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COLUMNIST PAUL TRAILL

A Comprehensive Spanking...

By Paul  Traill :  31/12/2008 :  Comments (15) :
Late! Late Late! As I got to Hamilton Square stuck behind some ditherer, though just made the train as the doors slid shut. Thankfully I bumped into an old mate on the train who was also going the game and we debated if Everton's 4-6-0 formation would work today against Sunderland. We both though it would.

He went to The Albany. I strolled on to The Spellow as per usual meeting Gary with Ste to follow. After a few ciders we were on the way, with Everton's only change being Leon Osman in, with the apparently impressive Dan Gosling dropping to the bench. Looking at the Sunderland line-up, they looked pretty cack.

We lost the toss again. Rob Styles was the ref. Everton started well, straight at it. We made the breakthrough when Arteta spanked a free kick straight into the top corner! Well, at least that's how I saw it through my blinkered specs. As it turned out the wall simply evaporated and the free kick flew in past the chanceless keeper.

It was 2-0 through another Arteta free kick. This time he smacked it into the wall but, credit to him, was quick with the follow up, whacking it back at goal and, via a deflection, into the net. Get in there! We celebrated with a half-time pint!

Sunderland tried changing it at half time, swapping some no-mark for another no-mark. It didn't work as Everton's midfield simply bossed the second half. Arteta and Neville were simply fantastic. Arteta just has to stay in the middle now as he's clearly more comfortable there. The only chance from the visitors came from a fantastic Steed Malbranque dribble and shot which was well held by Howard.

Everton wrapped it all up when substitute Dan Gosling got on the end of a cross from the left-hand side, finishing smartly into the corner of the net with a quick finish. It was great to see all the players mob the young lad when he scored. That was game over.

Cudos to Jutkiewicz for an impressive cameo. An emphatic performance by Everton. We then left and stayed out in town for a ruddy good night. Bring on Macclesfield Town!

Player Ratings:

Howard: Not a lot to do but made a decent save when he needed to. He's certainly back to normal now. 7

Baines: Got up and down the flank quite well but played within himself a bit I felt. Its good to know we can rely on him when others are crocked. 6

Lescott: Just fine but whether he likes it or not is better at left back. 6

Jagielka: A very commanding display from Jags. Very Stubbsish. 8

Hibbert: Got forward well. Seems a lot more confident bombing forward than he used to. 7

Neville: Had a storming game. He's had a storming season if you ask me. Ran Arteta very close to Man of the Match I think. 9

Arteta: The complete display. Two goals and was simply everywhere. He loves it in the middle... hopefully. 10

Fellaini: Had a very industries game and, low and behold, didn't get booked. 8

Osman: Didn't look quite fit to me but did alright. 6

Pienaar: Not the best of performances but certainly put the work in. 6

Cahill: Put a shift in. Was often chasing back and didn't realise he had to stay up front but did a good job all in all. I guess we probably should've put Big Vic on sooner in hindsight. 6

Subs: Anichebe (for Fellaini): Did alright. 6

Gosling (for Osman): Looks the business to me. He's a very lively young lad and got his goal of course. 6

Jutkiewicz (for Cahill): I think he looked boss. He played a lovely ball as soon as he came on which kinda won me over. 7

Reader Comments

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Ray Roche
1   Posted 31/12/2008 at 08:49:10

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As I understand it, if Fellaini HAD been booked, he?d miss the Macclesfield and Hull games due to the number of yellow cards he has accumulated. If he gets booked in either of these games, and believe me he will, he?ll miss the derby match. Is that correct? If so, he should have picked up a deliberate yellow and played in the Derby match. I know some will say that?s "cheating" but don?t expect me to believe he?s deserved every yellow card he?s been given.
Kevin Chung
2   Posted 31/12/2008 at 09:29:05

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Do you feel the confidence in Everton again?

I certainly do!!
Martin Cutler
3   Posted 31/12/2008 at 10:39:20

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Even though it was only Sunderland (admittedly a resurgent Sunderland), I was impressed with this performance.... in fact it was nice to actually watch a game on the tele (on Fox over here in the States) where the lads put in such a good all-round team display!

I agree with Ray?s comment about Fellaini, we?ll need him in the derby game more than we?ll need him against Macclesfield or even Hull.

