News Archive –Nov

Everton spurn chance to extend their unbeaten run

Everton's eight-match unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt at White Hart Lane as they allowed Tottenham to wipe out Kevin Mirallas's stunning opener and run out 2-1 winners. Goals from Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado capitalised on individual errors to turn the game on its head by half time and the Blues were unable to find a way back into the contest in a disappointing second half.

• Match summary and reaction
• /season/14-15/comment/reports/28797.html

Elsewhere On The Web

Harry Catterick is the forgotten great of British managers

Daniel Taylor in The Guardian makes the case for the man who accrued more top-division points during the 1960s than Revie, Busby, Nicholson, Shankly and Mercer and who won two league titles and an FA Cup for Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

Fresh from another excellent outing in the Europa League, Everton are on the road again on the domestic front this weekend with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur. Darron Gibson and Bryan Oviedo are ruled out but there will be late fitness tests for Leighton Baines, Steven Naismith, Gareth Barry, Steven Pienaar and James McCarthy, although the Irish international is a big doubt after limping off against Wolfsburg with a hamstring problem.

• Memory Lane – Spurs vs Everton

Pennington off on loan to Coventry

Everton academy defender Matthew Pennington is to spend December with Coventry City on loan, set to end on 4 January 2015.

Blues Half Season Ticket giveaway

Fans buying tickets for upcoming Everton games could receive a free Half Season Ticket in a new competition.

U21s skipper looking forward to playing at Goodison

Everton Under-21s captain Jonjoe Kenny says Monday's free-entry game at Goodison will be a showcase – not only for the fans, but for Roberto Martinez as well.

Martinez concerned by McCarthy injury

Roberto Martinez says that James McCarthy will be assessed again within 24 hours after he was forced off during tonight's win in Wolfsburg with a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

Everton top Group H with superb win in Wolfsburg

Everton booked their place in next phase of the Europa League with an almost perfectly-executed away performance on the Continent. Romelu Lukaku played a pivotal role in the Blues' 2-0 win, rampaging through to break the deadlock shortly before half time and then sending his Belgian international teammate, Kevin Mirallas, away for the killer second goal in the second half to cap an excellent night's work in Germany.

• Match summary and reaction
• /season/14-15/comment/reports/28782.html

Free entry to U21s' clash with Sunderland

Blue Crimbo is nearly upon us - and Everton Football Club is kicking off the season of goodwill by opening up the gates of Goodison Park and offering free match tickets for the Under-21sÂ’ clash with Sunderland on Monday 1 December.

Martinez defends Barkley over 'diving' incident

Roberto Martinez has come to the defence of Ross Barkley in the wake of accusations that he attempted to "buy" a decision from referee Mark Clattenburg by diving in last Saturday's match against West Ham.

• Osman happy for Barkley to protect himself

Everton and West Ham charged over 'melee'

Everton and West Ham have been notified by the Football Assocation that both clubs are to be charged for failing to control their players during a flare-up in the first half of Saturday's game.

Naismith an early doubt for Sunday

Roberto Martinez says that Steven Naismith has a 50-50 chance of being fit for Sunday's trip to Tottenham after being left out of the squad for Wolfsburg because of a hamstring injury.

VfL Wolfsburg vs Everton

updated Everton are back in Europa League action this week as they travel to Wolfsburg for what is, on paper, their most difficult assignment yet in this season's competition. Roberto Martinez takes a 20-man party to Germany that includes Arouna Kone but Steven Naismith, Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines, Darron Gibson and Steven Pienaar all stay on Merseyside.

Elsewhere On The Web

The incomparable Dixie Dean

From The Guardian archives, an interview with the one and only Bill Dean from 1977 who, "who even at the age of 70 [could] spin a tale or two."

U21s held in International Cup opener

Everton's Academy began their participation in the new U21s Premier League International Cup tournament with a 1-1 draw with Celtic this evening thanks to Courtney Duffus's late equaliser.

Elsewhere On The Web

Lukaku can become the best striker in the world

That is the somewhat outlandish claim by his manager, Roberto Martinez, who continues to display the utmost faith in the future brilliance of his £28m capture from Chelsea.

