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News Archive –Dec


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Martinez has long-term vision for Barkley

31 December

Dealing with yet more media speculation about the future of Ross Barkley, Roberto Martinez says that he is not worried about losing the 20-year-old any time soon and believes the rising star can achieve his dreams with Everton.

Stoke City vs Everton

31 December

Everton kick off 2014 with a trip to Stoke hoping to make it nine points from 12 from their four League games over the busy Festive period. Jagielka joins Deulofeu, Kone and Gibson on the injured list but Barry and Howard return from suspension and Distin is expected to play despite feeling his hamstring during Sunday's win. KO is 3pm.

Martinez laughs off £50M Barkley speculation

31 December

Roberto Martinez says he will not be selling Ross Barkley in the January transfer window amid reports of a forthcoming £50M bid for the England midfielder.

Lukaku: We need to be more ruthless

30 December

Romelu Lukaku says that Everton can "definitely finish in the top four" if they can discover a more ruthless streak in the second half of the season.

Martinez insists Baines is staying at Everton

30 December

Roberto Martinez has stated that Leighton Baines will be with Everton until the end of the season, insisting that he will not weaken his squad by selling the coveted left back during the January transfer window. The Spaniard's comments come amid the resumption of media speculation linking Manchester United with another move for the 29 year-old England international.

Alcaraz pleased to be playing again

30 December

Having endured a stop-start first six months at Goodison, Antolin Alcaraz is glad to finally be involved at first-team level for Everton after making his first League start for the club against Southampton on Sunday.

Jagielka ruled out for four weeks

29 December

Phil Jagielka is expected to be sidelined for a month after picking up a hamstring problem in the match against Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Blues edge Saints to go fourth

29 December

Romelu Lukaku returned to goalscoring form, sweeping home the winner for Everton in the 74th minute, to push the Blues into fourth place heading into the New Year. Gaston Ramirez had embarrassed Joel Robles with a powerful drive just three minutes earlier, cancelling out Seamus Coleman's stunning eighth-minute opener, but a lovely move involving Steven Pienaar and James McCarthy set Lukaku up to win what was, on balance, an even contest.

Goodison Park remembers

29 December

Goodison Park will pay tribute to Evertonians who have passed away in 2013 at Sunday's game against Southampton.

QPR tickets now on sale

29 December

Tickets for Everton's FA Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers on 4th January are now on general sale.

Everton vs Southampton

29 December

Everton get a quick opportunity to bounce back from their Boxing Day nightmare against Sunderland with a second successive match in front of the Goodison faithful. Barry and Howard are suspended but Mirallas is expected to be well enough to play and Baines is again slated for a return from a broken toe. KO is 1.30pm

Martinez to weigh up Jelavic offers

28 December

Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Everton have been approached by two clubs regarding Nikica Jelavic who could be allowed to leave in January.

McCarthy ready to take charge of the midfield

28c December

With Gareth Barry suspended for tomorrow's clash against Southampton after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Boxing Day defeat to Sunderland, Everton's midfield dynamo James McCarthy says he has been learning "wee things here and there" from his more experienced midfield sidekick.

''Monkey off our back'' says Jagielka

28 December

Phil Jagielka is putting a brave face on the Boxing Day defeat at home to bottom club Sunderland, saying that the fall of that long unbeaten home stand might in some way be a good thing.

Duffy loan extended until the summer

28 December

Everton have confirmed that Shane Duffy has had his loan spell with Yeovil Town extended until the end of the season.

Martinez on Boxing Day mess-up

27 December

Roberto Martinez reacted to Everton's loss on Boxing Day saying that there is much to learn from the performance even if it didn't garner any points.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Lukaku looks to become a big Chelsea striker

26 December

Romelu Lukaku wants to make himself one of the best strikers on the planet – at Chelsea: "I want to be like Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie – and I'll be at Chelsea."

