Chelsea 1-1 Everton (Everton win 4-3 on penalties)

Moyes' boys go marching on

It is days like yesterday that become engraved into Evertonian hearts and folklore, reminding the fans why they invest so much faith, heartache and money into following the club. No better feeling when the going is good, no worse a feeling when the opposite is true.

Such a low point was evident last weekend following a horrific display at the Reebok Stadium where Everton slumped to a miserable defeat, leaving David Moyes looking increasingly like a man nearing the end of his tether.

But on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, Everton produced a display that was Everton under David Moyes personified. Graft, guile and an unshakeable desire to come out of the battle victorious.

The look on David Moyes' face as Everton recorded a first FA Cup win over Chelsea since 1956 was a memorable one. Calm and cool with just a hint of a smile which suggested he had cast aside a few demons with such a precious victory which keeps Everton's season alive. Hanging by a thread, albeit.

Post match it was he who applauded the 6000 raucous  Evertonians who had made the journey down south and rightly so. There was a belief prior to the game - a desperation almost - in many of the fans and they came to the bridge in a defiant manner much alike to the players. Chants of 'We're on the march' reverberated around the stadium making a mockery of a pathetic Chelsea home support who mustered up a half-hearted, and somewhat predictable rendition of 'You'll never get a job.'

Everton made the brighter start with Mikel Arteta spreading the play nicely and looking to bring Leighton Baines into play. The Toffees were organised and - as has been the case many times this season - were looking comfortable in possession with Sylvain Distin marshalling the back four superbly.

Yet it was Chelsea who had the first real chance of the game as John Terry fired a glorious opening over the bar after Phil Jagielka's header had rebounded off the post from Frank Lampard's teasing cross. Leaning back, the Chelsea captain should have put the home side up with the goal gaping just eight yards out.

Everton went close to taking the lead themselves in the 22nd minute, but Jermaine Beckford failed to make a connection from Baines' wonderful cross into the box as they continued to look threatening.

But for all their good play, Everton could have found themselves behind as Chelsea carved out another great chance minutes later.

Salomon Kalou worked the ball into the area for Frank Lampard after good work down the left, Lampard laying the ball off to the onrushing Florent Malouda who could only manage to shoot straight at Tim Howard.

The pressure was building on Everton as Chelsea worked another great opening when Didier Drogba played Malouda through on goal. The Frenchman, with Tim Howard advancing towards him, tried to clip the ball over the Everton stopper but the American was there again to keep them at bay.

Then came a moment of controversy that brought the opening half to a dramatic close. Ramires stole in behind the Everton defence and beat Tim Howard to the ball in the area, but the Brazilian went down far too easily for Phil Dowd's liking, picking up a booking for simulation.

The start of the second half undoubtedly belonged to Chelsea. The home side pressurising an Everton defence that hadn't kept a clean sheet in 12 games.

There were no clear cut chances as such but a few scary moments which were to set the tone for a half which was dictated by Chelsea.

Didier Drogba whipped in a fizzing inswinging cross which was well dealt with by Tim Howard with Kalou in close proximity.

However, despite such pressure Chelsea had to wait until the 65th minute to carve out two great opportunities to open the scoring.

The first fell to Frank Lampard who could only divert Ramires' cross straight at the sprawling legs of Tim Howard. The second fell to Branislav Ivanovic who took advantage of some poor Everton marking from a corner, only to see his instinctive volley be cleared off the line.

Everton's best moment of the half came towards the end of the 90 and Victor Anichebe almost made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov - who had been brought on to replace Tim Cahill - drilled a low cross into the six yard box with Anichebe agonisingly close to getting what probably would have been a winning goal.

They were nearly made to regret that miss just a minute later as Frank Lampard missed a guilt edged opportunity to steal the show late on.

After a swift counter attack, Florent Malouda found space in the box before laying the ball back to Lampard who could only chip the ball way over the bar to leave Everton well and truly in the game.

Marouane Fellaini thought he had won the game for Everton in the last minute of normal time but his effort was ruled out was offside. Leighton Baines' right-footed drive was parried by Petr Cech to the Belgian international, lurking with intent, but despite tucking the ball under the despairing dive of Cech, the flag went up for offside and the decision was proved to be correct on further viewing, marginally, however.

