Transfers

Maarten Stekelenburg
Fulham to Everton
£1 million

So the first signing of the new era isnt exactly exciting, but not unexpected either. With Howard leaving in the summer, we always needed more in goal anyway, and it has been widely suggested that he will be backup anyway as we are looking at other keepers, so from that point of view, a no lose situation. Didnt exactly cover himself in glory at Southampton last season, as they had a difficult start to last season, where an upturn in form seemed to coincide with Fraser Forster's return to fitness. He has 54 caps for the Dutch national side, and played in the 2010 World Cup Final.

Elsewhere, this summer has already felt like the end of an era, with the departures of Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert and Steven Pienaar at the end of their contracts.

Tony Hibbert is probably the only player at Everton to spark a pitch invasion for scoring in a pre season friendly! A lifelong Blue, he joined us as a 10 year old in 1991 and spent his whole career here. Had his limitations as a player, but has been a solid first team player for his boyhood club since his debut in 2001, until a raft of injuries and the emergence of Seamus Coleman in the last few years restricted him. Our record appearance holder in Europe, one of the best tacklers and most solid full backs the club has produced, he never had the glamour and attacking prowess of the likes of Leighton Baines, but as a defender, fantastic. Made only one appearance last season as a sub at home to Bournemouth, but still managed to lift the crowd and push us on to a win. Hibbo lived the dream, and it will be odd starting a new season without him on the squad list, as much as it was expected. And that night against AEK Athens, it happened. I was there. Hibbo scored, we rioted. All was well.

Leon Osman is another one it will be strange to see Everton without. A member of the 1998 FA Youth Cup winning side, he was a slow starter at Everton following a nasty injury sustained just after that Cup win, which meant he never made his first start for the club until 2004 after loan spells at Carlisle and Derby. He made an immediate impact though scoring after 2 minutes in a 2-1 defeat at Wolves, and that has been a trademark of his Everton career, an excellent goalscoring record, and scorer of some pretty special goals. Finishing off that team goal against Larissa in 2007 was one of the finest goals ever seen at Goodison, a couple of memorable goals in wins up at Newcastle, a towering header in a win over Man City, he was a player who at his best, was at the centre of everything good we did.

Then there's Steven Pienaar, a man who seemingly couldnt live without Everton having signed for us four times! A little bit frustrating at times, and should have scored more goals than he did, Pienaar was still a fantastic player for us, who sadly suffered an injury hit last year or two at the end. His partnership down the left with Baines was an Everton mainstay for several years as they brought the best out of each other, with one or both of them behind most of our good moves and goals. Finishing off a flowing move to score a late equaliser in that crazy 4-4 draw at Old Trafford has to be up there as Stevie P's best Everton moments. But then Pienaar was one of those players who was generally setting up those great moments for someone else.

The Manager

So it was a slow start to the summer anyway, with our search for a new manager preceeding everything following Roberto Martinez's sacking in May. It was obvious that new owner Farhad Moshiri's new investment was going to be telling this summer, when the names linked with us were the likes of De Boer and Emery, rather than Alan Curbishley and Tim Sherwood, but we actually got our first choice man in Southampton's Ronald Koeman, to much hilarity and Southampton heads falling off. With the level of manager available to us (enough ambition to turn our nose up at the likes of Mark Hughes, but not in Europe and not exactly able to attract the likes of Mourinho and Simeone) Koeman to me always looked the best option. Relatively experienced, having managed in 4 different countries, Holland, Portugal, Spain and England, has won things not just as a manager but won pretty much everything as a player, so brings a winning mentality we havent seen at this club in decades. The fact he does come from another Premier League club, where he did a very good job, means he also has experience and know how of the Premier League and will know the kinds of players to go for who will do well here.

He also brings a reputation. Already there is talk of Lukaku and Stones staying, despite big money offers from elsewhere, as we now dont just have a lot of money (coupled with the new TV deal of course) but we have a manager who carries a lot of respect around Europe. It's still a bit jaw dropping seeing us linked with signing the likes of Juan Mata and Axel Witsel rather than the old days of being linked with Alan Smith and Robbie Savage all summer!

