September 22 2014

Goodison Park (Photo: WhitworthRd_Eagle)

Jamesey tries not to be too ecstatic over our first win of the season - but a 3-2 victory against Everton at Goodison Park gives a very warm glow of satisfaction.

It's doubtful whether Tony Pulis, wherever he may be, is too worried about clocking on to another job as yet.

It's surely a racing certainty that in another couple of months, at least three panic-stricken chairmen of Premier League clubs in 18th, 19th and 20th positions will be pleading with him to come and perform the similar alchemy that took forlornly hopeless Crystal Palace from nowheresville to mid-table respectability last season.

Of course, Pulis is now history at Selhurst but his spirit was certainly hovering over Goodison Park on a pleasant Sunday afternoon (Sept 21) for the visit of CPFC.

A crowd of 37,574 (including the usual vociferous and endlessly high-spirited band of away supporters) was about to witness a spectacle of "Pulisery" in miniature.

For the first few minutes one wondered what the Eagles tactics were supposed to be as the Toffees totally monopolised the game. The inevitable goal came from Lukaku.

One could almost sense the smug satisfaction of the Everton fans as they awaited what looked like being a goal feast and this supporter admittedly feared the worst.

Neil Warnock, seemingly ageless apart from a somewhat more rotund waistline, patrolled his technical box, bawling instructions and haranguing the hapless fourth official.

But the Toffees failed to build on their lead and despite the home team's superiority, the underdogs were given a tasty bone to gnaw on the half hour. A senseless foul by bearded keeper Tim Howard brought a penalty and the nerveless Mile Jedinak smashed the ball into the net.

It was 1-1 and the Eagles started to look like potential victors.The transformation was on.

Despite their array of current and past internationals, the Toffees were being given as good as they gave as Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie danced down the wings.

To the delight of the south Londoners, another bloomer from Tim Howard helped Fraizer Campbell score his first Palace goal in the second half. It may have been a muddled effort but it put the Eagles into the lead.

And in the 69th minute a sublime effort from Bolasie but Palace even further ahead.

Surely this was going to be a delightful away win and three points in the bag, wasn't it?

But naturally it wasn't going to be easy and Scott Dann gave away a penalty a few minutes from full time which Leighton Baines unerringly converted.

With six minutes of added time too, it was squeaky bums and chewed fingernails all round for Eagles supporters but the final whistle blew and the game was won.

Goodison Park has become a happy hunting ground for CPFC in recent times and one very much hopes that this continues.

As irate Evertonians jeered and grumbled as they exited the ground, the spirit of Pulis smiled benignly down.

From Premier punchbags to valiant victors in 90 minutes...how about that?

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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