Martinez will opt for youth over spending

Roberto Martinez says he will not turn to the January transfer market to bring in central-defensive reinforcements, suggesting instead that he will promote some of his up-and-coming youth players like Tyias Browning or veteran defender Tony Hibbert to fill in if need be while Antolin Alcaraz and John Stones are out injured until the New Year.

• Fan Article: 'Do We Give Youngsters a Chance?'

Blues recall Duffus from Bury

Everton have ended early Courtney Duffus's loan spell with Bury and the 19 year-old will be available for the U21s' Premier League International Cup group game against Celtic tomorrow evening.

Coleman hails Hibbert hails Osman

Much admiration is being directed at two of Everton's veteran players after their efforts in more unfamiliar roles helped the Blues to a 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.

Everton appoint Doogan as new media chief

Everton will name Aston Villa's chief of media as the club's new Head of Media and Communications.

Naismith injury doesn't look serious

Roberto Martinez says that Steven Naismith will miss the trip to Wolfsburg at least while the club's medical staff assess the hamstring injury he sustained in the closing stages of today's win over West Ham.

Osman joins '400 club' in style

Leon Osman marked his 400th Everton appearance with the knockout blow in a testy encounter at Goodison Park as the Blues extended their unbeaten run to seven matches. Romelu Lukaku had rammed in the opener with 25 minutes gone after Ross Barkley's shot was blocked but substitute Mauro Zarate equalised via a heavy deflection 10 minutes after half time. A fractious affair could have gone either way until Samuel Eto'o finished a quick counter with a perfect centre that Osman slid home.

• Match summary and reaction
• /season/14-15/comment/reports/28741.html
• /season/14-15/comment/editorial/28729.html

Barkley needs lots more games

Ross Barkley needs to make substantial progress through many more games before he can begin to be thought of as a midfield general, says Roberto Martinez.

Everton vs West Ham United

With the last international break of the year out of the way, Everton return to Premier League action once more this weekend as West Ham, one of the surprise packages of the first quarter of the season, come to Goodison Park. Baines, Pienaar, Mirallas, McCarthy, Barry, Gibson and Coleman are all being assessed for fitness but Oviedo and Kone are ruled out.

• Live Forum
• /season/14-15/comment/editorial/28729.html

The most level-headed fans...

This article at the FourFourTwo website asserts that the most level-headed followers in Premier League football can be found at Goodison Park.

Howard wins US soccer award

Tim Howard was the runaway winner of the 2014 US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year award thanks to his headline-grabbing exploits at the World Cup in Brazil.

Stones trying to stay patient

John Stones says that the recovery of his injured ankle is progressing well but admits that he is "gutted" at missing the recent European games.

Special Edition 'The Cannonball Kid' book signing at St Luke's

The EFPA and deCoubertin Books host a signing of The Cannonball Kid at St Lukes Church on Saturday.

Seven players under assessment for Hammers clash

Everton's medical staff will assess the fitness of seven of Roberto Martinez's squad ahead of Saturday's home fixture against West Ham United as a series of knocks and soft-tissue injuries threaten to deprive the manager of a number of first-team players. Gareth Bareth is rated as highly doubtful while Leighton Baines and James McCarthy will undergo late tests on minor hamstring strains.

Martinez replies to Keane's nonsense

Roberto Martinez has dismissed as "nonsense" Roy Keane's suggestion the club over-state players' injuries before they report for international duty.

• Roberto angry at Keane's hidden agenda

Young Blues beaten in Senior Cup

Everton U18s played AFC Liverpool for a place in the semi-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup this evening but twice surrendered a two-goal advantage and finished the match with nine men as the Reds ran out 4-3 winners.

Elsewhere On The Web

Dean would be the first £100m player

That's the findings of the Liverpool Echo who believe the greatest English striker that ever lived would easily eclipse the fee paid for Gareth Bale.

Sunderland prise away Head of Recruitment

The Sunderland Echo is claiming that Danny Philpott, Everton's head of national and international recruitment, is poised to join Sunderland as assistant academy manager.

Elstone provides update on stadium progress

Everton CEO Robert Elstone has provided an update on the club's plans to construct a new stadium on Walton Hall Park.

Special discounted shopping for Season Ticket holders

To thank Everton Season Ticket holders for their continued support, the club have announced a special discounted shopping event will take place on Thursday 20 November.

