Everton

Everton
Bolton shrugged off a first-half sending-off to secure victory over Everton in a surprisingly bad-tempered end-of-season game at the Reebok. Tim Cahill's early overhead strike put his side in front, and Bolton's task was made more difficult by Bruno N'Gotty's 45th-minute sending-off. Radhi Jaidi equalised on 52 minutes to spark a spirited Bolton fightback that saw Kevin Davies put Bolton ahead. Lee Carsley levelled, but Stelios Giannakopoulos' strike earned the win. With both clubs having already booked their places in European competition, there was a mood of celebration from both sets of supporters before kick-off. But if either side had been expecting a stroll in the sunshine, a fiery and frenetic opening 45 minutes set them straight. The first chance came within a minute of kick-off as Bolton midfielder Gary Speed's powerful shot cleared the bar. Tackles flew in from both sides in a markedly physical battle for midfield dominance, but a brilliant strike from Cahill on nine minutes put Everton ahead on the scoresheet. Tony Hibbert's hanging cross led to a mix-up between Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Tal Ben Haim and Cahill's athleticism allowed him to fire home an overhead kick from close range. Seconds later Jaaskelainen redeemed himself with a full-stretch save to deny Kevin Kilbane. Cahill was Everton's saviour at the other end on 13 minutes, clearing a looping header from Davies off the line. El-Hadji Diouf received a needless booking for dissent on 16 minutes, as the match became ever more competitive. N'Gotty's slap on Cahill was spotted by the linesman Bolton's Davis received the next yellow card of an increasingly bad-tempered match after a nasty late foul on Kilbane. With long free-kicks and throw-ins peppering the Everton area, a succession of Davies flick-ons created chances for Diouf and Giannakopoulos, but keeper Richard Wright was equal to the task. An innocuous ball over the top just before half-time resulted in N'Gotty's sending-off as the match finally boiled over. A push from Cahill brought an angry reaction from N'Gotty and his clip round the ear was spotted by the linesman and earned him a straight red card. Bolton took the fight to Everton in the second half though, with a skilful Jay-Jay Okocha run on 49 minutes only spoiled by a wayward finish. But Bolton did hit back soon after when Fernando Hierro - playing his last-ever match - saw his pin-point corner nodded home by Radhi Jaidi. And on 61 minutes Bolton took the lead with a fortuitous deflected goal. Giannakopoulos held up the ball excellently in the area and laid off the ball to Davis, whose shot bounced off David Weir and past a wrong-footed Wright. In an atmosphere more reminiscent of a cup tie, Everton equalised within seconds as Carsley lashed home. Duncan Ferguson's attempt to trap the ball saw the ball fall to Carsley and the midfielder made no mistake from close range. But just three minutes after the equaliser, Wright was only able to parry a Davis header and Giannakopoulos pounced to earn his side the points. Hierro's substitution prompted a standing ovation from the home fans and a series of hugs and kisses from his emotional team-mates. Everton, who saw Carsley stretchered off shortly before the final whistle, continued to press for an equaliser to no avail. Another shoving match - this time centring on Jaaskelainen and several Everton players - rounded off an exciting match. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ben Haim, Jaidi, N'Gotty, Gardner, Okocha, Hierro (Candela 67), Speed, Giannakopoulos (Nolan 68), Davies, Diouf (O'Brien 82). Subs Not Used: Poole, Vaz Te. Sent Off: N'Gotty (45). Booked: Diouf, Davies. Goals: Jaidi 53, Davies 61, Giannakopoulos 66. Everton: Wright, Hibbert (Vaughan 80), Yobo, Weir, Watson, Carsley, McFadden, Cahill (Osman 59), Arteta (Stubbs 71), Kilbane, Ferguson. Subs Not Used: Pistone, Martyn. Booked: Cahill. Goals: Cahill 9, Carsley 63. Att: 27,701 Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).

Arteta states Everton move target
Mikel Arteta is keen to turn his loan move from Real Sociedad to Everton into a permanent switch. Midfielder Arteta, 23, joined the club during the January transfer window and he is expected to cost the Goodison Park club £2.6m. "I am very happy to be here, I have said it 100 times already," he told the Everton website. "I do not know what is going to happen to solve the situation. We will see what happens." Arteta added: "Everything about Everton makes me want to stay here. The people, the spirit, the nice atmosphere. "We have a great chance next season to play in the Champions League, if we can get through the qualifying round, which is the best competition you can find. "I think it's a great club and they are looking to do something nice and grow in the next three or four years. I would like to be involved in this new project."

