[ History of Everton Reserves ]
 

[ Reserves, 2006-07 ] �

 PAGE CONTENTS

 FA PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE (Northern Section)

 RESULTS AND FIXTURES, 2005-06         

 RESERVE MATCH DETAILS, 2005-06

 Everton 0 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Wilson, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Li Tie, Seargeant; Anichebe, Vaughan, Hopkins
Subs not used: Holt, Lake, Vidarsson, Kearney, Phelan.  Scorers: None.
Yellow Cards: Wynne, Vaughan.  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: 364

Match details...

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Liverpool 2 - 3 Everton

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Wilson, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Phelan, Li Tie; Anichebe, Seargeant, Vidarsson.
Subs not used: Lake, Kissock, Molyneux, Holt, Dunn.  Scorers: Vidarsson 2, Anichebe
Yellow Cards: Harris  Red Cards: Harris  Ref: Mr Brat  Att: 1,341

Everton raced into an early lead when Icelandic youngster Bjarni Vidarsson glanced Christian Seargeant's free-kick past a stranded Paul Willis.  Vidarsson doubled his and Everton's tally shortly after the half hour with another header, this time wriggling clear of Zak Whitbread to plant Scott Phelan's superb cross beyond Willis' dive.

Everton could have made it three 46 seconds after the restart but Mark Hughes saw a penalty saved by Willis.  He soon atoned, however, when he teed up Victor Anichebe to score from six yards. James Harris went for an early bath before the end after receiving a second yellow card.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 1 Leeds United

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Wilson, Ferrari, Hughes; Phelan, Hopkins (Downs 17), Li Tie; Vidarsson (Kearney 48), Anichebe, Vaughan:
Subs not used: Lake, S Wright, Holt.  Scorers: Ferrari (75')
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

It was a first public appearance in an Everton shirt for new signing Matteo Ferrari but Leeds started the brighter and had a couple of first-half chances to take the lead, although Ferrari and Vaughan were a threat for the home side.  The Italian went close with a header following his disallowed effort just on the half hour.  Leeds went in front just after the break, a free kick eventually falling to Robbie Blake, who drove his shot past Wright.  The visitors should have increased their lead through Rob Bayly and Ian Moore but Wright was on hand to keep them out.   However, despite their dominance, Ferrari pooped up with the equaliser on 75 minutes to square the game.  Alan Kearney could well have won the game in the 90th minute but shot wide of the target.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 BoltonWanderers 0 - 1 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Hughes (Holt 68), S Wright, Wilson; Phelan, Li Tie, Harris, Kearney; Anichebe, Hopkins.
Subs not used: Lake, Downs, Irving, Morrison.  Scorers: Kearney
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

John Ruddy capped his first competitive appearance in an Everton shirt with a clean sheet.  The teenager produced a composed display.  For much of the evening he was little more than a spectator as the Toffees took the lead after just two minutes through Alan Kearney and dominated the opening hour. Kearney fired  into the roof of the net from a Victor Anichebe centre.

But when the home side turned the tables in the final 30 minutes  it was Ruddy and the young defence in front of him who came to the fore. Try as they might, Everton couldn't add to their advantage in the second half. Howarth saved twice to deny first Hopkins and then Anichebe.  Anichebe had the ball in the net in the 59th minute but it was ruled out because the referee ruled Hopkins had fouled Howarth in the build-up. The loss of skipper Mark Hughes midway through the second half because of injury buoyed the home side. And it took a Li Tie block to prevent Robert Sissons equalising late on.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 0 Newcastle United

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Wilson, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Li Tie; Beattie (Hopkins 46), Anichebe, Kearney.
Subs not used: Lake, Downs, Vidarsson, Phelan. Scorers: Li Tie
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Chinese international Li Tie provided the winner with a terrific goal just after the break. Newcastle had much the better of the first half but John Ruddy was in good form to deny three goal scoring opportunities.  Laurence Wilson was also on hand to clear an effort away from the goal line.  James Beattie had a couple of chances but neither troubled the United keeper, and he was replaced at half-time.

