Everton Football Club began the last weekend of this summer’s transfer window buoyed with success in the Europa League qualifiers, but in the doldrums after failing to get a point in their opening two games in the Barclays Premier League.
It was arguably a quiet transfer window all-round, but with Joleon Lescott finally away at Manchester City, would manager David Moyes be able to spend on the players he wanted, and needed due to squad injuries, before the September 1st deadline?
Friday 28th August saw the conclusion of the deal for defender Sylvain Distin from Portsmouth Football Club, with the 31-year-old Frenchman signing for three years at Goodison for an undisclosed fee.
“You always have to think about where you’re going to go, especially at my age,” said Distin. “It’s important for me to enjoy my football now.”
“He’ll give me a direct replacement [for Lescott],” manager David Moyes told the club’s official website.
The purchase of Distin – who has played for Paris SG, Newcastle United and Manchester City – on the heels of Lescott’s departure leaves the coffers a healthy 18million or so to the good, with four days left of the transfer window.
Europa League Draw 28th August 2009
After being drawn in Group I of the inaugural Europa League group stage, Everton are set to play Benfica as well as lengthy trips to AEK Athens of Greece and BATE Borisov of Belarus.
Benfica has a long history in European Football, with the 31-time Portuguese league winners having won the European Cup in 1961 and ’62, been runners-up five times in the same competition, as well as reaching the final of the UEFA Cup in 1983.
However, last season they finished third in the Portuguese Liga, and are no longer the major player that they once were on the European footballing stage.
Seemingly always present in European competitions, AEK Athens most successful run took them to the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1977.
Since being re-established in 1996, the Belarusian tem BATE Borisov have won their home league five times, and in 2008 BATE became the first team from Belarus to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, finishing bottom with three points, although drawing with Zenit St. Petersburg and twice with Juventus.
Afterwards, Blues boss David Moyes spoke about the draw:
“I’m happy enough with the draw and I’m pleased to be in it,” he said. “The travelling is maybe a little bit longer [than I'd have hoped]. Going to Athens is a longer journey than you’d probably like.
“But it’s a couple of nice places for the supporters to go and see and a couple of good games for us all so we’re looking forward to it.”
The first round of matches for the Europa League is scheduled for Thursday 17th September.
Carling Cup Third Round Draw 29th August 2009
Everton FC were given an away clash with Hull City in the third round of the Carling Cup.
Last season saw the Toffees fall at the first hurdle, going out to Blackburn Rovers, but the previous season saw them narrowly beaten by Chelsea in the semis.
In the 2008 – 2009 Premier League season, Everton and Hull drew 2 – 2 in the league fixture at KC Stadium, and Everton won at home 2 – 0.
The match is scheduled to be played during the week beginning Monday 21st September.
Everton FC Barclays Premier League Result
Sunday 30th August 2009
Everton FC 2 – 1 Wigan Athletic FC
(Saha 62, (Scharner 57)
Baines 90pen)
A Leighton Baines injury-time penalty against former club Wigan Athletic gave Everton their first win of the new season.
Everton had been quite wasteful throughout the match, and Wigan may have thought they would nick it when Paul Sharner headed them ahead in the second half.
But minutes later, Louis Saha equalized, setting up a busy final half hour of football.
In stoppage time, substitute Jo was brought down in the Wigan box, and Baines smashed in the winner.
Keeper Tim Howard certainly did his part in the match, and new signing Sylvain Distin had a comfortable debut.
After the match, David Moyes said: “It was a tough game all in all, Wigan made it hard for us, but I thought we controlled most of the game, created a lot of opportunities, and we were always on top.
“I think a lot of people were probably surprised when Wigan took the lead, but if you don’t take your chances the opposition can always score and they did – and could’ve even got a second if I’m honest because they’ve then hit the post.
“But if we hadn’t won it I think we’d have scratched our heads afterwards because we certainly controlled the game. We deserved the winner and from what I saw the penalty was correct.”
Manager Moyes then spoke of wanting two more players to the BBC, video here.
Everton FC played 3, won 1, lost 2, gd -5, points 3, position 16th
The final day of this summer’s transfer window saw Everton Football Club complete the signing of another defender, Dutch international Johnny Heitinga. The 25-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Toffees on 1st September, in a deal from Atletico Madrid for 6million, which could rise to 7million.
“We are really pleased to have him with us,” said David Moyes. “He is an experienced and versatile player who can hopefully fill a number of different positions in the team. I am sure he will be an exciting signing for us.”
Unfortunately, Heitinga will be unable to feature in the Blues’ Europa League games, as he has already played for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League play-offs.
Everton’s next match is on Sunday 13th September against Fulham FC, at Craven Cottage.