Everton News

Everton News: Tiago turns down Everton to leave the Toffees stuck

Everton will be left reeling from the latest news that Tiago Mendes has turned down a move to Goodison Park on a season long loan. Mendes has been a flop for Juventus and Claudio Ranieri was keen to offload the midfielder.

It's the latest unwanted Everton news, as their summer in the transfer market turns into a disaster. Their slim squad has already opened the Premier League with a defeat, and unless they can reinforce soon, last seasons fifth placed finish will become a dream.

Everton manager Moyes is now reportedly lowering his sights in the transfer market to avoid becoming the bad news story of the summer. Everton are finding a problem to other similar Premier League clubs. That is, for all the wealth of the Premier League, if your not one of the top four, and your not in the Champions League, it is difficult to attract the top players from Europe.

"It doesn't look like the quality players I wanted are going to be the ones I'll be chasing. We just need to get numbers in. It's probably out of reach to bring in the six or seven we need now. There's a possibility we might end up bringing no one in." said Moyes.

Last season Moyes targeted three stellar signings to improve on his Uefa Cup qualifiers for the past two years. The Everton manager did not discover his transfer budget until mid-summer but has had £15m, plus money from the sale of Andrew Johnson, to spend since July.

Everton news is all gloomy and Footy Focus can't help wondering if Moyes has made a massive blunder by putting all on attracting real top quality talent, without a plan B if they didn't appear. I'll bet he wishes he was in for Steed Malbranque or El-Hadij Diouf now! They are looking like masterstrokes in comparison to Moyes' efforts! Everton's news surely can't get any worse - can it...

Football Transfers Latest News

Football Transfers: The Toffee's sticky time in the transfer market continues

Football Transfers are becoming ten a penny as the transfer window closure starts to rush towards us. It's the 4th of August tomorrow and the 31st will be upon us before we know it and all football transfers have to be done by then, or be consigned to the chip wrapper.

Latest one to catch the eye is Everton's cashing in on Andy Johnson. Fulham have agreed a fee with Everton for Johnson, although they are renegotiating the terms of payment due to an old knee injury.

Fulham Manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed talks remain ongoing, but he has not spoken with Fulham officials to ascertain the latest situation.

"I think the situation is still ongoing. The transfer negotiations are still going on as far as I know," Hodgson told Sky Sports News. I haven't spoken to the chief executive today (Saturday) so I can't tell you more than that. He's the one negotiating with Everton."

Johnson has won eight caps for England and Hodgson believes the striker will bring undoubted quality to Craven Cottage. "Andy Johnson is a player with great quality. Wherever he's been he's done very, very well," Hodgson added.

Well at least some Football transfers are coming to fruition. Andy Johnson is a good player, and we are slightly surprised Everton are cashing in on him now. Everton have been totally inactive in the transfer market to date, and two weeks out their small squad is about to get smaller still. Seems they have cash to spend but can't attract the players they want. Could be all the rumours of Moutino becoming one of their biggest football transfers turn to dust!

Football News; Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Liverpool tighten their grip on fourth place

Liverpool ultimately edged past Everton, thanks to Fernando Torres, in a Merseyside Derby that perfectly encapsulated why these teams lie fourth and fifth.

Liverpool with aspirations of the title, showed why their title challenge petered out long ago. A bright opening, some excellent football and a great goal petered out, into what was at times a nervy finish, as for the umpteenth time this season they failed to finish off opponents they had dominated.

Everton meanwhile, after being overrun for the first half, hung in there, and clawed their way back into the game. In the second half they at least held their own with Liverpool, and arguably looked the better side, without looking likely to score.

Torres, and Gerrard were again prominent for Liverpool, with Torres scoring the opening goal after only six minutes. Alonso dispossessed Everton's Yakubu at the second attempt in the 18 yard box, Kuyt helped the ball on, and Torres took two touches to dispatch it past Tim Howards right hand post, to put Everton behind. Goal number 28 for him, and Liverpool again can only be grateful their much maligned owners funded Torres purchase.