After the break it was a different story and Everton's early dominance paid off when on 52 minutes Li Tie cracked home a tremendous drive from 30 yards out after picking the ball up in midfield.  Newcastle continued to cause Everton problems but with Victor Anichebe as the lone striker after Beattie's departure Everton held on for a hard-fought victory.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Wilson, S Wright, Hughes; Phelan, Seargeant, Harris; Hopkins (Downs 46), Anichebe, Kearney.
Subs not used: Lake, Boyle, Vidarsson, Holt.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Christian Seargeant saw two good efforts go begging while James Harris had a shot blocked before Blues goalkeeper John Ruddy almost handed Boro a gift, as he dropped a right-wing cross and was grateful to central defender Sean Wright, who headed off the line.  Boro's pressure finally paid off in the 35th minute when Danny Graham drove a low shot past Ruddy to open the scoring.

A curling shot from Johnson had Ruddy at full stretch a few minutes later but soon after Boro did make it two. Adam Johnson cut in from the left through a crowd of bodies and, with the aid of a deflection, sent a left-footed shot beyond Ruddy from the edge of the box. Everton's second-half performance was much better and they should have at least earned a point, having more possession and the better chances with Alan Kearney twice wasting excellent opportunities.  Substitute Aiden Downs had Knight at full stretch in the closing stages and Everton went close again off-the-line clearance denying Victor Anichebe, while the striker saw a powerful header deflected just wide less than a minute later.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Manchester United 3 - 1 Everton

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Wilson, Kr�ldrup, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Phelan; Beattie (Hopkins 22), Anichebe, Kearney.
Subs not used: Jones, S Wright, Holt, Irving.  Scorers: Beattie (3')
Yellow Cards: Harris  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Beattie had put Everton into an early lead with a deflected free-kick from 25 yards out with just three minutes on the clock, the striker's shot hitting a United defender in the wall before looping into the goal.  United responded quickly though and were level after 17 minutes when Sylvain Ebanks-Blake fired past Richard Wright.  Beattie then left the field after just 22 minutes after picking up a calf injury.

Six minutes before half-time, the ball was hit into the Everton box and Kr�ldrup handled to concede a penalty which Rossi converted with ease. Everton's night got worse on 83 minutes when United increased their lead, Darren Gibson drilling a low drive past Wright to complete a comfortable victory.  Kr�ldrup, who was making his return following a hernia operation, endured a miserable game, making a number of mistakes.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 0 - 2 Birmingham City

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Wilson, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Kearney, Seargeant; Kissock, Anichebe, Hopkins (Downs 74)
Subs Not Used:  Jones, Irving, Holt, Molyneux Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: Wynne  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

In torrential rain, Everton started brightly and were unlucky not to be ahead at the interval. However, second-half goals from the visitors won the game.  Per Kr�ldrup who was expected to have figured in this game but had to be withdrawn due to flu.

John Paul Kissock, in his first reserve team outing, forced keeper Colin Doyle into action with an under-hit effort following good work from Victor Anichebe in the 10th minute.  Doyle was further tested by efforts from distance by Christian Seargeant and Alan Kearney as the home side probed for the opening goal.  But it was Doyle's great parry from a Seargeant effort in the 43rd minute that really earned the admiration of a decent home crowd.

Victor Anichebe was denied by an unfortunate deflection and Mark Hughes unlucky to see his glancing near-post header sail narrowly wide of Birmingham's far post.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Sunderland 1 - 1 Everton

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Hughes, Kr�ldrup, Wilson; Van der Meyde (Kissock 68), Li Tie (Boyle 70), Harris; Kearney, Beattie (Downs 68), Hopkins.
Subs not used:  Jones, S Wright.  Scorers: Harris
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Andy van der Meyde and James Beattie both played just under 70 minutes while Per Kr�ldrup played the full 90. Iain Turner kept the home side at bay in an exciting first half while Alan Kearney was denied and then watched Paul Hopkins head over the bar.  Beattie was also busy in the first half testing their goalie on a few occasions.

Early in the second half Sunderland took the lead. Everton continued to fight hard as coach Andy Holden made a double change on 68 minutes with Beattie and Van der Meyde being replaced by John Paul Kissock and Aidan Downs.

