Firstly, sorry for the delay in the match report, but after the game a hefty session ensued, and at last I have just got out of my self inflicted coma. To the matter in hand then, and after watching the shite get twatted in the bluekipper lounge before hand, we all left for the match with a spring in our step.

Moyesy dropped Joey back to the bench, after talking his chances up of filling Tommy's boots only twenty four hours earlier. Back came Ossie, and it was business as usual. Charlton have a fairly decent record at Goodison over the years, and from the off, I had that uneasy feeling, of 'one of those days' syndrome. Beatts made his home debut, and was afforded a great reception, whilst the striker who should have been playing there was roundly booed as he sat on the Addicks bench. Franny some one or other, I forget his surname.

Chances you felt were going to be few and far between as Charlton done an Everton and threw five men across the middle to stifle our game plan. The first half was one to forget as passes went astray, and for either side no cohesion was present. The pitch did not help proceedings, as mistake after mistake made this a truly forgettable first forty five.

Ossie had a tame shot saved, but Everton's best chance came after a great move down the left. After some great work out wide, Pisto threw a ball into the mixer and Benty watched his header fly over the bar, much to the annoyance of Tiny who was fast approaching behind him. Stubbsey blasted an effort towards County Road, after a scramble in the box, and off for the pies we went when the fourth official threw up three minutes.

Charlton forced a corner in that time, and due to some slack defending Everton went in one down, after s fantastic strike from one time Everton target Matt Holland. The former Ipswich man found himself totally unmarked on the edge of the area, and he blasted a volley over Dickie, and into the Street End net. Ahh well, at least the lager was cold, and the pies were hot, as we assembled in the Upper Bullens lounge, still disbelieving of what we just saw. Actually the lounge is halfway down the stairs, but it is home to us.

Half Time: Everton 0 Charlton 1

Dunc was thrust straight into action in the second half. Moyesy thoughts must have been 'you owe us one'. Everton pushed for the equaliser, but it was the long ball route, that took over the half. Their were glimpses of football, with little Leon being instrumental in a lot of Everton's best stuff. Tiny and Leon were are two shining lights, on an otherwise dull afternoon of football. We should have pulled level, when home debutante Beatts watched as his half hit shot, agonisingly came back off Keily's post. You sensed it was one of those days, and however hard you try, you have to accept, that every team however good, experiences them from time to time.

Charlton to their credit defended resolutely, but their time wasting was some what embarrassing at times. Faddy was brought on for Killa, but it was to no avail, as Everton's last best chance fell to an obviously tiring Beatts, who watched his effort saved well by Keily. The crowd stayed expecting one of our last minute specials, but it was not to be.

My bluekipper Starman goes to Tiny Tim. After taking a severe knock in the first half, he pulled his socks up and got on with it. Leon ran him close with an industrious display. The shite got beat, Boro amazingly drew, so if it was a week to slip up, maybe we could not have picked a better one. Keep smiling everyone, still seven points, and Rafa's boys are not exactly setting the world on fire, are they. (24/01/05)

Full Time: Everton 0 Charlton 1

Beatts Battles For Possession

Pisto Pull Your Socks Up

Kipper Reports from Goodison Park

Blue Kipper Star Man

Consistent as Always

 

 

Industrious

 

Sub

 

No Chance