News Archive –Nov

Moyes: I'd take Lescott back

David Moyes has indicated that he bears no ill will from Joleon Lescott's controversial departure for Manchester City three years ago by suggesting that he would love to bring the 30-year-old back to Goodison Park if he thought he needed him and the defender was available.

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Why aren't Everton in line for a City-style Sheikh-up?

"Though this can at times be difficult for fans to accept, Everton does not currently represent a sound investment."

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City and Everton: Still kindred spirits?

Over at ESPNFC, Simon Curtis takes a look at the changed relationship between two clubs who for decades shared very similar experiences as they toiled under the shadow of more successful neighbours.

Manchester City's overnight transformation has, of course, changed that dynamic and Simon canvassed some opinion from Evertonians to get their opinion.

The Merseyside Blues are as close to our kindred spirits as City supporters are likely to find, and have been for a very long time now. Evertonians follow their club much the way City fans do, without too many awkward questions, with a resigned 'Sigh' and sometimes with a clenched fist.

"For long periods over the last half a century, supporting these two grand old clubs has been a little like waking up and looking in the mirror. Now City have moved into another orbit."

» Read the article at ESPNFC

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Tony Hibbert believes Everton love taking on the Premier League's best

Tony Hibbert insists his team-mates are not daunted by the prospect of playing Manchester City on Saturday. Everton were the last team to win at City in the Premier League – a 2 - 1 success in December 2010.

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Man City Ready to Offload Joleon Lescott?

According to Italian source CalcioMercato, Man City are ready to offload former Everton defender Joleon Lescott, who has only made six appearances this season.

Baines remains a doubt for City

Updated David Moyes says that while Leighton Baines will be "given every chance" to prove his fitness for tomorrow's clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, the defender remains doubtful to play. Darron Gibson isn't out of the woods either.

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Everton can qualify for Champions League, says Mancini

"They could end up with a Europa League place, but I actually believe they have the quality to finish fourth. They are a strong team with a strong future, so why not?"

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Why aren't Everton next in line for a Manchester City-style Sheikh-up?

The Merseyside club are struggling to attract the investment they need to grow while their wealthy Premier League rivals at the Etihad Stadium challenge for the top honours.

Manchester City vs Everton

Taking confidence from Wednesday's recovery against Arsenal, Everton face arguably their toughest test of the season thus far with a trip to Manchester City. Leighton Baines is a doubt with a hamstring strain and there is renewed concern over Darron Gibson but Kevin Mirallas could be in contention if he is deemed fit enough following a hamstring injury of his own. KO is 3pm.

• Global TV coverage
• Hibbert: Everton love taking on the best
• Live Matchday Forum

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EFC 1-1 Arsenal – 5 Point Tactical Deconstruction

This was a very good game between two evenly matched sides and one that we probably should have won.

Pienaar looks to go one better against City

Steven Pienaar was keen to accentuate the positives of the Blues' 1-1 draw with Arsenal and says that the team will look to build on that performance at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

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Shane Duffy tells of his pride at wearing Everton’s colours

One of two Londonderry men plying their footballing trade at Everton has told of the pride he felt when he first pulled on the famous blue shirt and ran onto the Goodison Park pitch.

Mirallas back in training

After missing the last three games, Kevin Mirallas is back in training after recovering from a hamstring strain.

More frustration for Moyes over refereeing decisions

David Moyes was once again left rueing what he feels were poor refereeing decisions in the draw with Arsenal, in particular the incident involving Steven Pienaar and Mike Arteta where the Spaniard appeared to pull the South African down in the penalty area.

Baines hamstring blow

David Moyes reported that Leighton Baines strained a hamstring in this evening's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, adding to the injury problems that have blighted the Blues' season so far.

Blues battle to stalemate with Arsenal

Everton recovered from a horrendous start to cancel out Walcott's first-minute strike with Fellaini's superb equaliser before half-time. Frustratingly, though they were largely the better side overall, they couldn't create the chances to grab a winner. The two teams battled to a stalemate in the second half, though Arteta's clear foul on Pienaar in the Arsenal box might have yielded a winner but went unpunished.

