Well we all made our way to the ground and, with a full house roaring the entry of the gladiators to the tune of Z-Cars, we were determined to be of as much assistance as possible. There was a period of applause for those connected with the club who had passed on in 2012. The Park End held up cards which covered the whole end in a sea of Blue with white cards spelling out EFC, I had not seen that done before at our place and it was quite a sight.
The players responded from the off with a supercharged start that saw Pienaar spotting Jags galloping outside him down the right wing and feeding a delicious pass into his path. Jags put in a cross from near the byline which found the head of Big Vic who headed on goal and hit the far post and came back into play and Pienaar who had fed Jags on the right was in the middle in a trice to fire home the ball. Fantastic noise and celebration as the pitch announcer boomed out that the goal was scored by Pienaar which made the ‘Golden Goal’ time was one minute and three seconds.
That made it a hell of a long time to hold on so the players abandoned that idea and for 30 mins we played a very high tempo with some great joined-up pass-and-move. It seemed clear that we would not keep that pace up all game so it was important that we capitalised while we were so much on top. Unfortunately we only ‘nearly’ did. Pienaar was fouled near the edge of the box for a free kick that Jelavic took and hit a post with Cech stranded. The fans were lapping it up and were taunting the Chelsea manager and his striker with renditions of ‘Fat Spanish Waiter’ and ‘Ladyboy’.
More good play saw Jags involved with Pienaar and others and it all ended with a smart shot from Osman which required a good save from Cech. Jelavic was put in down the left, he cut in and fired across Cech but as it headed to the far corner the keepers fingertip diverted it for a corner to loud ‘Ooohs’ from around the ground.
It took Chelsea some 20mins to have a shot and that was poor as it soared high and wide. We continued to press with Osman and Baines linking stuff up in the middle of the park and were joined by convincing Jags who looked a class right back getting up and down and always showing for a pass. From one of these moves, Pienaar wrong footed the Chelsea rearguard and fed Osman who hit a good shot but at Cech.
With 15 mins left to the break Chelsea started a purple patch for themselves orchestrated by Mata. We were looking that bit more edgy as we repelled advances but, with 5 mins to go, Chelsea got a corner. The cross was smuggled away but attempts at hoofing clear seemed to either be weak or hitting our own men, the result being Distin getting possession where he didn’t want it and Torres took it and fed Ramirez who crossed and Lampard headed home. The huge sigh was accompanied by footsteps of fans heading for the half-time pint. They missed a glancing header by Big Vic from a Baines cross almost crept in.
1 - 1 at half time and it could easily have been 3 - 1 to us.
Second half and Chelsea had replaced their goalkeeper Cech with deputy Turnbull and as things turned out we barely tested him throughout the second half.
The half consisted of both teams attacking in turns and, in terms of decent football, the paupers were matching the rich which in turn led to a tense and absorbing second half that seemed to just fly along. The crowd were roaring on the Blues as we threatened at times to cut open the Chelsea rearguard but always agonisingly being thwarted at the death.
Loud jeers and boo’s greeted Luiz as his boot ripped the shirt of Baines. The free kick came to nought. We were doing well in triangles down the left but whoever got the final pass failed to deliver a decent cross. I wondered if this was just fatigue after so many matches in a short space of time with no chance of freshening the team up due to our player availability – and to think we need to go again on Wednesday is alarming.
Chelsea did their own attacking with Mata the main cog and we saw Howard manage to get in the way of a Torres shot as he was through one on one. Torres got through again but was offside and then almost immediately Jelavic once again went too early after some fine build-up.
Everton’s inability to make moves pay off in the box saw Pienaar get frustrated and he made a series of silly fouls until he was finally booked by ref Howard Webb.
Into the last 15 mins and again we had chances to wrap it up but poor finishing and rank bad luck would thwart us. Osman had his side-footed effort just tipped away by the keeper, I really wish he would just put his laces through the ball more, and then from a Baines cross Jelavic sent a header goalwards and hit the bar.
Chelsea attacked again and, from a desperate melee which no Everton player could clear decisively, Lampard was Johnny on the spot again and bundled the ball home. It was so disappointing after the chances that didn’t go our way.
