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Category: Team News
“I’m very proud of the players”
By: 21 | 1 Comment
Everton’s FA Cup home came to an end as they lost 2-1 to Chelsea. Despite the loss, David Moyes noted his support saying:
“I’m very proud of the players and I’ve told them that. They weren’t out of place. The game was tight and I thought even when Chelsea scored their second we had a foothold in the game and played better. You can’t fault the players. I’m disappointed not to have a trophy but I’m still proud.”
The match started perfectly for David Moyes’ side as they grabbed the 1-0 lead less than thirty seconds as Marouane Fellaini provided the ball to Louis Saha for a close range finish. However down a goal, Guus Hiddink took care in providing his side a patient vision and they squared the match up twenty minutes in by Florent Malouda’s cross was headed in with power by Didier Drogba. Everton was clearly on their heels now as Chelsea was in a attacking mode. At the half Lars Jacobsen was summoned in for Tony Hibbert to try and shore up the problems at the back but Chelsea was driving forward relentlessly. After a Saha header screamed just wide of the post Frank Lampard got on the end of Michael Ballack’s pass and pounded the ball in with eighteen minutes left. With the goal Chelsea’s confidence grew and the Toffees barely threatened as the match ended with a 2-1 loss.
In a final tip of his cap, David Moyes’ saluted the vocal Everton fans, saying: “I thought today the fans were great for us. They never gave up on us.”
Category: Team NewsOur time for Glory
By: 21 | 2 Comments
Against all odds, Everton faces Chelsea at Wembley late Saturday afternoon with the FA Cup on the line. Few would have imagined the Toffees at this stage but throughout the Cup run, just as the Premier League race the team that “couldn’t”, did. It has been a miraculous year for David Moyes’ side, no telling why many consider him the one of the finest managers in England today. Lacking the budget that many boast and despite a torrid series of injuries his side consistently over-achieved.
Now they face one final test, to pull off an upset of Chelsea while lacking the services of Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Jô and possibly their man of the year, Phil Jagielka. While that seems daunting, Everton has consistently eschewed to the edict of overcoming adversity. Behind Timmy Cahill, called the club’s “new Alan Ball” by chairman Bill Kenwright, the Toffees once again play David against Goliath.
There are no great mysteries of this match as both clubs know each other quite well. However once again, against all odds Everton is gunning for a upset but this time for the FA Cup.
Everton supporters, far and wide - speak up because now is your chance.
Category: Team NewsAnd now the FA Cup!
By: 21 | 2 Comments
Waiting for the FA Cup final, Everton defeated Fulham in the final day of the season 2-0 to make claim for fifth in the table. Already secure in their spot of the Europa League, the match was a perfect confidence builder for next Saturday’s trip to Wembley.
With young Jack Rodwell back in the starting eleven, Everton pushed Fulham back early with a series of testing advances. However Fulham, who head to European football through the work of miracle-worker Roy Hodgson, quickly got its footing and the match became a box to box encounter. Just before the break Everton broke the deadlock as Steven Pienaar played through Leon Osman, with Toffee product making his way past the ‘keeper before sending the ball in. After the restart both sides had considerable chances to add to the score-sheet, with Fulham sending a few agonizingly wide. The day was Everton’s though as Osman added his second with two minutes remaining, hammering the ball in from twenty metres.
FA Cup awaits. Lets hear from the Everton supporters!
Category: Team NewsToffees climb to fifth
By: 21 | Add Comments
Playing strictly for pride, given their spot in the Europa League is secured, Everton handed West Ham a 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park. With the Hammers hopeful for a berth on the European stage and mired in financial collapse of owner Björgólfur Guðmundsson, the loss was a difficult blow for the East London side.
Using the match as a high quality tune-up prior to the months end FA Cup final against Chelsea, David Moyes fielded a starting eleven that will likely take the pitch at Wembley. Despite the Toffees early efforts Gianfranco Zola’s side took the lead six minute prior to the half hour as Czech international Radoslav Kováč sent a shocking drive from thirty metres plus in. The match was proceeding without a significant moment shift until seven minutes were left in the half as James Tomkins adjudged to bringing down Tim Cahill and along with a penalty awarded was sent off with a straight red-card. Louis Saha, starting in place of Jô squared the match up but with the man advantage the Toffees were ready to open the floodgates. Three minutes after the restart Joseph Yobo took advantage of poor defending to send in Steven Pienaar’s corner to give Everton the lead. Although both sides had chances quickly thereafter it wasn’t till fourteen minutes remained when Pienaar crossed from the byline for Louis Saha to send to the back of the net for his second of the day, giving Everton the 3-1 victory.
With the whistle Everton jumps to fifth in the table and looks ahead to the final Premier League match of the year against Fulham with is of-course the FA Cup final at Wembley on 30 May. However with was their last appearance at Goodison and it was a time to celebrate the extraordinary season with their supporters one last time.
Category: Team NewsEverton goes through the paces against Tottenham
By: 21 | 2 Comments
With Aston Villa dropping 3-1 to Fulham, Everton missed a chance to climb to fifth in the table with a quiet scoreless draw against Tottenham. Although with much of the season already decided for the Toffees given a Europa League spot has already been earned and the FA Cup final still three weeks off, David Moyes is without question tinkering with his lineup in the last three weeks as they are purely playing for pride at this stage.
