Gallows View by Peter Robinson

(not bad, plus set in England too for a change!)

Liverpool's clash with Mersey rivals Everton at Anfield is the highlight of the FA Cup fourth round draw.

Spurs will travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United if Sir Alex Ferguson's side overcomes Southampton in the third round tie at St Mary's.

There is also a local clash in the midlands, where Nottingham Forest have been rewarded for their win over Manchester City with a trip to Derby.

The fourth round ties will played on the weekend of 24/25 January.

Holders Portsmouth have been drawn against either non-league Histon or Swansea if they themselves get past Bristol City.

Last season's finalists Cardiff City will host Arsenal at Ninian Park evoking memories of the 1927 final between the pair which the Welsh club won 1-0.

The FA Cup fourth round draw in full:

Liverpool v Everton
Southampton or Manchester United v Tottenham
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth or Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient or Sheffield United v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Crystal Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolves v Middlesbrough

January
There were no less than seven games in January, which turned out to be a mixed month for Everton.
The Blues exited two cup competitions in the calendar month, but ended it in fourth place in the Premier League.
First up in 2008 was a trip to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough. In a thoroughly professional performance, Andrew Johnson and James McFadden were on target in a 2-0 win.
The Scot dedicated what would turn out to be his last goal for Everton to his friend, the Motherwell player Phil O'Donnell, who had died in shocking circumstances a few days before. Sadly, the Toffees' FA Cup campaign was a short-lived one as League One side Oldham Athletic recorded a shock 1-0 win at Goodison Park to send the home Blues crashing out of the competition.
It was back-to-back Cup ties for Everton, with the midweek Carling Cup semi-final, first leg trip to Chelsea next on the calendar.
A narrow 2-1 defeat - with Yakubu emphatically notching for the Toffees - meant the second leg at Goodison would be eagerly contested.
Any disappointment from the previous two games was soon assuaged though, with a hard fought 1-0 win over Manchester City, courtesy of another priceless Joleon Lescott strike. And the big defender was on target again at the JJB Stadium as he joined Andy Johnson on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win over Wigan.
Wembley was on the agenda when Chelsea hit town for the second leg of the Carling Cup tie - but despite their best efforts Everton were unable to breach the superbly-marshalled visiting defence and Joe Cole scored an inevitable counter-attacking goal.
So it was testament to the character of the squad that they were able to grind out a 0-0 draw with vastly improved Spurs a few days later to end the month in fourth spot.
Off the field, James McFadden had departed for Birmingham and Alan Stubbs for Derby, with David Moyes bringing in youngster Dan Gosling and loanees Anthony Gardner and Manuel Fernandes.
February
The Blues went unbeaten in February - making real progress on two fronts.
Looking to defend the fourth spot they occupied, Everton made the tricky trip to Blackburn - and they should have left with three points.
An inexplicably-disallowed Andy Johnson goal meant the Blues had to settle for a single point at Ewood Park.
Next, Reading arrived at Goodison Park, and the Royals were on a woeful run of form that would eventually see them relegated. Phil Jagielka's first Goodison goal for Everton was the difference between the two sides as the Blues warmed up for their Uefa Cup clash with Norwegian champions SK Brann.
The trip to Scandinavia was something of a venture into the unknown, but a classy strike from Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe's late tap-in ensured David Moyes' side were in a commanding position ahead of the second leg eight days later.
And what a second leg it was! Everton exerted their authority over Brann, enjoying an emphatic 6-1 win with strikers Yakubu (3) and Andy Johnson (2) joining Mikel Arteta on the scoresheet. That game was a prelude to one of the best performances of the season at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Everton out-played and out-fought Manchester City, scoring twice in the first half through Yakubu and Joleon Lescott.
Despite City's best efforts, the Blues comfortably recorded a highly creditable win that ensured they remained in fourth place at the end of the month.
March
As March began, Portsmouth were one of the sides seen as a threat to Everton's fourth spot.
That challenge was all but ended when the Toffees recorded a splendid 3-1 win over the south coast outfit at Goodison.
Yakubu scored another two goals, whilst Tim Cahill produced a trademark header as Harry Redknapp's men were brushed aside ahead of a glamorous-looking Uefa Cup tie with Fiorentina.
The first leg of the last 16 clash was in Italy didn't go quite according to plan, with Fiorentina showing their class with a 2-0 victory. And so it was with great credit that Everton emerged with all three points from their trip to Sunderland three days later. Andrew Johnson's scrappy goal settled an equally scrappy game in the north east.
Attention immediately turned back to the Uefa Cup and the task of overturning Fiorentina's 2-0 lead. It was to prove a hugely memorable night at Goodison.
Everton's performance was both courageous and skillful - with Andrew Johnson scoring in the first half to give the tremendous home crowd real hope.
And when Mikel Arteta lashed in a drive from all of 25 yards, the crowd erupted as the tie was levelled. Penalties ensued. Unfortunately for Everton, the fairytale ended in the shootout, with Yakubu striking the post and Phil Jagielka denied by a great save while the Italians kept their cool.
The fallout from that game could have been a factor on the next few games as the Blues began to struggle.
Indeed, the Toffees were unable to break their Craven Cottage hoodoo in their next fixture - losing 1-0 to a Brian McBride goal.
A frustrating 1-1 home draw with West Ham featured yet another Yakubu strike before the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
By this time, Everton's indifferent form had seen them slip to fifth - and this game was billed as an eliminator for fourth spot. It turned out to be a poor game - with Fernando Torres' early goal the only highlight for either side
April
Entering April, the focus was now firmly on securing fifth place.
The likes of Portsmouth and Aston Villa were hot on Everton's heels, so a home match against already-relegated Derby would appear to be just what the Toffees needed.
