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Stick with the ECHO for the latest news, views rumours and more about Everton FC – produced by us and gathered from around the world

Neil Jones will be here from 7am to ensure constant coverage of all things Blue, including news, great photos, nostalgia, live interviews and much more.

Alex Rea will then join the fun from Wednesday to Sunday at 3pm to take you all the way through to 11pm to ensure you are always updated on all the breaking news from Goodison.

There will be polls, stats and live webchats with our EFC reporter Greg O’Keeffe each week, plus the inside line from Finch Farm as we bring you every press conference and interview.

We want you to get involved too – tell us your thoughts on what’s happening at Goodison by tweeting Neil @neiljonesecho or Alex @AlexReaSport . You can also send our Everton Twitter page a message @LivEchoEFC.

Neil Jones
JOEL BACKING

New Everton FC signing Joel Robles New Everton FC signing Joel Robles

Roberto Martinez has given his backing to Joel Robles, who is set to start in goal for Everton against Krasnodar tonight.

The Spaniard, who joined from Atletico Madrid in summer 2013, has only made two Premier League appearances for the Toffees but his manager insists he can step up when first-choice Tim Howard eventually retires.

Martinez said: “Joel is ready. He’s young in goalkeeping years but I wouldn’t say he is inexperienced. He has had many experiences and working his way through with other top keepers at Atletico and then had good experience at Rayo Vallecano, saving a team from relegation is as strong a challenge you get as a keeper.

“He won the FA Cup with Wigan and was very influential in the final, now he is coming into a big club and he needs to fight and find a way for him to be himself.

“Last season was good for him in that respect. Now he is a player that is ready to fight for his place and I think he has the perfect combination of being young enough to do that but has the experience to be able to perform whenever he is on the pitch.”

Read the full story here

Neil Jones

I’d go for two pairs, if I were you.

Any spare long johns for tonight?

— Everton Aren’t We? (@EvertonArentWe) December 11, 2014

Neil Jones
TRAINING PIC

Everton during a training session at Finch Farm on Wednesday December 10. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Everton players at Finch Farm on Wednesday afternoon.

Neil Jones

As it’s Bainesy’s birthday, here’s a look at just why he’s so highly regarded, at Everton and beyond.

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Neil Jones
Neil Jones
ON THIS DAY

Lee Carsley after his derby winner in 2004 320 Lee Carsley after his derby winner in 2004 320

In 2004, Sunday ECHO columnist Lee Carsley ended the Blues’ seven-year wait for a Goodison derby victory.

Watched by 40,552, Everton’s biggest home Premier League attendance, Carsley’s goal secured a 1-0 victory, and moved Everton up to second in the Premier League table.

The team that day: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Weir, Pistone, Osman (Watson), Gravesen (Yobo), Carsley, Cahill, Kilbane, Bent (Ferguson)

Neil Jones

Going to be a cold one at Goodison tonight folks. Maybe Pique has hit upon a decent solution?

Gerard Pique was compared to a medieval knight after sporting this last night. #UCL highlights coming up on #SSNHQ. pic.twitter.com/Ci79JJB2fj

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) December 11, 2014

Neil Jones

Christmas gift idea…

Alan ball DVD on sale st Luke’s 2nite £10, tower/Toffeeshop print. £10

— Paul Wharton (@paulwhartonefc) December 11, 2014

Neil Jones

Everton fans have not seen much of Arouna Kone since his arrival at Goodison in 2013.

Here’s a reminder of the Ivorian’s goalscoring qualities. Some nice finishes in here.

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Neil Jones
A VIEW FROM THE GWLADYS STREET

Everton during a training session at Finch Farm on Wednesday December 10. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

This week, the ECHO has spoken to Mark Ellis of evertonviral.com to get the lowdown on all things Blue.

Mark speaks about the Blues’ defeat to City, the upcoming Europa League tie with Krasnodar and what Roberto Martinez needs to change before 2015.

Read the full story here

Neil Jones
ON THIS DAY

Dixie Dean, 433 appearances for Everton FC

In 1937, William ‘Dixie’ Dean made the last of his 433 appearances for Everton.

It wasn’t a winning one, or a goalscoring one. In fact, the low-key 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham was watched by a crowd of just 17,018.

Dean scored 383 goals in those 433 games. The term legend is an overused one, in my opinion. It fits like a glove with this fella.

Neil Jones
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Roberto Martinez Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez has named seven of the players who will start tonight’s Europa League tie against Krasnodar at Goodison.

Arouna Kone, Bryan Oviedo, Christian Atsu, Steven Pienaar, Tyias Browning, Luke Garbutt and Joel Robles will all start for the Blues.

Martinez has also said that defender Antolin Alcaraz, on his way back from injury, will feature in the game as will Conor McAleny.

The Blues boss confirmed that two members of the Everton Academy will also play a part in the tie with Krasnodar but the manager would not name them. “I want to give them a good eight hours’ sleep,” he joked.

Who do you think the four unnamed starters will be? Let us know.

Read the full story here

Neil Jones
KONE WANTS SCORING RETURN

Everton’s Arouna Kone during training on Wednesday night. Picture: Action Images / Ed Sykes

Here’s our back page lead from today.

Aroune Kone will start for Everton against Krasnodar at Goodison tonight, and the Ivorian international striker is determined to start his “big comeback” with a goal.

“If I did manage to score it would be fantastic,” Kone told the ECHO. “I would say it would represent the beginning of a big comeback.

“I’ve got such a huge passion to get my first goal in an Everton shirt. It would be marvellous.”

Read the full interview here

Neil Jones

Good morning all. I’m back, fresh as a daisy(ish) to see you through until 3pm today with all the latest Blues news and views.

We’ll have all the build up to tonight’s Europa League clash (what do you mean ‘dead rubber’?!) with Krasnodar at Goodison, and we’ll also have the best comment, nostalgia and social media postings around.

Get involved by leaving a comment at the bottom of this story, or by tweeting us @neiljonesecho @LivEchoEFC. You know it makes sense.


Want something else to read? How about ‘Grievous Censorship’ By The Guardian: Israel, Gaza And The Termination Of Nafeez Ahmed’s Blog

Compare prices of Everton flags.

 Posted by at 7:03 am

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