ToffeeWeb Season Diary
Season 2008-09
 2007-08 |
Index | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | 2009-10 
|
April 2009
|
News Headlines & Features Sunderland vs EvertonMatch Preview 3 Apr - Everton's quest to overhaul Aston Villa and finish fifth for the second season running continues this weekend with their penultimate away game of the season, a potentially tricky trip to Sunderland. Jô, Tim Cahill and Joleon Lescott are likely to return to the starting line-up, and with Marouane Fellaini's fitness dictating whether he or Segundo Castillo start in midfield. Surgery a success Phil Jagielka to start rehab work 30 Apr - Now the long, long road to recovery begins for Phil Jagielka, whose knee surgery on Wednesday has been declared a success. Head physio Mick Rathbone observed the operation. He said: "It went really, really well. The surgeon is absolutely delighted with it and the player's rehab can start more or less straight away. We never put a timescale on this type of thing but we're looking forward to having him back as soon as possible next season." Elstone blasts ticket allocation 25,109 inadequate for the FA Cup Final 27 Apr - Everton CEO Robert Elstone has blasted the FA practice of shipping out 40,000 cup final tickets to all and sundry under the guise of the 'FA Football Family' — many of which as everyone knows will end up in the hands of ticket touts, selling for extortionate prices. But Elstone recognizes it is what it is and there is nothing that can be done — just another painful example of the FA bringing the game into disrepute. JAGIELKA TO MISS CUP FINAL Yet another massive injury blow 25 Apr - It will be some days before Everton's worst fears are confirmed with a scan on Phil Jagielka's knee but Everton physio Mick Rathbone has announced the devastating news everyone was fearing, that Phil Jagielka has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and will be out for the rest of the season — which of course means he will miss the Cup Final on 30 May. The injury comes as another major blow to David Moyes who has already seen key first-choice players like Arteta and Yakubu sidelined for the season, making the achievements his players under such adverse conditions all the more remarkable. Disaster at Goodison Everton 1 - 2 Manchester City 25 Apr - No Jô; Cahill and Lescott rested; Saha leading the line... nothing much to expect in the lazy spring sunshine except Robinho hassling Tony Hibbert. Then, the mercurial Brazilian was released by Elano and he scampered past Phil Jagielka, slotting the ball easily beneath Howard. Stephen Ireland doubled the City lead after the break with another sucker-punch and David Moyes responded with a rare triple change. Seconds later, though, Jagielka went down clutching his knee in agony and was stretched off, leaving 10 men to pick up the pieces. Dan Gosling restored a little pride in the 7 mins added time with a superbly-taken goal but it was far too little too late as City exploited big holes in Everton's usually solid defensive wall. Everton vs Manchester City Match Preview 24 Apr - Louis Saha will be asked to lead the line for Everton this weekend because the terms of Jô's loan from Manchester City preclude him from playing against his pay-masters. Saha last started for the Blues against his old club in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last week but was withdrawn after an hour due to lingering effects of a stomach virus. Marouane Fellaini and Lars Jacobsen are also doubts and David Moyes will wait until the last minute to name his squad. Kick off is 3pm this afternoon. Another Defensive Masterclass Chelsea 0 - 0 Everton 22 Apr - Everton frustrated Chelsea for the second time this season with another terrific rearguard action in a game that either side could have won. As expected, David Moyes made changes to his starting line-up, with Jacobsen, Castillo, Yobo and Jô coming into the team against a strong Chelsea side looking for a win to keep their title hopes alive. Instead, despite ceding most of the possession, it was Everton who carved out the best chances — at least four gilt-edged — only to squander them through poor execution, or simply slipping on an over-watered pitch at the crucial moment. Jô couldn't finish the best of them in the first-half and wasted another chance in the second, while Pienaar should have done better from 18 yards and