Everton Preview on ESPN Star Sports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who's Our Europa League Opponent?

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

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

BLACKPOOL vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

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

Score: Blackpool 2-1 Everton
Scorer: Jo

COVENTRY vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everton This Week

Transfer

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

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

Friendly

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

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

Everton's Transfer News: Jo & Mustafi

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

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

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

Lescott Going?

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

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

Adieu Lars Jacobsen

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

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

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

July 1 Transfer: Shkodran Mustafi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EVERTON (3) - (1) WEST HAM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Score: Everton 0-0 Tottenham

Scorer: Nil

Assist: Nil

Subs: Ossie, Saha

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everton wins. One word - Clinical.

Score: Sunderland 0-2

Scorers: Pienaar, Felli

Assists: Pienaar, Jo

Subs: Rodwell, Saha, Castillo

Actim Players Ranking: 280409

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

Everton is Through to the New Europa League!

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

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

COYB!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 210409

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

Everton wins through penalties
Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

Saha replaced by Rodwell in the 69th minute.

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

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

Felli is replaced by Vaughny.

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 140409

Everton players in the Top 100.

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 070409

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

Previous Top 100.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 240309

Everton players in the Top 100.

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


Previous Top 100.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Poor, poor game by Everton's standards.



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

Actim Players Ranking: 170309

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

Felli scores Everton's thrid goal

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 100309

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 030309

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 240209

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

Worrying Injury To Arteta

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 170209

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw

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

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

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

Timmy Wheeling Away After Scoring Everton's Third Goal

Photo courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Actim Players Ranking: 100209

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

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

Jo Wins Over The Goodison Crowd With His Two Goals

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FA CUP: EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL - FULL TIME

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Totally brusing match!

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

Actim Players Ranking: 030209

Everton players in the Top 100.

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

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

Seamus Coleman Coming In? Yes.

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

We Are Getting Jo?

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

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

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

Courtesy of www.evertonfc.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EVERTON vs ARSENAL - FULL TIME

Well, when I woke up at 3.50am and turned on the tele, smacked in my face was a losing scoreline against Arsenal. Wow! I thought the game will start at 4am? Then I realised that it was a replay of some old game. Dang! I was had! Phew!

Anyway, Arteta and Felli are back for Everton after their injury and suspension respectively.

Everton started on a backfoot with Pienaar having to foul on an Arsenal player as our opponent continued to attack us for the first six minutes. Well, just acomment. I wonder why out of 10 balls, Felli can only win one of the header. Maybe he has to build up his upper body to win those balls.

Everton is pressing for every ball with Timmy leading from the front and they are playing with confidence. They are playing for each other. It's a whole lot of battle in midfield and both teams are still trying to unlock each other, even up till the 30th minute. In the next 15 minutes, nothing significant happened.The two teams are basically cancelling each other out. Let's see if the second half will be less yawn-inducing.

Cahill got himself free in the 53rd minute and he took a shot but it just ended hitting the side netting. What a goal from Timmy in the 61st minute!!!! He is in golden form!!! A cross from Bainsey on the left found Timmy's head. He was totally marked out but still managed to plant the ball beyond Arsenal's goalkeeper. Everton 1-0 Arsenal. The entire stadium has started to come alive.

In the 65th minute, a long ball by Howard picked out Ossie. The latter cut inside towards goal but his shot was wayward. Great strike in the 80th minute by Timmy once again. The power of the shot forced the opposing goalkeeper to palm it out for a corner. Nothing came out from that corner.

Timmy has played himself into the ground and has injured his ankle. Not sure if he can make it for the next match. Timmy's being replaced by Anichebe in the 86th minute. How did Everton let Arsenal score in the 92nd minute???? Oh boy. Everton 1-1 Arsenal. Sick sick goal.

Score: Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Pienaar
Sub: Anichebe

Next Team?

Well, if Everton gets through to the next round of the FA Cup, who will me meet? Being that "suay", I'd say Manchester United or Chelsea! So the "suay" tie lies in the hand of Gary Pallister and Gary Mabutt.

Ok, it's a home match versus either Doncaster or Aston Villa. Let's focus on the next match against Liverpool first.

FA CUP: LIVERPOOL vs EVERTON - FULL TIME

Its two games in one week and the bitter rivals lock horns once again. Arteta misses this game and Everton just continues to fight on. Liverpool seemed to be playing like a wounded animal, trying to cow Everton into submission.


