Darron Gibson is becoming Everton's lucky mascot
In the unlikely event David Moyes ever decides to give up football management, a career in the Salvation Army surely awaits. The Everton manager is adept at finding a spiritual home for lost souls.
By Chris Bascombe, at Goodison Park
Sunday 01 Apr 2012
The Sunday Telegraph
Darron Gibson is the latest to benefit from Moyes’ powers of rejuvenation. The Irishman’s last appearances for Manchester United suggested he was overweight, lacking motivation and out of his depth. The scouting reports Moyes himself compiled must have looked as much at Gibson’s past pedigree as present one. The conclusion, as with many of his Goodison buys, could only have been 'worth the risk for the price’ and an initial £1 million deal was completed. Seeing Gibson strut around Goodison against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, rarely squandering possession, threatening goal anywhere within 20 yards and displaying a capacity to change the pace of the passing game at a whim, the transformation was both surprising and yet completely in keeping with Everton trends. There are still flaws to Gibson’s game – Moyes hinted there is a comfort zone he needs to vacate – but there are early signs that you can already file him into the 'polished gem’ section of transfer coups. “I have always liked Darron and thought there was something there,” said Moyes. “It is going to take time and there is more to come. He probably needs a wee bit of the treatment as well. "He will need to get whipped a couple of times. I am sure he has had that with his previous manager as well. We will try to get him to be a bit braver in a lot of the things he does.”
The established view at Goodison is that if Moyes had the funds of Spurs or Liverpool, Everton would already be a top four side, and Gibson is another example of how the Scot’s riskier, cheaper transfers have often been the most profitable. At the very least, Gibson is becoming a lucky mascot. He is yet to play in a losing Everton side. In fact, his last league defeat was in April 2010 when he was in the United team beaten by Chelsea. There was never a danger of the run ending once Leon Osman’s hopeful left footer deflected off Gareth McAuley on 18 minutes. The temporary absence of Goodison’s quality control unit between that and Victor Anichebe’s second midway through the second half gave Roy Hodgson’s side hope of a point, but Tim Howard only had a single save to make in 90 minutes. West Brom have enough points to keep them out of a relegation fight, although Hodgson wants four more to be safe, but Everton are enjoying a period of upward mobility.
The FA Cup semi-final will help determine where both Merseyside clubs currently stand, but the gap between Everton and Liverpool in the Premier League is as close as it has been for seven years.
It would be a significant achievement if Everton claimed the honour of being Merseyside’s top performers.

Everton FC 2 West Brom 0 - harmony leads to straightforward home win
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2012
ELSEWHERE team-mates squabbled, managers accused players of leaking tactics and pressure bubbled over – but at Everton FC glorious harmony ruled supreme. There was even a hug at the end, as David Moyes warmly embraced retiring referee Peter Walton – and seasoned home fans will have been forgiven for wondering if there really was something in the water at the sight of their manager displaying any affection for a match official. But it’s been that kind of week for the Blues, and it was that kind of day. If Everton’s players needed an extra spring in their step after a week which saw them steam-roller Sunderland in the FA Cup quarter final to secure an all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, it was provided by taking three points from West Brom without ever really getting out of second gear. There was a time not long ago that well-drilled opposition sides arriving at Goodison with two banks of four on a mission to frustrate were becoming a thorn in Everton’s side. Not any more. Certainly not since that increasingly crucial last day of transfer activity in January when Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic joined Darron Gibson as permanent additions to a squad which was desperate for a sign of hope and ambition. All three have made promising and significant impact; that crucial creative spark provided by Pienaar allows Everton to unlock defences, in Jelavic they finally have a striker who can turn those chances into goals, and with Gibson a midfielder whose slow burning qualities reveal themselves further by the week. Back in January anyone who suggested the Blues could yet qualify for Europe via their Premier League finishing place warranted a check for concussion. But suddenly, after a weekend when they rose above Liverpool in the table there seems much to play for, after a swing in momentum to the blue half of the city has ironically followed soon after Moyes’ men were embarrassed at Anfield last month. While the Blues’ relaxed approach after going ahead against the Baggies will have irked their manager, they were a class above the visitors throughout. Leighton Baines crafted the first opening for the home side, with a typically adept delivery into the box which Leon Osman rose well to meet but headed wide. Then Steven Pienaar jinked into the area and pulled a pass back to the edge for the loitering Darron Gibson, whose fierce shot flashed narrowly over. It was an irresistible start, which was soon rewarded. Osman exchanged passes with Jelavic in the area, and as the Baggies defence were slow to respond, the midfielder’s shot took a deflection off Gareth McAuley on its way past a wrong-footed Ben Foster. However, only a slice of fortune prevented an equaliser against the run of play. In a rare attack Paul Scharner, so often on the scoresheet against the Blues, unleashed a low strike which Tim Howard could only parry, and Chris Brunt’s effort on the rebound clipped Shane Long’s heel and carried the ball wide. Marouane Fellaini went close moments later, as the pattern of incessant Blues attacking resumed. Gradually Roy Hodgson’s side began to eke out a few openings, but Everton’s midfield got back to defend well, with Pienaar nipping in to chest back to his goalkeeper, averting danger as Shane Long lurked. Everton’s tempo had dropped off near the break and their pressing became noticeably less urgent since they had opened the scoring.
More on this: Defence is boosting Everton FC feel-good factor, says Tim Howard So, they attempted to lift things after the break, and Fellaini again tested Foster with a vicious drive, before Jelavic was booked for a foul on Liam Ridgewell. Then it was time for Pienaar to make the difference again. He slipped a smart pass to sub Victor Anichebe, who escaped the slack marking of Ridgewell and drilled his low strike in off the post for his second goal against the Midlanders this season. The chance for Pienaar to apply some gloss to the score line went begging, when he seized on Jelavic’s delightful back heel to go through on goal but opted for power over subtlety, allowing Foster to block his strike. Jelavic might have made it three with a brave header just before he was replaced to plenty of applause for another marauding display, but by then the result was beyond doubt. There were further positives. Fellaini avoided a booking, and understandable caution did little to limit his effectiveness. Should he be yellow-carded against Norwich next weekend, Fellaini can simply be replaced to ensure he does not miss the semi-final. The Belgian won’t want to do anything to jeopardise his place at the moment though, these are unmissable times.
EVERTON): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka (Capt), Heitinga, Baines, Gibson, Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman (Gueye, 45), Cahill (Anichebe, 63), Jelavic (McFadden, 87). Not used: Mucha, Stracqualursi, Distin, Neville.
WEST BROM: Foster, Olsson, Scharner, Ridgewell, McCauley, Jones, Andrews. Brunt, (Coz, 77) (Capt), Tchoyi (Fortune, 73), Long, Odemwingie. Not used: Daniels, Dorrans, Shorey, Mulumbu, Dawson.
GOALS: McCauley og 18, Anichebe 68.
CARDS: Booked – Jelavic, Cahill; Name (time); Olsson.
REFEREE: Peter Walton
ATTENDANCE: 32,051.

Second goal killed us, says West Brom manager Roy Hodgson after 2-0 defeat to Everton
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2012
WEST BROM manager Roy Hodgson felt his side would have done better in their 2-0 loss to Everton had they taken a chance to equalise late in the first half when Paul Scharner drew a save out of Tim Howard and Chris Brunt fired the rebound wide off team-mate Shane Long. “We missed a cutting edge. We went behind unfortunately with the deflected goal but were playing quite well up to half-time and could have had an equaliser,” he said. “It was going to be very important to keep that going in the second half but the second goal killed that off. “It gave Everton the confidence they needed to keep the ball and punish us on the counter-attack.” West Brom are 14th, eight points clear of the relegation zone but Hodgson would like a few more to act as a safety net.
“I think we need about four more points and we’ve got seven games to get them,” he added.
Hodgson played down the fall-out between Foster and Peter Odemwingie at a corner late in the game. “It is a storm in a teacup and hasn’t had any repercussions in the dressing room, which is most important.”

David Moyes insists there’s more to come from Darron Gibson after an impressive start to his Everton FC career
Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2012
EVERTON FC manager David Moyes hailed Darron Gibson after the Republic of Ireland international midfielder made it a perfect 10 games unbeaten with his new club but insisted he’s going to have to get tough to improve the player further. The £500,000 bargain buy – who became Moyes’ first senior cash signing for two-and-a-half seasons in January – has certainly brought the luck of the Irish to the Blues since his move from Old Trafford as he is yet to taste defeat in an Everton jersey.
Indeed the 24-year-old has not been beaten in a Premier League game for almost two years – a run stretching back to Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea on April 3 2010. During that time he has been beaten in just one match – the Red Devils’ shock 2-1 home exit to Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup quarter-final earlier this season. Moyes joked that Gibson reckons the amazing sequence is all down to himself, remarking: “He thinks he is the man!” The Blues boss is pleased with the Derry-born player’s progress to date – which includes scoring the winning goal against Manchester City – but believes there is far more to come from him. He said: “I have always liked Darron Gibson and always thought there was something there. I have always liked his style. I thought there was something there against West Brom when he did well. There were some good signs.
“However I think it is going to take time and I need to get him out of his own comfort zone. I think there is more to come. “I think there will be a better player with regular games and I think he probably needs a wee bit of ‘the treatment’ as well. “But I think he passed the ball well for us. We know he has a great shot with both feet. “So there is a bit more to come from him.”
When asked on what exactly ‘the treatment’ means, the Scot replied: “Well, he will need to get whipped a couple of times. “I am sure he has had that with his previous manager as well. I think he is doing really well and he will improve the longer he is with us and gets to work with me.
“In his own way we will try and everything he does is a little bit safe at the moment and we will try to get him to be a bit braver in a lot of the things he does.” With aspirations of representing his country at this summer’s European Championship finals, Gibson, who was loaned out to both Wolves and Belgian side Royal Antwerp during his time at Old Trafford, decided to call time on his United career following Paul Scholes’ decision to come out of retirement. Although Moyes had been a long-time admirer of the player, he revealed that he had not tried to sign him in the past as the price tag had been too high. He said: “I never tried to sign him before because it was always going to be too much money. I don’t know if he found it hard to leave United but maybe felt his time had come because he wasn’t given the opportunities he would have liked. “It is still early days for him but he has settled in really well and the players all like him. I think that he has fitted into the work ethic.” Moyes is also pleased with the partnership Gibson has built-up with Marouane Fellaini in the Blues’ engine room as he has helped to bring the best out of the club’s record signing.
He said: “I think Darron’s presence allows Fellaini to wander at times and join up and link up in the knowledge that he knows there is probably someone there. “However, I want to get him at the edge of the box too because of his shooting ability. “There is a mix in them and they are both pretty good midfield players. Darron is the better passer and I think he has much more to give in the coming months.”

Defence is boosting Everton FC feel-good factor, says Tim Howard
By Greg O'Keeffe
Apr 2 2012
TIM HOWARD believes Everton FC’s feel-good factor is being bolstered by a defensive solidity, which saw them record their third consecutive clean sheet during Saturday’s win over West Brom.
The Toffees have triumphed 2-0 in their last three games, and Howard insists that David Moyes has rotated his defensive personnel to get the best from them during a gruelling recent schedule of fixtures. Phil Jagielka returned to the side for the victory over Roy Hodgson’s side, which saw the Blues rise above Liverpool in the Premier League, after the England defender was on the bench for last Tuesday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Sunderland. And the USA international is delighted at the screen his back four is providing him. He said: “We felt like we’ve been pretty solid lately. We’ve had a good run since Christmas and we really felt like that started defensively, and we’ve been scoring goals as well. "We’ve been scrapping and beating teams up and getting in front of goal, and Niki (Jelavic) has been good at linking play up. “It’s great when you know if you do your job properly the boys up front will put them in, and they feel like they won’t have to score eight goals to win a game because we’re solid. That’s part of the feel good factor. “I don’t know how the manager is choosing at the minute but he seems to be doing the right thing, and giving guys a rest when they need it and they haven’t disappointed.” Jagielka was handed the captain’s armband for the clash with the Baggies, as club captain Phil Neville was rested, and Howard believes he responded with a masterful performance. “I love our centre halves - Jags was our skipper against West Brom and he was fantastic,” he said. “Since the turn of the year it’s not about if we’re going to concede, it’s about how many chances we’ll give up. “As a goalkeeper when the guys in front of you are limiting chances like that, you know goals aren’t going to be scored.
“They’ve done such a good job of putting the opponent in areas where it’s difficult for them to get chances. Of course, when it happens that’s when I have to try and earn my money. “I think Jags understands at the moment because the gaffer is getting his rotation right. “There’s a lot of miles on a guy like Sylvain too and he needs his break. When Phil Neville isn’t there, Jags is our captain and we feel that. He played really well at Swansea and of course was disappointed to miss out at Swansea but then he was back in against West Brom and was fantastic.”

Everton FC analysis: Blues doubled up with excitement
by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo
Apr 2 2012
THE champagne might be on ice for Wembley but by avoiding an FA Cup hangover following their imperious display at Sunderland on Tuesday night, Everton FC ensured the Premier League battle between themselves and their neighbours is just hotting up. There was every chance this game could have been a case of “After the Lord Mayor’s Show” for David Moyes’ boys but while it was far from a classic, the Blues efficiently swatted aside a team that went into the fixture with the Premier League’s fifth best away record that includes six victories on their travels to date – a figure bettered only by Manchester’s two title challengers and Arsenal. In doing so, Everton recorded three consecutive wins for the first time this term to leapfrog their neighbours in the table and ensure Merseyside’s Premier League battle over the final six weeks of the campaign will provide an intriguing additional competition to the clubs’ big Wembley showdown in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Blues have finished above their neighbours just once since their last League Championship in 1987 when they came fourth in the 2004/05 season but given their traumatic start to the campaign with Moyes offloading several big names in late August without being able to bring in replacements, he is delighted just to be in with a chance of usurping the Reds who shelled out over £50million last summer. He said: “I am just pleased that we are in this position. If you had told me at the start of the season I wouldn't have believed you. All we can do is carry on and finish as high as we can. The influx of the three or four coming in over January has given us a lift.” Saying that his acquisitions during the winter transfer window have given his side “a lift” is probably the understatement of the year from the Scot. They’ve transformed a team that was toothless and on its knees – the Blues were averaging just a goal a game at Goodison going into 2012 – into a crack outfit who can now compete with the Premier League’s best and possess genuine aspirations of finally breaking Moyes’ trophy duck in his 10th anniversary season at the club. Back in January there was a double-digit points gap between Liverpool and Everton in the table but while the Reds have mostly faltered since then in their Premier League fixtures – the notable exception being their emphatic derby victory at Anfield – Moyes’ new boys have helped his side rediscover their belief. While US international Landon Donovan was a shooting star in his second coming at Goodison, blazing a trail for just a short period before having to return to Los Angeles and although impressive perhaps not burning quite so bright as in his first loan spell at the club in 2010, Moyes will hope his other arrivals will bring longer term success. It remains to be seen whether the Blues will be able to do a permanent deal to re-sign Steven Pienaar in the summer but he has fitted back in seamlessly to the side and given that he is cup-tied his importance in the Premier League run-in is even greater. Darron Gibson, snapped up for just an initial £500,000 and still yet to taste defeat in an Everton jersey after 10 appearances could prove to be another of Moyes’ great bargains and far more than just a lucky mascot.
And then of course there’s Nikica Jelavic. Now there’s value for money in the modern game.
Moyes admitted to Evertonians at a city dinner last Thursday that he’d known his side had been crying out for a top class frontman for some three years but he’d just not been able to afford one.
He also acknowledged that Jelavic’s value is probably far greater than the £5.5milion fee he paid for him so the ex-Celtic centre-back can be grateful for Rangers’ cash crisis which enabled Everton to push down the Glasgow club’s asking price to almost half what they were originally asking for.
But as well as their individual merits, what Pienaar, Gibson and Jelavic have brought to the Blues side is balance as they’ve each built up partnerships with team-mates that have got Moyes’ men ticking again. Pienaar has just carried on where he left off in regards to his clever combinations down the left flank with attacking full-back Leighton Baines. Gibson has proved the ideal foil for Marouane Fellaini in the Blues’ engine room while further upfield, Jelavic’s aerial presence and eye for goal has lifted the burden on Tim Cahill and revitalised the Australian’s performances. Victory in the FA Cup remains Everton’s preferred route to Europe of course but if they do book a return trip to the national stadium in May then what better way to keep up competition for places ahead of the big day than a grandstand finish in the Premier League and overhauling their neighbours?
After two derby defeats so far this season, the chance of that particular League and Cup ‘double’ over Liverpool must be a mouthwatering prospect for Evertonians.

Everton FC midfielder Marouane Fellaini won't go easy between now and FA Cup semi-final
By Phil Kirkbride
Apr 2 2012
MAROUANE FELLAINI insists he did not go easy in the tackle for Everton FC against West Bromwich Albion despite the threat of missing the FA Cup semi-final through suspension. The Belgium midfielder has eight bookings this season and knows two more between now and the Wembley date with Liverpool would mean he would miss out with a ban. Everton breathed easier at full-time at Goodison Park on Saturday when Fellaini produced another towering performance, avoiding a booking and helped their side to a straightforward victory over a hapless West Brom. The win moved David Moyes' men above Liverpool in the Premier League table and with just two games before the first Merseyside derby at the national stadium since 1989, Fellaini moved a step closer to avoiding censure for the big game in the capital. Should the 24-year-old pick up a caution against Norwich City next Saturday then Everton will handle the former Standard Liege player with care ahead of Sunderland's visit to the city on Easter Monday but Fellaini says he must remain as ferocious in the tackle as ever. Everton supporters looked on nervously as Fellaini clutched his ankle following a foul by Keith Andrews then reacted angrily, refusing to accept the West Brom player's hand. Fortunately the Everton FC man soon calmed down, avoided the wrath of referee Peter Walton and is now confident he will have shaken off the knock in time for next weekend's trip to Norwich City. "It's okay," he said of the injury. "(I was worried because) maybe my ankle twisted but I'll be okay because I have three or four days with full treatment. "Two years I have big injuries so I was scared. It's no problem. After five minutes it's okay, it's football." Asked if he had changed his game with the threat of picking up two more cautions between now and the semi-final, Fellaini said: "No. I play my normal game." It has been a highly rewarding week for the Goodison side and Fellaini hopes Everton FC can add to their growing confidence before they meet Liverpool with victories over Norwich and then Sunderland. "I am good form and so is the team," he said.
"We are playing well at the moment which is good for Everton. Every year the second half of the season we play well and take a lot of points. "The players want to win every game.
"At the moment Everton are playing well. Every year we start bad but a few months after we play well. "I hope next season we can start and finish well. It is important but it is difficult. We will try to finish sixth or seventh which will be good for Everton."

