Match Report:Sunderland 1-0 Everton

Stephane Sessegnon's first half winner earned Sunderland a valuable three points in their bid to beat the drop.
In an open first half, Sunderland were the first to threaten when Danny Graham, who has yet to score for the Black Cats, tested Tim Howard in the Everton goal. The away side, who dominated possession throughout forced a succession of corners in a decent five minute spell, but were unable to seriously test Mignolet. Sebastien Larsson, who impressed in midfield for the home side, went close with a couple of free-kicks, one of which clipped the top of the crossbar, before Paolo Di Canio's men took the lead in first half injury time. Everton were the architect's of their own downfall as Leighton Baines stupidly gave the ball away in a dangerous position before Sessegnon advanced on goal and hit a shot from 20 yards that squirmed past Howard, who should have done better. David Moyes introduced Nikica Jelavic at the start of the second half and the Croatian gave his side more of a cutting edge, and Mignolet was forced to catch a back pass from Larsson that was heading into the goal. Everton were unable to capitalise on the free-kick from 10 yards out though and Sunderland held on for the win that moved them six points away from the relegation zone.

Arsenal plotting Leighton Baines raid

Arsenal could move for Everton defender Leighton Baines when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to reports.Gunners boss Arsene Wenger showed an interest in the player towards the end of the transfer window it has been claimed, but a deal failed to materialise and Baines ended up staying with the Toffees.The 27-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Goodison Park and Manchester United are known to be keen, but they could now be joined by Arsenal.Left-back is an area that Wenger is keen to strengthen but whether he would be willing to shell out the £15million Everton would be looking for is another matter.Everton believe that is the going rate for an England international but Wenger is unlikely to pay that much for a player that is edging closer to his thirties.

Everton land Oviedo

Everton have agreed a deal with FC Copenhagen for the services of Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo, subject to a medical.Able to operate at left-back or as a left-sided midfield, the 22-yea-old has been a regular starter for Copenhagen since joining from hometown club Deportiva Saprissa.

Toffees assistant boss Steve Round conducted the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with West Brom as manager David Moyes is in London finalising Oviedo's deal.

Asked about Oviedo, Round said: "I have seen him on a regular basis - I have been abroad and watched him, as have all the scouts and the manager.

"But as yet he is not our player. We have work permits to get. That is why the manager is not doing the press today - he is in London trying to tie that up and finalise it.

"Until it's all done we can't really comment too much, but I think later in the day it will all become clearer and when he puts pen to paper we can talk about the player.

"He can play left back, left midfield, left wing - all the way down the left hand-side. That will give us good cover in our squad."

Everton 1-0 Manchester United

Robin van Persie started life at Manchester United with a defeat as Everton produced an outstanding performance to deservedly claim victory at Goodison Park.Sir Alex Ferguson's £24m signing from Arsenal emerged as a 67th-minute substitute - but he made a quiet introduction and was powerless to prevent United starting the Premier League season with a defeat - their first since they lost at Chelsea in 2004.And it was fitting that Everton's winning goal came from the outstanding Marouane Fellaini, who tormented Manchester United's makeshift defence throughout a thunderous evening on Merseyside.The giant Belgian's towering 57th minute header from Darron Gibson's corner finally ended the defiance of United keeper David de Gea, who had kept Everton at bay with a series of outstanding first half saves.Leon Osman also struck the crossbar - and when Van Persie was finally introduced Everton had an iron grip on the game and only looked like conceding the advantage Fellaini had given them when Phil Jagielka cleared off the line from Tom Cleverley.Everton have traditionally been slow starters but in this opening game they dominated United for spells, with keeper Tim Howard only being troubled by the occasional effort from Wayne Rooney.Goodison Park celebrated the victory noisily at the final whistle, leaving Ferguson to contemplate a lacklustre performance undermined by a reshuffled rearguard in which Michael Carrick never settled in his role as emergency central defender alongside returning captain Nemanja Vidic.

United were without Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans - and how Everton exploited the weakness.

Ferguson eased Van Persie into life at Old Trafford with a place on the bench, entrusting attacking duties to Rooney and England youngster Danny Welbeck.

United were grateful to keeper De Gea for a performance of defiance and athleticism that kept his side on terms as they were terrorised by the power and presence of Fellaini.

The young Spaniard stretched to turn over Steven Pienaar's header then dived to turn away the South African's shot as Everton applied pressure. He did even better to save Osman's shot on the turn and leap to claw away a free-kick from Leighton Baines that was destined for the top corner.