To extra time and it was Chelsea who broke the deadlock just before the first half drew to a close. 104 minutes were on the clock and it was Frank Lampard who gave the hosts a precious lead.

Fantastic work by Anelka down the right hand side saw the ball clipped into the box where Didier Drogba chested the ball down for Lampard to slam home a timely opener.



Lampard celebrates what looked like being the winning goal.

But Everton weren't to be denied the opportunity to take the game into penalties as Leighton Baines equalised in outstanding fashion with just a minute remaining of extra time.

After Branislav Ivanovic had pushed Phil Jagielka in the back, Phil Dowd awarded Everton a free kick just 20 yards out. The Evertonians knew that it was to be the last chance to salvage the game and it was Baines who was their saviour.

It took just a few small steps before he unleashed a sumptuous curling effort into the top corner of Petr Cech's net to send the travelling Evertonians into dreamland.



Baines revels in the moment after he takes the tie into penalties with a delightful free kick.

It was to take penalties to separate the sides and leave fingernails at a premium.

Frank Lampard expertly slammed home his penalty before, ironically, Leighton Baines' penalty was well saved by Cech.

Didier Drogba made it 2-0 to Chelsea before Phil Jagielka held his nerve to keep Everton in the tie, their hopes hanging somewhat thinly by a thread.

Yet their luck changed as Tim Howard produced a fine save from Nicolas Anelka's penalty, and his celebrations after it suggested that he knew which was he was going. Anelka's face showed exactly what it meant to him, not much, as he walked away without even a hint of bother.

Up stepped Mikel Arteta who rifled home a delightful penalty to even up the scores at 2-2 before Micheal Essien and Johnny Heitinga dispatched their penalties confidently to leave the score at 3-3.

Ashley Cole was next, and with Johnny Heitinga walking back to the centre circle following his successful penalty, the two went, literally, shoulder-to-shoulder. This seemed to have affected Cole and it showed as he blazed his penalty over the bar amid taunts of 'Cheryl! Cheryl! Cheryl!' from the Everton fans.

Phil Neville had the chance to send Everton through the the fifth round of the cup, the influential and fearless captain doing what many would have shied away from when placing himself in the fifth penalty taker position.

Taking two steps back he awaited the signal of Phil Dowd and slammed home an unstoppable penalty into the top corner to cue scenes of unbridalled joy amongst the masses of Everton fans.

His celebration was one not to forget. Jogging over to the Evertonians with a hint of arrogance on his face before spreading his arms out to either side, awaiting the arrival of the ecstatic Everton playing staff and management.



Phil Neville is joined by his team mates after securing the win for Everton.

The jubilation continued long after the game and the Everton fans showed Chelsea what real support is like. Flags and banners were in abundance in the Chelsea stands. 'Norway supporters branch', 'New York Blues' and 'Texas Blues' - many Evertonians would have been excused for thinking they were in Anfield.

Everton may not have the money of Chelsea, the recent success even of Chelsea, yet they do have the support and the history. An argument that Chelsea fans are becoming sick and tired of but one with real substance. Such loyalty cannot be bought and that is simply that.

Chelsea fans will argue "It's what happens on the pitch that matters" or "When was the last time you won anything?" - Unfortunately that is just an ignorance that is ever growing amongst the so called bigger clubs.

Everton 5-3 Blackpool

Saha shines brightest to secure a crucial victory for Everton

An inspired Louis Saha ensured that Everton claimed a vital three points after scoring four goals against Blackpool yesterday.

Saha put in a rambunctious display and was justly rewarded, increasing his goal tally for the season in all competitions to nine, eight of which have come in his last six games.

It was Everton who started the brightest and they nearly took the lead in fortuitous circumstances just 12 minutes in when David Carney turned the ball hazardously close to goal following Jack Rodwell’s burst into the box.

The Blues went even closer in the 14th minute through the impressive Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after he planted a header over the bar from Phil Neville’s cross.

Marouane Fellaini continues to impress in the heart of Everton’s midfield and he showed good strength and skill in the 18th minute, turning his marker well before blazing his shot over Paul Rachubka’s bar as the Toffees continued to threaten.

