Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Goodison Agonistes

Liverpool in the final of the Champion's League - the nightmare scenario has come to pass. As an Everton supporter this is hard to swallow. And yet having watched last night's match I have to say they deserved it. Their defence performed like the Spartans at the Pass of Thermopylae. Jamie Carragher was particularly heroic. Now I hope they have the decency to lose to Arsenal next Sunday and let Everton into the Champion's League next year.

I haven't seen much of Chelsea this season (life too short and too much football on TV) and was keen to check them out to see what all the fuss is about. They were disappointing . They showed a lack of imagination in attack - maybe they're tired after a long season. That striker they brought on (Kezman?) was truly atrocious. He lacked control, penetration, and physical presence. Duff seemed a big loss.

I reckon the Kop played a major role in stiffening Liverpool's resistance. They were in full cry from the outset. Bizzarely however they seemed to be singing the Fields of Athenry at regular intervals. Am I missing something? Steve Finnan's presence hardly justifies this? Is it now part of the Kop's repertoire like the equally dire "You'll Never Walk Alone".