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Everton 1 Zenit St Petersburg 0
- By Tom Carr
Today our members came from the
South Coast and the East Midlands to
see the Toffees qualify in top spot
to proceed to the knock out stages.
I travelled from my home town Boston
in Lincolnshire with three fellow
Evertonian school friends to enjoy
what eventually would be another
piece of Everton history.
Up the A1 towards the M62 and into
Liverpool for 5pm, time to buy a few
Crimbo pressies from the Megastore
before proceeding to the bookies to
hopefully invest a couple of coins,
3 – 0 Everton, Osman first goal and
another, 1 – 0 Everton - Cahill.
Pie, chips and curry sauce (healthy
option) and a visit to a few ale
houses, Royal Oak first, not much
atmosphere but lots of Ruski’s
followed by Orrys, packed but good
atmosphere. Met up with Skinny, hand
shakes all round before finishing up
in the Wolesey for a final pint of
the black stuff and a purchase of
‘Keep Everton in Our City’ T shirt
for Robbo (not a Crimbo pressie,
don’t want you jealous).
The ground was starting to buzz when
we arrived and made our way into the
Park End (great seats Eddie) met up
with Horse and Chris Brown so most
of the crew were there with Andy I
presume taking his seat in the
Gladwy’s Street.
Strange auld mix selected by Moyes’
with Jaq taking up a central
defensive position alongside Joleon
and Baines back from injury to take
the left. Mac and AJ up front and
guess what Leon on the bench but not
starting, perhaps that wasn’t such a
good bet but at 80/1 what do you
expect.
Perhaps facing eight games in 24
days with Fulham at Goodison on
Saturday and a trip to West Ham in
the Carling Cup quarter-finals next
Wednesday, fair play to Moyes he
seemed to have selected a side with
the heavy workload in mind.
The Toffees high tempo worried the
Russians from the start, AJ hounding
slow defenders while Mac got away
from a labouring Martin Skrtel - he
survived a desperate lunge - but
wasted the chance in the box. South
Korean defender Kim Dong Jin was
forced to clear off the line from an
Arteta hook, and then headed clear
from Cahill’s follow-up.
Zenit were prepared to mix it from
the start, which was well managed by
Ice Age ref Jakobsson when striker
Pavel Pogrebnyak was booked for a
late challenge on Joleon Lescott.
A great header over the flying
keeper Malafeev (ought
to be actor by his antics) by Cahill
followed by a low short heading
towards the near post with flying
Belgian Lombaerts blocking the
shot. The Gladwy’s shouted and got
the pen with Lombaerts taking a walk
for an early bath. Too far away for
me to comment but have to say …. Сочувствие (sympathy) mate.
Adovocaat was fuming and had to be
calmed by the fourth official.
Up stepped Mickel, with Malafeev
standing over the ball which
obviously put him off, as he blasted
over the bar, never mind Mickey.
More antics by Skrtel who was booked
for a wild challenge on Mickey
before Malafeev produced a fine save
to turn away his 20 yard free-kick.
We went close again just before half
time with Cars hitting the post with
a delightful left foot passing shot,
shame we didn’t get on the end of
the rebound !!
 Zenit hardly looked as if they were
down to 10 men as the second period
began. They continued to play two,
sometimes three, up front and twice
should have taken the lead in three
worrying minutes for the Toffees.
After 50 minutes Pogrebnyak broke
away to run 30 yards before seeing
Howard parry away his shot. Three
minutes later Andrey Arshavin's
clever chip put Konstatin Zyrianov
clear in the box, but he fired over
the bar.
Pienaar and Arteta both had shots
that flashed wide, Everton needing a
goal to settle their nerves. Mac was
subbed (not looking to happy) having
not had the best of games, with Vic
hoping to continue his European
dream. On 77 minutes AJ made way for
Vaughan’ to provide what must have
been the youngest strike force in
European history!!
However it was Tiny Tim who stepped
up to take us top after a great shot
by Joleon was well saved by Malafeev
as the Zenit defence looked on to
Tim control and fire the ball high
into the net to win the game keep us
in top spot and win me 30 quid !!!
Finally well done Nurnberg for their
2 – 1 win over Alkmaar providing
confirmation that we are Group A
Champions (doesn’t that sound good),
which will hopefully lead to another
European excursion, enjoy the
occasion, warmth, friendship,
freedom and love in Holland boys see
ya all soon. - TOM |
