Sat 11 Feb 06
10 Men & a 4th string ‘keeper
With Nigel Martyn still injured and Richard Wright having gone and bashed himself up again, Everton started 3rd string ‘keeper Iain Turner, his first League start, in today’s match at Goodison against Rovers. I didn’t see the replay, but it was an apparently innocuous back-pass header from Stubbsy that forced Turner to handle the ball outside the box and earn Everton’s first straight red of the campaign. Off after 9 minutes!
On comes 19 year old Scotsman John Ruddy to replace the 22 year old Turner (with another Scot, striker James McFadden, making way); Ruddy made some key saves during the rest of the game. After 32 minutes, following a Robbie Savage foul, a beautiful Mikel Arteta free kick met James Beattie’s header to put Everton ahead and on the way to another one of their patented 1-0 wins. Beattie received a standing ovation when he came off later in the game in response to his winning goal and tireless work. It took a year, but the guy has started to find his groove. Also nice to see Lee Carsley make another late appearance as he works his way back from injury.
Everton have now climbed their way into the top ten, and could stay there depending on the outcome of Sunday’s match between City and Charlton.
Mike Campbell
