EVERTON HOME, 1ST DECEMBER.

By Mark Deeks
December 4 2002

EVERTON HOME, 1ST DECEMBER.

WHY? WHY? Why? Why must we go a goal behind first? It's not fun for us to watch, it can't be good for Bobby's heart, and it can't be all that relaxing to be out on the pitch either, constantly chasing a lead.

So I repeat. Why? How many times this season are we destined to go a goal down, only to scrape a 2-1 win? I make that 5 times this season (I think), and to be frank, I've had enough. The flow of points in three point bundles is pleasant, don't get me wrong. But would a comfortable 3-0 or even 2-0 win every now and then be too much to ask?

Everton had one shot that I can remember. They scored. Straight through the middle of the defence with O Brien the guilty party on this occasion. Apart from this, I felt that in the first half, we played some of our best football of the season. Nobby had suddenly rediscovered his form of last season, Dyer was making lung busting runs all over the place, Robert was actually tracking back sometimes, they'd had a centre half deservedly sent off, and Little Craig obviously had a point to prove. There were some great flowing moves and their keeper had made a string of impressive saves (the one handed effort to keep out Dyer's 18 yard drive being the best). And you know what?

We were 0-1 down at half time. Daft game isn't it?

Second half saw us revert to the form of much of this season. Devoid of ideas, movement, an ability to control a ball, and many clear cut chances. The defence looked jittery, and Gary Speed was having his own private competition of worst example of giving the ball away.

Then it happened. I can honestly say, that with 5 minutes left on the clock, there was the most poetic example of justice I think I have ever witnessed at a football ground. The Everton fans had just launched into their second chorus of "Time to go. Time to go. Time to go. Time to go. La da....etc", when out of nothing, Super Al let fly with his 76 mph wonder volley. It was perfect. Within four minutes, and it being blatantly obvious that only one team was going to win this, the Welsh Wizard had somehow squirmed a shot in at the near post and the place erupted. Well actually, the Gallowgate erupted and the the rest of us went mental whilst trying to figure out from a distance how the hell the ball had got into the net.

And what did we sing? "Time to go. Time to go. Time to go. Time to go. La da....etc". It was beautiful. It's moments like that that make it all worthwhile you know.... I know, I read it on the back of a matchbox....

P>S> I was mostly sporting my new coat at the Everton game. Thanks to all the regulars who complimented me on it. Sorry to Dougie for it being a bit bigger than my old one, but we are good mates after all.

P>P>S For those who do not understand the above, please read the Inter Milan home column.

Thankyou