Tony Hibbert says Everton wins are a way to stay fresh
Everton 2 West Bromwich Albion 0
Kieran Daley
The Telgrapgh
Monday 02 April 2012
The defender Tony Hibbert says that fatigue will not be a problem for Everton as long as they keep winning. Saturday's 2-0 victory over West Brom, thanks to a Gareth McAuley own goal and Victor Anichebe's first goal at Goodison Park since August 2007, was Everton's third win in a week. It ended a run of eight matches in 29 days and the manager, David Moyes, said he thought his players looked physically and mentally tired. But with five games coming up in 22 days, including an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, Hibbert is confident. "Going into the game we were doing everything we could training-wise and with rehab and the lads were feeling all right," said the right-back. "Once you get into the game you do feel you are low down on energy; we have had eight games this month so there is going to be a fitness issue. But winning games means the confidence takes over that.
"The lads were confident going into the game and although we had a sticky first half, in the second half we showed what we could do." Moyes said: "It was a great victory after the week we have had – fantastic. It has been a very good week. It is not easy to win three in a row and with three clean sheets too, which is even better."
Match details
Everton: HOWARD 6/10, HIBBERT 6, JAGIELKA 7, HEITINGA 7, BAINES 7, OSMAN 7, GIBSON 6, FELLAINI 7, PIENAAR 8, CAHILL 6, JELAVIC 6
WBA: FOSTER 6, RIDGEWELL 6, OLSSON 6, McAULEY 6, JONES 6, TCHOYI 5, ANDREWS 5, SCHARNER 6, BRUNT 6, LONG 5, ODEMWINGIE 5
Scorers: Everton McAuley og 18, Anichebe 68.
Substitutes: Everton Gueye 5 (Osman, h-t), Anichebe 6 (Cahill, 63), McFadden (Jelavic, 87). West Bromwich Dorrans 5 (Scharner, 67), Fortune 5 (Tchoyi, 73), Cox (Brunt, 78).
Booked: Everton Jelavic, Cahill. West Bromwich Olsson.
Man of the match Pienaar. Match rating 5/10.
Possession: Everton 56% West Bromwich 44%.
Attempts on target: Everton 9 West Bromwich 5.
Referee P Walton (Northamptonshire).
Attendance 32,051.

Everton FC 2 West Brom 0: Phil Kirkbride’s verdict
by Philip Kirkbride, DPW West
Apr 2 2012
DAVID MOYES may want to look again. At the end of one of the most rewarding weeks of his Everton reign, the manager could be forced to reassess who he sees as favourites for the FA Cup semi-final.
Privately at least. No sooner had Sunderland's David Vaughan bundled the ball into his own net and all but secured Everton's passage into a Wembley date with Liverpool, then Moyes was playing down his own side's chances for April 14. Liverpool, the Carling Cup winners and convincing victors in the 217th Merseyside derby last month, would have been heavily fancied by most others, but there slowly appears to be a turning of the tide on Merseyside. Everton's rivals across Stanley Park are in the grip of some torrid form, having lost six of their last seven Premier League matches, whilst Moyes' men march towards the capital in their rudest health of the season. Late charges towards the finishing line are nothing new for the men in royal blue, but such is their form of late that Everton cantered to victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Having tactically squeezed the life out of Swansea, then bullied Sunderland in midweek, the Goodison side were understandably a touch weary in parts at the weekend but even so they dominated and won convincingly.
Leon Osman's opening goal, his third in the league this season, set Everton on their way before Victor Anichebe used the good vibrations around the place to bag a first strike at home since August 2007. The points were only meant to take Moyes' men above Liverpool for a matter of hours, but with Kenny Dalglish's side falling under the wheels of Newcastle United's Champions League charge, Everton kept their advantage in the standings. As confidence fills the air in the Blue half of the city, that same belief in the Liverpool supporters needs replenishing before the two sides descend on Wembley. Everton are building momentum whilst Liverpool have looked shaky for some time.
Moyes, of course, remains reluctant to talk too much about the FA Cup semi-final in public, but heading into the visit of Roy Hodgson's West Brom the giant arch lurked in the backdrop.
Of chief concern is keeping the Everton players fit. Osman was withdrawn at half-time here and left Goodison in discomfort after a knock on his ankle but remained confident the injury was not serious.
Marouane Fellaini, two bookings away from incurring a ban, produced another towering performance against the hapless Baggies and avoided the wrath of referee Peter Walton, who retired after the final whistle. Tim Cahill, superb in the wins in South Wales and then in the North East, was spared another gruelling 90 minutes when Anichebe replaced him just after the hour mark and having the Australian refreshed for Liverpool will be vital to Everton's chances. In truth, Moyes' men needed little of the drive and determination which brought them the two previous 2-0 wins as West Brom's lack of fight cost them dear. True, the deflection which saw Osman's effort wrong-foot Ben Foster was cruel and the bad fortune continued when Chris Brunt's goalbound effort hit team-mate Shane Long and deflected wide, but their response was, on the whole, timid and undeserving of a share of the points. Fellaini so nearly doubled Everton's lead 10 minutes after Osman's goal, but Foster palmed away his low drive in a half of few clear-cut chances. The Belgium continued his pursuit of a fourth goal of the campaign, but he fired over the bar. As the game fell into scrappy territory, Anichebe ended a lingering doubt as to the destination of the points as, unopposed, he fired low and hard beyond Foster to add to his winning strike at the Hawthorns on New Year's Day.
The space in which Everton were allowed to play became wider and the time they had to do it was extended by a generous West Brom. From the moment of highest quality in the game, Steven Pienaar was denied by Foster before Peter Odemwingie at the other end caught the attention of Tim Howard, who had little to do. Everton are cruising on confidence all the way to Wembley and Liverpool know it.

Everton 2 West Brom 0: Peter Odemwingie and Ben Foster bust-up a storm in a teacup, says Roy Hodgson
Apr 2 2012
Birmingham Mail
‘A STORM in a tea cup’ is how Roy Hodgson described the bust-up between Peter Odemwingie and Ben Foster. The two Albion players went forehead-to-forehead after the Baggies goalkeeper deemed the striker to have not kept close to his marker as they defended a short corner.
The two players exchanged verbals but Hodgson was fairly relaxed afterwards. He said: “To be fair, Peter needs to question himself. “He wasn’t doing the job he was told to do. “We knew about the short corner and we made it clear before the game that we wanted him to go out and take the player who was looking to receive the short corner and he would be joined by Billy Jones to make it two against two. “He didn’t do it and he didn’t like the fact he was told about it. “But of course, in his defence, he worked very hard in the game. “It’s an emotional game, we were staring at a defeat that late in the game and sometimes people react in those situations. “It’s a storm in the tea cup and hasn’t had any repercussions in the dressing room at all – that’s the most important thing.”
Albion are yet to secure safety – though they are eight points off the drop zone, with seven games left to play. Hodgson feels four more points, which would take Albion to 40, will suffice.
“I don’t think we need anything more than four points,” added Hodgson. “It gives you a sinking feeling and we need to make sure we get the guys up for the next home game against Blackburn.”

COMPETITION: Be the Wembley mascot for Liverpool FC or Everton FC in the FA Cup semi-final
Liverpool Echo
Apr 3 2012
YOUNG Everton FC and Liverpool FC fans are today offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk out alongside their heroes at Wembley in the all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final. The ECHO has teamed up with ESPN, which will be broadcasting the historic April 14 clash, to offer one lucky fan from each team the chance to be a mascot on the day. The youngsters will get to walk out on to the hallowed turf as the teams are led on to the pitch by Kenny Dalglish and David Moyes, and proudly stand with their heroes as they line-up for the pre-match handshakes. The winners – who must be between seven and 11 to enter – will get tickets for themselves and a parent/guardian for the game, as well as a kit to wear on the day and take home. There will also be up to £200 per person provided to cover travel and accommodation costs. ECHO editor Alastair Machray said: “It’s a fantastic occasion for the city and we are thrilled to be associated with this money-can’t-buy opportunity for the people of Liverpool, be they Reds or Blues.” CORRECTLY answer this question for your chance to win:
Q: What year did Everton and Liverpool last meet at Wembley?
(1) 1989 (2) 1986 (3) 1992
For your chance to be the Liverpool FC Mascot, call 0905 937 2307 and follow instructions (26p/call).
Or text the word LIVW followed by a space then your answer (1, 2 or 3), your name, full address including postcode and email address to 85858 (25p/text).
For your chance to be the Everton FC Mascot, call 0905 937 2309 and follow instructions (26p/call).
Or text the word LIVECH followed by a space then your answer (1, 2 or 3), your name, full address including postcode and email address to 85858 (25p/text).
Lines close at 5pm Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Landline calls cost [26p/call] plus network extras max 2.5 mins. Payphones and mobiles will be higher. Texts cost 25p each plus one standard network rate message. For SMS, you may receive details of other related promotional offers and services, if you do not wish to receive these, add NOINFO to the end of your message.
One winner per team will be selected at random after lines close from all correct entries received.
Competition winners must be contactable on Thurs, April 5 before 1pm. Prize not transferable.
1. The promoters and organizers of the FA Cup Semi-Final Mascot Competition (the “Promotion”) is ESPN (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Limited, Registered in England & Wales, Registration Number 06565173, 3 Queen Caroline Street, London W6 9PE and [company name and registered company number of newspaper] (together, “the Organisers”).
2. The Promotion is open to all United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Island residents, aged between 7 and 11 years of age at the date of entry, who enter on or before the closing date, excluding employees of the Organisers, ESPN Inc, The Walt Disney Company, The FA Group, their families, agents and anyone involved in the administration of the Promotion. Proof of age may be required and entrants must have full parental consent to enter. The eligibility of any entrant is at the sole discretion of the Organisers.
3. The Promotion will commence on Tues April 3 2012 and will close 5pm Weds April 4. Entrants' contact details shall only be used for notifying an entrant that the entrant has won the prize and for no other purposes whatsoever. No proof of purchase is necessary to enter the Promotion.
4. The prize on offer is for 1 prize winner, aged between 7-11 years, to be a football team mascot in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley between Liverpool and Everton on April 14 2012, plus 2 x tickets to the FA Cup semi final for the prize winner and 1 accompanying adult. Minimum age of the team mascot winner must be 7 years old.
5. The prize does not include the cost of transport to/from Wembley Stadium. Prize winners living within a 50-mile radius of Wembley Stadium will be required to fund their own travel/accommodation. For prize winners living outside a 50-mile radius of Wembley Stadium, a maximum of £200 per person will be provided to cover travel and accommodation. Prize winners must arrive at Wembley Stadium at a time to be directed by ESPN in order to take part. The Organisers, the FA and/or Wembley Stadium reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone arriving later than the specified time. All prize winners must be accompanied by an adult.
6. The winner of the prize will be the entrant drawn at random from those who have entered before the closing date. No entries will be accepted after the closing date. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify entrants who submit obscene or offensive information.
7. The Organisers do not accept responsibility for network, computer hardware or software failures of any kind, which may restrict or delay the sending or receipt of an entry. The Organisers accept no responsibility or liability for any lost, damaged or incomplete entries and all such entries will be deemed invalid. Proof of submission will not constitute proof of entry.
8. Prize winners will be notified by telephone on Thurs April 5 before 1pm. Failure to respond to a prize notification and complete a permissions form by this time on this day will result in disqualification and an alternative winner may be selected from the eligible entries received at the Organisers’ discretion. If winners are not able, for whatever reason, to accept a prize, the Organisers reserve the right in their discretion to award the prize to another participant. The Organisers will not be liable if a prize cannot be taken by a winner for any reason beyond the control of the Organisers.
Before the prize is awarded, the prize winner’s parent/guardian may be required to sign a statement of eligibility and liability/publicity release. Details of the names and counties of prize winners may be requested by writing to the Organisers at the address set out above.
9. The winner may be required to participate in publicity surrounding the Promotion and the winner’s parent/guardian consents to the prize winner being photographed on the day and his/her name, location and photograph (as chosen by the Organisers) being published for the purposes of publicizing the Promotion and promoting the Organisers’ business.
10. No alternative prizes will be awarded and there are no cash alternatives to the prizes. If for any reason it is not possible to provide a stated prize, the Organisers reserve the right to substitute the prize for a prize of equivalent or greater monetary value. Prizes are not transferable unless agreed in writing by the Organisers. The terms and conditions of The FA Group and any third party may apply to the prize as indicated. The Organisers reserves the right to cease or alter the Promotion without prior notice if deemed necessary in their sole opinion or if circumstances arise outside the Organisers’ control.
11. The Organisers’ decision is final and binding on all entrants. No correspondence will be entered into and no entries can be returned. Entries that do not comply in full with these entry rules and conditions will be disqualified.
12. The Organisers accept no responsibility for resultant loss or damage (other than death or personal injury caused by the negligence
of the Organisers or their agents) as a result of entering the Promotion or any prizes awarded.
13. The instructions form part of these terms and conditions. By participating in the Promotion, entrants will be deemed to have read and understood these terms and conditions and will be bound by them.
14. These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales whose courts shall be the courts of exclusive jurisdiction.

Victor Anichebe bids to shake off Everton FC super-sub tag
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 3 2012
VICTOR ANICHEBE believes he can still play a starring role in Everton FC’s resurgence – as he bids to shake off his ‘supersub’ tag. The Nigeria international striker came from the bench to score Everton’s second goal against West Brom on Saturday, his second strike against the Baggies this term. And while the 23-year-old’s goal was only his first at Goodison in the Premier League since 2007, his form is a bonus for the Blues as the games come thick and fast. Anichebe first earned a reputation as an impact player for the Blues during the 2007/08 UEFA Cup campaign, but insists it’s time he rid himself of his reputation as a bit-part performer. He said: “I can’t rubbish the supersub tag – I always seem to get a goal or something. Whether it’s coming off the bench or starting games, I’m not really bothered to be honest, but there will come a time when I’ll have to start playing consecutive games all the time, not just coming in off the bench. “I’ve been troubled with injuries here and there, so it does limit the time I’ve had on the pitch. But Everton are great, they’ve managed me well and hopefully they can get me playing a handful of games from the start.”
Saturday’s win was only Anichebe’s 12th appearance of the 2011/12 campaign, and not for the first time, the forward’s season has been punctuated by injury torment. However, the striker says has no lingering fitness problems. “It’s not that I’m injury-prone or anything like that, it’s just that I’ve been out for a while, come back, been out again and then we’ve had a lot of games recently so it stops the strengthening programmes that you can do,” he explained. “But hopefully now we’ve got some games out the way and I can start doing more. But as long as the team is winning, I can do my bit whenever. That’s the main thing.” Assistant boss Steve Round has every faith Anichebe can play a big part in Everton’s run-in. “He has been trying hard,” he said. “We know he can come on and score goals. I’m sure he’ll want to play more. “ Victor’s been unlucky with injuries but he starting to find form and I think he can still play a part in this season. “Earlier in the season he looked a bright player and can still play a big part for us, because there’s plenty of twists and turns. Knowing we’ve got him waiting with his impact is pleasing.” Meanwhile, Everton’s Premier League clash with Stoke has been rescheduled for May 1. The match, originally due to be played on April 14, was rescheduled after the Blues reached the semi-final of the FA Cup. Everton will now travel to the Britannia Stadium on May 1 for a 7.45pm kick-off. The match is not currently selected for live television coverage.

Ian Snodin: Everton FC West Brom win showed a united club
Liverpool Echo
Apr 3 2012
COMING after such a dramatic, exciting display at the Stadium of Light, there was always a danger that Saturday’s Everton FC game against West Brom could be a little flat. Then you remember that it was only last season when the Baggies came to Goodison and dismantled Everton 4-1, as Mikel Arteta was sent off. But with the confidence we have displayed and the results we’ve achieved lately, there was a sense that the Blues were expected to win. The challenge facing David Moyes and his players was to raise themselves for another Premier League fixture quickly after exerting so much energy against Sunderland, in a tie that effectively kept their season going. Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about – and in fact three points were sealed without ever really having to break much of a sweat. The run has been kept going, and that momentum continues to build with just two league games before the trip to Wembley. At the moment probably 90% of the team are on top form, and the sight of the Premier League table, with Everton sitting a point above Liverpool, was a pleasant one. It’s nothing to get too excited about however. You don’t get a trophy for finishing above your local rivals, and for Everton the absolute aim must be to get to the final and win a trophy. Liverpool have already been to the capital once and returned with the Carling Cup.
Aside from the result on Saturday, I must add my words of praise for the travelling supporters who roared us on against Sunderland. It was a fantastic gesture by the club to put on free coaches, and shows they realised what a vital difference having more than 6,200 Everton fans in full voice behind the team could make. Everyone I spoke to who went described a wonderful atmosphere before, during and after the game, and you could tell how much we were up for it. The lads thrived on that unbelievable backing and in response they were flying from the first whistle. Seeing the TV footage of how they ran over to celebrate with the away end once the whistle had gone made me realise how much the players appreciated that backing on the night. I was watching the game with my lads and every five minutes they were turning around and mentioning the supporters, they were more taken aback by them than they were by the players. That’s taking nothing away from the squad on the night. It was the perfect example of a football club pulling together. If the supporters are as good at Wembley there’s every chance they can roar us to a final.

Ian Snodin: Liverpool FC losing Pepe Reina for semi-final will be like when EFC lost Neville Southall
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 3 2012
PEPE REINA is a world class goalkeeper – no question about it, and taking him out of any team would weaken them. So it’s a plus for Everton that the Spaniard won’t be available for Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final. I remember when Neville Southall got injured in the 80s and Bobby Mimms replaced him. Bobby was a good keeper, but someone of Big Nev’s class is almost irreplaceable. It’s the same for Reina. Alexander Doni might well perform brilliantly, but it’s a headache Kenny Dalglish could have done without.

Ian Snodin: Semi-final kick-off time guarantees early start in the Snodin household
Liverpool Echo
Apr 3 2012
LIKE many fans I groaned when I heard the kick off time for the FA Cup semi-final had been set for 12.30pm. It’s going to mean a lot of bleary-eyed fans setting off for London at an ungodly hour, and even though I’ll be driving from Donny it’ll be the same for me. On the Friday night I’m on my Blue Square Premier League punditry duty, covering Champions-elect Fleetwood Town’s important home game with Lincoln City. But my lads – who are all Everton mad – have told me under no circumstances must I be unavailable to take them to Wembley the next morning. So I’ll be setting off after too few hours kip at 5am with two of my excited sons in the car, but unfortunately Jordan has a game for Leeds United U18s that morning which is going to mean he won’t be able to get to Wembley. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he declares a late hamstring injury! I’m sure the early kick off won’t stop us giving the team our full-throated support as usual, and even though it’s a huge logistical pain in the backside for supporters it shouldn’t dent the atmosphere during what should be a special day for Merseyside. At least before the kick-off anyway!

Victor Anichebe determined to shake off Everton FC 'supersub' tag
Ian Doyle
Apr 3 2012
VICTOR ANICHEBE is determined to shake off his ‘supersub tag’ at Everton – but is happy to keep contributing from the bench for now. All four of Anichebe’s Premier League goals this season have come as a substitute, the most recent sealing a routine 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. The 23-year-old first gained a reputation as an impact player with his exploits in the UEFA Cup campaign of 2007-08. But now Anichebe admits the time has come to overcome a series of niggling injuries and claim a regular starting role for David Moyes’s side. “I can’t rubbish the super-sub tag – I always seem to get a goal or something,” said Anichebe. “Whether it’s coming off the bench or starting games, I’m not really bothered to be honest, but there will come a time when I’ll have to start playing consecutive games all the time, not just coming in off the bench.
“I’ve been troubled with injuries here and there, so it does limit the time I’ve had on the pitch.
"But Everton are great, they’ve managed me well and hopefully they can get me playing a handful of games from the start.” Anichebe has started only 29 games in the last four seasons – six coming in the present campaign – but has shrugged off suggestions of a fragile physique. “It’s not that I’m injury-prone or anything like that, it’s just that I’ve been out for a while, come back, been out again and then we’ve had a lot of games recently so it stops the strengthening programmes that you can do,” he said. “But hopefully now we’ve got some games out the way and I can start doing more.
“But as long as the team is winning, I can do my bit whenever. That’s the main thing.”
Meanwhile, Everton’s Premier League clash with Stoke has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 1 (kick-off 7.45pm). The match, originally due to be played on April 14, was rescheduled after the Goodison outfit reached the semi-final of the FA Cup.

