So Close to the Finish Line

Everton 1 - 1 Brighton

I decided to head out early and left the house at 7 am to catch the 8:43 from Euston. The start of a long, long day. 

 There were not many on board, but I ended up talking with a few Brighton fans and randomly a Millwall supporter on his way to Ireland. He was getting off at Crewe to travel on to Holyhead to catch a ferry. I didn't say, but as he was southeast London-based, I couldn't fathom why he hadn't flown on EasyJet or RyanAir from Gatwick as surely all of those train fares and ferry costs have added up? Anyway, irrelevant, it was just my curious mind. 

 Chaos on the train as the bar's contactless payment machine went out of order and it was cash only. So gradually as people's Sainsbury's carry-outs purchased at Euston started to run dry, there was a near mutiny onboard given that not a lot of people carry cash these days and I thought there could be a storming of the bar. I advised the Brighton supporters they would need cash around Goodison. 

 I arrived at Lime Street in good time and headed to the Northwestern to meet with Brian before catching a taxi. Yet again, I managed to find a Kopite taxi driver. Why do I always pick them? He was okay and we had healthy discussion as we headed towards Goodison. A few near the ground with Brian and company and then off for my ritual visit to the best eatery on Goodison Road.

As it was still early, no customary queues. I’m going to miss that place that has served me on my trips over the years. I do fear for a lot of those places around Goodison, although apparently, they are talking about putting on buses and coaches to ferry people to Bramley-Moore Dock.

I caught up with Rob to get presented with my banner, which would feature later on the way home. At this poignant time of year, a nice tribute banner hung from the Glwadys Street stand before the match to commemorate the build-up to Remembrance Day. 

On the performance, I guess for now, we're going to have to get used to it and Dyche's approach to the game of football. Being the purist I am, it goes against my instinct, although at times since Dyche arrived, we've actually played some decent stuff. I don't like stats too much and people will look at possession, but I think that is only 3 losses in the last 10 games across all competitions? 

We are looking steady, if somewhat unspectacular. A regular complaint in the later Martinez days was that we had lots of meaningless majority possession but ended up losing. As it stands, 5 points above the bottom 3 and a point behind Chelsea. Not ideal, not where we want to be, but a few weeks ago, some would have predicted worse. 

I know some have suggested Pickford could have done better for their goal. Having not watched it back, I just saw a deflection that took it away from him. Unfortunately, I often think in these days of camera and media scrutiny versus the in-the-moment circumstance, it can be easy to overthink and overanalyse. 

Without wanting to sound biased or paranoid, not for the first time this season, there seemed to be some dubious ignoring of decisions by the officials that could have gone in our favour. It was increasingly agitating the crowd in what was largely a subdued Goodison Park. Even though the VAR decision for their first goal being chalked off went our way. From where I was sat, it looked like a goal to me. Like I say, I haven't watched any of it back. 

Before the equaliser, I had already said to the lady sat next to me in the Main Stand that Jordan was probably our Man of the Match, even though he didn't really have a lot to do. It was interesting to see him coming out of his box to claim the ball as opposed to him being the 6-yard box keeper we've been used to. Maybe it's coaching and/or he's been given instruction.

 Mykolenko looked good. A traditional defender who might not suit everyone's desire to have a Leighton Baines type, but ultimately he was in the box and got the goal with his second attempt and follow-up as the ball fell to him from the keeper's save. Great awareness and anticipation.

 Branthwaite and Tarkowski continue to impress as a partnership. I was torn between Tarkowski and Pickford, but thought the keeper deserved it for doing what we've been screaming for since he came to Everton. Command your box and give the defence confidence and don't just rely on those top-class saves he often makes. He did. Maybe he has more confidence in his defence?

 Young was targeted and given a torrid time. I could see it was a deliberate tactic by Brighton. Everyone around me could see it. I don't know why the manager didn't see it. That left winger was always going to outpace him and it is where the equaliser eventually came from. 

 Which leads me to the lack of changes. I appreciate that when you’re winning and it’s tight, there may be a resistance to change it, but I think most of us could sense what was coming. I rarely look at the team selection, let alone the bench, and in reality, given our lack of depth, so I don’t know what options the manager had. But given the dominance of Brighton, I couldn’t understand why we left it until the 90th minute to make changes, especially in the right-back area.

 The midfield seemed absent at times. Brighton controlled the middle of the park, hence the possession statistics. If you control midfield, you control the game. We did break well on occasions and looked threatening when we did. Dominic was a bit isolated and Doucoure didn’t have one of his better days. We missed Onana in my opinion.

 So, disappointment at the end, but not despair. On to the Arkles and the 1878 banner showing loud and proud. The smiling at my usual stubborn stand in that establishment, especially when I told the Brighton supporters not to take photos of the red scarves decorating the bar as it was a sin. "World Famous"? – my arse. It was my Everton Grandad's local long before it became a tourist attraction. 

 I caught the second-to-last train back from Lime Street. I've stopped risking the last one as it has been cancelled a few times, so I played safe.

 The journey back was full of lively Brighton supporters celebrating like they had won a trophy. I know, but give them their moment. They've been on a journey from the depths of despair when they had no home and are now playing in Europe. It epitomises keeping the faith.

 Some healthy debate and discussion and I even had them holding up the 1878 Originals Banner for a photo. The card machine was working so I was able to get some panini type of sandwich that tasted of rubber. I managed to get it half-way down before giving in and binning it.

I had a sad moment of reflection when we were discussing who we are playing next. They don't seem to like Crystal Palace but what made me think most is when they told me their next fixture is against Ajax and they all have trips planned to Amsterdam next week. A big sigh before catching up on some much-needed sleep.

Arriving back in Euston, I parted ways with the happy Brighton supporters as they headed in a different direction to me, out of London. Back in the house at 11:30 pm to be welcomed and comforted by the hounds. A long day and I was out like a light. 

We had done okay. It was disappointing not to hold out, but it's not the end of the world. The supporters' reaction at the end mostly reflected that from my viewpoint. On the balance of the match, I would say it was a fair result. I've watched Everton in the flesh against the much-admired Brighton four times in recent seasons. At their place and ours. We have secured 7 points and scored 9 goals against them. 

We might not be great right now, but we are not that bad. We've got enough in us to be okay this season. I know we don't just want to be okay, but it might be what we have to do for now until we get that break that releases the potential of what the club can achieve. Believe. 

It might not be pretty. It might not be what I like. But work with what you've got. We didn't win, but we didn't lose. One step closer. That goes for Wembley too. And that is before the FA Cup commences. Still a long way to go and a lot to play for. 

Thank you to John and Graham for squaring me away. We march onto Palace to face the wannabe Italian Ultras and their drums. 

---

Reader Comments (11)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

---

How to get rid of these ads and support TW