Match Preview
With two consecutive victories under their belt and the beginning
of another attempt to string together a run of results to capitalise
on the tight pack of clubs trading places with each other underway,
David Moyes's Everton travel Leicester to face another team
struggling below them in the table. The game at the Walkers
Stadium represents the chance for the Blues to achieve three
straight wins for the first time in over a year.
The win over Portsmouth was singularly unimpressive but the Blues
at least did enough to claim the three points. Leicester,
meanwhile, earned a surprise victory at Birmingham that ended their
13-game winless run; that, combined with both the fact that Micky
Adams's three wayward stars from their Spanish trip are likely to
return to action this weekend and Everton's abysmal away form, this
won't be an easy task.
Indeed, Moyes's pre-match comments suggest that he isn't in
confident mood, fearing a backlash by the Foxes following the
controversy in Spain. More worrying is his apparent assessment
of the midfield's performance against Pompey last week; he has
warned Thomas Gravesen that he is not an automatic choice to return
to the first team following his suspension despite the general
feeling among the supporters than the pairing of Alex Nyarko and
Tobias Linderoth left little to be desired. And Kevin Kilbane,
who's been playing well, is out for family reasons; James McFadden
could play in his place.
Duncan Ferguson is doubtful after pulling a hamstring last
weekend so Tomasz Radzinski, who has had a profound impact in each
of the last two games, could partner Wayne Rooney up front.
Moyes will be hoping Rooney can keep up his recent scoring record
and be as decisive for the Blues this time as he was when the teams
last met. In December, Everton ran out 3-2 winners to overturn
Leicester's lead thanks to Rooney's inspirational introduction as a
substitute.
Victory for Everton would pull them closer to the top half of the
table and put nine points between them and Leicester, more or less
dispelling realistic fears of relegation for another season.
Lyndon Lloyd
Matchday Stats
This will be the 99th meeting
between Everton and Leicester in all competitions, and the 51st away
from home. This match will be the 16th meeting in the Premier
League and the first match Everton have played at Leicester City's
Walkers Stadium.
Everton's full record against
Leicester City is:
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Premier
League |
15 |
4 |
10 |
1 |
19 |
17 |
Division
One |
74 |
30 |
17 |
27 |
148 |
122 |
Division
Two |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
11 |
FA
Cup |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
Zenith
Data Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
TOTALS: |
98 |
38 |
29 |
31 |
185 |
155 |
Our record away to Leicester City
is:
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Premier
League |
7 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
Division
One |
37 |
9 |
9 |
19 |
49 |
73 |
Division
Two |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
FA
Cup |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
Zenith
Data Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
TOTALS: |
50 |
14 |
14 |
22 |
69 |
92 |
The last match between the two
sides was earlier this season on 20 December when we won 3-2 at
Goodison Park which saw an own goal by Steve Howey, with the other
two being added by Wayne Rooney and Thomsz Radzinski in the final
twenty minutes. The last match away to Leicester was in
November 2001 when the teams drew 0-0.
Everton's biggest victory away to
Leicester City is 5-1 on 10 September 1977 in a Division One
match. The club's heaviest defeat away to the Foxes was a 6-2
reverse at Filbert Street on 5 February 1927.
The most common victory for
Everton is shared between 2-0 and 2-1, both of which have occurred
four times in Everton's 14 victories at Leicester. Leicester's
most common victory at home is 2-0, which has happened five times in
their 22 home victories. The most common draw between the
sides at Leicester is 2-2, which has happened six times out of the
14 draws in total.
Everton's record for 20 March is:
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Premier
League |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Division
One |
13 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
18 |
20 |
Division
Two |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
FA
Cup |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
Euro
Cup Winners Cup |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
TOTALS: |
18 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
27 |
26 |
This will be the third meeting
between the sides on this date. The first meeting was the only
Division Two match played on this date when we drew 2-2 at Filbert
Street. Thirty years later, in 1984, the two teams met again,
this time at Goodison Park and also in the First Division, and it
also saw another draw, although this time it was 1-1. The only
Premier League match on this date was in 1993, which saw a 1-0
defeat at Anfield. The European Cup Winners' Cup match on this
date was the away leg at Fortuna Sittard in the 1985 competition,
with Everton winning 2-0.
Milestone's that can be reached in
this game:
- If
David Unsworth plays any part in the match, it will be his 300th
league appearance for Everton. He has, so far, made 269
starts and 30 substitute appearances for the club in the league.
- If
Lee Carsley starts the match, it will be his 50th start for
Everton in all competitions.