Kearney hit a post as Everton pushed forward and substitute Kissock was unlucky in a goal mouth scramble, However Everton did get their reward on the night as James Harris prodded home after more good work from Kissock deep into injury time.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 0 - 2 Aston Villa

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Boyle, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Vidarsson (Wilson 71); Anichebe, Hopkins (Downes 60), Kissock (Phelan 60).
Subs not used:  Jones, Kearney.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: Harris  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: 196

A pretty lively first half saw Everton create the best goalmouth action from Victor Anichebe and Mark Hughes.  James Harris then went close, while the best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Bjarni Vidarsson, but his header was cleared off the line.  But in the second half they fell behind and could not respond.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 West Bromwich Albion 1 - 3 Everton

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Kr�ldrup, Hughes, Boyle; Harris, Osman, Seargeant; Wilson, Anichebe, Hopkins
Subs Not Used: Jones, S Wright, Phelan, Kissock, Vidarsson.  Scorers: Kr�ldrup (14'), Osman (22'), Hopkins (50').
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Everton got off to a dream start, taking a two-goal lead within the opening 22 minutes. Kr�ldrup netted the opener on 14 minutes when a corner from Christian Seargeant found its way to Kr�ldrup whose first touch looped the ball away from Russell Hoult and his second prodded the ball into the net from an acute angle.  Eight minutes later Osman was on hand to beat Hoult, diving in at the back post to guide a header into the net.

Everton didn't have to wait long for number three.  It came five minutes after the restart, with Hopkins smashing the ball in from close range after connecting with an intelligent low cross from the right by Stephen Wynne.  Albion grabbed a consolation when Darren Carter's free-kick evaded the unsighted Iain Turner.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 2 - 2 Manchester City

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Boyle, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Vidarsson; Wilson, Anichebe, Kissock (Molyneux 46).
Subs not used:  Morrison, Jones, Harper, Holt.  Scorers: Anichebe, Vidarsson
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

John Paul Kissock nearly opened the scoring after just a minute but could only find keeper Geert De Vlieger when he headed Patrick O'Boyle's cross goalwards.  Slowly though City began to take control of the game and it was no surprise when they took the lead just on the half hour.

A quiet start to the second half changed 11 minutes in, as Everton's failure to deal with Kelvin Etuhu's hopeful ball bounced through to Bradley Wright-Phillips, who drove the ball home left-footed from 12-yards out.  Andy Holden's team however refused to believe they were beaten and on 81 minutes Victor Anichebe raced onto a through ball from Vidarsson and buried his shot past De Vlieger and into the net to halve the deficit.

City were now under pressure after looking comfortable most of the evening, Everton continued to press and with just a couple of minutes on the clock Bjarni Vidarsson capitalised on some poor defending in the City box to force the ball home and level the scores.  Wright showed his class in the dying seconds saving from Miller and despite a late effort from Wright-Phillips Everton held firm to get a point from what looked like a lost cause

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Blackburn Rovers 1 - 2 Everton

Everton: R Wright; Wynne, Boyle, S Wright, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Phelan; Hopkins, Vidarsson, Wilson.
Subs not used: Kissock, Jones, Holt.  Scorers: Vidarsson 56, Hopkins 68
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Everton suffered an early setback after just 10 minutes when the home side took the lead through England striker Joe Garner.  Rovers won a corner which the Everton defence failed to clear and the young forward pounced from close range. The visitors responded quickly and went close to levelling through Scott Phelan but Peter Enckelman in the Rovers goal saved comfortably.

Paul Hopkins might have scored for the visitors on 36 minutes but could only put his effort wide of the post, while at the other end Keith Barker forced a good save from Richard Wright.  With just two minutes to go to the break Everton thought they were back on terms, Laurence Wilson sent in a shot only for defender Eddie Nolan to handle in the box.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Kr�ldrup (Vidarsson 68), Hughes, Valente (S Wright 68); Seargeant, Li Tie (Phelan 72), Harris; Wilson, Anichebe, Hopkins.
Subs not used: Jones, Downes.  Scorers: Hopkins, Anichebe
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

The best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Paul Hopkins just before the break but the youngster's effort hit a post after Valente had put in a good cross.  On the whole Everton shaded the opening half, going close through Li Tie and Hopkins before the latter hit the woodwork.

