News Archive –May

'Fellaini will be a tall order for England'

The Mail have a nice profile of Everton's big-haired midfield rock, Marouane Fellaini, ahead of Belgium's visit to Wembley for an international friendly with England.

Fellaini being groomed for 'Cahill role'?

Comments by David Moyes suggest that he sees Marouane Fellaini as a natural successor to Tim Cahill in the "hole" behind the striker.

Rosler wants Bidwell too

After securing a permanent deal for one Everton loan player, Adam Forshaw, the Brentford manager Uwe Rosler is keen on making a similar arrangement for the other Everton player he's had on loan ? full-back Jake Bidwell.

Back in black for 2012-13

Everton unveiled the 2012-13 away kit at 8pm this evening, the first kit from their new manufacturing deal with Nike, and it's a return to all the all-black change strip that proved to be good luck a few seasons back.

Jagielka happy to be in England squad

Phil Jagielka talks about the opportunity of being part of England's Euro2012 squad, and the limited chances of him getting a starting place.

• Jagielka swaps golf for Krakow

Baines is already at a great club

Quizzed by reporters at England's training camp yesterday, Leighton Baines says that while he is flattered to be linked with Manchester United, he insists that he is happy at a club that he loves and is focused on the immediate matter of Euro2012.

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Why Manny Fernandes would be the perfect addition to the Moyes Gang

"On a free, Fernandes would be an absolute bargain! It?s definitely a no brainer for me ? although his wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block."

Pienaar credits Moyes for his lift in form

Steven Pienaar says that it was advice from David Moyes to be more selfish in the final third that helped him pitch in with four goals after returning to Goodison on loan from Tottenham.

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Why Everton should look to Canada in the transfer market this summer

Having made an attempt to sign him in January, Moyes may well be tempted to make another effort this summer. 21- year-old Canadian, David ?Junior? Hoilett, could be snapped up for nothing this summer when his contract is set to expire,

Big Dunc is looking forward, not back

In an interview with the Daily Post, Duncan Ferguson is at pains to point out his bad-boy days were 20+ years ago. He's now a responsible husband and father of three kids, looking to gain his Uefa coaching badges while working with the Everton Academy.

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Jelavic can power Everton towards Champions League

Kevin Campbell insists Nikica Jelavic?s goals should help Everton push for a Champions League place next season.

Elsewhere On The Web

Why Phil Jagielka over Jordan Henderson makes sense for England

Jagielka's international experience will be far more useful if called upon than Henderson's lack of, even though they play different positions.

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Match Of The Past: Everton

For a look back into their archive, we?re going to take in one defeat but three wins and one of the greatest matches in the entire history of the FA Cup. First up is a match from September 1969 against newly-promoted Derby County, follwed by seminal matches against Bayern Munich, Sunderland, Wimbledon and Spurs in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final

Jagielka gets England Euro2012 call

Roy Hodgson has drafted Phil Jagielka off the standby list and into his squad for Euro2012 after Gareth Barry was ruled out of the tournament with a groin injury. Jagielka will join teammate Leighton Baines in Poland/Ukraine next month.

• Squad Numbers: 12 Baines; 18 Jagielka

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Roy Hodgson must take Phil Jagielka to Euro 2012

The Everton defender was excellent alongside his former club partner Joleon Lescott in Norway and, although he might have to cede a central defensive berth to John Terry or Gary Cahill against Belgium at Wembley this weekend, he might be worth keeping in the side at right-back.

Liverpool Senior Cup Final date set

Everton will play Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in the Liverpool Senior Cup final on Tuesday 31 July at 7:30pm, it has been confirmed.

Five released from the academy

Five players from the Everton Academy were released at the end of the season, some have been involved with the academy from the age of 6: Ryan Higgins, James Fitzgibbon, Jordan Barrow, Adam Thomas, and Ben Heneghan.

Hodgson may turn to Jagielka if Barry is ruled out

Roy Hodgson may draft Phil Jagielka into the England squad for Euro2012 now that Gareth Barry has been ruled out of next month's tournament with a groin injury.

