davek
Player Valuation: £150m
(Belatedly) I thought it might be an idea for the season to collect what the opposition's own 'Echos' say about our matches against their local clubs, just to see if it gives a different spin on matters. - flatters or condemns us, agree or disagree with our views etc etc
*Mods: if you think it's not worth it delete by all means.
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...have_first_Premier_League_point_on_the_board/
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/13599617.Southampton_suffer_heavy_home_defeat_to_Everton/
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-0-2-man-city-9914303
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...as-spurs-wait-for-a-win-goes-on-a2923801.html
*Mods: if you think it's not worth it delete by all means.
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...have_first_Premier_League_point_on_the_board/
Impressive Hornets have first Premier League point on the board
5:18pm Saturday 8th August 2015
By Anthony Matthews
Watford are up and running in the Premier League after a high-intensity display of commitment and organisation saw them twice lead at Everton only to be pegged back on both occasions in a stirring 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
The visitors had the upper hand for more than an hour after Miguel Layun had fired them into a 14th-minute lead before Ross Barkley equalised with 14 minutes remaining with an arrow-like finish from outside the penalty area.
Any thoughts the visitors would try and hold on for a point were banished in some style with six minutes of normal time remaining when substitute Odion Ighalo scored a superb goal that he’d largely created himself.
But the Golden Boys’ hopes of gaining a first-ever victory at the Toffees were to last just two minutes as another replacement, Arouna Kone, snatched the equaliser for Roberto Martinez’s men.
It is harsh to call it a disappointment that Watford didn’t hold out for the three points – most of the travelling faithful would surely have settled for what was the final outcome beforehand – but it was the manner they went behind the task in hand that bodes well for the next 37 games.
Quique Sanchez Flores’ men worked incredibly hard throughout, harrying and harassing the opposition when they were without the ball, and offered grounds for encouragement going forward that when all facets were combined meant they looked the better side for significant parts of the contest.
Flores handed six players their Watford debuts and made a couple of selections that may have raised eyebrows in some quarters in naming his first Premier League team.
Summer signings Allan Nyom, Sebastian Prodl, Jose Holebas, Etienne Capoue, Valron Behrami and Jose Manuel Jurado all made their first competitive outings for the Hornets, as Flores also opted to field Ikechi Anya and Layun in the wide attacking midfield roles behind lone striker and skipper Troy Deeney.
Everton boss Roberto Matinez had some injury concerns coming into the game but aside from the longer-term absentees, all bar Gerard Deulofeu were fit to start. That meant John Stones partnered Phil Jagielka in central defence, Kevin Mirallas – fresh from signing a new deal – was in a midfield that also featured former Hornets loanee Tom Cleverley and Romelu Lukaku led the line.
However, the Toffees did suffer a late injury blow as Leighton Baines was ruled out with an ankle problem, which meant young full-back Brendan Galloway was included in the starting XI.
Many Watford fans were delayed getting to the game due to problems on the M6 but the majority who did arrive in time for kick off soon saw one of the reasons why Layun had been selected. Seamus Coleman enjoys rampaging forward from right-back and the Mexican was soon being pressed into action to help counter his threat.
As would be expected though, Everton had the bulk of the early territory and possession but their opponents started solidly enough on their return to the big time.
The first promising moment for the visitors came in the eighth minute when the home side were forced to concede a corner after Jurado had tried to put Anya through on goal with a neat pass.
That corner came to nothing but Flores’ men began to grow as an attacking presence. Deeney had an attempted overhead kick blocked after Layun had headed back a Jurado cross from the left and then the Hornets skipper had another effort intercepted following more promising build-up play.
The travelling fans had been in party mood since before kick off but in the 14th minute came the moment they were able to celebrate the first Premier League goal scored by their team since Marlon King netted a penalty against Newcastle United on May 13, 2007.
Jurado was the creator with a teasing cross from the left which Jagielka made a hash of dealing with and the ball broke nicely for Layun to lash home his first goal for the club with his right foot from around 12 yards to put the visitors a goal to the good.
Everton’s first real threat on the Hornets’ goal came four minutes later when, following a Mirallas corner from the right, Gareth Barry rose well but his header towards the top corner was superbly flicked over by Gomes.
In general though, the Hornets were continuing to look the better side. They had good shape and discipline, were pressing well with Valon Behrami snapping away in midfield and winning a number of crucial interceptions and they continued to ask questions when they had the chance to attack.