Paul Hopkins was played in by James Harris on the hour and let fly with a terrific volley past Floyd Croll in the Wigan goal to make it 1-0.  Kr�ldrup, Li Tie and Valente were all replaced before the final 15 minutes with one eye on Sunday's Premiership clash at Old Trafford while Everton's youngsters increased their lead. Victor Anichebe was on hand in stoppage time to sidefoot the ball home to round off a good night for Everton.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 - 1 Everton

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Boyle, S Wright, Hughes; Seargeant, Harris (Phelan 73), Vidarsson; Wilson, Hopkins, Downes.
Subs not used: Jones, Holt, Molyneux, Kearney.  Scorers: Downes
Yellow Cards: Harris, Wilson.  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Everton fielded a young side with Iain Turner back in goal.  The Blues opened the scoring on 15 minutes when a cross reached Aiden Downes at the far post and he volleyed home from close range.  Within two minutes Wolves were back level, Leon Clarke beat Turner from inside the area for the first of his three goals.  Wolves continued to pressurise the visitors and took the lead just before the break, Turner was again beaten by the pacy Clarke after a quick break form the home side.

The second half continued in the same fashion, Wolves on the attack and Clarke behind most of the moves.  On 56 minutes, the young striker broke free of the Everton defence again to finish superbly past Turner and effectively finish the contest.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Wilson, Hughes, Boyle; Harris (Vidarsson 81), Seargeant, Carsley (Phelan 90); Anichebe, Li Tie, Naysmith.
Subs not used: S Wright, Molyneux, Jones   Scorers: Naysmith
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

LEE CARSLEY and Gary Naysmith both played the full game and came through with no ill effect.  Everton went close when Victor Anichebe headed against the Bolton upright from Stephen Wynne's dangerous cross.  Carsley did well to get in a cross on 24 mins which was headed home by the diving Naysmith.  Bolton responded well and nearly levelled when Smith raced clear of the Everton defence, however despite looking favourite to score Iain Turner made a brave save to deny the youngster. Carsley nearly put Everton two up just before the break with a delightful free-kick.

Everton remained comfortable after the break until the hour mark when Mark Ellis stooped at the far post to head past Turner and put the visitors level. Bolton should have won late on as substitute Leslie Thompson found himself a yard out from goal only to mis-kick and waste a glorious opportunity.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Newcastle United 2 - 2 Everton

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Naysmith, Boyle, Hughes; Harris, Seargeant, Li Tie (14' Kissock); Anichebe, Vidarsson, Wilson.
Subs not used: Ruddy, S Wright, Holt, Phelan.  Scorers: Anichebe (21', 38')
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Li Tie left the field after just a quarter of an hour with an injury, limping off following a challenge by United's Chris Farman minutes earlier.  Anichebe, found by Naysmith, poked home his shot from the angle to give the visitors the lead on 21 minutes. Anichebe was causing the Newcastle defenders all sorts of problems and went close again six minutes later, this time he dragged his shot wide.  The rampant Anichebe got his and Everton's second on 38 minutes, put through by substitute John-Paul Kissock and finished in a flash.

Within a minute the home side pulled a goal back when Matty Pattison fired a tremendous shot past Iain Turner to make it 2-1. Anichebe should have won a penalty just before the break when brought down by Edgar but the referee waved the appeals away.

Everton began the second half just as they did the first, taking the initiative, and should have scored a third on 68 minutes when Seargeant's corner was headed goalwards by Bjarni Vidarsson only for Craig Baxter to clear off the line.  Anichebe and Wilson both had chances as the game drew to a close but Everton were to be hit by the sucker punch with just a minute on the clock.  Daryl Smylie's shot wasn't held convincingly by Turner and Carl Finnigan forced over the loose ball to earn an unlikely draw for Newcastle United.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 0 Middlesbrough

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Molyneux, Boyle, S Wright; Carsley (Phelan 46), Seargeant, Harris; Vidarsson, Hopkins, Kissock.
Subs not used:  Ingason, Irving, Kearney, Holt.   Scorers: Seargeant
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Due to both Premiership clubs being involved in FA Cup replays, the game was switched from Haig Avenue to Everton's Youth Academy at Netherton and given an afternoon kick-off time.   Everton started the brightest and indeed took the lead on the half-hour mark when Christian Seargeant pounced on an error by the goalkeeper and calmly rolled the ball over the line.