Ryan Babel also caught the eye, but too often failed to deliver when in good positions. More than once his final ball was wanting and he is fast becoming a frustration. Liverpool are hoping he can be a modern day John Barnes in his pomp, all power and pace, but his crosses and choice of pass/ shot at the crucial moment are woeful at times. That said he seems to be one goal, and a lot of confidence away from exploding into life.

For Everton, their main attacking threat came from Yakubu (more Lenny Henry, than Theirry Henry as one wag has put it) and Arteta. Missing Cahill, and with Anichebe on the bench, Everton struggled to really unsettle Liverpool's backline.

Overall, Liverpool vs Everton was a good but not great game. Liverpool deserved their win, but showed why they are still way off the pace in the Premier League title race. Everton, showed last season was no fluke, and can be satisfied with their progression this year. Liverpool now look odds on to gain that coveted Premier League fourth position again and maybe Rafa Benitez can continue his reign!

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Toffees coming unstuck as West Ham take a point at Goodison

The travails of the season seem to be taking their toll on Everton's relatively small squad. Following on from their narrow exclusion form the UEFA cup at the hands of Fiorentina, and the defeat away to Fulham, comes a dropped home point to West Ham. Moreover on the basis of the performance, the point was one gained, not one dropped. West Ham fully deserved their point, and only luck prevented them taking the points as they hit the post late on.

Everton now seem to be demonstrating the difference in resources, between them and their illustrious neighbours across the park. Yakubou (who some wag labelled 'more Lenny Henry than Thierry Henry'). With defeats for their rivals Aston Villa and Portsmouth, and Liverpool visiting Old Trafford, this was the perfect stage for them to push on for that coveted fourth place in the Premier League.

Instead they turned in a performance that if repeated much more, will hand Liverpool fourth place on a plate. Yakoubou and Anichebe gave a physical presence to Evertons attack, and they indeed got an early lead through Yakoubou. However, 15 minutes in Everton had a second disallowed, and after that West Ham roused themselves to make a game of it.

Before the interval Ashton was denied by the leg of Howard, but Everton didn't heed the warning, and he outjumped Jagielka to make it 1-1 after 68 minutes. As the game wore on Everton offered less and less, with the lively West Ham pushing on for victory.

Ultimately Everton survived, but despite Liverpools tough run of games, they are looking the more likely to get fourth place in the Premier League.

Everton sign Gardner on loan from Tottenham

Gardner joins the Toffee's chase for fourth place

Everton have signed Anthony Gardner on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season. Gardner joined Tottenham from Port Vale for 1 million pounds in 2000, but a series of injuries wrecked his time at White Hart Lane. Gardner has one England cap, coming against Sweden in March 2004.

Gardner has only played six times this season for Spurs, the last appearance coming in October against Getafe.

Moyes - Everton to finish fourth

Moyes confident the Toffees will stick in fourth

A bullish David Moyes is confident Everton can stay where they are, and finish in fourth place in the Premier League. Speaking after the goaless draw against Tottenham Moyes was happy to back his Everton team against any of the chasing pack.

He added “But in the same breath, Aston Villa are a strong team this year, Manchester City have done exceptionally well and Portsmouth, Blackburn and West Ham can do it. If we can make fourth it would be outstanding, but I don’t think there’s any point in me talking about that until a month to go in the season if we are still there." While neighbours Liverpool are weighed down by the millstone of expectation (and so they should given their resources compared to the teams around them) Moyes is happy to keep working quietly away, as Everton have steadily climbed the table.

A fourth placed finish would be a truly outstanding achievement, but the gut feel of Footy Focus is that Liverpool will get it. They have too many good players and despite it all, a good manager to continue in their present wretched form. Liverpool have the second best defensive record, and have still only been beaten three times this season, which can only be bettered by Arsenal. There's a great team in there trying to get out, and we think they will have that bit too much quality to be overtaken for fourth.