Garbutt on losing side at Wembley

Luke Garbutt, the Everton reserve left back who has spent most of the season on loan at Cheltenham Town, was on the losing side in the League Two playoff final at Wembley today.

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A new challenge would rejuvenate Landon Donovan

Asked Friday if he?d consider a permanent move abroad, Donovan said, ?I?d be open to anything. I?m always open-minded to pretty much anything.

Blues duo play in England win

Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka starred for England in their 1-0 victory over Norway in Oslo this evening which marked Roy Hodgson's first game in charge with a win. Elsewhere, Darron Gibson, John Heitinga, Tim Howard, and Marouane Fellaini were in action for their respective nations with mixed results.

Donovan hat-trick defeats Scots

Landon Donovan returned to the US national team after an eight-month absence and scored his first international hat-trick in five years, leading the Americans over Scotland 5-1 in an exhibition match (what the Americans call 'friendlies') before a crowd of 44,438 in Jacksonville, FL. James McFadden was not playing for Scotland.

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Steven Pienaar: Vital or Dispensable | Opta Stats

Luke O'Farrell analyses the impact the South African made after re-signing on loan in January

Moyes's Red Dining Partners

David Moyes speaks highly of failed Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, the new England manager. Moyes recalls a week in Italy when he was learning his coaching badges, and the friendship continued with 'slap-up' private dinners during Hodgson's brief spell in the Anfield hotseat, a throwback to Gerard Houllier's spell there.

Simonsen loses Wembley slogfest

Ex-Blues Steve Simonsen and Danny Cadamerteri watch their respective League 1 teams slog through 120 minutes of dreadful goalless football in the League One Playoff FInal between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United who then lost in sudden-death penalty kicks when Simonsen blasted the 22nd spot-kick over the bar, meaning Huddersfield are promoted to the Championship.

ToffeeWeb goes 'adaptive'

In keeping with the increasing number of ways our readers can access the site and the proliferation of devices you use, we've implemented some changes at ToffeeWeb that should provide an enhanced experience for those on handheld and tablet devices.

EFC ranked 23rd-most valuable brand

In Brand Finance's annual run-down of football's global brands, Everton rank 23rd, an improvement of four places and 28% in brand value over last year.

Luke Garbutt stars in Wembley playoff

Everton reserve left-back, Luke Garbutt, has put England duty on the back burner in a bid to help steer his loan club Cheltenham to glory in Sunday's npower League Two play-off final against Crewe at Wembley.

Sylvain Distin gets another season

At 34, the Everton players' Player of the Season, Sylvain Distin has been given a one-year contract extension. He made 33 appearances last season and is looking forward to performing as defensive stalwart for the Blues in another top flight season, his fourth since joining from Portsmouth in 2009 as a replacement for Joleon Lescott.

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Qui est le M Baines, n'est ce pas?

Laurent Blanc, coach of England?s Euro 2012 opponents France, reckons he?s got the lowdown on all of Roy Hodgson?s men ? except Leighton Baines, who he doesn?t even know by name... but he has at least heard of Everton.

Cold water poured on Baines reports

Despite the building fervour in the national press regarding a £12m approach, Everton have had no contact from Manchester United regarding Leighton Baines. Additionally, the Blues have not lodged any inquiry for Kieran Richardson.

Dempsey or Donovan?

Meanwhile, in the US of A, someone always has to be top dog. And the perennial contest is apparently between Clint Dempsey and ex-Blue, Landon Donovan. According to the USMNT Blog, Clint Dempsey has surpassed Landon Donovan as King of American Soccer.

• Donovan needs PL Rejuvenation

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Struggling to understand Manchester United's interest in Leighton Baines

Baines is a good player ? he?s a decent defender, and his delivery from out wide is excellent. But is this really a signing that would close the gap between United and Manchester City? Does it get them anywhere nearer to recapturing the title? No ? and that?s what everything they do has to be aimed towards.

