Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Due to further "serious application errors" this game is also on hold whilst I try and figure out exactly what's going wrong with this Football Manager. Any suggestions would be most welcome

Everton overcome highflying Norwich: Norwich 1-2 Everton

Kevin Mirallas' first goal since joining Everton gave them a vital win over previously high-flying Norwich at Carrow Road.

Jelavic's 3rd minute penalty was cancelled out by Grant Holt's expert header in the 54th minute, only for Mirallas individual brilliance to be the difference. The Belgian international cut inside from the left, finding his way past James Perch and Michael Turner before lifting the ball past John Ruddy for a vital Everton win.

Travis delighted to avoid 'first sacking'

As Alan Pardew today became the first manager to lose his job in the top flight this season, Joe Travis has rather unceremoniously stated his delight that it wasn't him.

The Everton boss, unheard of before his shock appointment in the summer, was largely tipped to be the first to go. However, with Everton sitting 7th after 11 games, around the position they traditionally ended up under previous manager David Moyes, Travis is obviously happy.

"Considering the losses we went through to ensure the clubs well-being, I'm obviously delighted." Said the young manager. "To be honest I'm delighted that we've at least begun to equal last seasons performance whilst keeping the kids progress on track.

"Europe is obviously the aim but we'll see exactly where we are in January, and then we'll have a go."

Injury time winner decides Stadium of Light Thriller: Sunderland 2-3 Everton

Despite being in the lead twice Sunderland were twice pegged back and eventually beaten thanks to a 93rd minute winner from Royson Drenthe.

Sessegnon's superb individual effort was cancelled out by a Steven Pienaar goal, and after Fletcher's header was again pegged back by in-form Mirallas' wonderstrike, the game opened up remarkably. Howard and Mignolet both had busy afternoons at the hands of some excellent attacking play, and this eventually showed for the sunderland keeper. Mirallas fed Drenthe into the corner of the box who beat O'Shea and fired. His weak scuffed shot was parried into the net to give Everton their third consecutive league win, all of which have come away from Goodison Park.

Home form lets Everton down again: Swansea 1-0 Everton

Another late conceded goal at home brought Everton's winning streak to an end in an even game against high flying Swansea. The goal, an Itay Schechter, was another late goal to condemn Everton at home, and Travis didn't seem to pleased after the game.

"We seem to be 2 separate entities at the moment." Said Travis "Away from home we are confident, free flowing, whereas at home we seem afraid and impotent. I'm glad the away form is as good as it is because otherwise I'd be in trouble."

Everton defeat Albion: Everton 1-0 WBA

Steven Naismith's 45th minute strike was enough to give Everton the points in a gritty match at Goodison Park.

Neither side looked particularly effective in the final third of the pitch, but Everton will have been glad the ball fell to their top scorer Naismith in first half injury time, who swept the ball low into the far corner.

Travis said "Steven's been quality this season, and has come up with goals when we desperately need them, really proving an excellent player of paramount importance to the club."

Arsenal Shrug Off Toffees: Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Arsenal proved too strong for Everton to move above Everton into the top 6.

Santi Cazorla's superb free-kick was enough to give the hosts a half-time lead. Despite Everton's resilience and attacking threat in the second half, Aaron Ramsey killed the game on the break in the 81st minute.

Travis fearful of new manager syndrome ahead of first Derby

Joe Travis is suspecting that Roberto Martinez's unveiling as Liverpool manager will make the Merseyside derby even harder for Everton to win.

Everton have had a torrid time against their arch rivals in the last ten years, having won just 4 times in 25 meetings. However Liverpool lie 17th, just a place above the drop zone with 3 games in hand, and new manager Roberto Martinez will take charge for the first time at Goodison Park this weekend.

"I can see it adding more spice and obviously making it a lot more difficult for us to come away victorious" said Travis, "However they're not on form and this is the best chance we'll have had in recent years, and we'll give it everything we can."

Travis winning fans over after derby triumph: Everton 2-1 Liverpool

Joe Travis won the Merseyside Derby at the first time of asking today, following a Kevin Mirallas winner.

Bryan Oviedo opened the scoring for the Toffees, his twelth minute free-kick bending over the wall and far away from the outstretched arms of Pepe Reina.

From then on it was a full blooded affair, with 7 bookings and numerous full throttle challenges from both sets of players.

Suarez levelled from Gerrard through ball on 57 minutes and the tide appeared to be turning in Liverpools favour, with Gerrard, Agger, Johnson and the unrelenting Suarez all coming close, that is, until Mirallas struck.

A throw-in near the Liverpool corner flag came back to Tony Hibbert, whose superb left foot cross found Mirallas beating Skrtel to fire home. Despite the Reds throwing everything at Everton in the closing stages, Everton held on to bask in the crowd's adulation and leave Liverpool just 2 points clear of the relegation places.

QPR 0-1 Everton

Nikica Jelavic's first half-strike was enough to secure Everton victory here, despite a heavy barrage from QPR in the second half.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City
The league leaders are held at Goodison Park in a gritty, but even game between 2 inform sides

Southampton 2-3 Everton
After racing 2 goals ahead through Jelavic and another superb Mirallas solo effort, Everton conceded 2 goals in 5 minutes late on to seemingly throw the game away. However, after a Mirallas injury reduced Everton to ten men, Jelavic once again popped up to give the Toffees a dramatic injury time winner to send them 6th.

Unbeaten Streak goes on for Toffees: Everton 1-0 Reading

Everton stretched their unbeaten run to 5 games, and subsequently moved up to 5th, following a comprehensive victory over Reading.

Darron Gibson's 20th minute strike, laid on by Nikica Jelavic, was all that was required to dispose of the Royals, but it could have been more, Federici saving from Pienaar, Jelavic, Naismith and the lively Mason Bennett on numerous occasions.

Everton move into top 4 despite goalless draw: Wigan 0-0 Everton

Despite being unable to break down a poor Wigan side, Everton moved into the top 4 today.

Lovenkrands shocks Toffee Youths: Everton 2-3 Birmingham

Everton's young prospects were seen off by Birmingham at Goodison Park, despite twice leading.

Afer George Green's 15th minute wonder goal, the 16 year old firing into the top corner from 35 yards, reminiscent of Wayne Rooney announcing himself 10 years prior, Lovenkrands equalised during a scramble.

Mason Bennett fired Everton back into the lead before Lovenkrands scored a quick fire double past Debuting Jack Butland, who will want to forget his first game against his former club.

Ruthless Toffees Dismantle Villa: Everton 4-0 Aston Villa

A superb all round performance saw Everton keep their Premier League unbeaten run going at the expense of Aston Villa.

Jelavic was rampant, the tireless Serbian scoring a hattrick in the firs 35 minutes, twice heading n from Mirllas crosses and then turning Matthew Lowton to fire low into the far corner.

With the game already dead, Travis made some changes, bringing on youngsters Green, Gauld and Bennett. It was Bennett who won the penalty on the hour, skipping past a lethargic Richard Dunne before being brought down. Steven Naismith opted to take and fired the ball into the top corner, completing the rout.

Tottenham end Everton streak: Tottenham 2-0 Everton

Goals from Adebayor ended the Toffees 9 match unbeaten run in a topsy turvy game between 2 champions league candidates

Newcastle 1-1 Everton