To the Londoners 1-0
Confounding pre-season predictions of a relegation struggle, Everton have consequentially been much hyped this season as they managed to lead the Premiership outside the big three. What we saw at The Valley was an efficient and well organised side who were not in the same class as Arsenal and Chelsea and whom we were able to demolish 2-0. Their one touch of creativity was provided by Gravesen who has now gone to Real Madrid. Much of their success has been achieved on the back of 1-0 wins at home and Charlton reversed the usual score at Goodison Park on Saturday thanks to a Matt Holland volley. This was in spite of the fact that Everton had the incentive of knowing that Liverpool had gone down at Southampton.
I wasn't able to be there because I had a meeting in Newcastle that finished at lunch time. Radio reception on the train on the way back was so intermittent that it was some time before I found that the Addicks had gone 1-0 ahead just before half time. The Herminator turned provider for the Charlton captain after Everton failed to clear a corner, allowing Holland to score the winning goal as he did at The Hawthorns.
It was evident that much of the credit for the final result goes to good defending with Danny Murphy clearing off the line in the first half. Fortune seems to have had a better game than usual and Young made an important contribution, but the television excerpts showed Deano making a number of crucial saves. Mention should also be made of our lucky referee Sir Cliff Richard (aka Harold Webb). We have not conceded a goal in the three matches in which he has officiated (although he has dished out some cards).
The headlines were supposed to be about Beattie and the Charlton win seemed to leave journos uncertain what to say, broadcasters resorting to the 'and elsewhere' formula. Certainly the small band of Addickted who made the journey enjoyed themselves, the television pictures showing Brian Cole among those celebrating. The question now for Charlton is whether they are simply going to head the mid-table league, which was effectively what they did last season, or make a real effort for a European place. At least we are getting good results at a time when we normally have a mid-season blip.
I wasn't able to be there because I had a meeting in Newcastle that finished at lunch time. Radio reception on the train on the way back was so intermittent that it was some time before I found that the Addicks had gone 1-0 ahead just before half time. The Herminator turned provider for the Charlton captain after Everton failed to clear a corner, allowing Holland to score the winning goal as he did at The Hawthorns.
It was evident that much of the credit for the final result goes to good defending with Danny Murphy clearing off the line in the first half. Fortune seems to have had a better game than usual and Young made an important contribution, but the television excerpts showed Deano making a number of crucial saves. Mention should also be made of our lucky referee Sir Cliff Richard (aka Harold Webb). We have not conceded a goal in the three matches in which he has officiated (although he has dished out some cards).
The headlines were supposed to be about Beattie and the Charlton win seemed to leave journos uncertain what to say, broadcasters resorting to the 'and elsewhere' formula. Certainly the small band of Addickted who made the journey enjoyed themselves, the television pictures showing Brian Cole among those celebrating. The question now for Charlton is whether they are simply going to head the mid-table league, which was effectively what they did last season, or make a real effort for a European place. At least we are getting good results at a time when we normally have a mid-season blip.
posted by Wyn Grant at 9:03 AM
1 Comments:
Webb was actually dire, favouring Everton with nearly all of the 50/50 calls.
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