United had opportunities of their own but they were rarities, Howard saving twice from Rooney and Welbeck rolling a low shot wide as United claimed a penalty when he tangled with Jagielka.

United's biggest escape came just after the interval when Fellaini once more headed into the path of Osman, who did beat De Gea but held his head in anguish as his effort rattled the crossbar.Everton were not to be denied and finally got the lead they so deserved. The source was no surprise as Fellaini - who had simply been too much for Carrick - rose above him to power in Gibson's corner.

United gave Everton their most anxious moment after 66 minutes when Jagielka cleared off the line from Cleverley and seconds later Van Persie entered the fray in place of Welbeck.

However, with Jagielka and Sylvain Distin magnificent, Everton were in no mood to see their resistance broken and they claimed a win their efforts merited.Everton manager David Moyes: "I'm really pleased because we performed ever so well. We've often started the season slowly but just because we've won one game doesn't mean we've had a good start - as it would not have been a bad start had we lost.

"Marouane Fellaini is a really good player. We can play him behind the striker, in the middle or because of his power in the air we can play him as a defensive one as well.

"The only time we had a really good start here we ended in the Champions League places. I don't know if that's possible but it would be nice for us not to be playing catch up.

"David de Gea made some great saves. In the build-up it was all about Manchester United and what they could do - I felt people called that wrong because we are a tough team to beat at Goodison Park.

"We defended really well when we had to. Phil Jagielka was outstanding."

Everton Linked with Bryan Oviedo

Everton are lining up FC Copenhagen left-back Bryan Oviedo as they brace themselves for a Manchester United bid for Leighton Baines.David Moyes will face competition from West Brom boss Steve Clarke and Italian outfit Atalanta for the signature of the 22-year-old Costa Rican international.Oviedo is out of contract in December and, although he could then move on a free transfer, is keen to try a new challenge outside of Denmark, where he won the title with Copenhagen two years ago."It could be my last month," he said.
"I am waiting to see what happens in this transfer window, that is until August... they are not just rumours, there were many contacts [from clubs]."There are three or four teams in England and also Italy but I cannot say names because it is not definite."Oviedo has been followed by Manchester United who watched him play against Wales in the Gary Speed Memorial match earlier this year, but he did not have a good game.

Jean-Jacques Gosso keen on Everton switch

Ivory Coast international Jean-Jacques Gosso has revealed he would welcome a move to Everton from Turkish side Orduspor.The highly-rated holding midfielder has previously enjoyed spells in Israel and France but the 29-year-old has made no secret of his desire to test himself in the Premier League.Gosso claims he too has heard the rumours about a possible switch to Goodison Park and while he would love the opportunity to play for David Moyes' side, he admits at this stage there has been no dialogue between the relevant parties.He said: "I am very interested if there is an option for me in England."My dream has always been to play in the Premier League and prove myself against midfielders and strikers at the top level."Everton? They are a fantastic team."I know David Moyes likes players who put a shift in, so if he is interested in me, like I am hearing, that means I must be doing something right."Everton are one of the biggest clubs in England, but I have heard nothing official as yet."At the moment I am still in France waiting for pre-season to start."
Gosso joined Orduspor on a free transfer from Monaco last season but earlier this week their chairman Nedim Türkmen expressed his desire to sell him and suggested that Everton had already began transfer talks with them.

Baines Set for £15m Manchester United Move

Everton face a battle to keep hold of England left-back Leighton Baines after Manchester United contacted the club to make an offer.Reports suggest that Manchester United supremo David Gill has been in touch with Everton chief Bill Kenwright to make an opening offer of £12m for Baines, an offer which is almost certainly going to be turned down.However Manchester United are ready to match Everton's valuation of the player thought to be £15mBaines is under contract at the club and David Moyes has no need to sell but if the offer were to reach £15m  then he could use the cash to finance his own moves in the transfer market.It is widely thought that Moyes will allow one of his highly valued players to leave this summer so he can add to his squad and if the offer is enough then Baines could be the one.