The players not involved in international tournaments this summer all reported back to pre season training yesterday, and so far our first game will be a Barnsley on July 23rd.

Sunderland 1-1 Everton

Sunderland 1-1 Everton

(Larsson 67: Baines (P) 76)

43,476

That was shit. Sunderland are shit. We were shit. The ref was shit. We've got more injuries, thats shit. Our fans were shit. Their fans were shit. Everything is shit. Except James McCarthy.

I dont even know where to start with how bad that was. A horrible game, Sunderland playing alehouse football, and us doing the exact opposite, passing it around in pretty little passing circles but doing fuck all with it 50 yards from goal. And all the while in between, Lee Mason being a cunt. First for not sending off Jordi Gomez for diving after he'd already been booked for putting Barry out of the game. Then for blowing his whistle every time anyone breathed within 10 yards of an opponent, so killing an already horrible game even more. Then just to really prove his utter incompetence once and for all, when he finally awarded us a penalty to equalise with 15 minutes left, he somehow didnt believe that Connor Wickham scissor challenging Seamus Coleman with just the keeper to beat, was worthy of a red card. It wasnt even worthy of a booking somehow. So instead of playing the final 15 minutes at 1-1 and against 10 men, we instead needed James McCarthy to clear off the line in stoppage time to save us the point. Not positive enough from us all over. Too much poncing about with possession instead of attacking with it, actually wasting time late on rather than trying to keep the pressure on, and our defence is still not right and making stupid little errors all over the place. The goal we conceded was awful too. I could see from up in the gods behind the goal exactly where Larsson was putting it, so why we let Sunderland stand two players exactly where Larsson wanted to put it, and just admire it going in, God onlys knows. Are we really so naive defensively? Fucking crap all round.

Everton Man of the Match

James McCarthy is my hero. Even when everyone else was crap and negative today, he was positive, trying to push us forward on his own. Then just when I thought I couldnt love him any more, he tackles the ref and clears a Sunderland header off the line in stoppage time. Obscenely consistant.

Sunderland (A)

Sunderland vs Everton

Premier League

  Stadium of Light

Sunday November 9th 1.30pm

Well Sunderland got a win on Monday night to end their pretty awful couple of games. Hopefully our run of scoring 3 then 0 since the last international break doesnt go on!

Team News

Sylvain Distin will likely keep his place at centre half with Alzaraz out. Gareth Barry will hhave a late fitness test after going off injured on Thursday night, as will Seamus Coleman who has had stitches removed from his ankle.
 Former Blue Jack Rodwell is fully fit after injury, but Lee Cattermole is suspended, and Patrick Van Aanholt out with a dislocated shoulder. 

Howard

Coleman-Jagielka-Distin-Baines

Gibson-McCarthy
Naismith-Barkley-Pienaar
Lukaku

The Ex Factor

Jack Rodwell (Everton 2007-2012)

Appearances: 58 (41)

Goals: 8

(Sunderland 2014-Present)

Appearances: 8 (2)

Goals: 1

The Stadium

Stadium of Light, home since 1997.

Capacity: 49,000

Record Attendance: 48,353 vs Liverpool (Premier League, April 2002)

Visits: 9 (2005-2014)

Stadium of Light Review

Previous Meetings

(Premier League, April 12th 2014)

Sunderland 0-1 Everton

(Brown OG 75)

(Premier League, April 20th 2013)

Sunderland 1-0 Everton

(Sessegnon 45)

(FA Cup Quarter Final Replay, March 27th 2012)

Sunderland 0-2 Everton

(Jelavic 24, Vaughan OG 57)

(Premier League, December 26th 2011)

Sunderland 1-1 Everton

(Colback 26: Baines (P) 51)

(Premier League, November 22nd 2010)