The breakthough did arrive in the 21st minute, and two of the game’s star performers combined to give Everton a much deserved lead.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov found himself with two Blackpool players for company on the left hand side but he weaved his way past them, cutting inside into the box before expertly rolling the ball across to Louis Saha who finished with ease inside the six-yard box.



Saha celebrates after opening the scoring for Everton.

However, despite the general feeling that Everton would go on to exert more pressure upon a so far disappointing Blackpool, the visitors got themselves level after a decent spell of possession.

As a result of his near move to Liverpool, Charlie Adam was always going to be in for a tough afternoon from the Everton faithful, and as he came over to take the corner leading to Blackpool’s leveller, he was on the receiving end of some vicious abuse from the fans of the Gwladys Street.

The Evertonians went on to jeer as Adam’s corner looked to have been miscued but on further viewing it was evident that it was whipped in purposefully low. Met by Ian Evatt at the near post, the ball struck the post and rolled along the line to the feet of Leighton Baines who’s attempted clearance only managed to strike the legs of Alex Baptiste and trickle over the line to give the visitors the equaliser.

Adam’s celebrations said it all as he turned around to face the Gwladys Street, his chest puffed out and a cold stare on his face before reeling away with his team mates.

Then came a moment of real controversy as Louis Saha was denied a second goal which would have restored Everton’s lead. With half time looming, Seamus Coleman surged goalwards and was hauled back on the edge of the box. The ball found its way to Saha who poked the ball home via a deflection, yet with the ball about to cross over the line, Kevin Friend brought the play back for the foul on Coleman leaving David Moyes and the Everton fans absolutely furious.

The half time whistle blew and Friend was understandably on the receiving end of a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

It was an entertaining first half but the fans were to be in for an unbelievable second 45 minutes which started off in explosive fashion.

Just two minutes in, Everton regained their lead through that man Saha after he tucked the ball away six yards out following an inviting cross from Leighton Baines.

The Toffees were threatening again just a few moments later as Saha’s deft touch played in Bilyaletdinov who – when well placed just inside the area -should have done better as he fired a scorching effort straight at Rachubka.

In the 59th minute, Everton should have put themselves out of sight of the Seasiders when Jack Rodwell passed up a glorious opportunity. Phil Neville’s low cross found Rodwell eight yards out and his shot crept agonisingly wide of the upright.

That miss was a pivotal moment of the match as Blackpool went on to strike twice within two minutes, giving them a lead that nobody would have predicted.

Johnny Heitinga and Elliot Grandin challenged for the ball in midfield and Grandin stole away, playing in former Everton striker James Beattie who -despite having been completely anonymous until that point – did well to slide the ball across to fellow debutant Jason Puncheon who side footed home inside the six-yard box.

And it was the villain of the show Charlie Adam who completed an astonishing turnaround after he rounded off a superb counter-attack.

Jason Puncheon drove through the midfield and played the ball to DJ Campbell who was unlucky to see his left-footed effort crash back off the bar. Fortunately for him, Adam was there to stoop low and head Blackpool into the lead, sparking scenes of wild celebration in the Blackpool end and disbelief in the Evertonians.

Jack Rodwell again went agonisingly close to scoring in the 66th minute after a moment of absolute madness from Paul Rachubka. Racing out of his goal, the goalkeeper attempted to take the ball past a crowd of players before being dispossessed. With the ball at his feet 25 yards out, Rodwell took aim and clipped a delightful goalbound effort towards the empty net, yet he was denied the equaliser after Ian Evatt raced back and produced a quite stunning goalline clearance.

Everton were in need of a change and that came in the form of Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill, returning from international duty with Australia.

It was this change that triggered a remarkable revival in a shellshocked Everton side and the crowd were to be treated to a grandstand finish.

Charlie Adam went off the pitch for treatment and Everton made the extra man count from a corner in the 76th minute. As the ball came in, Jermaine Beckford got a touch which diverted the ball towards Louis Saha who headed home the equaliser from three yards out – completing his hat-trick in the process.