In the space of 8 mins Barkley, Oviedo and Vellios had replaced Hitzlsperger, Naismith and Pienaar. None could get to the pace of the game but Oviedo put in one great fast cross that no one attacked, Vellios did a superb crossfield pass to allow Jags to have one last foray foreword Then Barkley dwelled on the ball, had it taken from him and Chelsea almost profited.
Final whistle and with our home unbeaten run gone we left to praise a very good team effort and bemoan our inability to take chances.
MotM – Osman
Overall, I thought we did well and the players available put in a great shift but it is quite obvious we will need players back sooner rather than later if we are indeed going to vie for a European slot. It will be interesting to see if the club can do any business in the window.
Happy New Year to you all.
UP THE BLUES
Reader Comments (28)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 31/12/2012 at 09:30:26
Of course what yesterday did show is why BK is killing us. We are down the bones and simply don't have a squad big enough when it comes to competing over this period. The scum across the park have already done £12m pounds worth of business and will certainly add more. What will we do? Wait until the last minute before bringing Tim Cahill back.
We really could push on for limited investment. I suppose I can rest assured that BK is working 24/7 to secure some extra funds for Moyes!
3 Posted 31/12/2012 at 10:05:17
A story of same old.........!!!
Wasted chances cost us points. IMO we miss Mirallas more than Fellaini.
A strong man in midfield to interchange with Gibson is a must as G can not cope with an entire season.
It is time to spank the geordies for the points owed to us from our last meeting.
Let us start the new year with resolute purpose.
COYB
4 Posted 31/12/2012 at 10:19:02
5 Posted 31/12/2012 at 12:47:59
I understand the inability to take chances and lack of clinical finishing however as I posted on the forum yesterday, I think yesterday differed to earlier matches in the season. We were just downright unlucky and only the post, crossbar and Cech kep us out rather than poor finishing (in the main).
6 Posted 31/12/2012 at 10:28:14
I do not think it was a case of same old 'missed chances' as Jele was unlucky hitting the woodwork twice - and their keeper making 3 very good saves. There wasn't any of the scuffed bibblers to the keeper or the high wide and (un)handsome blasts recently witnessed. It wasn't our day.
With such a weakened side it was a good performance in the first half, but we just fell away in the second half - just too many of our important players missing from midfield.
7 Posted 31/12/2012 at 13:03:09
We got beat. Our defence, as always this season, was a farce for both goals. All the opposing teams need to do to us is lump the ball into the box and let the keystone kops do their best comedy routine.
Hopefully we won't have a backlash game against the Skunks and then let Jelavic have a day off against Cheltenham and possibly give Vellios some game time. I was impressed with his ball control and vision yesterday.
Vic won quite a number of headers as did Naismith, who seems to have springs in his knees....maybe he had the same operation as Larry Bird on them.
8 Posted 31/12/2012 at 13:33:39
We played the champions of Europe with 4 or 5 first team players out and gave them a great game.
It doesn't mean we are happy with the result, just pleased our players put in a shift.
I agree with Naismith though. He's 5 10 but wins nearly every header. I think his last 2 appearances have been his best. Hopefully he will continue to improve.
9 Posted 31/12/2012 at 13:50:25
I am sorry you consider some of us "loons" but I for one was extremely proud of the lads yesterday.
With a scratch squad we were really unlucky not to beat a "billionares" assembled squad.
I am not happy that we cannot be competing for the title as a club but that should not detract from yesterday's performance.
Yes, the defending for both Chelsea's goals should have been better but you could say that for most of the Premier League this season.
If our chances had gone in instead of hitting the woodwork, you would be raving about them instead of calling others "loons" for appreciating the performance put in by the lads.
10 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:05:06
11 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:12:49
Yes, I fully appreciate that we put up a good fight and without some comical defending probably would have won.
In the end, it was a game of football and we got beat, what's to be proud about that?
12 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:17:23
Well, screw that, we should be pissed off that we had no luck with our shooting and that Jelavic couldn't get his feet sorted out in the last minute to get a point......but proud!, Nope that wasn't a feeling I had after yesterday's game.
13 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:24:05
14 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:24:28
15 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:29:35
16 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:26:30
On reflection though, is it not okay to be pleased with our performance, even if we're not happy with the result?
