When London Skies are Blue

Fulham 1 – 3 Everton

The title is a loose connection to a song we used to sing and we did so yesterday at half-time:

You’ll never know just how much we love you,
Please don’t ever take our Everton away.

The routine never changes, I was up early and taken for a walk by the Ridgeback. That’s how it rolls these days. Then into the capital and out to Putney Bridge to find the Eight Bells without any navigational difficulties, unlike my recent Crystal Palace escapades and challenges. I missed Neil, but caught up with Mark and Martin, bumping into John Raftery as he was on his way out.

Good pre-match discussion. All things Moyes and what the summer may bring once we get this godforsaken season done and dusted and the new symbolic Cambridge Blue shirt that has been released got a mention. We’ve been through the mill this season yet again. We were broadly in agreement that, despite reservations, the manager has done exactly what he was brought into do. He deserves his chance next season. Let’s hope he gets the backing to improve the squad and have us competing at the right end of the table.

It was a cracking day in West London, with the sun being kind. Sunglasses weather and the Blues in good spirits. We made our way through the park. It may not be as iconic as our new stadium, but Craven Cottage has to be in one of the best locations for a football stadium in the country — on the banks of the River Thames. Once Goodison is no more, it will be one of the last of the traditional stadiums in the top flight as it stands. Maybe Elland Road, Turf Moor and possibly Bramhall Lane from next season. Always a great day out, one of my favourite away trips.

We headed in, still at this point oblivious to the team announcement. Mark and I sat behind the goal, where the Everton supporters were, but in the neutral section, which Fulham still do. It’s really good, with supporters mingling on the shared concourse before the match. I often find that, in the main, leave supporters to it and they will all get on.

As always at the Cottage, there were quite a few Evertonians smattered amongst the home supporters. I was sat next to an Evertonian and his young daughter, with a few Blues behind us and in front of us. She had brought a paper flag with an Everton crest she had drawn herself the night before. She seemed a bit nervous about showing it. I told her to be proud, hold it up and wave it at the players. Her dad, a London Blue, smiled and winked at me. She waved that flag for the entire first half, even after we went 1 – 0 down. She definitely would have been doing so in the second half, but I wasn’t next to them for that as I moved location.

The initial team selection caused a few ripples of alarm, but most were caught up in the atmosphere to be overly concerned. Once the boys came on the pitch, I don’t think we were too bothered who was playing. I must admit, I liked seeing us in blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. Very Everton of old, well the ’60s — if that can be called old. That’s a different debate. You could even throw black socks into that mix.

Mostly a dreadful first half. Possibly as bad as I’ve watched this season — and that is up against some pretty stiff competition. We couldn’t string passes together and gave up possession too easily as if half of the players didn’t care. We were wide open in midfield and being exposed down the flanks. Mykolenko in particular was continuously getting done on the inside by the cut-in from their wide player. But somehow, we go in level at half-time. Tails up and game on.

The atmosphere had been bouncing in the stand, but down in the concourse at half time, it was something special. Young kids bouncing up and down on their dads’ shoulders. I did actually get concerned at one point, as one particular father was getting carried away and I was worried about the young lad, so I intervened to steady the ship!!

As the second half approached, I was looking around and thought I’d chance it and moved into the

Everton section. The Stewards were fine when I explained and they told me to stand at the back. They were actually loving the atmosphere themselves, chatting and joking with the Evertonians. In awe, I would say. I genuinely don’t think they will have seen anything like that this season; I haven’t. Maybe Brighton and Palace were close, but it was genuinely special.

As always, let’s go through the players:

Pickford: Two crucial saves in either half and looked assured. That landing looked awkward. Some say his shoulder, I don’t like the way he landed on his hand and wrist. I hope it doesn’t rule him out. On a light note, our stand-in captain ran to his goal in front of us after the formalities of the handshake and I think he forgot he was on skipper duties as he had to be called back to the centre circle for the photo with the officials and mascots!!

Young: He’s been an important player for us this season. In the absence of Tarkowski, he uses his experience and football brain. He was the one chasing the ref to argue decisions. He was relentless about the potential penalty at the end and wouldn’t let it go.

Mykolenko: I’ve defended him many times, but he was having a poor game. I was bemoaning his performance and then he goes and throws us a lifeline. Okay, he got lucky with the deflection, but he did what you would expect any player to do in that situation. Put the ball goal-bound and anything can happen. He is another who seems popular with the players. Initially, I thought he was at fault for their goal, but having now watched it back, I think you have to give Jiminez credit. He timed his run and leap to perfection, leaving Mykolenko and Branthwaite on the floor. It was almost Tim Cahill-esque in its execution.

Keane: I’ve criticised him as much as anyone over the years, probably more than most, and he’s worried me a lot. But, credit where due, he was great. Defended stoically, planted a classic forceful header that had the net bulging and at the same time, almost put their keeper into the stand behind the goal. His diagonal passes on more than one occasion were unbelievable. Not just hit and hope channel balls, they were pinpoint. He’s actually a good footballer, I just wish he could have concentrated more defensively during the time we’ve watched him. My Man of the Match.

