Im still in shock that we managed to get 4.8k for Mitch Ward. Waggy Watson might just be the best negotiator since the future Bill Kenwright takes over and tells us "there's no better salesman than me"
Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £80m
He's a wheeler dealer. I just hope he doesn't let this unsavoury sounding character Kenwright about his lawnmower money scam.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Coventry City
3rd September 1998
Coventry were off to a bad start and needed to get off the foot of the table. Young Striker Darren Huckerby was yet to make his mark on the season but some promising performances despite his side not doing too well. Dave Watson had options now with Materazzi back, he lined up alongside Bilic. Wes Brown came in at Right Back for his debut and ahead of him was Tomasz Iwan making his first start and in front of a packed Goodison Park. Jeffers and Ferguson remained the pair up top. Marco Materazzi went into the book inside the first minute when he had hands on Huckerby who seemed to go down too easy. Everton showing their attacking intent early on, Ball getting down the left and cutting in but Jeffers unable to apply the finish. Iwan had a couple of corners with good delivery but unable to find the head of the big man. It just wasn’t going in for Everton, Iwan was getting down the right side, he put a low cross into the six yard box on 64 minutes, Ferguson got a touch but the wet weather saw it run away from him, Jeffers tried to react but Magnus Headman done enough to keep it out. Everton made two changes with 17 minutes to go, Ferguson went off and was replaced by Cadamarteri. Dacourt went off and was replaced by Hutchison. Cadamarteri made a nuisance of himself and managed to capitalise on a mistake by Clement but his shot was tipped over by Hedman. What can Everton do in stoppage time? Coventry trying to hold on to the point. Hutchison took it in midfield from Brown, he played the ball forward to Jeffers, he let it roll across him and then took the shot on his left foot and found the right corner! Everton get their goal in stoppage time! What a finish by Jeffers! The keeper had no chance. Hutchison had been brilliant since coming on and with seconds to go he played a nice forward ball through for Cadamarteri who got a touch to see it roll through Hedman and over the line to make it 2-0! Hutchison with two assists! What a win that is for Everton! Two late goals but it was the sheer brilliance of Don Hutchison who took hold of the game!
Dave, you’ve won 4 out of your first 6, you must be delighted?
DW: Absolutely, we’re off to a good start, we’ve picked ourselves up after two heavy defeats and came back fighting. The conditions were terrible today but we showed we wanted it and never gave up until the final whistle. Don was excellent when he came on and he has that brilliance about him. Made up for young Franny and Danny up top, they’re 17 and 18. Franny’s got 5 goals already this season. He’s brilliant to watch. It’s a great feeling to be able to step up and work with the talented lads here like Bally, Danny and Franny. They’re in the first team and they’re fitting right in, working hard every day and getting that reward on a Saturday afternoon.
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool vs Everton
10th September 1998
It’s the 168th Merseyside Derby with Liverpool having 65 wins and Everton 52. Everton’s last victory at Anfield came in September 1985 and the last derby win was when Cadamarteri sealed it last season in a 2-0 win. Watson made one change, Wes Brown dropped out and Alec Cleland came in. It seems Watson wants a more experienced defender and someone to nullify the threat of Liverpool’s new signing Vasilis Tsiartas. Houllier went with a familiar partnership of Fowler and Owen up top. It doesn’t happen often but Everton went into this two points above Liverpool at this stage of the season. Everton looked to slow it down slightly to take the edge off the Anfield atmposphere. Phil Babb finding is way into the boom early on with a late tackle on John Collins. Dacourt played the free-kick to Jeffers on the edge of the box, he got it on to his left foot and tried from the edge of the box under no pressure but hit the side netting. Everton were doing well in front of the Kop, Cleland and Iwan linking up down the right, Cleland with a pass inside to Ferguson, he turned on to his left and tried the shot, David James getting across to tip it wide. 21 minutes gone, McManaman with a quick one-two with Owen, he passed to Fowler lurking on the outside the 18 yard area, then inside to Owen who had the pace to take it away from Materazzi and bend it into the top left corner, great strike and Liverpool lead. Everton won the ball back on 27 minutes with Jeffers nudging it to Ball, Ball played it back to Jeffers and Ferguson was in space, he got the pass between Song and Staunton and had a chance to finish but his effort was poor and easy enough for James. Ferguson looking clearly frustrated with himself for not doing better. Materazzi done well against Owen and deflected his shot behind for a corner on 32 minutes, the corner was taken but headed away by Ferguson, Liverpool kept it alive and it came to Babb outside the area, Iwan went up against him and had a pull of the shirt seeing Babb go down to get the free-kick in a dangerous area. Tsiartas is good from this range and will likely fancy the shot from 20 yards if he can get it up and over the wall. Instead, he laid it off to McManaman and he shot low beating Myhre straight down the middle of the goal and Everton found themselves two goals down. Everton have a big second half ahead of them, Watson gave Dacourt some last minute instructions before getting back on the pitch. Iwan summed up his day so far when he ran the ball out of play, Anfield not the easiest of places for Everton over the years. Steven Gerrard was on for Liverpool, the 18 year old making his second Liverpool appearance, and has been spoken of highly at the club. Watson made a double change on 58 minutes, Hutchison coming on for Dacourt who can open teams up and Iwan making way for the exciting Cadamarteri. Everton couldn’t get going in the second half and heads seemed to have dropped. Liverpool really in their flow and playing the ball around well. Last 12 minutes and Collins went off for Barmby. Liverpool were really in control of the press and Everton just could not get near the Liverpool goal, the remaining minutes played out frustratingly for Evertonians and a poor defeat for The Toffees at Anfield sees Liverpool climb above them in the table.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Aston Villa
18th September 1998
After defeat to Liverpool, Dave Watson took action and named himself in the team to take on Aston Villa. Dave still has a role to play as a footballer and whatever has happened this week to see Marco Materazzi drop out must be down to his performance against Liverpool. Nick Barmby was also struggling to get into the team under Watson, sources close to the player state Barmby wants to stay at the club but currently finds himself in and out of the matchday squad. Today he wasn’t even named in the 18. Wes Brown came back in to start after Alec Cleland’s dismal performance last week. Cadamarteri came in on the right for Iwan who didn’t show enough in the last two matches to keep his place in the team proving Dave Watson was not afraid to make changes. Four minutes in and Collins won the ball back from Draper in the middle of the park, he sprayed it wide left towards Jeffers, Grayson missed the header and Jeffers cut in on his right foot and sent it into the top right corner beating an outstretched Bosnich, 1-0! What a finish from the 17 year old! Everton had more chances, Jeffers struck from the edge of the box and Bosnich made a great save tipping it onto the bar. Cadamarteri wanted in on the action and found space for the shot a few minutes later but Bosnich palmed it away. Everton supporters enjoying the show so far. Ferguson also had a shot that was just wide on 35 minutes. Watson looking on from the back as his side attack at the other end. Lee Hendrie came down the right, Ball and Unsworth doubled up but he found the pass into the area to Draper, Dacourt took him out as he received the ball and the referee had no choice but to give the spot kick. Gareth Barry with the chance to level, he went right and Myhre pushed it away! Fine save! Dacourt got away with that and had a few words from the manager. John Gregory made tewo changes which changed the dynamics a bit, Paul Merson was on for Alan Thompson and Niclas Alexandersson replaced Millen Petkov. Everton’s first change came on 71 minutes, Jeffers went off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Don Hutchison, Everton went to a five man midfield. Ball came down the left on 79 minutes, his cross was deep but Cadamarteri met it with the header and Bosnich made easy work of it. Second change came, John Collins went off for Joe Parkinson. Not much time to go and Villa pushing forward for a late equaliser, Gareth Barry inside the Everton half, he passed to Southgate who played it left to Alexandersson, but he can’t keep it in and the final whistle was blown! Everton with a 1-0 win! Just what they needed, it was hard fought and they dug deep to see it through!