Match Report: Everton 0 Manchester United 1

Manchester United continued the re-building process after last week's derby with a disciplined victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Having got back to winning ways against Aldershot in midweek, the Reds netted a much-needed three Premier League points thanks to Javier Hernadez's goal. The Mexican pounced after 19 minutes, converting Patrice Evra's cross. United were in control for the most part although Leighton Baines did hit the cross bar with a free-kick late in the first half.A point would have been just reward for the effort's of David Moyes' side, but having failed to earn that they can take a lot of heart from a spirited display against an opponent with a clear point to prove following a week of largely negative headlines. For United, victory was all-important, with performance second, following their home humbling at the hands of their fierce rivals last weekend. They achieved the former, with only brief but impressive flashes of the latter, interspersed with understandable nervousness. Much debate was been held this week over what United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction would be to last Sunday's defeat as regards team selection. This included dropping defender Rio Ferdinand and winger Nani, retaining Jonny Evans, despite his red card against City, and restoring Nemanja Vidic and Tom Cleverley to what was an attacking line-up, featuring Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal Sign Arteta

Mikel Arteta last night forced through a dramatic last-minute, £10 million move from Everton to Arsenal hours after a deal ­appeared to have collapsed. Arsenal rescued their deadline-day bid for Arteta, even though a row over the player’s fee and contract had threatened to scupper the transfer. In a frenetic few hours of business, Arsenal first thought they had got Mikel Arteta, 29, then both clubs insisted the deal was off before the player stepped in to get it back on. Everton manager David Moyes said: “Mikel indicated to me that he wished to join Arsenal. I am very disappointed to lose him but the prospect of Champions League football was something I wasn’t able to offer.” Arsenal had a £5m approach rejected by Everton on Tuesday, but the move progressed rapidly when the Gunners doubled their offer. But, having booked a medical for Arteta, Arsenal made it clear to the player that they were prepared to offer him wages of only about £60,000 a week, £10,000 less than his Everton salary. The prospect of a four-year contract was also a sticking point but was eventually agreed.Just as the deal appeared dead and Arsenal looked set to have to settle for signing Yossi Benayoun from Chelsea on a season-long loan, Arteta told Everton he would like to leave and lowered his demands to fit in with the Gunners’ offer. Arteta pleaded with Everton to get the move back on and the Gunners rushed it through as the clock ticked towards the 11pm deadline after he offered to take a pay-cut. But Everton were left angry and frustrated that Arteta’s late request had left them with no time to reinvest his £10m fee.

Match Report: Blackburn 0 Everton 1

A controversial last-gasp penalty by Mikel Arteta handed Everton their first win of the season after Blackburn dramatically missed two spot-kicks. Tim Howard was Everton's earlier hero when he saved a 46th-minute penalty from Blackburn's Junior Hoilett. The giant American keeper then watched Mauro Formica's 77th-minute spot-kick slam against the post. Arteta's late winner came after referee Lee Mason ruled Chris Samba had flattened Marouane Fellaini. Despite a host of complaints from incensed Blackburn players, the penalty was awarded in the second minute of stoppage time and Arteta's confident finish condemned Steve Kean's men to their third successive league defeat. Rovers had only themselves to blame, though. They had a chance of opening their Premier League account just after the restart after Everton's inexperienced Ross Barkley brought down Formica for a clear penalty. Hoilett took careful aim but Howard gambled correctly, dived to his left, and kept the visitors in what was, until that point, a pretty mediocre game. Blackburn, who dominated the game from a statistical point of view, got a second chance from the spot when Formica was brought down by Phil Jagielka. But the otherwise impressive Formica could only watch in horror as his penalty hit the foot of the post and bounce away to safety.

West Ham join chase for Beckford

West Ham are the latest club to show interest in Everton striker Jermaine Beckford but the 27-year-old wants to stay at Goodison. Everton have rejected a bid from Leicester while the player does not want to go to Nottingham Forest or Southampton.Manager David Moyes would be prepared to cash in on Beckford just a year after picking him up on a free from Leeds.Moyes has had little success trying to generate cash by offloading squad outcasts Yakubu and Joseph Yobo, and may sell Beckford if Leicester return with a bid closer to £6m.However, the 27-year-old former Chelsea trainee does not want to drop down to the Championship having worked his way up to the top flight from non-League Wealdstone.Beckford is adamant he can succeed in the Premier League and was the Blues’ joint-top scorer last season, albeit with only 10 goals in 38 appearances. However, Moyes was frustrated with him at times and would consider selling for the right price so he could add at least one new face this summer.

Jack Rodwell staying at Everton

The Daily Post is reporting Jack Rodwell will not be leaving Everton FC this summer - despite reports linking the midfielder with Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City.The 20-year-old signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park last summer, but stories circulating this weekend had suggested the England Under-21 could be sold in order to raise funds for David Moyes to reshape his squad.

Moyes has no plans to offload the Birkdale-born man, and that Rodwell has shown no indication that he is looking to leave the club.

Free-spending Manchester City have long been credited with an interest in the versatile midfielder, who can also play as a centre-back, whilst reports claimed that new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp were ready to enter into a £20m battle for his signature.

Moyes, however, would be loath to part with one of his brightest young talents, and is desperate to keep hold of Rodwell, along with fellow first-team stars Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jagielka.

