Everton

Middlesbrough 2-1 Everton
Middlesbrough ended Everton's unbeaten Premiership run with only their second win of the season at the Riverside. Aiyegbeni Yakubu coolly slotted home a penalty after he had been brought down by Everton keeper Tim Howard. Yakubu missed a second penalty, harshly awarded for handball against Joleon Lescott, before Mark Viduka rounded off a fine move to double Boro's lead. Everton's Australian midfielder Tim Cahill set up a rousing finish with a fine individual goal. Boro handed Robert Huth his first Premiership outing since his £6m summer move from Chelsea and the big German immediately endeared himself to home fans by dumping Andrew Johnson on the running track with a good old-fashioned shoulder charge. With just Johnson up front, Everton relied on springing men forward from midfield and not surprisingly it was Cahill who showed a willingness to get into the Boro box. Cahill, along with Boro's Mark Shwarzer were both included by their respective managers despite only returning on Friday from international duty with Australia. Everton's five-man midfield dominated possession but their lack of penetration returned to haunt them on the half-hour when Boro took the lead. Phil Neville's clearance struck Jason Euell and landed at the feet of Yakubu who was brought down by Howard as he rounded the keeper, providing referee Mark Halsey with an easy decision. Yakubu picked himself up to deftly send the American keeper the wrong way from the spot. Everton were close to an equaliser when Simon Davies' shot was blocked by Emmanuel Pogatetz while at the other end Yakubu blazed over the bar when clean through. The visitors' slick passing going forward was in contrast to their nervy display at the back and they were lucky not to fall further behind when Neville slashed Stuart Downing's cross straight into the grateful Howard's arms. Referee Halsey waved away Everton penalty appeals when Johnson was bumped to the floor by Pogatetz and with James Beattie on to add support the visitors carried more of a threat. To rub salt into the wound, Boro were awarded a second penalty when Lescott was harshly ruled to have handled as Yakubu tried to trick his way past him. This time, Yakubu was too cool from the spot and Howard plunged to his right to save. But within minutes Boro gave themselves the cushion of a second goal when a well-constructed move ended with Euell rolling the ball into the path of Viduka to score from eight yards. Everton threw themselves a lifeline 13 minutes from time when Cahill nutmegged Huth and went on to ram the ball past Schwarzer. As Everton threw the kitchen sink at Boro, the home fans' nerves were even more frayed by eight minutes added on for an object thrown on to the pitch.

Everton & Liverpool charged by FA
Everton and Liverpool have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players after a reserve match on 10 October. It relates to a melee involving players from both sides after Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek was sent off for his reaction to Victor Anichebe's tackle. The FA issued the charge after reviewing a video of Everton's 2-1 win. As well as both clubs, Dudek has been charged with improper conduct for not leaving the field of play promptly. That could potentially leave the Reds short of goalkeeping cover, as Dudek is facing a possible five-match ban. The 33-year-old Pole was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct, but the new charge could mean that is increased by two matches. The sending off came after a challenge on Dudek by Everton youngster Victor Anichebe. Liverpool's Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland, both England squad goalkeepers, are out on loan with Charlton and Wigan respectively and cannot be recalled until January at the earliest. Dudek's ban could leave Liverpool with youth team goalkeeper David Martin - son of former West Ham defender Alvin Martin - as the only cover for first-choice Jose Reina. With Everton having a suspended FA sentence hanging over them for a first-team incident against Middlesbrough, they could be fined about £20,000. Liverpool could be fined around £10,000. \"We have been charged with a breach of FA rule E20, which is failure to control our players,\" said Everton club secretary David Harrison. \"We have until 1 November to reply and we also have the opportunity to request a personal hearing before the commission, should we wish to do so.\"