Fatigue won’t be a problem for Everton FC says Tony Hibbert
by Our Correspondent, DPW West
Apr 3 2012
EVERTON defender Tony Hibbert claims fatigue will not be a problem for the players as long as they continue to succeed. A 2-0 victory over West Brom at Goodison Park was their third win in a week – one of which was in the FA Cup. It ended a run of eight matches in 29 days and manager David Moyes admitted he thought his team looked physically and mentally tired against the Baggies.
But with five games coming up in 22 days, including an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, Hibbert is confident the team can maintain their momentum. “Going into the game we were doing everything we could training-wise and with rehab and the lads were feeling all right,” said the right-back.
“Once you get into the game you do feel you are low down on energy but we have had eight games this month so there is going to be a fitness issue. “But winning games means the confidence takes over that. “The lads were confident going into the game and although we had a sticky first half in the second half we kicked on and showed what we could do. “The team was unbelievable on Tuesday night (winning their FA Cup quarter-final at Sunderland) and we needed to bring the confidence from that game to kick on and keep the momentum going.” The hosts fortuitously took the lead in the 18th minute when Leon Osman’s shot took a huge deflection off Gareth McAuley to wrongfoot goalkeeper Ben Foster, before substitute Victor Anichebe’s first goal at Goodison Park since August 2007 wrapped things up midway through the second half. Everton have suffered just two defeats in 11 league matches and Hibbert is keen for them and not be distracted by their semi-final. “We have started late again as usual but we want as many points as we can until the end of the season and the more games we play the better we will get,” added Hibbert. “We have kicked on and the teams we are playing now we have dominated. “We still have seven games in the league and we can’t get carried away.”

David Moyes says Wolves paying price for wrong decision to axe Mick McCarthy
by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail
Apr 3 2012
Birmingham Mail
DAVID Moyes has branded Wolves’ decision to sack Mick McCarthy as “undoubtedly” the wrong thing to do. Wolves Chief Executive Jez Moxey yesterday defended Terry Connor by insisting that although the team are still losing, they are playing better. “We were losing games and we’re continuing to lose, but we made our decision and we’re sticking to it. But I believe the team is performing better than before.” But the Everton boss says Wolves appear to have lost their fight in the aftermath of McCarthy’s axing in February. “Mick had Wolves fighting and battling for everything and if you went to Wolves it was going to be the hardest game,” Moyes said. “So, in the end, it has been a real poor decision because Mick had done a good job for them. “You never want to see managers go but if Wolves had a plan in place and said: ‘This is what we are going to do’, I think then everyone can understand it. “Maybe they did have and it went wrong but it was harsh on Mick because I think everybody respects Mick for the way he is, the way he works, and the
one thing he’d have made sure was that Wolves were ‘right at it’ to the end.” Moyes believes Terry Connor was walking into an impossible job. “Terry is a great guy. I have known Terry for a long, long time but it was always going to be a tough job to take to try and pick them up after Mick
left,’’ he said. “Look at where Steve Kean was at Blackburn – and great credit to their people for sticking with him and now he’s turned it around. “Roberto Martinez at Wigan is getting results – that could have been Wolves. “Mick will definitely work again because his style of management, how he works, his honesty, his integrity, will always get him a job in anagement.” Former Wolves great Kenny Hibbitt agrees with Moyes on the managerial situation and says it may already be time to regroup for next season. He said: “It was done wrong in the first place and they are going to be planning for the Championship. I’m not writing them off but it is 90 per ent so. That’s where we are heading for. “It might be the time to bring a manager in, have a look at his staff, sort the chaff out from the wheat and start building a squad that’s going to get us back into the Premier League. It hurts me to say it but we have to look realistically.”

Free Liverpool FC and Everton FC FA Cup banner for Echo readers
by Gemma Jaleel, Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2012
Make sure you’re prepared for the Liverpool FC and Everton FC clash at Wembley on Saturday, April 14. You can pick your free banner scarf up with a copy of the ECHO from tomorrow in either red or blue. The banner scarves will be available from Tesco stores in Clayton Square, Widnes, Bidston, Woolton, Mather Avenue, Prescot, Deysbrook, Old Swan, Park Road, Litherland and Bootle.
They will be up for grabs up until Saturday April 14. So whether you’re a Liverpool or an Everton fan make sure you get your free banner scarf with the ECHO.

Send us your Kids in Kits pictures of Liverpool FC and Everton FC kits ahead of Wembley FA Cup clash
by Rob Pattinson, Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2012
IN the run-up to the all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley the ECHO wants to see pictures of youngsters showing their true colours – in Everton FC and Liverpool FC kits.
The April 14 match will be a real case of Mersey-pride as friends and families enjoy the build-up to the big game together. And the ECHO wants to see pictures of your youngsters proudly wearing their team’s kit ahead of the day. We will print as many pictures of young Everton and Liverpool fans in their kits as we can in the ECHO and the rest will be put on to the ECHO website in the run-up to the game. The semi-final will be the first time the two sides have met at Wembley since 1989 and it is a chance to show how much being a fan means to your football-mad offspring.
Reds fan Reuben Fofana was just 15-weeks-old when he was pictured in his team’s colours in our Cuties in Kits feature two years ago. And the Old Swan tot – who has now just turned two – is as excited as his parents ahead of the big day. Proud mum Jenna said: “He absolutely loves football and loves “Kemmy” Dalglish, as he calls him. He got a big ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ birthday card which he was made up with too. “His family are all big Reds fans and we’ll be getting together to watch the Wembley game on the day – though there will be one or two Blues there as well.
“Reuben’s favourite player is ‘Gerrarda’ so he’s picked well and he’ll be hoping he has a great game come April 14 as we all will be.” SEND us pictures of your little cutie in a Liverpool or Everton kit by emailing them to kidsinkits@gmail.com along with your name, the name of the youngster or youngsters in the picture, address, and daytime contact telephone number.

Everton FC says FA Cup ticket systems performing well in response to fan complaints
By Luke Traynor
Apr 4 2012
EVERTON FC today responded to fans who criticised the sale of tickets for the FA Cup semi-final.
Supporters contacted the ECHO to complain of waiting hours online and on the telephone to try and secure a place at Wembley. But the club said they had sold over 15,000 tickets by late afternoon yesterday with most of those bought online. An Everton FC spokesman said: “We are extremely pleased with the way our processes and systems have performed considering the demand for semi Final tickets. “By early Tuesday afternoon we had sold over 15,000 semi-final tickets since.” opening for business at 8am with two-thirds of those sales via our online channel. “Inevitably with such a large number of supporters eligible to purchase we did experience some queues but wherever possible these were kept to a minimum. “Our ongoing advice to season ticket holders yet to purchase is to visit evertonfc.com in order to secure their Wembley ticket.” Mike Williamson, a season ticket holder for 18 years, said: “Five hours I waited and not a hope in hell of getting through. I had two computers running from 8am both waiting to purchase tickets from the EFC site. All telephone lines now have a recorded message which tells callers that they cannot be answered due to the volume of calls. “All of my mates are in the same position and we are going mental.” Yesterday was the first day of two for Blues season ticket holders with a further sale on Thursday for those fans who have attended five home games or more. Liverpool and Everton will receive around 31,000 tickets each for the Mersey semi-final but city council leader Joe Anderson has demanded to know each why there is not more and why the kick-off at Wembley is 12.30pm. He has written to the chairman of the FA, David Berstein, seeking answers. In his letter the Everton season ticket holder said: “I am writing to express my huge disappointment in the FA for continuing to put other people and organisations before genuine fans.” He states that the decision to schedule the kick off will mean some fans have to set off as early as 5am. “Could you please explain why the 12.30pm kick-off time was chosen and what your organisation did to secure a more convenient time for travelling fans? Could you also explain why, once again, you have allotted only 31,000 tickets for each club putting the wants of others ahead of the genuine fans? Can you please explain to me who gets the remaining 30,000 tickets? I await your response which I will share with the people of Liverpool.” An FA spokesman said: “The Merseyside derby is on a Saturday lunchtime because we weren't able to deliver a safe journey to and from Liverpool with anything other than a 12.30pm kick-off due to railway engineering works. “A route back on the Saturday was even more important given the Hillsborough memorial on Sunday which the FA and broadcasters recognised. “Both clubs have received over 31,000 tickets for the semi-final with 17,000 going to Club Wembley members

Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard urges press for success at Carrow Road
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2012THEY HAVE rightly been dubbed the unexpected success stories of the Premier League season – two promoted clubs who have been anything but whipping boys. Swansea and Norwich sit side by side in the table, and just four points behind Everton FC, but the Toffees have already proven there is no substitute for experience at the Liberty Stadium. David Moyes’ men got their tactics just right on the South Wales coast, and their hard-pressing performance prevented ‘Swanse-lona’ finding their passing groove. Now Tim Howard believes the Blues must deploy a similarly shrewd plan to defeat the muscular Canaries, and keep Everton’s upwardly mobile league progress on track. “What we’ve been trying to do lately is really press teams,” says the USA international. “The gaffer got his game plan right against Swansea. “We were a little bit out of our comfort zone, high pressing all over the pitch but it seemed to give us an edge and get us on the front foot. Rather than sit back and wait to be broken down we were really going and pushing them.” Paul Lambert’s side will represent a different challenge from Swansea, but Howard believes the win over West Brom last weekend was the ideal preparation. He said: “We did that a bit against West Brom as well, another tough team to break down, with 4-4-2 and two banks of four. It’s difficult and they made it hard but we pressed high. “With Norwich we need to do a similar thing. It’s away from home so you need to play a little bit differently but with the run we’re on, and the confidence we have there’s no reason we can’t go there, without taking terrible risk, get up against them and make them try and play around us.” Canaries boss Paul Lambert has been widely praised for helping his club do more than just survive this term, and Howard has had nothing but positive feedback on the Scot. “His players think the world of him,” said the 33-year-old who canvassed the opinion of Norwich’s American defender Zak Whitbread and ex-Blue goalkeeper John Ruddy. “He seems to have a really good way about him, and he’s come up and impressed everyone. The boys seem to play for him. “Fair play because they haven’t come up and been coy and reserved, getting turned over. They’ve really taken it to teams and I think that’s the way forward for newly promoted teams. You can’t just sit back and be there for the taking. They play well at home too. “It’s another top Scottish boss. Scotland just produces some really, really good managers and long may it continue because they have got the right pedigree to make top quality coaches.” In the corresponding fixture at Goodison this season, Grant Holt scored his side’s goal in a 1-1 draw, and the centre-forward has bagged 14 strikes overall so far. Howard already knows he will be in for a tough test against the tall striker. “It’s going to be tough because he bangs into you and beats you up,” he said. “He’s non-stop for as long as he’s on the pitch, so he’s another they relied heavily onto bring them up last season, and this time around to keep them up, and he’s not disappointed.”

Phil Jagielka says Everton FC strikeforce must fire against Norwich
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 4 2012
EVERTON FC’S rejuvenated strikeforce must be at their best against Norwich to fire the Blues to a fourth consecutive win, says Phil Jagielka. The Toffees have kept clean sheets and triumphed by two goals in their last three fixtures, as Nikica Jelavic and Tim Cahill have forged a promising partnership in attack. But Jagielka, 29, insists that chances will be at a premium at Carrow Road on Saturday, with former Everton goalkeeping understudy John Ruddy in impressive form for the Canaries since their return to the Premier League. He said: “A lot of bookies and others might have expected them to struggle but they’ve been flying. Their defensive record speaks for itself. They’ve conceded a few goals over the course of the season as everyone does, but nobody has had an easy game against them. “They will attack you – they often play two up front – but he’s got them well drilled and they haven’t been turned over. “Grant Holt has scored some important goals while John (Ruddy) has done very well.” Ruddy, 25, moved to Everton FC in the summer of 2005 for £250,000 but only made one appearance before being loaned out and eventually sold to Norwich in 2010. But the 6ft 4in keeper has already appeared 75 times for Paul Lambert’s side, and Jagielka insists he will be tough to beat. “When John was here there was never an issue over whether he was a good goalkeeper,” he said. “He stopped shots and did the rest really well. “But he had very good goalkeepers in front of him, and sometimes when you do play a team where you're going to be busy in goal it’s easier to keep your concentration. “If you speak to managers, they’ll say the best keepers aren’t those that make 10 great saves in a game, it’s the ones who make one or two. “Man U have been through quite a lot of goalkeepers because they’ve bought guys who are good shot stoppers, but haven’t maybe saved the key ones in games. “John had to go out and play a lot of first team football to realise his potential. Now his concentration has got a lot better. In goalkeeping terms he was a baby here, and he’s still a young man but he’s grown into it. His kicking is great, he’s a big boy and he has always been a good shot stopper.” Jagielka hopes to retain his place in the team after helping Everton FC record clean sheets against Swansea, and West Brom, but David Moyes admits he is currently blessed with options in central defence. The Blues boss said: “We’ve never been in a situation where rotation has needed to be done because we’ve never really had a backlog of fixtures. “But we have had for three weeks. Now I have got three centre-halves who are playing very well. I’ve got one who plays for Holland who are ranked number two in the world, I’ve got one who plays for England and I’ve got Sylvain Distin who has been fantastic and gives us a natural left footer so I’ve got real good competition with the form they’re in. “If people are playing well I will let them continue and keep the jersey. “I think the situation with Distin is age, and Johnny (Heitinga) has not trained quite a lot with a toe niggle so it has made it easy to rotate them round. I will use them at the right times. Last week Jagielka came in and he was top notch. "He’s not got to accept it, he’s just one of three who we are using. His form, his play was really good and I’ve got no problem, I speak to him regularly. Jags has been really good for us.”

Everton FC say high demand responsible for Blues fans' FA Cup semi final ticket anxiety
Luke Traynor
Apr 4 2012
EVERTON have responded to some of their fans criticising the sale of tickets for the FA Cup semi-final. Supporters contacted the Post and Echo to complain of waiting hours online and on the telephone to try and secure their place at Wembley. But the club said they had sold over 15,000 by late afternoon, with most of those bought online. An Everton FC spokesman said: “We are extremely pleased with the way our processes and systems have performed throughout the day considering the demand for semi-final tickets. “By early Tuesday afternoon, we had sold over 15,000 semi-final tickets since opening for business at 8am with two thirds of those sales via our online channel. “Inevitably, with such a large number of supporters eligible to purchase, we did experience some queues but wherever possible these were kept to a minimum. “Our ongoing advice to season ticket holders yet to purchase is to visit evertonfc.com in order to secure their Wembley ticket.” Exasperated Mike Williamson, a season ticket holder for 18 years, said: “Five hours I waited, and not a hope in hell of getting through. I have now had 2 PCs running from 8am, both waiting to purchase tickets from the EFC site. “All telephone lines now have a recorded message, which tells callers that they cannot be answered due to the volume of calls! “This is typical of how Everton handle themselves, commercially. “All of my mates are in the same position and we are going mental.” Yesterday was the first day of two for Blues season ticket holders, with a further sale on Thursday for those fans who have attended five home games or more. Liverpool and Everton will receive around 31,000 tickets each for the Mersey semi-final but City council leader Joe Anderson is demanding to know each why that is not more and also why the kick-off at Wembley is 12.30pm. He has written to the chairman of the FA David Berstein seeking answers. In his letter the Everton season ticket holder said: “I am writing to express my huge disappointment in the FA for continuing to put other people and organisations before genuine fans.” He states that the decision to schedule the kick off, for the match on April 14, will mean some fans have to set off as early as 5am.“Could you please explain why the 12.30pm kick off time was chosen, and what your organisation did to secure a more convenient time for travelling fans? “Could you also explain why, once again, you have allotted only 31,000 tickets for each club, putting the wants of others ahead of the genuine fans? Can you please explain to me who gets the remaining 30,000 tickets? I await your response, which I will share with the people of Liverpool.” An FA spokesman commented: “The Merseyside derby is on a Saturday lunchtime because we weren't able to deliver a safe journey to and from Liverpool with anything other than a 12.30pm kick-off due to railway engineering works. “A route back on the Saturday was even more important given the Hillsborough memorial on Sunday which The FA and broadcasters recognised. “The FA went on record almost a decade ago to say that the newly-built Wembley would host The FA Cup Semi-Finals and Final going forward. “Both clubs have received over 31,000 tickets for the semi-final with 17,000 going to Club Wembley members who are the stadium season ticket holders.” The remaining tickets are distributed to their football families.”

Everton FC boss David Moyes: Lack of first-team football won't affect Phil Jagielka's Euro 2012 chances
Ian Doyle
Apr 4 2012
DAVID MOYES is confident Phil Jagielka’s hopes of appearing at Euro 2012 will not be hampered by a lack of first-team football at Everton. Jagielka spent more than two months on the sidelines earlier this year after suffering knee ligament damage during the home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in January. In his absence, John Heitinga and Sylvain Distin forged a formidable centre-back partnership that has propelled the Goodison outfit to an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Despite being benched for the Cup games, Jagielka has started three of Everton’s last four Premier League matches. And, with the European Championships only two months away, Moyes insists the England international will be given plenty of opportunities between now and the end of the season.“I have got three centre-halves who are playing very well,” said the Everton manager. “I’ve got one who plays for Holland who are ranked number two in the world, I’ve got one who plays for England and I’ve got Sylvain Distin, who has been fantastic and gives us a natural left-footer. “I’ve got real good competition with the form they’re in. “I have a pecking order but form gives me that. If people are playing well I will let them continue and keep the jersey. “It has been easy to rotate given Distin’s age and Johnny has not trained quite a lot with a toe problem. “I will use them at the right times. Jags came in at Swansea, for example, and he was top notch.” Moyes added: “We’ve never been in a situation where rotation has needed to be done because we’ve never really had a backlog of fixtures. “But we did have for three weeks – it was probably been as tough as it has been for a long time. “If you go back a year or two when we were in Europe, we had loads of injuries and we were playing the kids as we didn’t have teams for Europe.” With Heitinga and Distin the preferred pairing at present, Jagielka is facing further Wembley heartbreak in the semi-final having missed the 2009 FA Cup final through injury. But Moyes said: “He’s not got to accept it, he’s just one of three who we are using. His form, his play was really good and I’ve got no problem, I speak to him regularly. Jags has been really good for us. “I could play him on the left of the centre-backs, I’ve done it before when Distin was out injured. “Shane Duffy had to play too with Heitinga. At the right times I will look after Sylvain too and make sure he gets a bit of recovery to keep him fresh.”

John Ruddy has time on his side, says Everton coach Chris Woods
Michael Bailey Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Norwich Evening News
John Ruddy has time on his side regarding international recognition, as far as ex-Canaries stopper and current Everton goalkeeping coach Chris Woods is concerned. Woods, a 1985 League Cup and Second Division title winner during his five years with Norwich City, helped develop Ruddy as a prospect at Goodison Park before he made his move to Carrow Road in July 2010. Since then Ruddy has impressed, becoming one of the Premier League’s top young goalkeepers and a major contender for City’s player of the season award this term. And although the England call-up some Norwich fans have looked for has not arrived yet, Woods is happy to see his old protégé blossoming at his former club. “I’m not surprised with John’s success at all – he was with us for a number of years and he’s always had great potential,” said Woods, capped 43 times by England. “He needed the games, which he left Everton to get, and it has helped him enormously. He’s a great reader of the game, a great presence and he’s just proved to everyone how good a keeper he has become. “It’s hard when you are not playing games because you need to do that in order to make decisions. You can’t make decisions on a training ground, day in day out. That’s the important thing and John has been really good with the fact he goes out and generally the decisions he makes are correct. “Obviously consistency is a major part of a goalkeeping repertoire and you need to make sure if you do make a mistake, it’s going to be three or four games until you make another. “That’s what you have to learn and I’m sure that is what John is learning all the time. He is a very level-headed lad that works hard, so I’m just really pleased he is where he is.” And that England call? “He’s only played in the top flight for one season and he’s not even completed that yet – but all John has got to keep doing is carrying on putting the performances in and let everything else take care of itself. “You know what it’s like. As soon as you start playing well people start saying this, that and the other. You need to keep focused on the position and the job that you’ve got in front of you and I’m sure John will do that.” In-form Everton visit Carrow Road on Saturday having lost just twice in 15 matches and have an FA Cup semi-final with city rivals Liverpool to look forward to seven days later. And Woods is looking forward to a rare trip back to the club at which he made 267 appearances following a 1981 move from QPR. “I can’t believe when I look back how many years ago that was – I’m getting old, I’m afraid,” said the 52-year-old. “I’ve been back a couple of times since I left and there have been massive changes. It’s a great ground and when it’s full it has got a really great atmosphere. It’s somewhere that will always be very close to me – I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. “It was a great place to be. We went to the Milk Cup final, we ended up with a relegation and promotion, so there was a bit of everything. We had a great set of lads and everybody went out together, played hard for each other and the staff was good. The whole club, I can’t speak highly enough about it. It was a great time in my career.” Woods agrees that some of those old habits shine through Paul Lambert’s current side, guided by his assistant Ian Culverhouse – a former City team-mate of Woods, who moved to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers when he left in 1986. “It’s great to see people you played with and go on about old times and then see what they’re doing at the moment,” added Woods. “I probably played against Paul (Lambert) when he was at St Mirren but it’s a long time ago. Obviously he has done a tremendous job at Norwich and hopefully I’ll wish both him and Ian continued success – after Saturday.” Those Norwich fans hoping Everton’s big date with Liverpool could mean David Moyes’ men take their eyes off their Easter challenge may be left disappointed. “The manager wouldn’t let that happen,” warned Woods. “We’ve also got Sunderland at home on Monday, so we won’t be looking at the semi-final until after that. “Everybody wants to play in the big games and you need to make sure you are performing so you get picked and play in those. No matter who you’re playing we like to think everybody is working hard to achieve that. “But we’re not too bad at the moment. Obviously it’s going to be a tough game coming up to Carrow Road. Norwich have been playing well and they’ve had a great season so far.”

