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Tiger Woods is not as good as he used to be, says Rory McIlroy

• 'I'm not sure we are going to see him dominate again'
• Lee Westwood says he will 'have a word with Rory'





  • Mark Tallentire
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 March 2011 19.05 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Rory-McIlroy-007.jpg
    Rory McIlroy has said that Tiger Woods is playing like 'an ordinary golfer'. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Lee Westwood has had to take time out from his preparations for the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens to come to the defence of his Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy, who had followed up last week's remark about Tiger Woods's lack of form with an essay on the subject suggesting that the world's most famous player had lost his aura.
    Westwood, who lost the world No1 ranking to Martin Kaymer this week after failing to get beyond the second round at the Accenture Match Play Championships, with Woods slumping to No5, said: "That's the answer a 21-year-old will give, isn't it? A 37-year-old will be a little wiser &#8230; I will have a word with Rory later.
    "Having played with Tiger since 1997 there's an old saying that class is permanent and form is fickle and he's the classiest player I've ever played with. I'd be wise enough not to write him off. I've seen him play poorly and win &#8211; he doesn't necessarily have to get back to where he was."
    In McIlroy's first-person piece, which appeared on the Sports Illustrated Golf Plus website, he wrote: "I wasn't playing against Tiger Woods when he had that aura. I was watching on TV &#8230; There was a presence about him. There still is to some extent, but when you're on the golf course you simply block it out.
    "But Tiger is not playing as well as he was even a couple of years ago, never mind going back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he was the best. I'm not sure we are going to see him dominate again the way he did. He never seemed like he would make a mistake. It's not that he's playing badly. He's simply playing badly by Tiger's standards. He's playing like an ordinary golfer. People expect more of him because of what he has achieved."
    That came hard on the heels of last week's jibe by the world No8 from Northern Ireland, when he spoke of the younger generation pulling back the gap on the more established players after Woods had spent a record 623 weeks as world No1, 281 of them in a row until he was deposed by Westwood last October. "It's not as if Phil [Mickelson, the world No6] and Tiger have got any worse," McIlroy said. "Well, Phil hasn't."
    In an attempt to draw a line under the affair, McIlroy has since opted to blame the messenger. "Hate that the media thinks I'm taking jabs at Tiger all the time!" he tweeted. "Best that's ever lived. EVER! Just not playing his best at the minute. If he plays his best we're all screwed!"
    Westwood, who endured a major slump of his own in 2002, when he slipped to No246 in the world, would concur.

 
Joy for Reading as Matt Mills's strike puts Everton out of FA Cup






FA Cup Fifth Round

Everton 0
Reading 1
  • Mills, M 26


  • Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 1 March 2011 21.58 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    matt-mills-007.jpg
    Reading's Matt Mills, right, celebrates after scoring against Everton in the FA Cup fifth-round. Photograph: Joe Giddens/Empics One car crash cost Louis Saha a £170,000 Ferrari on Sunday and another ensured Jermaine Beckford missed the kick-off against Reading. They encountered a third in the form of Everton's abysmal farewell to the FA Cup at Goodison Park, for which no insurance policy can cover David Moyes.
    All that work and fortune against Chelsea in the previous round and the ultimate reward was humiliation at the hands of Brian McDermott's Championship team. The Reading fans were quick to denigrate this part of Merseyside but perhaps they should relocate. Last year it was Liverpool in the third round at Anfield and now they have brought Everton's campaign to a fittingly sorry end to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second season in succession. Neither Premier League scalp could be passed off as a fluke.
    "I like it up here," said the Reading manager, who was a caretaker seeking permanent employment when he triumphed at Anfield last January. "To get clapped off not just by our own fans but by the Everton supporters is a great feeling and something I will never forget." Goodison's applause, along with its condemnation of the home side, was thoroughly merited.
    Reading were the more composed, resilient and threatening throughout the fifth-round tie. Everton, by contrast, were a pale imitation of the team who defeated the holders on penalties 10 days previously but everything their manager and supporters have begun to realise: an inconsistent outfit lacking in quality and with too few players prepared to take responsibility. One who does, Marouane Fellaini, will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury that requires surgery while another, Tim Cahill, is out for three weeks with a foot problem.
    Beckford was due to start the game but was dropped to the substitutes' bench having been caught in a traffic jam by the closure of the M62. Many Everton players had to travel into work in the same direction as the former Leeds United striker but only Beckford was late. "It can happen to anyone," Moyes said. "I hadn't named the team."
    While Beckford was getting changed, his team-mates opened in a casual, careless manner that offered encouragement to the Championship side. Reading carried the greater threat on the counterattack and should have led by more than the captain Matt Mills's 26th-minute strike.
    Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, one of many Everton midfielders to endure a woeful night, chipped Leon Osman into space inside the area and although Seamus Coleman met his cross with a textbook header, which beat goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, the ball bounced up and over the crossbar.
    Reading were stronger in the tackle than Everton, winning most of the second balls as a result and were also superior to their Premier League hosts on the flanks through the enterprising Jimmy Kébé and Jobi McAnuff. They took the lead with their first attack after Mikele Leigertwood's shot was deflected wide by Phil Jagielka and presented Ian Harte with the chance to demonstrate that time has not diminished his abilities with a dead ball. Mills won the former Leeds defender's corner in the air and, when Osman sliced a weak clearance back into his path, the Reading centre-half controlled and fired low beyond Tim Howard.
    McDermott's side should have doubled their lead seconds later when Sylvain Distin miscontrolled Harte's long ball into the path of Kébé. The Reading right-winger was clean through on goal, steadied himself, but shot too close to Howard who saved with his legs.
    An hour of the game remained yet Everton were evidently unnerved by Reading's refusal to follow the script and desperation crept into an already poor display. Moyes's constant tinkering of his tactics added to the problem. Bilyaletdinov and Coleman, who was nursing an injury before the game, were hauled off at the break as Moyes went for broke by introducing the strikers Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
    Beckford and Osman both went close but Reading continued to create the clearer chances, with Jay Tabb close to doubling the visitors' lead in the closing minutes. "We had no craft at the top end of the pitch," Moyes said. Everton's problems run far deeper than that.

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      UlughBeg       1 March 2011 10:09PM

      Way to go Reading!
      Shame about Coleman and Cahill, though. That brings up to 8 the number of my Fantasy league players who picked up either red cards or injuries this week.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:13PM

      First, well done Reading. Now over to the depressing stuff (if you're an Evertonian):
      Something is wrong.
      It's not normal for us to have so many false dawns. The first false dawn was our comeback against Man Utd. Then it was beating Liverpool. Then the win against Man City, then the Blackpool game, then knocking Chelsea out of the cup.
      But in between those false dawns have been horrendous performances and results. We keep thinking we've seen the worst: against Newcastle, or against West Brom ,or against Bolton...but no, an FA Cup home match against lower league Reading was our worst performance yet, and that coming on the back of the Chelsea win and a tidy win in the lague against Sunderland.
      It doesn't make sense. There is something big that is wrong with our club. We can't keep blaming individual players, before long every single player will have been blamed.
      No, the blame starts and stops with the manager. This is how it is in England, the buck stops with the manager...and rightly so. Moyes has failed to instil attacking guile into his team, he has failed to instil a winning mentaility into his "best squad ever".
      He has failed to ignite the team during half-time talks when things are going bad. He's failed in his tactics...he has simply failed.
      Yes, we are all thankful of Moyes. He's been our best manager since Kendall in the 80's. But football is a tough game, we have to be able to see when things just aren't going to get better. At some point, someone has to make the tough decision.
      Moyes is the only one who can make that decision. He won't be sacked. He must resign in the summer.
      He loves Everton, but he must let someone else try now. The squad of players we have is decent, but they are misdirected. They need a fresh approach, a fresh authority.
      Thank you, David Moyes for making us believe we could be successful. Thank you for unearthing so many great talents. But your methods aren't working anymore, you need a change just as much as the players do.
      RIP 2010/11 season.

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:15PM

      Not seen any of this but jesus, you wouldn't expect that. Didn't Reading knock Liverpool out last year? Must enjoy it up in Merseyside! Good result for City anyway......

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:17PM

      Oh, man. We knock out the holders away from home and then lose to Reading? FML. Thank God I'm not a proper football fan and never go to any games otherwise I would probably be really upset.

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      FlyingBadger       1 March 2011 10:19PM

      @dholliday
      Hang on. So Everton were robbed of two of their major players right before the game. Beckford arrived late because he's clearly an idiot and Coleman was carrying an injury through the game.
      Do you perhaps think that this situation may have put a spanner or two in the works of David Moyes's prepared tactics?
      Perspective?

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:20PM

      dholliday, I don't honestly believe that anyone could do a much better job than Moyes. Realistically, who would you prefer to have as manager?

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      Damien       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      Wow! So focused on the Chelsea result I didn't even know this game was on. Shocking, at Goodison as well. Well Done Reading but hard luck Everton, they deserve some more success this season. The games i have seen have seen they have been decent and give the the fact the club is always struggling to compete with other Premier League teams it's always nice to see them punching above their weight. Feel bad for them, here is hoping they have a decent run in for the season.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      FlyingBadger,
      no mate. If you have been watching every Everton game like I have then you will realise that we are stale. The Reading game was the rotten cherry on top of the moldy cake.
      Two main problems:
      1) we have no clue what to do with the ball when in the attacking third. 2) the players fail to liven up for non-glamour games.
      One solution:
      New coaching setup.
      It's obvious to any considered Everton supporter.

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      trinder19       1 March 2011 10:28PM

      Good result for City anyway......
      ​
      True dat. I'm not in the least bit confident that Villa will be beaten tomorrow night but if they are, thank Norman the quarter final isn't against Everton. City would have no chance.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Everton is a far weaker side without Cahill and Fellanni. You think that thye would still beat Reading but those two guys are key men for the blues in so many ways.
      Shame and tough luck to born blue, toffedan and others.

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      sheedysleftpeg       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Gutted absolutely gutted again when we are the favs we can`t do it the league run in ain`t to bad but this was a great chance and we have blown it, yes having Timmy and the big fella out was gonna hurt us but I have to ask why bring on Anichbe give Bily a chance the big lump comes on and well plays like a big lump.6 points needed from next 2 games then we will see whats going on around us.

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      SidVicious123       1 March 2011 10:35PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:38PM

      C'mon URZZZZZZZ!!!
      Great win for Reading. A solid team effort. Mills, Leighterwood, or McCarthy could all have been MoM. It seems there is something we like about playing PL teams in the Merseyside. But actually tonight really sums up our year. No matter our opponent we either play up or down to their level.
      Next up at either Villa or Manchester City.

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      RichAlchemy       1 March 2011 10:39PM

      Sounds like it was one-way traffic for the everton team...
      *stifled giggle*
      ...except Beckford.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:41PM

      dholliday- Really? Man, those are crushing blows. Hopefully Saha will stay fit but other guys are goping tohave to step up or Everton will be in the relgation mix in a hurry.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      Well all it took really was one chance and Everton lost all control of this game. Everton were cruising for 25 minutes, unlucky that Coleman's downward header bounces up and over and then what.. we fall apart. Well done Reading for exploiting the absence of Fellaini and the subsequent ineptitude of our team. Saha a passenger upfront on his own in the first half, Billy anonymous and disaffected.. caught out several times at the back we were lucky in the 2nd half that it wasn't more than 1-0 before Saha had a goalbound effort rebound off Beckford, Osman forced a great save from the impressive keeper and, finally, a marginal decision for a handball (brushing a defender somewhere but in my opinion totally accidentally) was missed by Marriner (who incidentally was quite poor in much of his decision making).
      Everton's problems lie in the limited numbers they can call on - not the ability or the play (up to the penalty box). If the same 14-15 players are called up week in week out we're asking some players to turn out only half-fit - which can't be good at all. Two or three decent extra players would augment this side and help. Clearly the absence of the influential Fellaini and the combative Cahill made all the difference to both the way we played and the side/formation we could put out. Very disappointing...

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:51PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us that games sensed we would struggle tonight - only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!
      ​
      Careful sid, you'll get a reputation.