Everton duo benched for Scotland friendly

Three of Everton's representatives were in action to varying degrees this evening as England beat Scotland 3-1 at Celtic Park thanks to a brace by Wayne Rooney.

McCarthy remains doubtful for West Ham clash

Roberto Martinez has provided an update on an injury list that has lengthened again over the international break, with Leighton Baines and Darron Gibson joining Gareth Barry and James McCarthy in the treatment room. The manager indicated that McCarthy still hasn't trained after straining his hamstring against Sunderland nine days ago.

Ledson scores a stunner in England U18s rout in Poland

Everton's Ryan Ledson scored the pick of England U18s' four goals as they beat Poland in Gdansk this afternoon.

Snodin and Stuart become official club ambassadors

Bill Kenwright has announced that Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart will join Graeme Sharp as official Everton FC ambassadors

Keane ignites the 'Club v Country' debate

Roy Keane has made some astounding claims that Everton are putting ‘pressure' on their Republic of Ireland contingent to put club before country when it comes to their availability. "There is a guarantee that when the player turns up (for internationals) they are getting phone calls left, right and centre from their 15 physios at the club," the Irish No 2 complains in the Daily Mail.

• Bill Kenwright responds to 'stupid things' said by Keane
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/republic-of-ireland/11235211/Who-the-hell-do-you-think-you-are-The-full-transcript-of-Roy-Keanes-row-with-reporters.html

Lukaku left on the bench as Belgium are held by Wales

Wales secured an impressive point in Brussels with Romelu Lukaku watching on from the bench as an unused substitute in the 0-0 draw.

Martinez's big prediction on Barkley

Roberto Martinez firmly believes that Ross Barkley is destined to go down as England's best-ever player and insists that Everton are in a strong enough financial position that they will be able to resist any big-money offer for the 20 year-old midfielder. His comments come in the wake of fresh speculation over Barkley's future and assertions in the local Manchester press that Manchester City could land the young star for £60m in the next transfer window.

Jagielka starts again for England

Phil Jagielka played the majority of England's 3-1 win over Slovenia at Wembley this afternoon, while club-mate Ross Barkley was an unused substitute.

Martinez: Lukaku will catch fire in the New Year

Roberto Martinez is confident that Romelu Lukaku will hit his best levels in January, after seeing his early season performances hampered by injury and poor form. The Belgian striker has four goals in 10 starts so far this season but his manager believes the fans will see him back to his best in the coming months.

Baines could be in contention for Hammers clash

Everton could have Leighton Baines back in time for the visit of West Ham next weekend after a scan at Finch Farm only revealed what the club describe as a "grade one" hamstring injury.

Gibson won't face USA on Tuesday

The Republic of Ireland have released Darron Gibson back to Everton after the midfielder picked up a minor knock in the Euro2016 qualifier against Scotland last evening.

Everton U18s 2-0 Man Utd U18s

Everton Under-18s beat Manchester United 2-0 on Saturday morning to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches. Goals from Kieran Dowell and James Yates secured an impressive victory for the young Blues at Finch Farm.

Scotland edge Celtic clash

Darron Gibson, Seamus Coleman and Aiden McGeady faced off against Goodison teammate Steven Naismith in Glasgow this evening as Scotland beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Euro2016 qualifying.

Injured Baines returning to Everton

Roberto Martinez's injury woes increased today with the news that Leighton Baines has been withdrawn from the England squad to face Slovenia and Scotland after suffering an injury, believed to be to his hamstring, in training. The 29 year-old will return to Finch Farm for treatment, joining James McCarthy who is out of Ireland's Euro2016 qualifier with a similar problem.

Stones lauded for charity work

Everton players, and John Stones in particular, have been singled out for praise for their charity and community work in a new report from the PFA.

Sunderland charged for penalty melee

Sunderland will be censured by the FA for failure to control their players in relation to an incident following the penalty incident that led to Everton's equaliser in the 1-1 draw.

Mirallas returns to full training

Kevin Mirallas' recovery from a torn hamstring has progressed to the point where he has rejoined first-team training.

