Mike picked Everton as his EPL team for something to do this year and they have been inspired by his vote of confidence. As if in return for his own personal short-lived loyalty, they have spent £6,000,000 and picked up the pathetic Southampton's only Crown jewel, striker James Beattie:

That he opted for Everton represents a coup for Moyes, who has turned a side battling against relegation into contenders for a European place. Tipped for the drop after Rooney's departure, Moyes' men have enjoyed a superb first half of the season, using team spirit and workrate to compensate for the lack of big-name players.

Later: I knew our Man City correspondent would point out the tie with Arsenal this evening but check out my copy of his copy of a gem of a photo, below, the un-goal which was not awarded against Manchester United (pttuie, pttuie). Not one of four officials on the field apparently noticed. Did I mention it was Man U that got the break from the refs? How unusual.