Recently by James Pearce

STEVE ROUND admits Wembley glory would be the perfect finale to a memorable first year for him at Goodison.

The 38-year-old hasn't looked back since he left Newcastle United and accepted the chance to become assistant boss at Everton last summer.

Round had big boots to fill following the departure of Alan Irvine to Preston but he has firmly established himself as a key member of the club's backroom team.

The former Derby County full-back was sold by David Moyes' vision for the Blues and he admits the move has lived up to all his expectations.

AS far as Wembley send-offs go, this was just about perfect. An emphatic victory, the end of Louis Saha's goal drought and most crucially of all a clean bill of health.

David Moyes had demanded that his players sign off at Goodison in style and they delivered with aplomb.

The only spare seats during the post-match lap of honour on Saturday were in the away end as supporters stayed to pay tribute to the Herculean efforts of Everton this season.

It was a celebration of triumph in the face of adversity.

WHEN Joe Parkinson looks at the class of 2009 he sees the same kind of qualities which enabled Everton to secure Wembley glory in 1995.

The former Goodison midfielder played a key role in the Blues' last FA Cup triumph when Paul Rideout's header saw off the challenge of Manchester United.

Fast forward 14 years and Parkinson is preparing to return to Wembley for the Blues' final date with Chelsea on May 30.

This time the 37-year-old from Wigan, dubbed the pie man during his time at Goodison, will have to settle for a place in the stands but he is confident Everton will upset the odds once again.

A WEMBLEY final maybe on the horizon but this Everton side have got tunnel vision.

Any fears that their capital showdown with Chelsea would be a distraction and result in their campaign just petering out were eased by a comfortable victory at the Stadium of Light.

It was the perfect response to both the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City and the crushing disappointment of losing defender Phil Jagielka for the rest of the season.

EVERTON Under-18s extended their unbeaten run to five matches with an impressive 3-0 victory at Bolton in the FA Premier Academy League.

Lewis Codling bagged a double and Luke Powell was also on target to help the Blues climb to third place in Group C.

Coach Neil Dewsnip said: "It was a very young team but they continue to blossom.

"It has surprised us a bit but good on them. They got an opportunity a few weeks ago and boy have they taken it.

NEIL DEWSNIP admits confidence is high in his under-18s squad ahead of this Saturday's trip to Bolton in the FA Premier Academy League.

The Blues extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-0 victory at Leeds which lifted them above Liverpool in the table.

Schoolboys Jordan Barrow, Tom Donaghan and Adam Cummins all made their academy debuts and Conor McAleny's first-half goal was enough to give Everton the points.

Coach Dewsnip said: "We had a very young team again so I'm absolutely delighted with the performance and the result.

EVERTON Under-18s coach Neil Dewsnip hailed his side's 3-2 victory at Newcastle as their best display of the season.

The Blues came out on top in the five-goal thriller to climb up to sixth place in FA Premier Academy League Group C.

"I was delighted with the performance and it is as well as we have played all year," Dewsnip said.

"Our team is a new one compared to the start of the season so it has taken a bit of time for the trans-ition to take place.

EVERTON Under-18s' hopes of victory were blown away as they had to settle for a point against Stoke City in the FA Premier Academy League at Finch Farm.

Karl Sheppard gave the Blues the lead in the first half but the windy conditions made life difficult and Stoke were able to get back on level terms.

Coach Neil Dewsnip said: "The match was played in a gale force wind which blew right down the pitch. It was a lottery and it wasn't conducive to good football.

COACH Neil Dewsnip is hoping his players will take a lot of confidence from their impressive 3-1 victory at Blackburn in the FA Premier Academy League.

The Blues went into the game on the back of successive defeats to Manchester City and West Brom but triumphed courtesy of goals from Adam Forshaw, Luke Powell and Conor McAleny.

"It was a great win and it's something the players needed," he said. "It is good for morale and gave the place a lift.

"We started well and took the lead but after that they were a real threat and equalised.

TEENAGE midfielder John Paul Kissock impressed in his first Everton reserve team appearance since returning from a loan spell at Accrington Stanley, but the Blues had to settle for a point against Blackburn at the Halton Stadium.

Jason Lowe put Rovers in front but Hope Akpan equalised.

Everton fell behind after 17 minutes as they paid the price for failing to clear a corner. However, just eight minutes later Akpan fired past the keeper to level proceedings.