Boxing Day disaster ends proud unbeaten record

26 December

Everton's hopes of going all of 2013 without being beaten at home were wrecked by a disastrous moment after 25 minutes when an awful slip by Osman let Ki in on Howard who tripped the Sunderland man, conceded the penalty and was shown a straight red card. Everton battled gamely, particularly in the second half but they just couldn't find a way past Mannone in the Sunderland goal, Barkley and Jelavic coming closest with a late free kick and a header cleared off the line respectively.

Everton vs Sunderland

26 December

Everton are home for Christmas again coming off the back of another stirring result on the road that positions the Blues nicely just two points off the top of the table coming into the Boxing Day programme. Leighton Baines could return to the starting XI while Nikica Jelavic is expected back after missing the Swansea game with flu. KO is 3pm.

Heitinga welcomes Roma interest

25 December

Asked about speculation suggesting that AS Roma are interested in signing him, John Heitinga says that he would welcome a move to Serie A.

Happy Blue Christmas

24 December

To all our readers, members and contributors, we wish you a Happy Christmas and the very best for 2014. Who knows what the New Year might hold under Roberto?

Martinez tells Barkley suitors not to waste their time

24 December

Roberto Martinez says that nothing would tempt him to sell Ross Barkley next month if another club were to come in for the rising 20 year-old star, not even a "Gareth Bale-size valuation." The Spaniard insists that Barkley is in the perfect place to develop as a player and that the boyhood Blue represents everything Everton are trying to build at the moment.

Martinez pleased with 'important' win

22 December

Roberto Martinez was all smiles after today's win at Swansea City, the importance of which was not lost on the Spaniard as he saw his side collect three points from a ground where only Arsenal and Manchester United had won this season.

Stunning Barkley strike keeps Everton rolling

22 December

A slice of brilliance six minutes from the end from Ross Barkley gave Everton another three priceless points after Swansea looked like they might have grabbed a draw. Following a pedestrian first half, Seamus Coleman's pile-driver out of nothing had put the Blues ahead in the 66th minute, but Dwight Tiendalli leveled just four minutes later when he prodded in off Bryan Oviedo. It came down to Barkley to win it in magnificent fashion with a brilliant free-kick, curled over and around the wall and in off the bar.

Swansea City vs Everton

21 December

Everton travel south for the first of four games in 10 days as they move into the busy Festive season with a clash with Swansea City. McCarthy is eligible again following suspension and will likely return along with Mirallas with Deulofeu missing with a hamstring injury. KO is 4pm tomorrow.

U18s lose narrowly at Middlesbrough

21 December

Everton's Under-18s ended 2013 with a disappointing 2-1 reverse at Middlesbrough. The Teesiders came from behind to hand the young Blues a second defeat in a week.

Martinez plots January moves

21 December

Roberto Martinez has outlined his plans for when the transfer window opens in the New Year, suggesting that he will be looking to bring in "like-for-like" short-term acquisitions to replace long-term injury absentees, Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone. Mindful of their need for first-team football in a World Cup year, he also admitted that he would consider approaches for John Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic should the club receive calls regarding the duo.

U21s bow out of Premier League Cup

20 December

Chris Long scored a brace for Everton U21s but Wolves came back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat the Blues 3-2 in Southport to advance to the next round of the Under-21 Premier League Cup.

November choice McCarthy is a real example

20 December

James McCarthy's form for Everton was recognised this week when he was named as the club's Player of the Month for November and Roberto Martinez is delighted with the impact made by McCarthy since his summer move from Wigan.

Baines expected to return soon

20 December

Roberto Martinez has reported that Toffees defender Leighton Baines is “not far away” from making a return to first-team action, with the Boxing Day home match against Sunderland appearing likely to be the point at which it will happen.