- If
Wayne Rooney scores a hat-trick before the end of the season, he
will be beat William Dean's record of the youngest ever Everton
player to score three goals in a match.
Steve Flanagan

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
It's hard work supporting the Blues. It was a nice time of
10am for the coach to depart, and we were away. The trip was a
relatively quick one up the M6, and before we knew it we had arrived
in Leicester, only to have to stop at a service station when we were
so close to the ground. Then it was a police escort, before we
pulled up and some coppers boarded the coach to check our
tickets. It all seemed like nonsense to me as the clock ebbed
away, and I could see the thought of having a few beers in a pub
beforehand slip away.
Well it would never have happened anyway, as the doormen at one
pub sent us on to another one, while the doormen of the next one
sent us back to the other one. So we took the law into our own
hands by going to the supermarket and getting a few there. It
was a fair enough solution in the end. No problems as we sang
a few Everton songs and generally enjoyed ourselves. Just to
think that at the same time, probably no les than 300 yards away, a
fellow blue was killed, after being struck by flying debris.
What a tragedy.
Unaware of this at the time, at around 14:30, we headed off into
the swirling winds and towards the Walker Stadium. We were in
and sat down by about 14:40. Plenty of time.
Some goon came on to the pitch to say some sort of message to the
crowd which I neither understood nor heard due to Everton's once
again fantastic and vociferous support simply drowning him
out. He then played some sort of flute which I assume is the
music Leicester come out to.
It wasn't long later that the teams came out. The corner
flag danced in the wind and I assume Leicester won the toss.
In the second half, Everton kicked towards us with the wind on there
backs. The wind reminded me of a time when I was playing in
goal for my college. I'm flatfooted and hence useless as an outfield
player in any department, and the keeper couldn't play so they asked
me if I'd go in the net for them. I did, and they had the wind
in the first half. It was 4-0 to them by half time; 5-1 full
time. I've never lived it down since.
The wind played a key part, no matter what. It made things
very difficult for the back four and Martyn, with Naysmith and
Stubbs struggling more than anyone else. Naysmith at one point
doing that thing he always does in letting a player suck him inside
his own penalty box before unnecessarily going to ground. If
Marcus Bent had have gone down, it would have been a penalty.
However, he didn't, and Everton stuck at it well in near impossible
conditions.
Pistone had a 20-yard effort comfortably saved, and Ferguson
failed to do much with the long aimless punts sent up to him, as he
found it difficult to judge where the ball was going to land due to
the weather. Rooney and Watson carried the fight to Leicester
more so than anyone else in the first half, while the rest played to
stay in it until the break, knowing that if we got to 0-0 at half
time, we'd have a great chance in the second half.
However, on about the half hour, Bent muscled Martyn to the
ground from a corner to head home, only for the ref to blow for a
foul. Phew!
It was shortly after this when a well-worked move by Everton
resulted in Linderoth flighting in a diagonal ball towards Dunc.
He apparently fouled Dabizas, and the ref (without a second thought)
booked Dunc. This pissed Dunc off, as he was playing shit
anyway, and Dabizas sensed the opportunity and moaned at Dunc and
pestered him for a little while.
Next time they both jumped, Ferguson shoved Dabizas. The
ref let it go. Next time they both jumped, Ferguson shoved
Dabizas. The ref, let it go. The next time he jumped,
Stephan Freund threw himself to ground. This time the ref
didn't hesitate with a second booking, and he was off. At this
Dunc went for Freund presumably for trying to get him sent
off.
I'm torn with this one. First, I think Dunc was stupid and
shouldn't have let Dabisaz wind him up like that, but then I think
of our "model pro" Alan Shearer and the amount of shit he
gets away with game in, game out (kicking players in the face,
elbows, pushes, backing in, hloding) and the sending off was
extremely unfair. Nevertheless. He was off.
Everton held out under some heavy bombardment before McFadden
played Rooney, who from the half-way line skinned three players,
only to drag his shot wide. Wonderful stuff from the boy,
while the ref went nuts and needed half time. The whistle
went, and at half time the general feeling was that we could still
win this with the wind on our backs.
A brave move by Moyes at half time as he went to a 4-3-3
formation, sticking on Radz. The second half, Everton should
have won, as every player battled superbly.
Gravesen woke up, and started doing his thing. Linderoth
woke up and started doing his thing, effective tackling and tidy
passing. The back four were solid. Naysmith superb
without the wind in his face. Watson worked tirelessly, and up
front, they were both excellent. Particularly Rooney.
