Steven Naismith says that even though Arsenal are now the overwhelming favourites to finish in the coveted fourth Champions League slot, Everton's players will not give up until it's mathematically impossible. That means they will not be taking their foot off the pedal against title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday. In any case, the Blues are desperate to finish at least fifth and will likely need to win one of their last two matches to secure it ahead of Tottenham.
The former Everton 'keeper, now with Krylia Sovetov Samara in Russia, briefly mentions his time at Everton in an interview with his club's website.
I played few matches in Everton. Just a couple of matches of the premiership and several cup matches. But I wouldn’t change a single thing if I had a chance to bring everything back. The football life in England is scrupulously planned.”
Updated Liverpool City Council says that it will give its full backing to Everton's proposed new stadium development but stresses that any investment it makes would be in a wider regeneration scheme and it would not be in a position to fund the project on its own. The club will reportedly need to make up a £30m shortfall to set the wheels in motion.
Everton's hierarchy addressed club shareholders at the Annual General Meeting of the Company this evening, with ongoing plans for a new stadium development dominating the headlines. As part of his presentation regarding the club's finances and new initiatives, CEO Roberto Elstone explained that the Board are working with Liverpool City Council and are focusing their attentions on a particular site in the city for a new ground.
Roberto Martinez is optimistic that Phil Jagielka will be fit enough to face Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday after missing the last 11 matches with a hamstring injury. Leighton Baines is expected to shrug off his knocks from Saturday while Sylvain Distin could also figure after missing the defeat at Southampton, also with a hamstring strain, but his chances are rated at only 50/50.
Roberto Martinez says that he and his Everton players are not using the burgeoning catalogue of injuries that has befallen the squad as an excuse for the recent stumbles in the chase for a top-fou finish.
Apostolos Vellios will return to Everton this week after being recalled from his loan spell with Blackpool.
With European football likely for Everton next season, Robert Martinez has restated his plans to bring in a number of new players this summer to enable his squad to compete on multiple fronts. "It's not about improving the squad, it's about increasing it" he says. "When you are playing in Europe you need six or seven new players. That's the reality and we will do that."
Everton's Seamus Coleman was named in the PFA Premier League team of the year at the PFA awards last night.
Hallam Hope scored a hat-trick for League Two Bury in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Portsmouth while Matt Kennedy notched one for MK Dons as they drew 2-2 at Rotherham.
Roberto Martinez is hopeful that the knocks that forced Leighton Baines off Southampton today aren't serious and that he'll line up against Manchester City next weekend in a match the Spaniard believes will still have ramifications in the hunt for the top-four.
Everton's Champions League hopes took a potentially fatal blow at the St Mary's Stadium as two first-half own goals, one from Antolin Alcaraz and another from Seamus Coleman, left them with a mountain they never looked likely to conquer over the final hour of the game. Leon Osman and James McCarthy had penalty claims turned down in the second half but the solitary save of note required of Artur Boruc off a Romelu Lukaku header underscored the Blues' general lack of penetration against a strong and energetic Saints side.
Tim Howard says that he will call time on his professional career when his new deal with Everton expires in 2018. His manager, Roberto Martinez, believes that the 35 year-old is capable of playing well into his 40s but the Howard admits that he has other things he wants to achieve rather than prolong his playing time.
With three matches to go and still that one point separating Everton from fourth place, the Blues face a must-win lunchtime date with Southampton tomorrow. Sylvain Distin and Kevin Mirallas are both ruled out after picking up injuries against Manchester United last Sunday and with Phil Jagielka not expected to be ready until next Saturday, it means a likely start for Antolin Alcaraz alongside John Stones. KO is 12:45pm.
"Everton were every bit as good as Manchester United were poor at Goodison on Sunday – in a game which ultimately cost David Moyes his job," writes the former Blues boss.
Everton will provide shareholders an update on a proposed new stadium development at next Tuesday's Annual General Meeting, the ESA have announced.
ToffeeWeb's impending 20-year anniversary this autumn provides a good opportunity to canvass the opinions of our regular readers as well as those people who don't use the site all that often with a very brief survey. We would really appreciate your input.
Everton U21 midfielder John Lundstram has had his loan spell at Leyton Orient extended until the end of the season.
