The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Arsenal
26th December 2023
It was the Boxing Day fixture and the visit of the league leaders Arsenal who were looking for their first title since 2004. Arteta's men are three points clear of Chelsea whilst at the other end Everton are just keeping their heads above water. Idrissa Gueye was suspended so Amadou Onana got his first start since injury. The match started, Tarkowski played a long ball for Calvert-Lewin who got inside the area and Raya tipped the ball wide, a good start for Everton. A minute later Martinelli came forward and Coleman put in a good tackle, it was between Garner and Martinelli but Martinelli stayed strong and kept the ball, he passed forward to Nketiah who turned and took a shot from range and it went in low past Pickford, the wet conditions not helping the keeper. White found Havertz lurking on the edge of the box and his powerful shot was turned away by Pickford, great stop. Everton are camped inside their own half defending deep against this impressive Arsenal side. 67 minutes, Everton working hard for the ball, Garner won it back, passed forward to Beto who sent Calvert-Lewin through the middle but he was blocked off by White inside the area. Everton made two changes, Harrison came on for Danjuma and Dele was on for Onana. Harrison with an instant impact getting down the right but his cross was cut out by White. A minute later Arsenal played through the tired legs of Everton and Nketiah got his second with a deft touch past Pickford. Martinelli's ball went through Branthwaite to Nketiah but VAR are looking at it. The replay shows he is offisde but what do VAR think? The referee disallowed it! Still 1-0! Seconds left and Harrison gave the ball away trying to find Calvert-Lewin, Coleman won it back, Harrison took it forward and played it through for Calvert-Lewin who claimed he was blocked off by Gabriel but the referee had seen enough and blew the whistle. A tough afternoon for Everton, Arsenal were simply much better but things have to improve for The Toffees.
PLAYER RATINGS
Newcastle United vs Everton
29th December 2023
The start of the seocnd half of the season, Everton were in the bottom three, three points behind Fulham, Sheffiled United and Brentford. Ferguson was facing the heat from the press with one win in eight certainly not good enough for a club like Everton. Since Howe was sacked, Julian Nagelsmann was turning the club around with four wins and two draws in their last six matches. Michael Keane got a start with Branthwaite on the bench and Young and Patterson were given starts at full back. St James Park was in full voice as the Magpies were looking to continue their excellent run. Tripper came forward and got to the byline, he was shadowed by Onana, Tripper went past him into the box and Onana caught hsi leg, the referee saw it and awarded the penalty on 4 minutes. Isak stepped up for Newcastle and sent Pickford the wrong way with a smart tucked away penalty in the bottom right corner. Newcastle were all over Everton and Pickford pulled off a great save from Barnes on 10 minutes. Isak was running the show for Newcastle and Danjuma was frustrated that he went in twoo footed on Isak and received a red card, there was no complaints as he ran off down the tunnel. Ferguson was absolutely furious with Danjuma. Harvey Barnes and Isak were a fantastic double act and Barnes' ball through the defence to Isak on 22 minutes saw him bang it home. Everton were being torn apart and Newcastle were playing with smiles on their faces, it was well and truly all one way traffic. The half time whiste finally came and Everton needed it to regroup and figure out how to play out this second half. Ferguson made changes as expected for the second half. McNeil went off for Branthwaite and Dele came on for Beto. It looked like a change in formation with five at the back and Dele playing behind Calvert-Lewin. Pickford brought the ball out and attempted the pass to Onana but it was poor and went straight to Tonali who put Isak through and he was denied by the post, Pickford falling apart at St James' Park. Gueye replaced Garner on 61 minutes. Dele picked up a knock from a challenge by Lascelles but was ok to continue, a few minutes later he done what he does best and played in Onana who was through on goal, took a touch in the box and curled it around Dubravka to make it 2-1! Is this a revival for the ten men of Everton? Pickford was keeping everything out for Everton and the keeper was really putting his mistakes to bed with some fine saves. Lewis Dobbin came on for Calvert-Lewin with 13 minutes to go. Newcastle took the corner on 91 minutes and it was puched clear by Pickford, Daobbin chased it down and he was through on goal, he got to the box with only the keeepr to beat and he puts the ball past him! 2-2! Lewis Dobbin with the equaliser! Everton have fought back! It was all Newcastle in the 7 minutes of stoppage time but as the ball went over the bar, it was relief for Everton as they knew they had got a result. Pickford took his time with the kick to the dismay of the Newcastle supporters and the whistle was blown! Everton grab a late draw!
DF: We were under the cosh for almost the entirety of the game and scored two goals against the run of play, I felt that was the only way we could really get at them as they were pushing everyone forward. It was a great reaction in the second half and we played really well. We had a job to do at the back and Jordan made some fantastic stops to keep us in the game. Results like that show character and we are in this for the fight. It was a tough night, they made it very hard for us and they are a good side but we waited for our chance and when it came we took it.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS!
It has been rumoured Everton are in the market this window for additions and Ferguson will be keen to bolster the squad in order to survive the drop. It has not been a great start to life at Everton for Ferguson but some results and performances suggest there is fight within this Everton side and after grabbing a draw at Newcastle, it will drive them on further in their forthcoming matches. Moshiri is invested in his managerial appointment and is likely to support the manager in the January transfer window. The supporters are keen to see some change with suggestions they could be in the market for a ride sided attacking player and some depth at Left Back. Dele has been impressive when called upon and is still nearing full match fitness and Everton are one game away from triggering a £10M fee to Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis Dobbin's late goal gives Ferguson food for thought on the lack of goals from his Strikers and could be an option in the second half of the season.
