Everton 0-1 Arsenal – 08/11/06 – (Carling Cup) 8 November, 2006

I managed to find a way to follow the game, I was listening to BBC Radio Merseyside online with two of the biggest idiots commentating. They were Everton fans obviously and didn’t stop moaning about having 10-men and tried to justify Andy Johnson’s diving: At one point they went something like: “Oh and err Andy Johnson stumbles over in the box, he did well there.” Anyway it was the only way I could follow the game so I was going to have to endure it. We started with a back four of Eboue, Djourou, Senderos and Traore; they had a fairly good game. A couple of slips but recovered after any mistake which was good. The midfield was Denilson, Flamini, Song and Walcott with Aliadiere sort of roaming about Everton’s half switching from winger to 2nd striker constantly with Adebayor playing the out and out striker role.

Flamini had an excellent game by the sounds of things and the scouce commentators gave the impression he was running things a bit in the centre of the park. We played a 4-1-4-1 formation which I think quite suited our youngsters; I mentioned somewhere (I think it was on the comments) that I’d like to see later this season Baptista playing the central striker with Henry having the freedom of playing anywhere in the oppositions half to keep the defenders busy. Aliadiere and Adebayor were playing this sort of game tonight and I hope Wenger uses this strategy alot more. Too much we see both strikers moving out to the wings and when a cross is swung in there is nobody in the box to try and get a touch on it. We need one rigid, physical striker who plays centrally and one quick, skilful one who can collect the ball anywhere and inflict damage. I think the ideal solution to this is Henry and The Beast but I think Wenger sees Baptista as a midfielder for Arsenal, I hope Arsene gives him the chance to play up front.

Early in the game Traore cleared from a corner but in doing so kicked Almunia in the face, Manuel recovered after treatment but it was a bit of a worrying tart to the game. We were handed an advantage by referee Graham Poll in the 19th minute when he sent off Everton’s James McFadden. It came from one of Andy Johnson’s many penalty appeals, he was dispossessed in the area by Djourou and of course Johnson fell over to try and get a spot-kick. McFadden obviously said something to Graham Poll after he waved away Johnson’s claims and was shown the straight red.

However Everton didn’t play like they had one less player and were attacking just as much as we were. Tim Howard and Manuel Almunia were on form and both pulled off some great saves in the 1st half. Just before the break both teams came close: Cahill shot from close range but it was never going to trouble Almunia at the pace it was hit but Everton had committed too many to the attack and Arsenal were on the counter attack with Walcott charging down the wing. Theo crossed it in for Adebayor who shot straight at Howard but it was very nearly a goal. Somehow it finished at half time 0-0.

Poom replaced Almunia at half time, he must’ve picked up a knock from Traore’s kick in the head earl in the game and Wenger was taking no chances giving The Poominator his full Arsenal debut. He was forced into action early as Andy Johnson unleashed a shot and Mart made a terrific diving save. The second half was just as open as the first and we may have been losing if it wasn’t for some great saves by Poom, I was a bit worried when he came on but he proved to be excellent between the post and kept Arsenal fighting.

As the half went on, our extra man was starting to show and a few more chances opened up for us but we couldn’t score once again. I was wondering if it was going to be another one of those days until Adebayor nicked the win with 5 minutes to go. Flamini delivered an excellent corner, which found Adebayor unmarked in the box; he leapt well and met the ball with a powerful downward header to give us the win. By the sounds of it our youngsters played well tonight, I was listening to some very bias commentary but I could still tell we were on top and from the little bits I heard on Sky Sports News I think we should be proud of the lads tonight. Flamini had a great game which is good, he’ll be trying to push his way into the first team, both ‘keepers made some fine saves too which will put the pressure on Lehmann to perform.

So our first team at home infront of 55,000 Gooners could only manage a draw with Everton, but our reserves managed to beat them at Goodison Park. Hmmm…We’re playing another load of scoucers next, Liverpool make the trip to Ashburton Grove on Sunday. They beat Birmingham tonight but Sissoko picked up a bad shoulder injury and will miss Sunday’s clash. Great news for us but good luck to him, it looked quite nasty on the replay. Thanks for reading, lots of piccies for you this time. see ya soon.