News Archive –Nov

Majestic Everton crush Stoke at Goodison

Everton romped to their biggest Premier League win since April last year on the back of a superb performance despite some key personnel changes made by Roberto Martinez. Gerard Deulofeu made the most of his first League start, scoring the first and providing assists for goals from Seamus Coleman and Bryan Oviedo before the Romelu Lukaku completed the rout by prodding home the Costa Rican's centre from close range.

• Match summary and discussion
• Full match report

U18s crash to 1-4 defeat at Man City

Everton's Under-18s crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Platt Lane against Manchester City on Saturday. From a well-taken corner, Courtney Duffus was on hand to flick the ball into the back of the net for Everton's consolation goal.

Lukaku open to staying at Everton

Romelu Lukaku has admitted that he could stay with Everton beyond the terms of his season-long loan if the Blues qualify for the Champions League.

• Samuel: Fixing the loan system mess
• Martinez challenges Lukaku to fire Blues into Champions League

Mourinho hints at real reason for Lukaku loan

A strange outburst by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho suggests there may be something more to Romelu Lukaku's season-long loan at Everton, which continues to puzzle journalists each time the big man scores...

• Lukaku asked for a transfer in August

Everton vs Stoke City

A second-successive home game offers Everton another opportunity to press their claims for a top-four berth with a much-needed victory as Stoke City come to town this weekend. Baines is out with a fractured bone in his foot forcing a change at left back but Martinez's side are otherwise free of fresh injury concerns. KO is 3pm.

John Lundstram joins Yeovil on loan

Everton youngster John Lundstram is being reunited with his U21 team mate Shane Duffy for a couple of months after signing on loan for Yeovil Town.

Martinez looks ahead to Stoke challenge

Roberto Martinez entertained a wide range of questions from reporters in the lead up to Saturday's game against Stoke City at Finch Farm this morning, with comments about coping with Leighton Baines's injury, giving Tony Hibbert a new contract, Antolin Alcaraz's readiness, his view of the January transfer window and, of course, tackling this weekend's opponents, Stoke City.

Elsewhere On The Web

Man Utd should have looked at Martinez

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insists Manchester United should have approached Roberto Martinez with a view to becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's successor last summer, before he was snapped up by Everton.

Alcaraz given a run-out in friendly

Antolin Alcaraz played his first 45 minutes of football since the start of the season for a reserve side in a friendly against Sheffield Wednesday, along with Tony Hibbert and John Stones.

Martinez: We'll cope without Baines

Roberto Martinez confirmed that Leighton Baines suffered a broken bone in his foot in a challenge with Jordan Henderson in last Saturday's derby at Goodison but insists that the team will cope in his absence.

U18s beat Liverpool 3-1

Everton Under-18s returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Finch Farm on Tuesday. The Toffees rebounded from back-to-back defeats with an excellent win over their local rivals.

Roberto's target is 70 points

Roberto Martinez has set his Everton side a target of 70 points this season to surpassing their record Premier League points haul of 65, and they are well on their way to that target with 21 points from their opening 12 games, a figure they have bettered only once in the last 29 years.

Baines possibly out for a month

Leighton Baines appears set to miss one of the busiest parts of the season as he is expected to be sidelined with a broken metatarsal, according to The Mirror. This was later clarified by Roberto Martinez to be a fractured phalange that may take between 10 days and six weeks to heal.

Howard says we must be more ruthless

Goalkeeper Tim Howard admits Everton have to find a more clinical streak even after scoring three times but conceding three to set-pieces in an enthralling 221st Merseyside derby.

Elsewhere On The Web

Derby Deconstruction: Goal Analysis

The preamble to the derby was all about visions, passing stats and most excruciating of all ”the Swansea model’ – however in what turned out to be the best derby in recent years it was set pieces and not ‘winning the passing’ that would prove the pre-eminent factor at both ends. Let’s take a look goal by goal.

Baines needs X-Ray on injured toe

Leighton Baines is undergoing an X-ray on his injured toe to rule out a fracture. The Blues' left-back was forced out of the Merseyside derby shortly after the beginning of the second half.

Set-piece frailties rob Blues of derby glory

The concession of a third set-piece goal less than two minutes from the end of the 90 minutes pegged Everton back to 3-3 after Romelu Lukaku's second goal looked to have won a thrilling Merseyside derby. Luis Suarez's free kick had sent Liverpool into the break 2-1 up after Kevin Mirallas had canceled out Coutinho's early opener but strikes by Lukaku had set up a Blues win at 3-2 after 82 minutes. A poor foul by Distin set up an 89th-minute free kick, though, and Daniel Sturridge headed home to deny Roberto Martinez a debut derby win.

