Dec 172014
 
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The ECHO’s liveblog is the only place for all the latest news, views rumours and more about Everton FC – produced by us and gathered from around the world

Joe Rimmer and the team will be with you today 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 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 Joe @joerimmer88 or Alex @AlexReaSport. You can also tweet our EFC Twitter page @LivEchoEFC with all your thoughts on the days events.

Stick with the ECHO for the best EFC coverage around

Joe Rimmer

Steven Naismith has tempered expectations on young Ross Barkley by asking for the British media to give him time to find consistency. Everton's Ross Barkley (second right) celebrates scoring their first goal of the game with team-mates Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas Everton’s Ross Barkley (second right) celebrates scoring their first goal of the game with team-mates Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas

Barkley scored a wonder-goal in Everton’s victory over QPR on Monday evening but Naismith says that the midfielder still needs time to learn.

“It’s the normal kind of British mentality where he is expected to be a world beater as soon as he comes in,” the Scot told members of the media.

“Young players are going to be hot and cold for many years. It’s not until they hit their mid-20s they will be very consistent.

“Ross has suffered from a bit of that. He’s got all the talent in the world but he’s got a lot to learn and you just have to give him time to learn.”

Joe Rimmer
Joe Rimmer
Joe Rimmer

Ian Snodin is, like most Blues, fairly happy with Everton’s Europa League draw after the Blues were handed an assignment at Young Boys Berne in Switzerland.

He writes: “I was thrilled to be present at the draw along with club secretary Dave Harrison. It was a real honour to be asked to represent the club at such a prestigious occasion, and it’s fair to say we were both satisfied with the outcome.

“You can’t show any emotion when the draw is being made, but beforehand Dave and myself had listed the clubs we wouldn’t mind drawing and the clubs we didn’t want to face.

“There were a few long Russian trips, one to Ukraine and a couple to Turkey which would have been demanding for the players.

“But having just made the hour-and-a-half flight to Switzerland, as soon as Young Boys of Berne came out of the hat myself and Dave looked at each other and nodded.”

Click here to read more.

Joe Rimmer

More uncertainty over Mirallas. He’s usually quite reliable, is Kristof Terruer.

Kevin Mirallas was hopeful he would be fit for Southampton, but doctors still fear he might be out for a few weeks w an ankle injury. #efc

— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) December 16, 2014

Joe Rimmer

Kevin Mirallas has claimed that Jordan Mutch “lost the plot” on Monday evening, saying the QPR midfielder could have broken his ankle with a wild tackle.

Everton FC v QPR in the Barclays Premier League at Goodison Park. Roberto Martinez speaking to Kevin Mirallas before (Free £25 bet offer) Kick-off.

“I think my opponent completely lost the plot, as he brought me to the ground with a scissors tackle,” said Mirallas.

“I felt incredible pain in my ankle straight away. I feared it was broken.

“I wanted to keep possession of the ball, to waste some time and stay calm.

“I shielded it well, but don’t know exactly what happened next.

“But I’ve been reassured about the injury, and should be able to play against Southampton on Saturday.”

Joe Rimmer

It looks as though Tim Howard and Brad Friedle have buried the hatchet. The two had been at odds over something that Howard had written in his book.

My statement regarding my book and Brad Friedel pic.twitter.com/b4KfbjI3Pv

— tim howard (@TimHowardGK) December 16, 2014

Joe Rimmer

“I’m as dangerous as anybody with the ball at my feet.”

So says Romelu Lukaku. The big Belgian told Phil Kirkbride that he’s more than just a targetman.

Everton FC v QPR in the Barclays Premier League at Goodison Park. Romelu Lukaku holds off Yun Suk-Young.

He said: “I don’t want to be seen as a targetman.

“Even though I am tall it has never been my main strength but I am working on it.

“My main strength will always be when I face play and have the ball at my feet, that is when I am as dangerous as anybody.”

Click here to read more.

Joe Rimmer
More than a target man

Phil Kirkbride has an exclusive interview with Romelu Lukaku today, and the big Belgian says he is so much more than just a target man.

Today’s ECHO back page  

Joe Rimmer

Good morning and welcome to the Everton FC liveblog. I’m Joe Rimmer and I’m up at the crack of dawn to bring you all the very latest throughout the day on the Blues.

I’ve got an early Christmas present for you today – a live Q&A with none other than Everton reporter Greg O’Keeffe. He will be here at 12.30pm to answer all your questions ahead of Saturday’s game at Southampton.

If you have a burning question for Greg, and I hope you do, simply leave a comment below or send me a tweet @joerimmer88. Alternatively, you can leave your questions on Facebook later this afternoon where Greg will answer you himself.

I’ll be back in a moment with all the day’s top stories. Don’t go away.


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

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