McCarthy withdrawn from Scotland clash

James McCarthy will not feature for the Republic of Ireland in their highly-anticipated Euro2016 qualifier against Scotland tomorrow after undergoing further scans on his injured hamstring. The midfielder is returning to Finch Farm for treatment that will hopefully enable him to return to action in Everton's home game against West Ham United in 10 days' time.

Elsewhere On The Web

Real Sociedad hope Moyes can repeat his success at Everton

Xabi Prieto, the captain of David Moyes's new club Real Sociedad, says that he is looking forward to having the Scot on board the struggling Basque club.

"He has a very big reputation in the game and all the players want him to do the same for us here as he did with Everton," he said.

Lukaku scores for Belgium

Romelu Lukaku was named among the substitutes for Belgium's friendly with Iceland this evening but came off the bench to score the third goal in a 3-1 win.

Everton confirm Devine as Academy director

Everton have announced the permanent appointment of Tim Devine as Academy Director at Finch Farm.

McCarthy to undergo hamstring scan

James McCarthy will have his injured hamstring scanned by the Republic of Ireland's medical team as they assess his chances of playing in the Euro2016 qualifier against Scotland on Friday.

West Ham match is sold out

Tickets for Everton's upcoming home game against West Ham have now sold out.

Barry facing 'weeks' on the sidelines

Everton have confirmed that Gareth Barry suffered damage to his ankle ligaments when he was fouled by Sunderland's Jordi Gomez on Sunday. Swelling around the injury is preventing an accurate prognosis but the club are hopeful that it is a question of weeks and not months before the 33 year-old is able to return to action.

Barkley and Lukaku support Children In Need

Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley met an extra special guest when they welcomed Pudsey Bear to Everton Football ClubÂ’s training ground.

Everton U18s to meet AFC Liverpool

An Everton youth side will play AFC Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup at the Arriva Stadium, Crosby later this month.

Hope back at Gigg Lane

Everton U21 striker Hallam Hope has returned to Bury for an initial two-month loan spell.

McCarthy may have hamstring injury

The Republic of Ireland's medical staff will assess the condition of James McCarthy's hamstring before deciding whether or not to include him in the upcoming internationals against Scotland and the USA.

Elsewhere On The Web

Flap over McCarthy's and McGeady's allegiances rumbles on

Sky Sports pundit Gordon McQueen has waded into the debate over the decision by James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady to choose to represent Ireland rather than Scotland, a media-driven flap that shows no signs of abating as the two nations prepare to meet in Euro2016 qualifying on Friday.

Barry sustains ankle damage but no break

Roberto Martinez has revealed that Gareth Barry did not suffer a fracture to his ankle in today's draw at the Stadium of Light but will need to have the injury assessed.

Blues are held again as Baines earns a point from the spot

Everton came from behind to record a second successive Premier League draw thanks to Leighton Baines's penalty with a quarter of an hour to go. The fullback buried a spot-kick after Seamus Coleman had been felled by Conor Whickham, cancelling out Sebastian Larsson's goal from a direct free kick 10 minutes earlier. Romelu Lukaku passed up a great chance early in the second half when he failed to round Pantilimon when clean through and the 'keeper tipped a shot by the Belgian onto the post shortly afterwards.

• Match summary and reaction
• /season/14-15/comment/editorial/28648.html

Eto'o magic rubbing off on Lukaku

Steven Naismith says that his strike partner Romelu Lukaku's game is already showing evidence of the influence of playing and training alongside Samuel Eto'o.

Sunderland vs Everton

Everton return to Premier League action trying once more to establish some momentum on the domestic front following last weekend's disappointing draw with Swansea. Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry face late fitness tests on foot injuries but changes to the team that started against Lille are expected given the squad-rotation policy that Roberto Martinez has employed thus far.

• Memory Lane
• /season/14-15/tv.php
• /comment/live/

Elsewhere On The Web

Video: Lille boss admits Blues were superior

Girard says that Everton were faster, stronger and played a better style of football than his Lille side after the Blues' 3-0 win at Goodison Park

Elsewhere On The Web

Everton continue to impress in Europe

Matt Jones looks back at the win over Lille and singles out Romelu Lukaku for particular praise

Elstone addresses merchandise supply issues

Everton CEO Roberto Elstone has used his latest blog post on evertonfc.com to shed some light on the kit-supply problems that have left the club unable to meet demand for this season's home jersey.

