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Last-Gasp Blues Steal Three Points

Match Report: Everton 2 - 1 Spurs

As I generally don’t have any agenda come Sunday evenings, on Sunday matches I tend to take advantage of my lack of evening plans and enjoy a few beers for the game. Today’s game was no exception though after a busy morning I’d left it a little late to catch my bus and so sprinted to the bus stop and just made it in time as the 437 pulled up. A friend of mine was co-incidentally getting the same bus and as stood there chuckling to himself as I ran for the bus. “You OK mate?” he joked. Myself, practically out of breath.

Still, making this bus ensured I was also making good time and I made it to the pub well in time for the Manchester derby, as was the plan. Gaz in there before me and Rooney’s two goals putting Manchester United 2-0 ahead before half-time.

Gary joined us a little later and then Steve even later as we neared kick off. The team – Mirallas and Coleman both back in with Naismith benched and Hibbert presumably injured. Gareth Bale missed this one with injury though Spurs had excellent players throughout their XI such as Walker, Dembele, Lennon, Dempsey, Defoe and Adebayor who all featured. Although the 36,494 attendees didn’t fill Goodison Park, it had the look of a full stadium though the atmosphere was a little flat as Kevin Friend got the game underway, Everton attacking the Park End in the first half.

I thought Spurs were generally the better side in the opening exchanges, looking quite comfortable in possession and probing in our half of the pitch, though with just a long range Dembele drive (which was comfortable for Howard) to show for it. Everton did get themselves into some excellent attacking positions, particularly down the right hand side with Mirallas and Coleman combining to good effect though it was often the final ball which let Everton down despite good movement in and around the box.

At the other end of the pitch, trying to pass the ball out from the back was almost suicidal as Howard and then Osman both played sloppy passes which handed possession to Tottenham though they failed to produce anything from this. Despite good endeavor from both sides the half ended 0-0 with few noteworthy incidents from either team.

Kevin Mirallas didn’t make it out again for the second half with Steven Naismith on to replace him. We nearly took the lead early in the half when a Baines free kick was driven into the wall, his rebound effort was drifting harmlessly wide when Naismith stabbed it goalwards but also wide. Tottenham then really ramped up the pressure, a swirling free kick was tipped over his crossbar by Howard. This resulted in Everton having to defend four or five corners from Tottenham until we eventually cleared our lines.

Everton battled back and did have more good play in and around the Tottenham box though were unable to make the breakthrough. Osman twice came close, once when he just cleared the crossbar with a good drive with Lloris beaten, and the other when his shot was saved by Lloris.

There was little in the game however, though disaster appeared to strike in 75 minutes when Dempsey tried his luck with what can only be described as a ‘hit and hope’, his shot deflecting off Distin and into the net past Howard. I thought it had gone wide at first and was simply gutted to find us a goal down when there had been so little in a tight game.

You just couldn’t see where a goal was coming from for Everton and had Lady Luck shinned for Tottenham we’d have found ourselves 0-2 behind when Sigurdsson’s lob bounced off the crossbar. That deserved a goal and could easily have been game over.

Still, at 0 - 1 you are always in the game and though our play wasn’t pretty in the dying moments as we chased an equalizer, it was ultimately effective as we somehow stole the points.

Our first goal arrived after generally reckless Spurs defending eventually resulted in Coleman picking out Pienaar around the edge of the penalty area, the ex-Spurs player surprising Lloris and heading it goalwards first time and into the net. A better goalkeeper (Friedel) would have saved it but we were delighted to be level and save the game.

Four minutes of stoppage time were available and you sensed the momentum had swung so wildly in our favor that we could now go on and win the game. We did just that when Vellios spurned a wild attempt at some sort of overhead volley and Jelavic was there on hand to nick the ball past Lloris, the linesman's flag rightly staying down and Everton stole the points. The atmosphere and outburst of joy from the whole stadium was simply unique and is something you just can’t put a price on.

Jelavic was substituted shortly afterwards to kill some time and the plethora of ‘high fives’ which greeted him from his team mates (displayed on the big screen) was a joy to be hold. Great to see the team spirit and defy recent mischievous rumors regarding his spat with Mirallas. The full-time whistle was greeted with terrific applause.

It’s not the first time we’ve had a late show at home to Spurs. I remember Joe Max-Moore grabbing a late equalizer in the 1999-2000 season in this fixture and then in 2009-10 Cahill and Saha inspired a late comeback to draw 2-2 in a game which Defoe also missed an even later penalty. However, salvaging a win from this one was just euphoric and with Jelavic grabbing the winner hopefully that can be a platform for he, and indeed Everton to kick on for the rest of the season.

Coming home, Gaz, despite it ensuring it would take him well out of his way, kindly provided a welcome lift home for us all. Gaz used to drive everywhere taking us all to and from the game and it was a bit like old times coming home, all smiles after a fantastic, though probably underserved Everton victory.

Stoke City away next… bring it on!

Player Ratings:

Howard: Made some suicidal passes first half but was improved after the break, making one decent save from a free kick in particular. I’ll have to see the goal again before I question his efforts with that though. 6

Baines: Picked up an early booking but didn’t seem fazed by it. Was excellent and consistent going forward throughout the second half as Everton looked to edge ahead. 7

Distin: My Man of the Match. It was refreshing to see him heading balls out of the penalty area in a very ‘old-school’ manner in the first half and was a rock at the back throughout. 8

Jagielka: Swept up alongside Distin quite nicely. I think Heitinga is going to have to get comfortable on the bench for now. 7

Coleman: Had an impressive game. Defensively was quite sound and got forward to great effect and was rewarded with an assist. 7

Gibson: Played some very intelligent passes first half though wasn’t quite at the races in the second period. Kept on going though. 7

Osman: Was substituted on 80 minutes and this was probably justified as, despite twice coming close to scoring, he didn’t quite get going this afternoon. 6

Pienaar: Not everything worked but he certainly applied himself well against his old team and scored with an excellent header. Has stepped him game up a bit these last few games I feel. 7

Mirallas: Was doing quite well – not as well as he can but quite well... and then didn’t reappear for the second half. I hope he’s OK. 6

Fellaini: Also never quite got going as Spurs had done their homework on him. I guess we can’t expect him to pull it out of the bag for us every game. 6

Jelavic: Did a lot more chasing than previously and put a decent shift in. Some stupid moments though they were outweighed with intelligent use of the ball and he scored a beauty of a poacher’s goal at the death to give us victory. Please kick on from here. 7

Naismith (for Mirallas): Though he missed a great chance early in the second half, I felt that was his most impressive performance for Everton thus far. He worked hard, generally kept the ball well, challenged players, got up for headers and generally had a good all round game. More of that please. 7

Vellios (for Osman): We needed more of a presence up there as we went more direct. He certainly provided that and did cause problems but, despite his commendable endeavor, I question if he has the ability at the top level… it’s a good thing he missed his volley at the end as it presented the goal for Jelavic. Does that go down as an assist for Vellios? 5

Heitinga (for Jelavic): Not on long, probably didn’t even kick the ball. Can’t judge.

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