SKY GAME OF THE WEEK - MATCHDAY 16/18

EVERTON ............................. 1
BLACKBURN ROVERS ....... 0

It's Matchday 16 for the First Division and tonight we are at Goodison Park for a match at the bottom end of the table between Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
Everton have struggled all season and that resulted in the sacking of Aaron Mc after a 1-0 defeat at West Brom on Matchday 14 left them bottom of the table and in danger of being cut adrift. The board moved swiftly and appointed Josh McMillan, an experienced manager and one they hoped could get them out of trouble. Josh has been in charge for 2 league games and a Champions League game and has lost all three but the board realise he will need some time to shape the team to his own liking. Tonight is a huge game for Everton. They are 5 points behind Blackburn who lie just outside the bottom 3.
Blackburn Rovers were promoted as Champions of Division Two and were expected to earn a safe mid table position in their first season in the top flight but it hasn't worked out like that. Four wins from fifteen games has left them on the cusp of the relegation places but with two of those wins coming in the last four games there are signs that, under Stephen Beddows, they are starting to come to grips with football in the top league.


TEAM NEWS

Josh McMillan has no injury worries but it looks like Clement Chantome will miss out after he missed training yesterday. Turkish midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is in line to make his debut for the Toffees after his £8m plus signing from Galatasaray and Ben Watson, who scored two goals on his debut against Swansea, could be recalled after missing the defeat at Arsenal.

For Blackburn Rovers, boss Stephen Beddows has a full squad to choose from although Emanuel Rivas will face a late fitness test and may have to settle for a place on the bench. Top scorer Nils Petersen will be hoping to get in amongst the goals after responding to being left out the German side, that beat Costa Rica, by scoring both goals in the 2-2 draw with West Ham. Meanwhile, will Adam Johnson be selected or will Beddows worry about off field issues getting to him?

So, we are set tonight for what could be a tense match as both sides look for the points that can help them in the fight to escape the drop. It will be clear with some light cloud and a temperature of a cold 3c. The pitch is in perfect condition and we expect a crowd of around 30,000. Tonight's referee is Claudio Circhetta from Switzerland.

Look out for the match report tomorrow evening.

MATCH REPORT

Goodison Park was the venue as two sides struggling at the bottom end of  Division One came face to face for what they usually call a six pointer. There was a disappointing crowd of 22,500 in the ground with about 1,000 of them, with strangely half of them seemingly being young schoolgirls, being the Blackburn fans that bothered to make the 41 mile trip to Liverpool. The visiting fans were, as always, in the Bullens Road Stand opposite to where we were in the press box. It was about 5 minutes to kick off when we got the team sheet and Everton boss Josh McMillan has opted for a 4-3-3 with two wide men and the lone striker while Blackburn's Stephen Beddows has went for the increasingly popular 4-2-3-1.
The teams are as follows:

EVERTON:  Howard; Rafinha, Campagnaro, Demichelis, Baines; Bojan, McCarthy, Dzemaili; Emenike, Llorente, McGeady

BLACKBURN ROVERS:  Zoet; De Silvestri, Henrique, Glik, Bertrand; Lowe, Noble; Rivas, Bertolacci, Johnson; Petersen

The main talking point there was the inclusion of Adam Johnson, who is being charged with having sex with an underage girl, in the Blackburn line up. Aaaah, I get it. I now know why there are so many girls in the Blackburn end. It was interesting to see the treatment that Johnson got from the Everton fans. The teams were now out on the park and already I could hear some abuse being shouted at Johnson from around the main stand. Stewards were on special alert and I already had seen one fan being warned about behaviour.
It was Everton to kick off with Llorente and McGeady round the ball and off we went with Everton shooting towards the Park End of the stadium. The ball was laid back and the Everton back four passed it across the pitch as they all got a touch, trying to settle the nerves for this huge game. Baines had it on the left and moved forward before laying it inside to McCarthy. The young Irish internationalist looked to play it back out to the left towards McGeady but it was too long and it went out for a throw to Blackburn. It was a fair start with both teams settling well. On 3 minutes Blackburn launched an attack with Lowe picking it up in midfield before moving the ball right towards Rivas. He moved forward looking for a space in the home sides defence. Baines was in close attendance as Rivas moved down the right side but the Everton full back missed his challenge and Rivas had time to look up before sending a dangerous low ball into the box. Bertolacci came towards it and beat Demichelis to the ball before trying a flick towards the near post that Howard had to get down to, to put it round the post for a corner. The first chance of the game and it could have brought a goal although Howard didn't seem in too much trouble. Rivas took an inswinging corner but it sailed over everyone's head and went out for a goal kick. Poor corner from Rivas and he knew it himself.
Everton were seeing plenty of the ball early on but they weren't doing anything with it with Blackburn closing down any space well.

