Everton's FA Cup dream ends in defeat

Everton's dream of hoisting the FA Cup came to an end as they lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Wembley.

The match started perfectly of David Moyes' side as they grabbed the 1-0 lead less than thirty seconds as Marouane Fellaini provided the ball to Louis Saha for a close range finish. However down a goal, Guus Hiddink took care in providing his side a patient vision and they squared the match up twenty minutes in by Florent Malouda's cross was headed in with power by Didier Drogba. Everton was clearly on their heels now as Chelsea was in a attacking mode. At the half Lars Jacobsen was summoned in for Tony Hibbert to try and shore up the problems at the back but Chelsea was driving forward relentlessly. After a Saha header screamed just wide of the post Frank Lampard got on the end of Michael Ballack's pass and pounded the ball in with eighteen minutes left. With the goal Chelsea's confidence grew and the Toffees barely threatened as the match ended with a 2-1 loss.

Following the match David Moyes echoed his support of this side to BBC Sport:

"It's disappointing not to finish with a trophy but I'm very proud of the players. I can't fault them, they have been excellent and I've told them that," he said.

"I've got to give them credit. Last year we reached a semi-final in the League Cup, this year a final.

"Whether or not we won, it was progress for us. Hopefully the next bit, winning a cup, will come next year."

Everton's quest for the FA Cup

With the deck stacked against them, Everton faces Chelsea at Wembley late Saturday afternoon with the FA Cup on the line. Few would have imagined the Toffees at this stage but throughout the Cup run, just as the Premier League race the team that "couldn't", did. It has been a miraculous year for David Moyes' side, no telling why many consider him the one of the finest managers in England today. Lacking the budget that many boast and despite a torrid series of injuries his side consistently over-achieved.

Now they face one final test, to pull off an upset of Chelsea while lacking the services of Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Jô and possibly their man of the year, Phil Jagielka. While that seems daunting, Everton has consistently eschewed to the edict of overcoming adversity. Behind Timmy Cahill, called the club's "new Alan Ball" by chairman Bill Kenwright, the Toffees once again play David against Goliath.

There are no great mysteries of this match as both clubs know each other quite well. However once again, against all odds Everton is gunning for a upset but this time for the FA Cup.

Everton finishes season off with 2-0 defeat of Fulham

Waiting for the FA Cup final, Everton defeated Fulham in the final day of the season 2-0 to make claim for fifth in the table. Already secure in their spot of the Europa League, the match was a perfect confidence builder for next Saturday's trip to Wembley.

With young Jack Rodwell back in the starting eleven, Everton pushed Fulham back early with a series of testing advances. However Fulham, led through miracle-worker Roy Hodgson quickly got its footing and the match became a box to box encounter. Just before the break Everton broke the deadlock as Steven Pienaar played through Leon Osman, with Toffee product making his way past the 'keeper before sending the ball in. After the restart both sides had considerable chances to add to the score-sheet, with Fulham sending a few agonizingly wide. The day was Everton's though as Osman added his second with two minutes remaining, hammering the ball in from twenty metres.

Everton layers on problems for West Ham

Playing strictly for pride, given their spot in the Europa League is secured, Everton handed West Ham a 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park. With the Hammers hopeful for a berth on the European stage and mired in financial collapse of owner Björgólfur Guðmundsson, the loss was a difficult blow for the East London side.

Using the match as a high quality tune-up prior to the months end FA Cup final against Chelsea, David Moyes fielded a starting eleven that will likely take the pitch at Wembley. Despite the Toffees early efforts Gianfranco Zola's side took the lead six minute prior to the half hour as Czech international Radoslav Kováč sent a shocking drive from thirty metres plus in. The match was proceeding without a significant moment shift until seven minutes were left in the half as James Tomkins adjudged to bringing down Tim Cahill and along with a penalty awarded was sent off with a straight red-card. Louis Saha, starting in place of Jô squared the match up but with the man advantage the Toffees were ready to open the floodgates. Three minutes after the restart Joseph Yobo took advantage of poor defending to send in Steven Pienaar's corner to give Everton the lead. Although both sides had chances quickly thereafter it wasn't till fourteen minutes remained when Pienaar crossed from the byline for Louis Saha to send to the back of the net for his second of the day, giving Everton the 3-1 victory.