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession
      ​
      Shit. BB, I honestly didn't mean it like that. I'm just a stat fan and somebody on Sky mentioned it and I thought it was relevant and interesting. It's sort of a barometer of things I find interesting. Most people wouldn't. Anyway, didn't mean it as it sounded 😱

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us at the game sensed we would struggle tonight - we only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:54PM

      I hope this blog gets swamped by chuffed Reading fans, it will somehow make me feel better. They deserved the win, no question.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:56PM

      I would be remiss if I didn't say this...Everton fans are class. To give the round of applause to Reading which they did after the game was noticed, appreciated and shows real class. I know you guys have to be completely gutted.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 11:03PM

      @LibertineUSA
      Cos Reading deserved to win. Simple really. Nothing to be bitter about - save for yet another wasted opportunity to beat a team we should be good enough to beat (being objective) but didn't play well enough as a TEAM to do so. It's not the first time we've got past illustrious opponents and wasted it in the next round.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 11:07PM

      We clearly are not a better team than Everton. But for this one night we were. It wasn't decided on a fluke.
      We have a bunch of lads whom have PL experience and a coach, Brian McDermott, whom has shown an ability to get the most out of his team. If we didn't have to sell Sigurdsson early on this year we might be a shoo-in for automatic promotion. But second year in a row we've made the final 8 in this competition. Absolutely ecstatic...

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      gustavmust       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      As a lifelong Reading fan (ok I made that up), I have to say, as my dear departed Gran used to say, when she knew I merited no commiseration, hard toffees.-)

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      I imagine even the poor blues who came on the chelsea blog after the last round who said "we've beaten Chelsea, now watch us lose at home to Reading" never imagined it would be quite as poor and dispiriting as that.
      Reading could have had 3 or 4 and seemed to win most of the tackles and headers in the second half. Thought they played really well.
      Letting Yakubu and Vaughan go on loan and keeping Anichibe seems like the kind of cost cutting even young Gideon Osbourne would think quite mad.

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      whitesleeves       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked useless tosser.

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:17PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked
      useless tosser.
      ​
      I assume that was your signature

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      SeolMan       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      GET IN!!!!!....ahem
      Nice professional away win for the Biscuitmen, we always looked dangerous on the break and Everton only really had 2 decent chances for the whole game.
      I thought Rodwell was a little lucky not to see red for that studs up tackle.

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      LibertineUSA: we try our best, but/and at moments like this it's difficult/easy. Wasn't there tonight, but remember Reading from their stint in the Premiership. Everton aren't the only club with class.

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      GardenofIdan       1 March 2011 11:22PM

      Long time reader, only now been inspired to post about the tragedy of Everton. Yes, it's an Idan Tal joke!
      The tragedy of Everton is that Moyes has played the hand dealt to him unbelievably well and is still facing abject failure. Not absolutely perfectly because he's not a super-human, but nonetheless extremely well. First, in my opinion the style of Everton's football has undergone incremental but substantial improvement. Starting in the early part of this decade he inherited a team from style hell, my abiding memory of which was David Unsworth in midfield. Throughout the 90s and big Dunc era Everton were a team with as much heart and soul as ever in their history, but zero skill flair and guile, the odd John Collins pass apart. Now ok, today, we're hardly Arsenal, but Moyes has gradually assembled a team with a fair few genuine ball-players: Osman's probably peaked but he has been terrific and was given his chance by Moyes; Arteta pre-injury, Piennar before he jumped ship. Saha, when fit. Baines was a fantastic and talent-loaded buy. Donavon on loan. Ok, these players have been complemented with a fair few grafters and bargers, but hey, football isn't just Barcelona. Some of the most beautiful games and teams reflect skill and physicality. There were some truly awesome performances last season in particular: Man U at home, Arsenal away when we whould have won and passed them off the park (yes, I am serious about that, watch the game), City at home. Second, with piss-all money he's unearthed some gems (Cahill, Coleman) and got some bargains (Arteta, Jagielka, Lescott &#8211; for the profit if nothing else). Ironically he's only really failed in the market when given big money &#8211; was it 7million for Kroldrup?. Third, results HAVE been pretty good. Champions league qualification on Everton's resources? A cup final? Far more seasons on the verge of Europe than glancing over shoulders? In this context seasons like this current one are frustrating as hell, but hardly the end of the world. Stratosphere? No. Beneath the glass ceiling? Yes, but jumping as hard as can reasonably be expected, not to bust through it permanently, but just to have a little look at what's up there. Some mistakes, of course, but generally a laudable effort. Laudable too, in my opinion, that the club have always backed Moyes 100% morally even if not financially. Laudable that we have not sold out to some random Sheik. We're a real club not a toy.
      I think many Everton fans would see it like me. But football's boom and bust celebrity glitzy media circus short-termist success hungry culture demands unrealistic attainments. There ain't much room for laudable. By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too, beyond playing for the pub and watching the goals of the season in a disinterested sort of way.
      Sorry about this dispirited rant. Congratulations to Reading, they deserved their win by all accounts. Hope they win it!

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 11:25PM

      LibertineUSA
      Thank you for your magnanimity in victory. It was a horrible feling tonight but Evertonians are well-known for their knowledge of football and appreciation of good football. Reading showed that tonight and got a deserved response. I was one of those clapping your team off the pitch. You'd never get this from nouveau fans at grounds like Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. Enjoy us while you can as we are a dying breed.
      I'm hoping to wake up soon and find this was a nightmare. I have to face kopites in work tomorrow..............

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:26PM

      adidassamba: yada yada yada. Lots of luck reeling United in. And surviving whoever you get after Kobnhavn. Actually, lots of luck reeling in United, Arsenal, Spurs and City. Actually, congratulations on being this season's Liverpool. Whah hah hah hah.

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      JRMSFA       1 March 2011 11:35PM

      Well that was depressing. Created absolutely nothing after Coleman's header bounced over the bar bar Ossie's late chance. Reading thoroughly deserved to win.
      Very quiet car journey home when we heard Felli is out for the season. And now I find out Cahill is out for a month. Aaaargh!
      I suppose Rodwell will at least get a run in the team to demonstrate why he's so highly rated, I'm yet to be convinced he's as good as he's made out to be.
      Throwing Baxter on as wing back for the last three minutes was a slightly bizarre last throw of the dice too but was an ample demonstration of the lack of options on the bench.
      And as for Anichebe....jesus...

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 11:38PM

      GardenofIdan, you said:
      By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too
      ​
      I understand where you're coming from, but in the end we support our club, not any one individual. We might have differing opinions as to whether Moyes should go or not, but if he does go, the club will still need our support.

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:45PM

      Okeefe
      I'm not taking the piss lad, just showing a bit of sympathy, if anything. I thought the players were very poor and seemed to give up in the last 15 minutes when they should have been pushing the hardest. That is unforgivable.
      PS if I was Chelsea fan I would have been watching Chelsea v Man Utd tonight.

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      KidKneestone       1 March 2011 11:52PM

      That's gotta hurt and just a few bleak weeks to go 'til summer and the exit of your best to clubs with better pay structures.
      It's harsh.
      I see that Rafa Benitez is out of work. Would you? Mmm? And would he?

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:57PM

      'samba
      you've always been a reasonable L'pool poster and I'm finding it hard to argue with you tonight

      still love yo' shoes


 
Joy for Reading as Matt Mills's strike puts Everton out of FA Cup






FA Cup Fifth Round

Everton 0
Reading 1
  • Mills, M 26


  • Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 1 March 2011 21.58 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    matt-mills-007.jpg
    Reading's Matt Mills, right, celebrates after scoring against Everton in the FA Cup fifth-round. Photograph: Joe Giddens/Empics One car crash cost Louis Saha a £170,000 Ferrari on Sunday and another ensured Jermaine Beckford missed the kick-off against Reading. They encountered a third in the form of Everton's abysmal farewell to the FA Cup at Goodison Park, for which no insurance policy can cover David Moyes.
    All that work and fortune against Chelsea in the previous round and the ultimate reward was humiliation at the hands of Brian McDermott's Championship team. The Reading fans were quick to denigrate this part of Merseyside but perhaps they should relocate. Last year it was Liverpool in the third round at Anfield and now they have brought Everton's campaign to a fittingly sorry end to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second season in succession. Neither Premier League scalp could be passed off as a fluke.
    "I like it up here," said the Reading manager, who was a caretaker seeking permanent employment when he triumphed at Anfield last January. "To get clapped off not just by our own fans but by the Everton supporters is a great feeling and something I will never forget." Goodison's applause, along with its condemnation of the home side, was thoroughly merited.
    Reading were the more composed, resilient and threatening throughout the fifth-round tie. Everton, by contrast, were a pale imitation of the team who defeated the holders on penalties 10 days previously but everything their manager and supporters have begun to realise: an inconsistent outfit lacking in quality and with too few players prepared to take responsibility. One who does, Marouane Fellaini, will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury that requires surgery while another, Tim Cahill, is out for three weeks with a foot problem.
    Beckford was due to start the game but was dropped to the substitutes' bench having been caught in a traffic jam by the closure of the M62. Many Everton players had to travel into work in the same direction as the former Leeds United striker but only Beckford was late. "It can happen to anyone," Moyes said. "I hadn't named the team."
    While Beckford was getting changed, his team-mates opened in a casual, careless manner that offered encouragement to the Championship side. Reading carried the greater threat on the counterattack and should have led by more than the captain Matt Mills's 26th-minute strike.
    Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, one of many Everton midfielders to endure a woeful night, chipped Leon Osman into space inside the area and although Seamus Coleman met his cross with a textbook header, which beat goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, the ball bounced up and over the crossbar.
    Reading were stronger in the tackle than Everton, winning most of the second balls as a result and were also superior to their Premier League hosts on the flanks through the enterprising Jimmy Kébé and Jobi McAnuff. They took the lead with their first attack after Mikele Leigertwood's shot was deflected wide by Phil Jagielka and presented Ian Harte with the chance to demonstrate that time has not diminished his abilities with a dead ball. Mills won the former Leeds defender's corner in the air and, when Osman sliced a weak clearance back into his path, the Reading centre-half controlled and fired low beyond Tim Howard.
    McDermott's side should have doubled their lead seconds later when Sylvain Distin miscontrolled Harte's long ball into the path of Kébé. The Reading right-winger was clean through on goal, steadied himself, but shot too close to Howard who saved with his legs.
    An hour of the game remained yet Everton were evidently unnerved by Reading's refusal to follow the script and desperation crept into an already poor display. Moyes's constant tinkering of his tactics added to the problem. Bilyaletdinov and Coleman, who was nursing an injury before the game, were hauled off at the break as Moyes went for broke by introducing the strikers Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
    Beckford and Osman both went close but Reading continued to create the clearer chances, with Jay Tabb close to doubling the visitors' lead in the closing minutes. "We had no craft at the top end of the pitch," Moyes said. Everton's problems run far deeper than that.

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      UlughBeg       1 March 2011 10:09PM

      Way to go Reading!
      Shame about Coleman and Cahill, though. That brings up to 8 the number of my Fantasy league players who picked up either red cards or injuries this week.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:13PM

      First, well done Reading. Now over to the depressing stuff (if you're an Evertonian):
      Something is wrong.
      It's not normal for us to have so many false dawns. The first false dawn was our comeback against Man Utd. Then it was beating Liverpool. Then the win against Man City, then the Blackpool game, then knocking Chelsea out of the cup.
      But in between those false dawns have been horrendous performances and results. We keep thinking we've seen the worst: against Newcastle, or against West Brom ,or against Bolton...but no, an FA Cup home match against lower league Reading was our worst performance yet, and that coming on the back of the Chelsea win and a tidy win in the lague against Sunderland.
      It doesn't make sense. There is something big that is wrong with our club. We can't keep blaming individual players, before long every single player will have been blamed.
      No, the blame starts and stops with the manager. This is how it is in England, the buck stops with the manager...and rightly so. Moyes has failed to instil attacking guile into his team, he has failed to instil a winning mentaility into his "best squad ever".
      He has failed to ignite the team during half-time talks when things are going bad. He's failed in his tactics...he has simply failed.
      Yes, we are all thankful of Moyes. He's been our best manager since Kendall in the 80's. But football is a tough game, we have to be able to see when things just aren't going to get better. At some point, someone has to make the tough decision.
      Moyes is the only one who can make that decision. He won't be sacked. He must resign in the summer.
      He loves Everton, but he must let someone else try now. The squad of players we have is decent, but they are misdirected. They need a fresh approach, a fresh authority.
      Thank you, David Moyes for making us believe we could be successful. Thank you for unearthing so many great talents. But your methods aren't working anymore, you need a change just as much as the players do.
      RIP 2010/11 season.

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:15PM

      Not seen any of this but jesus, you wouldn't expect that. Didn't Reading knock Liverpool out last year? Must enjoy it up in Merseyside! Good result for City anyway......

