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Another incredible unbelievable draw
Comments (167) : This Anfield derby could have been different for David Moyes: it could have been one that he won, with Liverpool floundering in the bottom half of the Premier League, an incredible 10 losses in 21 games, and just having changed their manager, King Kenny Dalglish returning after 19 years. What a perfect opportunity of doing a rare double over Liverpool following the convincing Goodison win back in September, what would have been the first since 1984.
With Steven Pienaar in the throes of transfer negotiations involving Spurs, Chelsea and possibly Inter Milan, Moyes chose local boy Leon Osman in his place, to play down the wing... possibly his worst position. Jagielka was still injured so Heitinga retained his place in the back four, but the major loss for Everton continues to be Tim Cahill, who was playing in some meaningless and ridiculously timed Fifa competition instead of performing in this crucial game for his paymaster. In the absence of Louis Saha (out with a thigh strain), Beckford and Anichebe started as two strikers in a potentially attacking 4-4-2 line-up. No Carragher and no Gerrard for Liverpool.
Liverpool resorted to hoofball from the kick-off, letting Torres get an early shot in on Howard. Coleman went on a run down the middle and had a shot that went wide. Spearing gave the ball away direct to Beckford who saw a chance from distance but his attempt to lob Reina was hopelessly overhit. Distin put in a good header to diffuse a lively Liverpool attack.
Everton needed Fellaini to put his foot on the ball and give them a period of possession but Neville spoilt that with an overambitious forward pass that Coleman had no chance of reaching. But Coleman was there on the next play off Beckford and did well to force defensive play from the home side. At least the crunching tackles and excessive physicality were pleasingly absent from the first 10 mins but Spearing ran at Baines and won the first corner that eventually fell to Torres who skied his effort.
An excellent move from Baines played in Osman whose cross won Everton's first corner that Arteta fired in well but Osman could not control the cleared ball. Anichebe went on a good run through the middle but got pushed off the ball, a fair shoulder charge said Dowd, much to Moyes's annoyance as a tackle from behind by Neville got the kopites' backs up.
Torres did well to beat Distin, turn Heitinga and fire past Howard but he his shot smacked the post and Kyut's poor follow-up shot was deflected out for another corner off Neville. Everton held firm, Distin stronger in winning the ball off Kuyt and Everton strung together a good series of ground passes, winning another free-kick.
The free-kick tactic from the training ground involved a deep wide cross to Fellaini, lurking on the edge of the area, with a powerful header back into the area that won a corner. Arteta's delivery was not so good and play went up the other end for a Liverpool corner that was headed wide. Beckford was being a nuisance and won another free-kick but it was wasted.
Meireles went in high on Arteta and from the free-kick it was the same move to Fellaini that almost paid off for Beckford coming in close on Reina. Osman was getting somewhat ineffective possession but Baines eventually got a run down the wing and his cross won Everton's third corner. Baines delivered it superbly from the other side but no-one could turn it in and that allowed Liverpool to attack and score. Kyut's first shot was saved on the line by Howard, the follow-up shot blocked off Howard's arse and out to Meireles who fired unerringly through Baines and into the Everton net.
Another ferocious Liverpool attack tore through the Everton defence and it looked like a certain second but the Blues in disarray somehow kept the ball out as Everton struggled to settle again. Anichebe was fouled again and this time in a more dangerous position on the left but Arteta's cross was poorly overhit.
Another good move saw Baines cross low and hard but agonizingly too far ahead of Osman, who won a corner. The delivery was bizarre, and allowed Liverpool to break at speed. With loads of set-pieces, hardly any of them had gone close enough to either Beckford or Anichebe, who was playing far too deep.
Liverpool were given another spell of shooting practice that involved more corners and Heitinga getting a push on Torres. The ball broke to Arteta and he scooped it forward to Beckford who was wide but crossed well to Fellaini. However, Anichebe could do nothing with the cushioned header in front of goal and it was soon converted into another chance for Liverpool that Howard had to save.
A horrible ball from the otherwise excellent Fellaini in defence evaded Heitinga and played in Rodriquez who lashed in another free shot, thankfully straight at Howard. Liverpool ended the half having fashioned an incredible number of chances to score; Everton... er... incredibly, despite good midfield play... nothing threatening Reina's goal.
Dalglish took some decisive action at the break, subbing off Agger for that ugly Greek animal Kyrgiakos.
Everton won an early corner and a great delivery from Arteta to the back post saw Distin do a superb impression of Tim Cahill to power his header home off Johnson on the line. An excellent start to the second half!
Anichebe was very strong, out-heading Kelly on a long free kick from Howard to get Osman powering between two reds to get his pass in under tremendous pressure and Beckford did brilliantly, falling over but scooping the ball past Reina to give Everton the lead after just 7 mins of the second half. Reina went in the book for whining about Kelly coming off worst with Anichebe but Everton were ahead and should have gone on to win.
Liverpool looked to respond, Meireles getting another chance to shoot from the Everton right, but again, Howard saved well. Everton put together some excellent possession football again, a great move dominated by Fellaini but his final ball was defended away. At the other end Rodriguez got a weak header in on goal. Anichebe had a shot deflected that Reina was able to save easily. Torres was booked for a needles tackle on Neville.
