Pre-season Highlights against Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart

Here are some highlights on Everton's pre-season tour of Australia. Everton has won both matches that they have played so far. The Blues next play the Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on Saturday.

Everton beat Sydney FC 1-0. Victor Anichebe scored the lone goal

Highlights:

Everton beat the Melbourne Heart 2-0, with goals from Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha. Saha also missed an early penalty shot from Seamus Coleman. I didn't get to see the match, but from the looks of it, looks like Coleman had a great match. Everton seemed to dominate the pace of the game much more compared to their last match against Sydney.

Here are the Highlights:

Everton defeat Sydney FC in pre-season clash.

Victor Anichebe scored in the 46th minute to defeat Sydney FC. I didn't get to catch the game, but it seems that while Sydney played quite well, there were more chances for the Toffees. Players like Arteta, Osman, and Anichebe all looked to continue their great form coming back from injury last season.

The Toffees were wearing their pink away kits that, I have to admit, are not as bad in action as I though they would be. They are still quite a downgrade from last season's away kit.

More news on Everton's pre-season Australia trip to come as news breaks.

Random Thoughts, Tears, and World Cup Update

Guest Blog entry #2 at Royal Blue Mersey:

http://www.royalbluemersey.com/2010/7/8/1558392/random-thoughts-tears-and-world

What the World Cup Means for Everton

I am going to be guest blogging at Royal Blue Mersey every so often so some of my posts will have links to their site.

What the World Cup Means for Everton:

http://www.royalbluemersey.com/2010/6/14/1516879/what-the-world-cup-means-for#storyjump

João Pedro Pereira Silva officially signs with Everton

Though I reported earlier that Everton have gotten Portuguese striker Joao Silva, he had not officially signed with the team. Well, today he officially signed a 3-year contract with Everton. The transfer fee is undisclosed, though I believe it to be around 500,000 Pounds. Joao Silva is a 6 ft. 2 in. striker from the Portuguese second division side Desportivo Aves. He scored 14 goals in 32 appearances.

Senderos Signs With Fulham

Fulham have signed Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos on a 3-year contract. Senderos has been on Arsenal since 2003 but didn't really find much first team action recently. He has been on loan to A.C. Milan and most recently Everton. He made only three appearances for The Toffees. His injury problems and lack of form contributed to his lack of appearances for the club.

Everton News Roundup

Since I've been lazy and haven't posted in a while, I've missed a couple of stories over the last week. Nothing life changing, but nonetheless important.

1) Jermaine Beckford has officially signed a 4-year contract with the club. We knew it was going to happen, we were just waiting for the "official" news.

2) Manchester City is interested in John Heitinga. The reported bid will reportedly be around 9 million pounds even though he is on a 4-year contract with Everton. Heitinga's response to City's interest is a little disconcerting.

"Manchester City have ambition, and I am open to the idea of joining a big club. I hear things said here, there, and everywhere about a move for me, although there is nothing definite yet."

"But I still have a four year contract, without a fixed-buyout clause, so I'm trying to establish myself at Everton. "

It seems that he is always open to joining a bigger club, but he will honor his contract and will only go if the two parties reach an agreement (unlike Lescott and many others). Source: Goal.com

3) Striker Victor Anichebe did not make Nigeria's World Cup roster after they trimmed players to their final 23-man squad. The reasoning behind Nigeria dropping Anichebe seems due to "serious injury", even though Everton is disputing this as misinformation. Everton claim that Anichebe only suffered a minor shin bruise.

I don't know what to believe, this whole situation seems a little bizzare. It makes it even weirder because Anichebe had been performing very well in the tune-ups right before the final squad was named.