Doubts over Barry and Coleman for Sunderland trip

Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry will both have foot injuries assessed before the Sunderland match on Sunday before Roberto Martinez finalises his team. Coleman was omitted from the team that beat Lille with a cut to the area around his Achilles while Barry sustained a gash and bruising to his ankle last night. The club have also opted not to operate on Antolin Alcaraz's injured shoulder, with Martinez predicting he could be back within five weeks.

Martinez happy with display against Lille

Roberto Martinez expressed how pleased he was with Everton's comprehensive win over Lille at Goodison Park this evening which kept his side on course for the next stage of the Europa League.

Everton roll on with comfortable win over Lille

Everton have one foot in the next phase of the Europa League thanks to another impressive home win, this time over Lille. The Blues started brightly and Victor Enyeama saved brilliantly to deny Romelu Lukaku before Leon Osman smashed home the opening goal with 26 minutes gone. Enyeama was there again to deny Naismith but Jagielka lost his marker at the resulting corner and planted a free header past the keeper to make it 2-0 shortly before the interval. Steven Naismith made it 3-0 with a brilliant goal on the hour mark.

• Full match report

Evertonians urged to secure their seat

Evertonians can pick up the perfect Christmas gift from Friday when 2014-15 Half Season Tickets go on sale tomorrow – the only way to guarantee watching all of the Blues’ Premier League action at Goodison Park.

New deal for Osman

Leon Osman has agreed a one-year extension to his Everton contract that ties him to the club until the summer of 2016.

Everton vs LOSC Lille

Everton can virtually assure their passage to the next phase of the Europa League with victory when Lille become the first French club to play the Blues at Goodison Park in a competitive fixture. Antolin Alcaraz joins John Stones and Kevin Mirallas on the injured list so Sylvain Distin is in line for another recall, while Darron Gibson and Romelu Lukaku are also fully fit again.

Unsworth looking forward to new U21 tournament

David Unsworth has been looking ahead to Everton U21s' involvement in the Premier League International Cup when they play their first Group D match against Celtic on 25 November.

Double nomination for evertonfc.com

Everton's new website has received a double nomination at the Sitecore Experience Awards, which recognise the best Sitecore solutions from the last year.

Alcaraz may need surgery

Everton will make a decision in the next few days over whether or not Antolin Alcaraz will need an operation to mend his dislocated shoulder.

Lukaku under Ferguson's tutelage

In addition to learning from the experience and advice of veteran star, Samuel Eto'o, Romelu Lukaku is also benefitting from one-on-one coaching with Duncan Ferguson. The Belgian international reveals that he has extra sessions with the Goodison favourite at least three times a week as he seeks to become a better all-round striker.

Liverpool U18s 1 - 1 Everton U18s

On Saturday, Everton's youngsters, on a five-game winning streak, were held to a draw by their local rivals after gifting them the lead. A great header by George Newell restored parity but Everton should have won it when a penalty from Joe Williams was saved.

Martinez disappointed by Swansea approach

For once, Roberto Martinez didn't mince words in his description of how Swansea played on Saturday, and expressed his frustration that his old club, now managed by Gary Monk, had not given Everton a more open game.

Alcaraz set for another long layoff

Everton will be without the services of Antolin Alcaraz for what Roberto Martinez predicts will be "a long time" after the defender damaged a joint in his shoulder in yesterday's draw with Swansea.

Kone not expected back until January

Arouna Kone's slow recovery from a serious knee injury has suffered a fresh setback and Roberto Martinez doesn't expect the Ivorian to be match fit until the New Year.

Everton held by 10-man Swans

Everton were held goalless for the first time this season as Swansea gutted out a draw at Goodison despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men following Jonjo Shelvey's second yellow card. The Blues were dominant in the first half but created few clear-cut chances and struggled to find any rhythm in the second period. Samuel Eto'o shot tamely at the 'keeper early on, Aiden McGeady went close, and a Phil Jagielka header bounced over while Wilfried Bony and Shelvey wasted the visitors' best chances at the other end.

• Match summary and reaction
• /season/14-15/comment/reports/28613.html