An incredible decision allowed Liverpool back into the game, a totally unjust penalty for Howard attempting a close range save of a scuffed shot from Kuyt and being being beaten to it by Rodriguez, who touched it back to Kuyt and collapsed in a heap as Kuyt wellied the ball high and wide... No, Howard was deemed to have fouled Rodriguez from behind and Kuyt sent Howard the wrong way from the spot to make it 2-2.
Everton got a free-kick out wide left that Baines swung in superbly but Anichebe facing the wrong way, headed ridiculously away from goal off the head of incoming Fellaini, a golden chance spurned. There was some determined play from both sides, Fellaini going on a great run own the middle but taking too long and being crowded out.
73 mins gone and James Vaughan replaced Jermaine Beckford, an odd decision surely... but 4-3-3 would have been too foolhardy for Moyes. However, he needed to do something to take the momentum away from Liverpool, who continued to pressure the nervy Everton defence. Good play out of defence saw great passing that carried the ball up to the penalty area where Osman could not produce anything from it and he was then subbed by Rodwell. Everton looked to build but Anichebe poorly allowed the ball to role out of play and he was replaced by Bilyaletdinov, the third sub inside 8 mins by Moyes, and any rhythm they had was now gone.
Everton were looking to build but Vaughan was bizarrely playing down the left wing instead of being in the middle where he was sorely needed. Everton were in danger of running out of ideas and looking more tired with mistakes being made as time ticked on and Moyes perhaps settled for the draw.
Bily delivered a super throw that won a corner. Kyut was booked for cutting down Coleman. 90 mins and a long free-kick for that routine with Fellaini but he lost out to Kyrgiakos, as four extra minutes were added. But there was no urgency from Everton on their set pieces which seemed to indicate that David Moyes would be happy with another "incredible, unbelievable" draw at Anfield.
Reader Comments (167)
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2 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:05:34
3 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:06:28
4 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:07:12
If only we had a great goalkeeper instead of a shot stopper.
5 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:07:05
Anyways, I was happy with the performance. We really had a go in the second half. Pity about the equalizer but you cannot see it and NOT call it a pen.
6 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:07:52
7 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:08:04
8 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:12:16
9 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:13:29
10 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:13:52
11 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:14:00
12 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:16:01
13 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:16:18
I thought Torres looked more like his old self today, the way he collapsed on the floor in a heap without anyone going near him was vintage Torres...
14 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:17:55
15 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:13:40
16 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:18:08
17 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:19:24
Would have liked to have seen Gueye come on instead of Billy...
18 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:18:16
Thought Moyes got the starting line up wrong, but big credit for shifting Victor out left at start of second half. We earned both goals by hitting long balls to him in that position.
Not a tactic to employ in most games I'd think, but it worked today.
19 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:17:12
I haven't seen the replay though so maybe there's more to it. But let's take the positives and build from this.
20 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:14:55
Moyes changes his habit of a lifetime and goes from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2, which is what most people called for. This is away from home, against a team we hate losing to.
Having gone 4-4-2, the Ed wants him to go to 4-3-3. If Moyes did go 4-3-3 he'd have wanted 4-2-4. Maybe we should start every game with no defenders?
I like entertainment as much as the next guy, but occassionally I'd like to see us defend properly which, playing 4-4-2 today, we looked like we couldn't do (especially in the first half). 4-3-3 would have been suicide.
This was genuinely an unlucky 2 points dropped. We can't say that about most of the other 10 draws, I agree.
But to imply once again that the manager was to blame for tactical ineptitude is stretching things.
21 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:21:34
22 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:20:13
23 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:23:59
24 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:26:19
I think I'd be getting Arteta to play left mid now Pienaar has gone.
26 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:25:54
27 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:29:48
"having beaten Man City and Spurs in there recent games"
there instead of their
from the BBC
disgusting
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9358275.stm
28 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:33:59
29 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:30:03
Maxi knocks the ball away from Howard, and Maxi is actually going away from Howard, Howard comes out arms stretched and brings him down.
I wonder what you would be saying if it was the other way round, and it wasn't given?
30 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:29:22
31 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:36:33
32 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:29:05
At 2-1 we definitely should have won but we looked more keen to hold the 2-1 rather than push for 3-1...this is the 'small club' mentality that we have.
I think it was a penalty, even if the Red player did 'buy' it, Howard obliged.
I wish we could show more belief and push on. At 3-1 it would have been all over. Under Moyes, the Shite seem to have a sign over us. The only time we handed them their arses was the AJ derby.
33 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:31:30
For me it was a cast-iron penalty and a stupid thing for TH to do. I've never said this before but Bily looked quite good and confident when he came on and his throw is very good. I'm sure that in the right position and with a good run in the side he just may be OK. Distin very good as always otherwise we were pretty average.
34 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:41:21
Looks like we'll get a half decent fee (£3.5m).
35 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:40:35
Nothing down the left-hand side anymore means all the opposition has to do is close down Coleman on the right and we start long-balling it to Fellaini. So we're back where we started, NO WIDTH.
That David Moyes, he's so shrewd in the transfer market isn't he?
36 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:37:05
Where the fuck was Saha?
Why do we revert to a 4-5-1 at the 70 minute mark and play for a draw when we had caputured ALL the momentum and had them on the ropes? 62% possession in the second half and we back off... Jesus wept
37 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:46:59
From bbc.co.uk
Talksport saying he going to Chelsea.