With the whistle Everton jumps to fifth in the table and looks ahead to the final Premier League match of the year against Fulham with is of-course the FA Cup final at Wembley on 30 May. However with was their last appearance at Goodison and it was a time to celebrate the extraordinary season with their supporters one last time.

Tottenham play Everton to draw in scoreless yawner

With Aston Villa dropping 3-1 to Fulham, Everton missed a chance to climb to fifth in the table with a quiet scoreless draw against Tottenham. With much of the season already decided for the Toffees given a Europa League spot has already been earned and the FA Cup final still three weeks off, David Moyes is without question tinkering with his lineup in the last three weeks.

Using Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell in the starting eleven, with both Lars Jacobsen and Leon Osman on the bench, Everton lacked the finishing touch and less than a tight defensive battle, the match basically was lacking intensity and quality for the most part. If the match wasn't challenged enough with debatable motivation, a heavy rain before the break slowed the pacing considerably. As the match wore on a few scoring chances opened up, likely none better when Dan Gosling rattled the post with roughly twenty-five minutes left but still they couldn't find a way through in route to a scoreless draw.

Man City keeps Europa League hopes alive

Man City extended their Europa League hopes with a 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. The victory marked the Citizens first away from home since the hazy days of August and leaves them only three points behind Fulham in seventh place.

Without the services of Pablo Zabaleta and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Mark Hughes' side took the lead with ten minutes remaining in the half as Elano's long ball through the left channel to Robinho, was topped off with the Brazilian driving the ball past Tim Howard from a tight angle. The Samba was alive and well as smiles returned on the day and after Shay Given robbed Marouane Fellaini from point-blank range, Man City doubled the margin nine minutes into the new half. In an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by Everton, Felipe Caicedo provided the ball to Robinho on the left with the virtual right side open for Stephen Ireland to wander free and volley in the Brazilian's deft chip. Unfortunately for David Moyes side Phil Jagielka suffered a season ending knee injury and with an extended injury time Everton's superb young midfielder Dan Gosling accepted Steven Pienaar's provision and drove the ball to the right corner from the centre of the box.

Man City returns to action next Saturday as they welcome Blackburn Rovers to Eastlands.

Everton falls short to Man City 2-1

Everton's eight match unbeaten streak at Goodison came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Man City on Saturday afternoon. Following the success in the FA Cup and the positive mid-week draw at Stamford Bridge the performance was definitely short on intensity. While the loss certainly is missed chance to overtake Aston Villa, two points ahead of the Toffees, the real concern was the injury to Phil Jagielka to a torn ACL. Unfortunately the grave nature of the injury will likely keep centre back till mid next season.

The Toffees gave up the lead five minutes past the half-hour as Robinho got under a Elano's long pass before slotting in past Tim Howard. Opportunities were sparse in what was ever increasingly a "off-day" as City made in 2-0 six minutes before the hour as free and clear Stephen Ireland volleyed Robinho's provision. Danny Gosling added a consolation goal late but there was no coming back and Everton dropped 2-1 to Man City.

Everton heads to FA Cup final

Everton sealed it's first FA Cup final appearance since 1995 as they defeated Manchester United 4-2 in penalties.

The talk of the day was Sir Alex Ferguson radically reworking his starting eleven, leaving out regulars for the likes of Ben Foster, the twins Fábio and Rafael, Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck and seventeen year-old Rome native Federico Macheda. Despite the youthful side, Everton were held back for much of the match and seemed unsure of how to approach them. While the Toffees were likely the better of the two in the opening half as the match wore Sir Alex's kiddie corp were posing bales of problems. After the break it seemed clear fortune was on Everton's side as Phil Jagielka could have easily be adjudged for bringing down Danny Welbeck in the area but Mike Riley waived play-on. Legitimate chances were sparse for Everton, despite the roar of supporters in blue urgent pleas and for the few that seemed ready to crest, Nemanja Vidić was there to turn it aside. And so after thirty-minutes of extra-time the score-sheet still was unmarked and it would come down to penalties.