Everton to Lure Charlie Adam

Everton are the latest club to be linked with a move for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, according to reports.Everton boss David Moyes has highlighted the Scottish international as a player who can improve his side at Goodison Park, but note that the Scottish manager will face competition from a number of clubs for the signature.Manchester United are known admirers of the former Rangers star, who is almost certain to leave Bloomfield Road this summer after Ian Holloway's side were relegated to the Npower Championship, ironically on the final day at Old Trafford.Adam, who was linked with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in January, stayed with the Tangerines in their fight against survival, and despite the club activating a clause in the player's contract in an effort to keep him for another season, offers are expected to be made.It's reported that Everton will make a £4 million move for the player, although Blackpool are thought to want double that figure if the playmaker is to leave when the transfer window opens.Sir Alex Ferguson famously stated that the player's corners alone were worth £12 million, and the Manchester United boss is thought to have received positive information on the player from his core of scouts at Old Trafford.The Red Devils are keen to find a replacement for Paul Scholes, and with Luka Modric now apparently out of the running and Wesley Sneijder the only other known target, Adam has moved up the ranks as a possible Manchester United target.

Whilst Everton would be unable to match the financial power of United, an offer of first team football alongside Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini could be an enticing factor for the 25-year-old.

Additionally, his arrival could help persuade wanted players such as Leighton Baines to stick with the Toffees, and that Everton will be looking to improve further on last season's seventh place finish.

Jay Bothroyd set to join Everton

Jay Bothroyd is set for a move to the Premier League with Everton his most likely destination.Bothroyd, who made his international debut for England in the 2-1 friendly defeat to France last November, left Championship side Cardiff after his contract expired and it was thought that the West Ham were interested in acquiring his services.There has however been Premier League interest in Bothroyd and Everton manager David Moyes watched the striker on numerous occasions last season.It is thought he has made his move for the former Wolves forward and the prospect of playing in the top flight is likely to be too tempting.

Bothroyd was Cardiff’s top scorer last season with 20 in all competitions as the Bluebirds made the play-offs, only to beaten in the semi-finals by Reading.

He joined the club from Wolves in August 2008 for £300,000 and scored 41 goals in 112 starts for the Welsh club.

Everton 2 - 1 Man City

Everton brought Manchester City's march towards the Champions League to an abrupt halt with a stirring comeback at Goodison Park.Yaya Toure's first-half goal appeared to set City on course for a win that would have virtually guaranteed a place in the top four as they exerted total domination over the Toffees.But the Merseysiders turned the game on its head in a fiercely-contested second half that concluded with manager David Moyes making it seven wins in his last eight Premier League games against City.Former City defender Sylvain Distin headed Everton's equaliser from Mikel Arteta's free-kick after 65 minutes with goalkeeper Joe Hart at fault - and as Roberto Mancini's men rocked under increasing pressure, Leon Osman rose spectacularly to beat City captain Vincent Kompany and head the winner seven minutes later.
Mancini lost his cool on several occasions in the closing stages, undoubtedly angry at his team's failure to cash in on their previous superiority which brought missed chances from Patrick Vieira and Edin Dzeko.Everton, however, deserve huge credit for the manner in which they recovered from a dispiriting first half to extend their strangehold on City in recent seasons.
Frustrations threatened to get out of hand after the final whistle, with Everton captain Phil Neville held back by referee Phil Dowd, who was also in heated discussion with City coach Brian Kidd as tempers boiled over.Goodison Park revelled in the triumph, reserving special attention for former defender Joleon Lescott, who left Everton for Eastlands in an acrimonious £24m move in August 2009.
City's meeting with Tottenham at Eastlands on Tuesday now assumes added significance while Everton once again demonstrated what dangerous opponents they can be - a fact no doubt noted by Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, who brings his side to Goodison on the final day of the season.
Mancini left Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson on the bench - but David Silva's wonderful elegance and creativity meant they were not missed in the first 45 minutes when eventual defeat must have been far from City's minds.Silva even drew applause from Everton's fans for a stunning piece of instant control, which he followed with a shot across goalkeeper Tim Howard that flashed inches wide.
All the visitors' good early work revolved around Silva, and Vieira was guilty of wasting another chance fashioned by the Spain international, shooting wildly over the top when it seemed certain he would score.
Toure was not about to miss out when Silva slipped past Distin and carved open the home side's defence once more after 28 minutes, finishing emphatically high past Howard after being played in by another perfect angled pass.Everton's only serious response was a header from midfield man Jack Rodwell that flew just wide and Moyes made an alteration the situation demanded at the interval, removing defender Tony Hibbert in favour of striker Jermaine Beckford.It was still City dictating affairs just after the break, though, with Howard plunging at the feet of Toure after he was sent clear by Silva, and Dzeko's header dropping inches off target with the Toffees keeper scrambling.The Merseysiders attempted to unsettle Mancini's men with a more physical approach, which went too far. Rodwell was shown a yellow card by referee Dowd for a reckless lunge on Nigel de Jong. But Kompany was also cautioned for becoming involved in the ensuing melee.
Dzeko fired narrowly wide for City as they attempted to put daylight between themselves and an increasingly confident Everton, who made a change by replacing Rodwell with Tim Cahill.The equaliser came instantly, although Cahill was not involved, Distin's header from Arteta's free-kick sneaking past Hart, who should have done so much better.And with Goodison Park rocking, the home side completed their recovery with a second seven minutes later - a goal of bravery and quality from Osman.
The little man was giving away height, weight and reach to Kompany but he soared magnificently above the defender to send a flying header over Hart.Osman suffered a blow to the head in the collision but was able to recover and was afforded a standing ovation from Everton's elated supporters.
City were stunned and almost fell further behind when Beckford stole in on Victor Anichebe's cross only to be denied by Hart's crucial block at the near post.
Everton were never in serious trouble after that - forcing City to wait to stamp their passport into next season's Champions League.