Cahill rattled one into the side-netting. On chances, Everton should have won but they survived a scare in injury time when Drogba rattled a half-volley off the crossbar. Chelsea vs Everton Match Preview 22 Apr - Everton take on their opponents in next month's FA Cup Final, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge this evening looking to balance the hopes of securing the win that would lift them above Aston Villa and the fatigue of the players following their grueling extra-time performance against Manchester United at Wembley. Jô is eligible again and likely to start and David Moyes may elect to make a couple of other changes to his team. KO is 8pm. Kenwright delighted Everton truly a top-six club again 21 Apr - Bill Kenwright has plenty of praise for what David Moyes has achieved in taking Everton to their 13th FA Cup Final, expressed in the Chairman's own inimitable style: "I've been in situations when I've thought I can't go on and he's said 'don't leave, the players and I will miss you. Come on, we'll do this together'. "I think he is the greatest manager in the world bar none but he's my best friend in football and I'd do anything for him. When you see him looking up (into a stand) with that clenched fist he's looking at me saying 'look where we've got to'." Into the Final after shootout triumph! Manchester United 0 - 0 Everton [aet] 2 - 4 on penalties 19 Apr - Everton booked a return trip to Wembley for the FA Cup Final after prevailing over Manchester United in the drama of a penalty shootout. An admittedly poor match fraught with tension between Sir Alex Ferguson's young XI and David Moyes's determined warriors dragged into extra time with precious few chances for either side, though the Blues were the better side in the final half hour. When Tim Cahill skied the Blues' first penalty over the bar, though, it looked like another day of heartbreak was on the cards. But Howard saved the Red Devils' first two spot kicks and Everton were faultless from then on, Phil Jagielka converting the crucial penalty to send Moyes's boys through to a Final date with Chelsea on 30 May and ensure European football at Goodison next season. Full report Manchester United vs Everton FA Cup Semi Final Preview 18 Apr - It's 14 years since Everton last played at Wembley and triumphed over Manchester United to lift their last major trophy to date. They're back at the newly-redeveloped National stadium this weekend against the same club, hoping to make it to the Final again next month where Chelsea now await. With Jô cup-tied, hopes up front will rest on Louis Saha who will hopefully have recovered from a stomach virus; failing that, Tim Cahill will be asked to lead the line for the Blues, with James Vaughan another option after completing his long lay-off with a knee injury. Kick off for the sold-out game is 4pm; Latest betting prices. Tiger Tim with score to settle The Brian Viner Interview 17 Apr - Tiger Tim (middle name: Joel) Cahill provides excellent material for this brilliant Brian Viner interview in The Independent."The basis of our team is character, strength, passion and belief. Everyone knows that. We have talent too — Phil Jagielka is one of the best players in the Premier League this season — but when you think about what we're missing, Yakubu, and Mikel the maestro, who makes the team tick, and you think that we're still looking good to finish sixth, or fifth, then what does that tell you about our spirit? I have to believe we're going to beat United. If I don't believe that then my dreams will never come true." Reserves runout for Vaughan Man Utd Res 2 - 0 Everton Res 16 Apr - James Vaughan continued his quest for match fitness by playing the full 90 minutes of Everton Reserves' loss at Manchester United's second string this evening. He was one of the few recognizable names in an otherwise very young reserves line-up that drew heavily on the Everton Academy, the latest prospect to step up to this level being Jack Bidwell, and the Blues went down to a 2-0 defeat. Vaughan is hoping to convince David Moyes to name him in the squad of 18 who will travel to Wembley for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final. Virus has Moyes sweating on Saha French striker unable to train 15 Apr - With Yakubu and Victor Anichebe ruled out until the sumer, Jô cup-tied and James Vaughan still getting back to full fitness, Louis