While not getting visibly frustrated, Everton’s only two attempts since Barry’s header were a couple of wayward efforts from outside the area from Barkley. However, the England international did extend Gomes just after the half-hour with a rasping drive from the left side of the 18-yard box which the Brazilian had to tip over.
The next ten minutes was very much a case of Everton patiently trying to find a way through but being constantly thwarted by the organisation and effectiveness of their opponents’ play. And every so often the Golden Boys broke down the other end, such as the 40th minute when one moment led to Capoue hitting a low shot which Tim Howard saved comfortably.
Deeney received Watford’s first booking of the season two minutes later for a late challenge on Galloway in the area after a promising situation had all but broken down, before Lukaku was left appealing in vain for handball outside the area against Gomes after the keeper had been forced to race to the edge of his 18-yard box to cut out a through ball.
The last meaningful action of the opening half saw the visitors – and Layun – not far away from netting a second. Holebas dug out a cross from near the by-line, Deeney tried to get his head to it but the ball was only cleared as far as the edge of the area where the Mexican took one touch before striking across the ball and sending it not too far wide of the far post.
It was no surprise that the hosts started the second period positively as they sought to try and get back on terms as early as possible and Gomes was called into action for the first time in the 50th minute when Mirallas tried to catch him out with a cross-cum-shot from the right side of the penalty soon.
Within a minute, the Toffees had seen a great chance go begging when, with Gomes stranded, Lukaku headed wide at the far post following a fine in-swinging Barkley delivery from the right.
Coleman received the home side’s first yellow card in the 54th minute for a challenge from behind on Capoue as the Frenchman broke out and tried to set up a counter-attack. But the pressure was continuing to come from the men in blue, with Mirallas the next to try his luck with a shot from outside the area which was deflected behind.
Layun’s memorable afternoon came to an end in the 59th minute when he was replaced by Juan Carlos Paredes. The substitute went to the right of the attacking midfield trio with Anya switching to the opposite side.
Martinez quickly followed suit by replacing Galloway with striker Arouna Kone, meaning Barry went to left back.
Holebas saw yellow for taking too long to take a throw in the 66th minute but before that the Hornets had threatened on the counter through Anya but Stones stayed with him and was able to get in the block when the Scottish international did attempt a strike at goal.
Howard wasn’t troubled by that effort but he appeared to be caught semi off-guard soon after when Holebas let fly powerfully from at least 30 yards, the American keeper could only push the ball back out of the area but Jurado was unable to keep his follow-up down.
Kone had Everton’s next decent opportunity when he headed wide of the near post following a good delivery from Cleverley but as the halfway point of the second period came and went the visitors were still in the ascendency.
Jurado’s promising bow was ended in the 74th minute when he made way for Ighalo but two minutes later the Hornets’ battling resistance was finally broken.
In many respects the Hornets contributed to their own downfall because Behrami, with two teammates in close proximity and with time on the edge of his own area, allowed himself to be caught in possession. The ball was then worked backed to Coleman, whose delivery towards the area was held up by Kone before he laid it back to Barkley and he rifled a right-footed shot past Gomes from 20 yards to make it 1-1.
Bryan Oviedo replaced Mirallas before play restarted and Flores was soon making his final change as Ben Watson came on for Behrami.
At that stage most observers would have backed the home side to go on and secure the win but in the 84th minute a Nigerian striker sent one corner of Goodison Park into collective delirium.
It all started from a long throw out from Gomes which cleared halfway and was helped around the corner by Deeney to Ighalo, who then proceeded to run at the Everton defence, turning Stones inside and out twice before striking a sumptuous low right-footed curling strike into the bottom right-hand corner to put the Hornets 2-1 to the good.
Sadly for the visitors though, their joy was to be short-lived as within two minutes the Toffees were back on terms. Lukaku held play up on the right side of the penalty area before releasing Kone and the substitute finished with a smart finish across and beyond Gomes.
After Anya had fired wide, Martinez made his final change as the clock clicked past 90 minutes as Steven Naismith came on for Lukaku.
Five minutes of stoppage time afforded the opportunity for both sides to try and snatch the win but in the end an enthralling afternoon ended with the Hornets reflecting on their first Premier League point, which was not too far away from being all three.
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway (Kone 62); Barry, McCarthy; Cleverley, Barkley, Mirallas (Ovideo 76); Lukaku (Naismith). Not used: Robles, Osman, Browning, McAleny.
Watford: Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas; Capoue, Behrami (Watson 79); Anya, Jurado (Ighalo 74), Layun (Paredes 59); Deeney. Not used: Gilmartin, Angella, Vydra, Pudil.