F.A.Cup Everton 0 - 1 Reading

Matt Mills's first-half strike was enough to give Championship Reading victory over Premier League Everton and take them into the FA Cup last eight.The defender fired in low from 12 yards out when an Everton clearance from his initial goalbound header fell back into his path.Everton went closest when Royals keeper Alex McCarthy made a sensational one-handed save from Leon Osman.Osman and Seamus Coleman also headed narrowly wide for the Toffees.The home side were greeted with boos at the full-time whistle following what had been largely a passionless performance.

Reading, meanwhile, celebrated as they reached only their third ever FA Cup quarter-final, where they will face either Manchester City or Aston Villa. A repeat performance could see them go even further in the competition.The Championship outfit were a clear second best for the first 25 minutes as Everton controlled the flow of the traffic. However, the home side only produced one chance worthy of note.Osman, one of their few bright lights, delivered a delicious ball to the far post which Coleman managed to head towards goal only for his effort to bounce into the ground and over the Reading bar.The Royals's sortees forward were dependent on their midfield picking up scraps left by a dominant Everton.But they also had a brilliant dead-ball specialist among them in the figure of former Leeds full-back Ian Harte.He was the provider for his side's goal when his corner-ball found Mills, whose initial header was cleared by Osman but only back to the spot where the Royals captain was standing - Mills made no mistake with the follow-up.

The Berkshire side should have increased their lead a few moments later when Sylvain Distin failed to control a ball played back to him and the pacy Kebe stole in, only to place his shot into the clutches of the on-rushing Tim Howard.
Everton, like Reading, have players who can deliver accurate crosses into the area but it was a night when they missed Tim Cahill's anticipation and potency in those dangerous areas.
One such occasion saw Osman head Leighton Baines' cross over the bar, which his injured Australian team-mate would have probably powered in.
Reading, six points shy of a play-off place, were very well-organised on the night and their defence admirably coped with the Everton attack.
But they needed the largely inactive McCarthy to produce a stunning save 12 minutes before time to keep the status quo.
Baines' cross from the left was headed back in the direction of Osman whose ferocious snapshot was swiped away by the England Under-21 stopper.
Everton were also out of luck when Louis Saha's hooked shot from a corner was blocked on the line by his own player Beckford.
There were five minutes of staoppge time and shrieks could be heard from the Everton fans as balls were launched into the Reading area.
But McDermott's visitors defended admirably and it was only appropriate that it was hero Mills who was the one who prevented Mikel Arteta from providing a goalscoring opportunity with a brilliant block at the death.

Everton beat Chelsea on penalties

Phil Neville hit the winning spot-kick as Everton booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea.
Frank Lampard put Chelsea ahead in the fourth round replay with a low strike in the first half of extra-time.
But visitors Everton stunned Stamford Bridge by equalising at the death through a Leighton Baines free-kick.
In the shoot-out, both sides missed once before Ashley Cole fired over and Neville slotted into the top corner.
Everton felt they did enough to merit victory in the original tie at Goodison Park and set out as if desperate to make up for that missed opportunity.
Sunday's 2-0 loss at Bolton would also have provided a source of motivation, with Toffees boss David Moyes describing it as "one of the worst performances" he had seen during his nine-year reign.
The visitors bristled with intent early on and managed to pin Chelsea inside their own half by holding a high line and getting their full-backs forward at every opportunity.
They were aided by a sluggish start from Carlo Ancelotti's men, who were seeking a first win in three and appeared nervous in possession.

