Everton’s new test against United

Sep 14 2007 Fan Scene by MilesShackley, Liverpool Daily Post

THE ludicrously early visit of the swaggering half of Manchester on Saturday provides the sternest test possible for an Everton side which looks as good now as it ever has under David Moyes.

It’s unfortunate therefore that Everton could be without the services of Tim Howard, whose jet-lagged finger threatens to keep him out of the fixture for the second time in successive seasons.

The potential non-appearance of Howard, who dislocated the diligent digit whilst prodding away a shot during the USA’s 4-2 friendly defeat in midweek, will mercifully not be thrown under the microscope to quite the extent it was last season, when an alleged gentleman’s agreement between the two clubs effectively cost Everton the game.

Although the powers-that-be who run the whole show did lots of paper shuffling, harumphing and agreeing that there was nothing untoward in the arrangement, the fact that the rules were tightened up in the wake of the game suggests that Everton were rather nicer than they needed to be and United, relishing the opportunity to welly long-range efforts at young blood, were only too happy to take advantage.

Thomas Gravesen is also likely to be ruled out courtesy of a knee injury.

It might just be me, but whenever I hear about injuries to the on-loan Dane, I always expect it to be caused by some sort of Keystone Cops type of accident.

The impact he had on the game at Bolton proved that you can never have too many players who can hold onto a ball and distribute it sensibly.

With Yakubu scoring on his debut, Johnson performing impressively, goals coming from all quarters of the team and Tim Cahill stepping up his training, this Everton side appears to have the potential to finally start handing out some proper duffings.

Make Saturday your first, gents – you don’t become champions by losing to champions.