38 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:39:31
Osman looked half fit and left Baines on his own against two for the whole half. Anichebe, I kept thinking he had been substituted he appeared on the ball that rarely, no criticism of Beckford, though he missed a couple of sitters at least he was involved.
Second half, Mr Moyes makes the obvious change, swap Osman and Anichebe and play 5 in midfield, lo and behold, we dominate possession, score two goals and give Liverpool zilch.
Vaughany comes on and closes their back 4 down and the only way they are going to score is a penalty, in my opinion it was a penalty and the 2-2 was a fair result. Why the fuck can me, an ex Ford worker, can see what is going to happen, when a giuy who is paid £65,000/week can't ?
39 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:50:25
40 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:43:59
41 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:59:14
42 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:54:13
Are we now saying that refs should say to the players, you do get brought down, and it is a pen, but because you collapsed for effect, I'm not giving it, and by the way, here's a yellow card.
I remember on here, me pointing out how easily Arteta goes down at the slightest touch, and being told that it doesn't matter how easily he goes down, as long as there is some contact.
43 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:02:48
it didn't look to me like Anichebe dropped back until later in the half when we had the lead. Am I mistaken?
Looked to me like we got the lead and we went defensive. Any comments? Was I not seeing something (very possible, 5 kids running around while I watched...)
44 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:06:41
45 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:54:31
The other issue I saw was that none of the Everton team wanted to take players on and always looked to pass.
Other than that, Vaughan should have replaced Anichebe NOT Beckford.
46 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:02:39
I watched the game in the Rocket on Euston Road with the only Scouse accent being mine... I kicked / headed every ball, took no prisoners; wound up the Norgwegians, Dorset and Cockney Red.,
The Newcastle, Sunderland, Brum, Villa, West Ham fans all did the same. as me for the "penalty": Up in arms ? book the diving bastard! ? absolute mayham whem we realised the daft twat had given a penalty.
47 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:05:29
If we had started with Yakubu and Beckford we would have won. I have a really horrible feeling that something is badly wrong.
48 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:11:24
The penalty was ridiculous ? the referee and Sky were desperate to give it. How dare a non-Sky Big 4 team take the lead?
Football, when decisions like today were given, loses what little credibility it has left.
Everton, I am proud of you. The real result today was
LFC 1 ? EFC 2
49 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:04:20
Is that really a late tackle by Howard? Perhaps... Was there any intent to deny a goalscoring chance? No, Howard was going for the ball, not the man, but he was a fraction quicker. Did it have any effect on the play of the ball or deny Liverpool some advantage in subsequent play? Absolutely not. He was still falling as Kuyt blazzed the ball over.
Imagine a similar situation, but the ball is in the air and the keeper collides with the striker, even if the striker gets the first touch, that is never given as a penalty against the keeper... is it?
If it was truly a foul, then what happened to playing advantage? If they had scored, it would not have been called back.
If the situation was reversed and it was Everton attacking (not just against Liverpool, but against anyone), that would never ever be given as a penalty to Everton ? not in a million years.
50 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:14:30
51 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:11:29
Second half Moyes pushed Vic out wide taking long balls from Jonny which led to 2nd goal and gave us numbers in midfield and RS nowhere near as potent. At half-time a point was miles away.
Stupid foul for second goal cost us a point but a draw was a fair result across the whole game; if you can't see that you must have shit in your eyes.
52 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:10:29
We were lucky not to be 2 or 3 down at h/t. It was a woeful first half. 2nd half we were a lot better. Another goal for Beckford. 4-4-2 for three games has netted 9 goals, a great return.
Just heard on the radio that Pienaar was initially selected but refused to play. This is the type of thing that David Moyes is up against, in addition to having no money and trying his best to get the fee he can (even if he should have sold him last summer but that's another story).
I don't think Anichebe up front is the answer; I'd much rather have kept Yakubu. Coleman had a quiet game. There was little coming down the left and we were missing a player of Pienaar's calibre, which makes his refusal to play for the club that pays his wages even more galling. A draw hurt them more than it hurt us. They were up for today and we spoiled the King Kenny homecoming. No YNWA at the final whistle, which is always a tell-tale sign that EFC have done their job. Just a pity we couldn't make it a victory. Overall I was pleased with that.
53 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:08:40
54 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:13:01
55 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:19:25
56 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:17:30
Would that "penalty" have been given for Everton in the same circumstances?
C'mon - be honest
57 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:16:48
58 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:22:50
59 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:23:44
Doesn't really matter if the guy went down like a hooker grabbing a 20 spot ? it was a penalty.
60 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:12:54
Refs are always going to give pens in those situations - even if Howard hadn't touched him.
61 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:25:36
62 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:26:40
And I don't think we should have made that adjustment. We had them on the ropes the second half without question.
63 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:10:03
I had doubts regarding this, as soon as I heard the line-up, but Mr Moyes did not, so we are the luckiest Everton side I have ever seen in a Derby game, 4-0 should have been the half-time score, minimum, Mr Moyes opened his eyes at half-time and we should have won, going on our 2nd half display, with players in their more aggressive positions. Osman, though he set up Beckfords goal, should not have been in the starting 11.
I cannot believe that Toffeeweb guys have more idea about football than a qualified coach like Mr Moyes, we should have played the 4-5-1 as soon as Saha was declared unfit, Anichebe does not have the commitment to play as one of a two upfront, Vaughan would have been a better option.