Moyes named manager of the year
David Moyes has rounded off a memorable season by winning the League Managers' Association manager of the year award. He guided Everton to fourth place in the Premiership this season, which also means a place in the Champions League. "At the start of the season I wondered, 'How can we avoid relegation?' Then we lost Wayne Rooney to Manchester United," said 42-year-old Moyes. "A year ago I was relieved to have escaped relegation. It is amazing how football can turn around." The LMA award can go to a manager from any division who was "deemed to have achieved the most - taking into consideration the resources available to him". After struggling in 2003-04 when Everton finished one place above the relegation zone, fans despaired over prospects for this season when Rooney was sold for £27m last August. Moyes only had a limited amount of that money to spend, initially bringing in Tim Cahill and Marcus Bent. Midway through the season, Everton's form dipped following the sale of Thomas Gravesen to Real Madrid but they showed admirable spirit to finish above local rivals Liverpool - and in a Champions League qualification position. The former Preston chief also won the accolade two years ago after almost taking his side to a place in the Uefa Cup.

Ruddy completes Goodison switch
Cambridge United keeper John Ruddy has completed his move to Everton, which was agreed back in February. He joins for an initial fee of £250,000 and has signed a four-year deal having spent two days a week training at Everton since the move was agreed. "John has been a familiar face around Bellefield since the initial agreement was struck," head of communications Ian Ross told Everton's website. Ruddy, 18, has played 39 league games since his U's debut in May 2004. The England Under-19 international's move to Goodison Park also means that Everton's first team will visit the Abbey Stadium for a friendly.

Chester chief eyes Everton shares
Chester City chairman Steven Vaughan wants to buy a stake in Everton. Lifelong fan Vaughan has been linked with a bid to buy out Everton director Paul Gregg's 23.2% stake in the club, which is worth a reported £7m. Vaughan's spokesman Lee Maloney told the Liverpool Echo: "It has long been Stephen's dream to play a part in the club he has supported all his life. "Without giving specific details it is something which he will endeavour to pursue with immediate effect." Maloney added: "I am not at liberty to discuss any specific discussions with existing shareholders." Blues chairman Bill Kenwright has been searching for new investment, and has yet to finalise a £12.8m cash injection from the Fortress Sports Fund. Everton chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We are always happy to hear from any potential source of funding, but we have not had any formal approach from Stephen Vaughan nor his representatives. "Sales of shares, however, are a private matter and entirely up to the individuals concerned." Gregg was involved in a bitter boardroom battle with Everton chairman Bill Kenwright last summer and may want to sell his shareholding. Kenwright possesses 25 per cent of the club's shares and is the majority shareholder.

Posh hoping for Davies windfall
Peterborough will receive up to £500,000 as part of Simon Davies' £4m move from Tottenham to Everton. Posh get between 15 and 20 per cent of any profit Spurs make, thanks to a sell-on clause arranged when Davies left London Road for £700,000 in 2000. Fry told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph: "I'm not counting the money until the deal has gone through. "He almost moved to Everton in the January transfer window and didn't, so I'm not getting too excited just yet."

Mourinho willing to sell Parker
Chelsea are willing to sell Scott Parker after it emerged he is a £6m transfer target for Everton. Everton are close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea for the 24-year-old, but Newcastle, Birmingham, Aston Villa and Spurs are also interested. Manager Jose Mourinho said: "It's normal that he wants to play. "If Parker is ready to wait that's fantastic for Chelsea. If he's not ready we have to think about a loan, we have to think about selling." Mourinho admitted: "He wants to be in the national team and he can only be in the national team if he plays regularly. But at this moment (Claude) Makelele looks unbeatable for the place." Everton manager David Moyes hopes that Champions League football will tempt Parker to Goodison Park and chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We have been in discussions." Everton also expect to complete a £4m deal for Tottenham winger Simon Davies, who was undergoing a medical at Goodison Park on Wednesday. Moyes has been chasing Parker for almost two years since he was at Charlton - but he chose to make a £10m move to Chelsea 16 months ago. However, he has only played 28 games since the switch and has been troubled by a foot injury. Parker's reported £55,000-a-week salary may be a stumbling block but Everton are confident that they can beat off competition. If he lands Davies and Parker, Moyes will then turn his attention to buying a striker, with Spurs' Robbie Keane and Newcastle United's Craig Bellamy potential targets.

Everton to bid £4m for Forssell
Everton have made Chelsea's Finnish international striker Mikael Forssell their latest transfer target. BBC Sport understands that Toffees boss David Moyes is preparing a £4m bid to bring the 24-year-old to Goodison Park. Moyes will face a battle for Forssell's signature with Birmingham City, where he spent the last two seasons on loan. Portsmouth and Tottenham have also been linked with the forward, while German side Schalke 04 declared their interest in signing him this week. Everton are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season. They have already asigned Tottenham winger Simon Davies for £3.5m and are also set to offer £6m for another Chelsea player, midfielder Scott Parker.