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:17PM

      Oh, man. We knock out the holders away from home and then lose to Reading? FML. Thank God I'm not a proper football fan and never go to any games otherwise I would probably be really upset.

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      FlyingBadger       1 March 2011 10:19PM

      @dholliday
      Hang on. So Everton were robbed of two of their major players right before the game. Beckford arrived late because he's clearly an idiot and Coleman was carrying an injury through the game.
      Do you perhaps think that this situation may have put a spanner or two in the works of David Moyes's prepared tactics?
      Perspective?

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:20PM

      dholliday, I don't honestly believe that anyone could do a much better job than Moyes. Realistically, who would you prefer to have as manager?

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      Damien       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      Wow! So focused on the Chelsea result I didn't even know this game was on. Shocking, at Goodison as well. Well Done Reading but hard luck Everton, they deserve some more success this season. The games i have seen have seen they have been decent and give the the fact the club is always struggling to compete with other Premier League teams it's always nice to see them punching above their weight. Feel bad for them, here is hoping they have a decent run in for the season.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      FlyingBadger,
      no mate. If you have been watching every Everton game like I have then you will realise that we are stale. The Reading game was the rotten cherry on top of the moldy cake.
      Two main problems:
      1) we have no clue what to do with the ball when in the attacking third. 2) the players fail to liven up for non-glamour games.
      One solution:
      New coaching setup.
      It's obvious to any considered Everton supporter.

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      trinder19       1 March 2011 10:28PM

      Good result for City anyway......
      ​
      True dat. I'm not in the least bit confident that Villa will be beaten tomorrow night but if they are, thank Norman the quarter final isn't against Everton. City would have no chance.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Everton is a far weaker side without Cahill and Fellanni. You think that thye would still beat Reading but those two guys are key men for the blues in so many ways.
      Shame and tough luck to born blue, toffedan and others.

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      sheedysleftpeg       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Gutted absolutely gutted again when we are the favs we can`t do it the league run in ain`t to bad but this was a great chance and we have blown it, yes having Timmy and the big fella out was gonna hurt us but I have to ask why bring on Anichbe give Bily a chance the big lump comes on and well plays like a big lump.6 points needed from next 2 games then we will see whats going on around us.

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      SidVicious123       1 March 2011 10:35PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:38PM

      C'mon URZZZZZZZ!!!
      Great win for Reading. A solid team effort. Mills, Leighterwood, or McCarthy could all have been MoM. It seems there is something we like about playing PL teams in the Merseyside. But actually tonight really sums up our year. No matter our opponent we either play up or down to their level.
      Next up at either Villa or Manchester City.

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      RichAlchemy       1 March 2011 10:39PM

      Sounds like it was one-way traffic for the everton team...
      *stifled giggle*
      ...except Beckford.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:41PM

      dholliday- Really? Man, those are crushing blows. Hopefully Saha will stay fit but other guys are goping tohave to step up or Everton will be in the relgation mix in a hurry.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      Well all it took really was one chance and Everton lost all control of this game. Everton were cruising for 25 minutes, unlucky that Coleman's downward header bounces up and over and then what.. we fall apart. Well done Reading for exploiting the absence of Fellaini and the subsequent ineptitude of our team. Saha a passenger upfront on his own in the first half, Billy anonymous and disaffected.. caught out several times at the back we were lucky in the 2nd half that it wasn't more than 1-0 before Saha had a goalbound effort rebound off Beckford, Osman forced a great save from the impressive keeper and, finally, a marginal decision for a handball (brushing a defender somewhere but in my opinion totally accidentally) was missed by Marriner (who incidentally was quite poor in much of his decision making).
      Everton's problems lie in the limited numbers they can call on - not the ability or the play (up to the penalty box). If the same 14-15 players are called up week in week out we're asking some players to turn out only half-fit - which can't be good at all. Two or three decent extra players would augment this side and help. Clearly the absence of the influential Fellaini and the combative Cahill made all the difference to both the way we played and the side/formation we could put out. Very disappointing...

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:51PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us that games sensed we would struggle tonight - only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!
      ​
      Careful sid, you'll get a reputation.

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession
      ​
      Shit. BB, I honestly didn't mean it like that. I'm just a stat fan and somebody on Sky mentioned it and I thought it was relevant and interesting. It's sort of a barometer of things I find interesting. Most people wouldn't. Anyway, didn't mean it as it sounded 😱

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us at the game sensed we would struggle tonight - we only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:54PM

      I hope this blog gets swamped by chuffed Reading fans, it will somehow make me feel better. They deserved the win, no question.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:56PM

      I would be remiss if I didn't say this...Everton fans are class. To give the round of applause to Reading which they did after the game was noticed, appreciated and shows real class. I know you guys have to be completely gutted.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 11:03PM

      @LibertineUSA
      Cos Reading deserved to win. Simple really. Nothing to be bitter about - save for yet another wasted opportunity to beat a team we should be good enough to beat (being objective) but didn't play well enough as a TEAM to do so. It's not the first time we've got past illustrious opponents and wasted it in the next round.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 11:07PM

      We clearly are not a better team than Everton. But for this one night we were. It wasn't decided on a fluke.
      We have a bunch of lads whom have PL experience and a coach, Brian McDermott, whom has shown an ability to get the most out of his team. If we didn't have to sell Sigurdsson early on this year we might be a shoo-in for automatic promotion. But second year in a row we've made the final 8 in this competition. Absolutely ecstatic...

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      gustavmust       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      As a lifelong Reading fan (ok I made that up), I have to say, as my dear departed Gran used to say, when she knew I merited no commiseration, hard toffees.-)

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      I imagine even the poor blues who came on the chelsea blog after the last round who said "we've beaten Chelsea, now watch us lose at home to Reading" never imagined it would be quite as poor and dispiriting as that.
      Reading could have had 3 or 4 and seemed to win most of the tackles and headers in the second half. Thought they played really well.
      Letting Yakubu and Vaughan go on loan and keeping Anichibe seems like the kind of cost cutting even young Gideon Osbourne would think quite mad.

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      whitesleeves       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked useless tosser.

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:17PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked
      useless tosser.
      ​
      I assume that was your signature

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      SeolMan       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      GET IN!!!!!....ahem
      Nice professional away win for the Biscuitmen, we always looked dangerous on the break and Everton only really had 2 decent chances for the whole game.
      I thought Rodwell was a little lucky not to see red for that studs up tackle.

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      LibertineUSA: we try our best, but/and at moments like this it's difficult/easy. Wasn't there tonight, but remember Reading from their stint in the Premiership. Everton aren't the only club with class.

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      GardenofIdan       1 March 2011 11:22PM

      Long time reader, only now been inspired to post about the tragedy of Everton. Yes, it's an Idan Tal joke!
      The tragedy of Everton is that Moyes has played the hand dealt to him unbelievably well and is still facing abject failure. Not absolutely perfectly because he’s not a super-human, but nonetheless extremely well. First, in my opinion the style of Everton’s football has undergone incremental but substantial improvement. Starting in the early part of this decade he inherited a team from style hell, my abiding memory of which was David Unsworth in midfield. Throughout the 90s and big Dunc era Everton were a team with as much heart and soul as ever in their history, but zero skill flair and guile, the odd John Collins pass apart. Now ok, today, we’re hardly Arsenal, but Moyes has gradually assembled a team with a fair few genuine ball-players: Osman’s probably peaked but he has been terrific and was given his chance by Moyes; Arteta pre-injury, Piennar before he jumped ship. Saha, when fit. Baines was a fantastic and talent-loaded buy. Donavon on loan. Ok, these players have been complemented with a fair few grafters and bargers, but hey, football isn’t just Barcelona. Some of the most beautiful games and teams reflect skill and physicality. There were some truly awesome performances last season in particular: Man U at home, Arsenal away when we whould have won and passed them off the park (yes, I am serious about that, watch the game), City at home. Second, with piss-all money he’s unearthed some gems (Cahill, Coleman) and got some bargains (Arteta, Jagielka, Lescott – for the profit if nothing else). Ironically he’s only really failed in the market when given big money – was it 7million for Kroldrup?. Third, results HAVE been pretty good. Champions league qualification on Everton’s resources? A cup final? Far more seasons on the verge of Europe than glancing over shoulders? In this context seasons like this current one are frustrating as hell, but hardly the end of the world. Stratosphere? No. Beneath the glass ceiling? Yes, but jumping as hard as can reasonably be expected, not to bust through it permanently, but just to have a little look at what’s up there. Some mistakes, of course, but generally a laudable effort. Laudable too, in my opinion, that the club have always backed Moyes 100% morally even if not financially. Laudable that we have not sold out to some random Sheik. We’re a real club not a toy.
      I think many Everton fans would see it like me. But football’s boom and bust celebrity glitzy media circus short-termist success hungry culture demands unrealistic attainments. There ain't much room for laudable. By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too, beyond playing for the pub and watching the goals of the season in a disinterested sort of way.
      Sorry about this dispirited rant. Congratulations to Reading, they deserved their win by all accounts. Hope they win it!

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 11:25PM

      LibertineUSA
      Thank you for your magnanimity in victory. It was a horrible feling tonight but Evertonians are well-known for their knowledge of football and appreciation of good football. Reading showed that tonight and got a deserved response. I was one of those clapping your team off the pitch. You'd never get this from nouveau fans at grounds like Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. Enjoy us while you can as we are a dying breed.
      I'm hoping to wake up soon and find this was a nightmare. I have to face kopites in work tomorrow..............

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:26PM

      adidassamba: yada yada yada. Lots of luck reeling United in. And surviving whoever you get after Kobnhavn. Actually, lots of luck reeling in United, Arsenal, Spurs and City. Actually, congratulations on being this season's Liverpool. Whah hah hah hah.

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      JRMSFA       1 March 2011 11:35PM

      Well that was depressing. Created absolutely nothing after Coleman's header bounced over the bar bar Ossie's late chance. Reading thoroughly deserved to win.
      Very quiet car journey home when we heard Felli is out for the season. And now I find out Cahill is out for a month. Aaaargh!
      I suppose Rodwell will at least get a run in the team to demonstrate why he's so highly rated, I'm yet to be convinced he's as good as he's made out to be.
      Throwing Baxter on as wing back for the last three minutes was a slightly bizarre last throw of the dice too but was an ample demonstration of the lack of options on the bench.
      And as for Anichebe....jesus...

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 11:38PM

      GardenofIdan, you said:
      By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too
      ​
      I understand where you're coming from, but in the end we support our club, not any one individual. We might have differing opinions as to whether Moyes should go or not, but if he does go, the club will still need our support.

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:45PM

      Okeefe
      I'm not taking the piss lad, just showing a bit of sympathy, if anything. I thought the players were very poor and seemed to give up in the last 15 minutes when they should have been pushing the hardest. That is unforgivable.
      PS if I was Chelsea fan I would have been watching Chelsea v Man Utd tonight.

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      KidKneestone       1 March 2011 11:52PM

      That's gotta hurt and just a few bleak weeks to go 'til summer and the exit of your best to clubs with better pay structures.
      It's harsh.
      I see that Rafa Benitez is out of work. Would you? Mmm? And would he?

