Everton 2 - 0 Brighton
The alarm went off at 4:45 am and I drove up to Taunton with a heavy heart as Mal, my best friend since meeting at school in 1966, had passed away 2 days ago. We went to many games together and he would have loved this occasion. I talked to him on the drive up and it was like he was there with me.
West Country Blues, and especially Mike Williams, had surpassed themselves running a 73-seater coach and an 18-seater minibus – and Mike even had to drive the minibus as the driver had to cry off at the last minute – what a guy to have on your side!
I’ve not been to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock before and seeing it in the flesh is some sight! It looks like a spaceship has landed but the size of it is mind-blowing. I tried to find a pub but the two I came across were packed with a long wait to get served so I tried the San Miguel served from a beer machine and it was surprisingly very good.
I had a quick look for the brick which Jane and Emily had bought for me on Everton Way but talk about a needle in a haystack! I gave up and went inside to enjoy the build-up and what a sight greets you as you enter the playing arena. This place is absolutely breathtaking and we have to find the means and ability to build a top team. Mal would have loved this!
To the match itself: we started off a bit scrappy but settled down after 10 minutes and played some very nice football, shunning the big hoof upfield for a more cultured approach which was almost Tarkowski's undoing with a stupid pass back towards Pickford which Jordan just managed to retrieve. The defence has to be told that there are times when only a big hoof up the pitch or into touch will suffice.
Brighton were dangerous with two very dangerous wingers up against makeshift full-backs. I thought Garner was very good against Leeds and he had another fine game here, topped off with a thunderous shot from Jack Grealish's lay-off for the second goal.
I had been looking forward to seeing Grealish and he didn’t disappoint. It seems like the ball is glued to his dancing feet and boy is he strong. They just couldn’t get him off the ball without fouling him and the prospect of Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye and Dibling all playing together and tuned in to each other is an incredible prospect. Dewsbury-Hall has been somewhat overshadowed by Jack's arrival but he is a very good footballer and a good buy.
Our opening goal was a beauty – a typical short burst from Jack who absolutely hammered the ball across the face of the goal for Ndiaye to guide into the net. So easy to sky that cross, it was hit so hard but he made it look easy with a very confident finish. The noise when that goal went in was amazing.
Nice touch by the club putting a flag on every seat. The atmosphere was brilliant from start to finish but where does everyone meet for a beer before the game?
Good trip home – a 2 pm kick-off means a very early alarm but the flip side is that I was in the house by 10 pm. I won’t be at the Mansfield game but we are running a minibus – awesome stuff as those guys won’t get back home til around 3 am or worse**.**
My player ratings:
Pickford, 8 – Penalty save, a couple of other great saves and looked rock solid
O'Brien 7 – Coped very well with a very dangerous winger
Tarkowski, 5 – Shocking back pass but otherwise okay
Keane, 7 – Very solid and some cracking long-range passing – glad he has stayed
Garner, 8 – Kept his winger pretty quiet, great goal… and what on earth was he doing outside their penalty area playing left-back?
Iroegbunam, 7 – I can’t understand the stick he has been getting on this site; he is a young lad still learning the game. He was solid, worked hard, got stuck in and has the ability to beat a man and almost scored. He could be a natural successor to Gana.
Gana, 6 – Steady game. I’ve never been his greatest fan but he’s one of those who does a good job for the team and can go under the radar
Dewsbury-Hall, 7 – A good player, this lad. Skilful, reads the game well, gets stuck in and works hard. I’d like to see him alongside Gana as a regular position.
Grealish, 9 – What a cracking player. What can go unnoticed is that, in addition to his tricks and dribbling, he also tracks back, puts in a real shift, and he gives the rest confidence that he will be available and can hold the ball up in tight situations.
Ndiaye, 8 – He was good; like Jack, he retains possession, great ability to beat several men in one burst, and he scores goals. He and Jack will take some stopping – especially with opposition defences packing the other flank to cover Dibling.
Barry, 7 – Worked very hard and played his part in the goals. No sign yet of any finishing ability but it’s early days and, with penetration now down both wings, he should start to see some chances.
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