From time to time when matches are decided in this manner the goals, just as the misses are remembered. David Beckham's miss in the Euro 2004 against Portugal tears at the heart of Three Lion supporters and as this shoot-out began so did Timmy Cahill blunder. However what came after that for Man Utd was basically a egotistical walk-up by Dimitar Berbatov that wasn't just shockingly bad but seemed to lack any thought and merely the work of arrogance. After Leighton Baines notched Everton's first goal, Rio Ferdinand stepped-up and while the English international is out of his realm you would assume somewhere along the Footy world he has struck one from the spot. Clearly that is assumption is erroneous or lest Man Utd was worried about all these trophies they were collecting and he sent another one that most children could improve upon. Following that miss it was merely a task of working through the order without error and in the end, Phil Jagielka sent Everton to the finals as his effort billowed in the net.

Everton's FA Cup dreams

The Toffees FA Cup continue as they face Manchester United in the semi-finals at Wembley Sunday afternoon.

David Moyes is confident of Everton's future, saying:

"It will be happening. Let's hope it's this one. But the players and the Club are getting ready to win a trophy.

"We came close last year with the League Cup but I think it will be soon when Everton win something.

"It is great for the Club that we are progressing in the cup competitions because it is something we've failed to do in recent years.

"I think everybody at Everton has been waiting for this game to come along.

"It's something we've been eagerly awaiting since we got through. Because of that, there is an excitement. We are trying to be relaxed and enjoy it, but we are ready to focus on another hard game.

"It is special because it is a semi-final but not necessarily because it is at Wembley. If it had been the final it would have been special - and if we get there it will be special. At this moment I am delighted it is a semi-final, but you don't remember too many beaten semi-finalists, so I have to make sure we get through and get to the final and hopefully go on and win it.

"We are beginning to get better and this year the teams we have put out have shown evidence we are improving."

The Toffees have James Vaughan and Joseph Yobo available, although Louis Saha is questionable and Jô is cup-tied.

Villa spoils Toffees day

Heading into Villa Park, Everton had the firm mission of leaving with three points and leaping over their hosts for a Champions League spot. However with a stunning two comeback by Aston Villa the match ended with a 3-3 draw and David Moyes' forces will need to wait for another day.

Former Standard de Liège midfielder Marouane Fellaini continued his remarkable play for the Toffees as he sent Leighton Baines cross in from close range at the twentieth minute. With a tide clearly in Everton's favour Aussie international Timmy Cahill fought his way into the box to nod in the rebound of his own effort that came off the cross-bar. However any thoughts of taking complete control of the match ended soon as the play was wide-open and couldn't be slowed. Three minutes after the hour John Carew brought Villa within one from close-range as Tim Howard in a rare slip up, seemed out of sorts in allowing a cross into the box go without challenge. Eight minutes after the break Phil Neville's provision to Steven Pienaar resulting in a perfect strike into the net from seventeen metres. However 'Villa came storming back, first with James Milner's perfectly placed free-kick two minutes later before the stage was set for the dramatic leveler. Five minutes past the hour Joleon Lescott was adjudged a controversial penalty for a high contact of Stiliyan Petrov by none other than referee Howard Webb. Along with the referee's resume of questionable calls, it was unclear if contact was made and whether a penalty was deserving. However Gareth Barry sent the ball in to bring it to a 3-3 draw.

Jô finds a home with Toffees

Wasting away at the Eastlands, Brazilian striker Jô has found a home with Toffees. The talented twenty-two year old striker came over to Manchester City in the summer of 2008 from CSKA Moscow but quickly found himself out of Mark Hughes plans. However since his arrival on-loan from the shenanigans of City he has quickly lit up the score-sheet as he did with the CSKA and Corinthians prior to that.

