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

Everton: Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs

, David Weir, Joleon Lescott, Andy Van der Meyde

, Lee Carsley, Simon Davies, Jorge Nuno Valente, James Beattie

, Andrew Johnson

Bench: Richard Wright, Mark Hughes, James Vaughan (Van Der Meyde), James McFadden (Weir) Victor Anichebe (Beattie).

Lets hope there won’t be many games this season, were the lads perform so ineptly. Injuries aside, and we know we have a few; Everton’s performance against highflying Pompey was to put it mildly, awful. Admittedly we have a whole midfield missing, and their talents are sorely missed, but what some players lack in skill, surely they can make up for in effort, but some did not seem that interested in doing so.

Moyesy was forced to make changes, with Davey Weir joining Stubbsey at the back. Andy Van kept his place, and Simple returned in the middle, after a family bereavement had kept him out for the last week. Biffa joined AJ up front, with Vaughney and Big Vic on the bench.

Pompey have performed fantastically well this season, and credit to Hawwy Wedknapp for jelling together some old timers, with some bright youngsters, his game plan certainly seems to be paying off. It is a hard enough place to go to at the best of times, but you cannot legislate for a strike that saw Everton go one down on the quarter of an hour mark. Matt Taylor in his whole entire career will never strike a ball as cleanly again, as he hit an unstoppable volley from all of forty yards out, to leave Tim Howard watching helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net. A goal of the season contender without doubt, and no doubt it will be shown for many years to come on the box, as we have to suffer the many countless replays that will surely follow.

The Blues seemed at sixes and sevens, and it was not good to see a great servant to Everton Football Club, like Davey Weir chasing shadows. Worse was to come just before the half hour mark, when Kanu a cast off from Arsenal and West Brom scored his ninth goal of the season to go top of the scoring charts. Everton had time to clear the ball, but O’Neill struck in a low cross that Kanu connected with to volley home from eighteen yards out.

Two nil and there was no way back, even with two thirds of the game left. We cannot see were the goals are coming from at the minute, as we know Biffa is having a hard time, but in fairness our other main striking outlet in AJ, has not scored for two months. We did have chance’s, Biffa’s tame header was easily collected by David James (what is his hair all about), and an effort from distance from Andy Van, was just about all Everton could muster up in the first period.

Moyesy put Davey out of his misery and changed things around in the second period, bringing on Jimmy Mac and Big Vic. Things did marginally improve, and AJ went close with a header after good work from Simple out wide. Pompey had their chances to, with Kanu running the show up front. Vaughney came on for Andy Van with ten to go, but it was all to little to late, as Pompey took the points, and Everton were left wondering when we will get our midfield back.

Tenth position is were the Blues find themselves now, after a season that started so well, is now ending up in a traditional mediocre manner. In saying that, we are only four points off third spot, with another six clubs admittedly, so a run of wins over the festive period, could give us the perfect start for 2007. Who have we next, er? Chelski next Sunday, fantastic, no better challenge than a visit to Goodison of the Champions to install a bit of much needed confidence throughout the team. Sarcasm I know is the lowest form of humour.

My bluekipper starman goes to Roger at the back, best of a bad bunch.

Fans Match Report By Rhys Hicks

I'm not going to say what a waste of money it was, as we all know what watching an Everton away game will be like. But yesterday was unbelievable, never before have I felt so embarrassed. This performance has summed up the last 18 months of Everton for me- unless it's a big game or the players are in trouble (ie. bottom of the league,) they just couldn't give a shit. I know this can be levelled at many footballers, but you always feel it's a bit different at Everton. No, we weren't at fault for the finishing of the goals, but the replies to both were shameful.

There were three players that seemed to actually want to play yesterday, and they were Alan Stubbs, as ever, Andy van (!!!) and Cars. The rest were an embarrassment, and that includes Lescott, Johnson, and even Howard at spells. Maybe I'm being harsh on those three, but collectively, they were inept. I've always supported Beattie, but yesterday, given the constant chanting of 'scummer' you would think he had some sort of motivation. No, he was a disgrace, who didn't give a damn and didn't look like he knew what to do. Bit like since March really, and he has had his chances. And one more thing on the player side- Weir should retire now, he is no use as cover, I'd prefer to have Johnson in defence.

The incidents of the game are common knowledge really. Two great goals that deserved to win the game. I think it was Benjani who could have made it 3-0. The Blues had their chances; in the first half Lescott directed a tame header at J*mes, and in the second half, we started to get a few decent crosses in, courtesy of Shandy. I think if he hadn't been given that dubious yellow, in my opinion, he may have stayed on the field and we could have continued getting balls in the box. Maybe then some of the players would have realised, and actually bothered to try get a head on it. Ifs and buts.

On the plus side, the fans were great, no trouble, and given the stick they were getting, that's pretty good. Fratton Park is a dump, there was no chance of us creating an atmosphere when there is no roof. It's a proper football stadium, but that doesn't mean you can't improve facilities. Although it was nice to see the police giving the dogs a walk, and making more films of Everton fans.

Overall a decent day, given the fact there are no pubs in the vicinity for away fans, and Everton were shameful, and it was fecking freezing. Actually, no, it was shite. There you go, roll on Chelsea.

Match Report From Fratton Park

Today's
Blue Kipper
Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

Missed

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: "In the first half we were rubbish. Not good at all. I have to give them a little bit of praise for the improvement in the second half when we made a couple of changes and had a few half-chances. But we didn't get a break and it is goals that change matches. I don't know why they are not scoring. Maybe it is to do with the service because we have a few creative players missing - Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, which is basically our midfield.

