EVERTON: Wright, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Naysmith, McFadden, Watson, Carsley, Kilbane, Campbell, Bent

BENCH: Osman for Watson (46m), Weir for Stubbs (46m), Chadwick for Bent (46m), Pistone for Hibbert (46m), Ferguson for Campbell (46m), Clarke for McFadden (71m), Martyn.

GOALSCORERS: Yobo (84m)

When Burnley fans sing "Premier League, yer havin a laugh" there must be something drastic wrong with Everton Football Club. They sang it half way through the second half, when their team had just put together a great 14 or 15 passing episode, prompting the obligatory cheers. You see they had the players, who could pass the ball to their team mates, we didn't.

The only thing the Everton fans had to cheer was a goal from Joey Yobo with a header - It was thoroughly deserved to cap a great performance, and the form of Leon Osman. He put in more work in one half than other players did in two. Leon also has skill, bags of it. He also could have scored a couple of goals.

Of the rest Wright and Kilbane did ok. Wrighty made some good saves, but kicked the ball like a baby giraffe at times. Killa worked hard but sometimes his passing was wayward.

Of the others, Tony Hibbert was awful. What happened to that promising kid that came on the scene during Walter's Reign. His passing was atrocious. It wasn't 1 or 2 bad ones it was ten. Alan Stubbs was another player who passes the ball to the opposition with regularity. He looked as though he'd been on a bender the night before. His replacement at half-Time, Davie Weir was just as bad.

Nace is just not up to it. Was he ever? Again he hit wayward passes to Burnley players. Faddy had a couple of runs, but ended up loosing the ball. He just didn't seem to be at the races. Steve Watson will never be a middle of midfield player as long as he has an hole in his arse. He's scored some goals for us from the right side of midfield, but the engine room? No. His mate in the first half was just as bad. Lee will keep going till Dick docks, but we need more than that.

Campbell was anonymous. Bent headered over the bar and had a shot saved from Danny Coyne. Of the strikers in the second half, Duncan held the ball up and invited the midfield players forward. Chaddy tried but never had it tonight.

Besides watching the Burnley mascot brighten up the half -time with the Brian Potter announcer, Joey Yobo was outstanding. He has it all. He reads the game well, throws a great tackle in and heads the ball like he's firing it into space. He doesn't as he has this great skill.

Ossie came on the pitch and made things happen. His reward should be a game for Everton on the first day of the season.

To sum up, Everton were outplayed in the first half. Burnley looked a miles better football team. Everton could have been 3-0 down in the first 20 minutes, only for some good and fortunate saves from Wright. Our only efforts were a Bent shot and header and a Nace free kick. The second half was better with Everton having Ferguson and Chadwick who were better at holding the ball up than Bent and Campbell.

If this is what Moyes has to work with we are in for a tough season and 17th place will be a miraculous position to finish in. Linderoth was at the game, but he looks to be moving on. With Radzinski gone, and Gravesen, Rooney still unsure what to do, Moyesy needs at least six more players not including Tim Cahil to survive in the premiership. Will we get them? No chance! Then it's down to us to help whoever is left to cheer them on. Come May 2005, we'll all need voice throat transplants. (23/07/04)

Team News

It will be another mixed bag tonight. Joey could be ready to put his boots on for a game, while Grav and Toby are not ready for a game yet due to fitness levels. Shithouse Rad is not in the squad, so he must be close to signing for some crack outfit. Wrighty is expected to start the game.

Everton will face old boy Tony Grant, who will be captain for the night.

Granty says: "I loved my time at Goodison, but I think the only player still there is Duncan Ferguson. I expect it to be tough, but so it should be. It's a nice change from the usual pre-season training and all the lads are looking forward to it."

Squad: Wright, Watson, Pistone, Stubbs, Weir, Ferguson, Kilbane, Naysmith, Campbell, Yobo, McFadden, Martyn, Carsley, Clarke, Chadwick, Osman, Bent, Hibbert.