The fifth round of the FA Cup is where the dream ended last year for the Toffees, to a lower league side to boot. So when EFC faced off against Blackpool today, I was a bit worried that we might be in for some déjà vu. All of my fears were put to bed however after just 46 seconds, as Roysten Drenthe finished off a beautiful build up with a curling left footer in the back of the net for a lightning quick lead for the boys. And just a few minutes later, Big Denis crushed in the second goal after a scramble in the box to make it 2-0. Even though there were still over 80 minutes left, you just knew the game was over. Everton could, should have had a few more (Fella should have had a hat trick), but they progress comfortably.
The game was bittersweet in one respect for the Toffees though, as it was the final game in Landon Donovan's loan spell. Even though he wasn't able to play due to the flu, he took a farewell lap after the match, and the crowd let him know how much they appreciate his efforts. A couple of stories this week in the London papers were already talking about a third return next year for Donovan, and possibly a permanent one. One can only dream, but St. Landon (as he is referred to by EFC fan/Grantland Podcaster Roger Bennett) isn't the only player on loan making an impact. Between Donovan, Drenthe, Big Denis, and Stephen Pienaar, the Toffees will have a lot of replacing to do if they all depart. For now though, joy and hope remain at Goodison Park in the form of a FA Cup final at Wembley. Into the hat for the quarters!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Chelsea - More Tricks Than Merlin
Had to do some work on a room in the house, so didn't get to finish this one until around 4 in the afternoon. I will say I was unable to avoid the good news as a text came in from Matt (Sunderland fan) about jinxing Everton playing well. I know the Notorious PAG (Newcastle) would have checked first to see if I was recording it. And Durk and I always start match day with the text, "You live today?". Anyways, there was no jinxing the Toffees today, as they controlled and dominated Chelsea at home, using a Pienaar early goal and another later on from The Argentinian to seal the deal, winning 2-0 in one of the best performances of the year. Really no complaints here and a great way to head into the FA Cup Fifth Round next weekend.
I've mentioned it before, but one of the things I really love about Everton is that they always compete, and today was no different. Much of that can be attributed to the man at the helm, the Manager, the Gaffer, David Moyes. Scottish by birth, Moyes is the third longest tenured manager in all of English football, behind only Ferguson and Arsene Wegner, Arsenal manager. Moyes has been at Goodison for almost 10 years, an eternity in Football. In a sport where managers come and go, he is a mainstay. To put it in perspective, Chelsea have had eight different men at the helm in the time Moyes has roamed the EFC sidelines. The thing that makes Moyes great is that he worries so little about himself (again a rarity in the EPL) and will fight for his players all the time. He also is lauded for doing so much with so little, in terms of money to spend on players, as he cobbles together lineup after lineup to challenge the big boys. He won't be at Everton forever though, and he has been rumored to replace legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson upon his retirement. Hopefully he stays at Goodison for a while longer, we need him for cup runs this year and in the future. Up the Toffees and onto the FA Cup Fifth Round...
I've mentioned it before, but one of the things I really love about Everton is that they always compete, and today was no different. Much of that can be attributed to the man at the helm, the Manager, the Gaffer, David Moyes. Scottish by birth, Moyes is the third longest tenured manager in all of English football, behind only Ferguson and Arsene Wegner, Arsenal manager. Moyes has been at Goodison for almost 10 years, an eternity in Football. In a sport where managers come and go, he is a mainstay. To put it in perspective, Chelsea have had eight different men at the helm in the time Moyes has roamed the EFC sidelines. The thing that makes Moyes great is that he worries so little about himself (again a rarity in the EPL) and will fight for his players all the time. He also is lauded for doing so much with so little, in terms of money to spend on players, as he cobbles together lineup after lineup to challenge the big boys. He won't be at Everton forever though, and he has been rumored to replace legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson upon his retirement. Hopefully he stays at Goodison for a while longer, we need him for cup runs this year and in the future. Up the Toffees and onto the FA Cup Fifth Round...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wigan - A Frozen Googly
We are on a great stretch of televised games for Everton, and today saw a perfect chance to keep the momentum going after the MCFC win. Of course we can beat the best team in the league, but can only draw with the worst, as EFC and Wigan fought to a 1-1 result. Wigan's goal came on a deflection off of Phil Neville that had some crazy spin and fooled Tim Howard for an own goal (a Googly is a type of bowl, or pitch, in cricket that has a bunch of spin). Thankfully Big Vic came on and saved us again with a sweet header off a Baines cross for the equalizer. We'll take the point on the road.
The goal that eluded Howard was not necessarily the fields fault, but Wigan has been known to have not the best field, or pitch, in the league. Coupled with some cold, frigid weather, it was no surprise that #frozenpitch was trending throughout England, as many matches were postponed. This happens mainly in the lower leagues, as those clubs don't have the money for undersoil coils, or hearing that basically defrosts the field. It leads to that awkward time when a newly promoted team has to postpone an EPL match against a team that is used to having all the trappings. Just another quirk about life in the EPL. And I love it.
The goal that eluded Howard was not necessarily the fields fault, but Wigan has been known to have not the best field, or pitch, in the league. Coupled with some cold, frigid weather, it was no surprise that #frozenpitch was trending throughout England, as many matches were postponed. This happens mainly in the lower leagues, as those clubs don't have the money for undersoil coils, or hearing that basically defrosts the field. It leads to that awkward time when a newly promoted team has to postpone an EPL match against a team that is used to having all the trappings. Just another quirk about life in the EPL. And I love it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)