Tim Cahill one-on-one

Back in Australia, someone called Fozz chats one-on-one with Socceroos star Tim Cahill about what advice he gives kids; his role models; Everton and the Socceroos.

Moyes keen to keep hold of Cahill

Seeing the Australian as a key component of his squad, David Moyes will likely rebuff any approach for Tim Cahill this summer.

Neville prepares for coaching future

While still in no mind to hang up his playing boots, Phil Neville began preparing for his desired future as a coach this week when he started the course to earn his coaching badges.

Jelavic sets his sights on Europe

Having made a hugely successful transition to the English game, Nikica Jelavic is hoping to fire Everton into Europe next season. The Croatian striker believes that if David Moyes can keep the squad together and add a couple of players, the Blues can challenge for European qualification next season.

Donovan talks Everton

In an interview on the FIFA website, Landon Donovan has talked fondly about his experience with Everton, and addresses his feelings on a possible return to the club. "I would absolutely like to come back," he says. "Now, whether I'm back as a player or just as a fan, who knows?"

Forshaw makes Bees move permanent

Everton youngster Adam Forshaw has signed a permanent deal for Brentford after spending much of the season on loan at Griffin Park.

Saha and Pienaar 'disgrace' Spurs!

Tottenham fans have labelled Louis Saha and Steven Pienaar 'a disgrace' after the pair congratulated Chelsea on their dramatic Champions League penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich.

Baines hopes to kick 'homesick' tag

Leighton Baines hopes his selection for England?s Euro 2012 squad will dispel the ?nonsense? regarding his supposed homesickness.

McFadden and Hahnemann released

Everton have released James McFadden and Marcus Hahnemann after their short-term contracts expired, two of six departures announced today. Season-long loan players Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi will also officially leave Everton when their terms are up on 30th June.

Neville: Heitinga reveling in his best position

Phil Neville believes that competition for places and the fact that John Heitinga is playing in his favourite position are the reasons why the Dutch defender is in the form of his life for the Blues.

Elsewhere On The Web

Season 2011-12 statistical and tactical breakdown

The Executioner's Bong blog runs the rule over the season as a whole

Baines in Hodgson's Euro2012 squad

Leighton Baines has been called up for his first major Finals tournament after being named in Roy Hodgson's squad foe the European Championships in Poland/Ukraine next month. There was no place for Phil Jagielka, though, who is on standby should another player have to drop out.

• Baines delight at Euro call

Reserve duo released

Two of Everton's youngsters, goalkeeper Adam Davies and defender Toto Nsiala, were released by the Club this week.

Everton campaign nets close to £50m

Everton's share of the Premier League spoils for 2011-12 was just under £49m, with their top-half finish worth an extra £3m alone.

Jelavic delighted with his 11 goals

Nikica Jelavic is delighted to have scored 11 goals in his brief time with the club this season; he became the fastest player for a century to reach double figures for Everton.

ToffeeWeb named Readers Choice 'Best EPL Club Blog'

ToffeeWeb has won EPL Talk's Readers Choice "Best EPL Club Blog" award for season 2011/12! The site beat out stiff competition from The Anfield Wrap to win with 37% of the votes.

Cahill red card appeal turned down

Everton's appeal against Tim Cahill's sending off at the end of the Newcastle game has been rejected by the Football Association.

• 'Disgusted' Cahill accepts ban

Everton appeal Cahill red card

Everton have lodged an appeal with the FA to have Tim Cahill's straight red card from yesterday's win over Newcastle overturned.

Emotional Pienaar in limbo for now

Steven Pienaar choked up in his final post-match interview of the season with evertontv yesterday, with his immediate future uncertain. Tim Howard revealed that his team-mates handcuffed the Tottenham loanee to the Goodison Park showers in a bid to convince the him to stay but judging by the South African's teary demeanour after the Newcastle game, a permanent move back to Merseyside is by no means certain.

• Pienaar's emotional post-match interview

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Huge challenges ahead for Everton - Can they improve?

After finishing the season with a victory over a strong Newcastle side, Everton will rightly feel good; but now... What's next?

