton 2-0 Sunderland.

Felli had to be substituted in the 41st minute after he had seemingly sprained his left ankle. In came Rodwell. Coleman has been making horrible passes all day.

Half time, and Everton looked comfortably ahead.

Everton continued the second half with what looks like a slow pressure cooker. They are attacking, but not really in waves. Still, Sunderland has not shown much threat.

Becks seemed to have injured himself and was replaced by Timmy in the 72nd minute and a final substitution of Saha for Bily in the 82nd minute. Moyes played a 4-5-1 with Timmy being pushed up front.

Everton could so nearly be 3-0 up. Ossie rounded the defender, rounded the goalkeeper, curled in a nice shot towards goal but it was cleared off the line! So close.

At the end, the game ended 2-0 to Everton. This is the type of game that Everton should win, and this time they did.

Score: Everton 2-0 Sunderland
Scorer: Becks (2)
Assists: Ossie, Arteta
Subs: Felli, Becks, Saha

Creeping into Relegation?

Everton was never at the stands. They played a truly forgettable game and many a times, it felt like Everton was playing against 15 players or even more. Passing was poor, finishing negligible.

Everton drew with Bolton in their reverse game with Becks scoring. Today, the club will be without Saha and Rodwell, both tremendous performers. But we have Timmy back and Anichebe has been roped in to lead the pack.

Bolton seemed to play better than Everton and have been pressing for the last 10 minutes, and ultimately they went a goal down in the 10th minute. Bolton 1-0 Everton. A deflection off Heitinga.

Everton were not even able to control the midfield.

So close for Timmy in the 16th minute! Skipped past two defenders but tapped it beyond the post. Everton are not putting enough pressure on Bolton's defence.

No Everton players have impressed so far. But from the other side, Everton's playing some horrible football. no overlaps, poor control, ill-disciplined markings, no incisive runs. Utterly poor!

Bolton started the second half. Bily was really quite useless. Anichebe looked lost, Timmy had brely had a chance, and Arteta's passing continued to fail him. We'd need to see Becks come in.
A throw-in by Bily turned out to be a foul throw. Impossible!

Ossie and Becks in for Bily and Coleman in the 60th minute.

Everton two goals down y 66th minute. Bolton 2-0 Everton. The Toffees don't look like they could fight anymore. Anichebe kept trying to get foul calls that never came.

Anichebe was finally taken out of his suffering in the 77th minute. Replaced by young Baxter.

It's a total wreck of a game and Everton falls even closer to a relegation fight.

Score: Bolton 2-0 Everton
Scorer: None
Assist: None
Subs: Ossie, Becks, Baxter

What A Cracker of A Game!

Everton 5-3 Blackpool

What a pulsating game. Leading a goal, Everton then trailed by a goal. From there, Everton scored three goals and Saha played a chief role in making sure Everton picked up three points.

Moyes spoke out about not being able to do any business in January. That is totally worrying as there are players who will be out of contract soon and for the fact that Everton has no money to buy, these players may just leave as well. Everton is also short of strikers, thus seeing Moyes play 4-5-1.

Two free kicks in six minutes, both smacked the wall. In the 9th minute, Bainesy stole a low cross into the penalty area only for Bily to over-shimmy and the chance was gone! The ball reached Heitinga who first time shot hardly troubled the goalkeeper.

Third freekick in the 16th minute, plumped into the wall again.

Lovely set-up goal, lovely strike. Pass by Rodwell in the 19th minute, Bily faked two defenders, and the man of the season for Everton, Saha scored! That's what a class striker is all about. Everton 1-0 Blackpool. Assist: Bily.

Rodwell had a great chance. He ghost past a defender, lobbed it past another and he was free in the six yard box. But nerves got the better of him and he missed the shot totally.

Blackpool scored. Fluke goal! When will Everton ever keep a clean sheet? Everton 1-1 Blackpool.