64 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:24:00
As for Cahill being away, it is the Asian equivalent of the European Championship so it is hardly meaningless, and it is played in January because most of Asia is too hot in summer, particularly Qatar.
If only someone had told FIFA...
65 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:29:54
66 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:26:35
We don't have a team that can play 4-4-2 our midfield just isnt strong enough.
Bad defending cost us the first goal and an unfortunate crap rule in football that if a goalkeeper is commited and a player touches him and falls over, it's a pen.
Liverpool were always going to be on the stronger foot as they were at home and on a so-called resurgent due to "King Kenny".
Moyes played the most experienced team he could although I would have played Rodwell instead of Osman as I think he offers more.
67 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:22:02
Are you saying, that when he says "Unbelievable draw" he is proven right, because the draw today is 'Unbelievable' ?
If so, I don't understand how this could be classed as an unbelievable draw. They had a team that only contained 2 quality players, Torres and Reina. A midfield of Maxi, Lucas Spearing, hardly a trio of players who you should fear, Johnson at left-back who even the redshite say is shite, a young lad at right-back, 2 slow donkey centre-halves, hardly a team you would consider a draw against 'Unbelievable'.
68 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:20:46
Arteta did not get involved.
Fellaini everywhere.
Stupid penalty to give away.
Big Vic had a good 15 minutes at start of 2nd half other than that he was too sulky and moody.
Osman was too slow, not strong enough and has no pace.
Nothing wrong with Beckford's movement off the ball - I think he'll come good.
Distin was really solid.
A missed opportunity, but after the first half, I'm glad we got something out of game. 4 points off them isn't too bad.
Dirk Kuyt is a horrible twat!!!
King Kenny is a pretender like Bonnie Prince Charlie.
The media still think that they are an important club in the title race!
We'll miss Peanuts.
69 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:35:06
Larry - looked to me like we were still in a 4-4-2 beginning of second half with Anichebe flairing out wide - not a 4-5-1.
But again dude, I had 5 kids running around, a 20 month old with "poop problems", and it was 9 a.m. here kick-off.... I'll go back at watch it later tonight when the little ones are off to Beddy White's party.
70 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:38:15
71 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:04:45
Liverpool were lucky though, it was one of their few attacks in the second half and they looked beaten. Mind you, it wasn't obvious where our goal would come from in the first half.
MotM: Fellaini best playerr on the pitch by a country mile. Well done, Beckford.
Michael ? good to see a bit of good old bias ? if unexpected from somebody as balanced as you!
72 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:34:14
Also I'm not an Osman fan, but he made the goal for Beckford so that alone justifies his selection for me. Arteta needs a kick up the arse, no creativity, still passing sideways, when he does go forward he looks better but he's lost his bottle.
For me Howard gifted them the pen but if it had been the other way, we'd have been screaming for it too.
73 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:43:13
It's swings and roundabouts.
74 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:31:07
Stonewall penalty lads, but the failure to go for the jugular at 2-1 is of more concern. Moyes must grow some balls and go to win games emphatically instead of sitting back. Yes, every so often it will fail but far more often it will kill off teams and build up confidence. They were there for the taking second half but we failed to go for it.
75 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:48:18
76 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:45:45
77 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:44:39
We were outplayed first half by our players failing to close down theirs and allowing them to win all the 50-50's. Second half, no doubt after a bollocking during the break, we stamp our authority on the game and take the lead. We then defend poorly and give away a penalty.
We went to 4-5-1 because we had ran out of ideas and the redshite started to have the upper hand. Rodwell did nothing but I thought Bily was a brath of fresh air... and how long have people wanted Vaughan on the pitch.
Result was fair, Moyes went for it and it was a GOOD draw in the end.
78 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:48:22
We scored both goals from Vic being positioned there.
1) Long ball which led to the corner
2) Long ball that eventually broke into the box
Both were hit towards the Vic v Kelly tussle.
So, ironically, it was whilst playing 4-5-1 that we scored both goals! Numbers don't matter really, it's about how you target the play.
Our problem in the first half was that we sat off when they had the ball deep, and invited pressure whereas they hassled us at every opportunity.
On that note, why does Neville never close down his man? Ever so frustrating, and ultimately led to the first goal.
79 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:55:17
80 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:54:43
81 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:15:12
82 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:47:51
83 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:14:56
84 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:24:02
85 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:15:19
Got it. But did anyone notice the CLEAR change of approach of approach around the 70th minute.
The chaos in my lovely little abode prohibited me from noticing the switch to the 4-5-1. But I didn't notice it b/c we were still going for it. It seemed awfully obvious to me that on or around the 70th minute we started to play VERY defensively, stopped pushing, and played not to lose. That's when I noticed we were 4-5-1 and thought we'd changed formation to protect.
Graham - as you say and trust me you know MUCH more about this than I do - it's not about the numbers. I fully understand playing a 4-5-1 on the road against certain teams. But the RS are not one of those teams. I would have never stopped attacking for the full 90+. They frankly aren't that good and we needed to take the game to them. Whether that's 4-5-1 b/c Saha's out or 4-4-2 with he and Beck up front or whatever. Play the formation that best suits the players you have available - but in this game it should have been attack, attack, attack. And we most definately stopped doing that IMO around that 70 minute mark.
