Oooh, great signings and a couple of nice wins Sorry, I couldn't resist;

Baby, Baby, Baby oooooooooooooooh

Caught up with this story, that has to be one of the greatest escapes I've ever seen! Tbh, I thought you were long gone, well done!

Everton 1 - 0 Reading

Reading's Scott Allen did a disservice to his team, managing to get double booked in only 13 minutes. Tachtsidis played a beauty of a 35 yard ball to Gabbiadini for the winning score.
Player of the Match: Inigo Martinez (Everton)

Fulham 2 - 2 Everton

Everton's first goal was scored on a cross from Ryan Bertrand to midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak for the Everton lead. Fulham equalized on a Cauley Woodrow poaching of a cross thanks to Bertrand's missed interception deep in his own half, then Hugo Ayala gave Fulham the lead off a corner kick. Senne Schoeters put a nice ball for Gabbiadini in the six and he headed it into the goal for the dramatic equalizer.
Player of the Match: Ryan Bertrand (Everton)

Everton 0 - 0 Stoke

Everton had more chances but Stoke but failed to convert any of them into goals.
Player of the Match: Victor Wanyama (Stoke)
Injury Update: Panagiotis Tachtsidis will be out 4 weeks after suffering broken ribs. It's a big loss, but thankfully only a month long and we have plenty of cover.

October 26: Valerio Verre suffered strained knee ligaments and will be out 6 weeks to 2 months.

Capital One Cup 4th Round
Peterborough 2 - 2 (4 - 3 on penalties) Everton

Since we had a league match 2 days later, I rested several starters. Senne Schoeters took the lead when Nekounam played a ball far past him that Adam Legzdins (Peterborough's goalkeeper) should have gotten to, but didn't, and Schoeters got the easy goal. Lee Tomlin equalized on a stupid penalty that was conceded, and that was the end of regular time. Peterborough took the lead in stoppage time of the first extra time half with a Lee Tomlin goal. Davide Cais equalized in the second half of extra time with a placed shot.
Player of the Match: Lee Tomlin (Peterborough)

October 31: Senne Schoeters pulled a hamstring and will be out 3-4 weeks. It's a blow because he's one of the non-loanee youths getting playing time, and this will hamper his development.

Southampton 0 - 0 Everton

Dull game; Everton's hopes of winning were dashed late when Manolo Gabbiadini was forced off the pitch with a damaged elbow and they were reduced to 10 men. Thankfully, the injury will only keep him out about 2 weeks. Still, it's a road point against a solid team, I'm playing the long game here and as long as we don't get relegated everything is going to plan.
Player of the Match: Phil Jagielka (Everton)

In

= Baggio from Golas for 425,000. He didn't get a work permit but he can loaned to a feeder team until he becomes a EU citizen. Transfer goes through June 9, 2018.

Out

N/A

This season isn't about going after honors, it's about comfortably avoiding relegation and teaching the newcomers about the Everton way and getting youths some playing time. This isn't MLS, I know that. Everton is looking at a 2-3 year rebuild, this is year 1. I made some missteps because of looming relegation, but I can breathe more easily now, afford to play my way, and with my players.

Why you not top with Everton?

Of course, I don't manage Portland anymore. I couldn't even attend the game in person and stay responsible with managing Everton. Thankfully, my salary let me maintain a subscription to MLS Live and I watched Portland's playoff performances on my laptop. I was curious to see if they could win a third straight title, even without my expert management.

First Leg: Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - 0 Portland Timbers

Both teams played well, but Los Angeles had one too many shots than Giorgi Makaridze could save. Enrique Esqueda had a great shot off an extremely tight angle to send Los Angeles off on a flier. Thankfully, Portland was able to keep the deficit to 1, and will have a good chance of winning since their second leg is at home.
Player of the Match: Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles)

Second Leg: Portland Timbers 3 - 0 Los Angeles Galaxy
Portland Timbers 3 - 1 Los Angeles Galaxy on aggregate

Despite some new players, and a different formation, this is the Portland team I remember. After Los Angeles had a barrage of corner kicks early, the goals came fast and furious for Portland. Los Angeles were stunned and couldn't fight back. Landon Donovan poached a rebound but was flagged offside.
Player of the Match: Marquinhos (Portland)

Good to see Portland still going strong despite your absence and I like how you update about your old team even if you left, keep it up!