Early action from Goodison Park

With 8 minutes played Blackburn played the ball out of defence and Noble collected just inside his own half before playing wide to Johnson. A torrent of boo's came from the crowd as Johnson moved down the touchline before playing it back to Noble. Noble looked to cut inside but Emenike was having none of that and ceremoniously dumped him on the turf giving Blackburn a free kick just wide of the penalty area. The referee was not impressed with the tackle and Emenike became the first to see the yellow card shown in his direction. Petersen and Rivas stood round the kick discussing the possibilities while Blackburn and Everton players jostled in the box. It was a three man wall for Everton as Petersen stepped up and fired a low shot that went round the wall and then zipped across the turf, flying wide of Howard's left hand post. A decent effort from Petersen but maybe a bit ambitious. Everton were struggling to make headway and weren't finding any space in behind the visitor's defence. Both McGeady and Emenike were trying their best to get down the wide areas but Blackburn captain Bertrand was organising the defence superbly. The first fifteen minutes had passed and Everton hadn't had a shot at goal. The fans were getting restless and were starting to get on the backs of their players at every misplaced pass. On 20 minutes Lowe brought it through midfield for Blackburn and found Bertolacci with a short pass. Bertolacci managed, under pressure from Dzemaili, fought to find some space just outside the box and managed to force the ball through to Petersen. The German striker didn't need an invitation to have a go at goal and he fired in a shot that fizzed past Howard but also the post. It was the first time that Petersen had found a bit of space in the Everton box and he will be disappointed he didn't do better with the effort. The goal kick only found Lowe for Blackburn and he headed it back forward to Petersen but before Petersen could control it and turn, Llorente brought him down with a tough challenge. The referee took out his notepad and Llorente became the second player to see yellow. Noble tried the quick free kick to catch Everton out but he also caught out his own players and the ball ran through to Howard. Still Everton huffed and puffed, trying to put Blackburn under pressure but they were quite predictable in their efforts. Boss McMillan was out in the technical area, obviously not happy with the performance so far, trying to urge his players on and maybe just tweaking a couple of things. On 28 minutes it was Blackburn again who came out of defence comfortably with the ball Henrique had it in his own half and played a high ball forward that was flicked on by Gilk towards Petersen, who was in a race with Campagnaro to win the ball. It was Petersen who outran him and also outstripped the defence to be clean through on Howard. The Everton fans held their breath as Howard came out to meet the Blackburn striker. Howard narrowed the angle well but Petersen still managed to put the ball past him only for the accuracy not to be there and the ball to roll past the post. Another chance for Petersen as he looked up to the heavens knowing that it should have been in the back of the net but credit to Howard who used all his experience to make it difficult for Blackburn striker. Howard sent the goal kick up the pitch and it was won by Bojan who knocked it on to Emenike. Emenike moved forward with Bertrand in close attention. The Everton wide man did a nice reverse that fooled Bertrand and sent a superb pass across the pitch to an on-running and free McGeady. McGeady controlled the ball with one touch and with one step forward to the angle of the penalty area he unleashed a shot that rocketed towards the goal. Zoet was forced to dive to his left but although he got a hand on it, he couldn't stop the ball going into the net. First chance at goal for Everton and they were in front. McGeady turned away to be smothered by his team mates as the crowd celebrated. McMillan was out his dug out hands in the air and then punching the air. What a vital goal and what a rocket from McGeady. Beddows sat looking in disbelief at his side going behind. All the chances had fell to Blackburn but it was Everton who had taken the lead.

Everton players celebrate the priceless goal

Blackburn got us underway again as we waited to see how they would respond to going a goal down. The ball was played forward to Petersen, who must be rueing those missed chances, and he made good progress before being hacked down my McGeady just outside the box. The foul was a bit cynical and the referee agreed as he brought out the yellow card to make McGeady the third Everton player to go in the book in the first half. A red card was certainly on in this game with some of the fouls being hard. Free kick to Blackburn just outside the box and it was Petersen who lined up to take it once more. Everton went for a four man wall this time with Lowe trying to infiltrate it. Petersen stepped up and to everyone's surprise elected to drive the ball to the edge of the six yard box, where Bertolacci stooped to send in a powerful header, that had goal written all over it, only for Howard to pull off a sensational save by getting his fingertips to it and turning it round the post. What a save! How he managed to turn it away was miraculous. Beddows was off his bench ready to celebrate the equaliser but turned away in anguish at the save.

