Everton enjoyed victory on their last away day trip of the year, in a match that encapsulated this up and down season in a nutshell. Mostly poor, at times brilliant, under the pressure for a lot of the time, then a touch of magic to seal the points. One of Everton's biggest away supports I have seen for a long time, no doubt a lot to do with the untimely death of a true Everton legend, brought the Blue family together, and to me there is no better family to be part of. The team wore black armbands, and the fans had banners made, thanking the 'Last of the Corinthians', for his love of the Blues. I am sure next week when we are at our spiritual home against West Brom, there will not be a dry eye in the house when we remember the Captain of all Everton Captains.

Boro as expected rested several high profile players after their fantastic achievement on Thursday evening in reaching the UEFA Cup Final (what could have been for us, If Boro can get there). Boro's youngster's, performed admirably spurred on a by a piss poor home crowd, who had their fun on Thursday evening. Their were more holes in the ground, that at Royal Hoylake, but the die hard fans who were there, raised the tempo for the home team. Boro had their chances, and lots of them.

Stubbsey back in the centre of defence, adds that assured feeling you need, and once again however much pressure the Blues were under at times, Stubbsey made it look easy. The defence stood strong, Joey in the right back position took a knock early doors, and struggled through admirably, as the back four handled everything Boro threw at them. We did have our chances, most notably when Ossie fired over after a darting run in from the right. Biffa also went close, forcing a good save out of the Boro keeper Jones low down. Half time came, we were without doubt the poorer side in the first half, the passing was awful, hardly any chances were created, surely not another Charlton, Sunderland, Brum match when he were talking about what might have been's, definitely not.

H-T 0-0

The half time bovril and team talk must have done the trick, as the Blues now attacking the end were we were stood, seemed to realise that they have to play for their rather attractive salaries. Killa entered the fray in place of Andy van, and one thing the Irish man will give you is constant running, tracking back, helping out his team mates, maybe that was in Moyesy's thinking, as I could see nothing wrong at all with the Dutch winger, apart from apathy.

Dickie whose handling had been spot on through the match, saved bravely at the feet of Malcolm Christie, and he had to be replaced by Iain Turner after it looked like the Everton keeper had taken a knock to his dodgy knee. Turner for the the rest of the game, really had no shots of note to save, but it will be more first team mileage under his belt for him. The reason he had virtually nothing to do, is because Everton sensed three points.

Jimmy Mac forced a fantastic stop out of Jones, when his Beckhamesque free kick was tipped wide. It was Jimmy Mac who was running the show up front, God how it hurts me to say that, but it is true. Another effort went close, and the Scottish forwards running was exceptional. His day was summed up, when after a lovely sixty yard pass from Leon deep in his own half, and with the Boro keeper foolishly committed in no mans land, the Everton striker calmly lifted the ball over the stricken goalie from thirty odd yards out and into the net for the winner. The goal was more sweeter as seconds remained on the clock, we went wild, and the ref blew up.

Jimmy Mac gets my starman vote, for his World class winner and his non stop enthusiasm all afternoon. Three away points, admittedly not the best performance by the lads, but lets go out in style next Sunday, lets put a show on for our Captain, Mr. Brian Labone.

F-T 0-1

Biffa Goes Close

Faddy Celebrates as Everton Fans Look On

 

Report from The Riverside

Blue Kipper Star Man

Winning Goal

 

 

Solid

 

 

Injured Again

 

 

Superb Pass