Sylvain Distin could join Kevin Mirallas and Lacina Traore on the list of players ruled out for the remainder of the season after picking up a hamstring strain in the win over Manchester United on Sunday. The Frenchman is awaiting the results of tests performed at Finch Farm this week to find out if he'll miss the final three matches of the campaign.
Luke O'Farrell makes the case for Everton's 19 year-old defensive sensation, John Stones, making the plane for Brazil in Roy Hodgson's England World Cup party.
Time is the only constraint preventing Stones from being a more viable candidate for the club's young player of the season award, although recent form leaves Stones pressing for a spot on the World Cup plane to Brazil. Teammate Jagielka and Chelsea's Gary Cahill are certainties for the World Cup, but there is no reason why Stones cannot take one of the remaining places, especially as others are far from convincing at present.
Teammate Jagielka and Chelsea's Gary Cahill are certainties for the World Cup, but there is no reason why Stones cannot take one of the remaining places, especially as others are far from convincing at present.
Contrasting the experiences of the two managers in succeeding long-term tenures at their respective new clubs.
The contrast in the fortunes of both managers since taking up their respective roles is perhaps best illustrated by the Toffees’ 12-point lead over the Red Devils in the Premier League table. But the gap between the two manager’s manifested itself as something more much more tangible in Everton’s 2-0 win over United at Goodison Park on Easter Sunday, a game that’d prove to be Moyes’ last in the Red Devils hot-seat. The men in blue played with a clear ideal, with positive intent and with a desire that has been unshakably pertinent throughout the season. United by contrast, operated in a casual, intrepid manner, passing the ball aimlessly and waiting for Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata or Shinji Kagawa to conjure something, out of hope more than expectation.
But the gap between the two manager’s manifested itself as something more much more tangible in Everton’s 2-0 win over United at Goodison Park on Easter Sunday, a game that’d prove to be Moyes’ last in the Red Devils hot-seat.
The men in blue played with a clear ideal, with positive intent and with a desire that has been unshakably pertinent throughout the season. United by contrast, operated in a casual, intrepid manner, passing the ball aimlessly and waiting for Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata or Shinji Kagawa to conjure something, out of hope more than expectation.
Bryan Oviedo continues his rapid recovery from his double leg-break back in January with the Costa Rican defender releasing video of himself in training as he works to be ready in time for the World Cup Finals in June.
Joe Royle could return to Everton after Roberto Martinez identified him as the perfect candidate for a new director of development role in the club's Academy.
Kevin Mirallas will miss Everton's last three games of the season with a groin injury, Everton have now confirmed. The 26 year-old appeared to be in some discomfort as he made his way around the pitch at the final whistle of Sunday's win over Manchester United and reports from Belgium that his League season is over have now been proved correct. Mirallas is expected to be out for a month but should make the World Cup Finals in Brazil.
David Moyes, the former Everton manager, who made the move to "better things" at Old Trafford last May has been unceremoniously dismissed from his post as manager of Manchester United after just 10 months in the job.
Roberto Martinez has suggested that he will sit down with Lacina Traoré at the end of the season to discuss the possibility of him staying with Everton next season.
Everton’s early bird window for 2014/15 season tickets is set to slam shut at midnight tonight (Tuesday 22 April).
Roberto Martinez says he was pleased with how well his team adapted to a more counter-attacking approach against Manchester United, saying that letting the opposition have the ball was all part of the plan.
Tim Howard has come to the defence of David Moyes after the former Everton manager was barracked by joyous Everton fans during Sunday's victory over Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Everton completed the double over Manchester United and moved back to within a point of Arsenal with a convincing 2-0 win. Leighton Baines slotted home a 28th-minute penalty after Phil Jones had handled Romelu Lukaku's shot and Kevin Mirallas then doubled the advantage, collecting Seamus Coleman's pass and smashing past David de Gea from the angle. The Blues suffocated any attempt by David Moyes's side to get back into the game and Tim Howard denied Wayne Rooney with a superb late save to preserve the clean sheet.
Everton Under-18s extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games with a commanding 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
Andy Hunter in The Guardian talks up John Stones's rapid emergence as a star for the future who is aware of the debt he owes to David Moyes, the man who signed him for Everton in January last year.
Stones's emergence as a ball-playing central defender of rare composure has been a key feature of Everton's pursuit of Champions League qualification. There has been talk of a late World Cup call for a player capped at Under-19, -20 and -21 level by England and rumours of interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
Shane Duffy tells the Irish Post about his new-found perspective on football after a season in the Championship with Yeovil Town and the rediscovery of his bravery following a near-fatal injury four years ago.
