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.

Liverpool v Everton- Match Preview

Resurgent Everton wait in the wings as "King" Kenny's return takes another setback.

"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."- Frederick B. Wilcox

A quote which i'm sure you'll agree doesn't exactly reflect the mindset of a certain Mr. Moyes. It does, however, appear that it's main concept- that being the notion of the importance of risk taking- will be forced into the hands of David Moyes this weekend as the absence of Tim Cahill should result in a front-line pairing of Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha for the third consecutive match.

Everton come into this Sunday's 215th Merseyside derby on the back of two consecutive wins whilst Liverpool's dismal run of form continued yesterday as they were deservedly beaten at Bloomfield Road by a Blackpool team that is very familiar with the idea of risk-taking.

Pressure mounting: DJ Campbell scores the winner as Liverpool fall to defeat, their second in two matches under Kenny Dalglish's management.

Everton's two aforementioned wins include their impressive 2-1 home defeat of Tottenham and a 5-1 trouncing of Championship side Scunthorpe United on the road.

Most will agree that the Toffees' change in 'fortune' is realistically just a change in tactics and formation which has helped to revitalise what has been a lacklustre attack thus far.

It is this change in formation that has lead to a more dynamic and vibrant approach, with seven goals in two games and five different goalscorers, demonstrating that small but important alterations can be decisive in achieving success.

The introduction of Jermaine Beckford to the line-up has sparked this offensive revival. Not only does he offer a threat in behind opposition defences, his movement and relative work rate provides space which Louis Saha is fully capable of exploiting. It is this serendipitous striking partnership that has been influencial in bringing Everton into the forthcoming match high on confidence and surely it has to be maintained if the Toffees are to harbour realistic hopes of defeating a Liverpool team that have kept just two clean sheets in their last ten matches.


Finding his feet? Jermaine Beckford was on the scoresheet in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe United.

Admittedly, Moyes has had his hand forced on the issue of playing two upfront, but he now has an important decision to make. It is one that seems obvious to the fans yet after many baffling choices this season, it wouldn't surprise many if Moyes were to revert to his tried and tested 4-5-1. What is really needed are boldness and courage- if not simply the common sense to leave a winning formula.

Liverpool are there for the taking- no doubt- but that was also the case last season when a similarly improving Everton side slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of their rivals. That game was embarrasing on reflection. Everton showed absolutely none of the fight and desire that has so often been displayed throughout Moyes' reign and you would hope that they are ready to remedy that this time around.

So, will Moyes opt for safety and the mid-table obscurity that comes with it or will he take the risk necessary to achieve progress and seize the chance to climb out of the shadow cast over his team by Liverpool for so long?

Written by Sam Mackie on January 13th 2011.

Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Rejuvenated Toffees a spot too sweet for Spurs.

A Seamus Coleman inspired Everton side claimed an ever-so-valuable victory in an enthralling match at Goodison Park tonight.

A first Louis Saha goal in nearly 11 months set Everton on their way before Van der Vaart equalised just 8 minutes later. The match was won just 15 minutes from time as Coleman nodded into an empty net after Heurelho Gomes could only parry Louis Saha's effort into his path.

David Moyes opted to go 4-4-2 in the absence of Tim Cahill, away with Australia on international duty, and he reaped the rewards of this positivity.

Everton were fully deserving of their win, creating a considerable amount of chances. Their 9 shots on target compared to Tottenham's 4 reflects the proceedings well but Tottenham were always in the game until Coleman's relatively late winner.

The opening was dominated by an Everton team full of flair and enterprise, the hosts peppering the Spurs box with a flurry of dangerous crosses and their reward came soon after.

Just 3 minutes in, Baines' pass from the touchline found Saha with space to advance towards Gomes' goal and from 25 yards, unleash a sumptuous drive into the bottom corner.


It's been a long time coming: Louis Saha celebrates his opening goal for Everton,
his first goal in nearly 11 months.

However, this was the catalyst for Spurs to take the initiative as they piled the pressure on the Toffees in search of an equaliser. And equalise they did, when in the 11th minute Peter Crouch's header across the 6 yard box for Rafael Van der Vaart ended up in the inevitable as the Dutchman headed in past the defeated Tim Howard.

Van der Vaart- who continues his outstanding debut Premier League season- was a constant menace for Everton, providing the kind of creativty and flair that the blues are still awaiting from Mikel Arteta who put in another disappointing performance.

It was Van der Vaart who felt the wrath of the Gwladys Street Evertonians as he celebrated overzealously infront of them and the bad feeling continued after a moment of controversy.

Steven Pienaar won a free kick and tapped the ball aside for Sylvain Distin to take, as Van der Vaart stole away with the ball and expertly chipped the ball over Tim Howard and into the net, only for his effort to be ruled out by a Lee Probert confident in his decision.

The best chance of the half then fell to Jermaine Beckford who, although leaning back, should have re-established Everton's lead when the ball fell at his feet 8 yards out with just Gomes to beat.

After half time the game continued in the same manner as the first, with both teams pushing for the win but Everton showing the greater threat. This was demonstrated when, in the 50th minute, Seamus Coleman found himself marauding into the box with just Gomes to beat after Spurs committed players forward, only for the young Irishman to shoot tamely at the 'keeper.