Sunderland 2-2 Everton

(Welbeck 23, 70: Cahill 6, Arteta 83)

Last Time

Sunderland 0-1 Everton (Brown OG 75) Premier League, April 12th 2014

A game more memorable for the atmosphere rather than the game! We were on a long winning streak and had beat Arsenal the week before to go into the top 4, so the away end was absolutely bouncing. Seemed like we were struggling with the pressure a bit though, as we were quite poor, and Sunderland fighting relegation, were first to everything. We were having chances though, but couldnt make them pay. Until 15 minutes to go when what is becoming a trademark Wes Brown own goal gave us the win, as he unfortunately deflected Deulofeu's low cross past his own keeper.

Memorable Meeting

Sunderland 0-2 Everton (Jelavic 27, Vaughan OG 57) FA Cup Quarter Final Replay, March 27th 2012

A fantastic night, one of my all time favourite aways. Battered Sunderland in the first game but couldnt find a winner, so it was a replay, with a game against Liverpool at Wembley at stake. Nearly 7,000 in the away end for easily one of the best away atmospheres Ive been part of. And for once in one of these games, the performance on the pitch matched the crowd in the stands. Sunderland near enough visibly wilted all over the park, Jelavic was on fire at the time and no surprise when he finally gave us the lead on 27 minutes stroking in Gueye's low cross. The rest of the half was constant Everton pressure, but going in at just 1-0, you worry if they are going to improve and we should have taken our chances. But the second half carried on exactly the same, and we got the killer second in hilarious circumstances. Jelavic was sent clear, a little wide, and his low cross was cut out by David Vaughan, who somehow conspired to get his feet in a tangle and walk it into his own net! No more goals, but the rest of the game was just there to be enjoyed. Same couldnt be said for the semi...

Prediction

Not convinced by Sunderland against Palace last week, pretty poor side and we need to be looking at this as a winnable away game. Sunderland 0-2 Everton

Everton 3-0 Lille

Everton 3-0 Lille OSC

(Osman 27, Jagielka 42, Naismith 61)

Goodison Park

Cant say I expected as much when I saw the lineup without any Coleman, Barkley or Eto'o to create things, but turns out we didnt need them! A completely dominant performance to put us on the brink of qualification, and still an excellent chance of winning the group. We flew at Lille straight from the kick off, and only a great save from Enyeama denied Lukaku a goal from a tight angle inside the opening 30 seconds. And that was a sign of things to come, as we created a succession of chances that Lille were always scrambling to clear. Naismith was finding good space in the box, and Baines and Osman were making runs in all over the place. The opener finally came just before the half hour though. McGeady's cross was too deep, but retrieved by Osman on the far post. He took a touch to control it before volleying a lovely strike right across goal into the corner. And we kept on going, which is always good, Lukaku had a goal disallowed for offside, Naismith had a chance cleared after a one on one, then forced another save from a tight angle from Enyeama. And then a miracle happened. Everton scored a header direct from a corner! The resulting corner after that Naismith chance as swung in by McGeady, and there was Jagielka stooping to head in unmarked in the middle of the goal. Lille had showed nothing but one headed chance, and that looked pretty much game over. Second half was a bit more reserved, but we were still attacking and making chances, just taking it a bit easier with another game coming up on Sunday. Naismith finally got the goal he deserved, Lukaku sending Baines clear down the left to put in a low cross for Naismith. Defender in front of him and still plenty to do, he made it look easy, tricking past the defender, and smashing it into the roof of the net. Lukaku had another goal disallowed for offside so unfortunately couldnt get the goal he deserved, but it didnt really matter. The only real downside of the night was having Barry go off injured with a cut on his leg after a 50-50 tackle. Played every game for us so far this season, so that will be a problem if he has to miss out this weekend.

Everton Man of the Match

Everyone played well all over the pitch, but a special mention for Lukaku, who had by far his best game this season, his touch and physicality were a level above anything he's done this season, and he was unlucky not to walk off with two goals, and James McCarthy, who you just take for granted sometimes that he's winning that tackle so why worry. His consistency and judgement are amazing.