DW: It was good to get back out there, a clean sheet and three points! We saw Villa coming at us in the second half and we needed another body in the middle so we had to make that change to allow us to get back on the ball. Really pleased today and to see young Franny getting another goal shows the talent we have here. He’s got to remember he has a long way to go in the game but he’s been magnificent.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
The first international break is now on the horizon and at the early stage of the season, it's the champions Arsenal and Chelsea who sit joint-top. Man Utd and Liverpool are also in hot pursuit with Dwight Yorke and Michael Owen banging in the goals. Blackburn Rovers were also off to a great start, chasing their second Premier League table in three years and Everton currently sat in the UEFA Cup places after a fantastic start under new manager Dave Watson.
At the other end it was a difficult start for Ron Atkinson and Nottingham Forest who were back in the Premier League after a season in Division One, with one win in eight, it was looking like an uphill battle so early on. Leeds United were off to a slow start this season, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was getting his scoring boots on slowly and got his first two league goals of the season in their last game against Leicester City getting a 3-1 win.
3rd September 1998
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Coventry were off to a bad start and needed to get off the foot of the table. Young Striker Darren Huckerby was yet to make his mark on the season but some promising performances despite his side not doing too well. Dave Watson had options now with Materazzi back, he lined up alongside Bilic. Wes Brown came in at Right Back for his debut and ahead of him was Tomasz Iwan making his first start and in front of a packed Goodison Park. Jeffers and Ferguson remained the pair up top. Marco Materazzi went into the book inside the first minute when he had hands on Huckerby who seemed to go down too easy. Everton showing their attacking intent early on, Ball getting down the left and cutting in but Jeffers unable to apply the finish. Iwan had a couple of corners with good delivery but unable to find the head of the big man. It just wasn’t going in for Everton, Iwan was getting down the right side, he put a low cross into the six yard box on 64 minutes, Ferguson got a touch but the wet weather saw it run away from him, Jeffers tried to react but Magnus Headman done enough to keep it out. Everton made two changes with 17 minutes to go, Ferguson went off and was replaced by Cadamarteri. Dacourt went off and was replaced by Hutchison. Cadamarteri made a nuisance of himself and managed to capitalise on a mistake by Clement but his shot was tipped over by Hedman. What can Everton do in stoppage time? Coventry trying to hold on to the point. Hutchison took it in midfield from Brown, he played the ball forward to Jeffers, he let it roll across him and then took the shot on his left foot and found the right corner! Everton get their goal in stoppage time! What a finish by Jeffers! The keeper had no chance. Hutchison had been brilliant since coming on and with seconds to go he played a nice forward ball through for Cadamarteri who got a touch to see it roll through Hedman and over the line to make it 2-0! Hutchison with two assists! What a win that is for Everton! Two late goals but it was the sheer brilliance of Don Hutchison who took hold of the game!
Dave, you’ve won 4 out of your first 6, you must be delighted?
DW: Absolutely, we’re off to a good start, we’ve picked ourselves up after two heavy defeats and came back fighting. The conditions were terrible today but we showed we wanted it and never gave up until the final whistle. Don was excellent when he came on and he has that brilliance about him. Made up for young Franny and Danny up top, they’re 17 and 18. Franny’s got 5 goals already this season. He’s brilliant to watch. It’s a great feeling to be able to step up and work with the talented lads here like Bally, Danny and Franny. They’re in the first team and they’re fitting right in, working hard every day and getting that reward on a Saturday afternoon.