Moyes - Everton can finish fourth

David Moyes backs Everton to finish fourth in the Premier League

David Moyes, Everton manager, has been talking up his sides chances of finishing fourth in the Premier League, above rivals and neighbours Liverpool. With nine wins and two draws in their last 13 Premier League games, Moyes expects Everton to continue their good form and cement fourth place in the weeks ahead.

Acknowledging the month ahead is crucial to Everton's hopes of that fourth place Premier League finish, Moyes said "We've raised expectations and it'll be tough because the competition is tight.But there's a real sense of confidence through the group. If we play as we can, then we are more than a match for anyone" Everton face a tricky month of fixtures, starting with the visit of Tottenham, an away trip to Blackburn, a home game against Reading, followed by another tough away trip to Manchester City.

Footy Focus thinks Everton will finish fifth, but then we're biased! Having said that you have to admire their results, given their resources.

Second club enters chase for McFadden

McFadden Birmingham deal not done, as second club enters race

James McFadden left St Andrews last night, after being unable to agree terms wih Birmingham City. Reports also surfaced of an unnamed second club entering the chase for the Scottish international. The event will disappoint Alex McLeish who has been a long admirer of McFadden's talents from his days as Scotland boss.

Celitc have previously tried for McFadden on loan, but it is not known as yet whether they are the mystery second club.

Premier League Transfer News - Birmingham sign McFadden

McLeish nabs McFadden

Birmingham City yesterday completed the signing of Everton's James McFadden for 5.5 milllion pounds. McLeish has long been impressed with McFadden, particularly during his stint as Scotland boss.

Previous bids of 2.5m and 3.5m had been turned down, and the fee of 5.5m is in our view too high. McFadden is expected at St Andrews shortly to discuss personal terms on a 4 and half year deal.

Premier League Preview

Manchester United vs Newcastle

Owen Hargreaves and Gary Neville are definitely out for the Premier League holders, while managerless Newcastle are considering playing Oberfami Martins if he is allowed back from Nigeria's training camp. Also missing are Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye and Geremi who are all away on international duty.Footy Focus prediction - do we have to!! If ever there was a foregone conclusion, this is it. Manchester United win to pile more misery on a season to forget for mangerless Newcastle.

Middlesbrough vs Liverpool

Rafael Benitez will welcome back Daniel Agger after a long lay-off with a metatarsal injury. Also rested or previously injured Arbeloa, Gerrard, Reina, Gerrard and Torres will all return in what is (as they all are these days) a must win game for Premier League wannabes' Liverpool. For 'Boro Gary O'Neil and George Boateng return, but sick-note Jonathan Woodgate and Sanli look likely to miss out. Footy Focus prediction - Liverpool win.

Everton vs Manchester City

Everton have lost three key players, with Yobo, Yakubu and Pienaar all away at the African Cup of Nations. On the plus side midfielder Mikel Arteta returns after suspension. Manchester City are hoping Elano is fit to take the place of Nery Castillo who will be rested. Defiinitely out it Michael Johnson with an abdominal strain. Footy Focus prediciton - score draw.

Arsenal vs Birmingham City

For Premier League leaders Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos set to return after injury, while much talked about and unsettled keeper Jens Lehmann is on the bench. Robin van Persie is again out, this time with flu, while Arsenal are another cup affected by the African Nations Cup with Eboue, Song and Toure all away. For Birmingham Martin Taylor will return, while Damien Johnson is going to play with a protective mask, only two weeks after suffering a slight skull fracture. Kapo will also play having recovered from injury. Footy Focus prediction - Arsenal win.

Carling Cup Results: Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Wright-Phillips the little-big man as Chelsea steal it

Chelsea take a narrow lead to Goodison, from what was a great Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Sean Wright-Phillips got one goal and had a contraversial role in the second. The first was a superb curling finish and the second a controversial leap via Lescott's shoulders as Lescott put past his keeper, to steal the win for 10 man Chelsea.

Chelsea put Wright-Phillips up front in the absence of Drogba and Kalou (at the African Nations Cup), an injured Andriy Shevchenko and after the substitution of Pizarro. The smallest man on the pitch them promptly put in a very big performance which will have surely impressed new England manager Fabio Capello.