After an absolutely horrible first half we came out with aggression, went for it, had all the momentum and could have driven the knife in the back. What did we do?
We thought to protect despite every sign screaming to not lay off the gas.
That's frustrating.
But given that first half.... I guess the result was fair b/c we were GAWD AWFUL!
86 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:29:09
87 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:33:07
88 Posted 16/01/2011 at 17:55:34
I hope Moyes has the mother of all Rabbits to pull out of the hat or we are mid-table mediocraty once again.
89 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:35:24
90 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:36:49
Our ass got tight at 70 minutes. Sober as a post here.
91 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:38:22
92 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:35:55
93 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:42:43
Yak was lazy and ineffective and Pienaar wanted to leave.
Moyes will bring in a winger on the cheap and we won't miss a beat. We're not fucked at all - we'll be better for it in the end despite seeing some challenges without them this particular match.
94 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:36:04
My worries are:
Where the fuck was Saha?
Why let Yakubu go if you have no replacement? Anichebe is not and never will be Yakubu
If Pienaar is going why not try Gueye in that slot as Osman will never be a winger, how long is DM going to wait, until Pienaar has actually left?
95 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:43:20
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Howard had to go for the ball it was just unfortunate.
96 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:43:34
97 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:47:51
Osman needs to get hurt to force Moyes's hand to HAVE to play Gueye.
Then Gueye will get his chance and most likely we will be asking "Why the fuck didn't he pull the trigger on that one eons ago?"
Sound familiar?
98 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:51:36
99 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:55:37
We are really going to miss Pienaar, and today showed it. Mainly ineffective down the left without him. Osman too narrow, we need to get someone like Jarvis in if we can, someone who is a genuine left-sided player to keep what little balance we have.
Disappointed not to have taken the points but would have been delighted with a draw at half-time when we were by far the worse side.
100 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:03:36
Continuing to take Moyes's 'incredible' quote out of context in order to push Toffeeweb's anti-Moyes rhetoric is getting annoying lads ? give it a rest.
101 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:05:24
102 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:59:21
Arteta continues to disappoint. His corner is basically proof that every squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
103 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:19:56
Another lad on 606 said it was never a penalty, so there are a couple of us who just don't see it. What else could Howard do but go for the ball? You'd all be giving him shit for staying back on the line in that situation.
104 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:23:03
Fellaini my man of the match, Tim Howard was to blame for the second and possibly the first goal as well.
105 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:24:00
Howard should have stayed on his toes on the post.
106 Posted 16/01/2011 at 18:53:58
4-4-2... 1st half we were over run in midfield, it didn't work; they could and probably should, but for Howard have been 2-0 maybe 3-0 up at half time, defence was a shambles... Coleman went awol as a right mid and instead was making defensive clearances.
The 1st goal... how did Baines manage to bend his body out of the way of that?
2nd half... yes... Everton have turned up... the same set of players were first to everything. Did Mr Negative tell them to sit back an try an snatch an Edward Woodward?... Nope... we got into 'em... battered 'em and the 2nd half was entirely ours. We used every single attacking option we had at our disposal and in my opinion, I'm fucking proud of every player on the pitch in the 2nd half. 2-2... fair result... I'd like to think not, but on our 1st half showing yeah, I'll take that...
Summary... Team goes 4-5-1 at home with an effectual striker and bosses the game, unlucky not to lead 2/3-0 as our defence cant cope. Half-time team talk heralds a different Everton... attack, attack etc etc etc... we were the daddies..
Am I happy with a draw? After the 1st half shambles, yes. End of game... yes; we missed Cahill, some of them crosses had his name written all over them.
They are shite. Thank fuck them derbies are over an done with for another season. I will have a heart attack on derby day.
107 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:28:45
108 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:18:37
109 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:29:28
When will the media / world wake-up up to the fact that they are whining, precious pond life?
No doubt they'll come out of the shit smelling of roses.
110 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:08:36
It sounds like there was a fight and a fatality.
Very bad news and was hoping the arrests at the North East derby would be the only derby that kicked off.
Great set up from Ossie and spanking good finish from Becks. If you'd told me we'd get between 5-10 goals from him I would have said "bargain". He looks on course for that now. He has a lot to learn but I thought he did very well and it is looking like Moyes letting the Yak go could be a good decision both in short and long term.
111 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:28:26
2nd half - much better and think we deserved the win.
Fellaini - awesome
Distin - excellent
As far as the pens concerned as soon as it happened I thought "oh fuck, thats a pen" so dont have to think about it really as I wouldve given it in real time. Looking at the replay I do think what a bunch of jammy bastards (again) they are though.
Today was definitely an opportunity lost.
Gutted.
112 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:58:54
As for the game,
penalty, yes.
Could have been two or three at the break and i feared the worse.
Distin and Heitinga excellent with top distribution.
Osman off the pace but great awareness for the 2nd goal, think Bily is worth a go now though.
Victor on the left seemed to settle well with Baines in the 2nd half and deserves praise for this performance.
Beckford has to maintain a run in the side now, great finish for his goal.
Just seen "KING KENNY'S" interview, moan fucking moan, the twat hasn't changed a bit. Never a corner for the 1st, foul by Vic for the 2nd, with this blinkered approach he will continue to do shite. Strong rumour that Moyes celebrated like crazy when we scored, if Sky had managed to take the camera off dogleash for a second we might have known for sure. Good fight back by the boys.
