Moyesy says: "I have said to the players that this is a different competition and we have had two wins and a defeat so it's not that bad. It wasn't a second string defence, it was playing out of their position. We put out the best we had and the players did as well as they could. I only have praise for the players tonight.

Benfica were very good and capitalised on some mistakes we made, and took their opportunities very well. I think they had a good attitude and for me they showed their attacking qualities, especially in the second half. I thought (Angel) Di Maria tonight was a throw-back winger and he seemed a very good find. I'm not sure (if anyone will be back) and we also picked up an injury to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov as well so we will need to assess him. I would like to play Benfica with my best team because they are a good team." (23/10/09)

Foolier Congratulated by Marc and Tigger on Fuckin' The shite Up Big Time - The French Fool said something about Robbie Eating Ze Grass to Them

*When all the Blues were locked in we sang:

"We shall not, we shall not be moved". Then when we had had enough we sang "Time to go, time to go, time to go, XXXX off", then when Benfica turned all the lights off in the stadium, as one the Blues went "whhhhhoooooooooo". Brilliant! How to turn a bad night into entertainment.

Roll on Athens! COYB!

Lynne Hill
Season Ticket Holder - Upper Bullens

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO enquiries@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT HERE.

A bit cheesed off that I didn’t get there. I can blame my job, my missus, my funds, my flight nerves or anything else that comes to mind. The fact is I didn’t go and my mates did and I want to cry.

To stop the tears I paid for ESPN so I could watch the game. I got home in time. I made some pasta with Chrizo sausage and bought myself a bottle of plonk. I knew when I sat in front of the telly that the lads would be all bladdered and I was jealous.

In the studio was Ray Stubbs and someone who used to play for the shite. It was great to hear that Joe Royle was going to be on commentary.

The team news wasn’t good. No Joey Yobo, no Bainsey, no Leon. So we had a debutant Seamus Coleman at left back, with super Dan at right back and Hibbo goes into centre half. Tim, skipper for the night, on the right, Billy on the left with Fella and Jack in the middle. Great to see 2 up front. Yak and Jo. Does that sound like a pop group?

Everton started the game very well but fell behind after 15 minutes when Saviola scored from a volley just outside the 6 yard box on the right hand side.

The Benfica centre half with those silly tight cork screw blond curls was getting on Yaks nerves after many fouls on him but it was Super Dan was the first to go into the Ref’s book with a reckless tackle on the left winger. It certainly looked a nasty one

Billy had Everton’s first shot when he connected with a left foot volley but it flew over the bar. Billy had Everton’s second and third shots but unfortunately they were all off target

For the rest of the half Everton were quite comfortable. But going forward Benfica always look dangerous, but you can be pleased with our first half performance.

Half Time 1-0

We got off to a really, really shit start to the second half when Cardozo scored two in the first 3 minutes of the half. They were both crosses from down the left hand side and finished off at the back post, one a tap in and one a header.

Oh my god Benfica got a forth a couple minutes later when the Benfica captain scored a header from a corner. The telly showed some of the Toffees leaving obviously going to get back on the ale.

We were shell shocked, especially after the first half I for one didn’t see it coming.

King Louis come on for Billy after the hour mark and Jose Baxter came on for Yak with 20 minutes to go. King Louis was in the thick of the action got booked for hacking someone down and nearly got the Blues a consolation when he hit the post with a great volley with his right foot. It deserved a goal

Saviola scored his second and Benfica’s fifth to completely ruin our night.

The second half was a disaster and we should try and forget it as soon as possible. We certainly got the run around by a very talented attacking team, who can expect to go a long way in this competition. But we shouldn’t forget the side we had out. I can’t wait for the match back at Goodison on Bommy night. It will be a different kettle of fish I’m sure.

I was starting to feel sorry for the lads that made the trip but I bet they still had a ball maybe a beach ball and I still wish I was with them. Have a safe trip home chaps. Jessie "The Man" Brown

What Do You Think The Score Will Be? e-mail enquiries@bluekipper.com

*

Moyesy has a few more selection posers ahead of our prestigious Europa Cup tie against Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday evening. Joey Yobo is definitely out, as is Nuts, and we are led to believe that Seamus Coleman will be drafted in to right back, with Hibbo joining Sylvian in the middle of defence. Add to that the ineligibility of Lucas and Jonny Boy, the ongoing injuries to Phil, The Jag and Mikky and Moyesy will be down to the bare bones for this one. Ossie has also stayed behind on Merseyside, and Moyesy is hoping he is fit for Sundays visit to notloB. So with Joey and Ossie out, Hibbo may take on the captaincy role.

The midfield should pick itself with Tiny, Screech joining Billy and Jack the Lad and potentially Danny G Laaa in a five man formation. The Yak should get the nod for this one, as Moyesy will be chopping and changing up front with three games in six days.

The Blues top the group, with two wins out of two, but this without doubt will be their sternest test, against top European opposition, with only half a squuuuuaaaaad. The 6,000 travelling Blues fans will make enough noise to make the twelfth man count though, and remember don't be taking the piss out of the shite with all those beach balls, get in there !!