Hitzlsperger extends Everton stay until end of season

Everton boss David Moyes has confirmed German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger will stay at Goodison Park until the summer.



Hitzlsperger, having been without a club since leaving Wolfsburg last summer, signed a short-term contract with the Toffees in October that saw him through to this month.



The 30-year-old former Aston Villa and West Ham player has made seven appearances for the Everton and, when asked about Hitzlsperger's future this afternoon, Moyes said: 'We have decided to keep him on. Thomas is going to stay until the end of the season.'

Jagielka re-signs at Everton

Defender Phil Jagielka has renewed his contract with Everton to keep him at Goodison Park until 2017.



Former Sheffield United captain Jagielka arrived on Merseyside in 2007 and has made 21 appearances in the Premier League this season.



His only goal this term came in a 2-1 victory over Wigan in December and the Toffees currently sit fifth in the table.

Fellaini charged by FA

Marouane Fellaini has been handed one violent conduct charge following his running battle with Ryan Shawcross at the weekend.



The Everton midfielder is facing a three-match ban if he is found guilty of butting Shawcross during the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Britannia.



But a Football Association statement confirmed no action will be taken over two further clashes as the pair awaited Everton corners.Referee Mark Halsey saw both incidents at the time and decided neither was worthy of punishment.



Fellaini will start his suspension with immediate effect, ruling him out of the forthcoming games against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea.

The Belgian, who apologised immediately after Saturday's game, is also likely to be fined by his club after manager David Moyes publicly condemned his player in a post-match interview.

Fellaini faces punishment for headbutt

Everton manager David Moyes said his Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini deserves to be punished for headbutting Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.



Fellaini clashed with Shawcross on the hour mark as the players jostled for position at a corner, but the incident went unnoticed by referee Mark Halsey and his assistants.



"He deserves to get the punishment. I've seen it, it's a terrible thing to do and I expect him to be punished. It's down to the FA. I've told him it's not acceptable and whatever he gets, he and us deserve it," conceded Moyes.



A first-half own-goal from Shawcross had gifted Everton the lead, but Kenwyne Jones struck seven minutes after the break as Stoke stretched their undefeated run to seven matches, while Everton drew for the eighth time in their last 11 outings.



The stalemate left Everton fourth on 27 points, two adrift of third-placed Chelsea, as Stoke remained ninth on 24 points and behind Arsenal on goal difference.



Steven Nzonzi wasted an inviting chance to give Stoke the lead as he headed straight at goalkeeper Tim Howard after Jonathan Walters had steered the ball into his teammate's path, while only a fine goalline clearance from Shawcross prevented Steven Naismith from putting the visitors ahead.



However, Shawcross was the villain soon after as he inadvertently headed Steven Pienaar's teasing delivery from the left beyond a helpless Asmir Begovic to hand Everton a 36th-minute lead.



Leon Osman squandered a chance to double the Toffees' advantage when he failed to hit the target after being picked out by Leighton Baines in the Stoke box, but the hosts emerged from the dressing room after the break looking revitalised.



Howard denied Charlie Adam, but the US international was caught out as Jones equalised on 52 minutes, climbing expertly to meet Shawcross' long diagonal ball and plant a header low into the corner for his first league goal of the season.



The Trinidad and Tobago striker then had an opportunity to give Tony Pulis' men the lead but shot wide from close range under pressure from Phil Jagielka.



Everton should have been reduced to 10-men following Fellaini's senseless act, which could have proved even more controversial as Nikica Jelavic subsequently forced a smart low save from Begovic.



Substitute Cameron Jerome almost made an instant impact for the home side after replacing Adam, drilling just wide of the post after his initial attempt was blocked by Sylvain Distin.



Howard then made a sprawling stop to deny Jerome again before Distin intervened with a vital headed clearance off the line to prevent Peter Crouch from putting Stoke ahead.



Pienaar manufactured a late chance to snatch a winner for Everton, but the South African dragged a tame effort well wide of the mark after running at the hosts' defence as Stoke equalled their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight.

