Goodison Park is BACK!

Whilst the game was a real challenge and the result was one we would have taken prior to kick off, the mood was very positive after the game as we sunk a few beers in the city centre. We have to accept that the season is going to be a learning curve as we adapt from one style to the next and get the players fitness up to scratch.

Paul Traill 14/08/2016 22comments  |  Jump to last
Everton 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Friday was fervent in the office with that new season buzz. Everyone telling you about their fantasy team, everyone all of a sudden an expert on how the league will pan out. These 'experts' being the same who told me there was "no way" Ronald Koeman would leave Southampton to join Everton. Yes, many of these 'experts' are Reds.

I happened to be heading over to the game pretty early, and it was just as well I did, as I was able to catch up with a mate from the South who was up with a couple of his Tottenham Hotspur chums. They were having a few jars in The Winslow Hotel so I joined them for a couple before heading to the more regular surroundings of The Brick to catch up with Gary, Ste and Sue whilst watching the Champions, Leicester City, begin the defence of their crown with a surprising defeat to seemingly relegation doomed Hull City. What a turn up for the books that was!

We got the team news in the pub, which included six changes from the team which finished last season versus Norwich City, two of which are new signings in goalkeeper Maarten Steklenburg and midfielder Idrissa Gueye. Mason Holgate debuted in a three-man central defence alongside Ramiro Funes Mori and captain Phil Jagielka with James McCarthy featuring at right wing-back. Gareth Barry joined Idrissa Gueye in the midfield with Ross Barkley, whilst with Romelu Lukaku injured with a cut to the heel, Kevin Mirallas played just off Gerard Deulofeu in a somewhat untested attack. Tottenham Hotspur featured England quintet Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker. They possess quality throughout in Hugo Lloris, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Victor Wanyama and you knew that, with Tottenham's physical nature and high tempo game plan, we were to have our work cut out, especially with Martin Atkinson officiating.

We left the pub at the usual time (about 2:45pm) and if this is what it is to be like all season, we'll be making our way to the ground a shade earlier. The queues outside the Lower Gwladys were long. The game was a sell-out which didn't help, and as we got closer to the front we realised Everton had changed the ticket reading software which was causing a few issues, not least for myself when my card simply wouldn't work. The gentleman behind me, seemingly disbelieving of my ability to place a card on a scanning device, snatched my card from me to try doing it himself though it still didn't work of course. Eventually a steward came along and let me in, taking my card off me. It was all so Everton. We eventually sat down a few minutes into the game.

Everton had settled into the game nicely by this point and with Everton now pressing much more than in our previous few seasons the crowd were visibly and audibly more up for the game, especially once the ground erupted when Ross Barkley's free kick missed everybody and nestled into the net past the outstretched arm of Hogo Lloris. A great start by Everton.

The three centre-back partnership was emptying everything Tottenham threw at them with all three centre-backs emerging from the first half with credit. The whole team did in fact, everybody doing their jobs from the back to the front and on another day we would have been further ahead at the break with Phil Jagielka, Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu all thwarted by Hugo Lloris or his replacement Michel Vorm. It was a fantastic first-half effort and we were good value for our half-time lead.

I spent most of the break catching up with some of the guys around us where we sit and before you knew it the second half was upon us. If ever you wanted to see the proverbial game of two halves this was it as Tottenham threw the proverbial kitchen sink at us after the break; despite our first half dominance, we were perhaps lucky to escape with a hard-earned draw.

The visitors equalised when Eric Lamella got in front of young centre back Mason Holgate to head past Maarten Stekelenburg on the hour mark. The defending was a little slack from our promising young defender, though I felt the efforts to the stop the cross from our more experienced duo of Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry could have been much better.


Tottenham gained momentum from this and, if not for two outstanding saves from our impressive new goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, we might have been licking our wounds from a punishing defeat. It's hard to tell which of the two saves was the more impressive. The experienced Dutchman showed great reactions to get down and stop Vincent Janssen's close range prod at goal, and then got up sharply to punch the ball out atop the resulting melee. His second save late in the game was equally smart when Eric Lamella's drive deflected massively off Mason Holgate. Stekelenburg again showed great reflexes to re-adjust and pop the ball over the crossbar.

Whilst the game was a real challenge and the result was one we would have taken prior to kick off, the mood was very positive after the game as we sunk a few beers in the city centre. We have to accept that the season is going to be a learning curve as we adapt from one style to the next and get the players fitness up to scratch.

We'll have to show patience along the way, though our newer style is making Goodison Park feel more like home again. I'm already grateful for that.

