Stoke City: Vodka Martinez, Shaken, Not Stirred.

Cheers Josh mate, hope to see you back writing soon

Fantastic story so far hunter, even getting Europa League would be great. Getting Champion's League should be your top priority, even if it seems like a long shot. Good luck mate, and if you get top four or five, you'll get a ton of money to play around with, and eventually you can be title contenders.

XxsoulcraftxX: Thanks for reading and commenting mate. Top four on this budget is so hard, but I think we can do it Looking forward to seeing more of yours.

Southampton and England striker Rickie Lambert has sensationally revealed that he was just minutes from being an Everton player - but the deal taking Darron Gibson the other way fell through before the January transfer window closed.

Out of favour Toffees midfielder Darron Gibson was offered to Southampton (with a small fee) in a bid from Roberto Martinez to sign the experienced front man.

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Lambert stated that the deal had been accepted and was just minutes from completion.

"It was all a bit of a whirlwind to be honest." said Lambert.

"I was notified on deadline day morning that Everton were interested in signing me, and that I should be on standby for any more news.

"I wasn't looking to leave Southampton at all, but the club thought they were getting a good deal and would sell me if it was right for Saints.

"It was maybe, two or three minutes before the deadline shut that the gaffer rang me and said I'm staying because they couldn't get paperwork and all that sorted before the deadline.

"I was literally sat around all day waiting for the nod to go and have a medical and sign."

But being a mad Liverpool fan, Lambert wasn't all too keen on the move anyway.

"Everton are a massive club and I respect them.

"They've a great young manager and I would have signed for them if need be, but being a Liverpool lad born and bred - I don't think my old man would have been able to watch me walk out at Goodison in a blue shirt, it just wouldn't have been right.

"Thank god my Dad isn't my agent, I'd never play for a team in blue."

This transfer saga slipped under the radar of seemingly every media source, with neither club making comments on the matter.

Lambert has a year left to run on his current contract but is hoping to sign a new one and finish his career at St. Mary's.

Sky Sources understand that Everton left-back Leighton Baines has held discussions with manager Roberto Martinez over his future, and has told the Spanish tactician that should the club fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions Leaugue he will leave Goodison Park.

Baines put pen-to-paper a new five year contract with the Toffees in the summer of 2013 amid reports he was set to sign for Manchester United, hopefully reuniting with former Toffees boss David Moyes at Old Trafford.

However the England full-back seems to have changed his mind, and would like to fulfill his ambition of playing among Europe's elite whilst still good enough to do so.

This severely hots up the race for fourth place between Everton and Manchester United, as the latter are firm favourites to land the lefty should Everton fail to finish where necessary.

Roberto Martinez has stated his discontent surrounding the situation, but can understand from the players' point-of-view why he feels a move necessary.

"The Champions League is a massive lure, for any player," said Martinez.

"Leighton is a very ambitious young man and wants to play at the top, top level.

"We are striving to deliver this but he has told me face to face, if we don't finish in the top four he will leave for another destination.

"Please do not ask me where, however, as I will not be discussing Baines' future any further after the conclusion of this interview, thank you."

Everton currently sit in fourth place heading into February and it now appears more important than ever for the blue half of Merseyside to beat Manchester United to a qualification place.

I Hope you finish top 4 or got a replacement ready mate, shame on missing out Rickie

February saw three Barclays Premier League ties against Sunderland, West Brom and Norwich. There were also two FA Cup ties against Bristol City in the fourth round replay and Swansea in the fifth round.