17 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:24:47
18 Posted 31/12/2012 at 14:50:41
Gibson out for a month? What's going on there? Anyone know if Pienaar is a doubt for Wednesday as suggested on Sky?
19 Posted 31/12/2012 at 15:07:38
Every fan moans about every goal conceded and no doubt Chelsea's fans will say the same for our goal. Generally we played very well against a big money European Champions side and we had a shadow team out with a weak bench. Get all our top guys fit and we will be a match for anyone.
I miss Mirallas more than Fellaini as he provides a lot from the right side in front of Coleman. I'm afraid that we don't have the depth to sustain a challenge without financial support. Now Gibson (our talisman) is out for yet another month at least. These are the players we need to break into the top four.
Personally I thought we deserved at least a draw and I could not fault the team spirit and effort. We were playing a full strength Chelsea with a classy bench in reserve. Be positive FFS!!!
20 Posted 31/12/2012 at 16:30:30
There can always be pride on battle, that's what we showed against Chelsea and what most fans on here saw as well.
21 Posted 31/12/2012 at 17:51:16
22 Posted 31/12/2012 at 21:24:58
23 Posted 01/01/2013 at 00:55:46
We lost the fucking game cause both our center backs were fucking inept.
FUCK THEM!!!!
24 Posted 01/01/2013 at 00:56:22
Also, with Jelly hitting the post twice, he's close to his former self and will start scoring again.
We need a Right Back cause Heitingga is not cutting the mustard anymore. He's geting old and the game is moving faster than his ass now.
For my money, putting Duffy in place of Heitingga makes no damn difference anymore. So, go ahead and use the tall Irishman instead of the failure shorty Dutchman
Heittinga should go back to Amsterdam where he can eat Fries and Mayo everyday of the week.
25 Posted 01/01/2013 at 09:24:20
I thought Heitinga could have kept closer to Lampard for the first goal. After he notched the second, I was wondering how valuable it would be to have someone like him for Everton - a midfielder who gets goals.
Huge, huge credit to Baines for not kicking up a fuss after the terrible challenge from I thought Cahill? Wouldn't have expected that from any other team.
Have been holding out judgement on Naismith until now, but after today I'm pretty sure he's not Premier League quality. Good enough for the bench that's as far as I'd give him...
Distin is just great.
Jelavic really looks frustrated and is just trying too hard if there's such a thing. Contrast that with when he first came - cool as a cucumber. Seems to be playing under too much pressure?
Osman does have a weak shot... and it sounds crazy but his height is a liability to be in midfield for his league! Counted numerous times where he tried to bring down a high ball with his chest and that half second waiting for the ball to drop allowed an opposition player to close him down effectively. He'd be good if we were playing on the deck ALL the time, but that's not our style.
Also never realized how vocal Pienaar was! Seemed to be the only directing our attacking play by pointing out where to run where to pass etc. to others.
I think we've missed the boat for top 4. Can't believe how our direct competition for top 4 have been banging in goals for fun (8-0, 7-3 etc). Points on the board won't be enough as our GD is just too inferior...
26 Posted 01/01/2013 at 13:45:05
"I thought Heitinga could have kept closer to Lampard for the first goal." When I watched it I saw JH marking Ivanovic, who is a constant danger in the box. I saw Naismith tracking into the 18 yard box along side of Lampard and then the cross came in, over Ivanovic who was very closely marked by JH and sweetly onto the unmarked Lampard, while Naismith had stopped his run. If, he had followed into the danger area, then Lampard would not have had a free header and scored.
Just how that is the fault of the centre backs is beyond my awareness of football. You clearly, like lots of others have some amazing concept that I know nothing about. Please share with me how you see this as JH's error. I am absolutely facinated by this as it might help me to enjoy the game more. This miraculous development in how centre halves can be omnipresent has evaded me all my life. I need to know, so please tell me!!!!
27 Posted 01/01/2013 at 21:46:09
28 Posted 02/01/2013 at 03:22:46
Lighten up a bit OK. To suggest I had some "amazing concept" regarding defenders is reading a wee bit too much into what I wrote.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
1 Posted 31/12/2012 at 08:46:40