Howard turns Bertolacci's header away for a corner

The corner came in and was headed clear by Campagnaro. There was 33 minutes gone in this fascinating clash as Blackburn pushed forward yet again. It was hard to tell who the home team was as Bertrand came forward to the halfway line and sent a long pass towards Petersen. Quick thinking by the German striker seen him control the ball and then send a volley in at Howard but once again the big keeper had the answer as he dived to his right and got his body behind the shot and held on with both hands. Everton were struggling to get out of their own half as Blackburn searched for an equaliser before half time. On 36 minutes Bertrand, who was becoming prominent, again brought the ball out of defence and sent a high ball towards Petersen, who beat Demichelis in the air and then won the race to the ball just in time to aim a shot for the bottom right hand corner that once again Howard got down to, to clutch the ball safely. Blackburn had dominated the half and on another day, Petersen could have had a hat trick. There was 3 minutes left in the half and Everton's McCarthy ran forward from the halfway line with Lowe in close attendance. McCarthy released a pass to McGeady who was looking dangerous at the edge of the box. With Blackburn's defence looking a bit out of position, McGeady cut to the outside and got by De Silvestri before sending a low ball into Llorente's feet in the centre of the box. With Henrique going in for the tackle, Llorente superbly drew the ball back before changing feet and getting a shot in at goal that Zoet managed to tip away with a wonderful acrobatic dive to his left. Fantastic save from the keeper who had had little to do in the first half. The corner was swung in by McGeady and although Campagnaro got his head to it, the ball went high and wide. Blackburn tried to move forward again but this time it was quickly snuffed out and as Everton passed the ball across the back four, the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half. The players headed for the tunnel with both McMillan and Beddows already in the dressing rooms to work mout their next move.

HALF TIME:   EVERTON   1   BLACKBURN ROVERS   0

The players came out for the second half and looking around there did not seem to be any changes. Both managers must have thought things were ok or in Blackburn's case, the amount of pressure must surely bring a goal. Petersen and Bertolacci kicked off and we were back playing again. It was a slow start to the half and there didn't seem to be anything different to the way the teams were set up. An exchange of passes in the midfield seen a couple of misplaced passes wasting any chance of an attack with Dzemaili's loose pass being met by groans from the crowd. On 52 minutes another poor pass from Dzemaili was intercepted by Gilk who sprinted forward unchallenged as the Everton midfield backed off trying to protect the defence. Gilk looked up and sent a pass, that split the defence, into the path of Petersen, who immediately drilled in a shot that Howard got down to save once again. Howard was having a sensational match although Petersen's decision making was not at it's best today. Howard cleared the ball with a huge kick that found Emenike about 20 yards out. Before Emenike could do anything with it, Gilk came in hard and caught Emenike on the shins. It looked a sore one as the Everton physio came on. While he was treating Emenike, the referee was showing Gilk the yellow card making him the fourth player to go into the book. Free kick to Everton outside the box. Bojan and Emenike stood over it as Blackburn put up a 3 man wall. Out of nowhere, Bojan struck it but it went right into the wall and Blackburn took it away but they only got as far as the halfway line before Rafinha stepped in and started another Everton attack. Rafinha made his way down the right before sending a pass into Llorente just outside the box. Llorente held it up and then spotted McGeady on an overlap and sent a diagonal ball towards him. McGeady cut inside, holding off the attentions of Bertrand and managed to get a shot away but it lacked power and Zoet got down to save easily. It was better stuff from Everton with Blackburn not looking as energetic in this half. Everton were stripping their substitutes and it looked like Beddows had given the nod to make a change also. On the hour mark there was a rash of substitutions. Everton were making three changes while Blackburn were making one. For Everton, Bojan, Dzemaili and Emenike were heading off the pitch with Naismith, Watson and Kelvin about to come on while Beddows was withdrawing Bertolacci and replacing him with Scottish midfielder Cairney. There were loud cheers from the home fans with Naismith being one of their favourites. The game restarted with a throw to Everton and they passed it about before McCarthy tried to come forward but a good tackle seen the ball back out for another throw. The game had slowed down and Blackburn looked to have lost their determination to get back in the game. On 68 minutes Everton came forward again an the ball found Llorente. The Spanish striker held the ball up well but Noble was in close attention and eventually Llorente went down to the turf. The referee gave the free kick and, I don't know what he saw in that tussle, but it was enough to make Noble the fifth player to go into the book. The game was getting scrappy but that would suit Everton as they defended their one goal lead. The midfield in particular were using spoiling tactics by tackling every Blackburn player that got the ball and putting it out for throw ins or just lumping it up the park. This continued on and Blackburn were not happy with some of the niggling tackles and Beddows was out complaining to the fourth official. On 77 minutes Blackburn sub Cairney tried to push forward from the midfield but again Everton, this time Campagnaro, came in with the tackle that landed Cairney on his butt. To the ironic cheers of the Blackburn fans, the referee blew for the free kick and Campagnaro became booking number 6, the fourth Everton player to see yellow. Blackburn continued to work away at trying to get through a much improved Everton defence.

