Season › 2012-13 › News Blues kick off against the Canaries , 19 June, 73comments | Jump to most recent 2013-14 fixtures released Roberto Martinez's first competitive game in charge of Everton will be against Norwich City at Carrow Road, with West Bromwich Albion providing the oppositon for his first fixture in front of the faithful at Goodison Park the following week. The Blues are on the road again for their third game against Premier League new boys, Cardiff City, before playing host to Chelsea. Once again, the first derby of the season will be at Goodison Park, with Liverpool crossing Stanley Park on 23rd November, with the Anfield derby scheduled unusually early for 28th January. Sunderland are the visitors on Boxing Day, New Year's Day is another away game at Stoke City and Everton will be away again on the final day of the season, this time with a trip to Hull City on 11th May. See the full list of fixtures at EvertonFC.com Quotes or other material sourced from Everton FC Reader Comments (73) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Carl Taylor 7 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:02:21 Norwich away, chance to pick up points we dropped last season thanks to negative tactics? Patrick Murphy 10 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:03:16 Norwich AwayWBA HomeCardiff AwayChelsea HomeWest Ham AwayNewcastle HomeDerby Nov 28 Goodison Jan 28 at The other place. Kevin Tully 11 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:05:37 Meh Steve Guy 12 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:07:30 Decent fixtures for RM to cut his teeth on Paul Landon 13 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:05:36 Again the derby at Goodison first. This needs questioning... Peter Thistle 14 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:05:41 What a surprise, first derby of the season at home. It's clearly not random. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing but seems strange that it's always us first at home.Also, seeing that new badge on Sky is depressing. It hasn't grown on me. Tony Hanlon 15 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:11:09 Last 3 home games: Arsenal, Man Utd & Man City. Matt Traynor 16 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:11:21 Peter #754, this comes up every year. Apparently it favours the RS as they play us at home second when they're closing in on the title.... er... or the other school of thought is we ask for it first to prop up season ticket sales - if it was in the latter part of the season we'd not sell so many STs, but would sell more half STs around Xmas.Who said we're a small club? Patrick Murphy 17 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:10:25 Seems a bit unfair that we start and end the season away from home the last game is away to Hull City. Is it just me or are there a greater number of long journey's in this season's PL. Phil Johnson 18 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:14:59 Wigan, QPR and Reading down. Palace, Hull, Cardiff come up. So yes on average journeys will be longer. Ernie Baywood 19 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:18:04 Last 3 home games look a bit daunting!But Christmas looks alright. Trevor Thompson 20 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:17:53 Apart from Chelsea, where we should be able to get at least a draw, the six games from August to September are all winnable. James Morgan 21 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:18:38 Why always Sunderland on Boxing Day? Phil Rodgers 22 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:17:25 Very hard run in. Hope we are not battling for the drop!!!!! Peter Thistle 23 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:24:21 Slightly funny to hear Ian Dowie on SSN saying "Liverpool have strengthened, this year they could be top 7" — like that'd be impressive. Makes me happy. Barry Rathbone 24 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:28:27 Can't wait, just can't wait - first season in years I'm actually looking forward to. Kevin Hudson 25 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:29:01 I think we need to know what the definitive reason is for Goodison always hosting the first Derby of the season. Guy Hastings 26 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:33:43 Six points out of the first nine – we invariably fuck up against a newly promoted side early on, so a 2-1 loss to Cardiff. James Marshall 27 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:34:27 Always the home derby first.Always a tough run-in.Always finish away from home.Spurs (our closest rivals, let's be honest) always a much easier run-in than us.It's so badly laid out, and fixed toward the better sides, it's untrue.Good god I moan a lot. Patrick Murphy 28 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:32:38 Kevin at least we won't have to go there so late in the season they'll be out of the way by the end of January. Scott Hamilton 29 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:37:27 