But we don't want to talk about injuries too much. We could have got back to 1-1 when David James made a save from Beattie but we had 11 players out there and you just hope they are good enough to get a result. That didn't happen and we have to work harder. Pompey are strong and we knew how strongly they would start. We tried to do the same but it wasn't there today."

Alan Stubbs says: "It is there for everyone to see that we have had problems in certain areas this season and we have tried to get by as much as we can as a squad. Perhaps that is just starting to show now and hopefully we can do something in January for the squad more than anything. The first goal was exceptional but the second one could have been avoided. We shot ourselves in the foot with our first half performance."

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.

* Soooo annoyed at the result, The goals were quality and there's not much you can do when someone scores from near the half way line! We were awful in my opinion, AJ needs that goal he is seeking so bad and we need to dip into the kitty in January i think. Smeeg, Wallasey

Off The Ball

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.

* I reckon we will sneak a draw, Shandy Andy to score a screamer. If we was to win then it would be a cheeky one nil win. Daly The Blue

* Reckon it'll be a tough game down there but think Villa showed last week if they're up for it we can get in to them. Gonna go for a 1-0 with AJ back on the scoresheet. Come on you Blues. Andrew, Garston

* I'll take a point all day today, just looking at the squad then, its pretty impressive in respect to tiny tim, AJ not 100% fit and osman suffering a blow against west ham but I'm feeling good today, think we will sneak 2-1, with AJ and beattie ( if played) come on u blue boys. Joe smith Domingo vale ( original)

* I feel in the face of adversity Everton will sneak this 2-1, Pompey to score first, then AJ & Biffa to end goal drought with one each. Champions League here we come! Paul Coles

* Back on track, lots of confidence, thin squad pulling together. 2-1 Blues Holty

* With no Cahill, Arteta or Osman I think our boys will struggle. Carsley to do us proud in the middle as always. Big game for Beattie in a 1-1 draw. Lee - Bournemouth

* I would be happy if the team selected by Lavo was the one chosen by Moyes, James Vaughan Victor & Vidarsson with Hughes on bench give the kids a go if things are not going to plan, hoping its not just for the last three minutes,we need a result at Fratton park. Norman Merrill

* I reckon the score to be 2-1 everton a beattie penalty and and AJ goal to seal it! Josh

* I'm an Evertonian. I live in Pompey. Going the match. Me bird supports Pompey so I'm sayin 2-0 to the blues. AJ to get 2 and stop the drought. COYB. Craig Gillham

* Pompey are a decent side at home. Probably a draw but if were to win 2-1. AJ and Jimmy Mac to score. Abrownefc

Everton Team News

It's all hand to the pumps for this one. The only possible additions to last weeks squad could be Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe and Simon Davies. But if thats the positive side the negative have us missing Leon who got a hamstring injury after his storming performance last week. So if Phil's fit he will replace Leon. This situation will also means Andy Pandy gets another chance to show what he can do.

For inspriration we will have the disco kids on the bench. I hope we will all be dancing come five o'clock.

Andrew is praising the spirit within the squad during these difficult times.

AJ says: "We're low on numbers as you could see on Sunday but the team grafted and dug in. It just goes to show the spirit and the atmosphere we've got around the training ground and the bunch of lads we've got. The boys are willing to work and willing to play out of position and willing to do anything to get three points for Everton." (08/12/06)

Moyesy says: "When you are without some of your players you need other things to stand out. You need the big characters to stand up and show discipline and organisational qualities. We didn't play that well in the first half against West Ham but by the end of the game we deserved our victory and the players were happy and I was happy too.

Injuries are part of football but we are interested in the people who are fit. We have got no more injuries than any other club, hopefully we will have a good team out that can get a result at Portsmouth. It is incredibly tight, you could quite easily be just off the bottom or just off the top and we want to try and be the ones who are just off the top." (09/12/06)

Everton from: Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs, Joleon Lescott, Jorge Nuno Valente, Andy Van der Meyde, Lee Carsley, James McFadden, James Beattie, Andrew Johnson, Richard Wright, Mark Hughes James Vaughan , Davie Weir , Bernie Vidarsson, Simon Davies, Victor Anichebe.

Lavo's Eleven To Start: Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs, Joleon Lescott, Jorge Nuno Valente, Andy Van der Meyde, Phil Neville, Lee Carsley, James McFadden, James Beattie, Andrew 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.

Get Your Shirt On...

Lavo's Bet: Nine games without a goal. All forwards have barren spells, but they all come to an end, and I expect AJ's to this weekend. Lump on him at 2/1 to score at any time in the match. Also bet of the weekend, get on Will Young and Gareth Gates to contest the final of Dancing on Ice Idol Big Brother Thingy ma jig, or like me give it a wide berth and go and get pissed instead !!

About The Opposition

Pompey have a few problems on the injury front as well. Matt Taylor, Andy Cole, David Thompson, LuaLua are all doubts and the pony-tailed Pedro Mendes is suspended.

Some of their fans have tattoo's all over the place, have blue wigs, have no shirt on and ring fuckin big bells.

Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Pamarot, O'Neil, Fernandes, Davis, Taylor, Kanu, Mwaruwari, Kranjcar, Hughes, Koroman, O'Brien, Douala, Ashdown

Last Season: Pompey0 Everton 1

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