• Full Match Report
• Paul Traill: Everton – A Pools Coupon Dream
• From My Seat — Ken Buckley

Everton vs Arsenal

Everton begin a more thorny part of their fixture calendar with the visit to Goodison of rivals Arsenal who also have their eye on finishing fourth come May. There is no indication from Moyes as to whether Gibson, Mirallas, Coleman or Hibbert will be involved but Fellaini returns from suspension. KO is 7.45pm.

• Global TV coverage
• Live Matchday Forum

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When is a ban not a ban...

More on the perplexing case of Richard Knights, the 50-year Everton fan and school teacher whose opposition to Everton's new Free School has seen the club revoke his season ticket.

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Joleon Lescott feels the freeze at Manchester City

Joleon Lescott is ­fuming over his axing at Manchester City. The defender, 30, was stunned when Roberto Mancini dropped him from the squad for Sunday’s goalless draw at Chelsea.

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Is Arsenal's next manager under their noses tonight?

"[Moyes's] Everton team consistently over-achieve, to such an extent that we can’t call it 'over-achieving' anymore. They are just very good."

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David Moyes is no replacement for Arsene Wenger

"Wenger is not above criticism, nor from being replaced. Yet it should only by someone with a higher profile, or with similar ideas about how the game should be played."

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Arteta has established himself as Arsenal’s leader, says David Moyes

David Moyes is not surprised at the amount of success the Spanish midfielder has enjoyed since departing Goodison Park to join the Gunners in a £10 million move last summer.

Moyes: Contract talks unlikely before the end of January

There is unlikely to be any movement on David Moyes's new contract until February at the earliest after the Everton boss admitted that he wants to assess the Club's ambitions based on what happens during the upcoming transfer window. The Scot's current deal expires in the summer and formal negotiations regarding an extension have yet to take place.

Danish teen lands Everton trial

Everton have apparently taken Lyngby's 15 year-old Danish striker Daniel Stückler on trial.

Jags: Keep calm and carry on

Phil Jagielka says that morale remains high in the Goodison camp despite the disappointment of dropped points in recent games.

Moyes coy over Forren reports

David Moyes attempted today to play down reports that Everton are close to a deal to bring Vegard Forren to the Premier League, saying that [the speculation is] not wrong but in the same breath it's not right either.

Fellaini returns for Arsenal clash

Everton will be boosted by the return from suspension of Marouane Fellaini when Arsenal come to Goodison Park tomorrow but David Moyes refused to confirm whether any of his recent injury absentees are in with a chance of starting at his pre-match press conference today. Kevin Mirallas and Darron Gibson are believed to be close to readiness but neither figured against Norwich on Saturday.

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The Anatomy of Deception

KEIOC highlight the case of Richard Knights of Evertonians Against Free Schools whose season ticket was rescinded by Everton FC this month for his vocal opposition to Everton's free school.

Ruleteros return to Chile's top flight

CD Everton are back in the top flight of Chilean football after winning promotion with a 3-1 win in yesterdays playoff final in Concepción.

Under-21s match called off

Everton Under-21s' game at Bolton on Monday evening has been postponed. Heavy rain in the northwest has left the pitch at the County Ground, Leyland, waterlogged. The match has been rescheduled for Thursday 6 December.

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The (Sir) Neville Southall MBE Interview

Recently, an opportunity arose whereby footyscene.com was given an chance to Interview perhaps, on sheer ability alone, the greatest footballer Everton have ever had... Certainly the greatest living Everton player.

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Big Talk Of The Top Four Will Be Undone By Our Paper Thin Squad

A lack of investment in decent back up will end up costing the Toffees. Despite the great start to the campaign, the cracks in the squad are beginning to show.

Everton U18s 1 - 1 Bolton U18s

Everton Under-18s came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Bolton at Finch Farm on Saturday afternoon. After a soft opener for the visitors, it would take a goal from George Waring to get the Toffees back into the game on 75 minutes.

Moyes knew it would not be easy

David Moyes didn't seem too surprised that his side could not beat Norwich at home, and there was none of the anger he showed toward the players who had squandered a similar early lead last week at Reading.

