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.
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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.
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.
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 ?
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.
If we had started with Yakubu and Beckford we would have won. I have a really horrible feeling that something is badly wrong.
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.
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.
Doesn't really matter if the guy went down like a hooker grabbing a 20 spot ? it was a penalty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I think he used every squad player he had at his disposal today...
For the second, it's never a foul, Kelly just lands akwardly.
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.
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.
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......
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.
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.
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