Louis Saha went on to pass up two opportunities to restore Everton's lead, the second of which was well diverted by Alan Hutton away from goal, but it was that man Van der Vaart who went closest to scoring what might have been a winning goal.

Excellent work from Luka Modric in the box lead to the Croatian international laying the ball off to the onrushing Van der Vaart whos first time side-footed effort was straight at the grateful Tim Howard.

And he would go on to regret that miss as Seamus Coleman ensured only Everton's third win in ten home games.

Everton broke at a speed much akin to Spurs themselves and Jermaine Beckford released Louis Saha through on goal with Michael Dawson to contend with. As he advanced with the ball, he shifted it onto his left foot 20 yards out and Gomes should have done better in dealing with the shot, only parrying to the inspired Seamus Coleman who nodded home and sent the home fans into raptures.


Cutting the mustard: Coleman grabs the winner after an impressive performance.

The fans braced themselves for a nervy last 15 minutes but in truth Everton looked relatively comfortable, breaking up Tottenham's attacks with ease and keeping the ball nicely. They could, and should have even extended their lead when Yakubu passed up a glorious chance to finish Spurs off, stuttering and getting the ball stuck under his feet before shooting tamely at Gomes.

As the final whistle blew, the elation of the home support showed, and rightly so. The Evertonians have endured something of a nightmare season so far, worsened by the ever-growing confidence and sky-high aspirations built up in pre-season.

However they, David Moyes and the players will hope to use this result as a springboard to climb up the table, with only 5 points separating them from 7th placed Bolton, on whom they have a game in hand. And with the troubles over the park at Liverpool being highlighted further tonight after a dire 3-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn, Everton will need to capitalise on the disarray at Anfield and beat their rivals who they face in what is building up to be an intriguing encounter on the 16th of January.

Written by Sam Mackie on the 5th of January 2011.

Stoke 2-0 Everton

Pressure mounts on Moyes and his current crop.

A hapless Everton slumped to their first away defeat in 9 outings after being defeated at the Britannia Stadium today.

Two goals either side of half time were enough for the Potters. The first a wonderful goal after some fantastic work by Matthew Etherington down the wing, beating Phil Neville with ease and clipping the ball in for Kenwyne Jones to rise typically high and head the ball in with an equal measure of power and accuracy. The second with more than just a hint of good fortune, as Phil Jagielka inadvertently shinned the ball into his own net under pressure from the physical challenge of Ricardo Fuller.

Potters delight: Kenwyne Jones celebrates his opener for Stoke as the following Evertonians look on despondently.

 It was an all to familiar story for David Moyes' Toffees who had good spells of possession but failed to convert any of the few chances they did create. Rarely threatened at the back, neat and tidy passing and comfortable with time on the ball, Everton were the better side but didn't make it count.


David Moyes bemoaned his side's lack of goals earlier in the week and stated that he would look to "do something" in the January transfer window. On this basis he will have to do more than that, more something quite special to rejuvenate a lifeless attack that has just 3 goals between them this Premier League season- with preferred lone striker Louis Saha having failed to hit the net at all this season. It was he who also felt the wrath of the angered Evertonians as his not-so-well-received applaudings to them were greeted with disgust.


David Moyes and Saha himself felt aggrieved when Everton were denied what looked a certain penalty in the opening minute after the Frenchman was caught in the midrift by Ryan Shawcross's foot.


It was arguably Everton's most inspiring player and leading goalscorer so far this season, Tim Cahill, who passed up their best opportunity of the game with an uncharacteristically wayward header when well placed at the back post in the 25th minute.


The Aussie is set to depart for the Asia Cup and the Stoke fans joked "Where's your Ashes gone?"- probably the least of his worries at this point as he cut a figure of complete desolation at his failure to equalise.


The final chance of the half fell to Steven Pienaar who did what all others in blue seemed scared of doing and shot when just inside the area, however his effort was blocked by Danny Higginbotham and looped onto the roof of the net.


After the break it was more of the same- with a lesser quality however- as Everton pushed and pushed for an equaliser but were met by a resolute Stoke defence who did their job in shutting out the Toffees, aiding them to finish off the game in the 69th minute as Jagielka scored the 7th own goal of his professional career. 

Tough times: Cahill and Jagielka endured torrid games at the Britannia.

 There will be alarm bells ringing over the form of Everton's Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard a far cry from the player that Everton have relied so heavily upon for creativity in the past.


The travelling contingent did however thank Leighton Baines and Sylvain Distin for their efforts at the end of the game, both receiving rapturous applause for their impressive performances. Baines is looking increasingly like a player who is Everton's only viable attacking option. His crossing ability is like no other in the blues' line-up and his surging runs are matched only by Seamus Coleman, who continues to impress yet is constantly left isolated by the offensively devoid Phil Neville.


Finally, there will be question marks over the future of Yakubu after the burly Nigerian failed to make to bench as he continues to be linked with a move to Avram Grant's struggling West Ham.

Article written by Sam Mackie on the 1st January 2011