Sweet Success - An Everton Story

Great win against City I guess you're selling Butland, he's never been that good for me, so I think that's the right move. Also, I can't wait to see how Ivanovic does for the toffes. Good luck with the coming games

Toffees defeat at Anfield: Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Joe Travis was full of praise for Liverpool following their first win in the Merseyside Derby since Travis' tenure began.

Everton had got the better of Liverpool twice last season, doing the double for the first time in 28 years, but there was to be no repeat as Luis Suarez's 25th minute goal was enough to see the points.

"They were a lot better than us today" said Travis "They took control very early, restricted our chances to move the ball around, and at the same time were impressive going forward. I know the fans will be disappointed at the defeat and the way we played, but in fairness to them they made us look bad, and congratulations to Roberto (Martinez) for doing that."

2013-03-06 03:01#83544 The Madridista : Great win against City I guess you're selling Butland, he's never been that good for me, so I think that's the right move. Also, I can't wait to see how Ivanovic does for the toffes. Good luck with the coming games

Cheers dude, I was a bit annoyed with the capitulation against Arsenal, that was poor, and the Europa League is touch and go at the moment, mainly because of the insistence on playing the youth players, but if we get through we'll see.

Travis demands realistic expectations: Everton 1-0 Tottenham

Following another victory which moves the Toffees into the top 3, Travis has demanded realistic expectations from the Everton fanbase.

Nikica Jelavic's 10th goal in 10 league games gave Everton a vital 3 points over Spurs.

Travis asks for calm from fans



Joe Travis laughed off the thought of Everton's unlikely title contention today, insisting that the only objective is to qualify for the Champions League.

Everton lie 4th in the table with games in hand on those around them which could move them within a point of Manchester City atop the table, but Travis has asked for fans to not take the Toffees impressive start as a benchmark for the whole season.

"Football is one of those games where realistic expectations need to be withheld when form is good as well as bad." Says Travis, whose side have lost twice domestically this season. "We've had a great start, beating some very good teams, but we have to keep calm and keep plodding along. We're not going to be title contenders and I hope our fans don't get conned into thinking that by over-excited press."

Travis has much to be pleased about. Mattia Destro has had a fine start to his Everton career, picking up 4 league goals in 5 starts. The big impact however has come from Nikica Jelavic, with the powerful Croat hitting 10 goals in his first 10 games this season.

"It's great to see" beamed Travis, "Niki has done so well this season, and you know when he's on the pitch that there's an opportunity that we could score. Him and Mattia have looked formidable when together and if we can keep them both fit and firing, when Jon (Daly) and Mason (Bennett) are also chipping in, then we have a goal threat that we didn't have last season."

Wonderful start to the season, EVERTON TO WIN THE EPL

note: other clubs have played a match since the league table was posted, hence why the interview is describing a slightly different table to the one you can see.

City Annihilate Toffees: Manchester City 4-0 Everton

Manchester City were dominant from start to finish against Everton, and fully deserved their 4-0 win.

Two errors from Tim Howard put the game to bed early on, firstly dropping David Silva's corner at the feet of Holger Badstuber, and then parrying a tame drive from Barry straight at the feet of Edin Dzeko.

In the second half, Sergio Aguero was fouled by Jagielka in the box and then converted the penalty, before Man of The Match Maicon was on hand to steer in SIlva's cross.

Travis was furious with his defence for the errors saying "two ridiculous goalkeeping errors, and then a stupid stupid penalty to give away, were what cost us. If you bless Tim (Howard) with some form of competence then at half-time we're 0-0, and if Jaggers (Phil Jagielka) has any nouse about him it's 0-0 with 20 minutes left, and then who knows?"

Destro Hattrick gives Everton massive win: Everton 5-1 Bordeaux

Travis' decision to drop the youngsters paid dividends as Everton took a massive step towards European Progression last night.

The Toffees, who have been playing mostly teenagers in the group stages of the Europa League, opted for a much more experienced line-up in this game, which was a must-win. Jelavic and Destro started, and further fanned the flames that their strike partnership is blossoming into one of the best in Europe. Jelavic got the first, then laid on Destro for 2 goals before half-time. Destro added his hattrick before Paolo Di Celie wrapped up proceedings at the death.

This will be getting resumed shortly.

I read the start of your story and thought you had a poor beginning, but you've manage to really do well. Nice job. Good start to second season.

Everton draw Preston in FA Cup third round

The FA CUp third round draw took place today prior to Everton's 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. The Toffees have been drawn away at Deepdale n the first week of January, and Joe Travis was delighted that a lower league side will give the Toffees an opportunity to see more of the young talent the club is producing.

Travis said "It is a good draw for us. The kids have been doing well of late and it gives us an opportunity to enhance their experience in a match against a side where they should come out victorious."

Travis backs youngsters in make-or-break game: Maccabi Haifa vs. Everton

Joe Travis has said that his young talent will get the opportunity to show their nerve against Haifa, despite playing a stronger team at home to Bordeaux.

Travis had fielded 17 year olds such as Mason Bennett, Ryan Gauld and George Green for the first 4 Europa League Group games, but against Bordeaux, a game the Toffees had to prevail in, Travis opted for a full-strength side.

"The kiddas will get another run," Said Travis. "No offence to Haifa but they are the weakest side in this group, as results show, and it was essential that we beat Bordeauxo give ourselves a chance in this final game. That is why the likes of Destro, Jelavic and co started."

Victory Ensures Toffees Progress: Maccabi Haifa 2-4 Everton

Everton qualified as group winners today following a confident victory over Haifa. This didn't come without nerves though, as the Israelis led after just 6 minutes, only for Aaron Cresswell to level from the spot and James McArthur to then volley the blues infront.

In the closing stages of the game, the impressive Ryan Gauld saw his shot parried only for George Green to tuck the rebound away, and after a small fightback from Haifa, a counter-attack leading to Mattia Destro scoring with effectively his first touch off the bench.

The result leaves Everton as winners of the group, meaning a (theoretically) easier draw in the 1st knockout round.

Everton draw Zaragoza

Everton will play Zaragoza in the Europa League knockout rounds, with the first leg taking place in Spain.

The winner of this tie will host the winner of Genoa vs. Trabzonspor in the first leg of the second knockout round.