retired_kimberlysmith

What happened! It was all going so well, now it's going tIts up? deary me

retired_espeon

23rd August 2008
Coventry 0
Middlesboro 1
George Boateng 75

6th September 2008
Middlesboro 1
Morrison 12
Leicester 0

Carling Cup 2nd Round
16th September 2008
Man City 1
Chamakh 12
Middlesboro 2
Morrison 3, Robert 21

20st September 2008
Middlesboro 0
Aston Villa 2
Parkin 1, Johansson 15

27th September 2008
Everton 4
Gilardino pen 21, 30 Serhat 60 Kallstrom 75
Middlesboro 3
Matusovic 9, Svensson 48, Sullivan 81

1st October 2008
Middlesboro 0
Arsenal 3
Henry 11, Chevanton 46, 90

15th October 2008
Chelsea 4
Drogba 32, 34 Rosicky 40 Tiago 42
Middlesboro 0

18th October 2008
Middlesboro 0
Blackburn 1
Veenegoor 20

Carling Cup 3rd Round
22nd October 2008
Middlesboro 2
Svensson 14, Beattie 36
Everton 1
Fabregas 88

25th October 2008
Middlesboro 0
Man Utd 0

29th October 2008
West Brom 0
Middlesboro 4
Beattie 2, 61 Laursen 18, 90

1st November 2008
Portsmouth 3
Pazzini 14, Kalou 53, Villa 82
Middlesboro 2
Svensson 3, Kehl 75

Carling Cup 4th Round
5th November 2008
Chelsea1 1
Drogba 84
Middlesboro 0

15th November 2008
Middlesboro 0
Fulham 0

22nd November 2008
QPR 3
Rook 2, Nemeth 10, 54
Middlesboro 2
Hanke 63, 90

29th November 2008
Middlesboro 1
Hanke 11
Birmingham 3
Petrov 1, 23 Basturk 21

RECORD
Played - 15
Won - 5
Drew - 1
Lost - 9
Goals For - 18
Goals Against - 25

After the great start to the season and things looking good at the Riverside, the old problems returned as
we continually thros away games with our opponents walking right through our defence with them offering little
resistance.

The most annoying thing is that when the whole team plays well then the results happen as shown by the 4-0
win over Chris's WBA in the league and the 2-1 win over Niall's Everton in the Carling Cup 2nd Round. Our
problems are shown in the 4-3 loss to Niall's Everton in the league and the 3-2 loss to Andy's Pompey team in
the league as well with our defence laying down and dieing.

Along with the board, we have agreed that the defence needs serious attention ASAP and I will be looking to
bring in some defensive quality in the January transfer window to see if we can tighten up defensively which
will hopefully turn round our current form as we'll never win matches if we can't stop the opposing team scoring more than we do.

I was hoping for a mid-table finish but if we don't sort it out quickly, then it'll be a relegation dog-fight
for us which would not bode well for the rest of the season.

retired_hollieo

If you look at the properties of goats pic, it resides on a site called "tiny pic.com" which I thought was mildly amusing.

Anyway after that 11 hour maraton yesterday, I'm going to give FM a miss tonight and do something else. Sorry.

Also I'd like to do Monday, Thursday and Sunday this week if possible cos Man U vs Chelsea is on TV on Tuesday. Let me know if you want the Monday one or not.

Laters

retired_kimberlysmith

Any chance of a t+t?

retired_sankanyo

i wouldnt mind one either

retired_hollieo

Defensive problems haunt the Toffees but the corner looks to have been turned

Few games to update after the last session. Mainly the team has been playing well going forward but has had a nightmare at the back which was so strong last season. Obviously conceding too many goals means it's difficult to win games but we have managed to hang in there by only losing two and appear to be back on the right track having gone on a recent winning run.

A few results:

Carling Cup 3rd Round

Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Everton

After dominating the early exchanges against Ben's Middlesbrough, our defensive problems came back to haunt us as we let the Boro move into a two goal lead due to poor defending. A late goal from Cesc Fabregas gave Ben a few nervous moments but all in all, disappointed once again with the defending in what was a good performance by the team. Not too disappointed to exit the Carling Cup early.

