Just A Blip Or....

Just got back from the match and I feel a little confused. On one hand I thought our first half display against the Gooners was the look of a side who really believe in themselves and were prepared to match their illustrious opponents with guile and more than a little skill.

However, when Neville missed that wonderful chance to make it 2-0 just before half-time, I had a feeling in the back of my mind that it might come back to haunt us.

So, what did we learn at the end of a game that has seen us lose to three of the so called 'top four' sides so far at home?

We're clearly not quite there in some areas of the team. It only takes a couple of injuries to key players to really throw a spanner in the works.

The earlier loss of Cahill in the season and the impending suspension for three games of Arteta, will once again seriously undermine us, and possibly our hopes and inspiration of landing a trophy.

I believe Moyes MUST find at least two midfield additions in January if we are to continue the momentum of the current season.

The second half collapse against Arsenal wasn't just down to the stupid defensive lapses, it was also due to the fact in midfield we were simply unable to keep possesion of the ball long enough to wrest control of the game from Arsenal.

Once again, very poor refereeing at crucial points in the game cost us dearly, I was sitting in the Park End and the second Arsenal goal was clearly handball.

I also saw an ugly side to this Arsenal team in the second half which bordered on blatant cheating and arrogance, from the player who was sent off clearly walking off in his own time, just to antagonise the crowd, the same tactics used subsequently by the rest of the Arsenal subs.

I wondered whether Moyes might have dropped Jagielka to the bench for this game and gone with Hibbert and Valente as the full backs, with Lescott and Yobo as the two centre backs, with Neville in midfield?

Ironically, before the substitution, I felt Hibbert was having one of his more inspired games and could consider himself unlucky to be the player to make way.

I think the next six weeks will largely determine Everton's season and I hope and pray that our main performers can stay injury free as our squad will be utilised and stretched to the absolute limit.

For the record, my own observations on each players performances on the night;

Howard, thought he was at fault for the Arsenal third goal, why didn't he clear into the main stand as Yobo dithered? 5/10

Hibbert, one of his better games, actually made some great crosses into the box and put in some great tackles. 7/10

Yobo, solid game overall, might have done better for the third goal 6/10

Jagielka, I felt he got found out a bit tonight, hesitated fatally when he should have cleared a relatively simple long ball for the first goal, and despite a blatant handball by the Arsenal forward for the second, he still should have done a lot better. 4/10

Lescott, simply oozes class and I thought he had a storming game at left back. 8/10

Arteta, in the first half, gave Everton valuble breathing space and was prepared to take the game to Arsenal, was offered little protection by a weak referee.

Haven't seem MOTD yet so I don't know if the red card was derseved or not 7/10

Carsley, effective in the first half, thought he faded a little in the second. 6/10

Pienaar, bright and breezy, always available to take the ball on the wing, would have liked to see him attack the Arsenal fullbacks more, had a good game overall though 7/10

Cahill, won plenty of the ball in the air against the giant Arsenal defence, him and Yakubu seemed to get in each others way a couple of times. As usual, Johnny on the spot for the goal.

I love his all action style, no matter the opponents. 8/10

Yakubu , great first half, his sheer strength in the box deserved greater reward from those teamates around him. Became a little isolated as Arsenal grew stronger in the second half. 7/10

Sub Johnson, was cruelly clobbered by Bentner from behind which deserved a straight red card alone, again weak refereeing here.

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