On the world of difference between the top flight at Goodison and the more hard-scrabble world in the Football League:
“Life at a Premier League club is so good, you don’t want to leave. They can spend millions on a team of video analysts. At Yeovil, there is one guy who does that. Everton have 10, 11 physios, masseurs, Yeovil have one. We take a bus to away games from Yeovil. At Everton, we either fly or go by train. “Does the difference get to me? Of course not. I love being here, love playing first team football, love the fact that we have a small budget and are written off. As a defender I am in a team where our backs are always against the wall. You have to fight. That is what this club is all about. Fighting.
“Does the difference get to me? Of course not. I love being here, love playing first team football, love the fact that we have a small budget and are written off. As a defender I am in a team where our backs are always against the wall. You have to fight. That is what this club is all about. Fighting.
On his brush with death following a collision playing for Republic of Ireland U21s and his burning desire to make it in the Premier League with Everton:
“That incident certainly took a lot out of me,” he says. “I wasn’t the same afterwards. I struggled for form and it was only this season when I started to play alright again. I don’t know what was happening to me mentally, but basically when I went onto the pitch, it came down to bravery. “I was still brave, but not as brave as before. I’d not clatter into a goalkeeper at a corner like I once did. Mentally I was cautious. There was something in my head. And it affected my performances. Now I don’t think about the injury at all whenever I play. “I’ve had a good few kicks in the same part of my body and they didn’t hurt. I’m back to being me. “I had to pull myself together. Things were going downhill. I had to work harder, tried to live right, make sacrifices about going on loan to Yeovil — things like that. I’m still young. I can get back to Premier League level.”
“I was still brave, but not as brave as before. I’d not clatter into a goalkeeper at a corner like I once did. Mentally I was cautious. There was something in my head. And it affected my performances. Now I don’t think about the injury at all whenever I play.
“I’ve had a good few kicks in the same part of my body and they didn’t hurt. I’m back to being me.
“I had to pull myself together. Things were going downhill. I had to work harder, tried to live right, make sacrifices about going on loan to Yeovil — things like that. I’m still young. I can get back to Premier League level.”
Evertonians have just FOUR days remaining to take advantage of huge savings on their 2014-15 Season Ticket.
A statistical look at how the two teams have changed since last season under their respective new managers.
An excellent interview with Leighton Baines by Daniel Taylor in The Guardian where he talks of Roberto Martinez's relentless positivity, commitment to attacking football and how he got this point in his career via Wigan.
"But the idea is we stick to it, keep the ball and build. What the manager says is: 'We're going to get so good at what we do, we're not going to compromise that, we're going to stick to our principles and just get better because the top sides, the really top teams who have mastered this way, are the ones that gets success.'" Pressed on who he means, Baines continues: "I'm reluctant to say Barcelona or Bayern Munich, but it is based round those principles. We're trying to gain an advantage in what we do. It's attacking football, and we just have to trust ourselves."
Pressed on who he means, Baines continues: "I'm reluctant to say Barcelona or Bayern Munich, but it is based round those principles. We're trying to gain an advantage in what we do. It's attacking football, and we just have to trust ourselves."
Roberto Martinez has indicated that discussions will take place with Kevin Mirallas this summer over a new contract following his performances this season.
Ross Barkley is a contender for PFA Young Player of the Year, joining five other Premier League players on the shortlist.
Roberto Martinez says that while he expects David Moyes will be shown respect by Everton's fans on his return to Goodison Park, he explains that there cannot be a nice atmosphere during the game given its importance for the Blues' season.
Mikel Arteta says he has not enjoyed playing 'as much as he should' since leaving Everton for Arsenal.
Trailing Arsenal by just a point in the race for a place in the top four, Everton entertain David Moyes's Manchester United this weekend in one of the most anticipated games of the season. The Blues go in search of the double over United for the first time in 44 years and a win that would maintain the pressure on the Gunners. James McCarthy is expected to shake off a thigh injury and retake his place in the starting XI but Phil Jagielka is still touch-and-go. KO is 4.10pm on Sunday.
Tim Howard has signed a new contract with Everton that extends his existing deal by two years, the club have announced. The American, who has been in fine form in Roberto Martinez's first season in charge, has committed his future to the Blues until 2018.