Saha was set to carry Evertonian hopes up front against Manchester United in this Sunday's FA Cup semi-final. But now the Frenchman is a worry himself after contracting a virus which meant he unable to train with the squad yesterday. David Moyes will be hoping he can shake it off in time to prepare for the big date at Wembley. Honours even in thriller at the Villa Aston Villa 3- 3 Everton 12 Apr - Everton twice surrendered a two-goal advantage and had to share the spoils of a six-goal thriller as Aston Villa's second-half fight-back proved too strong to resist. David Moyes picked a full-strength team and it paid off in spades early on with Marouane Fellaini finishing an excellent move with a close-range finish and Tim Cahill plundering a second as Everton dominated the first half hour with style and panache. But Villa were stung into action and when Howard failed to collect a high ball, John Carew slammed home from eight yards. The fun continued in the second half, when Pienaar scored a beauty that was bettered within 60 seconds by an absolutely top-draw free-kick from James Milner. A Gareth Barry penalty then got Villa level, Lescott paying the price for a high kick to Stilian Petrov's head. And that's the way this pulsating game ended, with a pulsating draw probably a fair result. Full report Leon Osman — appreciated or not? Red turned True Blue 11 Apr - This interview in The Independent with Leon Osman, who had perhaps his best game in a very long time last weekend, throws up some interesting tales about the young Kopite who joined Everton as a schoolboy and fell in love with his adopted club. A trip to Wembley with other noteworthy Everton Schoolboys for the FA Cup Final in '95; the knee injury that would hold him back for five years, sustained after he scored the winner in the FA Youth Cup Final, '98; debuting for Carlisle United; his Everton debut as a late addition to the bench in that crazy Spurs game when Richard Wright injured himself in the warm-up, Espen Baardsen made his only Everton appearance, and Osman came on near the end as Everton lost 4-3; crucially missing in a League Cup penalty shot-out against Middlesbrough; another loan spell, this time at Derby County; and finally starting for the Blues at Wolves, and scoring inside 2 mins. The Jack Rodwell Story 9 Apr - More like the Ray Hall interview... with the Everton Academy director talking about the progressive development and future prospects of young Jack Rodwell. It provides a review of the defensive midfielder's career so far and his growth as an England youngster. Jô gives back the love! Everton 4 - 0 Wigan Athletic 5 Apr - Everton recorded their biggest win of the season so far, more than atoning for their shocking display in the reverse fixture against Wigan in November, and moved to within a point of Aston Villa in the chase for fifth place. A brace by Jô either side of Marouane Fellaini's seventh of the campaign put the Blues in command before Leon Osman capped his best display for months with the fourth just past the hour mark. Tim Cahill returned but was obviously shattered and earned a deserved rest for the last 35 minutes while Tony Hibbert showed few effects of his recent injury layoff. An excellent result to set the team up for a massive game at Villa next week! Full report Everton vs Wigan Athletic Match Preview 4 Apr - Everton return to action after a 15-day break for internationals with a home match against Wigan Athletic, their closest challengers for 6th place. Despite not being able to walk according to Pim Verbeek when he joined up with Australia's squad last week, Tim Cahill is fit according to the Socceroos boss. If so, he could be David Moyes's only change from the team that lost at Portsmouth. KO is 3pm on Sunday to accommodate the Grand National horserace at Aintree. Aussie jibe over Cahill fitness Verbeek Questions EFC physios 2 Apr - "We bring him back fit, and I think they can be very grateful to our medical staff that they did that job, when he came in, he could not walk. So they will be happy with us this time, normally they are not." — that was Pim Verbeek's contribution to the long-running tit-for-tat between Everton and the Socceroos regarding Tim Cahill's fitness... or lack thereof. And don't miss the 'most candid ever' interview with Tim Cahill that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald — click the link below....