Lee Carsley was lively for Everton in the first half as he continued his comeback from injury before being replaced at the break.  Carsley had two good chances to get on the scoresheet and Seargeant and Hopkins might also have netted but all were denied.  Carsley was replaced by Scott Phelan at half-time and Everton continued to do most of the attacking with Bjarni Vidarsson and Paul Hopkins going close.  The best chance fell to John Paul Kissock but he couldn't finish.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 0 - 1 Liverpool

Everton: Ingason; Wynne, S Wright, Kearney, Boyle; Carsley (Phelan 64), Seargeant (Irving 90), Harris; Anichebe, Hopkins, Kissock (Vidarsson 76)
Subs not used: O'Brien, Holt.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: Wynne, Carsley  Red Cards: Harris  Ref: �  Att: #

Lee Carsley braved the wind and rain on a blustery night at Haig Avenue while his first-team counterparts bathed in the sunshine of Miami, as the midfielder continued his comeback from injury. The game wasn't for the faint-hearted with one red and numerous yellow cards were shown in a fiery affair.  James Harris's tackle on Agger was the sign of what was to come.

Chances were plenty in the first half as Liverpool caused Everton problems throughout the half.  Victor Anichebe and Paul Hopkins combined for Everton's best chance of the first half but the latter shot wide.  Liverpool ended the half the strongest and nearly went ahead thanks to a back header from Everton's Boyle which nearly flew into his own net but instead it went just wide.

John-Paul Kissock went close for Everton but after Carsley was replaced by Scott Phelan on 64 minutes things went wrong for Everton. First James Harris was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge and minutes later Liverpool took the lead.  A kick down field allowed Liverpool substitute Ramon Calliste to finish strongly past debutant goalkeeper Thordur Ingason.

Match Reports:    Official Website  icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 4 Manchester United

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Naysmith, S Wright, Kearney (Molyneux 72); Vidarsson, Carsley (Phelan 61), Seargeant, Harris; Hopkins, Kissock.
Subs not used:  Ingason, Irving, Morrison.  Scorers: Hopkins
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: 404

John Ruddy was in goal for this one, suggesting that he is unlikely to start for the first team at Newcastle on Saturday, despite being the only fit and eligible Everton goalkeeper, and strengthening expectations that Martin Poom would be signing on loan. Gary Naysmith and Lee Carsley also started for Everton, who started well with Carsley's free-kick going just wide of the upright. John-Paul Kissock was next to test the United goal but as did the previous chance, his shot went wide.

But Everton's failure to turn pressure into goals cost them on 20 minutes when young sensation Guiseppe Rossi fed Solskjaer and the experienced forward slid the ball back to the Italian to finish past Ruddy and put the visitors ahead.  Solskjaer was again in the action on 36 minutes when he put a shot just over the bar and Rossi also brought a save out of Ruddy.

Everton very rarely troubled the United goal in the remainder of the half and that trend was continue early in the second period with United taking full control of the game. In the 49th minute Everton had hardly settled when Mark Howard made it 2-0 from close range after Moran's cross.  Solskjaer and Rossi both brought good saves from Ruddy but the young Everton keeper was helpless to prevent United scoring a third. Rossi again was the goalscorer, Ruddy had no chance with Rossi's effort from inside the six-yard box.

Bjarni Vidarsson tested their goalie as Everton tried to get some hold on the game and their endeavours paid off on 75 minutes when Paul Hopkins pulled a goal back with a cracking effort. But substitute Chris Fagan restored United's three-goal advantage with a late goal.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Birmingham City 0 - 0 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Molyneux, Boyle, S Wright; Harris, Seargeant, Phelan; Anichebe (Elder 56), Hopkins, Kissock
Subs not used:  Ingason, Irving, Dennehy, Morrison.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: Molyneux  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: 256

EVERTON'S young reserve side were kept busy last during an entertaining 0-0 draw in the FA Premier Reserve League North against an experienced Birmingham City team containing six first-teamers. Everton's first scare came after just three minutes when a right-wing cross was fumbled by John Ruddy and the ball was eventually cleared.  Everton struggled for a foothold in the game. Dunn's strike following a corner was cleared off the line by Stephen Wynne. 

