Everton 2-0 and counting

What a game. Fractious at times.. Our defence has been resolute and this is the first game I have been really impressed by Neville this year. As mentioned earlier, I actually feel this is an old school game with the tackles going in. These two teams are fully committed. In this second half, Arteta is knocking the ball well, but our full backs have not joined in the play at all. Fellaini and Cahill have been the focal point and doing well holding the ball for Ossie and Pienaar to get in.

How many times does a player need to be praised, week after week, by announcers, until he is not an "unsung hero" anymore? I love Ossie, but they say that every week. He is an important player and I am sure first on Moyes' team sheet week after week.

Jags is down.. not good. Fellaini out for two derbys. I guess we are playing Victor up top. The difference in this half really has been our fullbacks not attacking at will anymore, probably by design.

Everton live!

Everton has started well in the 4-5-1 with Fellaini and Cahill running up front. Some fantastic passing movements reminding the squad of last year. The axis of Pienaar, Arteta, Fellaini and Osman have been running the show in the middle. Fellaini scored on a wonderful buildup with Baines, Arteta, Pienaar and Fellaini for a brilliant offside goal..finally a break. Then Osman flashes one through the box and Cahill was close. Our backline has been exceptional the last five games and has looked commanding so far, even Baines. As usual, doubts about Hibs persist, but today he has been sharp on the ball and not overextending.

Good to see that Barmby back at Goodison and getting booed by the fans. Deserves it as the last man to cross Stanley Park. The good news was he sucked with Liverpool and is ineffective today so far.

28- Fellaini misses a sitter on another buildup with Cahill and Ossie. The game has settled down a bit now and we are running the show. After watching everton play in the Cup winners cup last week, it is amazing the fouls they let go, or didn't card. It was a different time and players had better ability to care for themselves. We are kinda weak compared to them..

Everton trouble?

Here is your player of the season. The more it is examined, it is really up between Lescott and Howard. He only allowed 1-2 cheesy goals this year. Lescott scored 9 this year. Lescott was a beast coming out of the back and Howard kept us in so many games this year. Yak scored, but not always against the Big clubs and in UEFA. Arteta missed a lot of time. If we can secure a draw Thursday, then I would say we are in the clear for 5th place. Portsmouth is trouble though, the Blues need to win out after Chelsea or at least secure 7 points in the last four games for 5th. All hope for overtaking Liverpool is gone as they seem to be peaking in time for Champion's League. Chelsea might be in trouble next week.

Depth of squad killed us with no Ossie or Artie.. Need those players fit and we need more depth. 3-4 players in the transfer window and making sure we are healthy for next season are key.

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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