Norhwich’s Wes Houlahan dreaming of Euro 2012 trip
by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
NORWICH midfielder Wes Hoolahan refuses to give up on his dream of making the Republic of Ireland Euro 2012 squad.The 29-year-old has impressed for the Canaries in the Premier League, but as yet has not been included in Giovanni Trapattoni’s plans ahead of the summer show-piece in Poland and Ukraine.Hoolahan, whose only cap came against Colombia at Craven Cottage in 2008 when playing for Blackpool, intends to finish the campaign on a high and force himself into the final reckoning.“It’s simple really, I just hope that if I keep playing for Norwich, and playing well, the call-up might come,” Hoolahan said. “I heard that Trapattoni came to see Norwich against Wolves the other week. I played well and a few of the papers named me as man of the match so maybe he was impressed.“I haven’t given up hope, you can never stop dreaming.”Norwich have produced some decent displays as Paul Lambert’s men inch closer to top-flight safety.However, the 2-1 defeat at Fulham was a fourth loss in the last six games.The Canaries, who are currently on 39 points, face a tough Easter sched-ule when they will host Everton on Satur-day before travell-ing to third-placed Tottenham, while Manchester City and Liverpool are still to come to Carrow Road.Hoolahan, though, remains positive.He said: “At the start of the season, the aim was to stay in the league and if we’d finished a point above the relegation zone, we’d have been reasonably happy, but now that we have done so well in the Premier League we want to push on and finish in the top half.“It’s a good place to be now, Norwich. The whole club is buzzing.”

Free Liverpool FC or Everton FC FA Cup semi-final commemorative banner with a copy of your ECHO
by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
EXCITEMENT is mounting ahead of the all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday April 14.And you can show your colours with our ECHO commemorative banners printed especially for the Merseyside derby.Stick them in your window with pride and let’s show the rest of the country exactly why, one week on Saturday, Liverpool will be the undisputed sporting capital of the world.The Come On You Blues! and Come On You Reds! banners are free with a copy of your ECHO from today until semi-final day from Tesco stores in Clayton Square, Widnes, Bidston, Mather Avenue, Woolton, Prescot, Deysbrook, Old Swan, Park Road, Litherland and Bootle.And Team ECHO will be handing out banners to readers buying a copy of the ECHO at Sainsbury’s in Rice Lane and Old Swan, Asda in Breck Road and Aintree, Morrison’s in Belle Vale and WH Smith at Lime Street from Tuesday to Friday next week.

Free Liverpool FC or Everton FC FA Cup semi-final commemorative banner with a copy of your ECHO
by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
EXCITEMENT is mounting ahead of the all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday April 14.And you can show your colours with our ECHO commemorative banners printed especially for the Merseyside derby.Stick them in your window with pride and let’s show the rest of the country exactly why, one week on Saturday, Liverpool will be the undisputed sporting capital of the world.The Come On You Blues! and Come On You Reds! banners are free with a copy of your ECHO from today until semi-final day from Tesco stores in Clayton Square, Widnes, Bidston, Mather Avenue, Woolton, Prescot, Deysbrook, Old Swan, Park Road, Litherland and Bootle.And Team ECHO will be handing out banners to readers buying a copy of the ECHO at Sainsbury’s in Rice Lane and Old Swan, Asda in Breck Road and Aintree, Morrison’s in Belle Vale and WH Smith at Lime Street from Tuesday to Friday next week. Colin Fitzpatrick, from KEIOC, said: “We have been having meetings since we launched the project just after Christmas. The council, Liverpool Vision and Mersey Partnership appear to be solidly behind what we are suggesting. We would welcome any ideas of how funding could be attracted to the Football Quarter and backing from agencies in the region.”The quarter plans, set out in a 28-page prospectus, include a possible park-and-ride link between Walton and the city centre.Crucial to the idea is investment from private companies and support from city agencies to give it financial backing.So far, Liverpool and Everton football clubs have remained non-committal.A Liverpool council spokesman said: “This is still in the very early stages, but there is a possibility we could look at the Football Quarter being a Business Improvement District. We are looking at a number of options.”A Mersey Partnership spokesman added: “Football is a massive part of the city visitor economy, particularly with Scandinavians and Europeans.“Home matches at Anfield and Goodison are lucrative dates for the region, as they have a knock-on benefit with hotel occupancy.”Ian McCarthy, director of programmes of Liverpool Vision, welcomed the “supporters-led” initiative.He said: “We met the groups who have developed the proposal and are supportive of the concept. It has been accepted for many years that the economic and employment potential of the two football clubs in such close proximity, is not being exploited.“The wider city and particularly the local area would benefit from an improved environment, better accessibility and extended visitor offer, both on match days and during the week when considerable numbers visit the stadiums.”

Ormskirk butchers make special blue and red bangers for Liverpool FC & Everton FC FA Cup tie
by Janine Yaqoob, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
A CLASH of the bangers is under way at one butchers shop after the Reds and Blues found themselves embroiled in a fierce battle off the pitch.Staff at Brough Butchers in Ormskirk have created special coloured sausages to celebrate both Liverpool and Everton reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup.Not only will the rivals be going up against each other at Wembley next Saturday but the team which sells the most sausages at the shop will be crowned victorious in the meat stakes.Inspired by the huge success of the Everton sausage – created by the shop in 2009 when the Blues reached the FA Cup final – shop owner Mark Shepherd decided it would be good fun to make sausages for both teams ahead of next weekend’s crunch tie.Everton fan Mark said: “They caused a real stir the last time. The story went global. They were so popular we struggled to keep up with demand.“When it was announced we would play Liverpool we thought it would only be fair we made a Reds version too.“Let the battle of the sausages commence.”Much thought went into the flavour of the Everton sausage three years ago and Mark and his team said they have stuck with the same recipe.The toffee and mint creation was inspired by Everton’s ‘Toffees’ nickname and the famous Everton mints which are thrown to the crowd ahead of every home game.The new Liverpool red-skinned sausages contain pepper and are said to have a sweet taste.Mark said: “Liverpool FC doesn’t really have any food or flavour associated with it other than Scouse so we went for a red theme with pepper and red skin.“We gave away some samples and people were impressed with the flavours.“The first person through the door the following day was a customer who loved the sausages so much he bought a batch of both.” Loyalties will be split at Brough Butchers with three staff members backing the Blues and one supporting the Reds.Mark added: “It’s going to be a great occasion although it’s a pity it’s not the final.”

Flying Fortress Nikica Jelavic has taken off in style for Everton FC, says Slaven Bilic
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
WHEN it comes to Nikica Jelavic, one thing is certain - the striker once nicknamed The Flying Fortress likes to take-off in style.The Croatian has scored on his full debut for his three senior clubs, Rapid Vienna, Glasgow Rangers, and now Everton FC - a habit he doggedly pursues.Promptly after arriving on Merseyside, the 26-year-old declared that securing a place in his national line-up for this summer’s European Championships was one of the motives for his switch.So it will provide him with a timely boost to learn that his intelligent displays and important goals for Everton have not gone unnoticed by national boss Slaven Bilic.Bilic claims the £5.5m striker is ‘flying’ after making a ‘dream start’ to his Toffees career, after overcoming an initial injury setback.Jelavic has scored three times, including a winner against Tottenham and the crucial opener in the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sunderland.And alongside those goals, the January signing from Rangers has established an instant rapport with his teammates.Former Toffees defender Bilic was at Goodison on Saturday to run the rule over Jelavic during the 2-0 win over West Brom, and was delighted with what he saw.“There is always a doubt when a player signs (for a new club) because you meet new teammates, maybe there’s a new system and tactics so some players need time to adapt,” he says.“You maybe need a little bit of luck as a striker to get a goal straight away. He has got that and now I expect him to play even better for the Blues.“I spoke to Nikica the other night and he is very happy here, he has made a dream start but I am sure it is not just a start – he will last here for a long time.“He is flying and is so happy. He is a guy who is down to earth but also very self-confident. He knew he needed a good start and he has made one.” Jelavic did everything but score against Roy Hodgson’s side, with his link-up play next to Tim Cahill was particularly eye-catching.And Bilic says: “It was easy for me (to predict Jelavic would be a success) because I have known him since he was a kid. He is an honest player, a quality player and exactly what Everton needed. Sure, they have a great squad here but I felt they needed a proper centre forward and he has started very well.“Modern football is so competitive, physical and tight so you need a player up front who can hold the ball but is always very dangerous in the box. Nikica is good in the build up, good in every part of the game really and is also very hard for an opponent to mark. He is a good link player and in my opinion is ideal for Everton.”And with Jelavic having made such an encouraging start to life in Premier League, Bilic believes it can only bode well for the Croatian national team. “He has been a regular member of our squad for three years now,” he says. “He is a very important player for us and I am expecting big things from him at this summer’s Euros.”It is not just his national coach Jelavic has impressed. Everton reserves boss Alan Stubbs has seen enough to liken the 6ft2in hit-man to Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.Stubbs, who was regularly tasked with containing Fowler in Merseyside derbies during his time as an Everton player, said: “He is what I would class as a Robbie Fowler-type finisher. He passes the ball into the net, he never strikes the ball as hard as he can. He’s a cultured finisher.“There was always that doubt that he could come down to England and do it in the Premier League. But since he has come down he’s impressed everybody, not just with his goalscoring, but with his overall play.“One of the accusations someone said to me is he doesn’t work hard. Well, all I’ve seen is him working hard and that is probably one of the biggest things I’ve noticed about him.”

Everton FC fan Brian Kelly angry after club brand his daughter “a spoilt brat”
by John Sutton, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
AN EVERTON FC fan and his young daughter were left upset after club staff poked fun at them in internal emails before accidentally forwarding the offensive messages to the family.The blundering administrative staff branded seven-year-old Blues season ticket holder Evie Kelly a “spoilt brat” and said of her dad Brian’s original complaint “is this guy for real?”Mr Kelly, the owner of a cleaning company and a Blues fans since boyhood, wrote to Everton on March 12He said he was concerned Evie had been overlooked by the ‘Toffee Lady’ when she came round giving out sweets before the match.The club, nicknamed the Toffees, grants the honour of being the Toffee Lady randomly to female season ticket holders and is one of Everton FC’s great traditions.He said: “Evie always waits to get a mint but this time the guy with the Toffee Lady just handed out a load of mints to one child and then walked off, Evie was gobsmacked.“This is a big part of coming to the match for her so I wrote to the club about it. “Finally, on April 2, I got an email back apologising and saying it was being taken seriously but the history of the conversation between these two members of staff was still attached.“It made me really angry particularly as we’ve just forked out a fortune for season tickets again and this is what the club thinks of us.”Mr Kelly’s complaint is described as “hysterical” and the female member of staff writes “we are all cracking up over it!!! Send him complimentary packet of mints to the spoilt brat x”.The ECHO has chosen not to name the members of staff.A spokesman for the club said: “We apologise to Mr Kelly for the obvious upset caused. It is not behaviour we expect or tolerate of our staff. We are conducting an internal investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”Mr Kelly, who is originally from Kirkby but now living in North Wales, said his was “disappointed” with his treatment by the club.

Everton FC’s Leighton Baines is playing best football of career so far, says David Moyes
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 5 2012
EVERTON FC left-back Leighton Baines is playing the best football of his career so far, says admiring boss David Moyes.The England defender has maintained his consistently high standards this season, and is ranked as the Premier League’s fourth top defender in the EA Sports player performance index.Baines, 27, is also a favourite to make the England squad for this summer’s European Championships, and Moyes has been thrilled with his contribution yet again during this campaign.He said: “Baines is at a level which is right at the top.“I can seem him every day, actually see his body language, the way he is going about the place.“He’s acting, behaving like a top player with his performances at the moment. He’s got confidence but not over-confidence where he is arrogant in any way and still is diligent about all the jobs he has to do as part of being a full back.“Baines has the ability to do some really good things. He’s an excellent player who has been progressing over the last few years. I’m sure you’ve all seen.” With five Premier League goals, Baines is also Everton FC's top scorer so far this term, and will be tasked with firing their attacking efforts against Norwich on Saturday.The Blues will have to beat former keeper John Ruddy if they are to grab the victory at Carrow Road which will keep them above Liverpool FC, and that could be a tough task with Ruddy being touted as a potential future England international.And Everton’s goalkeeping coach Chris Woods is not surprised by the 25-year-old’s progress.Woods – capped 43 times by England and part of two World Cup squads himself – said: “I am not surprised with John’s success at all – he was with us for a number of years and he’s always had great potential.“He’s a great reader of the game, a great presence and he’s just proved to everyone how good a keeper he has become.“John has only played in the top flight for one season and he’s not even completed that yet – but all John has got to keep doing is carrying on putting the performances in and let everything else take care of itself.“You know what it’s like. As soon as you start playing well people start saying this, that and the other.“You need to keep focused on the position and the job that you’ve got in front of you and I’m sure John will do that.”

Special business zone status considered for Liverpool FC and Everton FC Football Quarter proposals
by Luke Traynor, The Liverpool Post
Apr 5 2012
A FOOTBALL Quarter to harness the worldwide appeal of Liverpool FC and Everton FC could win special city status. Council bosses have discussed the feasibility of unveiling a designated Business Improvement District for the proposed 40-acre zone in Stanley Park between the two stadiums.Everton fans group Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) and LFC group Spirit of Shankly (SOS) have recently met with officials from Liverpool council, Liverpool Vision and The Mersey Partnership about the project. While talks are currently in the “ideas” stage, indications are that town hall chiefs believe an approved business district award could help the initiative’s cause.Under the scheme, clustered firms pay up to 2% of their rates to a specially-created group that spends the cash on improvement projects in their areas that can include safety, events, marketing or green issues.Also suggested was the possibility of a Football Quarter becoming part of a Mayoral Development Zone after the May election.Council leader Joe Anderson – the favourite for Mayor – has backed the scheme, which includes a “fanzone” venue, football museum, hotels, bars, restaurants, and pedestrian links between Anfield and Goodison Park.Former Liverpool journalist Liam Fogarty, who is running for the post, has backed the plan in his manifesto.City bosses are musing over testing the popularity of the proposal by erecting big screens in Stanley Park for a high-profile match next season, where food and drink could be on sale, encouraging supporters to gather outside.And talk from tourism bosses has included how the Football Quarter might be a magnet for holding sporting conferences in L4. Colin Fitzpatrick, from KEOIC, said: “We have been having meetings since we launched the project just after Christmas.“The council, Liverpool Vision and Mersey Partnership appear to be solidly behind what we are suggesting. We would welcome any ideas of how funding could be attracted to the Football Quarter and backing from agencies in the region.“It’s a long hard slog, but people are listening and everything so far is positive. It would be very encouraging if the quarter was recognised as a future Mayoral Development Zone.”The quarter blueprints, set out in a 28-page prospectus, include a possible park-and-ride link between Walton and the city centre.Crucial to the idea is investment from private companies and support from city agencies to give it financial backing.So far, Liverpool and Everton football clubs have remained noncommittal as they both concentrate on how to solve their respective new stadium dilemmas.A Liverpool council spokesman said: “This is still in the very early stages, but there is a possibility we could look at the possibility of a Football Quarter being a Business Improvement District. We are looking at a number of options.”A Mersey Partnership spokesman added: “Football is a massive part of the city visitor economy, particularly with Scandinavians and Europeans.“Home matches at Anfield and Goodison are lucrative dates for the region as they have a knock-on benefit with hotel occupancy.”Ian McCarthy, director of programmes of Liverpool Vision welcomed the “supporters-led” initiative.He said: “We met the groups who have developed the proposal and are supportive of the concept. It has been accepted for many years that the economic and employment potential of the two football clubs in such close proximity, is not being exploited.“The wider city and particularly the local area would benefit from an improved environment, better accessibility and extended visitor offer, both on match days and during the week when considerable numbers visit the stadiums.”

Blue Watch: Everton FC must resist the temptation to take their eye off the ball
by Our Correspondent, The Liverpool Post
Apr 5 2012
IT’S like the days before Christmas as a kid - you just want them to go as quickly as possible, get them out of the way, nothing else matters as much as the big day and Christmas morning and all the presents.The same can be said about Everton in the next ten days or so as they prepare for a season changing game which could define the 10-year tenure of David Moyes.Games ahead against Norwich and Sunderland are sat there in the way of a trip to face our neighbours at Wembley.I know every manager and player will say you only look to your next game but with such a pivotal game on the horizon with a Cup final place at stake and one win away from Europe, how can the players stay so focused? Yes, we are sitting seventh at present one point ahead of them.So Moyes will be looking for more points to secure a top eight finish yet again of course.Take your eye off the ball and the next two games could easily pass Everton by, Norwich away is by no means an easy trip.They have shown on numerous occasions this season they are a much improved side led superbly by Paul Lambert.Then on Easter Monday we face Sunderland again and we don't need reminding that they are well capable of taking points off us.It’s so easily done, a cup run can distract your attention away from the League. It has happened in recent years to the likes of Birmingham, Liverpool, Portsmouth etc.So how does Moyes play the next two games? Rest your best players and not risk injury or suspension, or keep playing them and keep the momentum we have gained after three wins on the bounce?It’s a fine line between success and failure and if we are to beat Liverpool then we need our best side on the pitch fit and in form.One red card could ruin our season or an extra yellow saying that.Pepe Reina has already surprisingly fallen foul of being the first to miss the semi-final next week, Moyes will be hoping we don't add any to that list.Over the years key players have missed once in a career games. Paul Scholes missed the Champions League final in 1999, Gazza would have missed a World Cup final after silly tackle. Laurent Blanc also very cruelly missed a World Cup final too.Players whenever they step on that pitch always run the risk of injury or a mistimed tackle.You make your own luck so we are told and if we are meant to beat Liverpool then we will, best players on the pitch or not.So let’s look forward to Norwich and Sunderland and a couple more wins. Finishing seventh would be great, but a Cup final after beating the red half, well that would be better than Christmas every day!

