Digne returns to Finch Farm because of injury

No worries if he has to miss a game or two for us, however. The eminent Mr. Baines is the best deputy anybody could wish for.

Having said that, Baines is a more than adequate candidate to fill in should, as is probable, Digne misses the game against the Hammers. My only reservation is will Leighton, having not played a full game for some time, last the full ninety?

This is and always be the way of it. International football exists and players want to play. it happens all clubs so best if people just pretend he bumped his head getting out of bed if the truth bothers them.

I have no doubt that Baines has shown the same grace in return. Leighton has some form against West Ham at their place; those two stupendous free kicks have lodged in the memory.

Wonderful to have two fine left-backs and two fine men playing for us.

Leighton will do just fine as long as he remains injury-free.

As everyone was starting to celebrate, the ref (they are always good to us :-)) blew his whistle, indicating that Sheeds had taken it too quickly. So he calmly set the ball back on the designated spot, waited for the ref to blow, and put an equally brilliant shot into the opposite corner, leaving the goalie totally flummoxed.

As I recall, it was an FA Cup match (Q-final?) and Sheeds opened the scoring. But it took a late header from Derek Mountfield to square the match at 2:2 for a replay (which we won) but the excitement was all too much for poor Harry Catterick who died of a heart attack at the match, around the final whistle.

P.S. You're not Derek (Knox) Mountfield are you by any chance?

Sheedy then did the same thing again, five minutes later, whereupon Souness punched him in the face.

Kevin Sheedy's twice taken free-kick was indeed at the Park End, my seat in those days was in the Upper Bullens road stand, and I had a perfect view of proceedings. If my memory serves me right the Everton equaliser was the result of two defenders combining, (Pat Van Hauwe) providing the cross for (Derek Mountfield) to fire home. You will also recall that Harry Catterick collapsed and died at the final whistle.

I think that your proposed 'ToffeeWeb' get-together is gaining support, and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't attended the two previous gatherings (an opportunity to put faces to names and to make new friends), I hope to hear from you soon Derek, I find talking much easier than writing.

As for Zouma don't think we will sign him. Reports are that Chavs are refusing to sell any players, whilst their (transfer) ban is in place.

Derek #13 and Chris #14, did you know that was the moment that turned me into an Everton fan?

We got to see few English games in the States back in the '80s -- a weekly league game usually featuring Liverpool, ManUtd, Arsenal or one of the other London clubs, plus a few odd FA Cup matches. I'd been watching for years, hoping to find a club to support while mourning my recently defunct Chicago Sting. And Everton, despite their success in that era, were almost never shown.

But on that day, there they were in the same elegant shade of blue as my beloved Chicago Cubs baseball team. And there was Sheedy in his perfect hair and short shorts, drawing the keeper's handball with that swerving ball and then calmly, insolently delivering two perfect free kicks. It happened only a few days after I had done almost the same thing with two penalty kicks in a tournament game, taking the first one too soon and then blasting the second into the same top corner. And it was obviously fate.

Instantly, Sheeds was my player and Everton was my club.

And 32 years later, thanks to Kev Johnson I got to walk onto the pitch and tuck a penalty into the same Park End goal, same corner as Sheedy's second. One of the greatest moments of my life.

Kevin @15, had not heard that story about Sheedy with Souness, but it doesn't surprise me one bit.

John @16, thanks for your post, and it's great to see you back on TW again, I will give you a call, probably tomorrow.

Slightly digressing, but watching the Turkey v Moldova match, and Cenk Tosun has scored twice, so he has got it in him, but still don't think he is suited to the Prem, or possibly the way we play. It may help boost any future sale, which I have heard could happen in the summer. I do like the lad and his attitude, so wish him all the best should he move on.

Two for Barkley today.

They did reasonably well in the first half, keeping the score down to one against them, and actually matching France with 2 shots on goal. The hopefully anticipated Giant killing was never to be though.