Toffees climb to fifth
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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 News
Everton goes through the paces against Tottenham
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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 Newsremember
By: 21 | 1 Comment
As the Toffees visit Villa Park today to take on Martin O’Neill’s side, their is much at stake. Yes, it is true that a Champions League berth is on the line because a victory would result in Everton leaping over their hosts for the all-important fifth place spot, however there is something of far greater importance to note in lieu of a typical match preview.
Taking the lead of my associate “j” (here and here) I wish to mention that twenty years ago, 15 April ninety-six lives perished in the “Hillsborough Disaster.”
Prior to today’s match, please just me in prayer for all those affected by the tragedy.
For further details please visit Liverpool’s memorial page.
Category: Team NewsJô finds a home with Toffees
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Wasting away at the Eastlands, Brazilian striker Jô has found a home with Toffees. The talented twenty-two year old striker came over to Manchester City in the summer of 2008 from CSKA Moscow but quickly found himself out of Mark Hughes plans. However since his arrival on-loan from the shenanigans of City he has quickly lit up the score-sheet as he did with the CSKA and Corinthians prior to that. Above and beyond his scoring touch, it is how he is playing and the bounce in his step that is most revealing. Looking to steer clear of the troubled murky waters of Man City the young starlet has expressed his desire to stay with Everton and while the lofty price tag, upwards of £19m, is a outside of the Toffees budget he has certainly shown his quality on the pitch.
This was clearly evident as he lead Everton with two strikes against Wigan in route to a 4-0 victory. In what was one the Toffees most complete victories of the season, they were able to run a high quality side with intentions of its own for European football completely off the pitch, in an error-free performance. The formidable Marouane Fellaini, sans braids, along with Leon Osman were the architect of the first strike that came with a tour-de-force finish by Jô four minutes shy of the half-hour mark. If Steve Bruce had a hope of returning home with points, hope perished two minutes into the new half as the Belgian, ex of Standard Liège, drove a spike through the visitors hearts. The feeding frenzy continued as Wigan were dangling on the ropes and only four minutes later the Brazilian Jô flashed a wide smile as he nudged the ball home from six metres. Up by three goals now Leon Osman took the role of the poacher as a poorly played effort came off former Liverpool keeper Chris Kirland came to him and he didn’t hesitate making it 4-0 at the hour. Looking to the vast Everton Blue horizon, a rapturous Goodison saw the faces of the future trot on in form of Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling shortly thereafter and as always they wore the colours well.
The victory leaves the Toffees a scant point behind Aston Villa in the race for the Champions League and sets the stages for their encounter this Sunday.
Category: Team NewsTimmy Cahill accepts the responsibility!
By: 21 | 1 Comment
The Toffees effort for European football continues with Wigan coming to Goodison Park on Sunday. Wigan is in a intense battle with West Ham for the final Europa League spot and only seven points behind David Moyes’ men.
International play will weigh heavily on selection as both Tim Howard and Tim Cahill have faced difficult travel schedules to arrive in adequate time for the clash. However with the match on Sunday there should not be an extraordinary problem.
The Aussie left nothing to question in his commitment saying:
“I’m at the stage now where people rely on me a lot for always coming up with the big goals in big competitions,” he said.
“It’s something that I take with open arms because this is what I am there for. I want people to rely on me. In the big games or the big moments, I come up with the goods.”
Although the climb to a Champions League spot is unlikely given Everton is seven points behind Arsenal with eight matches remaining it is important to build on their Europa League spot. Confident without a loss in the last ten matches at home, David Moyes has a fully-fit squad available whereas Steve Bruce will miss Jason Koumas and Egyptian international Amr Zaki who has apparently abandoned the club.
Category: Team NewsFara Williams leads Everton Women to victory
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While still days away from Wigan’s visit of Goodison Park, not everyone in Blue have been quiet.
Everton LFC brought Arsenal’s remarkable 108 match FA Women’s Premier League undefeated streak to an end with a 3-0 victory. For Arsenal, decimated with the losses of England internationals Karen Carney, Alex Scott and Kelly Smith to the new Women’s Professional Soccer league in the United States as well as absences of Faye White and Julie Fleeting it was their first loss in league play since Fall of 2003.
Led by captain and 2007 International Player of the Year Fara Williams’ strike ten minutes in Everton took 1-0 lead, only to see it doubled three minutes later with young starlet, Michelle Hinnigan’s mark. England international Jill Scott added an insurance goal eight minutes after the re-start.
Category: Team News
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