Chelsea v Everton - Match Report - Premiership 2004/2005

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Weir, Pistone, Gravesen, Watson, Cahill, Kilbane

, Osman, Bent

Bench: Mc Fadden (Pistone 84), Campbell (Watson 78), Chadwick (Osman 90), Turner, Yobo.

Everton traveled to London in a rich vein of away form, with no one yet turning the Blues over on their travels. This by far was their sternest test this season, to see if our position in the league was a fluke, or did we deserve to be up with the big boys on merit.

Moyesy kept faith with the same eleven from last weeks draw at home to Villa, leaving Joey on the bench, even though his head injury had healed. In fact it was Stevey Watto the man deputising for Harry Hill who had a penalty appeal turned down in the opening moments of what turned out to be a fairly enjoyable match. The game could have been billed as The Prince v The Paupers, such is the gulf in the respective wealth's of the two sides. What Everton lack in money, they more than make up in spirit, and this was more than typified in Tiny Tim's attempt to win back possession in the Chelsea half. Within a thirty second spell, Tiny went flying in to three challenges, in our attempt to scupper Chelsea commanding it at home. The same player could have given the Blues a deserved lead halfway through he first half, after some excellent approach play by Sandro Pistone, and Killa. After a superb centre, the Australian rose like the proverbial salmon, to only see his header saved well by Cech in the Londoners goal.

Chelsea were always dangerous though going forward, and Robben was certainly there dangerman. After a fine bit of solo play , he unleashed a powerful drive, only to see the best English keeper in the Premiership tip his shot onto the bar. Everton were rattling Chelsea though, with the Grav getting under the collar of Lampard. We were not all hustle and bustle and in large controlled a first half, with some attractive, and disciplined football. By fuck Chelsea knew they were in a game.

Half Time: Chelsea 0, Everton 0

Everton continued with the same spirit and guile, in which they finished the first. They deserved a goal, they deserved the win, and should have took the the lead ten minutes after the re start. Ossie threw in a cross, after a short corner, and it was met by the on coming Stubbsey. With the goal at his mercy, we all watched as his powerful header missed the top right hand corner of the net. Fuck that was our chance, and we all knew it.

This seemed to wake Chelsea up, and it took them till now to up the tempo to their game. A Robben free kick went inches wide, and Gudjohnsen went close. Everton now found themselves on a rear guard effort, with all the back four performing admirably. Our resistance was broke though with twenty odd minutes left on the clock. Robben by far their danger man, found himself bearing down on Nige's net, after a fine through ball by Gudjohnsen. The ball could not have sat up better for him, as he lobbed the ball over the oncoming Nige in the Everton net. We certainly did not deserve this. Moyesy threw on Faddy, and Super in an attempt to get a point out of the game. Chelsea in return threw on a centre half, and a defensive midfielder to protect their lead. They did, and took all three points to climb solely to the top of the pile.

Chelsea knew they were in a match. They are a team capable of conquering Europe this season, but they only just managed to get the better of a spirited Blues side. My conundrum at the start was were we in a false position in the Premiership, or were we there on merit. I think eleven fantastic performances in Royal Blue proved without doubt that we were going to be around the top of the League for a long time to come. Only seventeen points needed now, from twenty four games, to avoid the drop, Shit I hope we can do it.

My bluekipper Starman goes to Tiny Tim in the Everton midfield. Eleven heroes pulled on shirts today, but Tiny gets the nod. If he keeps up this form, he is a hero in the making in the hallowed halls of Goodison Park.

Full Time: Chelsea 1, Everton 0

Match Report From Stamford Bridge

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Mickey Blue Eyes Reports

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: "It was a terrific performance and we are pleased. We had to defend deep and keep them out and we done that. I thought we’d done enough to frustrate Chelsea. We came here and we put on a good show and that’s all we could have asked for.

Stubbsy had a great chance and we all ready to jump up because we thought the ball would be buried in the back of the net. That was a big opportunity. We want to stay at the top of the table and anyone watching us today will say there was very little difference between Chelsea and Everton."