Just two minutes in, Everton regained their lead through that man Saha after he tucked the ball away six yards out following an inviting cross from Leighton Baines.

The Toffees were threatening again just a few moments later as Saha’s deft touch played in Bilyaletdinov who – when well placed just inside the area -should have done better as he fired a scorching effort straight at Rachubka.

In the 59th minute, Everton should have put themselves out of sight of the Seasiders when Jack Rodwell passed up a glorious opportunity. Phil Neville’s low cross found Rodwell eight yards out and his shot crept agonisingly wide of the upright.

That miss was a pivotal moment of the match as Blackpool went on to strike twice within two minutes, giving them a lead that nobody would have predicted.

Johnny Heitinga and Elliot Grandin challenged for the ball in midfield and Grandin stole away, playing in former Everton striker James Beattie who -despite having been completely anonymous until that point – did well to slide the ball across to fellow debutant Jason Puncheon who side footed home inside the six-yard box.

And it was the villain of the show Charlie Adam who completed an astonishing turnaround after he rounded off a superb counter-attack.

Jason Puncheon drove through the midfield and played the ball to DJ Campbell who was unlucky to see his left-footed effort crash back off the bar. Fortunately for him, Adam was there to stoop low and head Blackpool into the lead, sparking scenes of wild celebration in the Blackpool end and disbelief in the Evertonians.

Jack Rodwell again went agonisingly close to scoring in the 66th minute after a moment of absolute madness from Paul Rachubka. Racing out of his goal, the goalkeeper attempted to take the ball past a crowd of players before being dispossessed. With the ball at his feet 25 yards out, Rodwell took aim and clipped a delightful goalbound effort towards the empty net, yet he was denied the equaliser after Ian Evatt raced back and produced a quite stunning goalline clearance.

Everton were in need of a change and that came in the form of Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill, returning from international duty with Australia.

It was this change that triggered a remarkable revival in a shellshocked Everton side and the crowd were to be treated to a grandstand finish.

Charlie Adam went off the pitch for treatment and Everton made the extra man count from a corner in the 76th minute. As the ball came in, Jermaine Beckford got a touch which diverted the ball towards Louis Saha who headed home the equaliser from three yards out – completing his hat-trick in the process.

Louis Saha gets Everton back on track.

And Everton went on to regain the lead just minutes later through Jermaine Beckford after he fired an instinctive volley past Rachubka following Baines’ ball over the defence.

Goodison Park was rocking and Everton could sense that victory was near. Such a victory was assured when Louis Saha wrapped up the points with a well taken goal on the counter-attack. After being played through on goal by Marouane Fellaini, Saha drove into the area and confidently tucked the ball past Rachubka to put any Evertonian nerves to rest.

Everton thoroughly deserved their victory and Blackpool were not at their best, alluded to by Ian Holloway in his post-match interview. The Everton fans will hope to use this match as a catalyst to surge up the table with seventh placed Sunderland just seven points ahead having played an extra game.

They will take great pleasure from seeing Louis Saha playing with such confidence and swagger, the Frenchman showing that, when on form, there aren’t many better strikers in the league. Added to this the performances of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Marouane Fellaini, there are many reasons to be hopeful for Everton fans as they enter a period of very winnable fixtures against opposition around them.

Everton 1-1 Chelsea

Everton left deflated as Kalou forces a replay for Chelsea.

Solomon Kalou came off the bench to rescue Chelsea from the jaws of defeat this afternoon at Goodison Park as a much improved second half saw Everton come close to victory.

It was a second half which Everton thoroughly dominated and should have seen them book their place in the fifth round of the F.A Cup at the hands of the holders.

The first half, however, was somewhat forgettable and many viewers would have been excused for taking an afternoon nap.

Both teams cancelled each other out with the tempo too slow to spark a reserved Everton crowd into life- the Chelsea fans joking "You're supposed to be at home!"

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov had a chance to remedy this in the 14th minute but he failed to properly connect with the ball after Jack Rodwell's flick on from Phil Neville's throw into the box. Nipping in ahead of Jose Bosingwa, the Russian international could only tamely divert the ball straight to Petr Cech when on the stretch in the six yard box.

