Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Neill, Baines, Neville, Bilyaletdinov, Fellaini, Cahill, Pienaar, Vaughan

Bench: Nash, Coleman (Hibbert), Duffy, Mustafi, Agard (Vaughan), Baxter, Forshaw

Referee: Jon Moss (ex Culture Club)

It was 3rd Round FA Cup day as we welcomed Amos Brearley sideburns and blow up sheep to Goodison most people in the ground had probably never seen an Everton versus Carlisle United fixture before. The visitors have a loyal following and over six thousand turned out to support the Division One side. 48 places separated us in the League yet by the end of the match you would never have believed it.

Team news had a couple of surprises, Ossie was out and Tim Cahill was fit, Vaughny was to lead the line in the absence of The Yak who had left for the African Nations and the continued rumour-fuelled absence of King Louis.

Proceeding started unusually as we won the toss and opted to kick into the Street End, what was all that about? Proceeding would continue to baffle the Everton faithful as we about to witness another off day at The Old Lady.

We started brightly enough but the visitors belied their league position as they knocked the ball around neatly refusing to adopted the Everton tactic of lumping the ball forward at every opportunity. In their ranks they had ex-Wigan midfielder Kavanagh and ex-Leeds full back Ian Harte, not sure how old they both are now but it must be around their waist size, up front they had big Vince who had played for both Juventus and Her Majesty’s Pleasure!

We got the breakthrough on 11 mins when Vaughny latched onto a loose back pass, rounded the keeper and knocked the ball into an empty net, cue celebration to his late Gran and plenty of happy Toffeemen.

Now at this point most Evertonian’s may have thought this would be a stroll, how wrong we were to be as within 10 mins Carlisle were level. A slick passing move saw big Vince put their midfielder through with a back heel, he shot from just inside the box and Tim pulled off a save but the ball squirmed through and was knocked in at the far post cue massive Cumbrian celebrations.

For the rest of the first half we were poor, very poor and they were good not very good but good enough to keep us at bay and cause us problems. Vaughny did have the ball in the net for a second time but it was rightly ruled offside.

HALF TIME 1-1

We were scratching our heads ‘half way down the stairs’ during the break wondering why we were playing so badly, or was it Carlisle playing so well we certainly had a few who were having an off day none more so than Billy once again. But anyway heads up, back to the seats and surely the second half we would play much better – oh no we wouldn’t!

In the move of the match the visitors broke down the left, a deep cross to the right saw Bainsey out jumped as the ball was nodded into the area then smashed against the crossbar, it was actually tipped onto the bar by Tim then rebounded into his relieved arms. This was a wake up call if ever we needed one.

With the game looking to be heading for a draw there was a turning point with 10 mins to go. Seamus Coleman came on for Tony Hibbert who went off with a groin strain and within minutes we were ahead. Seamus went marauding down the right, beat to men and crossed for Billy (who by now realised we’d kicked off) who headed into the path of Tim Cahill, Tim broke through a mellee of player to stroke the ball home much to the relief of the majority of the ground.

We added a third in injury time when Screech, by far the best player on the pitch, who a tackle on the edge of our box, strode to half way before putting sub Agard through. The youngster who had replaced Vaughny showed his pace, went round the keeper and was brought down. Yellow card and pen duly despatched low to the right of the keeper by Bainsey. Phew! We were through, credit to Carlisle who came and played and possibly deserved a draw but we were through and that was all that mattered, We’re on our way to Wembley.........

Not a great performance today, Tim did well in the sticks and Vaughny ran his socks off, Bainsey did well on the left and Peanuts always wanted the ball but not many others stood out with one exception – Screech. Fella is the Blue Kipper Star Man, he now seems to have put his early season woes behind him and seems to get better with every game.

So 4th Round here we come, bring on the redshite and Sir Dan Gosling! COYB FTRS

Full Time 3-1

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Andy's Rankin

Marks Out Of 10
Player	Marks	Player	Marks
Howard	8
Hibbert	6	Coleman	7
Baines	7
Heitinga	7
Neill	6
Fellaini	9
Neville	6
Bilyaletdinov	5
Cahill	6
Pienaar	7
Vaughan	8	Agard	7

Lavo Reports From Goodison Park

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Here we go again, this time last year we had a tricky away trip to Macclesfield to contend with, then harder matches against the shite, Villa, Boro and the manure, all won, setting up our first Final in fourteen years. You could have got at least 25/1 on us winning the Cup at the outset last season, by Final day we were 5/2. This season to win the trophy we are 24/1 (betfair), and to reach the Final 10/1. Not bad considering our form of last season in the Cup, and hopefully this season a corner turned in the last few weeks.

If we get past Carlisle today and get another home draw, you can bet that 24/1, will be six to eight points lower than it is today.

Anyhow on to today's match. We are 1/3 to win today, Carlisle are 12/1, with the draw at 5/1. No King Louis, The Yak or Jo, so Vaughny is 5/1, Billy 15/2, and Tiny 5/1 all for the first in the onion bag. Over 2.5 goals can bag you 4/5, and a second consecutive Blues clean sheet for Tim is priced up at also 4/5. Good luck and Wembley here we come, we hope.

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

Lavo's Best Bet: £10 Blues Clean Sheet (4/5)

Season Total: £172

New Year New Start Fat Sack