Everton vs Norwich City

Everton return to Goodison Park for a two-game home stand with a point to prove following last weekend's stumble at Reading. Fellaini is suspended, Hibbert is doubtful and there are suggestions that Coleman and Distin could also be doubts, but Mirallas and Gibson could figure after returning from injury. KO is 3pm.

• Live Matchday Forum

Below-par Blues drop more vital points

Everton let another two points slip in the chase for fourth by shipping another last-minute goal, although they again had cause to be aggrieved by awful refereeing for the result. A bright start yielded a 12th-minute opener for Naismith who converted his third of the season after great work by Oviedo on his debut. But the Blues went off the boil in the second half and while Baines was denied the second goal by a great save by Ruddy, a non-existent foul awarded against the Everton No 3 allowed Bassong to head home at the back post in the 90th minute.

• From My Seat: Norwich City (H)
• Embarrassing for Football
• Same Old Story

John Ruddy: The one that got away

David Moyes believes John Ruddy would be lining up for Everton ­today – instead of against them – but for the form of Tim Howard. The Norwich keeper spent five years with Everton after being plucked from Cambridge United by Everton boss Moyes in 2005.

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Five reasons why Everton should avoid Cahill return

An overused term in football is ‘never go back,’ a term that Landon Donovan and Duncan Ferguson in recent Everton history can claim is nonsense. But for every Donovan there is a Gravesen and for every Ferguson there is a Jeffers, two players who returned to Everton and endured much less successful stints.

Moyes looking for elusive balance

David Moyes is looking for his team to find some winning consistency after seeing them drop more points with defeat at Reading last weekend.

Duo could return against Norwich

Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas could both be fit enough to play against Norwich City tomorrow as the duo recover from thigh and hamstring injuries respectively. David Moyes made no promises, though, in his pre-match press conference saying that both players are doing "okay".

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Now or never for Everton

A nice write-up from a non-Everton fan who, as a sucker for nostalgia, is willing the Blues to succeed this season and claim fourth

Fellaini: I'll stay if Everton finish fourth

As speculation over his future persists, Marouane Fellaini has spelled out his desire for Champions League football by saying that he would be happy to stay at Goodison Park if Everton finish fourth this season, something he believes the team is capable of. "I want to play in the Champions League," he tells The Mirror. "I'd love to do that with Everton."

Ross returns a 'better player'

Ross Barkley believes that he has benefited enormously from his spell on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and returns to Everton a better player for the experience.

Heritage Trail opens on Saturday

The Everton Park Heritage Trail will open with a special ceremony on Saturday 24 November at St George’s Church, Heyworth Street and Everton Park. 10:30am for 11am start.

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Are Everton set for a Premier League slump?

The defeat at Reading at the weekend was unlucky, but with key players dropping out of form and picking up suspensions, and a tricky run of fixtures coming up, could Everton be about to drop down the table?

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Soccermax Heroes: Thomas Gravesen

Thomas Gravesen. He smashed through the barrier of inconsistency. The ultimate bipolar footballer. A man described by Fabio Capello as “a little particular”, possibly the most understated and accurate euphemism ever used.

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Do Everton have what it takes for a top-four finish?

Jim Campbell: "A top-four finish is a big ask, but Moyes has the nerve to pull it off."

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David Moyes hopes for big things for Ross Barkley on return from Sheffield Wednesday loan

“Ross has done great. He is a young boy, 18, and those games in the Championship will bode well for us and for him. It’s not unlike when we put Leon Osman out on loan. I wouldn’t say it’s an exact similarity, but we put Ross out to try and get him ready for Premier League action.”

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Random 1990s Footballer Tuesday: #45 John Ebbrell

Signing schoolboy terms with Everton in 1981, Ebbrell went on to captain England Schoolboys at differing age groups. Many thought that he was destined for international recognition, but it would be fair to say that the midfielder simply didn’t fulfil his potential.

Shareholders Association calls for EGM

The Everton Shareholders Association have announced a petition of all Shareholders to call upon the Board of Directors to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company to discuss the reinstatement of regular Annual General Meetings and the Club's accounting performance over the past five years. The Association is contacting all shareholders to state their case and seek their support.

