Souness & Co. Goodison A Right Mess
Everton 2-0 NUFC
Newcastle were beaten 2-0 By Everton at Goodison Park yesterday afternoon
with two goals either side of half-time enough to virtually clinch
a Champions League place for the Toffees while condemning United and
the traveling fans to yet another miserable day on the road. Thankfully,
our last of the season.
Graeme Souness made two changes to the side that beat Fulham 3-1 in
midweek - bringing back Celestine Babayaro in place of Steven Taylor
at left-back, while Jermaine Jenas came in for Amdy Faye in the centre
of midfield with the formation once again 4-5-1 when off the ball
and 4-3-3 when on it.
And Newcastle were on the ball from the off, playing neat and tidy
football (arguably our best all season) where as Everton, with two
former Mags in their lineup Duncan Ferguson and Steve Watson, were
content to hit it long to their 'talisman' Scot in the hope of picking
up any scraps that came their way.
Souness' side dominated the first-half and should have went in at
the break a few goals to the good but Patrick Kluivert, James Milner
and Darren Ambrose in particular were all guilty of squandering gilt
edged chances while Everton rarely threatened. Although Shay Given
had to tip away a Mikel Arteta free-kick that looked destined for
the top corner earlier on in the game.
Other than that it was a comfortable half for the away side and you
wouldn't guess David Moyes' team were Champions League contenders.
On this showing, they'll struggle badly in Europe next season.
Then enter referee Barry Knight. The man in the middle in that now
infamous 3-0 defeat by Aston Villa at St. James' Park a few weeks
back where he sent off 3 Toon players and turned down numerous hand-ball
appeals.
On the stroke of half-time Knight awarded Marcus Bent a free-kick
near the left-hand corner flag after a tangle with Toon Skipper Jean-Alain
Boumsong. It was never a foul but there is no excuse for what happened
next.
Arteta subsequently swung in the set-piece and David Weir rose unchallenged
at the back post to head home his first goal in 3 years. Once again
sloppy marking cost United a goal. If you need a goal, give the Toon
a call. They'll only be too happy to assist.
After the break, 1-0 down and with the home crowd in full voice, Knight
added to United's woes by sending off Shola Ameobi for pushing Tim
Cahill after the Australian had been tugging at his shirt. Lacking
fight all season, it's typical that he would finally show some but
in this fashion. He was having a very good game too...
Shola's actions cost his team-mates any chance of a comeback and not
long after, his tormentor Cahil put the home side 2-0 up - firing
home from close range after a misshit somehow found it's way to his
feet inside the box. Sloppy marking again.
Game over!
After that Newcastle simply gave up with Everton content to see the
game out. Not even the late introduction of Alan Shearer could save
our sorry arses.
And while Souness bemoans "lady luck" and "poor refereeing decisions"
- venting his anger in that direction, United fans are growing increasingly
concerned about the direction of the club under the Scot and should
his side be on the end of a right royal hammering from the new kings
of the Premiership in our final game of the season next week, it will
be the thousands of fans on the stands doing the blaming and it will
be him on the receiving end.
Teams
Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Watson, Carsley, Bent
(McFadden 74), Cahill (Stubbs 89), Arteta, Kilbane, Ferguson (Beattie
63). Subs not used: Wright, Pistone.
Booked: Carsley, Cahill, Arteta.
Goals: Weir 43, Cahill 59.
United: Given, Carr (Ramage 45), Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro,
Ambrose, N'Zogbia, Jenas, Milner (Shearer 82), Ameobi, Kluivert. Subs
not used: Harper, O'Brien, Robert.
Sent Off: Ameobi (56).
Booked: Kluivert.
Att: 40,438
Ref: Barry Knight (Kunt)
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Buying From Our Premiership Rivals - Chelsea
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in
players who have Premiership experience or who can perform in the
League, then? Well lets take a look at our Premiership rivals and
see who is available, who could be available and who we could potentially
attract. In the 7th instalment of a daily series, lets take a look
at Chelsea.
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