Goodison Lights

Everton 2 - 0 Liverpool

I actually got to Goodison Park a bit early, so took the opportunity to venture into St Luke’s and had a look around the Everton Heritage Society exhibition. I recommend it to all if you get the chance.

I grabbed some food and stood by the Holy Trinity statue, waiting for my nephew where we had agreed to meet. I got halfway through and then spotted a young lad wrapped in a sleeping bag sat on the corner of the Gwladys Street. He didn’t look in great shape, so I gave the rest to him. He was grateful and told me he was starving.

I had my middle brother’s season ticket, and we took our seats on the back row in the centre of the Upper Bullens, right behind the commentator gantry in front of us and could see Gary Neville, who looked pleased at the end.

Half-and-half scarfs. They bug me at the best of times. Why? And how could anyone wear scarf that has Liverpool on it? I’ll leave that one there.

The team were fantastic and worked themselves into the ground. They never gave in. Even at 2-0 and when they got the opportunity, they went for the third.

Godfrey was given a torrid time as they were targeting him and that flank frequently, but he stood up to the task, even if at times he got caught on the back foot. Inevitable when you are under that much pressure, but he coped well and had cover.

I don’t need to say much about Tarkowski and Branthwaite. They won just about everything thrown at them and commanded the box. Just about every corner and I don’t know how many times bodies flew in the way of the ball when Liverpool did threaten, but nothing was getting through. Jarrad was majestic and got his goal to put us on the way. I sometimes wish he would stop it as I’ve no doubt the hawks will be circling.

And when they did get through, Pickford was at his best to stop them.

Harrison had his best game for us in my opinion. He worked incredibly hard as did most of the team. Idrissa was Idrissa and I was actually a bit concerned when he was taken off. He is a very important player for us.

Dominic was brilliant, and that leap above the Liverpool defenders was magnificent. At the time, I didn’t know who it was and had to ask. I just saw a great leap to overpower the Liverpool defence and in it went. Pandemonium.

McNeil ran and ran. He was once again very hard-working. They all were. You can pick from any for Man of the Match. The best team performance this season in my opinion. But for me it has to go to Jordan Pickford, for those several crucial saves.

I don’t know what it sounded like to those watching on TV, but the atmosphere was electric. The person sat next to me commented that you wouldn’t even know there were Liverpool supporters in the stadium as we rarely heard them. Goodison is at its very best.

Despite my optimistic outlook, I spent a lot of the last 20 minutes clock-watching at the screen over by St Luke’s wondering if it was operating in a slow-motion time warp as it hardly seemed to be moving.

The only sour note of a great night was at half-time when we went to get a couple of bottles of Coke-Cola (yes, I needed sugar and energy!). A young lady was stood wearing a Liverpool shirt and took quite a bit of abuse. Totally unnecessary and we are better than that. Fair credit to the stewards for stepping in before I did to defuse the situation. I think they moved her into the Liverpool section.

So pleased for the team who have been fighting adversity, but more pleased for those supporters who haven’t given in and won’t. The challenge now is to treat every game like a derby and show the same levels of desire and commitment. We’re just about there. All the players can do is impact what is in front of them on the pitch. All we supporters can do is back them as we did last night. It’s a two-way relationship.

The scenes at the end were unbelievable. I don’t think many left the ground as Spirit of The Blues and Forever Everton rang out and we watched the players take the deserved plaudits before leaving the pitch.

Onto the Arkles. My nephew joined me. A few bitter Reds shouting off as we walked along Priory Road. The irony of the term, but they were not happy!! The Arkles was pretty much void of Kopites, which almost disappointed me. I think they must have all gone home.

My sister and cousin (both Everton) drove out to pick us up and drop me off in town for the late coach. She’s worked at Anfield and their offices opposite the Pier Head since they moved some of their operation, so knows all the short cuts. I think it might have been deliberate, but we drove past Bramley-Moore Dock.

The coach journey back was an epic as always, made worse by a crazy driver, who I was convinced was either under the influence or couldn’t drive. As we randomly drifted between lanes and nearly hit the back of a lorry, I thought he was going to put us in a ditch.

For very different reasons than Chelsea away, this is going to take a day or two to come down from. I’m still running on adrenalin.

Believe, Everton. Never ever stop believing. You didn’t last night. We are doing this.

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