Jose Mourinho says: "It was a special game against special opponents. They are the tallest, strongest team I have seen in England. They were very physical with a great, tough, aggressive attitude, but we had the spirit to fight for three points. 2,500 Everton supporters supported their team more than 35 or 36,000 Chelsea supporters. I feel our fans can give us a bit more." (07/11/04)

Off The Ball

* Stevey Watto, getting it full on in his crown Jewels. A grimace, a quick check to see they were still intact, a quick rub, a smile, then back into the fray.

* Jose Mourinho at the end of the game, celebrating the win, like it was the Champions League Final. He knew he had been in a match !!!

Everton Team News

Everton go to Chelski in the clash of the day in the Premiership. With the Blues lying in third, they will try and close the gap on the two London sides who lay ahead of them. Alan Stubbs will play his hundreth Premiership game for the Blues, and hopes to continue his fine form this season. Moyesy should have a full strength squad to pick from, apart from the suspended Lee Carsley. Long term absentee's Li Tie and Nace are still no closer to returning, but this will not hinder Moyesy's plans too much. Joey Yobo should return to the squad after he hurt his barnet, and Moyesy's only dilemma seems to be Watto or Joey in Harry Hill's position.

David Moyes says: "Second versus third has a very nice ring to it. Hopefully we’ll continue to stay up there and there will be many more of these type of matches to come. They have a fantastic squad at their disposal and we all know that. You could talk all day about their individuals, but I prefer to talk about us.

We’ve played against a lot of good sides so far this season and done well. It’s a big test for us and one we’re looking forward to see how far we’ve come. We’re in good shape physically, we’re in good shape mentally. We believe that we can win games, so it will be a good game for us. It’s a big game, as they all are in the Premiership and the lads are ready and raring to go for this one, as they should be." (05/11/04)

Stubbsy says: "We are all up for this challenge. But then again we have been since the start of the season. I think that’s showed in the results and performances that we’ve had so far and that’s a massive credit to the players for the way they responded after last season. Things are going really well. I’m expecting a busy afternoon on Saturday with the quality of strikers that they have in their side, but the onus is on them to attack and get a result. They are at home, in front of their expectant fans and that can be difficult sometimes. It will be a feather in our cap if we can return with a result and we’re confident that we can.

Hopefully I’ll start on Saturday and I’ll be proud to be making my 100th league start for Everton. It’s a nice milestone to get to, but I don’t really pay much attention to statistics like that, I’d rather be coming home from Chelsea on Saturday with three points. The most important thing for us at the moment is to come through this next week with a positive outlook. We’ve got three important games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Birmingham and they could have a bearing on the rest of our season. Chelsea is the first - and therefore the most crucial, but it will be the start of a massive week." (05/11/04)

Everton from: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Pistone, Weir, Bosnar, Cahill, Osman, Gravesen, Watson, Kilbane, Bent, Ferguson, Campbell, Wright, McFadden, Clarke, Naysmith, Chadwick.

Lavo's Eleven To Start: Martyn, Hibbert, Pistone, Stubbs, Weir, Yobo, Cahill, Kilbane, Osman, Gravesen, Bent.

Lavo's Bets: £10 Draw Half Time+Full Time (4/1) / £10 on Ferguson Last Goal (7/1)

About The Opposition

Chelski like Everton, have kept a tight defence this season, and rightly or wrongly are being labeled with the boring tag. New man at the helm Jose Mourinho has brought some much needed discipline to the Londoners, after the departure of Claudio Ranieri. Since Arjen Robben has won a place in the side, they look a much more dangerous outfit going forward. Hopefully the West Londoners will be slow out of the blocks after travelling home form Russia, were they qualified for the next stage of the Champions League in the week.

With the huge squad at his disposal, Mourinho should have a few selection posers. Their only doubt seems to be Alexi Smertin who is struggling with a groin strain. (05/11/04)

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