Player Ratings


Maarten Stekelenburg: After the goalkeeper problems we had last season, it's great to have a goalkeeper who knows what he's doing. He comes for crosses and keeps hold of things well, and his two late saves literally won us a point. If he can stay at this standard, I'll be more than happy with him for a couple of years. My Man of the Match. 8

Funes Mori: Stuck to his task at the back well. 7

Phil Jagielka: Marshalled the back line well, particularly in the first half. 7

Mason Holgate: Though he was at fault for the goal, I was impressed with his defending and reading of the game. 7

Leighton Baines: He looked to me like he was perhaps carrying a knock as he struggled through the game, I thought. Maybe he isn't quite accustomed enough to the wing-back role? Regardless, the game was a struggle for Leighton, and he might perhaps feel a little culpable for the goal with his failure to stop the cross. 5

James McCarthy: Coped very well in a rather unfamiliar position. It will be interesting to see if he makes it into the middle once Seamus Coleman returns. 7
Gareth Barry: Nice to see him retained and he did pretty well breaking up play in the middle. 6

Idrissa Gueye: A very impressive debut from Idrissa, especially in the first half. He makes a lot of tackles and interceptions and keeps things simple. Dare I say it, he reminds me a little of Lucas at Liverpool. Looks like we've got a good player on our hands there. 7

Ross Barkley: Had a very good first half but showed frustrating moments of carelessness with the ball in the second half. Nice to see him start the season with a goal again (the third time he's done that!) and let's hope for a strong campaign from Ross. 6

Kevin Mirallas: Worked hard for the team and seems quite suited to the role up front. I predict a good season from Kevin. 7

Gerard Deulofeu: Did well first half but tired in the second and subbed before 70 minutes. It's not his most effective position up there, but he was required given our resources. 6

Arouna Kone (for Gerard Deulofeu): When the ball comes to him, he's pretty good at retaining it and keeping possession, but this is countered by lack of attention and not doing the basics right at times. Your manager shouldn't be having to tell you to show yourself for a corner, for example. We need another striker, two even if Romelu Lukaku exits. If Kone is to stay, he should only be third choice striker in my opinion. 5

Aaron Lennon (for Kevin Mirallas): He was lively but our team was drained once he entered play so his efforts weren't ultimately effective. 6

Tom Cleverley (for Gareth Barry): Got involved. 6

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Reader Comments (22)

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Guy McEvoy
1 Posted 15/08/2016 at 16:45:07
Also had horrible problems getting into the Top Balcony. I was in the queue at 2:45, and got in the game at 3:08 (having missed our goal). Very Everton.

As far as I can make out they've decided to remove the RFID chip from cards, so you have a bar code scanner instead. This will solve one problem of chips going in season tickets and no doubt save a bob or two on that. The nice thing about the old proximity thing was though was the speed. You touch it, the turnstile opens. With these scanners it does seem a little more picky to get it lined up. Yes, it may only take an extra second or two a person, but when you're shifting 1000 people through a turnstile, those 2 extra seconds per person add up to an extra half hour to squeeze people through.

Did no-one think that through?

In my opinion Everton have shot themselves in the foot by trying to fix something that wasn't broken. I'm reluctant to get to the ground at 2pm just to make sure I get in in time .

Anyway, great report. For me, you don't give enough credit to Guyue who was my stand-out MOTM by a mile, which amazes me as I thought it was a dreadful signing at the time. We all see the game our own way though I will give you that Stekelenburg had me standing up applauding one of his instinctive saves, and (sad to say) I struggled to remember the last time I did that for a keeper at Goodison.

Brent Stephens
2 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:02:56
Gareth Barry rated only as 6!! And Gana ony 7!! Strewth Paul!
Ellen West
3 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:09:00
Great report. Can I ask that for future reports you include a crowd rating? I always like to hear how the fans inside Goodison reacted to the team. From the looks (sounds) of the half decent stream (these streams are getting better every season) it sounded like the fans were really up for it, especially in the first half, but became a lot more tense midway through the 2nd. So my rating would be 8. However, my bias is based on where the microphones are located. Hence, asking someone who attended the match to make a comment.
Thanks
Tony Abrahams
5 Posted 15/08/2016 at 17:38:55
Thanks for the report Paul, I also enjoyed the pace of the game for the first 60 minutes, as I'm sure did most of the crowd. But if Baines was carrying a knock then God help the rest of the team, because he was one of the few Everton players, who could still sprint at the end!
Ray Roche
7 Posted 15/08/2016 at 18:19:56
I can't see the reason for marking Baines, who I thought stuck to his task well, with the totally ineffectual and useless Kone. He contributed nothing at all to the performance and if none of the younger lads or Shani, the Swiss lad, aren't better than that fraud then they should be moved on. The under 9's forward would have had as much effect as Kone.
Christopher Timmins
8 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:15:26
Paul, great to have your reports and ratings. Agree with most of your ratings at the weekend. Great to see the new boys doing well. Hopefully, in the fullness of time when the manager has his players playing his system that Goodison will once again be a place to be feared by visiting teams.