Lille (H)

Everton vs Lille OSC

Europa League Group Stage

Goodison Park

Thursday November 6th 8.05pm

A crunch day in the groups, as a win will see us almost through, while anything else leaves us with a very tough trip to Germany next in a very open group.

Team News

The only new injury is the one to Antolin Alcaraz. Typical really, though he possibly wouldnt have played tonight anyway, but now it's expected Distin will come in for him.

Howard

Coleman-Jagielka-Distin-Baines

Barry-McCarthy

McGeady-Barkley-Pienaar
Lukaku

The Ex Factor

 Kevin Mirallas (Lille 2004-2008)

Appearances: 76

Goals: 10

(Everton 2012-Present)

Appearances: 64 (13)

Goals: 20

Prediction

Have to take this seriously and go for the win tonight. Results like the 0-0 last time out are fine as long as we're winning our home games. Everton 2-0 Lille

Swansea City (H)

Everton vs Swansea City

Premier League

Goodison Park

Saturday November 1st 3pm

Its all looking a little rosier now. Two League wins in a row, two clean sheets in three in all comps, tomorrow should certainly be very different to the League Cup game with Swansea last month.

Team News

Romelu Lukaku and Darron Gibson should both be fit after knocks. Long termers Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone, Kevin Mirallas and John Stones are still out.

Federico Fernandes is available after having his red card against the Shite overturned. Ki and Gylfi Sigurdsson missed that game but are expected to be fit.

Howard

Coleman-Alcaraz-Jagielka-Baines

Barry-McCarthy

Naismith-Barkley-Pienaar
Lukaku

Previous Meetings

(Premier League, March 22nd 2014)

Everton 3-2 Swansea City

(Baines (P) 20, Lukaku 53, Barkley 57: Bony 32, Williams 90)

(FA Cup 5th Round, February 16th 2014)

Everton 3-1 Swansea City

(Traore 4, Naismith 65, Baines (P) 72: De Guzman 15)

(Premier League, January 12th 2013)

Everton 0-0 Swansea City

(Premier League, December 21st 2011)

Everton 1-0 Swansea City

(Osman 60)

(Division One, February 26th 1983

Everton 2-2 Swansea City

(King 2: James, Gale)

Last Time

Everton 3-2 Swansea City (Baines (P) 20, Lukaku 53, Barkley 57: Bony 32, Williams 90) Premier League, March 22nd 2014

One of those games where you wonder how on earth we won it after playing so poorly! Started okay, and Baines gave us the lead from the spot after Chico Flores brought down Barkley. The goal didnt really lift us though, and when Bony tapped in a low cross just after the half hour, it wasnt really a surprise as Swansea were the better side. The performance didnt really improve second half, but a great one two between Lukaku and Mirallas led to Lukaku sliding in a low cross to retake the lead. And when Barkley headed in a corner 4 minutes later, it looked like game over and maybe we'd start playing now...no, still all Swansea, but thankfully by the time Ashley Williams headed in a stoppage time corner, it was too late to worry. Weird game.

Memorable Meeting

Everton 3-1 Swansea City (Traore 4, Naismith 65, Baines (P) 72: De Guzman 15) FA Cup 5th Round, February 16th 2014

Another one where we took an early lead but didnt build on it! Lacina Traore scored a backheel from a corner 4 minutes into his debut, but Jonathan De Guzman scored a brilliant header 10 minutes later to level it up. And the rest was a horrible tense could go either way cup tie. But it was us who capitalised, just after the hour as Neil Taylor played a short backpass that was seized on by Steven Naismith. And it was Naismith who had ultimately made the difference, as he was fouled in the box 7 minutes later for Baines to put away the penalty for a third.

Prediction

Playing very well going forward last two league games, more of the same please! Everton 3-1 Swansea City