From My Seat: Burnley (A)

Overall a good day out and the team got the job done.

A trip to the windy city of Burnley where we hadn’t won for 43 years. The clocks had been put back so it had to be the winter ball and so it was. The pre-match chat was focused mainly on everyone’s take on the Lille trip and what the team may be. I was quite pleased when it came through.

Our ref Marriner (not the most consistent of refs and in this match he would prove it, but hey you just have to take what they give) got us underway and just three minutes in we put a great move together that culminated in Naismith to Eto’o who slid it out to Baines, who crossed for the inrushing Eto’o to flex the neck and propel the ball into the net in a manner that showcased the work of a master striker. Baines could claim another assist.

Jubilation from the assembled faithful and when the cheering, screaming and yelling had died down Allez-Allez oh could be heard in Blackburn. An early goal against a team without a win had us all wondering if today was the day when we really upped our goal difference.

It certainly looked like that as we stroked the ball about until about ten minutes in when our ex striker Jutkiewicz capitalised on uncertainty at the back but fortunately he prodded wide but from that tenth minuet until the last ten minutes we never looked totally secure. The gusting wind did not help or the Burnley never say die spirit in whacking balls into our box and looking for second balls, we coped but it was hairy at times as Burnley had a good spell. However on 20 minutes we were pegged back and it was all our own doing. Lukaku laid a beaut of a pass goal-ward to Jutkiewicz who slotted in Ings who rounded Howard and slotted home. Now that was a bit of a downer.

All Burnley now and just a minute later another shot just slides wide. As the half hour was upon us a prolonged period of passing took place which had some fans less than pleased but it culminated in fine fashion as Naismith and Eto’o engineered a fine pass to Lukaku in the box who in a couple of paces had a shot that was blocked but he was first to the loose ball and fired across the keeper and netted. Joined up stuff at its best. Our man Lukaku had now given a goal and taken a goal so he was off the hook a bit.

The goal re-awakened our travelling members and the five songs we know were belted out. For the rest of the half the game swung end to end with the high gusts of wind favouring their method of play causing our style to be a bit hit and miss.

They had a free kick on the edge that had many holding their breath but the ball hit our wall then Jags and Barry caused a right cock-up between then on edge of box but we scrambled that away. Burnley had us pressed back and we looked for all the world no more than a scrambling rearguard. We did manage to break from time to time and in one passage of play Eto’o combined with Osman and the latter put in a looping cross that found Naismith stretching and only managed to plant the ball on top of the bar. I hoped he would get a call from Coleman who was steaming in behind him with a better chance of getting power and direction. We attacked again and Eto’o was floored on the edge of the box, booking thought I, play on said ref which caused the faithful to hurl naughty words in his direction.

Half time couldn’t come fast enough for me as two minutes were added with us again defending and from a distance I saw a Burnley player go down in our box but luckily the ref blew for the break.

H/T 1-2

It was a disjointed first half from our point of view and the wind not helping our style. I imagined there would be plenty of talking in our dressing room as in that half we had scored two well worked goals yet at times we had been like strangers at best and keystone cops at worst.

The second half started as the first finished with Lukaku passing to the wrong colour shirt and Burnley gained a corner which we eventually cleared. When we did clear a ball from within our box it always seemed to be their players just outside who picked up the ball unfettered and fed it back in. The game was a bit scrappy now and the ref joined in by diverting one of our passes aimed into their box and set up another Burnley attack!

We got to the hour mark and were starting to look better. Baines won a corner, our first of the day I think, Coleman had a trademark run down the by-line outstripping the full back he pulled the ball back to the unmarked McCarthy who hit it well but sadly it hit a defender. Eto’o and Lukaku exchanged passes and Eto’o shot but at the keeper who held on. Just after that on 65mins Lukaku was hooked and Barkley entered the fray. It was ironical that he had replaced Lukaku as he immediately gave the ball away. A like for like swap you might say.

We kept plugging away and were looking better with the influential Barry orchestrating play. A good move allowed Barkley to run at their defence and cause a bit of panic but his shot got blocked. Another good move got the workaholic Naismith in but alas he hit wide. Burnley must have noticed Barry’s influence as he was felled near half way with the Burnley man getting booked.
Eighty minute mark came and the crowd were not at their loudest as I think everyone knew we just needed one more as their balls into our box could land anywhere.

The manager swapped Osman, who had put in a good shift, with Pienaar. Burnley still kept pushing us back and Alcaraz did well to get one clear with good timing and quick footwork. Our method of defending seemed to be to let them run at us and get to grips just inside the box and when we allowed a Burnley player a free shot we gasped as one, luckily it was wide. The defence was holding but hellish nervy for those in attendance.

Everyone’s nerves would be settled shortly as Baines was relishing the link up with Pienaar and we were getting forward from time to time. From one of these moves on 85 mins Naismith fed Pienaar and his quicksilver feet allowed him time and space to roll the ball to Eto’o some 25yds out who hit a beaut into the top corner. Hell we celebrated that one. The goal took me back to that world cup when he gained a lot of attention in the green of Cameroon for hitting shots like that. Eto’o- Eto’o rang out loudly.

We still had time for a Burnley attack to threaten a little but Jags who had another good game cleared and then Barkley sent in Naismith who forced a corner which was cleared and then Eto’o almost had his hat-trick when he was slid in with just keeper to beat but he went passed the keeper but made the angle tight but he got a shot away that agonisingly hit the far post and came along the line but the wrong side. (He should have scored) Final whistle sounded so 3-1 win away, back to back wins in the league and a draw away in Europa League not a bad couple of weeks work.

M.o.t.M: Eto’o – I just love to see Everton centre forwards score goals like his today.

Overall a good day out and the team got the job done. I suppose you could pick holes aplenty in the game but the first requirement is to win so I reckon a whole lot of fans went home happy. I thought the manager did well by Barkley today by just giving him 25 is to go with the other minutes from previous two games. He looks a touch off the boil at the moment but with games comes the sort of fitness that allows players like Ross to shine. Just hope he stays fit.

Eto’o had a great reception as he walked off clapping our fans and when the chant "Eto’o, Eto’o" rang out loud and clear he seemed genuinely chuffed as he thumped his chest and gave a fist salute. Nice one Samuel.

Another Saturday K.O. at 3:00 next week and a good test we will have from the Welsh team who have made a good start to the season. A clean bill of health and a good wee'ks work and rest should ensure a home win – well I hope so anyway.

UP THE BLUES

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