Moyesy says: "I thought Yak was outstanding today. He led the line very well and I thought his all-round play was excellent. He was involved in the build-up to the first goal and I was really pleased with him.”

We’ve had a busy schedule recently and at times in the first half I thought perhaps it was one game too many. But you have to give great credit to the lads today. They really dug in and it was a very good win. This is never an easy place to come to. We made changes but we brought in an England international, Andy Johnson, and a Scottish international, James McFadden. Both scored goals and they were both good goals.

I have not won anything and there are signs of us getting to where we want to be. We are doing it differently to many other football club – we don’t have massive financial backers to make us do it with cash. We have to do it in a longer, slower process. At times you can say 'I wonder where it is going', and at others you may say 'isn’t it great somebody is trying to do it without money'." (01/01/08)

*

Everton vs the Boro – January 1st 2008 - Blue Kipper’s North East correspondent Ian Saunderson

A new year and what a prospect for 2008. As I walked to the ground I chatted to a family of Blues. Best Everton team for 17 years was one opinion and I agree with him. I had to leave these Blues as I was going undercover, sitting with the two work colleagues who are Smoggy season ticket holders in the West Stand.

What a reception greeted the Yak. Some Boro fans around me didn’t recognise him as he’d lost so much weight since joining Everton. It is rumoured that one Parmo shop on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough has gone bust now that Yak no longer frequents it. Quick bet before the game. I put Everton to win 2-0, with Yak and Cahill as the first scorer.

To the game. What a delight to see Old Mother Riley as the ref. Sometimes neither I nor the Boro fans could see what he was blowing up for. Was it that the players’ socks were not at the official FA height? Well old Dave Thomas would have been sent off in the first 5 minutes if he was playing now. Still Mr. Riley did smile when dishing out these odd free kicks, or when the Yak kicked the ball away, much to the joy of the home fans.

A minute’s silence before the game for Phil O’Donnell of Motherwell. Impeccably observed with silence giving way to applause after about 30 seconds which is a good way to commemorate a player.

Moyesy was out for 3 points. With Arteta out, Tomy G left at home with fluid on the knee and Cahill missing, it was a make do midfield. Robin Hood in presumably to whinge at the man in black (perhaps he thinks the ref is the Sheriff of Nottingham), Harry Hill, Peanuts and the Phil the skipper. AJ and the Yak up front.

First half
Joleen and the Jag were solid. Brave save by Howard in the first 10 minutes- diving at the feet of Tuncay Sanli. The Boro fans hailed Tuncay as the Turkish Rooney when he was signed. Guess he likes pies and dating older women then, because he didn’t resemble him on the pitch. A great clearance off the line by the Jag thwarted Boro’s best effort in the first half. Some nice crunching tackles and a booking for Harry Hill. One nice bit of skill down the left involving Nuno and Peanuts, but when the pull back to the D came there was nobody in Blue to receive it. Robin Hood created a chance on the edge of the box, but his shot was too weak and was deflected for a corner. The Yak was trying hard, but Woodgate had his measure. AJ up against Huth was no contest in the air. One Boro fan near me asked ‘who’s the short blond lad up front?’ Only an England international mate, as he was to find out with AJ’s class finishing in the second half.

Second half
No changes for either team at half time. We were treated to more of Schwarzer’s bizarre kicking in the second half. Most of the time his clearances narrowly missed Southgate in his technical area. Perhaps he was aiming for him? Has anyone told Schwarzer that Soughgate’s a manager now, not a player?

A great save by Howard kept it at 0-0 and then the Yak silenced the home fans by controlling the ball on the left flank, turning inside and making a 20 yard pass to Peanuts on the edge of the box. Peanuts flicked it on to AJ who was forced wide by his two minders. He steered it further right and then shot low across goal, beating the diving Schwarzer. AJ went to the travelling fans who celebrated as the Boro stewards tried to break the 100 metre sprint record to stand in front of them. I sat on my hands and tried to look glum.
Five minutes later and it was all over. Downing gave the ball away in his own half (Moyesy – if you really do have him on your January shopping list, then please don’t spend more than £5 million on him), Robin Hood interchanged with AJ who gave it straight back to him. Robin nimbled over to the left and with Guy of Gisbourne diving at his feet he steered it into the net. By pointing to his black armband he dedicated the goal to former team mate, Phil O’Donnell. The Boro stewards hadn’t got their breath back after the first sprint and were slower over the ground this time.
I spent the next 20 minutes in a dilemma. Did I want the Yak to score and a goal fest to ensue, or did I want that £8 I was going to win for my £1 stake?
Boro fan, Brain C. was getting worried. ‘Who’s your heavyweight boxer?’ he asked when Anichebe was warming up.The Yak took the slowest walk ever to get off the pitch when he was subbed. I thought Riley was going to book him. Yak seemed to enjoy the boos from the Boro fans; expect him to play the Panto villain next year at Liverpool Empire. All in all a great start to 2008. Let’s get some silverware this year! (03/01/08)

* The Yak @ 6/1 to score first and get 2008 off to a flyer. Blues to win 2-0.COYB. Grego IOM

Mikky begins his three game suspension after his harsh sending off against The Arse on Saturday, so Moyesy will be without Ossie and Mikky his two play makers in the middle. Obvious replacement is The Grav but he is fighting to be fit with his knee injury.

Moyesy will keep faith with his back four after their second half horror show in Saturdays thumping. With Mikky out me thinks a 4-4-2 formation with AJ and The Yak leading the line. Good news, is that long term absentees Stubbsey and Bainsey will return to the Squad, but a subs place is the best they can hope for after a long lay off.

Moyesy says: "Thomas Gravesen has a bit of fluid on his knee so we will have to see how he is. Otherwise we hope to take a full squad with us. It is a great division and it is one that you can never be sure how results are going to go. There are some strange results in this division and there are always strange results around Christmas time. But you have to keep winning as many games as you can. Arsenal lost at Middlesbrough a few weeks ago and I am sure they were saying the same thing. I think we played well against Arsenal and we made mistakes which cost us the game. There is no doubt in the talent Arsenal have got and what they can do to you when you make mistakes. For periods in the game we were as good a team as Arsenal if not better. On the day we did not get the second goal which might have been crucial." (31/12/07)

Sausage's XI To Start: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Hibbert, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Carsley, Johnson, Yakubu.

Everton from: Howard, Wessels, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Stubbs, Valente, Baines, Jagielka, Carsley, Neville, Pienaar, McFadden, Johnson, Yakubu, Cahill, Anichebe, Vaughan, Gravesen

Last Season v Boro

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.

Boro From: Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Riggott, Boateng, Cattermole, O'Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Johnson, Shawky, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Lee, Hutchinson.