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BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP / Wed 26th Dec 2007 / Kick
Off: 3.00pm
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EVERTON |
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notloB |
Everton: Howard, Lescott, Neville, Jagielka, Yobo, Carsley, Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar, Gravesen, Yakubu
Bench: Hibbert (Neville), Vaughan (Yakubu), Wessels, Johnson (Gravesen), Valente
Referee: Knob Styles
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Don’t you just love a home game on Boxing Day? Still juiced up from Crimbo, everybody happy and to make it even better, The Toffee’s in fine form. Having said that, we had won just the once in the last seven seasons on Boxing Day and if we were to do so we would have to complete the double over notloB, something we had not done since The Beatles were still going. Pre-match in the lounge we were entertained by Joe Parkinson who recalled many tales, particularly the one about putting the self-proclaimed ‘Guv’nor’ on his arse when winning the ’95 FA Cup Final – top man Joe, thanks again. So off we went on our usual pre-match route to Goodison, same terraced streets every game, a lucky touch of Dixie as the large snifter we threw down before leaving was starting to take effect. Moyesy rang the changes from the unlucky defeat against the ‘team full of rapists’, Nev went to right back and Hibbo went back on to the bench, Tommy and Our Tater returned and AJ was the unfortunate one to join Hibbo & Co. Now notloB do not have many admirers, let alone fans, but with the ex-Toffeeman, Megson now in charge maybe there style would change and so to opinion? Proceedings commenced with a celebration for the late Jimmy O’Neill and the full house warmly applauded the great Irish servant. One potential dampener was the ref, one of our old favourites but not Big Dunc’s favourite Mr Knob Styles, it makes this season’s achievements to date even more impressive given that we have suffered an unfair share of dicks dressed in black. We lost the toss, Knob probably had a double sided coin and Bolton were first out of the traps. In fact for the first 20 mins the visitors were not only the better team but were playing decent passing football, having said this, whilst they dominated, Tim had not had a save to make. We were strong at the back with all four playing well and Harry Hill was having a good game in front of them. With Tommy Grav alongside Harry in midfield it looked as though Jordan was on the pitch. We woke up after 20 mins and started to take the game to them, this was when the old notloB returned, Nolan, Davies, Hunt and the ex-redshite all showed their old tricks, needless to say Knob Styles fell for every one of them. Our Tater had a couple of efforts after a quiet start and it was from his corner that The Yak put the ball in the net just before the break. From his cross Roger played the ball goal wards, The Yak dispatched and the flag went up, he did not look offside but the half ended all square. HALF TIME EVERTON 0 Notlob 0 At the break a notice came up on the big screen saying something like POLICE NOTICE – IT IS AN ARRESTABLE OFFENCE IF YOU ARE CAUGHT SMOKING INSIDE GOODISON PARK. Well there must have been a meat wagon waiting outside after the game for Our Tater because he was Smokin’ in the second half! The Spanish Magician is often worth the entrance fee on his own and in the second 45 today he really was on fire, in fact unplayable, he caused a substitution so Gardiner was moved from fullback into midfield before he was sent off as he had fouled Our Tater so many times! Moyesy
must have dished out some new orders in the dressing room because
we bossed virtually the whole of the rest of the game. We should have
had two in the first few minutes. Firstly Timmy brought off a good
save and from the resulting corner Roger failed to make proper contact
just two yards out. What happened from here on in was old hat for Nev, every time he got the ball the crowd shouted ‘Shoot Neville’, the brothers were used to it from their Manc days! There was more amazement when we went two up, this time it came courtesy of the ref Tommy was fouled on the edge of the box, Knob put his whistle to his mouth then waved play on, Roger took advantage, went down to the line and crossed for Timmy, the Blue Kangaroo sent it into the top off the net and ran to the Park End flag to do his boxing routine. Two up, game over. Davies looks finished and the only threat they have up front is Anelka. When the whistle blew, The Jag took Anelka out of his pocket in his shorts and let him run down the tunnel. In the second half we had seen a great team performance and some of the best football we have seen this season. Top performers were Joey, Nev, Roger, Peanuts and Our Tater but the Blue Kipper Star Man goes to The Jag, he must have felt that today he had been eventually made it when the Street End regularly chanted his name. So it was job done and the Christmas celebrations continued, we’d won on Boxing Day and done the double over notloB now for Saturday. As Barrymore would say, Bring on The Arse! COYB FTRS FULL TIME EVERTON 2 Notlob 0
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Going to the match on Boxing Day is the best way to fend off the after effects of all those sprouts and Christmas puds. Walking down Priory Road with my fourteen year old lad, I felt my steps quicken just like I did when it was me and my Dad thirty years ago. We don't get to Goodison for many games so when we do we make the most of it. Some clown in a a little plane was trailing a banner saying, listen to the fans, Bill, keep Everton in our city. Is it just me. or was there a vote? Same fella was at Manure. Does he know Old Trafford is in Salford not Manchester? I am biased though. End of the motorway is great for us! Just made it to our seats for Z Cars, always a perfect moment: everything is possible, it doesn't matter who we're playing. At this time of year, let's not forget the sabotage of the Hamper Man who ditched the sacred tune for a season or two. Wherever we end up playing, Jonny Todd must lead us out. What a crap first half. Both teams looked like they'd spent half the night wrapping presents and trying to set up Junior's new train set, or whatever. Can you imagine? Every day must be like Christmas for those lucky littluns so what can make it special? You've got to hand it to Moyesy, though. Our lads seem to have their feet on the ground. I can't see the tiny Taters or Nevilles getting a custom built mini Ferrari for Chrimbo. Probably just the same kind of stuff that breaks the bank for the rest of us. The highlight of the first forty five for me was a fifty yard curving sprint by Roger to come outside Peanuts. He got it and clipped in a lovely ball. Real class. The second best thing was a sliced clearance that went above the floodlights and out into the main stand in front of me. A middle aged guy stood and, as if this was rehearsed like a Christmas panto, he took off his hat to reveal a completely bald pate. He let the ball hit him bang on top and it shot off back into orbit to the amazement of all around. Well played, sir. What did Moyesy say at half time? Out of the blocks like Santa on Christmas Eve and at full pace all through the second half. Two chances in the first minute and we made Bolton look truly terrible. I reckon that was the worst forty five minutes by a visiting team I've seen for years. What a nasty piece of work is Diouf. Moaning constantly, he even smacked the turf with both hands at one stage like a spoiled brat who's got a dodgy pair of socks instead of the expected stash from Auntie Marge. The goals were coming. We were right behind Phil Neville when he "shot" and he was so chuffed when he went in! Can't help warming to him, his attitude is great. The Blue Kangaroo is a legend in our house so we were glad to see the corner flag come in for some more stick. After that, happy days. Songs from the 90s from the Street End, whose repertoire seems to have developed rapidly this year. Comedy shouts of shoot every time the skipper got the ball and no chance whatsoever of a nervy last few minutes. The change this year is that you trust the lads not to throw it away. Walking back to the car you realise it doesn't get much better than this. Father and son, a two nil win and a great New Year ahead. Evertonians everywhere, enjoy it while you can! DAVID TANSEY |
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Moyesy says: I thought the players have done well. I thought it was a goal in the first half – Yak was not offside. We missed a couple of chances at the start of the second half and I thought it was going to be one of those days but overall we got there in the end. We maybe could have scored a few more today and more importantly their confidence has not been dented because they know they are playing well. They know they are good players. Phil Jagielka's been playing great. When he came here we knew he was a good Premier League player and he is now settling in more and enjoying his game. He has grown and it has taken a while for him to settle in at the Club. He is a very important part of the team. I must say Phil Neville played sick – he was up all night unwell." (27/12/07) |
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After the disappointment at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Blues can makes amends quickly at Goodison on Boxing Day. Peanuts has by now apologised to his Manager and team mates, and in the season of goodwill I know the Goodison faithful will give him a huge cheer, to tell him we still love him. Mikky Arteta is back in the squad, and if passed fit will start, but Tiny who scored then took a knock against manure is rated doubtful. If the Aussie midfielder does not make it, Moyesy has plenty of options in AJ, The Grav and Jimmy Mac filling the void. Long term absentees, Stubbsy, Ossie and Bainsey will watch from the stands as the Blues hold their 300th Premiership home game. The last time we tasted a Boxing Day home victory was back in 2004, so we are overdue a Christmas win, and no doubt post match piss up. Bring it on, let the thirteen game unbeaten run start again. Moyesy says: "Tim took a knock and we had to take him off and we will have to see how he is for the next game. Mikel has been sick for a day and a bit and hopefully he will be back for Boxing Day. Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off and get a good result against Bolton and start another long, unbeaten run. We played well at United in periods and felt we did enough for a point. There were a lot of positives to be taken from the match and we only lost the game in the final minutes." Lavo's XI To Start: Howard, Lescott, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu Everton from: Howard, Wessels, Hibbert, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Yobo, Valente, Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Gravesen, Pienaar, McFadden, Yakubu, Johnson, Vaughan, 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. |
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* Has to be The Yak for first goal. He opened his Everton account against notloB back in September, and can do the same again on Boxing Day at 5/1 (Betfair). Other than that get on the shite to still be shite in 2008, be skint, be ripped off by their American owners, and still have their core support from Scandinavia. |
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They have ex shit 'ed Annelka in the side. They have a player who spits at people, in Diouf. Nicky Hunt, Kevin Nolan, need I say more, oh yes Sideshow Bob Campo. Don't like tem much, don't care for them much, lets do them. Moyesy on notloB: " Bolton are a side that have got good players in their team. I think it’s probably a big shock to themselves that they are in the position that they are but Gary Megson has come in and got results and got them playing again. It’s vital that you get results by hook or by crook to get yourselves away from trouble and Gary and Bolton have started to do that." Ex Blue Megson on The Blues: "Everton are having a fantastic season and although they have spent some money, they are not one of the real big spenders. A number of clubs find it difficult at Goodison but we've got to go and improve on our away performances. When we are at our best we can beat anybody at this level." notloB
From: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, A O'Brien, Gardner,
Nolan, Campo, Guthrie, Davies, Anelka, Diouf, McCann, Samuel, Al Habsi,
Speed, Giannakopoulos, Cid, Michalik, Wilhelmsson, Braaten, Alonso.
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