Indeed, David Moyes' side would emerge with three points, but it wasn't as easy as many suggested. Manuel Fernandes' pinpoint pass allowed Leon Osman the opportunity to settle the game. He didn't miss.
Still not playing anywhere near their best, Everton travelled to St Andrew's to take on Birmingham City. Alex McLeish's side were fighting for their lives - and it showed. Joleon Lescott's ninth of the season was equalised by a magical free kick from Mauro Zarate and the points shared. It was scarcely good enough for Everton, with Villa's charge gathering momentum just below them. And Chelsea were next up at Goodison.
The game was bizarrely rearranged for a Thursday evening and Avram Grant's side were still well and truly in the title race.
Not for the first time, Everton struggled to breach the Chelsea backline, and Michael Essien capitalised on a lucky ricochet in a 1-0 win for the visitors.
Once again, Everton found themselves in a European head-to-head, this time with in-form Villa. In a fascinating game, all the goals came in the second half. Phil Neville put Everton ahead with a rare strike but Gabriel Agbonlahor equalised. Joseph Yobo's only goal of the season saw Everton lead 2-1 but John Carew levelled it almost straight away.
The result meant that Everton lead Villa by three points with two games to go - but faced an away game at Arsenal in their run-in.
May
Everton had a boost before they'd even kicked a ball in May.
Aston Villa lost 2-0 at home to Wigan, meaning the Blues needed just one point from their remaining two games to secure fifth place and a return to the Uefa Cup.
And they were close to securing that point at Arsenal. The Toffees resolutely held the Gunners off for 75 minutes before Nicklas Bendtner produced a powerful header that settled the game.
Nevertheless, Everton's fate was in their own hands; a point at home to Newcastle on the final day would be enough for fifth spot. Aston Villa were playing at West Ham, praying for a slip up at Goodison.
Once the game kicked off, Everton appeared to be playing unshackled - exhibiting some of their best football of the season. After numerous chances, Yakubu nodded home Manuel Fernandes' pinpoint delivery. He was the first player since Peter Beardsley in 1992 to score 20 times in a season.
Just after half time Michael Owen squeezed home a penalty but soon after Goodison was in raptures again.
Joleon Lescott reached his own personal milestone - 10 goals for the season - when he clinically sidefooted home another exquisite Fernandes ball. There was still time for another landmark - Everton's first penalty award in the league this season had David Moyes grinning on the touchline.
Yakubu dispatched the ball past Steve Harper and the end of season lap of honour was completed in gleeful circumstances.
Inevitably, at the end of the season there were departures from the playing staff. Before the Newcastle game it was confirmed that Stefan Wessels and Thomas Gravesen had come to the end of their Everton stints.
Then, a week after the end of the season, Lee Carsley made the decision to end his six-year tenure on Merseyside. He joined hometown side Birmingham City.
June
With the 2008/09 Premier League season two months away – Everton fans’ attentions turned to international football in June courtesy of Euro 2008.
Unfortunately, the Blues had no one taking part in the competition, but it did allow David Moyes a chance to watch potential signings.
Prior to the tournament kicking off, England – who weren’t involved in the Euros – arranged a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Phil Jagielka earned his first international cap during this game as Fabio Capello’s side won 3-0. The no nonsense defender came on at half-time to replace Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand.
Jagielka had impressed since establishing himself in the centre of the Everton defence, prompting Capello to reward the player with an England cap.
And he didn’t disappoint, putting out a solid defensive display to ensure his side kept a clean sheet.
Meanwhile, Lee Carsley moved to Birmingham having spent six years at Goodison – establishing himself as a fans’ favourite along the way.
At the time, Carsley said: "My contract ran out at Everton and I was offered a new deal there but I felt it was time to move on.
"I wanted a new challenge and I didn't necessarily want to go to another Premier League club and struggle with them.”
July
The start of the Premier League season was fast approaching and Everton used the month of July to partake in their pre-season tours – in Switzerland and America.
Unfortunately their return to football this campaign wasn’t too pleasing with the only game during their trip to main land Europe ending in a 1-0 defeat to FC Sion.
The friendlies in USA were a little more pleasing though with Moyes’ men securing a 2-1 win over ColoradoRapids. However they did lose 2-0 to Chicago Fire.
The entire squad travelled to America, including Tim Cahill, who made a surprise last minute decision to travel with the squad after recovering from a long-term foot injury. However, one man who did pull out of the tour was striker, Andrew Johnson.
Everton’s former record signing opted to not travel with the squad after he made the decision to sign for Fulham.
After two years at the Blues and months of speculation linking him with a move away from the Club, Johnson, who netted 22 goals in 74 appearances during his time at Goodison, was given permission to discuss personal terms with the London club. At the time, a Club statement read: "Everton can confirm that it has agreed an eight figure sum with Fulham for the services of Andrew Johnson. This is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and negotiating a medical."
July was certainly a month for high profile departures at Everton and away from the field, Keith Wyness announced that he had resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer and director of Everton
August
August brought the start of the 2008/09 campaign - and two new additions to the Everton squad.
David Moyes made his first signing of the summer when Danish defender Lars Jacobsen arrived on a free from relegated Bundesliga outfit Nuremburg.
He was followed into Goodison Park by Ecuadorian international Segundo Castillo, who joined on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade. The month began with the conclusion of the pre-season tour of America - the Blues beat ColoradoRapids 2-1 before a forgettable 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven at Goodison. The friendly was significant however for a broken toe sustained by Steven Pienaar. It would deprive Everton of the South African's services until the end of September.
