COLUMNIST PAUL TRAILL
Match Report - Exorcising the Demons
Comments (19) : Manchester United vs Everton
2009 FA Cup Semi-Final
We were all very grateful that Ste offered to drive there and back for this one. I guess it probably made sense as, out of all of us, Ste?s the one least arsed about having a few drinks on a match day.
We set off about 6am to beat the traffic... and beat it we did, parking up at Stanmore around 9:30am. I was tipped off about Stanmore being the best place to park by a few people as it was cheap and just a short train ride from Wembley Park Station. We weren?t to be disappointed. Parking for the day was only £3.20 and we were outside Wembley in no time at all with the only ?problem? being we were there well early. It was all about arches as we marvelled at the Wembley arch, and then at the world famous Golden Arches for some much needed breakfast.
With ample time to kill, we took a wander down Wembley Way and around the stadium. Whilst the stadium itself looks magnificent, the surrounding areas need to addressed as soon as possible as it's very derelict and in need of a big facelift. Surely this?ll be done in time for the 2012 Olympics.
In search of a boozer, we headed on past the stadium to the west end ? the end where the Everton support was based. Upon asking a solitary parking attendant where we could find a pub, we were given the choice of The Green Man, up the hill, or The Greyhound, a little down the road and next to a few pubs.
We opted for The Greyhound route but couldn?t quite believe our eyes when we got there. It was all fenced off and didn?t really look open but Stu thought he?d chance opening the door anyway. Surprisingly, it opened and as we peered in we saw a guy holding a pitbull in what was an unsavoury looking watering hole. We felt as though we shouldn?t really be there and this was confirmed when a battle-hardened doorman quickly came to the door saying it wasn?t open ?til 11am, due to ?erm, technical difficulties?.
The whole situation was just bazaar and we were grateful to cross the road and see a sports bar opening up with a guy putting a blue and white flag above the entrance. They let us in and we were actually the first ones to enter, confirming also that it was a pub only for Everton fans today.
As we were first ones in there, we took advantage of the comfy couch section and, the inflated beer prices aside, everything was perfect. As it was still quietish, Ste took advantage of the situation and caught a few zzzzzz?s whilst we watched the build up and Saturday?s Premier League goals on Sky Sports News.
The pub filled up and the atmosphere was rocking. It was nice to have a comfy area with so much time until kick off. We watched the most part of Newcastle United touching closer to relegation before making a move to Wembley. Excited? You bet.
Stu had left early as he was in one of the ?far back seats? so he wanted to make sure he got himself sorted out. Gary, Ste and I were in our ?behind the goal, near the corner flag? seats in plenty of time though as the players warmed up. The stadium is simply breathtaking and it was a pleasure to be there.
Manchester United songs boomed out across the speaker as the big screens focused on some of the Man Utd faithful. Just as we began to get paranoid about some sort of FA-Manchester United supporting conspiracy, Z-Cars boomed out, getting the sea of blue and white into the grove. The teams went in for their last-minute team-talk. The atmosphere was buzzing.
Wembley roared as Mike Riley led out the team, Everton headed by Phil Neville, Man Utd by Rio Ferdinand. The match announcer read the teams out and there were certainly no surprises from the Everton side. Louis Saha was perhaps the only question mark but he started in place of the cup-tied Jo, with the rest of the team as you were from last week's draw with Aston Villa.
For Manchester United there were surprises, quite a few of them in fact as Sir Alex Ferguson radically changed his starting line-up from the team which beat Porto quite impressively last Wednesday. Eight changes were made in all with Ferdinand, Vidic and I think Tevez the only survivors from the team. I expected him to change the team but not overhaul it! Ben Foster was always going to play, yes, but I felt Scholes, Neville, Fletcher etc would get the nod as they hadn?t started on Wednesday. As it was, the kids were given a chance with Welbeck, Gibson and new Italian hotshot Federico Macheda amongst those given the opportunity, signalling a great opportunity for Everton to return to Wembley next month. Come on you blues!
