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- Everton transfer rumour: may Defour be with you?
- This is an unconfirmed rumour only at this stage...
Steven Defour [21] the Belgian Standard Liège player is rumoured to have signed for Everton. He is highly regarded as a creative play-maker, with outstanding vision
For the 2007–08 season, despite being only 20 years old at the time, the right-sided Belgian international was Standard's captain.
Defour said:
"...in training I've become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I've already criticized Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realizes I am a good player."
During the 2007–08 season Defour received the Golden Shoe, the official award for most valuable player in the Belgian League, of the year 2007. The form that won him this award would continue as Defour led Standard to the Jupiler League title, for the first time in 25 years.
Lets hope the source is correct!
- Transfer latest: Johnny on the spot
- Welcome to Johnny Heitinga, we have completed the c.£5m signing of the Dutch international right-back. We have him on a long term deal [5 years I think] for c.£5m [rising to c.£7m depending upon appearances]. He will wear the number 5 shirt. After signing he boarded a plane back to Holland to link up with his International team mates. The deal he is reportedly one which makes make him the highest paid player on the books.
He said,
"The clubs came to an agreement about the transfer, however Atletico didn't want me to leave. I am a first team regular and feel very appreciated by the club."
Heitinga, who has nearly 50 dutch caps ["dutch caps" as in Holland appearances], can play at centre-back and is in possession of the versatility so highly prized at Everton these days.
He becomes the fourth new arrival at Everton over the summer, following the return-loan signing of Jo, the c.£9m arrival of Lokomotiv winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and the c.£5m acquisition of Distin.
Everton CE, Robert Elstone said:
"We are pleased the deal has been completed to get John into Everton. He is a very experienced player having played at both Ajax and Atletico Madrid and I know David Moyes is looking forward to getting him started."
A graduate of Ajax’s academy, Heitinga made his senior debut at 17 and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Amsterdam side, spending five years playing alongside Steven Pienaar before the South African left for Borussia Dortmund.
His career to date:
2001–2008 Ajax
2008–2009 Atletico Madrid
- Distin arrives for medical
- Sylvain Distin will undergo a medical in the city today ahead of a move to Everton. Photograph: Barry Coombs/EMPICS Sport/PA Photos
We have agreed a deal to sign the defender Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth, subject to a medical taking place this afternoon. It will be our first signing since the £22m [plus potentially some GBP2m more] windfall following the sale of Lescott to Man City
The fee involved has not been officially disclosed, but 31-year-old Distin has agreed a three-year contract. I think it will be around 3 or 4 million quid. As he will be effectively a like-for-like replacement that will leave us with some 18 million 'up.'
Can't argue with it, looks like a good bit of business.
- "Bily" from Russia with Love [for Everton] and Distin is next
We have signed Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.
Christ knows what we’re going to shout from the terraces when that name is first chanted… “Bily” perhaps?
The 24 y.o. has got 28 caps and has come on a 5 year deal.
He said,
"It is a dream to play for a big club like Everton and I know that the Premier League is the best league in the world. I spoke to David Moyes on Monday and he told me he is looking forward to working with me - and I am looking forward to working with him. I am looking forward to playing in the league and in the Europa League and helping Everton to win things. I know Everton has big players and a big history, and I know the club is 131 years old and has good traditions. I know about Everton's players and I know Jo from when he played in the Russian league. I also know that Andrei Kanchelskis played for Everton. Andrei is a hero for all people in Russia so I am very happy to know that he has played for a club like Everton."
“A big club like Everton,” Benitez and Hughes take note.
He is ineligible for the Europa League play-off, second leg with Sigma and is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game against Wigan [h].
He is 6’1” and left-footed player is set to malke his first start at Fulham on 13th September. He is known for his direct running style and leadership skills, which resulted in him being made captain.
He helped Lokomotiv clinch their second Russian league title in his debut season and was rewarded with the league's young player of the year award.
He made his debut for Russia as the age of 20 and played in every game during their run to the Euro 08 semi-final. He played in 10 of Russia's 12 qualifying matches for the tournament, including the two games against England.