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool vs Everton
10th September 1998
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It’s the 168th Merseyside Derby with Liverpool having 65 wins and Everton 52. Everton’s last victory at Anfield came in September 1985 and the last derby win was when Cadamarteri sealed it last season in a 2-0 win. Watson made one change, Wes Brown dropped out and Alec Cleland came in. It seems Watson wants a more experienced defender and someone to nullify the threat of Liverpool’s new signing Vasilis Tsiartas. Houllier went with a familiar partnership of Fowler and Owen up top. It doesn’t happen often but Everton went into this two points above Liverpool at this stage of the season. Everton looked to slow it down slightly to take the edge off the Anfield atmposphere. Phil Babb finding is way into the boom early on with a late tackle on John Collins. Dacourt played the free-kick to Jeffers on the edge of the box, he got it on to his left foot and tried from the edge of the box under no pressure but hit the side netting. Everton were doing well in front of the Kop, Cleland and Iwan linking up down the right, Cleland with a pass inside to Ferguson, he turned on to his left and tried the shot, David James getting across to tip it wide. 21 minutes gone, McManaman with a quick one-two with Owen, he passed to Fowler lurking on the outside the 18 yard area, then inside to Owen who had the pace to take it away from Materazzi and bend it into the top left corner, great strike and Liverpool lead. Everton won the ball back on 27 minutes with Jeffers nudging it to Ball, Ball played it back to Jeffers and Ferguson was in space, he got the pass between Song and Staunton and had a chance to finish but his effort was poor and easy enough for James. Ferguson looking clearly frustrated with himself for not doing better. Materazzi done well against Owen and deflected his shot behind for a corner on 32 minutes, the corner was taken but headed away by Ferguson, Liverpool kept it alive and it came to Babb outside the area, Iwan went up against him and had a pull of the shirt seeing Babb go down to get the free-kick in a dangerous area. Tsiartas is good from this range and will likely fancy the shot from 20 yards if he can get it up and over the wall. Instead, he laid it off to McManaman and he shot low beating Myhre straight down the middle of the goal and Everton found themselves two goals down. Everton have a big second half ahead of them, Watson gave Dacourt some last minute instructions before getting back on the pitch. Iwan summed up his day so far when he ran the ball out of play, Anfield not the easiest of places for Everton over the years. Steven Gerrard was on for Liverpool, the 18 year old making his second Liverpool appearance, and has been spoken of highly at the club. Watson made a double change on 58 minutes, Hutchison coming on for Dacourt who can open teams up and Iwan making way for the exciting Cadamarteri. Everton couldn’t get going in the second half and heads seemed to have dropped. Liverpool really in their flow and playing the ball around well. Last 12 minutes and Collins went off for Barmby. Liverpool were really in control of the press and Everton just could not get near the Liverpool goal, the remaining minutes played out frustratingly for Evertonians and a poor defeat for The Toffees at Anfield sees Liverpool climb above them in the table.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Aston Villa
18th September 1998
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After defeat to Liverpool, Dave Watson took action and named himself in the team to take on Aston Villa. Dave still has a role to play as a footballer and whatever has happened this week to see Marco Materazzi drop out must be down to his performance against Liverpool. Nick Barmby was also struggling to get into the team under Watson, sources close to the player state Barmby wants to stay at the club but currently finds himself in and out of the matchday squad. Today he wasn’t even named in the 18. Wes Brown came back in to start after Alec Cleland’s dismal performance last week. Cadamarteri came in on the right for Iwan who didn’t show enough in the last two matches to keep his place in the team proving Dave Watson was not afraid to make changes. Four minutes in and Collins won the ball back from Draper in the middle of the park, he sprayed it wide left towards Jeffers, Grayson missed the header and Jeffers cut in on his right foot and sent it into the top right corner beating an outstretched Bosnich, 1-0! What a finish from the 17 year old! Everton had more chances, Jeffers struck from the edge of the box and Bosnich made a great save tipping it onto the bar. Cadamarteri wanted in on the action and found space for the shot a few minutes later but Bosnich palmed it away. Everton supporters enjoying the show so far. Ferguson also had a shot that was just wide on 35 minutes. Watson looking on from the back as his side attack at the other end. Lee Hendrie came down the right, Ball and Unsworth doubled up but he found the pass into the area to Draper, Dacourt took him out as he received the ball and the referee had no choice but to give the spot kick. Gareth Barry with the chance to level, he went right and Myhre pushed it away! Fine save! Dacourt got away with that and had a few words from the manager. John Gregory made tewo changes which changed the dynamics a bit, Paul Merson was on for Alan Thompson and Niclas Alexandersson replaced Millen Petkov. Everton’s first change came on 71 minutes, Jeffers went off to a standing ovation and was replaced by Don Hutchison, Everton went to a five man midfield. Ball came down the left on 79 minutes, his cross was deep but Cadamarteri met it with the header and Bosnich made easy work of it. Second change came, John Collins went off for Joe Parkinson. Not much time to go and Villa pushing forward for a late equaliser, Gareth Barry inside the Everton half, he passed to Southgate who played it left to Alexandersson, but he can’t keep it in and the final whistle was blown! Everton with a 1-0 win! Just what they needed, it was hard fought and they dug deep to see it through!
DW: It was good to get back out there, a clean sheet and three points! We saw Villa coming at us in the second half and we needed another body in the middle so we had to make that change to allow us to get back on the ball. Really pleased today and to see young Franny getting another goal shows the talent we have here. He’s got to remember he has a long way to go in the game but he’s been magnificent.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
The first international break is now on the horizon and at the early stage of the season, it's the champions Arsenal and Chelsea who sit joint-top. Man Utd and Liverpool are also in hot pursuit with Dwight Yorke and Michael Owen banging in the goals. Blackburn Rovers were also off to a great start, chasing their second Premier League table in three years and Everton currently sat in the UEFA Cup places after a fantastic start under new manager Dave Watson.
At the other end it was a difficult start for Ron Atkinson and Nottingham Forest who were back in the Premier League after a season in Division One, with one win in eight, it was looking like an uphill battle so early on. Leeds United were off to a slow start this season, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was getting his scoring boots on slowly and got his first two league goals of the season in their last game against Leicester City getting a 3-1 win.
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £80m
Fuming about the derby as ever. There's something about that Barmby that I can't put my finger on but I don't just trust him...