Bookings: Deeney for a foul on Galloway (42); Coleman for a foul on Capoue (54); Holebas for time wasting (66).
Referee: Mike Jones.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/13599617.Southampton_suffer_heavy_home_defeat_to_Everton/
Southampton suffer heavy home defeat to Everton
2:40pm Saturday 15th August 2015
By Adam Leitch
Saints are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after suffering a heavy home defeat at the hands of Everton.
Ronald Koeman’s men followed up their opening day 2-2 draw at Newcastle with a 3-0 reverse in their first league game of this campaign St Mary’s.
Before kick-off Saints celebrated the life of former owner Markus Liebherr, five years after his passing, but they were second best for most of the match and now must switch their attentions back to the Europa League before a trip to Watford to search for three points.
Matt Targett found himself in the book after just six minutes of the game.
It was a sensible one to take for the team with Romelu Lukaku having stormed away and about to break into the area. The Saints left back slid in and took him out a yard outside the box on the top left corner.
Ross Barkley took the free kick but it clipped off the top of the wall and went over.
The tone of the opening stages of the game was already set with both teams looking comfortable on the ball, Saints having more pressure but Everton looking very dangerous with their pace and power on the break.
Sadio Mane almost got in for Saints on 12 minutes but as he caught the ball he had just reached the by-line and so his shot from a very tight angle went behind. Moments later Dusan Tadic had an effort charged down after Graziano Pelle guided a far post header back to him.
Targett was the next to have a go with a drilled shot from the left but Tim Howard saved at his near post.
The first big chance of the game fell to Saints on 22 minutes.
Pelle collected the ball on the left and slid a neat pass into the area and Mane. He controlled and fired low towards goal but Tim Howard saved.
It proved to be a pivotal moment as just seconds later Everton were ahead.
They broke quickly on the counter attack from the corner with Barkley feeding it to Arouna Kone.
He sprinted down the right and crossed to find Lukaku inadequately without a centre half near him, eight yards out in a central position and he headed back across goal and in via the underside of the bar.
Maarten Stekelenburg stood strong at his near post to beat away a shot from James McCarthy to stop it getting even worse for Saints.
They should have been further behind on 29 minutes as Lukaku squared the ball to Barkley on the penalty spot. His first time effort was only straight down the middle and Stekelenburg saved with his legs. The rebound came to Tom Cleverley but he sidefooted wide of the post with half of the goal gaping.
Victor Wanyama should have done better on 35 minutes as he had a free header from Steven Davis’ right wing corner but he was off target.
Pelle was the second man in the book for dragging back Seamus Coleman.
Everton were really in total control of the game and it was no great surprise they doubled their advantage a minute before half time.
They again cut through Saints so easily, Barkley robbing Maya Yoshida on the halfway line and pressing on through the middle and playing the ball to Lukaku whose first time finish from the edge of the area gave Stekelenburg no chance.
Saints made a half time change with Oriol Romeu replacing Tadic. Romeu slotted into a defensive central midfield role with Steven Davis pushing further forward.
Wanyama had another headed chance from a corner. This was one was tougher but again went wide.
Pelle had a half chance fall his way as the ball broke to him on the half volley but he fired it straight at Howard.
With a two goal lead to protect Everton were sitting much deeper in the second period and making themselves hard to break down.
Saints were struggling to create much but another corner provided another sighter for Pelle but he headed over from ten yards out.
Saints made an attacking change on 72 minutes with Jay Rodriguez coming on for Shane Long.
A piece of magic almost got Saints back into it as Mane tried a speculative effort from 25 yards out which was well struck and forced Howard to dive to his right to turn wide.
Saints made a final switch with James Ward-Prowse replacing Steven Davis while Steven Naismith came on for Kone for Everton.
The Toffees wrapped up the win with six minutes remaining by making it 3-0.
Everton worked the ball across the face of the area from the right all the way to Barkley on the other side. He took a touch to move inside onto his right foot and curled an unstoppable finish into the opposite top corner.
That pretty much rounded off a miserable day on the pitch for Saints who will be desperate to get three points on the board when they face Watford next Sunday following a return to Europa League action on Thursday night.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-0-2-man-city-9914303
Everton 0-2 Man City: Raheem Sterling helps Blues to another win
- 18:41, 23 AUGUST 2015
There were more than a few murmurs about Raheem Sterling , and whether he would be the man to give way as Manchester City strove to break the Goodison deadlock.
It was a strange argument, given that the £44million man had already opened up Everton for City's best chance , when David Silva struck a post just after half time.
