Blues Draw Old Foe

I have to say that overall I thought Liverpool dominated the second half, but never in a threatening way. I thought on the balance of play that we created as many good chances if not more than Liverpool. Two Cahill headers brought out excellent saves from Reina, Anichebe went close and then Osman had a decent chance as well plus the goal. Liverpool had the Torres breakaway, the Gerrard goal, Reira's close shave as well as the strike that Howard saved. I am extremely happy with the overall workrate but really we gave the ball away too easily to be effective. Great job by Moyes, but when will we see the youngsters really play?

Blues scrape through

Everton did not give a great account of themselves last weekend. With a few more bodies back, including the vital AJ and Anichebe they managed to scrape out a tough win over Derby. That brings back to discussions on how good the Toffees are. Really, are they a top five team? Yes. Has this season worn on them due to lack of squad depth? Yes. The club needs to add a couple quality players for next year including a dominant central midfielder and a couple wingers. Yobo was crazy in that game, just bad decision making all game long and as a club they still need to get faster and get the ball down.

The annoying thing is they do it in spells, usually with Pienaar on the field and the Blues miss him more than I first believed. There has got to be better options. A great finish by Ossie after Fernandes finally showed some class that he did last year. It is hard to break into the Top 4, but even those teams have some off games against lesser known opponents.

Rumours started about Arteta leaving. I don't think he will go, but would understand. Moyes the the club do everything to bow down to him, but he is not getting his look in with the National Team. if you look down the lineup, Xavi, Inesta, Albiol, Fabregas, Joaquin, Alonso and Senna, that is some very talented players in front of him. Could he add something to that kind of team, for sure! But if Everton doesn't play that Spanish style in midfield, it is hard to see how he will be noticed. Here's hoping he gets a look in. Would love to see him in a (Spanish) English shirt.!

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Everton Loss

First game I have not been able to watch in a while. Followed it on soccernet and it read like we got slaughtered and weren't able to do anything. By all accounts Fiorentina is a class team, but we should be able to hang with the mid-range teams. It was unfortunate and while I like the fact moyes went for the away goal, it might have been better earlier to try and swing the game at half or not at all and try for the win at home. I think that second goal is going to bite us in the ass.

Not one to doubt Moyes but if I had a class team I would go at Osman/Hibbert all day. Hibbert is decent against English players who he can body off, but we can't attack down his side at all. Would have loved to seen some invention with Nev at right back or moving Lescott over to stem the tide and starting Baines. Sounds like Howard stood on his head! Anyway, all out attack next week so would expect Hibbo on the bench, Arteta to start and 2 up front.. who knows.. maybe a 4-3-3 would work if we want to start Anichebe or Vaughan as well.. But probably put Nev in the back, midfield of Cars/Ossie/Arteta/ Pienaar/Cahill and Yak up top for the first half and hope for a goal.. Good luck, let's rebound with a 3-0 win over Sunderland..