I Haven't Celebrated a Goal Like That For a While

Gaz, who is usually like clockwork, rolled up a little late and we therefor got to the pub slightly later than usual. Everywhere was rather busy with Everton again a sell out and it was nice to see everyone in the pub pre-kick off. With all the injuries we have everyone was waiting until the team news before any match predictions. Once the team news did come through everyone was pretty optimistic with Mirallas making a surprise return to the team, McCarthy risking further wrath from Roy Keane by playing and Naismith, Barkley and Lukaku all included.

The one grievance I had with the team was in giving Tony Hibbert a game at left back and not playing Luke Garbutt. Getting to the ground me and a gentleman who sits near us were lambasting Martinez for not giving Garbutt an opportunity. I'm a big fan of Hibbert but felt this sent out the wrong message to Garbutt in that even with Baines and Oviedo injured the youngster still can't get a game. In hindsight however given the defensive scrutiny we were subjected to it was a terrific call from Martinez to play Hibbert at left back instead. Tony was resolute throughout and more than justified his selection.

"Looks like it's same old 'Big Sam' tactics today" said Gary as he nodded towards the pitch in the direction of West Ham's giant strikers of Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole with Kevin Nolan in support. He was right. West Ham have earned their plaudits this season for their playing style but they ditched that for a much more direct approach in this game. This, in the second half especially, made for one brilliant spectacle in which taking the points, however which way, was crucial.

There was nothing really in the game in the opening exchanges. Naismith blazed over the crossbar with a good chance whilst West Ham built pressure without really testing Tim Howard. We took the lead almost out of nothing and in fairly fortuitous circumstances. Ross Barkley wriggled into a good position and managed to get his shot away. It was blocked by Winston Reid and the ball ricocheted to Lukaku who controlled well and finished well. Everton 1-0 ahead. As he pealed away in celebration I was waiting for the offside flag to go up but it never did. I've seen it since and it was offside...I guess you always take it when it goes your way.

West Ham were not fazed by the goal and stepped up their game with Jenkinson in particular causing some problems down their right hand side and putting in some excellent balls. Cole and Carroll were causing havoc though we withstood. Tim Howard was having a nightmare in the first half and really needed to calm down. Looking back it was a bit of a miracle we got to the break a goal ahead but we somehow survived.

Thankfully Howard seemed to sort himself out at half time and was much better in the second half. After the break it was West Ham who were doing all the pressing. I think Sam Allardyce surprised Martinez a little bit with his early substitutions in the second half and we couldn't cope with West Ham at that point. The goal we conceded was very unfortunate yes though with the way we were playing at the time we could hardly complain when substitute Zarate's shot looped up off Jagielka, over the stranded Howard and in. 1-1 and back to the drawing board.

Once West Ham scored I felt they looked the team most likely to go on and win but we eventually managed to turn the tide and match them. We regained the lead with a quite excellent goal. Mark Clattenburg, in one of the very few good things he did in the game, played a good advantage when Lukaku was brought down by Collins as he ran at goal. The ball ran through to Eto'o who ran at the West Ham defence with pace and played a delicious ball across for Osman who managed to steer the ball into the net on the slide. I haven't celebrated a goal like that for some time. The match was very tight and very tense and it was a real relief when Leon Osman found the net.

With 17 minutes still on the clock plus what would eventually be five minutes of stoppage time we still had plenty to do and had to withstand some onslaught from West Ham as they launched countless balls into the penalty area. The back line (Distin, Jagielka and Hibbert in particular) had to complete a mountain of work to see the game out. It was scary at times. A real backs to the wall job but we just about got over the line.

Whichever way we got the win, it was an important win. We now sit just two points off fourth. Defeat or even a draw would have left us feeling a long way away. That's seven games unbeaten in all competitions (five in the league) so we are starting to see some progress.

Just a couple of asides to yesterdays win. Mark Clattenburg still demonstrates what a poor referee he is. That first half incident when he booked McCarthy for a non-foul was baffling. It's probably a touch of paranoia but I could have sworn he was desperate for a West Ham equaliser late in the game. He was giving them non-free kicks and everything seemed to be going in the Hammers direction. Luckily we were able to cling on for victory.

Also, how good was the atmosphere at Goodison Park yesterday? Due to the style of West Ham's play the match was scrappy, tackles were flying in and there was quite an intensity to the game. The higher tempo results in a more vociferous crowd and improves the atmosphere as a result. Our playing style, our building from the back across the back line, whichever way you look at the pros and cons of this, is slow, repetitive and, in my opinion, impacts on a quieter atmosphere at Goodison Park. Under David Moyes I felt as the playing style was much more high intensity the atmosphere was generally better. Goodison Park was the best I've heard it yesterday probably since our 3-3 draw with Liverpool last season. Having said that, I hope most of our games aren't as nerve-wracking as yesterdays.

Enjoy Wolfsburg, those that are travelling. Have a great trip!

Player Ratings

Howard: All at sea in the first half and Jagielka had to instruct him to calm down more than once. Thankfully he was better in the second half and claimed some important balls. His lack of competition does remain a problem I think. There's nobody to put any serious pressure on him. 6

Hibbert: It's great to see that after all these years when it comes to a scrap that Hibbert and Osman are two of our better players on the pitch. Tony Hibbert was excellent defensively. OK his attacking prowess was practically non-existent but defensively he had a great game and given the pressure we were under you have to say it was an excellent call from Martinez. It will be interesting to see the team selection on Thursday. 8

Distin: Very good, especially in the second half. He and Jagielka were up against some onslaught but dealt with everything that was thrown at them. A really committed display. 8

Jagielka: See Distin. Excellent defensively against a really tough attack. 8

Coleman: Did fine. Didn't get forward as much as he'd have liked but was fine defensively. 7

McCarthy: It really was Osman's day yesterday and Leon was fantastic so I almost feel guilty giving McCarthy man of the match. He's man of the match almost every week. He's really shinning brightly this season and what a gem of a player we have there. The ground he covers is quite exceptional. 8

Osman: Well done Osman. 400 games for Everton and 55 goals is an outstanding achievement and wasn't it great to see Leon's passion for the club when he celebrated the goal? He was brilliant in the middle and was one of our top performers. Here's to 500 games Leon. Congratulations. 8

Barkley: Disappointing really. He did have his moments but is pretty wasted out on the wing. His dive was pretty embarrassing. With Naismith having that hamstring injury perhaps he'll have a run of games playing just behind Lukaku now. 5

Mirallas: Did quite well but was flagging a bit with tiredness and was rightly subbed on 66 minutes. Great to have him back though. James Tomkins going down holding his face was pathetic. 7

Naismith: Excellent effort by Naismith as ever. Hopefully his injury isn't serious. 7

Lukaku: An honest effort. His goal should do him some good. Hopefully he can kick on now. 6

Eto'o (for Mirallas): Was excellent. Caused them problems and set up the goal. He should have scored also but certainly made a big impact on the game. What a substitute to have. 8

Besic (for Barkley): Thankfully he didn't try any of his fancy stuff and concentrated more on tackling and clearing the ball. He did this to good effect and made a good contribution. 7

Atsu (for Naismith): I worried when he came on but he did quite a disciplined job in the short time he was on the pitch. 6

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