As you?d expect, we attacked towards the Man Utd fans in the first half in what was a cagey beginning to the game with both sides taking their time to settle. The bulk of the battle remained in the midfield with chances very, very few and far between throughout the half, and the whole game really for that matter.
Before the game, a lot was made of Mike Riley?s tendency to favour Manchester United, as well as the BBC?s hatchet job on our giant Belgian, Marouane Fellaini. As soon as I heard Riley was the ref, I was convinced Fellaini was gonna get a hard time from the West Yorkshire official and that everything would go United?s way... But as it was, I felt he refereed the game fairly for most of the match and certainly gave Everton an opportunity to play, which is a lot more than I expected from the ref who once gave Man United 11 penalties in one season.
A few reasonable attacks each from either team aside, little happened in the first half and as we had a half-time pint we pondered if we could go on and take this to Man Utd a bit more in the second period. You hoped so...
The second 45 was indeed improved from both sides and most good things from Everton came through Fellaini who had a very effective game. The key moment of the game came when Man Utd had quite a good penalty shout which could have been catastrophic. I was actually quite oblivious to it at the time as, given my seat position and angle, it was hard to tell where the ball was, let alone exactly what happened. I?ve seen the incident since and whilst I agree there is contact by Jagielka and I guess it is a penalty, yes, I feel it would?ve been given if not for over-theatrics from Danny Welbeck. Either way it weren?t Everton?s fault he didn?t give it and I?ve seen United get countless decisions their way over the years so I have no hesitation in accepting a decision our way for a change.
Saha had put a shift in but was clearly unfit so was replaced by Rodwell, moving Cahill further forward on around the 70-minute mark. Rodwell did quite well, perhaps stabilising the Everton midfield a little bit as Everton held on for extra time.
Our best chance, probably of the whole game, came when Cahill forced an effort at goal down at the far end which was well saved by the legs of Ben Foster. Fellaini, who?d been superb all game, was on a yellow card as Riley began to toughen up on the Everton players, and so was subbed for James Vaughan, making his comeback after a long time out injured. The young lad had a great chance to be a hero too when he was teed up in the box only to scuff his effort at goal. I actually can?t remember if it was saved by Foster, deflected wide by a defender or neither but I know it was a great chance.
There was what seemed to be a controversial moment near the end when Baines and Foster challenged for a ball near the dead-ball line with Baines getting round the keeper and crossing the ball in low for Vaughan with a gaping goal. Instead of letting play go for what would surely have been a simple goal for Vaughan, Riley brought play back for a foul on Baines by Foster which just seemed crazy given that we had a clear advantage from letting play go on. As it transpired, according to Ste?s dad the ball had actually gone out of play so I guess Riley was doing us a bit of a favour giving us a free kick instead, although this came to nothing.
It was on to penalties then and the toss was shown on the big screen, with Neville losing the toss for the end the penalties were to be kicked towards, though presumably winning the toss for who kicks first. Amidst the mayhem, I remember saying to Ste that I felt we might have the upper hand here, given that:
- Tim Howard was at Man Utd for a while so may know a bit about the spot-kick takers.
- Man Utd?s usual penalty takers weren?t available / selected
- Ben Foster will likely not know much about our spot kick takers as we don?t really get penalties, though when we do their usually taken by Arteta and Yakubu, both of whom are injured of course.
Up stepped Cahill for the first one and though I was sure he?d hit the target I was also convinced Foster would beat it out. Unbelievably, the keeper wasn?t needed as Cahill completely mis-hit the penalty, smashing it horribly over the crossbar into the delirious Man Utd fans. I couldn?t believe it. Everyone was shell-shocked. There and then I thought it was game over, cup dream over? Tim Howard had other ideas.