The first real chance of the half fell to Jack Rodwell after being played in on goal by Louis Saha following superb harrying by Marouane Fellaini to win the ball in a dangerous area.

Fellaini's pressure and eventual tackle on Michael Essien saw the ball end up at Saha's feet and the Frenchman slid the ball to Rodwell who, running slightly away from goal and under pressure from a Chelsea defender, could only direct his low shot straight at Cech.

At this point, Phil Neville had already been warned by a lenient Howard Webb - who distributed no cards in the game - about two previous tackles on Florent Malouda and the Everton captain was relatively fortuitous not to be cautioned when in the 29th minute he showed Malouda that he was in for a tough afternoon.

This was to the evident amusement of Gary Neville as the cameras showed him produce a broad smile at his brother's antics.

Shortly after came Chelsea's best moment of the half as Nicolas Anelka surged towards goal following a Ramires pass. Anelka advanced with the ball into the box and unleased a low drive, which, fortunately for Everton was straight at a grateful Tim Howard who diverted the ball behind with his legs.

To the second half and Everton came out of the blocks much quicker, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

In the 52nd minute it was they who nearly made the breakthrough as Saha found space at the back post to acrobatically volley Jack Rodwell's cross goalwards, only to be denied by a timely block from Ramires.

Yet Everton weren't discouraged by this, only spurred on as they pushed for the opening goal which nearly came in the 55th minute when Fellaini headed an inswinging Arteta free kick powerfully at Petr Cech who tipped the ball over the bar.

Everton were rewarded for their efforts in the 62nd minute as Louis Saha headed in his seventh goal in eight games against Chelsea from Leighton Baines' irresistable corner. 

Being closely watched by John Terry, Saha flummoxed the Chelsea captain after some good movement and rose to plant the ball past Cech and give Everton an unarguably deserved lead.

Louis Saha powers home a header to give Everton the lead in front of the Gwladys Street.

The Toffees surged forward in search of another with Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini dictating the play but they were aided by the unusually subdued Michael Essien and Frank Lampard.

Everton went agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Seamus Coleman was twice denied, firstly by a smart low save from Cech following his powerful header, and secondly by a wonder block from Michael Essien as he lashed towards goal following Cech's rebound.

And they were left to rue that miss when just 18 seconds later, Chelsea broke with devastating ruthlessness and conjured up an equaliser out of nothing.

Jack Rodwell was caught in possession following the corner and the ball was worked over to the right hand side for the substitute Kalou to jink into the box and expertly roll the ball through Sylvain Distin's legs and inside Howard's far post.

Solomon Kalou strikes after a ruthless counter attack to give Chelsea an undeserved equaliser.

Yet despite some Evertonian's fears that Chelsea would go on to win the game, it was the Toffees who went closest to snatching a victory in the 89th minute through substitute Jermaine Beckford.

Branislav Ivanovic sliced his clearance to allow Beckford in on goal and, taking the shot on first time, the forward unleashed a delicious left footed volley which Cech tipped over the bar superbly to spare Chelsea's blushes.

Everton will feel aggrieved that they didn't advance to the next round at the first time of asking but there are plenty of positives for David Moyes and the Evertonians to take from this performance ahead of what will be an eagerly anticipated trip to Stamford Bridge for the replay.



Everton 2-2 West Ham

Iron show their mettle but Fellaini rescues a fortunate point for Everton

A fortunate Everton twice came from behind to rescue a point against Avram Grant’s West Ham today at Goodison Park.

The Toffees faced a West Ham side who before the game had managed just four league victories all season, with only one coming away from home.

However, it was the Hammers who came closest to snatching victory as they produced a performance showing their mettle and willingness to work hard.

It was they who nearly opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the game as Mark Noble found himself free in the area following Scott Parker’s through ball, only to blast over from just inside the 18-yard box.

Ten minutes later, following a drab spell of play, Jermaine Beckford spurned an opportunity to open the scoring when he dithered on the ball inside the area, allowing the impressive James Tomkins to put in an important challenge.

Beckford would go on to regret his hesitance as shortly after West Ham took the lead through Jonathan Spector in the 26th minute.

