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From My Seat: Newcastle Utd (H)

Everton 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd

After what seemed like an age we were back at Goodison after a somewhat insipid international break.
The pre match was tastefully done in honour of the 96 and to celebrate the victory of the campaigners in at last exposing the lies of the time. Shame on those responsible and surely they will be charged for what they did.

Mascots in Blue and Red led out the teams, the Blue with No 9 on the back and the Red with No6. Ball-boys had 96 on their backs and the thorny question of which music to play for the period of applause was brilliantly chosen. The Hollies ‘He aint heavy he’s my brother’ sort of well fitted the bill. As the song was played the 96 were featured on the big screen.

Then to the game and within 5mins we thought we had taken the lead when from a Mirallas astute pass Fellaini shot and forced a great parry from the keeper but Jelavic pounced and slid home. That brought a double disappointment as the goal was chalked off for offside and Jelavic needed lengthy treatment after colliding with a post.

Play continued with Everton in the driving seat yet there was always a sense that we were weak in centre midfield as both Osman and Neville both ran hot and cold and this was typified by Neville when through lack of concentration just poked the ball too far in front of him and in trying to rescue the situation clattered the Newcastle man and received a deserved yellow card – there was just no need for such action.

On the other hand after some 15mins a great piece of joined up footy took place as the Blues put together a move of some 20odd passes which culminated in Pienaar providing a deft flick pass into the path of the inrushing Baines who flashed his shot across the keeper and into the far corner of the park end net. Were on our way I thought as to that point it was all Everton only let down by some strange hesitancy in both mid-field and at the back. Mirallas was having a storming first half with pacey runs and strong shots with either foot and gaining adoring fans by the minute.

Jags darted forward in another piece of the joined up stuff and shot powerfully very narrowly wide it might even have scraped the post.

Although the half was all Everton we still got the jitters through unforced errors allowing Cisse a sight of goal but luckily he dragged his shot wide when better could have been expected and all from a poor header from Neville presenting him with the chance and then Osman for no sound reason had a shot/pass toward our goal and but for Baines scrambling it off the line his blushes would have lit up Goodison.

And so the half came to an end and it could be described as both thrilling and dodgy as far as Everton were concerned.

The half-time chat centred mainly around the non-appearance of Oviedo yet he is listed in the programme as our No8. Also the Fellaini interview was mostly seen as a case of if he kept up his displays to the standard of the Man U game then we would expect offers and if Everton’s valuation was met then he would be away but thought he really should have kept his mouth shut and let his football frame his destiny.

Second half and no changes for us but Ba came on for them and within 5mins had equalised courtesy of a woeful attempt at ball control from Osman gave the ball to Cabaye in midfield who punted forward and the strength and pace of Ba left Jags and Distin in the shade and his sort of scuffed shot trundled home after a token gesture from Howard that defies description, that left a few of us exclaiming ‘What the hell was the keeper doing’ but maybe in fairness both Jags and Distin should look at themselves for leaving him one on one.

We then lost composure and the long ball was seen more and Big Vic who had replaced the hobbling Jelavic just on H/T was leading the line without much conviction so the manager pushed him to the right mid-field berth with Mirallas up front on his own but he was finding the workload hard but never shirked a chase.

Jags was looking a little ropey at times and was glad for Hibbert to rescue him a couple of times after he had got himself into bother. Then Neville who had been booked lunged in after again losing close control of the ball and was fortunate not to see a second yellow and off.

We then had another spell of a dozen passes or more that saw Pienaar sashay into the box and instead of shooting picked out Fellaini who slotted home only to be flagged offside. Now that must have been close.

We went to sleep at the back again and allowed Cisse free passage into our box and bring hearts into mouths as he lobbed just over the bar. Jags and Distin were being questioned by many as were both Neville and Osman such was the regularity that the Magpies were getting through the middle with ease.

Big Vic livened things up by chasing a poor back pass and got to the ball at the same time as the keeper and both went to ground with the ref penalising Vic. It was a right scrappy game now with both teams tiring and the ball banged backwards and forwards without much thought. We got the odd flash of the good stuff though as Baines and Pienaar combined and Osman was offered a good chance that he side footed just wide. Then it seemed our luck was right out as Fellaini was blatantly tripped and fell heavily onto the turf and after much shoulder manipulation he was deemed fit to continue.

Next we were all up celebrating our second goal when Jags sent one across and Big Vic headed in of the underside of the bar. The players’ arms went up as a Newcastle boot sent the ball out, play on said the Ref after looking to his linesman who was unmoved as he had been in giving Fellaini off side earlier. From my seat he had both wrong but maybe I was guessing and hoping but I swear they were damned close. Pienaar did get booked for something after that episode.
Fellaini put in Big Vic with a fine through ball but Vic looked to be ploughing through treacle in wellies and the chance went.

Mirallas who had a fine game finally hit the wall after his exertions and had to be replaced by Naismith. When Mirallas is up to premier league pace he looks as though he will be a ‘Gud Un’.

Fellaini got a customary booking for frustration and Howard had to make a great save to thwart Ben Arfa when again he had got right through. Then with a couple of minutes left on the clock Pienaar fed in Big Vic who deftly turned and found the corner. Cue mayhem from players and fans alike—we had done it—except we hadn’t. Yet another long ball beats Jags and Distin who allowed the ball to be chested into the path of Ba who closed on Howard who made the funniest Star jump I have seen in many a day. It seemed sort of demented yet it caused Ba to merely scuff his shot goalwards with speed merchant Distin in hot pursuit but instead of swinging a leg in desperate clearance fashion he seemed to do no more than follow the ball into the net. What a choker yet most galling it was all our own work.
Final whistle and a ripple of boos which in truth could have been aimed at a many on that field- players and officials.

MotM — Pienaar/Baines take your pick.
Overall quite a night out that saw the strangest of games and as far as Everton were concerned throughout the match the play teetered between top class joined up stuff and Sunday morning pub standard faire. Mirallas whether wide right or upfront looked handy and when properely settled I think will shine. Our downfall I thought lay in the centre of midfield and the central defenders who all had a night they will reflect on and know they can do much better. Newcastle sussed it and all second half just hit straight balls into the heart of our defence after first winning the ball off our central midfield.

Still you often get odd games after a break in the league programme and I am sure Finch Farm will hear some choice words and hopefully a regrouping to see us ready for Swansea. Jelavic looked a bit of a worry and Fellaini’s shoulder will be a bit wait and see.
On leaving the ground and along Goodison road a TV crew were interviewing fans as they left the game. Not seen that before and I wonder what it was all about? Are we getting some worldwide exposure?

The Ref didn’t go down to well tonight and took stick but I thought we still had the chance to win it despite him but for our own shortcomings and if truth be told they could and maybe should have taken all the points—we gave them the chances—so maybe a point is ok after all.

So Welsh Wales it is and who knows what might happen there. Never a dull moment following our lot.
UP THE BLUES

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