When we have full a fitness, first choice squad, its going to perhaps be Pienaar on the right, Bily on the left, Arteta centre with possibly Neville in a holding role. Cahill can then go into his ultra-dangerous forward position with Yakubu. I can see Fellaini and Saha being very regularly interchangeable, with the players in that list.
With Bily secured and Valencia’s Argentinian, Banega all but complete, our focus has now turned to refurbishing our defence. “Just” a Lescott replacement now and we’re sorted. My money would now be on Sylvain Distin. A fee in the region of £5.5m is being negotiated with Portsmouth, whom he left Man City for a couple of years ago.
- Deal done: Lescott to Man City for GBP 24m
So said Sky, and they should know. In fact around an hour after this post was published, Man City announced it here.
Go back to this time last year... 24m for Lescott would be laughable, he had a poor start and would have deserved it had he been relegated to the reserves.
Will we be given the money to spend though? Almost certainly not. I reckon the maximum we'd be allowed to spend would be 50% of profit. I think Wolves will claw back 2.5m and that leaves a touch over 10m probably. We are a net seller, not investor, Everton is not in the business of investment, for the present.
If he can stand the thought of leaving Everton, then we can stand up to losing him.
- TRANSFERS: one in and another on the way.
- Moyes is now looking at Spartak winger Bystrov after acquiring Banega. We have targeted Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov after getting the nod on a work permit for Valencia midfielder Ever["ton"] Banega.
There were arses flapping over Banega's application because he has not played in 75 per cent of Argentina's international games over the last two years, winning only three senior caps so far. Our solicitor successfully argued for the permit to be approved during a hearing at the Premier League HQ in laahndan. Banega, who failed to settle in Spain after a £15m transfer from Maradona's old club, Boca Juniors, a couple of years ago, will now move to us on a season-long loan with the option of a permanent deal next year. This is the loan talked about in the "Everton Blog" exclusive a few days ago. Moyes now hopes to finalise a £8.5m+ deal for Bystrov...
- Transfer stuff [2 signings this week] including Manchester City's "new money" crassness and that Arsenal match,
- I have heard from a good source, the same one who told me about us signing Fellaini a full hour before the news broke, that we are in for some good news this week. Monday or Tuesday, we are to announce two signings. One is a loan but the other is a big money one... the story goes that he is a centre back.
First and foremost about yesterday, Arsenal were amazing and we were equally but oppositely amazing, amazingly shite. The referee [Halsey] was astoundingly awful and should be ashamed of himself too. But, it's only one game and it occurred in the rarefied atmosphere of being the opener, so I'm not going to get hysterical. Good Arsenal blog article here.
Contrary to what Mark Hughes asserts, City have not done things the right way. They have shown the brassy arrogance, so often associated with "new money." Think Richard Pryor in "Superman III," when he turns up to work in a Ferrari. Hitherto I have quite liked Man City as an organisation but I think their Lescott methodology has lost them a lot of decent friends. The Lescott imbroglio has obviously affected the squad and shot our confidence. Prior to yesterday, I was all for him staying, but honestly, if he's going to play like a tw@ and be a liability, then perhaps the "stay" camp need to accept that it may be the wisest move to sell the man at his peak, pocket the £22m and try our damnedest to properly and professionally attract and acquire Steven Taylor [Newcastle] or Matthew Upson [West Ham Utd] - who to me, are the obvious replacement choices [see my "news" above].
Terry Fuckwit [of "Viz" fame]
I was so pissed off yesterday when I got home after the match, that I was tempted for a second or two, to put a Lescott "stay or go" poll up on the site, but it wouldn't be right to do that about a current Everton player, so it won't be happening. For the same reasons, I didn't boo him yesterday at any stage, even though several thousand did, in the early stages of the match.
When it comes right down to it, only Moyes knows what to do for the best about the Lescott situation and all the blogs, terrace shouts and news articles in the world won't sway his expert judgement. I'm sure that his mind has been made up for a while already.
Finally, Pienaar and Fellaini looked ready for a match and up for it, whilst all of the others seemed to be positioned within the darker end of the performance spectrum, lying between "off the boil" [i.e. Yobo] and "plain disinterested" [Lescott].
