bluekipper.com - Everton v Bolton - Match Report - 2006/2007

Everton: Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs, Joleon Lescott, Jorge Nuno Valente, Phil Neville(c)

, Mikel Arteta, Lee Carsley, Leon Osman, James Beattie, Andrew Johnson

Bench: David Weir, Richard Wright, Andy Van der Meyde, James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe

(75 min for Beattie)

You know the script by now, apologies for the match report being late, but Saturday benders are normally heavy occasions anyway, but with three points in the bag, this Saturday night did not disappoint. My head did not surface from under the quilt till the Sunday afternoon, and with the missus in ‘you’ve been on the ale you shit, come in at three in the morning, woke the house up as you fell through the front door’ type of moods’, I thought I would give the computer a miss for the day.

I hope Moyesy showed the boys a recording of the four nil drubbing notloB inflicted on us last season at home, and if it looks like he did, the boys showed that they can still battle for the points like they used to do.

Life without Tiny Tim started then, as Nuno was welcomed back, and Joey took over at right back. This pushed Phil Neville into the middle to give Harry Hill a helping hand, and Biffa who has more comebacks than Lazarus partnered England striker Andy Johnson up front.

Everton should have been one up inside ten minutes when Leon’s tame header found the hands of Jaaskelainen in the Bolton sticks. The Trotters did what they do best, and wound Everton up. With players like Annelka, Diouff (shit bag), Kevin Davies, and Sideshow Bob, sorry Ivan Campo in your side, what else could they do, it’s a team I love to hate, and I do hate them.

The half was one of few clear chances, and not the best advert for English top flight footy. Harry Hill went close with a header, and in fairness should have done better, and Tim Howard produced a remarkable save when he tipped Idan Tal’s cross shot out for a corner.

The half was poor, and the Chang’s awaited as Sausage left with the kitty to accquire the moonshine, for our half time beverages, it had to get better.

H-T 0-0

The game wasn’t pretty, but what you have to give the Blues credit for was the spirit they showed. In the last few weeks, I have been on their case over the lack of fight in the side, but on Saturday that accusation could not be labelled at them. Even though some of the players had poorer than usual games, Phil Neville and Leon to name but two, the boys showed the spirit and determination that was evident two seasons ago.

It was quite ironic that in a poor spectacle of a football match, a sublime bit of brilliance gave the Blues the much needed three points. Mikky Arteta picked up a Harry Hill pass and ran at the Bolton defence. With quick feet, and quick thinking he unleashed a power drive with his left foot into the top right hand corner of Jaaskelainen’s net to send Goodison into raptures. The game needed a goal, and what a goal, our old Lady of a Stadium has not seen one like that for a good few years, a goal of the month candidate without doubt.

Bolton came at Everton, looking for the point which they deserved for their efforts, but the back four of Stubbsey, Roger, Joey and Nuno held firm, and a big thanks also to the woodwork down at the Park End, after Idan Tal’s effort richocheted off it. Biffa who had ran his socks off all game, was replaced by Big Vic, as Everton held out to win only their second match in the Premiership since turning the shite over in mid September.

We still lie in seventh now two points above a team who still believe they can win the title. With a tough few weeks coming up including a trip to Old Trafford, and the visit of Chelski, the Blues need a win next week at Charlton to maintain their European ambitions. My starman goes to Mikky, whose brilliance on an otherwise drab cold shitty day, made it feel like a sunny August afternnon for at least one fleeting moment anyway.

F–T 1-0

Arteta Fights Off Spit The Dog	Pick That Out!
Stubbs Wins Heading Duel	Joe Beats Ex-Evertonian Idan Tal

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Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: "Mikel Arteta scored a very special goal and we are delighted. It was terrific. I said we needed other people to step forward and get us goals with Tim Cahill out, and that is what Mikel has done. Any game against Bolton is always going to be hard and they made it really difficult. The game could have gone either way and it took a wonder goal to settle it."

Mikel on Ben Nowak says: "It is not nice what happened. Also this week I lost someone from a part of my family. It was really hard but I have to say he will be in the heavens watching the game and enjoying it. If I had the chance to make him happy then I am more than pleased for him and his family. It was a nice goal, I wouldn't like to say it was my best but it was an important one. We had to work really hard and be organised because they know how to put the pressure on."

What The Fans Thought

What did you think of the match? Did Moyesy get his team selection and tactics right? e-mail info@bluekipper.com after the game.