Everton U21s lost their final game of the season, going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat to MIddlesbrough at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.
Roberto Martinez says that Everton remain in a great position and can still finish in the top four based on his belief that Arsenal will drop points over the next four games.
Everton's top-four hopes took a hammer blow under the Goodison lights this evening as Crystal Palace inflicted on them only their second home defeat of the season. A first-half goal by Jason Puncheon and then another early in the second period from Scott Dann stunned the Blues who pulled one back through Steven Naismith, only to concede again to Cameron Jerome's strike 17 minutes from time. Kevin Mirallas' awareness allowed him to halve the deficit again late on as the Blues laid siege to the visitors' half but they couldn't rescue the game during an agonising finale.
A further update on Darren Gibson's progress in recovering from a bad knee injury while playing for Ireland last October suggests he will enter full training with the rest of the Everton squad next week.
Shane Duffy has been talking to the Irish Post about life at Yeovil Town, where he has been on loan all season, and how it compares with Everton, where they have "millions to spend on everything".
Roberto Martinez has highlighted the vital role that Everton's raucous home support can play when they're on song and has called upon supporters to match the atmosphere of the Arsenal game when Crystal Palace visit this evening.
Roberto Martinez says that having secured Everton's highest ever Premier League points tally, his team have nothing to lose and everything to gain as they battle Arsenal for fourth place over the final few games of the season.
Roberto Martinez represented Everton FC at the memorial service at Anfield to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster while Bill Kenwright led the tributes to the 96 victims and their families at Goodison Park.
Everton take on Crystal Palace looking to extend their record-setting run of Premier League victories to eight which would keep them in the driving seat in the race for fourth place. With Gareth Barry squeaking past Sunday's yellow card amnesty and Phil Jagielka a few days away from being ready, Roberto Martinez is likely to have an unchanged squad from which to choose. KO is 7.45pm on Wednesday evening.
Everton will be screening today's 25th anniversary Hillsborough Memorial Service at Goodison Park and fans can still obtain tickets from the Park End box office and Everton One.
Alan Stubbs's Everton U21s drew 1-1 with Liverpool U21s at Southport this evening thanks to Ryan Ledson's 85th-minute equaliser,
A nice piece on the Here Is The City site speaks in glowing terms of how the fresh face of Roberto Martinez's stylish Everton in the top four would be a boon for the Premier League.
Everton have emerged from the mediocre days of David Moyes as one of the most likeable teams in the division, playing a type of football almost as technical as anything La Liga has to offer yet with all the exciting directness of English football.
Seeing Goodison Park hosting top-level European nights once again would be a major win for the ideas of responsible managing and good football played by a team rather than a few high-class individuals bought at extreme costs. The Toffees have been more exciting to watch at times than Manchester City, whose squad has been put together for untold billions. Beating the dullards at Manchester United and Chelsea in the style stakes has been a doddle. Yet there's yet to be any arrogance come through from the way they play. After so many years of struggle, Everton fans aren't about to become self-absorbed egotists. For so long they've arguably been the most authentic club in the Premier League, with a wonderful fanbase full of people who understand how to appreciate the game and how it should be played. It seems almost mean that they were stuck with Moyes for so long considering how their side has flourished after being given a few ideas and a bit of freedom to play.
The Toffees have been more exciting to watch at times than Manchester City, whose squad has been put together for untold billions. Beating the dullards at Manchester United and Chelsea in the style stakes has been a doddle.
Yet there's yet to be any arrogance come through from the way they play. After so many years of struggle, Everton fans aren't about to become self-absorbed egotists.
For so long they've arguably been the most authentic club in the Premier League, with a wonderful fanbase full of people who understand how to appreciate the game and how it should be played. It seems almost mean that they were stuck with Moyes for so long considering how their side has flourished after being given a few ideas and a bit of freedom to play.
Nilesh Pandey asks whether Everton are primed to finally crack the glass ceiling.
It should be remembered that [Bill Kenwright] is an Everton supporter through and through and won’t want to sell his club to someone that will end up damaging them. There are numerous examples around the country which show the danger of selling out to the highest foreign bidder, and in a way Evertonians should be glad that Kenwright has their best interests at heart. However, with an exciting manager on board and clubs around them in need of a potential rebuild, you get the feeling that the next few years are a huge opportunity for Everton to finally crack through the glass ceiling and establish themselves higher up the table. For that to happen, though, a cash injection needs to come sooner rather than later.