Ruddy saved excellently from Wright and again denied Dunn after the restart, followed bay Paul Hopkins seeing his header was saved at the other end before Victor Anichebe was forced off with an eye injury.  Minutes later a penetrative dart from Christian Seargeant led to a shot by JP Kissock, but his weak effort was saved by the Brum keeper.  Substitute Matthew Elder, making his first appearance at this level, could have won it late on, but his shot trickled just wide.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Aston Villa 2 - 1 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Naysmith, Boyle, S Wright; Seargeant, Phelan, Carsley; van der Meyde (Kissock 46), Anichebe, Hopkins.
Subs not used: Ingason, Vidarsson, Molyneux, Morrison.  Scorers: Anichebe
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Victor Anichebe, put Everton in control of the contest with a low drive from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute.  It was no less than Everton deserved in an opening period in which they were the sharper side, aided by Carsley's control of the midfield.  Andy van der Meyde staked his claim for a return to the Everton first-team line-up with a 45-minute run-out until he was withdrawn at half-time after producing some neat touches on the left flank, but the Villans produced an equaliser two minutes after the restart when Villa exposed a gaping hole in the Everton defence and Isaiah Osbourne chipped over the advancing John Ruddy.

The winning goal came from Agbonlahor with 10 minutes to go when the young striker left Ruddy stranded by his neat finish. Midfielder Christian Seargeant enjoyed a hat-trick of openings inside the first 25 minutes, heading over from a van der Meyde corner, blasting inches off target from 25 yards and forcing a great save from Stuart Taylor after connecting with a raking pass from Carsley. Both Carsley and Naysmith demonstrated they are growing in strength after overcoming long-term injuries.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 1 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

Everton: Turner; Irving, Pistone (Molyneux 64), Boyle, S Wright; Seargeant, Carsley (Morrison 64), Phelan; Kissock, Hopkins, Anichebe.
Subs not used: Ruddy, Elder, Dennehy.   Scorers: Anichebe
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Alessandro Pistone made his long-awaited return to action for Everton Reserves victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Halton stadium in Widnes. The game, moved due to Southport's home match in the Conference, also saw Lee Carsley continue his quest for full fitness.  Paul Hopkins had Everton's first meaningful chance but his shot got the slightest of deflections and went wide.  Victor Anichebe then gave the small crowd a glimpse of what was to come with a good effort which just cleared the crossbar. Zoltan Gera tested Iain Turner just before the break as the half ended goalless.

In the second half, both sides had chances with Anichebe missing a glorious opportunity and then Gera again testing Turner.  Everton took control 10 minutes into the half when Anichebe was there to put right his earlier miss. Carsley's quick throw in found Seargeant who squared for the big striker to finish.

Carsley and Pistone where both withdrawn midway through the second half, possibly with one eye on Saturday's Merseyside derby, with Gary Naysmith and Nuno Valente both struggling for fitness.  Everton eased to full-time with only a half chance for Gera causing any concern.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Manchester City 3 - 2 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Wynne, Pistone (Irving 46), Boyle, Hughes; Phelan, Seargeant, Vidarsson; Anichebe, Hopkins, Kissock.
Subs not used:  J Jones, S Wright, Dennehy, Elder.  Scorers: #
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Alessandro Pistone got another 45 minutes under his belt as Antoine Sibierski netted the opening goal for City from a free-kick in the 13th minute.  The lead lasted less than a minute, thanks to a Paul Hopkins' penalty earned when Victor Anichebe was up-ended. The home side continued to dominate proceedings though, with Sibierski grabbing his second goal with a deft header.

Everton battled well at the start of the second period and deserved their cracking equaliser from Kissock. The England under-18 international fired in a stunning drive to level the scores at 2-2 for Everton four minutes into the second half. But wastefulness at one end from Icelandic midfielder Bjarni Vidarsson, who missed a glorious chance to put the visitors in the lead for the first time, was not matched at the other by the more experienced Bradley Wright-Phillips. The young forward restored City's advantage on 67 minutes with an overhead kick after Mark Hughes, back in the side following a loan spell at Stockport, had cleared off the line.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website

 Everton 2 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Everton: Turner; Wynne, Molyneux, Boyle, Hughes; Seargeant, Carsley (Phelan 72), Harris; Vidarsson, Hopkins (Kissock 64), Anichebe.
Subs not used:  Ruddy, Irving, Morrison.#  Scorers: Anichebe (12', 83')
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Everton wasted no time in getting going and took the lead as early as the 12th minute when Lee Carsley helped on Christian Seargeant's cross and Anichebe was in the right place to head home from inside the box.  Paul Hopkins should have made it 2-0 for Everton as the half ended but wasted the chance.