Everton 2-0 Sheff Utd
Goals from Mikel Arteta and James Beattie sank 10-man Sheffield United and kept up Everton's unbeaten record at Goodison Park this season. Arteta rose well to head home Phil Neville's cross after 13 minutes. Beattie doubled the lead from the penalty spot 19 minutes later after Claude Davis was harshly sent off for bundling over Andy Johnson in the box. The lively Johnson also hit the post as Everton eased to a win, leaving United still without an away goal this season. Injuries in Everton's full-back department meant Joleon Lescott and Neville were shifted out to the flanks. And it was Neville's excellent cross that created Everton's opener after 13 minutes, Arteta leaping well to power home a header past Paddy Kenny. Spearheaded by the pacy Johnson, Everton were good value for their lead with Sheffield United creating nothing of note for much of the first half. The Blades' hopes were effectively quashed just after the half-hour mark when Davis was dismissed for bringing down Johnson. Arteta and Johnson had combined well to break through the visitors' defence and with the England international bearing down on goal, he tangled with the pursuing Davis. Contact seemed minimal but referee Dermot Gallagher, in his first Premiership game after being demoted for only booking Ben Thatcher for his elbow on Pedro Mendes in August, reached straight for his red card. Beattie smacked home the resulting penalty for his second goal of the season. Blades boss Neil Warnock had to shuffle his formation but, ironically, United then looked more like scoring. Chris Morgan should have done better when heading wide when unmarked in the six-yard box and Tim Howard pulled off a point-blank save to foil Colin Kazim-Richards' flick on from Rob Hulse's header. Minutes later, Hulse weaved past the Everton defence but Howard manage to palm his shot wide. With Everton holding a two-goal cushion and the Blades' cutting edge blunted by losing a man, the second half was less frenetic. Substitute James McFadden went closest to extending Everton's lead when his powerful header was well saved by Kenny. United did continue to plug on in search of clawing something out of the game, Mikele Leigertwood flashing his shot wide when put through by Chris Armstong straight after the break. And a late rally saw Leigh Bromby shrugging off McFadden's clumsy challenge to set up Danny Webber but his shot was blocked by Howard. But ultimately it proved another blank day for United, who have the worst attack in the Premiership with just four goals in nine games. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton boss David Moyes on his team's first win in six Premiership games: \"It was good to get back to winning ways, I'm really pleased with that. \"We had to work hard for it, even when they were down to 10 men. \"That is our most important win of the season after the way the last few games have gone. It's got us right back in it.\" Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock on Claude Davis' red card: \"I don't blame Johnson for going down. \"I don't think it is anything like a penalty. The referee blew too early. \"Claude Davis id quick and got back goal-side of the lad, who realised he wasn't going to get a shot on goal and (went) down.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Weir, Lescott, Davies, Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson, Beattie. Subs: Turner, McFadden, Osman, Anichebe, Boyle. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Bromby, Davis, Jagielka, Armstrong, Gillespie, Tonge, Leigertwood, Alan Quinn, Hulse, Kazim-Richards. Subs: Morgan, Webber, Kabba, Kozluk, Nade. Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire)

Weir sidelined after blow to head
Everton defender David Weir is expected to be out of action for at least two weeks after he was knocked unconscious during the Carling Cup win over Luton. The 36-year-old was taken to hospital to undergo a scan after clashing heads with Leon Barnett. \"He was awake, although a bit groggy, before he got into the ambulance,\" said Everton assistant boss Alan Irvine. \"But because he was unconscious, he has to have a compulsory amount of time out. But he is OK.\"

Arsenal v Everton
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor will miss out after suffering a thigh injury during the Carling Cup win over West Brom on Tuesday. Freddie Ljungberg, Emmanuel Eboue, Julio Baptista, Lauren and Abou Diaby are all still out. Everton will make a late decision on Phil Neville (hamstring), Joseph Yobo (groin) and Nuno Valente (groin). Andy van der Meyde and Simon Davies have ankle injuries but Tim Howard has recovered from a virus and may return. Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Almunia, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Toure, Senderos, Hoyte, Hleb, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Flamini, Song, Van Persie, Walcott, Henry. Everton (from): Howard, Davies, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Cahill, Carsley, Osman, Arteta, McFadden, Beattie, Johnson, Turner, Anichebe, Boyle, Hughes, Valente, Neville. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: \"Certainly Everton are the toughest side to have come to the Emirates Stadium. \"I could feel in our training sessions that our players are conscious that we are playing against a good side. \"Everton have made a solid start to the season and are only one point behind us in the table.\" Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine: \"The Carling Cup victory over Luton was just a good performance we wanted to take with us to Arsenal. \"We could have been more clinical and scored more, but the overall display was excellent and showed we also have some strength in depth. \"We saw good displays by youngsters Mark Hughes at the back and Victor Anichebe up front. But whether they're involved at Arsenal, I'm not sure.\"

