It's great being a Toffee when you are four points clear of the pack in 3rd place in the Prem, you are waking up with a smile, even work is good because you can torture the shite for the likes of pushing their own out of wheelchairs!

So tonight was a bit of unknown territory, going into the Thingy Cup expecting not only to win but seeing this as a route back into Europe for the first time in a decade. It was also a bit of unknown territory going to the game straight from work and sober!
Pre match the talk was about the re-union for Davy Moyes (thank you Preston) & Killa, Preston being fellow founders of the Football League, the Deepdale men bringing over 7,000 to support them & to get there early if you were paying the reduced entry fee by cash.

Tom Finney came onto the pitch before kick off to a rousing reception from all sides which was a nice touch and killed some of the wait for the delayed kick off - you were fuckin told to get there early!

The old place looked packed with at least the 30,000 predicted and a crackin atmosphere awaited the teams. Moyesy had rung the changes resting Tommy, Timmy (the Blue Kangaroo), Stubbsy, Nige & He's Bent and he knows he is. In came Wrighty, Joey, Stevie Watson, Jimmy Mc & Big Dunc with what looked like a 4-4-2 line up. We'd heard they had some problems but as we didn't have a clue about any of their's apart from the bloke up front in the white boots it made no difference.

The Toffee's made a bright start and looked in control from the off, looking to get forward at every opportunity and forcing a couple of corners which Preston defended well. Preston were looking to catch us on the break but you'll never beat Joey Yobo!
Tonight was a chance for those not currently first choice to stake a claim, no-one more so that Jimmy Mac who seems to have gone backwards in the last 12 months after a blazing start. His miss against Boro and his penalty miss in the last round have left him low on confidence, would we see the genius tonight?
Just on the half hour we got a free kick 25 yards out, Duncan muscled the Preston wall as Killa took the kick but it was deflected for a corner which again came to nothing, it must have been about the 5th!

Just before half time we nearly went in front, with Preston expecting a long throw Watto gave to Davey Weir who returned it, Watto crossed and Duncan won the header but sent it just wide with their goalie shitting himself.Both Big Dunc & Jimmy Mac had half chances before the whistle but despite all our possession we went in all square creating very few chances in very difficult blustery conditions but with Wrighty not having a save to make things were looking pretty good and confidence was high.

Half Time: EVERTON 0, Preston North End 0

Turns out that it's a lock out! Everton had agreement on a reduced capacity of 34,000 for the cash on the gate arrangement, however many did not heed the premmy warning to 'come early' and there were Toffee's locked out and disappointed.
No changes as the teams came out for the second bout, no change with the wind either, it was bleedin freezin! Kicking into the Park End for a change, the Blues got back on the offensive straight from the off.

It didn't take long for the goal to come. Leon Osman was clubbed on the edge of the box and needed treatment before Harry Hill could take the kick, he struck it sweetly over the wall and beat the keeper with ease. One up & the crowd went wild. Harry Hill scoring from a free-kick, what next?

Preston showed intent with a long range shot which Wrighty saved with ease but now they would need to come forward and the game should have opened up.
Jimmy Mac got one of theirs booked as he was scythed down, Ossy ended up having a shot which was well wide. Things were looking good, in the lead and in control, just like last Saturday!!

Preston had the ball in the net from a free kick but the flag was already up for offside and wrighty knew it, however it was a warning. The 7,000 boo'd for the next 5 mins berating the ref and making their feelings known.
It seemed to get to the officials, Big Dunc was booked after being battered all game then Pistone was penalised for hand ball which seemed harsh. From the free kick Wrighty made a good save low to his left and pushing it out for a corner, we were needing to get a grip.

Then it got worse.
You know the Toffeemen never let you down. One up and cruising when Lee Carsley gets sent off, not for a belated goal celebration but for decking some bloke and gets a straight red! Down to 10 men and still 20 mins to go, time to stand up and be counted. Big Dunc was pushed up on his own with Jimmy Mac going into the midfield on the left.

Instead of being under the cosh we were taking the game to them but you had a feeling that the last 5 mins were going to be like The Alamo hopefully we could hang on! Bonkers really, in control all game, one up and worrying - that's what being a Toffee is all about!!

After a great run from Killa, Jimmy Mac had a great chance to seal it but true to form he fluffed it, when are we going to the real Jimmy Mac and his 1st goal. This was a great chance to seal it and start his hero status off again, instead the jury is still out.
After being clattered for the umpteenth time and winning a free kick Duncan was substituted for Benty. Amazingly from the free kick, Ossy weaved some magic and Benty scored with his first touch - 'He's Bent, and he knows he is!'. Two up with ten men, great stuff.

'Timmy, Timmy, Timmy the Blue Kangaroo' came on for Jimmy Mac who got a confidence boosting round of applause.

The Blues saw out the final minutes to go into the bag for the next round, all this and despite the taunts of the Deepdale fans our disabled supporters felt perfectly safe amongst their own!

Blue Kipper Star Man for me could have been one of many, we were strong at the back - even Pisto had a good game, worked hard throughout midfield and Big Duncan was a tower up front. For me it was Killa, he worked tirelessly, had a few chances himself and set up Jimmy Mac for what should have been the one to seal it.
Super Blues march on, Europe here we come, bring on the shite!

Full Time: EVERTON 2, Preston North End 0

Jimmy Mac Takes Preston On

Marcus Bent Celebrates His 1st Touch With A Goal

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Blue Kipper Star Man

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