I was very impressed with the two youngsters! Gosling seems so assured for one so young and you would think Jutkiewicz had been playing regular first team footy the way he adapted even if it was only for a few minutes.

Quick comment re: Neville: whilst I?m still in disagreement about giving him a 4-year contract he did indeed play a storming game. His shot just over the bar was a cracker!

Arteta ? please stay in midfield (oh, and don?t go to bloody Arsenal)! His first goal was stunning! All-in-all, a very good performance! Well done lads!
l

Alan Kirwin
4   Posted 31/12/2008 at 12:54:31

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A comprehensive spanking was top of my missus? Christmas wish list. Always happy to oblige.

On less interesting things, if/when Cesc gets on the phone to tap up his mate Mikel, then we may have problems.
Ray Roche
5   Posted 31/12/2008 at 13:02:08

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That?s funny, Alan, it was top of the list she gave me as well.... ; )

I?m not sure that Fabregas and Arteta could play in the same midfield. As Fabregas is only out for 3-4 months, Arteta would be daft to go there and maybe find himself on the bench sooner than later.
Alan Kirwin
6   Posted 31/12/2008 at 13:37:42

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Ray, your logic has merit. However, footballers are not known for letting logic get in the way of more money, playing in Champions League etc. If Mikel proves different then, if I were wearing a hat, I?d take it off to him.

You?re welcome to my missus, given that I enjoyed yours.

HNY
Alan Kirwin
7   Posted 31/12/2008 at 13:40:45

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On another note, I just hope that Moyes gives the youngsters a chance against Macclesfield to stake claims.

Ideal game to let Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Baxter, Kissock, Rodwell & Agard show what they can do. We have an excellent crop of youngsters, but if Moyes doesn’t let them loose then they’ll eventually end up starved of games and confidence.
Tim Lowe
8   Posted 31/12/2008 at 14:51:58

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Alan - Agree with you to an extent; however, I don't think we should be making wholesale changes for the cup game, it has all the makings of a Shrewsbury Mk 2 if we?re too complacent. I?d be happy with Gosling in for Big Mo to save him picking up another yellow. Jutkiewicz up front, hopefully if he lives up to his early promise, we can get rid of Anichebe who seems to be getting worse with age. And finally Rodwell in to give one of the centre backs a rest, as I reckon this will be his long-term best position.
Ray Roche
9   Posted 31/12/2008 at 16:12:16

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Alan Kirwin

Don?t know how you managed that one ? I lost my wife some years ago..... What a game of cards THAT was.

Hapy New Year, matey.
Mike Hayes
10   Posted 31/12/2008 at 16:22:43

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Amazing what signing a contract will do. Full marks to the lads for gelling at last but I think it's fair to say all was not well whilst Moyes was pondering (dithering to most) about signing.
Kase Chow
11   Posted 31/12/2008 at 16:24:12

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Alan, that?s crazy talk mate ? we NEED a good cup run to maintain confidence and momentum. Whilst I understand your sentiment, we just cannot take chances. We need to win, win, win.
Peter Manning
12   Posted 01/01/2009 at 11:45:36

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We didn't loose the toss... had we lost the toss, as we did, we would have kicked off. You will remember then that Sunderland kicked off, which means they lost the toss and we choose ends. So put our first goal down to Phil as the sun was very low in the sky and their goalie had no chance of seeing the ball from the free kick.
NIck Flack
13   Posted 01/01/2009 at 11:02:58

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It was good to see Jutkiewicz get a bit under his belt. I hope he plays 90 minutes on Saturday as it was playing against this sort of opposition that Moyes must have seen something worth investing in.

I may even wager a daft tenner on 3-1 Jutkiewicz first goal.
2 goals, subbed off on 90 mins to a standing ovation. Confidence lifted.
Steve Edwards
14   Posted 01/01/2009 at 13:23:35

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Ray Roche - I very much agree with you. I would in fact rest him for the next two games. We could play Victor up front and move Tim back into midfield. It really does piss me off that we always seem to have key players missing when we play the shite. Mind you so do most teams when they play them... I’ve picked up on that over the years and its worth watching out for. As a team going right back to the sixties they have always had more than their fare share of luck.
Martin Brown
15   Posted 01/01/2009 at 16:43:44

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Alan, I was the one that won that hand. Believe me mate wish I hadn't had that flush!!!!
Happy new year all!!!

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