• Message from ESA Chairman, John Blain

Tim Cahill keen on Everton loan

Tim Cahill is is keen on making a return to Everton on loan in January when New York Red Bulls’ MLS season finishes.

Barkley recalled to boost ranks

Ross Barkley is returning to Everton after spending two months with Sheffield Wednesday under the tutelage of Dave Jones. The decision not to further extend his loan with the Championship side appears to have been influenced by the number of injuries and suspensions the Blues are potentially facing, with Neville out for two months and Fellaini suspended for the next game.

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Andy Gray column: Everton’s Osman was my star man against Sweden

People who play with Leon Osman week on week will see what he does and how well he does it, writes Andy Gray

Gibson plays in U21 draw

Darron Gibson returned from his long injury absence to complete 63 mins on the Goodison Park pitch, where Everton U21s were held by Reading in a 0 - 0 draw today.

Missed chances irk Moyes

David Moyes made no secret of his annoyance in his post-match interview following today's defeat at Reading, the manager ruing missed chances, poor defending and at least one penalty decision that didn't go the Blues' way.

Neville out for two months

Everton Captain and midfield general, Phillip Neville underlines the vulnerability of the thin Everton squad: he will be out of action for two crucial months of the Premier League campaign after undergoing knee surgery yesterday.

A good start thrown away

A familiar story of missed chances and belief-defying incompetence from the match officials saw Everton lose for only the second time in the League this season after tossing away a first-half lead. Naismith converted from close range as the Blues' early dominance paid off but two stonewall penalties were denied before half-time. Moyes's men then fell away in the second half, Le Fondre heading home unmarked from a free kick and then scoring the winner from the spot following Coleman's clumsy challenge.

• Match preview & pre-match discussion
• Live Matchday Forum

Reading vs Everton

The frustrating sequence of draws — not to mention Jelavic's mini-drought — ended by victory over Sunderland at Goodison Park last Saturday, Everton resume their quest to keep hold of the coat tails of the top three with a trip south to Reading. Gibson and Mirallas miss out; Hibbert and Anichebe will have late fitness tests. KO is 3pm.

• Global TV coverage
• Live Matchday Forum

Moyes in no hurry to sign new contract

David Moyes insists he is in no hurry to sign a new contract at Everton, but expects to sit down and discuss terms some time next year. However, speculation about his future is bound to grow after the Scot, whose current deal expires in the summer, said he did not want "supporters to get too sick of seeing the same manager all the time".

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A Grand Old Lady... and only too happy to reveal her age

The Echo previews this weekend's celebrations of 120 years of Goodison Park at the Museum of Liverpool.

Mirallas and Gibson miss out

Darron Gibson will again be missing from the Everton squad this weekend as he continues his recovery from a thigh tendon problem. He is joined in the sidelines by Kevin Mirallas who suffered a hamstring injury last weekend against Sunderland.

Moyes: No January business expected

David Moyes put the usual dampener on expectations of any significant transfer business when the transfer window opens in the New Year, citing a lack of "resources" to further strengthen the squad and aid the push for Europe. Moyes was downbeat, offering Blues fans little in the way of hope of reinforcements, despite suggestions from the Club recently that there would be funds available.

• Column: Fellaini and the Quest for the Top Four

Hickson: 'The club keeps me going'

In an interview with The Daisy Cutter, Everton legend Dave Hickson talks about his playing days, his views on the modern game, and about how his continuing role at Goodison has kept him going by keeping him within the game that he loves so much.

Fellaini in no rush to leave Everton

As the media ramps up the speculation over his future, with many outlets dredging up comments from earlier in the season to support the narrative that he wants to leave Goodison, Marouane Fellaini has clarified his position by saying that while he does want to play for one of Europe's top clubs one day, he is happy to be patient and see what can be achieved with Everton.

Coleman earns his international stripes

Seamus Coleman has played his way into regular contention for the Republic of Ireland, with manager Giovanni Trapattoni acknowledging the progress he has made for club and country.

Moyes would recommend new deals for veteran duo

It may be a little premature at this stage with the summer still months away but David Moyes says that he would recommend new contracts for Phil Neville and Sylvain Distin at the end of the season.