I watched Cahill walk back to his team mates when they all mobbed him as if to say ?It?s OK. We?ll sort it out?. Berbatov took Man United?s penalty, going down the middle but Howard saved with his legs, giving Everton, and a relieved I?m sure Cahill, a reprieve. The replay showed how awful the penalty was from Berbatov as it lacked any power or conviction whatsoever.
Leighton Baines took the responsibility next for Everton, and spanked in probably our pick of the lot past Foster. Ferdinand?s next one was key, and Howard guessed right and to his right to repel Rio?s spot kick, giving Everton an advantage and real hope.
Phil Neville, of all people, stepped up next and didn?t disappoint against his old employers, slotting the ball in nicely putting the pressure even further onto United. Needless to say, I was pleased he scored but I?m certainly made up it wasn?t he who cost us as I have a lot of admiration for the way he stepped up to take penalty number three, though Vidic replied well for United making it 2-1 to Everton.
The tension was unbearable. Gary couldn?t watch though said it was just as entertaining watching the reaction of the crowd instead. James Vaughan was next in line, though as he strode forward purposely he exuberated confidence and I felt he?d score. That he did, meaning that if I think Nani didn?t score his we?d have won. The Portuguese showed balls though tucking his penalty away with aplomb? pressure on Everton again at 3-2.
Phil Jagielka walked up and I prayed it wasn?t he to make a mistake either. Of course, it was his saved spot kick that sent us crashing out of the Uefa Cup last season so this was a great chance for our Player of the Season to exercise his demons. Up he ran and slotted it into the corner smartly. Que absolute delirium from the Everton support. The players ran to Jags. Z-Cars boomed out. Everton are in the FA Cup final!!!
When they were ready, the players did their lap of honour, with Arteta, Valente and Yakubu joining in with the players. What an amazing feeling!
We finally left the impressive stadium and mixed almost straight into the Man Utd fans. Predictably enough, a few dickheads started fighting but when it comes to Man Utd fans there?s rarely not trouble. That?s not a take on all Man Utd fans as that wouldn?t be fair but I?ve met enough in my time to understand that causing trouble is often high on the agenda for these fans.
Funnily enough, as we waited amongst the crowd for the train, a gentleman Man Utd fan pointed out that my shoelace was untied and even offered to hold my programme for me as I sorted out the hazard. Into the station and we just followed the crowd. A few people asked a copper if they were going in the right direction, of which to everyone he smiled and said ?yeah?. I asked ?is this the way to Stanmore? and got the same response. ?Yeah? before he put his megaphone to his lips and bellowed ?You?re all going the right way?. It certainly lifted the murky mood given so many Man Utd and Everton fans were on the same train.
They pride themselves on their singing the Mancs and it?s something I?ve never quite understood. Whilst Everton supporters generally sing to get behind the team or to make themselves feel better, I get the impression the Mancs sing for tribal, sinister reasons and I, for one, was glad to get back to the car and meet Stu.
The queue out of the car park was massive and it was busy up on the main road. Given it would?ve taken ages to get out of there, a visibly shattered Ste thought it would be best for us to go the pub for a while whilst he got his head down for a while.
Gary, Stu and I walked on past the main train station entrance where we got more agro off the Mancs. Feeling threatened, Stu and I considered going back to the car but led by Gary we headed on up the road, stopping for a few beers in the Spice House where we got chatting to a couple of really decent Mancs who wished us well for the final. ?We?ll see ya for the Charity Sheild? they said. Smiles all round.
My smile broadened when Andy Devy checked in on the phone from Boston. He?d watched the game Stateside and was drunkenly delighted. Ste then phoned us saying he was ready to go (it was about 9pm by then) and we made the long pilgrimage home.
What a day... and what an effort by Everton. We?ll be back for more next month, let?s hope we can pull through for just one more game in this extraordinary cup run. Congratulations Everton. I?ll see you next month.