Footnote.
you know what can what happen to Ferraris if you're not very careful to treat them with the respect they command.
- Everton v Arsenal 15-8-09
- Everton make an difficult start to the new campaign with one of the toughest matches on the card. Arsenal have mainly suffered big name losses [Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City] in the close season. Like us, they have not made many new acquisitions. They bought Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen who should face a torrid time against the multi-dimensional threats of Cahill and Fellaini. The sensational Andrei Arshavin will return to Goodison after his UEFA cup visit with Zenit St Petersburg last season.
Arsenal have won more opening day ties than any other side in the league [11]. The Gunners have never conceded more than one goal in their opening matches in the past 16 years.
We've all been frustrated by the the failure to bring in a number of targets including Kyle Naughton who went to Spurs. Jo has returned on loan to provide some outrageous hairstyles and aid the attack, he scored 5 goals in his 12 league games last season. There has been news of him suffering an injury...
Moyes told the official website:
"When Jo went over on his ankle, we didn't really think it was that bad and we hope that he is going to be okay for the weekend. He is back running now but is only doing straight line work. He's not twisting and turning yet but we hope to do that kind of work with him in the next couple of days."
At the time of publishing, there is a continuing off-field distraction, we are still resisting the disappointingly ungentlemanly approaches of Man City’s hunt of Lescott.
Remember, we only lost one game last year, we're not at all in the habit of losing at home.
Everton Blog prediction: Everton 2:1 Arsenal
- EXCLUSIVE: a new look at Goodison
If you're going to the game today and haven't been to the stadium lately, you may notice that the large motif of "The People's Club" has been removed from the top of the Park Stand end of the stadium.
It looks like we've abandoned the seven-year-old motto, coined by Moyes upon his arrival in March 02, after a local trader secured a trademark for the phrase. Brian Gould, 58, a market stall trader and lifelong Everton fan was granted the rights to the phrase to sell his scarves and hats.
It won't surprise many of you to learn that Everton failed to register the phrase as a trademark.
Gould's barrister wrote to Everton's management in May, informing them of his client's rights. At the time Gould insisted that he did not want to stop Everton from using the mark.
Instead of contesting Gould's claims, it looks like the club has chosen to abandon its use altogether. At a recent shareholder's meeting, CE, Robert Elstone said that the club would be promoting a new branding for the club with its original motto "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum."
So that's the end of that.
- Everton reject formal request from Lescott
- Lescott's written transfer request rejected
We have turned down a written transfer request from Joleon Lescott, who is being targeted by Man City.
Moyes:
"I have always said that we are not selling any players and that has not changed,"
Lescott is currently on international duty with England ahead of a friendly against Holland. He played in the friendly 2-1 victory over Malaga last Friday and he was sportingly cheered throughout. Sadly, the support seems to have been unappreciated as he subsequently confirmed his want-away feelings, in writing.
- First club of the city to return to Liverpool city centre, shop to highlight Everton Firsts.
EVERTON RETURNS TO THE CITY CENTRE
Following the announcement of Everton Football Club’s new retail deal with Kitbag Limited, it has been confirmed that that the Club is to have a presence in the City Centre once again.
The new 6,000 sq ft store will be in the Liverpool One development and will open during the first weekend of July this year. Everton has brought in The Maxim Creative Group Limited, a specialised design and fit out company, to design the new look store - and visuals have been officially released for the first time today. Maxim lists the Co-op, News International and AOL as some of its main clients.
All of the store furniture in the City Centre outlet is bespoke and has been uniquely created for Everton, giving the store a very contemporary and iconic feel. Kitbag aims to create real ‘Retail Theatre’ in the new store, through the use of stunning visuals from Everton's history - and in that respect the company has turned to the Everton Collection Charitable Trust for assistance. The store will contain unique display items from the Everton Collection and these will be changed periodically – making for an emotional and educating retail experience every time. Everton will be the only football club in the UK to decorate its store in this way - no other UK club has the capability to do this, due to the sheer size of the artefacts in the Everton Collection. In addition to the artefacts, the interior will continue the emotive and proud theme on the mezzanine - pride of place on this level will be a large display highlighting the long list of Everton's ‘Firsts’ - exemplifying the club's innovative history.
