This week in Everton history (Nov 30 - Dec 6)

Everton were disqualified from the FA Cup on December 5, 1887 for fielding seven professionals in their first round tie against Bolton Wanderers. At the time, football was primarily a working class game, played between regular jobs. Each team was allowed only a certain number of paid players on their rosters at game day.

As further punishment, the Toffees were banned from regular play for one month by the Football Association and had the Liverpool Cup, which they had won the two previous years, confiscated.

A disheartened Everton refused to enter the FA Cup in 1888/89.

Tottenham v. Everton

Tottenham 0-1 Everton
White Hart Lane
Barclay's Premier League

Superb result, well-played game. Jagielka had a great game, Fellaini was a monster, Lescott seemed closer to his normal form. We held and passed the ball well, particularly in midfield, and managed to generate some very good chances.

Unfortunately, the win is not the big story. Yakubu ruptured his Achilles tendon just a few minutes into the match and will miss the rest of the season. Huge, huge blow.

Goals:
Everton - Pienaar (50)

COYB,
sara

Win a signed shirt!

As a reward for Everton USA members, Everton FC have given me a training shirt that has been signed by every team member who traveled to the United States during their preseason tour this summer. For our junior members, we have a 6-month subscription to Blues Magazine to give away.

To be eligible for the raffle, simply join Everton USA and pay your dues before the deadline. Current members needn't do anything - you are already entered.

The drawing will be on February 28, 2009 and the winners will be notified by email.

COYB,
sara

Wigan Athletic v. Everton

Wigan 1-0 Everton
The JJB Stadium
Barclay's Premier League

I've said it before, but it needs to be repeated - I hate weekday matches. I missed this one completely due to work, haven't even seen highlights. Doesn't sound like I missed much. And it doesn't surprise me that it was Henri Camara who scored - he usually plays well against us.

Anyone care to comment?

Goals:
Wigan - Camara (50)

COYB,
sara

This week in Everton history (Nov 16 - Nov 22)

Attacking midfielder Colin Harvey was born November 16, 1944. An Evertonian by birth, Harvey made his senior team debut at Stadio San Siro in Milan in 1963, replacing an injured Jimmy Gabriel.

However, it took the youngster two more season to secure his place in the starting lineup, and Harvey made his mark by scoring the winning goal in the 1966 FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United. Everton went on to win the FA Cup that year.


The pinnacle of Harvey's career came in the 1969-70 season when he played alongside Alan Ball and Howard Kendall to form quite possibly the greatest midfield ever assembled by Everton, known famously as "The Holy Trinity". Everton stormed to the league title that season, with Harvey himself scoring the winning goal in the clinching game against West Bromwich Albion.

In his eleven seasons as a player, Harvey - who was dubbed "The White Pele" - made 320 appearances and scored 18 goals. He was most widely known for his vision, speed and tackling ability, but he also had wonderful ball control and a wide range of passes.

After a short spell at Sheffield Wednesday, Harvey hung up his playing boots in 1976 and quickly returned to Everton to give coaching a shot. There he earned a reputation for bringing out the best in players, particularly as Howard Kendall's right hand man during his highly successful managerial reign in the 1980s.

Harvey tried his own hand at managing after Kendall left in 1987, but couldn't replicate the success he had enjoyed in the preceeding years. He did, however, lead the youth team to a 1998 FA Youth Cup victory.

Harvey retired from Goodison Park altogether in 2003.

Everton v. Middlesbrough

Everton 1-1 Middlesbrough
Goodison Park
Barclay's Premier League

It was a really strange match, in my opinion. Most of the time, it felt like two different games depending on what half we were in. We moved the ball well and had plenty of opportunities in attack; the defense still struggled to squash their counter attacks. Jagielka made a few key plays to keep us in the game. I wish I knew what is wrong with Lescott - he looked going forward, but seemed to have forgotten how to defend.

Two points dropped, if you ask me though.

Goals:
Middlesbrough - O'Neil (8)
Everton - Yakubu (65)

COYB,
sara

Membership update

I apologize for the lack of communication this week - I have been terribly sick for what feels like ages and I have spent the majority of my free time sleeping. I was finally able to get back to work the past couple days.

In any case, the 2009 membership packets are compiled and will be mailed first thing Monday morning. Thank you to everyone who has joined so far.

Also, stay tuned this week for the announcement of the first membership raffle prize. It's great!

COYB,
sara

This week in Everton history (Nov 2 - Nov 8)

Everton broke their 51-year winless drought at Elland Road on November 3, 2002.

The preceding 36 league matchups earned Everton just eight points, but it took the 17-year old Wayne Rooney, who replaced Tomasz Radzinski in the 74th, just two touches and six minutes to end the jinx. The goal was the second league goal of his young career, and further solidified his position as the next great thing in the Premiership.

As much as Rooney's strike stole headlines, it was clearly Everton's day from kickoff, with Leeds keeper Paul Robinson earning Man of the Match honors for what appeared to be a one-on-one duel with Radzinski. Time and time again, the netminder was forced into duty, denying the Canadian on countless attempts at goal.

After the game, David Moyes noted, "I thought Tommy Radzinski ran Leeds ragged and Wayne finished them off."

Lineups:
Leeds United: Robinson; Mills, Woodgate, Radebe, Lucic (Harte, 45), Bowyer, Bakke, Barmby, Kewell, Smith (McMaster, 81), Viduka (Bridges, 69). Substitutes not used: Kelly, Martyn.

Everton: Wright; Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Unsworth, Carsley, Li Tie (Naysmith, 82), Linderoth, Pembridge, Campbell, Radzinski (Rooney, 74). Substitutes not used: Watson, Weir, Gerrard.

Everton v. Fulham

Everton 1-0 Fulham
Goodison Park
Barclay's Premier League

It looked to be a great atmosphere, even as the two sides were waiting to come out of the tunnel - AJ and Simon Davies saying hello and smiling with their old teammates, and Cahill joking around with Mark Schwarzer. I think that set the tone for the rest of the match - lively and dedicated, but friendly.

I also saw my first Fellaini wig on the head of a supporter this season - classic!

Anyway, the match...

I thought it was a great game, at least in the first half - very evenly matched, with both sides enjoying spells of pressure and possession. Everton, however, had the advantage most of the time and Fellaini in particular had a fantastic game. I swear he was involved in nearly every play in and around the area.

That said, the only real threat we had in the first half was when Fellaini hit the post.

We started strong the second half but Fulham recovered quite well after the first 10 minutes and put some real pressure on us. From there on out, we didn't look the same.

That's why when Saha finally scored, I didn't even see it coming. His first goal in Blue couldn't have been more lovely - beautiful ball in from Osman and Saha connected cleanly and precisely to head it past Schwarzer.

And with that, we finally win a game at home this season.

Goals:
Everton - Saha (87)

Totally unrelated, but every time I saw Jimmy Bullard today, I couldn't get this video out of my head. Cracks me up; I love that guy.



COYB,
sara