Superb Hillsborough tribute as the Blues finally win again at the Grand Old Lady.
A lovely sunny afternoon began with Goodison Park paying a superb, tearful and classy tribute to the Hillsborough families and their – at long last – successful campaign for justice over the tragic loss of 96 lives twenty-seven long years ago.
Evertonians together with 3,000 Bournemouth fans gave Margaret Aspinall and the other family members in attendance an ovation worthy of a team parading a trophy and it was clear that they fully appreciated the gesture.
Credit too must go to under pressure Everton manager Roberto Martinez who gave each and every one of them a warm, heartfelt hug or shake of the hand as they left the pitch. Whatever any Evertonian thinks of Roberto for his performance as manager of our club, he has spoken passionately and eloquently about how the Hillsborough tragedy affects everyone in the world of football. Credit too to Everton for welcoming the families and Leigh MP Andy Burnham into the directors’ box for todays’ game.
To the game itself and Everton made changes with Tim Howard returning in goal and Matthew Pennington alongside John Stones with Baines and Besic in the respective left and right back roles. The other notable change to the starting line-up was the inclusion of Oumar Niasse in place of Romelu Lukaku as the lone striker.
The crowd had given the team a warm welcome onto the pitch in particular Tim Howard who was sporting the captains’ armband in recognition of his ten years with the club… and with no initial anti-Martinez sentiment being expressed from a near full house.
A bright start saw the Blues opening the scoring in the seventh minute as Ross Barkley found Tom Cleverley and a sweet turn gave him the chance to fire a low shot across the face of the Bournemouth goal to beat the goalie low to his left. The good start though was negated in less than two minutes much to the chagrin and concerted rage of the Gwladys Street and Bullens Road supporters who clearly thought Baines was fouled and there was a handball ahead of a right wing cross that somehow found its way to the back post where Marc Pugh saw his shot hit Tim Howard before trickling over the line.
Rocked by this quick equaliser, Everton went back to the seemingly never-ending procession of sideways and backwards passing that has plagued their game most of the season, certainly since Christmas. The 20th minute saw an extraordinary play as a cross from the right was inexplicably played back to a surprised, but thankfully alert Tim Howard by stand-in right back Mo Besic. Incredibly, the one-two worked out with the crowd breathing a collective sigh of relief as the ball was cleared to safety.
Matthew Pennington was having a fine first half, looking cool and assured on the ball, strong in the air too and not afraid to play the ball when able to. There might be very early signs there of a potential partnership with John Stones. Up front meanwhile Oumar Niasse on his full debut was running around gamely, but not getting too much service with which to show what he may be capable of.
As the half wore on, the crowd began to get uneasy with the tediousness of the Everton play, too many passes going nowhere and too many passes going astray and then a bit of interplay between Niasse and Barkley saw Ross renege on a return pass preferring to go alone before sending his shot high and wide.
Just before half-time the plane towing the “Time to go Roberto, NSNO” banner passed over the ground to some applause and the final action saw Niasse flick a Baines corner narrowly wide; the players leaving the pitch to some booing from the Main Stand.
Tony Hibbert replaced Besic at right back for the second half as the manager must have accepted that the gamble he took at Wembley playing Mo back there simply hadn’t worked. Hibbo got an excellent reception and as expected, many of his touches were greeted with cries of “SHOOOOOOT”.
Certainly, his introduction gave the crowd something of a lift and it appeared the team too as a good move involving Niasse, Barkley and Lennon disappointingly came to nought with a poor cross from Baines.
Ross, who was having not having his beast day in a blue shirt, showed what he is capable of with an inch-perfect, defence splitting pass that found Niasse, but he was quickly closed down. Niasse was replaced on the hour mark by Romelu Lukaku without having achieved too much, but maybe quietening a little the fans who’ve thought he would be a total waste of space. Is he worth a £13.5 million price tag, probably not, but he did try and that as always, is appreciated by Evertonians.
Bournemouth wasted a good chance from a free kick that saw Gibson yellow-carded for the foul and Everton took full advantage as the lead was regained courtesy if the first goal of the season for Leighton Baines. A good move down the right flank eventually saw Lennon cross to the back post and Bainsey drifting in unmarked put a precise short-range finish into the roof of the Gwladys Street goal.
Eddie Howe brought Stanislas and Afobe on in an attempt to pressure the Blues defence and Matthew Pennington made a fine block to deny Afobe. The same player spurned a glorious chance to pull the visitors level in the 77th minute as Wilson got to the byeline and got his cross away only for Afobe to somehow head over when it looked it easier to score or at least force Tim Howard into a save.
Kieron Dowell replaced Barkley with a little under five minutes to play, not really enough time for him to make any real impression on proceedings, and Everton saw out the four added on minutes to record the first home victory since the third of February.
As the players left the pitch, a number of anti-Martinez banners were unfurled in the Gwladys Street and around one hundred fans staged a sit-in for over an hour chanting for the manager to be removed from his position.
This post-match demonstration was much smaller than had been widely expected in the week since Wembley. Goodison saw no waving of white hankies, no deluge of tennis balls, and no anti-Martinez chanting during the match, although a first half rendition of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Bournemouth fans did receive some applause. I’d like to think that the tribute to the Hillsborough families and their victory over the establishment meant more to the Goodison crowd than the future – or not – of Roberto Martinez as manager of Everton FC.
That, as they say, is a matter for another day.
In terms of my thoughts for MotM, I’m going for Matthew Pennington and Hibbo deserves some credit for his second half showing.
Finally, it’s been a pleasure to offer my thoughts in these match reports for GOT this season and I hope that whilst longer than some of the others, they’ve offered a reasonable reflection of the games I’ve covered.
