You’ll have to accept my apologies for the lateness in this week’s match report. It’s been a long weekend! It was an early start on Saturday morning with a visit to Weatherspoons for a pint and a sandwich before the train departed New Street at 10:01am. After the five of us entered a train full of Albion fans we started our journey up north with a few cheeky Stellas.
The train arrived at Lime Street Station at nearly 11.45 and we jumped into a taxi to find our apartment for the evening. One of my good mates was employed by Everton at the start of the season as a sports masseur. Ever since the fixtures were released this was a weekend which had been highlighted on t
he calendar.
After we’d booked into the apartment we decided to make our way to Goodison Park. After deciding it was best to find another way than foot to the ground we followed the instructions of a Scouser to jump on a bus which goes “right next to the ground”. Perfect we thought. Except it wasn’t! On the bus went past Anfield, through another set of traffic lights and away from where we expected Goodison might be. Seems the driver thought it was a “laugh” not to mention which stop we needed to get off at! So, after travelling in the wrong direction for 10 minutes we got off the bus and managed to flag down a taxi which took us straight to the ground.
We stopped off for a few cheeky drinks in the Wimslow Hotel before crossing over the road and picking up our complimentary tickets from reception. My mate had managed to get us tickets to the Player’s Lounge and tickets courtesy of Phil Neville, the Everton captain. Thanks Phil!
After warming up with a tea and a couple of sandwiches we decided to make our way to the stands a few minutes before kick off. As ever the travelling supporters were in full voice backing the lads. As the afternoon was to progress, how I wished I was amongst them to celebrate.
As the teams were read out I was surprised to hear that Marek Cech had been picked in front of Nicky Shorey again at left back and Paul Scharner instead of Pablo Ibanez. As it was, both were to have excellent games in their respective positions. Chris Brunt also made a welcome return, as did Graham Dorrans to the starting XI.
Albion lined up with Carson in goal; Cech, Scharner, Tamas and Jara across the back line; Mulumbu, Morrison, Dorrans, Brunt and Thomas in the middle; and Peter Odemwingie as the lone striker.
First half
It was the Toffees who threatened first when Sylvain Distin almost got a toe on Leighton Baines’ cross in the second minute. The signs didn’t look good for Albion as the home side threatened again minutes later when Cech allowed Anichebe inside who drew an excellent flying save from skipper Scott Carson.
From then on however it was Albion who took control of the game. An excellent pass released Jerome Thomas down the left who was joined by Peter Odemwingie against the solitary Phil Jagielka. From Everton’s Main Stand they have great steel posts which run from the roof to the floor. Whether or not Phil Neville realised he was putting three Albion fans directly behind one of these I suppose we’ll never know – although I suspect he did! Anyway, as I was breaking my neck trying to pretend I was an Everton supporter watching intently as the opposition counter attacked, Thomas ‘bought’ a corner of the Everton defender.
Chris Brunt whipped in a trademark corner with his left foot which expertly picked out the forehead of Paul Scharner. The midfielder/defender’s header went like a bullet towards the goal, and although Howard got a palm to the ball, was unable to stop it reaching the top corner. It took every inch of restraint in my body not to jump up and celebrate as we all looked at each other with a wry smile and a wink as the Evertonians reached for their heads.
It was all Albion at this point. The team which had started the season so well suddenly found its feet again. There was an abundance of movement in midfield. Brunt, Morrison and Dorrans played triangles around static Everton bodies with the majestic Youssouf Mulumbu again snapping at ankles and pushing forward where possible. After Brunt had fired a shot minutes earlier just wide, he was to fire Albion into the lead with an unstoppable free kick.
It was Mulumbu who was felled by Tim Cahill after Dorrans had rolled in a pass to the Albion’s very own Kaka. One again one of those bloody posts blocked my view of the actual free kick being taken by Brunt – Albion’s very own David Beckham. However, it was a joy to watch the ball curl over the wall and into the top corner of the net. Tim Howard was left clutching thin air and smacked against the post in the process. The visiting fans bunched up in the corner again filled the stadium with their cheers. Albion were 2-0 and looking dominate as the half came to a close.
