Spirit Of The Blues

Oh there have been some great Everton victories over the years. Danny Cadamarteri wrote his name into Everton folklore in 1997 & was never seen again. Andrew Johnson powered home an unlikely header as Everton won 3-0. And Mikel Arteta blasted the ball home as Everton won 2-0 in another memorable encounter. But this one could top it all.

Maybe it was beacuse of Everton's long; draining & somewhat tumultuous season. Maybe it was because Liverpool were gunning for the title. Or maybe beacuse it was just such a surprise. Whatever it is; this victory will go down as one of the best performances Everton have ever produced. And just where has it been the whole season?

From the start; Everton seemed to play with more zip & purpose; and it more or less lasted through the entire game. Players who were pedestrian suddenly came to life; with Ben Godfrey proving an inspired upgrade over Ashley Young; Idrissa Gueye rolling back the years; and Dwight McNeil in the form of his life. Credit too to Jordan Pickford; as the England No. 1 produced several outstanding stops to keep Liverpool at bay.

For Liverpool; it must be one of their worst performances ever. For such an important match; they looked strangely devoid of energy & purpose. And perhaps what sums it all is their two full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold & Andrew Robertson; once regarded as the best full-backs in the world; both being hauled off for Joe Gomez & Konstantinos Tsimikas after some hapless displays. Alexander-Arnold in particular; seemed to be in zombie mode most of the time. All conspiring of course; to make this the most disastrous send-off for Jurgen Klopp.