After all the furore over the large eared ones' fall out with Moyesy, it was back to business for the boys in blue. Not a great time to be facing a resurgent Leeds United, who in the last few weeks were giving it all they've got, in a desperate attempt to avoid relegation. Everton though, lets remember, had only themselves suffered one defeat in the last five. So after our first half display against Spurs still fresh, it was off to Elland Road, with a slight air of confidence we went. Sausage decided to drive, which on the whole was a good idea, as it keeps him off the Stella, for an hour or two, and I can at least get home early enough to post this up, before I retire for the evening to my sack.

Moyesy stuck with the same eleven that destroyed Spurs four days earlier, with the exception of England's wonder kid, replacing Scotland's. It was that youngster who within twelve minutes, had the traveling Blues fans leaping for joy. After some fine approach play from Tommy Grav, and Steve Watto, The Duke hit a low drive in the corner of Paul Robinson's net. One nil to the lads, and it was deserved, as in the early exchanges it was one way traffic to the Blues.

Minutes before the goal, the Rad was denied the chance to open the scoring when Robinson this time saved well, from the little fella'. The other side of Rooney's strike, Everton hit the post, through The Rad again, but for the Blues that was as good as it got. Leeds were slowly clawing their way back into the match. When Premiership survival is down to the last few games, you seem to muster every thing you have. As Blues, we sadly have had that feeling to often in the past ten odd years, so we knew Leeds would throw everything including the kitchen sink at us. Martyn to put it bluntly was magnificent. Returning to the scene of some of his greatest moments, he defied Leeds single handedly. A flying tip over from James Milner started his heroics, though in fairness it was Nige who fucked up in the first place, with a twat of a clearance. Another flying save from his old team mate Alan Smith, left the Elland Road crowd thinking, was one of their old heroes, going to lend a hand in their demise. Leeds by far finished the much stronger side, and Everton were praying for the half time whistle to come, and it duly did with Martyn's goal still in tact.

Half Time: Leeds 0, Everton 1

The second half brought no stop to the onslaught. It was like Rourkes Drift all over again, with wave after wave off attacks being repelled by our heroes. Martyn continued his fine form, denying Viduka, and Smith early on. After only four minutes of the second half, Leeds found a breakthrough, which I may add, they thoroughly deserved, when Milner broke the resistance. A low shot beat the Everton keeper, after the youngster had picked up an inch perfect pass from his Aussie team mate Viduka.

Leeds sensed three points, and it really looked like they were going to achieve their aim. Still they came at Everton, with Martyn blocking an effort from Smith. Moyesy tried to freshen things up, as early as the hour mark, by introducing into the fray, Fridays hero Jimmy Mac, and the ever reliable Alex Nyarko. Everton went close them selves shortly after the substitutions, but the Rad, pulled his close range effort wide of the post. Leeds kept the tempo up, and after a succession of corners the noise was fever pitch within the ground, and Martyn again defied Smith with arguably the save of the evening, blocking superbly and bravely.

The Blues held out for a creditable draw, against a side who believe me are fighting for their very survival. My bluekipper.com starman goes to Sandro Pistone, whose tan looked fantastic under the flood lights. No there was only world class display on show tonight, and it is a travesty, that Nigel Martyn won't be going to Portugal this Summer, when the likes of Paul Robinson, and dare I say Ian Walker will probably be packing their sun creams. Something ain't right in Sven's head when he over looks a top class keeper, that we fortunately have in Nige Martyn.

Full Time: Leeds 1, Everton 1

Lavington Spa Reports from Elland Road

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Blue Kipper Star Man

Nige, Defied His Old Side, With A String of Superb Saves

 

 

 

It Took Twelve Minutes, To Show His Class

Quotes

Moyesy says : "There is no more fitting place for Nigel to be fantastic than Elland Road. We needed him tonight and he’s been in that form all season so it was no surprise that he pulled off save after save, even though I wish he didn’t have to. I was really pleased with a point because this is a difficult place to come at the moment. We started well but I was glad to hear the half-time whistle. We were terrific for 20 minutes and got a goal up and we were causing them all sorts of problems. They couldn’t cope with us and the turning point was our effort that hit the foot of the post. It looked as though it had gone in from the dug-out. Then from that point onwards Leeds put us under a bit of pressure and Smith and Viduka won free-kick after free-kick. I thought Joseph Yobo got better as the game went on alongside David Unsworth.(14/04/04)

Moyesy on Wayne says : "By the end of the game he really looked as though he’d been out for several weeks. He’s lost a wee bit of match practice and match fitness and tonight will do him the world of good. He’s got a couple of injuries though. He got kicked on the foot and he’s got stud marks on his back." (14/04/04)

Off The Ball

* Fantastic to hear the reception the Leeds faithful afforded to our Man Of The Match Nigel Martyn.

* Fantastic to hear the reception the Everton fans gave Judas Barmby when he was warming up. He got slaughtered!

* A ball went out of play like a rocket towards the Everton bench. Instant control from Moyesy. You don't loose it.