One nice move led to Rooney being through on goal, only for the
flag to go up WAY too late. Not long after this though, the
goal came. A free kick (I think) was launched into the box but
over Rooney and the defender. Radzinski was onto it, and got
to it to flick it inside for Rooney. Rooney turned. Beat
his man and bang. Absolutely typical Rooney, very much like
the goal against Portsmouth, as he celebrated in style down in front
of us. Jubilation from the supporters as we sensed victory.
Well, Leicester are a team battling for points at the wrong end
of the table, so I guess they weren't going to roll over and die —
particularly against 10 men. So some heavy pressure in the
last ten minutes finally paid off for them. Beforehand,
everything they threw at us was mopped up superbly by Stubbs and
Yobo, whereas Martyn smothered everything else. Naysmith and
Pistone also stepping in when necessary with some timely
interventions and solid tackling.
With two minutes left on the clock, off came Rooney and on came
Campbell. Rooney took forever to leave the field. It
makes me wonder if he'd have legged it off, the ref might have just
added 1 minute on instead of 2... Probably not — but you
never know. The ref was shocking. No doubt about
it. I don't even think he knew.
Then someone shot, Martyn saved spectacularly, and the ball hit
the post and out for a corner. The corner came in.
"Clear this and we've won" I said. We didn't, and
they won the goal. Maybe if Dunc hadn't got himself sent off,
he would have been there to head the ball out.
It's a world of fate though I guess. Maybe if I'd have
stopped and gotten a hot dog somewhere or bumped into someone I know
a bit earlier, it could have been me hit by flying debris, and I
would have been tragically killed. My heart goes out to the
families.
Ratings:
- Martyn: Didn't command his box, and looks decidedly
dodgy with his punches, but covered everything else, and that
save at the end meant he did not deserve what happened
afterwards. 7
- Naysmith: Struggled a bit first half but still did the
job. Magnificent in the second. 8
- Stubbs: See Naysmith. 8
- Yobo: Superb. Really is world class. 8
- Pistone: You can see why he gets picked; positionally
excellent, and some great tackling and interventions. 8
- McFadden: Looks lost. Got a silly booking as well, and
needed to be replaced at half time. Shame. 5
- Gravesen: Was AWOL first half but sublime in he second.
Unlucky not to score with that run, although Radz should have
put it in anyway. 8
- Linderoth: His usual effective self. 7
- Watson: Good work by Steve; ran his arse off and used
his head. 7
- Rooney: My MOTM; we can't cope without him. Shame
we're gonna have to miss him for 2 games now. Along with Dunc. 8
- Radzinski: Done well. Caused them problems, set up a
goal, and should have scored one himself. 7
- Campbell: Not on for long, but made an excellent
defensive block in his own area, and actually found a player
with a pass, so good work. All be it for 4 minutes. 7
Overall: We battled superbly in the second half, and
should have won this one. 8
Paul Traill

Determined Resolve
First impressions, they say, are lasting. I'm not mad keen
on these kind of stadiums: Soulless breeze-block
constructions. No heartbeat. Maybe I'm an old fart but
you've gotta have at least a second tier on even one stand
surely?! It's the same all the way around the ground.
Some take the piss out of Everton FC for the Park End banners of
recent seasons, informing anyone who bothers to look at them of our
various achievements but I'd rather have them on the outside of
"MY" stadium than a "border wraparound"
screaming Walkers Crisps inside the ground. Personally, I
found it tacky.
The view and the facilities may indeed be better than what we
have at Goodison but modernisation without a nod in the direction of
tradition leaves you feeling just a bit empty. Something
missing that you can't quite put your finger on! A bit
like our own Park End perhaps!!
Anyway, to the game:
To say it was a fresh day in Leicester is an
understatement. It was blowing a gale. Some wag thanked
the one above for no Unsworth present. Cruel!
Leicester started more positively, helped by the wind and their
secret weapon — about 3,000 windswept pieces of plastic.
Everton looked static.
The game wasn't helped one bit by arguably the most inept
performance given by a PROFESSIONAL Premiership ref. Just how
on earth is Barry Knight officiating at this level?
Shocking. We could argue all day and night about Duncan
Ferguson's dismissal but from where I was sitting it looked as
though Duncan (harshly booked moments earlier) gave Knight the
opportunity he relished. Cue an early bath yet again.