Marouane Fellaini worked hard to disrupt Chelsea's rhythm in central midfield, Seamus Coleman's pace down the right troubled Cole and Leighton Baines was a regular threat with his swirling deliveries from the left.
But Everton's Achilles heel this season has back the absence of a regular cutting edge up front, and so it proved again as Jermaine Beckford - deputising for the injured Louis Saha - struggled to impose himself on a Blues defence rigged in the absence of ineligible new signing David Luiz.
And so, predictably, it was Chelsea who came closest to opening the scoring when a Lampard set-piece was glanced on to his own post by Phil Jagielka before John Terry put his follow-up over the bar.
Twenty minutes in, that was Chelsea first meaningful chance and it seemed to spur them into life as, five minute later, Lampard saw a close-range shot blocked and Tim Howard saved with his legs to deny Florent Malouda from the rebound.
Chelsea had an injury concern over Didier Drogba - limping heavily with a knee complaint - but the Ivorian soon recovered to put Malouda through on goal, only for Howard to foil the Frenchman.
The hosts were by now on top and, after Drogba had fizzed a shot over from 30 yards, they were left furious when Ramires was cautioned for diving following a challenge by Howard in the penalty area.
Ancelotti used half-time to replace the ineffective John Mikel Obi with first-choice holding midfielder Michael Essien and the move seemed to give Chelsea added impetus.
They spent the beginning of the second period encamped in Everton's half and two Drogba free-kicks came close to breaking the deadlock - the first picked up well by Howard, the second headed wide by Lampard.
Everton managed to weather that storm and carved out a couple of their own openings, Leon Osman heading straight at Petr Cech from a Baines free-kick and Beckford skewing way off target from Mikel Arteta's cross.
But back came Chelsea and two chances in quick succession - Howard reacted brilliantly to deny Lampard from close-range and an Ivanovic effort was inadvertently cleared off the line by team-mate Salomon Kalou.
Yet the Mersysiders held out once more and, as the final 15 minutes approached, they grew in confidence, substitute Diniyar Bilyaletdinov crossing from Coleman to power a header at Cech.
Moyes opted to replace Beckford with Anichebe and the move almost paid immediate dividends as the stretching Nigerian narrowly failed to convert another Bilyaletdinov centre.

At the other Lampard squandered a glorious chance - floating a chip over the bar when he surely would have scored with a more direct strike - before Everton though they had won it.
Baines stepped in from the left to unleash a fierce right-footed drive that Cech could only Parry for Fellaini to tap home, but he was adjudged offside and replays suggested the decision was just about correct.
Extra time arrived and Ancelotti used the break to introduce Anelka in place of Malouda - a clear signal of the Italian's desire to continue attacking.
Soon after, Moyes replaced Osman with holding midfielder Johnny Heitinga - suggesting he was ready to settle for penalties.
Everton's move invited Chelsea forward and it was Anelka whose cross found its way to Lampard via the chest of Drogba, the England midfielder slotting a low finish into the bottom corner.
The previously-tense atmosphere suddenly fell flat and Chelsea looked set to take their place in the fifth round.
But Everton had other ideas and after they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of area, Baines stepped up to curl a delightful equaliser into Cech's top left-hand corner.

Football Fans join Footballcrazy the new  fans social media site, get the latest news, blogs, results, scores and transfer news click here

Bolton 2 - 0 Everton

Daniel Sturridge scored his third goal in three games to help Bolton earn a scrappy victory over Everton.
The hosts took an early lead when Gary Cahill ran clear to head in Stuart Holden's free-kick from the left.
Tim Cahill could have levelled when he failed to make proper contact with Leighton Baines' fine cross.
But Sturridge, 21, underlined his potency in front of goal since joining the Trotters in January by lashing in following a Bolton free-kick.
The on-loan Chelsea forward also went close late on and his form shows that he can deliver when given the chance to play from the start.
His two league starts for his new club are as many as he has achieved in the previous two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle and his men were boosted by this win which keeps them in eighth spot in the Premier League but it was a miserable afternoon for their opponents, who could not find any rhythm to their play and were restricted to very few chances.
Everton manager David Moyes cut a dejected figure at the final whistle and will wonder how his team failed to fire after crashing in five goals against Blackpool last weekend.
The Merseysiders were without the injured striker Louis Saha and although they had Tim Cahill back in attack, combinations by other players seemed disjointed.
Sturridge, on the other hand, linked well his new team-mates from the start and proved a suitable beneficiary of Kevin Davies's knockdowns.
With Johan Elmander coming in off the right, Coyle's team were looking more fluid and, after a Sam Ricketts shot was pulled wide, the hosts took the lead in fortunate circumstances.
Victor Anichebe was adjudged to have fouled Paul Robinson deep on Bolton's left flank, although the contact by the Bolton defender looked stronger, and from the resulting free-kick Holden whipped in a dead ball which Gary Cahill met on the run.
The ball took a deflection from Johnny Heitinga on its way in but Moyes was fuming with his defenders for allowing Gary Cahill so much room in the box.
Tim Cahill returned to the Toffees' starting line-up after the Asia Cup and was perhaps a bit rusty when meeting Baines' fine cross soon after, where he could have easily levelled matters.
But his attempted volley from six yards out bounced into the ground and over the bar when a header might have yielded a better result.
The Australian was part of a five-man Everton midfield, swapping positions with Mikel Arteta regularly, and the Spaniard found Anichebe with a fine through ball, but the stretching Zat Knight managed to cover.
Unfortunately for the defender, who has completed all of Bolton's last 50 Premier League games, he injured his knee ligaments in the process and is expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
With a goal cushion, Bolton's advances became fewer and it took time for Everton to wrest more control of the game, with Arteta's shot the only tangible effort before half-time.
That shift in the game's balance was in part down to Moyes' decision to push Cahill further up the field but they also looked threatening via Baines' deliveries.
As the rain began to lash down the game turned scrappy with Tim Cahill and Sturridge off-target with half-chances.
And despite Moyes' attempts to change his team's focus with a double substitution, the on-loan Sturridge again showed his ruthlessness in front of goal when he fired in to double Bolton's lead.
Following a free-kick where Gary Cahill made a nuisance of himself, Lee Chung-yong beat the Everton defence to a header and Sturridge was free to smash in from the angle.
That goal took the tension out of Coyle's side and pretty much ended the game as a contest.
Despite some probings by Anichebe, the Everton midfield could not find the crucial pass to their forwards, with the Nigerian and substitute Jermaine Beckford left frustrated.
Holden had the ball in the back of the net from Sturridge's classy back-heel but the ball was deemed to have gone out of play, while Sturridge and Elmander could have made it worse for the visitors but their shots were narrowly wide.
The defeat leaves Moyes' team six points above the relegation zone and although his team appear to have the talent to avoid that stress, this display will cause them concern.

Everton 5 Blackpool 3

Louis Saha grabbed four goals as Everton broke Blackpool's spirited resistance in a remarkable game.
The hosts dominated before the break and Saha stroked them ahead but Alex Baptiste's six-yard shot levelled it.
A neat near-post Saha effort made it 2-1 but Jason Puncheon's side-footed finish and Charlie Adam's measured header put the visitors ahead.
Saha headed home to level at 3-3 and he added his fourth on the break after sub Jermaine Beckford's fizzing volley.
It was a quite awesome match at a rain-soaked Goodison Park, full of incident, controversy and free-flowing, no-holds barred attacking football.
But the first 35 minutes threatened little of the excitement that followed as a strangely subdued Blackpool barely got out of their half.
Their attacking intent was once again on display as manager Ian Holloway opted for three up front, with DJ Campbell accompanied by full debutants James Beattie and Puncheon.
But their refreshing approach seemed to have been crushed by a run of six defeats in seven Premier League games and they struggled to get a kick.
Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all wasted free-kicks from the edge of the area within the first 20 minutes as the hosts seized control.
Johnny Heitinga saw a fizzing shot beaten away by keeper Paul Rachubka, who was recalled at the expense of Richard Kingson, while Blackpool defender David Carney almost put through his own net after an unfortunate rebound.
Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell also both wasted good chances but Saha's calm 20th-minute finish after excellent work by Bilyaletdinov on the left looked like setting the platform for a routine win against an out-of sorts Blackpool.
But the game turned from pleasantly entertaining to jaw-droppingly exciting when Baptiste bundled the ball in the leveller after Ian Evatt's shot from an Adam corner rolled along the line.
Everton then had a goal ruled out in hugely controversial circumstances when referee Kevin Friend disallowed a Saha effort.
Friend blew up to penalise full-back David Carney for a tug on Seamus Coleman, and his whistle blew just as Saha was about to see his strike cross the line.
Everton boss David Moyes was rightly furious but Friend had no option - even though he must have known he had dropped a clanger of titanic proportions.
But what - at the time - seemed destined to be game's taking point, turned out to be largely insignificant after a breathless second half.
The refereeing team emerged to a chorus of boos after the break but Saha's second - after wonderful work and a pinpoint cross from Baines - seemed to get the hosts back on track.
Maybe the sense of injustice helped and Everton continued to press with Rachubka forced into a decent save to deny Bilyaletdinov after a cheeky Saha flick.
But Blackpool were a different side after the interval and their belief was restored after Puncheon drew them level following a smart pull-back from Beattie.
A sweeping counter-attack saw them forge ahead when Puncheon steamed forward and found Campbell. The striker fired a fine effort against the bar but Adam was on hand to head home.
Everton responded and piled forward in search of an equaliser.
Neal Eardley was forced to hack away a goalbound effort and Evatt made a stunning sprawling clearance to deny Rodwell after keeper Rachubka inexplicably came racing out of his goal.
But Everton, chasing only their sixth Premier League victory of the season, were not to be denied for long and a frantic final 15 minutes saw them wrap up a victory they thoroughly deserved.
Saha restored parity when he headed home from three yards following an Arteta corner and just six minutes from time Beckford smashed home a wonderful first-time volley from a teasing Baines centre.
And there was still time for French striker Saha to triple his league tally for the season when he ran half the length of the pitch and coolly finished past Rachubka.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Everton