Luis Boa Morte found himself in behind the Everton defence and advancing on goal, but despite a heavy first touch, he composed himself to clip the ball back to the onrushing Jonathan Spector who gleefully side footed home and gave the visitors a precious lead.

The rampant Hammers went agonisingly close to adding another in the 38th minute as Frederic Piquionne- so dominant in the air throughout the half- nodded Spector’s inviting cross onto the inside of Tim Howard’s far post before seeing it roll along the goal line and narrowly away to safety.

The travelling contingent were celebrating what they thought was a second goal in the 41st minute as Boa Morte side footed through Howard’s legs from Piquionne’s cross, only to be correctly ruled out for offside.

The home support vented their fury unreasonably at referee Peter Walton who correctly awarded West Ham a free kick. That being said, the Evertonians’ real gripe was with the players who were performing woefully. Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe in particular were offering no threat up front with poor movement and poor work rate, and Seamus Coleman, being shackled well by new loan signing Wayne Bridge, was having one of his most ineffective games in a blue shirt

The second half was predictably a more lively affair with Everton applying more pressure and having prolonged spells of possession in the West Ham half. Yet the Hammers were comfortable in the most part, Everton barely testing ‘keeper Robert Green.

In the 53rd minute, the Evertonians clamoured for a penalty after Tomkins wrestled Anichebe to the ground following a challenge for a header from a cross, but Walton waved away the appeals confidently.

Everton nearly restored parity in the 57th minute when Marouane Fellaini found himself space at the back post but headed over wastefully following Leighton Baines’ free kick.

They nearly went on to rue that miss as a minute later, Spector was well placed in the Everton area but clipped the ball over the bar when he should have hit the target.

Then, as has been witnessed so many times this season by Everton fans, the Toffees conjured up a goal which set the game up for a grandstand finish.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov had replaced Victor Anichebe and it was him that equalised in the 77th minute. Earlier in the week, following Steven Pienaar’s departure, Bilyaletdinov had placed the ball in the court of the Everton manager when stating that “it is a question for David Moyes (whether or not he will get more chances)” and he showed what all Evertonians knew he was capable of when rifling a right footed volley past Green after Fellaini’s knock down.



Bilyaletdinov volleys home the equaliser shortly after coming on as a substitute.

Minutes later Seamus Coleman squandered a glorious opportunity to surely hand Everton all three points as he volleyed over from six yards out after Green had only managed to parry Saha’s snapshot in his direction.

Everton were made to pay the full price for that miss as West Ham restored their lead in the 85th minute through Piquionne, who glanced the ball in following a delightful cross from Wayne Bridge on the right hand side.

The 32-year-old Frenchman reeled away in delight and jumped over the advertisement hoardings to join in the celebrations of the West Ham supporters who were in understandable delirium at the thought of only a second away win of the season. Having already been booked, the forward was shown a second yellow card by Walton who had his hands on the back of his head at Piquionne’s antics.



Piquionne emerges from amongst the West Ham supporters following his goal.

However, West Ham were to be denied that crucial win as Marouane Fellaini struck in added time. The Belgian international avoiding the attention of Matthew Upson and Jonathan Spector to drive a shot past the despairing Robert Green and salvage a point for Everton that was still greeted by boos from the home support at the full time whistle.

Captain Fantastic

Few players have stood out for Everton this season with Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill having been the only outstanding performers thus far. Many will point to the emergence of Seamus Coleman as a potent threat on the right wing and the recent impressive performances of Marouane Fellaini and Jermaine Beckford- however it is none of the aformentioned who are in the spotlight here.

No, that honour goes to Phil Neville and to see why, we will be delving into some intriguing statistics.

Neville joined Everton from Manchester United for £3.5m in August 2005.

Not many Evertonians underestimate Neville's role as a leader and an organiser, but if I told you that, statistically, he is Everton's most influential player, that might raise a few eyebrows, wouldn't it?

Anyway, as they say, 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating', so here we go:

• Since the start of the 2008/09 season, Everton have won 44% of matches when Neville has started as opposed to just 21.7% when he hasn't. This betters the statistics of any other player in the current squad.
• Over the same time period, Everton, on average, have conceded just one goal every 90 minutes when Neville has been on the pitch compared to one goal every 55 minutes when he hasn't.
• Neville has been in the starting 11 for all five of Everton's Premier League victories this season.

