After the Lord Mayor's show, etc, etc. This could be heard all around Goodison on Saturday afternoon and there was plenty of "you would have taken 4 points from those 2 games at the start of the week". However, I felt nothing but gutted when I left the ground yesterday. Yes we did not play well, yes Brum did have chances and yes I was ecstatic when the Big Man equalised, but after that we had the chance to pinch all 3 points and for Tony Hibbert to make himself a hero but again we are talking about ifs and buts.

Moysey made a few changes after Wednesday nights heroics, unfortunately only Leon made a meaningful contribution to the game. Sandro made one of his laid back appearances whilst James Beattie struggled to make an impact as a lone striker, heading his only chance wide when found unmarked 6 yards out. I'm sure his time will come, unlike the growing number of "experts" in the crowd who clearly have never played before but know so much about the game.

A lot has been said recently about the part the crowd has to play in our push for Europe. Wednesday night proved that to be true, but it also showed the importance of the players giving the crowd something to shout about. Unfortunately before either party to wind up the other, Heskey had managed to stay on his feet and fire a low shot part Nige from 20 yards out. Such an early goal was ideal for Steve Bruce's men as they could focus on time wasting and play acting for the rest of the game. Something a number of them excelled in, however to be fair they also played a bit of good footy at times, usually involving Pennant and Melchiot whilst Joey struggled throughout against Heskey. During the first half our only hope of getting on level terms seemed to be through Leon Osman. Every time he was involved he had the beating of Stan Lazaridis, but the breakthrough never materialised and we went in one down. The only other thing to note was D'Urso's pickiness. Surely a time must come when we have referees who have at least played the game? No thought not.

Half-Time: EVERTON 0 Brum 1

Stevie Watson and Duncan replaced Pistone and Carsley at half time as Moyesy switched to a 4-4-2 in an attempt to raise the tempo of the game and change our fortunes. For the majority of the half we continued to stutter, I think we improved slightly but lacked belief on occasions to seize good opportunities. Notably when Hibbo crossed when he could/should have shot and when Bent (on for Beattie) played the ball back to Duncan instead of going past the very overrated Upson (England player my arse) and forcing a shooting chance. The best chance of the half fell to Pandiani who fortunately headed down so well that it bounced safely over Nigel's bar.

Then just as we were setting ourselves for the disappointment of a home defeat Duncan stepped up to claim a point. From an Arteta free kick that was initially cleared we kept the ball in the Brum area, Marcus battled to force the ball home and when it deflected across the 6 yard box Duncan beat Heskey's despairing lunge to smash it into the back of the net. Goodison erupted with joy and relief and Dunc headed into the Park End to celebrate. D'Urso waited eagerly to produce a yellow card, what else would you expect. I the short amount of time that remained there was a belief we could win it and we should of if only Tony would have put his foot through the ball instead of side footing it. Then Marcus Bent was through on goal when D'Urso blew for full time (3 minutes of added time after 4 subs and a booking for time wasting?). Anyway a point was all we got and probably all we deserved. Other results went our way, so now we need 6 points from 4 games to make the Champions League. What's the odds we need to get something at Bolton on the last day. I hope not but what else do you expect as a Toffeeman. Star man goes to Duncan.

Full-Time: EVERTON 1 Brum 1

Pisto Megs Pennant

Tiny Out jumps Damien Johnson

Lard Reports from Goodison Park

Blue Kipper Star Man

Dunc Saves The Day

 

 

 

Missed Sitter

 

 

Chance

Anti-climax
By
Mickey Blue Eyes

You knew it would be an anti-climax………come on, admit it. And so it was.

In fact if anyone was the “better” team it was Birmingham. I thought the best players on view were Melchiot and Pennant. They took the lead after five minutes through The Lumberer Heskey and looked for long stretches as though they weren’t going to surrender it. Until The Yin came on and secured our cause yet again with an equaliser five minutes from time. In between, the game was tedious at best. There isn’t much point recounting the games high and low points because, frankly, there weren’t many of either. Beattie missed a header your granny could have nodded in while dozing off on the couch six metres out. Very forgetful, the whole thing. Keeps us clear in fourth though.

From the outset it was plain everyone was exhausted on and off the field. The players couldn’t lift themselves. The fans were still hoarse from midweek. You should have heard Peter next to me – he sounded like a wheezing old steam engine. Everyone was still settling in when the Brummy Bashers threaded one through on the right and The Lumberer did what Stead did for Blackburn a few weeks ago and from roughly the same position and buried in roughly the same target area. Nige is beginning to give me a slight unease about that kind of shot. A scramble in the Park End goal led to Ferguson smacking it home from close range before he leapt over the ad hoardings and kissed some old baldy guy on his pate and got mobbed and booked at the same time, as if he or we gave a shit. A few minutes later Hibbo could – should – have won it after a smart move down the right carved them wide open. But he hit it straight at their ‘keeper. Which was fair enough. We wouldn’t have deserved it.

Afterwards I went to the Blue Kipper book launch of “Turning The Air Blue,” which to me I hope is a great success. Nobody deserves it more than the guys who put this website together every day of the year. However, the loudest reaction came when TV flashed up GOAL! by Palace against the pinkies. It was only marginally less decibel-ridden when that became the final result.

So Europe is virtually here at last. Enjoy, enjoy – nobody has earned it more. And get your passports ready. The next few weeks will decide if we end up playing Riga Shitkickers or a notable European side. Keep your fingers crossed too. It ain’t over till the fat cow warbles. Or something.