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:57PM

      'samba
      you've always been a reasonable L'pool poster and I'm finding it hard to argue with you tonight

      still love yo' shoes


 
Joy for Reading as Matt Mills's strike puts Everton out of FA Cup






FA Cup Fifth Round

Everton 0
Reading 1
  • Mills, M 26


  • Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 1 March 2011 21.58 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    matt-mills-007.jpg
    Reading's Matt Mills, right, celebrates after scoring against Everton in the FA Cup fifth-round. Photograph: Joe Giddens/Empics One car crash cost Louis Saha a £170,000 Ferrari on Sunday and another ensured Jermaine Beckford missed the kick-off against Reading. They encountered a third in the form of Everton's abysmal farewell to the FA Cup at Goodison Park, for which no insurance policy can cover David Moyes.
    All that work and fortune against Chelsea in the previous round and the ultimate reward was humiliation at the hands of Brian McDermott's Championship team. The Reading fans were quick to denigrate this part of Merseyside but perhaps they should relocate. Last year it was Liverpool in the third round at Anfield and now they have brought Everton's campaign to a fittingly sorry end to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second season in succession. Neither Premier League scalp could be passed off as a fluke.
    "I like it up here," said the Reading manager, who was a caretaker seeking permanent employment when he triumphed at Anfield last January. "To get clapped off not just by our own fans but by the Everton supporters is a great feeling and something I will never forget." Goodison's applause, along with its condemnation of the home side, was thoroughly merited.
    Reading were the more composed, resilient and threatening throughout the fifth-round tie. Everton, by contrast, were a pale imitation of the team who defeated the holders on penalties 10 days previously but everything their manager and supporters have begun to realise: an inconsistent outfit lacking in quality and with too few players prepared to take responsibility. One who does, Marouane Fellaini, will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury that requires surgery while another, Tim Cahill, is out for three weeks with a foot problem.
    Beckford was due to start the game but was dropped to the substitutes' bench having been caught in a traffic jam by the closure of the M62. Many Everton players had to travel into work in the same direction as the former Leeds United striker but only Beckford was late. "It can happen to anyone," Moyes said. "I hadn't named the team."
    While Beckford was getting changed, his team-mates opened in a casual, careless manner that offered encouragement to the Championship side. Reading carried the greater threat on the counterattack and should have led by more than the captain Matt Mills's 26th-minute strike.
    Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, one of many Everton midfielders to endure a woeful night, chipped Leon Osman into space inside the area and although Seamus Coleman met his cross with a textbook header, which beat goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, the ball bounced up and over the crossbar.
    Reading were stronger in the tackle than Everton, winning most of the second balls as a result and were also superior to their Premier League hosts on the flanks through the enterprising Jimmy Kébé and Jobi McAnuff. They took the lead with their first attack after Mikele Leigertwood's shot was deflected wide by Phil Jagielka and presented Ian Harte with the chance to demonstrate that time has not diminished his abilities with a dead ball. Mills won the former Leeds defender's corner in the air and, when Osman sliced a weak clearance back into his path, the Reading centre-half controlled and fired low beyond Tim Howard.
    McDermott's side should have doubled their lead seconds later when Sylvain Distin miscontrolled Harte's long ball into the path of Kébé. The Reading right-winger was clean through on goal, steadied himself, but shot too close to Howard who saved with his legs.
    An hour of the game remained yet Everton were evidently unnerved by Reading's refusal to follow the script and desperation crept into an already poor display. Moyes's constant tinkering of his tactics added to the problem. Bilyaletdinov and Coleman, who was nursing an injury before the game, were hauled off at the break as Moyes went for broke by introducing the strikers Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
    Beckford and Osman both went close but Reading continued to create the clearer chances, with Jay Tabb close to doubling the visitors' lead in the closing minutes. "We had no craft at the top end of the pitch," Moyes said. Everton's problems run far deeper than that.

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      UlughBeg       1 March 2011 10:09PM

      Way to go Reading!
      Shame about Coleman and Cahill, though. That brings up to 8 the number of my Fantasy league players who picked up either red cards or injuries this week.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:13PM

      First, well done Reading. Now over to the depressing stuff (if you're an Evertonian):
      Something is wrong.
      It's not normal for us to have so many false dawns. The first false dawn was our comeback against Man Utd. Then it was beating Liverpool. Then the win against Man City, then the Blackpool game, then knocking Chelsea out of the cup.
      But in between those false dawns have been horrendous performances and results. We keep thinking we've seen the worst: against Newcastle, or against West Brom ,or against Bolton...but no, an FA Cup home match against lower league Reading was our worst performance yet, and that coming on the back of the Chelsea win and a tidy win in the lague against Sunderland.
      It doesn't make sense. There is something big that is wrong with our club. We can't keep blaming individual players, before long every single player will have been blamed.
      No, the blame starts and stops with the manager. This is how it is in England, the buck stops with the manager...and rightly so. Moyes has failed to instil attacking guile into his team, he has failed to instil a winning mentaility into his "best squad ever".
      He has failed to ignite the team during half-time talks when things are going bad. He's failed in his tactics...he has simply failed.
      Yes, we are all thankful of Moyes. He's been our best manager since Kendall in the 80's. But football is a tough game, we have to be able to see when things just aren't going to get better. At some point, someone has to make the tough decision.
      Moyes is the only one who can make that decision. He won't be sacked. He must resign in the summer.
      He loves Everton, but he must let someone else try now. The squad of players we have is decent, but they are misdirected. They need a fresh approach, a fresh authority.
      Thank you, David Moyes for making us believe we could be successful. Thank you for unearthing so many great talents. But your methods aren't working anymore, you need a change just as much as the players do.
      RIP 2010/11 season.

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:15PM

      Not seen any of this but jesus, you wouldn't expect that. Didn't Reading knock Liverpool out last year? Must enjoy it up in Merseyside! Good result for City anyway......

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:17PM

      Oh, man. We knock out the holders away from home and then lose to Reading? FML. Thank God I'm not a proper football fan and never go to any games otherwise I would probably be really upset.

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      FlyingBadger       1 March 2011 10:19PM

      @dholliday
      Hang on. So Everton were robbed of two of their major players right before the game. Beckford arrived late because he's clearly an idiot and Coleman was carrying an injury through the game.
      Do you perhaps think that this situation may have put a spanner or two in the works of David Moyes's prepared tactics?
      Perspective?

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:20PM

      dholliday, I don't honestly believe that anyone could do a much better job than Moyes. Realistically, who would you prefer to have as manager?

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      Damien       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      Wow! So focused on the Chelsea result I didn't even know this game was on. Shocking, at Goodison as well. Well Done Reading but hard luck Everton, they deserve some more success this season. The games i have seen have seen they have been decent and give the the fact the club is always struggling to compete with other Premier League teams it's always nice to see them punching above their weight. Feel bad for them, here is hoping they have a decent run in for the season.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      FlyingBadger,
      no mate. If you have been watching every Everton game like I have then you will realise that we are stale. The Reading game was the rotten cherry on top of the moldy cake.
      Two main problems:
      1) we have no clue what to do with the ball when in the attacking third. 2) the players fail to liven up for non-glamour games.
      One solution:
      New coaching setup.
      It's obvious to any considered Everton supporter.

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      trinder19       1 March 2011 10:28PM

      Good result for City anyway......
      ​
      True dat. I'm not in the least bit confident that Villa will be beaten tomorrow night but if they are, thank Norman the quarter final isn't against Everton. City would have no chance.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Everton is a far weaker side without Cahill and Fellanni. You think that thye would still beat Reading but those two guys are key men for the blues in so many ways.
      Shame and tough luck to born blue, toffedan and others.

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      sheedysleftpeg       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Gutted absolutely gutted again when we are the favs we can`t do it the league run in ain`t to bad but this was a great chance and we have blown it, yes having Timmy and the big fella out was gonna hurt us but I have to ask why bring on Anichbe give Bily a chance the big lump comes on and well plays like a big lump.6 points needed from next 2 games then we will see whats going on around us.

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      SidVicious123       1 March 2011 10:35PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:38PM

      C'mon URZZZZZZZ!!!
      Great win for Reading. A solid team effort. Mills, Leighterwood, or McCarthy could all have been MoM. It seems there is something we like about playing PL teams in the Merseyside. But actually tonight really sums up our year. No matter our opponent we either play up or down to their level.
      Next up at either Villa or Manchester City.

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      RichAlchemy       1 March 2011 10:39PM

      Sounds like it was one-way traffic for the everton team...
      *stifled giggle*
      ...except Beckford.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:41PM

      dholliday- Really? Man, those are crushing blows. Hopefully Saha will stay fit but other guys are goping tohave to step up or Everton will be in the relgation mix in a hurry.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      Well all it took really was one chance and Everton lost all control of this game. Everton were cruising for 25 minutes, unlucky that Coleman's downward header bounces up and over and then what.. we fall apart. Well done Reading for exploiting the absence of Fellaini and the subsequent ineptitude of our team. Saha a passenger upfront on his own in the first half, Billy anonymous and disaffected.. caught out several times at the back we were lucky in the 2nd half that it wasn't more than 1-0 before Saha had a goalbound effort rebound off Beckford, Osman forced a great save from the impressive keeper and, finally, a marginal decision for a handball (brushing a defender somewhere but in my opinion totally accidentally) was missed by Marriner (who incidentally was quite poor in much of his decision making).
      Everton's problems lie in the limited numbers they can call on - not the ability or the play (up to the penalty box). If the same 14-15 players are called up week in week out we're asking some players to turn out only half-fit - which can't be good at all. Two or three decent extra players would augment this side and help. Clearly the absence of the influential Fellaini and the combative Cahill made all the difference to both the way we played and the side/formation we could put out. Very disappointing...

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:51PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us that games sensed we would struggle tonight - only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!
      ​
      Careful sid, you'll get a reputation.

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession
      ​
      Shit. BB, I honestly didn't mean it like that. I'm just a stat fan and somebody on Sky mentioned it and I thought it was relevant and interesting. It's sort of a barometer of things I find interesting. Most people wouldn't. Anyway, didn't mean it as it sounded 😱

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us at the game sensed we would struggle tonight - we only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:54PM

      I hope this blog gets swamped by chuffed Reading fans, it will somehow make me feel better. They deserved the win, no question.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:56PM

      I would be remiss if I didn't say this...Everton fans are class. To give the round of applause to Reading which they did after the game was noticed, appreciated and shows real class. I know you guys have to be completely gutted.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 11:03PM

      @LibertineUSA
      Cos Reading deserved to win. Simple really. Nothing to be bitter about - save for yet another wasted opportunity to beat a team we should be good enough to beat (being objective) but didn't play well enough as a TEAM to do so. It's not the first time we've got past illustrious opponents and wasted it in the next round.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 11:07PM

      We clearly are not a better team than Everton. But for this one night we were. It wasn't decided on a fluke.
      We have a bunch of lads whom have PL experience and a coach, Brian McDermott, whom has shown an ability to get the most out of his team. If we didn't have to sell Sigurdsson early on this year we might be a shoo-in for automatic promotion. But second year in a row we've made the final 8 in this competition. Absolutely ecstatic...

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      gustavmust       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      As a lifelong Reading fan (ok I made that up), I have to say, as my dear departed Gran used to say, when she knew I merited no commiseration, hard toffees.-)

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      I imagine even the poor blues who came on the chelsea blog after the last round who said "we've beaten Chelsea, now watch us lose at home to Reading" never imagined it would be quite as poor and dispiriting as that.
      Reading could have had 3 or 4 and seemed to win most of the tackles and headers in the second half. Thought they played really well.
      Letting Yakubu and Vaughan go on loan and keeping Anichibe seems like the kind of cost cutting even young Gideon Osbourne would think quite mad.

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      whitesleeves       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked useless tosser.

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:17PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked
      useless tosser.
      ​
      I assume that was your signature

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      SeolMan       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      GET IN!!!!!....ahem
      Nice professional away win for the Biscuitmen, we always looked dangerous on the break and Everton only really had 2 decent chances for the whole game.
      I thought Rodwell was a little lucky not to see red for that studs up tackle.

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      LibertineUSA: we try our best, but/and at moments like this it's difficult/easy. Wasn't there tonight, but remember Reading from their stint in the Premiership. Everton aren't the only club with class.

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      GardenofIdan       1 March 2011 11:22PM

      Long time reader, only now been inspired to post about the tragedy of Everton. Yes, it's an Idan Tal joke!
      The tragedy of Everton is that Moyes has played the hand dealt to him unbelievably well and is still facing abject failure. Not absolutely perfectly because he’s not a super-human, but nonetheless extremely well. First, in my opinion the style of Everton’s football has undergone incremental but substantial improvement. Starting in the early part of this decade he inherited a team from style hell, my abiding memory of which was David Unsworth in midfield. Throughout the 90s and big Dunc era Everton were a team with as much heart and soul as ever in their history, but zero skill flair and guile, the odd John Collins pass apart. Now ok, today, we’re hardly Arsenal, but Moyes has gradually assembled a team with a fair few genuine ball-players: Osman’s probably peaked but he has been terrific and was given his chance by Moyes; Arteta pre-injury, Piennar before he jumped ship. Saha, when fit. Baines was a fantastic and talent-loaded buy. Donavon on loan. Ok, these players have been complemented with a fair few grafters and bargers, but hey, football isn’t just Barcelona. Some of the most beautiful games and teams reflect skill and physicality. There were some truly awesome performances last season in particular: Man U at home, Arsenal away when we whould have won and passed them off the park (yes, I am serious about that, watch the game), City at home. Second, with piss-all money he’s unearthed some gems (Cahill, Coleman) and got some bargains (Arteta, Jagielka, Lescott – for the profit if nothing else). Ironically he’s only really failed in the market when given big money – was it 7million for Kroldrup?. Third, results HAVE been pretty good. Champions league qualification on Everton’s resources? A cup final? Far more seasons on the verge of Europe than glancing over shoulders? In this context seasons like this current one are frustrating as hell, but hardly the end of the world. Stratosphere? No. Beneath the glass ceiling? Yes, but jumping as hard as can reasonably be expected, not to bust through it permanently, but just to have a little look at what’s up there. Some mistakes, of course, but generally a laudable effort. Laudable too, in my opinion, that the club have always backed Moyes 100% morally even if not financially. Laudable that we have not sold out to some random Sheik. We’re a real club not a toy.
      I think many Everton fans would see it like me. But football’s boom and bust celebrity glitzy media circus short-termist success hungry culture demands unrealistic attainments. There ain't much room for laudable. By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too, beyond playing for the pub and watching the goals of the season in a disinterested sort of way.
      Sorry about this dispirited rant. Congratulations to Reading, they deserved their win by all accounts. Hope they win it!