An interesting first few games for our former manager. Swansea away followed by Chelsea at home and then the shite away... Paul O'Hanlon 30 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:37:58 Away first AND last game? What's that about?! Daniel Ford 31 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:35:39 Phil (763), I don't think you tend to battle 'for' the drop :-), unless you're Newcastle that is... Sunderland or Newcastle games always seem to be at Xmas now, I think its cos of the lack of Yorkshire teams so Northeast teams don't have any other options but to play Northwest teams... I'm just glad it's a home one this season. Mike Keating 37 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:27:23 After dropping points at City and Villa we regain top spot at the end of November with a humbling of the Suarezless RS. My crystal ball goes a bit cloudy then but I see a repeat score line on the 12th April to celebrate my personal 50 years of bitter blueness – just a pity it isn't the derby match again. I also have a strangely positive feeling about our first encounter with Moyes. Unfortunately my travels into the future fail to reveal changes in personnel but there does appear to be an absence of mad hair in the dressing room.All the best for the new season!Mystic Mike Patrick Murphy 39 Posted 19/06/2013 at 09:54:08 I see the Derby game over the road is scheduled for a Tuesday evening, how come it's ok to play in the evening over there and not at Goodison? The Man U game at OT is also an evening game. Rob Murphy 40 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:00:07 Interesting how the teams playing at home on Boxing Day are also at home 2 days later. Teams away on Boxing Day play away on the Saturday as well. Arsene Whinger, Moyes Out & Brenda will no doubt have a good moan bout that!! Chris Gould 41 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:13:23 Our run-in looks difficult with our final three home games against Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City. However, all of the games in March are very winnable which will hopefully put us in a position where we are not looking over our shoulder during the run-in. Ernie Baywood 42 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:14:16 When was the last time a league derby was a night game? Liam Reilly 43 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:24:58 The Arse, United and City all at Home in the last 6 games of the Season. We'll have a say in the title whatever happens; hopefully will be in the mix for the top 4 at that time and I'd fancy us at home against all of them. Sam Hoare 44 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:28:02 Always important to get a good start and build momentum. Those fixtures should make that possible. Derek Thomas 45 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:28:41 1995 Big Joe's first?? Patrick Murphy 46 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:34:29 2011-12 Surrender Monkey derby was a night game over the park. Ross Edwards 47 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:33:51 A good start I'd say, we could have 9 points on the board before Chelsea and City, typically the RS get all the easy fixtures but I'd say the football gods aren't shining on Mr Moyes are they? Chelsea, the RS and a Manc Derby in his first 5 games. Man U could only have about 5 or 6 points after 5 games.I'm sure Bobby M is deligted with our first 5, we could really be off to a flyer if all goes well, and I fancy we have a chance of beating Chelsea and maybe we could win at the Etihad again. With half the league changing managers I think this could be our chance to break into the top 6 if we sign the right players and play the right way. Paul O'Hanlon 48 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:33:12 They are what they are, but I prefer having a big game to start with.The win over Utd in our first game last season set the tone for our great start. Guy Hastings 51 Posted 19/06/2013 at 10:59:09 What happened to the old 'if your first game is away you get the next two at home'? As for the size of Wagonwheels these days... Tom Hughes 52 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:02:39 Am I right in thinking that the last time we played West Brom in the second game of the season we won the league? I can dream can't I? Noel Early 53 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:19:44 We need to really have a good start, first 3 games are all winnable. They could really shape our season. Norwich away last year was a game we dominated but had nobody to put the ball in the net for us. Take note, Roberto.... Patrick Murphy 54 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:34:10 Ross, I think you'll find we broke the top 6 last season and for a few seasons previous. It's the top 4 we need to break into, but unfortunately we may have to wait a while longer for that to happen. Andrew Ellams 55 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:38:07 From a selfish point of view, I am on holiday