Robert Elstone, Chief Executive of Everton commented; “We are delighted to announce to our supporters the imminent and much anticipated arrival of a City Centre retail outlet. These exclusive store images clearly show how stylish the new unit will be and demonstrate our commitment to a rewarding visit – as well as providing the most efficient retail offering possible. The City Centre store will also be a truly emotional experience for fans, thanks to our football club’s amazing heritage.”
Chris Bailes has been appointed as retail operations manager to assist the company to launch and operate the new Everton store. Chris has a great deal of sports retail experience and in fact was the first store manager of Liverpool FC's retail store at Liverpool One.
Commenting on his new role Chris said; “When I was approached to take up the post and witnessed the plans for Everton Retail I jumped at the chance. The new store in the City Centre will be another Everton ‘First’; it is very modern and totally unique. Customer service and satisfaction will be at the heart of our operation and I know Evertonians and football fans alike will be proud of this fantastic store. Together with Kitbag's renowned online expertise, customers will benefit from our exceptional order and delivery capability. For example, if a customer making purchases at our new store wants to send a shirt to a relative in Australia, an Everton scarf to a friend in California and take home an Everton track suit we can achieve all of that at the point of sale."
In addition, the store will offer a click and collect service – by simply going online, fans can purchase products for collection in-store the very next day. This innovation is unique to Everton Football Club – no other football clubs currently offer this service.
Working with Chris will be Simon Gibson who has been appointed the manager of the Everton City Centre store. Simon has a great deal of retail experience and was previously with both USC and Littlewoods. As an Evertonian this is his dream job.
The new store will create 25 full and part time jobs. For information on how to apply for a position at the new Everton store, please visit www.evertonfc.com/careers or the Job Section on the Liverpool One website at www.liverpool-one.com. Kitbag commences training its new staff on 1 June at Goodison Park.
Issued on behalf of Everton Football Club by Mere PR
For further information, please contact Tony Tighe/Ruth Wilson/
Suzie Myers on 0161 929 8700 or email suzie@mere.co.uk
---
Note to Editor
Kitbag Limited is Europe’s Leading Online Sports Retailer.
Kitbag.com is an online retail brand in its own right providing a broad range of branded sports products available to the online consumer on a global basis.
Kitbag Limited provides many leading sports business’ both in the UK & Europe with a complete online e-commerce solution on a global basis including Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and now Everton.
The company’s vast experience in sports retail online will see the introduction of one of the most innovative football shopping web platforms in existence for Everton. This capital investment into the Everton Retail Business is the single largest club partner investment in the history of the company. Kitbag Limited will operate under a bespoke Everton retail brand and will be directly responsible for high street shopping, mail order and the Club’s online store.
For further information about Kitbag Limited please contact: media@kitbag.com
- Jagielka out for the season
- Centre-half Phil Jagielka has been sidelined for the rest of the season.
Moyes was quoted earlier in the day as saying that, after Jagielka had been stretchered off during the home defeat to Manchester City, the defender's season looked, "...doubtful rather than hopeful." Everton physio Mick Rathbone later confirmed the worst, revealing that the defender would in fact be ruled out for the rest of the season.
"The scan has unfortunately confirmed what we already feared and that is that Phil will be out for the rest of the season," Rathbone told Everton's official website.
"He has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will undergo surgery in around 10 days' time when the swelling has gone down.
"It's too early to estimate a return to action for the player."
The injury is almost identical to the one that versatile play-maker Mikel Arteta suffered earlier in the season. And with Yakubu and Victor Anichebe's absences only being temporarily filled in by on-loan striker Jo, the lack of depth in Moyes' squad is really starting to become a cause for concern.
The biggest blow, however, comes to Jagielka himself, who will miss the FA Cup final - bearing in mind that it was his winning penalty against Man United in the semi that got us to Wembley for the final.
- Everton - European football guaranteed
- Everton were yesterday guaranteed European football for the 09/10 season.