Blues can be next season's surprise

Johnny Heitinga believes that Everton have a squad capable of becoming the surprise team of the Premier League next season ? as long as David Moyes isn?t forced to sell during the summer.

Cabaye apologises for Cahill flare-up

Yohan Cabaye has issued an apology for his role in the altercation that saw Tim Cahill sent off at the final whistle of Everton's 3-1 win over Newcastle.

'We played some top stuff'

David Moyes was very pleased with the classy football Everton produced on the final day of the season to comprehensively beat Newcastle and deny them a finish that could have earned them Champions League football next season.

TW Player of the Season: John Heitinga

Mirroring his supporters' Player of the Year award at Everton's midweek gala, John Heitinga has been voted as Player of the Season by ToffeeWeb's readers, beating out Leighton Baines and Maroune Fellaini.

Moyes happy with seventh, say Sky

David Moyes was keeping his team's seventh place in the Premier League in perspective after today's win over Newcastle, acknowledging that though his sights were set a lot higher, the finish was "a good one" given their poor start to the season.

Everton secure seventh in style

Everton ensured they would finish in seventh place and above Liverpool with another emphatic home win, this time over Champions League-chasing Newcastle. A lovely, deflected curler by Pienaar set them on their way, followed by a second from Jelavic who scored expertly at the second attempt after Krul had parried. The visitors rallied initially after half time but were undone when Heitinga powered a free header home off a Gibson free kick to make it three. Hibbert's own goal and a red card for Cahill for an altercation with Cabaye after the final whistle couldn't sour the day, though.

• Match Report

Moyes is ready for the beach!

Everton boss David Moyes has enjoyed his side's late-season charge but is looking forward to his summer break.

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The Joy of Six: last-day relegation battles

Rob Smyth recalls six of the most memorable relegation last-ditch escapes, including Everton's in 1994

Everton vs Newcastle United

With Mersey pride to salvage and £1.6m in league placing revenue at stake for Everton on the one hand and the possibility of Champions League football for Newcastle on the other, the stage is set for something more than a tame end-of-season affair at Goodison Park on Sunday. Rodwell and Anichebe are injured but Gibson, Baines and Neville could all return as the Blues look to secure 7th place with a fifth successive final-day victory.

• Live Matchday Forum

Boss hints at summer horse trading

David Moyes does not want to lose any of his players but he reluctantly feels it may take some shrewd buying and selling to maintain 7th place or make the next step up.

Beat LFC: Vote for ToffeeWeb!

Voting in the EPLTalk's "Best of Season 2011-12 Awards" closes in two days' time on 13th May and ToffeeWeb is nominated for Best EPL Club Blog... but is trailing "The Anfield Wrap" by 8%. Click here to vote if you haven't already.

Moyes faces up to financial reality

The tight nature of Everton's financial situation is well documented and in admitting that the Club may have to "start trading players more than we would like to," David Moyes has set expectations for the summer as he tries to build on his team's impressive recovery from an awful first half of of the 2011-12 season.

• Moyes: I just need a chink of light

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Everton look the best bet on decisive final day of the season

Newcastle have had a tremendous season, but their tough run-in was always likely to catch them out in the hunt for fourth spot. The win at Chelsea gave their supporters hope, but they were well beaten by City and I think they will struggle at Everton on Sunday.

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Who I Would Buy if I was David Moyes in the Summer for Everton

Here are the players who I would buy in the summer for Everton, to add strength and depth to the current squad.

Awards galore at St George's Hall

Johnny Heitinga took the top honour, Player of the Season, at Everton's annual gala night where a slew of accolades are distributed far and wide, young and old... from Academy players at the bottom rung of the ladder, right up to Chairman Bill Kenwright at the top, who was taken aback when Howard Kendall chose him "for making a contribution so immense, it is difficult to do it justice and this award can only really recognise part of that contribution."

Labone becomes an Everton Giant

Legendary defender Brian Labone was inducted as an Everton Giant at the Club's 2012 End of Season Awards this evening.