• Match summary and reaction
• Match report

Everton vs Liverpool

The first Merseyside derby of the Roberto Martinez era arrives this weekend and with it comes the usual anticipation and dread as bragging rights for the next few months are on the line. With just long-term absentees Kone and Gibson ruled out, Martinez has a strong squad from which to draw as he tries to fashion goals after two scoreless draws. KO is 12:45pm.

• Live Matchday Forum
• Global TV
• Betting Preview: Everton v Liverpool

Sylvain Lends A Hand To Cook Up A Storm

Young people from Everton in the Community’s award-winning Safe Hands initiative received a special visit from Sylvain Distin recently.

Elsewhere On The Web

Kevin Kilbane on playing in the derby

Kevin Kilbane tries to describe what it's like to play in the Merseyside derby.

Brilliant Martinez confounds expectations

The Mirror's Daniel Storey provides an effusive analysis in of the impact Roberto Martinez has had since his arrival at Everton. Despite apprehension in some quarters when Martinez was appointed, Storey says that the sceptics have been proven wrong; Martinez has entirely altered preconceptions of his tenure.

Barça want Deulofeu to be playing

Barcelona are so keen on Gerard Deulofeu getting valuable Premier League experience that they are charging Everton more money when he doesn’t play. But — despite being the star performer at national under-21 level in the last break — he is yet to make his full league debut for Roberto Martinez and that is costing Everton money.

Howard Kendall: A true Blue's love story

Howard Kendall. the last Everton manager to win the title recalls his Goodison glory days with Tim Rich of The Independent and how his second and third comings turned sour, as described in his new book, Love Affairs and Marriage, which includes Kendall's version of why captain Gary Speed left the club in 1998.

Alcaraz nearer to Everton debut

Antolin Alcaraz is finally back to full fitness after a hernia operation that has stalled his Everton career, but is lacking match fitness, and Martinez will decide when the time is right to introduce him.

Roberto proud to be Everton manager

In derby week, what sounds like a good story — Roberto Martinez 'snubs' move to Liverpool — really has very little meat. 18 months ago he decided to stay with Wigan... and then he became the Everton manager. "I always believe everything in football and life happens for a reason and I am extremely proud and honoured to be manager of Everton."

Elsewhere On The Web

Goodison Park, Then, Now... and Together?

A bizarre pictorial created from the Echo that takes nice old black&white photographs of Goodison Park and puts them alongside nice current pictures of Goodison Park... and then blends them together... Why?

Dowd gets derby nod again

Phil Dowd has been charged with the responsibility of officiating the first Merseyside derby of the season at Goodison Park this weekend.

Deulofeu not concerned by pace of his progress

Gerard Deulofeu says he is happy with the pace with which he is adapting to life in the Premier League as Roberto Martinez brings him on gradually over the course of his loan spell from Barcelona.

U21s move on in new Cup competition

Everton Under-21s booked their place in the last 16 of the inaugural Premier League U21 Cup competition with a 3-2 win at Middlesbrough on Monday evening.

Roberto Martinez interviewed by Colin Murray

You can listen to Roberto Martinez in this 20-minute interview with TalkSport's kopite Colin Murray about coming to Everton, with their website picking out his comments on Ross Barkley having the ‘incredible combination’ of talent and fearlessness.

Martinez thinks his first derby could be special

In anticipation of next Saturday's derby at Goodison Park, Roberto Martinez says, “It’s such an exciting fixture. You can tell it’s got a special feel about it and especially now that both teams are in very good positions after strong starts to the season."

No change to passing style, says Martinez

Roberto Martinez insists that despite having games with Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal coming up there will be no moving away from their new passing style.

U18s fall to a very late defeat at Man Utd

Everton Under-18s were dealt a cruel blow at Manchester United, as a last gasp 2-1 defeat, their first loss since August.

Elsewhere On The Web

Everton: The Class of '63 — a play by Mike Howl

The Everton Former Players Foundation is behind an exciting new project that they are convinced will be of massive interest to Evertonians of all ages. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 League Championship triumph, the EFPF is backing a play that will tell the story of that momentous season. The play will be staged over three days in mid-December at The Dome Theatre in Liverpool’s Central Hall. Buy tickets at the Dome Theatre’s website, or call the booking line on 0871 288 4727.