Arsenal 1-1 Everton
Robin van Persie's curling free-kick claimed a point for Arsenal as Everton hung on to frustrate the hosts. Tim Cahill blasted the Toffees in front after 11 minutes when some woeful Arsenal marking allowed the Australian to volley home Mikel Arteta's corner. Everton looked set to become the first team to beat Arsenal at the Emirates after a resolute defensive display. But the defenders could only watch as van Persie bent in his curling set-piece, despite Tim Howard's touch. Arsenal were looking for their six successive victory and quickly pegged back the visitors when Johann Djourou burst from defence and was bundled over inside the box by Phil Neville. Referee Mike Riley waved away appeals for a penalty after the Swiss defender had exchanged a neat one-two with Thierry Henry. But after 11 minutes the hosts fell behind after some appalling Arsenal defending from a corner. Arteta's whipped set-piece found the unmarked Cahill who strolled through a cluster of red shirts and rifled his close-range shot into the roof of the net. The goal forced Arsenal to increase the tempo and Everton spent the majority of the first period camped inside their own half. But for all the Gunners' neat build-up and intricacy around the Everton box, a tame Fabregas effort and Henry's drilled shot from 25 yards were the only occasions in which Howard was forced into action. And shortly before the break Arsene Wenger's side suffered another defensive setback as Justin Hoyte hobbled off injured. Despite showing precious little going forward, the Toffees disrupted Arsenal's rhythm and stubbornly contained the Gunners midfield by packing five into the middle of the park. Arsenal flew out of the blocks after the break as Henry's cushioned header brought a fine full-stretch save from Howard while Tomas Rosicky curled an effort on to the roof of the net. Desperately seeking an equaliser, Wenger threw on Theo Walcott in place of Djourou. But it was from a set-piece that Arsenal responded as Howard failed to keep out Van Persie's fierce free-kick from 25 yards. The American got a firm palm to the ball but could only tip the effort into his own net. Arsenal bombarded the Everton goal in the last 15 minutes but Everton's defence held firm under the intense pressure. David Moyes was sent to the stands for contesting the amount of added time at the end of the match, but seconds later referee Riley blew for time to give the Scot's side a hard-fought point.

Fulham v Everton
Luis Boa Morte will start for Fulham five weeks after breaking a cheekbone. After coming off the bench last week and showing no ill effects the skipper will replace Michael Brown, who is suffering from a badly-bruised ankle. Everton are still without defenders Alessandro Pistone, Tony Hibbert, David Weir, Paddy Boyle and Gary Naysmith. Full-back Nuno Valente returns, but his match-day participation depends on how well players recover from a virus that has spread through the squad. Fulham (from): Niemi, Rosenior, Knight, Pearce, Queudrue, Bocanegra, Volz, Jensen, Radzinski, McBride, Boa Morte, John, Lastuvka, Helguson, Zakuani, Routledge. Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Valente, Arteta, Davies, Carsley, Cahill, Osman, Beattie, McFadden, Johnson, Turner, Hughes, Anichebe. # Fulham boss Chris Coleman on stand-in captain Zat Knight: \"The longer Zat concentrates on just playing for Fulham the better. \"As soon as he starts thinking about England he will go off track. \"He has to do the simple things on the ball and he has been doing that and looking a very good player this season.\" # Everton boss David Moyes: \"Hopefully we will be able to attack a little more than we did last weekend but Craven Cottage has proved a difficult ground for us. \"Prior to last weekend's defeat against Bolton they were only a couple of points behind us. \"We have got to respect them because they are doing quite well.\"

Everton v Arsenal
David Weir has been given the all-clear to return to the Everton squad following a head injury. Nuno Valente could be in contention after recovering from a groin injury, but Gary Naysmith is still out. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is expected to give his young players another chance to impress. Philippe Senderos is set to start in defence as he looks to regain match fitness, while Denilson and Jeremie Aliadiere should also feature. Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Stubbs, Lescott, Weir, Valente, Davies, Beattie, Osman, Carsley, Cahill, Arteta, Johnson, Anichebe, Turner, McFadden, Hughes. Arsenal (from): Almunia, Connolly, Senderos, Djourou, Clichy, Flamini, Song, Denilson, Randall, Walcott, Adebayor, Traore, Aliadiere, Poom, O'Cearuill, Simpson, Hoyte, Eboue.