Everton had scored but the referee pulled play back for an earlier foul. What nonsense!!! The referee has played the main role in this game! Too much a part he has played.

Start of 2nd half. And now, Saha scores in the 46th minute. Finally! Good splitting pass by Rodwell. Lovely low cross by Bainesy, and Saha tucked in the ball without missing a step. Everton 2-1 Blackpool. Assist: Bainesy. Saha has been winning all the headers!

Everton needed to score the third goal and Rodwell so nearly scored in the 59th minute! Just can't find that target! A big big mistake by Heitinga. He was not even convincing in the clearance! Everton 2-2 Blackpool.

Felli strikes in the 63rd minute but cleared off the goal line! Counter attack by Blackpool and Everton is behind! What is happening? Everton 2-3 Blackpool.

Everton's defence have totally collapsed!

Off the line once again! Rodwell's ball was well on the way but cleared by a diving defender!
Timmy and Becks are on for Bily and Rodwell respectively.

Saha scores his very first hat trick for Everton in the 76th minute! A cross by Arteta, and no one was marking Saha. Everton 3-3 Blackpool.

Everton takes the lead in the 79th minute!!!!!!! A lovely pass from Bainesy on the left for Becks to tap the ball into the net. Everton leads! Everton 4-3 Blackpool. Assist: Bainesy.

What a roller coaster of a game!

Saha scores again!!!!! Running all the way from midfield, he sprinted past the entire defence to tuck in a wondeful goal. A great through pass from Felli! Everton 5-3 Blackpool. Assist: Felli.

Final substitution in the 86th minute - Jag for Saha.

Convincing win. But defensively, Everton really need to pick up a notch or two.

Score: Everton 5-3 Blackpool
Scorers: Saha (4), Becks (1)
Assists: Bily, Bainesy (2), Felli

Wasted Points

Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Everton squandered the chance to move up the table as they conceded two goals in a short span of time.

Everton started with the unchanged team that competed against Chelsea in the FA Cup. This means that Bily kept his place , hugging the left lane. Timmy is back in UK but Moyes is giving him the required rest.

Everton are asking the questions for the first 10 minutes with good, crisp passes.

Saha! Saha! He scored!!! In the 24th minute, Coleman cuts inside and ran at the defenders. The through ball looked a little late as Saha was clearly offside. But the an Arsenal defender sliced the ball into the path of Saha who slotted it into the net. Arsenal 0-1 Everton. To be fair, I think Saha should have been called offside.

Everton had another chance in the 38th minute with a nice padded header into the path of Bily who shot first time. Saved by the sprawling goalkeeper.

Half time. Everton need to ensure that they do not collapse like a deck of cards. They have to deny Arsenal that first 10 minutes equaliser and continue to press Arsenal and leave them with no space to play their game.

Everton has survived past the 10 minutes. Neville seemed to be blasting the ball up front without thoughts on whether there are players up front.

Ossie is in for Bily in the 64th minute.

In the 70th minute, Rodwell misplaced his header and Arsenal sneaked a goal! Arsenal 1-1 Everton and soon after, Everton is behind in the 75th minute. Poor, poor marking.

Moyes may need to play 4-4-2 now to salvage anything. Anichebe and Jag in for Coleman and Neville in the 78th minute.

It's not for the lack of trying, but a problem with quality that saw Everton lose this game.

Poor, poor finish.

Score: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Nil
Subs: Ossie, Anichebe, Jag

It's a FA Cup Replay

Everton 1-1 Chelsea

It was not hot, and not cold. But it's lukewarm and that was why Everton did not get a result.

Moyes gave Bily and Rodwell a rare starting place. The Russian has to grab hold of any chance he has as this might really be the lasy few opportunities before Moyes dump him into the rubbish heap. But can the gaffer afford to do that since spending about £8 million on the winger proves to be seen.

It's back to 4-5-1 once again and you really wonder why when it's 4-4-2 that have been delivering the results in those miniscule games that we have won. Anyway, this game is nothing to sweat about as truth be told, it's the league that matters.