Barcelona say Deulofeu could be out for 8 weeks

20 December

Barcelona have said that they expect Gerard Deulofeu to be sidelined by the hamstring tear he suffered last weekend for between 6 and 8 weeks. The 19 year-old is back in Spain recuperating and was examined by the Catalan club's medical staff who have a longer timeframe for his recovery than Everton's assessment.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Everton thrive under Roberto

19 December

Everton are thriving thanks to Roberto Martinez's masterful combination of spirit, togetherness and clever signings. Here, The Telegraph describes five ways in which Everton have become the season's biggest success story so far in the 2013-14 Premier League under their new manager.

Big Dunc says team spirit is massive

19 December

Duncan Ferguson believes that Everton have the vital ingredient of team spirit that can help spur them on to Champions League qualification this season.

Jagielka proud of clean disciplinary record

18 December

Everton Captain, Phil Jagielka, is just a little bit proud of a remarkable ability to avoid getting yellow cards; he was booked just once last season and is yet to pick up a yellow card this season.

Everton seen as 'perfect step up' for Continental talent

18 December

Roberto Martinez says that the success of Everton's summer loan acquisitions is prompting calls from European clubs seeking to farm their emerging talent out to Goodison Park. The significant role played by Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku in the Blues' season thus far has caught the eye of some of the Continent's biggest clubs who see Everton as a place to broaden the experience of their young players with Premier League football under the guidance of the Spanish manager.

U18s lose to Sunderland

17 December

Everton U18s lost 1-3 to Sunderland after a poor first half at Finch Farm on Tuesday. George Green scored a consolation goal after the break from the penalty spot.

Baines close to return from injury

17 December

Everton could have Leighton Baines for part of the busy Festive programme as the fullback continues his recovery from a fractured toe. Roberto Martinez says it is too early to tell whether he will be available for Sunday's trip to Swansea but has been impressed with the speed of his progress.

Big Dunc Turns Street Blue

16 December

Duncan Ferguson surprised two Evertonians who leapt to the aid of an elderly woman who had collapsed while on their way to the Goodison derby last month.

Merry Christmas from Everton FC

16 December

Everton surprised fans at the end of the match on Saturday with an entertaining and whimsical video of club staff singing "Bring Me Sunshine" on the big screen at Goodison Park.

Clattenburg set for Goodison return

16 December

The Premier League have announced that Mark Clattenburg will referee an Everton home game for the first time in 6 years when he takes charge of the match against Southampton on 29th December.

Martinez aware of psychological effects of raised expectations

16 December

Roberto Martinez says that he was impressed by the way his players were able to change their mentality after conceding the equaliser to Fulham and go on to finish off comfortably a match that the home fans expected to win.

Deulofeu out until the New Year

16 December

Everton have revealed that they expect Gerard Deulofeu to miss "a few weeks" of the season after the forward injured a hamstring in Saturday's win over Fulham. The prognosis is better than fears that he would be out for months with a more serious muscle tear.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Tactical Deconstruction: Everton 4-1 Fulham

16 December

Everton successfully collected their annual three-point haul against Fulham, although it wasn’t quite as emphatic as the 4-1 score may suggest.

U18s edge Stoke

15 December

Everton's youngsters won for the second time in a week with a narrow 1-0 win over Stoke City at Finch Farm yesterday.

Deulofeu facing layoff with hamstring strain

14 December

Gerard Deulofeu will have his hamstring examined by club medical staff at to determine the extent of the hamstring injury he sustained in today against Fulham but Robero Martinez fears he will be out for a few weeks at least.

Blues find extra gear to despatch Fulham

14 December

Everton scored four goals for the second home game in succession as they kept their impressive run of form going despite a somewhat ragged second-half showing. Osman curled home a beautiful opener but a clumsy Barry challenge allowed Berbatov to level from the spot. Everton regained their composure, though, and scored when Coleman slotted home before Barry nodded in from close range and Mirallas, on for the injured Deulofeu, fired the fourth in injury time.