The first Premier League fixture of the new campaign brought Blackburn Rovers and their new manager, Paul Ince, to Merseyside. Goals from Mikel Arteta and Yakubu had looked to have salvaged a draw after David Dunn and Roque Santa Cruz had twice put the visitors in front. But, with seconds remaining on the clock, Dutch international Andre Oojer bundled in to inflict an agonising defeat on the Toffees.
Second-half efforts from Leon Osman and Yakubu made for the perfect response a week later as Moyes' men won 2-1 at Tony Mowbray's newly-promoted West Brom. The month was to end with more Goodison gloom however - a 3-0 defeat to Portsmouth leaving supporters, players and manager all scratching their heads.
September
The first day of September brought the close of the transfer window, meaning a busy day for Blues boss David Moyes.
In came French international forward Louis Saha from Manchester United and journeyman goalkeeper Carlo Nash from Wigan Athletic. Then, with minutes to spare ahead of the midnight deadline, came news of a Club-record transfer. Marouane Fellaini, a 20-year-old, 6ft 4inch, Belgian midfielder had joined Everton from Standard Liege in a £15million deal - eclipsing the £11.25million Moyes had paid for Yakubu 12 months before.
It was the big-money capture the Goodison faithful had been hoping for and, thanks in part to his unmissable hairdo, he would quickly become a terrace hero. The month's opening fixture meant another trip to a newly-promoted side, Stoke City. Yakubu continued his fine start to the season by netting for the third successive game, and the Blues appeared to be coasting when another Nigerian, Victor Anichebe - back from winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics - made it two shortly after the break.
Stoke hit back through Seyi Olofinjana and a Phil Jagielka own goal but, on his comeback from injury, Tim Cahill settled a thrilling encounter with 14 minutes remaining.
Two successive 2-2 draws followed as the Blues were held by Fellaini's former club Standard Liege in the first leg of the Uefa Cup first round and the third of the Premier League's newcomers, Hull City. The failure to beat the Belgians was of particular frustration as two defensive errors, including a Joseph Yobo own goal, twice allowed the visitors to go ahead. Yakubu and newboy Segundo Castillo salvaged some hope for Moyes' men however.
An early goal from Martin Olsson then saw Everton dumped out of the Carling Cup at Blackburn, on a night when Moyes was left infuriated by his side's performance.
It was poor preparation for the visit of city rivals Liverpool and a second-half double from Fernando Torres meant the Blues ended the second month of the 2008/09 campaign without a home win to their name.
To make things worse Tim Cahill received a questionable red card for a foul on Xabi Alonso, earning himself a three-match ban
October
October started miserably for the Blues as they crashed out of Europe with a 2-1 defeat to Standard Liege in Belgium.
The Blues found themselves continuing their troubled start to the domestic season surrounded by media speculation over manager David Moyes and his contract at the Club.
Next, a clash with Newcastle United the following week, saw the Blues throw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2, earning them their first home point of the league campaign. Months of speculation were then ended as Moyes signed a new five-year deal - much to the delight of all Evertonians.
Coming off the back of the international break that saw Tim Cahill score for Australia and Marouane Fellaini in action for Belgium - the Blues' bid to climb the league table was halted by a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Seven days later, title holders Manchester United travel to Goodison Park for a lunchtime showdown. Summer-signing Fellaini grabbed his second goal for the Club with a header to snatch the Blues a deserved point against the champions. It was a result which was to begin a strong run in form for the Toffees, as they travelled to Bolton Wanderers for a mid-week clash on October 29. The victory again came courtesy of a header from the Belgian midfielder as he claimed the only goal in what turned out to be a scrappy affair.
November
On the first day of the month Everton faced a visit from Fulham, with former Evertonian Andy Johnson arriving to a pleasant reception at Goodison Park.
French International Louis Saha helped seal the Blues' first home win of the season with his first for the Club, which proved to be the only goal of the clash.
On the back of that win, the Blues travelled to Upton Park to take on West Ham as Marouane Fellaini stayed behind to serve a one-match suspension.
Joleon Lescott got his name on the scoresheet for the first time in the 2008/09 with a late leveller before Saha turned the game on its head with two late strikes in a 3-1 win. Middlesbrough paid a visit to Goodison Park half way through the month, only to end Everton's winning streak as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Yakubu's goal against his former club wasn't enough to shake off Gareth Southgate's determined and competitive men. 
The Blues continued to add to their encouraging away form as they travelled to White Hart Lane on the final day of the month to take on a rejuvenated Tottenham Hotspur side. It would be a good journey back thanks to an own goal from defender Vedran Corluka.
As the season began to pick up for the Blues, the team finished the month seventh in the Premier League table.
December
December began with Everton coming to terms with a double striker blow that followed the win at Spurs. Yakubu was ruled out for the season following the trip to White Hart Lane, while Louis Saha would also be absent until the New Year. So when Aston Villa came to Goodison, Victor Anichebe was the only fit frontman. Despite that, Everton were unlucky to take nothing from the game following Ashley Young's late effort, especially as Everton themselves had equalised just seconds before. That disappointment was put to bed six days later when another late show saw Tim Cahill nod in the winner at Manchester City. Everton had no fit strikers from the City game onwards after Anichebe suffered a back problem - but that didn't hinder the Toffees. They were unlucky not to defeat Chelsea at Goodison after the Londoners had John Terry sent off for a foul on Leon Osman. It ended 0-0 and Osman missed the Boxing Day game at Middlesbrough as a consequence. That handed a chance to 18-year-old Dan Gosling and he impressed in a 1-0 win - Cahill again the scorer. So the year came to a conclusion with the visit of Sunderland to Goodison. It didn't quite match the heady heights of the previous year's 7-1 hammering, but Everton did impress. Two stikes from Mikel Arteta meant the Toffees were flying, before Gosling entered the fray and promptly netted on his Goodison debut with a classy sidefoot effort.

