Everton v Spurs - Match Report - Premiership 2005/2006

Everton: Wright, Neville

, Naysmith, Yobo, Stubbs, Carsley

, Chaill, Davies, Osman, Beattie, McFadden

Bench: Ferrari (Stubbs), Ferguson (Davies), Kilbane (Naysmith), Turner, Weir

With Mikky out we always knew it was going to be an uphill battle against a Spurs side banging on the Champions League door, and so it proved. Everton were woeful yesterday, but take nothing away from Spurs, they came to do a job, and they did it in style. Moyesy was dealt the blow of losing Hibbo in the morning of the match, so Nace and Phil Neville covered the full back positions, and most surprisingly of all Simon Davies got the nod over Killa, oh how Moyesy must have rued that decision.

Everton were spectators in the first half, as Tottenham's passing game, had the Blues chasing shadows. Lennon and Lee were having the games of their lives as they were rewarded with the freedom of the Goodison flanks. Carrick done his England claims no harm at all in front of the English coach Sexy Sven, the same can't be said of Biffa and Phil. In fact the only English who performed for the Swedish lothario, ironically was the much maligned Dickie Wright, who pulled off three fantastic stops, to keep the score respectable.

Spurs passing game paid off, after another crisp break, Robbie Keane was pulled down by Stubbsey in the area. The Irishman dusted himself down, and coolly dispatched the spot kick wide to Dickie's left, one nil, and that is how the half ended

H-T 0-1

Everton did brighten up in the second period. They contested the game more, but unfortunately were sadly lacking in the final third of the pitch. Spurs continued in the same vein, and Dickie was called on to deny Jenas with a good stop. The save of the match also fell to Dickie who tipped round Robbie Keane's effort, after Nace had messed up big time in front of his own goal. The crowd in fairness did not realise how good the stop was, until seeing it on the big screen. As one they applauded a fantastic, and brave save.

Everton pressed on looking for an equaliser. At times you would have thought we were defending a one goal lead, as frustratingly we defended every corner and set piece with eleven Blue shirts behind the ball. All of Goodison could see that if we left at least one, god forbid two men up front, Spurs would have to defend them men. Sure as eggs are eggs (well it is Easter), Everton cleared their lines, but there was no one up front to hold the ball up, waiting for the artillery to arrive. Instead Spurs enjoyed time to plant the ball back into the Everton area. Could you answer that one for us Moyesy, as 40,000 Blues could not see the sense in not leaving men up front at their set pieces !!

Biffa had one ruled out, and he was half a yard offside, Defoe hit the bar, and Spurs left for London with three, more points in the bag, towards their Champions League quest. My bluekipper starman goes to Dickie Wright, for keeping the score respectable. A special mention goes to Big Dunc who came on with twenty odd to go. The Big Man done more in my eyes in those twenty odd minutes than all of his outfield team mates put together, too little to late though. Never mind only Chelski tomorrow, can't wait.

F-T 0-1

Stubbsey Hauls Down Robbie Keane

Tiny & Defoe Tussle

Lavo
Reports
from
Goodison Park

Bluekipper Starman

Top Draw Saves

Full Back

Gave Pen Away

Quality

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: "We have no complaints. Tottenham were the better team. They are probably as good a team as we have had here at Goodison this year.

The players tried everything. We did everything to try and get a goal back, but Tottenham played well. With Spurs battling to keep hold of the fourth Champions League spot, the Everton chief said he believed they had the quality to qualify. If Tottenham get the fourth spot, it will be terrific. We thought it was a great achievement last year and I am sure they will see it the same. If they continue to play as well as they did today, they will have a very good opportunity to do so.

We had been unbeaten here, at home this year, we have been doing well and we fancied our chances of getting a result, but they came here and showed that they are under no pressure." (15/04/06)

Off The Ball

* Paul Robinson's gloves looking like Kenny Everett's famous plastic hands.

* Killa and Robbie Keane, exchanging pleasantries on the half way line at half time. Was Killa under orders from Moyesy to tap his Irish team mate up (15/04/06)

Everton Team News

The awful news coming out of Goodison is that Mikky Arteta, is definitely out of the Easter program, and could well be out for the rest of the season. The Spanish magician has injured his ankle in training, and it will be some weeks till we see him again. Killa should come into replace Mikky, with Phil Neville staying at left back, and Harry Hill playing the holding role in the middle. Andy van serves the last of his ridiculous three game ban, and he will be ready to go against Chelski on Monday. Better news in the shape of Matteo Ferrari who will return to the squad tomorrow after his injury lay off with his thigh problem.

We have to go back to the 9th April 2004 when Unsey, Nace and Joey all netted to give Everton their last victory over Spurs, but on the plus point the Blues are unbeaten at Goodison this year, and will hope to carry on that great run of form against one of their bogey sides.

Moyesy says: "Mikel Arteta has injured his ankle in training and will not be available. Apart from that everybody else is okay."

Stubbsey says: "Europe is flickering now. If we are going to have any chance we'd have to win four of the last five. Three matches are at home and our home form has been good apart from the draw with Sunderland. It is still all to play for because the teams that are above us have dropped points like we have done." (14/04/06)

Everton from: Wright, Turner, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Stubbs, Ferrari, Naysmith, Neville, Cahill, Carsley, Davies, Kilbane, Osman, McFadden, Beattie, Ferguson.

Lavo's Everton XI To Start: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Neville, Carsley, Cahill, Kilbane, Osman, McFadden, Beattie

Lavo's Bet: £10 Ossie (10/1) First Goal

About The Opposition

Spurs go into the game on the verge of European Cup qualification, whilst their neighbours could stop them if they win the Champions League. Ring any bells. The North Londoners have no injuries to write home about and are at full strength, with only Michael Dawson serving a suspension following his red card at the skunks.

Tottenham Boss Martin Jol says: "We're fourth now but we will not get carried away because we still have five games to go. We aim to remain strong and I am pretty confident that we can end up in that position. Maybe the bookmakers still favouring Arsenal for fourth place is actually making us stronger." (14/04/06)

Tottenham from: Robinson, Cerny, Stalteri, Kelly, Lee, Gardner, Davenport, King, Gardner, Lennon, Jenas, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Reid, Defoe, Mido, Keane, Barnard, Huddlestone.

Last Season v Spurs

Match Reports 2005/2006

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