After the lows of Wednesday nights defeat against Spurs, credit were credit is due with Moyesy's team selection. Some changes admittedly were forced on him, but dropping one from his midfield, going two up front helped seal The Blues biggest away win of this season. Stubbsey failed to appear, so Nace came in as Roger slipped back into the middle with Joey. Ossie was dropped as Manny rightly kept his place. Tiny came back and AJ passed his fitness test and partnered Biffa up front.

It was a tale of two halves. First half was one of flowing attacking creative football, the second one of resolute defending, frustrating Watford at every opportunity. Everton caught relegation loomed Watford napping in the first period, and it was the returning England hit man who was central to it all. Andy Johnson was unplayable, his running, skill and enthusiasm was a lesson for any kid watching back at home. Manny Fernandes is becoming the player we were warned about, a joy to watch. In fact it was these two who both claimed Everton's opener after Watford keeper Lee fumbled Tim Cahill's shot. Manny and AJ both bore down on goal, but it was the Portuguese midfielder who got the vital touch to open the scoring.

Minutes later AJ got his turn when he himself was pulled down in the area. The England striker dusted himself down, and smashed the spot kick straight into the middle of Watford's net to give the Blues a two nil lead. Everton pushed and pushed and the unfortunate Biffa Beattie could and should have made it three when he blasted over from five yards after great work again from AJ.

The Blues were magnificent in the first period, and poor old helpless Watford did not know how to handle them. Apart from AJ and Manny, Mikky as ever was instrumental in everything the Blues did. Biffa after missing his best chance in ages, never gave up and his running off the ball did not go unnoticed as gaps opened up for his striking partner. Half time and smiles all round, how fickle we all are !!

H-T Watford 0 Everton 2

Watford made changes for the second period, and their half time roasting did the trick as it was Everton who were on the back foot. Priskin Watford's sub, had two or three chances to give the home side hope, but good defending and the boringly safe hands of Tim Howard, meant we kept our seventh clean sheet in the last ten Premiership matches.

Everton worked their way back into the half, after Watford realised there was no way through. Moyesy felt at ease to bring on James Vaughan for the knackered AJ, and as seems the norm now, Manny made way for Leon, who with ten minutes left felt he had a point to prove after being left on the bench. The diminutive midfielder made his point in style when right at the death he blasted one into the top corner from twenty five yards, after once again good work by Biffa. Three nil and no less than we deserved. Up to seventh a point off sixth, and is UEFA back on the cards? I know, the Spurs game would have made prettier reading, but like all sides through the season, those dropped points however frustrating, soon get forgotten about, aka Wigan and Man City early doors.

A good point was made to myself after Wednesday nights defeat after the conversation no doubt that was had in a lot of pubs around County Road. Has Moyesy took us as far as he can take us, maybe so. The point was though what other manager can take us any further, is it the manager or the finances that are stopping us competing at a higher level. Another one to argue over a pint at Sunday dinner, but at least mine tomorrow will be enjoyable.

Starman goes to AJ, who was simply awesome.

F T Watford 0 Everton 3

Manny Opens The Scoring

AJ Silences The Watford Boo Boys

Fans Match Report

Johnson-inspired Everton back in the running

Andrew Johnson produced a sizzling display to fire Everton to victory over Watford at Vicarage Road. Returning to the team after passing a late fitness test, Johnson galvanised his team’s stuttering UEFA Cup charge and left his manager in no doubt of the pacy striker’s importance in the remaining ten fixtures.

Pressure on David Moyes from the boo-boys had ratcheted up several notches following Wednesday night’s galling defeat. But an attacking line-up here clashed with the arguments of those who question Moyes’ ambition. Gary Naysmith started at left-back replacing Joleon Lescott who had moved alongside Joseph Yobo in Alan Stubbs’ absence. The suspended Tim Cahill returned to the side replacing Leon Osman whilst Johnson joined James Beattie upfront- a partnership rarely utilised since the defeat of the Hornets on the season’s opening day.