Baxter set to sign new Everton deal

Jose Baxter has reportedly been offered a two-year extension to his current Everton contract and will put pen to paper at the end of the season.

Jelavic a massive piece of the puzzle

Talking positively about the task of team-building David Moyes faces as he heads into his 11th year at Goodison Park, he says, ?I can see in my head pictures and directions of where I think we should be going and what players we need to get, which players can help us progress again? ? with bargain striker Nikica Jelavic a massive piece in the puzzle.

• Jelavic named in Croatia's Euro2012 squad

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In-form Everton to end Newcastle?s Champions League dream

Sunday?s clash could prove one of Newcastle?s greatest tests of the season as they meet an Everton side who have won their last three Goodison Park fixtures in succession.

Premier League Finances laid bare

This survey in The Telegraph presents the 20 Premier League teams (from 2010-11) with their finances 'laid bare' in a nice web app that allows you to reorder the pack based on: Season position, Debt, Income, Wages Net transfer value, and Cash flow.

Big Nev names his book

Neville Southall has revealed his forthcoming autobiography will be titled 'Neville Southall: The Binman Chronicles'. The legendary stopper ran a competition on evertonfc.com asking supporters to put forward a name for the book and today picked out Graham Bateman's suggestion as his favourite.

Pienaar fined £1,000 for speeding

Everton FC midfielder Steven Pienaar has been fined £1,000 and had seven points added to his driving licence - after telling a court he missed a previous hearing because he moved house.

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10 Reasons David Moyes is the Right Man for Manchester United

"I see one man more fit for the United job than the others, and that man is Everton?s manager David Moyes."

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Everton Transfer Rumours: Clint Dempsey and 6 Other Realistic Summer Targets

Here is a look at some early targets that David Moyes may well be casting his eye over, all of whom would not leave the club drastically out of pocket.

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Jimmy Gabriel: the worst ever Premier League manager?

Based on points per game, Jimmy Gabriel ? Everton's caretaker manager in the early days of the Premier League after Kendall (Mk II) left, is shown to be statistically the worst ever manager.

Drenthe rekindles race rumpus

Lionel Messi has been dragged into a race row by axed Everton loanee, Royston Drenthe. The wayward midfielder alledges in an interview translated from Dutch that when he played at Real Madrid he was repeatedly called 'negro' by the world's best footballer.

• Barcelona reject Drenthe's claims

Barkley takes Keith Tamlin Award

Ross Barkley claimed the top prize at Everton's annual Academy Awards when he was awarded the Keith Tamlin Award for excellence, attitude and application during their time in the Club's youth ranks.

• Barkley delight at award

Kieran Agard leaves Yeovil Town

Kieran Agard has left Yeovil Town after just one year at Huish Park with the League One club. Agard, who joined the Glovers from Everton last summer, made 34 appearances for the club and scored six goals.

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Snodin joins clamour for Pienaar

Ex-Everton player turned commentator, Ian Snodin, has added his voice to the near-universal calls for Everton to sign Steven Pienaar on a permanent contract this summer

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David Prentice joins Everton superfan David France for his Royal Appointment at Buckingham Palace

When David France gazed wistfully at his OBE and quipped: ?I?m very proud, Your Royal Highness, but don?t you have one with a blue ribbon?? David was only half-joking. He was at Buckingham Palace by royal appointment, but his blood flows Royal Blue.

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Is Everton's Potential Underestimated?

Moyes appears to be looking forward to another season with the Blues: this article is not about what Everton will become without him; it is to gain an insight into what the club can further achieve under him.

Dean record safe despite Messi spree

Lionel Messi's incredible deluge of goals for Barcelona this season has broken a slew of records but the one that Evertonians prize, that of Willam Ralph Dean's 60-goal haul in 1927-28, will remain intact for now.

Gibson gets Euro2012 nod

Darron Gibson has been named in Giovanni Trapattoni's 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for next month's European Championships in Poland/Ukraine. Seamus Coleman is only on standby, however, and Shane Duffy, who made his senior bow in February, has not been selected.

