As part of our guest contributor slots we have an article from Mark Ellis who runs the a blog about Evertons Golden Era, which is a specialist blog dedicated to the mighty Everton. Have a read of his article below and make sure you give him a follow on twitter @MarkTheBlue
School Of Science Takes Over As Martinez Smells Blood
Newcastle 0 – 3 Everton: School of Science Takes over as Martinez Smells Blood
Writing this, absolutely made up with a sensational victory in a must win game at Newcastle. It feels like Roberto has had this planned all along
We looked complete tonight. With John Stones Bobby Moore esq we struck the perfect balance between defence and attack. Newcastle could not cope with the majestic Deulofeu and with Romelu Lukaku having his best game in an Everton shirt, we looked every inch a Champions League side.
Everton were simply magnificent tonight. After a dodgy opening two minutes we took control of the game with the ever dangerous Deulofeu looking every inch a product of Barcelona’s La Masia set up. We looked dangerous and our superiority told in the 22nd minute with a goal straight out of the Paul Gascoigne textbook.
Ross Barkley picked the ball up from inside his own half and ran the length of the pitch, showing terrific composure to work his way into the 6 yard box and smash a left footed finish past Krul. This goal showcased Barkley’s talent perfectly, gliding across the pitch like an olympic ice skater, tremendous pace and skill, finishing like a proven striker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCEcUfoH_Y4
1-0 Everton
It was a welcome return to the link up play between Barkley and Lukaku with Newcastle for the second time this season finding their quality all too much.
Newcastle huffed and puffed with a half-baked shout for a penalty, Baines coming together with Cisse was quickly rebuffed from Lee Mason but Everton maintained their control.
It was only a matter of time before Everton’s quality told again and another scintillating move involving Osman, who was excellent all match, led to Deulofeu advancing on the 18 yard box. The young Spaniard picked out a perfect pass to find Lukaku who tucked home his 13th goal of the season from the edge of the six yard box.
2-0 Everton
Newcastle threatened through Tiote who drew a smart save from Howard and they really should have scored through Anita who missed from 6 yards with the goal gaping. Newcastle’s heads noticeably dropped and Everton gave the scoreline a truer reflection with another picture goal from Leon Osman.
I have not been Leon Osman’s biggest fan I’ll admit, but credit where it’s due tonight, he was fantastic and he smashed a right foot shot into the top corner from 12 yards. Following excellent build up play from Deulofeu and Lukaku.
3-0 Everton
The game was over and Swansea’s late equalizer at Arsenal was the icing on the cake. There is now true belief that we can qualify for the Champions League. Arsenal look set to implode and we look like everyone is coming into form at the right time.
Roberto has talked about the last ten games a lot this season, you can see what he’s doing. Out of nowhere we have come again when all seemed lost and now were hunting Arsenal with the scent of blood firmly in our nostrils.
Everton’s performance was breathtaking at times. The School of Science was coursing through the veins of the players and we saw how good we can be. Also how good we will need to be if we are to take advantage of Arsenal’s nerves and qualify for the Champions League next season.
There is a weightlessness that takes hold of me when Everton win in a manner like they did. Euphoria stifles my words, I can sense a huge momentum shift tonight in our favor and the excitement is back. Four straight league wins has got Arsenal reaching for the Imodium.
Roberto’s tactical nous and the exhilarating form of Barkley, Deulofeu and Lukaku has got me believing our European football will be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays next season and not Thursdays.
We have the bit between our teeth and a manager who has got us playing football that wouldn’t look out-of-place amongst the holy trinity. I can’t tell you how much I admire Roberto Martinez and what he’s brought to the club. This performance tonight in large parts was the Martinez vision in its most glorious form.
I am absolutely buzzing writing this, truly. I think qualification for the champions league is on! I’m truly excited for the run-in now as we have players who can hurt teams. I think Martinez will come into his own, his decision to rotate Mirallas for Deulofeu was a masterstroke, with the full backs having a more disciplined performance. Deulofeu was free to terrorize Newcastle’s full backs who could simply not live with him.
Lets hope we can push on and reward this stunning victory with a run that takes us into the Champions League. Under Martinez we might not have made huge steps in points from last season, but we are ahead of where we want to be and the football we are playing is light years ahead of the previous managers.
Things are looking very promising.
Martinez said: “At Stamford Bridge and White Hart Lane the performances were good but you need to reflect that in the score-line. Taking our chances today was the difference.”
And the biggest chance of all; qualifying for the Champions League, is now within touching distance.
The School of Science is on course for the biggest party of all.
Sin Miedo
Mark Ellis