A sombre start to the day as Kipper represented bluekipper, as family and close friends of Paul Mc gathered early at Goodison, as Everton allowed them to place a wreath in Paul's seat prior to yesterdays match, nice touch and well played to everyone involved in organising the celebration of Paul's love of Everton Football Club, his nearest and dearest did him proud.

The game itself did not disappoint, new boy Manny made his debut, and looked lively and sharp early on. Tony Hibbert failed to show, so Mr. Dependable Phil Neville slipped his right back head on, and joined Stubbsey, Joey and Roger at the back. The four of them looked solid, and not even a bulldozer would have got through them yesterday, and even if they did Tim Howard in the Blues sticks was most certainly up for it after his less than impressive show the last time Blackburn visited Goodison.

Everton's play was a joy to watch, with Manny and Mikky central to everything, and it took only ten minutes for their impressive play to bear fruit. Great work out wide by Mikky and Harry Hill presented AJ with a chance which he volleyed home superbly. 1-0, and you sensed goals and lots of them as Everton pressed on. Shandy who was a surprise inclusion from the off, should have made it two moments later he went for the camera shot with a close range volley, but spectacularly miskicked to make a bit of a tit of himself. Shandy should have used his head, and used his head to put the Blues two up. Tim Howard was a virtual spectator but late on in the half he was called upon to tip over a pile driver from Khizanishvili to keep Everton's first half advantage. An entertaining first half, and as the half time Chang's were supped, the talk was off Manny Fernandes, and the general conclusion was the boy did well.

H-T 1-0

The second half did not disappoint either, as both sides could and should have had goals early on. Blackburn's chance came first when a fierce low drive was tipped around the sticks by Tim Howard. It was an early wake up call for the Blues, and it was Mikky Arteta who heeded it most as he went at Blackburn single handed, teasing and taunting the life out of their defence. AJ should have done better when Mikky laid on a superb low cross to the England front man, who tried to back heel it into the net, but the ball got stuck between his feet, and Blackburn cleared. Mikky was on fire, as chance after chance came and went. An uneasy feeling then descended on Goodison, as with twenty to go, we seemed to sit back and defend the three points. The Lancashire outfit pressed, and Everton defended deep, but well. Its been a tactic of Moyesy's for years, to sit deep, I am sure the boys feel confident when they have to play it, but it is uneasy viewing for the spectators. This time thankfully there was no repeat of the Wigan or Man City last minute heartaches, as Money grabber Jeffers and co., could not break Everton down.

It was a much needed victory, that keeps the Blues unbeaten run going, and with Pompey and Reading both winning, it was a must, as we strive for a return to Europe. Starman goes without doubt to Milky Arteta, but glowing mentions to new boy Many Fernandes, and once again to man mountain Alan Stubbs, surely he is worth another year on his contract, as quality, and pride in wearing the Everton shirt does not come along that often.

We have Watford, Spurs and Sheffield United in the coming weeks, all games winnable, and at least if we remain unbeaten it will give us great heart for an elusive UEFA Cup slot. Not bad for a little club eh. 'Oh I never felt more like singing the Blues, when Everton win, and the shite lose.................'

F-T 1-0

 

Johhno Makes It 1-0

New Boy Manny Wins The Ball

Lavo Reports from Goodison Park

 

Today's Blue Kipper Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

Impressive Debut

 

Top Draw Saves

 

Martians Rule

 

What Do you think The Score Will be?     How Will the game pan out?     Who Will Score the goals?   e-mail info@bluekipper.com before the match. Keep it short and to the point.

* I fancy a bit of revenge on Saturday, especially as they have no Pedersen. Tiny Tim to get back on the goal trail, Aj to bag 2 and Big Joleon to score his first for the club. 4-0 and it will be a good Saturday night!!!! COYB. Daly The Blue

* Blue Boys 4-0 Rovers. Johnson (2) Fernandes Arteta. Easy Win We Owe This Shower Of Shite A Good Spanking.Mikey

* 2-0 Lescott and Arteta - We all keep on betting on Lescott to score, maybe we should stop and he might ! Adders of the Park End

* I see we have Knobhead Styles as match official. Given this I tend to think we ain't going to get ANYTHING out of this one,But I suppose he might be a " Homer " SOMETIME at Glorious Goodison. Blueboy in Thailand.