113 Posted 16/01/2011 at 19:56:52
Sure it would have been different with Cahill and Pienaar available but not to be. Sorry guys, a bit embarrassed by anyone who thinks that was not a stonewall penalty.
114 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:13:53
115 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:20:56
Gavin, many comments you make do make sense, to me at least, but you are not putting your reputation on here at risk by agreeing that you want an Everton player to get injured are you?? Please common
116 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:14:28
Bily who linked well with Baines vs Scunthorpe was again overlooked for the feeble Osman who should be played in the centre or be on the bench. Distin must smell lovely because Arteta was holding his hand for 90 minutes again.
Everton FC ? why the fuck do you only turn up for 25 mins a game?! Very, very disappointed although a draw was the best we could have hoped for after the first half.
117 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:25:21
118 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:21:35
I'm not saying he doesn't do a job for us but I've noticed this oddity about him, he gives people space in certain situations. In this case, it cost us a goal.
119 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:27:26
120 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:26:17
I think he used every squad player he had at his disposal today...
121 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:32:12
I don't think any of your points are relevant
Pure and simple definite penalty no ifs buts or maybes
Believe me if that had been Reina bringing down one of our lads not one person on here would even question it
122 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:35:52
Howard didn't cover himself in glory for the first goal either when he should have done a lot better with Kuyt's header. That's a lot of points his errors have cost us this season.
123 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:39:38
For the second, it's never a foul, Kelly just lands akwardly.
124 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:41:06
God no! Don't read into the toungue and cheek comment of injuries force Moyes' hand to try the young ones...
Would never wish injury on any one - opponents, Blues, refs, whatever. Never.
Hope that clears that up. Embarrasing you thought so. Posts don't reflect tone....
125 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:52:03
126 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:49:58
If on the other hand, two players go for a 50-50 ball, and collide in the process... I just don't think that's a penalty. As I've said, and nobody has contracted this, if it was an aerial challenge and the striker had headed the ball to his own player,setting up a chance on goal, and then gone down in a heap after colliding with the keeper, that would not be a penalty. Contact like that happens many times during a game and it is hardly ever called.
I think Rodriquez was already on his way down before there was any contact, which actually makes it a dive.
127 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:51:15
128 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:56:45
harsh mate...where were the defence on the 1st goal?
Howards has had bad days for us this season...today certainly wasn't one of them..
129 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:55:18
1) MOM Fellaini - He was everywhere and most of what he did was good.
2) I thought it was a pen - when I saw it real time I thought oh no what has TH done and seeing replays the same.
3) A decent result - the Shite had more chances in the first half and we were by far the better side in the second
4) Real worry with Peanuts leaving - Bainsey was very quiet and we had no penetration down the left which over the last couple of years has been our strength
130 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:59:37
you see it in almost every game...player makes effort to get the ball with intent only to get the ball...opposing player nicks it away 1st an the player goes through the fella who just got there 1st...queue swan dive if your wearing a red shirt but there is no way in the world anybody can say that they wouldn't want a pen if that happened to their team..
131 Posted 16/01/2011 at 21:01:59
Jagielka invites pressure on to himself and the team, he got found out big time against Spain playing his usual game.
132 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:57:37
133 Posted 16/01/2011 at 21:07:08
Second half was excellent we challenged and chased every ball and pressured the RS.
Anichebe, Osman (At fault for the needless freekick led to the pen), Bily, Vaughan, Neville, Feillani and Heitinga are all shit and need to be put up for sale in this window.
Baines, Beckford, Howard, Distin should be rewarded with new contratcts.
Arteta just walk away you disinterested beaut.
COYB Moyes Out!!!
134 Posted 16/01/2011 at 21:21:07
135 Posted 16/01/2011 at 21:33:58
136 Posted 16/01/2011 at 21:34:49
137 Posted 16/01/2011 at 20:51:46
Gueye did well when he came on last week and Billy should have been in instead of Anichebe.
I said it before that if we get some money for Pienaar then we should make an offer for Matty Etherington.
Anyone see him over the w/end. He played a blinder. I think he would be the perfect replacement for SP.
Thought Distan played well again today always trying at least to play the ball out of defence. MOTM for me though was Fellaini.
Don't know the latest on Pienaar but he better get used to a Chelsea bench if he does go.
Disappointed in the end and knew we had to grab a third if we were going to win. It's a shame Howard went in all guns blazing instead of going for the cover. Oh well we'll never know.
Not sure I'll be able to stand any more derbies. The nerves are shot to fuck.
138 Posted 16/01/2011 at 22:14:50
Michael.Think you're spot on mate.The cheaters are at it again if you watch the ref and the RS cheater. It would seem Dowd knows he has dived but still goes n gives a penalty."Incredible draw"hey."unblvbl.......
139 Posted 16/01/2011 at 22:33:49
140 Posted 16/01/2011 at 22:05:57
I love Baines, but when we defended against Man City no-one turned their body from the ball. Everyone stood straight and took the ball to the body to keep out the shots. Bainsey twisted away from the ball and it cost the goal. Defenders must stand firm and take the hits.
We should have been at least 2 down at half time. Great comeback and fair result. Of course, I would rather we got a jammy deflection winner off the ref, but that was the dream I woke up from this morning.