And it looked even stranger when, yet again, Sterling drove at the Everton defence, causing all kinds of doubt and mayhem, and then slipped another clever ball to play in Aleks Kolarov on the left.
Few people expected what happened next – goalkeeper Tim Hoard most certainly did not – as Kolarov fired his shot between the startled American and his near post, with a cross being the obvious option.
That has been the story of Sterling's fledgling career with City. He does not have the polish of Silva, the drive of Yaya Toure or the unerring finish of Sergio Aguero.
But his raw pace, allied to a touch and vision much better than anyone expected, have made him a major asset. He scatters and disorganises defences in a manner that City lacked last season.
That gives the likes of Silva, Yaya and Aguero the kind of space they were not getting last year – and Sterling is also starting to provide for others.
Goodison is always a tough place to get a result, but the determined approach with which the Blues have begun the season, saw them through.
In the end, they were good value for their ninth straight win, which sees them equal a record that has stood since the Titanic made its maiden voyage in 1912.
The first half was, at times, a re-run of the previous week's win against Chelsea, with keeper Tim Howard denying the marauding Sergio Aguero three times, twice with his legs.
But Everton were more lively opponents than Jose Mourinho's under-performing team, and they made it plain that they were out for three points, making for an open, entertaining game.
City enjoyed plenty of space down the right where Jesus Navas and Bacary Sagna were combining to torment 19-year-old novice Brendan Galloway, standing in for the injured Leighton Baines.
The youngster had a torrid time as the Blues opened up that flank time and time again, with David Silva pulling the strings.
But Everton's more direct style brought them chances as well, Phil Jagielka's header skimming the bar.
But it was the Blues playing all the intricate, clever stuff and when Raheem Sterling played in David Silva just after the break, he struck the post.
He should have scored – if he could add that lethal finish to his brilliant all-round game, he would be heading towards the Lionel Messi level.
But after Sterling had again opened things up for Kolarov's goal, sub Samir Nasri played a smart one-two with Toure and lifted his shot over Howard to secure the three points.
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...as-spurs-wait-for-a-win-goes-on-a2923801.html
Tottenham 0 Everton 0: Tim Howard the star man as Spurs wait for a win goes on
- DUNCAN BEACH
- Saturday 29 August 2015 19:36
Tim Howard denied Tottenham their first Barclays Premier League win of the season with a string of superb saves that enabled Everton to leave White Hart Lane with a goalless draw.
Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Toby Alderweireld were kept at bay by Howard in the first half, although Kane should have finished his one on one with the American goalkeeper.
Spurs, who named Erik Lamela on the bench, only had themselves to blame for not grabbing all three points in a dominant second half that saw chance after chance squandered.
Both sides had a player carried from the pitch on a stretcher, Everton's Tom Cleverley in clear pain after being felled by Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele following a bizarre self-inflicted injury.
Tottenham's dominance was apparent early on as Nacer Chadli dazzled down the left, teeing up Nabil Bentaleb only to see a tame shot scuffed wide of the right post.
There was panic in the Spurs defence when Kyle Walker gave the ball away to Cleverley and it took a fine save by Hugo Lloris to keep out the ensuing shot.
Everton should have slipped behind in the 24th minute but Howard stuck out his left leg to stop Kane, who only had the visiting keeper to beat after collecting a superb pass by Mason.
It was then Mason who was denied by Howard, with Chadli the provider once more and the American then steered an Alderweireld header over the crossbar.
Cleverley went down under a heavy tackle by Dier, his right ankle caught between the legs of the Spurs defender, and he was carried from the pitch his injured leg in a brace.
Somehow Everton cleared their lines despite being repeatedly bamboozled by the quick feet of Dembele, but then the Belgium playmaker became the second player to be taken away by medics.
Even upon viewing replays it was unclear exactly how Dembele had been hurt, although his right boot appeared to clip his left Achilles after passing the ball in what was a self-inflicted injury.
Dier had escaped a booking for his tackle on Cleverley but referee Mike Jones reached for the yellow card when he body-checked Ross Barkley.
The pressure was building on Everton's goal and it took some desperate scrambling defence and a skied shot by Chadli to keep the match goalless.
Romelu Lukaku was making his presence felt with a couple of dubious challenges and the visitors could have taken the lead only for Arouna Kone to steer a glancing header wide.
The chances dried up for Spurs in the closing stages, in part thanks to the arrival from the bench of the tenacious Steven Naismith, who brought renewed fight to Everton's rearguard action.