|
Snippets & Rumours Moyes mulls offers for duo30 Apr - David Moyes says he is considering extending an offer to Lars Jacobsen to put pen to paper on a new deal at Goodison and making enquiries with Red Star Belgrade about signing Segundo Castillo on a permanent basis. Meanwhile, confirmation is expected on reports that American midfielder Anton Peterlin impressed Moyes sufficiently on a recent trial to become the Blues' first signing of the summer on 1st July. Everton set to offload Van der Meyde 30 Apr - Andy van der Meyde is almost certain to leave Everton this summer after four frustrating years with the Club. The Blues have not offered him a new contract and the Dutchman's agent says his client is fit and ready for a new challenge. He's made just 14 starts since arriving in August 2005. Blues heading back to Utah 29 Apr - Everton will play in the Major League Soccer All Star game in Utah on 29th July according to MLS commissioner, Don Garber in the Salt Lake Tribune. That would suggest that the Blues will head back to the States this summer and would call into question a proposed tour of Australia and New Zealand. Jagielka surgery set for Wednesday 27 Apr - Phil Jagielka will have surgery by a top knee specialist in London this Wednesday and then begin the road to recovery. Mick Rathbone explains how upset both the player and his teammates were after the game on Saturday, more testimony to the team spirit that exists at Goodison. Jagielka to undergo knee scan 25 Apr - Phil Jagielka will undergo a scan of his injured knee this evening to assess the full extent of the damage that saw him stretchered off an hour into the defeat to Manchester City. The defender collapsed after stretching for the ball and David Moyes is not expecting good news. Moyes won't sell to buy 25 Apr - David Moyes believes that the Blues' presence in a showpiece cup final next month will not only help him keep his squad together but success at home and in Europe help attract new players and investment to Everton as well. He reiterates in The Guardian that he has absolutely no interest in selling any of his first-team players, either for cash or as make-weights in other deals. Wembley pitch to be replaced 24 Apr - The FA have confirmed that the Wembley Stadium pitch, much maligned by the managers of the FA Cup semi-final protagonists, is to be dug up and replaced. The new surface will be place in time for the FA Trophy Final on 9th May and will be tested by the Football League playoffs later in the month before the Blues return on the 30th. Club angered by ticket allocation 24 Apr - Everton CEO Robert Elstone has expressed his disappointment at the fact that Everton and Chelsea have been allocated just 25,000 seats each for next month's FA Cup Final, the remainding 40,000 reserved for the so-called "football family" — in other words, most likely non-supporters of the two participating clubs. New Le Coq Sportif Kit 23 Apr - Pictures of the new Everton shirt for next season, from Le Coq Sportif, have been leaked on the internet... look quick before the club asks us to remove the link! Everton win right to wear blue 23 Apr - Everton will wear their traditional blue jerseys against Chelsea at Wembley in next month's FA Cup Final after winning a coin toss to decide which side would have to change colours. No word yet on whether the Blues will wear the new Le Coq Sportif strip which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Club's 1984-85 League Championship and European Cup Winners' Cup triumphs. EFPF Dinner Update 23 Apr - The Everton Former Players Foundation Kevin Ratcliffe Dinner that was due to be held at Goodison this evening was been canceled. Warning for Hiddink 23 Apr - In Paul Hayward's SportBlog, he describes how Moyes's men showed last night that the FA Cup final will not be a Hiddink victory lap. The million-pound shootout 21 Apr - Everton's victory in the penalty shoot-out against United on Sunday means that their appearance in the Final will earn the Club an extra £1m from a cup run that has garnered them in the region of £3.5m so far in prize and TV revenue. Victory at Wembley on 30th May would take the Blues' haul to £4.5m. Webb gets Final assignment 21 Apr - Not surprisingly, the FA's current refereeing golden boy, Howard Webb, has been handed responsibility for next month's FA Cup Final between Everton and Chelsea. The 37 year-old police sergeant says he is "thrilled to bits" at what he describes as the pinnacle of his ambitions. Sharing the love! 21 Apr - After this weekend's Wembley heroics BBC 5live have done a fabulous 2-minute montage of the love that David Moyes & Blue Bill share.... [Forward to just past the 2hr 58min mark] Fergie blames Riley “nonsense” 20 Apr - It seems the master of the mind games doesn't like it when the shoe is on the other foot. "Somebody filled David Moyes’s head full of nonsense about it and it was used in the