However, with an exciting manager on board and clubs around them in need of a potential rebuild, you get the feeling that the next few years are a huge opportunity for Everton to finally crack through the glass ceiling and establish themselves higher up the table. For that to happen, though, a cash injection needs to come sooner rather than later.
Evertonians are invited to be among the first to see the brand new Dixie Dean Wall of Fame unveiled at Goodison Park.
Everton recorded seven straight wins for the first time in the Premier League era, squeezing past relegation-threatened Sunderland thanks to a second-half own goal by Wes Brown. The defender helplessly diverted Gerard Deulofeu's cross past his own goalkeeper with 15 minutes left, handing the Blues a win they largely deserved despite a fairly lacklustre display.
Romelu Lukaku's burning desire to win games for Everton and perform at his best is fueling the Blues' top-four bid and pushing him towards a club-best Premier League goals haul.
Roberto Martinez sees no difference in the intensity needed for the final run-in, whether you are chasing Champions League places or facing a battle for survival in the Premier League.
A more balanced piece of commentary at the Football365 website asks: Why does praise for Robero Martinez have to come with caveats about David Moyes's defence or the loan system? Is it just because he's proved us all wrong? Perhaps...
As the semi-finals are again held at Wembley this weekend, against the wishes of most football fans, the ESA provide an update on their campaign over away ticket allocations for cup games at Arsenal, and reveal more disturbing trends afoot.
Everton can take another tantalising step towards Champions League qualification this weekend as they travel to the Stadium Light knowing that a seventh consecutive League victory would not only set a club record for the Premier League era but also move them above Arsenal into that coveted 4th spot. Phil Jagielka is ruled out again and Leon Osman is a doubt but Roberto Martinez's selection options are otherwise unchanged. KO is 3:07pm in honour of the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Everton will arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly next week to allow Phil Jagielka to build his match fitness, with the defender expected to be ready to return to first-team action in about 10 days' time.
When developing through the ranks at Everton, Jose Baxter was hailed as being an even better 16-year-old than Wayne Rooney, refusing a contract offer from David Moyes while still in his teens and nearly quitting football in despair soon after. This weekend, he plays for Sheffield Utd in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.
Roberto Martinez has been talking about the importance of the loan system for Everton as it allowed him to complete his squad for this season. However, he does recognize the problem created by glamour clubs stockpiling talented players.
Martin Samuel tries to set the record straight regarding his bandwagon campaign against the loan system, which he makes clear is not against Everton: "People thinking I had a pop at their club. Everybody. So, for the last time: I like Everton, I want Everton to do well. I don’t like the loan system. I think we would be better off without it. Oh, what the hell.
Luke O'Farrell says of this week's open training session in front of fans at Goodison Park:
[It] delivered further insight into the methods of Martinez and the passing style that underpins his footballing outlook. The Blues' boss was a keen observer throughout whilst occasionally taking players to one side to impart some words of wisdom. This was a productive venture for all involved, from the manager and his players to the supporters in the stands, and the players are raring to go for the trip to Sunderland this weekend, as the race for fourth continues.
This was a productive venture for all involved, from the manager and his players to the supporters in the stands, and the players are raring to go for the trip to Sunderland this weekend, as the race for fourth continues.
Footyscene add to the indignant Evertonian responses to Martin Samuel's misguided article in the Daily Mail regarding football finance and Everton's loan policy.
Everton's U21s were in action at the King Power Stadium this evening to take on Leicester City and were held to a 1-1 draw.
Sylvain Distin says that Everton will travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday confident, "but not overly so" of taking three points off struggling Sunderland and maintaining the pressure on Arsenal in the race for a place in the top four. "If anyone expects an easy game, they'll be wrong," the French defender says.
Roberto Martinez’s exciting brand of football has attracted many plaudits so far this season – and now it has attracted many new supporters to Goodison Park too.
Another good win for Everton... another opportunity for a washed-up journo hack to bleat on about the loan system...
Goodison Park has been shortlisted alongside other iconic sporting venues like Madison Square Garden and Wembley Arena for Venue of the Year.
Former Everton defender, Sandy Brown, who played 253 times for the club between 1963 and 1971, died today at the age of 75 following a long illness.
