Fan's Match Report

The day begun with an air of optimism as the Toffees looked fired up and ready to give the late Bally a great show up in the Heavens. And we really started off looking extremely frisky and bright, chasing down loose balls and closing Man Ure down at every opportunity. In fact, we should have gone ahead within the first 3 minutes when a delightful corner by Arteta was headed onto the bar and over by Roger, who really should have done better considering the form he was in. It was the first real chance and we deservedly went ahead after Stubbs cracked home a 30 yarder which was deflected in off Carrick's stray foot. 1-0 to the Toffees and we were cruising at this point.

Man Ure were really struggling and their front pair of Smith and Rooney looked more like Biffa and Faddy. Turner did make a good one hand stop at the near post when Rooney found a bit of space. We finished the half up by one but I had a bad feeling as we, like many home games, often give the ball away too much after taking the lead in the game. Pumping the ball up field only serves to invite more pressure especially against teams like Man Ure.

Half Time: EVERTON 1 Man United 0

The second half showed the opposition starting the game like how we did, as we looked rather lethargic. But a little bit of magic from Manny gave us the 2-0 cushion we needed at this point, and on the hour we looked good value to dent Man Ure's title hopes.

Like Andy Gray said, we looked comfortable at the back and retained possession and best of all, limited Man Ure to a couple of half chances. But horror upon horrors, a bread and butter catch off a Ryan "over the hill" Giggs was dropped by Turner and O' Shea was there to sweep it home. Turner's shell shocked face was only the beginning of
the nightmare that was to follow as we felt generous once again and Phil, perhaps thinking he was a Red Devil once again, kicked the ball into his own net, and possibly handing his old team the Premiership trophy. 2-2 and really i could sense we were flagging and ready to concede the third.

The most ironic of all was that Rooney scored the third and possibly more galling was the fact that he started kissing his badge, which was absolute bollocks considering he thinks he is still all Blue. But what lead to the goal was Hibbo becoming too clever and trying to pass out of the penalty area Arsenal style that led to the goal. I've never seen him play a half decent short pass and that wasn;t going to happen then either as he found no one except Ronaldo. The fourth came through an absolute geek with the name of Eagles and ran like a chicken and one suspects won't be in Man Ure colors for long. By then, Biffa and Faddy had came on to put themselves in the
shop window as well as Shandy Pandy who looked more like Prison Break than Everton savior. I don;t even recall him having a touch of the ball.

Fergie was dancing around like someone on drugs and started shaking hands before the final whistle as Moanrinho's team failed to beat Bolton at the Bridge. As the final whistle blew, perhaps goes our UEFA cup hopes as all results went against us as Red shite threw their match against Pompey, Spurs beat pathetic Boro. NExt week we really have to beat Pompey and hope the title race is ended by then so the final game at the Bridge might be a bit better for us. If not we're off to the Intertoto and that sure doesn't help our hopes of signing good players and keeping the likes of Manny and Arteta. Thambi (Singapore)

Full Time: EVERTON 2 Man United 4

Moyesy says: We are gutted after being two up. We gave United a great opportunity to get back into the game. Not only did it hurt us, it gave them a massive lift at a period when we were comfortable. Playing against a very good side, we did a decent job. The keeper's error was a big turning point in the game. If we had lost to United with their style and attacking ability, which is fantastic, I'd have said, okay. But we gave them two goals. If United had opened us up and scored brilliant goals, the way they can, I'd be the first to say it is hard to stop that. But we could certainly have done something to have stopped those goals. The first one certainly, and the second. We let the goal come across the box for their third and the fourth one could have been avoided by kicking the ball up the park, not giving it to them. For me, the goals were poor all round. I'm disappointed we made it easy for United in the end, they got a slice of luck but it was down to that first goal. I do not think they would have got back into the game had it not been for that first goal."

Ferguson says: "The game is hard to explain. With what was going on elsewhere, our lead at one stage was down to goal difference, and Everton were leading with two great strikes. But in football that can happen. Their first one was a bit fortunate to take a deflection past van der Sar, and their second was an incredible strike. At that point, we were toying with bringing on Ronaldo - he was carrying an injury. We felt that if we did score we would then bring him on. And we got the break when the young keeper dropped the ball, and John O'Shea put it away. At that point, I felt we had a chance."

Phil Neville says: "We got ourselves into a good position by getting into a two-goal lead. But we let them back into the game with an individual mistake that they scored from. Then we made three more mistakes, including one from me, and we were punished and it is disappointing from our point of view."

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

* When Manny got the second goal I thought this was going to be our day I stared at the program and thought this one is for you Alan. Then Turner dropped the Ball and the arse fell out of Everton. Moyes following on from West Ham had some how managed to get it wrong again, he chose the reviews of a team from the lower divisions against playing an experienced premiership goalie in Wright. As much as I like Phil Neville it must be an awkward game for him playing against a team for which he had such affection. I can't see him wanting to inflict too much damage on them and would have to seriously consider playing him in the starting eleven. When we got to 2-0 we should have been ruthless and gone for the jugular even though the ref was clearly giving United the bulk of the decisions, but we seemed to try and sit back on the lead and as so many other games just gave up the ghost(Alan will be turning in his grave). I doubt if we will have a better a chance to beat utd. I just hope we don't blow this chance for Europe despite Moyes best efforts. Bally was the greatest of them all. Chris Simpson.

