Porstmouth v Everton - Match Report - Premiership 2005/2006

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Ferrari

, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Neville

, Cahill, Kilbane, Beattie

I've sussed it. I am going to bell Blue Bill on Monday, and save him an absolute fortune. I have a cunning plan to get Everton back in England's elite, save us millions, and within a few years, have Moyesy masterminding Champions League success. What is it I hear you shout, we'll sell Goodison, and play all our matches away from home, as at last we have no fear on the road. Once again the boys have come up with the goods on their travels. That's now our fifth win in twelve attempts in the Prem this season. Add to that an admirable draw at manure, and away from Goodison Park we are European contenders in the making. What's the difference on our travels, who knows.

Moyesy showed he has a steely edge by dropping Davey to the bench, and making everyone's future Captain Phil Neville, Skipper for the day. Nuno and Matteo joined Joey and Hibbo at the back, and Biffa started on his own up front, as the manager went back to his favoured 4-5-1 formation.

Everton should have opened their account in the opening salvo's when Ossie should have done better after good work from Tiny out wide. Pompey's new boys tried to take a stranglehold on the game, but Everton's busy midfield would not let them settle all afternoon. Everton's dominance told on the half hour mark, when Ossie redeemed himself for his earlier glaring miss by giving the Blues the lead with a little help of a deflection off Andy O'Brien. Do we care, do we shite. Killa won a header, yes I shall say it again, Killa won a header in the box, and the ball fell to Ossie who steered it home. One up.

It could and should have been more, when Tiny missed another gilt edged chance, when Biffa may have been his better option to double Everton's lead.

The game on the whole was a poor affair, probably that was expected by two sides who between them have only mustered thirty Prem goals this term. Everton though thoroughly deserved their three points. Nige should have brought his deck chair for his day on the coast, and he could have caught up with his Sudoko skills, as all afternoon the keeper was a virtual spectator. This fact is not surprising when my bluekipper Starman, Joey Yobo is playing in front of him. Another assured performance from the Nigerian, who will be sadly missed for the next three to four weeks, hurry back Joe.

I don't know what the difference is since the turn of the year, confidence obviously, but we had that feeling back in October and November on our last mini run, before the Baggies, Bolton and alike put an end to it. Whatever 2006 has brought the boys, lets hope they can continue the run. Remember Adrian Heath against Gillingham 1983, what about then say Tim Cahill 92nd minute against Sunderland in the last game of 2005. Well I have to cling onto some dream for the future. Enjoy the moment, and well played to all !!

Full Time 0-1

Ossie Scores, and The Players Go Mental

Report
from
Fratton Park

Blue Kipper Star Man

That Man Again

Future Captain

Two in Two

Quiet Afternoon

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: We did it (won 1-0) here last year and did it again this year. That is three Premier League games in a row we have won. The players deserve a lot of credit. Since the derby defeat we have bounced back well. Today I thought we controlled the game, especially in the second half, made one or two chances and we should really have got that second goal.

Joseph Yobo was excellent but Ferrari, Osman, Kilbane - I could go on and on - they all put in a great shift. It was hard today because the pitch was not very good but nevertheless coming to Pompey and winning is a big result for us.

Hawwy Wedknapp says: "I thought we started well, but Everton set their stall out to play a certain way and when they get ahead they make it very difficult."

Ossie says: " I’m definitely claiming it! The ball has bounced towards me and I’ve got my shot away, albeit with a bit of help, but it was on target anyway so it’s my goal.

That’s something that we’ve been able to do over the last 18 months. If we get a goal we tend to be able to hang on to it. At the start of the season we didn’t get in front in any of our games and we were losing a lot of them. Wins breed confidence and when we get one we are capable of going on a little run. The aim is to be looking at the teams above us and try to pull ourselves up alongside them." (15/01/06)

Off The Ball

* The Pitch resembling the Somme in the First World War. (15/01/06)

* The players throwing their shirts into the away end at the end of the match.

* The linesmen having to get a substitute flag.

Everton Team News

Everton's major doubts for the trip to the South Coast are Mikky Arteta, Nige, and the Big Man. On the plus side, Joey and Simple are back in contention, as Everton go to Fratton Park, a ground were they have enjoyed some success in the past few seasons. Dickie will be on standby again, if Nige's ankle injury does not clear up in time, and Big Dunc and Mikky will be given the once over on the morning off the game to see if they are fit, at present Mikky is a 50/50 shout.

Dunc is the major doubt with a mystery illness, so except Jimmy Mac to head the attack with Biffa. Ossie should slot into one of the midfield berths, as Moyesy in the week as been talking his chances up. So late decisions will be made as the Blues go to Fratton Park hoping to continue their unbeaten run of three.

Moyesy says: I have got doubts this weekend over Duncan Ferguson with illness, Mikel Arteta with an ankle injury and Nigel Martyn with an ankle injury. Joseph Yobo and Simon Davies are okay. This is Joseph's last game before joining the African Nations Cup." (13/01/06)

Everton from: Martyn, Wright, Turner, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Ferrari, Valente, Neville, Naysmith, Arteta, Davies, Cahill, Kilbane, Osman, McFadden, Bent, Beattie, Ferguson, Li Tie.

Lavo's Everton XI To Start: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Ferrari, Neville, Cahill, Davies, Osman, Beattie, Mc Fadden

Lavo's Bet: £10 on Beattie for First Goal (8/1).

About The Opposition

Don't you just love going to clubs who have in the past few days flashed the cash. In the week Hawwy Wedknapp, has spent millions on ex Everton target Sean Davis (did Moyesy sign the wrong Davis), his Spurs team mates, Pedro Mendes, and Noe Pamarot, who has scored against the Blues before, last season at Goodison. Harry assures the Pompey faithful that all three will start. Marvellous, just marvellous.

Hawwy Wedknapp says: "It is another massive game for us but then every one is. I need people I can trust and I'm delighted to say I've been able to add some real quality to the side by signing the three boys from Spurs. Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes and Noe Pamarot will all make their debuts and it will mean some tough decisions who to leave out." (13/01/06)

Pompey from: Ashdown, Westerveld, Primus, Pamarot, O'Brien, Taylor, Priske, Griffin, O'Neil, Hughes, Mendes, Davis, Diao, LuaLua, Benjani, Todorov, Cisse, Vignal.

Last Season @ Pompey

Match Reports 2005/2006

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