As my old man used to say, never trust a man with a moon face
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £80m
He is a very wise man.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Leeds United vs Everton
1st October 1998
Back to action following the international break, it was good to see Duncan Fergsuon back in the Scotland squad and Thomas Myhre picked up his first two caps for Norway. Everton had a few injuries going into the away game against Leeds United. Duncan Ferguson was struggling with a minor injury but made the bench for the trip, Franny Jeffers pulled a back muscle in training and was out for the trip and Dave Watson ruled himself out as he was struggling with a tight calf. Watson got to focus on management and named Weir and Bilic at the back. With Fergsuon and Jeffers out, Bakayoko and Barmby were playing as the unfamiliar Centre Forward pairing. Everton got us underway, Brown played a long ball down the right for Cadamarteri but he was tripped by Ian Harte, completely unnecessary, no card on this occasion. Collins placed it down, he could get this into the top corner, he decided to lay it off for Barmby but his shot went wide of the post. Unsworth played it to Ball who went inside to Collins, he sent it forward for Bakayoko to chase, he took it on the left of the area and waited for support, with a pass inside to to the oncoming Michael Ball, he let it run for Collins who took the shot, blocked by David Batty but many claimed it was a handball, not given and Martyn claimed it comfortably. The match stil goalless as half-time approached, some good balls into the box by Everton and Leeds were really strong at the back to keep Bakayoko out, he was also looking like a handful up top. Hasselbaink was frustrated in front of goal and yet to get a shot on target. David Batty went for goal on the outside of the area, not closed down and Myhre doen well to tip it wide. Sixto Peralta came down the right, he tried to find Hassselbaink on the edge of the box, it ran through Dacourt, Weir also couldn’t get to the ball and Cadamarteri was standing still as Hopkins came in and slotted past the keeper. Everton players looking like they were in quicksand and Leeds broke the deadlock just on half-time. Leeds picked up the tempo and Everton were done down their left side again, Peralta cutting inside and a short pass to Hasslbaink to blast in from close range saw Leeds go 2-0 up before the break. Danny Cadamarteri once again looking lost out there. Second half started and Cadamarteri looked to do what he does best and that’s dribble down the wing, he played a low cross towards Bakayoko but Radebe cleared, Collins got it and went for goal clipping the post, good effort. 57 minutes gone and it’s Everton on the front foot, John Collins and Ibrahima Bakayoko linking up wonderfully as Bakayoko capped off an excellent Everton move with a right foot finish across Martyn leaving him with no chance! 2-1! The first change came too and it was Barmby off to be replaced by Duncan Ferguson. But just minutes later Kewell managed to play in Hasselbaink, he was going away from goal but had the skill to wrap his left foot around it and send it into the bottom corner leaving Myhre bewildered as to what just happened. Cadamarteri had four Leeds players around but he magically got out and went past them, Bowyer was annoyed and dragged him down, Collins picked it up and the referee waved play on, he got to the line, cut it back to Ferguson but his shot was saved, Michael Ball to apply the finish….3-2! Everton back in it! Tomasz Iwan came on for Cadamarteri win just under 20 minutes to go. Everton battled but could not do enough to find the equaliser. Leeds will be relieved to get to the whistle as there was some moments they could have let it slip and Everton done well to get back into it but not enough to get a point. Everton enjoyed large spells of possession but again struggled to convert, however there were positives to take from the game despite not getting the result.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Blackburn Rovers
9th October 1998
Dave Watson gave Ibrahima Bakayoko another start up top with Duncan Fergsuon and Francis Jeffers was back after injury and named as a substitute. Dave Watson named himself at the back alongside Slaven Bilic and Nick Barmby was left out of the matchday squad, encouraging further rumours of a rift between player and manager. Blackburn Rovers sat just one place above Everton in 5th and came into this after a 5-2 win Litex Lovech in the UEFA Cup this week. Chris Sutton was in good form, with six league goals so far this season and Tim Flowers was back in goal after recovering from a broken hand. Everton were very direct and were looking to get Cadamarteri in behind, he had Brown in support who helped play him in, Cadamarteri cut inside on his left foot and took the shot but it was easy work for Flowers. Good to get the first shot on target. Thomas Myhre pulled off a fine save for Everton when Matt Jansen fired from 25 yards out, he got across to tip it wide, to continue the brilliant season he’s having. Dacourt won the ball from Mckinlay on 35 minutes and passed forward to Bakayoko, he held it up well and passed to Ferguson who joined the attack, Ferguson had the vision to play it down the right for Cadamarteri to use his speed and take it forward, he cut it back inside the box for Ferguson to side foot into the back of the net! 1-0! Excellent football from Everton! Blackburn were trying to get one back before half-time and Duff took the ball on the left, he went past Brown who caught up and was late with the challenge and Duff made a real meal out of it, the referee ran straight over and showed Brown a straight red! It was maybe a yellow at worst! It’s going to be a change and it’s Cadamarteri to go off and Peter Degn to come on, he went over to Watson for some final instructions but it looks like he’s going to slot in at Right Back. Blackburn were pressing hard trying to take advantage but it allowed Everton get the ball forward, Collins passed forward to Ferguson and he was able to play in Bakayoko with a great pass taking out the Blackburn Centre Backs, Bakayoko onside and he slotted past an onrushing Flowers, 2-0! Fantastic stuff! Everton’s next change came with around 25 minutes to go and Ferguson went off for Jeffers. Everton were working tirelessly to keep the lead, Blackburn trying to throw everything they can coming forward, Keith Gillespie was forced to shoot from range and Myhre pushed it wide. Everton have been excellent and have done everything they can to protect their lead. Everton with one last chance as Unsworth pumped the ball into the box, Jeffers was there and he headed to beat Flowers to complete the afternoon, 3-0! What an emphatic victory! This side were not phased by going down to ten men and put in one hell of a performance!
DW: It was hard but when we went 2-0 up, the tension eased a bit, I reminded the lads to stay calm and keep going as we were, the fight and the effort was top notch and despite eveerything Blackburn threw at us, we dealt with it and our heads didn’t drop. Very proud of everyone today.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United vs Everton
15th October 1998
Everton were in great spirits following six wins from their first ten league games, an incredible feat for a team that survived by the skin of their teeth last season but under Dave Watson, there is renewed hope. Everton’s youngest ever manager was not the choice of the media but so far he is doing tremendously well. Today is a huge test for Watson who is going head to head with one of the league’s best managers, 56 year old Alex Ferguson who has won four league titles with Manchester United. Wes Brown was suspended and couldn’t face his parent club today so Alec Cleland came in at Right Back. Dave Watson named himself at the back once again alongside Slaven Bilic and Tomasz Iwan came in on the right side of midfield. David Beckham was serving a match suspension so Michel Salgado came into the side. Yorke and Cole were picked up top to continue their dream partnership in front of goal. Everton looked nervous and on 2 minutes Yorke went round Cleland and he pulled him down inside the box conceding a penalty to Man Utd, the referee had no other option. It was Roy Keane who fancied it and he went for thr top corner which saw Myhre get across to tip it over, some save! Myhre does it again! Myhre saved Everton shortly after when Cole went past Watson and Myhre came rushing off his line to close him down, what a fine seasom he’s having. Everton got some bad news on 20 minutes and Michael Ball had to go off with a foot injury, so John Collins moved to Left wing and Don Hutchison was on and in midfield. Man Utd took the lead on 27 minutes when Giggs played the corner to the edge of the box and Dwight Yorke drilled it into the bottom right corner to relieve the tension inside Old Trafford. Iwan lobbed the ball forward and Ferguson took it down and advanced into the area, he played it inside for Bakayoko and Schmeichel done well to deflect it behind. Everton were trailing by the one goal, Myhre was playing brilliantly but nothing was happening at the other end of the pitch. Young Francis Jeffers got his chance coming on replacing Ibrahima Bakayoko with 25 minutes to go. When Everton thougth they might have a chance, Alec Cleland was caught napping and Giggs went through to slot across Myhre into the bottom corner and made it 2-0 on 80 minutes. Cadamarteri came on for Everton replacing Iwan, he got involved playing it forward for Hutchison, he played it to Jeffers who just beat the offside trap and had a shot tipped wide by Schmeichel, unlucky. Just when we thought the game was done, the icing was applied in stoppage time, Giggs with a whipped cross to the near post and Yorke guiding in the header to seal a 3-0 win. Man Utd have been incredible and the quality was on show today. Everton were simply not good enough and they lacked real quality. It shows the gulf between the two sides and Alex Ferguson will be very pleased to see his side go back top after Arsenal were beaten by Blackburn 3-2 with a Jason Wilcox last minute winner.