Watford started the game in typical fashion hoping to unsettle the Blues with a shock and awe offensive led by the limited Darius Henderson flanked by Bouazza and Kabba. But Everton soon settled and their extra midfield quality began to tell. A volleyed Cahill snapshot just after the opening quarter of an hour almost squirmed free of Watford’s goalkeeping understudy Lee. That effort was the catalyst for a spell of pressure under which Watford wilted.

Minutes later, Cahill was involved again, this time crossing for Johnson whose flicked header was acrobatically tipped over the bar. Everton’s midfield was clicking into gear now, Mikel Arteta showing his customary class supported by the impressive Fernandes and tenacious Carsley. Everton’s dominance paid off half-way through the first half as Fernandes poked in his first for the Club. Arteta jinked inside one defender and squared to Cahill on the edge of the area, whose parried strike was finished by the young Portuguese. Johnson, who had ran Fernandes close to getting the final touch wouldn’t be denied the goal he deserved a minute later.

Johnson escaped the attentions of Malky Mackay having beaten the veteran to a ball he seemed unlikely to win. As he surged toward the goal, Johnson was dragged back by Mackay and scythed down by Jay DeMerit’s despairing lunge. Penalty no question. Johnson won’t be winning the Best Actor award this weekend- a visit to Anfield would provide a more worthy nomination. Moyes’ appeal to Referee supremo Keith Hackett appears to have had the desired effect. Johnson slammed the ball into the centre of the net to double the Blues’ advantage. 0-2.

Cahill should have added a third inside the half-hour collecting a knock-down from Beattie but he lifted his effort over the bar. Beattie, contesting Cahill’s claims for miss-of-the-season, squandered an even better chance on the stroke of half-time after more good work from Johnson. The England international beat a Watford defender and cut back for the beleaguered Beattie who blazed over. In truth, Beattie’s performance here was an improvement on most of what he’s produced this season. Tim Howard had denied Bouazza and Kabba in between those two efforts but Watford would certainly have been the happier of the sides at the break.

The beginning of the second half saw Everton defending stoically to frustrate their opponents who looked slightly more dynamic thanks to youngster Tamas Priskin’s introduction. By the hour mark, he had worried Howard three times. A Watford revival never looked likely after those misses however, as Everton eased towards three points.

Johnson was brought off with fifteen minutes remaining to rapturous applause from travelling Evertonians. His man-of-the-match display exuded all the qualities which make him a key figure if Everton’s European chase is to bear fruit.

There was time before the final whistle for substitute Leon Osman to combine with Beattie, before curling a superb effort into the top corner to seal Everton’s biggest winning margin away from Goodison.

So, in light of Everton’s stunning victory in London, should we expect an unbeaten surge towards a Champions League position? After all forth-placed Arsenal are just seven points ahead with ten games to play. No. Such expectations would be foolish. As foolish as calling for the head of a manager who has worked wonders during his five-year tenure. Everton are likely to endure more ups and down before the season is out. However, provided Johnson can remain in the picture alongside his star cast, Everton might yet find themselves on the European stage next season. Stephen Morrisey

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.

Match Report From Vicarage Road

 

Today's Blue Kipper Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

Quality

 

Quality Strike

 

Gutted

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.

* Everton 3 Watford 0 Fernandes, Johnson and Arteta to score. Christine McGiveron

* 1-2 Blues. A pick-me-up after the depression of Wednesday night, and Lescott will break his duck - Big J to score!!! Come on you blues! Cheers, Bly

* Well, after Wednesday, who knows, if moyesy takes Big Vic off and brings on Richard Wright i reckon we might snatch it 1-0. Phartybottom

* I’d like to think we’ll batter them but realistically I’ll go for 2-1 to the blues, Cahill and Arteta to put us two-up, Watford to equalise second half and we’ll be hanging on at the end again. Nick Fox, Wrexham

* They have to win, we are poor, so 2-0 to them!. Tony Graham

* I think Everton to win 2-0 with Cahill and Beattie scoring the goals. Paul Donnelly