141 Posted 16/01/2011 at 22:52:36
The first substitution was highlighted my frustration with Moyes... Why did he take off Beckford? He'd scored and while a change was needed for me it seemed to make sense to take off Anichebe who was already beginning to look frustrated. He ended up having to haul off Anichebe ten minutes later because it looked like he was either going to get sent off or have a tearful tantrum. Vaughan's enthusiasm could have scared the RS into mistakes, but as a lone striker he was chasing shadows.
We could have won the game today which is frustrating. We were poor in the first half, but agree Fellaini was brilliant.
142 Posted 16/01/2011 at 23:33:54
143 Posted 16/01/2011 at 23:40:34
144 Posted 16/01/2011 at 23:40:08
Having said that, with the notable exception of Fellaini, who was MotM, where was our midfield today? Some no-shows sadly.
145 Posted 17/01/2011 at 00:02:00
We missed Pienaar today. My concern isn't replacing Pienaar as such. It's more about what effect it will have on Baines, who has become a star with Pienaar ahead of him. Baines was strangely subdued today.
The peanlty? I'd say it was 'technically' there - Howard did initiate the contact after all. However, given the softness of said contact, and the fact that the player & ball were heading away from goal, i thought it was play on. Home team decision, for mine.
Great to see Heitinga get in Torres' face. Frankly, was frightened that Nando was going to tear Distan apart in the first 30 mins, but once Heitinga moved onto him it was a different story. Johnny owned him. Allowed Distin to concentrate on the ball & he improved immeasurably after about 35 mins.
And Jermaine Beckford....EVERTON LEGEND!
146 Posted 17/01/2011 at 00:03:52
Ian #114, I'm not asking for an injury to any player in blue just asking what does it take for Moyes to try something different? Jamie pointed out it tends to be enforced changes through injury such as our run without strikers last season, it wasn't through choice.
147 Posted 17/01/2011 at 00:32:43
I hope to fuck there are some replacements in by our next game same as, knowing us, it'll be last minute dot com as usual, save paying a couple of weeks' wages.
148 Posted 17/01/2011 at 00:18:44
Feared the worst when the team was announced, especially our front two.
I will settle for four points from the scum. They had a bounce with queen Kenny back today.
I am beginning to like the fact they are harping back to their past glories, yeah, keep fucking singing you gang of pricks.
Torres sums the twats up, trying to get Howard sent off after they got their pen. Horrible bunch of moaning sulking bastards who think they are entitled to success.
Thanks Pienaar, fucking the team over before a derby, hope you rot on a sub's bench the rest of your career.
149 Posted 17/01/2011 at 02:01:17
The person to blame is Howard! Complete stupidity to dive in like that. Was never gonna get the ball and there was no need to do it. He was also poor on the first goal.
150 Posted 17/01/2011 at 02:11:27
No it wouldn't have, ergo it shouldn't have been a penalty after he blazed it over the crossbar from 5 feet out.
You either play advantage or you don't, now i know there wasn't much time between the 2 things happening but Kuyt had a golden opportunity to score which he fucked up, the Ref THEN gave a penalty after the fact.
Taken in isolation on it's own it was a penalty, taken in the whole sequence of events with Kuyt's glaring miss then I don't think it was, they still had a perfectly good opportunity to score from the advantage. I know had it been us then every fucker would've been saying.... what a miss by Beckford, what penalty? It was advantage......
151 Posted 17/01/2011 at 04:14:44
Re: the pen, I hate to agree with Michael Kenrick, but as a non biased, non Bitter Blue, no Blue tinted specs wearing Evertonian.......it was NOT a pen. Mini Rodrigues dived, before the incidental contact by Tim Howard, who had realized at the last second he was not going to reach the ball, therefore pulled up at the last possible moment! Their same player (MR) dived for the free kick only moments before the pen incident and even prior to that, what about the blatant handball by Ladyboy Torres, which not only should have resulted in a free kick to us, but also a mandatory 2nd yellow card!
At the end of the game, I was absolutely gutted (yet one more time) that we didn't take all three points, against what I believe to be one of the poorest rs teams for some 40 odd years. I believe in approx: 40 away games against the "Big Three", plus the redshite, we have never won?!?!? At half time, I was fuming, absolutely boiling, with such an inept performance, by so called professional players, wearing the Royal Blue Jersey, however some 6 or 7 minutes later, I was dreaming of our 'double' over the darkside! I was screaming for us to get a third goal, as surely we would need it at some stage, the rest is history, the rs got their lucky break with the pen, we sat back, hence the inevitable draw. If you would have offered me a draw at half time, I probably would have took it, but I've always been a fighter, so I would have refused it, rolled up my sleeves & sang "The Royal Blue Mersey" song, followed by "And if ya know yer History"........then kicked some pinkies ass on the pitch!
Overall, still gutted, snatching a draw from the jaws of victory. Pienaar can fuck off to Spurs, Chelsea, or Inter, although he might wanna call his old mate Joleon at Man Shitty and ask how his football career is going? Apparently, Peanuts has turned down Chelsea (Can't agree personal terms) Me bitter.....never?? COYB!!
152 Posted 17/01/2011 at 11:35:08
153 Posted 17/01/2011 at 11:28:14
After a dreadful first half where we were comprehensively outplayed, we had the most wonderful 20 minutes in the second half and had them rocking.
