So once again, we caught up with Everton fan Tom Mallows of the wonderful Royal Blue Mersey blog to get his views on the weekends game. Shame the result couldn't have been better and I may have actually had some gloating to do, but nevermind. Here's the thoughts of a delighted Tom...
Hi there Tom, you must be delighted to get back to winning ways?
Tom: What a relief. It has been a difficult few weeks and our home form has been the main worry. It is great to finally get a win that lifts us up to a more respectable League position.
Were you surprised at how easy it was for Everton? I thought we were terrible.
Tom: I don’t know what it is about Sunderland playing at Goodison; they just seem to not turn up. That happens in football though! This game mirrored the same fixture last season when he grabbed two quick goals in the first half and it was game over. Sunderland are certainly a better team to what we saw on Saturday though.
In a game with little controversy, the best I can think of is are you giving Beckford the first goal?
Tom: Yes most definitely. The dubious goals panel may have a look at it but I see no need in taking it away from him, Bramble certainly won’t want it! It would be a little pedantic if they took it away from Beckford.
Fellaini came off with an injury. He’ll be a big miss for you, and not just literally?
Tom: Yeah you notice if that hair isn’t running around the field! Seriously though he is a key player for us, doing the donkey work, building our attacks and doing stuff that often goes unnoticed. He took his time to get settled in the Premier League and got some grief for referees, but he has done well to curb the yellow cards and has been fantastic in recent weeks. Fingers crossed it isn’t too serious.
I was impressed with Leon Osman, although we did give him an extraordinary amount of space all day. Who was your Man Of The Match?
Tom: I think Osman is a good shout, though I think you’re right when you say he was afforded too much space. He has bags of skill but, especially in away games, can go missing because he is easily out-muscled. But, space or not, he was fantastic on Saturday and perhaps deserved a goal late on. Honourable mentions to Arteta - he finally looks to be getting back to his best - and Beckford, of course, for getting the goals.
Anyone from Sunderland impress you today?
Tom: Sessegnon had a decent game and looks a good signing. We were linked with him the past but £6million is out of our price range! Quite a few players had an off-day but as I said previously Sunderland are better than what we saw on Saturday.
Where do you see our two sides finishing this season then?
Tom: Tough one! You just never know with Everton. I’m hoping this result, coupled with the Chelsea win last week, could hopefully see us go on a late season surge. I doubt we will pierce the top six or eight but if we can breach the top ten, after the season we have had, it would be a decent recovery.
As for Sunderland, I thought they were dead set for a European spot this season but they have stuttered baldy in recent weeks. A poor run ruined their season last year so Bruce knows he needs to turn things around quickly. I think they may miss out on the top six but 7th or 8th – and possibly a place in the Europa League - is definitely achievable.
Thank for your time Tom, hopefully next year will be our year!
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