Marouane Fellaini hails Everton FC midfield partner Darron Gibson
By Ian Doyle
Apr 5 2012
MAROUANE FELLAINI has hailed his burgeoning Everton FC midfield partnership with Darron Gibson – as the Irishman looks to extend an incredible unbeaten record.Gibson has proven a growing influence on David Moyes’s side since his January arrival from Manchester United.He drew praise from the manager following last week’s 2-0 Premier League victory over West Bromwich Albion at Goodison.Gibson has yet to taste defeat in 10 appearances for Everton, and remarkably last lost a Premier League game while playing for Manchester United against Chelsea on April 3 2010 – a sequence of 23 matches.And Fellaini believes his own game has benefited from playing alongside the 24-year-old.“Darron is a good player, he has come from Manchester United and has both experience and talent,” said the Belgium international.“He has helped me improve my form and I am starting to have a good combination with him in midfield.”Everton FC build up to next week’s FA Cup semi-final showdown with neighbours Liverpool at Wembley with an Easter league double header.They entertain Sunderland on Easter Monday but first make the long journey to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon. And Fellaini added: “Norwich City have done well this season. They got a 1-1 draw against us at Goodison and we’ll go there to try and win for confidence and to give us momentum going ahead to the semi-final.“It’s important we keep our run going. We want to still be doing well going to Wembley.”Integral to Everton’s revival has been the form of Leighton Baines, with Moyes insistent the left-back is now producing the best form of his career.“Baines is at a level which is right at the top,” said the Goodison manager. “I can seem him every day, actually see his body language, the way he is going about the place.“He’s acting, behaving like a top player with his performances at the moment.“He’s got confidence but not over-confidence where he is arrogant in any way and still is diligent about all the jobs he has to do as part of being a full-back.“Baines has the ability to do some really good things. He’s an excellent player who has been progressing over the last few years. I’m sure everyone has seen that.”Royston Drenthe, who has missed Everton’s last three games after being given compassionate leave, returned to training this week and could come back into first-team contention over Easter.

Mark Lawrenson: Lunchtime FA Cup semi-final kick-off time shows lunacy still reigns at the FA
The Liverpool Post
Apr 5 2012
JUST when I thought David Bernstein had started making some sense of the Football Association after taking over, along comes the decision to start the Wembley derby semi-final at 12.30pm.
It’s just ridiculous. I bet if you said to Liverpool and Everton supporters that, for the extra money it costs to go to Wembley, it could go on top of the ticket price of a semi-final at Old Trafford, then most would take it. The kick-off time is lunacy, especially when you consider what happened to Liverpool fans with the trains when they went to the Carling Cup final earlier this year.
Imagine if that happens again. 12.30pm? I don’t get it.

Ian Doyle looks back on previous Merseyside derby cup semi-finals
The Liverpool Post
Apr 5 2012
Everton and Liverpool have semi-final previous as Ian Doyle looks back
IT’S arguably the biggest Merseyside derby in a generation, a Wembley showdown with the prize of not only local bragging rights but an FA Cup final appearance at stake. Yet for supporters of a certain vintage, the sight of Liverpool and Everton facing off in the semi-final of the world’s most renowned club knockout competition is nothing new. Indeed, when the teams walk out under the Arch at the national stadium on April 14, it will be the fifth time the Stanley Park rivals have faced off at this stage of the FA Cup. Names such as Bob Paisley, Brian Hall, Duncan McKenzie and – Evertonians, brace yourselves - Clive Thomas - have seen their names closely associated with the fixture.
But you have to go back to 1906 for the first derby semi-final that took place in front of 37,000 at Villa Park. Liverpool boasted Sam Hardy in goal, skipper Alex Raisbeck at the heart of defence and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Arthur Goddard on the right flank. For Everton, there was Billy Scott – elder brother of Anfield legend Elisha – in goal, early Goodison great Jack Taylor in defence and Sandy Young in attack. A loose rule of thumb in FA Cup meetings between the Mersey rivals suggests the later in the competition the tie, the more likely Liverpool are to win. That, though, wasn’t the case here, with two goals in as many second-half minutes sealing an Everton triumph, Walter Abbott striking a shot that deflected in off Billy Dunlop before Harold Hardman’s effort.
The Goodison outfit went on to beat Newcastle United in the final thanks to a goal from Young, who a decade later earned less welcome publicity when, after emigrating to Australia, he was convicted of manslaughter after shooting dead his own brother.
In 1950, more than 72,000 descended upon Maine Road to see an Everton side fighting off relegation take on their championship-challenging neighbours. However, the window next to the form book remained closed as Bob Paisley lobbed Liverpool into a 30th-minute lead with Billy Liddell adding a second in the second half. Paisley, though, was dropped for the final, which Liverpool lost 2-0 against Arsenal on their first appearance at Wembley.
The next semi-final showdown came in 1971 at Old Trafford, with Everton the reigning champions and Bill Shankly beginning to build a new-look Liverpool team. Alan Ball gave Everton an early lead but, after Alun Evans netted an equaliser for Liverpool, the diminutive Brian Hall etched his name into Anfield folkore by volleying the winner for his first goal for the club. “The first half was frantic,” recalled Hall. “I can’t remember Shankly’s exact words at half-time but I know he didn’t rollick us as I’d half expected. “What he did say is that if we went on the way we were, we’d have to get the fire brigade in with a ladder because it was the only way Brian Hall would ever get near the ball.
“Alun Evans crossed the ball from the left. Quite how it got knocked down I can’t say. I know some of the Everton lads thought John Toshack had fouled Andy Rankin, but there was the ball bouncing in front of me and there was Howard Kendall on the line, and I hit it, and the whole ground exploded."
“They say that Roger Osborne collapsed after he scored for Ipswich in the Cup final (in 1978) and I had a very similar experience that day. “For two or three minutes, I was on another planet. I’d scored my first goal for Liverpool, the winning goal in a semi-final, against Everton!”
Liverpool’s joy was shortlived, however, because despite Steve Heighway’s goal, they lost the final 2-1, once more to Arsenal.
So to Maine Road in 1977, and arguably the most contentious refereeing decision in any Merseyside derby. The statistics show the game ended in a 2-2 draw, Duncan McKenzie and Bruce Rioch twice drawing Everton level after goals from Terry McDermott and Jimmy Case. But the real issue came in the closing moments, when Everton substitute Bryan Hamilton was denied a place in derby his-tory by the whistle of referee Clive Thomas. “I remember the ball was played out to Ronnie Goodlass,” he said. “He crossed it, Duncan (McKenzie) got a touch on and it came to me midway between my feet and my head – waist-high. All I did was turn my hip on it, and it flew in the corner. “The linesman who was in line with it said it wasn’t an offside decision, and all I can say is that it never hit my hand. All Clive would say, as far as I can remember, was ‘It was an infringement – watch the box tonight’. But he came from 40 yards away, whereas the linesman was directly level. “I think Clive was controversial. When you’re like that you make decisions at certain important times and in certain situations. “And I think when you’re like that you sometimes make wrong decisions. I’ve no doubt at all that he made it honestly, but I can only say he was mistaken.” McKenzie was similarly convinced. “I saw every inch of the ball and Bryan certainly didn’t handle it,” he said. “So the only other thing it could have been disallowed for was offside, and then when I saw Tommy Smith lying on the floor I knew full well that he wasn’t offside.” To this day, the Everton players and supporters present inside Maine Road remain convinced there was nothing untoward with the goal. Referee Thomas, speaking more than a decade after the incident, was adamant. “How I saw it was relatively simple – although it proved not to be a simple incident in the way it reverberated around football not only in this country but all over the world,” said the Welsh whistleblower. “From the angle of the cross, there was no way that Bryan Hamilton could have controlled the ball without the use of his arm.
“In no way could I say that from behind I could have seen the ball make contact with his hand or his arm. But I was 100% certain that he couldn’t have controlled it any other way. So I disallowed it. For handball.” Everton’s chance had gone, with goals from Phil Neal, Jimmy Case and Ray Kennedy giving Liverpool victory in the replay four days later. But, as with their previous two semi-final wins over their neighbours, they came up short in the final, losing 2-1 to Manchester United.
Now, 35 years later, Everton have a chance to atone for what supporters of a certain vintage still regard as one of the club’s greatest injustices. Liverpool, meanwhile, will hope that they can avert the course of history in the derby semi-final.
1901-02 First Round: Liverpool 2 (Hunter, Robertson) Everton 2 (Sharp, Young), Everton 0 Liverpool 2 (Balmer og, Hunter)
1904-05 First Round: Liverpool 1 (Parkinson) Everton 1 (Makepeace), Everton 2 (McDermott, Hardman) Liverpool 1 (Goddard)
1905-06 Semi-final: Everton 2 (Abbott, Hardman) Liverpool 0
1910-11 Second Round: Everton 2 (Young 2) Liverpool 1 (Parkinson)
1931-32 Third Round: Everton 1 (Dean) Liverpool 2 (Gunson, Hodgson)
1949-50 Semi-final: Liverpool 2 (Paisley, Liddell) Everton 0
1954-55 Fourth Round: Everton 0 Liverpool 4 (Liddell, A’Court, Evans 2)
1966-67 Fifth Round: Everton 1 (Ball) Liverpool 0
1970-71 Semi-final: Liverpool 2 (Evans, Hall) Everton 1 (Ball)
1976-77 Semi-final: Liverpool 2 (McDermott, Case) Everton 2 (McKenzie, Rioch), Liverpool 3 (Neal pen, Case, Kennedy) Everton 0
1980-81 Fourth Round: Everton 2 (Eastoe, Varadi) Liverpool 1 (Case)
1985-86 Final: Everton 1 (Lineker) Liverpool 3 (Rush 2, Johnston)
1987-88 Fifth Round: Everton 0 Liverpool 1 (Houghton)
1988-89 Final: Liverpool 3 (Aldridge, Rush 2) Everton 2 (McCall 2)
1990-91 Fifth Round: Liverpool 0 Everton 0, Everton 4 (Sharp 2, Cottee 2) Liverpool 4 (Beardsley 2, Rush, Barnes), Everton 1 (Watson) Liverpool 0
2008-09 Fourth Round: Liverpool 1 (Gerrard) Everton 1 (Lescott), Everton 1 (Gosling) Liverpool 0
Overall: Liverpool wins 9, Everton wins 7, draws 6

Mark Lawrenson: David Moyes will be hoping for Everton FC to just keep calm and carry on
The Liverpool Post
Apr 5 2012
AS matters continue to unravel across Stanley Park, the polar opposite is occurring at Everton FC.
Everton are just happy to sit back, keep calm and carry on. David Moyes will be praying every night over the next two weeks that nothing changes ahead of the semi-final against Liverpool.
They just want the same again. But in many ways, sometimes it’s more difficult if you want the status quo. Evertonians are probably almost waiting for something to go wrong. Football can be simple. You play well, you win, you don’t get injuries and everyone is looking forward. But then bang, something happens. And generally in football, something DOES happen. That’s why managers manage, so they can deal with the problems and issues that fall their way. Moyes has done a lot of that during his decade at Goodison; he’s certainly more used to putting out fires than overseeing consistent, uninterrupted success. Right now, though, is a good time to be an Everton FC fan. Things are going well. All the parts of the team are working, they are scoring goals, keeping clean sheets, have most people fit, have competition for places and are looking forward to a massive game against Liverpool with their opponents struggling well. Everton are now even above their neighbours in the Premier League table. And that hasn’t happened too often in recent times. West Bromwich Albion offered little resistance and Everton FC will hope for another six points with a winnable Easter double header at Norwich City and at home to Sunderland. The January transfer business has really moved the team on. Everton are a different team now in every single way. Things can change quickly. It wasn’t long ago there were protests against Bill Kenwright asking where the money has gone, and David Moyes was being criticised for being negative and a poor manager. That, though, has all gone a little quiet. Funny, that.

Everton FC fans jury on a great week for Evertonians, Wembley and beating West Brom
Apr 5 2012
Lee Molton, St Helens
THIS has been a great week for Evertonians – three wins with two of them away! Saturday’s game was a good professional performance against West Brom who made it difficult for us. The Blues ground out a win with good performances from Osman, Fellaini and Baines to move us up to seventh and above our neighbours. The Easter period sees two tricky games against Norwich and Sunderland, but six points is the aim and in this form, why not? Then all roads head to Wembley next weekend when the City of Liverpool will be empty. The Evertonians have been snapping up their tickets and booking trains and coaches – is Wembley ready for a Scouse invasion?
Everton are ready to reverse all the bad results previously and finally beat the Auld Enemy at Wembley to get to the Cup Final in May. The champagne is on ice, the Blues are going to Wembley twice!
Debbie Smaje, Skelmersdale
THE West Brom game was about as ideal as it gets after all the fun of Sunderland last week.
With Wembley obviously taking over thoughts a little bit, the West Brom game was always going to be a comedown, but the opposition were poor, and we did enough to defeat them with relative ease. Norwich away will be tougher. Although they have had a sticky patch they still havn’t lost many at home this season. Sunderland too will be a different proposition as they will have something to prove after the Cup defeat. It’s a tough balance really, as we cant afford to lose anybody to injuries and suspensions, but then the League is still important too. Provided we don’t see the kind of wholesale changes we saw for the derby last month, we should be okay on current form.
Mike Williamson, Chester
NOT even Nostradamus could have predicted such a change in Everton’s fortunes this year! Predictable and flat before Christmas, we are now playing entertaining football and knocking goals in for fun. The derby memory will not be erased for some time yet but that mistake will never be made again. The January signings have undoubtedly been the biggest factor behind this resurgence and the whole team is now playing with a confidence and assurance that looked impossible just weeks ago. In contrast to arguably the worst signing in football history, we have secured, in Jelovic, a player of true quality for what already seems to be a snip of a price.
Players such as Heitinga and the awesome Fellaini are showing the best form of their career and it really is now about fulfilling promise and coming through when it really matters.
In other words, we must keep trying to maintain as good a league position as possible and then not ‘choke’ in the semi-final, when our opponents will face a very different side indeed.
Michael Drummond, Speke
THREE 2-0 wins in a week is unbelievable in contrast to the start of the season we had, especially that two were away from home. This run is shaping up nicely for the semi-final, I just hope that confidence is taken from the recent displays. I was surprised at West Brom’s lack of effort given their recent form. Our tight schedule had taken it’s toll on some players and it showed yet we still managed to get the three points. Looking ahead to the Norwich game, it won’t be an easy task. I would hope for a win but I don’t think a point would be a bad result. I would hope to stay unbeaten until Wembley at the least.

Blues launch new text service for Everton in the Community
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2012
BLUES legend Duncan Ferguson and local boxer Tony Bellew will be launching Everton in the Community’s new Vodafone JustTextGiving service at half-time during the Toffees’ fixture against Sunderland on Monday, April 9. Ferguson and Bellew will be on the pitch at half-time on Easter Monday, encouraging fans to simply send a text and help the club’s official charity raise much-needed funds via the Vodafone JustTextGiving code unique to Everton. The new service means it is even easier to help Everton in the Community. All supporters need to do is text EITC06 followed by a space, pound sign and the amount to 70070. For example, ‘EITC06 £2’. The text is free to send and 100 per cent of the money donated goes to the Blues’ official charity. The amount you decide to donate will be deducted from your phone credit or added to your next bill. Everton in the Community and Vodafone JustTextGiving is aiming to set a record for the most amount of money ever raised by football fans during a Premier League fixture using text donation and are urging fans to get involved. The charity relies heavily on donations to be able to deliver vital programmes to improve the lives of vulnerable and underprivileged people across Merseyside. None of this fantastic and life-changing work would be possible without the kindness shown by the Club’s loyal supporters.
On Monday 9, EITC will also be holding some Easter fun in Stanley Park (adjacent to the Isla Gladstone Conservatory). Between 12pm and 2.30pm, Junior Blues will be treated to fairground-style rides and activities, including mini go-karts, a bouncy castle and the EA Sports Hub.
For more information about the Vodafone JustTextGiving service, visit evertonfc.com/ community

Everton FC fan John Gartland raises £6,000 for charity by running to every Premier League ground
Apr 6 2012
John Gartland, who has successfully run around every Premier League club in the UK
AN EVERTON FC fan raised more than £6,000 for two Liverpool charities by running 740 miles in 21 days. The epic feat saw John Gartland take in every one of the country’s 20 Premier League football grounds, and was organised in a bid to raise funds for the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and The Daisy Garland Trust. Mr Gartland, originally from New Brighton, was inspired to attempt the mammoth expedition in aid of his four-year-old nephew, William Reid, who suffers from severe epilepsy. Since October, William has suffered from seizures almost every night. Both Alder Hey and The Daisy Garland Trust have been instrumental in treating and supporting William and his family. Partly inspired by Eddie Izzard's 43 marathons in 51 days last year, the keen runner had a lot of support and encouragement along the way. His mum, Pam Hibbs, took three weeks off work to drive his support vehicle, while close friend James Riding rode his bike alongside him for eight days. Starting at Newcastle United on February 27, he finally landed at Norwich City after a 42-mile run on March 19. John said: "After every run, I had to have an ice bath and then sit on the floor for up to an hour with ice on my legs. The whole three weeks was an amazing experience. I've seen some beautiful places and pushed myself to the limit, running up hills in tears through the pain and exhaustion and sang and laughed along the way." He added: "I've raised in the region of £3,000 for each charity, I'd hoped for more but I did my best and hope the money goes some way to helping them." MA12 Productions have filmed the event as part of a documentary initiated by John McCormack, at Open Mike Productions. Annika Wilmot, Laura Munro, Luke Warren Porter and Stacey Rainville filmed John's run as part of a their MA Studies which as well as providing him with some much needed company along the way, also presented him with a filmed recording of his endeavours. Sponsored by such names as Initio Interactive, StandoutPR and PUMA, the run also took in a fundraising ball at The Queen's Hotel Chester and The Bear and Billet.

Everton FC lucky charm Magaye Gueye enjoying life
Apr 6 2012
THEY say it is better to be lucky than good, but it helps if you can be both. There must have been times this season when David Moyes has wondered where his next slice of good fortune was going to come from, but there are signs that Lady Luck is back on Everton FC's side of late.
The FA Cup quarter-final replay victory over Sunderland certainly doesn't deserve to be classed as a lucky one; Everton outplayed Martin O'Neill's side from first whistle to last, earning their Wembley showdown with Liverpool in swashbuckling style. Yet, as with all great performances, there was an element of fortune about the manner of that triumph in the North-east. Magaye Gueye's inclusion in Moyes' starting line-up had, beforehand, raised plenty of eyebrows. The 21-year-old had, after all, started only eight previous matches for the Blues in more than 20 months on Merseyside, now he was being trusted in the club's biggest game of the season. Moyes admitted afterwards that the youngster's selection was one of necessity, more than choice. Injuries to Royston Drenthe and Seamus Coleman, and the ineligibility of Steven Pienaar, had left him light of wide options. The raw, pacy Gueye was thrust in at the deep end. Not that it showed. Roared on by more than 6,000 travelling Blues, the former Strasbourg man enjoyed his best game for the club, setting up Nikica Jelavic's first-half opener, and terrorising Phil Bardsley, the experienced Sunderland full-back.
“I had some nerves, because it was a long time since I played in such a big game,” says Gueye.
“I had never played in a game like that, even back home in France. I had never featured in a big Carling Cup or FA Cup game. “It was a good experience, and a little bit of pressure. We could see all the supporters behind the goal, and on the pitch you could feel the atmosphere and the noise.
“It was a big game for the club, with a great atmosphere. And for us it was also a really good performance. We won, I was happy, everyone was happy!” Happiness is a big thing for Gueye at the moment. He admits it took a while to settle on Merseyside – he managed just eight appearances last season and, by his own admission, struggled to cope with the pace and power of the game – but he has found his feet of late. The next step, he says, is to play more games. “I feel great,” Gueye adds. “I'm happy just to play football as much of the time as I can. “At the beginning when I came here, it was difficult. When you go to another country, there is an adaptation process, but now I feel good. I like the club, and I think if I keep working hard then I can play more times.” Certainly, his versatility should help his cause. Comfortable on either flank, and using either foot, Gueye provides dynamism and natural width. The presence of Pienaar, Coleman and Drenthe, however, means competition is fierce in wide areas. Not that he is overly concerned. “Normally, my position is behind the main strikers,” he says. “But it doesn't bother me if I play left or right. As long as I am on the pitch, I am happy to play anywhere. “It is very good to have Steven Pienaar back at the club. I can learn a lot from him. [The competition] doesn't bother me. You just have to learn as much as you can every day to be better and better. Having someone like Steven can only help in that respect.” Pienaar is not the only one he is learning from, either. His nerves ahead of the Sunderland game were understandable, but Everton's senior pros soon calmed them. “Everybody talked to me, reassured me,” he says. “The senior players make me feel comfortable in the team. “It is important to have those players, players like Johnny Heitinga and Tim Cahill, around you when you are a young player trying to do your best. “They are good to me, and help me a lot.” Inevitably, Gueye's mind has already started to drift towards Wembley. Liverpool, and the chance of an FA Cup final, is the test for Moyes's men next weekend. It would, he says, be an honour to play a part that day. “I'm very excited,” he says. “For me, it would mean a lot to play at Wembley. To visit Wembley for the first time, and for a derby as well, that is special. When I was in France, we heard about the derby. I knew it was a big game. It is a story all over the world, a really big game. “We had derby games back in France, but Everton and Liverpool is special. There is real pressure when you play these games”.
The good news for Gueye is, he has given himself a chance. And whether it is by being lucky or being good, the Frenchman intends to take it.