Everton has been voted the best in the Premier League in a host of key areas, with junior ticket prices, stewarding and ease of buying tickets online all topping the table in the wide-reaching, annual fan survey.
Leon Osman's 11 years of service to Everton is to be rewarded this summer with a testimonial game, the club confirmed yesterday.
Michael Cox in The Guardian analyses the unexpected formation employed by the Everton manager that was the undoing of Arsenal at Goodison today.
The Everton teamsheet did not suggest a grand tactical surprise but it quickly became apparent that the regular centre-forward, Romelu Lukaku, was playing from the right flank, Kevin Mirallas was switched to the left and the winger Steven Naismith was the closest thing to a centre-forward, a position he had previously only played in an emergency. The precise approach was more complex: Naismith was playing as a false nine, dropping off into midfield and tempting the Arsenal centre-backs up the pitch. In turn, Mirallas and Lukaku attacked in behind the full-backs. Arsenal were utterly baffled by the system they were playing against in the opening 15 minutes.
The precise approach was more complex: Naismith was playing as a false nine, dropping off into midfield and tempting the Arsenal centre-backs up the pitch. In turn, Mirallas and Lukaku attacked in behind the full-backs. Arsenal were utterly baffled by the system they were playing against in the opening 15 minutes.
Leon Osman had five stitches to a cut above his eye and is suffering from concussion after colliding with Bacary Sagna early on in today's win over Arsenal.
Everton delivered an emphatic statement of intent to the team that currently stands between them and a first crack at Champions League football in nine years with a stunning win over Arsenal at Goodison Park. Steven Naismith tucked home the opening goal after Wojciech Szczesny had saved from Romelu Lukaku and the Belgian striker would find the net with a wonderful solo goal to make it 2-0 at half time. The Blues killed the Gunners off with an hour gone when Kevin Mirallas prompted Mikel Arteta into prodding into his own net, completing a stunning win that narrows the gap between the two teams to one point.
Roberto Martínez was in an awkward spot when Bill Kenwright revealed his interview technique last summer. "Almost Roberto's first words to me were 'I'll get you in the Champions League'," the Everton chairman said at the unveiling of the club's new manager, prompting some laughter at Goodison Park and more sweat on the Catalan's brow. The laughter has died now. It is Arsenal and Arsène Wenger who are sweating.
In the space of little under a year, Roberto Martinez has changed perceptions of both himself and his new club, Everton. Now the Toffees have a chance to gazzump Arsenal for the last Champions League spot when the Gunners visit Goodison this Sunday. But how did he do it, and what makes him tick? James Corbett explains...
Everton have finally announced a date for the Annual General meeting of the shareholders. The AGM is set for Tuesday 29 Aprii, starting at 7pm in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.
Roberto Martinez has ambitious plans for Leighton Baines, believing that the England international has what it takes to eventually convert to a Philipp Lahm-style role as a holding central midfielder.
Speculation continues to swirl around Romelu Lukaku and where he will be playing next season but the 20-year-old striker insists he is only concentrating on improving on a player and helping Everton to finish fourth in the Premier League.
Leon Osman believes that Everton under Roberto Martinez are better equipped to take on Europe's elite than the Blues were nine years ago when they fell at the first hurdle to Villarreal but he insists that, if the team has genuine aspirations of overtaking Arsenal, they have to win tomorrow.
Everton's revived Champions League hopes will come under their sternest examination yet when Arsenal, the team that potentially stands between them and a top-four finish, come to Goodison this weekend. Phil Jagielka won't be risked but Ross Barkley should be fit, leaving Roberto Martinez with plenty of attacking options in midfield as he prepares for the biggest Premier League game of his first season in charge of the Blues.
Sunday's huge clash with Arsenal and the potential implications for the race for the top four is the premise for this piece by Andy Hunter in The Guardian but, as ever, it's the analysis of what Roberto Martinez has brought to Everton this season and the opinions of him from his players and other people in the game that are the most interesting.
Roberto Martinez has provided updates on some of his injured players this week, clarifying the condition of Phil Jagielka and suggesting that while Arouna Kone is unlikely to feature before the end of the season, Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson could yet see first-team action.
"Gareth Barry has played alongside some of the world’s best during his career including Yaya Toure at City and Steven Gerrard while on international duty with England.
But he still believes 23-year-old McCarthy is up there with the top midfielders he has played alongside."