Another yellow from the no nonsense referee

With nine minutes to play Petersen must have been getting fed up at the lack of passes coming his way in the last half hour, as he dropped back to the midfield to get the ball. He collected a pass from Noble and spotted an overlap from De Silvestri. The Italian full back ate up the ground before cutting inside and, apparently spotting Howard off his line, tried a chip towards goal that almost caught Howard out as he leapt and just managed to grab hold of the ball. It must go down as a great catch considering the position he was in but some great vision from De Silvestri. The controversial Adam Johnson had hardly been in the game and would have been better in the stand with the girls. In fact I am sure he would have preferred that and maybe his mind was already there. Time was running out for Blackburn as Everton kept control of the ball and played it around the back inviting Blackburn to come and get it. The game looked over as fans started heading for the exits and soon enough the referee put his whistle to his mouth before blowing for full time. A loud cheer from the stands showing that Everton had picked up 3 priceless points and the fans were starting to warm to McMillan. The Everton players clapped towards the stands while Blackburn headed for the dressing room still in the thick of the relegation battle.

FULL TIME:   EVERTON   1   BLACKBURN ROVERS   0

So a vital three points for the Goodison Park side but it would have been hard to argue against a point for Blackburn after the way they dominated the first half. Petersen will be kicking himself after the chances, that he would normally stick away, went astray. The win keeps Everton at the bottom of the table but they are now just 2 points behind Blackburn, who stay in the crucial 17th position.

We got a hold of both managers after the match and here is what they had to say. First of all Everton boss Josh McMillan:

Josh, big win for you tonight, do you feel the players are responding to the situation they find themselves in?

Massive win for us, yes the players are giving everything to get out of the relegation zone.

McGeady was given Man of the Match for his goal but you must have a word for Tim Howard's performance?

Tim should of got Man Of The match tonight, McGeady was our best player going forward but without Tim we wouldn't of won.

Do you feel you have the players to get you out of the bottom 3 or are you still looking to make additions?

I'm still looking to make additions, we need a few more leaders around and a better balance to the team.

How do you plan to utilise the 10 day break now? Has it come at the wrong time just as you seem to be playing well?

Great time to have a break for us, that win will give the lads confidence and hopefully we will have 3 or 4 new names in before the next game and be pretty much set for the rest of the season. 

Thanks Josh, and good luck for the rest of the season

Ok, a man of few words but straight to the point. Here is Stephen Beddows with Rusty Pusey:

Stephen, unlucky tonight, what are your thoughts about that game?

I felt that a draw would have been a fair result Rusty. We had more chances than them, Petersen missed a sack full, it is certainly points lost. Full credit to Josh the fans were actually chanting for him come the end of the game.

You seem to be sticking by Adam Johnson. He was boo'd every time he touched the ball. Do you feel his performance suffered?

Adam is more than capable of handling the booing. His performances have suffered this season due to me playing him in his position instead of out of it like I did last season. Last season’s stats were achieved as an AMC you know.  

Are you disappointed at how the season has went so far? Are you under pressure from the board?

The board love me. I have been disappointed with some results, yes, but we have won at Stamford Bridge and destroyed Arsenal at home.

You have a 10 day break now before Manchester United visit Ewood Park. How will you utilise the break?

Well the lads will probably get away from it all to be honest. We are off to Manisa to play Akhisar Belediyespor this weekend and then a cultural visit to the Turkish-Syrian border which is quite a nice place so I am told after that if the lads want to wander into Syria then that’s up to them.

In terms of transfers an additional striker is a priority really, but we will see. I would need to sell first in any case, but all of my players are ‘precious’ to me so it’s a tough one to be fair. 

Thanks Stephen and Rusty Pusey is my name, not a statement so stop looking down at my crotch. Back to Fannie.

Thanks Rusty. Just a name, yeah ok then. Anyway thanks for joining us for what is the last Game of the Week in this format. A new look Match of the Day will be taking it's place but I, Fannie Licker, will still be here to give you all the details.

Good night.