Magaye Gueye wants Everton FC Wembley place
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2012
Magaye Gueye, Everton FCMAGAYE GUEYE says he is ready to stake his claim for a Wembley place this weekend, as Everton FC warm up for their FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool FC.
The French Under-21 forward has returned to David Moyes’ first-team fold in recent weeks, appearing in four of the Blues’ last five fixtures, including an impressive display in the cup quarter-final replay win at Sunderland. And with Moyes expected to rotate his squad as his side prepare for their Premier League double-header with Norwich City and Sunderland, the 21-year-old is set to figure again over the Easter period. Of course, most eyes at Goodison will wander towards next weekend’s derby showdown, and Gueye is eager to seize his chance to play his way into Moyes’ Wembley plans. “I think this period is important for me,” he said. “It is a chance to show to everybody that I can play. “It is an important time for the club as well, a good challenge. Hopefully we can keep our form going.” Everton are currently one of the Premier League’s form sides, having lost just two of their last 15 games in all competitions. Their resilience is sure to be tested this weekend, however. The Blues take on an effervescent Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday, before welcoming Sunderland to Goodison on Monday afternoon. And while Gueye concedes that the spectre of Wembley and the prospect of reaching the FA Cup final is looming large on the horizon, he insists the players will not be taking their eye off the ball before then. “We need to take things one game at a time,” he said. “The FA Cup is important, but so is the Premier League.
“To be above Liverpool (in the table) is a big incentive for us. “But to do that we have to take every game seriously, and get as many points as we possibly can.” Gueye also believes the Blues’ impressive run in the cup has helped trigger an upsurge in the club’s league performances.
“Of course, when you win a few games, and have a few good performances, then it helps,” he added. “You can see that everyone is more comfortable on the pitch and that the confidence is higher. “We all want to play in the derby, and we all believe that we can do it.”

Howard Kendall: Darron Gibson looks like a gem of a signing for Everton FC
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2012
EVERTON FC have developed a really good working relationship with Manchester United over the past few years, and it looks as though that relationship has paid off again. Darron Gibson’s arrival at Goodison was relatively low-key, considering what followed with Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic, but his impact has been excellent. As somebody who played in midfield, I can really appreciate the talents of the Irishman. He has a reputation for scoring spectacular goals, but it has been his composure and control in the centre of the park that has struck me. When I played, our midfield picked up a lot of accolades with Bally and Colin Harvey. The key to us functioning was that we understood and appreciated each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we gelled together as a unit. Gibson looks perfect in that sense. He looks like somebody I would enjoy playing alongside, in that he is responsible, classy and sensible. His partnership with Marouane Fellaini is really blossoming, and I think it will get better and better the more games they play together.
After Phil Neville, Tim Howard and Louis Saha, it looks like we might just have picked up another gem from Old Trafford. Alex Ferguson has been very good to us in recent years.

Howard Kendall: Now is the time for David Moyes to rotate his Everton FC squad
by Howard Kendall, Liverpool Echo
Apr 6 2012
OBVIOUSLY most Everton FC fans' eyes will be on next weekend, but for me this Easter period will be a fascinating one. I have to say, that is mainly because it will be interesting to see what team selections David Moyes goes with over the next couple of games. Everton have two tough Premier League games in three days, and with the huge FA Cup tie to follow next weekend, we can expect a few changes in both of those matches. David did something similar ahead of the quarter-final, of course, resting a number of players for the derby at Anfield. He attracted a lot of criticism for that – unfairly, I felt – but I don’t think any Everton supporters will be complaining if he makes a few changes this weekend, and they are able to head to Wembley with their strongest side all fit and healthy. Of course, points are important, and the chance of finishing above Liverpool in the league means a lot to Everton supporters, but the FA Cup is the club’s number one priority at the moment, and David must plan ahead accordingly. It would make little sense to see a Fellaini or a Baines get injured or suspended ahead of such a big game, especially when there are players who can come in and deputise ably. There is one area I wouldn’t tinker with, though, and that is the goalkeeper.
Liverpool will be without theirs, but Tim Howard is so important to Everton that he simply has to be on the teamsheet. Changing keepers, as a lot of sides do for “lesser” games, can be disruptive.
So I’d like to see Tim on the teamsheet, but I would expect the rest to reflect the importance of next weekend.

Ian Doyle: Everton FC won’t like being Wembley favourites
by Ian Doyle, The Liverpool Post
Apr 6 2012
DAVID MOYES won’t like it, the Everton FC faithful are probably dreading it, but there’s no getting away from it. Everton must now be regarded as favourites for next week’s Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Barring some remarkable and unlikely events during the preceding days, Moyes will take his players to the national stadium in the unusual position of being the ones to be shot down in a parochial spat. Derby cliche dictates pedestrians should be careful to avoid the formbooks that will be flying out of windows at 12.30pm on April 14. But recent history suggests that isn’t the case with, more often than not, current trends giving a useful indicator as to where victory will be celebrated. That only serves to strengthen the belief Everton will be the team to beat, not least as they currently stand a point and a place ahead of their Merseyside rivals in the Premier League table. While Liverpool continue to flounder in the top flight with only two wins in 12 league games, Everton have lost only two in their last 11 such outings. Players are coming back from injury and providing genuine competition for places while, in Nikica Jelavic, Moyes will hope to have found the clinical striker his side have sorely missed since Yakubu suffered a serious Achilles injury at White Hart Lane more than three years ago. Of course, one of those two recent league defeats came at Anfield, after which Moyes was lambasted by supporters and his judgement questioned by many observers – including this one – for resting too many players and risking Everton FC’s growing momentum with a heavy 3-0 defeat. Unrepentant, Moyes has since suggested his main mistake was not taking more first-team regulars out of the firing line. That might be a bit of bravado but, with Everton eventually seeing off Sunderland, the gamble has thus far paid off. Now Moyes’s men must cope with the weight of expectation that favouritism brings as the manager aims for the ultimate vindication of seeing a full-strength side knock over their neighbours. The Scot readily admits that Everton seemingly extract their best when backs are against the wall and they are regarded as underdogs. Witness recent home results against Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, and their thrilling run to the FA Cup final in 2009. However, when the onus has been on the Goodison outfit, such pressure has not sat so easily on the shoulders of Everton’s players.
That failing has been a contributory factor to Moyes’s side far too often only kicking into gear in the New Year when expectations have been lowered by a grim first half to a season. Wembley, then, will be a test not only of Everton’s talent, but also their character. That, more than anything, could decide whether Moyes can move a step nearer to finally furnishing his decade at Goodison with silverware.

Leon Osman is revelling in the atmosphere ahead of the all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final
The Liverpool Post
Apr 6 2012
FOR much of the time, it was the season Evertonians couldn’t wait to wave goodbye to. Now, though, few want the campaign to end. From the gloom of autumn and the unsettling, menacing sounds of protests against and confrontations with Bill Kenwright and the Goodison board, the New Year has brought new optimism and a new outlook. David Moyes and his players would be forgiven for rubbing their hands together in anticipation at taking on faltering neighbours Liverpool in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. That game can’t come soon enough for Everton. And Leon Osman admits the excitement is already building around a “crazy” city. “It’s a big game, it has been 20-odd years since we’ve played each other at Wembley so it will be pleasing to be a part of one of those games,” says the midfielder. “It’ll be a crazy place to live, it’s only a few weeks so it’s a quick turnaround. It will be crazy with people wanting tickets left, right and centre so that will be fun and games over the next few weeks. “We had made it difficult to progress with the draw at home against Sunderland, so we weren’t favourites, but we played well to get through. “The semi-final is some prospect and I’m sure the fans will be delighted to be going down there. It’s a great opposition to be playing against.” While keeping minds focused on preceding Premier League games has been Moyes’s priority, it is understandably impossible for thoughts not to drift towards the Wembley derby showdown, not least when there are places in the starting XI at stake. Such desire to impress helped Everton swat aside the token resistance of West Bromwich Albion at Goodison last week, Osman setting them on their way to a 2-0 win with a shot that deflected in off Baggies defender Gareth McAuley. It helped Moyes’s men leapfrog Liverpool in the Premier League table, a position they will aim to retain during the Easter double header at Norwich City on Saturday and at home to Sunderland on Easter Monday. “We’ve got a few important games to play before the semi-final, so we will have to concentrate on them,” adds Osman. “We’ll just be taking each one as they come. “We’ve got people who see a big game around the corner who want to stay in the team or want to fight to get back into the team. “We will just have to train hard and keep performing to keep the form up and give yourself a chance of being picked for the semi-final.” Osman has been one of Everton’s most impressive performers since returning from injury early last month, adding an extra edge of creativity to a midfield that, over the last few weeks, has started to click into dangerous gear. Among those to benefit is Tim Cahill who, having struggled for form during much of 2011, has been revitalised and reinvigorated by the January arrival of striker Nikica Jelavic from Glasgow Rangers. Now 32, Cahill is reaching the closing stages of his career and Osman believes the Australian has changed his game accordingly. “Tim is a great player,” says the Everton midfielder. “There has been a lot of talk about him not scoring as many goals as he has done in the past. But he does more than that on the pitch. “Every team-mate out there knows what he is capable of and what he has been doing over the last year. He may not have been scoring goals but his all-round performances have been massive for us. “His age is probably affecting his role. As you get older, things tend to change. He has hit the veteran stage now, but has probably changed for the better.”
On-loan Steven Pienaar, ineligible for FA Cup duty after appearing earlier in the competition for Tottenham Hotspur, has instead become a key figure in Everton’s Premier League upturn.But the South African admits the intermittent nature of his appearances has been tricky to handle. “It’s difficult, you get momentum and then all of a sudden you are out again,” says Pienaar. “It’s hard. But I always stay focused and work hard in training and do a bit extra for myself to keep myself fit.” Everton, who drew 1-1 with both Norwich and Sunderland in the reverse fixtures back in December, have scored six goals without reply in their last three games. And Pienaar believes Jelavic and fellow New Year signing Darron Gibson have transformed the potency of Moyes’s men. “I sense there is more to come from us in terms of goals,” he says. “The guys are playing with more confidence now and it’s unfortunate we haven’t finished all the chances we have created in the last few games. “We could have scored more than 10 goals given the chances we’ve had. But it will come. “You can see the way Gibbo has brought stability to midfield and Niki holding the ball up and myself coming in and just enjoying a game again. The rest of the squad has welcomed us with open arms. When you feel at home you are at ease and that’s what has happened to guys coming in. “With most of the Croatian strikers, they want to play on the edge and also to finish things. “The club is lucky to have got a player like him. “I’m sure he will score more goals for the team.” While Europa League qualification remains possible in the FA Cup, Everton are 10 points adrift of a European berth via Premier League position. But, with seven games remaining, Pienaar says the Goodison outfit are refusing to give up the fight.“After the poor start at the beginning of the season, it’s important to keep going and finish as high as possible,” he says. “We just have to keep going and hopefully the teams ahead of us can drop points and we can catch up with them.”

Everton FC community scheme nominated At National Kickz Awards
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
EVERTON in the Community’s Kickz programme has been nominated in six categories at the annual National Kickz Awards.The hugely successful social inclusion scheme will compete against other Kickz programmes delivered by other football clubs from across the country.The programme has been nominated for ‘Outstanding Kickz Delivery’, ‘Leadership Programme for Innovation’ and ‘Best Alternative/Non-Football programme’ for Viva Kickz, Everton’s music and dance themed workshops for youngsters who do not want to engage in football.There are also three individual award nominations; the Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Bernard Lawson, is up for ‘Outstanding Police Contribution’ (non-London) and two Kickz participants, Troy Mason and Stevie Jo, have been nominated for the ‘Inspiring Young Person’ (aged 12-16) award in the male and female categories respectively.Speaking about the nominations Everton’s social inclusion manager, Paul Nagle, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated in six categories. I am particularly excited about the individual awards, as all three have contributed so much to the programme.”Since 2007 Everton in the Community has been working in partnership with Liverpool Football Club and Merseyside Police to run football sessions in areas which have high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, including Norris Green, Croxteth, Stockbridge Village, Anfield and Breckside.Everton also run projects in Halewood and the Power League, and have an alternative activity session called Viva Kickz, which is a music and dance programme.For more information about the Kickz programme, visit www.evertonfc.com/community.

Royal Blue: A new Everton FC dynamic duo in Marouane Fellaini & Darron Gibson is developing at Goodison
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
THEY were a duo of many nicknames – the gruesome twosome, and two baldies, to name a few – but David Moyes just called them irreplaceable.Lee Carsley and Thomas Gravesen were the fulcrum of the Scot’s early Everton sides, with the Irishman’s tough tackling, and economical passing complementing the Dane’s creative powers.They were a formidable double-act, which Moyes rates to this day as one of the most influential pairings he has overseen during his managerial career. Like with any classic central midfield, the pairs contrasting qualities combined to create a cohesive unit which eventually guided the Blues to the brink of the Champions League group stages – even though Gravesen only played for half of the season.When Real Madrid signed the Mad Dane in January 2005, many joked they had bought the wrong player - although to his credit, Gravesen shone until falling victim of the Bernabeu circus.Tim Howard may not have been around Goodison at that time, but knows a thing or two about influential midfielders after operating behind Paul Scholes and Roy Keane at Old Trafford.And the deep-thinking American, another among the Toffee ranks who could one day make a shrewd manager, believes Everton have a new midfield partnership to rival the famous Gravesen/Carsley combination.Seven years on, the man charged with providing the Blues’ last line of defence has seen signs of a new dynamic duo. It is always worth listening when Howard talks tactics, and the 33-year-old believes Moyes is onto something.“I think Darron and Felli have (replicated the Carsley/Gravesen partnership) in that they are both good passers of the ball, they are really tough and as soon as Darron got here you could see there was something there,” he said.“It takes 25 to 50 games together to really cultivate that, it doesn’t happen overnight.“But even then (in that first game) you could really see the early stages of a good partnership.“They are both young with a lot of experience and if we can keep those guys healthy, it will be really good for us because you like to have a solid spine to the team.”Gibson has not been on the losing side in a Premier League game in two years – counting 23 games – and has yet to taste defeat as a blue.His arrival has also coincided with a notable increase in clean-sheets recorded by Moyes’ men.Howard insists it is no coincidence, with the 24-year-old shielding his defence with intelligence, just as Carsley once did. “I’m a firm believer that if you limit other team’s chances, you limit goals,” he said. “We’ve done a great job of that since the Christmas period in terms of getting teams on our terms by putting them in positions in the final third where we want them and where they don’t want to be.“We’ve been closing down shots, taking away angles and bringing in support from elsewhere to double up.“We’ve not given away many fouls and we’ve cut out a lot of corner-kicks. When you do those things really well and consistently you are not going to give up as many goals. I really feel like my communication with whoever has been at the back has been strong. Everybody is very demanding but also encouraging and that all leads to clean sheets and points.“And you need your holding midfielder to protect the back four. Darron has done great for us in a number of aspects – but particularly in anchoring the midfield.“Frankly, since Lee Carsley left we haven’t had somebody in that mould. We’ve had some really good central midfielders, but what Darron does is sit, protects the back four, links play, gets stuck in and is a good passer of the ball.“He allows Felli and Tim Cahill to get forward and he can release them with passes.“To have a guy in there who likes to roll his sleeves up and who wants to be known as part of that unit really helps us because it gives us that extra support that we need.”
Even Queen Mother knew of Dixie Dean’s Greatness
THE deeds of Everton’s first Wembley captain Dixie Dean made a big impression in royal circles .... as the Lord Mayor of Liverpool found out at first hand.Liverpool’s first citizen was asked to sit next to the Duchess of York, Wembley’s guest of honour, to help her identify the Everton and Manchester City players at the 1933 FA Cup Final.When the great William Ralph set off on an attack the Lord Mayor turned to the future Queen Mother in the Royal Box and said: “Ma’am, the No 9 is Dixie Dean.”To which the Duchess replied: “Even I know who Dean is.”The events that day are featured in The Dixie Dean Story which comes to Southport Theatre for one night only on Thursday, April 19 with Wirral actor Steve Hazlehurst resuming his acclaimed title role and writer John Keith narrating.Steve’s performance has won fulsome praise, including that of former Everton star Duncan McKenzie who declared: “The way Steve controls a ball on stage as he delivers his lines is just amazing. Every football fan, regardless of allegiance, should see this show.” Tickets (£16, with £13 concessions) from 01704 500036, in person from Southport Theatre or at: www.atgtickets.com/southporttheatre
Big Dunc and Bellew to launch texting scheme
DUNCAN FERGUSON and true blue boxing star Tony Bellew will be launching Everton in the Community’s new Vodafone JustTextGiving service at half-time during next Monday’s game against Sunderland.The Blues’ much-loved former No. 9 and avid Evertonian Bellew will be taking to the pitch to encourage fans to send a text and help the Club’s official charity raise much-needed funds via a text code unique to Everton.The new service means it is easier than ever to help Everton in the Community. All supporters need to do is text EITC06 followed by a space, pound sign and the amount to 70070. For example, ‘EITC06 £2’.The text is free to send and 100 per cent of the money donated goes to the Blues’ official charity.

