Everton 1 – 1 Roma
I decided on an early start. That was taken over by problems as, half-way into London, it was was announced that, due to signalling failure, we all had to disembark at Wembley Park. So improvise, and overcome. Jubilee Line to Baker Street. Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus, and then Victoria Line to eventually make it to Euston.
Plenty of Manchester United supporters around. Interestingly only one or two Manchester City supporters. Maybe they had travelled on separate trains? A good mix of different supporters, West Ham, QPR. And me!
I was delayed an hour, but I was still in good time. The platform got announced and then it was a stampede as people were sprinting towards the train. I calmly made my way down. It always surprises me how many people seem to go into panic mode when travelling. It is the same at airports.
I slept most of the way. When I got to Lime Street, I was about to do my usual and head to the Northwestern, but a lot of very well-dressed ladies had descended at Runcorn and it smelled like a perfume shop. So I decided to venture elsewhere. About 100 m to Ma Egerton’s and sat outside enjoying the sun.
Evertonian taxi driver. Bonus; we swapped stories. He got me as close as he could to the Harlech, where I met up with Neil and Bill (and Bill’s hat with all his badges!). We discussed all things Everton and put the world to rights. Drinks are on me next time, gentlemen.
Onto the ground. It is always a special feeling when you walk up the stairs and see that perfect green turf.
On the match, it was a really entertaining and good watch. Roma are a really good side and we’ll need to get used to teams like that when we get back into Europe. They played some really nice joined-up football. We were a bit more direct and trying to counter.
We did try to play but they were relentless in their pressing. There were times when Dominic was crowded out by three players. They hunted in packs. He did very well to beat off that beast of a Number 5 to get his goal. That player was typically Italian and got away with so many shirt pulls and sly pushes, but they are masters of it.
When Seamus went down (and he sat down), we knew he was going off as it didn’t look good. I would have liked to have seen young Dixon brought on, but I’m not the manager and he went for Ashley Young.
Normally, pre-season matches can be tedious affairs but this was entertaining and a good one to watch.
In terms of our players, Jordan Pickford made a great save at one point. Tarkowski was as commanding as ever. Young Jake O’Brien had an early mishap, but he will learn. But my pick of the bunch will go to Calvert-Lewin. He put up a real fight against a relentless Italian defence and got his goal. Tim Iroegbunam looks very promising.
If I was to pick one, I was torn between Tarkowski and Calvert-Lewin, but I’ll go for Dominic.
Respect to the supporters. The executive seats in the Park End and Main Stand were not used, neither was the Top Balcony, but 31,300 for a pre-season friendly, that’s impressive. Well done, Blues and the Roma supporters, who came in numbers.
I stayed until the players left the pitch and credit to some of the Roma players who came over to applaud the Everton supporters.
On to the Arkles. As I left the Gwladys Street, I was going against the flow until I got on Bullens Road. I stopped to talk to some of the Roma supporters and took some photos for them. My sister met me for a lift back with her son (my nephew). He’s the blue sheep in a red family. He was very uncomfortable with all the red scarves!
Back to L24 and up early to travel back from Runcorn. Is there anything around Runcorn station? It didn’t seem like it. I happened to end up sitting adjacent to 4 kopites. I listened for a while without commenting. But then they moved onto Everton and came out with a comment “Who do they think they are with that new stadium”? Talk about a trigger. That was me in and debated with them for an hour.
Anyway, a great day out in the sun, with some great football on display and we gave a good account of ourselves against a very good team.
I’m optimistic for the season ahead. I always am. Keep believing. Hopefully see some of you at Brighton home when the real business starts.