It isn’t looking good, is it? Another poor performance against a pedestrian team. Granted, we were only slightly better, but that isn’t saying that much as Everton are struggling at the bottom of the table. This is our second draw against a team that is facing relegation (the other was our draw against Watford, who are firmly at the bottom). We’ve been beaten by strugglers Newcastle and Brighton (who were below us, but now above us).
We are five points off third from bottom Southampton. We are also fast approaching the halfway stage and nothing to show for it.
I always leave from home with confidence, and I even predicted a 4-1 win (after all, we thrashed them last season and this season they are in a worse state… but then again, so are we). My thoughts were that if we can’t get our first away league victory against a weak Everton side then we might as well forget the top four.
So I left home for my 3-hour journey (actually a lot longer as there were hold-ups on the Motorway). I finally got to the ground at 12-15 pm. I paid my £7 parking (free if you use the ground for Liverpool games). I parked in my usual place (whether it be against Liverpool or Everton, I park in Stanley Park community car park) and took a 25-minute walk to the ground (with arthritis and a walking stick, not a comfortable stroll). Got to Goodison Park and went to their Fan Zone (very few people at that time), bantered with the food sellers, had something to eat and drink and took the weight of my tired feet/ legs. After about an hour of sitting/ resting, I made my way around to the Away entrance and chatted to friends, Spurs Stewards and others. What was so interesting (mentioning no names) was that a lot of Spurs supporters had extra tickets to sell, but couldn’t sell them. When we do well such tickets would be snapped up like hotcakes, when we struggle nobody really wants to travel to away games, but still buy the tickets so that they won’t lose their points and then flog them at face value.
Finally, I got in and met Rick and we chatted and then went to our seats. As it was the closest day to Poppy day for Everton the band and parade was out in full force (we show our respect when we face Sheffield United). Both sets of fans showed respect and stood in silence. Once that was over it was down to action. And as always, we had to stand to watch the game (irrespective of one’s capabilities).
The Tottenham fans around me and those I had met were confident we would win, and win we didn’t. In fact we could have lost.
Everton midfielder Andre Gomes suffered a severe ankle injury which left Son Heung-min in tears. He was also sent off. Did the sending off contribute to Everton equalising? Whatever the reason they managed to get an equaliser, it was another poor performance by relegation strugglers (and us).
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Gomes, 26, was tackled from behind by Son and appeared to be injured by an awkward fall which prompted an anguished reaction from players and fans close to the incident. Son was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson as Portugal international Gomes received extensive treatment in a lengthy delay and was eventually taken off on a stretcher. Both sets of fans gave him a round of applause as he left the pitch.
As for the match itself; Ali put us in the lead in the 63rd minute, but in extra time (that is 7 minutes into extra time) Tosun scored to give the Toffees a draw. Even though we had 52% of the possession, Everton had three shots on target to our two. No Kane today as he had flu. This game should have given Son a chance to shine, but he and others failed to step up to the mark.
Where to now? Next up will be Red Star Belgrade, away. We need to win this game to have any chance of progressing further in the Champions League. Then a quick flight back to England for our home game against Sheffield United. Against a Sheffield United side that is 3pts above us and in 6th place. They will come to Tottenham with full confidence that they can get a result, as all teams will do when they face us (home or away).
We are now without an away victory in our last 12 Premier League games. We’ve drawn three, lost nine. Our previous success in the Premier League was when we beat Fulham 2-1 back in January.
Tomorrow I am off to Belgrade. So those that are going, see you there, those that will only watch on TV, get behind the team (that is all we can do, and hope for the best).
As for the aftermath of the game; like Liverpool, it was a lonely walk back to my car (I say a lonely walk back, but actually I was walking back with Everton supporters who were discussing the match and saying that they should have won). I finally got home at 10.40 pm. To add to my anguish, I put on MOTD for more punishment (I think it is called self-flagellation).
I must say; even though I have felt like one of Muhammed Ali’s opponents, being put against the ropes and seven bells of shite being kicked out of me I won’t stop going (home or away). In my time (since the beginning of the 60s) I’ve seen highs and lows, and the lows have never stopped me from going, nor have I wished to stop going. It’s in my blood. Being optimistic, I will always look on the bright side of life.
Cheer up, Spurs supporters. You know what they say. Some things in life are bad, They can really make you mad. Other things just make you swear and curse. When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, Don’t grumble, give a whistle!
And this’ll help things turn out for the best And Always look on the bright side of life!
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