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Is It Time English Football Set-Up An Elite Academy League?

Let?s be brutally honest for a moment: football at a reserve level is in a state of disrepair. Teams are littered with players banished from the first-team, those who are recovering from injury or simply those who can no longer continue their development in the academy. The games are played at a monotonous pace in front of a handful of people, with players almost looking embarrassed upon hearing the subdued reaction when they score. Reserve football is so far removed from the intensity and atmosphere of the Premier League that clubs prefer to send their most promising youngsters out on loan, thus saving them from growing stale in such an uninspiring environment.

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Everton Club Focus - Wolves draw leaves Toffees set for seventh place

Everton?s run of goal scoring form came to an end in a 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the penultimate Premier League game of the season. The result invites the question: Is it one point gained towards the Toffees? aim of finishing in seventh place and with it above Liverpool, or two points dropped?

Jagielka aiming for Euro 2012

Phil Jagielka has insisted that his, and the club?s, end of season form can catapult him into England?s Euro 2012 squad.

Goal machine runs out of steam

Everton went into their penultimate game of the 2011-12 season looking for a victory over relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers that would leave them needing just a point against Newcastle United next week to claim seventh place. They played well in the first half and Jelavic scored a typical goal that was wrongly called back for offside. But they were poor in the second half and failed to create any clear-cut chances, apart from a Stracqualursi 'goal' in which Fellaini was correctly ruled offside.

• Live Matchday Forum

Case for the Defence

David Moyes believes the role of the defence has been overlooked in his side's recent resurgence. He said, "Over the year we have tended to be quite defensively strong and hopefully we will finish with a strong defensive record."

England may have to wait for Neville

David Moyes has warned England they may need to patient if they wish to lure Phil Neville into Roy Hodgson's coaching set-up.

Moyes is not for selling players

David Moyes has warned any clubs hoping to cherry pick Everton's best players that he has no interest in breaking up his squad this summer. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been tracking key midfielder Marouane Fellaini, while Leighton Baines ? Everton's top performer for the last two seasons ? has been linked with Manchester United.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton

Everton go into their penultimate game of the 2011-12 season looking for a victory over relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers that would leave them needing just a point against Newcastle United next week to claim seventh place. Gibson, Rodwell, Baines, Neville and Anichebe will all likely miss out through injury and ensure at least one change from the eleven that started against Stoke on Tuesday. KO is 2pm on Sunday.

• Live Matchday Forum

Moyes Aims High

David Moyes says his only motivation for the remainder of the season is finishing as high as possible in the Premier League. But he's not happy about finishing seventh or eighth because that shows no ambition: "At the start of every season, I say I want to win the league."

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Philip Neville And The Premier League?s Most Overrated Players; Part Two

Phil Neville has had a glittering career at Manchester United, and is now spending his twilight years captaining Everton, all of this despite being remarkably average.

Jelavic named Player of the Month

Everton's Nikica Jelavic has picked up the Barclays Player of the Month award for April for his blast of goals that has kept the Blues in Champions League-qualifying form since the turn of the year.

25 years ago today...

It was 25 years ago today that Pat van den Hauwe scored the only goal at Carrow Road to clinch the 1987 Division One title for Everton, the Club's last League Championship to date. The Blues won the title that year by a full nine points but it marked the end of Howard Kendall's stunningly successful first spell in charge at Goodison Park.

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Grand Old Team nominated for Best EPL Forum

ToffeeWeb's forum partner, GrandOldTeam.com, is up for Best EPL Blog at US-based football site EPLTalk.com. Vote Blue today!

U-18s edge Bootle in penalty drama

Everton are through to the Liverpool Senior Cup final, beating Bootle 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the semi-final had ended 1-1 after extra time. Miley put Bootle ahead following a goal-mouth scramble on 38 mins and Everton struggled until George Green came on as a sub and broke forward with pace to set up Hallam Hope for the equaliser, setting up extra time. The young Blues now take on Tranmere at Prenton Park.