Osman's long-awaited England bow

Leon Osman earned his first England cap this evening in the friendly defeat against Sweden and marked his debut with an impressive display with club-mate Leighton Baines also in the team. Goals from Welbeck and Caulker had canceled out Ibrahimovic's opener but the Swedish star striker hit back in the second half in world class fashion to end up with four goals in a 4-2 triumph for the hosts.

• Coleman bemoans Ireland's Greece defeat
• Greg O’Keeffe on Osman’s impressive debut

Everton find success in targeting youth

Everton are touting the success of their new ticket pricing initiatives for young fans, with big increases seen in the number of juniors signing up for full- and half-season tickets this season.

Garbutt to have ankle damage assessed

Reserve defender Luke Garbutt will see a specialist this week to have damaged ligaments in his ankle assessed.

Mirallas to miss Reading trip

It looks as though Kevin Mirallas will only miss the weekend trip to Reading after scans on his hamstring injury revealed just a grade one tear.

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Thomas Hitzlsperger will not hesitate to unleash his hammer-like left foot for Everton

Thomas Hitzlsperger has promised he will not hesitate if he gets the chance to unleash his hammer-like left-footed shot for Everton.

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''No doubt that Everton are the top team on Merseyside''

The Life’s a Pitch team believe the blue half of Merseyside fully deserve their plaudits. So can David Moyes’s team can justifiably call itself the best team in Liverpool?

Osman handed first England cap

Leon Osman will get the first England cap he has been hoping for after Roy Hodgson announced the starting line-up for tomorrow's friendly against Sweden. He will be joined from the first whistle by Leighton Baines; Phil Jagielka is on the bench for the Three Lions.

Motson fancies Everton to finish fourth

BBC commentator John Motson has joined the growing number of Everton's admirers, positing on BBC Radio 5 live's Monday Night Club that it could be David Moyes's Blues and not Arsenal or Tottenham who finish fourth in the Premier League come May.

Mirallas could be out for 3 weeks

Everton haven't made any announcement about the extent of Kevin Mirallas' hamstring injury but the Mail appear to be speculating on the Belgian's condition nonetheless, suggesting that he could be out for three weeks if he has suffered a grade two tear.

Sportsman's evening featuring Big Nev

The Walnut Blues Supporters Club presents a Sportsmans Evening with a not-to-be-missed special guest and Blues legend Neville Southall at Netherton & Sefton Royal British Legion on Friday 23rd November 2012. Tickets are only £20.00 each.

Anglo-Portuguese Ex-Blue makes debut

Eric Dier, who was with the Everton Academy on loan from Sporting Lisbon for 18 months, finally made his senior debut with his home club last weekend.

Osman enjoys England spotlight

Leon Osman took questions from the national press in his stride today, telling reporters how happy he is to have been selected by Roy Hodgson and recounting how his son found out about his first England call-up.

Everton named northwest Community Club of the Year

Everton were named Community Club of the Year at the North West Football Awards for the club's Everton In The Community programme.

The Glory of Goodison

In partnership with the Everton Heritage Society, the National Football Museum and Everton in the Community, the Museum of Liverpool will host a weekend of events on the 17th and 18th of November to mark 120 years of Goodison Park. They include a number of talks covering Dixie Dean and other great Everton centre-forwards, club's tour of South America in 1909, the 1933 FA Cup Final ball, the great T. G. Jones, and more.

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Yet another miserable result against Merseyside’s Decent Club

Saturday's game from the Sunderland perspective, worthy of linking for the respectful words about Everton, if not the Grand Old Lady

Everton U21s 1 - 2 Blackburn U21s

Sylvain Distin, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Jan Mucha were among the overage players for Everton Under-21s as they lost narrowly to Blackburn Rovers U21s behind closed doors at Finch Farm this afternoon. Conor Grant equalized their earlier goal after clever work by Junior but Ribeiro scored the winner in the second half.

Minor crash injuries for Tom Molyneux

Everton Academy player Tom Molyneux was slightly injured when he crashed his car on the M57, heading for Finch Farm on Saturday morning.