European Champions League

We got a relatively easy group in the Champions League up against Loko, Basel and Valencia. As expected Loko were beaten twice we recorded a 3-1 win over the Swiss side away from home. A 2-2 draw at home to Valencia where again bad defending saw us lose a two goal lead was followed by a narrow 1-0 loss in the Mestalla against the Spanish runners up. So with 10 points we are joint top with the Spaniards in the group but require at least a point at home against Basel to secure a spot in the last 16.

FA Barclaycard Premiership

Blackburn Rovers 0 - 0 Everton

At this stage Blackburn were riding high in 3rd place in the table and this was a very difficult game at Ewood with Everton soaking up a lot of pressure. In a rare excellent defensive performance we earned a good point here.

QPR 0 - 0 Everton

Not much to say expect this was a poor poor result.

Everton 4 - 3 Middlesbrough

Took revenge on Ben for our Carling Cup defeat with this win. Both managers have been bemoaning their defending this season and this game summed up both managers season. Despite Boro taking an early lead, Everton came back to lead 2-1 before Boro made it 2-2 in the second half. Everton upped their game and went 4-2 in front but yet again let an opponent into the game by conceding a third goal. Pleased to win the match but clearly we are still too brittle at the back.

Portsmouth 4 - 3 Everton

Well Andy Nilsen has taken advantage of having no European football at all this season and is flying in the Premiership looking a good bet for the title after only 18 games. In this game all our problems were evident as an excellent performance from Akin Serhat saw the Turkish international grab a clinical hat trick, to put the Toffees 3-0 up after only half an hour, leaving Murphy wondering what all the fuss was about Pompey this season. However, a Mavuba goal before half time gave Pompey an opening and the south coast team put in an excellent second half performance to turn the game around and complete a good comeback. Of course, practically all Pompey's goals were long shots which my keeper would have saved easily last season but Isaksson has had a poor campaign this term and I have paid dearly for it here again. Saw enough to be confident that we will gain revenge when Nilsen visits Goodison as he was one lucky manager to come away with the win here.

Liverpool 4 - 4 Everton

Again indicative of the atrocious defending, Everton were 4-1 up at Anfield only to see the Liverpool Reds come back to draw 4-4. No matter what I have done to see games out it has proved impossible to have any control over what is going on at the back. Significantly shortly after this result, Isaksson's form began to pick up and Murphy dropped Yobo and Boumsong replacing them with a new pairing of 20 year old German U21 international Werner Wolf and Alex.


Everton 2 - 0 Birmingham

Before the game Murphy stated to the press that Danny King would never have a better opportunity to break his duck at Goodison Park. The reverse psychology seemed to do the trick as my players reacted with one of their best performances of the season to maintain our excellent home record over Birmingham. Again an explosive start was made to the game as Serhat grabbed the opener after only two minutes. Once we added a second the game was over with Birmingham not looking on the day as if they would make inroads into the Everton defence. A comfortable win which in turn kicked off a winning run.

Everton 1 - 0 Tottenham

New right sided signing Alan Hutton, bought from Rangers for £2.9m just before the deadline as Grygera departed for pastures new won us this game by connecting to a corner with a lovely header. Tottenham played well on the day and maybe would have equalised had Boult been at the helm for the game but as it was Everton saw the game out to take our best three points of the season against a top team.

Wolves 1 - 3 Everton

Things looking good again as Wolves put to the sword easily despite a late goal from the midland outfit ruining the clean sheet.

Everton 6 - 0 Newcastle

The Premiership forced to sit up and take notice that Everton look like they are back. A complete demolition of the Geordies and Murphy feeling good again.

Southampton 1 - 2 Everton

New manager Dave Williams feels the wrath of an Everton side on the up. The Toffees lead 1-0 for much of the match until the Saints looked like they would nick a point by equalising in the dying minutes. Despite this setback, Serhat ran in a few minutes later to fire in the winning goal.


So despite a difficult campaign so far, all we need to do is win our game in hand (against Mo's Fulham so that won't be easy) to bring us only 3 points behind Tottenham in 3rd place. With the entire defence having had a mare so far, I consider the fact we have only lost twice (both times when we scored 3 ourselves away from home) to be a pretty good achievement. This season has also seen us face many more injury problems than before but with a good run behind us now in the league we need to keep winning if we have any chance of regaining ground on Portsmouth and Arsenal. It maybe too late now to retain the title but stranger things have happened and Nilsen has yet to prove he has the capability of winning trophies so the big head may yet find his season collapses. God I hope so.