DW: It’s hard enough coming here regardless who you play for. This team are incedible and they will be fighting for the league title this season. We had a couple of chances but nothing Schmeichel was phased by, I thought Thomas Myhre was brilliant today despite conceding three, it could have easily been five or sic but he saved a penalty and dominated his area for set-pieces.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
1st October 1998
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Back to action following the international break, it was good to see Duncan Fergsuon back in the Scotland squad and Thomas Myhre picked up his first two caps for Norway. Everton had a few injuries going into the away game against Leeds United. Duncan Ferguson was struggling with a minor injury but made the bench for the trip, Franny Jeffers pulled a back muscle in training and was out for the trip and Dave Watson ruled himself out as he was struggling with a tight calf. Watson got to focus on management and named Weir and Bilic at the back. With Fergsuon and Jeffers out, Bakayoko and Barmby were playing as the unfamiliar Centre Forward pairing. Everton got us underway, Brown played a long ball down the right for Cadamarteri but he was tripped by Ian Harte, completely unnecessary, no card on this occasion. Collins placed it down, he could get this into the top corner, he decided to lay it off for Barmby but his shot went wide of the post. Unsworth played it to Ball who went inside to Collins, he sent it forward for Bakayoko to chase, he took it on the left of the area and waited for support, with a pass inside to to the oncoming Michael Ball, he let it run for Collins who took the shot, blocked by David Batty but many claimed it was a handball, not given and Martyn claimed it comfortably. The match stil goalless as half-time approached, some good balls into the box by Everton and Leeds were really strong at the back to keep Bakayoko out, he was also looking like a handful up top. Hasselbaink was frustrated in front of goal and yet to get a shot on target. David Batty went for goal on the outside of the area, not closed down and Myhre doen well to tip it wide. Sixto Peralta came down the right, he tried to find Hassselbaink on the edge of the box, it ran through Dacourt, Weir also couldn’t get to the ball and Cadamarteri was standing still as Hopkins came in and slotted past the keeper. Everton players looking like they were in quicksand and Leeds broke the deadlock just on half-time. Leeds picked up the tempo and Everton were done down their left side again, Peralta cutting inside and a short pass to Hasslbaink to blast in from close range saw Leeds go 2-0 up before the break. Danny Cadamarteri once again looking lost out there. Second half started and Cadamarteri looked to do what he does best and that’s dribble down the wing, he played a low cross towards Bakayoko but Radebe cleared, Collins got it and went for goal clipping the post, good effort. 57 minutes gone and it’s Everton on the front foot, John Collins and Ibrahima Bakayoko linking up wonderfully as Bakayoko capped off an excellent Everton move with a right foot finish across Martyn leaving him with no chance! 2-1! The first change came too and it was Barmby off to be replaced by Duncan Ferguson. But just minutes later Kewell managed to play in Hasselbaink, he was going away from goal but had the skill to wrap his left foot around it and send it into the bottom corner leaving Myhre bewildered as to what just happened. Cadamarteri had four Leeds players around but he magically got out and went past them, Bowyer was annoyed and dragged him down, Collins picked it up and the referee waved play on, he got to the line, cut it back to Ferguson but his shot was saved, Michael Ball to apply the finish….3-2! Everton back in it! Tomasz Iwan came on for Cadamarteri win just under 20 minutes to go. Everton battled but could not do enough to find the equaliser. Leeds will be relieved to get to the whistle as there was some moments they could have let it slip and Everton done well to get back into it but not enough to get a point. Everton enjoyed large spells of possession but again struggled to convert, however there were positives to take from the game despite not getting the result.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Blackburn Rovers
9th October 1998
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Dave Watson gave Ibrahima Bakayoko another start up top with Duncan Fergsuon and Francis Jeffers was back after injury and named as a substitute. Dave Watson named himself at the back alongside Slaven Bilic and Nick Barmby was left out of the matchday squad, encouraging further rumours of a rift between player and manager. Blackburn Rovers sat just one place above Everton in 5th and came into this after a 5-2 win Litex Lovech in the UEFA Cup this week. Chris Sutton was in good form, with six league goals so far this season and Tim Flowers was back in goal after recovering from a broken hand. Everton were very direct and were looking to get Cadamarteri in behind, he had Brown in support who helped play him in, Cadamarteri cut inside on his left foot and took the shot but it was easy work for Flowers. Good to get the first shot on target. Thomas Myhre pulled off a fine save for Everton when Matt Jansen fired from 25 yards out, he got across to tip it wide, to continue the brilliant season he’s having. Dacourt won the ball from Mckinlay on 35 minutes and passed forward to Bakayoko, he held it up well and passed to Ferguson who joined the attack, Ferguson had the vision to play it down the right for Cadamarteri to use his speed and take it forward, he cut it back inside the box for Ferguson to side foot into the back of the net! 1-0! Excellent football from Everton! Blackburn were trying to get one back before half-time and Duff took the ball on the left, he went past Brown who caught up and was late with the challenge and Duff made a real meal out of it, the referee ran straight over and showed Brown a straight red! It was maybe a yellow at worst! It’s going to be a change and it’s Cadamarteri to go off and Peter Degn to come on, he went over to Watson for some final instructions but it looks like he’s going to slot in at Right Back. Blackburn were pressing hard trying to take advantage but it allowed Everton get the ball forward, Collins passed forward to Ferguson and he was able to play in Bakayoko with a great pass taking out the Blackburn Centre Backs, Bakayoko onside and he slotted past an onrushing Flowers, 2-0! Fantastic stuff! Everton’s next change came with around 25 minutes to go and Ferguson went off for Jeffers. Everton were working tirelessly to keep the lead, Blackburn trying to throw everything they can coming forward, Keith Gillespie was forced to shoot from range and Myhre pushed it wide. Everton have been excellent and have done everything they can to protect their lead. Everton with one last chance as Unsworth pumped the ball into the box, Jeffers was there and he headed to beat Flowers to complete the afternoon, 3-0! What an emphatic victory! This side were not phased by going down to ten men and put in one hell of a performance!