* What a goal Mikky! just what we needed! 4x4

* To be fair to Biffa against Bolton lads, I thought he put a good shift in for a change, hopefully he can be arsed every match. COYB Jamie

* Is ALLERDICE A ROLLING BORE??? DID YOU READ HIS COMMENTS HE WAS ROBBED??? WHAT ABOUT DIOUF THE BIGGEST CHEAT EVER ??? He always was and always will be a JOURNEYMAN!! CLASS WON THE DAY ACCEPT IT SAM! - HE NEVER HAD IT AS A PLAYER AND HE HAS NEVER HAD IT AS A MANAGER.... NOW DO US ALL A FAVOUR AND GET RELEGATED LOOSER!!! Gillian Nevin

Off The Ball

* A one minutes silence for Ben Nowak R.I.P.

Prematch Views

Scores On The Doors

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.

* 3-1 to the Blues today. AJ will get on the scoresheet twice and a Mikky freekick. Come on you Blues. Andrew, Garston

* 2-0 to the Mighty blues, AJ to bag one and Harry Hill to score a belter- Daly The Blue

* Blue Boys 3 v notlob 1. AJ to end his "goaless" streak and get 2. Lescott to add the third. Anelka for notlob. Jimmy Daly

* Tough and physical. Bolton not easily put off. 1-1 draw, don't thing we can hang on to a lead at the moment. Arteta to score. Ian Holt

* We need to get back on track, and fast. 2-0 to us. Regards. Jiing Yih. Singapore

Everton Team News

Most people expect Biffa to come into the team, as Everton are without long term injury victims Tim Cahill, (knee), Nace (knee), Pisto (calf) and The Hibbert (groin) are definitely out. Also fuckin James McFadden is ruled out due to suspension. Dickie Wright should be on the bench as Iain Turner is on loan at Crystal Palace. Simple Simon is to have a fitness test, after picking up a knock at the Wales game. Hopefully starting is Nuno Valente, who's accurate crosses should give whoever is up front the chance to score.

The biggest plus is that Andy Pandy looks as though he is over his well documented problems and back in the squad.

Tim Howard says: "We have the manpower to get stuck in - we don't have any players who will look and say 'that is not the match for me'. We have a changing room full of players who want to roll up their sleeves and work.
It is about getting that one result to get us back on track and that is what we're looking to do."

Moyesy says: "I can't sit here and say we can't do anything without Tim. We know it is going to be difficult but that is what squads are for, you know players are going to get injured, that is part of the game. We have to try and now do what we can without Tim Cahill. I would rather have my best players playing and fit - if you want success every team needs its best players available.

You could look at West Ham who have not had Dean Ashton recently, or Newcastle who have been without Michael Owen and you see that you need your better players in the team to make things work. Tim is one of our better ones but we are playing with confidence, even though the last couple of games have not gone our way, and we just have to keep playing in that way and those players that come in will hopefully take Tim's place.

There are a lot of games coming up. We are now entering the winter which is a tough period that takes its toll on squads and players. It is an important period but we have had an okay start and we now need to kick on again and try and get some points in the bag.

Everton from: Howard, Wright, Valente, Yobo, Lescott, Weir, Stubbs, Neville, Davies, Arteta, Carsley, Osman, van der Meyde, Beattie, Johnson, Anichebe, Hughes.

Kipper's very hopeful starting Eleven: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, Van der Meyde, Johnson, Anichebe,

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

Get Your Shirt On...

Lavo's Bet: Not had a sniff of a win in the last few weeks, so reverse physcology is coming into play. Leave AJ alone this week, and put your tenner on Leon for first goal. You know were I'm coming from, I hope someone does, as the missus doesn't. (18/11/06)

About The Opposition

notloB like the Blues made an impressive start to the season, but have been on the slide of late. Both are without a win in four League and Cup matches. Bolton's Ricardo Vaz Te suffered a slight calf knock in midweek but is set to be included in the squad. Quinton Fortune is a doubt, while Ricardo Gardner and Joey O'Brien are likely to miss out with knee problems. We owe them after last season's humiliation, but get ready for a game of football ping pong.

notloB from: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Faye, Meite, Ben Haim, Nolan, Giannakopoulos, Campo, Speed, Tal, Davies, Diouf, Anelka, Walker, Pedersen, Vaz Te, Fortune, Fojut, Al Habsi.

Ex Kopite Sammy Lee says: "We are just keeping in sight what we're trying to do and we realise we have to get over conceding two quick goals in our last game. Everton is a very hard place to go with a very atmospheric stadium, it's always full and they're a very good side, hard-working and disciplined. We will have to do our best to get something out of them." (18/11/06)

Last Season: Everton 0 notloB 4

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