Everton 2 v O Arsenal                                                   18th Nov 2000

Everton Gerrard,|Cleland Weir, Ball, Naysmith| Cadamarteri, Gemmill, Pembridge, Hughes, Tal,| Campbell,|

Bench: Simonsen, Moore,Osman, Clarke,McLeod

Subs: McLoed for Tal

Att: 33,106

This report has been revised, as the reporter was bladded when he wrote it first.

....and if you know yer history. Walter picked the last eleven standing, and we feared the worst. But Everton came straight out of the blocks and Idan Tal missed a sitter in the first minute, after some good work for Gemmill This set the tone of the game and it continued when Gary Naysmith clattered into Denis Bergkamp. There was an amazing escape for Everton when Gerrard saved a shot, only for the rebound to be headed goalwards by Bergkamp. Everton were given a reprieve by Naysmith, who headed it to safety via the bar. Exciting stuff. It was end to end play, with Everton having a half chance when Naysmith headed over from a Cadamarteri corner. The crowd was on it's feet, when Tal ran 30 yards to put in a sliding tackle on Dixon. All the Everton players seemed to be up for the game, with Cadamarteri, Gemmill, Naysmith and Campbell all putting themselves about. After 25 minutes Campbell was put through, but was judged to be off side. Everton had a purple patch, when Campbell was fouled just outside the box, there were shouts of 'Sheedy, Sheedy'. Tal took the free kick and was just inches wide. Arsenal came back into the game with a few half chances, and the crowd were getting on Gerrard's back, due to him being indecisive. Just before half time Gemmill was booked for a foul.

Half Time 0-0

Tal started the second half as he ended the first, by giving Dixon the run around. Hughes lost the ball in his own half and then Everton won it back, and after good work from Hughes and Tal, Gemmill put Campbell through and with just the Keeper to beat, he lobbed the ball over the bar. After 50 minutes Dixon was finally booked, for the 100th foul on Tal. From the free kick Manninger went down like a bag of shite when nudged by Davy Weir. The crowd were starting to raise the temperature, as if they were expecting something special to happen. Then it happened, Everton scored. Kevin Campbell flicked on a header, from Gemmill's through ball, into the path of Danny Cadamarteri, who held off a challenge and smacked it into the back of the net. The place erupted. Everton deserved the lead, due to their endeavors.

Tal was booked for fuck all, and a minute later, Ljunberg should have been booked for a terrible tackle on Weir. Then Dixon was dispossessed by Tal and upset the crowd by diving, feigning a foul. At this point in the game the atmosphere was like a Derby match, tackles were going in everywhere. With the Everton players, especially Gemmill and Pembridge, on top. Hughes was lucky not to be booked, for a late tackle, but was let off by the referee, who had now lost the plot. Arsenal were starting to put Everton under pressure, but Weir and Ball, were holding their own. Everton broke away when Campbell received the ball on his own 50 yards out, he ran towards goal, but was easily caught by the Arsenal defence, to shouts of 'Fuck off you fat arsed bastard.'
Idan Tal was given a standing ovation, when he was substituted. Kevin McLeod replaced him, and immediately Everton went 2 - 0 up. After good work from Gemmill, Pembridge and Cadamarteri exchanged passes, with Danny taking the ball on into the penalty area, he was surrounded by three Arsenal defenders, who were all to frightened to tackle him. He kept the ball well, then squared it to Campbell, who slotted it into the net. To shouts of 'we love yer Kev'. What a fickle lot we are. 2 - 0 for the blue boys with less than 20 minutes to go. After the restart Kevin McLeod was booked, and rightly so, for a bad tackle on Dixon, who received lengthy treatment. During this time, the whole ground stood up and sang "Super Kev, Super Kev," it was a tear jerking moment.
Everton were worthy winners, and when the final whistle came, Stephen Hughes punched the air with delight (he obviously enjoyed the win over his former club) and Danny Cadamarteri jumped on Super Kev's back. The players deserved their win, due to their hard work and commitment, something that has been lacking in some games this season. It was very hard to pick a Blue Kipper star man, with Naysmith, Gemmill, Pembridge, Cadamarteri, Campbell, Tal and Hughes all contenders. Truly a team effort. At the end of the match, as the players were celebrating, some one (who deserves promotion) put on .....and if you know yer history, over the tannoy system, and the whole ground sang along. As we were queuing to get out we were entertained by some fella on the pitch giving the stewards the run around. Although he was out of order, especially when he dropped his kecks, it was still a laugh. But you'll laugh at anything when you've just won three points. ....and if you know yer history.....

Final Score 2-0

Walter says : On Danny "If Danny can find a level of consistency, he'll be a very good player," Walter claimed. "He's still only young but he's got power, strength and pace and when it all comes together for him, he's a very dangerous player. Scoring one today and creating the other was a good reward because he's got a tremendous attitude."
On Kev : "As far as Kevin's concerned, he's now beginning to find his sharpness again," said Walter. "He's putting in a lot of hard work in training and it's beginning to pay off now, we're pleased to have him back. At times he's played in a difficult role but at least he's getting the goals."
On the team : "Arsenal have got plenty of players who can produce something out of nothing," "You're always worried that Bergkamp or Kanu can do something, but credit to our lads who had to work extremely hard and restricted Arsenal to very few opportunities. "It's ceratinly the best result we have had. It's the first time in my spell here that we have managed to beat one of the top teams, so obviously we are very pleased."