November 7: Southampton sack Alan Shearer after a run of bad results.

Everton 0 - 0 Manchester United

Despite Grzegorz Krychowiak being sent off in the 43rd minute for a two-footed tackle, the Everton defense bent numerous times but didn't break, frustrating Manchester United's supporters and players. This was a superb result considering the circumstances!
Player of the Match: John Stones (Everton)

November 15: Fatih Terim leaves Liverpool for FC Bayern.
November 16: Portland Timbers are through to the MLS Cup Final after defeating Chivas USA 4-2 on aggregate.
November 18: Owen Coyle has resigned from West Brom to go to Southampton. The bookies' favorite for their next manager is Nathan Limior, but of course, he will immediately deny interest in the job.

Liverpool 2 - 2 Everton

The Friendly Derby ends in another draw, as ill-deserved as it was for us. Three of the four goals of the match were scored on corner kick play, and the own goal was a backwards header of a corner into Liverpool's own net.
Player of the Match: Juan Sosa (Liverpool)

November 22: Walter Mazzarri has left Napoli to become Liverpool's new manager.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Everton

Everton did very well to limit Arsenal to only two shots on goal, unfortunately, they both resulted in Arsenal goals. Laurent Koscielny scored for Arsenal off a free kick, and Inigo Martinez gifted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a goal when he played a poor pass in his own half almost directly to him for the easy goal.
Player of the Match: Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Later that day, the Portland Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew 1-0 in order to win their third straight MLS Cup trophy! Jose Adolfo Valencia scored the winning goal in the 36th minute. Portland supporters are whipping up into a frenzy, as they are now only third behind the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United for total number of MLS Cups, and their MLS history is much shorter!

November 29: Alan Shearer takes over as West Brom manager.

In

- Marquinhos from Palmeiras for 350,000. He was not given a work permit but can be loaned out until he gains EU citizenship. The transfer goes through on January 2018.

Out

N/A

Being unable to buy a win (or a goal) has made us take a tumble down the standings, but we're still in okay shape. We're definitely in much better position than we were this time last year!

Could be in a better position but its better than last season

Ouch, tough draws there despite rarely losing. Nice to see Portland are still doing well without you though

Not a great month tbh! But I'm sure you will improve! Good luck on a great story!

Everton 1 - 0 Queen's Park Rangers

After knocking on QPR's door all day, they finally barge in on Inigo Martinez's header off a corner kick.
Player of the Match: Christopher Samba (Queen's Park Rangers)

Everton 0 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Despite Everton's dominance of the ball, Wolves' Celso Borges made Everton pay for letting him get in close with a well-placed shot.
Player of the Match: Danny Batth (Wolves)

West Ham 4 - 0 Everton

The less said about this the better; West Ham just dominated us in all phases of play.
Player of the Match: Winston Reid (West Ham)

Newcastle 1 - 1 Everton

I decided to go on the counterattack for this match, and we robbed Newcastle of two points. They took the lead after Gargano volleyed in a free kick. Late in the second half, Senne Schoeters broke away on the left wing and made a shot that the Newcastle keeper punched away, only for the ball to land at the foot of Gibson who put it in the back of the net.
Player of the Match: Darron Gibson (Everton)

Everton 1 - 3 Norwich

It was looking to be a draw but Norwich scored two late goals to pull away.
Player of the Match: James Perch (Norwich)

Everton 2 - 0 Hull

Everton was dominant, not letting Hull have a single shot on goal, and Manolo Gabbiadini returned to form, finding gaps in the Hull defensive line and scoring two great goals.
Player of the Match: Manolo Gabbiadini (Everton)

Everton 3 - 1 Leicester

It was Andi Weimann who took the lead for Leicester on the counterattack, but soon Everton equalized when Marc Stendera found space in the box and finished from close-range. In the second half, Panagiotis Tachtsidis came off the bench to score two vital goals for Everton off corner kicks, sealing the game and burying Leicester even more.
Player of the Match: Panagiotis Tachtsidis (Everton)

In

- Marquinhos from Palmeiras for 350,000. He was not given a work permit but can be loaned out until he gains EU citizenship. The transfer goes through on January 2018.
- Leon Mason has been signed from Sydney FC on a free transfer, he will join the team at the end of the 2015-16 season. He will provide depth and may even challenge for a regular starting role if his development pans out well.
- Franklin Kamga has been signed from Werder Bremen for 3.1 million pounds. He will join the team at the start of the winter transfer window.