Alan Ball Remembered: The DVD

There's a new DVD celebrating the greatness of Alan Ball the little red-headed genius who inspired a generation of Evertonians in the late 1960s. One of those was Dr David France, who talks here to Ronnie Goodlass with some unique memories and perspectives on perhaps the greatest of Everton's post-war players.

• Derby Legends: Alan Ball

Billy Bingham remembers derby restart

It was 1962, and Liverpool had been slumming it in the old English Second Division for many seasons until Bill Shankly inspired them to promotion and a return to the English top-flight where league derby games on Merseyside restarted after a gap of 11 seasons.

Elsewhere On The Web

Deulofeu in good form for Spanish U21s

Gerard Deulofeu produced a dazzling performance in last night's Under-21 international for Spain against Bosnia. He scored once and laid on another four, while also putting in a number of cul-de-sac runs and weak crosses that more typify his efforts on loan at Goodison.

Goodison Park

The inner workings of Goodison Park — a detailed pictorial featuring almost every nook and cranny inside the Old Lady (that sounds weird!) is contained in this PDF of a PowerPoint presentation found lurking on the Web by one of our diligent readers, and provides a unique insight into some of the familiar and less familiar parts of the famous old ground.

Baines and Barkley in England loss

England were below par in their Wembley friendly against Chile which Baines started and Barkley came on as a sub in the 77th minute. Jagielka was one of the many subs warming the bench.

Elsewhere On The Web

Martinez sees beyond equalling a 51-year record

It seems Roberto Martinez has been made aware of the possibility that, if Everton do not lose any home games before the end of the calendar year, then they will equal a record that as stood for 51 years — it was 1962 that Everton last played a full year without losing at Goodison Park.

In response, he said: “I don’t think you set out to achieve that as a goal. You just want to be very strong at home generally. It would be a real shame if we were to go unbeaten for the next five and then lose the first 10 games of the new year. That would be a problem for our aspirations."

Mirallas blames himself for lack of goals

Kevin Mirallas blames himself for Everton's failure to beat both Spurs and Crystal Palace in the last two Premier League games. Victories would have seen Everton sitting 2nd in the league table but the Belgian star admits he did not play well enough.

'12 Shades' awarded

Everton's hugely-popular ‘12 Shades of Blue' charity calendar has received prestigious recognition at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations' PRide Awards.

Barkley settling into England camp

Ross Barkley is drinking in the experience of being in England's senior setup as Roy Hodgson assesses his options for Brazil next summer but admits that his priorities lie with Everton.

Vellios reticent to going out on loan

Apostolos Vellios could be damaging his first-team prospects with his reluctance to going out on loan to gain more playing experience. Roberto Martinez is keen for the Greek U21 international to further his development by getting more playing time at another club while he is several players down the pecking order at Everton but the striker has this far shown little inclination to do that.

Elsewhere On The Web

Fellaini's future uncertain after stuttering start

Richard Jolly assesses Marouane Fellaini's battle to break into Manchester United's starting XI after his big-money move from Everton on transfer deadline day.

Baines welcomes international distraction

Leighton Baines admits that he will be grateful for his involvement in the England setup for the forthcoming friendlies against Chile and Germany as anticipation of the first Merseyside derby of the season builds back in Liverpool.

David Weir eyes US/Canadian opportunities

Long-time Everton stalwart David Weir may be considering managerial or coaching positions in North America after being unceremoniously dumped by Sheffield United in just a few months, his managerial career in England getting off to a rather rocky start.

Elsewhere On The Web

Leighton Baines calling the tune?

The November edition of of the new Everton Magazine features Leighton Baines plastered on the front cover as the main feature and carries a lengthy interview with Everton left-back, talking about a range of topics including his favourite subject: Music.

The interview discusses all things Everton, with a bit of England and some general interest thrown in, but has some internet divvies searching for meaning hidden between the lines, one claiming such an article would be pointless if the 28-year-old was thinking of jumping ship as soon as the January transfer window opens.

Elsewhere On The Web

Distin right to answer back to fans at Palace

"Players like Distin are a dying breed and even he may now stop communicating with the fans if all he gets is abuse, which for me is a far more disappointing than the two dropped points against the Eagles on Saturday."

WIN tickets to the Derby Day Heroes Evening

We have two more tickets for the Everton Derby Day Heroes evening on Friday, 22nd November at Halton Royal British Legion, Runcorn, with special guests Andy King, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Sharp and Kevin Campbell... Plus a very special apperance from Bob Latchford.

Seamus: We should have taken the points

Seamus Coleman admits that the three points were there for Everton's taking on Saturday but they simply didn't create enough chances.