Timmy gets a yellow card as early as the 8th minute and that's not a good thing. The pressure is on Everton right now as the "bird" continued their wave-after-wave of attacks. GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everton SCORES!!!!! Incredible!!! A cross from Pienaar in the 27th minute, Timmy jumped highest to power the ball towards goal, while Lescott was just flicked the ball into the net. Liverpool 0-1 Everton. Irritating the world out of the "bird".

Everton caused Liverpool problem once again in the 39th minute when a long pass was knocked down by Anichebe to Pienaar who's ball then reached Timmy. All the latter could do was to strike the ball quickly as he was being closed down by two bird defenders. Everton more than survived the first half. They are leading!

Everton has to survive at least the first 10 minutes of the second half. Seemed like Anichebe has tweaked his knee ligament. Ok, we started without our playmaker, now we may be without our only striker. But Anichebe seemed to have run it off and because Anichebe was not chasing, Liverpool took the opportunity to draw level in the 53rd minute! Liverpool 1-1 Everton. We did not keep a cleansheet in the 10 minutes.

Howard made a finger-tip save in the 56th minute and somehow the goal against Everton is rattling them. The Toffees looks totally scattered. So far, Everton is still holding on. Anichebe is being replaced by Gosling in the 70th minute. It's the 75th minute, and again, Everton just needs to hold for another 15 minutes, please!

Castillo being replaced by Rodwell in the 75th minute. Everton blocked two definite goals but they continued to be stretched. Everton brings the FA Cup tie back to Goodison. Really, really hard fight against Liverpool. Tireless running by Pienaar. He played stupendously. Holding, running, passing. He was all over the field. Jag and also Lescott did not put a foot wrong. But what they did was to protect the goalkeeper all so well. Jag, especially, cleared so many balls away from goal that I suspect his boots may have been worn out by his constant activities.

Good fight. We'll meet "bird" again for the third time.

Score: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Lescott
Assist: Timmy
Subs: Gosling, Rodwell

Actim Players Ranking: 200109

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 7th (347) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), (13/1), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12), (20/1) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 18th (297) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1), Fourth (20/1) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 32nd (261) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 29th
Neville: 38th (243) - Best position: 38th
Jag: 43rd (237) - Best position: 43th
Ossie: 50th (230) - Best position: 50th
Fellaini: 59th (223) - Best position: 50th
Timmy: 65th (220) - Best position: 65th

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

Bring it on, Birds! I mean Pool.

I totally like the way David Moyes, the manager of Everton Football Club, puts it, "We're at half time and we will get ready for the next one from tomorrow onwards". How Everton is cherishing the next clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

LIVERPOOL (1) vs (1) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Courtesy of Evetonfc.com

Great enthusiastic start from both teams with Everton putting Pool under pressure in the very first minute when Anichebe chested the ball down and took a shot at goal. The opposing goalkeeper was at full stretch to parry the ball away from goal.

Bainsey blocked a shot in the 12th minute after a free kick from Everton's right channel floated into Toffee's penalty box.

In the 25th minute Everton flowed pretty well and a cross came in from the right flank from Anichebe. Timmy planted a downward header towards goal but was pushed away by the goalkeeper once again. The subsequent corner was cleared away. Two minutes later, Everton had a real scare when their striker broke free and near;y scored if not for the Howard's left post.

Both teams take their well deserved half time break with the score at 0-0.

The mad rush starts again. Arteta took a blistering free kick in the 53rd minutes from a distance in hope the the goalkeeper spills the ball. But the Pool custodian was having none of that. Swiftly, Pool countered in the 55th minute and would have scored if not for Howard's heroics and Bainsey's challenge.

Oh no. From no where, Pool leads with a strike from distance. Pool 1-0 Everton.

Ossie had a go at things in the 83rd minute but it was a comfortable save by the opposing goalkeeper. Everton scores!!! In the 88th minute, Arteta took a free kick from the left and with the stiffest of all kicks, Timmy's header bulleted into goal. Late late goal that made all the difference. Pool 1-1 Everton.

Well, it might have dented Pool's hope of winning the league title, but it did Everton no harm at all!