Out

- Phil Jagielka to West Brom for 3 million pounds. The transfer will go through on January 1. I hated selling him for this low but he's 33 years old and we have younger center backs who are ready for playing time.
- Magaye Gueye to Huddersfield for 925,000. Pure surplus.

It took 39.5 points to avoid relegation last season. We're already at 25, so I am confident we can stay up. However, I am looking at a comfortable mid-table finish or higher. With our player development and improved roster, I am confident of achieving that.

U can still win the Premiership:D

FA Cup Third Round
Everton 3 - 0 Barrow

Newly-arrived goalkeeper Franklin Kamga didn't have much to do as Barrow managed no shots on goal, and Manolo Gabbiadini had a wonderful hat-trick comprised of a trio of nifty close-range finishes. Mbock was great too, assisting on two of the three goals.
Player of the Match: Manolo Gabbiadini (Everton)

January 6: Uwe Rosler sacked by Tottenham. Tottenham are looking at names such as Nathan Limior, Vitor Pereira, Ciriaco Sforza, and Steve McLaren to replace him. Nathan Limior has flatly denied interest in the job, citing his long-term vision for Everton and not wanting to let the supporters down.
January 6: After much persistence, I have persuaded the Everton board to upgrade our training facilities and our youth facilities. We already have top facilities in both categories, and I have no clue what level is next after top, but it has to be pretty good!

January 9: Arsenal have signed Phil Jones from Manchester United for a staggering 28.5 million pounds.

Manchester City 2 - 0 Everton

As well as Manchester City played, Everton did well to only allow 2 goals, both by Sergio Aguero.
Player of the Match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Swansea 1 - 2 Everton

Everton's midfielders showed their strikers how to finish as they got a rare away win at Swansea. Pablo Hernandez got the first goal for Swansez off a corner kick, then Grzegorz Krychowiak and Rob Reddy scored for Everton with poacher's efforts.
Player of the Match: Ryan Bertrand (Everton)
Injury Update: Senne Schoeters is out 3-4 weeks with a twisted ankle.

January 16: QPR sack manager Stale Solbakken.

January 20: I have rejected a deficient offer from FC Porto.

FA Cup 4th Round
Everton 2 - 0 Derby

With mostly a B team, Everton dominated Derby. Cais and Gabbiadini scored goals on nice finishes.
Player of the Match: Mattia Perin (Everton)

Everton 3 - 2 Chelsea

Chelsea knew it was going to be a bad day when Everton got off on a flyer when Manolo Gabbiadini tackled a Chelsea defender deep in his own end, collected the ball and converted an easy one on one opportunity against goalkeeper Petr Cech. Seydou Doumbia equalized for Chelsea with a close range finish. Armand Mbock and Manolo Gabbiadini took back the lead for Everton with nice poaching efforts. Demba Ba pulled one back for Chelsea late, despite nullifying a couple of good attacks by being offside. Chelsea had one last gasp to equalize with a free kick, but it was cleared by Everton.
Player of the Match: Manolo Gabbiadini (Everton)

Tottenham 1 - 1 Everton

Tottenham scored a shock goal with seconds left in the first half after Sebastian Coates volleyed in a corner kick. It looked like Tottenham would win it, but Manolo Gabbiadini pulled it back to even with a nice run and finish late in the game.
Player of the Match: Sebastian Coates (Tottenham)