for the first two week of the season, so I'm glad there are no biggies then. Shane Corcoran 56 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:41:08 This is interestinghttp://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/15/fixtures-premier-league-football-league-compiled James Marshall 57 Posted 19/06/2013 at 11:48:44 There's no rhyme or reason to it, apart from the TV schedule. They don't hand out all that cash without having a say in who plays who, when! Andy Hegan 58 Posted 19/06/2013 at 12:24:31 2nd derby away again. Surely not a coincidence. Craig Walker 59 Posted 19/06/2013 at 12:34:20 I remember a league derby at home over Christmas one year. Crouch scored for them and we lost about 3-0. We were atrocious. It was an evening game. If memory serves, it followed the Per Krøldrup horror show away at Villa. Peter Bell 60 Posted 19/06/2013 at 12:51:59 Tom Hughes, no, the last time we played West Brom second game we lost the double to the RS. Sharabi Singh 63 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:09:04 I think the run-in is quite phenomenal. We usually have a good record at home against the so called bigger teams, wouldn't worry too much. Let's just hope for another solid start though. I think the first team should have learnt a lot from last season and remember Mirallas was injured for a good part of the first half. Tom Hughes 70 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:23:21 Peter. .... we must've played them second twice on the trot then. Oh well I'll settle for 2nd and CL then..... Andrew Ellams 71 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:28:30 You're right Tom we did play West Brom second game in the 84/85 Championship season and lost following on from our 1-4 defeat at home to Spurs on the 1st day Peter Bell 72 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:30:17 I personally think the fixtures are well spread out without a difficult month until we reach April. By then we could well be in the driving seat for a good finish. I'd rather have Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City as the last three home games instead of the last 3 away games. David Midgley 73 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:40:36 Peter 840. Because we would run out of pies and Bovril Denis Richardson 75 Posted 19/06/2013 at 13:58:03 Norwich AwayWBA HomeCardiff AwayChelsea HomeWest Ham AwayNewcastle HomeExcellent first 6 games to get a few wins and build momentum.Last 3 games are tough but hopefully we'd have put in a verry good season by then and Man U will be needing the points to secure CL qualification!3 wins from 3 averaging 3 goals a game - Jelavic on fire from the off! Jamie Barlow 76 Posted 19/06/2013 at 14:33:25 James@816, I think the police have some say in whether certain games are played on which days. There was a bloke on Sky yesterday saying the police requested the Spurs v Arsenal game not to be played on Boxing day. Certain police have different requests, as do some clubs. Jamie Barlow 77 Posted 19/06/2013 at 14:45:12 Apparently Man Utd asked for the first game to be away to give time for their pitch to bed in. James Marshall 78 Posted 19/06/2013 at 15:35:26 Fair point, Jamie. I live in London and getting around when derby games are on is an issue, especially on public holidays when the city is full of tourists. James Stewart 79 Posted 19/06/2013 at 16:13:20 Decent start. Chance to get points on the board early. I am predicting Europe this year. I think a lot of people will be surprised what this team can accomplish now that Moyes's shackles have been removed. Matthew Roache 80 Posted 19/06/2013 at 16:33:47 I seem to remember us playing West Brom 2nd game a few seasons ago when Yak and Ossie scored? Ray Griffin 81 Posted 19/06/2013 at 16:51:51 On a different note, I see Royston Drenthe has signed for Reading on a 3 year deal - any bets on him lasting less than a season? Andy Mack 82 Posted 19/06/2013 at 17:08:06 Drenthe did seem to see the error of his ways in an interview recently, decent signing by Reading - even if he does just last half a season. He'll certainly tear apart some of those defences in the division if he can keep of the "temptations".Despite been a total idiot, I liked what he did on the pitch. Roman Sidey 83 Posted 19/06/2013 at 17:21:55 First six games are all chances for us to get full points (draw with Chelsea is fine). The draw's like a new signing. Steven Telford 84 Posted 19/06/2013 at 18:43:35 As everybody eventually plays everybody twice, I don't see the big deal in caring that much - there is no logical advantage to be had playing somebody first or second at home. Mark Frere 85 Posted 19/06/2013 at 18:44:30 A very kind opening 6 fixtures, I will be happy with 12 points from these fixtures, it will give us good momentum going into the rest of the season Jamie Barlow 86 Posted 19/06/2013 at 18:51:57 Now that's not the right attitude is it Steven. You should look more closely at the fixtures and find something you don't like. Iain Johnston 87 Posted 19/06/2013 at 19:00:17 