No arguments with their penalty, sometimes you just have to accept what is a straightforward decision and stop moaning. If Reina had done that on Arteta we'd have been screaming for a spot kick.
Overall, a game of mixed feelings, at half time I was hoping to just keep the score down and pray for a miracle, after 65 minutes I was looking for us to push on and go 3-1 up!
I think on balance a draw was a fair reflection of each sides domination - them 1st half, us 2nd half, but when you turn a game round from 0-1 to 2-1, you have the momentum and need to exploit it to the full.
I think at 2-1 Moyes got a little bit stuck and we let them come at us, instead of doing what had got us ahead.
A home win and away draw against the RS, you'd have taken that at the start of the season!
154 Posted 17/01/2011 at 11:53:42
Have to agree about the first half though we were utter shite.
155 Posted 17/01/2011 at 12:26:48
We looked toothless down the left with Peanuts out, Ossie is just too lightweight and left Baines exposed again and again. We were star struck in the first half, all that King Kenny bullshit must have got to them. Second half much better after a rocket at half time from Moyes.
156 Posted 17/01/2011 at 13:15:59
A little worried about the squad's depth again- without Pienaar and the Yak it looked pretty threadbare. We need to sell Pienaar asap so that we can get reinforcements in, as with 1 or 2 injuries there's not a lot there. Don't think players like Anichebe/Vaughan are realistic long-term solutions.
157 Posted 17/01/2011 at 13:27:16
It's a pity we couldnt get goal number 3 when our tails were up. But hey they were missing their best player but we were missing Cahill, Saha, Pienaar, Jagielka (maybe even throw Yakubu into the equation or his eventual loanee replacement). Tim Cahill would've made the difference today in my opinion.
If we played them 38 times a season we would win 75% of them. On a positive note it's 4 from 6 and bragging rights and also it's pleasing that Beckford is now looking more confident in big games and taking chances. I do hope he gets an extended run of games now.
158 Posted 17/01/2011 at 13:37:31
159 Posted 17/01/2011 at 14:34:52
He had a kick at Distin in the first few minutes which the lino saw, as he told him to calm down. Straight red in the laws of the game.
The same with kicking Neville, should have been a red but he gets away with a yellow. A deliberate hand ball in the build up to their pen, was it given? No because the shithouse Dowd would have had to send Ladybiy off on the day "King" Kenny returns to Sky football.
And it was a pen.
160 Posted 17/01/2011 at 17:06:41
161 Posted 17/01/2011 at 21:13:51
162 Posted 17/01/2011 at 22:22:20
163 Posted 17/01/2011 at 22:26:41
Please tell me the person who wrote the comment above is taking the piss. Anyone who thinks we should put Fellaini up for sale is insane. In my opinion he is at this moment the best player in the league in his position.
164 Posted 17/01/2011 at 22:50:21
In my opinion, that penalty is 50-50. Sometimes it doesn't get given. Any 50-50 in front of the KOP is going the way of the Red Shite.
On the players - most of them did well except Anichebe, Osman and Vaughan.
Vic is shit. No other explanation is needed.
Osman, apart from the assist, which was great I must admit, everything he did in the game was completely terrible, and he is starting to look as bad as Hibbo.
Vaughan needs should have been sold before Yak. He isn't a good striker, and his Hollywood attitude to playing makes him a laughing stock as well as a liability. Bily or Gueye should have been in Osman's spot, but with Peinaar gone, I guess we'll have to get used to seeing Osman week in week out, scuffing everything we try to do. Having said that, I'm happy that Peanuts has finally been let go. To keep him would have been a really stupid move from Moyes.
165 Posted 17/01/2011 at 23:48:41
Antony @160 - Quite right
David @161
- Fella best player on the pitch and at what he does (when played in position) i really think he is THE best
166 Posted 18/01/2011 at 23:05:08
And where was all the EFC side of the Sky preview to the game??? The Sky producer must be a red!!!!!!
Thought we did well considering they were always going to improve on previous games where they showed what they really are all about ? lazy moaning, overpaid rabble with no passion, bottle or grit.
167 Posted 19/01/2011 at 08:29:13
I have to say that, to me, Moyes made his point very well re draws at Anfield. It is quite unbelievable that two teams with such massive differences in players costs and salaries are often even on the football pitch of the more lucrative team. Good point well made in my opinion.
The fact that some of us, as Evertonians, choose to miss our managers point completely is a little disappointing. To then try and make a headline joke out it is a cheap shot and perplexing ? in my opinion. David Moyes is a football manager ? not a language professor or editor. For a foreigner I think his English is pretty good.
My finishing note brings us to the subject matter rather than the title. If you want to hear the best assessment and summary of the game can I suggest, rather ironically, listening to our manager's interview. The official website has it so it is easy to access. His honesty is shown throughout. His points being:
We never really got started in the first half;
Lucky to come in only 1-nil down at half time;
Players showed a great reaction after half time;
We could maybe have gone 3-1 up;
We were the better team in the second half;
We feel a bit disappointed we didn?t take all three points;
Bit disappointed with the penalty ? but it was a penalty;
Referee did OK but wasn?t perfect.
168 Posted 19/01/2011 at 11:59:05
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1 Posted 16/01/2011 at 16:04:46