Match Thread Everton Vs Chelsea - FA Cup Quarter Final - Sat 12th March - KO 17:30

[froggyted]

So, what a win, eh, lids? Chelsea were the better team for most of the game, but it all came out right in the end innit. I haven't read through this thread but I have no complaints this time with the way Martinez set the team up (except that maybe Besic should have started), or his use of substitutions (although must admit, my heart was in my mouth when i saw Stones coming on!). For the most part we went back to basics and it worked, although Chelsea proved what big money can buy you, for they were technically better. Still too much needless possession conceded in midfield though, playing passes and through balls that just aren't on. Joel proved that he's not the finished article with that moment of madness where he sold himself too soon, but overall he looks promising. Barry illustrated why he is a double-edged sword, strong but always a moment of rashness away from a sending off. It was great to see that graceless [Poor language removed] Costa go though, i hate primadonnas like that with a vengeance.

Rom's first goal was a moment of pure magic, surely his best for the Club. This is what we need more of: fearless running at defences rather than passing the ball about until the moment has gone. Others such as Barkley and Lennon need to have a pop more, we've seen before how even when the effort doesn't result in a goal the ball can break free for someone else with the defence having little time to readjust. I award my joint MOTM to Rom, and also Coleman for his fearless defending and pressure down the wing.

 

[Eggs]

Rom: You wanted to see me Mr Moshiri?

Farhad: Come in Romelu. Please sit down. Now as you know, there's been a bid for you from Realbarca Galactic Utd.

I just wanted to make clear to you the choice that you now have. If you choose to leave, we will be asking a lot of money for you. (pause) A lot.

You're a great player, Rom. You've got the talent and self assurance to wear that price tag and rise above it. You'll be one of xx players competing for the striker's shirt so you might not get to play in all the games.

Yes, you'll have the chance to play Champions league most seasons but it's worth remembering that world class strikers at these global clubs are easily discarded and quickly forgotten. Good luck to you if you go, we at Everton wish you well - you'll always be remembered for scoring the winning goal at Anfield in 2016.

Alternatively, you could stay and write your name across this clubs history. The player who awakened the giant. Here they remember their strikers as saints of the game. You could achieve that here in a way that won't happen anywhere else.

You'll know now that we've seen off bids for John Stones, Seamus and Ross. If you stay you'll be part - perhaps the most important part - of something truly special.

Become the football legend that you were born to be, Rom.

Your call

.......how romantic. In reality there will be an agent involved.

 

[Caolam]

Lukaku's goal will live long in the memory, and rightly so. What I take from this game is that we played to win. We pressed high up the field, we harried and hassled them so that they couldn't set up attacks and we played Lukaku in. Albeit nowhere near often enough.
I am sure Pedro was set up to pull wide and fire crosses into our box, but we didn't let him get the ball to punish us. Hopefully that is the first step in US dealing with a problem. If teams can't hit crosses then we don't have a problem with crosses.
I thought Willian being substituted yesterday was very significant, he has been their best player this season we we nullified him completely.
I am one of those who thinks Martinez has not produced enough to stay on as Everton manager next season, but congratulations to him for yesterday, that was a job well done.

 

[royvernon39]

I too like Cleverley's role and proof of the pudding is that we won.

But his playing does mean that we do not give enough for Rom to work on. We got fortunate
with a wonder goal but I would have stuck Del Boy on for him at 70 minutes. We just had to win at home
because the refs are instructed not to allow EFC to win at Chelski.

 

[froggyted]

Rom: You wanted to see me Mr Moshiri?

Farhad: Come in Romelu. Please sit down. Now as you know, there's been a bid for you from Realbarca Galactic Utd.

I just wanted to make clear to you the choice that you now have. If you choose to leave, we will be asking a lot of money for you. (pause) A lot.

You're a great player, Rom. You've got the talent and self assurance to wear that price tag and rise above it. You'll be one of xx players competing for the striker's shirt so you might not get to play in all the games.

Yes, you'll have the chance to play Champions league most seasons but it's worth remembering that world class strikers at these global clubs are easily discarded and quickly forgotten. Good luck to you if you go, we at Everton wish you well - you'll always be remembered for scoring the winning goal at Anfield in 2016.

Alternatively, you could stay and write your name across this clubs history. The player who awakened the giant. Here they remember their strikers as saints of the game. You could achieve that here in a way that won't happen anywhere else.

You'll know now that we've seen off bids for John Stones, Seamus and Ross. If you stay you'll be part - perhaps the most important part - of something truly special.

Become the football legend that you were born to be, Rom.

Your call

Great post. Let's hope it works out.

 

[PhilEFC]

The new breed of Chelsea fan that have only known money and the successes it brings, they just can't handle defeat at any level. SAD

True mate. The throwing of the free scarves was an embarrassment. Classless and small time, easily the most dislikeable club in London.

 

[froggyted]

f me. Hiddink moaning about us haviing more time to prepare. It's only the managers of CL teams that do this, can someone please have the balls to remind them they get paid a lot more money for qualifying for that tournament as well as having a vast amount more in the bank anyway to level which keeps everything in their favour still.

To be fair though, it worked against us in that FA Cup final against Man Utd only days after playing the UEFA Final, and imo played a crucial role in denying us the treble.

 

[The Mighty Quint]

Rom as he was subbed off, amazing photo.

 

[Librarian]

FFFFFFFKIN YES EVERTON

 

[froggyted]

Bristol City was probably the toughest game that year mate,they battered us down there,then Matt Jacko hit a screamer from 25 yardslol

Yeah, i was at that one. Living in Bristol, i went with some City fans but parted company at the gates. City have outplayed us in all three games i've seen, the first being the 1980-81 season where City beat us but got relegated. That goal was a class moment in a poor game, but what an atmosphere erupted in the Away enclosure when it went in. Magical.

 

[froggyted]

Rom as he was subbed off, amazing photo.

That was a nice move by Roberto tbh. It gave Rom a chance to realise how much he's loved here and might help to influence him to stay.

 

[Abertonian]

.......how romantic. In reality there will be an agent involved.

And his agent is a bell of the highest order.

 

[The Mighty Quint]

 

[Dannymini]

Hope you're not a neurosurgeon!

No am a pilot

 

[froggyted]

We could not ask for a better first game for Moshiri to witness, I have no doubt it will have had an effect on him.

Yes we are a sleeping giant, take away the last 30 years and Man U and the RS were no better than us, in fact we bossed them for 70 years.

We have been crying out for investment, and today proved that with a little financial support, you could get a good return on your investment and reap some big rewards.

This is only the beginning blues, we'll get a new stadium, and significant support to buy top quality players, this summer transfer window will be like nothing we have witnessed before, we have a lot, but now we can put the cherries and icing on the cake.

We've waited 30 years, it's now arrived.

Great post mate.