Three Rapids players train with Everton

13 December

Three Colorado Rapids players are joining up with Everton for training, starting today. Chris Klute, Clint Irwin and Dillon Serna all recently finished their first seasons in Major League Soccer, and now the three are at Finch Farm, gaining experience at one of the most prestigious and oldest clubs in England.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Is Everton for real?

13 December

Supplemented by some interesting heat maps, Mike Goodman looks at how Everton have changed under Roberto Martinez and argues that the next four League games are crucial to answering the question of whether or not they are the real deal this season.

Oviedo Kicks In With Kirkby Youngsters

13 December

Bryan Oviedo put his footballing skills to the test against local young people at the official launch of Everton in the Community’s Kicks project in Kirkby on Tuesday.

Young Blues land another home draw

13 December

Everton U18s will be at home again in the next round of the FA Youth Cup after they were drawn to play either Birmingham City or Cheltenham Town.

Martinez: We will reward Ross

13 December

Roberto Martinez says that Everton intend to reflect Ross Barkley's growing importance to the team with a new contract but explains there is no timetable for talks at the moment.

Everton vs Fulham

13 December

Everton return to Goodison after two superb away performances to face struggling Fulham who remain in the bottom three despite a first win under Rene Meulensteen last weekend. James McCarthy is suspended for the Blues while Leighton Baines is likely still a fortnight away from fitness. KO is 3pm.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Five Reasons Why Everton’s Top-Four Challenge Needs To Be Taken Seriously

13 December

Joe Strange puts the numbers behind Everton's strong first third of the season and makes the case for their challenge for the top four

Baines forced to be patient

11 December

Leighton Baines says that while he is hopeful of playing some part in the busy festive programme he explains that he has been forced to take his recovery from a fracture in his foot one day at a time. While the injury is healing, he has no target date for a return.

McCarthy and Barry — The Perfect Blend

11 December

Roberto Martinez believes his “Perfect Blend” combination of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry in midfield represents the strongest partnership of its type in the Premier League.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Ross Barkley: Why the Everton star is more than the new Gazza

11 December

Former Everton Academy coach Ray Hall spoke to the BBC about Ross Barkley after his eye-catching performance against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Tim Howard on his stunning display vs Arsenal

11 December

On playing as a ‘sweeper-keeper’ to make saves in the first half:

"It was something we worked on [coming off his line fast]. The boys had to get to the edge of the box when Arsenal possessed, so I needed to be sharp of my line knowing that balls can get played through."

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Two Evertons: One Love

10 December

Watch the recent Premier League Productions piece on the growing relationship between the Everton of Merseyside and the club of the same name in Viña del Mar, Chile

Distin could be offered new deal

10 December

Sylvain Distin has admitted that he would like to stay at Everton as reports emerge that he could soon be offered a new contract at Goodison Park. The defender turns 36 next week but has defied his advanced years with consistent performances in a Blues defence that is among the tightest in the Premier League.

Festive fun at Goodison

9 December

Goodison will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the Blues’ final home game before Christmas.

Blues progress in Youth Cup

9 December

Everton Under-18s beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 at Goodison Park tonight to progress to the 4th Round of the FA Youth Cup.

Arteta hails Everton: best side they've faced

9 December

Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta has hailed former club Everton as the best team the Gunners have met in the Premier League this season.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Classy James McCarthy the unsung hero as Everton show they have midfield to match Arsenal

9 December

Ex-Gunner Alan Smith waxes lyrical about James McCarthy after another imperious midfield display by the young Irish international as Everton matched Arsenal in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates.

FA Cup 3rd Round: QPR (H)

8 December

In the Third Round of the FA Cup, Everton were drawn to play Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park.

Update: The game will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 4 January 2014.