Using Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell in the starting eleven, with both Lars Jacobsen and Leon Osman relegated to the bench, Everton lacked the finishing touch and less than a tight defensive battle, the match basically was lacking intensity and quality for the most part. If the match wasn’t challenged enough with debatable motivation on Everton’s side, a heavy rain before the break slowed the pacing considerably. As the match wore on a few scoring chances opened up, likely none better when Dan Gosling rattled the post with roughly twenty-five minutes left but still they couldn’t find a way through in route to a scoreless draw.
Category: Team Newsbad day for Toffees
By: 21 | Add Comments
Everton’s eight match unbeaten streak at Goodison came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Man City on Saturday afternoon. Following the success in the FA Cup and the positive mid-week draw at Stamford Bridge, the performance was definitely short on intensity. While the loss certainly is missed chance to overtake Aston Villa the real concern was the serious injury to Phil Jagielka who torn his ACL and will not be available till mid next season.
The Toffees gave up the lead five minutes past the half-hour as Robinho got under a Elano’s long pass before slotting in past Tim Howard. Opportunities were sparse in what was ever increasingly a “off-day” as City made in 2-0 six minutes before the hour as free and clear Stephen Ireland volleyed Robinho’s provision. Danny Gosling added a consolation goal late but there was no coming back and Everton dropped 2-1 to Man City.
Next up for Everton is Sunderland on Sunday and with the Black Cats in the wild and wholly relegation fight it will be a very high-strung match.
Category: Team NewsFA Cup final!
By: 21 | 1 Comment
Everton advanced to it’s first FA Cup final appearance since 1995 as they overcame Man Utd 4-2 in penalties. The surprise of the day was Sir Alex Ferguson reworking his lineup to include Ben Foster, Fábio, Rafael, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Lazio product Federico Macheda, who I might add should be playing at home if regulatory bodies in the sport chose to govern, as opposed to turning a blind-eye to wealthiest clubs in discretion’s.
While the Toffees were marginally better side before the half, “Sir Alex’s kid’s” were posing considerable problems after the break and were definitely more of a threat. Additionally fortune was on Everton’s side as Mike Riley waived play-on when Phil Jagielka could have easily be adjudged a penalty for bringing down Danny Welbeck in the area. Realistic scoring chances were rare for Everton and for the few that seemed ready to emerge, Nemanja Vidić was there to turn it aside. After thirty-minutes of extra-time the match was still was unmarked and went to penalties.
When matches are decided in penalties the goals, just as the misses are remembered. David Beckham’s miss in the Euro 2004 against Portugal tears is numbing for the Three Lions supporters and as Everton fans agonized as Timmy Cahill sent the ball over. That aside nothing readied you for what was to come as Dimitar Berbatov strolled up and side footed the ball casually towards Tim Howard in one of the most arrogant displays in recent memory. Following Leighton Baines proving he wants to win the FA Cup by driving the ball in with power, the skipper Rio Ferdinand stepped-up and plunked a soft shot to Tim Howard’s right that was pathetically short on power and a easy save. Following those two misses it was merely a task of working through the order without error and in the end, Phil Jagielka sent Everton joyously to the finals. .
Category: Team NewsFA Cup semi-final
By: 21 | 3 Comments
Just a quick reminder of the Toffees FA Cup quest continues Sunday afternoon as they face Man Utd at Wembley.
David Moyes has James Vaughan and Joseph Yobo available, although Louis Saha is questionable and Jô is cup-tied.
Prior to the match the manager said:
“It will be happening. Let’s hope it’s this one. But the players and the Club are getting ready to win a trophy.
“We came close last year with the League Cup but I think it will be soon when Everton win something.
“It is great for the Club that we are progressing in the cup competitions because it is something we’ve failed to do in recent years.
“I think everybody at Everton has been waiting for this game to come along.
“It’s something we’ve been eagerly awaiting since we got through. Because of that, there is an excitement. We are trying to be relaxed and enjoy it, but we are ready to focus on another hard game.
“It is special because it is a semi-final but not necessarily because it is at Wembley. If it had been the final it would have been special - and if we get there it will be special. At this moment I am delighted it is a semi-final, but you don’t remember too many beaten semi-finalists, so I have to make sure we get through and get to the final and hopefully go on and win it.
“We are beginning to get better and this year the teams we have put out have shown evidence we are improving.”
Category: Team NewsVilla - Everton draw
By: 21 | Add Comments
Heading into Villa Park, Everton had the firm mission of leaving with three points and leaping over their hosts for a Champions League spot. However with a stunning two comeback by Aston Villa the match ended with a 3-3 draw and David Moyes’ forces will need to wait for another day.
Former Standard de Liège midfielder Marouane Fellaini continued his remarkable play for the Toffees as he sent Leighton Baines cross in from close range at the twentieth minute. With a tide clearly in Everton’s favour Aussie international Timmy Cahill fought his way into the box to nod in the rebound of his own effort that came off the cross-bar. However any thoughts of taking complete control of the match ended soon as the play was wide-open and couldn’t be slowed. Three minutes after the hour John Carew brought Villa within one from close-range as Tim Howard in a rare slip up, seemed out of sorts in allowing a cross into the box go without challenge. Eight minutes after the break Phil Neville’s provision to Steven Pienaar resulting in a perfect strike into the net from seventeen metres. However ‘Villa came storming back, first with James Milner’s perfectly placed free-kick two minutes later before the stage was set for the dramatic leveler. Five minutes past the hour Joleon Lescott was adjudged a controversial penalty for a high contact of Stiliyan Petrov by none other than referee Howard Webb. Along with the referee’s resume of questionable calls, it was unclear if contact was made and whether a penalty was deserving. However Gareth Barry sent the ball in to bring it to a 3-3 draw.
Category: Team News
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