Above and beyond his scoring touch it is how he is playing and the bounce in his step that is most revealing. Looking to steer clear of the troubled murky waters of Man City the young starlet has expressed his desire to stay with Everton and while the lofty price tag, upwards of £19m, he has certainly shown his quality on the pitch.

This was clearly evident as he lead Everton with two strikes against Wigan in route to a 4-0 victory. In what was one the Toffees most complete victories of the season, they were able to run a high quality side with intentions of its own for European football completely off the pitch. With the Toffees returning to health they were able to able to put forth a lineup that expressed promise for next years European efforts, whether that is the Champions or Europa League is still to be decided. The formidable Marouane Fellaini, sans braids, along with Leon Osman were the architect of the first strike that came with a tour-de-force finish by Jô four minutes shy of the half-hour mark. If Steve Bruce had a hope of returning home with points, hope perished two minutes into the new half as the Belgian, ex of Standard Liège, drove a spike through the visitors hearts. The feeding frenzy continued as Wigan were dangling on the ropes and only four minutes later the Brazilian Jô flashed a wide smile as he nudged the ball home from six metres. Up by three goals now Leon Osman took the role of the poacher as a poorly played effort came off former Liverpool keeper Chris Kirland came to him and he didn't hesitate making it 4-0 at the hour. Looking to the vast Everton Blue horizon, a rapturous Goodison saw the faces of the future trot on in form of Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling shortly thereafter and as always they wore the colours well.

The victory leaves the Toffees a scant point behind Aston Villa in the race for the Champions League and sets the stages for their encounter this Sunday.

Everton v Wigan match preview

The Toffees effort for European football continues with Wigan coming to Goodison Park on Sunday. Wigan is in a intense battle with West Ham for the final Europa League spot and only seven points behind David Moyes' men.

International play will weigh heavily on selection as both Tim Howard and Tim Cahill have faced difficult travel schedules to arrive in adequate time for the clash. However with the match on Sunday there should not be an extraordinary problem.

The Aussie left nothing to question in his commitment saying:

"I'm at the stage now where people rely on me a lot for always coming up with the big goals in big competitions," he said.

"It's something that I take with open arms because this is what I am there for. I want people to rely on me. In the big games or the big moments, I come up with the goods."

Although the climb to a Champions League spot is unlikely given Everton is seven points behind Arsenal with eight matches remaining it is important to build on their Europa League spot. Confident without a loss in the last ten matches at home, David Moyes has a fully-fit squad available whereas Steve Bruce will miss Jason Koumas and Egyptian international Amr Zaki who has apparently abandoned the club.

Fara Williams leads Everton Women to victory

While still days away from Wigan's visit of Goodison Park, not everyone in Blue have been quiet.

Everton LFC brought Arsenal's remarkable 108 match FA Women's Premier League undefeated streak to an end with a 3-0 victory. For Arsenal, decimated with the losses of England internationals Karen Carney, Alex Scott and Kelly Smith to the new Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States as well as absences of Faye White and Julie Fleeting it was their first loss in league play since Fall of 2003.

Led by captain and 2007 International Player of the Year Fara Williams' strike ten minutes in Everton took 1-0 lead, only to see it doubled three minutes later with young starlet, Michelle Hinnigan's mark. England international Jill Scott added an insurance goal eight minutes after the re-start.

Photo Credit: Everton FC

Peter Crouch sinks Everton

A lackluster performance by Everton was taken advantage by relegation challenged Portsmouth today as the Toffees lost 2-1. With Everton seemingly on cruise towards a Europa League spot, Pompey were more than pleased to pounce on the opportunity and with Peter Crouch's two goals the home side was able to find the three points.

