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Fellaini Does A Big Dunc!

Everton v Manchester United

A little belated for the season start and, having witnessed everyone else perform over the weekend, we finally had a chance to watch Everton play in our evening kick off against the almost-champions.

I work in Manchester and anticipating plenty of Liverpool-bound traffic, sneaked out of work a little early and managed to avoid all the traffic. I was around Goodison Park at roughly 6:15pm. It was nice driving along Couny Road and seeing so many blue shirts about…a nice buzz of excitement around the ground.

I parked up, got my chippy and made for the pub to catch up with Gary and Sue… Simon and Stu also in attendance… Ste joining us a little later. It was so warm both in and out of the pub we made the most of the nice weather and stood outside whilst catching up on our respective summers. It was a real good feeling pre-game and though you daren’t quite believe it just yet, you sensed tonight could be another of those special Goodison Park nights.

Making our way to the ground and we heard Kevin Mirallas being introduced to the crowd; we were a little too late to see him, though we were into the ground and in our new seats nicely in time for kick off. The atmosphere was rocking and Everton even managed to win the toss, attacking the Park End in the first half.

Jelavic spearheaded the attack wih Fellaini supporting. Jagielka was given the nod to partner Distin in defence in what was largely the same side which finished against Newcastle United last season. Manchester United had problems defensively and Michael Carrick had to partner Vidic at the back with Valencia filling in at right back. Both sets of fans were noisy and vibrant as Andre Marriner got proceedings under way.

Everton began much the livelier of the two sides, though on the counter attack Distin had to be at his sharpest to get across quickly and snuff out the danger from Nani on the left hand side… Sylvain tackling the Portuguese and Nani going ballistic at the linesman as he expected a corner, even if the ball did clearly come back off Nani.

Nani did have a drive from roughly 20 yards out which inched past the post. Rooney had two chances, one he snatched at and hit straight at Howard, the other a free kick which Howard tipped around the post. Scholes hit one from distance which was comfortable from Howard and Welbeck had a few bites at a few chances, Jagielka cleared one off the line from Cleverley and Howard saved from Kagawa.

Whilst that may all sound a lot, that was the overall sum of Manchester United’s chances throughout. They were still typical Manchester United however. Passing the ball around crisply and patiently and then out of nowhere – bang they speed it up and hit you hard. At times we were hanging in there but the players stood up to the challenge and deserved the victory. To say the crowd were the Twelfth Man is something of an understatement as the crowd willed Everton home.

As for chances – well Everton had plenty also. Fellaini hit the post in the first half after waltzing through Man Utd’s patched up defence and in the second half Osman also struck the woodwork with a dazzling half volley which he was unlucky to see come back off the underside of the bar. He was just as unlucky first half also when another half volley was tremendously saved by De Gea. Pienaar was also twice denied by the Spaniard with plucky efforts at goal and Baines deflected free kick was also majestically saved… you sensed it might not be Everton’s day as all these chances went begging, until the big man stepped up…

A great run by Pienaar pulled three Man Utd players in his direction and he managed to win a corner. Gibson (who had put in several good corners all evening) planted an outswinger into the box, Fellaini got the run on his marker and headed into the corner to put Everton in the driving seat.

It wasn’t just his goal but his all round play which brought back great memories of Big Dunc against Manchester United. I’m referring to one game in particular when Big Dunc put in the performance possibly of his life, bullying Rio Ferdinand and Manchester United into submission with a classic performance topped off with a trademark headed goal. Fellaini tonight was similar. Covering tremendous amounts of ground… bullying Carrick and Vidic out of the game, getting on the end of things, being an absolute menace… and then topping it all off with a 1-0 win to sink Manchester United. A truly excellent performance by Marouane.

If truth be told, having said all that, his performance dipped a fair bit in the last 20 minutes as he gave away several silly free kicks. Manchester United’s pressure grew and grew whilst Everton dropped deeper and deeper. Fortunately Jagielka was in exceptional form at the back and United weren’t to be allowed through… the crowd willing Everton home and such was the loud chorus of whistles from the crowd, Marriner just had no choice but to blow up once the allotted four minutes of added time were up.

The full-time whistle was met with tremendous applause from the Everton faithful which spilled out onto the streets… everyone in good form and good voice as we made our way home. The only downer being the closure of the Birkenhead Tunnel meaning a longer than usual journey home… though I think I’d have settled for that pre-game.

So, for the first time since God knows when, Everton have gotten off to a winning start, toppling Manchester United in doing so… Let's hope we can keep the run going for this Saturday’s Bank Holiday clash at Villa Park.

Well done Everton! A terrific performance.

Player Ratings:

Howard: Despite a lot of pressure from Man United as the game wore on, he was rather untroubled throughout though was there when he was needed. 7

Baines: It seemed like more of his work was about defence than attack though he acquitted himself well. Unlucky with that first half free kick. 6

Distin: Good and solid. Quite typical really. 7

Jagielka: My Man of the Match. He made so many tackles, headers and clearances and was in the way of everything. Ratcliffe-esque in my opinion. Certainly justified his selection. 9

Hibbert: Excellent from Hibbert. Made some solid tackles and was much more effective than I’ve seen him for some time going forward. I think his testimonial has done him good. Maybe he feels the crowd are now more on his side. 8

Neville: Some silly moments but did a lot of running and kept the lads going. 6

Gibson: Had a good game. Kept the ball generally well and played some fantastic set-pieces (with one crucial one of course). Looks very settled. 7

Pienaar: Not quite at his most effective but certainly put the work in. Will be fine. 7

Osman: I thought Osman had an excellent 70 minutes before tiring prior to substitution. He was lively, pressed well and was twice very unlucky not to score. Not a foregone conclusion that Mirallas will walk straight into the team at all... 8

Fellaini: Just fantastic. I was a little disappointed with some of his silly fouls once we went ahead but generally it’s nigh on impossible to criticize him after a performance like that, topped off with the goal of course. As seasons go on, it’s going to be harder and harder to keep hold of him I think. 9

Jelavic: It occurred to me at Malaga the other week that he looked a little off the pace and I thought that was again the case tonight. For the last 20 minutes in this one he offered practically nothing at all. Still, we know what he’s capable of and I’m sure he’ll get better, hopefully beginning at Villa Park. 5

Coleman (for Osman): Did well at his feverish best down the flank as Eveton really needed an outlet to counter attack. 6

Naismith (for Jelavic): Was very lively and busy in the short time he had on the field. 7

Heitinga (for Fellaini): Filled a few holes in the short time he had. 6

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