* What a huge let down. Cruising at 2 0, United looked laboured and were running out of ideas, if anything I felt we were the more likely to get a third, but like with everything in this strange game of ours, they got the luck when it was needed. To gift them four goals and the capitulation with it, was sickening. The defence which for most of the afternoon had coped so easily with anything Utd had offered suddenly started playing as though Wright was in goal. The midfield was non existent likewise the forwards. For all the improvements that have been made under Moyes the glaring facts remain,( yes I am stating the bloody obvious!!! ) we just don't have enough leaders on the pitch and we need either two or three new midfielder's for next season, depending on what formation Moyes decides to play. Carsley, Neville and Osman are just not good enough. Hibbert had his worst game for Everton and the jury is still out on Yobo, oh for Stubbs to be five years younger to play alongside Lescott, who as normal was simply immense. Moyes dithered as usual when at 2 1 he should have made changes as Vaughan and Osman were providing nothing up front. Instead he changed it when they equalised and the game was all but over. The sad thing about it all is that Utd were there for the taking, they are not as good as the press like to make out, they have had huge amounts of luck when it was needed and if anything this season, the fact that Chelsea still could have won the title again despite playing shite for large amounts of it would suggest that it has been a question of Chelsea throwing it away, rather than United being superior, a bit like us in 86!!! As your site pointed out last week, at least Everton get a pay out, although the thought of that smug bastard with a Champions League and Premiership medal makes me feel sick! All the best, once again thanks for a wonderful site, ex pats like myself are glued to it!!! Gareth Fieldstead

* Bally's son, Jimmy and daughters Mandy and Keely placed a wreath at the Gwladys Street end.

* The Everton players warmed up with shirts bearing Ball's name and number.

* Bally's children Jimmy, Mandy and Keely were joined at the centre circle for the minutes applause with Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey together with former England team mate Bobby Charlton.

* Alan Ball's White Boots were brought on the pitch for the minutes applause and left there while the teams were waiting to kick off.

Well what a week for Evertonians. We started it waiting to remember Labby's death a year ago, and finished it in shock after one of our greatest ever sadly passed away on Wednesday. Alan Ball will be remembered before the action gets underway in the correct manner with a minutes applause. All Moyesy has to do to get the players in the right frame of mind is show them some footage were the little big man is waxing lyrical about his beloved Blues. What it means to pull on that Royal Blue shirt, the pride, the history, we are Everton FC, and as we know, we do not choose, we are chosen, we are born, and not manufactured. Lets pay Bally the best compliment we can by beating United, and Labby and Bally can drink the night away upstairs with Dixie and all those other Blue Legends who have sadly left us.

Moyesy will start with Iain Turner in goal, as Tim cannot be selected due to a clause in his loan agreement. It will be a big blow to Dickie Wright, who Moyesy was only saying this morning would not let him down. Turns though has been earning rave reviews for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, and the start against manure is reward for his patience this season. AJ is making a good recovery, and me thinks Moyesy will chance his arm with the England front man, after the news that his injury was no more than a sprain. The game is still probably too early for Vaughany, but he is included in the squad and faces a late fitness test. If Vaughany does not make it AJ will start up front on his own, and Moyesy will go with a creative five in the middle, after last weeks lack lustre performance at West Ham. Biffa surely cannot get the nod to start after looking totally devoid of all confidence of late, and not scoring from open play since Queen Victoria was ruling the nation. That will mean Manny Fernandes bringing his magic to work alongside Mikky and Ossie. Harry Hill and Phil Neville will add the steel to the middle. Nuno is fit, but who makes way. Roger has been a revelation at left back, and Stubbsey has been magnificent as ever, so I can only see a place on the bench for the Portuguese International.

Moyesy says: "Ronaldo is an exceptional talent and the way he has matured in the past year has allowed him to fulfil that rich potential. The standard of their game against Milan on Tuesday was exceptional, the quality level of the players was first class. That’s what you come to expect from them. United are used to playing in big games at this time of the season, they have had lots of practice down the years, so they are well equipped to handle their schedule. But we are looking forward to the game and I’m sure there will be a special atmosphere inside the ground. It would be fantastic if we could get a good result."

Moyesy on Turns: "Iain Turner will play in goal. He is coming back from Sheffield Wednesday and I think it is the right choice at this moment in time. He is the future and we want to see what he can do. We are looking to see if he can step up and support Tim Howard as well next year. It is an opportunity for him."

Phil Neville says: "Our motivation is to finish in fifth place and qualify for Europe. This club has had a taste of European football two years ago and I think we all need a little bit more of it. Historically the club has been great in Europe and we need to restore the club back to European football sooner rather than later."

Everton From: Turner, Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Naysmith, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, Fernandes, Neville, Anderson de Silva, Vaughan, Anichebe, Johnson, Beattie, McFadden, van der Meyde, Vidarsson.

Lavo's starting Eleven: Turner, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Fernandes, Carsley, Johnson

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.

How ironic that in the week we lost one of our greatest ever players in Alan Ball, we welcome back to Goodison a player who could have took Everton to another level, and in the process no doubt he would have took the mantle of Everton's Greatest Ever. It is every Evertonians dream to play, Captain and ultimately win something with your beloved Blues, but in an age were money is everything, and loyalty nothing, we can only dream of what may have been.

Wayne Rooney will no doubt start up front against the Blues as will double PFA winner and serial cheat Ronaldo. Veteran Ryan Giggs will also start so however many injuries they have, fielding that quality of personnel, the Blues back will have a battle on their hands. Sir Alex of manure does have injury worries, and also he has to consider Wednesday nights Champions League Semi Final against Milan in his team selection, but with Chelski right up his arse he has no breathing space. News from Old Trafford is that Rio 'what drugs test', Ferdinand will sit out this match, with Wednesday's appointment in the San Siro waiting.

United From: Team News to Follow

Last Season v manure