The new season started with not much optimism, the Blues had only signed Deulfeou and Tom Cleverley. The fixture computer had given the Blues a tough start to the season with trips to Southampton and Tottenham with home games against promotion new boys Watford and title-chasing Manchester City.
August 8th – Everton v Watford
evertonfc.com
The Blues started the season with a home game against new boys Watford. This was a game that we really needed to win with tough games coming up, but we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Watford sat behind the ball and made it difficult for Everton and twice took the lead, but the Blues battled back for a 2-2 draw with goals from Ross Barkley and Arouna Kone. This was a disappointing performance and one which highlighted the need for more additions to the Everton squad. Galloway was my Star Man today. Everton will face much tougher opponents than Watford and will have to improve their performance throughout the season but the positive is that we did not lose and got a point to take down to the south coast.
August 15th – Southampton v Everton
Source: evertonfc.com
It was a long trip down to the South Coast to take on last season’s surprise package Southampton. The home side attacked Everton and the Blues hit them on the break to record an excellent 3-0 win with 2 goals from Lukaku and another one from Ross Barkley. This was a great performance from the Blues against a good Southampton side, it’s always good to get your 1st win of the season early. Ross Barkley was my Star Man today. We now have 4 points out of a possible 6 with more tough games to come, it is a good start to the season.
August 23rd – Everton v Man City
A tough home game against title-chasing Manchester City, the Blues competed well with them in the 1st half but the class told in the 2nd half and City won 2-0. David Silva was a constant threat to Everton all game. It is no disgrace to lose to a City side that has spent over a billion pounds compared to our £2.50! Seamus Coleman was my Star Man today and he had a lot to contend with from Sterling and Kolarov but still managed to get forward too.
August 26th – Barnsley v Everton Capital One Cup
Source: evertonfc.com
A potential banana skin in the League Cup against league 1 side Barnsley and it turned out to be a very exciting game it turned out to be. The Blues needed extra-time to see off Barnsley through 2 goals from Lukaku, Naismith, Mirallas and an own goal in a 5-3 win to go into the 3rd round and another away game at Champonship side Reading. Deulofeu was my Star Man today, he changed the game when he came on at half-time and created 3 goals today.
August 29th – Tottenham v Everton
Source: tottenhamhotspur.com
The final game of August was another long away trip down to the capital to face Tottenham. A tough game for the Blues and they found chances hard to come by but some good defending and good goalkeeping from Tim Howard kept Spurs out and earned a point. We often find White Hart Lane a tough place to visit so a point today was not a bad result at all. Tim Howard was my Star Man today after making 3 or 4 good saves and keeping Spurs out on his own at times.
The Blues have had a decent return with 5 points this month with only losing 1 game against the billionaires of Manchester City. It has been a very interesting month off the pitch too with Chelsea pestering the Blues with numerous bids for John Stones despite being told he is not for sale. It was very good to hear from Martinez and eventually Kenwright that he was not for sale, it is about time that a club stood up to these bullies who think that money can buy anything but we know that ‘Money cannot buy you Stones, can’t buy you Stones!’
We now have a boring international break then we entertain the Champions, Chelsea for a very tasty encounter. I’m sure there will be a few references to John Stones and Chelsea’s long pursuit of him – what price Stones getting the winner and Jose leaving Goodison with no points and a sour face! We now have 2 days before the transfer window shuts, can we add to our squad? We really need another centre-half, a playmaker and a striker so over to you Martinez – let’s spend some money to increase the quality in our squad.
Lee Molton
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