Everton: Martyn, Pistone, Yobo, Weir, Naysmith, McFadden , Gravesen, Linderoth, Kilbane, Rooney, Radzinski.

Bench: Wright, Carsley (McFadden 58m), Watson (Gravesen 86m), Jeffers (Radzinski 77m), Nyarko

Davy Weir came in for Unsy and Faddy was preferred to Stevie Watson who dropped to the bench. We started ok with The Rad on the wide right and McFadden on wide left, with Grav, Toby and Killa in the middle. This left Wayne as the lone striker.

It was Wayne who had Everton's first effort direct from a free kicked after Pisto had been fouled by Joe Cole. Wayne's effort was on target but the rice pudding man made the save.

It was Wayne who had our only other efforts on target. First he got behind the giant Huth, his shot from a very narrow angle on the right was smothered by Ambrosio.

It was the next chance that could have put us one up. A Nace free kick curled into their box had them in all sorts of problems, it broke to Killa by the penalty spot his effort was charged down only for the ball to fall to Wayne. He swung his left peg at it only for the Chelsea goalie to save with his legs. Jammy prick.

The defense looked fairly strong throughout the first half coping with everything thrown at them. Their closest effort was a curler from Frank Lampard that hit the top of the bar.

Half Time 0-0

The second half was a boring affair. It was Chelsea who had all the play but could not create any clear cut chances.

Lee Carsley came on for Faddy on the hour mark and the after 77 minutes Franny came on for The Rad, who looked to have cramp. Franny as expected got a mixed reception from our lads and lasses.

Chelsea threw everything at us in the last 10 minutes with Lampard again hitting the woodwork, but Everton hung on for a valuable and deserved point.

The Blue Kipper Star Man was Joey Yobo who just edged out Davy Weir on his comeback game.

Quotes

David Moyes: "It was tough, but all credit to the lads they dug deep and we were delighted to get a point out of the game. David Weir came in at the back after being out for so long and did really well alongside Joseph Yobo who I thought was outstanding, but all of the players deserve the credit - it was a tremendous team performance. We didn't have too many chances but I felt we were unlucky not to get a goal in the first half when the ball came back off the keepers legs, but in the end you know they had chances to win the game as well.We are on a bit of a run at the moment with just one loss in nine games and that shows we must be doing something right although it would have been nice to see a few more wins in there, but at least we are proving hard to beat."

Off The Ball

....jumped on the train at the embankment and who the fuck did we see.... none other than marathon man Davey Watson.. so we chewed 'is ear off all the way to fulham broadway.. (daveyboy said he'd do the marathon in 4 hrs.. i told im that he gotta do it in less time than that if he was fit,about 3hrs 30 mins (he done it in 3.22..was i right or was i right!!!).. copyright. tommy gibbo, tony whit and mark whit. (20/04/04)

Team News 

With David Unsworth ruled out with a hell injury, Moysey could bring Davie Weir back or Pisto in the middle with Joey and Hibbo coming in at right back. I'll plump for the second option.

We are in the smoke to cause an upset and if we play like we did for the first 30 minutes in the Leeds game, then why not? Don't forget the game at Goodison when we pissed all over them and they escaped with a hand ball 1-0 win. Everyone seems up for the challenge.

Moysey says: "It would be a nice time to turn our recent record around at Stamford Bridge. I think our players have been doing quite well recently. In the last eight games, we’ve only lost one. If we’d had a couple more wins at places like Southampton and Leicester like we should have done, it would have been looking much healthier than it is at the moment. But we’re quite pleased with the way things have gone recently and although going to Chelsea is a really tough game and one which we haven’t done well in the past, I’m looking forward to it. I think we’re ready for the tougher game and then after that, we’ve four games which we have a very good chance of winning.”

Pisto says: "It is hard to find players in their team who don't impress you. They have got a great team but I think John Terry and Frank Lampard have been the pick of their players. With quality players like Duff and Crespo they can change the game at any moment. We have to pay attention for 90 minutes and hopefully we will come away with something. We have been hard to beat and we have been playing well recently, so it is a good time to be going there."

Joey Yobo says “It’s going to be a busy game, it’s going to be very tough. They’re a good side, we’ve got respect for them but we’re not scared. We’re very confident at the moment and I think we can handle any team. If we go there and play as a unit we will hopefully get something out of the game.”

Nace says: " It’s a difficult game for different reasons. We want to get to the 40-point mark; they’re trying to make sure that they finish second in the Premiership.So with both teams really wanting to win, it’s going to be a difficult game at Stamford Bridge." (16/04/04)

Joggers Eleven to start: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Pistone, Naysmith, Watson, Gravesen, Linderoth, Kilbane, Rooney, Radzinski.