As the clock ticked down I turned to my mate and said: “If it stays at 2-0 at half time we’ll get something, no matter what happens in the second half.” Moments later Gabriel Tamas misdirected a header for a corner which resulted in Tim Cahill looping the ball in the Albion net to give Everton a lifeline they didn’t deserve. Sometimes I wish I’d keep my mouth shut.
Half time
After walking through a few of the corporate lounges in the main stand we again made our way to the Player’s Lounge for a warm drink during the break. As we walked through the door there was Phil Neville watching the remaining stages of the first half, although he quickly ran off to the changing room as the referee blew his whistle. He didn’t look a happy chappy, although the three of us were delighted.
After the break
Albion started where they’d left off after the half time whistle. The pace of Peter Odemwingie provided Albion with a threat on the counter attack all afternoon. Following another excellent long ball by Morrison, Odemwingie pulled wide on the right before cutting inside Distin on his left. But his effort with his swinger sailed high and wide into the Everton fans behind the goal.
Only ten minutes into the second half David Moyes had obviously seen enough of his misfiring forward line. On came Jermaine Beckford and Louis Saha for the disappointing Yakubu and Jonny Heitinga with boos ringing in his ears.
The switch seemed to do the trick for the home side with Beckford almost immediately finding the back off the net with Scott Carson and Gabriel Tamas denying him a goal with his first touch. As the defender hooked the ball off the Albion line, Baines and Jara jumped for the high ball with the Everton players and crowd claiming the right back had elbowed his fellow full back. The referee though, only yards away, ruled it a fair challenge as the Everton players then chased Jara to inflict revenge. It was taken when Mikel Arteta stamped on the Albion man which caused players from both teams to clash in front of the dugouts. It was clear to me it was a stamp, but the Scousers seemed mystified when he was shown his marching orders.
Despite having ten men, the sending off energised Everton who looked more likely to score next. Carson again made another excellent save at the feet of Beckford who seemed to have lost confidence in front of goal. Minutes later the home fans were again on the back of their striker. Albion thought they had cleared their lines but a looping ball back in by Hibbert found Beckford again one-on-one with Carson. This time though Carson wasn’t needed as he horribly sliced his volley miles over the crossbar when only five yards out.
Albion were on the ropes but found their feet again when Somen Tchoyi chested down Steven Reid’s excellent cross-field pass. The winger jinked inside on to his right foot and curled a sublime shot past Tim Howard into the top corner. The visiting fans again jumped for the sky as the three of us gripped each other’s legs to stop us boinging with the travelling hoards.
The game was over as a spectacle as this stage with the Everton fans deciding to head off into the dark night after Beckford again missed a gilt-edge chance in front of goal. He was again made to pay for his miss as Tchoyi found Morrison on the edge of the area. The midfielder played a one-two with the on rushing Youssouf Mulumbu who then chipped the ball over Howard to make it 4-1 to the Baggies. A fantastic goal to end a fantastic game.
There was to be one more action of note as Mulumbu was shown h
is marching orders for a ridiculous yellow card issued by the referee. Albion have been on the end of a few ‘evening up’ decisions the officials usually make. Away at West Ham we were punished with a penalty given away by Gabby Tamas when usually they go unpunished. Unfortunately Albion will be without the excellent Mulumbu now as a result.
On reflection
I don’t know what Roberto Di Matteo said before the game but it bloody worked. Albion, who had looked tired and clueless in the recent defeats to Manchester City and Stoke, looked energised and slick going forward. Scott Carson, Marek Cech, Youssouf Mulumbu and Chris Brunt stood out. Graham Dorrans and James Morrison were also very good. I think that Dorrans was swapped as a tactical decision, and it was no reflection of his performance.
After the game
We again made our way to the Player’s Lounge where all of the WAGs had now gathered. As we waited for our mate to get changed and reveal the ear-bashing the Everton players had after the full time whistle, in walked Jagielka, Yakubu, Baines, Rodwell and Arteta. At this point I was hoping the Albion players would walk in, but they made their way home straight onto the coach.
Needless to say afte
r the game we celebrated in style in Liverpool. The following day we continued with our celebrations up the German Market in town. As we sampled the cold German lager and sausages in walked Marek Cech with his WAG! A smile and a handshake was the perfect end to a memorable away-day weekend.
PROUD TO BE A BAGGIE