Distin in apparent confrontation with travelling fans

An exchange of words between Sylvain Distin and an Everton fan at the conclusion of Saturday's frustrating draw at Crystal Palace is receiving increasing media coverage after the incident spilled over onto Twitter. The scene was captured by photographers at Selhurst Park, with the player and supporters gesticulating at each other before the Frenchman was escorted back down the tunnel.

The Martinez Project – are goals underrated?

Everton have now delivered four nil-nils from eleven Premier League matches with high possession stats but no end result. Gary Naylor updates the ongoing argument over possession versus goals and asks: "What can Martinez do to unlock defences?"

U18s hit five past lonesome Wolves

Everton Under-18s have now won eight of their last nine games after a 5-0 demolition of Wolves. A second-half blitz from Calum Dyson, George Green, Harry Charsley, and a brace for Courtney Duffus did the damage.

Elsewhere On The Web

Why Lukaku did not go back to West Brom on loan

Romelu Lukaku could have been enhancing his reputation at West Brom for a second consecutive season had it not been for Chelsea steaing rookie Isaiah Brown from The Baggies' academy.

Relations between the two clubs broke down after the Europa League champions plucked teen sensation Brown from the Hawthorns academy when his contract had expired in the summer.

McCarthy on disciplinary tightrope to make Mersey derby

James McCarthy is expected to play against Crystal Palace today even though he is one booking away from a suspension that would rule him out of the derby against Liverpool in a fortnight's time.

Lethargic Blues drop two more points

Everton slogged their way through another goalless draw as Crystal Palace arrested a seven-match losing streak with their first clean sheet of the campaign. The Blues controlled the game but were let down by a depressing lack of urgency and an absence of any punch in the final third, although they found the home defence in resolute mood. Palace spurned three gilt-edged chances while Jagielka headed off the bar for Everton late on.

• Match summary and reaction
• Match report – "Frustration"

Blues Named Best Football Community Scheme

Everton in the Community has scooped the Best Football Community Scheme accolade at the second annual Football Business Awards.

Martinez confident Blues can cope without Koné

Roberto Martinez isn't unduly concerned by the loss of Arouna Koné to long-term injury, saying that he has enough attacking options at the moment, though he will assess the situation between now and the opening of the transfer window in January.

Saints match-up moved

Everton will get an extra day to prepare for the home clash with Southampton after the fixture was moved back to a 1.30pm kick-off on 29th December.

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Everton travel south for their 11th match of the Premier League campaign to face a Palace side who have lost seven on the bounce and are still being overseen by caretaker boss, Keith Millen. Availability-wise, the Blues are unchanged from Sunday with Koné and Gibson obviously ruled out with long-term knee injuries and Alcaraz continuing his slow return to fitness. KO is 3pm.

• Live Matchday Forum
• Memory Lane – Match 11
• Global TV Coverage

U21s comeback to beat Kilmarnock

Everton’s Under-21s finished their second game north of the border with a 3-2 win over Kilmarnock. John Lundstram, Chris Long and Jonjoe Kenny were all on target as the Blues overcame strong resistance from their Scottish opponents.

Roberto is awaiting Saldado's apology

Roberto Martinez has responded to digs by Andre Villas-Boas on Romelu Lukakua regarding his collision with Hugo Lloris on Sunday by suggesting that if he believes the Belgian needs to apologise, Spurs' Roberto Soldado might extend Phil Jagielka the same courtesy.

Blues secure new deal with electronics firm

Everton have secured a one-year deal with one of Indonesia’s leading electronic manufacturers, Polytron.

Martinez predicts Deulofeu will 'explode'

Roberto Martinez is again predicting big things of Gerard Deulofeu in the New Year, suggesting the Spanish winger will "explode" onto the Premier League scene once he is more settled.

Koné's knee injury worse than expected

It has been revealed that the injury to Arouna Koné's knee is a lot worse than feared and he will require surgey to fix a cartilage problem in the knee. That will involve a long period of recovery that is likely to keep him out of the side for the rest of the season.

Distin: Still early days under Martinez

Sylvain Distin says that even though Everton are in a good position after passing the quarter mark of the season, the players are still adjusting to the new style of play under Roberto Martinez. The Frenchman says, though, that they're enjoying being up in the thick of a clutch of clubs jostling for places in the top four this season.

Blues take home four NFA gongs

Everton scooped four prizes in the Northwest Football Awards on Monday evening, including including Community Club of the Year and Community Initiative of the Year.

