Everton v Chelsea (12/02/05) [R]

[Pigs]

So who's actually looking forward to this game?

Chelsea are overdue a goal against them let alone a defeat. I have a good feeling about this game, but can't see how we've going to score against them. I think it's time we changed from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 though. The 4.5.1 only works when Bent plays in attack as lone striker and acts as two strikers literally running all over the place. Beattie isn't fit enough to do that.

4-5-1
_____________martyn

hibbert__stubbs_____weir___pistone
_____________Yobo
McFadden___Carsley_Cahill____Kilbane

______________Bent

4-4-2

_____________martyn

hibbert__stubbs_____weir___pistone

McFadden___Carsley_Cahill____Kilbane

___________Bent____Beattie


If the Goodison pitch is as crap as it was against Norwich, then Moyes should play Big Dunc upfront. As it would be better playing the ball in the air in those conditions than on the floor. Maybe the pitch could help us.....we win.....and Mourinho moans about the pitch. That would be fckin great :D I'd be happy with a draw and hope the kopites get stuffed at St Andrews.

[sarabella]

Moysie has been starting in a 4-5-1 with Beattie up front and I think he'll stick to that. Martyn looked good today. Everyone else lacked steam.

Hopefully the pitch won't be a problem. Davey threw a fit and they were resurfacing it, I believe. And if Man City can pull out a draw, so can we!

[Pigs]

Oh and to Americans, we've playing them next saturday, not December 2nd. ;)


Moysie has been starting in a 4-5-1 with Beattie up front and I think he'll stick to that. Martyn looked good today. Everyone else lacked steam.


Yeah I think he will stick with Beattie too. Plus it's what any manager would do with a £6 million signing. I feel sorry for Bent though, he's got to be one of the bargains of the season and especially since he scored that last minute goal against Southampton. He's got to give Moyes a selection headache now. I suppose Kilbane would be dropped, McFadden moved over to the left and Bent being put on the right of midfield again.

I got the impression that our players were out of steam too. We never do well when playing two fixtures right next to each other.

[sarabella]

I agree about Bent. Sure, Beattie is good but Marcus has worked his tail off all season and now he's only a sub. Both goals today were fabulous and I'd be having fits trying to choose between Beattie and Bent. I don't understand why Davey doesn't go with a 4-4-2 from the beginning.

You're right about the two fixtures in a row theory. That end of December/first part of January when we had about a dozen games in two weeks was awful.

[Scouse]

Hopefully the pitch won't be a problem. Davey threw a fit and they were resurfacing it, I believe. And if Man City can pull out a draw, so can we!as far as i know, we won't be getting the pitch relaid til after the Man Utd FA Cup match...

i've heard nothing after this report, anyway:
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0100news/tm_objectid=15149092%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=it-s-turf-at-the-top--name_page.html

i have a good feeling about this game... now's the perfect time to play chelsea.

[sarabella]

as far as i know, we won't be getting the pitch relaid til after the Man Utd FA Cup match...

i've heard nothing after this report, anyway:
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0400evertonfc/0100news/tm_objectid=15149092%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=it-s-turf-at-the-top--name_page.html


How can they do that? Just lay claim to some grass. Seems like a load of bull to me. Bastards. :D

[jahmerican]

my money's on everton on this one
chelsea has been struggling in their past couple games and theyre weak and on their knees right now so i say kick em in the balls!
everton is the hardest working team out there and thats what its gonna take to win and they can do it. i would suggest play drunken duncan in this one to piss off and soften up the defense and chelsea will eventually give in at the end for everton to pull another last gasp winner

[PE230]

I think we will beat them!!! They rely on Robben in their midfield as he has chipped in with a fair amount of goals/assists this season. They do have loads of very good players but Davey will have them up for this one especially with it being on Sky.

[Scouse]

http://skysports1.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=254673&CPID=&clid=&channel=Football_Home&channel=Football_Home

have a quick read of that link...an interesting breakdown of how premiership teams fare after midweek internationals.

