From My Seat: Crystal Palace (H)

3-2. Miracle is on! DidnÂ’t happen.

Everton 2 - 3 Crystal Palace

We set off for our watering hole in good spirits as, in our minds, rock bottom Palace should be little or no threat to our quest for better things than ever before and this was bolstered by our demolition of a tidy German side just three days previous. With headlines on ToffeeWeb proclaiming ‘Clinical Blues Tame German Wolves’. ‘Solid Blues Defence wins out’ along with ‘We have Lift off’, those titles sort of captured the night’s great outcome yet explained today’s demise to a T. in the opposite direction. Lack of clinical finishing along with less than solid Blues defence prevented any lift off to be achieved.

The team came through and rotation had certainly taken place and all those assembled in the room of nonsense were agreed that it represented a squad capable of rotation and a team ready to go places. This pre match chat just like those ToffeeWeb headlines would be turned on their head come reassembly at match end. Still the walk up was pleasant and full of optimism even some singing. As I walked down Goodison Road amid a vast throng I could not forget that night last season vs the Palace so I had a cursory glance toward the roof of the Winslow just in case!

All was well so I took my seat and Palace kicked off. It was obvious Palace were taking no chances and had a massed defence as we passed and passed locking for that opening that would ensure a lead that would force Palace out and we could pick them off at will. It looked like succeeding as Osman put a great ball through for Atsu to make the by-line but he tried for glory and messed up when many thought a pass to the signalling Eto’o would have been more profitable. Within a minute our playmaker Osman had threaded a beaut to Lukaku who duly netted and received rapturous acclaim and a might Allez-Allez O.

That was supposed to be all that was required to suck ‘em in and spit ‘em out go home happy with a good three points and reasonable score and clean sheet. Snag was Palace didn’t quite see it that way and we never thought the game was to be turned on its head and for some minutes it never looked as though that would happen as we played our way forward in that familiar passing style and the next big chance soon came when McCarthy’s thrusting run brought a corner which was obviously practiced on the training ground as it came in low and short to Eto’o who fed Lukaku but his shot was blocked and the ensuing scramble went the way of the Palace.

Around twenty minutes Palace seemed to sense our pass-pass-pass wasn’t that great of a threat and committed more men forward, got a free kick and had first delivery on target albeit into Howard’s arms. Palace had a spell that had fans with head in hands and muttering about the passing at the back that was looking more hairy by the minute yet I thought we really need to show patience and the result will come but I must admit it takes some getting used to especially when we are challenged high and one mistake is usually fatal. We did have forays forward that breached their back line and on 30mins Atsu was put in and showed good speed to get to the by-line and pull back for Osman to hit first time but alas straight at the keeper.

From that attack Palace went down the other end and produced a horror show from Howard aided and abetted Distin and Stones. All three had the opportunity to take charge and clear from the lone striker yet none did and the upshot was Howard racing from goal brought the lad down and conceded a penalty. The only explanation could be lack of communication which is or should be intolerable at this level. It was kids on a Sunday morning stuff. The palace lad Edina took a pen that three keepers would not have saved. Back to square one for us and with Palace in different mind-set than at kick off I thought that it was not going to be plain sailing.

From 30mins to half time Palace realised they had little to fear as we just kept the ball at the back so they put us under ever increasing pressure as they hit the bar after misplaced pass by Atsu gave them the chance and we ended the half with a Baines free kick that hit the wall.

The half time chat was of a frustration with the half and the phrase of ‘Pissing about at the back’ seemed everywhere.

Second half and the players ran out to tepid applause and in truth it was a tepid start by us whilst I thought it might be front foot stuff but still Eto’o had the first chance when he dragged wide when well placed. Palace were now having some breakaways that were causing concern to the faithful and on 55mins a regulation cross came in that Howard went for with Distin and Campbell rising with him. His outstretched arms were definitely favourite but somehow he either missed it or fumbled but the upshot was the ball hit the Palace player and bounced into the net. Howard was berated and the word ‘Gift’ came to my mind. The faithful were right brassed off now 2-1 down to rock bottom Palace and still ‘Pissing about at the back’

We did rally and won a corner which for once we attacked the area and Lukaku hit it well but a defender was in the way but at least we had created a chance.

On the hour mark I noticed that Mirallas and Naismith were readied as Everton attack a corner but Palace clear with no one really busting a gut to attack the situation. Stones and Atsu were replaced by the aforementioned with McCarthy going right back—Genius or Desperation? I defy anyone to correctly call our formation now.

70 mins and we wereundone again by – would you believe it? – another ball given away, this time it is Osman and just three passes by Palace and the speedy Bolasie calmly side-footed home. The mood of the faithful is unprintable. 3-1 down at home, thirteen goals conceded to date this season, now this will be some come back I thought but hey remember Leicester earlier, well you have to grasp at something.

The half moved on in similar dismal fashion and Osman has one saved, Gibson came on for Distin on 84mins again Genius or Desperation but the game now lost all shape and ‘Pissing about at the back’ jettisoned. Those that were left in the ground expected very little and gave very little such was the shambles witnessed except perhaps for us super optimists who fleetingly thought a miracle may really happen. Don’t laugh, Osman brought down in the box, penalty, Baines takes, 3-2, Miracle is on! Didn’t happen.

We gave it all we had got in the minutes remaining and caused a few scrambles. Even Jags joined in and hit one just wide but should have scored. Palace had a break with us all at sea and got a one on one with Howard but thankfully missed the target altogether. We have one last thrust and final whistle after 6mins of added.

M.O.t.M – Baines or Barry for me. (Academic anyway)

The walk from the ground was littered with the sound of snatched conversations not one of which was complimentary toward manager or players the fans not happy and with our next two games away at the shite and man u fans are not filled with confidence at all.

Overall I think the problem may have been the number of changes causing a disjointed performance that’s not to say the players brought in are not as good as those replaced but rather the cause of the team looking like a bunch of strangers. They may train together daily but I think most players would agree there is nothing like a spell of playing together to weld a good team ethic with all sure of their role.

If the Martinez way is to be pursued and we are in enough competitions to necessitate rotation then it is the manager and his staff that are responsible for the smooth integration of player for player in whatever circumstance. We seem to have the squad so now it’s just getting them to gel as and when required. With no reserve teams now and players to proud to play u/21s I wish the manager luck and the players the nous to understand.

Luckily no two games are ever the same so who knows lose to Palace 3-2 two seasons on the run at home and beat Shite and Mancs away in the same season--- or am I still looking for miracles.

Swansea next and should this have been the match to rotate or should we go full wellie for the Capital One Cup. Tough question but it’s time we had some silverware.

UP THE BLUES

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