Deulofeu strike earns deserved point at the Emirates

8 December

A moment of magic from substitute Gerard Deulofeu rescued a point for Everton just minutes after leaders Arsenal looked to have won it with Mezut Ozil's 80th-minute strike. The Spaniard rifled home an equaliser that was richly deserved for an accomplished display from Everton, particularly in the first half, that just lacked end product until Deulofeu struck.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Bill Kenwright isn't perfect, but in the scheme of modern football chairmen he is perfection for Everton

8 December

In The Mirror, Andy Dunn's write-up on the Everton Chairman, who admits is much maligned by supporters, but makes the case that Bill Kenwright continues to 'overachieve' despite the limitations of the club.

Arsenal vs Everton

7 December

Roberto Martinez gets an immediate opportunity to end another long-lived Everton away curse when the Blues take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium for a fixture they haven't won since Andrei Kanchelskis belted home the winner for Joe Royle in the 1995-96 season. With Leighton Baines still a minimum of three weeks away from fitness and no disciplinary issues arising in midweek, the manager has the same squad available for this 4pm Sunday kick-off.

Martinez plots January moves

6 December

Roberto Martinez says that he is in the process of identifying potential targets for when the transfer window opens next month as he seeks to bring in cover for long-term injury absentees, Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson.

Barry targets summer deal with Everton

6 December

Gareth Barry has described how much he is enjoying his time at Everton after joining the club on loan from Manchester City in September and has indicated that he is hoping to play his way to a permanent move to Goodison next summer. Manager Roberto Martinez says that the club will discuss the 32-year-old's future at the end of the season when he will be a free agent.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Arteta expecting tough test against his old club

6 December

Mikel Arteta believes that Everton are fully-deserving of their top-five place as he is expecting a difficult game when the Blues face his current club Arsenal in this Sunday's clash at the Emirates Stadium.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Jagielka expresses sympathy for former boss Moyes

6 December

Phil Jagielka has come out in support of David Moyes, saying that the Manchster United board's failure to back him in the transfer market and a tough fixture list have made life especially hard for him at the start of his Old Trafford reign.

"I have a lot of time and a lot of respect for David Moyes," Jagielka said. "I do feel sorry for him. The fixture list wasn't that kind initially. The transfers in the summer, the people who were making those decisions didn't help him out one bit."
 
Elsewhere On The Web

Barca likely to recall Deulofeu in the summer

5 December

According to Miguel Rico at Mundo Deportivo in Spain, Barcelona have already seen enough from Gerard Deulofeu's loan spell at Everton to suggest that he will be ready for their first team next season, lessening the likelihood that the Blues will be able to tempt into a second season-long loan.

Barry setting sights high

5 December

One of Everton's unsung heroes from last night's triumph at Old Trafford, Gareth Barry, says that there is no reason why the Blues shouldn't be targeting a top-four finish based on the first 14 games under Roberto Martinez.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

David Moyes drowned his sorrows after Everton defeat branding former fans a “fucking disgrace”

5 December

Everton fan David D Wallbank claims to have had an interesting night on Wednesday...

After watching his beloved Toffees win at Manchester United for the first time in 20 years, he claimed to have met David Moyes in a bar after the 1-0 defeat and posted a series of rather revealing quotes on Twitter...

Update Mr Wallbank has since removed the tweets and deleted his Twitter account while Manchester United have issued a statement confirming that Moyes met the fan but vehemently deny that their manager used the phrase in question.

Mission accomplished for Martinez

5 December

Describing winning at Old Trafford as something "we had to do" to break the mentality that has plagued Everton teams on the grounds of the traditional "Sky Four", Roberto Martinez expressed his pride in his players after the 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Martinez's Everton triumph at Old Trafford

4 December

Everton banished a 21-year Old Trafford hoodoo and heaped more pressure on former manager David Moyes as Bryan Oviedo's late strike sealed a famous victory that vindicated the positive approach of new boss, Roberto Martinez. The Costa Rican fullback struck his second goal in as many games four minutes from the end after Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck had hit the post for United and Kevin Mirallas had seen a free kick also come back off the woodwork.

Baines makes world 20 shortlist

4 December

Leighton Baines is one of 20 players on the shortlist for FIFA FIFPro World XI 2013, one of eight Premier League players named.