Weird and wonderful names (cont'd) (disclaimer re: this particular section...I'm only adding these names because of the sheer variety of names out there in la-la-land, no comment is implied or intended regarding the person who owned the name (so to speak) or the origins of the name):
Cassie, Carmel, Cepakli, Clela, Nasir, Dipak, Towanna, Birtie, Elda, Flodia, Ina, Hallie, Mercedes, Carletta and last but certainly not least: Amnbelcha (which is Mexspansenegaleseirishozfareastfaroutinese for "moron")!

I've noticed that even "intelligent sounding people" think FREE means FREE!

Lady sat with me to learn how to do it the right way ... oh, yeah!

I have a heart condition too, it's called 'marriage', 'a mortgage', 'bills', & 'needing to eat')!

Customer: "Can I talk to your supervisor to say what a good job you've done?
Me: OF COURSE YOU CAN!!!
(And an extra 15-minute break as a bous too....on the simple joys of life, eh?)

New Years Eve = Looneyville
Working on NYE - now that sucks and it is a 1st!

Pete ... (Yes, I get it, your name is Pete) but you still sound like a woman!

Silly me ... don't switch the damned alarm off BEFORE I gewt out of bed!

Poor GS .. 3 days eh? Tut, tut, whatever it was he did!

Review (not w/Blondie this time, sigh) ... 91%.

You called me up JUST to ask me where they are made???? Wazzuck!

Dear Nasir ... please fuck off back to where you came from!

"Irritable Mexicanohz"

Dear Mary (of all people ... married to Robert I wonder?), anyway, I really do need to read all that stuff so give me a fucking break will ya?

Scottish Lass (customer) ... it's nice to talk to somebody who understands you for a change!
Me: I couldn't agree more but didn't you have to mention "scones" and "cream" and "England" in the same sentence....sigh!
(Very nice customer / conversation though!)

To me ... it is 2009 you know, not 2008! Oh, dear!

Kiss my arse Kis...

Hold on baby, hold on ...

I wish that hick-tub-of-lard would face his effing sceen!

Measel ... "spotted" a mile away! Ha ha !

Customer: It would look real nice in the basement but I don't have a basement.
Me: Huh?

12/31: I've decided I don't like Mary, not today anyway!

01/03: Free FIVE, plus free FIVE, plus a denim clad day, can't be bad!
 
Day One: 7/3390.00
Day Two: 5/2009.00
Day Three: 9/3750.00
Day Four: 14/6560.42
Total: 35/15,709.42

Just in case you're wondering (yes, YOU!) ... I've updated my FILM links to the left so (now) 2008 is complete. I've added a link for 2009 also.

Exciting, eh?

From True Grit (1969)

Rooster Cogburn: When's the last time you saw Ned Pepper?
Emmett Quincy: I don't remember any Ned Pepper.
Rooster Cogburn: Short feisty fella, nervous and quick, got a messed-up lower lip.
Emmett Quincy: That don't bring nobody to mind. A funny lip?
Rooster Cogburn: Wasn't always like that, I shot him in it.
Emmett Quincy: In the lower lip? What was you aiming at?
Rooster Cogburn: His upper lip.

SPATEN

Bill Kenwright Exclusive

Tuesday 30 December 2009

David Moyes has single-handedly re-established Everton's place among English football's elite, according to chairman Bill Kenwright.

The Blues manager has steered the Club to three top six finishes in four seasons, a feat they are on course to repeat once more this campaign.

When Mr Kenwright became owner at Goodison nine years ago, Everton's reputation was in stark contrast to their current status as regular challengers to the league's top four.

He told evertonTV: I can remember ten, 12 years ago, people would, sadly, say ‘Everton were one of the top six’ - and we were.

"When the Premier League was first mooted all those years ago, it was always (talk of) the top six clubs and Everton were one of them. Now, we are, by right, one of the top six clubs again. We aren’t in terms of money, we are, definitely, in terms of history, but I think we are in terms of today and tomorrow now. If I can take some share in that then fantastic – but it’s not me, it’s David Moyes."

The chairman explained that Moyes arrival at Goodison led to a policy shift at the Club.

"It was David Moyes who came in, and I remember right from the word go, it was his decision to bring the age of the players down," said Mr Kenwright.

"(He said to me) every year make sure you can give me one major signing and I will fill up the rest."

Mr Kenwright went on to reveal just why he believes Moyes is so successful.

"What the fans don’t know, and what is my privilege, is how much actual work he puts in to every game," he continued. "You might think all managers do; this manager is painstaking in his research, in his knowledge of the opposition and getting across to the players what they will come up against.

"Not a lot has changed in David’s attitude since he arrived but a lot has changed in the stature of this football club.

"I can remember saying within months of him arriving that he was going to be one of the great managers; I think he is one of the great managers now.

"There’s no shadow of doubt about that, he’s one of football’s great managers.

"He is a clever, committed, talented, painstaking, straightforward, thinking man’s football manager."

While Mr Kenwright is enjoying Moyes' success at close range, he maintains he is looking to take a step back by finding a significant investor for the Club.

He has never made a secret of his desire to relinquish ownership to a wealthier occupant but admits he would jump at the opportunity to remain Chairman.

"I am not looking to celebrate 10 years as owner," said Kenwright, knowing he will reach a decade at the helm in December 2009. "Would I like to be chairman next year with the kind of money in place that David needs? Yes.