Reported on the official site last night:
Our run to the FA Cup final and excellent position in the League had made a place in the 2009/10 Europa League a probability. But despite losing to Manchester City on Saturday, that qualification has now been assured.
Chelsea beat West Ham 1-0 and secured a Champions League place. As a result, the Toffees will qualify for the Europa League through the FA Cup - regardless of whether they defeat Chelsea in the final.
The Europa League replaces the Uefa Cup and adopts a format that mirrors the Champions League.
The Blues will now have to overcome a play-off round tie before entering a new format group stage.
The new-look league will have 48 clubs in 12 groups of four, with teams playing each other home and away as opposed to just once as it stands now.
The top two in each group then join the eight third-placed Champions League clubs in a 32-club knock-out stage.
The competition will also have its TV rights sold centrally, in the same way as the Champions League. This switch should increase income to clubs.
- Everton reach the FA Cup final
Tim Howard saves - the mood swung dramatically thereafter...
More to follow, but for now here's one of my pics. from yesterday. I'm still recovering [physically and mentally]!
- Moyes interview on Sky, some Liverpool - related and other funnies
- Some quotes from Moyes, "Goals on Sunday," on Sky today. The man is a legend:
Redknapp previewing Shite's game against Villa says: the "city's" buzzing. Moyesy's answer: "...must be 'cause Everton are doing so well - he should have said Norway, Finland and Sweden were buzzing!"
Kammy: "Did you have a plan against Delap's throw ins?"
Moyes: "Yeah, to head it out."
Another interesting thing was what a fan had sent to Moyes. Apparently, on pounds spent, per point won, over his 7 years, we have won the league 4 times [out of 7 since he's been here].
Moyes also said Big Dunc's goal against Villareal was legitimate and he wondered if funny things were going on that night, with [the shaved-bollock lookalike] Collina retiring after that match.
---
And finally, talking of quotes, now is as good a time as ever to remind you of the Dixie Dean classic:
"There was nothing like quietening that Kop. When you stuck a goal in there it all went quiet, apart from a bit of choice language aimed in your direction! Scoring there was a delight to me. I just used to turn round to the crowd and bow three times to them."
- Everton Wembley tickets - more news
- SEMI ON SALE FROM NEXT MONDAY 23rd MARCH
Tickets for next month’s FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Wembley Stadium will go on sale on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8am.
Blues officials have now agreed on how to allocate the 31,825 tickets made available by the Football Association and can confirm that all areas of the Everton fanbase will receive an allocation.
Priority will be given to the most loyal fans and that means every Season Ticket holder and Executive member will be given the opportunity to purchase a ticket for the Blues’ first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 14 years.
Tickets are priced at:
· £24.50
· £34.30
· £44.00
· £53.80
The FA offers a £10 reduction for supporters under 16 and over 65 years of age (please note that with any concessionary ticket purchased proof of age will be required on entry into the stadium).
The stadium layout and pricing grid can be viewed by clicking here.
Club officials have agreed to release the ticket allocation based on match attendance history and first opportunity to buy the semi-final tickets, next Monday, will go to any Season Ticket holder who has attended 13 or more Home or Away Cup and Away Premier League games in the current season.
Tickets will also be on sale from next Monday to any Executive member who does not wish to buy an Executive package*.
Thereafter remaining tickets will be available to Season Ticket holders and Executive members as follows:-
Monday 23/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 13+ and AutoCup and Executive members
Tuesday 24/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 8+ and Executive members
Wednesday 25/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 6+ and Executive members
Thursday 26/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 5+ and Executive members
Friday 27/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 4+ and Executive members
Saturday 28/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 4+ and Executive members
Monday 30/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 3+ and Executive members
Tuesday 31/03/2009 Season Ticket holders with 3+ and Executive members
Wednesday 01/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 2+ and Executive members
Thursday 02/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 2+ and Executive members
Friday 03/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 1+ and Executive members
Saturday 04/04/2009 Season Ticket holders with 1+ and Executive members
Sunday 05/04/2009 Season Ticket holders and Executive members
Officials expect a small number of semi-final tickets to be available after the allocation to Season Ticket holders and Executive members. These Wembley tickets will go on sale to supporters with a purchase history for home games from any of this season’s fixtures. Details of priorities and dates will be published no later than Monday, April 6.
SUPPORTERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO CONTACT THE CLUB UNTIL YOUR ALLOCATED PRIORITY PERIOD, AS TICKETS WILL ONLY BE PROCESSED TO THESE GROUPS AT THE TIMES SPECIFIED.
Shareholders
Any Shareholder requiring a ticket should apply to Lee Newman at the Fan Centre. Shareholders who hold a season ticket or Executive membership can purchase a ticket during the sales priority period outlined above or alternatively apply to Lee. Shareholders should note that they will only be entitled to one ticket whether purchased as a Season Ticket holder, Executive member or Shareholder.
Supporters’ Clubs
Supporters’ Clubs Secretaries should submit their applications by Friday March, 20, 2009. Applications received after this time can not be accepted. Season Ticket holders who normally purchase their home cup and away match tickets via their supporters’ clubs should submit their request with the Supporters club applications, giving name and customer number, and the staff at the Fan Centre will endeavour to allocate tickets together.
* Executive packages
Details of Executive packages for the FA Cup semi-final will be announced later this week, and any Executive members or Season Ticket holder wishing to purchase a package should contact the corporate sales team on 0151 530 5300 or email corporatesales@evertonfc.com
Postal information
Please note, all tickets posted will be sent via Royal Mail’s Special Delivery service and will therefore be subject to a postal fee of £4.95. Any supporters wishing to collect their ticket from Goodison must bring the payment card used to purchase this order and proof of identification before any tickets will be released.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Park End Box Office during normal opening hours or by calling 0871 663 1878**
**Booking fees apply
- Everton Season Tickets for 09/10 on sale NOW
- Season ticket sales for the next campaign begin today: see the official site here.
- Moyes wants to restore Everton to glory and team news [v Stoke]
David Moyes celebrates his seventh anniversary as Everton manager this weekend and has spoken of his hope of restoring Everton's glory days.
Last Sunday's victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup – the last major honour we won, in 1995 – set up the Wembley semi-final with Manchester United. We are also currently in a promising sixth place in the League, obviously being hopeful of making a late push to challenge for a Champions League place.
Moyes is not the kind of person that settles for second best and certainly not sixth best [bearing in mind we're currently sixth].
"I have got to hope we can get it right back where it has been in the past," said Moyes, who signed a new five-year contract in October.
"I don't know if that is possible because finances play such a part in the game. If this was going back in years gone by and the money was equal I would see Everton as one of the top clubs. The difference why Everton are not one of the top clubs at this moment in time is more to do with finance than the team or the manager."
Absolutely spot-on.
Moyes continued,
"The other clubs have a greater chance to improve their squad by buying bigger players from all over the world. Everyone has made a point about how well the club is doing. It is nice in March but it would be better for me if they were still saying the same things in May."
Despite reaching the last four of the FA Cup, Moyes insists the league will always remain the priority, especially as a top-four finish provides a route into the lucrative Champions League.
That is why the manager will only allow his players to look at their next match, which sees struggling Stoke visit Goodison today.
Moyes added,
"I'm really excited by beating Middlesbrough and getting into the semi-final, but in my head we still have a chance of targeting fourth, so I'm not going to turn off and rely on that one game [against Man U] because if it didn't go right then all these [league] games would be wasted. The players know the focus is on Stoke and winning the games which come before the semi-final. It is a big credit to the players the way they have picked themselves up and got back into form having been knocked out of two cup competitions [Carling and Uefa] in the first month of the season. They have shown an unbelievable spirit to keep going and we have an outside chance of getting fourth and being in the final of the FA Cup and winning it, so it is a good time at the moment. Let's hope we can keep it going as long as we can."
The visit of Stoke means a return to Goodison for Beattie, who moved from Sheffield United in January, having left Everton in August '07. Beattie has scored five goals in seven matches for Stoke.