The first 10 minutes sees Everton pressing well and not rushing the passes. A short corner, a flicked header by Rodwell but Bily's weak finish came to nought.

In the 25th minute, Rodwell drilled a low ball only to be palmed away by Cech. Good pressure by Felli to win the ball.

Howard made a crucial save in a one-on-one situation in the 30th minute. Two minutes later, Coleman squeezed past two defenders only to shoot wide.

Half time, and the game looked totally muted.

Everton started the second half with little fire but still puts in lots of pressure. Coleman was one of those heroes who have caused havoc to Chelsea's defence and with his pressure, he stole the ball from the Chelsea defence and pumped it to Saha whose acrobatic shot was tipped around the post.

Get it out of the net!!!! Saha scored from a corner! In the 61st minute, Bainesy trodded to the corner flag and he got the Goodison faithful to raise their volume. With his deft cross, it was all for Saha to thump in the ball. Everton 1-0 Chelsea.

What a save! In the 73rd minute, Coleman really run into space to power the ball towards goal. Saved. Coleman ran in again and struck the ball, but was palmed away.

From that corner, Chelsea maurauded forward and scored from a that break away. Bummer. Everton 1-1 Chelsea.

Becks in for Rodwell in the 86th minute. What a mistake by the Chelsea defender, mis-sliced the ball into the path of Becks only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

Everton, with their domination, just could not take the game. Now they have to visit Stamford Bridge.

Score: Everton 1-1 Chelsea
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Bainesy
Sub: Becks

Everton Escaped The Jaws of West Ham

Everton 2-2 West Ham

Everton sees another draw. The way they played was awful. If it was not West Ham, the Toffees would have been thrashed!

As for the starting line-up, Moyes played an unchanged side that held Pool to a draw last week. Jag and Saha are back on the bench. Anichebe can do damage, but he has to keep his head. Felli will once again put pressure on West Ham's defence.

Everton started the half but was soon pegged back by West Ham who came close to scoring a goal in the 7th minute. Missed the target just by a tad bit - over the bar. The first 10 minutes belongsed to West Ham.

Finally, Everton had the chance to score in the 18th minute but Becks just could not tuck the ball beyond the line. Good sliced pass by Arteta.

In the 25th minute, and against the run of play, Everton conceded a goal. Coleman was slow to cover and that allowed the opposing winger the opportunity to put in a low cross and the rest, as they say, is history. Everton 0-1 West Ham. Oh boy. We are playing a different half of soccer. It's called a terrible half.

The players are not even running and Everton nearly got caught out again in the 37th minute. This time saved by the post! Everton's in a mess! Ossie kept losing the ball. Neville was intent to take the man, and not the ball. Arteta was also not pulling his weight. The corners he took flew everywhere other than to the Everton players.

Half time could not come earlier.

Moyes was then forced to bring in Saha even though he was only half fit. Becks is off. But don't Moyes think he should have two strikers??? We are definitely missing Pienaar on the left. The partnership with Bainesy is now lost.

West Ham placed Everton under pressure once again. They had another good chance in the 56th minute. Everton might as well play dead. Useless performance, and this is against the bottom club!

Arteta continued to play horrendously. Who else to replace him? Bily? Double oh no! Bily on for the ineffective Anichebe in the 68th minute.

West Ham is filling up their half with players and are trying for a quick break away. But Everton finally made it count and Bily scores!!!!!!!!! It's really a heart attack moment. A first time shot. The correct Bily chose to visit Goodison. Everton 1-1 West Ham. Assist: Felli.

Everton was now loading on the pressure and they really need to go for the jagular! Coleman had a golden opportunity but made a mess out of it!!! Gapping goal!!! Will that be a costly miss? And it was. Straight off after that miss, Everton goes behind again! Everton 1-2 West Ham. The striker was crazy enough to jump into the crowd and that earned him his second yellow.