Match Results

Sunderland Goals:
Everton Goals:
Man of the Match: Sylvain Distin (7.6)



Everton Goals:Leighton Baines (4), Jean Beausejour OG (18), Jose Paolo Guerrero (44)
West Brom Goals: Matej Vydra (65)
Man of the Match: Seamus Coleman (8.4)





Norwich Goals: Ricky van Wolfswinkel (51)
Everton Goals: Ross Barkley (26), Romelu Lukaku (41)
Man of the Match: Ross Barkley (9.1)






Bristol City Goals:Marlon Pack (63)
Everton Goals: Albert Riera (14), Jose Paolo Guerrero (32), Sylvain Distin (38)
Man of the Match: Sylvain Distin (7.7)





Swansea Goals: Jonathan De Guzman (16)
Everton Goals: Leighton Baines (22 pen), Jose Paolo Guerrero (60), Romelu Lukaku (76)
Man of the Match: Sylvain Distin (7.6)

On The Whole

Tremendous month in the league and really flying high now. Comfortably in 4th should we win our game in hand, and then we can actually start looking up and perhaps chase 3rd, easing the pressure of a play-off from our shoulders. Also, competing very well in the FA Cup, we've set up a Quarter Final against local lads Tranmere Rovers - win that, we're at Wembley!

Premier League Table

Sitting in a Champions League spot with a game in hand over Manchester United in 5th - we also have to play them at Goodison within the next couple of months.

Player of The Month

I could have given it to Sylvain for the third time in three months, but he and partner Phil Jagielka, who is also my club captain, have formed a formidable partnership in the heart of defence and are a huge reason behind our success against bigger teams this year. Jagielka has been outstanding all season and I think he is fully deserved of a POTM award.

Jagielka's February Highlight:Phil's performance against Swansea in the FA Cup was second-to-none and he was unlucky not to win Man of the Match.

Injury List

• Antolin Alcaraz has started full training after 5 months out.

Hahahaha! Look at Liverpool!

2014-05-13 15:08#174583 The 510 Series : Hahahaha! Look at Liverpool!

Haha I know mate it's brilliant

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has told Sky Sports News that current manager Roberto Martinez may not stay at Goodison Park beyond his existing contract.

In a live telephone interview with Jim White this afternoon, Kenwright said that Martinez has been offered a contract extension, but the Spaniard hasn't yet signaled his intent to stay.

"Roberto wants to finish the season and then evaluate," he said.

"He has done a wonderful job thus far and he is solely focused on finishing inside the top four in the Premier League.

"His contract will expire on the 31 May and we believe that he will be highly sought after following his track-record with Wigan and a magnificent term so far this year, so the board acted in the best interests of the club and asked if Roberto would further his stay.

"He might leave, it is a possibility. But Roberto enjoys his job very much and we're confident that he will stay with us and sign the contract at the end of the season."

Roberto Martinez has guided the Toffees to 4th place in the league with 11 matches to play, and his Everton team are also in the FA Cup Quarter Finals, a tie away at Tranmere the next hurdle for Martinez's men.

Everton FC are delighted to announce Umbro as the clubs' new kit manufacturer.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has helped the Club launch a new technical partnership with iconic football brand Umbro.

The Blues’ boss took part in an exclusive question and answer session at Umbro’s UK headquarters with a select group of Everton fans as the new five-year partnership was announced.

It means the Blues will wear the famous double diamond brand from the start of next season, with Umbro producing all on-pitch and training product for the men’s, women’s and academy teams.

The Everton manager said: “Everyone at the Club is not only delighted, but excited, to be back wearing the Umbro diamond next season.

“I have been involved in a number of discussions with Umbro over the past few months in preparation for next season and their approach to quality, design and the technical aspects of the product is unique and I have no doubt it will help us to perform to our full potential on the pitch.”

He added: “It was a great experience giving a number of our fans an exclusive opportunity to meet Umbro, to take them through the design process of the 2014/15 kit and, most importantly, be able to give them this news first.”

Everton and Umbro share a long and successful history together with the Club having worn the diamond brand in the 1970s, 80s, 90s and 00’s.

The deal, which will also see Umbro sponsor some of the Club’s grassroots programmes, officially starts on June 1, 2014.


The new home kit will also be on sale in July this year with Evertonians guaranteed sizes in all ranges and available for men, women, juniors, infants and babies.

Robert Elstone, Chief Executive Officer of Everton, said: “The Club is delighted to be entering into this new and exciting partnership and looks forward to working alongside the Umbro team over the next five years.