The derby-cross-to-Gosling-provider Van der Meyde is Everton's only new injury worry ahead of Stoke's visit [hamstring]. Hibbert misses his second successive match with a thigh problem.
FA Cup hero "King" Louis Saha is poised to progress in his return to full fitness at Everton by making his first start in more than three months.
Moyes has hinted the French striker will begin up front for the visit of struggling Stoke City this afternoon.
Saha has not started a game since the 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on November 24, six days before injuring his hamstring in the win at Spurs.
The problem sidelined the 30-year-old for eight weeks, after which he has been restricted to appearances from the bench.
Saha came off the bench to score in the 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago, and was then introduced at half-time during last Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough and within 11 minutes had scored the winner.
Moyes said,
“The time has come for Louis to go back in from the start. He has shown he is ready now, and it is just a question of juggling the side to see how we will balance it.
“I think we have to keep an eye on his overall injuries and make sure we get the best of him. He's doing a great job for us now.
Saha is most likely to be partnered up front by Jo, who was cup-tied for last week’s Cup win over Middlesbrough that has set up a Wembley semi-final against Manchester United next month.
Finally, I noted in the pre-match build up on the official site, that this Saturday marks David Moyes' seventh anniversary of being appointed Everton manager. His record since joining the club in all competitions is P318 W134 D75 L109.
Today's info. is drawn from The Daily Post and The Independent.
- Everton Wembley tickets: 31,825 is a paltry number.
From the official site
Everton have received details of their ticket allocation for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on 19 April.
Club officials were at Wembley today and were informed that we have been awarded an allocation of 31,825 seats.
Discussions will now take place this weekend about how to allocate these tickets among Everton supporters. The Club hope to make an announcement regarding ticket details early next week.
This quantity is paltry bearing in mind the capacity is 90,000.
This means we get a measly 35% of the tickets, or putting it another way, IF Man U get the same allocation as we do, that means that a whopping 26,350 [or 30%] will go to "neutrals."
26,350 is an appallingly high number. It does seem that the fans are not being given an even break.
- Everton FC reveal details of tickets for FA Cup Semi-final v Manchester United
From evertonfc.com:
Everton's FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United will take place on Sunday 19 April at Wembley Stadium, kick off 4pm.
Everton and FA officials met to finalise arrangements for the match earlier this week, and Everton can now confirm the tie will take place on this date, and will be screened live on ITV1.
The clash will be the second of the two semi-finals, with the match between Chelsea and either Arsenal or Hull City taking place on Saturday, 18 April at 5.15pm, which will bwe screened live on Setanta.
Everton booked their place in the last four with wins over Macclesfield Town, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough respectively.
Ticket prices for the semi finals have also been confirmed, and will be available for £24.50, £34.30, £44 and £53.80.
Details of Everton's ticket allocation and on-sale dates will be revealed on evertonfc.com once arrangements have been confirmed.
- Everton march on in the FA Cup, Manchester United in the semi-final.
A nice "King" Louis Saha pic. from today's Independent.
Memories of recent early FA Cup exits to Oldham and Shrewsbury don’t seem as painful at the time of typing. After beating Aston Villa and Liverpool we now have to face Manchester United at Wembley in the semi.
Chelsea will face either Arsenal or Hull in the other semi.
The two semi-finals will be played on the weekend of April 18 and 19.
Spurred on by a half time bollocking by Steve Round, assistant manager, we came from behind after the break in fine style. To reach the semi for the first time since the season when we beat United 1-0 in the final [May ‘95]
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Factoid:
On the five previous occasions Everton have won the FA Cup - in 1906, 1933, 1966, 1984 and 1995 - the West Indies cricket team toured England the same year. West Indies are due to play two Test matches in May 09
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The first half of the Boro match was appalling, seeing Boro take a deserved lead a minute before the break.
After the restart, we were a different team. Moyes had rightly decided that Saha had to be introduced soon as possible. He immediately paired well with Fallaini [who gets my man of the match vote]. Both scored with headers within an approximately seven minute window –early in the second half, to put the game beyond Boro, who had come out showing signs of sitting back.