Pulis: Moyes deserves big job

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is at a loss why one of the Premier League's big guns has not poached Everton counterpart David Moyes.

Moyes has pushed Everton into the top four as we reach the halfway stage of the season and they will arrive at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday on a run of just one defeat in 11 games.



Given the Scot's managerial qualities, it remains a surprise to Pulis that he is still at Goodison Park.



"I know David very well. He is a top manager, has done exceptionally well there.



They'll be really pleased they've kept him and that he's still there," said Pulis.



"I'm surprised he is still there, to be honest, because I thought one of the big four might have taken him away after serving a first-class apprenticeship there.



"He's now been there a long time, the players know him, the club know him, he's put his stamp on the place, and they're reaping the rewards from it.



"Traditionally they've been a top, top club over the years, not out of the top flight for many years (since 1954).



"Everton are a benchmark for us in lots of respects. They're a very good club, with the way they've built and put things together.

"As I've mentioned, they've a great manager, but they've top players, and they've a real chance of pushing for the top four. They'll be top six without a question of a doubt this season.



"We haven't had as much time as Everton in the Premier League to lay the foundations, but we're getting there, and that's the main thing. We've had a great year this year. Every year we spend in the Premier League is an achievement. We just want to build the club properly, and over a period of time."

Saturday's round up of the top transfer stories

- Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed their interest in Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United.



- Manchester United have made an enquiry for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, according to Goal.com.



- Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could land £10million Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, 20, in January by letting him spend the rest of the season on loan at Selhurst Park, according to Dailymail.



- QPR boss Harry Redknapp says Robbie Keane and other MLS stars in America could be the answer to help the club's battle to stay in the top-flight.



- Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is leaving the door open for Newcastle to sensationally hijack Andy Carroll’s permanent move to West Ham, writes the Sunday People.



- Brendan Rodgers is confident Raheem Sterling will sign a long-term contract at Liverpool, but will not bow to any 'over-the-odds demands'.



Brendan Rodgers will consider a move for Swansea hitman Michu if he misses out on top strike target Daniel Sturridge in January, writes the Sunday People.



- Liverpool are planning to make a £5million swoop for Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, according to Dailymail.



- West Ham boss Sam Allardyce fears the club could struggle to hold on to in-form midfielder Mohamed Diame.



- Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel says he is 'very happy' at Tottenham following reports he is wanted back at former club Blackburn Rovers.



- Tottenham will try to tempt Fernando Llorente into quitting Athletic ­Bilbao in January.



- Newcastle are ready to smash their wage structure for Demba Ba – but the Senegal striker is turning his nose up at the latest 70-grand-a-week offer, writes the Sunday People.



- Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill is ready to make a ­£5million January raid for Michael Dawson, according to Sunday People.



- AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has cooled speculation linking the Serie A giants with a move for Mario Balotelli in January.



- Roma coach on the still unresolved problem centred around the midfield player, said to be on the radar of a host of big clubs: "I hope he performs as well as he has in previous seasons. Manchester City after him? We have to see where these rumours are coming from, no one has enquired about him".



- Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane has announced his retirement from football.



- Paris St German want to offer Arsenal contract rebel Bacary Sagna a way out of the Emirates.



- David Beckham will be offered a move to the Middle East as he weighs up where he should end his playing career.

Moyes would welcome Lescott back to club

David Moyes has not ruled out bringing Joleon Lescott back to Everton if Manchester City decide to sell.



The England centre-half has been sidelined at City in recent weeks by the emergence of Serbia youngster Matija Nastasic.



And despite the acrimonious nature of his move from Goodison Park to the Etihad Stadium three years ago, Lescott would be welcomed back by his former manager.



Moyes said: "If Joleon wanted to come back - if I thought we needed him - I'd be delighted to have him back.



"If he was available he'd be someone I'd maybe show an interest in."



The Scot was angered by Lescott's attitude while his £22m transfer was going through, but he said: "I can understand why the player wanted to go.



"When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now. Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they do now."