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Nikica Jelavic can fire Everton into the Champions League says Steven Naismith

Steven Naismith believes Nikica Jelavic can help fire the Toffees to a top-four finish this season.

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Everton 2 - 1 Sunderland: Tactical Deconstruction of game changing substitution

Moyes brought on Vellios for Neville and withdrew Fellaini into a deeper role.

Mirallas to undergo hamstring scan

Kevin Mirallas will have a scan in the next couple of days to determine the extent of the hamstring injury that forced him off against Sunderland yesterday.

Late turnaround secures precious win

Everton conceded the opening goal for the sixth game running but came back to break Sunderland's hearts with two goals in as many minutes in the last quarter hour to earn their first win in five. The Blues struggled to break down their stubborn opponents after losing Mirallas to injury and allowing Johnson to score on the stroke of half-time. And the second half slog looked doomed until Fellaini pulled something out of nothing, and then flicked on audaciously for Jelavic to score the winner.

• Match report
• Match summary and post-match discussion

Fellaini still wants Champions League

Marouane Fellaini has reiterated his desire to play in the Champions League during in an interview with BBC’s Football Focus.

• Moyes resigned to losing Fellaini
• Moyes vows to keep Marouane Fellaini

Blackburn U18s 2 - 3 Everton U18s

A youthful Everton Under-18s side secured an impressive 3-2 win away at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Chris Long got two after youngster Joe Williams equalized an early goal by the hosts.

A good start that could have been better

While he describes what his team has done in the first quarter of the League season as "admirable", David Moyes admits that his team needs to be more ruthless if they are to attain their Champions League dream.

Book review: 'Making the Grade'

David Starsky reviews the new book by Stan Osborne which gives "a fascinating insight into the rigours of being an apprentice at Everton Football Club."

Everton vs Sunderland

Fourth in the table despite dropping eight points from their last four games, Everton are back at home for the visit of Sunderland this weekend looking to regain their momentum. Gibson, Hibbert and Anichebe miss out through injury so the starting XI is likely to be unchanged. KO is 3pm.

• Global TV coverage
• Live Matchday Forum

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Sunderland must beware of Fellaini, says Simon Mignolet

Simon Mignolet admits Sunderland will have a job on their hands tomorrow containing his international team-mate Marouane Fellaini.

Gibson starts light training

Darron Gibson took another step on the road to making his long-awaited comeback from injury when he resumed light training this week. The Irishman, whose absence has been keenly felt in Everton's midfield, has his sights set on a first-team return against Reading in nine days' time.

Michael Branch jailed for selling drugs

Former Everton striker Michael Branch has been jailed for seven years for selling drugs. Branch, 34, pleaded guilty to two charges when he appeared at Chester Crown Court.

Osman gets first England call-up

Leon Osman has received his first England call-up at the tender age of 31. He joins Roy Hodgson's squad for a friendly against Sweden in Stockholm next Wednesday.

Ross Barkley is enjoying Owl-time

Ross Barkley, Sheffield Wednesday’s Player of the Month for October, has credited Owls manager, former Everton defender Dave Jones, for the progress he has made on loan in the Championship, but pledges his future to the Blues.

Mirallas looking to hit double figures

Kevin Mirallas, Everton's leading goal provider, has set himself a 10-goal target for his first season in English football. After announcing his arrival with two goals on his full debut against Leyton Orient in the League Cup, Mirallas is now making a big impact in the Premier League after attaining full fitness and adjusting to life in England.

Rangers still have to pay for Jelavic

Glasgow Rangers look set to fulfill the bulk of their remaining obligation to Rapid Vienna for the purchase of Nikica Jelavic and avoid a Fifa court case.

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Louis Saha's goal is to score against Everton this weekend

Louis Saha wants to make his first Sunderland strike a memorable one as he prepares for a return to his former employers Everton this weekend.

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Everton must be more ruthless says skipper Phil Neville

Phil Neville believes Everton must regain their cutting edge or become in danger of being too reliant on Nikica Jelavic for goals.