'We're ready to compete against anyone'

4 December

Roberto Martinez is making all the right noises ahead of the fascinating meeting with Manchester United, saying that he and his Everton team need to address the club's poor away record against the traditional "Sky Four" teams.

Manchester United vs Everton

4 December

Everton travel to Old Trafford with their new manager's determination to underscore his early success in the Blues' hot-seat by ending a 21-year hoodoo in this fixture. With no fresh injury concerns, Roberto Martinez has options in attacking midfield as he looks to exploit the uncertainty in David Moyes's Manchester United side, who are in the rare position of being below the Blues in the table at this juncture of the campaign. KO is 7.45pm.

Lundstram nets the winner in Yeovil win

3 December

Everton loanee John Lundstram scored the only goal in only his second start for Yeovil Town as The Glovers beat Blackpool who finished the game with eight men.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Steven Pienaar is back to his best, says Martinez

3 December

Roberto Martinez has hailed the timely return to form of “special” midfielder Steven Pienaar, reports Greg O'Keeffe in the Echo

“Not many players have his appreciation of space and close control, or the quality in one versus one situations when he opens the spaces and allows other players to come in.

“He has that composure and time on the ball, and slowly he’s regaining his full fitness and he’ll get back to his best.”

Everton Chile link on Sky Sports & BT Sports

3 December

The unique link between supporters of the two top-flight Evertons is featured in a worldwide TV programme this week scheduled to be shown on BT Sport, Sky Sports 3, and Sky Sports 1 this week.

U21s stung by late Fulham goals

2 December

Everton's second string saw potential victory turn to cruel defeat this evening at Motspur Park as Fulham U21s scored a stoppage time winner having equalised four minutes from the end of the regulation 90.

Oviedo: 'I've waited for this chance'

2 December

Bryan Oviedo is looking to seize the opportunity to impress afforded him by the recent injury to Leighton Baines by building on his impressive display against Stoke on Saturday as Everton face back-to-back challenges at Manchester United and Arsenal.

Everton in the Community Scores With Legacy Donation

2 December

Everton in the Community’s internationally renowned disability programme has received a significant legacy donation thanks to an admiring benefactor’s final wish.

Baines making good progress

2 December

Though there is still no definite timescale for his return, Roberto Martinez says that the early signs are that Leighton Baines' recovery from a metatarsal fracture is coming along well.

Martinez hints at January departure for Heitinga

2 December

Everton could allow John Heitinga to leave the club in January in an effort to "help him" in his quest for first-team football as the Dutch defender's contract winds down towards its expiry in June.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Mad Dog moves to Vegas

Tommy Gravesen makes a fortune in retirement, moves to Las Vegas with stunning model to live the life of luxury with current girlfriend Czech-born American model Kamila Persse and indulge in his passion for gambling.

Martinez hails 'sublime' Deulofeu

2 December

Updated Roberto Martinez was thrilled with the performance of Gerard Deulofeu as the Spanish winger played a starring role in the 4-0 demolition of Stoke on Saturday, hinting at a greater involvement for the Barcelona loanee who could extend his spell at Everton if the Spanish club elect to send him out on loan for a second season next year.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Fixing the loan system mess

2 December

In the Daily Mail, Martin Samuel makes some interesting points about the 'corrupt' loan system, using the words of Jose Mourinho to point up the absurdity that has Romelu Lukaku scoring goals for Everton against Chelsea's opponents... but not against Chelsea.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Tactical Deconstruction – Everton 4-0 Stoke City

1 December

Everton’s relentless march up the table continued at a frightening speed as a sorry Stoke CIty side were taken apart in what was one of the most one-sided games seen at Goodison Park in a long while.

 
Elsewhere On The Web

Merson: Everton were brilliant

1 December

Paul Merson says Everton were outstanding and would have scored many more, if not for the heroics of Asmir Begovic in the Stoke City goal.

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