press conference," whinged Sir Alex Ferguson after yesterday's semi-final. "It can play on a referee’s mind." An Important Moment 19 Apr - David Moyes praised the players and the fans after Everton reached the FA Cup Final for the first time since 1995."The fans made that a special semi-final. I thought Everton's supporters were raucous and gave this stadium deserved support. This was probably the biggest game I've been involved in, partly because it was a semi-final and partly because of Manchester United." Preparation pays off for Blues 19 Apr - David Moyes says that his players practiced taking penalties in training this week in anticipation of a shoot-out in this afternoon's semi-final... although he admits that there weren't many takers when it came to the crunch after extra time. And Tim Howard's preparation paid off in spades — he spent two days studying United's potential kick-takers' penalty technique. Time to change the Record? 19 Apr - 'My name is David Moyes, I've been here seven years and I have a terrible record in the cup'. And Everton''s record against Man Utd since the 1995 cup win is not too great either... one win in 29 attempts. But that win came under David Moyes in 2005, and he's looking to do it again today, this time at Wembley in what Moyes has called the biggest match of his career so far. Upcoming EFPF fundraising events 19 Apr - The Everton Former Players Foundation Kevin Ratcliffe Dinner will be held in the Alex Young Suite at Goodison Park on Thursday 23rd April, followed by the EFPF Annual Dinner in the Marquee at Goodison on Friday 15th May. The Annual EFPF Golf Day takes place at Heswall Golf Club, Wirral, on 20th May. Moyes: “I'd like to create a legacy” 19 Apr - Another in a string of articles based on David Moyes's remarks leading up to today's semi-final that make nice reading for Evertonians. In The Scotsman, the Blues manager talks of his hopes of being at Goodison for another seven or eight years and to be able to look on back on a "golden period" for the Club. Tim tells all 19 Apr - This interview with Tim Cahill is based on even longer ones that appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age down under in his homeland. Not the Leaving of Goodison 18 Apr - A fun video collage and a novel reworking of the Leaving of Goodison lyrics (if you can get past the distinctly Scottish tones of Alan Smart!) make this a nice celebration for the weekend... Determination Personified 18 Apr - Ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup Semi-Final, The Times have provided an interesting biographical insight into the one we call the Moyesiah.“Everton and David Moyes will win trophies because perseverance and persistence will get us through,” he says, those bright eyes blazing. “I hope it’s going to be this time, but, if not, it will be soon.” Rooney relishes the bile 17 Apr - “There’s always banter between me and the Everton fans but it doesn’t run too deep,” said Wayne Rooney, ahead of Sunday's massive Wembley clash. “It’s just a bit of banter. All the stick I get makes me want to do better, it tends to drive me on, but it doesn’t bother me that much now because I expect it now whenever I play against Everton. It’s nothing now really.” Sunderland on Sunday 16 Apr - Everton will now play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday 2 May, KO 4pm. Rideout: Wembley decision “a disgrace” 16 Apr - Paul Rideout, the FA Cup hero the last time the Blues were at Wembley in 1995, says, "The fact [Everton and Manchester United] are playing at Wembley on a Sunday is a disgrace, making all the fans travel down there." The 44-year-old won't be able to make it back for this weekend's game due to his youth coaching commitments with Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards. Goodison makes Mail's top 50 16 Apr - The Daily Mail's latest top 50 list is a rundown of what they deem to be the world's best sporting venues. Goodison Park comes in at no. 41, above the new Wembley, Cardiff Arms Park and two of baseball's own old ladies, Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. Question of Riley allegiance up to FA 15 Apr - David Moyes has hinted via the media that the FA should look into the issue of referee Mike Riley's apparent allegiance to Manchester United The controversial official replaces Steve Bennett as the ref for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final and Moyes said, "If you, ...the press, are saying that [he] is a Man United supporter, you would hope the FA would look at that." Ruleteros' hopes rest on final game 15 Apr - CD Everton must win their final group match against Chivas of Mexico if they are to progress to the next phase of the Copa Libertadores after losing 1-0 to Caracas who secured their own progression with that victory. Everton Dream Team 15 Apr - This feature in The Independent is by Matthew Fearon, who used to pen Match Reports for us