A win over Basel will put us into the last 16 in the European Cup where it becomes a cup competition so you can be lucky or unlucky here, but lets make sure we get past Basel first.

retired_utyorc

Results…


Premiership Game 7

Birmingham City 0
Bolton 0
Man of the Match: Jaaskelainen 10/10 Bolton
Attendance-37422
Refereed by Adam Hudson

Well the goal keeper getting the man of the match award tells the story as we were all over Bolton but didn’t get any luck in beating there keeper on the day. 0-0 Draw


Champions League Group Stage

Porto 1
Alemieda 38
Birmingham City 0
Man of the Match: Basturk 9/10 Birmingham City
Sent off: Duffy 88 min Birmingham City
Attendance-40286
Refereed by Neale Barry

Beaten by a good counter attack from Porto but this just wasn’t Birmingham City day as all our shot failed to even trouble the keeper and Duffy getting sent off in the last few minutes to add to our problems. 1-0 Defeat


Premiership Game 8

Coventry 3
Douglas 2 McSheffrey 70 Knight 90
Birmingham City 5
Emerton 4Bertatov 5, 45 Ammendolea 14 Anelka 87
Man of the Match: Berbatov 10/10 Birmingham
Attendance-31967
Refereed by Graham Poll

What the hell is going on when Coventry can score 3 past me but on the good side we did manage to score 5 with some lethal finishing from my team. 5-3 Win


Premiership Game 9

Birmingham City 1
Fernandez 84
Leicester 0
Man of the Match: Ammendolea 8/10 Birmingham
Attendance-39740
Refereed by Mike Riley

The final score line of 1-0 didn’t show the full picture as we could have had 4 or 5 with our play but in the end the finishing was poor from my guys. 1-0 Win


Champions League Group Stage

Barcelona 3
Navas 8, 52 Gabri pen 41
Birmingham City 1
Ammendolea 30
Man of the Match: Navas 9/10 Barcelona
Attendance-62521
Refereed by Jorg Kebier

Always going to be a hard game but in the first half we held our own and even looked like going in at half time with the lead but the penalty in the 41st Minute changed the game and my boys lost there morale. 3-1 Defeat


Premiership Game 10

Birmingham City 1
Berbatov 1
Aston Villa 1
Vorisek 63
Man of the Match: Sorenson 9/10 Aston Villa
Attendance-39978
Refereed by David Lynch

Birmingham City had enough chances in the first half to kill this game off but after a great start scoring in the first minute Villa came back into the game in the second half with a goal from Vorisek. 1-1 Draw


Premiership Game 11

Palace 1
Davies 23
Birmingham City 3
Anelka 8, 43 Fernandez 27
Man of the Match: Marzi 9/10 Birmingham
Attendance-26322
Refereed by Paul Ford

A good win from my boys with Anelka showing me why he should be in the first team line up instead of Ammendolea with two well taken goals and Fernandez starting to show me he has an eye for goal as well. 3-1 Win


Premiership Game 12

Everton 2
Serhat 3 Gozale 41
Birmingham City 0
Man of the Match: Gonzale 10/10 Everton
Attendance-40236
Refereed by Mark Halsey

The worst performance off the season too date with once again Mr. Lucky getting it all his own way. Not sure if it was the early goal that knocked my teams morale or the usual mind games before the match from Mr. Lucky but my team just didn’t turn up and Everton was good for there win. [B]2-0 Defeat[/B



More to follow soon

retired_hollieo

Everton breaking records but only make a two point inroad in the title race

The corner has definitely been turned as Everton boys prove the old adage that Champions don't give up without a fight. Ultimately our poor start to the season has cost us dearly so far but 9 Premiership wins on the trot have lifted the Toffess from mid-table to 3rd. Unfortunately, Nilsen's Portsmouth also keep on winning and are proving hard to catch but Murphy is encouraged that they have yet to hit their inevitable dodgy patch. The only question is, how many games can Everton win from their last 16 fixtures to close the 11 point gap?