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 11:25PM

      LibertineUSA
      Thank you for your magnanimity in victory. It was a horrible feling tonight but Evertonians are well-known for their knowledge of football and appreciation of good football. Reading showed that tonight and got a deserved response. I was one of those clapping your team off the pitch. You'd never get this from nouveau fans at grounds like Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. Enjoy us while you can as we are a dying breed.
      I'm hoping to wake up soon and find this was a nightmare. I have to face kopites in work tomorrow..............

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:26PM

      adidassamba: yada yada yada. Lots of luck reeling United in. And surviving whoever you get after Kobnhavn. Actually, lots of luck reeling in United, Arsenal, Spurs and City. Actually, congratulations on being this season's Liverpool. Whah hah hah hah.

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      JRMSFA       1 March 2011 11:35PM

      Well that was depressing. Created absolutely nothing after Coleman's header bounced over the bar bar Ossie's late chance. Reading thoroughly deserved to win.
      Very quiet car journey home when we heard Felli is out for the season. And now I find out Cahill is out for a month. Aaaargh!
      I suppose Rodwell will at least get a run in the team to demonstrate why he's so highly rated, I'm yet to be convinced he's as good as he's made out to be.
      Throwing Baxter on as wing back for the last three minutes was a slightly bizarre last throw of the dice too but was an ample demonstration of the lack of options on the bench.
      And as for Anichebe....jesus...

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 11:38PM

      GardenofIdan, you said:
      By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too
      ​
      I understand where you're coming from, but in the end we support our club, not any one individual. We might have differing opinions as to whether Moyes should go or not, but if he does go, the club will still need our support.

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:45PM

      Okeefe
      I'm not taking the piss lad, just showing a bit of sympathy, if anything. I thought the players were very poor and seemed to give up in the last 15 minutes when they should have been pushing the hardest. That is unforgivable.
      PS if I was Chelsea fan I would have been watching Chelsea v Man Utd tonight.

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      KidKneestone       1 March 2011 11:52PM

      That's gotta hurt and just a few bleak weeks to go 'til summer and the exit of your best to clubs with better pay structures.
      It's harsh.
      I see that Rafa Benitez is out of work. Would you? Mmm? And would he?

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:57PM

      'samba
      you've always been a reasonable L'pool poster and I'm finding it hard to argue with you tonight

      still love yo' shoes


 
Joy for Reading as Matt Mills's strike puts Everton out of FA Cup






FA Cup Fifth Round

Everton 0
Reading 1
  • Mills, M 26


  • Andy Hunter at Goodison Park
  • guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 1 March 2011 21.58 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    matt-mills-007.jpg
    Reading's Matt Mills, right, celebrates after scoring against Everton in the FA Cup fifth-round. Photograph: Joe Giddens/Empics One car crash cost Louis Saha a £170,000 Ferrari on Sunday and another ensured Jermaine Beckford missed the kick-off against Reading. They encountered a third in the form of Everton's abysmal farewell to the FA Cup at Goodison Park, for which no insurance policy can cover David Moyes.
    All that work and fortune against Chelsea in the previous round and the ultimate reward was humiliation at the hands of Brian McDermott's Championship team. The Reading fans were quick to denigrate this part of Merseyside but perhaps they should relocate. Last year it was Liverpool in the third round at Anfield and now they have brought Everton's campaign to a fittingly sorry end to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second season in succession. Neither Premier League scalp could be passed off as a fluke.
    "I like it up here," said the Reading manager, who was a caretaker seeking permanent employment when he triumphed at Anfield last January. "To get clapped off not just by our own fans but by the Everton supporters is a great feeling and something I will never forget." Goodison's applause, along with its condemnation of the home side, was thoroughly merited.
    Reading were the more composed, resilient and threatening throughout the fifth-round tie. Everton, by contrast, were a pale imitation of the team who defeated the holders on penalties 10 days previously but everything their manager and supporters have begun to realise: an inconsistent outfit lacking in quality and with too few players prepared to take responsibility. One who does, Marouane Fellaini, will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury that requires surgery while another, Tim Cahill, is out for three weeks with a foot problem.
    Beckford was due to start the game but was dropped to the substitutes' bench having been caught in a traffic jam by the closure of the M62. Many Everton players had to travel into work in the same direction as the former Leeds United striker but only Beckford was late. "It can happen to anyone," Moyes said. "I hadn't named the team."
    While Beckford was getting changed, his team-mates opened in a casual, careless manner that offered encouragement to the Championship side. Reading carried the greater threat on the counterattack and should have led by more than the captain Matt Mills's 26th-minute strike.
    Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, one of many Everton midfielders to endure a woeful night, chipped Leon Osman into space inside the area and although Seamus Coleman met his cross with a textbook header, which beat goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, the ball bounced up and over the crossbar.
    Reading were stronger in the tackle than Everton, winning most of the second balls as a result and were also superior to their Premier League hosts on the flanks through the enterprising Jimmy Kébé and Jobi McAnuff. They took the lead with their first attack after Mikele Leigertwood's shot was deflected wide by Phil Jagielka and presented Ian Harte with the chance to demonstrate that time has not diminished his abilities with a dead ball. Mills won the former Leeds defender's corner in the air and, when Osman sliced a weak clearance back into his path, the Reading centre-half controlled and fired low beyond Tim Howard.
    McDermott's side should have doubled their lead seconds later when Sylvain Distin miscontrolled Harte's long ball into the path of Kébé. The Reading right-winger was clean through on goal, steadied himself, but shot too close to Howard who saved with his legs.
    An hour of the game remained yet Everton were evidently unnerved by Reading's refusal to follow the script and desperation crept into an already poor display. Moyes's constant tinkering of his tactics added to the problem. Bilyaletdinov and Coleman, who was nursing an injury before the game, were hauled off at the break as Moyes went for broke by introducing the strikers Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
    Beckford and Osman both went close but Reading continued to create the clearer chances, with Jay Tabb close to doubling the visitors' lead in the closing minutes. "We had no craft at the top end of the pitch," Moyes said. Everton's problems run far deeper than that.

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      UlughBeg       1 March 2011 10:09PM

      Way to go Reading!
      Shame about Coleman and Cahill, though. That brings up to 8 the number of my Fantasy league players who picked up either red cards or injuries this week.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:13PM

      First, well done Reading. Now over to the depressing stuff (if you're an Evertonian):
      Something is wrong.
      It's not normal for us to have so many false dawns. The first false dawn was our comeback against Man Utd. Then it was beating Liverpool. Then the win against Man City, then the Blackpool game, then knocking Chelsea out of the cup.
      But in between those false dawns have been horrendous performances and results. We keep thinking we've seen the worst: against Newcastle, or against West Brom ,or against Bolton...but no, an FA Cup home match against lower league Reading was our worst performance yet, and that coming on the back of the Chelsea win and a tidy win in the lague against Sunderland.
      It doesn't make sense. There is something big that is wrong with our club. We can't keep blaming individual players, before long every single player will have been blamed.
      No, the blame starts and stops with the manager. This is how it is in England, the buck stops with the manager...and rightly so. Moyes has failed to instil attacking guile into his team, he has failed to instil a winning mentaility into his "best squad ever".
      He has failed to ignite the team during half-time talks when things are going bad. He's failed in his tactics...he has simply failed.
      Yes, we are all thankful of Moyes. He's been our best manager since Kendall in the 80's. But football is a tough game, we have to be able to see when things just aren't going to get better. At some point, someone has to make the tough decision.
      Moyes is the only one who can make that decision. He won't be sacked. He must resign in the summer.
      He loves Everton, but he must let someone else try now. The squad of players we have is decent, but they are misdirected. They need a fresh approach, a fresh authority.
      Thank you, David Moyes for making us believe we could be successful. Thank you for unearthing so many great talents. But your methods aren't working anymore, you need a change just as much as the players do.
      RIP 2010/11 season.

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:15PM

      Not seen any of this but jesus, you wouldn't expect that. Didn't Reading knock Liverpool out last year? Must enjoy it up in Merseyside! Good result for City anyway......

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:17PM

      Oh, man. We knock out the holders away from home and then lose to Reading? FML. Thank God I'm not a proper football fan and never go to any games otherwise I would probably be really upset.

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      FlyingBadger       1 March 2011 10:19PM

      @dholliday
      Hang on. So Everton were robbed of two of their major players right before the game. Beckford arrived late because he's clearly an idiot and Coleman was carrying an injury through the game.
      Do you perhaps think that this situation may have put a spanner or two in the works of David Moyes's prepared tactics?
      Perspective?

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      monkeydan       1 March 2011 10:20PM

      dholliday, I don't honestly believe that anyone could do a much better job than Moyes. Realistically, who would you prefer to have as manager?

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      Damien       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      Wow! So focused on the Chelsea result I didn't even know this game was on. Shocking, at Goodison as well. Well Done Reading but hard luck Everton, they deserve some more success this season. The games i have seen have seen they have been decent and give the the fact the club is always struggling to compete with other Premier League teams it's always nice to see them punching above their weight. Feel bad for them, here is hoping they have a decent run in for the season.

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:24PM

      FlyingBadger,
      no mate. If you have been watching every Everton game like I have then you will realise that we are stale. The Reading game was the rotten cherry on top of the moldy cake.
      Two main problems:
      1) we have no clue what to do with the ball when in the attacking third. 2) the players fail to liven up for non-glamour games.
      One solution:
      New coaching setup.
      It's obvious to any considered Everton supporter.

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      trinder19       1 March 2011 10:28PM

      Good result for City anyway......
      ​
      True dat. I'm not in the least bit confident that Villa will be beaten tomorrow night but if they are, thank Norman the quarter final isn't against Everton. City would have no chance.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Everton is a far weaker side without Cahill and Fellanni. You think that thye would still beat Reading but those two guys are key men for the blues in so many ways.
      Shame and tough luck to born blue, toffedan and others.

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      sheedysleftpeg       1 March 2011 10:30PM

      Gutted absolutely gutted again when we are the favs we can`t do it the league run in ain`t to bad but this was a great chance and we have blown it, yes having Timmy and the big fella out was gonna hurt us but I have to ask why bring on Anichbe give Bily a chance the big lump comes on and well plays like a big lump.6 points needed from next 2 games then we will see whats going on around us.

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      SidVicious123       1 March 2011 10:35PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:38PM

      C'mon URZZZZZZZ!!!
      Great win for Reading. A solid team effort. Mills, Leighterwood, or McCarthy could all have been MoM. It seems there is something we like about playing PL teams in the Merseyside. But actually tonight really sums up our year. No matter our opponent we either play up or down to their level.
      Next up at either Villa or Manchester City.

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      RichAlchemy       1 March 2011 10:39PM

      Sounds like it was one-way traffic for the everton team...
      *stifled giggle*
      ...except Beckford.

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      lefthalfback       1 March 2011 10:41PM

      dholliday- Really? Man, those are crushing blows. Hopefully Saha will stay fit but other guys are goping tohave to step up or Everton will be in the relgation mix in a hurry.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      Well all it took really was one chance and Everton lost all control of this game. Everton were cruising for 25 minutes, unlucky that Coleman's downward header bounces up and over and then what.. we fall apart. Well done Reading for exploiting the absence of Fellaini and the subsequent ineptitude of our team. Saha a passenger upfront on his own in the first half, Billy anonymous and disaffected.. caught out several times at the back we were lucky in the 2nd half that it wasn't more than 1-0 before Saha had a goalbound effort rebound off Beckford, Osman forced a great save from the impressive keeper and, finally, a marginal decision for a handball (brushing a defender somewhere but in my opinion totally accidentally) was missed by Marriner (who incidentally was quite poor in much of his decision making).
      Everton's problems lie in the limited numbers they can call on - not the ability or the play (up to the penalty box). If the same 14-15 players are called up week in week out we're asking some players to turn out only half-fit - which can't be good at all. Two or three decent extra players would augment this side and help. Clearly the absence of the influential Fellaini and the combative Cahill made all the difference to both the way we played and the side/formation we could put out. Very disappointing...

