Thursday, October 27, 2005
Everton 0 Boro 1
Back on the trail of another Carling cup run thanks to a much better performance all round at Goodison Park last night. Everton were coming into the game on the back of being the only team to take a point off Chelsea so far this season and with home advantage must have been slight favourites despite their league position. It didn't really look that way, though, as first Morrison, then Viduka and Hasselbaink threatened the goal again and again, with the latter slotting home midway throughout the first half.Everyone looked up for it and that bit sharper after the West Ham game - Rochemback was flowing in a more productive way, the back line looked alert and very solid and the forwards always looked like scoring. The second half became more of a defensive mission when the 2nd goal to kill the game didn't come, but that job was done well in the absence of the skipper (4 players deputised as captain for the night!). You always got the feeling it was Boro's night - even when Arteta hit the crossbar from a good freekick.
A great confidence booster and already in the last 16! Chelsea fell to Charlton on penalties and that has to be good news for everyone. 11 premiership teams are still in the hat for Saturdays draw, however and Boro will be looking primarily for home advantage, but also for a draw against one of the 5 non-premiership sides left in - Come on Doncaster Rovers!
My MOTM: Riggott or Queudrue at the back deserve a mention, but Morrison is displaying the best form of anyone and should be in the starting line-up for every game...