Jose Semedo raves about Ross Barkley

Sheffield Wednesday's Portuguese star Jose Semedo is tipping Ross Barkley to become one of the best midfield players in the country after seeing at close hand what an impact the 18-year-old from Everton is making in the Owls midfield.

Zak MacMath trains with Everton

United States Under-20 international goalkeeper Zac MacMath, who plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, is to spend three weeks training with Everton.

No Goodison reprise for McRooney

James McFadden pulled his hamstring during training last week and will not be playing for Sunderland when they come to visit Goodison Park this Saturday.

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Goal-machine Jose Baxter eager to stay put

Jose Baxter has revealed he wants to stay at Boundary Park after his fifth goal in six games helped secure a home tie with Doncaster in the second round of the FA Cup. The former Everton wonderkid, whose short-term contract expires in December, struck a cunning 25-yard free kick from out wide inside the near post.

Could be the best ever, says Moyes

A shift in David Moyes's rhetoric in recent week reveals that the Everton boss finally feels able to talk of his side as top-four contenders if they can just match the consistency of the 2004-05 side that did get a shot at the Champions League with a fourth-place berth.

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Some love for Everton’s Kevin Mirallas

When Kevin Mirallas signed for Everton, I think I mumbled something about him being a back-up to Nikica Jelavic and not having the tools to exist out-wide in the Premier League.... Not the most prophetic statement ever made on this site.

Everton U21s 2 - 1 West Brom U21s

Everton U21s beat their West Brom counterparts at Finch Farm thanks to goals from Matthew Kennedy and a late winner by Hallam Hope.

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Tactical Deconstruction – Fulham 2 – 2 Everton

This was definitely 2 points dropped in a game Everton dominated from start to finish.

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We’d Be A Top 5 Team… If Only We Took Our Chances

With Mirallas, Pienaar and Fellaini all dominating in midfield, the only missing ingredient for Everton is a clinical touch in front of goal. We need the 'Jellyman' back to his best...

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Barkley scores again for Owls

Ross Barkley hit his fourth goal of the season for loan club Sheffield Wednesday as Dave Jones’s side leapfrogged Peterborough out of the bottom three in the Championship.

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Fulham were priced out of a move for Mirallas

Martin Jol turned down the chance to sign Kevin Mirallas because he cost too much.

Moyes stunned and frustrated

David Moyes was stunned by Everton's failure to win despite overwhelming Fulham throughout in their Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Everton snatch a draw from the jaws of victory

Everton came back from conceding another early goal to lead 2-1 going into the dying minutes but Sidwell converted from close range in the 90th minute to earn Fulham an undeserved draw. Ruiz's free-kick had cannoned off Howard and in after just five minutes, but twin strikes by Fellaini turned the game its head. The Belgian then hit the post, saw a terrific volley saved and Naismith failed with a gilt-edged chance late on before lax defending gifted the home side a point.

Evertonians know we're playing well

Manager David Moyes is unconcerned by criticism of Everton's playing style; he knows the opinions that matter are Evertonains' — and, more importantly, his as the manager.

Fulham vs Everton

Everton are back in London this weekend for a trip to Craven Cottage to face seventh-placed Fulham as the Blues go looking for their first win in four. Darron Gibson is still ruled out but Steven Pienaar returns from suspension while Kevin Mirallas remains a doubt with an ankle injury. KO is 3pm.

• Global TV coverage
• Live Matchday Forum

Mirallas has a chance of playing

David Moyes says Kevin Mirallas "will be given every chance" to face Fulham after the ankle injury inflicted by Luis Suarez in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

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Scout Report – Moyes's Tactical Blueprint for Fulham

Saturday sees us take a trip to London to face Martin Jol’s expansive Fulham side. This tactical preview will inform what’s in store this time round and provide some pointers on where the game will be won and lost…

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Oviedo: Everton must beat Fulham or risk losing ground on CL chasing pack

Everton must beat Fulham tomorrow or risk losing crucial ground on the Champions League chasing pack, says Bryan Oviedo, whose friend and countryman Bryan Ruiz plays for Fulham.

Southampton (A) now a TV game

Everton's trip to Southampton in January has been selected for live TV coverage on Sky and has been shifted to Monday 21 January (kick off 8pm).