Harry Redknapp was clearly not as deluded as some Tottenham fans thought he was when he was linked with a bid for him last week. Although Neville may not contribute so obviously to Everton's play, his influence on results justifies why Moyes sees him as an invaluable member of Everton's squad and one who is a regular fixture in the starting line-up.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen Pienaar

Hardly a storyline you would relate with 'The Sound of Music,' but some Evertonians may feel aggrieved by Steven Pienaar's decision to leave the club, confirmed by the man himself on Twitter today.

Pienaar stated "To end speculation I am going to Spurs. I've had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart."

This news won't come as a surprise to many Everton fans as today's events have seemed inevitable since Pienaar rejected a contract extension from the club six months ago.

The Toffees initially signed Pienaar on a one-year loan from Borussia Dortmund in July 2007, but the move was made permanent in April of 2008 as the South African international joined in a deal worth £2million.

Pienaar signed from Dortmund after failing to live up to the potential he exhibited in his earlier years with Ajax.

It would be fair to say that Pienaar has been hugely influential to the blues, offering outstanding work rate, craft and guile to Everton's left wing and aiding in the development of Leighton Baines, with whom he was formed a potent attacking partnership.

Just look at the statistics. Pienaar has played 104 league games for Everton, starting 100 showing his importance to David Moyes.

However many have questioned his goal scoring ability throughout his time at Everton, and with just nine league goals to his name, some fans may not see the loss of Pienaar as being hugely important, with his final product being seriously questionable.

On the other hand, most will point towards the effect he has had on the dramatic change in footballing style played by the blues, and more importantly the effect he has had on results.

His impact has been significant, demonstrated by the fact that in the previous two seasons, Everton have won 27 out of 57 (47.4%) matches when Pienaar has started, but only 6 out of 19 (31.6%) when he hasn't.

Pienaar scores what the majority of Evertonians will recall as his most important goal for the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium.

It does, however, seem that Pienaar's influence on the team has been less influential this season, coinciding with his failure to sign a new contract. With Pienaar starting, Everton have conjured up just two wins in 18 league matches (11.1%) as opposed to three wins in four matches (75%) when he has been absent from the starting line-up.

A large number of Evertonians will question whether his heart was really in it from the start of the season and the statistics do unfortunately reflect that notion.

Despite this, David Moyes has shown a dignified respect for Pienaar and everything he has done for Everton, saying "he has done very well for us on the pitch, so we have no complaints" ahead of his aforementioned transfer.

With the transfer of Pienaar finally coming to fruition, Everton have been linked with a series of names to replace him, most notably Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari and Burnley's Chris Eagles.

Finally, one deal that is rumoured to be near to completion is that of Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon. Dier is an English centre-back raised in Portugal since he was seven years old, and at the age of 17 he represents a promising future talent.

Dier (circled) featured in England's kit launch as one of the faces of the future.

Liverpool 2-2 Everton

Kuyt spares Liverpool's blushes as Everton forget to read the script.

In Sheryl Crow's words, 'A Change Would Do You Good' and that was certainly the case for Everton after a tale of two halves in Sunday's derby encounter with Liverpool.

After the game David Moyes stated that some of his players were "naive" at times, and that seemed the case as Liverpool threatened to run riot towards the end of the first half.

The naivety that Moyes bemoaned post-match was evident as Everton passed up an early opportunity to stun the surprisingly subdued Anfield crowd through Jermaine Beckford.

Beckford found himself 30 yards out with just Daniel Agger and Jose Reina to beat and instead of trying to advance further with the ball, he fired a wayward shot at goal that ballooned high and wide.

However it was Liverpool who went closest to taking a precious lead as Sylvain Distin's hesitance allowed Fernando Torres a path to the goal. Into the box and with Heitinga for company, Torres worked the ball onto his left foot and curled an effort onto the post beyond the despairing dive of Tim Howard, only for Dirk Kuyt to blaze his shot over the bar from the follow up.

This set the tone for the rest of the half as Liverpool went on to thoroughly dominate, opening the scoring in the 29th minute through Raul Meireles.