Yakubu Ayegbeni equalised with a stunning shot and with John Obi Mikel having been sent off Chelsea were reeling, but in injury time the Wright-Phillips leap landed a sucker punch. Everton maintain he used Lescott to gain height and the own goal should have been disallowed and to be fair they had a point.

All in all, a draw would probably have been a fairer result, given Evertons spirited performance. Moyes afterwards was understandably annoyed the second Chelsea goal stood, but commended his players for ensuring the tie is still very much alive for the second leg at Goodison Park. You get the feeling though that the narrow win will make all the difference - its Everton now who have to come out and attack, not Chelsea.

Footy Focus prediction - Chelsea to advance to the final and break Everton hearts.

Finally it seems Anelka will be a Chelsea player in a matter of hours. The Times is reporting a final 13 million pound bid from Chelsea will seal the deal with Bolton, which seems good business by Chelsea given the immediate absence of Kalou and Drogba and Drogba's stated intent to move on in the summer.

FA Cup results: Everton 0-1 Oldham

The Toffees crash out to their lower league near neighbours

The dreaded 'r' word of rotation will be weighing heavily on the minds of supporters of one half of Merseyside today. However this time its the blue half of Merseyside cringing as David Moyes attempts at a rotation policy brought about a crushing FA Cup result.

Moyes made a host of changes that just didn't come off. After a bright start to this third round FA Cup tie, Oldham held Everton off with relative ease and Gary McDonald's stunning 25 yard effort just before half-time was enough to dump Everton out.

Moyes made a double substitution in the second half as it became apparent Oldham had the upper hand. Yakubu and Victor Anichebe replaced Vaughan and the woeful Thomas Gravesen. Yakubu almost rescued the Everton FA Cup campaign, hitting the upright with almost the last kick of the game. However it wasn't to be and Oldham secured a famous and fully deserved FA Cup victory.

FA Cup - Luton vs Liverpool, Everton vs Oldham

Benitez risking it all for rotation, as Moyes fears an upset

Whatever you say about Rafael Benitez, he is most certainly his own, very brave, man. As his position has become more and more weakened by recent results, he is prepared to risk it all by rotating his squad for the tricky FA Cup trip to Luton. Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hypia, and Agger are all likely to be rested or are injured for the third round FA Cup tie at Kenilworth Road. Lose this and surely his position will become untenable, especially as there are reports he has lost support in the board room.

Xabi Alonso would just like a win at Luton and isn't expecting a repeat of his sixty yard effort in the previous FA Cup clash at Kenilworth Road in season 2005/06, when Liverpool went all the way and lifted the FA Cup in a dramatic final against West Ham. Footy Focus prediction: Liverpool win to give Rafa some breathing space.

Elsewhere Everton's David Moyes has voiced his fears of an upset, as he prepares his team for the visit of Oldham. Given he's got a Tuesday Carling Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea he would like to rest some senior players, but is dreading a repeat of Everton going out of the FA Cup to Shrewsbury. Goodison Park should be a full house, for a traditional FA Cup ding-dong battle. Footy Focus prediction: Everton win.

Premier League Transfer Speculation & Rumours

See the Everton fanzine site has a great tongue in cheek rumour. They reckon Xabi Alonso is moving to Everton for 14 million as he's best mates with Arteta! As they cheerfully admit their reports are speculation, conjecture, whisperings, half-truths and outright nonsense!

The independant is reporting Chelsea are likely to secure the signing of Bolton's Nicholas Anelka for 10 million. I really wish Rafa Benitez would (if allowed) go for him. Selling Crouch and buying him would be good business. Still on Chelsea, they are also reportedly interested in Maicon Douglas of Inter Milan, Daniel Alves of Sevilla and Dynamo Zagreb's Luka Modric. An all round transfer splash of around 80 million! We'll see, I think Roman is a lot more frugal these days.

Yawn.......Yet more rumours floating round of Cesc Fabregas to Real Madrid. His agent has put the fans at ease by saying he's very happy at Arsenal and going nowhere.... yeah right, they'll sleep easy now.

