An Everton Career [FM 12]

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Toffees Dominate Livingston
Livingston -- Everton fans celebrated an emphatic 6-0 win at Almondvale Stadium this afternoon. A brace from Conor McAleny helped Everton to victory.

Young centre-back Eric Dier got Everton off to a flyer by scoring a good header from just inside the six-yard box on 6 minutes. Young striker Conor McAleny doubled Everton's lead with an accurate finish from inside the penalty area on 17 minutes.

An error from Livingston's Graham Renton allowed young midfielder James Wallace to score a tame effort from close to goal. Midfielder Tim Cahill then added to the lead with an accurate finish on 37 minutes.

McAleny added his 2nd goal of the game with a close range header on 70 minutes. The last goal of the game came from full-back Ross Lochhead whose 88th minute own-goal will undoubtedly cause him some embarrassment.

Man of the Match: Conor McAleny
Attendance: 4,028

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Comfortable 2-0 Win For Blues
Liverpool -- Everton produced a good display this evening to see off the challenge of Newport County at Newport Stadium.

An error from Newport County's Lee Minshull allowed powerful striker Denis Stracqualursi to score a placed shot. Young midfielder Ryan Higgins finally rounded off their victory on 95 minutes with a well timed finish from close range.

Man of the Match: John Heitinga
Attendance: 3,504

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evertonfc.com
Everton Loan McAleny to Bury for 6 Months
Liverpool -- The Everton trainee has 11 months left on his contract at the club and has already been touted as a possible star of the future.

Everton's Shane Duffy has told BBC Sport that Conor McAleny's loan move to Burry is exactly what his team-mate needs.

The 18 year-old striker is not part of the first-team plans at Goodison Park this season and Duffy firmly believes this loan opportunity with Bury will do wonders for McAleny's confidence and fitness.

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Everton Defeat Shamrock Rovers 2-0
Dublin, Ireland -- Everton enjoyed near total domination over a distinctly average Shamrock Rovers side at Tallaght Community Stadium this afternoon.

Experienced centre-back Sylvain Distin got Everton off to a flyer by scoring a lucky strike after just one minute. Midfielder Royston Drenthe finally rounded of their victory on 86 minutes with a real poacher's effort.

Man of the Match: Sylvain Distin
Attendance: 3,676

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evertonfc.com
Everton 2011-12 Team Preview
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Goalkeepers

The goalkeeper position has been held by one of the greatest American goalkeepers in history, Tim Howard, for the last five seasons. Howard will be between the posts throughout the season this year for Everton having no competition at the position.

Howard will be backed up by the 28 year-old Slovakian, Jan Mucha, and another American keeper, 39 year-old Marcus Hahnemann.

Defenders

Everton should be looking to deploy four defenders on the back line this season, 2 central defenders and 2 fullbacks. Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines will have secured their spots on the line at centre-back and left-back respectfully. The remaining two spots are up for grabs and the early months of the season will help solidify the position.

For the final centre-back spot we should see a rotation of Heitinga and Distin. Distin is in the final year of his contract and will have something to prove and Heitinga has been recently scouted by potential buyers. A far reach to get playing time is youngster Shane Duffy.

The right full-back spot should be held by Everton Captain Phil Neville, but long-time Everton defender, Tony Hibbert, will definitely be in the mix. Currently 23 year-old Seamus Coleman is out with injury and could throw a wrench into SFR's plans if he shows good form at the spot.

Midfielders & Wingers

The most exciting aspect of Everton is their midfield and winger positions. In the centre of the park Everton will be looking toward Darron Gibson and Belgium international Marouane Fellaini to control the ball. Youngsters Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley will be in rotation off the bench.

In front of Fellaini and Gibson, Tim Cahill will be playing at an attacking midfield position. Cahill has been a staple of the Everton attack since 2004 when he came over from Millwall. At Cahill's wings Everton brought in two wingers on loan, R.R. Drenthe (Real Madrid) and former Evertonian Steven Pienaar (Tottenham). These two will be a constant threat to opponents all year. In the rotation we will see Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe.

Forwards

The forward position is the most insecure spot on the team. Recently acquired Nikica Jelavic has the upper hand at making the spot his own but is out due to injury for the first month and a half of the season. In place of Jelavic we will see loanee Denis Stracqualursi and youngster Apostolos Vellios.

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Carling Cup Draws Everton Against AFC Wimbledon
Liverpool -- Everton will play AFC Wimbledon in the Carling Cup Second Round.

The game will be played at The Fans' Stadium - Kingsmeadow on Tuesday August 23, 2011.

Although neither team have ever won the Carling Cup, Everton have finished as runners up on two occasions. The current holders of the competition are Birmingham City.

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Press Conference

Goal.com: "The opening day of the domestic season is marked on the calendars of football fans all across the country and, after a long close season, everybody is raring to go. Are you excited?"

SFR: "It is great to finally get underway. I have been looking forward to this moment."

The Liverpool Echo: "You've had the off-season to prepare your team and all that's left is to kick off the campaign. Are you confident that your team is ready?"

SFR: "We had a great pre-season, we're fully prepared and confident of a win."

The Liverpool Echo: "James McFadden has been absent with injury recently but rumours around that he may be in line for a return against Fulham. Is he likely to be available?"

