England U21's 1, Portugal U21's 2. @ Goodison Park. 09/09/03. Atten:

England: Grant, Jagielka, Clarke, Dawson, Konchesky, Johnson, Prutton, Barton, Barry, Jeffers, Ameobi.
Bench: Hibbert, Sidwell, Tonge, Wright-Phillips, Defoe for Prutton, Zamora, Burch.

Portugal: Moreira, Paulo, Ricardo, Costa, Alves, Bosingwa, Tiago, Viana, Luz, Quaresma, Postiga.
Bench: Bruno Vale, Mario Sergio, Santamaria, Raul Meireles, Candido Costa, Lourenco, Pedro Neves.

Referee: Athanassios Briakos (Greece)

Goodison Park, the shrine to us Toffeemen was the venue for David Platt's young lions do or die encounter with Portugal's youngsters. A fantastic welcome was afforded to the return of the prodigals son Jeffers, who must have thought seconds after running on to the Goodison turf, that there is no place like home. Alan Shearer's goal scoring record of thirteen goals awaited him, and surely the script was written.

Our grand old Lady of a stadium, has not held an England International for thirty odd years, but with only one defeat of England at any level at the shrine in twelve visits, the omens looked good.That record was sorely needed as after five attempts the juniors had not beaten their Portuguese counterparts.
The game kicked off with Grant replacing the KNOB JOCKEY Kirkland in the England sticks, as the big stupid prick injured himself jacking off in the showers before hand. Three minutes were on the clock when Prutton and Johnson introduced themselves to United's new starlet Ronaldo.The second foul was to prove costly as from the ensuing free kick, the Portuguese took the lead, as the shot skidded along the greasy surface,fooling Grant and squeezing itself in at the near post.

England's first chance fell to Jeffers on twelve minutes. A good centre from Konchesky invited Dumbo into a header, but he was beaten to the ball by a solid defensive clearance. Jeffers soon went hunting for the ball, and with a darting run into the box was unlucky to be tackled by an in form defender. As the clock ticked on England took control, Ameobi impressing with his partnership with Franny.At the other end Clarke who started fairly quietly was growing in stature as the game went on. Moyesy looked on from the Directors Box, and must have been mightily impressed with his two young stars performing so well.
On the thirty six minute mark the ever impressive Barton, guided the ball in off the left hand post for the equaliser after great work by Jeffers and Ameobi. The question must be asked. How can a great talent like Barton, born and bred on Merseyside be lost to the Mancs up the East Lancs Road? Somebody surely needs a bollicking for that balls up. Certainly one for the future.

Ronaldo looked a threat all half when ever the ball was at his feet, but someone needs tell him that if he carries on with his Emily Heskey antics, he will get all he deserves, which is a good pasting. He was down quicker than a whores knickers, acting out the last rites. Then suddenly he was like an American sprinter on steroids. He may be an exceptional talent but someone also needs to tell him that he has some jism hanging from the back of his hair, maybe he to had a quick hand job before he came on the pitch and forgot to wash his hands.

Half-Time 1-1

Park End

Goodison Road

The second half started as the the first finished, with the industrious Barton volleying just wide. A fantastic move by England involving Jeffers and Ameobi deserved more as the keeper started to pull off some good saves. Jeffers was now running the show up front and was desperately un lucky to earn himself a yellow card. He went in on the keeper to try and win 50/50, but once again the theatrics started, and Jeffers ended up in the referees note book. With Clarke now looking more composed than ever, Portugal were having to be content with long range efforts, none of which were troubling the ever confident Grant in the sticks. When they did break through the England rear guard, not once but on two occasions, Clarke pulled off tackles which were from another era (Aka Sir Bobby Moore). The Sky cameras tracked down Moyesy and you could see the pleasure on his face watching this young cultured defender, turning into an assured, cool and confident Centre Half, and I don't think it will be to long judging on this performance till he is a regular in the Royal Blue.

Sadly for England the game was turned on its head by another hand ball winner. An excellent free kick was whipped into the box and the new boy at Spurs, Prostiga, stretched out an arm to direct the ball into the Park End net. Every body seem to see the infringement, apart from the Mike Riley of the Netherlands, who waved away England's protests. The scoreline was most definitely un fair, as we deserved at least a draw out of a very exciting encounter. It may be another thirty years if at all till Goodison stages an England international, but our Grand old stadium witnessed this evening an enthralling encounter from two excellent teams, both willing to have a go to secure victory. The two Everton participants did themselves and the club proud, and my M.O.M. from this intriguing encounter goes to Franny Jeffers whose work rate, touch, movement and all round game was A1. Roll on Saturday, bring on the Geordies, as with Franny in this form I am sure all Blues will forgive him his moment of madness in leaving our great club. Lavington Spar. (10/09/03)

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