Leighton Baines provided Everton the lead four minutes in as his free-kick got past an out of position David James. With the one goal disadvantage, Portsmouth charged forward in front of their own fans at Fratton Park and following a near miss by Niko Kranjčar brought the match level twenty-two minutes in as Glen Johnson headed the ball towards Peter Crouch who then headed the ball in. Now level Everton seemed to lack the ability to press forward and it was obvious the absence of Timmy Cahill was too heavy of a burden and the lack of Dan Gosling in the attack anemic starting eleven was a surprise. Throughout the balance of the match Everton 'keeper Tim Howard was called upon on numerous occasions as Portsmouth sent attackers forward against an off-form Toffee midfield. With the winning goal on the verge Portsmouth finally got it with fifteen minutes remaining as Sean Davis' corner was headed in by Peter Crouch who somehow was left unmarked. While Tim Howard might have claims for obstruction the zone marking was horrible and it was shocking that Crouch so easily was open. Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell entered the match late but a leveling goal was not to be.

Photo Credit: UEFA (Getty Image)

Toffees maintain form with victory over Stoke City

Everton maintained its five match unbeaten streak with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at Goodison. The victory keeps the Toffees pressure on Arsenal with an immediate goal for winning a Europa League spot.

With the injury situation slowly clearing up, David Moyes was able to pull Timmy Cahill back into his more natural midfield position and use Jô as the lone striker. The plan worked to perfection early as the Toffees threatened early on. After a few closes misses Everton took the lead eighteen minutes in as the ex-CSKA Moscow man  Jô sent the ball into the net as he received Marouane Fellaini's, sans bushy man, cross. Only seven minutes later Joleon Lescott doubled the margin as got on the end of a rebound from a Timmy Cahill close range chance via Leon Osman's cross. At the break Louis Saha came in for your favourite Aussie, Timmy Cahill and the current shifted heavily towards the visitors favour. Eight minutes after the restart Ryan Shawcross headed-in Liam Lawrence's corner and it was "game on" as Everton's lead was  cut in half. Stoke was suddenly controlling play as the Toffees were now holding on as opposed to attacking. Time clicked down slowly and with five minutes remaining David Moyes looked towards Jack Rodwell to provide more stability in the midfield. Looking for the equalizer Stoke was exposed as they threw forward and with five minutes left Leighton Baines launched a long ball for Marouane Fellaini, which the Belgian neatly accepted he ball and sent it in for a final 3-1 victory.

Toffees book trip to Wembley

Everton booked its trip to Wembley for the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Manchester United with a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate's side were far from pushovers and were clearly the aggressor from the start. Gareth Southgate’s side were far from pushovers and were clearly the aggressor from the start. After a cagey start to the match, Boro took the lead just before the break as Matthew Bates cross was headed in by the much maligned David Wheater for a shock 1-0 lead at Goodison. At the break Louis Saha came in for Jack Rodwell, allowing Timmy Cahill to move back towards his more comfortable place in the midfield. The impact was immediate as five minutes into the new half your favourite Aussie, Timmy Cahill sent a long cross that Marouane Fellaini headed in and the match was even. Six minutes later Steven Pienaar was nodded in by Louis Saha to give the Toffees the lead. Everton had a few chances to extend the lead but nonetheless they were able to hold off a determined Middlesbrough to win 2-1.

Photo Source: Everton FC

Everton's FA Cup hopes

Everton's FA Cup hopes continue as troubled Middlesbrough visits Goodison Park. While 'Boro efforts to avoid relegation recently received a major boost of defeating Liverpool they are far from being on good form after being devoured 4-0 by Tottenham. The same can be said of the Toffees as injuries have piled up and hampered recent efforts. Recent matches against West Brom and Blackburn are perfect examples of David Moyes gritty style as while the club has stumbled they have still managed to garner points.

For the quarter-final match the Toffees are without Victor Anichebe, Mikel Arteta, Tony Hibbert, James Vaughan, Nuno Valente and Yakubu who are all injured as well as Jô, who is cup-tied. Additionally Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman are all questionable although David Moyes is hopeful they will be available:

"Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar haven't trained since the game on Wednesday night. But I'm hopeful they will all be back training tomorrow.

