Millwall v Everton - Match Report - 3rd FA Cup 2005/2006

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Ferrari, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Cahill, Kilbane, Beattie.

Bench: Kroldrop for Weir (33m), McFadden for Kilbane (86m), Davies, Naysmith, Wright.

Referee: Nob Styles

It was nice to see Moyesy start with his strongest possible line up available, as in the past in the Cups this has not always been the case. The FA Cup, as all Blues know has given us tremendous memories down the years. All the Finals, the Villa Park Semi's, Imre Varadi turning the shite over, the Spurs demolition in 1995, the list is endless, and this time every year I get the feeling it will be our year again.

The game in fairness was a poor one, but their was only one team who were trying to win the game. Millwall came and set their stall out for extra time and pens, and who can blame them. The first half was a dull affair, so much so that Lard was dispatched to the bar fifteen minutes before the interval to get the provisions in for the lads, we joined him soon after. Highlight of the half was the banter between the lunatic Millwall fans and the Park End, so in fairness that about sums the half up.

The changing point of the game was the unfortunate departure of Skipper Davey Weir. Obviously scared of the speed of Millwalls attack, Davey had the defence sitting deep, so this pushed back the midfield, and attack. Off goes Davey, on come's PK, and it was only a matter of time till the goals would start to flow. Off we went for a Chang or three.

H-T 0-0

The second half was much better as Everton pressed to find the goals to set up a meeting with Chelski next week. Leon Osman and Mikky Arteta were orchestrating everything in the middle of the park, as lady luck shone on Millwall as they kept their goal intact. Biffa went close on a few occasions, and Tiny leapt well in their area to see his header tipped over the bar.

Killa was not having one of his best nights, and the crowd were starting to tell him so. Never the less, the Irish man kept plugging away, and you have to give him eleven out of ten for effort, as he never let the crowds barracking get to him, as he refused to hide on the pitch. He was unlucky not to get his reward when he hit the post, but that would only have made up for a Ronny Rosenthalesque miss when he blasted over the bar when it was easier to find the net.

Millwall dreamed of pens, but that thought was extinguished when Tiny got his foot to the ball to toe poke it home after another penalty area scramble after good work from the tireless Biffa Beattie.

We won, they didn't, easy football isn't it. Chelski next week, and Jose better prepare his troops for war, as Everton go all out for one of those Cup runs we have been yearning for, for years. My bluekipper Starman, who else but Leon, quality, keep it up.

Tiny Wins The Battle	Killa Doesn't
Tim Heads Towards Goal	Cahill Scores

Kipper Kam

Kipper On Leon Osman

I must confess I have naughty thoughts about Leon. I love him. One of the most skillful players at the club, and it's no surprise to me that since his return to the team, we have looked better going forward, had more chances and won more matches. Tonight he was tremendous. He went through his full repertoire of skills. He put crosses in to the front men, went on mazey runs with an end product and was Everton's man of the match. A lot of fans point to the fact that he is too small and gets knocked off the ball too easily. I hate saying this, but the stats point to the fact that he wins more fouls for the team than any other member of the first team squad. Lets hope he stays in the team, now that Moyesy's signing Simon Davies is fit again. Leon could be the man to open the Arse and Chelski defence's. Sweet dreams.

Blue Kipper
Reports
from
Goodison

Blue Kipper Star Man

Little Leon

Quality

Solid

He Does It Again

Quotes After The Game

Irvine says: "I felt that we deserved the victory throughout and certainly based on the second half performance. We put them under a lot of pressure and created a lot of chances. Had we taken a chance a bit earlier then maybe we could have relaxed a little bit.

It was worrying that we were missing chances but not worrying that we were creating them, which we were delighted about. But we do need to be more clinical. Well the script was probably written for Tim. I would think he didn't celebrate too much out of respect. We didn't see him run to the corner flag and and do his usual routine, so that will say to Millwall that he appreciates what the club have done for him." (18/01/06)

Off The Ball

* The Millwall fans singing to a bird in the Park End ' whose the slapper in the pink', to which the bird makes herself known. They then follow up with ' does she take it up the arse'. Well it made me laugh. (19/01/06)

Everton Team News

With big Dunc out due to food poisoning I think Moyesy will play Biffa on his own up front with five in the middle. Davie Weir will come in for Joey. It doesn't matter who plays, let's just do them.

Moyesy says: "Duncan is back training after his illness, he had food poisoning, but he will not be available for selection against Millwall.We are short in that department, but there is not an awful lot out there at the moment to buy so I don't know whether we will be spending money or not. But Tim Cahill can play up front, he did that for much of the time at Portsmouth last weekend. We have no worries about doing that if we have to."

"If we had taken the chances we had at Millwall this wouldn't be necessary. But we have all seen how the FA Cup has been this season and if we are not at full throttle there could be another shot. But we are playing well, there is a lot of confidence back in them because of our recent results and there's a lot of players coming back from injury. Hopefully we can make it five games unbeaten. Millwall did well in the first probably say that they would prefer to survive in the Championship rather than have a cup run, league form always takes priority over the cup and it always will do with us as well. We would be delighted with a run in the cup if we can but the first job is the get past Millwall before we start thinking of what is to come next."

Everton from: Wright, Martyn, Turner, Kroldrup, Yobo, Weir, Arteta, Beattie, Davies, McFadden, Li Tie, Kilbane, Cahill, Neville, Valente, Ferrari, Osman, Hibbert, Hughes, Wynne, Wilson.

Kipper's Everton XI To Start: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Ferrari, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Cahill, Kilbane, Beattie.

Lavo's Bet: £10 on Mikky Arteta to score first goal (12/1)

About The Opposition

Tiny Tim's old team. 2nd from bottom in the Championship. Let's give it to them

Tiny says: "I owe Millwall big time. If it hadn't been for them I would not be where I am now. Millwall is a fantastic club and it had a big part in my development as a footballer. I can't pay any more respect to the club than that. As a youngster you have to learn your game and play games and they gave me the opportunity to play 250 games and that's where I also showed I could score goals. That's why I am here at Everton. I feel it's unfortunate Millwall cannot get into the Premiership but I would like to think I did well for the club and they did well for me."

Match Reports 2005/2006

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