Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Everton do first Merseyside Double in 28 years: Liverpool 1-2 Everton

A Kevin Mirallas free-kick ensure Everton have completed their first Derby Double in nearly 30 years.

The Toffees were strong and dominant throughout, and got their reward in the 24th minute when Phil Jagielka volleyed in Mirallas' free-kick. However 5 minutes later, Coates header from a similar set piece was saved, only for the Uruguayan to pounce on the rebound to level.

Step forward Kevin Mirallas, whose form since Christmas has earned rave reviews from pundits, players and fans alike. The Belgian, who already had the assist for the first from a free-kick, this time opted to shoot from 30 yards, the ball pinging of the inside of the post and sending the Blue half of Liverpool wild.

Not only is the result Everton's first derby double since 1985, but it also puts massive pressure on Manchester United, moving the Toffees 1 point behind United, who play West Brom at the Hawthorns tomorrow.

West Brom 4-1 Manchester United: Everton like 1 point behind with 3 games to play

Late Everton collapse nearly kills European dream: Manchester City 4-1 Everton

Edin Dzeko scored 4 goals as Manchester City continued their push towards the title.

Manchester United had earlier drawn at Anfield meaning an Everton win would see them move into 4th. Despite being on-top it was Dzeko who opened the scoring rolling n from Aguero's pass. Then it was Dzeko in the 75th minute to make it 2. Jelavic fired home from Bennet's through ball to give the Toffees hope but 2 inury time goals from the big Serbian killed any hopes of an Everton comeback

Whats your starting 11?

Everton beat QPR: Everton 1-0 QPR

Despite Nikica Jelavic's late strike, United's victory over Arsenal means Everton are 2 points behind with a game to play, with a far inferior goal difference, the blues are relying on Manchester United slipping up, at home to now relegated QPR

Everton and Saints play out exciting draw: Everton 2-2 Southampton

The miraculous final day Everton had been hoping for did not play out as Southampton came from 2 down to salvage a draw at Goodison Park. Luke Shaw and Jay Rodriguez scored to peg back Kevin Mirallas' early goals.

End of season Review: Everton



Everton can be proud of their progressive season, finishing 5th when many had not expected them to. Fans and pundits alike were shocked and critical of Bill Kenwright for appointing the relatively unknown Joe Travis from within the club. This was further enhanced when Everton sold their 2 best players in Leighton Baines and Merouane Fellaini.

Travis only got a fraction of this money to spend, but it cannot be argued that it was spent wisely. Ryan Shawcross has forged a solid partnership with Phil Jagielka, whilst Adryan has been one of the real stars of the season, playing 22 times and turning many heads at such a young age.

Kevin Mirallas has been integral in the second half of the season as Everton mounted a Champions League charge. The Belgian had 1 goal to his name from his first 15 appearances, but ended the season with 15 league goals, 1 behind Nikica Jelavic.

Darron Gibson was a particular surprise for Toffees fans this season. His performances, much like Mirallas progressed as the season went on and his work ethic and passing ability have endeared him to the Blue half of Merseyside.

The key to the summer will be ensuring Everton's financial stability for the future, but as long as Travis can keep the current crop and potentially strengthen the full-back areas, whilst buying a 20 goal a season hit-man, then Everton should comfortably keep their place in the top 7 cemented.

1) Thanks for the 1000 views guys!

2) Updates will be back today, I turned 21 on Friday and have been on a beer brigade for 3 days.

Travis Begins Summer Renforcements

Everton have proved to be quick off the mark this summer, as they today announced four pre-contract signings ahead of next season.

The first was Vladimir Weiss, the Slovakian Manchester City graduate signing from Pescara, following their relegation to the second tier of Serie A. This is widely expected to coincide with the exit of Steven Pienaar, who Travis deems surplus to requirements and an unnecessary wage allowance.

The second announcement was the arrival of Spanish centre-half David Mateos from Real Madrid Castilla. As well as turning heads in the Liga Adelente with Castilla, Mateos has also made a handful of impressive appearances for los Galacticos' first string, and Travis sees him as ideal cover for Shawcross and Jagielka, with Heitinga preferred as a full-back.

The third signing is Jon Daly, from Dundee Utd. At 31 Years old Daly is the oldest of the 4 signings, but certainly showed quality in the SPL this term, scoring 21 goals in the league alone and beig very much in the same mould of player as Nikica Jelavic.

Travis has said that his final signing is the biggest and most pundits would agree, as Everton today announced the capture of Mattia Destro from Genoa. Destro aged just 22 would have required compensation had h been playing for an English club, and was chased by teams such as Borussia Dortmund and Valencia following his 15 goal haul whilst on loan at Roma last term. Travis sees Destro as the natural partner to Jelavic, which could prompt the exit of Steven Naismith, a man who has not scored since November

Naismith and Pienaar exit Everton

Steven Naismith and Scott Pienaar have left Goodison Park in deals that amass a total of 11.25 million.

Naismith, joining Southampton for 7.25 million, started last season with 10 goals before Christmas but didn't score afterwards, and the arrivals of Jon Daly and Mattia Destro have pushed the Scotsman down the pecking order.

Pienaar, reportedly fell out of manager Joe Travis' good books last seaso when he refused to help tutor the younger players at the club. He joins Celtic for 4 million

All of them on a free? Nice signings!

5th was a good achievement last season, hope you can push on for better!

2013-03-04 00:29#83363 PaukerJ : All of them on a free? Nice signings!

Cheers, the board gave me 2.7 million for transfers so I had to get creative with the freebies. I've got 12 now though thanks to Pienaar and Naismith exits.

2013-03-04 05:55#83375 Liverbird : 5th was a good achievement last season, hope you can push on for better!

Cheers buddy, I was a little cut up about not getting 4th though, considering we kept coming back against United in that race.

2013-03-01 14:12#82983 Man UtD_777 : Whats your starting 11?

At the end of last season it was:

GK: Howard
RB: Heitinga
CB: Shawcross
CB: Jagielka
LB: Paolo Di Ceglie
MR: Kevin Mirallas (winger - attack)
MC: Adryan (Advanced playamaker - support)
MC: Darron Gibson (Box to Box)
ML: Royson Drenthe (winger - attack)
CF: Nikica Jelavic (Advanced Forward)
CF: Steven Naismith (Poacher)

Subs were: Butland, Bennett, Barkley, Neville, Gauld, Hibbert, Coleman