Goodison Park. You just can’t beat it.

Savouring that win in the Gwladys Street was something else. You just can’t beat the Old Lady when she's anything like that. We’re going to miss this special place.

Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea

With Dan and particularly his son Alfie wanting to experience the planned players welcome on Goodison Road, we were on our way pretty early, Dan parking up at about 11:30 am.

We arrived up by the Holy Trinity statue a little after that and it was incredibly busy, lively and atmospheric even then. Smoke from blue flares filled the air as Evertonians sung for our team. And this was long before the first team coach was due to arrive. Goodness knows what the atmosphere was like later on. Gaz, Ste and I didn’t stick around to find out, but great work those that did, it really made a difference and gave the team a heck of a boost. Instead, we tried to go for a pint at The Spellow, which was not yet open, and so went to the Harlech Castle instead, which kept us refreshed for a couple of hours or so up until kick-off. Time was going slow.

The team news arrived. Yerry Mina replaced Michael Keane, and Fabian Delph returned in place of Allan. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies both made welcome returns to the substitutes bench. The atmosphere was electric from the start and right throughout the game. Gary had also stayed on Goodison Road to see the coach come in with the players and was able to back up what a special occasion we had missed. “I almost welled up” he said. “We’ve the best supporters in the world”.

At kick-off, Everton began right at full throttle and within the first 10 seconds or so had forced a well-positioned free-kick, which Anthony Gordon subsequently hit high into the Park End. Regardless, it was the start the supporters demanded, getting on the front foot and making life difficult for Chelsea.

Though played at a frenetic tempo, there wasn’t much more by way of opportunities in the first half. Anthony Gordon had wriggled into space and drove an effort wide of the post, though neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the first half otherwise. There were a few instances where Chelsea threatened, but our defenders and midfield were resolute and workmanlike and repelled Chelsea’s attempts.

We grabbed a quick beer at the break and were back upstairs in time for the second half, which was just as well because, within a minute of the restart, Everton were ahead. Brilliant aggressive pressing from Richarlison forced the error from Cesar Azpilicueta. The ball fell to Demarai Gray who put it back first time into the path of Richarlison who took it early and buried past Edouard Mendy.

In my many years attending Goodison Park, few goals have been greeted with the roar that followed. It was an incredible moment and, amongst it all while celebrating, I somehow didn’t even notice Richarlison picking up the flare and launching it off the pitch and away from the crowd.

Chelsea were completely rattled at this point and were all at sea. Unfortunately Everton’s efforts to capitalise were not rewarded when Vitalii Mykolenko thrashed the wrong side of the post with a great opportunity. “That was the game” I, prematurely, said to Ste. As, yes a two-goal advantage would have been very welcome, Chelsea are too good a team to not retaliate.

Retaliate they soon did once they got their house in order again. Firstly, we got a bit of luck when Mason Mount hit a good effort at goal which was out of Jordan Pickford’s reach. Thankfully the ball came back off the inside of the post and squirmed across the goal line before hitting the other post and arriving invitingly for Cesar Azpilicueta, who looked for all the world that he was going to level the scores for Chelsea. The crowd drew collective breath as he fired it back at goal, but nobody could have expected Jordan Pickford to get up, get back, fling himself to his left behind the goal line and push the ball out. It was an incredible save, as good as it gets.

And then from the resultant corner, with Everton switched off somewhat, Antonio Rudiger fired at goal from close range, but Jordan was across to save brilliantly again, this time with his face. It was a little bit reminiscent of Neville Southall, and I think I enjoyed that one more than the previous. He stayed down for some treatment for a minute or so before getting up as Everton had to deal with another corner kick which they were this time able to clear.

It was a ferocious battle in the second half and Everton scrapped for everything and got over the line. We could have breathed easier had Gray not have blazed over the crossbar late in the game though he was well pressured by Antonio Rudiger. At the other end, Jordan had to make two further saves, one from distance from Ruben Loftus-Cheek; the other much closer from substitute Mateo Kovacic. You felt that Jordan simply wasn’t to be denied in this one.

And nor were Everton. As Chelsea’s pressure grew, the time ticked by even slower and slower, and the 7 minutes of stoppage time were just unbearable. You couldn’t hear anything but whistles from the crowd, and eventually Kevin Friend obliged and joined in the whistles to end the game.

Savouring that win in the Gwladys Street was something else. The players lapped it up as we all sung and clapped and cheered, and then, just when you thought you’d missed him, Frank Lampard appeared shaking his fists shouting “Come on” towards us. It’s an amazing feeling and I don’t think you can ever get too old for it.

You just can’t beat Goodison Park when it's anything like that. We’re going to miss this special place.

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: My Man of the Match simply because goalkeeping performances don’t really get any better than that. Those key saves were simply sensational and we may not have won without them. 10

Vitalii Mykolenko: He’s a really good left-back, he just wasn’t yet ready to play when he first arrived, probably for a few reasons. Now that he has had a settled run in the team, he is really looking the part and not a lot gets past him. It's a shame he didn’t score that good opportunity but I guess you can’t have it all. 7

Mason Holgate: Had a very good and solid game at the back. Nice to see he and Michael Keane celebrating together at the end, especially given Michael had been dropped for this game. 7

Yerry Mina: He certainly makes an important difference to us defensively, and it will be an enormous help if he can remain fit for most of the rest of the season. 7

Seamus Coleman: Seamus was up for this and fought tooth-and-nail for the team. 7

Fabian Delph: Scrapped away in there and was a vital part of the midfield before he was substituted for the fresher and unbooked Allan on 71 minutes. 7

Abdoulaye Doucouré: It's great to see Abdoulaye back to his old self as he’s dipped in form over the last month or so. His performances in the last two games have been much more like it. Let’s hope he can keep this up. He was everywhere and never stopped running. 8

Anthony Gordon: Worked relentlessly as he always does and on another day might have got a goal or two. 7

Alex Iwobi: 100% effort from Alex, you can’t fault his work-rate currently. He’s really giving everything for the team, no matter which position he is asked to play. 7

Demarai Gray: Also gave everything and it was nice to see him rack up an assist for our goal. A great effort throughout. 7

Richarlison: He worked tirelessly throughout in what was a courageous effort. His work rate probably rubs off on the rest of the team too, and certainly helps get the supporters on side. He took his goal well and ran himself into the ground for the cause. Outstanding. 9

Allan (for Fabian Delph): He adapted into the game very well and did a good job. 7

Salomon Rondon (for Richarlison): Also got straight into the game and impressed in his 17 minutes. 7

Dele Alli (for Demarai Gray): Not on long but did okay in the short time he had. 6

Follow @PaulTraill

Reader Comments (18)

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

About these ads

---