Norwich City v Everton FC: David Moyes praises his ‘Silent Assassin’, Nikica Jelavic
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
HE may be nicknamed “The Flying Fortress” in his native Croatia, but Nikica Jelavic has already earned himself a different moniker at Everton FC.The 26-year-old has made quite an impression since arriving at Goodison Park from Rangers in January. So much so, in fact, that Blues boss David Moyes has a new name for his £5.5m man.“He’s a bit of a silent assassin,” says Moyes, whose side face critical league fixtures with Norwich City and Sunderland over the next three days.“He is quite quiet. But he's got a smile on his face. I think he's enjoying his football.”That is certainly the impression Jelavic is giving at the moment. His Goodison career was delayed by injuries and illness following his deadline-day switch from Ibrox, but he has taken no time to find his feet.With three goals, all of them crucial, in six starts, the former Rapid Vienna man is already a key figure in Moyes plans, something the manager himself acknowledges.“His arrival definitely has had a big effect,” he says. “Jelavic has given the players an all-round lift just because we've so badly needed a centre forward for a couple of seasons, or a different type of centre forward at least.“And, I think he feels as if he's got something to prove as well. He's scored in the SPL, he's been in Austria before that and scored goals.“To come into the Premier League after that, it's a step up and I think he's played as if he's had something to show.“He's scored a few, he's missed a few but his general, all-round play has helped the team get better.”Moyes admits the signing of Jelavic represented something of a gamble on his part.Notoriously thorough when mulling over new signings – he did, for example, compile 24 separate reports before securing the capture of Joleon Lescott in 2006 – Moyes admits the timing of the Jelavic deal made it hard to be quite so exhaustive, but says the class of the Croatian was never an issue.He says: “There was not as much detail because up until 28th January, or whenever it was, we wouldn't have been buying somebody of that value.“What you've got is you've got your scouts looking all the time. I've seen him live myself a few times, so I knew roughly what I was getting.“And obviously you're getting a Croatian international who'll go to the Euros and has got a decent record so there were others things behind him that added up.“I actually went to see him when he was in Austria but I didn't take him. He went to Rangers after that, of course. “(Blues coach, and Jelavic’s former Rangers team-mate) Davie Weir spoke really highly of him as well and I spoke to (ex-Gers boss) Walter Smith as well.“We needed a centre forward, we had, sort of, £5 million to spend and we had to try and spend it as wisely as we could, so we got him.“He's been getting these one or two chances in every game. He's not scored them all but he's been getting his one or two. But there's a sort of ticking over with him at the moment so he's been getting his goals. I've just got to hope that keeps going.”Moyes admits there has been a degree of surprise at how quickly Jelavic has settled on Merseyside.“It is a little bit because some of the players who have come in have taken time to settle,” he says. “Sometimes we've had to take our time to put them in.“This one was a bit different. We've been needing (a new striker) so whoever we got was going to go straight into the team. We needed it, and Nikica's come in and done well.“What you've got to remember as well is that he missed the first couple of games with an injury. He’s done really well.” In the meantime, Moyes looks a man at ease with his side’s current situation.A run of just two defeats in 15 games in all competitions, as well as the form of the likes of Jelavic and fellow January signings Steven Pienaar and Darron Gibson, has got Everton buzzing again. Blues fans are heading for Wembley for their FA Cup semi final with Liverpool in confident mood.Before that, though, there is the business of league action. And Moyes insists that nobody’s eyes are being allowed to wander towards next weekend, or indeed towards the prospect of finishing the season above Liverpool.“I've not considered anything like that,” he says. “All we've got to do is try and finish the season well.“I said that if we can finish in the top half of the league, I think for Everton, it'll be a great performance this year. I still think it'll be a tough call to get that, in the top ten. So we're not looking too far ahead.“I'm certainly not looking at finishing above any one team, I'm looking to see what Everton can do and if we can finish in the top ten I think that'll be - considering the way the season started - I think that'll be a pretty good season for us.”To do that, they will need a good Easter.First up is a trip to Carrow Road, to face Paul Lambert’s much-praised Norwich City. The Canaries left Goodison with a deserved point back in December, and have earned plenty of plaudits for their bold, adventurous style of play.“I thin Paul has done a great job,” says Moyes."The teams who come up are not automatic favourites to go back down and you've seen that with the likes of Swansea and Norwich this season."Some younger coaches come in with some different styles and are brave with what they do and that is great credit to them. I don't think the managers are doing things a great deal differently, I just think they are coming in with fresh ideas."They are young and hungry and want to be successful and want to have longevity in the game so they know they have to get results and play in a style which will give them that chance."

Street drinking ban and Wembley pubs split for Liverpool FC & Everton FC fans at FA Cup semi-final
by Rob Pattinson, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
FAMILIES of Liverpool FC and Everton FC fans travelling down to next weekend’s FA Cup showdown together face being turned away from pubs due to strict segregation policies.Tens of thousands of Merseyside fans arriving in the capital for the eagerly-anticipated semi-final will find that bars and pubs within a mile around Wembley have been allocated as solely Red or Blue.And landlords say anyone wearing the wrong colours will be turned away – or thrown out if they “sneak in”.Licensed premises on Wembley Park, to the east, will cater for Liverpool fans, while those to the west, near Wembley Central station, will accept only Blues through their doors.Metropolitan Police licensing officers said their priority is to ensure safety on Wembley match days.Police also confirmed they will be enforcing a Controlled Drinking Zone in the area around the ground for the first time, and would be confiscating alcohol from those found drinking on the street.Nearby pubs will close an hour before the 12.30pm kick-off and re-open 15 minutes after the game starts.Fans expressed their dismay at the fact they will not be able to share a drink together outside the ground before the historic April 14 clash.Jamie Dempsey, from Wallasey, said: “I’m a Blue and my dad’s a Red. My memories of Wembley are of mixed groups of fans walking down Wembley Way together. It’s really sad that fans are being driven apart, it’s unnecessary. Maybe with other clubs but this is Everton and Liverpool.“Last time the teams met at Wembley the fans were chanting ‘Merseyside’ together. But this is a wall being put up between us.”Nick Mortimer, police licensing officer for the London borough of Brent, said: “It’s a complete safety-first policy and happens for every club game at Wembley. All the pubs know which team they will be allocated already and door supervisors won’t let you in if you’re wearing the wrong colours.”A list of the pubs available to each group of fans was posted on the Football Supporters’ Federation website last week.And landlords today told how doorstaff will be strictly enforcing the Red or Blue policy on police advice, and advised mixed groups of fans to travel to pubs further from the ground.Mal Preedy, owner of the Green Man, within the Blue area, said: “All the pubs round the ground will be segregated. Fans aren’t allowed to mix, it’s always the same, such as when the two Manchester clubs met last year.”Other pubs said they will ticket-check anyone not wearing club colours or “covering up” their shirts before they will be allowed in.Richard Hunt, of the First Class Sports Bar, said: “We’ll be open from 9am and have been told we’re designated as a Liverpool bar. Door staff will conduct ticket checks to see if they are in the Everton or Liverpool section to ensure that policy is followed.”One pub manager, Chris Gorton of the Bear, told of his sympathy for families and friends who want to drink together.He said: “The doorstaff do have strict instructions to only let Blues in here with ticket checks. I would recommend mixed families go for a drink a little bit further out but I’m a Scouser myself, from the Dingle, and I’ll be on the door trying to give a bit of discretion to those who want to come in.”A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it had “made suggestions as to which licensed premises supporters may wish to attend based on which entrances fans will be accessing stadium” but the decision whether to let in mixed families lay with licensees. TWO lucky lads will lead their heroes out in a once-in-a-lifetime chance at the FA Cup semi-final.Jack Stiles and Harvey Loughran-Tan will don their red and blue kits for the Merseyside clash next Saturday after the ECHO teamed up with ESPN to offer this exciting prize.The youngsters will walk out on to the hallowed turf as the teams are led on to the pitch by Kenny Dalglish and David Moyes and stand with their heroes as they line-up for the pre-match handshakes. The pair will also get a brand new kit to wear on the day and take home with them. Toffees supporter Harvey, seven, of Runcorn is a season ticket holder in Goodison’s Family Enclosure alongside mum Siobhan and dad Geoff.The St Mary’s Church of England Primary school pupil said: “I can’t wait. My favourite players are Royston Drenthe and Tim Howard.”Mum Siobhan, who will be travelling to Wembley with Harvey, said: “We’ve been taking Harvey to Goodison for a few years, this is his first year as a season ticket holder.“I think he’s a bit overwhelmed at the moment and a bit nervous, but he’s really excited about it.”LFC fan Jack, 11, said it was a dream come true. The Rice Lane Primary pupil said: “I thought my dad was messing when he told me I’d won. I can’t believe it, I’m very excited but I’ll be nervous on the day.“I can’t wait to meet all the players. My favourites are Gerrard and Suarez.” Dad Alan from Anfield who will be accompanying Jack, added: “He loves football and goes training each week. He was made up when I told him – he keeps asking if I’m sure. He’s told all his friends he’s going to Wembley, it’s going to be a fantastic day.”

Players must always fight for their place, says Everton boss David Moyes
by Neil Jones, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
MOYES says his Everton FC players are playing for places this weekend, regardless of the forthcoming FA Cup semi final with Liverpool FC.The Blues face a gruelling Easter weekend, with this afternoon’s trip to Norwich City followed swiftly by a home clash with Sunderland on Monday.They may be on a run of just two defeats in 15 games, but with next weekend’s Merseyside derby at the forefront of most supporters’ minds, the temptation will be there for Moyes to rotate his squad over the next two Premier League games.It means the likes of Magaye Gueye, Victor Anichebe, Denis Stracqualursi and the returning Royston Drenthe could all come into contention. All have impressed in fits and starts this season, but Moyes says all players should be fighting for their place, irrespective of which games are to come “To win the next game is the most important one, it always is,” said the Blues boss.“They are playing for their places just now, whether it be a semi-final or a league game, they have to play for their places to be in the team and it has been like that all year.“The important thing is to keep the momentum going into the Norwich game and we did that with a win against West Brom.“We have two difficult games on Saturday and Monday and if we want to keep ourselves in a decent league position we are going to have to try to pick up some points.”Moyes, whose side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, a place above local rivals Liverpool, says the Blues’ recent run has provided an injection of confidence to his side, who in true Everton style had started the season slowly.He said: “It has probably been the best run we’ve had this season but we want to keep it going. We were in a really tough schedule in March but we feel much better after a bit of rest. “I think the players that were here have done a good job. They just needed a little lift that the boys who arrived in January gave them.“But they got that and they are starting to look like their old selves again. The players are in good form just now.”“They have confidence because they know they are playing much better.“I think the whole group are in a much better position than they were in the first couple of months of the season.”Moyes has no complaints over the scheduling of the Premier League’s fixtures, with his side facing a 500-mile round trip to Norfolk today, before taking on Sunderland less than 48 hours later.“It’s been that way for years, hasn’t it?” he says. “I think some teams have been given a better situation getting a game on Saturday and a game on Tuesday but then we get a day longer to prepare for the semi final.“The game has changed and it is harder now to put the players out and you might not always be giving the supporters exactly what they would hope for, but I’m not going to whinge about fitting the games in. That’s the way it is.”Moyes could have both Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell back available for at least one of this weekend’s fixtures. Rodwell’s recent involvement has been limited by a hamstring problem, while Coleman has been nursing a persistent thigh problem.Steven Pienaar, who is cup-tied for next weekend’s semi-final clash, will start against Norwich, provided he can shake off a minor knock.

Wembley pubs to split up Liverpool FC & Everton FC fans at FA Cup semi-final
Rob Pattinson
Apr 7 2012
FAMILIES of Reds and Blues travelling down to next weekend’s FA Cup showdown together face being turned away from pubs due to strict segregation policies.Tens of thousands of Merseyside fans arriving in the capital for the eagerly-anticipated semi-final will find that bars and pubs within a mile around Wembley have been allocated as solely Red or Blue.And landlords say anyone wearing the wrong colours will be turned away – or thrown out if they “sneak in”.Licensed premises on Wembley Park, to the east, will cater for Liverpool fans, while those to the west, near Wembley Central station, will accept only Blues through their doors.Metropolitan Police licensing officers said their priority is to ensure safety on Wembley match days. Police also confirmed they will be enforcing a Controlled Drinking Zone in the area around the ground for the first time, and would be confiscating alcohol from those found drinking on the street.Nearby pubs will close an hour before the 12.30pm kick-off and re-open 15 minutes after the game starts.Fans expressed their dismay at the fact they will not be able to share a drink together outside the ground before the historic April 14 clash.Jamie Dempsey, from Wallasey, said: “I’m a Blue and my dad’s a Red. My memories of Wembley are of mixed groups of fans walking down Wembley Way together. It’s really sad that fans are being driven apart, it’s unnecessary. Maybe with other clubs but this is Everton and Liverpool.“Last time the teams met at Wembley the fans were chanting ‘Merseyside’ together. But this is a wall being put up between us.” Nick Mortimer, police licensing officer for the London borough of Brent, said: “It’s a complete safety-first policy and happens for every club game at Wembley. All the pubs know which team they will be allocated already and door supervisors won’t let you in if you’re wearing the wrong colours.” A list of the pubs available to each group of fans was posted on the Football Supporters’ Federation website last week.And landlords today told how doorstaff will be strictly enforcing the Red or Blue policy on police advice, and advised mixed groups of fans to travel to pubs further from the ground.Mal Preedy, owner of the Green Man, within the Blue area, said: “All the pubs round the ground will be segregated. Fans aren’t allowed to mix, it’s always the same, such as when the two Manchester clubs met last year.” Other pubs said they will ticket-check anyone not wearing club colours or “covering up” their shirts before they will be allowed in.Richard Hunt, of the First Class Sports Bar, said: “We’ll be open from 9am and have been told we’re designated as a Liverpool bar. Door staff will conduct ticket checks to see if they are in the Everton or Liverpool section to ensure that policy is followed.”One pub manager, Chris Gorton of the Bear, told of his sympathy for families and friends who want to drink together.He said: “The doorstaff do have strict instructions to only let Blues in here with ticket checks. I would recommend mixed families go for a drink a little bit further out but I’m a Scouser myself, from the Dingle, and I’ll be on the door trying to give a bit of discretion to those who want to come in.”A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it had “made suggestions as to which licensed premises supporters may wish to attend based on which entrances fans will be accessing stadium” but the decision whether to let in mixed families lay with licensees.

Players must keep fighting for Wembley places, says Everton FC boss David Moyes
Apr 7 2012
DAVID MOYES says his Everton players are playing for places this weekend, regardless of the forthcoming FA Cup semi final with Liverpool.The Blues face a gruelling Easter weekend, with this afternoon’s trip to Norwich City followed swiftly by a home clash with Sunderland on Monday.They may be on a run of just two defeats in 15 games, but with next weekend’s Merseyside derby at the forefront of most supporters’ minds, the temptation will be there for Moyes to rotate his squad over the next two Premier League games.It means the likes of Magaye Gueye, Victor Anichebe, Denis Stracqualursi and the returning Royston Drenthe could all come into contention. All have impressed in fits and starts this season, but Moyes says all players should be fighting for their place, irrespective of which games are to come. “To win the next game is the most important one, it always is,” said the Blues boss.“They are playing for their places just now, whether it be a semi-final or a league game, they have to play for their places to be in the team and it has been like that all year.“The important thing is to keep the momentum going into the Norwich game and we did that with a win against West Brom.“We have two difficult games on Saturday and Monday and if we want to keep ourselves in a decent league position we are going to have to try to pick up some points.”Moyes, whose side currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, a place above local rivals Liverpool, says the Blues’ recent run has provided an injection of confidence to his side, who in true Everton style had started the season slowly.He said: “It has probably been the best run we’ve had this season but we want to keep it going. We were in a really tough schedule in March but we feel much better after a bit of rest. “I think the players that were here have done a good job. They just needed a little lift that the boys who arrived in January gave them.“But they got that and they are starting to look like their old selves again. The players are in good form just now.”“They have confidence because they know they are playing much better.“I think the whole group are in a much better position than they were in the first couple of months of the season.”Moyes has no complaints over the scheduling of the Premier League’s fixtures, with his side facing a 500-mile round trip to Norfolk today, before taking on Sunderland less than 48 hours later.“It’s been that way for years, hasn’t it?” he says. “I think some teams have been given a better situation getting a game on Saturday and a game on Tuesday but then we get a day longer to prepare for the semi final.“The game has changed and it is harder now to put the players out and you might not always be giving the supporters exactly what they would hope for, but I’m not going to whinge about fitting the games in. That’s the way it is.”Moyes could have both Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell back available for at least one of this weekend’s fixtures. Rodwell’s recent involvement has been limited by a hamstring problem, while Coleman has been nursing a persistent thigh problem.Steven Pienaar, who is cup-tied for next weekend’s semi-final clash, will start against Norwich, provided he can shake off a minor knock.

Norwich City keeper John Ruddy has no regrets over Everton experience
Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer Saturday, April 7, 2012 (NORWICH Evening Post)
"I’ll never have a bad word to say about the club because they took a chance on me. Unfortunately it didn’t work out like we wanted to, but that’s football and you move on to different things. I don’t think any of us are looking back at it now."
John Ruddy
The 25-year-old was outstanding in Norwich’s early season trip to a club where Ruddy made just one substitute appearance in a five year stint following his big move from Cambridge United as a teenager. The Canaries’ impressive stopper had eight loan spells away from Goodison Park before finally making a permanent home in Norfolk. Ruddy is adamant those formative experiences have helped establish him now as one of the brightest goalkeeping talents in the country.“It was massive, going to a massive club with high expectations at an early age,” he said. “It was a big learning curve for me and the quality of training I had was right up there, Woodsy (Chris Woods) being the coach and working with goalkeepers such as Nigel Martyn, Richard Wright, Tim Howard and Iain Turner. “It was fantastic for me and I really enjoyed my time there. I’ll never have a bad word to say about the club because they took a chance on me. Unfortunately it didn’t work out like we wanted to, but that’s football and you move on to different things. I don’t think any of us are looking back at it now.”Former Norwich keeper Woods was the latest in a long line of admirers earlier this week to praise Ruddy’s achievements, but the St Ives man’s prior experiences on Merseyside ensure he retains a sense of perspective.“It is nice as a keeper. You can either be the hero or the villain,” he said. “At the moment people are saying good things about me, which is always nice, but you’ve got to detach yourself from that and make sure they keep saying good things about you. That’s the main aim. “I know Woodsy well, he was a key part of my development as a goalkeeper at Everton. I’m very grateful for what he did for me when I was up there. He’s a top coach and was a top player in his time as well with Norwich and England. I appreciate the comments that he made, but I hope we get three points against him.”Ruddy believes City did more than enough to merit the win at Goodison Park in December before Leon Osman’s deflected strike cancelled out Grant Holt’s fine individual effort.“I think they got a bit fortunate with the equaliser up there but they’re a quality outfit,” said Ruddy. “I think we weathered the storm quite well up there, we were probably deserving of a clean sheet although they did throw a lot at us. “But we dealt with it and we put in a solid performance and we nicked a goal. We defended it very well until probably their weakest strike of the day. I think they’d agree with that. But that’s what you’re up against. People can turn games on their head in an instant. “Everyone who has watched the Premier League for the last four, five or six years knows that they don’t start well but they always finish very, very strongly. They’re in the middle of a fantastic run now. They’ve got an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to as well which is great for them and the supporters.”Ruddy knows David Moyes well enough to forecast all thoughts of next weelend’s Merseyside derby at Wembley will be placed firmly on the backburner.“They’re on a great run at the moment, so they want to keep that going,” he said. “None of the players, nor the manager, will be getting carried away with the semi-final. That will come when it comes. They’ve got two games before that. I imagine they’re more determined to pick up six points over this Easter period if they can and go into the semi-final on an even bigger high. They’re on a good run and that can only stand them in good stead for the semi-final when it comes.“They’re a quality act all over the pitch and Tim (Howard’s) a quality goalkeeper. He’s proved for four or five years at the top level that he can do it and the defence they’ve got as well, the options they’ve got, speaks volumes for them as a squad and what David Moyes has done and the players he’s brought in.”City’s Easter tussles with Everton and then Tottenham trigger a daunting finale to the Premier League campaign that also includes tests against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City. “We looked at the start of the season and we saw our run-in so we knew it was going to be tough,” said Ruddy. “That’s why the amount of effort we’ve put in up to this point in the season has paid off. We’re on 39 points. We’ve got seven very tough games but I’m sure if we can pick up a couple of points along the way we’ll be fine. “I certainly can’t see us losing seven games in a row, so I’m sure we’ll pick something up somewhere.“I thought we played really well (at Fulham), we moved the ball well. Certainly from 15 minutes onwards we cause them a lot of problems. But if you start like that in this league you’ll get punished and we did. It was a great effort to try to get back into the game but unfortunately we couldn’t get that other goal.”Skipper Holt returns to the squad this afternoon after missing the Craven Cottage defeat through suspension. “Yes, he’s a massive player, a key figure and the club captain and a big personality around the place,” said Ruddy. “He gets you goals – 12 in the Premier League speaks for itself - the second-highest English goalscoring forward in the league. “Why he’s been overlooked (for England), who knows? But that’s not for me to discuss. He’s a quality player. At Everton he got a goal out of nothing, really, so it just shows what he’s about and what he can do.”City’s loss at Fulham was also notable for an encouraging first senior appearance from January window signing Ryan Bennett. “I thought he was exceptional,” said Ruddy. “He bedded in really well, looked confident and looked like he’d been playing there for the majority of the season. “It’s a credit to him and to us as a group of lads as to how he settled in and I hope he can continue that form to the end of the season.”