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 10:47PM

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:51PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us that games sensed we would struggle tonight - only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      MookieB       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      Its crystal clear David Moyes has lost the dressing room the players just have no confidence in him at all his tactis and negativity are killing the team its been like that all season and most of his career at everton its 9 years going on 10 and this joke of a manager has won nothing its time for him to do the decent thing and walk instead of holding on for a massive pay off on his contract!
      ​
      Careful sid, you'll get a reputation.

      AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!
      even on an Everton - Reading blog, the mookmonster manages to have a dig at Liverpool - christ. it's beyond obsession
      ​
      Shit. BB, I honestly didn't mean it like that. I'm just a stat fan and somebody on Sky mentioned it and I thought it was relevant and interesting. It's sort of a barometer of things I find interesting. Most people wouldn't. Anyway, didn't mean it as it sounded 😱

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 10:52PM

      I am absolutely gutted by this result. Most of us at the game sensed we would struggle tonight - we only turn it on against the Sky 4 - but not this.............
      Well done to Reading and good luck in the quarters. They played well tonight and out-thought Everton and should have won by more than one goal.
      I am beginning to think you are right dholliday - something fresh is required and I wonder whether DM will fancy a summer of stagnation?

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 10:54PM

      I hope this blog gets swamped by chuffed Reading fans, it will somehow make me feel better. They deserved the win, no question.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 10:56PM

      I would be remiss if I didn't say this...Everton fans are class. To give the round of applause to Reading which they did after the game was noticed, appreciated and shows real class. I know you guys have to be completely gutted.

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      ToffeeDan1       1 March 2011 11:03PM

      @LibertineUSA
      Cos Reading deserved to win. Simple really. Nothing to be bitter about - save for yet another wasted opportunity to beat a team we should be good enough to beat (being objective) but didn't play well enough as a TEAM to do so. It's not the first time we've got past illustrious opponents and wasted it in the next round.

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      LibertineUSA       1 March 2011 11:07PM

      We clearly are not a better team than Everton. But for this one night we were. It wasn't decided on a fluke.
      We have a bunch of lads whom have PL experience and a coach, Brian McDermott, whom has shown an ability to get the most out of his team. If we didn't have to sell Sigurdsson early on this year we might be a shoo-in for automatic promotion. But second year in a row we've made the final 8 in this competition. Absolutely ecstatic...

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      gustavmust       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      As a lifelong Reading fan (ok I made that up), I have to say, as my dear departed Gran used to say, when she knew I merited no commiseration, hard toffees.-)

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      I imagine even the poor blues who came on the chelsea blog after the last round who said "we've beaten Chelsea, now watch us lose at home to Reading" never imagined it would be quite as poor and dispiriting as that.
      Reading could have had 3 or 4 and seemed to win most of the tackles and headers in the second half. Thought they played really well.
      Letting Yakubu and Vaughan go on loan and keeping Anichibe seems like the kind of cost cutting even young Gideon Osbourne would think quite mad.

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      whitesleeves       1 March 2011 11:12PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked useless tosser.

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:17PM

      Moyes see anything in the tunnel this week ? Looking forward to seeing him sacked
      useless tosser.
      ​
      I assume that was your signature

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      SeolMan       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      GET IN!!!!!....ahem
      Nice professional away win for the Biscuitmen, we always looked dangerous on the break and Everton only really had 2 decent chances for the whole game.
      I thought Rodwell was a little lucky not to see red for that studs up tackle.

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:18PM

      LibertineUSA: we try our best, but/and at moments like this it's difficult/easy. Wasn't there tonight, but remember Reading from their stint in the Premiership. Everton aren't the only club with class.

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      GardenofIdan       1 March 2011 11:22PM

      Long time reader, only now been inspired to post about the tragedy of Everton. Yes, it's an Idan Tal joke!
      The tragedy of Everton is that Moyes has played the hand dealt to him unbelievably well and is still facing abject failure. Not absolutely perfectly because he’s not a super-human, but nonetheless extremely well. First, in my opinion the style of Everton’s football has undergone incremental but substantial improvement. Starting in the early part of this decade he inherited a team from style hell, my abiding memory of which was David Unsworth in midfield. Throughout the 90s and big Dunc era Everton were a team with as much heart and soul as ever in their history, but zero skill flair and guile, the odd John Collins pass apart. Now ok, today, we’re hardly Arsenal, but Moyes has gradually assembled a team with a fair few genuine ball-players: Osman’s probably peaked but he has been terrific and was given his chance by Moyes; Arteta pre-injury, Piennar before he jumped ship. Saha, when fit. Baines was a fantastic and talent-loaded buy. Donavon on loan. Ok, these players have been complemented with a fair few grafters and bargers, but hey, football isn’t just Barcelona. Some of the most beautiful games and teams reflect skill and physicality. There were some truly awesome performances last season in particular: Man U at home, Arsenal away when we whould have won and passed them off the park (yes, I am serious about that, watch the game), City at home. Second, with piss-all money he’s unearthed some gems (Cahill, Coleman) and got some bargains (Arteta, Jagielka, Lescott – for the profit if nothing else). Ironically he’s only really failed in the market when given big money – was it 7million for Kroldrup?. Third, results HAVE been pretty good. Champions league qualification on Everton’s resources? A cup final? Far more seasons on the verge of Europe than glancing over shoulders? In this context seasons like this current one are frustrating as hell, but hardly the end of the world. Stratosphere? No. Beneath the glass ceiling? Yes, but jumping as hard as can reasonably be expected, not to bust through it permanently, but just to have a little look at what’s up there. Some mistakes, of course, but generally a laudable effort. Laudable too, in my opinion, that the club have always backed Moyes 100% morally even if not financially. Laudable that we have not sold out to some random Sheik. We’re a real club not a toy.
      I think many Everton fans would see it like me. But football’s boom and bust celebrity glitzy media circus short-termist success hungry culture demands unrealistic attainments. There ain't much room for laudable. By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too, beyond playing for the pub and watching the goals of the season in a disinterested sort of way.
      Sorry about this dispirited rant. Congratulations to Reading, they deserved their win by all accounts. Hope they win it!

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      Freedonia       1 March 2011 11:25PM

      LibertineUSA
      Thank you for your magnanimity in victory. It was a horrible feling tonight but Evertonians are well-known for their knowledge of football and appreciation of good football. Reading showed that tonight and got a deserved response. I was one of those clapping your team off the pitch. You'd never get this from nouveau fans at grounds like Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. Enjoy us while you can as we are a dying breed.
      I'm hoping to wake up soon and find this was a nightmare. I have to face kopites in work tomorrow..............

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      OKeeffe       1 March 2011 11:26PM

      adidassamba: yada yada yada. Lots of luck reeling United in. And surviving whoever you get after Kobnhavn. Actually, lots of luck reeling in United, Arsenal, Spurs and City. Actually, congratulations on being this season's Liverpool. Whah hah hah hah.

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      JRMSFA       1 March 2011 11:35PM

      Well that was depressing. Created absolutely nothing after Coleman's header bounced over the bar bar Ossie's late chance. Reading thoroughly deserved to win.
      Very quiet car journey home when we heard Felli is out for the season. And now I find out Cahill is out for a month. Aaaargh!
      I suppose Rodwell will at least get a run in the team to demonstrate why he's so highly rated, I'm yet to be convinced he's as good as he's made out to be.
      Throwing Baxter on as wing back for the last three minutes was a slightly bizarre last throw of the dice too but was an ample demonstration of the lack of options on the bench.
      And as for Anichebe....jesus...

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      dholliday       1 March 2011 11:38PM

      GardenofIdan, you said:
      By these standards, Moyes has failed this season. I think he will probably go, and when he does, I might just give up on football too
      ​
      I understand where you're coming from, but in the end we support our club, not any one individual. We might have differing opinions as to whether Moyes should go or not, but if he does go, the club will still need our support.

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      adidassamba       1 March 2011 11:45PM

      Okeefe
      I'm not taking the piss lad, just showing a bit of sympathy, if anything. I thought the players were very poor and seemed to give up in the last 15 minutes when they should have been pushing the hardest. That is unforgivable.
      PS if I was Chelsea fan I would have been watching Chelsea v Man Utd tonight.

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      KidKneestone       1 March 2011 11:52PM

      That's gotta hurt and just a few bleak weeks to go 'til summer and the exit of your best to clubs with better pay structures.
      It's harsh.
      I see that Rafa Benitez is out of work. Would you? Mmm? And would he?

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      bornblue       1 March 2011 11:57PM

      'samba
      you've always been a reasonable L'pool poster and I'm finding it hard to argue with you tonight

      still love yo' shoes


 
The BOA admits to funding fears for London 2012 athletes

&#8226; Gap in funding of £4m identified in 2009 has still not been filled
&#8226; Lease of marketing rights for £19m viewed as stumbling block




  • Owen Gibson
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 March 2011 21.23 GMT
    BOA-Andy-Hunt-TeaM-GB-LON-007.jpg
    The BOA chief executive Andy Hunt, centre, is concerned about levels of funding for Team GB athletes at London 2012. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images The British Olympic Association has admitted that ongoing funding concerns may affect the level of support it is able to provide for up to 550 Team GB athletes at London 2012.
    The organisation has consistently struggled to balance its expanded ambitions and its desire to field a full team of 550 athletes across all sports in 2012 with its income.
    The chief executive, Andy Hunt, warned Olympic sports in October 2009 that the organisation faced a funding gap of up to £4m if it chose to field a full team in 2012 and on Wednesday night admitted that it had not yet filled the hole. "We've still got a gap to close," he said. "I'm absolutely certain we will have a full team at the Games and the money will not affect that."
    He has consistently argued that a deal he inherited on his appointment in 2008 to lease the Olympic rings and Team GB marketing rights to the London Organising Committee until 2012 significantly undervalued them. Under the terms of the joint marketing agreement with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the BOA receives £19m over seven years until the end of 2012.
    "The level to which we can support the team is where the challenge comes," he told the BBC, in the wake of an emergency board meeting last week. The BOA is understood to be in talks with its partners, including Locog, the government and sponsors about ways to fill the gap.
    The BOA plans to send 550 athletes, plus 450 support staff, to the 2012 Games and must fund training, medical assistance and a holding camp in Loughborough during that period.
    In 2009, the organisation was forced to rely on the £1.6m proceeds from the sale of its previous headquarters in Wandsworth to balance the books and the previous year received a £2m advance from Locog against future income expected under the marketing agreement.
    The BOA, which provides support and training for the team during the Games, receives no public funding but Olympic sports are funded directly through UK Sport using money from the lottery and the exchequer.
    In comments that will be seen as a cry for help, Hunt underlined the extent to which the success of Team GB could make or break the Games.
    "We need to make sure we can really do our best to make sure the team can compete on a level field of play. The British public will judge the success of the Games on the success of the team," he said.
    "At the end of the day, you've got to have actors to go on that stage. It's a bit like creating a theatre. The actors are the athletes and that's why it's so important they are properly supported."
    The scale of the challenge in funding a team across all sports was underlined on Wednesday when the BOA gave its backing to Britain fielding male and female basketball teams at the Games.
    But their appearance will still ultimately depend on whether Fiba, the international basketball federation, gives the go-ahead to them to compete later this month.
    "They have surpassed expectations and there is no question that they are now capable of producing credible performances at the London 2012 Olympic Games," said Hunt.
    "British Basketball is hugely ambitious for the future of the sport across our nation. We are very confident that, given the opportunity by Fiba, British Basketball will use the London 2012 Olympics as a catalyst to fulfil the potential that exists for the growth in popularity of the sport in the UK."
    A spokesperson for the BOA said: "We always knew that 2011 and 2012 would be exceptionally challenging due to the financial constraints which we inherited with regards to the joint marketing programme agreement with the London 2012 Organising Committee: this sees us receive £19m in cash over seven years compared to the £71m that the Canadian Olympic Committee received for a much smaller Olympic Winter Games.
    "Despite this the BOA has lived within its means, has strengthened the organisation to be world-class and continues to work with our supporters and partners to select and support a full team in London 2012. We are confident we will succeed."