26th December 2023
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It was the Boxing Day fixture and the visit of the league leaders Arsenal who were looking for their first title since 2004. Arteta's men are three points clear of Chelsea whilst at the other end Everton are just keeping their heads above water. Idrissa Gueye was suspended so Amadou Onana got his first start since injury. The match started, Tarkowski played a long ball for Calvert-Lewin who got inside the area and Raya tipped the ball wide, a good start for Everton. A minute later Martinelli came forward and Coleman put in a good tackle, it was between Garner and Martinelli but Martinelli stayed strong and kept the ball, he passed forward to Nketiah who turned and took a shot from range and it went in low past Pickford, the wet conditions not helping the keeper. White found Havertz lurking on the edge of the box and his powerful shot was turned away by Pickford, great stop. Everton are camped inside their own half defending deep against this impressive Arsenal side. 67 minutes, Everton working hard for the ball, Garner won it back, passed forward to Beto who sent Calvert-Lewin through the middle but he was blocked off by White inside the area. Everton made two changes, Harrison came on for Danjuma and Dele was on for Onana. Harrison with an instant impact getting down the right but his cross was cut out by White. A minute later Arsenal played through the tired legs of Everton and Nketiah got his second with a deft touch past Pickford. Martinelli's ball went through Branthwaite to Nketiah but VAR are looking at it. The replay shows he is offisde but what do VAR think? The referee disallowed it! Still 1-0! Seconds left and Harrison gave the ball away trying to find Calvert-Lewin, Coleman won it back, Harrison took it forward and played it through for Calvert-Lewin who claimed he was blocked off by Gabriel but the referee had seen enough and blew the whistle. A tough afternoon for Everton, Arsenal were simply much better but things have to improve for The Toffees.
PLAYER RATINGS
Newcastle United vs Everton
29th December 2023
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The start of the seocnd half of the season, Everton were in the bottom three, three points behind Fulham, Sheffiled United and Brentford. Ferguson was facing the heat from the press with one win in eight certainly not good enough for a club like Everton. Since Howe was sacked, Julian Nagelsmann was turning the club around with four wins and two draws in their last six matches. Michael Keane got a start with Branthwaite on the bench and Young and Patterson were given starts at full back. St James Park was in full voice as the Magpies were looking to continue their excellent run. Tripper came forward and got to the byline, he was shadowed by Onana, Tripper went past him into the box and Onana caught hsi leg, the referee saw it and awarded the penalty on 4 minutes. Isak stepped up for Newcastle and sent Pickford the wrong way with a smart tucked away penalty in the bottom right corner. Newcastle were all over Everton and Pickford pulled off a great save from Barnes on 10 minutes. Isak was running the show for Newcastle and Danjuma was frustrated that he went in twoo footed on Isak and received a red card, there was no complaints as he ran off down the tunnel. Ferguson was absolutely furious with Danjuma. Harvey Barnes and Isak were a fantastic double act and Barnes' ball through the defence to Isak on 22 minutes saw him bang it home. Everton were being torn apart and Newcastle were playing with smiles on their faces, it was well and truly all one way traffic. The half time whiste finally came and Everton needed it to regroup and figure out how to play out this second half. Ferguson made changes as expected for the second half. McNeil went off for Branthwaite and Dele came on for Beto. It looked like a change in formation with five at the back and Dele playing behind Calvert-Lewin. Pickford brought the ball out and attempted the pass to Onana but it was poor and went straight to Tonali who put Isak through and he was denied by the post, Pickford falling apart at St James' Park. Gueye replaced Garner on 61 minutes. Dele picked up a knock from a challenge by Lascelles but was ok to continue, a few minutes later he done what he does best and played in Onana who was through on goal, took a touch in the box and curled it around Dubravka to make it 2-1! Is this a revival for the ten men of Everton? Pickford was keeping everything out for Everton and the keeper was really putting his mistakes to bed with some fine saves. Lewis Dobbin came on for Calvert-Lewin with 13 minutes to go. Newcastle took the corner on 91 minutes and it was puched clear by Pickford, Daobbin chased it down and he was through on goal, he got to the box with only the keeepr to beat and he puts the ball past him! 2-2! Lewis Dobbin with the equaliser! Everton have fought back! It was all Newcastle in the 7 minutes of stoppage time but as the ball went over the bar, it was relief for Everton as they knew they had got a result. Pickford took his time with the kick to the dismay of the Newcastle supporters and the whistle was blown! Everton grab a late draw!
DF: We were under the cosh for almost the entirety of the game and scored two goals against the run of play, I felt that was the only way we could really get at them as they were pushing everyone forward. It was a great reaction in the second half and we played really well. We had a job to do at the back and Jordan made some fantastic stops to keep us in the game. Results like that show character and we are in this for the fight. It was a tough night, they made it very hard for us and they are a good side but we waited for our chance and when it came we took it.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS!
It has been rumoured Everton are in the market this window for additions and Ferguson will be keen to bolster the squad in order to survive the drop. It has not been a great start to life at Everton for Ferguson but some results and performances suggest there is fight within this Everton side and after grabbing a draw at Newcastle, it will drive them on further in their forthcoming matches. Moshiri is invested in his managerial appointment and is likely to support the manager in the January transfer window. The supporters are keen to see some change with suggestions they could be in the market for a ride sided attacking player and some depth at Left Back. Dele has been impressive when called upon and is still nearing full match fitness and Everton are one game away from triggering a £10M fee to Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis Dobbin's late goal gives Ferguson food for thought on the lack of goals from his Strikers and could be an option in the second half of the season.