DW: It was hard but when we went 2-0 up, the tension eased a bit, I reminded the lads to stay calm and keep going as we were, the fight and the effort was top notch and despite eveerything Blackburn threw at us, we dealt with it and our heads didn’t drop. Very proud of everyone today.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United vs Everton
15th October 1998
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Everton were in great spirits following six wins from their first ten league games, an incredible feat for a team that survived by the skin of their teeth last season but under Dave Watson, there is renewed hope. Everton’s youngest ever manager was not the choice of the media but so far he is doing tremendously well. Today is a huge test for Watson who is going head to head with one of the league’s best managers, 56 year old Alex Ferguson who has won four league titles with Manchester United. Wes Brown was suspended and couldn’t face his parent club today so Alec Cleland came in at Right Back. Dave Watson named himself at the back once again alongside Slaven Bilic and Tomasz Iwan came in on the right side of midfield. David Beckham was serving a match suspension so Michel Salgado came into the side. Yorke and Cole were picked up top to continue their dream partnership in front of goal. Everton looked nervous and on 2 minutes Yorke went round Cleland and he pulled him down inside the box conceding a penalty to Man Utd, the referee had no other option. It was Roy Keane who fancied it and he went for thr top corner which saw Myhre get across to tip it over, some save! Myhre does it again! Myhre saved Everton shortly after when Cole went past Watson and Myhre came rushing off his line to close him down, what a fine seasom he’s having. Everton got some bad news on 20 minutes and Michael Ball had to go off with a foot injury, so John Collins moved to Left wing and Don Hutchison was on and in midfield. Man Utd took the lead on 27 minutes when Giggs played the corner to the edge of the box and Dwight Yorke drilled it into the bottom right corner to relieve the tension inside Old Trafford. Iwan lobbed the ball forward and Ferguson took it down and advanced into the area, he played it inside for Bakayoko and Schmeichel done well to deflect it behind. Everton were trailing by the one goal, Myhre was playing brilliantly but nothing was happening at the other end of the pitch. Young Francis Jeffers got his chance coming on replacing Ibrahima Bakayoko with 25 minutes to go. When Everton thougth they might have a chance, Alec Cleland was caught napping and Giggs went through to slot across Myhre into the bottom corner and made it 2-0 on 80 minutes. Cadamarteri came on for Everton replacing Iwan, he got involved playing it forward for Hutchison, he played it to Jeffers who just beat the offside trap and had a shot tipped wide by Schmeichel, unlucky. Just when we thought the game was done, the icing was applied in stoppage time, Giggs with a whipped cross to the near post and Yorke guiding in the header to seal a 3-0 win. Man Utd have been incredible and the quality was on show today. Everton were simply not good enough and they lacked real quality. It shows the gulf between the two sides and Alex Ferguson will be very pleased to see his side go back top after Arsenal were beaten by Blackburn 3-2 with a Jason Wilcox last minute winner.
DW: It’s hard enough coming here regardless who you play for. This team are incedible and they will be fighting for the league title this season. We had a couple of chances but nothing Schmeichel was phased by, I thought Thomas Myhre was brilliant today despite conceding three, it could have easily been five or sic but he saved a penalty and dominated his area for set-pieces.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Chelsea
18th October 1998
Dave Watson returned to the dugout with this game rolling round three days after the defeat to Man Utd, Marco Materazzi came in alongside David Weir and Craig Short got a start at Right Back with Wes Brown suspended for a further two games and Alec Cleland not really giving the manager something to think about. Gianluca Vialli was having a good first full season and a win today could see Chelsea top the table. Despite being winless in the Champions League group stage, there is a chance they can still reach the UEFA Cup knockout round. Vialli started the match for Chelsea with Gianfranco Zola just behind him. 30 minutes in and it’s mostly Chelsea in the attacking third but nothing substantial for Myhre to worry about, he made a save from Revivo from inside the area and was livid with his back four for allowing the space. Zola was running the show in the Everton half but one mis-hit pass saw Everton regain possession and Unsworth hit it forward for Ferguson to chance, he got it under control and passed to Jeffers, Cadamarteri arrived on the right and took the pass, he cut in on his left from outside the box and hit an audacious shot going towards the top corner but it clipped the bar and went over, great effort. Ferguson looked tired inside the first half and couldn't keep up with Le Saux down the Chelsea left, he played it forward to Revivo who knew he would get round Short which he did and found Zola in the box who snatched at it and it went in from close range, 1-0 to Chelsea on 40 minutes. The same happened again a few minutes later, Chelsea exploiting Everton down the left and Revivo assisting Zola once again, 2-0. Watson made a big change at half-time and Ferguson went off for Bakayoko. John Collins came down with a suspected calf injury a few minutes later and went off to be replaced by Tomasz Iwan, who is going to go on the left. Iwan took the ball down the left with 20 minutes to go, switched it beautifully for Cadamarteri on the other side, he went down the right and played a low ball into Bakayoko who shot first time and got it wrong, the ball going over. That was Everton’s chance to get back into it but Chelsea had nothing to fear from a lacklustre Everton side. It was easy work for Chelsea and they secure a win against an Everton side reminiscent of last season’s team.