Running through it, I think April and May will be our worst months for points maybe only 4 from each? My crystal ball (the mrs!) reckons 71pts, I'm not going to argue!.I know the last three home games are difficult but I think the rest are evenly spaced.Quietly confidentCOYB!! Mark Frere 88 Posted 19/06/2013 at 19:09:33 Ian Johnston, I would be delighted with 71 points, would give us a great chance of CL football. Throw a FA or league cup trophy in with it and that would be a dream season to start Martinez's debut campaign Brian Waring 89 Posted 19/06/2013 at 19:40:46 This local derby is also unique in the fact that the fixtures are played in a certain order. Since 2003, an agreement has been in place to hold the first derby of every season at Goodison Park, and the second at Anfield. There are several benefits to this arrangement: not only does this prevent long waits between home derbies for either team, but ensures that the flow of television revenue is more even due to the fact that the second derby cannot always be televised on Sky. Reasons for this vary, from cup commitments or late-season fixture congestion. Iain Johnston 90 Posted 19/06/2013 at 19:46:03 Interesting point Brian, does this indicate we gain more revenue from the arrangement? Ben Hayes 91 Posted 19/06/2013 at 19:47:32 I would much prefer having a big game like Man U or the Shite first game as then the players are up for it more from the start and hit the ground running away at Norwich there is more of a chance of complacency from the team and don't get going, but who knows we could win our first 6 games with the start just hope we do COYB Michael Winstanley 92 Posted 19/06/2013 at 23:51:29 Away at Hull win it. Lloyd Brodrick 93 Posted 20/06/2013 at 00:05:09 After first 10 matches.Ars 24 PTEve 22Moyes 21Che 20City 20Tot 19Liv 15 Eric Myles 94 Posted 20/06/2013 at 05:50:25 Ross #759 "I think this could be our chance to break into the top 6 if we sign the right players and play the right way."We've already been in the top 6 before now, top 5 even. Andrew Flanagan 95 Posted 20/06/2013 at 12:41:15 @Lloyd BrodrickAfter first 10 matches.Ars 24 PTEve 22Moyes 21Che 20City 20Tot 19Liv 15I would love to hear the justification behind this prediction! Roman Sidey 96 Posted 20/06/2013 at 17:52:20 Steven Telford, you're right that all teams have to play each other twice, but the fallout of the draw has psychological effects. If you get some 'easier' games at the beginning, you can get your tail up for the remaining fixtures and whatnot. On another point, anyone who complains or the like about the PL draw should take a look at the AFL system. It's all over the place and teams can actually request which teams they play twice, at home or away due to there not being two full rounds. Lloyd Brodrick 97 Posted 20/06/2013 at 22:13:30 Andrew 046No justification required, just a prediction.Looked at each of the top sevens fixtures and awarded the points. It would take to long to go through it all but hay! I'm an optimist.I did check back on our first 10 last season and it would have been 23 points but for the draws at QPR and Wigan which were, in my view winnable, and of course the Newcastle (draw) that we won!It would be interesting to see what other's predictions depict. Whilst we don't know what impact transfers around the PL will have we are perfectly capable of such a tally and I feel most of the other top teams might need a bit of time to bed in. Can't wait. James Martin 98 Posted 24/06/2013 at 09:54:40 Always a stupid game to try and predict points in the premier league. Even the easiest looking fixture can cause a problem whilst the big teams can at any point be humbled. I would be very surprised if Everton playing a new formation with a new manager with new players won 5 out of the first 6 as some people are claiming we should. The removal of Moyes, much to some people's surprise, is not going to suddenly remove the inconsistency that can blight any football club at any time. It's not going to suddenly mean that every game home and away against the bottom 14 is suddenly going to be a win. It is not going to mean that our home record against the top teams will remain or that our away record will improve. Moyes was not some sort of cancer that affected consistency, regardless of where or how he got the points he made Everton a lot more consistent than they'd ever been in the premier league era. If you really think Moyes is all that was holding this squad back from trailblazing into the top 4 then you need your head checking.Equally some of the almost giddy expectations of Moyes' failure at United are laughable. He almost went unbeaten at home with Everton last year. What do you think he's going to do with a title winning United side? He may not win the title but these hopes of United not making the top 4 are delusional. Their squad, even before this year's transfer window, is lightyears ahead of ours. May as well have Mickey Mouse in the hotseat, they'd still finish ahead of us. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb