New Era Same Vibe - NESV begin life at Liverpool with derby defeat.

"I might be in a sample of one, but I honestly believe the team played well today."

You said it Roy.

Is there any better reason to return to the wonderful world of blogging than the need to annihilate the team you hold beloved?

Let me get one thing straight. This [return] was a long time coming. It is not simply wanting to vent frustration and anger. I'm sure you can make your own mind up though.

Where to start then?

I'll begin by apologising for the fact that Maxi Rodriguez is missing from below. As yet, there are no signs of Maxi apologising for being missing at Goodison Park today, as Everton deservedly thumped their local rivals into 19th place in the Barclay's Premier League.

It's hard to lay all the blame on the doorstep of Mr Hodgson. He may well be ruing his decision to give up a position of worship in SW6, as suggested by Sir Alan Lord Sugar - or whatever he wants to be addressed as. The fact is that the squad he has inherited - and indeed his own additions - is simply not good enough.

Jose Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres aside, the current Liverpool crop are average, at best. Throw in the fact that these three have been well below par for much of the season, and the outcome is that Liverpool are languishing exactly where they deserve to be. Even before things kicked off at Goodison Park today, there was a case to be made that Everton were a team in a position defied by their form. No such case can be made for their city counterparts.

Football purists will appreciate Jamie Carragher's footballing career. Carragher will certainly appreciate his new contract. At the heart of the defence, his presence keeps him afloat - just about. Presence and passion does not make a good full-back. It helps, but without pace and an ability to cross the ball, the next two years won't nearly be as frustrating for Carragher as it will be for Liverpool fans.

Martin Skrtel's early promise as a Liverpool player seems to have disappeared. Alternatively, any striker worth his salt will know that there is nothing more uncomfortable at Anfield than Skrtel facing the ball at the feet of a player with pace and power (a la Yakubu). Well, with the exception of those 'Yanks Out' banners being smuggled out. Although it's not his fault he has to partner the hapless Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Paul Konchesky does not lack effort - he lacks quality.

I've never exactly championed Lucas Leiva - the 'Welsh Brazilian'. I've always believed he needed to be given time. Rafael Benitez must have seen something in him? And Hodgson must see something in him? How can two reputable managers have so much faith in him? Today's performance ensures I won't be championing Leiva any time soon. Your time is up, son.

Raul Meireles and Joe Cole are certainly class players. It seems, however, that after the adrenaline of Cole's move north wore off with an ill-judged challenge on Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny, he has lost the ability to unlock a defence. Or find the target. Or beat the first man. Meireles has also failed to deliver. Hitting it from 30 yards is no good unless you can beat the sprawling, heart-and-head-on-the-line blue shirt throwing himself at you. Liverpool, take note.

A performance bereft of passion, lacking belief and missing quality. Playing Gerrard just behind Torres was effective when Torres had an inkling of form. It was also effective when Xabi Alonso was pulling the strings that Leiva and Meireles are fumbling. I would love to say that Everton were fantastic. They weren't. But they showed passion, belief, and enough quality. And David Moyes' men were more than good value for their victory.

If he lasts that long, Hodgson has a lot of work to do in January and beyond. Over to you, Mr Henry.

Win, lose or FA Cup draw.

You may be wondering where the latest update is, with a bumper weekend of sport still ongoing. Fear not, it's here. Before I start, a thank you to everyone who has offered up invaluable advice. I will endeavour to take it all on board, but please keep the feedback and comments coming. Cheers.

Overloaded FA Cup draw awaits.

Saturday gave the term 'FA Cup Draw' a whole new meaning - eight teams have to do it all over again. With the slight possibility of another draw today at Pride Park and the fact that Arsenal and Cardiff have yet to complete their fourth round tie (Burnley await the winners), we already have a guaranteed 14 teams in tonight's quarter-final draw. We may even be faced with the prospect of having 15 teams gunning for 8 places, something which can't happen too often.

Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Portsmouth got back to winning ways for the first time since the end of November. Caretaker boss Paul Hart says he is only concentrating on the next game. My reading of the situation is that Hart might remain until the end of the season. Otherwise, the shrewd appointment of Brian Kidd will simply have been needless. Portsmouth's next seven games include matches with Stoke (a), Middlesbrough (a), Hull (a), West Brom (h) and Bolton (h). I expect them to have enough quality to climb away from the dogfight below, and Portsmouth to stick with Hart and Kidd until the summer, at least.

Anguish in Antigua.

Friday the 13th probably passed by quietly for most of us. Not for those in Antigua awaiting the Second Test between the Windies and England. After 10 deliveries, it was abundantly clear that the bowler's run-up was unsafe, to say the least. It was a pity. In a part of the world where cricket is paramount, and in a stadium celebrating a legend of the game, Friday's events were farcical. A hastily arranged Third Test has now started, with England making a bright start.

I can't understand, however, the decision to twice put England in to bat after winning the toss. After England's embarrassing First Test collapse, it would have made sense to me for the West Indies to get out and post a decent score, all the while giving England plenty of time to reflect on their batting. Instead, Chris Gayle has given the English a chance to get out quickly and banish the memory, and England have duly obliged (this time around). It's good to see that the selectors, however, have not found any reason to bring Ian Bell back, and Owais Shah will get his chance. With the pitch offering little for the bowlers, and rain forecast over the next few days, the 5/6 being offered by Boylesports makes that my first Banker of the Week.

Murray's mint performance.

Tennis now, and Andy Murray has beaten an obviously distressed Rafael Nadal in the final of the creatively named World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. Nadal was clearly injured and stuggling in the final set, Murray winning 6-3 4-6 6-0. It's a pity to see Nadal hurt, but testament to his character that he stayed out and fought all the way. Murray, meanwhile, is impressing time after time this season. Nadal will be strong favourite at Roland Garros, but he and Roger Federer will rightly be worrying about Murray's form should it continue towards Wimbledon and the US Open.

Two Nations continues.

England may have been heavily criticised for their performance against Italy, but they showed a lot of spirit in yesterday's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Wales' class told in the end, but it offers some much needed encouragement for Martin Johnson and his men. Scotland lost in Paris, another fighting display, and they will offer plenty of resistance for the rest of the tournament. And Ireland saw off a distinctly average Italian side in Rome, bringing to conclusion another weekend that suggests the clash between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff may well decide who this year's champions will be.

So, another substantial if unspectacular sporting weekend continues with the Milan derby tonight, after the FA Cup quarter-final draw is made. Last year, I correctly pointed Portsmouth out as potential winners (albeit to a couple of friends), so this year I offer you another outsider - Everton. They've been really impressive of late, and with a bit of luck they could lift the cup for the first time since Paul Rideout's winner in 1995.