Ending An Era In Style

Being the last game at Goodison for some time I was keen to tuck into a couple of beers both pre and post match. I managed to misjudge the bus and was on County Road in the rain early, even taking the time to have a quick walk around the ground before getting to the pub. Even then it was busy with many perhaps wanting to be there early with it being the last home game for a good three months.

The usual rabble soon joined us in the pub and were followed by a few other less regular match-goers Carl and Keith. Naturally all the talk was about David Moyes and what on earth we are now going to do without him. The amount of different names being banded about highlights just how difficult a choice the board have to make. Gus Poyet, Roberto Di Matteo, Roberto Martinez and Alan Stubbs being just a few of the candidates.

The pub got busier and busier though we were able to find a pocket of space as we watched Tottenham go behind to Stoke only to claw it back and then later go on and win. As they trailed 1-0 you dared to dream our slim, slim hopes of Europe may still be alive. Alas, it wasn’t to be this season.

We trudged onto the ground all in confident mood. We felt the crowd and the players would be bang up for this one and we weren’t disappointed. A truly fantastic performance from the players who certainly did their departing manager a performance to remember – as did the crowd for that matter.

Everton were at it from the very start. Tails firmly upright and taking the game to West Ham. It took only five minutes for Everton to go ahead and it was a goal of the highest quality which did it. A quite brilliant passing move was capped off by a smart Kevin Mirallas. The atmosphere just brilliant.

Chants of “David, David, David Moyes” rang out several times, as too did “Who the fuck are Man Utd” and “Manchester is Full of Shit”, the latter two somewhat in jest though also in pride for supporters beloved Blues.

If the atmosphere in the first half was good, then the second was just phenomenal. Scarcely can I remember a game of such moderate importance carry an atmosphere of such volume and intensity. Ste sits behind me and one to the left and when turning round to speak to him we could barely hear each other at times so ferocious was the sound. The most astonishing thing perhaps was that Everton didn’t score more than just the two. Osman should have scored at least one, Pienaar was extremely unlucky not to get on the scoresheet and with more endeavor and effort Victor Anichebe could well have gotten on the end of some useful balls into the box. It was an exceptional performance by the players but an even better one from the crowd who really spurred the team on.

The second goal came when Mirallas drove at goal after cleverly cutting inside, the ball deflecting off Collins and skidding into the corner of the net past Jaaskelainen. The goal basically brought the house down. Fantastic to see David Moyes celebrating as he did also.

It was quite the carnival after that. A bit of a shame that we didn’t win by more than the two as our play certainly merited it but what a performance. What a day.

Of course the fun wasn’t over at full time. The players heading back down the tunnel for a good few minutes before slowly heading back out and forming a guard of honour. First for our captain Phil Neville who walked out in his suit with a beaming smile on his face. His team mates full of applause. Opinions are quite divided on Phil Neville but I believe he’s only ever tried his very best for us and that’s enough for me.

Next up, surprising everyone, was Tim Cahill. He’d been spotted at the match on the big screen a few times but I didn’t expect him to come out onto the pitch to say his farewells. A fantastic player for Everton, a real warrior who always carried the fight to the opposition, and it must have been great for him to have his opportunity to say goodbye having left last pre-season.

Finally, of course, David Moyes took to the pitch. There was a bit of a build up to it and as the camera zoomed in on him before he walked out he appeared to be whipping his eyes. I’ll be honest, I had a bit of a lump in my throat myself. The players all applauded him out. The ground absolutely buzzing.

The squad and their families strolled around the pitch. David Moyes getting to the Gwladys Street and cupping his hands around his ears – not to the sound of his name but to that of “Everton FC, Are By Far The Greatest Team, The World Has Ever Seen”. He looked so proud of what he’s achieved. From relegation scrappers to regular Top 6 over-achievers. I don’t think anyone realistically expected Everton to be where they are now when Moyes took the job on. Just a shame he never brought home a trophy.

So that was that. We went back to the pub for a few drinks before moving off into the City Centre for a few more ales, the night finishing as the day had started – a lot of chat about who on earth will get the job now. We were joined by some hardy drunken soul who somehow befriended us and joined us for a few hours. God knows if he made it back to Runcorn but it was great entertainment.

As for the job – well in my opinion, for what its worth, Alan Stubbs would be the most natural successor to the post. Having shown the fight and bottle to beat cancer, supported the club all his life, captained the club under David Moyes, been signed back by David Moyes and then employed by David Moyes as Reserve Team / U-21 manager for a good few years now, I’d say he must know a fair bit about how Moyes works. It’s worth noting also that the U-21s have just completed a 16 game unbeaten run. I think we have to try and keep Moyes philosophy going as best we can and I think Stubbs would be the perfect man for bringing through some of the talented young lads we have coming through.

That’s just my opinion though and everyone seems to have a different one. Whatever we do from here will be interesting whoever comes in. Lets just hope that whatever the choice, we make the right choice.

Onwards and upwards Blues. Phil Neville, Tim Cahill and David Moyes – thank you for the memories.

Player Ratings:

Howard: Not particularly busy all game but did make a couple of vital saves. 7

Baines: Very good at both ends of the pitch. 7

Distin: Handled Carroll very well. Not a lot got past him. 7

Jagielka: Commanded the back line well. Perfect skpper replacement really. 7

Coleman: Very good. Continues to improve defensively and excellent in attack. 7

Fellaini: Was up for it today and had a great game. I wonder if he’ll still be around next season? 7

Gibson: Did very well. A very good carrier of the ball. I hope his operation goes well and he can have a full season next term. 7

Osman: Perhaps tired after a long season. He missed a few good chances and looked a little leggy. 6

Pienaar: My Man of the Match. He did some sterling work in a more central midfield role, particularly in the second half. Could be useful there next season perhaps. 8

Mirallas: Strangely I don’t think he had his most productive game but he popped up with two great goals. Expect big things from him next season. 7

Anichebe: Whilst he did a lot of selfless running I have to question his desire to get on the end of chances. On umpteen occasions the ball was played into good areas and he just didn’t seem to have that willingness to get into positions where he could score them. It’s definitely our problem position and one which needs rectifying over the summer…unless Jelavic can regain his mojo of course. 5

Jelavic (for Anichebe): Did OK though didn’t really impact on the game. 6

Hibbert (for Osman): Nice to see him get back on the pitch after a frustrating season for him. 6

Oviedo (for Mirallas): Not on long, can’t judge.

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