FA Barclaycard Premiership

Everton 1 - 0 Bolton

Well this defeat for Bolton saw the inevitable retirement of an EPL Legend, David Pagi, who has decided to take a break from the game to recharge his batteries. As always, Pagi's side put upa determined battle but faced the defending Champions in the middle of a great run, Vittek scoring the winner after 34 minutes. We hope to see Pagi back soon and if not, back for FM06. Good luck amigo.

Everton 5 - 0 Coventry

Relegation certs Coventry somehow held us at their own ground and we got revenge for two dropped points in style. An early goal from Sivok was followed by a four goal salvo from the Premiership's top marksman (Pazzini and Ammendolea who? ) - Alberto Gilhardino to destroy the Sky Blues in an excellent performance by the lads.

Leicester City 1 - 3 Everton

This was a very tough game after ex-Evertonian Andy Reid stepped up to curl in a fantastic free kick after only 6 minutes. Leicester's team is surprisingly competent for a relegation threatened side and after Vittek equalised on 31 minutes we had to wait until the 81st minute (and after Reid was dismissed) to go 2-1 ahead through Tobias Hysen (remember him? ).

Vittek sealed a brace in the 90th minute and a 3-1 win was recorded as Nilsen took stick for a poor draw at Wolves on the same day. Gap closed from 13 to 11.

Everton 1 - 0 Fulham

Everton's squad has been stretched to breaking point by some horrendous injuries this season and before the match Murphy felt that this was a great opportunity for Mo Ilyas to finally score a goal agaisnt us, if not actually win the game. With Mo's five man defence in place as usual, the secret is definitely not to go a goal behind to Fulham or you are in trouble. Pleasingly, on the day that never looked likely to happen. With the heart torn out of our central midfield, Murphy was forced to play Hysen and Flamini in the centre which was a cause of much anxiety to the Goodison faithful as they are not renouned for their tackling.

Petrov however, the outstanding player in the Premiership this season, soon put paid to those nerves as he immediately set off beating three men down the flank creating an Everton chance. Right away Ilyas was barking out his instructions, putting two of his dogs of war on the dangerous Swede but it didn't deter Everton from taking the game to Fulham for the entire match. The game was won when one of Fulham's hatchet men took down Gilardino in the box and the Italian dangerman struck home the penalty to secure the points. Fulham are an improving outfit though and having seen some of Mo's purchases for this and next season, they are a team to watch in the EPL.

Everton 2 - 0 Chelsea

Extra tension surrounded this game as Murphy had recently joined Nilsen in deciding to turn down the Chelsea job - to remain at Everton. With Chelsea still managerless at this stage (don't want to spoil the forthcoming surprise) their team which has aged together significantly, still put in a great performance but lost the game due to the difference up front where Gilardino was again clinical and Gudjohnsen and Drogba wasteful. Unfortunately though Gilardino was subsequently crocked for two weeks and misses the FA Cup match, the trip to Villa Park and possibly the match at Old Trafford.


FA Cup 3rd Round

Gillingham 2 - 4 Everton

Having gone out in the 3rd Round last season to Swindon, Murphy was not a happy camper after this game as he watched Gillingham come close to repeating the trick. Although we were 1-0 and 2-1 up, we allowed the Gils to equalise again to go 2-2 and with Isaksson playing quite poorly an upset was definitely on the cards once more. That was until Sivok on (49) and Calaio on 62 rounded up the win to set up another tricky away tie, to QPR, in Round Four.


So in summary, all has been great at Everton during November and December with much progress made in the League, the FA Cup and a tie against Barcelona awaiting in the Champions League. This season could yet turn out to be memorable if we can get a result against the Catalans or if Nilsen's boys go down the tubes.

retired_sankanyo

They just keep going

Premiership
This is the run of 8 games won in a row that broke Pompeys old record of 6

Bolton 0-1 Portsmouth

Portsmouth 4-0 Coventry
39 shots shows our dominance in this one

Leicester 1-6 Portsmouth
Carvalho starts his first match and gets an hat trick, only downside was Leicester had 1 shot and scored it so no clean sheet.

Portsmouth 3-1 Chelsea
Pazzini hat trick gave us an easy win but again we were unable to keep a clean sheet as Drogba scored in the last minute.