Everton complete deal for Davies
Everton have completed the signing of midfielder Simon Davies from Tottenham for an initial £3.5m fee. Toffees boss David Moyes said he was delighted to make the 25-year-old Wales international his first summer signing. "He is someone who we have chased for a while. We hoped to get him in January but it didn't quite happen then," Moyes told Everton's official website. Davies said: "I'm coming into the best years of my career and hopefully I can give them to Everton." The fee for Davies could rise to £4m, depending on performance bonuses. The midfielder joined Tottenham from Peterborough in January 2000 and went on to make 154 appearances, scoring 24 goals. The player said he was "excited" to join a club with Everton's pedigree. "This club has a good history of winning things and it is a club on the up," he said. "My first ambition is to help the club get into the group stage of the Champions League and because we finished fourth this season the fans will be hoping to get into Europe again via the league." Davies made his Spurs debut against Liverpool in April 2000 but endured an injury-plagued career at White Hart Lane. Spurs sporting director Frank Arnesen said: "Simon has given this club great service but he was ready for a new challenge. We wish him all the best."

Everton's Watson wanted by four
Everton's out-of-contract Steve Watson is being chased by four clubs. Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Sunderland are all interested in signing the 31-year-old, who is expected to leave Everton on a free transfer. Watson was dogged by injury problems last season and made only occasional appearances as Everton finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Watson, who joined Everton from Aston Villa in July 2000, is unlikely to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

Everton pondering Cudicini deal
Everton are pondering a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini. Manager David Moyes wants to strengthen the position, with first-choice Nigel Martyn 39 in August and Richard Wright facing an uncertain future. And BBC Sport understands 31-year-old Cudicini is a possible target as Everton consider a third transfer swoop on the newly-crowned champions. Moyes hopes to sign striker Mikael Forssell in a £4m move and is close to agreeing a £6m deal for Scott Parker. Cudicini's appearances for Chelsea were restricted by the outstanding form of Petr Cech as they won their first title in 50 years. But if Everton turn their interest into a firm bid, they may face a difficult task in landing the experienced Italian keeper. Chelsea are not keen to part with an outstanding deputy for Cech, while Cudicini is in no hurry to quit Stamford Bridge. Everton are still in talks with Chelsea over the £10m double deal to land Forssell and Parker. They are confident of landing Forssell, despite strong interest from Birmingham, where he had a hugely successful season on loan, and Portsmouth. Parker is Everton's top summer target and they are hopeful of signing the 24-year-old midfield man - although it is understood Newcastle also have a strong interest.

Everton's Watson wanted by four
Everton's out-of-contract Steve Watson is being chased by four clubs. Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Sunderland are all interested in signing the 31-year-old, who is expected to leave Everton on a free transfer. Watson was dogged by injury problems last season and made only occasional appearances as Everton finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Watson, who joined Everton from Aston Villa in July 2000, is unlikely to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

Everton close in on Forssell deal
Everton say they are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea's Finnish international striker Mikael Forssell. Blues chief executive Keith Wyness revealed that the clubs have held talks about the 24-year-old player, who it is believed would cost around £4m. "We haven't reached agreement yet, but we are not far apart now," he told the club's website. The Toffees were thought to be facing competition from Birmingham, where Forssell had a two-year loan spell. Portsmouth and Tottenham have also been linked with the forward, while German side Schalke 04 declared their interest in signing him this week. Everton are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign next season. They have already signed Tottenham winger Simon Davies for £3.5m and are also set to offer £6m for another Chelsea player, midfielder Scott Parker.

Taylor tipped for Everton switch
Norwich manager Nigel Worthington claims Everton have won the race for Tranmere youngster Ryan Taylor. Worthington hoped to tempt the 20-year-old defender to Norwich, but says Everton have clinched a £1m deal. He said: "He was one of those with a lot of potential that we would have liked to have brought here. "But he's gone to Everton - it's a Premiership club and means that he doesn't have to move. He can still live in his home city." Worthington had pencilled in Taylor for a tour of Norwich's facilities, but says the player has decided to join David Moyes at Everton.

Everton in talks with investors
Everton have held talks with a London-based consortium over investing in the Premiership club. The group is led by former Tottenham director Howard Shore, but Everton chief executive Keith Wyness insisted they had only held "preliminary talks". He said: "We have talked to several parties and always have an open mind about such things. "But as a club we obviously have a duty to look seriously at any offers that come along." The Shore consortium also includes Everton fan and London media man Keith Young.

View Full Version: Everton