Everton: Howard, Baines, Yobo, Distin, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill, Donovan, Saha

Bench: Nash, Bilyaletdinov (Saha), Yakubu (Cahill), Vaughan, Coleman, Gosling, Rodwell (Arteta)

Referee: Darko Cretin

So Europe was back on the menu at the stupid ridiculous kick off time of 5:45pm on a weeknight. Thousands of us scampered away from work early, traffic chaos ensued, and the twenty eight odd thousand who turned up, certainly deserve a pat on the back for their efforts. Last week at the normal kick off time of 8pm Goodison was rocking, as Chelski were took to task. This week unfortunately the crowd never got going and at times neither did the players.

Normally on a European knock out night Goodison is fever pitch, but it was like a training night at times tonight. We only managed a pint in the boozer instead of our normal three or four, and that no doubt added to the lack of atmosphere. Lisbon were there for the taking. In Moutinho we were able to see a player up close who Moyesy has made no secret of wanting. I really did not see what all the fuss was about. However lack lustre we were, I never felt in danger at any time, but all that changed when Nani's doppelganger came on mid way through the second period and Lisbon then started to look dangerous.

It was not all poor, at times the Blues played some great stuff, Nuts goal for instance was out of the top draw. A great move ended with Tiny back heeling a ball right into the South African's path, and he fired high into The Park End net to give the Blues a one nil lead. Tim Howard was called upon to make a decent save mid way through the first period, but most of our minds were on our tea stuck back home in the microwave.

It took a fortunate second from Buzz Lightyear to ease the Blues into the comfort zone. A high corner was completely lost by the Sporting keeper, and it hit Buzz on his knee and bobbled into the net. The keeper went nuts, claiming, handball, a foul, obscene language, sexual assault, burglary, car theft, anything really, but the ref waved away his appeals, and we just laughed at his antics.

Lisbon made made a double swoop and some young Portuguese kid who looked like Nani's brother came out wide on their right. He was outstanding giving a below par Phil Neville a torrid time. The Blues still stood firm, and Moyesy brought on The Yak for the injured Tiny, but then brought on Jack the Lad for the tiring Mikky Arteta. Jack took up his normal holding role, and inexplicably played a ball to Buzz at break neck speed. The centre half had trouble controlling it, and Lisbon broke away. A tangle of legs ensued and the Portuguese team won a penalty, which they duly dispatched. Buzz took an early bath for his efforts and the Ref showed him the red. Poo, and double poo.

A game which was totally in our control changed in the last few minutes, and that away goal could cost us over in Lisbon. So off we pop out there next week, but heads up players and fans alike, as the way we are creating chances we can easily cancel out their away goal with one of our won. Believe, Hamburg is still in our sights. Starman, applause to Ossie, but Leighton takes the plaudits with another accomplished performance. COYB FTRS

Full Time: Blues 2 Lisbon 1

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Andy's Rankin

Marks Out Of 10
Player	Marks	Player	Marks
Howard	7
Baines	8
Distin	6
Yobo	7
Neville	5
Osman	7
Pienaar	7
Cahill	6	Rodwell	5
Donovan	7
Arteta	6	Yakubu	6
Saha	6	Bilyaletdinov	n/a

Lavo Reports From Goodison Park

Today's Blue Kipper Star Man

Star Man

Stats

Goals

Bad Boys

Prem Table

UEFA Table

 

 

God Is Great, Nuts Ain't Bad Either

Sporting's Keeper's Not Happy With Buzz Goal

Europe again, and with the ridiculous kick off time, I have had to re adjust my day. I was up for five, had my brekky at six, elevenses at nine, dinner at eleven, afternoon snack at midday, and tea at three. My evening snack of lard butties will be brought forward to nine, so never mind the players body clock being out, mine is all over the fuggin show.

So then we took Chelski to task last week and tonight we face a team in a poor run of form. The Bookies have us at 8/11 for the win, and Lisbon are 5/1, the draw is 13/5. It would help if we took a clean sheet back to Lisbon next week and you can get odds of Tim's goal remaining unscathed of 6/5. If you fancy us to bang a few in over 2.5 goals will pay you 11/8.

Can King Louis carry on his fantastic goal scoring form, if you think so get on him for the first at 5/1. Tiny is 7/1, Billy 14's and Landon is 12's. Come on you Blue Boys

Lavo's Best Bet: £10 on a Blues Clean Sheet 6/5

For all Markets, click on the links: All Betfair Markets and Free £10 Bet

Season Total: £212

Knob Rot

Lisbon currently lie fourth in the Portuguese League, but they are a good 21 points behind arch rivals Benfica. The topped their Europa Group, losing only one match, their last Group game against Hertha Berlin 1-0.

All Blues fans will be excited to see one time Blues target Joao Moutinho tonight, and yer never know if we show him what were made off, Moyesy may still land a player he has tracked for a few years now. COYB FTRS

I believe she is turning up tonight !!