Boro did have some threatening moments, including when Howard dropped a short – cu panic stations. However Lescott was magnificent and it did, for most of the game, appear that nobody was going to get past him for a Boro second.
Moyes post match comment included,
"Middlesbrough played well, but we have earned the right to go to a final having beaten Liverpool and Aston Villa so far. Now we have to beat a really good side to get to the final.”
Moyes paid tribute to Saha,
“Louis came on and gave us more direction up there, but it’s great that everyone is getting the goals because I don’t have anyone who is going to finish in the list of top goal-scorers this season.”
"I felt Louis would last 30 minutes (because of his injuries), but in the end he had 45 and was excellent. He will be a big player for us when he can start matches.''
Phil Neville,
“From the moment we drew Liverpool and beat them [in a replay], the fans were saying that it’s going to be our year. We have one step to go. We want to bring silverware to this club because it has been too long, and now is the time to step up and be men.”
Apparently Liverpool fans have been on the phone-ins in their droves, complaining about how they have been victimised by this evil world and system. They are unhappy that the semi finals are being played at Wembley and that they have never been to the new stadium. In typical fashion, the FA have caved in to their demands and have decided to let next season's 4th round ties be played at Wembley to give the kopites a chance to go and see the new stadium.
The draw
Semi-finals
Arsenal or Hull City v Chelsea
Manchester United v Everton
Matches to be played at Wembley Stadium on April 18 and 19
- BREAKING NEWS: EVERTON sign £15m "Fallaini" from Standard Liege
We have tonight signed 6'4 1/2" Marouane_Fellaini formerly of Standard Liege, for a record fee of £15m
Read all about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marouane_Fellaini
- BREAKING NEWS: Everton Transfers
LATEST: 00:00
The window has closed. We do not have absolute confirmation but the story reaching us from Goodison is that we have signed ace midfielder, Marouane Fellaini from Standard Liege for £15m
See here:
http://evertonblogcouk.blogspot.com/2008/09/breaking-news-everton-sign-125m.html
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The transfer window is closing in approx. two hours, check back regularly to see any last minute deals.
Thus far today:
*Saha has been confirmed as joining the club
*We had a bid of about £3.5m rejected by Reading for their midfielder Stephen Hunt
*Wigan keeper Carlo Nash has joined us for an undisclosed sum.
- Breaking news: Everton stadium called in
- Our wonderful Government have called in the our plan to relocate from Goodison to "Destination Kirkby."
The news will come as a kick in the bollocks to Kenwright, who had insisted that the potential £400+ million development, in partnership with Tesco was the only realistic way that we could generate the dosh to compete with the "top four."
This calling-in does not automatically kill the move, but it sets back the majority "yes" voters considerably.
Tesco's resilience to uncertainty and appetite for risk will now be the focus in the coming days.
The whole thing is fucking typical really, we simply don't seem able to organise things properly.
Finally, don't let any of the pond-life who spend their time on the internet, wearing just their underpants, insulting you on message boards, tell you that Evertonians don't want Kirkby. The FACTS are that the pro-Kirkby group of supporters WON the DEMOCRATIC vote and furthermore, albeit in a very minor way, the voters on this site have come up with similar results when it was put to the vote on here:
[Latest results from the site poll]
Are you for or against a new state-of-the-art home for the Blues in Kirkby?
Yes, I want this. I am a realist and think that this is it, it's now or never.
57% 319
No, I don't want Kirkby. I've faith that something else will come along to make up for the King's Dock loss and the "no" to Kirkby
35% 195
I'm still not sure. I'll support whatever the club decide.
8% 45
559 votes total.
The soap opera that is Everton's pre-season is to be continued... anything can happen in the next half hour!
- Everton v PSV Eindhoven ticket info
- Tickets are still available for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against PSV (kick-off 5.15pm).
Please note there will be no cash turnstiles on the day of the game. Tickets are priced at £16 for adults and £6 for concessions, with all areas of the stadium available except the Top Balcony.
Tickets can be purchased through the following outlets:
* eTicketing on evertonfc.com
* Visiting the Park End Box Office
* Dial-A-Seat service on 0870 442 1878 option 3 and 3 again
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