Glen Johnson- from the left flank- crossed the ball into the box for Dirk Kuyt whose header and subsequent follow up shot were saved by Tim Howard, but with his momentum taking him the other way, the American international could do nothing to prevent Meireles lashing home from 18 yards.

Taking the initiative: Raul Meireles opens the scoring in the pulsating Merseyside derby.

Liverpool flags, scarves, badges, beach towels- in fact any memorabilia you could think of- came out and the Liverpool fans briefly sprang to life.

The onslaught continued as Liverpool surged forward with Everton well and truly on the ropes.

Torres found space in the box to fire a shot at Howard from the angle and his save resulted in the ball looping into the air. With Evertonian hearts in mouths, Phil Neville did enough to stop Meireles grabbing a second goal, diverting the ball away from the goal line as the two challenged for a header but the ball then fell at the feet of Maxi Rodriguez who passed up a glorious chance.

The Argentine winger steadied himself before scooping the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box and Everton will have felt fortunate to go into the break just one goal down.

Then came the change, although not one that supporters of either team would have expected to have had a significant influence on the game.

Replacing the "ill" Daniel Agger was Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Everton went on to exploit Liverpool's defensive fragility in an explosive seven minute spell at the start of the second half.

The Toffees were incorrectly awarded a corner kick but they took full advantage of their new found fortune as Sylvain Distin powered home his first Premier League goal for Everton just 43 seconds in to the second half.

The centre back rose above Martin Skrtel and his header squeezed in despite the best efforts of Glen Johnson on the goal line.

Now it was Liverpool on the ropes as Everton played with vigour and style, matched with a tempo that was too high for the Reds to handle.

Victor Anichebe was proving a real handful for the Liverpool defence and in the 52nd minute he rose above Martin Kelly to head a cross-field ball to Leon Osman.

Osman, quiet and ineffective in the first 45 minutes provided a moment of magic, showing typically quick feet to baffle his markers and slide a pass into Jermaine Beckford inside the penalty box. The summer signing from Leeds showed strength and determination before firing a shot into the corner of the net in front of the Everton fans who believed a first win at Anfield since 1999 was on the cards.

Delirious: Jermaine Beckford reels away in celebration after giving Everton the lead.

Cue pandemonium in the away end as the players reeled away in evident delight. The Evertonians most certainly enjoyed it and chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning"-aimed at Kenny Dalglish- resonated around the ground.

Everton went on to dominate the 15 minute period that ensued with Marouane Fellaini- the outstanding performer- pulling the strings from central midfield.

Yet for all their dominance, Everton failed to find the goal that would surely have killed Liverpool off and in the 68th minute, it was they who were awarded a penalty against the run of play as Tim Howard felled Maxi Rodriguez in the box.

After a free kick was launched into the box, Howard rushed to collect the ball but Rodriguez- going away from goal- nipped in before him and went down with no hesitation. A penalty indeed but the attempts by Rodriguez to get Howard sent off were despicable as he almost begged with referee Phil Dowd for the 'keeper to be given his marching orders.

Dirk Kuyt stepped up and predictably slotted past Howard with his fifth goal in a Merseyside derby.

From then on there was plenty of endeavour from both sides, yet the game petered out despite attempts to win the game from the two teams.

Moyes freshened things up, bringing on James Vaughan, Jack Rodwell and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov whilst Dalglish introduced Jonjo Shelvey- all to no effect.

As the final whistle blew there was a sense of disappointment in most Evertonians and almost relief in the Liverpool fans. All that being said though, David Moyes will be delighted with the second half performance, his players coming out with fantastic positivity and reaching the required tempo to turn around the deficit.

As previously mentioned, Marouane Fellaini was superb, showing attacking intent and defensive stability to replicate the kind of form that made Moyes believe he was the best central midfielder in the Premier League just over a year ago.

Finally, Moyes was full of praise for forward Jermaine Beckford after the match, applauding his knack to be in the "right position" and to score goals. Beckford looks to be acclimatising to the Premier League and his goal was reward for increasingly impressive displays in recent weeks.

Written by Sam Mackie on 17th January 2011.