Score: Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Arteta
Subs: Nil

Actim Players Ranking: 130109

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 6th (327) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), (13/1), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12) - Best position: 6th
Lescott: 16th (290) - Third best defender (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 29th (253) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1), (13/1) - Best position: 29th
Neville: 36th (236) - Best position: 44th
Jag: 45th (227) - Best position: 45th
Fellaini: 50th (223) - Best position: 50th
Ossie: 60th (213) - Best position: 56th
Timmy: 87th (197) - Best position: 87th

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

EVERTON (2) vs (0) HULL CITY - FULL TIME

I'd to work late today. However, if I'd known that the cable tv people were switching the Portsmouth vs Man City's match, I would have rushed home for the game. Still, I had the opportunity to watch the last 20 minutes of the game. So yes, I missed the two goals and could only watch them on replays.

Felli and Arteta, both Everton's important players, scored through what they are usualy known to use. Felli headed the Toffees aheaded in the 18th minute with a brilliant cross from Bainsey. The latter is fast penning himself into Moyes's first XI.

The second goal was one that derserves to be the goal of the season. Arteta took the free kick and the ball just whizzed past everybody, the wall, the goalkeeper, and even nearly the net.

All in all, Everton has kept their sixth clean sheet and it seems like the English combination of Bainsey, Lescott, Jag and Hibbo are coming together quite well.

Score: Everton 2-0 Hull City
Scorer: Felli, Arteta
Assist: Bainsey
Subs: Anichebe, Rodwell

Actim Players Ranking: 060109

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 11th (294) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12) - Best position: 11th
Lescott: 15th (274) - Third best defender (6/1) - Best position: 15th
Howard: 32nd (236) - Fifth best goalkeeper (6/1)- Best position: 32nd
Neville: 44th (219) - Best position: 44th
Jag: 51st (213) - Best position: 51st
Ossie: 60th (203) - Best position: 56th
Fellaini: 75th (195) - Best position: 75th
Timmy: 91st (184) - Best position: 91st

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

We Meet Pool At Anfield!

Boy oh boy! How exciting can this get? We got Liverpool for our 4th Round FA Cup competition. Dave Beasant and Di Matteo each picking up a black ball. Beasant picked Liverpool. I had this very bad feeling that it'll be us. It turned out to be so, so true.

It's not that we should be afraid of Pool. But what I'm totally irritated with the way it panned out. This is one cup that Moyes so want to have a good run, and to face Liverpool at this stage is just so difficult.

Cursed hands of those two ex-players!

FA Cup: MACCLESFIELD (0) vs (1) EVERTON - FULL TIME

Moyes has chosen the strongest team ever for a cup match. No bit-part players, but all full fledge first XI. Only Fellaini is sitting on the bench to steer him clear from another yellow card, which will bring him to an automatic suspension.

Everton had a fright when the opposing striker pounced on the ball and struck it towards goal, just beyond the vertical post. If Everton's thinking of an easy match, this is definitely not it.

In the 10th minute, Macc player took a quick free kick that saw Everton caught unawares. The opposing striker took his chance, but totally skyed the shot! What a let off for Everton. In the 15th minute, Pienaar found Bainsey in so much space, who made a low cross into the penalty area. Two Everton players slid in, but none made any contact.

Everton is starting to pull the strings but it does not mean a one-way ticket. Macc players are also attacking well. In the 30th minute, Everton won a throw in. A long throw taken by Neville. The ball went pass nearly everybody except Timmy who took a shot albeit a little weak. Saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Everton scores in the 44th minute. Arteta took hold of a corner, shimmied the opposing defender, and put a cross into the penalty area. Cleared by the defence but reached only as far as Ossie, who chested the ball and volleyed the ball into the net.

It's the 56th minute but still not earth shattering. Everton's dominating passing and Macc's just giving the Toffees so much space to venture. Nearly a perfect flick by Jag in the 73rd minute, but it was over the bar. The game is starting to get stale and Everton should start making some changes.

Gosling on for Pienaar in the 90th minute. Macc nearly scored at the end but Howard pulled off a stupendous save! Definitely not the best match in Everton's books, but at leastthe move to the next round.

Around the grounds, Premiership clubs Stoke City, Manchester City and Bolton all dropped out of the competition while CHELSEA!, Portsmouth, Hull City and Newcastle will head for a reply. Yes, tire them out!

Score: Macclesfield 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Nil
Sub: Gosling

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

Everton is still playing without a striker as Timmy continues as a stand-in striker. Ossie is back in place of debutant Dan Gosling.

