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From My Seat: Leyton Orient

Ken was at Goodison to see the Blues run riot against the League One side

Everton 5 - 0 Leyton Orient

A wet night down Goodison way with great numbers milling about outside with less than 15mins to kick off so it was no surprise when the game was delayed for a quarter of an hour.

Six changes made from the Villa game saw a team that represented experience and promise with Jags, Baines, Neville and Osman the only regular first teamers. New boy Mirallas was given a start and most inside the ground were pleased as the buzz that was audible each time he was on the ball testified.

The Ref. was a Mr East and he got us underway. Within a minute Baines was to quick in taking the ball from an Orient player which meant his boot was late in arriving and left Baines hobbling which he continued to do for a good fifteen mins before finally seeming to run it off. Should be ok for Saturday.

Within a few mins good interplay between Naismith and Mirallas saw the Belgian have a shot blocked. This set the tone and it was all Everton but everything a little to hurried. Gueye hit one over the bar and then put a good cross in for Big Vic to head wide – the Ref. gave a corner- came to nothing. Then Vic hit a strong shot which was aided by the slickness of the turf in the heavy rain and our ex trainee keeper Jones made a good save.

On 15mins the fans got what they came for, a Mirallas goal. In a good build up Neville was fouled but the Ref gave advantage and Naismith played a delightful through ball to Mirallas who rifled a right foot shot into the far corner of the Park end goal.

This sort of settled us down and we became less frenetic and more composed and this paid off on the twenty min. mark when after some near misses by Gueye and Mirallas a good build up down the left saw Naismith played in but he sort of made a mess of it but the ball did break off him and there was Osman to make no mistake much to the delight of those assembled.

Less than ten minutes of Blue dominance passed when more joined up footy found Gueye who controlled well and slid in Mirallas to hammer home for his second. Just six minutes later and Big Vic was on the score sheet when he received the ball in the box and took one touch to control and the next touch was a thump that bulged the net.

Although we pressed at will for the remainder of the half another goal was not forthcoming much to the disappointment of the crowd who were baying for a Mirallas hat trick. Still

H/T and 4-0 up can’t be sniffed at.

At the start of the second half something took place that had never happened under the guidance of Moyes. Three subs at once. A move not favoured by many managers but it showed the confidence the manager had in his players and the chance for him and the fans to run the rule over all the fringe players. Baines, Jags and Osman off with Barkley, Duffy and Garbutt on.

For 15mins the subs had made us disjointed as they settled into the rhythm. Barkley trying hard to impress early tried a long shot that went over the bar when a more measured approach was called for but the lad was trying as we saw when from a good cross from Coleman both Barkley and Mirallas tackled each other. After the quarter hour mark Orient had a shot on goal which deflected off Duffy and missed the post by inches for a corner which caused havoc in our box which culminated in a fine save by Mucha on the line.

Mirallas was now showboating when a more clinical approach was required (I bet the manager noted that) Then after the hour mark the fifth goal came, Naismith linked well with Coleman and the ball was fed to Gueye who powered home for the best goal of the night.

Orient came right back at us when Coleman had left his man and then charged after him but showed him inside onto his strongest foot but his shot was charged down. That sort of sums Coleman up, he had grown into the game and was looking great when going forward but I have to say his defensive game was iffy at best.

Having made the three subs at half time caught up with us with Neville going down holding his thigh, he handed the armband over then came off went back on had the physio have a look then limped off. Was it cramp or a strain? Anyway it was come on the ten men!

Having ten men never showed such was the gulf in class and just before the end we were treated to another joined up move with a comical ending. Naismith put Coleman down the right and he did very well getting past his man and putting a ball back across the box to Mirallas that almost begged him to claim the match ball on his first start. I think he thought he had scored before he swung his boot because he didn’t seem to take the care that he should have and miss-kicked and the ball looped up high and spinning dropped on the top of the net much to his and our disappointment.

Although so one sided right at the end Orient attacked, had a shot and forced a fine save from the vastly underworked Mucha and at the final whistle it was Everton doing the attacking again.

M.O.tM – Mirallas

The attendance as announced at 24,124 saw a an entertaining game that was as easy as the score line suggests but interesting in seeing how some of our fringe and up and coming players fared.

Mirallas showed up well and suggested he may be a very good signing as he settles to the pace and requirements of the Prem. His two goals should send him home happy and eager for more. Gueye took time to settle but came up with the goal of the night as well as promising more to come. Coleman had a great game going forward and got better as the game went on but I have to say looks a bit of a ball watcher defensively sort of a bit naive. Naismith did his cause no harm at all. Barkley showed loads of promise and self confidence but a bit inconsistent and may well profit from a loan spell. Big Vic, Been with us a fair while now but somehow does not seem to have improved in any way

Duffy some good things some poor.

Garbutt Unspectacular but highly effective, not a Baines yet but this lad has a chance and may well save the club a few pounds as Baines cover.

Whilst beating a league 1 side is nothing to get carried away about you can only play what is in front of you and in that respect they did well in fact much better than more illustrious teams put out against the likes of Shrewsbury etc-etc.

The ones we saw tonight may not yet be ready to be first team regulars but certainly I don’t think they would let us down as cover.

WBA Sat and if we have a full and fit squad for the manager to choose from then it could well be a corker with 3 points not out of the question. We often find the Hawthorns a bit of a bogey ground but I am optimistic for the weekend

UP THE BLUES

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