Everton's dominance nearly paid off early in the second half when Bjarni Vidarsson headed goalwards only to see his effort saved.   Everton came under a bit of pressure and with Carsley leaving the action just after the 70-minute mark it threatened to be a tense finish.  But Victor Anichebe put paid to that with his and the Blues second, superbly firing past Lee to confirm victory for the home side � his fourth goal in three games...  Are you watching, David Moyes?

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Wigan Athletic 1 - 2 Everton

Everton: Ruddy; Irving, Molyneux, Dennehy, Boyle; Connor (Kissock 64), Harpur, Phelan; Morrison, Anichebe, Vidarsson.
Subs not used:  Jones, Elder, Densmore, Agard   Scorers: Molyneux, Vidarsson
Yellow Cards: Harpur, Anichebe   Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

A VERY young Everton Reserves side took the lead in the ninth minute when defender Lee Molynuex's shot was too difficult for Mike Pollit and squeezed inside the keeper and post. Victor Anichebe and Henchoz found themselves in the book after squaring up to each other. Michael Hazeldine brought the home side level in the 76th minute.  Everton were not to be thwarted though and Bjarni Vidarsson broke to finish superbly past Pollitt with four minutes left.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Leeds United 0 - 0 Everton

Everton: Turner; S Wright, Molyneux, Boyle, Hughes; Harris, Hopkins, Phelan; Kissock, Anichebe, Vidarsson.
Subs not used: Ruddy, Dennehy, Morrison, Harpur, Irving.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: Harpur,   Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Leeds did most of the pressing in the first half and forced some good saves out of Iain Turner, who put in another good performance as the young keeper looks to push his Everton career forward.  Bjarni Vidarsson and Victor Anichebe were tireless in their efforts to make something happen but Leeds looked more menacing as the game progressed. 

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 Everton 0 - 0 Sunderland

Everton: Ruddy; S Wright, Wynne, Boyle, Seargeant; Morrison, Kissock, Hughes; Hopkins, Phelan, Anichebe.
Subs not used:  J Jones, Dennehy, Irving, Elder, Molyneux.  Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: �  Att: #

Victor Anichebe, a bright prospect for next season, had a number of chances and Sean Wright also went close on more than one occasion. Sunderland too had their opportunities but John Ruddy played well in the Everton goal.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP, 2005-06

 Everton 2 - 2 Tranmere Rovers (aet; 5-6 on penalties)

Everton: Ingason; Irving (Morrison 46), Molyneux, Boyle, S Wright, Wynne; Harris, Densmore (Phelan 60), Seargeant; Anichebe, Elder (Kissock 15).
Subs not used: Dennehy, O'Brien. Scorers: Anichebe, Kissock
Yellow Cards: �  Red Cards: �  Ref: Ref   Att: #

Tranmere took the lead after a flicked on corner was prodded home in a melee by Jamie Garry, but Everton hit back immediately.  Lee Molyneux's free-kick was parried by Phillip Palethorpe in the visitors net, and Victor Anichebe was on hand to level the scores.  Tranmere soon had a free-kick of their own, executed by Steve Davies from around 20 yards out left keeper Thordur Ingason helpless and Everton were behind again but Anichebe  combined with John Paul Kissock in a move that culminated with the diminutive forward getting a second equaliser.

In the second period, and throughout extra-time the game deteriorated as neither side sought to take risks.  There were few real chances, but Anichebe could have won it when one-on-one with Palethorpe, but the opportunity went begging.

At the other end Ingason made a few tidy saves, but the game was destined to end in penalties, with Palethorpe saving three as Tranmere denied the holders 6-5.

Match Reports:    Official Website    icLiverpool Website 

 RESERVES � APPEARANCES, 2005-06

 PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES, 2005