Match Summary

Colin Harvey Testimonial

A dedicated and devoted servant of Everton Football Club for the past 40 years, Colin Harvey was honoured by a much improved Everton performance after some dire pre-season results had fans crying in their beer.

But there was plenty of beer and plenty of happier faces today as the kick-off was delayed a couple of hours due to problems with the Italian visitors' plane.  When the game finally got underway, Campbell soon limped off, to be replaced by Nick Chadwick.   And it was Radzinski who opened the scoring, running on to a nice ball from Thomas Gravesen.

Wright was confident in goal, not that he was tested too much.  Sandro Pistone linked up very well with Steve Watson down the right and Yobo was commanding in the middle alongside Stubbs and Weir.  Gravesen was an absolute revelation — I dont think Arsenal will give him that much time but he was endlessly inventive and controlled in his distribution.

I thought Linderoth did well — maybe it was his presence that gave Tommy room to play.  Shame about Kevin's injury but it gave me a chance to look again at Chadwick.  I honestly thought he was doing himself no favours until he scored — he didn't seem to have any direction, unlike Osman who, when he came on, chased everything. 

Duncan ambled about and tutted when his careful flicks on weren't anticipated or picked up.  Li Tie was energetic and well worth a place in the starting line-up.  Tony Hibbert played well when he came on, Stubbs and Weir both did a job of work on their opponents, Pembridge and Unsworth were competent to middlin' and Iain Turner looks the part. 

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Performances

Wright - Handled the ball fairly well and good to see him back between the sticks.  Patently obvious that Simonsen and Gerrard have absolutely no future at Everton.  They've had their time to stake their claims for the shirt and neither has ever done it with the confidence required.  Surplus to requirement, the pair of them, and we need someone somewhere to take them off the wage bill.  Pronto.

Pistone - This season's Ginola lookey-likey if the hair's anything to go by...  Like Moyes, getting greyer by the day...  If he can get himself into positions (down either flank) whereby he's whipping in crosses from the by-line, then we've some hope there.  Lovely link up with Gravesen (delicious through-ball from Grav) set up the Chadwick goal.  If Pistone finds himself in those positions when attacking, then we've got ourselves a "winger!"

Yobo - Classiest defender on the pitch by far.  You cannot understate just how important he is to us this season.  We need to get this problem with Nigeria sorted out as soon as possible.  Everton minus Yobo in defence is akin to Custer's Last Stand.

Stubbs - Expect to see Stubbs as Moyes's preferred partner alongside Yobo this season.  He has marginally better pace (sic) than Weir, which swings it his way.

Unsworth - Thought he was fairly solid yesterday; strong in the tackle when needed.  He gets hammered constantly for his aerial hoof but you've got to allow the lack of options available more times than not.  Cut him some slack this term folks... Unsy's presence is invaluable, more often for reasons where he'll never earn the recognition deserved.

Watson - Had the sort of game you come to expect from Steve Watson - industrious as ever and forever willing to advance forward.  Don't think he'll be one of the first names down on the sheet this coming season and - at best - we can but hope that he'll play that sort of unsung hero role.

Pembridge - Same old, same old with Pembinho.  Works his socks off without receiving the plaudits.  Expect him to get hammered in weeks to come when The People come out in greater numbers than yesterday.

Linderoth - Ah, nice touches here and there but he has the fear of God in him when traversing that half way line.  He simply does not like being in an advanced position.

Gravesen - Huff and puff aplenty in the first half.  Sometimes, as per usual, he infuriates but he was responsible for a tasty through ball for Pistone, out wide, and that led to Chadwick slotting home goal number two.  Move of the day.

Radzinski - He is the one player we can ill-afford to lose (some may argue a case for Yobo) this season.  Fit and motivated we need him to be.  Someone wrap him in cotton wool please between games....

Campbell - Not on long enough to comment.  Took a knock and went down.  Didn't look that bad at the time.  Makes you wonder just how more he can physically take.  Tick, tock, tick, tock...  We've seen the best we're ever gonna see of Super Kev at this stage.  A pale shadow of his former self.

Subs:

Weir - See comments on Stubbs above.
Alexandersson - I'm reliably told he was present - on the pitch - during the second half.  Where? 'Nuff said...
Ferguson - If it's possible, he was worse than Alexandersson.  Trust me.  Truly not interested in playing with pride nor passion for Everton.
Li Tie - Played well when given his chance yesterday.  Could prove invaluable in a workmanlike midfield.
Carsley - Not on long enough really to work up a sweat.
Hibbert - Looked composed when coming on at half time.  Could he possibly be an option for our ailing midfield at some stage this season if injuries decimate our central four?  Great to see him back yesterday.
Chadwick - Got himself into the position to score a goal yesterday, which says something, but pretty much ineffective after that.  All a part of the learning curve???
Osman - Impressed me with his effort.  Forever willing to run for lost causes.  Good application to the job in hand could see him more involved than not, sooner rather than later.  Potential to claim a spot down that left flank.
Turner - Received a great reception when replacing Wright in goal.  Had little to do really but still made one excellent save when called upon.

Colm Kavanagh

Report . Steve Milne