[Liverpool_SC]

http://skysports1.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=254673&CPID=&clid=&channel=Football_Home&channel=Football_Home

have a quick read of that link...an interesting breakdown of how premiership teams fare after midweek internationals.
That is an interesting table, although it is a pretty small sample size. With SGE's pattern of picking 22 players in friendlies, I am hopeful that neither of our key players (Carragher or Gerrard) who are likely to start will be "spent" by their play in the game.
However, it is always a concern, as evidenced by the number of players that have been withdrawn from the friendly (or other friendlies) by big clubs (Terry, Giggs, Savage, etc).

And we do have lots of players in other sides that are likely to factor (Hyppia, Riise, Finnan, etc).

If I were a Blues fan, I would concede points against Chelsea and be more concerned about putting together more fluency or more improved play after some dodgy outings lately. Your form since the beginning of the year has declined and even with Carsley playing so hard and McFadden going through a bit of a revival - your midfield doesn't seem to be changing games the way it did so routinely during the midst of your best play this season.

Also, Beattie looked okay against Southampton, but I would definitely find a way to get Bent back on the field as a starter. He is the most impressive player you have - especially since he is so good at winning fouls that turn into good chances. Those set pieces are critical against top sides like Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal. And they are definitely your best route to scoring against us in the derby at Anfield, as we have been putrid at defending set pieces this term.

It will be interesting to see which formation Moyes goes with for the majority of the match versus Chelsea. Especially if you go a goal down fairly early in the match.

This obviously is not a must-win or even a must-tie match for your team. But the way that your team plays could very well set the tone for the rest of the run-in. And given that mediocre form over the last 7 - 8 matches, a showing full of confidence and belief (even if the score belies it) is crucial.

[Tony Dellbird]

I really think we can grind out a result against Chelsea, they're missing Robben and Terry so i've heard and they are two players they very much rely on, so hopefully if we put in a good gutsy performance we could come away with 1pt or maybe even 3.

[yasik19]

I really think we can grind out a result against Chelsea, they're missing Robben and Terry so i've heard and they are two players they very much rely on, so hopefully if we put in a good gutsy performance we could come away with 1pt or maybe even 3.

Where did you hear about Terry?

[Scouse]

i dunno either

i wouldn't assume that cos he pulled out of the midweek international that he's injured :)

[yasik19]

i dunno either

i wouldn't assume that cos he pulled out of the midweek international that he's injured :)

Right. :) He hasn't missed many games due to injuryd, but if he is out, you guys can definitely score. If he is playing, good luck. :D Should be a very entertaining game adn hopefully not dirty.

[sarabella]

So I overslept and didn't make it to a TV to watch... I'm listening instead. Apparently, Beattie has picked up a red for headbutting Gallas. I just hope it's not a slaughter.

[352gialloblu]

So I overslept and didn't make it to a TV to watch... I'm listening instead. Apparently, Beattie has picked up a red for headbutting Gallas. I just hope it's not a slaughter.
I don't know how the ref could give a red card for that, especially after only 8 mins. It was bull. Bad luck.

[sarabella]

I guess I'll have to wait and download the highlights to see. We're not playing that horribly, considering we're short one. I guess the goal here is to keep a clean sheet and maybe we can pick up a point that way.

[sarabella]

HT 0-0

Good job defending, no real scoring chances to speak of, but I'm guessing getting on the scoreboard isn't the goal here.

Other than Beattie's mishap, I'd say it was a good half for us.

[Rocket]

I don't know how the ref could give a red card for that, especially after only 8 mins. It was bull.
Using your head as a ram and bashing someone in the head isn't a straight red?

If that doesn't qualify for a red I wonder what you think does.

[Motterman]

I don't know how the ref could give a red card for that, especially after only 8 mins. It was bull. Bad luck.

He headbutted (yes, putting your head down and running forward is a headbutt apparently) that cheating French scumbag Chelski player who went down as if he'd been shot. If he would have turned around and stood up to Beattie (like a MAN would), I don't think Beattie would have gotten sent off, just cautioned.

As far as the match goes, I can't decide who has been the most poor - Mike Riley or Tiago.