PLAYER RATINGS
Sheffield Wednesday vs Everton
22nd October 1998
Having already beaten Sheffield Wednesday in this season’s League Cup, it was a return trip this time in the league. Danny Wilson’s Wednesday were 13th in the table as they looked to return towards the top half of the table. Everton were dealt with a couple of injuries, Michael Ball was still out for around another three weeks and John Collins was missing due to a minor injury which meant Watson had to make changes and it was a 4-3-3 with Joe Parkinson and Don Hutchison in midfield with Olivier Dacourt. Craig Short stayed in as a makeshift Right Back and a front three of Ferguson, Jeffers and Cadamarteri looked quite threatening. Everton, in all yellow against Wednesday in their blue and white, Unsworth got forward down the left and found Cadamarteri with a good cross but he couldn’t re-position his body and could only head over. Andy Hinchcliffe took the Wednesday corner on 23 minutes, Materazzi got up for the header, Andy Booth got hold of it and laid it off for Benito Carbone who found a gap, it struck Hutchison and went over Myhre who was already diving to his right, 1-0 to Wednesday. Ferguson got on the ball and drove forward, he played a one-two with Cadamarteri, the ball clipped Atherton but Ferguson fought to get it back under control, he got into the box and smashed it against the underside of the bar and over the line! Ferguson runs off to the travelling support with his fist in the air! 1-1! When things aren’t going your way, you have to take matters into your own hands! Six minutes later Wim Jonk turned on the magic when he got his free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and past Myhre to restore the Sheffield Wednesday lead, great finish. Sheffield Wednesday exploited space in the middle, Atherton playing it to Booth, he spotted Myhre off his line and chipped him from outside the box! What a goal that was! Andy Booth with one of the season’s best goals. Watson made his first change with 35 minutes to go, a rare chance for Nick Barmby as he replaced Joe Parkinson and went further upfield. Everton were truly disappointing and after conceding the second, they had no fight to get back into the match. A third consecutive defeat for Everton and a wake up call is needed to get their season back on track before it gets worse.
DW: We’ve had to make changes and try and get something today but with key players missing and players playing out of position, it’s always going to be hard. We’ve got Wes Brown back next week and Bally is doing well to recover but we are playing without a proper left winger and still at the right end of the table. We need to be able to adapt when things aren’t going our way, at 1-1 I thought we had a chance but we didn’t do enough to get on top at that point.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Charlton Athletic
29th October 1998
Charlton were back in the Premier League following relegation in 1990 and were off to a steady start under Alan Curbishley. Everton needed the win, especially with it being at Goodison Park and they reverted back to their trusted 4-4-2 formation with John Collins back on the left. Although only 19 years old, Wes Brown was a massive boost to the side as he returned from suspension, such a talented player who has really fitted in at Everton this season. Watson went with Bakayoko and Ferguson up top today, suggesting 17 year old Francis Jeffers will be in and out of the side and is very much in development this season. It was all Everton inside the first 20 minutes, they looked up for it, Materazzi headed it forward and Ferguson came to retrieve just inside the Charlton half and Carl Tiler came in with his studs up taking down the big man, what a disgusting challenge, Ferguson got to his feet and got in the face of Carl Tiler who was full of apologies but the referee had no option but to send him off. It was an awful challenge with his foot up to his knee. Everton had a free-kick on 30 minutes, Collins lobbed it into the box, Unsworth headed it down and Dacourt hit it on the half volley past Mike Salmon! 1-0! Dacourt with his first Everton goal! Everton were going for it now, Ferguson took the ball on the left and switched it to Collins on the right, he passed inside to Cadamarteri but Youds committed the foul and the referee gave the penalty! David Unsworth, Everton’s trusted penalty taker, placed it down, with a short run up despatched it into the bottom right! Executed nicely! John Collins didn’t come out for the second half as he seemed to have picked up an injury so Tomasz Iwan was on. Wes Brown came down the right, going past John Robinson, he got the cross in but Bergsson beat Bakayoko to it. Unsworth back in and Hutchison put the shot wide. Some nice play on show by Everton, Brown in the middle with a pass to Bakayoko who played a nice one-two with Iwan and his shot was pushed away by Salmon. It’s going to be an interesting sub by Everton with 13 minutes to go, Cadamarteri going off and Terry Phelan coming on, Tomasz Iwan went to the right and Phelan played in front of Unsworth. Everton probing with five minutes to go, Dacourt, he slotted it through the middle nicely into the path of Bakayoko who only has to finish….3-0! Bakayoko rounding off a comfortable game for The Toffees! Everton got the win after losing three on the bounce and they done it in style. Charlton going down to ten would have helped but Everton were in full control from tne first minute. It’s a huge confidence boost as they lurk around the European places at this early stage of the season.
DW: Really pleased with the lads today and they showed good character to get a comfortable win. They done what I asked of them and they had no problem with me changing a few things. We’ve got a good bunch of lads and I really think we can push on.
PLAYER RATINGS
At this stage of the season, it’s Arsenal who are joint top with Chelsea. A few surprising results this weekend saw both Arsenal and Chelsea draw with Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough respectively. Man Utd missed out on capitalising as they were beaten 2-1 by struggling Leeds and Aston Villa moved into fourth after a 1-0 win over Coventry, who look destined to go down. Tottenham smashed Leicester 6-2 at White Hart Lane and Wimbledon climbed further up the table with a 4-1 away victory over Derby County. Paulo Di Canio scored twice as West Ham beat Liverpool 2-1 and Everton got a much needed win against ten men Charlton, Alan Curbishley was livid at full-time and was the only one who didn’t think it was a red card claiming the game had gone soft.
LEAGUE TABLE
18th October 1998
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Dave Watson returned to the dugout with this game rolling round three days after the defeat to Man Utd, Marco Materazzi came in alongside David Weir and Craig Short got a start at Right Back with Wes Brown suspended for a further two games and Alec Cleland not really giving the manager something to think about. Gianluca Vialli was having a good first full season and a win today could see Chelsea top the table. Despite being winless in the Champions League group stage, there is a chance they can still reach the UEFA Cup knockout round. Vialli started the match for Chelsea with Gianfranco Zola just behind him. 30 minutes in and it’s mostly Chelsea in the attacking third but nothing substantial for Myhre to worry about, he made a save from Revivo from inside the area and was livid with his back four for allowing the space. Zola was running the show in the Everton half but one mis-hit pass saw Everton regain possession and Unsworth hit it forward for Ferguson to chance, he got it under control and passed to Jeffers, Cadamarteri arrived on the right and took the pass, he cut in on his left from outside the box and hit an audacious shot going towards the top corner but it clipped the bar and went over, great effort. Ferguson looked tired inside the first half and couldn't keep up with Le Saux down the Chelsea left, he played it forward to Revivo who knew he would get round Short which he did and found Zola in the box who snatched at it and it went in from close range, 1-0 to Chelsea on 40 minutes. The same happened again a few minutes later, Chelsea exploiting Everton down the left and Revivo assisting Zola once again, 2-0. Watson made a big change at half-time and Ferguson went off for Bakayoko. John Collins came down with a suspected calf injury a few minutes later and went off to be replaced by Tomasz Iwan, who is going to go on the left. Iwan took the ball down the left with 20 minutes to go, switched it beautifully for Cadamarteri on the other side, he went down the right and played a low ball into Bakayoko who shot first time and got it wrong, the ball going over. That was Everton’s chance to get back into it but Chelsea had nothing to fear from a lacklustre Everton side. It was easy work for Chelsea and they secure a win against an Everton side reminiscent of last season’s team.
