COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Newcastle (H)
Comments (19) : The game started in weather akin to Southern Spain which may of contributed to the languid start but with Carsley looking really up for it ? his drive, tackling and enthusiasm had taken about 20 minutes to rub off on most of the other players and then we really started to play.
By half-time we had scored one and could have had three or four such was our dominance. Hardly any hoofball but plenty of pass and move and ball retention which was pleasing to watch considering some of our latter games.
The breakthrough goal came via a wicked curling freekick played in with pace from the ever improving Manny, met by the Yak and despatched in a manner befitting Dixie's anniversary. Then another Yak header ruled out for Lescott offside, that looked close from my seat.
After being so much in command in that first half, the second started in dramatic fashion with Newcastle being awarded a penalty within sixty seconds of the restart. Owen took it, Howard guessed right and almost saved it but we were back level.
The drama continued, the Blues regained the upperhand with some more good football. The elements changed and our attacks were to the accompaniment of rolls of thunder and forked lightening danced around the ground as our players danced around Newcastle players but the goal would not come.
Chances came and went, most notably to big Vic, but his finishing was a bit off and their keepers contribution was spot on and two saves from Manny thunderbolts were excellent.
Then, on the 70-minute mark, we took the lead courtesy of a clumsy foul by Owen on Carsley who took it quickly to Manny; he looked up and curled in another beauty which found Lescott at the far post, who turned it in with the aplomb of a top striker. The roof came in, radio's were discarded and the party began. You could sense Newcastle had little left to offer and our passing was now being afforded OLE'S!
From one of these passing movements Ossie found himself just short of the box, with no one to close him down he drove into the box, Taylor took his legs and we all rubbed our eyes... the Ref had given a PENALTY!!!
The Yak stepped up, the ball went one way the keeper the other, and hey ho it was a case of, "Tell me Ma, me Ma ? we're going to somewhere nice."
Still time for subs: Tommy came on to say Goodbye and Rodwell came on to say Hello.
The final whistle and the crowd seemed to stay as one to cheer the players around the pitch when they re-emerged ? and fairplay to quite a few Newcastle fans who stayed to clap our lads.
So thats it: Holidays can be taken, Bill can hunt for money... and Davey, who had a great reception today, can hunt for the talent to move us on.
I wish them all the best ? and roll on August! UP THE BLUES
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Another season over, and another healthy and highly impressive league placing.
A fifth place finish for the blue half of Merseyside represents the great strides we have made under David since thankfully taking over from Walter Smith which does not seem like over six years now. I suppose time does fly when you are having fun.
While not all suporters would conceed that it’s been exactly "fun" under Moyes, but I for one, have been impressed with his time in charge and regular finishes in, and around the top six during his time here.
I could give David all the accolades going, but there was the matter of securing a fifth place finish at Goodison yesterday.
I correctly predicted that pre-game Everton would not only win, and Aston Villa would not leave East London with three points, but that Everton would, more likely than not, be awarded a penalty at some stage in the game.
All three came to pass, Everton have not only secured fifth place, but that UEFA cup spot as well, while Aston Villa are left with assorted opposition in the Intertoto Cup Tournament which I believe commences in July.
Yakubu for me, did well yesterday and finishes with a haul of 21 league goals, not bad at all considering his abysmal start following the transfer from Middlesbrough. Lescott made it Ten for him, the man just can’t be stopped.
The best thing for me about yesterday was not the win, or achieveing fifth place or another shot at European competition.
It was just how much we have moved on from a decade ago. No more last day relegation battles or 15th place finishes. No managers who haven’t a clue what is right for the club or how to move us forward.
Instead, look at the difference. Surely, it can’t be long now before Everton finally get their hands on a piece of silverware. The 1995 side under Royle that won the FA Cup was useful, but one deciding factor towards the aforementioned Cup Final victory was that Everton played on top of their game against Tottenham in the Semi-final, while the London side, never really came out of the traps that day at Elland Road, and of course Manchester United had key players missing in the Final victory, that may well have seen a different outcome if they had been involved.
Still, it’s the present that counts, the season is at a close, we have Fifth place in what many call the best league in the world, and with it a Uefa Cup place.
Not much else to say, apart from well done to all involved at the club for their effort (most of the time!) in getting us to where we are one day after the close of the season. It’s been a satisfactory, if not good 2007/08 on the blue half of Merseyside.
Let’s not forget that the Red Shite, once more, have no trophies in the Anfield cupboard this season. My heart bleeds.
One final note, not only was I angered by the referee’s performance at the JJB Stadium yesterday (Bennett), did anybody notice the Manchester United squad doing their dives across the Wigan pitch after the final whistle.
Says it all really doesn’t it?
Tx for the reports
thanks for some great reports and after a nailbiting finish its a relief to get over the finishing line and look forward to next season.
We played great yesterday, got to 5th place with time and goals to spare, it was a joy to be at Goodison. And I loved the fact that the whole ground stayed 10 minutes after the whistle, still singing, to say goodbye to the team til the pre season begins.
Consolidation and expectation, two words that sum up this season for me. Next year I want the word to be silverware! COYB
thank you
I look forward to your reports especially when there is controversy.
From Austin Texas, I get to see some games on TV, and I use you as the most reliable and objective source for the other games. When we win you don’t go overboard and when we lose you’re not throwing the babies out with the bathwater.
Keep the reports flowing next year and hopefully you will be (as objectively as ever) praising the blue boys continuing to progress!
ps: What age group are you, Ken?
Thanks for taking the time to write your excellent reports.
Have a great summer. Look forward to next seasons analysis.
To All fellow blues and the Toffee Web staff, without whom we could not put our thoughts and opinions on here.
Have a great summer.
After all the Euro’s will not be worth watching without a home nation in it.
I’ll be reading again next season if you keep posting.
COYB!!
See you next season - UP THE BLUES
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1 Posted 12/05/2008 at 17:19:57
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