Could Martinez take Toffees to new heights?

By David Lee Wheatley

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has already made a big impression at Goodison Park, while dismissing all of the doubts surrounding his appointment.

Some Toffees fans felt the signing of a manager who'd just suffered relegation with Wigan Athletic was a risky move, despite the fact Martinez had also captured the FA Cup against all odds during his final campaign at the DW Stadium.

However, Everton sit in fifth spot after 15 games of the Premier League and with only one defeat on their record thus far. Could this be the year that Everton finally break back into the top four some nine years on from the disappointment of losing during the preliminary stage of the Champions League against Spaniards Villarreal at the beginning of the 2005-06 season?

Martinez's task was always to keep the tight defensive shape enjoyed under predecessor David Moyes, while introducing a slicker attacking style to give Everton more of a threat going forward. The introduction of some exciting young talent, allied to the ability of the club to keep hold of the settled back four that served Moyes so well has given the Goodison faithful much to cheer about so far.

Excuberant stars such as Gerard Deulofeu, James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku have been drafted in, while homegrown attacking midfielder Ross Barkley has become integral to the side. Also, Leighton Baines didn't follow Fellaini to Old Trafford despite strong interest from previous boss David Moyes and the result has been extraordinary.

Should Everton beat Fulham today, they could well be perched up in second place above local rivals Liverpool if the weekend's final scores go their way. The notoriously hard-to-beat Merseysiders have added a silky side to their game and it's paying spectacular dividends.

Many people scoffed at Jose Mourinho's summer claims that up to six teams were in the running for the Premier League title this time around, but his prediction doesn't look so wild now with the resurgence of the Toffees and, of course, the inconsistency of results at both Manchester clubs.

Realistically, Everton may not have enough to go all the way to championship glory, but it remains a distinct possibility that a Champions League qualifying position is on the cards for Martinez and his men.

Twitter: @davewh1980

The Report: Everton v Newcastle United

fBy David Lee Wheatley

A rampant Everton side were three goals up against a woeful Newcastle United at half-time, before a change of shape and personnel inspired a fight-back that almost rescued an unlikely point for the visitors at Goodison Park last night.

Powerful striker Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in only the 5^th minute after great work down the right from Belgian international team-mate Kevin Mirallas.

The Magpies were defending as if they’d never played alongside one another previously, with some particularly strange decision-making from centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Alan Pardew’s men were ripped apart midway through the first period by a neat interchange between Lukaku and Ross Barkley, who dashed through to finish smartly following an intelligent move that split the United central defence wide open.

If things were looking bleak for the away team at that stage, it got even worse eight minutes before the end of the half when a hopeful long ball from Toffees goalkeeper Tim Howard somehow found its way to the ever-dangerous Lukaku; Yanga-Mbiwa inexplicably ran away from the forward rather than challenging him, thus leaving Krul and Coloccini hopelessly exposed. Lukaku gleefully accepted the generous offer of a free run at goal to take the game seemingly beyond an awful Newcastle side.

Apart from a couple of fleeting glimpses of attacking threat from Hatem Ben Arfa, there was very little for the travelling Toon Army to get excited about. However, the home supporters were in utter delirium at what they had witnessed, with chief protagonists Barkley and Lukaku looking capable of conjuring scoring chances at will.

Toon boss Pardew must have been livid at his team’s listless performance and he made two decisive substitutions in an effort to turn the tide, bringing on Williamson for Yanga-Mbiwa and Cabaye for Ben Arfa, thus pushing Sissoko out wide. Midfield man Cabaye had been a doubt prior to kick-off due to a groin strain, but Pardew had evidently seen enough and made the call to take a risk on the Frenchman.

The gamble paid off spectacularly six minutes into the new half when Cabaye picked the ball up 25 yards out, strode confidently forward before unleashing a missile of shot that was going into the net from the second the ball left his foot. Newcastle looked remarkably compact in contrast to their initial showing and were causing more than a few problems for the Everton rearguard - finally a glimmer of hope amid the gloom.

It appeared that Everton were in danger of collapsing under the pressure at times, as the black-and-whites worked tirelessly to drag themselves back into contention in a match they seemed to have lost by the halfway point.

Despite Loic Remy bundling his way through a challenge to score with a minute remaining, their remarkable turnaround in form during the second period was to no avail. Alas, no points were accrued, but at least some pride was salvaged from the wreckage of the opening 45 minutes.