Everton 0-1 Aston Villa
Chris Sutton opened his Aston Villa goal account to give Martin O'Neill's side their first Premiership away win this season at Everton. He glanced home Isaiah Osbourne's cross three minutes before half-time. Everton endured a miserable afternoon, with midfielder Tim Cahill stretchered off early on after an accidental clash with team-mate Lee Carsley. Andrew Johnson and Lee Carsley missed easy chances, but Everton keeper Tim Howard twice saved from Stilian Petrov. It was the perfect tonic for Villa after their Carling Cup thrashing at Chelsea, but Everton's early-season optimism is swiftly evaporating. Villa were without injured duo Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen, while Everton had Johnson alone up front with James McFadden suspended. Johnson wasted an opportunity to give Everton the breakthrough after 13 minutes when he escaped the attentions of the Villa defence, but he hesitated rather than pass to the unmarked Simon Davies and the chance was lost. Everton suffered a serious blow six minutes later when influential midfield man Cahill was stretchered off after he was accidentally caught by team-mate Carsley in a tackle. He was replaced by James Beattie, but Everton's problems increased when Villa took the lead three minutes before half-time. Gabriel Agbonlahor found Osbourne, and his cross was headed beyond Everton keeper Howard by Sutton's deft touch. Johnson then somehow missed from point-blank range in first-half injury time as Everton searched desperately for a spark of inspiration. Petrov then almost doubled Villa's lead in the closing seconds of the half, but Howard saved well diving to his right. Carsley was guilty of a miss every bit as bad as Johnson's after 48 minutes, slicing hopelessly wide with only Thomas Sorensen to beat. Everton pressed, but without any real quality, and it was Villa who almost doubled their lead after 71 minutes when Howard again saved well from Gavin McCann's crisp 30-yard effort. Beattie had endured a miserable afternoon, but he almost levelled for Everton seconds later when his volley was fumbled by Sorensen but flew wide. Villa were actually creating the clearer chances despite Everton's territorial domination, and Howard came to the rescue again with a fine block from Petrov.

Cahill facing several weeks out
Everton's Australian midfielder Tim Cahill could be out for at least six weeks after damaging medial knee ligaments, BBC Sport understands. The 26-year-old was stretchered off early in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Aston Villa after being injured in a collision with team-mate Lee Carsley. Instantly he was ruled out of Australia's friendly with Ghana at Loftus Road on Tuesday. Cahill suffered a similar injury a few years ago and made a quick return.

Everton 2-0 West Ham
Everton moved to within a point of a Champions League place after they beat struggling West Ham at Goodison Park. Everton went ahead early in the second half when Leon Osman guided a volley past Robert Green after West Ham failed to clear James Beattie's cross. In stoppage time James Vaughan drilled a low shot under Green for the second. West Ham had the better chances in the opening half, notably when Lee Bowyer was thwarted by a Tim Howard save after good work by Carlos Tevez. After Osman scored, Howard made an important save to beat away substitute Marlon Harewood's powerful shot. The win moved Everton to within a point of Arsenal and Portsmouth, who are in third and fourth place respectively. Defeat left West Ham a point ahead of third-from-bottom Newcastle and without a league goal away from home for over three months. The frustration for West Ham was that in Tevez the visitors probably had the game's most dangerous attacking player. Tevez has yet to score since arriving at West Ham, but at a dank and windy Goodison his skill and invention constantly illuminated the game and provided encouraging signs he is starting to settle in England. The Argentine's ability to beat his man provided an opening for Bowyer that really should have given the visitors the lead. Tevez jinked his way past Joleon Lescott before cutting the ball back to Bowyer, whose sidefooted volley was pushed away by Howard. Having set up Bowyer on the right, Tevez switched flanks, cutting inside to try his luck with a couple of rising shots. So in control were West Ham that Everton's first chance did not materialise until just before the half-hour. Andy Johnson was quick to react after the ball ricocheted off Anton Ferdinand and his skimming shot was pushed away by Green. The West Ham goalkeeper was soon in action again when he came out to smother the ball at Beattie's feet. Tevez made a bright start to the second half, delivering a beautifully weighted pass to Bobby Zamora, who shot narrowly over the bar. Osman had failed to score this season before Sunday, but on 51 minutes he corrected his goalscoring statistics, cleverly guiding the ball past Green. The goal owed much to Beattie's persistence in the way the Everton striker chased a Yobo pass that had been overhit. Beattie's diligence enabled him to send over a cross that Jonathan Spector was unable to get any distance on his headed clearance and Osman was quick to take advantage. The 18-year-old Vaughan also claimed his first goal of the season when his low shot squirmed under Green. Everton boss David Moyes: \"It's an unbelievable result for us. \"I don't know how they did it. I think we ended up with five centre halves on the pitch and four centre forwards. \"Everyone was playing out of position but I think that epitomises the spirit we have.\" West Ham boss Alan Pardew: \"The goal drought is a concern. In terms of penetration and control of the game, up until their goal our performance was very good. \"David Moyes almost apologised to me at the end because he must feel he's got a win from nothing. \"Carlos Tevez needs a goal but his display was a big positive for us.\" Everton: Howard, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Nuno Valente, Van der Meyde (Vaughan 72), Osman (Weir 82), Carsley, McFadden, Johnson, Beattie (Hughes 90). Subs Not Used: Wright, Vidarsson. Booked: Osman, McFadden. Goals: Osman 51, Vaughan 90. West Ham: Green, Spector (Mascherano 84), Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky, Bowyer (Sheringham 69), Mullins, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Zamora (Harewood 69), Tevez. Subs Not Used: Kiraly, McCartney. Booked: Bowyer, Collins. Att: 32,968 Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Portsmouth v Everton
Everton midfielder Leon Osman has joined the club's lengthy injury list and is ruled out of the game with a hamstring strain. Phil Neville (knee) is rated as 50-50 while Simon Davies returns to the squad after a bereavement. Portsmouth will be without suspended midfielder Pedro Mendes but Sean Davis is back after a groin injury. Left-back Matthew Taylor (back) faces a late fitness test, while strikers Andy Cole and Lomanan LuaLua are still out. Everton (from): Howard, Yobo, Lescott, Stubbs, Weir, Valente, Carsley, Davies, Neville, Beattie, Johnson, McFadden, Vaughan, Anichebe, Wright, Van der Meyde, Hughes, Vidarsson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp: \"David Moyes has made them a very hard team to beat and they are going to be a side that once again finish up there in the top 10. \"With a team that are hard to penetrate it would be nice to have strikers on the bench in reserve. \"But with Andy Cole and LuaLua out through injury we cannot do that.\" Everton boss David Moyes \"It has been very tight this season. There have been a lot of draws - we have had more than any other time during any season I have known here. \"You could quite easily be near the bottom as near the top and so we have got to keep picking up points to make sure we are near the top end. \"Portsmouth have never been out of the top three or four all season but we do have a good record there and hopefully we can continue that.\"

