News and Updates

Late strike gives little joy

A last ditch equaliser from Marouane Fellaini rescued a point for the Blues in another incredibly lacklustre performance against bottom club West Ham. Yet again the chance to progress into the top half of the table was spurned. Yet again they lacked verve, energy and passion. Too many players went missing once more, a continuing trend over past months. For sure there have been spells of the real Everton; the recent game against Spurs in particular. But too often is the performance falling short of the pre-match hype.

David Moyes is in a quandary. No money to bring in decent players, players that will improve the squad. And he has seen one of his better players, Steven Pienaar, depart for Spurs with the Yak loaned out to Leicester and James Vaughan back on loan at Crystal Palace.

Our forward line problems continue while in midfield Mikel Arteta is falling short of the standards he has set himself. Not for the lack of trying but things are just not going his way at the moment. On the positive side we are not losing games. But with 12 drawn games already we are letting points trickle away.

Tim Cahill, as feared, will be away for the maximum possible time as Australia reached the finals of the Asia Cup. He will be back in time for the game at home to Blackpool (possibly Arsenal away before that but jetlag must feature).

Meanwhile we have the FA Cup to look forward to with Saturday’s game at home to Chelsea. This season’s form suggests that we should be reasonably confident given our performances against the teams in the higher reaches of the league. The 3rd round banana skin at Scunthorpe was avoided in style. Saturday’s game will call for leaders and Everton grit if we are to progress.