Branthwaite was his usual assured self, but I still think he’s missing Tarkowski. I was concerned when he went down, more so the second time a few minutes after he went down from the initial contact. He got back up on his feet, but I suspect he played on with an injury and just hope it’s not serious. I know it’s only two games, but with our captain out and if O’Brien remains unavailable, we only have Keane as a fit recognised centre-back. This shows the importance of depth in the squad, even in areas where we think we are okay on the surface.

Gana keeps going. He proved again how important he is to us. Clone him. He is an example to younger players. It might not always be glamorous, but he is the engine room.

Garner: He’s played well recently, but had a quiet one today. Nothing to write home about from what I saw.

Harrison: I don’t really like to comment as I generally don’t like to slate players. He just isn’t good enough despite all the effort he puts in. The less said the better. Thank him and move on.

Alcaraz: He had a quiet first half, but it was like he was on his own trying to make things happen with little support. When the changes were made and he played central, he was excellent. His through ball for Beto’s goal was pure vision. He spotted the run and played it early, putting the Fulham defence on the back foot. Get him signed up and surround him with better players or someone else will take him. A real crowd pleaser.

Doucoure: Ambled around like he didn’t care and gave the ball away a lot. But then he goes and does a Doucoure thing and sets up our Ukrainian left back for a crucial goal. An enigma is an understatement.

Beto: Not everyone’s favourite. He might be a clumsy oaf. He may lack footballing ability for the highest level. But you can’t help not like him. The supporters do. Like any striker, play to his strengths and he will get goals. I believe that’s now double figures. An achievement in a misfiring team and considering he didn’t really get a run until January. He timed his run to perfection to welcome Charly’s pass and slot it home. I don’t think there was luck in it and some may question the keeper. No, he got in behind the Fulham defence and took it early to catch Leno out. The best bit was his customary dancing celebration, with which he was joined in by about four other players and some in the crowd!! Let’s hope that catches on like the Manchester City Poznan thing, but I’m not sure many of our knees could withstand the pressure.

The second-half substitutions made the difference, and the manager rightly takes the plaudits for that. Spotting that whatever he had in his initial thoughts wasn’t working, he acted to change it.

McNeil added much needed creativity. I’ve heard many say he lacks pace. Maybe so, but there was a passage of play in the second half where he left the Fulham right back chasing the back of his boots from the halfway line down to their 18 yard box.

Ndiaye was his usual self. Importantly, it allowed Alcaraz the freedom to play central and he excelled in that position.

Iroegbunam didn’t really get enough time to impress.

Calvert-Lewin being brought on in the 90th minute seemed pointless.

The fourth official announced 7 (yes 7) minutes of additional time, so straight away my worry pants kick in. I know I come over as the eternal optimist, but even at 3 -1 after a convincing 2nd half performance, I’m always worried with Everton.

On the VAR decisions, I don’t have so much of an issue with it as long as they get the decision right. I just wish they wouldn’t take so long deliberating it. Surely it’s not hard to take a quick look. Fair credit to the referee for standing his ground on the “penalty” at the end. I was more worried about the scrutiny of Keane’s legitimate goal. Checking for a foul. Ruled out. Checking for offside. You couldn’t make it up. I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but were they trying to find a reason not to allow it?

Back through the park, with Evertonians still singing, and to the Eight Bells to meet Mark and Martin. I had a few issues with the doormen, even though I’d been in there before the match. “Away Supporters Only” said the sign. They accused me of being a Fulham supporter. I asked them if I sounded like a Fulham supporter and a kind Evertonian backed me up. They were okay, let me in to be serenaded with a rendition of Danny Boy by Mark. More debates about Everton, football in general, and even political correctness entered the fray. We shook hands with the doormen who wished us well and look forward to seeing us next season.

Just when I thought everything had worked well transport-wise, the trains came back to haunt me. As we were leaving the ground, it was announced on the big screens that there was no District Line from Putney Bridge. The contingency plan was to walk across the bridge to Putney mainline, which Mark and Martin were doing anyway to get to Clapham Junction and it got me to Waterloo. But the Jubilee Line was suspended. So my day out to one of the closest Premier League grounds to where I live ended up being longer than expected. Everton and trains have plagued me this season. Maybe both will be kinder to me next time out.

An absolutely fantastic away day. And not just the result. I gave Man of the Match to Michael Keane but our supporters never cease to amaze me. We were talking to a lad on the train back to Waterloo. He was only 27, is from Maghull and attends most matches home and away. They put me to shame as do those young kids on their dad’s shoulders rattling off all the songs. I’m biased and Everton is in my heart, but no-one else compares to our supporters. Take a bow, Evertonians. I don’t think there will be any doubt, but create that in and around Goodison and in the city centre next week and we will be on target for 48 points, which in January seemed unthinkable.

It’s going to be an emotional weekend next week. Let’s put the Old Girl to rest in the best possible way, without the occasion getting to the team, which Moyes stressed in his post-match interview. There is still a football match to be won. If the players and supporters match today, they won’t let her down. I’ll be home. It will be near impossible to meet everyone, but we will all be there in spirit, wherever we are in the country or the world.