"But in no way would that be any kind of obstacle to anyone coming into the Club. I do think for anyone looking to invest in a football club, Everton has everything you need. When I talk to people and I do my, 'This is Everton' speech, their jaws drop to the floor."

Despite this, the global economic crisis means Mr Kenwright's search for the right investor continues.

"Our search goes on," he said. "I sort of know why it hasn't happened yet. In the main, the economic climate for the last few months means no one has got the money to invest in football. Right now that is the biggest reason.

"There were a couple of groups that I thought would be really good - one in particular - but the climate means it's not the right time."

 

The team spirit at Everton is the best Bill Kenwright has witnessed in his nine year ownership of the Club.

Mr Kenwright has been hugely impressed with the desire and dedication of David Moyes' current crop of players.

The chairman entertained the travelling squad when Everton played Spurs last month and was delighted with the attitude of the players.

"What warms my heart is the knowledge that they are just Evertonians," he told evertonTV. "We had the famous night out together six weeks ago, and they are just totally in love with this football club, and with each other and with the whole spirit of ‘let’s do this for Everton’.

"That, I suppose, after nine years, is what thrills me the most."

Despite a sizeable injury list that has robbed Everton of all their recognised strikers, the Blues have still managed to climb the Premier League table with an impressive run of results.

Mr Kenwright believes this is almost entirely down to the aforementioned team spirit - and coupled with the proliferance of the obvious ability within the squad, he senses tangible success is in the offing.

He added: "In this particular squad of players, he (David Moyes) has got 15, 16, 17...20 disciples who want to play for this football club.

"We’ve all been aware over the years of the kissing of the badge and footballers saying ‘this is my dream come true’ - then leaving the club six months later. The one thing that every Evertonian knows, and I can verify it, is that these boys have wanted to play for this Club. They don’t need to kiss the jersey; they don’t need to do histrionics. They want to play for each other and for the team.

"I just feel that they want to achieve for themselves and for this football club," continued the chairman.

"That is what David and myself, and the rest of the board wants to achieve too. You can’t have any greater testament to a football club. You can pretend you are playing for one of the greatest football clubs in the world, but to live, eat, sleep, breath it and to go out and perform the way they have in the last four weeks, with not a striker in sight, has been phenomenal."

 

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is confident Everton will improve their squad in the next transfer window.

Kenwright admits that transfer windows are stressful times for chairmen but he remains fully focussed on providing as much support as possible for manager David Moyes.

Moyes has already revealed that he expects to be dealing principally in the loan market next month.

Kenwright told evertonTV: "Hopefully we will be able to do some good deals in the January window.

"Nothing makes the transfer window easier. The only thing that makes it easier is the knowledge that you are as one. You can’t be 'got at' if you have total trust between chairman, board and manager."

Moyes has regularly gone on record to acknowledge that his chairman has been as accommodating as is financially possible throughout the Scot's tenure as Blues boss.

"David can’t say it often enough, he says it all the time, ‘I know if Bill Kenwright had it, I would have it’," continued Kenwright. "The club has already had my house up and down so many years, and we know exactly where we are at and as long as we are in it together. I don’t think we have ever failed each other on that respect. We know what we need, and we will be working 24/7, just as we were through the summer."

Despite other Premier League clubs having significantly deeper pockets through their wealty backers, Everton were still able to break their Club transfer record for the third successive summer when Marouane Fellaini arrived on September 1.

"People forget what was achieved this summer," continued Kenwright. "Because we loaned Pienaar last summer people forget that we bought him this summer. We extended the most important contract of all, which was David’s, and we brought in a remarkable young player (Fellaini).

"(There were) Several loan signings, which cost a few bob, and I do think that is beginning to bed in.

"We have been blessed over the years when we have made decisions early-on over the summer. This year it was just not possible. It was 24/7, non-stop, but the fact that it was deadline minute on deadline minute doesn’t negate the fact that we made some really good strategic moves in the summer."

 

One Of The Goodison Greats

He may not have the trophies to show like Harry Catterick or Howard Kendall, but in many Blues eyes David Moyesy is up there with the best of them for his achievements at Everton. In the mad financial world of football today, Moyesy has turned Everton from perennial relegation fodder into a season in season out top six club, playing in Europe. His Chairman Blue Bill is singing his Manager's praises. and hopefully one day Chairman, Manager and fans alike can celebrate a well deserved trophy win.

Blue Bill says: "I can remember ten, 12 years ago, people would, sadly, say ‘Everton were one of the top six’ - and we were. When the Premier League was first mooted all those years ago, it was always (talk of) the top six clubs and Everton were one of them. Now, we are, by right, one of the top six clubs again. We aren’t in terms of money, we are, definitely, in terms of history, but I think we are in terms of today and tomorrow now.

If I can take some share in that then fantastic – but it’s not me, it’s David Moyes. It was David Moyes who came in, and I remember right from the word go, it was his decision to bring the age of the players down. (He said to me) every year make sure you can give me one major signing and I will fill up the rest.

What the fans don’t know, and what is my privilege, is how much actual work he puts in to every game. You might think all managers do; this manager is painstaking in his research, in his knowledge of the opposition and getting across to the players what they will come up against. Not a lot has changed in David’s attitude since he arrived but a lot has changed in the stature of this football club.

I can remember saying within months of him arriving that he was going to be one of the great managers; I think he is one of the great managers now. There’s no shadow of doubt about that, he’s one of football’s great managers. He is a clever, committed, talented, painstaking, straightforward, thinking man’s football manager."

BBC Review of the year 2008: Art and culture

From great paintings to giant spiders and gold statues, 2008 was a busy year in the arts world. Here are some of the year's highlights.

