You played your part

"From minute one, right until the end, it was electric. Well done everyone."

Everton 3 - 0 Leeds Utd

My cousin Gerrard, who is a Leeds United supporter, travelled up from Bristol to join me for this one. He arrived pretty pumped and full of optimism too. Why wouldn’t you be I suppose having just watched Everton fail at St James’s Park while they battled bravely to earn a point in midweek?

Gerrard actually headed up on the Friday evening so we were up and raring to go early. My Dad kindly dropped us off at Hamilton Square, where Ell Bretland and myself unwittingly crossed paths, and we jumped off at James Street station to show Gerrard a few of the tourist sites. After a pootle around the Albert Dock we jumped back on the train at Moorfields and arrived at the pub a little after midday.

While having a bit of chit chat with a few of the staff in the pub it didn’t take them (Liverpudlians) to quickly revert to the typical smug mocking of our club. They all gave us no chance in the game. Not that I saw them afterwards but I did have a smirk on my face as I thought about that later on.

The rest of the clan soon arrived and we had a great laugh in the pub, exchanging stories while the beer flowed. Time caught up with us rapidly, and before you knew it we were at about 2:30 pm and debating whether to get one more beer in or not. Regardless, we arrived the other side of the Gwladys Street turnstile quickly enough and up to our seats, Gerrard was up a little bit to our left.

A lot had been made in the week by supporters on social media, most notably the #27Years campaign, about making as much noise as possible to get behind the team on Saturday and to support the players every step of the way. When this sort of thing has happened previously it’s never really got off the ground, however, it was different this time. Everybody in the Gwladys Street was on their feet throughout and singing and cheering on the supporters. From minute one, right until the end. It was electric. Well done everyone. You played your part.

I’m certain we wouldn’t have got that performance without this backing. The players had a determination about them from the get-go, this epitomised by the combination which found Anthony Gordon through on goal within a minute. It’s a shame he didn’t trust his left foot as had he have done so he’d surely have got his shot away, as it was Diego Llorente got back to make a desperate recovery challenge.

It wasn’t long until this early pressure told however and our new loan star Donny van de Beek was at the heart of it. He broke into the penalty area and played a good ball across towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The ball was cut out but Seamus Coleman was alert, determined and most importantly high up the pitch and he headed the ball in from close range under close attention from the defender.

We were further buoyed when Michael Keane doubled our advantage. Richarlison did very well to pressure the defender into conceding a corner kick, and Everton profited when a delicious curling delivery from Anthony Gordon was met well at the back post by Keane. It was smiles all round as we celebrated. This was becoming quite an enjoyable afternoon. Less so for my cousin Gerrard who shook his head as I glared over at him.

While Everton were miles on top and easily the better side throughout, it would be remiss to overlook the two quite brilliant attempts from distance by Rodrigo, both of which crashed back of the crossbar much to everyone’s relief. Had either of them gone in who knows how the game would have panned out.

Half time was busy, First I went to see Gerrard and had a natter about the game. He was very impressed with the atmosphere and noise generated by us Evertonians, though less impressed with his team. After a quick visit to the toilet I went back to see Gerrard for a little longer, then shuffled along to catch Dan, before getting back to my seat just in time for the second half.

We continued on the front foot though Leeds United did wrestle a bit of control of the game and kept possession for a fair period of time, albeit without hurting us with it. Their passing ability deserted them and as the game went on they overhit more and more passes out of play.

This pendulum swung back once we substituted Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Dele Alli and Everton started to see more of the goal. This paid on 78 minutes when Richarlison cut inside onto his left foot from the edge of the penalty area and struck at goal. The ball took a nick off Anthony Gordon on the way though and found the corner of the goal.

I hadn’t realised the goal had been taken off RIcharlison until literally just as I was writing this report. I felt that was harsh as I don’t think this really impacted the goal. That said, it is fair reward for Anthony Gordon who has been ever so good these last few months. A real shinning light in what has been an awful campaign.

Substitute Salomon Rondon almost put some gloss on the scoreline with a good volley at goal following an excellent Dele Alli cross, but it was a bit too close to Illan Meslier and was saved.

A fourth goal would have been nice and not undeserved but obviously at full-time there were no complaints. A clean sheet is priceless for the defence who have been lacking confidence for a considerable period of time, and the feel good factor is palpable amongst supporters and players alike. Fair play to the Leeds United supporters also, who stayed and backed their team throughout in what was a pretty poor effort from the visitors.