Villa 2-3 Portsmouth
A game we always looked like winning until the last 10 mins when Villa fought bravely to make it 3-2 giving the match a tense finish.

The War at Fratton
Starring Portsmouth vs. Everton
Before the match Kalou mysteriously vanished (rumours were he had been captured by Murphy’s henchmen to try and give themselves the edge ). Portsmouth came out all guns blazing but it was sergeant Serhat who struck not once, not twice but three times!! As Wiese was stunned letting all of the 3 strikes in.

I looked across at Murphy seeing a sight more creepy than Freddy Krueger, so much so the shock actually knocked me out my seat. He had a smile on his face from ear to ear but not just any smile oh no for this was the smile of pure evil! Was this the reason he had so much luck all these years? Could it be true? Has Niall ‘were not lucky just fortunate’ Murphy really sold his soul to Satin himself

With me still down on the floor with my face in the mud I began to stand when at that moment I felt a presence, it looked like an angel, in fact it looked like……. Yes could it be, was it God himself? Well not quite but it was pretty dam close in the form of the one and only (no not Chesney Hawk) Kalooooooooouuuuuuuu.

He had somehow escaped Murphy’s henchman from behind enemy lines and arrived at Fratton to do what he does best and that’s kick some major ass. The crowd were in a frenzy as Kalou entered the battlefield on for SWP, They wanted Evertonian blood and knowing me they knew they wouldn’t be disappointed.

4 minutes later Kalou made an impact when he played a defence splitting through ball in the path of Peralta to pull one goal back to make it 3-1. At HT I gave a speech that was Oscar worthy to motivate the players for the second half so they could complete the greatest comeback in EPL history. In the 65th minute Mavuba turned the dream into reality as he made it 3-2, then 4 minutes later the goal scoring machine Pazzini slotted the ball home in clinical fashion to make it 3-3. How fitting that only 3 minutes later the man who turned the game around scored a screamer from 30 yards out, yes I am talking about the boy wonder himself KALOOOOOOOOUUUUU to give us the victory and complete a marvellous, legendary comeback. Just have to say though everton only had 4 shots ALL game. As Kalou walked past Murphy he once again did his famous celebration of )


Portsmouth 4-2 West Brom
Landon Donovan was the spark in this game scoring 2 from the bench. Really should have been over before then though as stats showed we dominated having 24 shots .

Blackburn 3-1 Portsmouth
Unbelievable. Well the keeper was injured for the game and then I had to play the game with 9 men thanks to the ref. :thdn:

Portsmouth 3-2 Boro
Again the scoreline doesn’t show truth and that is we tore them apart .

Portsmouth 2-0 Man United
Atlast a clean sheet and against UNITED too . they only had 2 shots which showed how we dominated yet again.

Fulham 0-1 Portsmouth
Even though we deserved the win it was still much closer as our past games, with Fulham having a few chances.


Portsmouth 3-0 QPR
Birmingham 0-1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth 4-0 Liverpool
Portsmouth 2-0 Spurs
6 clean sheets in a row is showing another side to our game.

Wolves 1-1 Portsmouth
Wolves deserved a point here

Arsenal 1-4 Portsmouth
This was the big one with the two top teams in a league of there own going head to head. With Portsmouth having a 100% home record but losing 3 on the road this was Arsenals best chance to deal a blow to Pompey’s inevitable league title. Well things couldn’t of gone much worse for them as we hammered them at Highbury so much so that Wenger even had to go backstage as he couldn’t take it any longer. EASY EASY EASY EASY *Spots Wenger getting on the coach* YOU SHUT UP!! :p

Portsmouth 1-0 Newcaslte
Another clean sheet


FA Cup
We are through to the 4th round as our reserves comfortably beat Chris’ WBA 6-1.

League Cup
We are through to the semis after slaughtering all our opponents by scores like 5,6,7 and 8-0.Chelsea await us with there new manager Danny, will they be able to put up a fight against this impressive Pompey team?