Player Ratings:
- Howard: Really not a great deal to do throughout but certainly made his mark in the shoot out. Seemed to get his dodgy form at Villa out of his system. 8
- Baines: I thought he had an excellent game both defensively and offensively and of course scored his penalty as well. 8
- Lescott: Solid. 7 Jagielka: Solid, and settled his demons with the penalty. Nice one Jags. 8
- Hibbert: Did fine in defence. Perhaps could have done more attacking work but I?ll settle for that performance in a Cup Semi-Final. 7
- Neville: Did well in the middle and took his penalty well. 7
- Osman: Never really got going. 5
- Pienaar: See Osman. 5
- Cahill: A terrible penalty miss but got stuck into them well. 7
- Fellaini: My man of the match. I thought he was outstanding. I just hope he doesn?t get too many yellow cards before the final and get himself suspended. 8
- Saha: Simply not fit enough but tried hard. 6
- Rodwell (for Saha): Settled into the game nicely. 7
- Vaughan (for Fellaini): Got stuck in and scored a vital penalty. 7
Reader Comments
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Anyway, other than that great match report. Was a fantastic day. The looks on the Mancs face’s said it all, the pure expectation to win - drowned. Fantastic
With any luck I might just finish this post before disappearing up my own arse.
Baines was quality too ? but I?ve seen him rated poorly elsewhere, same as with Fellaini who I thought was our Man of the Match but has been rated poorly on most other reports I?ve seen.
And it was never a pen! ;-)
But he really needs to put more effort in... he never sprints at all, and his awareness is questionable (maybe his hair?s affecting his peripheral vision) ... frustrating is the word for him.
How many bevy?s did you have to only give Pienaar a 5? ? ?
Fellaini aside, Pienaar was our only creative outlet and was a pain in the arse all day for United-both Offensively and Defensively. Any united player with the ball in his area of the pitch (mainly the left flank) he was on them and would not let go.
I saw two clear instances when Pienaar cried out to Baines to give him some more support closing down.
Lescott was immense, and edges out Jagielka as the outstanding centre half of the game. Both deserve high ratings for me for bringing us through that shaky second-half spell.
One thing I would say is that these reports do demonstrate the difficulty of really rating the game and the players when you are stuck down one end at pitch level. I don?t agree with some of your player ratings, especially Pienaar, though you did give him the same score as The Telegraph (before you say Tory rag I read every report I could lay my hands on). In a game that was thin on chances and creative play from both teams, I thought he put in a good shift. At least worth a 7 for me, but it?s all about opinions and strangely the telegraph?s full match report was full of praise for him, go figure, I guess someone else did the player ratings.
There is no way on this planet that Saha was worth 6 if Pienaar was only worth 5. Saha was a spectator for the entire time he was on the pitch and Fellaini had to do a lot of his running. I agree that Fellaini had a good game and was surprised to see him withdrawn, but he was on a yellow and he does throw his arms about when he jumps. Incidentally, Henry Winter (Telegraph) reckoned he was lucky to get a yellow for the hand in Ferdinand?s face! What a dick!
Also I think you mean Anderson not Nani as the Portuguese Manure player who scored after JV, but I?m splitting hairs now.
Fair play to Ste for "throwing himself on the grenade" and forfeiting beer to taxi you lot around. He?s clearly a legend in your circle. Will he be up for that for the final?
COYB!!
Fellaini, is the sublime and the ridiculous in equal measure and today I felt he fell into the latter category. I find him slow and ineffectual and and thought Vidic dominated him.
I think that Steve the designated driver might have lead to you having a few too many scooby snacks!
All the rest were solid rather than spectacular in a game which was really one of those which deserved to go to pens if there is such a thing, neither did enough to win it but there were no ?worthy? losers either. It would have been a shame if Everton could not beat what was, lets face it, Man U?s reserve team, but they were no mugs and the main thing is after all the tension and all the other tough draws its the Final for blues!!
I agree with Fellaini being our best player. I also thought Pienaar was outstanding in the 1st half, but not so effective after that ? still did loads of running though. I don?t understand how you can give Saha a higher mark than Pienaar ? Saha was completely ineffective.