JANUARY

A giant sculpture of a spider by French artist Louise Bourgeois, entitled Maman, was donated to the Tate Modern. The gallery's director Vicente Todoli said it was an "historic moment".

Actors including Sir Ian McKellen, Kevin Spacey and Joanna Lumley passed a motion of no confidence in Arts Council England at a meeting of 500 Equity members. They were angry at proposals to cut the funding of nearly 200 organisations.

An exhibition of art from Russia opened at the Royal Academy, following a diplomatic row. The show was threatened after the Russians were concerned some of the works could be seized, but a law giving immunity from seizure to cultural artefacts lent from abroad was pushed through by the government, saving the show.

Scottish author and stand-up comic AL Kennedy won the £25,000 Costa Book of the Year award for her novel Day. Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, poet Jean Sprackland, former postwoman Catherine O'Flynn and children's author Ann Kelley were also up for the prize.

FEBRUARY

Russia announced the Bolshoi Theatre would not reopen until November 2009 - a year behind schedule - after emergency work was carried out to save it from collapsing. Engineers found more than 75% of the structure was unstable.

Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed how he planted his next stage star on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. For three months, viewers saw Summer Shaw, played by Summer Strallen, pursue her dream of West End stardom - in reality Lord Lloyd-Webber had already decided to cast Strallen as Maria in The Sound of Music.

An armed gang stole four paintings worth $160m by Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh and Monet from a museum in Zurich, Switzerland. It happened days after two Picasso paintings were stolen from another gallery near the city.

Pop Idol loser Darius Danesh was revealed as Rhett Butler in a new stage production of Gone with the Wind. Despite getting a standing ovation on opening night in April, the show received mixed reviews and closed early.

MARCH

French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster was commissioned by London's Tate Modern gallery to fill its Turbine Hall. Gonzalez-Foerster, known for her visitor participation atmospheric works, was the ninth artist asked to exhibit in the hall.

British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90. He achieved his greatest fame in 1968 when his short story The Sentinel was turned into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

A painting of 18th Century scholar Elizabeth Carter was rediscovered by London's National Portrait Gallery. The portrait, painted between 1735 and 1741 by John Fayram, was found by curators in a private collection.

Hairspray triumphed at the Olivier Awards in London, with a total of four awards. The West End hit was named best new musical, with main acting plaudits for Michael Ball, Leanne Jones and best supporting actress Tracie Bennett.

APRIL

Letters between James Bond author Ian Fleming and his "Miss Moneypenny" fetched £14,340 at auction - almost five times more than expected. The collection showed a close relationship with Jean Frampton, a secretary hired to type his 007 manuscripts.

Lucian Freud's one-time muse Sue Tilley revealed she was paid £20 a day to sit for a painting worth millions of pounds. But she insisted she did not do it for the money and shared "lovely lunches" with the artist. Freud's 1995 work, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, was sold in New York in May for $33.6m.

Author and comedian Charlie Higson announced plans to write a new series of novels about the young James Bond. Fast Show star Higson was given the licence to write the Young Bond children's books by the family of Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Artist David Hockney donated the biggest painting of his career to Tate Britain in London. Bigger Trees Near Warter, is 4.6m by 12m (40ft by 15ft) and is made up of a grid of 50 small canvases. It will be displayed at Tate Britain in 2009.

MAY

Artist Beryl Cook, known for her colourful and comic paintings of larger-than-life ladies, died at the age of 81. Cook had no formal training and did not take up painting until her 40s, but her work went on to become hugely popular.

Actress Cate Blanchett stepped into a censorship row in Australia to defended an artist whose portraits of nude children were seized by police. Bill Henson's exhibition, featuring naked 13-year-olds, was condemned by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as "revolting". The police inquiry was later dropped.

A Francis Bacon masterpiece - Triptych (1976) - broke the artist's record at auction after selling for $86.3m in New York. Bacon used Ancient Greek legends as inspiration for the painting, which depicts disfigured human faces.

Edvard Munch's The Scream, damaged by armed robbers who took the masterpiece in 2004, went back on display in a Norwegian museum. The expressionist painting had been recovered in August 2006 and had been damaged when it was pulled out of its frame.

JUNE

Police in Brazil recovered an engraving by Pablo Picasso that was stolen from a museum in Sao Paulo. The Painter and the Model was taken in a daylight robbery from the state-owned Estacao Pinacoteca museum. A second engraving was found two months later.

Author Rose Tremain won the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction for her tenth novel The Road Home. She topped a shortlist of six to take the prize, together with a £30,000 cheque, at London's Royal Festival Hall.

A Claude Monet painting fetched a record £40.9m for the artist's work at an auction in London. Painted in 1919 in France, Le Bassin Aux Nympheas has been seen in public just once in the past 80 years.

A desk and chair belonging to Charles Dickens sold for £433,250 at a charity auction in London. It is thought they were used by the author when he wrote Great Expectations at his Kent home Gad's Hill.

JULY

Doctor Who and Star Trek fans were told they would be banned from having sci-fi merchandise signed by David Tennant and Patrick Stewart while they starred in Hamlet at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

A £6,000 sculpture at the Royal Academy in London was accidentally smashed by a visitor. The 9ft ceramic sculpture, called Christina, was one of five by Costa Rican artist Tatiana Echeverri Fernandez on show at an exhibition curated by artist Tracey Emin.

A newspaper claimed it had identified mysterious graffiti artist Banksy, naming him as 34-year-old Robin Gunningham. A spokeswoman for Banksy refused to comment. "We get these calls all the time," she told the BBC.