DAVID MOYES: EVERTON ARE STARTING TO JEL
7th April 2012
By Chris McKenna (Daily Star)
DAVID MOYES reckons “silent assassin” Nikica Jelavic is the reason Everton are now killing off the opposition.The Toffees have lost just two of their last 15 games in all competitions, which has seen them reach the FA Cup semi-finals and rise to seventh in the Premier League.Jelavic, 26, has played in nine of those games since his £5m deadline-day move from Rangers in January.The Croatian striker may have only bagged three goals so far, but Moyes has praised the lift the former Rangers man has given the Toffees.He said: “I definitely think he has had a psychological effect. He has given the players an all-round lift because we have been badly needing a different type of centre-forward for a couple of seasons.“I think he has shown he has something to prove as well. He has scored in the Scottish league and played in Austria.“To come into the Premier League is a step up, so he has played as if he has something to show. “He’s scored a few and missed a few, but I think his general all-round play has helped the team get better.“He’s a bit of a silent assassin really.”Meanwhile, Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy admits his five years at Everton made him the player he is today.Ruddy, 25, who made just one appearance as understudy to Tim Howard, said: “My time at Everton was massive for me.“I was at an early stage in my career so everything was a big learning curve.“But the high quality of the training and coaching at Everton was a huge benefit.“My time there, under goalkeeping coach Chris Woods, was fantastic.“Unfortunately things didn’t work out for me there but I would never have a bad word to say about the club.”

Moyes delighted with investment in Jelavic who had 'something to prove'
By Dominic King
7 April 2012 (Daily Mail)
David Moyes believes Nikica Jelavic’s burning desire to prove a point has helped transform Everton’s season and made his £5million move look smart business.The Everton manager admitted to being unsure about how quickly Jelavic would adapt to life in England following his January move from Rangers but three goals in six starts have quelled any lingering concerns.Jelavic, 26, will spearhead Everton’s attempts to reach the FA Cup final but Moyes is not being distracted by talk of the semi-final showdown with Liverpool and wants to see the Croatian help maintain his good form in the Barclays Premier League, starting at Norwich today.‘His all round play has given us a lift,’ said Moyes, who considered signing Jelavic initially when he played for Rapid Vienna. ‘We had badly needed a centre-forward for a couple of seasons and he felt as if he had something to prove.‘This has been a bit of a step up for Nicky but he is a bit of a silent assassin. Some of the players we have brought in over the years have needed time to settle but he has got on with it.‘We have needed him and are very happy with what he has done for us. He was well recommended by people like (former Everton and Rangers defender) Davie Weir and (former Everton and Rangers manager) Walter Smith. We had £5million to spend and we spent it wisely.’ Moyes, meanwhile, has confirmed that Sylvain Distin will continue to be part of his squad next season after Everton took up their option to extend the French defender’s contract by a further 12 months.But Moyes will not make any decisions on the futures of Royston Drenthe and Steven Pienaar – who are on loan from Real Madrid and Tottenham respectively – until the end of the current campaign.

NORWICH 2 EVERTON 2: CANARIES REACH 40 POINT MARK WITH GRANT HOLT STRIKE
7th April 2012
By Daily Star eporter
NORWICH striker Grant Holt continued to press his claims for an England call-up by scoring a crucial equaliser against Everton that helped City reach the infamous 40-point mark at Carrow Road this afternoon. Nikica Jelavic put Everton ahead with a clever backheel before Jonny Howson equalised just prior to half-time with his first Norwich goal. Jelavic added his fourth goal in four games to make it 2-1 in controversial circumstances after Norwich thought they should have had a free-kick, but the home crowd breathed a sigh of relief as Holt calmly swept home his 13th Barclays Premier League goal of the season with 14 minutes to go. Holt, who was in and out of the Norwich starting XI early in the campaign, was a constant threat to a stubborn Everton defence throughout and remains the second-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney.
The draw means that Norwich have now reached the points tally commonly associated with safety with six matches left - a feat many would have thought impossible last summer when they were promoted after a six-year absence. Everton, meanwhile, remain in seventh and boss David Moyes will be pleased to see Jelavic among the goals ahead of next week's mouth-watering FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Everton, who were searching for their third straight win, started brightly.
Magaye Gueye picked out Jelavic at the back post but he failed to connect properly with his header.
The hulking frame of Holt was proving to be a nuisance for the visitors. Jagielka brought down the striker on the edge of the box but Elliott Bennett drove straight into the wall from the resulting free-kick. Norwich were struggling to get into the game and went behind in the 22nd minute.
Leighton Baines burst down the left and found Phil Jagielka, who crossed for Jelavic to flick home from close range. Everton almost went 2-0 up moments later when Tony Hibbert's cross struck the woodwork but Tim Cahill failed to poke home the rebound. Baines was booked for clambering over Elliott Bennett's back as the Canaries looked for an immediate response. Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Surman were industrious in midfield but Everton's robust defence prevented them from fashioning any serious attempt on goal. That was until the 39th minute, when Howson equalised.
Adam Drury released Hoolahan down the left flank and he cut inside and squared to the former Leeds man, who calmly slotted home from six yards. Baines sent David Fox tumbling with a studs-up challenge soon after and the left-back was lucky to avoided a second yellow. Norwich started the second half brightly. Marriner waved away appeals for a penalty after Surman's free-kick struck Pienaar, and Holt headed straight at Tim Howard. The American then spilled Howson's fierce strike but Everton scrambled the ball clear before Holt could convert the rebound. Norwich were starting to win the battle for supremacy in midfield and Moyes called on Marouane Fellaini, who replaced Phil Neville. Norwich went behind again amid furious scenes on the hour. Pienaar went down under a challenge and held the ball between his legs. Norwich appealed for a foul, but Marriner's whistle never came. Fellaini then picked up the ball and found Baines, who laid off to Pienaar and his cross was converted by Jelavic from close range. The Canaries players were incensed that the referee had not given a foul against Pienaar, who enjoyed the moment by celebrating in front of the home fans.
Holt unleashed a fierce free-kick that flew just over after a deflection, and Norwich were level after 76 minutes thanks to the Cumbrian's 15th of the season in all competitions. Tim Howard spilled Aaron Wilbraham's shot straight back into the path of the Canaries forward and he held off the challenge of four Everton players to square to Holt, who calmly swept home. Moyes brought on Victor Anichebe for Cahill with 10 minutes to go, but it was Norwich who looked the more likely team to grab a winner. Elliott Bennett and Holt both went close in the dying minutes but Elliott Ward had to be at his strongest to deny Anichebe moments later. Jelavic fell to the floor dramatically in injury time after clashing with Ryan Bennett. The striker went down clutching his jaw but replays showed the Norwich player had barely touched the Toffees marksman. Andrew Crofts came on in the final seconds for Norwich but his introduction made no difference as the Canaries had to settle for a single, but hugely important, point.

NORWICH 2 EVERTON 2: GRANT HOLT SECURES DRAW FOR BATTLING CANARIES
Saturday April 7,2012
By Daily Express
NORWICH striker Grant Holt continued to press his claims for an England call-up by scoring a crucial equaliser against Everton that saw his side to the 40-point mark at Carrow Road this afternoon.
Nikica Jelavic put Everton ahead with a clever backheel before Jonny Howson equalised just prior to half-time with his first Norwich goal. Jelavic added his fourth goal in four games to make it 2-1 in controversial circumstances after Norwich thought they should have had a free-kick, but the home crowd breathed a sigh of relief as Holt calmly swept home his 13th Barclays Premier League goal of the season with 14 minutes to go. Holt, who was in and out of the Norwich starting XI early in the campaign, was a constant threat to a stubborn Everton defence throughout and remains the second-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney. The draw means that Norwich have now reached the points tally commonly associated with safety with six matches left - a feat many would have thought impossible last summer when they were promoted after a six-year absence. Grant Holt continued to press his claims for an England call-up by scoring a crucial equaliser against Everton Everton, meanwhile, remain in seventh and boss David Moyes will be pleased to see Jelavic among the goals ahead of next week's mouth-watering FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Everton, who were searching for their third straight win, started brightly.
Magaye Gueye picked out Jelavic at the back post but he failed to connect properly with his header.
The hulking frame of Holt was proving to be a nuisance for the visitors. Jagielka brought down the striker on the edge of the box but Elliott Bennett drove straight into the wall from the resulting free-kick. Norwich were struggling to get into the game and went behind in the 22nd minute.
Leighton Baines burst down the left and found Phil Jagielka, who crossed for Jelavic to flick home from close range. Everton almost went 2-0 up moments later when Tony Hibbert's cross struck the woodwork but Tim Cahill failed to poke home the rebound. Baines was booked for clambering over Elliott Bennett's back as the Canaries looked for an immediate response. Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Surman were industrious in midfield but Everton's robust defence prevented them from fashioning any serious attempt on goal. That was until the 39th minute, when Howson equalised. Adam Drury released Hoolahan down the left flank and he cut inside and squared to the former Leeds man, who calmly slotted home from six yards. Baines sent David Fox tumbling with a studs-up challenge soon after and the left-back was lucky to avoided a second yellow. Norwich started the second half brightly. Marriner waved away appeals for a penalty after Surman's free-kick struck Pienaar, and Holt headed straight at Tim Howard. The American then spilled Howson's fierce strike but Everton scrambled the ball clear before Holt could convert the rebound. Norwich were starting to win the battle for supremacy in midfield and Moyes called on Marouane Fellaini, who replaced Phil Neville.
Norwich went behind again amid furious scenes on the hour. Pienaar went down under a challenge and held the ball between his legs. Norwich appealed for a foul, but Marriner's whistle never came. Fellaini then picked up the ball and found Baines, who laid off to Pienaar and his cross was converted by Jelavic from close range. The Canaries players were incensed that the referee had not given a foul against Pienaar, who enjoyed the moment by celebrating in front of the home fans. Holt unleashed a fierce free-kick that flew just over after a deflection, and Norwich were level after 76 minutes thanks to the Cumbrian's 15th of the season in all competitions. Tim Howard spilled Aaron Wilbraham's shot straight back into the path of the Canaries forward and he held off the challenge of four Everton players to square to Holt, who calmly swept home. Moyes brought on Victor Anichebe for Cahill with 10 minutes to go, but it was Norwich who looked the more likely team to grab a winner. Elliott Bennett and Holt both went close in the dying minutes but Elliott Ward had to be at his strongest to deny Anichebe moments later. Jelavic fell to the floor dramatically in injury time after clashing with Ryan Bennett. The striker went down clutching his jaw but replays showed the Norwich player had barely touched the Toffees marksman. Andrew Crofts came on in the final seconds for Norwich but his introduction made no difference as the Canaries had to settle for a single, but hugely important, point.

Holt vies for England as Canaries draw with Everton
Norwich 2 Everton 2
Paul Hirst
Saturday 07 April 2012
The Independent
Norwich striker Grant Holt continued to press his claims for an England call-up by scoring a crucial equaliser against Everton that saw his side to the 40-point mark at Carrow Road this afternoon.
Nikica Jelavic put Everton ahead with a clever backheel before Jonny Howson equalised just prior to half-time with his first Norwich goal. Jelavic added his fourth goal in four games to make it 2-1 in controversial circumstances after Norwich thought they should have had a free-kick, but the home crowd breathed a sigh of relief as Holt calmly swept home his 13th Barclays Premier League goal of the season with 14 minutes to go. Holt, who was in and out of the Norwich starting XI early in the campaign, was a constant threat to a stubborn Everton defence throughout and remains the second-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney. The draw means that Norwich have now reached the points tally commonly associated with safety with six matches left - a feat many would have thought impossible last summer when they were promoted after a six-year absence. Everton, meanwhile, remain in seventh and boss David Moyes will be pleased to see Jelavic among the goals ahead of next week's mouth-watering FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Everton, who were searching for their third straight win, started brightly. Magaye Gueye picked out Jelavic at the back post but he failed to connect properly with his header. The hulking frame of Holt was proving to be a nuisance for the visitors. Jagielka brought down the striker on the edge of the box but Elliott Bennett drove straight into the wall from the resulting free-kick. Norwich were struggling to get into the game and went behind in the 22nd minute. Leighton Baines burst down the left and found Phil Jagielka, who crossed for Jelavic to flick home from close range.
Everton almost went 2-0 up moments later when Tony Hibbert's cross struck the woodwork but Tim Cahill failed to poke home the rebound. Baines was booked for clambering over Elliott Bennett's back as the Canaries looked for an immediate response. Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Surman were industrious in midfield but Everton's robust defence prevented them from fashioning any serious attempt on goal. That was until the 39th minute, when Howson equalised. Adam Drury released Hoolahan down the left flank and he cut inside and squared to the former Leeds man, who calmly slotted home from six yards. Baines sent David Fox tumbling with a studs-up challenge soon after and the left-back was lucky to avoided a second yellow. Norwich started the second half brightly. Marriner waved away appeals for a penalty after Surman's free-kick struck Pienaar, and Holt headed straight at Tim Howard. The American then spilled Howson's fierce strike but Everton scrambled the ball clear before Holt could convert the rebound. Norwich were starting to win the battle for supremacy in midfield and Moyes called on Marouane Fellaini, who replaced Phil Neville.
Norwich went behind again amid furious scenes on the hour. Pienaar went down under a challenge and held the ball between his legs. Norwich appealed for a foul, but Marriner's whistle never came. Fellaini then picked up the ball and found Baines, who laid off to Pienaar and his cross was converted by Jelavic from close range. The Canaries players were incensed that the referee had not given a foul against Pienaar, who enjoyed the moment by celebrating in front of the home fans.
Holt unleashed a fierce free-kick that flew just over after a deflection, and Norwich were level after 76 minutes thanks to the Cumbrian's 15th of the season in all competitions. Tim Howard spilled Aaron Wilbraham's shot straight back into the path of the Canaries forward and he held off the challenge of four Everton players to square to Holt, who calmly swept home. Moyes brought on Victor Anichebe for Cahill with 10 minutes to go, but it was Norwich who looked the more likely team to grab a winner. Elliott Bennett and Holt both went close in the dying minutes but Elliott Ward had to be at his strongest to deny Anichebe moments later. Jelavic fell to the floor dramatically in injury time after clashing with Ryan Bennett. The striker went down clutching his jaw but replays showed the Norwich player had barely touched the Toffees marksman.
Andrew Crofts came on in the final seconds for Norwich but his introduction made no difference as the Canaries had to settle for a single, but hugely important, point.

Norwich City 2 Everton 2: match report
Road on Saturday April 7, 2012.
By Louie Martin, Carrow Road
The Telepgragh
Nikica Jelavic continued his impressive form in English football but his brace was not enough to see Everton topple a determined Norwich City side in an enthralling encounter. The Croatian striker has scored five goals in eight games since a deadline-day move Rangers in January. His form could not be better timed, as Everton not only look forward to an FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool next weekend but aim to finish above their Merseyside rivals in the Premier League. The visitors transferred their early superiority to the scoresheet when Phil Jagielka’s cross was deftly flicked home by Jelavic on 22 minutes. “I’m just disappointed we couldn’t supply him with some more ammunition,” Everton manager David Moyes said. “But he has certainly come in and made a difference to us. He has got that steel where he wants to get a goal, and he showed that. He has given all the players a massive boost.” Everton’s recent form has also been built on a resolute defence that has helped them to go more than six and a half hours without conceding a goal. However, that seemed forgotten as Norwich waltzed through to turn the game six minutes before the break when the lively Wes Hoolahan was put clear. Jonny Howson capped an incisive move by tapping home Hoolahan’s low centre, with the unusually accommodating Everton defence having left Howson unmarked.
It was the highly impressive midfielder’s first league goal since his January transfer from Leeds. “He has not put a foot wrong and it was one of the best midfield performances I have seen,” said Norwich manager Paul Lambert, a Champions League winner as a player. “I couldn’t pass it like him. In that second half he played a pass Iniesta would have played. He was outstanding.”
The game took on a new edge when Jelavic grabbed his second shortly after the hour mark, with referee Andre Marriner cast as the villain of Norwich’s piece. Steven Pienaar concealed the ball on the ground as the hosts tried to clear. When the ball finally surfaced, Marriner’s position made Hoolahan go the long way round to mop up the danger. It was too far for him and, as the hosts complained about the injustice, Leighton Baines and Pienaar teed up Jelavic to slot home.
But Norwich captain Grant Holt had the final word, improving his impressive goalscoring record – he has 13 league goals this season – and ensuring Norwich a deserved point. “It was a brilliant game, as good a performance as I’ve seen in my time here. We were outstanding,” Lambert said, as Norwich almost certainly ensured their top-flight safety.
Match details:
Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Martin, R Bennett, Ward, Drury (Naughton 75); E Bennett, Fox (Wilbraham 65), Surman, Hoolahan (Crofts 90); Howson; Holt.
Subs: Steer (gk), Johnson, Morison, Jackson.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Gueye (Coleman 46), Gibson, Neville (Fellaini 56), Pienaar; Cahill; Jelavic.
Subs: Mucha (gk), Heitinga, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Anichebe.
Booked: Baines, Pienaar.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).

Final Whistle Report: Norwich City 2 Everton FC 2
by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo
Apr 7 2012
NIKICA Jelavic scored twice as Everton FC were held to a draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
The Croatian took his tally to five goals in just seven appearances, as David Moyes’ men impressed in attack, but surrendered their run of clean sheets on the East Anglia coast. Paul Lambert’s men never make it easy for visitors though, and the result at least means the Toffees remain in seventh place behind Chelsea in the Premier League table. The visitors started with three changes to the team that had beaten West Brom last weekend; Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini and John Heitinga making way for Magaye Gueye, Sylvain Distin and Phil Neville. And there were to be no injuries or alarming red cards to cast doubt over preparations for next weekend’s FA Cup semi final, even if sub Fellaini was booked taking his tally to nine, he will be spared by Sunday’s amnesty. Norwich twice fought to come from behind, with Jonny Howson levelling first, then Grant Holt adding their second equaliser.
But Everton fans will be thrilled with the contribution of their own big centre forward, who continued to display the same intelligent movement and predatory instincts in front of goal after assists from Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar. The unbeaten run goes on, and in this form, Jelavic could yet prove one of the shrewdest signings of the season.
EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Neville (Capt) (Fellaini, 56) Gibson, Gueye (Coleman, 45), Pienaar, Cahill (Anichebe, 81) Jelavic.
Subs not used: Mucha, Heitinga, Stracqualursi, McFadden.
Bookings: Baines, Fellaini
Goals: Jelavic (22, 61)
NORWICH CITY: (4-5-1) Ruddy, Martin, Drury (Naughton, 75), Holt (Capt), Surmn, Hoolahan (Crofts, 90) Fox, Bennett, Ward, Howson, Bennett.
Subs not used: Steer, Johnson, Morison, Jackson, Wilbraham.
Bookings:
Goals: Howson (39) Holt (77)
Ref: Andre Mariner