WONDERFUL GOAL! In the 9th minute, Everton won a free kick close to the edge of the 6 yard box. Up stepped Arteta, blasted a swirling ball through the wall and into goal! Everton 1-0 Sunderland.

Timmy nearly scored in the 12th minute but it was deemed a handball by Timmy. The opponent's trying to breach the gap from Everton right, where Hibbo is not the fastest of all players.

Confusion in the Sunderland's defence and goalkeeper in the 25th minute that nearly led to Fellaini scoring. The ball was just nicked away at the right time. Arteta scored again inthe 26th minute!!! Pienaar was fouled close to the 6 yard box once again. Arteta stood in front of the ball, curled into the wall, which ricochet back to Arteta. He gave the ball another blast and the ball took a wicked deflection as it propelled into the net. Everton 2-0 Sunderland.

In the 30th minute, Arteta once again took a free kick on the left channel. Timmy rose the highest and powered the shot just past the goal post. Everton's still inthe driving seat at half time.

It's wonderful to see that Jag has the speed to make sure opposing strikers do not spring ast him in terms of speed. Howard finally had to make his first serious save in the 65th minute. Good shot by the opposing team.

Ossie did well but just missed the goalpost. In the 68th minute, he took the ball down well, turned and took a shot just wide. That was Ossie final shot as he was replaced by Gosling.

Arteta had a chance in the 73rd minute when Gosling was being tackled and the free kick was once again taken just outside the 6 yard box. Just a tad bit too high. Fellaini leaving the field for Anichebe.

Arteta is the man of the match for me as he was just everywhere. Defending, tackling, and fighting for every ball.

And the dream has turned to reality form Dan Gosling! In the 82nd minute, Arteta held the ball on the left wing and made a nice pass to Lescott who was all the way up in attack. You just know that Lescott will not shoot after so many misplaced shots in past games, and he indeed made a pass. An incisive one indeed as Gosling just had to place his foot in and score. Everton 3-0 Sunderland.

Timmy gothis well deserved rest as he was replaced by youngster Jutkiewicz.

Then in the 88th minute, Gosling was there to create another chance with a through pass to Pienaar who was at the end of the ball but it was only the opposing goalkeeper's stop that prevented him from scoring. This is one of Everton's largest win of the season. Great victory as Everton continues their climb up the league table.

Score: Everton 3-0 Sunderland
Scorer: Arteta (2), Gosling
Assist: Lescott
Subs: Gosling, Anichebe, Jutkiewicz

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

This was one match that Singapore was not showing live. So I caught the game only this morning. Why I'd wanted to catch this game was not because of Timmy's goal, but it was because of Dan Gosling who was making his Everton debut. Ossie wasout of this match with a bruising ankle courtesy of the bruiser, John Terry in the previous match, while the entire strike force is out injured.

Anichebe made it to the bench but did not start as Moyes may not want to throw him in the deep end and then risking losing the one and only striker who has just came back from his back problem.

Everton gave a pretty good account of themselves with Pienaar making a nuisance of himself on the left wing. Fellaini earned his customary yellow card once again with multiple man-handling incidents. But the giant Fellaini still made sure he ruled the air above 6 feet. Arteta was his usual enterprising self and created much chaos when he takes his free kicks and corners. He has even added winning headers to his resume. Bainsey has shown why he's such a good player and I really hope Moyes won't sell him off in Jan 09. Hibbo is in his normal dogged style and the defence of Jag and Lescott did not make any major boo-boo. Timmy, toiling on his own, also made sure Everton took the lead.

A sweet cross by Arteta, headed down by Lescott. Timmy took two bites at the cherry - one was blocked by the defender, the second was when the opposing goalkeeper had to pick the ball out of the net. As for Gosling, it was a pretty ok start on the right wing. He chased every ball, and he even tracked back and tackled opposing striker. With more composure, he would have scored three goals with the position that he was in.

Though Boro continued to attack, their moves were mostly muted by the team's good inter-play. Another good win, another away win.