Actress Juliette Binoche announced she was learning how to dance for her latest artistic endeavour - a collaboration with critically-acclaimed British choreographer Akram Khan and Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor. The show, In-I, opened at the National Theatre in September.

AUGUST

The National Gallery of Scotland and the National Gallery launched a joint bid to raise £50m to stop Titian's masterpiece Diana and Actaeon from being sold abroad. The Duke of Sutherland offered the work to the galleries for the knock-down price on condition they raised the money by 31 December.

Several publishing houses announced plans to "age band" their children's books, citing research that suggested people buying books for children would welcome the guidance. But the plans enraged a number of writers, among them former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo.

Wolfgang Wagner bid farewell to the Bayreuth opera festival in Germany after 57 years at the helm. The 88-year-old blinked back tears as the annual music festival, founded by his grandfather - composer Richard Wagner - came to a close.

Controversial artist Tracey Emin admitted she was "scared" that an exhibition - at Edinburgh's Gallery of Modern Art - looking back at 20 years of her work would be criticised.

SEPTEMBER

A two-day auction of art by Damien Hirst raised £111m - setting a new record for a sale dedicated to one artist. It was the first time an artist sold a substantial body of work this way.

Kenneth Branagh received rave reviews for his performance in a new staging of Chekhov's early play Ivanov in London's West End.

A model of a Western city made from dog chews and 15 life-sized figures suspended upside-down were among the exhibits at the new Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London. Its inaugural exhibition was The Revolution Continues: New Art From China.

Some of artist Mark Rothko's most famous paintings were reunited for an exhibition at London's Tate Modern. The display brought 15 of his so-called Seagram murals under one roof.

OCTOBER

Two hundred yellow and blue bunk bed frames were unveiled as part of the latest art installation to fill the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. TH.2058 - created by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster - symbolised an apocalyptic vision of London in the future.

A 50kg gold statue of model Kate Moss was unveiled at the British Museum. The £1.5m sculpture, entitled Siren, by artist Marc Quinn, was one of several contemporary sculptures in the exhibition Statuephilia.

Aravind Adiga won this year's Man Booker Prize with his debut novel The White Tiger. The 33-year-old Indian-born writer was also the youngest author on the shortlist for the £50,000 prize.

The Royal Opera House revealed plans to establish a northern base at Manchester's Palace Theatre. The proposal to open a new opera, ballet and lyric theatre venue is being examined by Arts Council England.

NOVEMBER

The skull held aloft by actor David Tennant in Hamlet was a real one, it was revealed. Pianist Andre Tchaikowsky left his skull to the RSC when he died in 1982 in the hope it would be used on stage, but Tennant was the first Hamlet to use it during a performance.

The Archbishop of Westminster urged the National Gallery to give up a Renaissance masterpiece, calling it "a work of faith" rather than art. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said The Baptism of Christ, painted by Piero della Francesca in the 1450s, should be in Westminster Cathedral.

Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne was apparently killed off. But Scottish writer Grant Morrison told BBC News there would be "a lot more twists and turns to come" before the story was finally resolved.

Singer Gareth Gates was revealed as the new Joseph in the West End musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Gates, who will take over from Lee Mead from 9 February, said it was a "dream" role.

DECEMBER

The month was overshadowed by the death from cancer of playwright and Nobel prize winner Harold Pinter. He was 78. Michael Billington, Pinter's friend and biographer, told the BBC: "Harold had been ill for a very long time, but he had a titanic will and one imagined he would go on fighting." Artist Mark Leckey won this year's Turner Prize for his work combining sculpture, film, sound and performance. His £25,000 winning piece included a film featuring Felix the Cat and Homer Simpson. An understudy stepped in to perform the lead role at La Scala's season-opening premiere in Milan after its conductor decided an Italian tenor was not up to scratch. Giuseppe Filianoti was removed from the performance of Verdi's Don Carlo after making mistakes during a dress rehearsal, and replaced by US tenor Stuart Neill.

A collection of EH Shepard's original drawings for the Winnie the Pooh children's books fetched £1.26m at auction, in London. The top lot, "He went on tracking, and Piglet... ran after him", one of Shepherd's best-known drawings, went for £115,250 - a record for the artist.

BBC Review of the year 2008: Film

This year saw strikes, awards ceremonies and a host of eagerly anticipated movies.

Here's a look at the other film highlights of 2008.

JANUARY

The year began with the continuation of the Hollywood writers' strike which hit a number of high-profile film projects.

A number of award ceremonies were affected, including the Golden Globes, which turned into a press conference.

The film world also mourned the death of Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger who died from an accidental overdose in in his New York apartment, aged 28.

Many stars paid tribute, including fellow Australian Nicole Kidman, who called his death "a terrible tragedy".

FEBRUARY

The film awards season ended in February with the Baftas and the Academy Awards ceremonies.

No Country for Old Men picked up four Oscars including the best picture and director gongs, while Atonement was Bafta's top film.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard took the acting honours in both ceremonies, with Tilda Swinton bagging the best supporting actress trophies.

Meanwhile, US writers voted to end their strike and return to work.

MARCH

March saw the death of Oscar-winning British director Anthony Minghella, who died aged 54 after having surgery for cancer of the tonsils and neck.

Actor Jude Law described him as "a sweet, warm, bright and funny man".

Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and denied claims he had "months to live". He went on to film a US TV drama.

And the long-awaited 32nd Carry On film got one step closer to being filmed after a final script was signed off.

APRIL

In April a stunt driver crashed an Aston Martin DBS into Italy's Lake Garda while filming James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.

Rocky, a grizzly bear which featured in this year's Will Ferrell comedy Semi-Pro, killed its handler in California.