 
McCoist to replace Smith as Rangers manager


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Updated Feb 22, 2011 11:08 AM ET
Ally McCoist will take over as Rangers manager when Walter Smith steps down at the end of the Scottish Premier League season.

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McCoist, who has agreed a one-year rolling contract, has been groomed to succeed Smith since being hired as an assistant four years ago. He scored 355 goals in 581 appearances as a striker for Rangers.
Rangers chief executive Martin Bain says McCoist "has contributed greatly to our success over the past four years and that is why we feel he is the right man to replace Walter."
Rangers has won the last two Scottish league titles.
Smith coached McCoist and Rangers to seven league titles from 1991-97 before leaving in 1998. He coached Everton and the Scotland national team before returning in 2007.
 
Sir Jackie Stewart expected to recover after falling ill on plane

&#8226; Former Formula One champion passed out
&#8226; But he is in a stable condition in hospital





  • Paul Weaver
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 2 March 2011 20.56 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Sir-Jackie-Stewart-007.jpg
    Sir Jackie Stewart is expected to make a full recovery after passing out on a flight from Geneva to London. Photograph: Tom Jenkins Sir Jackie Stewart, Britain's most successful Formula One driver, is recovering in hospital after being taken ill on a London-bound flight from Geneva.
    Stewart, 71, was returning from the Geneva Motor Show and was reportedly taken ill after going to the toilet during the flight. He did not return to his seat and received first aid from a stewardess.
    British Airways said: "Our cabin crew cared for the customer during the flight. We wish him well." The crew on flight BA727 requested an emergency landing "so that a male passenger could receive medical attention immediately on arrival".
    After the plane had landed, at 12.40, Stewart was taken to Hillingdon Hospital in west London, where a spokeswoman said: "At the moment he is undergoing check-ups and his condition is stable." His private secretary, Oliver Anderson, said he had suffered "a physical setback" on the flight. Anderson said: "He is fully conscious and having precautionary medical checks. We are expecting a full recovery."
    Stewart's son, Paul, said that his father had passed out and had been taken to hospital as a precaution. "I've just spoken to him in hospital," he said. "He seemed absolutely fine but obviously something happened and we need to establish what. I'm on my way to see him right now. I should think he'll just be checked over and hopefully it will be nothing more sinister than that."
    Stewart emerged in the heyday of British motor sport in the 1960s, when Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees were also at the forefront of the sport. All except Moss became world champions. But Stewart was the only one of them to lift the title three times, in 1969, 1971 and 1973.
    When he retired in 1973 he had won 27 races, more than any other driver, a record which stood for more than a decade and was broken by Alain Prost in 1987.
    But his greatest contribution to Formula One has come away from the track. Distressed by the number of drivers killed in the sport, he has been a prominent and successful campaigner for increased safety measures. He has as also run his own team and made a name as an articulate and colourful commentator.

 
Dalglish ready for Fergie games


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Updated Mar 4, 2011 5:15 AM ET
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will be ready and waiting for any of Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games ahead of Manchester United's trip to Anfield.
Liverpool are a distant 21 points adrift of United in sixth place, but victory this weekend would put a big dent in their rivals' hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title, particularly in the wake of their 2-1 defeat by Chelsea in midweek.
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Ferguson has already cancelled his pre-match press conference in the wake of his comments about Stamford Bridge referee Martin Atkinson which earned him an improper conduct charge from the Football Association.
But should he elect to share his thoughts prior to the fixture, Dalglish will not allow any comments from the rival camp to distract his players.
"He has used psychology before in the pre-amble to matches, but he will only get sparring practice if he tries to use it on ourselves," he said.
"We've both been a long time out of short trousers. It will have to be a good one to catch us out."
Dalglish, who celebrates his 60th birthday on Friday, and Ferguson have a long history in the game, having faced each other as young players on either side of Glasgow's great football divide.
And the Reds boss recalled one of their first encounters when he was playing in defence for Celtic's reserves with Ferguson in action for Rangers.
"I think he'd better come out of here," Dalglish joked, after looking in his pocket. "It was 40 years ago, and I was marking him in a reserve game!
"I was a big, bruising centre-back and he was up front. I read somewhere that he said he'd scored, but I thought we won 2-0. I'm probably wrong about that one as well. We definitely beat them, though.
"I was only 18 and in defence because of my height and aggression...! No, it was for educational purposes, that's all.
"Fergie had gone for a lot of money to Rangers and they'd lost the Cup final to Celtic the year before. He might have been on the way out at Ibrox at the time.
"The first team played their game at Ibrox and the reserves were at Celtic Park, and he was up against us. I have to say he never gave me a problem!"
 
Carra feels fit for Reds run-in


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Updated Mar 4, 2011 5:21 AM ET
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is hopeful his two-month injury lay-off will prove to be a blessing in disguise over the next few months.
Carragher celebrated his 33rd birthday in January on the sidelines as he recuperated from an operation on a shoulder dislocated at Tottenham in late November.
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However, he returned to action three and a half weeks early in February's victory at Chelsea and has played four of the last five matches.
And while Carragher admits his spell out of the team at one of the busiest times of the year was frustrating, he has tried to look on the bright side.
"You have to look at the positives of an injury in that it gives you a rest and takes you out of the firing line," he said.
"Maybe you can look back and say 'It's done me good' - but I'd much rather be playing because I love being in the firing line.
"You don't want to be out but sometimes you try to put a silver lining on it and try to kid yourself in your own head because you are devastated when you get injured.
"Any injury comes at a bad time but there were a lot of games when I was injured because it was over Christmas.
"But it has happened now. I have been very lucky with injuries throughout my career and hopefully there won't be too many more.
"Maybe the rest will prove between now and the end of the season that it has helped me."
As the oldest player in Kenny Dalglish's first-team squad, Carragher is aware more than most that his days at the highest level are numbered.
But he is keen to carry on playing as long as possible and pays close attention to his personal fitness.
"You get more mature and have an understanding of how your body works and it is a short career so you have to maximise it as much as possible," he added.
"Fitness was drummed into me when I was growing up and as you get older that becomes more apparent and you have to look after yourself.
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"Once you reach 30 people start questioning your fitness or whether you have lost your ability and teams start looking for younger players so you have to look at the fitness side of it."
Carragher's determination to return swiftly helped his speedy recovery, although his surgeon Peter Brownson had to rein him in on occasions.
"The way the medical science side of the game is going now everything is a race to get back as quickly as possible because you want to be on the pitch," said the centre-back.
"When you are playing football you have targets and games to think about but when you are injured you lose that and your focus becomes getting back as quick as possible, that becomes your target.
"It was my nature to push to come back but there was no way Mr Brownson would not have let me come back if it had not been right."
Carragher returned to the £200,000 Bone and Joint Centre at Spire Liverpool Hospital, where he was treated for his recent injury, to officially open the unit on Thursday night.
The defender was also presented with a cheque for £3,000 for his 23 Foundation which raises money to benefit the local community.
 
Simba, Yanga zafyeka nyota wao Send to a friend Thursday, 03 March 2011 20:13 0

patrick%20phiri.jpg
Kocha wa Simba,Patrick Phiri

Clara Alphonce
SIKU moja kabla ya mahasimu, Simba na Yanga kucheza katika mechi ya Ligi Kuu kwenye Uwanja wa Taifa, uongozi wa klabu hizo umewaengua vikosini baadhi ya wachezaji kwa kile kilichoelezwa utovu wa nidhamu.

Mara kadhaa inapokaribia mechi zinazohusisha timu hizo ambazo mara nyingi ni za kulinda heshima, kumekuwa na ulinzi mkali huku wachezaji wakichungwa na wakati mwingine kunyang'anywa hata simu zao.

Habari ambazo Mwananchi imezipata ni kwamba Simba imekwenda Zanzibar huku ikimwacha kiungo wake, Mohamed Banka kutokana na utovu wa nidhamu.

Zilisema habari hizo kuwa mchezaji huyo ameachwa kwa kile kilichoelezwa kuwa kocha wa timu hiyo, Patrick Phiri na uongozi mzima wa Simba umechoshwa na tabia ya utovu wa nidhamu ya mchezaji huyo.

Banka aliondolewa kambini kwa sababu alitoroka siku moja kabla ya mechi dhidi ya Mtibwa, na alipoambiwa ajielezee alikanusha taarifa hizo hivyo viongozi kuamua kumuacha Dar.

"Nilicheza mechi ya mtaani, siku moja kabla ya mechi na Mtibwa na niliporudi kambini nilijihisi malaria, nikaenda hospitali na kugundulika na malaria...viongozi walinitaka nijieleze, nikawaambia hivyo na wapo walionielewa na wengine hawakunielewa nikaachwa," alisema Banka.

Kwa upande wa Yanga ambayo ipo mjini Bagamoyo, kocha Sam Timbe amesema amemuacha Dar es Salaam, Ernest Boakye baada ya kuonyesha utovu wa nidhamu.

Timbe alisema amemuacha Boakye baada ya kulalamika kuwa kocha anawapa mazoezi magumu wakati ni jukumu lake kutekeleza mazoezi hayo.

Ernest Boakye ameachwa kwa mara ya pili kambini, awali alitimuliwa mjini Tanga wakati Yanga ilipokwenda kucheza na Azam.

Naye Vicky Kimaro anaripoti kuwa wachezaji wa Simba wamewatoa hofu mashabiki wao na kuwataka wajitokeze kwa wingi uwanjani wakiwa wamevalia jezi zenye rangi ya timu hiyo.

Wakizungumza na Mwananchi kwa nyakati tofauti baadhi ya wachezaji hao ambao wamejichimbia Zanzibar wakijiandaa kwa mchezo huo, walisema wana ari ya hali ya juu na kwamba watahakikisha Jumamosi wanawafunga mdomo watani wao, Yanga.

Mganda Emmanuel Okwi ambaye alikuwa ni majeruhi alisema, "Mashabiki watulie tena wawe na matumaini ya ushindi mnono, waone vile tutakavyowaonyesha kazi Yanga, si unajua damu si njano damu ni nyekundu."

"Kila shabiki wa Simba aje akiwa amevaa nguo nyekundu wala asiwe na hofu, sisi tupo kamili hatuna majeruhi na kila mchezaji ana ari ya hali ya juu," alisema Okwi

Wakati Okwi akisema hayo, kiungo mchezeshaji wa timu hiyo, Jerry Santo alisema: "Tumejiandaa vizuri, tumejipanga hatuna presha, tena mashabiki wetu waje wakiwa wamebeba vitambaa vyekundu kila mmoja kushangilia ushindi."

Mechi hiyo ya watani wa jadi ni ya 108 katika ratiba ya Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara na katika mzunguko wa kwanza Yanga iliibuka na ushindi wa bao 1-0.

Wakati huo huo, Sweetbert Lukonge alisema kocha mkuu wa timu ya Taifa, Taifa Stars, Jan Poulsen amesema kuwa anatarajia kuona mchezo mzuri na wenye ushindani mkubwa kutokana na ukubwa klabu hizo hapa nchini.

Poulsen alisema kuwa anatarajia kuona mchezo mzuri na waushindani ambao pia utakuwa na tofauti kubwa na mechi nyingine za Ligi Kuu kutokana timu hizo kuwa katika nafasi nzuri ya kunyakuwa ubingwa wa ligi hiyo.

"Kama walivyo Watanzania wengine wengi ni matarajio yangu kuwa mechi baina timu hizo itakuwa nzuri na yenye ushindani mkubwa kutokana na historia iliyopo baina ya timu hizo kila zinapokutana.

"Jambo kubwa la msingi, wachezaji wa timu zote mbili wanatakiwa kutulia na kuonyesha uwezo wao wa kutandaza soka na kudhilisha kuwa ni moja kati ya timu zinazostaili kuwa wawakilishi wa Tanzania katika mashindano ya Kimataifa," alisema Poulsen.
 
pambano la watani wa jadi


*Simba, Yanga zatimua wachezaji

Na Elizabeth Mayemba

IKIWA imesalia siku moja, kabla ya miamba ya soka nchini Simba na Yanga kuvaana katika mechi ya Ligi Kuu mzunguko wa pili klabu hizo kila moja
zimetimua wachezaji kwa utovu wa nidhamu.