Cheers,
Blockhead.
A lovely sunny afternoon began with Goodison Park paying a superb, tearful and classy tribute to the Hillsborough families and their – at long last – successful campaign for justice over the tragic loss of 96 lives twenty-seven long years ago.
Evertonians together with 3,000 Bournemouth fans gave Margaret Aspinall and the other family members in attendance an ovation worthy of a team parading a trophy and it was clear that they fully appreciated the gesture.
Credit too must go to under pressure Everton manager Roberto Martinez who gave each and every one of them a warm, heartfelt hug or shake of the hand as they left the pitch. Whatever any Evertonian thinks of Roberto for his performance as manager of our club, he has spoken passionately and eloquently about how the Hillsborough tragedy affects everyone in the world of football. Credit too to Everton for welcoming the families and Leigh MP Andy Burnham into the directors’ box for todays’ game.
To the game itself and Everton made changes with Tim Howard returning in goal and Matthew Pennington alongside John Stones with Baines and Besic in the respective left and right back roles. The other notable change to the starting line-up was the inclusion of Oumar Niasse in place of Romelu Lukaku as the lone striker.
The crowd had given the team a warm welcome onto the pitch in particular Tim Howard who was sporting the captains’ armband in recognition of his ten years with the club… and with no initial anti-Martinez sentiment being expressed from a near full house.
A bright start saw the Blues opening the scoring in the seventh minute as Ross Barkley found Tom Cleverley and a sweet turn gave him the chance to fire a low shot across the face of the Bournemouth goal to beat the goalie low to his left. The good start though was negated in less than two minutes much to the chagrin and concerted rage of the Gwladys Street and Bullens Road supporters who clearly thought Baines was fouled and there was a handball ahead of a right wing cross that somehow found its way to the back post where Marc Pugh saw his shot hit Tim Howard before trickling over the line.
Rocked by this quick equaliser, Everton went back to the seemingly never-ending procession of sideways and backwards passing that has plagued their game most of the season, certainly since Christmas. The 20th minute saw an extraordinary play as a cross from the right was inexplicably played back to a surprised, but thankfully alert Tim Howard by stand-in right back Mo Besic. Incredibly, the one-two worked out with the crowd breathing a collective sigh of relief as the ball was cleared to safety.
Matthew Pennington was having a fine first half, looking cool and assured on the ball, strong in the air too and not afraid to play the ball when able to. There might be very early signs there of a potential partnership with John Stones. Up front meanwhile Oumar Niasse on his full debut was running around gamely, but not getting too much service with which to show what he may be capable of.
As the half wore on, the crowd began to get uneasy with the tediousness of the Everton play, too many passes going nowhere and too many passes going astray and then a bit of interplay between Niasse and Barkley saw Ross renege on a return pass preferring to go alone before sending his shot high and wide.
Just before half-time the plane towing the “Time to go Roberto, NSNO” banner passed over the ground to some applause and the final action saw Niasse flick a Baines corner narrowly wide; the players leaving the pitch to some booing from the Main Stand.
Tony Hibbert replaced Besic at right back for the second half as the manager must have accepted that the gamble he took at Wembley playing Mo back there simply hadn’t worked. Hibbo got an excellent reception and as expected, many of his touches were greeted with cries of “SHOOOOOOT”.
Certainly, his introduction gave the crowd something of a lift and it appeared the team too as a good move involving Niasse, Barkley and Lennon disappointingly came to nought with a poor cross from Baines.
Ross, who was having not having his beast day in a blue shirt, showed what he is capable of with an inch-perfect, defence splitting pass that found Niasse, but he was quickly closed down. Niasse was replaced on the hour mark by Romelu Lukaku without having achieved too much, but maybe quietening a little the fans who’ve thought he would be a total waste of space. Is he worth a £13.5 million price tag, probably not, but he did try and that as always, is appreciated by Evertonians.
Bournemouth wasted a good chance from a free kick that saw Gibson yellow-carded for the foul and Everton took full advantage as the lead was regained courtesy if the first goal of the season for Leighton Baines. A good move down the right flank eventually saw Lennon cross to the back post and Bainsey drifting in unmarked put a precise short-range finish into the roof of the Gwladys Street goal.
Eddie Howe brought Stanislas and Afobe on in an attempt to pressure the Blues defence and Matthew Pennington made a fine block to deny Afobe. The same player spurned a glorious chance to pull the visitors level in the 77th minute as Wilson got to the byeline and got his cross away only for Afobe to somehow head over when it looked it easier to score or at least force Tim Howard into a save.
Kieron Dowell replaced Barkley with a little under five minutes to play, not really enough time for him to make any real impression on proceedings, and Everton saw out the four added on minutes to record the first home victory since the third of February.
As the players left the pitch, a number of anti-Martinez banners were unfurled in the Gwladys Street and around one hundred fans staged a sit-in for over an hour chanting for the manager to be removed from his position.
This post-match demonstration was much smaller than had been widely expected in the week since Wembley. Goodison saw no waving of white hankies, no deluge of tennis balls, and no anti-Martinez chanting during the match, although a first half rendition of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Bournemouth fans did receive some applause. I’d like to think that the tribute to the Hillsborough families and their victory over the establishment meant more to the Goodison crowd than the future – or not – of Roberto Martinez as manager of Everton FC.
That, as they say, is a matter for another day.
In terms of my thoughts for MotM, I’m going for Matthew Pennington and Hibbo deserves some credit for his second half showing.
Finally, it’s been a pleasure to offer my thoughts in these match reports for GOT this season and I hope that whilst longer than some of the others, they’ve offered a reasonable reflection of the games I’ve covered.
Cheers,
Blockhead.
