Bradford 0 v 1 Everton                                     11th Nov 2000

Everton: Gerrard,| Xavier, Weir, Unsworth, Naysmith,| Gravesen, Nyarko, Pembridge, Hughes,| Campbell, Tal.|

Bench: Simonsen, Ball, Gemmill, Moore, Cadamarteri .

Subs:Moore for Tal(46m), Gemmill for Pembridge(65m), Cadamarteri for Hughes(86m)

Att: 17,276

Mut, Mut, Mut here we were in the heart of curry country and boy did we ever need a result, it was backs against the wall stuff (with Barrymore nowhere to be seen) but in the end we grafted out that all important win to end what has been an awful few weeks. It was one win in eleven up to today and with Bradford sacking their manager midweek and the Everton connections of McCall & Beagrie plus Benito (I always score against the Blues) Carbone and Ulrika beater (God he must be insane - phew she is gorgeous!) Collymore ex red-shite, the omens did not look good.

Walter decided to stick with the 5 in the middle formation with Super Kev up front on his own, having lost the last two games he obviously thought it must come good sooner or later. Well it did, but only after we reverted to 4-4-2 when Joe-Max came on, PLEASE take note Walter.

Bradford started the stronger and had us penned in, it wasn't until 8 mins that we had our first effort with Mad Dog firing high, wide and not so handsome. Tal was taking the piss out of Atherton on a regular basis and our first chance was almost a gift. From a corner on the right their goalie Clarke dropped the ball on the line, everyone stood rigid probably in shock and he managed to retrieve his error. Graveson had a free-kick which went off the wall for a corner and Super Kev & Pembridge also had chances but mainly we were up against it with that world beater Ashley Ward running riot. The half ended with Tal having a weak header that was easily saved, it was a half which was best forgotten although we did come better as the half went on, Walter needed to inject some Vindaloo at half-time.

HALF-TIME 0-0

We looked a different side after the break, maybe it was the curry and they were afraid to stop in case they shit themselves. Graveson was whipping crosses in and Super Kev looked a continuous threat. Then the incident which changed the game, only 6 mins into the half Tal was subbed for Joe-Max and we went 4-4-2 with Pembo going right back. We looked even more threatening. Pembo, who was booked in the first half for a foul on Carbone was lucky to stay on after a second foul on him, shortly after he too was subbed and Scott Gemmill went to full back. Stephen Hughes was then booked for another foul by the zany Rob (Rolf) Harris (Remember him at Goodison last year? Say no more) and Hughes was then subbed for Danny 'do you know who I am?' Cadamarteri, maybe this is Walter's idea of a clean up campaign, one booking and you are subbed.

Just as Bradford were coming on strong looking for a late winner the boys came good, and what a terrific move it was. Nyarko broke out and did brilliantly, spotted Joe-Max who cut inside Lawrence and unleashed a shot which was too hot to hold (did I say he couldn't hit a pigs arse with a banjo recently? Sorry Joe) the ball spilled to Naysmith who made no mistake. Does this boy look good and want to play for Everton or what?

The blue boys behind the goal, who once again had given terrific support, spilled onto the pitch, what a sight - naughty but nice! As usual it was Alamo time, 4 mins were added just to allow Bradford that extra portion but after the goal there was only one winner, Nyarko went close after a good run from Danny and Mad Dog nearly sealed it on the whistle. So it's jars out tonight lads and when you're having your Phall on the way home make sure you toast the Toffeemen.

COME ON YOU BLUES

Walter says: On Gary Naysmith, "He's done very well for us,""He's always keen to get forward into goalscoring positions and he deserved the goal this afternoon." "We've got Arsenal and Chelsea at Goodison in the next few weeks. So it was important for us to get a win here today. Neither goalkeeper really had all that much to do, although Paul Gerrard made a couple of good saves for us, particularly in the second half."On leaving Gazza out Walter said: "Paul was very close to making it today. "We just thought we couldn't take a chance on him this afternoon but he should be okay for next Saturday."