Klabu hizo kwa nyakati tofauti ziliwatumua wachezaji wake wa kuaminiwa ambapo Simba, amemzuia kiungo wake mahiri Mohamed Banka, huku Yanga ikimtimua mchezaji wake raia wa Ghana Ernest Boakye.

Habari ziliopatikana Dar es Salaam jana kutoka ndani ya kambi ya Simba iliyopo Zanzibar, zilidai kuwa Banka alitimuliwa baada ya kutoroka kambini siku moja kabla ya kupambana na Mtibwa Sugar.

"Ni kweli Banka hayupo kambini kwa kuwa alitimuliwa kutokana na vitendo vya utovu wa nidhamu na ndiyo maana karibu mechi mbili za Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara, hakupangwa," kilieleza chanzo hicho.

Chanzo hicho kilidai kwamba uongozi wa Simba, umekuwa makini mno katika suala zima la nidhamu kwa wachezaji ambapo mara kwa mara wamekuwa wakipata ripoti kutoka kwa Kocha Mkuu wa timu hiyo, Mzambia Patrick Phiri.

Wakati huo huo habari kutoka ndani ya kambi ya Yanga, iliyopo Bagamoyo zinaeleza kuwa Kocha Mkuu wa timu hiyo, Sam Timbe amemuondoa Boakye katika kikosi kitakachoivaa Simba Jumamosi katika mchezo wa Ligi Kuu bara, kutokana na utomvu wa nidhamu.

Yanga ambao juzi iliondoka jijini Dar es Salaam na kwenda kupiga kambi mjini Bagamoyo, Pwani kwa ajili ya mchezo huo, imeondoka na kikosi kizima isipokuwa kiungo huyo.

Kwa mujibu wa taarifa zilizopatikana Dar es Salaam jana kutoka kwa kiongozi mmoja ambaye hakupenda kutajwa jina lake, alilithibitishia gazeti hili kwamba Boakye hajakwenda Bagamoyo kutokana na utomvu wa nidhamu.

"Wakati kocha Timbe akitangaza wachezaji watakaokwenda huko jina la Ernest (Boakye), halikuwepo kitendo ambacho kilizua maswali mengi lakini baadaye Timbe, aliwaondoa hofu kwa kusema anajua kwanini amemuacha," kilisema chanzo hicho.

Kiliendelea kusema kwa mujibu Timbe, kiungo huyo amekuwa mstari wa mbele kuwashawishi wachezaji wenzake kugomea mazoezi kwa madai ni magumu mno tofauti na waliyoyazoea.

Kilisema hiyo si mara ya kwamba kwa kiungo huyo kuzusha mambo yasiyo ya msingi kwani kuna wakati alisingizia kuumwa wakati timu ilipocheza na Azam FC Mkoani Tanga na uongozi uliamua kumrudisha jijini.

Akizungumzia sakata hilo Ofisa Habari wa timu hiyo, Louis Sendeu alikiri kiungo huyo kuachwa lakini akidai kwamba ni majeruhi.



1 Maoni:

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Anonymous said... Lunyasi and yeboyebo tunataka mtuonyeshe soka la hadhi yenu kwani nyie ndio kioo cha soka la bongo, dakika 90 ziamue nani mmbabe na si vinginevyo. Sisi watazamaji tunalipa pesa ili tuone soka na si madudu.
March 4, 2011 12:25 AM
 
Mario won't listen to Mancini


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Updated Mar 4, 2011 5:29 AM ET
Mario Balotelli does not pay attention to Roberto Mancini - but the Manchester City boss does not care as long as the striker keeps on scoring.
With the Kolo Toure suspension drawing plenty of attention outside the club, Mancini must now focus his side on Saturday's Premier League encounter with Wigan.
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That could mean another opportunity for the unpredictable Balotelli, who has rarely been out of the headlines himself since moving to England from Inter Milan.
As his former boss at the San Siro, Mancini should have known what to expect when he spent £24million on the 20-year-old.
However, any thoughts the pair have a special relationship can quickly be dismissed.
"He is not listening to me," said Mancini.
"I speak but I don't think he listens."
The City manager was talking about his demand for Balotelli to become more industrious and not rest on his laurels after scoring, as he did against Fulham last week.
It did appear the message got home judging by Balotelli's performance against Aston Villa in midweek when he was deployed as a lone striker and responded with a far more well-rounded display in addition to bagging his 10th goal of the season.
But the drive and determination actually come from within rather than any external force.
And Mancini is happy for that to continue if it helps Balotelli realise his enormous potential.
"It is not important that he doesn't listen to me," he said.
"What is important is that he does well, that he scores.
"But I know he can do better because I know his quality. He can change every game if he wants. He could score in every game.
"I hope, for him and us, he can understand this very quickly."
With Kolo Toure missing, Mancini is likely to offer an instant recall to Vincent Kompany providing the Belgium international reports for duty without pain after a recent hip complaint.
Mancini is also ready to welcome back midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong after a six-match absence with an ankle injury, although the combative Dutchman will have to be content with a place on the bench.
"Nigel has been out for a month so it is difficult for him to be 100 per cent," said Mancini.
"Maybe he could be on the bench to play for 20 minutes or half an hour. Then he can be ready for Dynamo Kiev next Thursday."



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  • Report Abuse JC_YNWA
    • 3/4/2011 6:10:05 AM
    balotelli needs to listen to someone, that tire design mohawk and zebra stripped eyebrows was horrendous. He could have easily played the warlord in the movie "Blood Diamonds' with that setup.
  • Report Abuse BestwasBest
    • 3/4/2011 6:05:45 AM
    Balotelli wouldn't listen to GOD if he criticized him. Kid is a talent but an absolute knucklehead and a real peice of work.
  • Report Abuse rkujay
    • 3/4/2011 5:41:22 AM
    Stellar leadership, Roberto. This kid is a train wreck waiting to happen and you are content to watch. At least he could get some stability from his captain...Oh, wait...never mind.
  • Report Abuse DRIZZ_IS_M.I.A
    • 3/4/2011 5:37:30 AM
    Something bad is going to Balotelli if he doesn't get his act together. This kid has the biggest head of all time and Mancini is not helping the situation. What good leader doesn't care if his troops don't listen to him? That's utter failure
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Kalou targets double success


RivalsDM



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Updated Mar 4, 2011 4:49 AM ET
Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has not given hope of a Premier League and Champions League double for the Blues this season.
Chelsea looked back to their best on Tuesday night as they jumped into fourth position with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Tue., Mar. 1​
Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd | Recap
Sat., Mar. 5​
Birmingham vs. West Brom
Arsenal vs. Sunderland
Bolton vs. Aston Villa
Fulham vs. Blackburn
Newcastle vs. Everton
West Ham vs. Stoke City
Man City vs. Wigan
Sun., Mar. 6​
Liverpool vs. Man Utd
Wolves vs. Tottenham
Mon., Mar. 7​
Blackpool vs. Chelsea
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


Carlo Ancelotti was quick to play down suggestions that the victory meant his side were back in the title race, insisting that Chelsea's only hope of silverware this season was in the Champions League, where they hold a 2-1 lead over FC Copenhagen after the first leg of their last-16 tie.
But Kalou thinks otherwise.
He said: "We have to fight for both competitions, even though, in the Premier League it will be more difficult to win it.
"But we have to do like we did on Tuesday night, we have to keep believing and take it game by game.
"I think we are showing the good side of Chelsea, because we can't just fight for one competition, we always fight for every competition."
Kalou hopes that Chelsea's good record at Wembley will ensure that they lift the Champions League for the first time in their history if they make the final, which is being played at the home of English football on May 28.
Chelsea have not lost a cup final since Kalou joined the club in 2006 and he hopes that will be a good omen if they reach the final.
"I love playing at Wembley. It is a great stadium, it has an amazing atmosphere and it is a special place for us," Kalou said.
"Hopefully we can get here for the final because it is our lucky stadium.
"Every time I came to Wembley for a final, we have had a good game and we won."
Chelsea were boosted on Thursday by the news that Yossi Benayoun has returned to light training.
The midfielder has been out since suffering a torn Achilles on his second start for the club in September but is expected to be back in action next month.
David Luiz, who scored Chelsea's first in Tuesday night's win, picked up a minor hamstring injury against United but is expected to figure in the Blues' next match against Blackpool on Monday.
 
AFC Arusha, Majimaji, Ruvu zachungulia kaburi Send to a friend Thursday, 03 March 2011 20:10

Calvin Kiwia
WAKATI Ligi Kuu ikielekea ukingoni, timu za Ruvu Shooting, AFC Arusha na Majimaji ziko katika hatari ya kushuka daraja msimu ujao.

Yanga inaongoza ligi hiyo ikiwa na pointi 38 ikifuatiwa na Simba yenye pointi 37 wakati Azam ilipata sare na Majimaji juzi na kufikisha pointi 36.

Ukiacha timu hizo, AFC ndiyo timu pekee inayoonekana kukata tamaa kwani ndiyo iliyofungwa mabao mengi, 31 ikilinganishwa na timu nyingine kwenye ligi hiyo huku ikishikilia mkia ikiwa na pointi zake 11.

Timu hiyo imebakisha michezo mitano na ili kujikwamua, inatakiwa kushinda yote walau kufufua matumaini, kitu amabcho hakiwezi kuwa.

Majimaji iliyowahi kutwaa ubingwa wa Tanzania mara tatu, iko nafasi ya pili kutoka mkiani ikiwa na pointi 12 huku ikiwa imecheza michezo 18 na kubakiwa na mechi nne kukamilisha ligi hiyo.

Kwa upande mwingine, Ruvu Shooting nayo inachungulia kaburi ikiwa na pointi zake 15, na inaweza kujikwamua endapo itashinda mechi zote, itafikisha pointi 30 na kuziacha AFC na Majimaji ambazo zinaweza kufikisha pointi 26 endapo zitashinda mechi zote.

Timu za Kagera, Mtibwa Sugar, JKT Ruvu, Toto African, African Lyon, Polisi Dodoma ziko katika nafasi nzuri ya kubakia Ligi Kuu msimu ujao.

ukiacha hayo, mpaka sasa jumla ya mabao 207 yamefungwa kwenye ligi hiyo katika michezo 104 iliyochezwa, sawa na uwiano wa mabao mawili kufungwa katika kila mchezo.

Mshambuliaji Mrisho Ngassa 'Anko' wa Azam FC anaongoza kwa kupachika mabao akiwa amezifumania nyavu mara 12 akifuatiliwa na Gaudence Mwaikimba wa Kagera Sugar mwenye mabao 10.

Vibonde AFC Arusha wanaongoza kwa kufungwa mabao mengi kwenye ligi kuu wakiwa wameruhusu nyavu zao kuguswa mara 35 kwa michezo 18 huku Yanga ikiwa imeonyesha uimara zaidi kwenye safu yake ya ulinzi ikiwa imeruhusu mabao manne tu katika michezo 18 ya ligi kuu.

Kadi 357 za njano zimeshatolewa wakati nyekundu ni 28 huku Mtibwa Sugar, Majimaji na AFC Arusha zikiwa na kadi nne nyekundu kila moja.

Kagera Sugar yenyewe inaongoza kwa kuwa na idadi kubwa ya kadi za njano, 41 kwa michezo 18 iliyocheza sawa na uwiano wa kadi mbili wanapewa wachezaji wa timu hiyo kila wanaposhuka dimbani kucheza.

Huku timu za Yanga na Ruvu Shooting ndizo pekee ambazo hazina mchezaji aliyepewa kadi nyekundu mpaka sasa kwenye Ligi Kuu ya Vodacom Tanzania Bara.
 
Ferguson charged by FA after criticizing referee


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Updated Mar 3, 2011 12:36 PM ET
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by The Football Association on Thursday over his harsh criticism of a referee following Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Chelsea.
Ferguson was furious that Martin Atkinson failed to dismiss David Luiz when the Chelsea defender fouled Wayne Rooney, having already been booked.





Shortly afterward, Atkinson awarded a penalty kick when United defender Chris Smalling fouled Yuri Zhirkov and Frank Lampard scored the winning goal from the spot.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that," Ferguson said on United's in-house TV channel. "I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
The FA said that Ferguson has until 1600 GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charge of "improper conduct relating to media comments."
If Ferguson is found guilty, a further two-match ban will be triggered because half of a four-match ban for questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness last season was suspended until the end of this season.
United has a four-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League going into Sunday's match against Liverpool.
 
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