A crucial three points brings us a little bit away from the relegation zone and gives us more hope ahead of a tricky trip to St. Mary’s. Following the match we headed into the city centre and caught the rugby in The Excelsior and then had some food and drinks in the Ship and Mitre. It just so happened that I bumped into several people I know in there, some of whom I haven’t seen for the best part of 20 years. Gerrard said “you must be the most connected man in Liverpool, you seem to know everyone”.

But it was just coincidence that so many people I knew were there at once. I really don’t know that many people, and seldom are they all in the same place at once.

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: He really didn’t have a lot to do. 6

Jonjoe Kenny: I think everyone winced a bit when they say that Jonjo was to be up against Raphinha at left-back, but wasn’t he fantastic? The popular opinion has been for a long time now that Jonjo isn’t good enough. My opinion has often been that, no he’s not great, but at the same time isn’t anything like as bad as many make him out to be. I don’t think I remember a performance as good as this from Jonjo however. He was excellent and kept first Raphinha and then Tyler Roberts largely quiet. A great effort from Jonjo, and it will be interesting to see if he retains his spot in the side next weekend once we have a more natural left-back available in Vitalii Mykolenko. If keeps this level of performance up he may also persuade Everton to retain his services for a longer period, as his contract expires this Summer. 8

Michael Keane: It was great to see him chip in with a goal and he will be delighted with his clean sheet. He’s another one that I feel gets more stick than he deserves. Yes, he has poor games from time to time but he never hides and always tries his best. He had a good solid game defensively. 7

Mason Holgate: Was aggressive and committed as ever. A good effort. 7

Seamus Coleman: Well done to Seamus as having to play three games in a week must have taken its toll on his body. But he kept on going throughout and was rewarded with an early goal of course. His first goal in three years, and I suppose there’s a reasonable chance that will be his last goal for Everton. Should Nathan Patterson emerge at right-back next season you would imagine it would be less game time for Seamus, so more goals may be hard to come by for him. 8

Allan: You can never fault Allen’s effort, and he has kept on going to good credit during this turgid campaign. When Carlo left us it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Allan force a move away, but good on him he has stuck at it and he played an important role yesterday in stifling Leeds United. 7

Donny van de Beek: High quality players have a certain panache in the way they operate. A confidence and arrogance in their body language. Though we didn’t see him first hand James Rodrigues had it. Donny does too. He’s a talented player and looks the part. It’s a wonder that Manchester United can’t find a use for him but I guess they have too many players. If he performs like this game in/game out for Everton you’d be amazed if they don’t take notice. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him these next few months. Just a shame that he’s cup-tied. 8

Alex Iwobi: Who saw that performance coming? Certainly not me. Alex is a player who has become increasingly frustrating for me and many others. I feel Everton have given him several opportunities and tried him in different roles though he has never really seized the opportunity and I’d about had enough of his antics. But what an effort that was from him yesterday. His effort was constant, and his dribbling and use of the ball was outstanding. One effort from the edge of the penalty area was almost Ronaldinho-esque. It was great to see and it’s a shame Frank Lampard didn’t substitute him as he would have received a heck of an ovation as he left the field. Well done Alex. That was fantastic. My man of the match. 8

Anthony Gordon: Anthony continues to impress me more and more each week, and he did so again today. Great for him to return a goal and an assist, and his effort and scrapping was top draw throughout. I’m sure Everton’s Academy are very proud of the way they have developed him, and so they should be. 8

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: That’s by far the sharpest he’s looked since returning from injury. He made a real difference to our attack and did a great job of occupying the Leeds United defence. Great to have him back and firing on all cylinders. Lets hope that draws a line under his injury troubles and that he can now kick on. 7

Richarlison: He was a handful and full of effort throughout. With these two up front I feel like we’re in good hands and will win plenty of games between now and the season’s end. 8

Dele Alli (for Dominic Calvert-Lewin): He did okay. I think he needs time and patience but he’ll get there. 6

Anwar El Ghazi (for Anthony Gordon): He got involved and did quite well. Nice to see Frank giving opportunities to as many players as possible. 6

Salomon Rondon (for Richarlison): Also got involved. He was a touch unlucky to see his volley kept out. 6

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