Nerves, I'm always nervous before the match. I'm especially nervous before this one. At last weeks game against Arsenal, I thought we had done enough to get a point and our UEFA cup place. Our season since that sweet/ bitter night against Fiorentina had not gone right and our disastrous performance against the RS was hard to bear.

 

However the last two performances against Arsenal and Villa had shown some of our old self. Unsurprisingly Victor and the Yak were up front. The match began somewhat slowly but Everton began to squeeze the life out of Newcastle. You almost feel it in the air, we were going to score the only question was when. Fantastic atmosphere and a wonderful sunny day. Newcastle fans chanting away, never quite sure what a lot of their chants are about but definitely passionate about their team. They are a team which has never come close to its potential.

 

Fernandes was having a great game knocking the ball around beautifully (if only he had done this earlier in his second loan period) A pointless foul by Duff led to Everton first goal, wonderful cross and the Yak planted into the back of the net. Cue much singing and jumping round “feed the Yak and he will score”! Great fun this. Twenty goals this season, should have had more, I know he will next season. (Favourite goal, winner against West Ham in the League Cup) Now to pile on the pressure, we would definitely get the second goal, wonderful cross, back header from Lescott, Yak goal! An eternity later it seemed we were denied it for offside, couldn’t see it myself. More pressure, Osman playing well. We knock it round beautifully at times, wonderful to watch. Somehow despite the pressure Newcastle make it to half time without conceding a second goal, Anichebe went close, is he the big old fashioned centre forward we need? Not sure anyway no problem the way we were playing we would score again! Half time, can't believe it. We should be 3-0 up 

 

I look around Goodison, would I swap for the Emirates, no, for Bolton`s heartless ground absolutely not. Here, Goodison Park, this is our heart and soul. Our triumphs and tragedies. Not some poxy place in Kirby. I grew up in Everton, moved to Huyton and went to Kirkby College. Its Merseyside yes but is not Goodison, its not our home. The atmosphere here, sometimes, is unbelievable. 

 

Second half begin, Newcastle has definitely had Terry Mac and Keegan winding them up. Suddenly they are more positive and passing the ball around and then Yobo trips up N’Zogbia, penalty! Didn’t look like a pen but it did on Match of the Day. Who steps up but the little Welsh boy and jammily scores. Howard was very close to saving it.

 

Its at this point that my nerves are shot to pieces, Villa are leading two – one, I curse myself for thinking Everton would do it easy, not us. I could see it now, Newcastle scoring in the last minute no European tour. We seemed to be slowing down, I kept on thinking, lets not play defensive we will lose. They appear to be dominating the game, It’s now pouring down with rain, matching my mood. I'm looking away every time Newcastle attack. I’m too old for this. Fernandes is playing some lovely football and we begin to slowly bring ourselves back into the game. Smith kicks Pienaar, another good Moyes signing. Another foul and Fernandes crosses, a defensive mix up and Lescott score a beautiful goal, Cool and calm, you’d think he was a centre forward. Ten goals this season, outstanding and definitely player of the season. Suddenly there is no gloom just thousands of evertonians going mad. There was no way back now, that was it. Goodison is rocking.   

 

The pressure on Newcastle increases, no singing from the Geordie fans now. “We’re all going on a European tour” “Davy Moyes” All the familiar songs. Suddenly Osman runs into the penalty area and is tripped. Everton and penalties, refs don’t give them. Incredibly Walton points to the spot (wished he'd reffed the derby match). We have a penalty, up steps the Yak. I was behind the goal when he missed against Fiorentina, heart in my mouth, it’s too slow. But he scores, scene of utter disbelief, a penalty and we score. This is now easy, we hear West Ham have equalised! I didn’t have to worry after all. As the Ringo Starr says “it don’t come easy”.

 

Great day, my man of the match Fernandes.

   By Ian Caren