In

- Midfielder Bryan Cristante from AC Milan on a Bosman. He will join at the end of the 2015-16 season.
- Defensive midfielder Carlos Garcia from Independiente on a Bosman, he will join at the end of the 2015-16 season.
- Attacking midfielder Lucas Walbrecq from Genk on a Bosman, you know the drill. He was apparently impressed with our league standing.
- Attacking midfielder Richard Galim from Stade Rennais on a Bosman, also impressed with our league standing.
- Center back Vladimir Balic from Cibalia on a Bosman.
- Enzo Ibanez has been signed from Independiente on a Bosman. He failed to get a work permit but can be loaned until he gets EU citizenship.
- Striker Neal Maupay from OGC Nice on a Bosman.
- Striker/midfielder Fininho from Inter on a Bosman.
- Hernan Ramirez signed from Estudiantes (LP) on a Bosman. He failed to get a work permit so he will be doing some time in Bulgaria.
- Ramiro Sagarzazu signed from Quilmes on a Bosman. He failed to get a work permit so he will be going to Bulgaria until he gets citizenship.
- Everton have signed Moulaye Souabou from FC Nantes on a Bosman.

Out

- Apostolos Vellios to Huddersfield for 1.2 million. Once again, pure surplus.
- Franklin Kamga has been loaned to Ipswich until the end of the season for first-team football.
- Ben McLaughlin to Bradford for 35,000. Not cracking the first team anytime soon.
- Joe Mason on loan to Wolves until the end of the season to get the loan fees.

After flirting with the relegation zone, we've climbed up to a respectable 12th place in the Premier League table. Continental football is likely off the table, but the higher we finish the more prize money we get, and money is king in football.

Brilliant month, other than the Man City result but that was to be expected. Nice transfers too, Fininho looks a gem.

Everton 3 - 1 West Brom

Despite having less of the ball, Everton did so much more with it. Everton took the lead with a powerful finish from Manolo Gabbiadini. Panagiotis Tachtsidis doubled Everton's lead with a close-range finish after exploiting a massive gap in the West Brom defense. Former Toffee Phil Jagielka was deemed to have committed a foul in the box, and Everton was awarded a penalty. Gabbiadini's shot bounced off the keeper but he got the rebound for his second goal. Shane Long pulled one back for West Brom, but it was too little, too late.
Player of the Match: Manolo Gabbiadini (Everton)

Reading 0 - 2 Everton

Everton put on a dominant performance as Reading were allowed only one shot on goal. Everton took the lead when Sean Morrison headed the ball into his own net, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis doubled the lead with a placed shot.
Player of the Match: Rafael Rivas (Everton)

February 8: Seeking someone who could take them to the Bundesliga title, Borussia Dortmund naturally approached me. As appealing as the offer sounded, I chose to decline the offer.

February 9: Javad Nekounam, age 35, is announcing his retirement at the end of the season. He said he'd like to retire while he's still in his prime, and he hasn't broken into the Everton squad as much this season.

FA Cup 5th Round
Hull 2 - 0 Everton

You know it's a bad day when in the 1st minute, your goalkeeper makes a clearance that bounces off your teammate right at an opposition striker's feet for an easy goal. That's what happened to Mattia Perin to let Christian Benteke score the easy goal. Simon Cox doubled the lead with a header as Everton were powerless to do much.
Player of the Match: Christian Benteke (Hull)
Injury Update: Everton suffered a twisted knee and will be out 2-3 weeks.

Everton 1 - 0 Fulham

Despite many opportunities for Everton, they only capitalized on one: In stoppage time of the first half, Santiago Hernandez cleanly tackled the ball from a Fulham defender on the left wing and crossed it to Manolo Gabbiadini, who applied the precision finish. Thankfully, it was the only opportunity they needed.
Player of the Match: Brede Hangeland (Fulham)

In

- Roger from Goias for 475,000. His work permit application was turned down so he won't be able to join the club immediately.

Out

- Achraf Radhouani on loan to Nottingham Forest until the end of the season for first-team football.
- Renato Dell'Oglio on loan to Inter until the end of the season for first-team football.

We're in 8th and with 3 months left it isn't too late to make a push for continental football, despite having quite a few points to make up in order to get there. After an impressive series of results, I was the runner-up for the February Manager of the Month award, falling behind Chelsea's Christian Gross.