Score: Boro 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Lescott
Subs: Nil

Actim Players Ranking: 231208

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 17th (238) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12), (23/12) - Best position: 12th
Lescott: 23rd (233) - Best position: 23rd
Howard: 46th (201) - Best position: 41st
Ossie: 57th (192) - Best position: 56th
Neville: 58th (192) - Best position: 57th
Jag: 74th (176) - Best position: 74th
Fellaini: 83rd (169) - Best position: 83rd
Yobo: 84th (168) - Best position: 76th

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

EVERTON vs CHELSEA - FULL TIME

Everton comes into the game without a known striker once again. Chelsea started the game on offensive with ashotthat stinged Howard's palms in the 2nd minute. The passing by the Chelsea players were tremendous, not losing many balls to Everton and even forcing the Toffees to play quick and short balls to move forward. Not much time given to Everton to think when the ball is at their feet.


Everton are frustrating the opponent as the entire 11 players are back defending when Chelsea has the ball. It's 33rd minute and Everton's doing tremendously well. Everton's doing even better in the 34th minute when Terry was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Ossie!


Half time, Everton did better than remain unscatched! They even had opportunities to attack Chelsea's half.


Everton is back in business in the 2nd half. Chelsea's striking ability seemed to have been blunted. In the 52nd minute, Fellaini leaped highest to power the ball towards Chelsea goal. But the ball was caught nicely by the opposing goalkeeper.


Yobo seemed to have pulled a hamstring, and is replaced by Bainsey. Chelsea seems to be complaining about literally everything. They even debated about the wall Everton has set up to defend a free kick. The referee got totally irritated, took his ten paces, showed that the wall was ok, and then flashed a yellow card at the complaining Chelsea player!


Everton came close in the 79th minute. A low hard cross by Bainsey that met Fellaini's foot, but the latter just could not direct the ball into the net. In the 82nd minute, Everton put the ball into the net, but the linesman deemed Pienaar offside. Bummer.

At the end, it's all square. Chelsea might have won Everton if they had their full strength. But one point against the mighty Chelsea is good enough for us as we prod towards the magical 40 point marker.

Score: Everton 0-0 Chelsea
Scorer: Nil
Assist: Nil
Subs: Bainsey

Actim Players Ranking: 151208

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 13th (236) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), Fifth (2/12), (9/12), (15/12) - Best position: 12th
Lescott: 24th (218) - Best position: 24th
Howard: 41st (190) - Best position: 41st
Ossie: 59th (180) - Best position: 56th
Neville: 62nd (178) - Best position: 57th
Jag: 75th (169) - Best position: 74th
Yobo: 92nd (158) - Best position: 76th
Fellaini: 99th (152) - Best position: 96th

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

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

How is it that all of Everton's strikers are injured? Even Anichebe is out. Timmy is now listed as a striker in the team.

Arteta struck the bar in the 9th minute with his free kick and Fellaini's header follow-up struck the bar and bounced out. In the 13th minute, Howard made a tremendous save from Man City, pushing away the ball that was going into the left corner of the goal post.

Oh boy, Fellaini had a open header in the 17th minute but it missed the target. In the 27th minute, Arteta's thunderous ball was on the way towards goal, but the reflex save of opposing goalkeeper made sure that Everton does not take the lead.

Nearly scored again in the 44th minute! Fellaini nearly reached the the ball in front of goal, but it just flew past the opposing goalkeeper. Everton picked up the ball at the other end and crossed the ball that Fellaini got to it but saved by the opposing goalkeeper! It's ok to get a draw, and so long as the ball is kept at Man City half, I'm a happy man.

2nd half, I can't believe it! Nice cross by Neville, but the opposing defender just did enough to nick the ball out for a corner. Nothing came from that corner. Sigh. After that, it was a lull all the way till the 92nd minute.

Everton won a corner and was taken by Ossie. The cross came in and Timmy was there to settle the score with a lovely, lovely header! Man City 0-1 Everton. Love that boy!

Score: Man City 0-1 Everton
Scorer: Timmy
Assist: Ossie
Subs: None

Actim Players Ranking: 091208

Everton players in the Top 100.

Arteta: 16th (221) - Fourth best midfielder (16/9), Fifth (2/12), (9/12) - Best position: 12th
Lescott: 29th (202) - Best position: 29th
Howard: 61st (171) - Best position: 55th
Neville: 72nd (162) - Best position: 57th
Ossie: 76th (159) - Best position: 56th
Jag: 80th (154) - Best position: 74th


Previous Top 100.
Yobo: 85th (144) - Best position: 76th
Yakubu: 86th (133) - Fifth best striker (23/9) - Best position: 9th
Fellaini: 96th (104) - Best position: 96th
Baines: 82nd (25) - Best position: 82nd