"When I saw Ossie getting hit in the head the other night, I was thinking it was just our luck that he would have a fractured skull or something. But what I will say it that the players have coped really well, whoever I've put in, they have bonded together.

"We're not quite at the level we want to be at because of that, but the players understand, I hope the supporters do as well and we want them to be patient on Sunday - hopefully we can all get through together."

Everton and Blackburn cure insomnia

Following the 2-0 victory over West Brom, Everton responded with an insomnia-curing scoreless draw to Blackburn at Ewood Park. The draw was costly for the Toffees as they lost a perfect chance to climb within two points of Arsenal against relegation concerned Blackburn.

The match, which was painfully lackluster for large stretches, is another reminder how bench depth and injuries have had a major impact on David Moyes tactical plan as the Toffees lacked the intensity needed to excel this time of year. For much of the opening period, Everton was without the ball in the attacking end and excluding Jô's first minute offering, Blackburn 'keeper Jason Brown was undisturbed.

After the break Big Sam Allardyce brought in Tugay Kerimoğlu and Turkish veteran helped shift the pulse of the match in the home sides favour. Efforts by Roque Santa Cruz and Stephen Warnock looked to be heading in but whether because a bit of good fortune saved the Everton goal being breached. In the final twenty minutes Louis Saha came in for young Jack Rodwell and showed well providing a bit of spark. With a minute remaining an unmarked Joleon Lescott had a chance to win from close range but his shot went agonizingly wide and 21,000+ faithful at Ewood Park could finally go home from this cure for insomnia.

How the tables have turned

As Everton travel to at Ewood Park today, they are faced with a complex test that is sure to be an intense battle. Sitting sixth in the table the Toffees are poised for winning a spot in the Europa League while today's opponent, Blackburn, sit on the edge of relegation. Yet looking back it is an interesting turn of events how the present Premier League season started with the Rovers defeating Everton 3-2 and followed up the next month with 1-0 victory in the Carling Cup. However since those match the clubs fortunes have went in different directions with Blackburn cast to down clinging to their Premier League life.

However this past December that all changed as in stepped Big Sam Allardyce and over the nine matches in charge he has completely changed their fortune. Over that period the Rovers have squeezed thirteen points, lost only twice and have scratched and clawed their way out of the relegation zone. While still on the cusp of the drop zone, this might be the most difficult test for the Toffees because they possess the same style "venom" in their fight and the manager to provide the message.

David Moyes said of the Rovers:

"I think Blackburn have tightened up all round. I think they've maybe only lost a couple of games out of the nine or 10 Sam has been in charge. I think they've won a few and been a bit unlucky maybe not to pick up other points.

"He's got them difficult to play against and hard to beat and he's done similar to what he did at Bolton."

The Toffees will have young Jack Rodwell back in the starting eleven but Tony Hibbert heads back from treatment. Seventeen year-old Jose Baxter, an academy product since the age of six, put his name to a two-and-a-half-year contract this week and could see some time.

Everton finds winning mark over West Brom

It was far from a convincing performance but Everton returned to its winning ways with a 2-0 victory over West Brom at Goodison Park. With a host of injuries, including young Jack Rodwell, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe, David Moyes' starting eleven was clearly running out of sync and it was in-fact the visitors who showed a superiour side early, demonstrating quality touches and good play-making abilities. However West Brom's quality work came crashing down nine minutes before the break. With a total lapse of defending four Everton players strolled into the box unmarked to meet Leighton Baines free-kick and Timmy Cahill came out the winner. Up by one, Everton still lacked to punch it needed and West Brom slowly was gaining momentum and pushing forward. On the hour David Moyes, drew Timmy Cahill into the midfield with Louis Saha coming in for Marouane Fellaini and playing as the sole striker. Ten minutes later the thirty year-old veteran showed a touch of brilliance and closed the match as he accepted the ball twenty-five metres out, drew the ball back with his left foot and then turned to power the ball into the net. Up by two, West Brom fought valiantly on but the match was effectively over for a 2-0 win by Everton.