EVERTON AT ST MARYS

Is the depressing run to continue? Surely, we can't play that badly again, I rather fancy it could be a draw, maybe 0-0 or 1-1. After recent results I suppose a draw would be an acceptable outcome....................but if we are to stay high in the table we really do need the 3 points this time please.

Mike

with no Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Tadic, Cork the midfield has been hammered, Pelle only possible so in those circumstances I would gladly take a draw just to stop the run of defeats. draw against Everton then win at Palace with the midfield restored and would be happy.

well santa had not desserted St Marys after all.

think Ronald ought to be paying me as must have been listening to some of my tactics. Went with 5 at the back with Yoshida, fonte and Toby at CH which allowed Bertrand and Clyne to bomb forward. A midfield of 3, Davis, Reed and Ward Prowse did look a little light, (3 of the seven dwarfs) but their work rate was outstanding and played Long and Pelle as a proper front 2.

A much more solid performance the middle was solid throughout and pelle and Long worked well together, Long at last being a pin that he can be running at players and although he has lost some pace his ability to time his run created problems.

As you would expect the threats came from both full backs overlapping and Clyne hit a great cross that Pelle met with a header that went over, he probably had time to climb a bit higher and get on goal but a sign that Everton despite their height were not great dealing with crosses.

yet another poor referee in Jon Moss, Long was bundled over 3 times and gave nothing, reed clattered in midfield and no action taken, firs tackle by a saints player free kick the other way. Everton had a player down but carried on playing until Forster caught the ball THEN Moss stops play for treatment to Eto, what don't they understand they should allow play to carry on, clearly Everton didn't care. Everton's main threat were set pieces and had had 4 corners in a row but saints defended well.

Saints funnily enough got the goal following another poor decision by Moss. ball into the box Long chased and ended up being kicked and went down injured. Moss originally gives a goal kick ignoring Long, Lino gave correctly corner and play held up while Long got treatment but he was off the pitch for the corner. at last a decent corner from JWP into the 6 yard box and looked like Fonte got the touch but if it was an own goal. Pelle then went close as saints closed out the first half with Forster not having a great deal to cope with.

Second half quite even and open but Long was causing problems and saints got the all important second with a great run by Clyne, down right side with Baines keeping him out but managed to get in a deep cross to left side of box which Long beat 2 defenders to head down and Pelle reacted quickest to knock past Howards . key moment with about 10 minutes left when lukaku finally got free outside box with dipping shot towards top right hand corner but Forster great strong save for a corner. Pivotal moment if that goes in a nervy finish but as it was saints got the third 5 minutes later. Another corner initially cleared, Yoshida picked up and played back outside for ball to be crossed in and Yoshi and continued his run and net the cross about 6 yards out and buried his header past Howard.

Still time for a good save from Forster at the end to ensure a clean sheet but very happy saints fans just about to go out.

Forster 8 strong saves at key times
Clyne 9 great game bombing forward and gave Baines a tough game
Yoshida 8 great game and deserved his goal, slow on ball sometimes but made his tackles
Fonts 8 strong game and goal
Toby 8 very coll mopping up whenever they did get through
Bertrand 7 good game
JWP 7 lots of running and decent delivery for first goal
Davis 7 decent game still not back at best
Reed 8 great performance never stopped running and gave the team energy
Long 8 much more like it prefers in the centre
Pelle 8 glad he got a goal has put in a lot of work

Off out for the night

Enjoy those beers Matty.

I did enjoy the beers and even been to the gym this morning

Thanks for another great report Matty. Relieved to see the team find some form again......watching the highlights it was clear in just the first few minutes that their ability to pass accurately had returned.

Leading up to the first goal, Long was clearly fouled and the ref should have awarded a penalty. BUT, the ball went over the line off Long and if the ref didn't see the foul he should have given a goal-kick. Thankfully he didn't.

I agree with your markings but I think I'd have given Bertrand an 8 as he impressed me. I thought Yoshida played the best game I've seen from him......and Reed was magnificent, it will seem really hard on him if he is dropped when Schneiderlin and Wanyama return from suspension, I wonder if he might be given a chance over Davis.

Pity West Ham won, if they had drawn or lost Saints would have been back up to 4th.

Would be surprised if Koeman picked Reed over Davis for the time being. With Fonte suspended think he will revert to normal back 4 with yoshida and Toby, that will free up a space in midfield which will go to Schneiderlin and then be down to whether he wants to play Wanyama to protect the back 4 which I think he will, which will mean a midfield of Morgan, Wanyama, Davis and JWP. Might be hard on Reed but being the boss means taking tough decisions. That would still give him Reed on the bench and personally I would bring him in for Chelsea game to replace Wanyama, as would prefer Reed's mobility in midfield against Chelsea.