Arsenal came from behind to further prove their title credentials in a hard-fought clash at the Emirates.
Everton controversially went ahead when Seamus Coleman's through-ball found Louis Saha, who seemed to be two yards offside, but he fired into the corner.
Substitute Andrey Arshavin levelled when he volleyed Cesc Fabregas' chipped pass in from close range.
Arsenal's superior possession was rewarded when Robin van Persie's corner was headed in by Laurent Koscielny.
It was a crucial victory for Arsenal, who faced a potentially damaging defeat as Everton protected the lead given to them in contentious circumstances for so long.
Arsene Wenger's side showed little of the style and fluidity that is their hallmark but this was about digging deep and getting the job done, qualities they demonstrated and that will serve them well as the season reaches its climax.
For Everton and Moyes there was only frustration in defeat, despite holding Arsenal comfortably for long spells, inspired by outstanding displays from midfield man Marouane Fellaini and goalscorer Saha.
Arsenal remain five points behind United and emerge unscathed from what they believed was a real injustice after Saha's strike threatened to give Everton only their fifth win in 32 meetings with the Gunners under Wenger.
Everton enjoyed more of the possession in the opening exchanges, in which Jack Wilshere was booked for a foul on Mikel Arteta , who was also the victim of a nasty challenge from fellow countryman Fabregas.
As Arsenal established a measure of composure Fabregas was narrowly off target and Theo Walcott could only shoot against the legs of Everton keeper Tim Howard with a shot from an angle.
Everton took that disputed lead in a moment that caused anger to sweep around The Emirates.
The French striker was undoubtedly in an offside position when Seamus Coleman's pass was played, but the intervention of Koscielny persuaded referee's assistant Stephen Child that Saha had been played onside before drilling a fine low finish past Wojciech Szczesny.
Referee Lee Mason, under pressure from Arsenal's players and against the sound and fury of the Emirates, consulted his assistant at length before allowing the goal to stand.
Arsenal responded and Johan Djourou flicked on Van Persie's corner but Koscielny was inches away from applying the crucial final touch.
Wilshere then opened up Everton's defence, Van Persie lifted his finish over the onrushing Howard but also over the bar.
The half-time whistle was met with a predictable chorus of jeering setting the scene for a tense second period as Arsenal set about rescuing the situation.
It took changes from Wenger and a rare defensive lapse from Everton before Arsenal finally turned the game around with two goals in the space of five minutes.
With 20 minutes remaining, Everton's Rodwell could only stretch to direct Fabregas' pass into the path of Arshavin, who beat Howard comfortably. It was the breakthrough Arsenal craved and they grasped the opportunity fully.
Howard saved in routine fashion from substitute Nicklas Bendtner's overhead kick, then quite brilliantly from Van Persie's rising 25-yard free-kick.
Everton could not hold on and Arsenal took the lead after 75 minutes when Koscielny rose to meet Van Persie's corner to spark wild celebrations with his team-mates.
Even then Everton were not finished and Rodwell was only a whisker away from an equaliser with a header from Arteta's corner.
It was the final anxious moment for Arsenal and referee Mason's final whistle was met with a mixture of elation and relief.