Goats final word
So in the league were looking strong for the title having a 100% home record and only dropping 10 points on the road. I’m confident of winning both cups as well to complete the treble which is just the first step as next year its time to prove ourselves in Europe

Also just to make things clear to Pompey fans I am not going ANYWERE!! that’s why I have rejected England, Portugal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool, Lazio, Blackburn and ……. Bolton. Yes that’s right I am loyal unlike some *cough Dunga99 cough*

retired_utyorc

Champions League Group Stage

Premiership Game 29

Birmingham City 4
Anelka 10 Berbatov 35, 84 Petrov 75
Barcelona 1
Kahlenburg 78
Man of the Match: Berbatov 10/10 Birmingham
Attendance-39984
Refereed by Pierluigi Collina

What a result for my team that will send shockwaves into Europe and will prove that Birmingham City could actually win the Champions league this year. 4-1Win


Premiership Game 13

Birmingham City 1
Anelka 18
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Lobont 9/10 Birmingham
Attendance-39965
Refereed by Mark Halsey

This was Arsenal first defeat of the season and showed once again that Birmingham City can fight it out at the top with the best teams in the premiership. Was a bit lucky with the result as Arsenal had most of the play but in the end the lethal finishing of Anelka and outstanding goal keeping of Lobont won us the game. 1-0Win


Carling Cup 4th Rd


Birmingham City 2
Berbatov 27 Emerton 31
Tottenham 0
Man of the Match: Esposito 8/10 Birmingham
Attendance-35328
Refereed by Rob Styles

Kept up my 100% unbeaten record against a ****ed Rick. Was happy with this result has Tottenham had given us a real hard game earlier in the premiership. 2-0Win


Premiership Game 14

W.B.A 2
Fletcher 66 Zokora 90
Birmingham City 2
Petrov 22 Ammendolea 80
Man of the Match: Haestad 9/10 W.B.A
Attendance-35990
Refereed by Barry Knight

Chris Morris WBA can beat any team on there day so any kind of a point away from home is good result. I must admit I left the Hawthorns upset after WBA leveling the game with the last kick of the match. 2-2 Draw


Champions League Group Stage

Werder Bremen 1
Klasnic 9
Birmingham City 3
Ammendolea 47 Gasbarroni 67 Berbatov 89
Man of the Match: Gasbarroni 10/10 Birmingham
Attendance-38987
Refereed by Michael McCurry

The Double over Bremen and puts us in pole position for the next round of the champions league. The team really starting to gel and Morale is high that we could go all the way in the champion’s league. 3-1Win


Premiership Game 15

Birmingham City 2
Anelka 45 Emerton 68
Blackburn 0
Man of the Match: Basturk 8/10 Birmingham
Attendance-39976
Refereed by Simon Francis

Thanks to Rick Boult I have a good record against Blackburn and we managed to keep up that record in fine style with a comfortable victory. 2-0Win

Premiership Game 16

Birmingham City 3
Petrov 1, 23 Basturk 21
Middlesbrough 1
Man of the Match: Basturk 8/10 Birmingham
Attendance-40538
Refereed by Uriah Rennie

Payback against Ben after Boro gave me a beating in his first game in charge of Middlesbrough. This was a different team out on the field this time with Basturk, Anelka and Berbatov all fit enough to play. 3-1Win


Champions League Group Stage

Birmingham City 3
Anelka pen 30, 37 Fernandez 69
Porto 0
Man of the Match: Edu 9/10 Birmingham
Attendance-36336
Refereed by Michael McCurry

Finished the group in style with some great football played by my team. Anelka is scoring for fun right now and I’m sure none of the Champions league big boys will want to be drawn against us in the next round. 3-0Win

Champions League Group F


1st. Barcelona 13pts
2nd Birmingham 12pts
3rd Werder Bremen 6pts
4th Porto 4pts

Draw for the next round is Birmingham v Valencia

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports in Birmingham football clubs training ground, King gave this reation to news

King admits he's relatively pleased with today's Champions League draw, which pits the Reds against a top Spanish side.
But he's taking nothing for granted against the team that plays in a top league and he insits it won't be easy.
Their side is packed full of international players and they have the top scorer in the Spanish football. We will give them our utmost respect.
It is going to be difficult but we know what to expect and I'm confident we can get through. All the matches we play are important but a knock out tie to get into the Champions League last 8 is especially important for us at this stage of the season.


More to Follow soon