Card count is starting to mount

After the card-wielding antics of Mr Friend at the weekend, some Everton players are surprisngly close to getting a one-match suspension if they pick up more yellow cards before the end of the year. McCarthy is on four while Barkley and Howard each have three.

Martinez confident over Lukaku's fitness

Romelu Lukaku will have his leg assessed this week by club medical staff after he had to be withdrawn from yesterday's draw with Tottenham following a collision with Hugo Lloris but Roberto Martinez is hopeful he will be fit for the weekend.

• AVB: Lukaku could have avoided Lloris

U21s register a draw at St Mirren

Chris Long and Hallam Hope were both on target as Everton Under-21s played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with St Mirren in the first of two freindlies in Scotland on Monday.

West Brom now a Monday TV game

Everton's trip to West Bromwich Albion will be shown live on Sky Sports as a Monday night kick-off. The match at the Hawthorns will now take place on Monday 20 January at 8pm. The Merseyside derby at Anfield on Tuesday 28 January will also kick off at 8pm and be shown live on BT Sport.

Stalemate at Goodison as defences win out

A hotly anticipated encounter between two strong teams ended goalless as Everton and Spurs took turns in the ascendency but ultimately cancelled each other out. It was a game of few chances but the Blues were left incredulous when referee Friend failed to give a penalty that would have rewarded their second-half revival when Coleman was clearly tripped by Vertongen.

• Ken Buckley: From My Seat

Elsewhere On The Web

Everton fan James Greenop is laid to rest

James Greenop, the young Evertonian who died when he was hit by a bus in Garston last week, was buried today at a funeral attended by hundreds of mourners.

Everton FC were represented at the ceremony by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, two of James's idols whom he met just three days before the accident during a tour Goodison Park, an occasion the 10 year-old described as the best day of his life.

James's coffin was draped in an Everton flag and he was laid to rest with a home jersey signed with a touching message by Baines.

James’ family have set-up a JustGiving page to raise money for the Wirral Autistic Society in his memory in the hope that some good can come out of his tragic death. Donations can be made by visiting justgiving.com/Helen-greenop.

U18s triumph at Norwich

Courtney Duffus scored the only goal as Everton U18s beat Norwich City 1-0 today to get them back to winning ways.

Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

Separated by just a point – with second place now up for grabs to boot – two rivals for the European places meet in an intriguing clash at Goodison Park as Tottenham Hotspur come to town on Sunday lunchtime. Arouna Koné and Antolin Alcaraz remain sidelined but John Heitinga could be fit after recovering from a minor injury. Roberto Martinez is expected to make few changes – if any – though, to the team that won at Villa Park last weekend. KO is 1:30pm GMT. Global TV

• Memory Lane – Match 10
• Betting Preview
• Live Forum

Martinez emphasises continuity over cash

Roberto Martinez says that the opportunity to cash in on Leighton Baines, as Sunday's opponents Tottenham did with Gareth Bale, would have been over the summer and that stability at Everton is now more important than profit.

Elsewhere On The Web

Martinez on BBC Radio 5 Live

Listen again to tonight's Radio 5 live interview with the Everton manager (1 November 2013) between 7-8pm, either via the link below or via podcast (now available).

Elsewhere On The Web

Q&A with Roberto Martinez

Take a timekeeping tip or two from... Everton manager Roberto Martínez

Blues Back Armed Forces Ahead Of Spurs Clash

The visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday marks the Blues’ final home game ahead of Remembrance Sunday and to mark the occasion, the Club will demonstrate its continued support and appreciation for those serving in the Armed Forces.

Martinez concerned about Kone

Roberto Martinez has admitted that Arouna Koné's unusually long bout of injury niggles has him concerned, particularly as he describes the striker as, "someone who gets through anything."

McCarthy enjoying life in Everton's engine room

James McCarthy has been talking about how his game has developed and the role he plays in Everton's new-look midfield. The Irish international has settled quickly into being a vital component of Roberto Martinez's side where he admits his role has demanded more industry than goal threat in a team boasting a number of flair players.

Blues fans urged to raise the roof

Roberto Martinez called on Everton supporters to raise the roof on Goodison Park again this weekend. Martinez’s side will aim to overhaul fourth-placed Tottenham with victory when the teams clash at Goodison on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere On The Web

Roberto Martinez Slams Lawrenson's comments on Barry's England future

Roberto Martinez has branded former Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson's comments about Gareth Barry's England future as "typical from a media person". Lawrenson stated that Barry "has had his time at international level and England have moved on", but Martinez simply pointed to the "pool of quality talent" at his disposal that were making the international grade with aplomb.