PLAYER RATINGS
Sheffield Wednesday vs Everton
22nd October 1998
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Having already beaten Sheffield Wednesday in this season’s League Cup, it was a return trip this time in the league. Danny Wilson’s Wednesday were 13th in the table as they looked to return towards the top half of the table. Everton were dealt with a couple of injuries, Michael Ball was still out for around another three weeks and John Collins was missing due to a minor injury which meant Watson had to make changes and it was a 4-3-3 with Joe Parkinson and Don Hutchison in midfield with Olivier Dacourt. Craig Short stayed in as a makeshift Right Back and a front three of Ferguson, Jeffers and Cadamarteri looked quite threatening. Everton, in all yellow against Wednesday in their blue and white, Unsworth got forward down the left and found Cadamarteri with a good cross but he couldn’t re-position his body and could only head over. Andy Hinchcliffe took the Wednesday corner on 23 minutes, Materazzi got up for the header, Andy Booth got hold of it and laid it off for Benito Carbone who found a gap, it struck Hutchison and went over Myhre who was already diving to his right, 1-0 to Wednesday. Ferguson got on the ball and drove forward, he played a one-two with Cadamarteri, the ball clipped Atherton but Ferguson fought to get it back under control, he got into the box and smashed it against the underside of the bar and over the line! Ferguson runs off to the travelling support with his fist in the air! 1-1! When things aren’t going your way, you have to take matters into your own hands! Six minutes later Wim Jonk turned on the magic when he got his free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and past Myhre to restore the Sheffield Wednesday lead, great finish. Sheffield Wednesday exploited space in the middle, Atherton playing it to Booth, he spotted Myhre off his line and chipped him from outside the box! What a goal that was! Andy Booth with one of the season’s best goals. Watson made his first change with 35 minutes to go, a rare chance for Nick Barmby as he replaced Joe Parkinson and went further upfield. Everton were truly disappointing and after conceding the second, they had no fight to get back into the match. A third consecutive defeat for Everton and a wake up call is needed to get their season back on track before it gets worse.
DW: We’ve had to make changes and try and get something today but with key players missing and players playing out of position, it’s always going to be hard. We’ve got Wes Brown back next week and Bally is doing well to recover but we are playing without a proper left winger and still at the right end of the table. We need to be able to adapt when things aren’t going our way, at 1-1 I thought we had a chance but we didn’t do enough to get on top at that point.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Charlton Athletic
29th October 1998
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Charlton were back in the Premier League following relegation in 1990 and were off to a steady start under Alan Curbishley. Everton needed the win, especially with it being at Goodison Park and they reverted back to their trusted 4-4-2 formation with John Collins back on the left. Although only 19 years old, Wes Brown was a massive boost to the side as he returned from suspension, such a talented player who has really fitted in at Everton this season. Watson went with Bakayoko and Ferguson up top today, suggesting 17 year old Francis Jeffers will be in and out of the side and is very much in development this season. It was all Everton inside the first 20 minutes, they looked up for it, Materazzi headed it forward and Ferguson came to retrieve just inside the Charlton half and Carl Tiler came in with his studs up taking down the big man, what a disgusting challenge, Ferguson got to his feet and got in the face of Carl Tiler who was full of apologies but the referee had no option but to send him off. It was an awful challenge with his foot up to his knee. Everton had a free-kick on 30 minutes, Collins lobbed it into the box, Unsworth headed it down and Dacourt hit it on the half volley past Mike Salmon! 1-0! Dacourt with his first Everton goal! Everton were going for it now, Ferguson took the ball on the left and switched it to Collins on the right, he passed inside to Cadamarteri but Youds committed the foul and the referee gave the penalty! David Unsworth, Everton’s trusted penalty taker, placed it down, with a short run up despatched it into the bottom right! Executed nicely! John Collins didn’t come out for the second half as he seemed to have picked up an injury so Tomasz Iwan was on. Wes Brown came down the right, going past John Robinson, he got the cross in but Bergsson beat Bakayoko to it. Unsworth back in and Hutchison put the shot wide. Some nice play on show by Everton, Brown in the middle with a pass to Bakayoko who played a nice one-two with Iwan and his shot was pushed away by Salmon. It’s going to be an interesting sub by Everton with 13 minutes to go, Cadamarteri going off and Terry Phelan coming on, Tomasz Iwan went to the right and Phelan played in front of Unsworth. Everton probing with five minutes to go, Dacourt, he slotted it through the middle nicely into the path of Bakayoko who only has to finish….3-0! Bakayoko rounding off a comfortable game for The Toffees! Everton got the win after losing three on the bounce and they done it in style. Charlton going down to ten would have helped but Everton were in full control from tne first minute. It’s a huge confidence boost as they lurk around the European places at this early stage of the season.
DW: Really pleased with the lads today and they showed good character to get a comfortable win. They done what I asked of them and they had no problem with me changing a few things. We’ve got a good bunch of lads and I really think we can push on.
PLAYER RATINGS
At this stage of the season, it’s Arsenal who are joint top with Chelsea. A few surprising results this weekend saw both Arsenal and Chelsea draw with Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough respectively. Man Utd missed out on capitalising as they were beaten 2-1 by struggling Leeds and Aston Villa moved into fourth after a 1-0 win over Coventry, who look destined to go down. Tottenham smashed Leicester 6-2 at White Hart Lane and Wimbledon climbed further up the table with a 4-1 away victory over Derby County. Paulo Di Canio scored twice as West Ham beat Liverpool 2-1 and Everton got a much needed win against ten men Charlton, Alan Curbishley was livid at full-time and was the only one who didn’t think it was a red card claiming the game had gone soft.
LEAGUE TABLE
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
OCTOBER 1998 YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD
