A sense of déjà vu

Everton 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

Up at 5:45 am, allowed the dogs out to pump ship then picked up my mate at 6:15. We got to Costa at Taunton Services to grab a much needed coffee and we were on our way on the coach by 7:45. The journey up to Goodison was uneventful with the sausage rolls I’d bought the day before from my favourite coffee shop in Bovey Tracey being the highlight.

We made it to the Harlech in time for a couple of beers with Bill and Brian and our West Country Blues Chairman, Ian Davies and it was good to see the remarkable John McFarlane still going to the game at 86 years old. Three pints gave change out of £10 – my local in Bovey Tracey would have charged around £17 for those drinks – the moral of the story being "If you want to get smashed, do it in Liverpool"!!

For once, I was in complete agreement with Sean Dyche’s team selection and was very disappointed in how they played in the first half. Palace scarcely allowed us the ball from the kick off and it was no surprise to see them score.

There has been some debate about Pickford not going for the cross. I’m no fan of Pickford and he should come for crosses rather than stay rooted to his line but this cross was too high and hung in the air, totally unsuitable for a keeper to try for it.

The defender (I couldn’t see who it was) could maybe have done better, and we do seem to concede a lot of goals like this one but credit to Palace, they thoroughly deserved to go in front. They almost scored a carbon copy a bit late in the half but Ndiaye was on the post and scuffed it behind for a corner.

We were not competing, Lindstrøm was completely anonymous – and I mean completely. Doucoure was running around but not where the ball was or to where it was going. Calvert-Lewin wasn’t in the game and the only bright spots were the superb Ndiaye, Mangala who was battling it out with three Palace players but never gave up and looked very decent, and the returning Branthwaite who grew into the game and was excellent.

I didn’t join in the boos at half-time – it’s not for me… but I could understand those who did. I think that booing or abusing individual players is out of order but showing displeasure in that way to the whole team seems a bit more acceptable, albeit I don’t see it as constructive. People know if they have underperformed and don’t need to be booed or abused, which can be very counter productive.

I said to my mate that it was amongst the worst first-half performances I had seen – poor in possession, second to loose balls, a failure by most to compete, lack of desire, lack of a proper structure – pretty awful, to be honest.

Out for the second half… and wow!!! From the kick-off, we were fired up. The crowd sensed it and started to vocalise, the players looked hungry and up for the fight and we really needed a goal before the fire burnt out.

What a goal it was, a scorcher of a shot from McNeil which no goalie would have saved. I was in the Upper Bullens close to the Street end and I picked up on the fans there starting to cheer a split second before the ball went in. 

The second goal was very well taken by McNeil who had battled hard in the first half without much support. The remainder of the game was managed very well with very few scary moments.

Everyone stepped up to the plate in the second half and I thought it was so similar to the 3-2 win over them a couple of years ago when we secured our safety. As in that game, our first half was dreadful but we then came on strong after the break, scored the goals we needed, then shut up shop. Very similar games, similar outcome and the fans, as in that previous game, really got behind the team in the second half.

Ndiaye looks a cracking player, ran himself into the ground and with a rejuvenated Calvert-Lewin, they gave us an outlet in the second half which must have come as some relief to the defence. Mangala is better than Gana, stronger, more skilful, and reads the game better.

A final word: Ashley Young was excellent, got stuck in, encouraged others and played very neat balls down his flank. 

A bit delayed going home due to a nasty looking crash on the M5 but I was home by 11:50 pm so not too bad. 

My ratings

Pickford – not his fault they scored but every time the ball is crossed in, he scares me. Not a fan! 5

Young – excellent throughout. 8

Tarkowski – much better with Jarrad alongside. 8

Branthwaite – what a miss he has been. 8

Mykolenko – solid. 7

Mangala – battled hard and played well against a very good Palace midfield. 7

Doucoure – contributed nothing, should have scored and ran without purpose. 3

McNeil – two fine goals and a good performance. 8

Lindstrøm – a point for appearing but to me he did absolutely nothing. Clearly one of those days! 1

Ndiaye – what a great signing. Great control, pace, strength, stamina – this boy is seriously good. 9

Calvert-Lewin – excellent second half and fought hard. 7

Harrison – a really good half from Jack. 8

Garner –  fought hard and was disciplined 7

Gana – held his position well 6

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