Everton reassure fans over move
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has moved to calm fans' fears over plans to move to a new stadium. The club are in talks about relocating to Kirkby but Wyness told SSB the fans' concerns about moving out of Liverpool would be considered. He added: \\"This option is a good one, in terms of transport links and the financial package, and it's something we thought we must explore further. \\"But redeveloping Goodison Park may well be the way ahead in the end.\\" Shareholders were told at an AGM on Monday that the club had entered into a three-way partnership with supermarket Tesco and Knowsley Council to investigate the possibility of building a new stadium in Kirkby - four miles outside Liverpool. However, the plans were met with anger at the meeting. \\"We know we have to move on,\\" said one shareholder. \\"But it would represent the erosion of our fan base. It would be the equivalent of us hoisting the white flag to Liverpool FC that they can 'have the city'.\\" And contrary to Wyness' view, chairman Bill Kenwright is convinced the club cannot stay at Goodison Park. \\"I do not want to be the guy who moves Everton away from Goodison Park,\\" he told the AGM. \\"I would love to stay here forever but it is not an financial option for Everton to remain at Goodison Park. \\"I have also been told by the council it is absolutely impossible to extend the footprint of the club. \\"As a board, we have to make decisions and when we have made a decision we will go to the supporters.\\"

Everton v Chelsea
Everton pair Phil Neville and Leon Osman could return to the side after injury, while James McFadden could replace struggling James Beattie. Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert, Alessandro Pistone and Gary Naysmith are all injured. Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) and keeper Carlo Cudicini (thigh) are doubtful. Joe Cole (broken foot) is out, but Didier Drogba is expected to have recovered from a hamstring strain. Everton (from): Howard, Yobo, Lescott, Stubbs, Weir, Valente, Neville, Carsley, Davies, Osman, Beattie, Johnson, McFadden, Vaughan, Anichebe, Wright, Van der Meyde, Hughes, Vidarsson. Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Hilario, Hedman, Ferreira, Geremi, Terry, Carvalho, Boulahrouz, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Makelele, Diarra, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Kalou, Wright-Phillips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard: \"Chelsea are the champions on merit and so we will have all hands to the pump and see where we go. \"It is key for us to get on top early, as you saw when we played Arsenal, even though we ended up with a draw, it makes the game that much easier. \"It will be a very difficult match. Not too many people have taken points off Chelsea and there's a reason for that. \"We just have to make sure we grind out a result.\" Chelsea winger Arjen Robben: \"Everton away is always difficult. It is a tough place to go and we have to get our minds again on that game. \"We can't afford to lose points because last Sunday, of course it was a difficult game against Arsenal, but we lost two points there. \"Last Wednesday was an important win so we have to continue that.\"

View Full Version: Everton