Everton 3 Stoke 1

Everton: Howard, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Pienaar, Jo, Felliani

Bench: Castillo, Jacobsen, Nash, Gosling, Rodwell (Jo), Wallace, Saha (Cahill)

Referee: Andre Marriner (He's All At Sea)

What a week?!

It is over a decade since we worried about FA Cup semi-final tickets, it's also while since the Missus didn't speak to you for nearly a week because of your over exuberant celebrations, it's been a good week.

OK, so it's not been so long since the Mrs didn't talk to you?! Anyway, I've enrolled my Mrs into a Bridge Club, she's got her first jump next Tuesday!

So after a hectic week, and seeing the shite beat the Manc's (it doesn't matter!), we headed for the ground. Awaiting us were Stoke City, as Robert Plant sang, 'It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely.................... time. Yes, it was Peter Dobbin or was it Sir Stanley Matthews last time? But it as a must win game for both sides. Us, so we could march on to Europe and The Potter's for survival and don't forget, The Toffeemen never let you down!

Now,we had our usual selection problems, so we reckoned that Jo was defo getting a game. Getting a game with a Moyesy bollocking after two shite performances for the Man City man , both games saw him getting the curly finger. King Louis was being rested on a gold crusted sedan whilst Jo was taking his place and we were also welcoming Biffa Beattie back, who can ever forget the double head butt on Gallas? And the frustration of a player who should have made it at Goodison? Would he return to haunt us?

We started well and looked as if we were going to crush Stoke but they fought back with a couple of corners, it was after the second that we went ahead. Word was spreading that Fella had been to the barber's and he was distinctly lighter when he fed Jo who duly dispatched it home after just 15 mins to put The Toffeemen in front, it must have been that Moyesy rollocking, it certainly did the trick.

Not long later, about 5 mins, it was two. Timmy has been a star this season, coming back after injury to not only score goals but he should be sponsored by Martini - any time, any place, anywhere. Who else but Timmy nodded goalward, the Stoke goalie parried and Roger was there to pounce for his 5th of the season, don't you just love a defender scoring? If you ever played at the back y'self then you will know the feeling! Two up and cruising. Who were this team that had come up via the play off's? It looked like a breeze. But you know, the Toffeemen never let you down - despite a few chances to put the game to bed before the break, we went in just the two up at the break.

HALF TIME 2 - 0

It was to be expected because the Toffeemen never let you down! Just 5 mins into the second half, Stoke pulled one back from a corner, I think Lawrence sent it over and Shawcross nodded it in. Here we go, the sphincter was now going. Not as bad as the last 10 mins against Boro but nevertheless, we could do without it. Needless to say, their tails were up and they came a us but once we'd seen off the surge we then looked as if it meant more to us.

They had ex-shite Diao playing for them, as always he was a figure of fun and encouraged the St. End to give us 'Kopites are Gobshites'. Thankyou. We love it. A friend of Blue Kipper, Bill Cooper, used to time the chant coming out of the St. End - the earlier the better lads, you can never tire of hearing ' Kopites are Gobshites!'.

A few corners at both ends and some long range efforts were not going to change the score but the newly trimmed Screech had other ideas. Everyone has been talking about a Brazilian since he arrived at Goodison for various reasons, Marouane must have overheard the conversation but got it wrong - either way, there are now Toffee Wigmakers throwing themselves off the Pier Head! Screech left it until the last minute to put the game to bed, burying it from Bainsey's cross with a sweet left foot well after his candy floss has gone it was not going to be a header was it?!

So a good result against a team who had it all to play for. Europe beckons again but before that it is the new Wembley. The Toffee's look focused, driven on by Moyesy who celebrated his 7th Anniversary and his birthday with 3 points, he must be looking back at the horrendous start to the campaign we had and thinking, what if? Stoke came on strong for the last few minutes but it was over. The ref was the loveable Andre Marriner - nutcase, although today he behaved himself for once. So it's six on the bounce now at Goodison, that's the way it should be, and moving in to the last two months of the season, we still have plenty to play for.

Lavo's best bet maybe down the pan but it was another Stella Sunrise on the horizon after 3 more points in the bag. Plenty of contenders for the Blue Kipper Star Man today but my vote goes to Phil Neville, who of late has been immense, well played. COYB FTRS

Full Time 3-1