COLUMNIST PAUL TRAILL

Match report ? The 'quick pint'

I spent the best part of the day praying for a postponement for this one though was thwarted in my online checks by various websites confirming the game was going ahead. Quite frankly, I was tired, and the thought of going home and watching us get spanked from the couch was much more appealing than sitting in the sub-zero temperatures at Eastlands. Still, I?d paid for the ticket so felt obliged to go.

Another reason to go was that my mate Simo was coming the game with me. He?s an uncompromising customer at the best of times is Simo, and as he?s also actually a Tranmere Rovers fan was more interested in just a day out rather than an actual interest in Everton?s performance on the night. Sadly for me, Simo had been out on the pop since about 12pm, so when I finally caught up with him in Manchester town centre after work, he was in no coherent state whatsoever as we had a pint in the Deansgate Weatherspoons. He was with a few other acquaintances who weren?t going the match.

It got to about 7:20pm and getting twitchy I politely asked him a few times to get a move on as we had to get to the ground. He was having none of it, insisting we unnecessarily joined up with his mates for a ?quick pint? as they moved next door. You know the drill with drunken people when you're sober.

Getting to the next bar, ordering and then drinking a drink just can?t be done in that messy state and so it was about 7:35pm when we finally were able to get a move on. Unfortunately, at this time, finding a taxi was just a nightmare, not helped by Simo knocking randomly on car windows asking people to give us a lift to the ground. Wasting time, the clock ticking away?yep, I was getting angry.

Eventually, we got in a cab to the ground but then of course got caught in traffic. We jumped out when the ground was within sight and made a dart for it. In doing so, I went ballistic at Simo as I just couldn?t contain my fury. This catapulted into an absolute rage when a big cheer erupted from inside the ground followed by the chant of ?Everton?Everton?. Exactly what I was trying to explain what would happen? happened.

Nevertheless, we headed towards the ground. The girl at the turnstyle informed us Distin had scored though of course this wasn?t true as I was later informed Cahill had found the net with a typical header from a Coleman cross.

Everton appeared in bullish mood for this one. Amongst my frustration in the taxi I?d checked the team news and was a little surprised to see Anichebe given the nod up front, with Osman in to replace the injured Pienaar. Man City?s tidy play was well disrupted by the Everton midfield whilst the defense, led by Jagielka were stubbornly resolute. We even managed the benefit of a two goal cushion when I think Anichebe pulled out wide and played a ball into the box for Cahill, whom knocked it back for Baines to slot home right-footed. I didn?t miss this one. 2-0. Get in!

We defended a little deep following this and Man City carved out a couple of good chances with Silva finding the side-netting and Balotelli volleying harmlessly over from a corner. There were more opportunities for Man City in the half but Everton?s stubborn defense held firm and we went into the break 2-0 to the good. The only other moments of note in the half were a harsh booking for Fellaini and a non-booking for Milner following a rash challenge on Anichebe. I think Peter Walton got those incidents mixed up. Osman had an opportunity to score also when he intercepted a pass and stormed forward, only for his shot to deflect comfortably for Hart in the end. We enjoyed the half time beer, with me now much more relaxed and Simo now in over-apologetic mood.

Man City made a change at the break, swapping one England international for another (Johnson on for Milner). There was plenty more backs-to-the-wall stuff in the second period but Everton appeared to be seeing the game out. Anichebe was incredibly booked for trying to charge down a Joe Hart clearance even though the England keeper seemed to be asking the referee not to book Anichebe for the challenge. This proved costly for Vic. Just as Saha was getting readied to replace him he got himself sent off for a rash challenge on Zaballeta. Worthy of a yellow yes, but how the first one was a booking I just don?t know.

So from backs-to-the-wall to everything-to-the-wall, Everton?s commitment to defense was exemplary. Howard made some great saves, Jagielka and Distan got themselves in the way of everything as Everton clinged on. Man City did finally make their breakthrough with the help of an own goal from Jagielka, deflecting a Yaya Toure shot past Howard and into the net. 2-1, 20 minutes to go with 10 men?this seemed desperate.

Moyes called for the cavalry and it was some wise substitutions by the Scot with the shattered Osman being replaced by Bilyaletdinov and Saha replacing Coleman. Everton had to dig deeper.

We certainly got that good fortune we?ve perhaps been missing when Balotelli got himself through on goal and dinked the ball past Howard. I thought he?d scored and was amazed when the ball came back off the post and Howard made a couple of great stops to keep us a goal to the good.

Just when it seemed we were finally shutting up shop, Jagielka was subbed (presumably with an injury). With Heitinga apparently injured and Yobo away on loan, it was left to Tony Hibbert to plug the defensive gap.

The clock ticked down and you just knew Everton had done it when Yaya Toure got himself sent off for two cynical fouls in quick succession, first on Distin, and then on Bilyaletdinov. Needless to say, the final whistle was greeted by fabulous applause from the Everton support. Simo and I got the bus back to Manchester Piccadilly and enjoyed a couple of beers before getting a lift home from the missus.

I?ve now forgiven Simo? but don?t think I?ll be taking him to the game again. I suppose I?ve now forgiven Everton also for last week's stalemate against Wigan. I refuse to get carried away but we better had beat Birmingham on Boxing Day now after this result.

Birmingham City (h); West Ham United (a); Stoke City (a). Seven points minimum please.

Player Ratings:

• Howard: Made some super saves. 9
• Baines: Nicely taken goal and was nice and positive throughout, if a little lax in defense at times perhaps. 7
• Jagielka: An absolute rock. I feared the worst when he came off injured though thankfully he?d done enough. My man of the match. 9
• Distin: Superb. 8
• Neville: Fine. 6
• Fellaini: Put himself about. 7
• Rodwell: A bit hit and miss but certainly put his shift in. 6
• Osman: An industrious performance from
• Osman. Good to have him back. 6
• Coleman: I?ve since seen Cahill?s header, so a lovely set up for the first goal though he wilted at times in the second period before subbed. 6
• Cahill: One goal, one assist and battled very, very hard. A leadership performance. 8
• Bilyaletdinov: He did enough to suggest to me he may be about ready for a starting place. 6
• Saha: Used the ball well and put himself about. 7
• Hibbert: Thankfully wasn?t really called upon to do much. 6

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