Match Preview

Well, it's not exactly dull with Moyes in charge, is it!!

4 games; 11 goals scored; 11 goals conceded; 3 players sent off (2 for us) and 9 points in the bag!

It's churlish to say that we've had more excitement in those 4 games than in the last 18 months of Smith's reign but it's probably true!!

We travel to Chelsea with 39 points — probably enough to stay up — which is good because we shouldn't expect to leave Stamford Bridge with any more.

On their day, Chelsea are quite simply the best in the league.  Hasslebaink and Gudjonssen can destroy any defence — just ask Liverpool — and with Gronkjaer regaining fitness, Petit regaining form, and Cudicini acting as arguably the best keeper in the Premiership, any points that we do take will be a huge shock.

Then again, how lovely it is to be relaxed about our situation in early April.  Another 3 points will see us undoubtedly home but they are more likely to come either away to Southampton or home to Leicester — not on Saturday.

Dunc's moment of sheer stupidity could have seriously cost us; but it didn't, so we can afford to be charitable and let it go.  A goal would be enough to repay us, particularly if it does get us an unexpected point.

Chadwick should get another 20 mins or so.  He took his goal with supreme confidence and I actually expect him to replace Dunc when the Big Man's suspension starts.  Will we see Campbell ever start another game ?

Gravesen should be back which will probably see Unsworth moved elsewhere — where?  I really don't know.  Maybe one of Blomqvist or Alexandersson will be sacrificed in an away game or Pistone dropped.  I hope not.  Unsworth has been pivotal in this resurgent Everton but I still feel he is a good bench player with his commitment and ability to play in 2 or 3 positions, not a 1st choice player.

Weir and Stubbs will again be essential.  This "new" Everton pushes forward and urges it's midfielders past the strikers and into the box (god forbid, hey, Walter!) and the defence does find itself isolated at times — which is why we have conceded so many.  Long term, that will have to be rectified (to an extent) but it's enjoyable and refreshing right now.

It's extremely possible there will be another goal fest — unfortunately it could be another St James Park result.  Hold on to your hats — God knows what will happen but don't be too confident!  At the moment I don't care!

BlueForEver

Million times better than v West Ham

Today's match followed a familiar pattern.  Having seen Chelsea on a very regular basis recently, they invariably dominate the first 25 mins playing slick football.  Once this time is up, they always look very insecure and seem to lose a lot of their zest.  That was why it was so disappointing to concede when we did as we had ridden through their early spell and appeared to be coming more into the game.

Defence-wise we were far, far too deep, inviting them to run at us.  This was presumably as a result of our lack of pace and an attempt to prevent them getting around the back of us.  However, such is the quality — week-in, week-out — of their long-range shooting, that this was a somewhat foolhardy tactic; it wasn't surprising that Jimmy-Floyd scored when he did.

He carried the ball at our defence and they backed off and backed off... Clarke (I think) fell over at the crucial moment and he beautifully chipped it over Simmo from 25 yards (although it may have taken a deflection).   Players falling on their arses was a huge feature of the game (as it was in their game last week against Derby) as they have just relaid the pitch and it is exceptionally soft and lush.

In the period up to half-time, we were matching them and 1-0 would have been a fair score at the interval.  However, just before the whistle was to be blown, the buggers scored again when Jimmy-Floyd broke through and Clarke half-grabbed his shirt, I was holding my breath for the next few seconds as — given that the ref was Elleray — I thought he may get his marching orders.  

The free-kick was passed short to Hasselbaink who spanked it in.  I'd argue that Simmo was at fault as it was only two-thirds of the way across the goal and he appeared to be exceptionally slow to get down.  I may be being overly harsh as he may've been unsighted.

We started brightly after half-time; Pistone was exceptional, tackling well and breaking forward to excellent effect.  The best was when he caught Desailly dwelling and headed the ball from off his brow to go one-on-one with Cudicini, forcing him into a good save.  Recently, Cudicini has been Chelsea's best player and today was no exception as, whenever we'd a chance, he'd be there to take the cross or block the shot.

Pistone got through again later, only for the ball to get caught under his feet but, nevertheless, he did well to get a shot away that Cudicini palmed around his near post.

Our best chance of the game was Radzinski one-on-one with the keeper when well clear of the defence.  His touch to take it round the keeper was far too heavy and, by the time he'd reached the ball, it was at the bye-line.  He could do nothing more than push it across the face of the goal.  

I was highly impressed with his attitude though as, like last week, he refused to let a missed opportunity affect his game.  A couple of minutes later, he put an excellent ball on the 6-yard line that Dunc thundered against the underside of the bar.

Last minute and I was thinking 2-0 wouldn't be too harsh a scoreline but then the ball breaks to Zola inside the box and he lashes it first time in at the near post.  Again, I reckon Simmo should have done better but it was a very good finish.

Final impressions: a million times better than when I last saw the team at West Ham.  Dunc faded badly after the first half-hour and seemed to be hiding a bit but Pistone was exceptional.  Nice to see Linderoth get a run-out; he looked tidy, if nothing special, although I was disappointed with Jesper's contribution.

Also good to see Moyes give Gravesen a bollocking half way through the second half when one of his hopelessly optimistic pot-shots sliced off the outside of his boot and into the upper tier of the stand.  You could see Moyesy gesturing him to calm it down and just use his head.

Ratings:

• Simmo 5 — At fault for two goals
• Pistone 9 — If he can continue in this vein, we have one helluva player
• Clarke 6 — Lost his man for the second goal but otherwise solid defensively putting in good tackles — but couldn't even pass water!
• Weir 6 — Don't know if he was occupied in looking after his junior partner but seemed off the pace
• Watson 7 — Still well over his fighting weight but broke forward well on occasion and looked solid
• Gemmill 6 — Tidy and busy but was a bit peripheral
• Gravesen 6 — Put in two of the worst excuses for a tackle I've ever seen in the first half, wussed out of them like an 8-year-old girl.  Went on an amusing rant at seemingly everyone after one Chelsea attack
• Blomqvist 5 — Did very little and deserved to be taken off when he was — especially given that he was up against a poor player in Stanic (who moved to full-back after Terry's injury).  Seemingly couldn't kick his corners more than 5 foot off the ground or at more than 8 miles an hour.
• Alexandersson 6 — Ineffectual first half but did more after the break; came up against Le Saux who was in excellent form.
• Ferguson 6 — Looked up for it for the first 20 mins but was continually muscled out by Desailly & seemed to lose interest thereafter.  Unlucky not to score when he hit the bar from 8 yards.
• Radzinski 7 — Always eager & looking for the ball.  Offside too often but suffered from a lack of quality service.  Should definitely have scored but created Dunc's chance with an excellent cross.