FAN SCENE: Quality shone through but we have tougher tests ahead

Nov 2 2007

EVERTON continue to compete on all fronts, but as ever they do insist on making life as difficult for themselves as possible.

David Moyes thought he was doing the right thing in resting some players for the Carling Cup game at Kenilworth Road – apparently some fans are just getting home now after that accident on the M1 – but with hindsight he may want to reassess that strategy.

The game was another test of whether a team of more talented individuals playing in an unfamiliar line-up could beat more modest individuals playing a system they are used to, in front of their own fans.

This time the equation ended up slightly in favour of the Premier League quality, but only just. As a result of our approach the likes of Joleon Lescott and Leon Osman, who both started at Derby on Sunday, ended up playing two hours of football against a physical Luton team full of confidence. Compare that to the game at Pride Park, where Everton’s best side dominated throughout and played at a canter, and you start to wonder what was achieved by, for instance, asking Phil Neville to operate as a winger.

At least we are in the hat tomorrow though. Unfortunately, there doesn’t really look like any particularly easy opposition left.

The best we can hope for is a home draw, because on our day we should really be capable of beating anyone at Goodison, especially with the incredible Tim Cahill back in the side.

Chelsea no longer look the force they once were and our erstwhile neighbours across the park surely wouldn’t relish another visit to Goodison, given how fortunate they were to get anything at all, never mind a win, when we played the other week.

Going back to Cahill – what a player.

We rightly marvel at the natural talent of Mikel Arteta, but when it comes to effectiveness and the ability to produce the goods when it really counts, the Australian really stands out amongst the Everton players.

We all know it is foolish to believe footballers’ platitudes, so we won’t get all carried away, but it would be great news if Cahill was sincere when he said last week that he would like to spend the rest of his career with the Blues, because he really does have what it takes to become