Everton FC juror Debbie Smaje: Officiating was poor but Everton FC’s football just now is abysmal
WE certainly didn’t make the same mistakes selection-wise as we did for the derby, but the attitude against Arsenal at Goodison on Wednesday was just as half-hearted.
One of the worst trios of officials at Goodison in a long time didn’t help by flagging offside every time an Arsenal defender raised their arm, but the simple facts remain – we play abysmal football.
There is no doubt, though, that our short-term problems now stem back to that derby surrender.
It put additional pressure on us to beat Sunderland, and now should we get through in the replay, we have to face the same opposition in the semi-final that we so readily gave up against last week at Anfield.
No question where the mental advantage lies should we get there.
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IT’S difficult to remain calm after visiting Goodison on Wednesday night, when, low and behold, the officials cost us dearly.
In the past few weeks we have been the victim of many poor decisions, which, apparently, balance out over the season?
A blatant penalty in the FA Cup against Sunderland wasn’t given and with the visit of Arsenal an obviously valid goal disallowed for an imaginary offside.
Drenthe’s goal would have changed things so much on Wednesday; I think I would be writing about another top four scalp rather than ruing the injustice of yet more poor officiating.
It’s not my style to complain about the officials, but something has to give.
The next five days will make or break our season. With a trip to Swansea and a replay at the Stadium Of Light, it’s win or bust. Surely our luck has to change at some point?
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