For Everton, their unbeaten start to the season under Roberto Martinez continues thanks to a classy first-half display and specifically a powerhouse performance from Romelu Lukaku; how Chelsea must rue letting him go out on loan for the season in light of their ongoing issues in the striking department.

 

Twitter: @davewh1980

Match Preview: Everton v Newcastle United

By David Lee Wheatley

Monday night action involves Everton hosting Newcastle United at Goodison Park, with the Toffees full of confidence following an impressive start to their campaign.

A place in the top four beckons for Roberto Martinez and his men should they take three points this evening, but they'll face a side smarting from a disappointing home defeat against Hull City last time out in the league and the visitors will be absolutely determined to grab at least a point from their travels to wipe away that memory.

The Magpies will need to defy the odds, however, if they are to spring a surprise on Merseyside when faced with the only unbeaten team in the Premier League. Not only that, but Everton haven't lost at home since March, thus turning Goodison into an impregnable fortress despite the transition between David Moyes and Martinez in the managerial hot-seat.

Hatem Ben Arfa and Loic Remy are recalled after missing out on the midweek cup victory over Leeds United, while Yohan Cabaye only makes the bench. Papiss Cisse also has to be content with a substitute role, which will do little for his self-esteem after scoring to help put Leeds to the sword.

Meanwhile, Everton's experienced midfield battler Gareth Barry makes his 500th top-flight appearance and second-half stars from the Toffees' clash with West Ham United, Romelu Lukaku and James McCarthy, are both handed the opportunity to prove their worth from the beginning of proceedings.

Newcastle have won just once in ten away to Everton and will need to perform at their very best to improve on that record tonight. Martinez expects his charges to continue their rich vein of form and secure another fine win over the Magpies to break into the Champions League slots at this early stage of the season.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Everton job: The runners and riders

By David Lee Wheatley

Who's in line for Goodison post?

With the end of season departure of David Moyes imminent, I look at who might be in the frame to replace him at Everton.

Neil Lennon (Celtic manager)
The fiery Northern Irishman presided over a Scottish Premier League title win and a fine run to the last-16 of the Champions League this season. Does he have the requisite experience for the post after only a relatively short time at the helm at Celtic Park? A recent run of bets has placed him as the bookies' favourite.

Roberto Martinez (Wigan manager)
A man who likes his teams to play open, attacking football, as he's shown at Wigan and Swansea before that. He's helped keep Wigan in the top-flight with last-gasp survival bids in the past and needs a minor miracle to keep them in the Premier League this campaign. However, that hasn't affected his status as one of the most highly-rated managers in the British game. He has led Wigan to this Saturday's FA Cup final and therefore they'll be in the Europa League next season, come what may.

Michael Laudrup (Swansea manager)
The Great Dane led Swansea to the Capital One Cup trophy in February and will be keen to take City into Europe next time around. Looking good for a top-half finish in the league, the Swans have confounded the doubters and Laudrup has been credited with having much to do with the steady rise of the Welsh club. The former Brondby boss has significant experience in Spain and Russia as a manager, but may feel the timing isn't right for a move at the moment.

Steve Clarke (West Brom manager)
Long-time assistant coach Clarke stepped up to the top job at The Hawthorns last summer and made an immediate impact with his personable approach to the media and tactical nous with his team putting Clarke amongst the most sought-after young managers in the English game. Formerly coach at Liverpool, Clarke would undoubtedly jump at the chance of a return to Merseyside with the Toffees.

Malky Mackay (Cardiff manager)
Having steadied an uneasy ship at Watford, the big Scot stepped on to south Wales, putting together a tidy squad that reached promotion as Championship winners this season. His ability to finally take Cardiff up, after many failed attempts under previous managers, won't have gone unnoticed in the corridors of power at several big clubs across Britain. If approached, it'd be interesting to see if Mackay would prefer to lead Cardiff in their first tilt at the Premier League or take on the challenge at Goodison Park.

Martin O'Neill (unattached)
Without doubt, O'Neill's 15-month stint at Sunderland has put a black mark on his CV. The dour football produced this season up to his sacking was awful to watch and had some questioning if the dog has had his day. However, his record at Wycombe, Leicester, Celtic and Villa stands up against the best around and it wasn't too long ago that O'Neill was being linked with the top jobs across the country. If Everton want an experienced hand and should they feel he still has the motivation to succeed, then the genial Northern Irishman could get the nod.

My verdict: Roberto Martinez

Twitter: @davewh1980