Last substitution in the 85th minute - Rodwell on for Neville.

The opposing goalkeeper saved a sure goal by Saha. Corner. But Felli changed that. A knock down by Rodwell and Felli pushed the ball away towards the right of the defender before slotting the ball to the left of the goal. A very tight angled goal. Everton 2-2 West Ham.

All in, it was a terrible, terrible game!

Score: Everton 2-2 West Ham
Scorers: Bily, Felli
Assists: Felli, Rodwell
Subs: Saha, Bily, Rodwell

Evertons Draws A Point At Anfield

Liverpool 2-2 Everton

Everton's statistics against Liverpool reads - win one, draw one. That's good enough for me.

When you have Timmy out over in Asia, you would expect Saha to lead the line as before. But He is not even on the bench. Why? Leading the line were Anichebe and Beckford. I really hope that Moyes has not done himself in by cashing in on Yak. Now, we do not have an establised striker.

In quick succession, Coleman in from the centre but his short was off target, while Becks saw himself moving forward after a mis-pass by a pool player, but he tried to lob the ball, off target as well.

The pace of pool's right winger is scary! He ghosted past Ossie then sprinted away from Bainesy. Electrifying pace!

So, so close. Everton nearly went one down in the 17th minute. Hit the post! Really, Arteta needs to make himself 'big' - Play his influential game.

Liverpool 1-0 Everton in the 31st minute. How is Everton going to come back with a one goal deficit, and with the game being an Anfield is anyone's guess.

Half time. Looking at the last 45 minutes, Everton had not even had a decent strike on target.

Oh my, oh my!!! Distin of all people scored for Everton!!!! His first goal for Everton. All within the first minute of the second half! Liverpool 1-1 Everton. Game on! Assist: Arteta.

Everton is in ascendency. They need to make it count. And they did in the 51st minute!!!!!!!! Becks scored a curler of a shot with a beautiful through pass from Ossie. Liverpool 1-2 Everton. Ossie assist. It started from Anichebe's strong header that totally wiped out his defender.

Penalty for Pool. Liverpool 2-2 Everton. Howard was adjudged to have foul their player in the box.

Vaughany replaced Becks in the 72nd minute. Let's hope the former don't get sent off once again. He's prone of doing that with his very rough play. Rodwell is in for Ossie in the 77th minute. Moyes looked set to try to keep that one point. Final substitution, Bily comes in for Anichebe in the 81st minute.

No matter. A vital one point taken off Liverpool.

Score: Liverpool 2-2 Everton
Scorers: Distin, Becks
Assists: Arteta, Ossie
Subs: Vaughany, Rodwell, Bily

A Vital, Vital Win!

What a great game right from the start. The Everton supporters surely deserve this win for their undying support for the team even when things are not going totally Everton's way.

Moyes finally chose to be a little more adventerous with his line-up. Without Timmy, Moyes had to opt for a traditional 4-4-2 with two proper strikers and that paid dividend. Everton had a bright start. A lovely pass from Bainesy that allowed Saha to trap the ball without missing a step. The red sea of Tottenham's defence seemed to part as Saha was given far too much space and with a laser-liked grounder, the ball accurately rolled into the net. Brilliant! Everton 1-0 Tottenham. Assist Bainesy.

But with such open play, Everton came back down to earth once again as tottenham planted a header to draw parity. Everton 1-1 Tottenham.

Felli had a beautiful chance when he stole the ball from Tottenham's half, bypassed the entire defence before launching a pretty weak shot at the goalkeeper. Saved.

The chances are coming quick and fast. Everton had another raid on Tottenham's goal. Coleman ghost past the defender before putting in a lovely cross. Everton's strikers are cuasing Tottenham all kinds of problems. Saha side-flicked the ball somehow into the path of Becks but he fluffed his lines.