Actor Wesley Snipes received a three-year prison sentence for tax offences. He was granted bail while he appeals against his conviction.

And Ben Hur star Charlton Heston died at his home in Beverly Hills, aged 84.

MAY

Sex and the City fans were rewarded to a big screen version of the TV series in May - after a four-year wait.

Out of Africa director Sydney Pollack died of cancer aged 73 after being diagnosed 10 months earlier.

The Cannes Film Festival saw the world premiere of Indiana Jones 4 and Jack Black confirming that Angelina Jolie was expecting twins - by mistake.

Actress Sharon Stone also caused a storm after claiming China's earthquake could have been the result of bad "karma".

JUNE

June saw Johnny Depp take home two prizes at the MTV Movie Awards, where Transformers won best film.

Hollywood actors tried to resolve their dispute with studios over new contracts before 1 July. Although there was no strike, an agreement is still pending.

The Wizard of Oz and The Godfather shared top billing in the American Film Institute's best films list.

Meanwhile, Four Weddings and a Funeral was named best British movie in an internet poll.

JULY

Batman film The Dark Knight was released in July to rave reviews.

It broke US box office records - including best opening night and weekend and the fastest movie to gross $400m (£260m). It took just 18 days.

But the UK premiere was marred after Christian Bale faced assault allegations from his mother and sister.

Elsewhere, Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, while Nicole Kidman gave birth to her first child, Sunday Rose.

AUGUST

Mickey Rourke made a comeback at the Venice Film Festival in August with The Wrestler, which won the coveted Golden Lion for best picture.

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac died in Chicago aged 50 after complications arising from pneumonia.

And the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was pushed back from November to July 2009.

Warner Bros said the move was to guarantee a major summer blockbuster, while also blaming the writers' strike.

SEPTEMBER

September saw another Harry Potter story - this time with Warner Bros losing a court case against the makers of a Bollywood film called Hari Puttar.

Despite Warner Bros claiming the title was too similar, an Indian court ruled the film could be released that month.

Actor Ryan O'Neal and his son, Redmond, were arrested and later charged with possession of methamphetamine.

Meanwhile, screen legend Paul Newman and Don LaFontaine, who voiced more than 5,000 movie trailers, died.

OCTOBER

Frost/Nixon, inspired by Sir David Frost's 1977 interviews with disgraced US president Richard Nixon, kicked off the London Film Festival in October.

High School Musical fans saw the students of East High graduate in the third instalment of the franchise.

The 22nd Bond film Quantum of Solace was released, breaking UK opening day and weekend box office records.

And trade newspaper Variety said Matt Damon would be back as CIA assassin Jason Bourne for a fourth time.

NOVEMBER

In November, Lost creator JJ Abrams unveiled footage from his eagerly anticipated Star Trek prequel.

Angelina Jolie made a tearful tribute to her late mother at a press conference for her film Changeling.

Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix also announced he was quitting his acting career to focus on music.

Elsewhere, musical film Mamma Mia! became the fastest-selling DVD in the UK after selling 1.67m copies in its first day on sale.

DECEMBER

December saw Mamma Mia! break another record, this time becoming the highest grossing film in the UK, taking more than £69m and beating 1997's Titanic.

The estranged brother-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was charged with killing her mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew.

Baz Luhrmann's epic film Australia was released on Boxing Day after four years in the making.

And Scarlett Johansson sold a used tissue on eBay for $5,300 (£3,600).

BBC Review of the Year 2008: TV/Radio

A year of departures, reality shows and controversy - it all happened in the world of television and radio in 2008.

Here's a round-up of some of the most headline-grabbing stories .
JANUARY

January saw the US TV industry hit by the Hollywood writers' strike, bringing production to a standstill.

Millions tuned in to watch Vera Duckworth's final scenes on Coronation Street. Actress Liz Dawn had played the character since 1971.

The newly formatted Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack saw 20-year-old politician John Loughton win the show.

Meanwhile, viewers and TV stars mourned the death of prankster Jeremy Beadle who died from pneumonia aged 59.

FEBRUARY

Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth celebrated his 80th birthday in February with a star-studded dinner.

Actress Emily Perry, better known as the flamboyant Dame Edna Everage's long-suffering bridesmaid Madge, died at the age of 100.

It was a month of new beginnings on Five with Aussie soap Neighbours and newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky both moving from the BBC to the channel.

Kaplinsky helped boost Five's evening news ratings by 72% in a month.

MARCH

March saw former Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw win ITV skating show Dancing On Ice.

EastEnders attracted 167 complaints after the soap showed character Max Branning being buried alive in a coffin by his wife and her lover.

Former Walford star Michelle Ryan gave ITV2 its largest ever audience with The Bionic Woman, attracting 2.2m viewers.

And Radio 4 listeners heard newsreader Charlotte Green dissolve into giggles while on air during Today.

APRIL

Children's TV presenter Mark Speight was found hanged in London in April following the death of his fiancee, actress Natasha Collins, in January.

My Family star Kris Marshall suffered head injuries after being hit by a car in Bristol. He made a swift recovery and appeared on stage the next month.

This month also saw 9.7m people tune in to watch Ricky and Bianca's return to Albert Square.

Meanwhile Gavin and Stacey and Harry Hill's TV Burp dominated the TV Baftas.

MAY

TV talent shows picked winners in May with Jodie Prenger cast as Nancy, David Cook winning American Idol and George Sampson triumphed in Britain's Got Talent.

Russia won its first Eurovision Song Contest. The UK came last.

Broadcaster James Whale was sacked from radio station Talksport after urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections.