bluekipper.com - Everton v Wigan - Match Report - 2007/2008

Everton: Howard, Lescott, Hibbert

, Jagielka, Valente, Carsley, Neville, Arteta

, Cahill, Osman, Johnson

Jesus I open my paper this morning, and its all about the shite. This time it says they are after someone… that’s right, Everton boom boom. With yesterdays sixth Premiership away win of the season, it has pushed The Blues into Champions League contention, and closer to the top three teams in the country. Our short trip to Wigan paid off handsomely as the Blues extended their fantastic Premiership run with a two one victory.

Ossie came back after his broken foot had kept him out for the last few weeks, and AJ made the starting eleven after missing out in last weeks win over City. Mikky, Tiny, Harry Hill and Phil Neville brought that familiar ring to the midfield, as Moyesy not surprisingly went with his favoured 4-5-1 formations.

It took some shite defending though from Tit Bramble to gift AJ and Everton the opening goal. The ex Newcastle and Ipswich misfit stumbled on his back pass to Chris Kirkland and AJ pounced to give the Blues the lead. It got better than that, as a few minutes later, Roger was then given the freedom of the JJB to fire home from close range after a Mikky Arteta corner. Two up against a team who are struggling to beat the drop; happy days. The pitch looked like a Monster Trucks Exhibition Day had just finished on it, and the game like the pitch was no classic.

New Pie Eater Boss Steve Bruce brought on Jason Koumas early in the second period and his entrance brought hope to Wigan immediately after his floated free kick went in off The Jag to give the home team some hope. Tim Howard did not cover himself in glory after totally missing the cross, and admittedly the goal did give Wigan some much-needed impetus as they searched for something out of the match. The Blues found themselves on the back foot for a while, and Moyesy decided to bring off Skipper Phil Neville and replace him with the younger fresh legs of Vaughny. Chances were few for both sides, Marcus Bent looked like the player we sold a few seasons back, average, as did Kevin Kilbane. Both good pro’s and especially with Killer in mind good servants to Everton.

Everton are a team on the up though, and Killer and Marcus were part of the process of getting us were we are today. The playing staff is now much better, more quality in depth with a squad of twenty odd class acts. Missing yesterday were Joey, Leighton Baines, The Yak and Peanuts. Manny, Big Vic and Vaughny all could not get in the starting eleven, so this gives you an indication of the Blues progress from when Moyesy took over back in 2002.

I am not going to come out with crass statements like we will do this and do that, but we are better placed now to give all Competitions a serious crack. Wednesday brings Chelski to Goodison as we try and retrieve a one-goal deficit and make Wembley a reality instead of a dream. If we fail it won’t be for the lack of effort or support, and I for one can’t wait to be part of the Goodison atmosphere for the Semi Final. For the younger fans out there that were not lucky enough to be at Goodison in April 1985 against Bayern Munich, well make this your Bayern night, sing your hearts out and support the team like only Blue Noses can. Two Cups to go for, and a League Season that could bear fruit with a Champions League place. We did it three seasons ago with a Squad not half as good as this one, so believe we can do it, and lets regain our place amongst the football hierarchy once again.

Jesus I nearly forgot then. Starman goes to Roger, who once again showed what a player he is. Scores for fun, defends for his life, well played Roger, well played to you all.

Full Time: Pie Eaters 1 EVERTON 2

Howard Celebrates

Old Boy Bent Dances With Arteta

Ernie Reports From
De JJB

Today's
Blue Kipper
Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

UEFA Table

Ossie's Back

Solid Again

Quotes After The Game

Moyesy says: It was a really difficult game for us. It was always going to play second fiddle to Wednesday night but it was a terrific result because may be the conditions suited Wigan more than it did us.

We had been under a little bit of pressure and may be the goals came against the run of play but that is the way we are at the moment. We are quite clinical and we have got people who can score goals at crucial moments. Andy gave us a good lead. I was pleased. I was going to take him off (Ossie) with 15/20 minutes to go – I just thought he had started to go a bit tired but I managed to get him up and running again. He is such an important player for us.” (20/01/08)

Off The Ball

Fans Match Report

Scores On The Doors

* Blues to Win It 2-0.Cahill With 1st Goal. COYB. Grego IOM.

Everton Team News

Manny Fernandes could be thrust straight into Everton's midfield as the Blues travel the short distance to the home of the Pie for a Sunday lunch time kick off. Andy Johnson is back in the squad after his training game injury before last weeks home win against Man City. If AJ passes a fitness test, Moyesy will probably go with his tried and trusted 4-5-1, which has served him well on the road this season. All thoughts of Wednesday nights Semi against Chelsea will be put to the back of the players minds as Moyesy goes in his quest for fourth spot, and Champions League football again at Goodison.

Wigan are looking for their first back to back wins since August, and under new Manager Steve Bruce they have definitely turned the proverbial corner. The Blues however go for the third straight win against the Pie Eaters, and with six to eight thousand travelling Blues, they will not want for any support at the JJB.

Moyesy on Manny: "It shows you how long these things take (international clearance) but he is available now. What we have seen in training, he has looked fine (in terms of fitness) and is in contention.

Moyesy on Fourth Spot: "Because we are playing well, we have got good players and a lot of momentum. So I see us having a big chance and hopefully we will show that come the end of the season. I think we are in a good position. Are we better equipped than when we finished fourth? I think we have got a stronger squad but I will keep saying that team did a great job in continuing to get results and keeping us there and hopefully this team can do the same.

It is very tight, and not just with the four teams on 39 points. The sides just below are very close behind as well. There are a lot of teams pushing to get up there but the sides pushing will always have a big job to overhaul one of the top four teams."

Captain Phil says: "It really doesn't matter how you play. After Christmas, the weather is poor, the pitches are heavy and they aren't conducive to producing good football. That's how it will be at Wigan on Sunday. Every game at the minute is like a cup final and it is a fantastic period to be a part of. The teams around us are putting pressure on us so we know that we have got to keep winning and we have got to believe that we are good enough to be where we are."

Ernie's XI To Start: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Neville, Carsley, Arteta, Fernandes, Cahill, Johnson

Everton from: Howard, Wessels, Hibbert, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Stubbs, Valente, Baines, Carsley, Arteta, Fernandes, Cahill, Gravesen, Vaughan, Anichebe, Johnson.

Last Season v Wigan

Could Start

Fitness Test

Good Film, But Do They Really Exist

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About The Opposition

Steve Bruce says: "We seem to have turned it round but, as I keep saying to everyone here, we've done well, but we've not done anything yet. All we've done is given ourselves a chance on the back of a good run which we've managed to maintain. There's confidence now, a little bit of spirit and belief which you obviously need." (19/01/08)

Pie Eaters From: Kirkland, Granqvist, Palacios, Sibierski, Kilbane, Heskey, Koumas, Brown, Landzaat, Aghahowa, Valencia, Boyce, Scharner, Bramble, Olembe, Cotterill, Skoko, Melchiot, Bent, Edman, Pollitt.

Match Reports 2007/2008

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