In quick succession, Everton marauded down the right flank, and once again, Neville skimmed past the defenders and was turning the pressure on Tottenham. Coleman had a go at it. Blocked by lunging defenders!

Everton continued their clutch on Tottenham. A mis-comm between the Tottenham defenders saw Coleman stealing the ball. A neat pass to Neville ensued and he puts in a lovely cross only for Becks to head over.

Half time. Coleman has provided alot to attacking impetus on the right flank. This can't be said of Arteta who looks off-form, off-coloured, and thus he needs to be taken off if he does not improves. Maybe Ossie should enter the fray soon.

What a chance! A lovely pass from Saha in Everton's half saw Coleman all alone up front. At least Coleman's shot was on target albeit an easy save.

Howard got Everton out of jail! A lovely diving save! At the other end, Coleman puts in a lovely cross for Saha to smash it at goal, only to be deflected.

Saha has chance after chace and it has all been thwarted by the goalkeeper.

What a fantastic point-blank save by Howard. The ball was going in all the way. But was pushed away by Howard.

Watttaa goooooaaaaallllll!!!!!!!!!!! You see what a two-man strike force can do???

A deep pass saw Saha running against the defenders. A little shimmy saw him losing two defenders. A shot, a save by Tottenham's goalkeeper only for the latter to pick the ball out of the net via a flying header from Coleman!!! Brilliant goal! Everton 2-1 Tottenham.

Becks is replaced by Yak while Pienaar is taken out and is replaced by Ossie. The South African looked tired in the last five minutes so it's a good change.

Good fighting spirit by Yak. That's what he needs to do. Final substitution for Everton - Saha out, Rodwell in.

What a chance for Yak to kill the game! He should have just struck the ball. But no matter! These points are among the most important that they have earned.

Everton moves above Pool!

Score: Everton 2-1 Tottenham
Scorer: Saha, Coleman
Assist: Bainesy
Subs: Yak, Ossie, Rodwell

Heading Towards Relegation?

Stoke 2-0 Everton

The first game of the year. A fresh start to the 2nd half of the season. The strikers need to start clicking and start scoring. Moyes has brought back Saha in place of Rodwell and he'd better start letting his feet do the talking. But it all went downhill.

Everton made their first quick break as early as the 4th minute. Good forward running by Saha. Stoke also had a route one try on goal in the 9th minute. Wide.

Everton goes behind in the 22nd minute. It's this type of goal that Everton is short of. Stoke 1-0 Everton.

Timmy had a free header in the 26th minute but the ball just flew wide of the goal post. Very dangerous challenge by Stoke's goalkeeper on Saha. That was a high tackle. Free kick but nothing came out of it.

Everton's fraility in front of goal is showing again. They have to be more ruthless! Bring in Anichebe. Even though he may be leaving, he can still contribute a goal or two. Arteta is also not his usual self. Not showing much creativity. Pienaar has also got to be strong on his feet. He seemed to be falling over the ball with every touch.

Pienaar running with the ball in the 46th minute. A neat one two with Saha but the ball was deflected wide by the defender.

Everton goes into the half trailing by a goal. Sigh!

The entire game is going beserk with the referee and linesmen giving all the wrong calls. Coleman was free on the right channel but was brought down by the defender. Free kick. Came to nought.

Moyes needs to make a change. Anichebe will be a good bet. Arteta needs to be taken out! He is off form. Double substitution - Anichebe and Ossie on for Neville and Arteta in the 66th minute.

Everton needs to press for a goal. Somehow Stoke scores from I wonder how. An own goal from Jag. What a freak goal. What nonsense! Stoke 2-0 Everton.

Mercenary players in Everton's rank. How can they be playing happy? Everton is in deep, deep trouble if they don't start winning. They might as well just throw everyone upfield now. Three goals will make no difference. Moyes last throw of the dice. Becks in for Saha in the 79th minute.

Lost cause!


Score: Stoke 2-0 Everton
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Anichebe, Ossie, Becks