Everton couldn't have hoped for a better opportunity to win at Anfield for the first time since 1999. But even with Torres out, Gerrard off-form and the home team down to ten men after half an hour, Everton squandered the opportunity in a fiesty encounter in which they simply didn't create enough chances.

Everton comprehensively outplayed City and deservedly ran out 2-0 winners thanks to first half goals from Pienaar and Saha. The win follows a strong performance away at Arsenal last weekend and suggests that the blues are ready to put early season injury problems behind them and start competing for a top 6 finish.

Everton followed up a great result in Athens with a morale boosting point against Spurs - coming from two goals down in a game that David Moyes will ultimately take a lot of positives from.

Everton boss David Moyes has suggested that he does not feel the club is in a position to move forward following the collapse of their new stadium plans, which is sure to fuel rumours that he could quit.

Moyes, preparing to entertain Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, was said to be considering his future on Wednesday once news of the government's decision to block the plans for the ground in Kirby had emerged.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka has undergone a second knee operation and may not play again until after Christmas, adding to the injury woes at the Toffees that has seen them get off to slow starts in the Premier League and Europa League.

Jagielka, 27, has been sidelined since damaging knee ligaments in April but had been hoping to return to action before the end of November. However a problem, described by Everton as 'a small cartilage tear', means Jagielka's comeback will be delayed. Jagielka had an operation on Wednesday, Everton revealed.

A shocking week for the injury hit blues who were given a good hiding at the Stadium of Light by a very good Benfica side, then beaten right at the death by Bolton with yet another player going off injured.

Back-to-back home draws with Stoke City and Wolves have brought Everton back down to earth after a good run, and left us praying for the return of Pienaar and Arteta.

Having scored eleven goals in a week without reply, Everton had to work hard to to earn a hard fought 1-0 win over Portsmouth. The difference was a moment of class from Louis Saha and a top drawer performance from Tim Howard, who repelled everything Pompey threw at him to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Everton finally put a bad premier league start behind them by following up Thursday night's 4-0 demolition of AEK Athens with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on sunday. Seven goals, clean sheets, new players on show and an indication that the early season blip is behind us.

After the win over Wigan and with new players finally onboard, the feel good factor looked like returning to Everton and there was optimism that our season could finally get going. That feel good factor evaportated though after another poor display and a defeat at Fulham which also saw us lose captain Phil Neville for what looks like most of the season.