Recently by Cath McDonald

Now I must admit to being a big fan of the new kit. It's stylish and a nod to the Everton team of yesteryear, known as The Black Watch. Yes it's pink. That seems to be the main point fans are making.

So why have Everton decided to call it the new 'All Black' away kit?

Were some Everton insiders scared of opposing fans laughing at us for wearing pink?

That I can take.

Now there is a headline we don't see everyday!

This blog is a few days late as I've not long got back from Wembley. But after waiting 14 years to get into Wembley I'm going to complain about the amount of time it took me to get out.

I'll start by congratuating Moyes for being the first manager to out-fox fergie in the mind games. If he hadn't hinted that Riley was a red I'm pretty sure that he'd have given a penalty for the foul on Welbeck. But that's it for the penalty decision nonsence, (it certainly wasn't 'stonewall as many papers have reported) Tim Howard would most likely have saved anyway! This was our day and it should be remembered for a great win, not the referee. I'm not too interested in talk about Fergie disrespecting us by putting his reserve team out, afterall the two players who missed the vital penalties cost a combined total of £62m between them.

JACK RODWELL already holds an Everton appearance record, has scored a goal in a crucial FA Cup tie and has drawn comparisons with England star Rio Ferdinand.

But Everton Academy officials are quick to dismiss the notion that the youngster has 'made it.'

The teenage powerhouse became the youngest footballer to ever represent Everton in European football when he figured in Alkmaar against AZ in December 2007.

He steadily built on the bright impression he made that evening and has figured regularly in the Premier League this season.

WHEN the latest product of Everton's fruitful youth academy made his record-breaking debut in December 2007, supporters could have been forgiven for feeling cautious.

Francis Jeffers, Michael Ball, Tony Grant, Michael Branch, Jon O'Connor, Jamie Milligan and Danny Cadamarteri had all broken into the Goodison Park outfit's first team during the 1990s, having graduated through the club's ranks.

Yet despite all showing glowing potential after nailing down a place in the squad, none of them forged a lengthy career in L4.

While Jeffers' star as a Premiership striker faded almost as quickly as it had risen, the likes of Grant, Cadamarteri, Milligan and Branch all went on to carve out a career in English football's lower leagues.

"Mikel Arteta is out for six months." It is the worst piece of news I've heard all season. Words cannot describe how gutted I was seeing him go off on that stretcher. I'm sure everyone's heart sank, knowing the news couldn't be good. We can cope with injuries at Everton, as we have shown all season, but injury to Arteta? Could this be a step too far for our tiny squad?

We have huffed and puffed for months now, admittedly playing some admirable football on the way, but you get the feeling that even the players will have taken a kick were it hurts when hearing the news Arteta is out for the rest of the season.

When is Rafa going to learn? The 'friendly derby' will never return at this rate.

Moyes knows to show repect to other managers, remaining humble in saying "We look after our business here, we do things with a bit of dignity at Everton." It's a pity Rafa had to ruin things again.

I obviously hope your team don't find that extra bit of creativity to break us down in the replay, but sort your own team out before having a go at ours please Mr Benetiez.

Perhaps Rafa should look closer to home and instead explain how one of the most expensively assembled squads in the world, at full strength and at home, failed twice in a week to beat a half strength Everton team. A team which in total cost about the same amount of money as Robbie Keane, who wasn't even good enough to make the Liverpool squad yesterday.

The forgotten man. So much potential that we never got to see, apart from the odd cross whipped in I can't say he ever produced anything of note. Could he finally come good for us in our time of need?

Steve Round has now joined the list of people mentioning our lack of money in the kitty (how may times are the fans going to be told we are skint? As if the cold weather and injuries aren't depressing enough.) Which makes me guess we'll only get someone in January who is willing to play for free. Obviously I'm up for it, but last time I tried I went off with a stitch after 20 minutes.

Story by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON assistant manager Steve Round has revealed how last month's defeat to Wigan marked a turning point in their season.

The 1-0 loss at the JJB Stadium marked a low point in the campaign, with manager David Moyes on the receiving end of travelling fans' fury after the game.

But that below-par performance has been wiped out by two 1-0 wins at Tottenham and Manchester City, which came either side of a 3-2 home defeat by Aston Villa in which the performance wasn't rewarded by the result.

The recent resurgence will stand the toughest test possible tonight against a Chelsea side looking to go top of the Premier League with their ninth successive away win of the season.

by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

FATHER CHRISTMAS will have to leave room for some extra mince pies if he pops in at Premier League grounds this week.

After all, visitors to England's top flight clubs have never been treated as well as they have this season, encouraged to help themselves to point the way Santa helps himself to some extra sips of the sherry.

A pattern that the teams taking to the field at Goodison Park tonight will know all about.

If home form is undermining Chelsea's challenge, with more points dropped than they have taken, then their away form will have them relishing the prospect of a trip to Merseyside, even on a Monday evening in Christmas week.

by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON will consider speaking with referees' chief Keith Hackett if they feel Marouane Fellaini continues to be unfairly treated.

The club's record £15million signing has been booked eight times this season, including in each of his last three matches.

Everton feel on a number of occasions the bookings have been more to do with Fellaini being an imposing figure, and the fact he stands out with his shock of black curly hair.