• Match Report from Grand Old Team

Heitinga is excelling, says Neville

Phil Neville says that competition for places in Everton's defence has brought out the best in John Heitinga who is among the leading candidates for player of the season.

Dr France returns to collect OBE

Dr David France, the father of the Everton Collection, Hall of Fame, Former Players Foundation, etc, was hoping that, on this trip back to England, he would be watching Everton in the FA Cup Final but he must must make do with picking up an OBE from The Queen at Buckingham Palace on Friday.

Two set to miss end-of-season games

Phil Neville and Victor Anichebe could be out for the remaining two games of the season after picking up hamstring and groin injuries respectively.

The quest for a Final spot

With Everton Reserves having travelled to London yesterday to complete their Reserves League season, tonight's rearranged semi-final in the Liverpool Senior Cup will be contested at New Bucks Park in Bootle by Everton's Under-18s. Bootle haven't won the trophy since 1889, in the days when they comprised Everton's original local derby competition, before the Reds were spawned. Kick-off is 7:45pm. The winners will take on Tranmere at Prenton Park.

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Everton set to be rewarded for their post-Wembley strength

Everton are responding to the disappointment of their Wembley loss in the semi-final by producing a strong push in the league to finish above Liverpool.

Reserves win 2 - 0 at Arsenal

Everton Reserves traveled to the Underhill Stadium in Barnet this evening and came away with a great win in their final game of the season, against Arsenal Reserves. Ross Barkley scored the first goal after nice work with Jose Baxter, who then scored from the spot after a penalty was awarded to the Blues. They resisted the Gunners blitz to take the points and finish third in the North Section.

Distin enjoying left-back role

Sylvain Distin says he is enjoying his unfamiliar role as stand-in for the injured Leighton Baines and he was praised by David Moyes for his performance against Stoke in the 1-1 draw last night.

Elsewhere On The Web

Why David Moyes Has Become One of World's Greatest Managers

It's a testament to his managerial prowess and eye for talent that Everton have not finished outside the top eight for five seasons now. The players who grace his side assume his steely mentality. There's a never-say-die attitude embedded within the side that begins when a transfer first enters the Goodison gates. Moyes continues to do what he does best: win, and win consistently with the resources at hand.

Ferguson will pick Moyes

Tommy Docherty believes Sir Alex Ferguson will be allowed to choose his own successor and could select David Moyes based on the Scot's record at Everton despite a shoestring budget.

Everton lead in performance analytics

Everton are currently one of the Premier League's most innovative and progressive teams when it comes to the use of performance analytics. The team has been using match data analysis ever since David Moyes first became manager at Goodison in 2002.

Moyes Settles for a Point

David Moyes was content with a point at Stoke as his Everton side maintained their strong finish to the season. Everton have gone seven games unbeaten since losing to Arsenal in March and looked set to claim all three points at the Britannia Stadium before Cameron Jerome earned a 1-1 draw for the hosts.

Battle of the Brittania ends drawn

Stoke is always a tough place to go, and so it proved, despite a gifted nonsense goal bouncing in off Crouch to give Everton a deserved, if fortuitous, lead. But they struggled in the second half to contain an increasingly confident home side, rejuvenated by a key triple substitution that brought about the equalizer from Jerome. But a draw was a fine result considering Liverpool lost at home to Fulham!

• Match Report
• Match summary and post-match discussion

Moyes urges Rodwell to focus on Everton

David Moyes wants Jack Rodwell to forget about trying to make the Great Britain Olympic team for August and concentrate instead on getting fit for the 2012/13 Premier League season that kicks off the same month.

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Tim Cahill: It's hard to look forward to playing Stoke City

Cahill admits a trip to the Potteries is far from the perfect place to play for any team and is expecting a strenuous match.

Stoke City vs Everton

Everton's new-found free-flowing spirit and deluge of goals comes up against uncompromising Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this evening, with the Blues looking to register a seventh League game without defeat to keep hold of seventh place. No Baines, Rodwell or Drenthe again so it could be a similar line-up from the manager for this 7:45pm kick-off.

• Live Matchday Forum