Liverpool's Rafa Benitez is being linked with noone very much really. A few central defenders here and there with Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina), Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander), and apparently the chance to sign Kakha Kaladze (Milan) has gone.

Neighbours Everton according to speculation are after David Albelda (Valencia) and Manuel Fernandes (Valencia). Also despite his donkey kick on Ryan Giggs the other day they wish to make Steven Pienaar loan a permanent move from from Borussia Dortmund.

Man U vs Everton, Blackburn vs Chelsea

Now these are two games where I really really want the opposition to do us a favour. Shouldn't have to be wanting that, but thats the reality if your a Liverpool fan trying to hold onto the dream of a Premier League title.

Manchester United versus Everton should be a great game. Everton are really flying at the moment and will fancy their chances of having a right good go at Manchester United. They'll want to really rattle Man U and not let the likes of Ronaldo and Rooney settle on the ball. Then again thats what Liverpool tried and look where that got them!

Team news is that Manchester United have Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Tevez and Wes Brown all fit, having shaken off knocks from the great win at Liverpool. Everton meanwhile have Tim Howard, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Joseph Yobo all back after being rested for the win at AZ Alkmaar.

Footy Focus Premier League prediction - I think Everton just might get something from this game!

Blackburn verus Chelsea is another potential cracker of a game. Mark Hughe's team are always up for the battle regardless of the opposition. However Blackburn have been leaking goals lately and their back four is disrupted again with Chris Samba banned for this game. Elsewhere in the team Brett Emerton returns after suspension.

The Chavs' meanwhile are sweating (don't know why) on the fitness of Shevchenko. Apparently the Premier League show-pony injured his ankle in midweek. Not sure how given he didn't break sweat in effort for his team.

Footy Focus Premier League prediction - Hate to say it but I think Chelsea will have too much for Blackburn. Despite injuries etc they are still a very strong side and Blackburn are leaking too many goals to be playing Chelsea at this time.

West Ham vs Everton

West Ham take on a bouyant Everton at Upton Park on Saturday in one of the ever decreasing number of Premier League games to start at the traditional 3.00pm. This a mere three days after suffering defeat at Everton's hands in the Carling Cup.

Everton are unbeaten in eleven, through to the next round of both Carling and Uefa cups and sitting very nicely in seventh position of the Premier League, only three points off neighbours Liverpool in fourth. Early Everton team news indicates James McFadden and James Vaughan pushing for a return, while David Moyes has brought back defender Nuno Valente however he has indicated he will name the same side that eased past West Ham in mid-week.

That mid-week defeat apart the Hammers themselves are in reasonable form, only losing one of their last seven league games, with that coming away to Chelsea. Reports are saying Dean Ashton could be West Ham's sole recognised striker as Carlton Cole is doubtful with a hip injury. Also Luis Boa Morte is unlikely to feature but Lee Bowyer is set to make a return after his hernia operation.

For me this has draw written all over it. West Ham will be desperate not to lose to Everton for the second time in a week but I can see them having enough to win it. Its two evenly matched teams with maybe Everton having the slight edge in personnel, confidence and form. My prediction? I reckon it will be a great game and a score draw.

Premiership Round-up

After the Carling Cup attention turns back to the main game - the Premier League. Theres some massive games this weekend and personally I cant wait. See old Fergie has written off Chelsea and Liverpool. Not sure you can do that just yet but both have some sorting out to do whilst still holding onto the leaders. Chelsea need to settle down to the new manager which may take a while but at the end of the day they have such great players with a great will to win. Liverpool are suffering from too many injuries to key players and Rafa Benitez's dreaded rotations. The Blackburn game is a massive game for them even at this early stage. Lose and they'll be considered out the race in November.

Of the other games away to Boro looks a tough one for Ramos whilst Newcastle vs Portsmouth I think just might provide Big Sam with some more misery. Everton vs Birmingham doesnt exactly promise a mass of entertaining football whilst Derby look set for more misery at Villa.

Bring it on!!