SFR: "I can officially rule James out of contention."

The Daily Post: "It's always nice to start with a win to get points on the board and build up some momentum. Are you confident you can get off to a good start?"

SFR: "We have been working hard and, if the players can carry that focus and determination into the match, we should do well."

Football365.com: "It has been suggested that you will adopt a defensive approach in order to avoid defeat in this game, is that true?"

SFR: "I am not prepared to discuss that here."

Sky Sports News: "Do you have a clear idea in mind of your preferred first eleven for this season?"

SFR: "These early fixtures are an opportunity for everyone to show what they can do in competitive matches."

BBC Radio 5 Live: "The draw for the Carling Cup has been rather kind to Everton, matching your side against AFC Wimbledon, a considerably weaker opponent. Is that an assessment you agree with?"

SFR: "I think it's been favourable and gives us a chance of qualifying for the next round."

The Daily Mirror: "Most pundits suggest that Tim Cahill's performances will be the key factor in determining whether you have a successful season or not. Is that a fair assessment?"

SFR: "Absolutely, Tim is crucial to this team. When he plays well, everyone else does, too."

TEAMtalk.com: "Who do you think will win the English Premeir Division title this season?"

SFR: "Us of course. Ha, on a more serious note you have to look at the Manchester teams. Both teams are built to win the title."

Fulham: 2.50 (Fav) Draw 3.00 Everton 2.63

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Today's Starting Lineups

Fulham.................................................. ......Everton


Today's Substitutes
Csaba Somogyi........................................... ..Marcus Hahnemann
Lauri Dalla Valle............................................. .Phil Neville
Dickson Etuhu............................................. ..Shane Duffy
Stephen Kelly............................................. ..Ross Barkley
Patjim Kasami............................................ ...James Wallace
Marcel Gecov............................................. ...Victor Anichebe
Philippe Senderos.......................................... Apostolos Vellios

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Everton Steal Narrow Fulham Win
London -- Everton won a hard fought battle against Fulham on a fine summer's afternoon at Craven Cottage 3-2.

Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini gave Everton the lead with a shot from eighteen yards out in the 15th minute. Fulham captain Danny Murphy then equalised for Fulham in the 22nd minute with a free kick from the edge of the area.

An error from Everton's Tim Howard allowed North Ireland captain Aaron Hughes to score a fierce shot. Frenchman Sylvain Distin then equalised for Everton in the 57th minute with a header from a R.R. Drenthe corner.

Everton Captain Phil Jagielka then clinched a late winner on 88 minutes with a powerful close range effort from a Leighton Baines free kick. Jagielka's impact delighted the fans with his late goal. Pavel Pogrebnyak was the only man to get booked with a yellow in the 90th minute.



Man of the Match: R.R. Drenthe
Attendance: 25,694

Highlights from today's Premier Division match between Fulham and Everton.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Jgg4BVmDU&list=UUpVrEf8OO4LRSVry6VoRXhw&index=1&feature=plcp"]Match Highlights[/ame]

[spiker]

I see you use the 4231. Do you mess with any other settings or just leave everything at default? Everton's default in FM11 was 451 but they fit better in a 4411 or 4231 because there's no CAM in the 451 (it has two recessed CMs and a DM instead of a CAM).

I found a pretty good site for tactics yesterday but there's so much to digest. I suck so hard at tactics because the game is so deep and I've never personally stepped foot on a pitch in my life so I've got all that going against me. I always feel like I could be managing my club better.

LOL at that picture of Phil. It looks like he's doing the "Can't see me" thing.

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The tactic I am using is the tactic I have used throughout most of FM. It's from fm-base and is called JPs Germany Style. I also have a back up tactic for more tough games that takes away the CAM and replaces it with a DM.

Also, Phil's celebration actually came from a game earlier this year.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-jxkxaxw48"]Phil Jagielka Inbetweeners Dance Celebration - YouTube[/ame]

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Press Conference

KiCK! Magazine: "What a comeback! To see your side completely turn a game around like that must be very pleasing?"

SFR: "We went down and had to make some changes but the team responded magnificently."

The Sunday Mirror: "A win in your first competitive match as Everton manager. Could you have wished for a better start?"

SFR: "Obviously, I am very pleased with the win, but it is only one match and there is a long way to go."

sportinglife.com: "Phil Jagielka's dramatic late goal was something for you to savour. How do you rate that moment?"

SFR: "I am naturally pleased with the goal, but we must not let the drama of it distract us from the next game."

The Daily Post: "R.R. Drenthe picked up the man of the match award for your side today. How did you rate his performance?"

SFR: "Royston was absolutely outstanding today."

Goal.com: "How significant a blow will the loss of Cahill be to your ambitions for this side?"

SFR: "It's a massive blow, Time is a major part of how we play."

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Cahill Picks Up Injury In Fulham Win
Liverpool -- evertonfc.com are reporting that Tim Cahill has sustained a sprained ankle after the attacking midfielder fell heavily during the match against Fulham. Early reports are suggesting that he is likely to miss the next 5 to 6 weeks whilst he is treated.

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Around the League

August 13, 2011

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Around the League

August 14, 2011