some years ago. Moyes's Hillsborough tribute 15 Apr - David Moyes has offered his support for the families of those fans who died at Hillsborough 20 years ago today: "It could have been any football club, it just turned out to be Liverpool. [F]or all the rivalry we have got between each other, blue and red in this city, it is only a game we play..." Many Evertonians are expected to attend the memorial service at Anfield today, while the City will come to a standstill for a minute's silence at 3:06pm, the time at which the Liverpool-Nottingham Forest semi-final was finally stopped as the full extent of the tragedy dawned. Moyes bans BBC in protest at MotD 15 Apr - A report by The Daily Mail lends weight to rumours that David Moyes ordered that BBC cameras be banned from yesterday's media day at Finch Farm after the "hatchet job" on Marouane Fellaini by Match of the Day on Sunday. Brian Callaghan benefit night 14 Apr - A benefit night for Brian 'Cally' Callaghan, who died of a heart-attack in Liege just before the Blues' Uefa Cup match with Standard last October, is being held in The Silvestrian Club, Silvester Street, on Sat 25th April from 7.30 after the Manchester City home game. Riley selected as semi-final ref 13 Apr - As if the task facing Everton next Sunday wasn't hard enough, the Football Association have selected Mike Riley, whom many fans feel is one of — if not the — worst referees on the roster, to officiate the FA Cup semi final between the Blues and Manchester United. Steve Bennett was the original choice but he has been struck down with a virus. Turner breaks toe 13 Apr - Reserves 'keeper Iain Turner has broken his toe and is expected to return from Nottingham Forest, where he has been on loan since March. Moyes unhappy with penalty award 12 Apr - Despite his obvious pleasure at the way Everton had played at Villa Park, David Moyes was annoyed by referee Howard Webb's decision that unfairly penalized Joleon Lescott for dangerous play. Vaughan needs more work 11 Apr - David Moyes says of James Vaughan, "It looks like he is a bit off it yet, so I don’t want people to think there is an imminent return. I’m hoping to involve him in the last few games of the season, but he’s a bit of work to do. He’s mad keen to be involved, and mad keen to be around it. Maybe if I give him another reserve game next week, and it pleases me, he might then be involved." Jô would cost too much 11 Apr - Asked if Everton were going to sign Jô permanently at the end of his loan deal, David Moyes is reported to have said, "It’s not worth discussing as he cost a lot of money, and we don’t have that sort of money, that’s for sure,” Everton slip to 24th Richest 9 Apr - In the annual Forbes valuation of top soccer clubs, Everton have slipped to 24th, with Man City and Aston Villa leaping above them. Everton have a nominal asset value (ignoring debts) of $207M (£149M), with a debt-to-value ratio of 49%, that implies the level of debt is £73M. Editor's Viewpoint Sunderland Game time switch 9 Apr - Everton's game at Sunderland next month will be broadcast live on Sky, meaning a lunchtime kick-off... unless — well, see if you can figure it out! Howard thinks he'll be OK 8 Apr - Tim Howard has been talking about the injury that he picked up while playing for the USA. He admits the problem is still a little sore, but is confident of shrugging off the complaint in time for Sunday’s showdown against Villa. Does Moyes deserve more credit? 8 Apr - So asks Jonny Abrams in a highly prescient article reflecting many a point raised and debated in our Mailbag over the recent weeks and months. Manny breaks leg... plays on! 6 Apr - In an unlikely Hickson-esque scenario, Manuel Fernandes fractured the fibula in his left leg in the 15th minute of Valencia's 4-1 win over Getafe on Sunday without realising it! Fernandes stayed on to play the full 90 minutes and only discovered the break after medical scans were done on Monday when the player complained of some discomfort. Osman for England! 5 Apr - Leon Osman for England!?! ... Leon Osman as the successor to David Beckham!!! Rory Smith seems to be just a little star-struck at The Telegraph, where this report is all about the Everton midfielder's involvement in all four goals against Wigan. Jô feels the love at Goodison 4 Apr - Interview with Daniel Taylor: "The people here have given me so much more support," says Jô. "I felt it from the first moment I came to the club and every footballer needs that kind of care. Phil Neville is never too far away, always asking if I am OK, if I need anything. But it's all of the players, not just Phil. They have all looked out for me. It feels like Everton is my home now." "It's been like a new start, I can see that people believe in me here and, because of that, I have started to believe in myself again. You could see all the frustration released when I scored my first goal." |
Top of the Page