Seven points out of nine prior to yesterday's outing at City, not a bad return over Christmas. No doubt legs were getting tired, as Moyesy used our wafer thin squad to try and freshen things up. It seems even after his brace against Newcastle, Big Vic's days were numbered for a City start after Moyesy accused the forward of not working hard enough against the Geordies. Answer to that problem, is bring Biffa in. Admittedly the striker does run his knob off when it suits, but his goalscoring confidence is at an all time low. Surprisingly Andy van was replaced by Simple, as Moyesy tactics changed from one off all out attack on Saturday, to maybe a smash and grab raid at City. Whatever his thoughts it did not work.

The game was poor with chances few and far between. As is the norm now AJ had half a shout for a penalty when he was pushed from behind in the area whilst chasing the ball. The forward who has gained a very unfair reputation now me thinks is even scared to claim for the spot kick, maybe with half a mind on the furore that may follow. Everton's best chance came when Joey headed wide from close range. Tim Howard and Nicky Weaver could have had a New Years Day lie in, as both keepers only problem in the first period was to keep warm.

Two crucial substitutes at half time, in the form of Nace for Nuno (still in the dark on that one), but more importantly for the outcome of the game, was the introduction of Samaras. It took the Greek striker five minutes of the re start to put City one up. Phil Neville lost the tall striker in the build up, and allowed him to venture into the six yard box unmarked. A near post drive was met on the volley by Samaras, one nil to City.

Moyesy reacted by bringing on Victor for Biffa, but all our work was undone by a moment of madness by normally Mr. Reliable Tim Howard. With the ball going wide of the area, the American keeper ran out of his goal, and upended Vassell, when the forward was going nowhere. Penalty, no doubt there, but the keeper escaped with a yellow, probably right from the ref, as the striker was going nowhere. Samaras dispatched a coolly taken penalty, two nil City.

Fifteen left on the clock, and it sparked Everton into action. Ossie pulled one back, as Everton enjoyed their best spell of the game. The midfielder fired in from ten yards out after good work out wide by Phil Neville. It was all to little to late for the Blues, as City took all the points. We had another late shout for a penalty, this one looked more nailed on as Ossie was whipped down in the area. Ossie went ballistic, Rennie waved his claims away, and thoughts of a conspiracy by the men in black grow more and more with each game, as Moyesy says, 'we don't get penalties'. Some truth in that me thinks.

The Manchester outfit have took four out of six points available form our tussles this season. Not good enough if we harbor hopes of greater things. City is a team we should be doing better against, it seems of late not to be the case. Putting Christmas in to perspective however, is seven out of twelve points that good, me thinks not, when you take in the calibre of opponent. 2007 is now here, lets have that final push for Europe. We lie eighth in the Prem, a lot higher than this time last year, but for Everton FC still not good enough. I still have belief in the players, the manager, and for now even the board, but Europe this season is an absolute must. If the home form stays good, and we start picking up more on the road, this is definitely within our grasp. Starman goes to Joey Yobo. Nothing spectacular, but a solid performance form the centre half.

Moyesy Urges The Boys On

Another Frustrating Day For Biffa

Ernie Reports from The City of Manchester Stadium

 

Today's Blue Kipper Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

 

Moment of Madness

 

Goal

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.

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