I’m sorry mate, but it is really pissing me off about manure fielding a reserve side.
Cost of their side for the semi’s : £140 mill.
Our side : £32 mill.
For anyone else out there please note, there is no difference between injured players and players who are dropped or rested !
Let’s just say we dropped Yakubu, Arteta, Yobo and Anichebe. You can argue all these players would have started for us. So they rested three of their best players, Berbatov was the price of our whole team F.F.S.
P.S.
Let’s hope Chelski get past Barca in the C.L. which means they would have to play in Rome three days before the final.
Howard. 8 Not much to do and annoyingly carried the ball over the line at one point for a corner to ManU when there was no need. The penalty saves made up for that though!
Hibbert. 7 Did very well defensively but mislaid his recent improvement in his use of the ball. Also has the scary habit of wandering infield at times leaving too much space for the opposition to run in to.
Baines. 8 Adequate defensively. His partnership with Pienaar down the left was our most penetrative attacking force.
Lescott. 9 Awesome. My man of the match. Surprised when Vidic got it! One tackle, in the area, on Tevez (I think?) was Bobby Moore material!
Jagielka. 8 Up there with Lescott for the most part except for the lapse in concentration which led to the penalty shout. Made up he scored the winner...that will put the Fiorentina demon to rest for him.
Neville. 8 Commanding performance from the captain...not in a performance sense although he did play quite well, but more for his captaining and leadership. He was talking and gesticulating to the players all afternoon. Great show.
Fellaini. 8 I thought he had a great game. He may be slow and one-paced but his touch on the ball is pure grace for a gangly lad like him and 95% of his passes reach their target. He is picked on by refs but does need to keep his arms under control or this will continue.
Cahill. 7 Did two jobs for the Blues on the day. A constant thorn in ManU’s side. Pity he missed the penalty but the way the game developed he never really had any chances to do what he does best...ghost into the area and poach a goal or two.
Pienaar. 8 Our most creative player on the pitch. Practically every exciting moment we had attacking involved him. Split their defence with cute little passes on several occasions. He and Baines work very well together down the left in both attack and defence. Ran around like a whippet to help out defensively and never gave their players any room if he could avoid it!
Saha. 6 Clearly unfit and isolated for most of his time on the pitch. Never once saw him run into space to make himself available and didn’t hold the ball up very well when he did get it. He did chase Foster down on one occasion and nearly got something out of it.
Osman. 6 or 7 (Depending on how you look at it!) Didn’t do much creatively but ran his heart out in the first half making options and closing down their midfield players. This might explain why he seemed to be so knackered in the second half. Misplaced a number of passes and therefore wasted a lot of possession. Disappointing but he did work hard.
Rodwell. Calm and controlled when he came on.Never caused any anxiety in me or the other players! Filled the gap nicely when Cahill moved up front. Difficult to give him a score based on half a game but a 7 is fair.
Vaughan. Really livened things up when he came on. Chased everything and should have scored. Vidic had to change his game when he came on and this unsettled them a bit and helped us to have a good spell in extra time. Despite such a short time on the pitch (he should have been on earlier for me) I will have to give him an 8.
If my average scores are high its because I’m still on cloud nine!
Reserves my arse.
Great report Paul - but chances of Wembley surrounds getting a face lift are non existent! It is what it is.
To open myself up for more derision my team for the final would be Howard, usual back 4, Neville on the right... wait for it, wait for it.... Osman on the left, Rodwell in centre with Pienaar in the hole behind Fellaini and Cahill up front. I?d love to see Pienaar given a central role, with Mikel out he?s the only player we?ve got with any artistry and I reckon he could take Chelsea to pieces while all around him effectivly bounce his markers off the ball.
Awaiting the abuse....!
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1 Posted 21/04/2009 at 14:22:56
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How can you say Saha outplayed Osman or Pienaar?!