bluekipper.com - Match Report - Fulham

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert,Yobo, Weir, Pistone, Watson, Carsley, Gravesen, McFadden, Chadwick, Ferguson

Bench: Clarke (for Yobo 65 mins), Unsworth ( for Hibbert 65 mins), Rooney ( for Tommy 65 mins), Radzinski, Turner.

Referee: Mr Colin Monacle Webster.

Well this game could not have come quick enough to get Sunday out of our system. We have a saying that the Toffeemen 'never let you down' they certainly didn't at Boro, we were left feeling gutted after total domination of the second half with rock all to show for it.
So the talk was getting the job done by giving Stockport a whipping in front of a decent crowd boosted by reduced entry charges & the first sight at Goodison of James McFadden with his 'Braveheart' ponytail. One thing was for sure we did not want extra-time and penalties, our record in this competition was already appalling, but you never know, the Toffeemen never let you down! Surely but surely we must beat manager-less Stockport.
Moyesy shuffled the pack resting Joey, Stubbsey, The Rad, The Duke & the cup-tied Kilbane. In came Davy Weir, Pisto, Nick Chadwick & Big Dunc and as expected our first Goodison sighting of our own Macca. The boss left The Rad & The Duke on the best just in case!
Well after 15 mins it was clear that it was not going to be an easy ride, there temporary bosses John Hollins & Kevin Richardson clearly had a game plan and it was working with Stockport having the better of the early exchanges but showing some woeful finishing. Tommy was looking lively and won our first corner which was despatched straight to their goalie! It was not looking good and we needed a spark. Who would deliver it?
It was Tommy who brought the crowd to their feet after Chadders chased the goalie down and caused a poor clearance Tommy won the ball charged forward and put a shot on target which Colgan easily saved.
From a patient build up Tony Hibbert went into the area and was brought down, Big Dunc made no mistake from the penalty spot - Big Dunc is back, now we were one - up we needed to take the game to them and bring the crowd to life.
After a bit of Macca magic where he showed electric pace he put Chadders through on goal but the youngster blew it. We were right on top now and after a McFadden shot, Davy Weir almost made it two from a corner, things were looking up now. Shortly after Weir was in the wars when he took a smack in the kisser of their forward Wilbraham, County were still up for it and having a go, the Captain was ok to carry on.
A cheer went up when we heard the shite had gone a goal behind to some unknown side with a name like our local chippy!
Chadders could have had his & our second when he had a free header from Tommy's corner but again he missed. McFadden was starting to run riot and after he was brought down Tommy whipped in the free-kick which Chadders just missed at the far post, on another night Chadders might have had a hat-trick before half time.
It wasn't long before Chadders got off the mark, after great work by Pisto in two tackles to win the ball and feed Tommy, the Gravedigger went forward and threaded a pinpoint pass to Nick Chadwick who took a touch and made no mistake for 2-0, we were in unchartered 'League Cup' territory!
So after a slow start we were crusing, creating chances with both strikers on the scoresheet and James McFadden running riot and proving to be a early crowd favourite, hopefully Moyesy would have a run with both Macca and The Duke in the second half.

HALF-TIME: EVERTON 2, Stockport 0.

Everton came out unchanged after the break so Moyesy must have been happy and kicking into the Street End we were looking for an exhibition with a good few goals.
A much better start to the second half saw Chadders have a shot go wide, Duncan and McFadden go close & even Joey Yobo nearly got off the mark.
Duncan made it 3-0 just before the hour mark after great work from James McFadden he weaved his way down the left into the box and saw his shot saved and Big Dunc made no mistake with the rebound
Moyesy gave us a sight of Peter Clarke along with Unsey & The Duke in a triple substitution on 65 mins and the Blues continued in total control. The chances were coming thick and fast and the place nearly erupted when the new star Jimmy Mack went even closer with yet another effort, it was clear that Moyesy wanted and expected the big win.
The game was fizzling out to nothing and there was still 20 mins to go, it needed more goals as the kids in the Street End were getting bored and having a 'loudest whistle' competition. It was again McFadden who lifted the crowd with another linking run and a another great cross which Chadders just headed wide, after this performance 'Braveheart' is a must for the starting line-up.
In the end it was a job well done, plenty of good performances, the win we expected and a happy Moyesy, Big Dunc did well with his brace, chadders could have had a bagful but the Blue Kipper Star Man goes to Jamie McFadden - a brilliant home debut where he lived up to our expectations and if he consistently performs like this he is a star in the making. The Toffeemen NEVER let you down!!

Sausage
Reports from
Goodison Park

Blue Kipper Star Man

Jamie Mc

Quotes

Jogger: "We could be back in Weatherspoon's by half-time if we play this one right tonight!"

Alan Irvine says: "It was a terrific debut from James. He was a little bit nervous at the start, but once he started to go past one or two people he grew in confidence and got better and better, culminating in his fantastic run that led to the third goal. It was very important for us that we approached the game in the right way," he continued. We got a good result and it was pleasing that we kept a clean sheet, which we haven't done for a while. The Stockport lads performed really well. The adrenaline was flowing and they started the game very well and it wasn't until midway through the first half when they started to run out of a little bit of steam and the spaces started to open up for us."

Off The Ball

*Jigsaw Barlow was first to Wayne to swap shirts! It was just inside the 18 yard area and I'm sure I saw a tear in Stuart's eye. As we know, he always goes to pieces in the box!

Team News

Everton will make changes for the game tonight, with a few players likely to be rested, & a few players making their first starts. Jamie McFadden will start on the left, as a straight swap for Kevin Kilbane, who is cup tied. Duncan Ferguson will start his first game of the season, but the question is who will start with him? One player who won't be starting is Kevin Campbell. He joined in full training this week along with Scot Gemmill, but neither will be risked. Another striker, who won't be playing is Franny Jeffers, who has a back injury. So it's a choice between, The Duke, The Rad, & Chadders. Lard thinks it will be The Duke. Weir & Clarke may get the nod, to give Joey & Stubbsey a rest. Pisto may play at left back. Harry Hill will be given the chance to carry on the good form he showed at Boro. Steve Watson should be given a bit more rest from a virus. Just put your shooting boots on Lee. Leon Osman is out with cracked ribs.

Alan Irvine says: "You would hope that it's the kind of game where we went out, played really well and scored plenty of goals, and all the strikers got a taste of that. In reality it doesn't happen that often although obviously we hope that we do play well. But we're not going into this game thinking we're going to score five or six. It doesn't feel like a distraction, it feels like another important game for us. I see it as being a good opportunity for us in this competition to get to a cup final, qualify for Europe and a great opportunity for the players to get a fantastic day out towards the end of the season. But this game brings plenty of pressure as we know from the game against Shrewsbury last year."

Everton from: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Pistone, Unsworth, Carsley, Gravesen Linderoth, Naysmith, McFadden, Ferguson, Radzinski, Rooney, Chadwick, Weir, Clarke, Turner.

Lard's eleven to start: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Clarke, Pistone, Carsley, Linderoth, Gravesen, McFadden, Rooney, Ferguson.