Fan Report: West Ham 1-2 Everton

On Sunday we saw everything that epitomised Everton Football Club. We saw players battling [Heitinga, Yobo, Distin, Rodwell, even Tony Hibbert had a good game], we saw players scoring [Louis Saha is a genius], we saw players struggling [yes, Dan and Fellaini did struggle; however, Dan did score that goal, and what a great goal, really brilliant.]. When you can control in the box, strike with the right foot, get to the rebound off the keeper and then stroke it home with your left foot, that’s what I call a really good goal; well done Dan. We also saw players fighting for the cause, tackling for their lives, desperate for those three points. How many times did you see little high fives between the defenders; between Heitinga and Rodwell, especially Heitinga, who cajoled, tackled, supplied some sublime passes and worked like a Trojan! 

When I the team was announced I thought; oh no, another defensive display, another let’s go and get a point and be grateful. To be honest, that is how we started. We started in reverse and West Ham, buoyed by their win against Villa, came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt. They attacked us mainly down the flanks, Scott Parker trying to win this game single handedly, as he ran the midfield in the first 20 minutes. After we had weathered the initial onslaught, the game slowed down, we got back into it, and from then till the goal, we matched them; a sublime moment of magic, as a little touch from Tim was bulleted into the bottom corner of Green’s goal by King Louis. Green was startled, I was startled. 

To the end of first half we continued to match them, but we struggled to carve out any more clear cut opportunities, and to be fair to our back four [was it just my imagination or was their a steely determination in their play; they shall not pass comes to mind] as we comfortably held our lead to the half time whistle. Just a word about Wiley seeing that we are at the half time break; SHYTE! 

Anyway, on to the second half, and we continued where we left off, matching them as we seemed to be playing in a more defensive mode, but still comfortable as they seemed to have forgotten that when they caused us all those problems early in the game, all of their play was via the wide areas. Now they were concentrating down the middle, and despite all Parker’s efforts, Distin, Yobo, Heitinga and Rodwell were combining to stop them from playing any killer balls. 

Tony Hibbert was also having a bit of a blinder, as he was stopping Hines raiding down their left, holding him up, not letting him whip those crosses into the box; and I think Tony’s display of confidence was part of the reason that Dan had the impetus to continue attacking down the right. 

Don’t get me wrong, he still has a lot to learn as sometimes he’s passes go astray, he is a bit weak in the tackle and he needs to up his pace a little, but hopefully as he matures, so will his game. However, the goal more than made up for those little mishaps [and he seemed not to be holding onto the ball so much either] and he scored a lovely goal to put us 2-0 and seemingly cruising.

But as is Everton’s want, nothing is easy. Almost from the restart a ball over the top, Junior lobs it over Howard, Hibbo slips as he tries to clear off the line, and they score. The crowd now had woken up and they came at us with all guns blazing; but boy did we defend. Johnny, Rodwell, Distin and Joey were brilliant in those last 20-25 minutes. It seemed an eternity as the clock ticked down, Wiley booking Everton players like he needed to reach a certain number cards for the game to win a Lucky Packet [with sweets in it I’m guessing judging by his  ample physique]. Five minutes said the fourth official, and we held our breath. Barring a couple of half chances, we hung on, and claimed a priceless three points ahead of the international break.

An international break that will see us play United and Liverpool when it comes to an end, but buoyed by the fact that Phil, Peanuts and Leon should be back for our next premier league match, and Jagielka, Arteta and Anichebe are two weeks closer to returning.   

By Hadley Lakay