“Umbro has an unrivalled football heritage and is committed to maintaining its reputation for design excellence and innovation. Of course, we're starting from a good place. Based on many years of working together, Umbro enjoys a great affinity with Evertonians.

“Starting in 2014/15, supporters can expect bespoke kit designs and great-looking, technically advanced training wear. It was also really important that we could guarantee fans across all ages could show their colours with pride and, as Umbro’s flagship club, all Evertonians can look forward to enjoying quality product over the term of the deal.”

Paul Nugent, VP of Global Marketing for Umbro, commented: “Everton is a club with the right character, personality and tradition so it’s the perfect partner for Umbro. The prospect of working with a club that is as ambitious as we are is hugely exciting.

“Umbro celebrates its 90th birthday this year and, quite simply, no other brand shares our experience of making football kits. We appreciate the importance of kits to both players and fans. We are meticulous about creating both technical and stylish product for players to perform to their best in, and that fans are proud to wear.

“Everton fans can expect smart, modern and importantly, unique kits next season.”

Sorry, I've not read this story before but a quick look at the first page shows you have signed Jose Paolo Guerrero. He's a madman

your updates are immense! I think you can easily acheive top 4 as i have harshly found out, martinez does a cracking job for his team

Louis: Haha, that he is! A very good forward too!

Jason: Wow thanks man, we're certainly giving it a good go Thanks for reading and commenting

March saw five Barclays Premier League ties against Cardiff, Hull, Stoke, Tottenham and Manchester United. There was also the opportunity of a Wembley visit, with an FA Cup Quarter-Final tie against against neighbors Tranmere Rovers.

Match Results

Cardiff Goals:
Everton Goals: Romelu Lukaku (13, 28, 81), Kevin Mirallas (59)
Man of the Match: Romelu Lukaku (9.6)





Everton Goals: Jose Paolo Guerrero (13, 83), Romelu Lukaku (21), Gerard Deulofeu (32)
Hull Goals: Shane Long (22), Sone Aluko (36)
Man of the Match: Ross Barkley (9.0)





Everton Goals: Jose Paolo Guerrero (5), Gerard Deulofeu (72)
Stoke Goals: Robert Huth (68)
Stoke OFF: Erik Pieters (58)
Man of the Match: Phil Jagielka (7.4)





Tottenham Goals: Christian Eriksen (11), Aaron Lennon (61)
Everton Goals:
Man of the Match: N/A





Everton Goals: Sylvain Distin (61), Romelu Lukaku (64, 66), Jose Paolo Guerrero (88)
Man United Goals: Robin van Persie (31)
Man of the Match: Leighton Baines (9.0)






Tranmere Goals: Evan Horwood (38)
Everton Goals: John Stones (8), Jose Paolo Guerrero (52, 87), Danny Holmes OG (64)
Everton OFF: Bryan Oviedo (84)
Man of the Match: Jose Paolo Guerrero (9.3)

On The Whole

What a month! Some fantastic results and a date at Wembley sealed for the Toffees fans, something I wanted to do a lot as the joy experienced with Wigan winning the FA Cup was magnificent - to repeat that feat, going on to win the competition after the Semi-Final, it would be stuff dreams are made of. Top four is looking good now, can't see us slipping up from here. However, complacency cannot creep in and we have two vastly important months ahead.

Premier League Table

Sitting in second spot, it would be incredible if we had a strong finish and got Chelsea hot under the collar in the title race, though that is a serious long shot. 6 games to go, lets seal Champions League football for next season as soon as we can.

Player of The Month

It seems our Peruvian striker has finally found his shooting boots. He has been a consistently brilliant strike partner for Lukaku all season but hasn't been prolific in front of goal himself, though in March this all changed and Jose came up with some vital strikes to send us up to second in the table.

Guerrero's March Highlight: Jose's now famous double against Tranmere Rovers aided ourselves to a historic 4-1 win and set-up a date at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

Injury List

• All players are fit.