Having now seen the TV pictures, it's hard to excuse Duncan for
grabbing Freund by the throat. However, I could perfectly
understand and appreciate Duncan's sheer frustration at that precise
moment. That's how Knight officiated throughout. We
weren't necessarily a dirty side yet picked up cards freely —
about as freely as the wind scattered litter across the pitch.
Rooney's yellow was laughable! He challenged the Leicester
defender down on the touchline in front of us with the result that
the Leicester player (bigger than our kid!) hit the deck. Now,
if it was a foul it was a foul! It's hard to describe
perfectly but if you can imagine the tackle taking place and nothing
happening then for a few seconds before the referee eventually
decided to book the offending player! It wasn't a case of a
referee (or his assistants) spotting a foul challenge and booking a
player at that instant, for his offending challenge. A nothing
challenge resulting in Wayne Rooney now finding himself
suspended. Petty officialdom.
What made matters worse, in the first half, were two successive
Leicester City corner kicks not taken from the proper area.
Evertonians were livid, screaming at the "referee's
assistant" (standing all of 25 millimetres away from the corner
flag) to stop the Leicester player taking either kick from outside
the area. It was little things like this that infuriated all
watching. We're being slightly paranoid in highlighting the
argument that it was mainly ourselves on the wrong end of some bad
calls — but christ did it feel that way! On a day like this,
what better way to top it off but to concede an injury time
equaliser. Summed it up perfectly. Gutted.
Sometimes, when you feel you're more sinned against than sinner,
you create a feeling from within, a resolve — a determination to
hit back. Rooney epitomised this after Duncan's
dismissal. He made one great run from wide left, initially,
cutting through the Leicester midfield/defence. On the edge of
the box, with defenders closing in and the keeper closing the angle,
he dragged his shot wide left. It would've been a fine
individual effort.
It was not the first time he got himself into a position like
that only to drag his shot the wrong side of the post. We
forget though that he's only 18 years old! In the same move,
as Leicester's defence parted like the Red Sea, it was patently
obvious that Steve Watson has absolutely no pace at all.
Vainly he tried to keep up with Rooney but, despite having acres of
space in front of him and looking like "the obvious ball"
for Rooney to play - pass out right for Watson to slot home into an
empty net - the truth was that he hadn't the legs. One for the
summer sales perhaps? Watson, not Rooney!!!
The introduction of Tomasz Radzinski in place of the ineffective
James McFadden for the second half made sense and also set the tone
for a positive Everton second half performance. The blustery
conditions helped neither side and that (thankfully!) negated the
aerial threat of one Les Ferdinand. His early departure was
greeted with glee by the travelling Evertonians! Ah, you have
to laugh whenever the chance arises! I've already commissioned
10,000 t-shirts bearing the legend "I Woz There When Les
Ferdinand Didn't Score!"
As the contest deteriorated and one or two aimless hoofs forward
in the general direction of Rooney (or Radzinski) came to nothing,
you felt change was necessary. It was pointless hoofing balls
forward as we had no target up front. I would've liked to have
seen Kevin Campbell coming on for the knackered Steve Watson.
Anyone notice the colour of Watson's shirt?!! He sweats like
Shergar!!
Whatever little threat we posed up front was going to come from
balls to feet and trickery from the industrious Radzinski and
Rooney. With little more than 10 minutes left on the clock, we
were treated to the one real bit of magic on the day. Rooney
collected the ball out left, turned and slipped his marker —
bang! 1-0 to ten-man Everton and Rooney in raptures down in
the corner with his fellow Evertonians up there above him!
You don't need any diplomas to note just how much scoring for
Everton means to Wayne Rooney. He continues to live his dream,
writing new chapters along the way. You sell him at your
peril, EFC. He is the present and very much OUR future.
Just as we were about to celebrate a precious three points,
disaster struck. Martyn made a fabulous save, turning a
screamer out for a corner. Last corner of the game, two
minutes of stoppage time almost up. In accordance with script,
and Evertonian fate, we know what came next. It did. We
upped and left.
Someday it will improve. It must. Two precious points
chucked away at the death.
"At the death" - it's amazing how we all use such
terminology when talking about our footy, when you consider the
shocking news which emerged after the game. One Everton fan
had travelled to watch his beloved team play football. His
life, taken away from him by a flying piece of debris — described
perversely as an act of God. Sometimes I wonder......
Sincere sympathy to his family and I'll ask right now, before any
cock ups can occur — will the Club, as a mark of respect, afford
this poor man a moment's silence pre-match next weekend at Goodison
Park?
Colm Kavanagh

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