Everton resilient in FA Cup

Another huge win at home for the Blues. An early lead through yo0ungster Rodwell , despite a penalty against Hibbert started a huge game for Blues. We had a dominant possession as AV missed Barry a lot. I also felt that when Laursen went down, he was the rock that their counter-attacking style is based on. Cahill and Anichebe dominated vs Knight and Davies and rightly so. Don't have a lot of time to go through this but Mikel had a phenomenal game and I thought our central midfielders really dominated v petrov and sidwell. Anyway, a great result and here are my player stats for the day:
Howard- 9- a huge tip save and many solid punches. Could have stopped the penalty.
Baines-8- not attacking a lot but helped keep the lid on Milner
Lescott-7- did most of what he had to, but looked shaky in parts when AV attacked
Jags- 8- very good
Hibbert-8 -gave away the pen, but a solid game against a great atatcker
Gosling-7- not sold on him yet, nose for goal, but tries the same move a lot, looked only ok defensively
Arteta-9 nuff said
Neville-8- played his role
Rodwell- 9- really stepped up today
Anichebe-9- aggressive running, held the ball up, won the pen, didn't complain or fall over
Cahill-10- goals, ball control, pesky against backline, won headers at both ends and is generally a superstar..

Everton finally lose!

The unbeaten run has ended care of a ronaldo penalty shot. I guess it is only fitting that the player whom Phil Nev tackled to inspire the team to our turning point would put us a away with a fearless penalty shot.

We didn't really show a lot in this game and after a run of three draws in a row twice at liverpool and once to Arsenal, this was a lot to ask of a small squad. Now we lose 1-0 to Man U and then back to Goodison with Liverpool.

Ronaldo was playing well, hitting the post with a toe poke and Tevez was shifty. Their movement is much better than any other team in the league and they drew us out well. Arteta's penalty was weak and reminded me of Peinaar's last year. A tough way to lose. We always battle well, but legs have to be getting tired with most players in the squad playing 90 minutes a game. It will be great if we get the two players in from Rennes, but they have shown an unwillingness to actually get the players to us so I don't know how that will go. Here's to another tough one this week v the Pool!

Blues Draw Old Foe

I have to say that overall I thought Liverpool dominated the second half, but never in a threatening way. I thought on the balance of play that we created as many good chances if not more than Liverpool. Two Cahill headers brought out excellent saves from Reina, Anichebe went close and then Osman had a decent chance as well plus the goal. Liverpool had the Torres breakaway, the Gerrard goal, Reira's close shave as well as the strike that Howard saved. I am extremely happy with the overall workrate but really we gave the ball away too easily to be effective. Great job by Moyes, but when will we see the youngsters really play?

Solid win for the Blues

2-0 over a solid but slumping Hull squad. it wasn't an amazing performance, but definitely good enough. Player ratings:

Howard-7- nothing to do at all

Jags-9

Lescott-9

Baines-8- got forward and whipped in dangerous crosses

Hibs-7-solid

Neville- 8- loved him, didn't put a foot wrong today and passes better than usual

Arteta- 7- didn't get too involved but solid

Ossie- 7 workrate

Pienaar-7 see above

Cahill-7- did well

Fellaini-8 would have been higher except the booking

Anichebe- 5- stay on your feet son!

Overall a good win, man of the match for me was Neville for playing above usual standard! The derbies should be interesting, we may see Castillo/Neville/ Arteta central with Anichebe up top.

Everton live!

Everton has started well in the 4-5-1 with Fellaini and Cahill running up front. Some fantastic passing movements reminding the squad of last year. The axis of Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini and Osman have been running the show in the middle. Fellaini scored on a wonderful buildup with Baines, Arteta, Pienaar and Fellaini for a brilliant offside goal..finally a break. Then Osman flashes one through the box and Cahill was close. Our backline has been exceptional the last five games and has looked commanding so far, even Baines. As usual, doubts about Hibs persist, but today he has been sharp on the ball and not overextending.

Good to see that Barmby back at Goodison and getting booed by the fans. Deserves it as the last man to cross Stanley Park. The good news was he sucked with Liverpool and is ineffective today so far.

28- Fellaini misses a sitter on another buildup with Cahill and Ossie. The game has settled down a bit now and we are running the show. After watching everton play in the Cup winners cup last week, it is amazing the fouls they let go, or didn't card. It was a different time and players had better ability to care for themselves. We are kinda weak compared to them..

Everton Complete Successful Year

A huge victory for Everton FC yesterday with a win over listless Newcastle. Minus Martins and Viduka, this Newcastle team was a shadow of their squad from even last week. Owen was mediocre and EFC showed another great example of what a good squad they can be. There are some changes that need to be made and hopefully 2-3 young players will establish themselves next year. That being said, 5th place and UEFA Cup is a big accomplishment for this squad, especially with how they have missed Cahill and Arteta this year.

Yakubu can be a great striker in this league, but he will need to prove that he can go day in and day out for the Blues to be successful. There is a great base to develop in this team, but there will need to be some cash spent to make the next leap. Everton needs 1-2 bona fide superstars to prove that they can be in the Top 4 and Champion's League. EFC need Cahill to play the system they played for a lot of the year, but they also need other options to break down teams on the wings. Right now there is no player like Ronaldo who is confident enough to beat players all day long. This is going to be an interesting offseason for Moyes.

Everton Win

What a great win for the Blues. After starting hot with Yakubu, Everton showed that they can match passing with some of the top teams with great buildup including Pienaar, Osman, Yak and Cahill. The African connection has been great together and they really showed an ability to open up one of the leagues better defences. Pienaar is a must to resign for next year as he has developed into a very solid left winger. His defensive ability is weak for Premier League standards as was seen on the goal by Pompey, but with Lescott or Baines behind him, they should be able to take up the slack. Everton always look a better squad with 2 strikers to stretch the backlines. We look very comfortable in the 4-5-1 but against Liverpool and Fiorentina coming up there is going to be a need to play with 2 I think to make that relatively weak backline work on the day. Skrtel has been a good addition for the Reds but I think Yak on his day will do well.

The addition of AJ into the mix proved the decisive coaching move of the day. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/pompey-reaction.html Andrew Johnson has always scared defenders by running at them with pace and causes the lines to backoff Yakubu opening space for him and Cahill. Cahill's goal was class starting with the ball in from AJ to Yak, then Yak to Pienaar who made the space and clipped a beauty to Cahill who gave some props to his brother who just got put in jail. How can you play that well after that??

As usual, the backline was great. Hibbert continues to surprise even though going forward he is weak, but in the last two games has shutdown Elano and Krancjar effectively. Yobo.Jags has been immense and Lescott can play anywhere across that backline, he was solid again. Neville and Carsley have been solid all year and been a consistent base to build upon. I get worried that there is not a lot of depth centrally even with Fernandes and feel that unless we bring another player through the ranks, the Blues will have to splurge for a central player. I hope that we continue to "chivy" other teams but keep trying to play attractive football, this has been my favorite season of Everton in ages. Keep it going Blues.. 4th place and UEFA Semis as the goal!