Everton's home fixture against Manchester City on Saturday 3rd May has been moved back from 3pm to 5:30pm to accommodate live televised coverage on Sky Sports.
This richly illustrated Everton feature in the Daily Mail reviews the Everton history that Roberto Martinez has embraced at Finch Farm and uses to spur on his little-fancied players as they ready themselves for the final push in the quest for Champions League football.
Everton boss keen to change perception of Toffees and gatecrash Arsenal and Co's top-four party" As Martinez has pointed out, the Blues can boast nine league titles and five FA Cups. Everton are an English football heavyweight. However, times change in football and Everton have failed to win a trophy in 19 years. For that reason, an entire generation don’t see the Toffees as the giants they are – instead the club are merely viewed to make up the numbers. Under David Moyes, in 2005, Everton broke into the top four. The club were doubted right until it was impossible for them to fall away having looked near certainties to go down at the start of the season. Miraculously, Moyes' men caught the winning bug and went on to record an incredible sequence of 1-0 wins to achieve one of the most impressive feats in Premier League history. Back then, it was perhaps correct to expect the club to fail. Today, Everton are rightly challenging.
As Martinez has pointed out, the Blues can boast nine league titles and five FA Cups. Everton are an English football heavyweight.
However, times change in football and Everton have failed to win a trophy in 19 years. For that reason, an entire generation don’t see the Toffees as the giants they are – instead the club are merely viewed to make up the numbers.
Under David Moyes, in 2005, Everton broke into the top four. The club were doubted right until it was impossible for them to fall away having looked near certainties to go down at the start of the season. Miraculously, Moyes' men caught the winning bug and went on to record an incredible sequence of 1-0 wins to achieve one of the most impressive feats in Premier League history.
Back then, it was perhaps correct to expect the club to fail. Today, Everton are rightly challenging.
Steven Naismith says he was "blown away" by Roberto Martinez — as far back as the tumultuous last days at Glasgow Rangers back in 2012 when the Spaniard tried to tempt him to Wigan.
Roberto Martinez has paid tribute to his emerging defensive talent, John Stones, whom he describes as "the complete modern centre-half." The 19-year-old has been thrust into regular first-team duty while Phil Jagielka recovers from a hamstring injury and has performed with a consistency and maturity beyond his years as the Blues have won five League games on the bounce.
There will be a whole host of Everton Easter holiday action this Tuesday at Goodison Park.
In what will hopefully be a foreshadowing of the meeting between the two clubs' senior sides on Sunday, Everton U21s beat Arsenal U21s 2-1 at Hague Avenue this evening thanks to a brace by Magaye Gueye.
Everton Football Club will open the doors of Goodison Park to screen the memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster
Everton's increasingly impressive resurgence of form, just at the right time to put some real pressure on the established top four in the race for Champions League places, comes on the back of some strong stats for games played at Goodison Park this season.
Evertonians can now purchase merchandise bearing the Club’s brand new crest for the 2014-15 season.
Selected items from an exciting new range of products are ready to land at Everton One and Everton Two this week and are now available to purchase at evertondirect.com.
Denis Stracqualursi has scored his first goal in the Copa Libertadores, playing for Ecuadorean side Emelec.
Wayne Rooney has not improved as a player since leaving Everton for Manchester United 10 years ago, according to Joey Barton.
Barton posted on Twitter: “I would have to argue that he has not been better since he broke on the scene at Everton. For me that’s when he stopped developing or just afterwards.
“As I say, he is a top player. My favourite of the current bunch. Love watching him. Old school.”
Darron Gibson is close to joining in full-training as he steps up his recovery from knee ligament damage, according to Roberto Martinez.
Spanish champions Barcelona have been given a 14-month transfer ban by Fifa for breaking rules on signing international players under 18. It is unclear how this may affect future loan deals, such as the mooted extension of Gerard Deulofeu's loan with Everton into next season.
Everton midfield prospect Ryan Ledson and defender Callum Connolly helped book a place for England at the U17 European Championships as the Young Lions beat Italy yesterday to secure their place in Malta this summer.
Gerard Deulofeu has re-stated how much he is enjoying life at Everton and acknowledged the role played by Roberto Martinez in the improvement of his game after nine months in the English game. The 20 year-old says that playing for his boyhood club at the Nou Camp is the only place he sees himself long term, though, and he believes that the Everton manager could manage the Spanish giants one day.
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