Gordon White
9 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:16:01
Good report thank you. Really enjoyed the first half. For me the difference in the second half was about our fitness levels, which RK had warned about. I think Baines played much better than Kone. Stekelenburg and Gueye played really well and stood out.

I do think we need a top drawer alternative for when Lukaku is not available, or to join him up front? Hopefully Ross, Gerard, Kevin and Yannick will also be weighing in with goals. Can't wait for next game! COYB.

Brent Stephens
10 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:20:15
Ellen, I was at the match and the it was great to hear the crowd in full voice again. I would rate the fans 8/9 (and would rate the fan in seat N141 in Upper Bullens as 10).
Eric Holland
11 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:53:53
Was that you making all that noise Brent?
Mike Powell
12 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:54:04
I would give Gana an 8 and Deulofeu a 5 – I thought he was awful.
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 15/08/2016 at 19:57:01
Did my bit for the cause, Eric. Did my bit.
Tony Draper
14 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:41:53
Gana did just fine in his home debut. More than just fine, he shone in a role we really need.

As has been said elsewhere, shades of Bracewell, a few more imposing tackles and maybe we are talking about a new Peter Reid (he'll have to lose some of that lightning pace though).

I like him.

John Austin
15 Posted 15/08/2016 at 21:43:12
Enjoyed the read Paul. Thanks. I too think you were a bit harsh on Barry. I thought he had a really good game - minimum of 8 for me with Gueye probably a 9. The crowd were really up for it in the first half. Good defensive tackles getting my part of the main stand out of their seats on a number of occasions. The atmosphere got tense as the second half progressed which I suppose was understandable.

Fortunately there didn't appear to be a problem with turnstiles 11 and 12 of the main stand. I just walked straight in at 2.45.

Danny Broderick
16 Posted 15/08/2016 at 22:12:20
Paul,

I wasn't at the match, but I also think you are a bit harsh with your scores (based on what you write). For instance, you say Barry did pretty well, but mark him down on everyone else by giving him a 6. If someone does pretty well, they should be a 7 - a 6 is bang average.

By the same token, you say Gueye was very impressive, then give him a 7 like most of the team. Surely he merits an 8 then?

Just a bit of constructive criticism Paul. I read most of your match reports, especially when I am not at the match myself - thanks for taking the time to produce them, even if I don't always agree with the player ratings!

Paul Ferry
17 Posted 16/08/2016 at 03:42:00
Player ratings are what I like best about Paul's reports. There's always posts about them.

He tends to cluster the lads in the 6-8 bracket meaning that margins between decent, good, and very good are often thin - if Paul gives a 4 or 5 take notce, that was a really bad performance!

Would like to see more 9s and 5s Paul. Use the full range mate. It's what ti's there for!

For what it's worth.

Stekelenburg 9 - McCarthy 7 - Funes Mori 7 - Jagielka 7 - Holgate 6 - Baines 5 - Barry 8 - Gueye 8 - Mirallas 7 - Barkley 7 - Deulofeu 6 – didn't agree with or like any one of the three subs (taking Kev off mystified me) and quite frankly nobody, not Kone, Lennon, or Cleverley, made any significant impact on the game unless, needless to say, I missed it.

Dave Abrahams
18 Posted 16/08/2016 at 16:07:07
Paul (17) how did you expect Cleverley to make a significant impact, he was only on for the last six minutes, Cleverley takes a lot of stick on ToffeeWeb, yet always shows for the ball and is not as bad as a lot of fans make out.
Paul Ferry
19 Posted 16/08/2016 at 17:45:32
HI Dave (#18), that was partly my point mate. I was not criticizing Cleverley as such but the substitution with so little time to go with so little chance to make an impact.

I like Cleverley for the record and he is busy but I suspect that he might fall down the pecking order over the next six months or so.

Steven Jones
20 Posted 16/08/2016 at 22:24:02
Brent and Eric ... that is all we can contribute ... great big volume support - shouting the guys on ...

I always started and contributed to singing and keeping the volumes up ... always come out of Goodison with a hoarse voice cheering the guys on ...

Once lost a wife over it!!! versus Manu ... was in the Park end so got a bit vociferous!!! They were obnoxious as usual and got a bit aggressive which she didn't appreciate ... well hey ho!

Brent Stephens
21 Posted 16/08/2016 at 23:34:23
Steven, some sacrifice for the cause!
Phil Walling
22 Posted 17/08/2016 at 11:34:14
Great report, Paul, but sad to see your normal generosity with ratings chose the wrong game to 'curb your enthusiasm'.

By any standard, Gueye was an 8!

Paul Hay
23 Posted 17/08/2016 at 16:12:50
Thanks for the report Paul!

Thought Gueye was worth at least 8 though. Impressed with Jags to be honest - with Williams alongside it will only benefit him.

Keep the faith.

Andy Crooks
24 Posted 19/08/2016 at 21:41:48
Welcome back, Paul, top report as usual.

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