SEMI-FINAL AND SKY

My brain said the own goal at Stanford Bridge would make it Mission Almost Impossible, and my heart said...well obviously we were going to beat them with a Phil Neville rocket and shake Goodison to its foundations.
Could have happened too....The smart square-ball from an otherwise underwhelming Arteta to Nev saw the skipper’s shot go tantalisingly close. But for the back-on-form (and what form!) Petr Cech to save.
Anyway, it didn’t happen and we all trudged home, or for a few miserable pints before lasties. I had to be up early in the morning anyway, I told myself unconvincingly.
Ok, so it helps to remember we’ve got all to play for. But Chelsea’s win was depressing on a few levels.
Their injury ravaged side was still immense and crammed with top international players. What chance do teams outside the top four have of making it to finals anymore? (Spurs don’t count because they are financially backed to the same level of the top four sides).
This had seemed a very realistic chance for Moyes to finally add to our trophy cabinet and watching it go up in smoke was tough.
Afterwards, it was also disappointing to hear from mates who watched it on Sky that the Chelsea fans sounded louder and Blues almost quiet by comparison save a bit of abuse for Joe Cole.
Those of us who went the game know that wasn't true.
It was hard but I’m glad we cheered them off at the end because I still reckon this squad will give us happier days, maybe even in places warmer than Walton on a Wednesday.

(Note to the blues fighting eachother towards the end. Get a grip. Or if you want to behave like that, go to Anfield).