SLAM DUNC!
Legend Ferguson says: ‘Whatever happens, no one can take this day away from me’
CHELSEA were well and truly slam Dunc-ed as manager Frank Lampard’s worst fears came true.
Lampard predicted a Duncan Ferguson bounce after the legendary striker was put in charge of the relegation-threatened Everton side.
And Goodison Park was rocked to its very foundations. Gone was the toxic atmosphere of the last home game, a depressing 2-0 defeat against Norwich which sealed Marco Silva’s fate.
In its place a vibrant, exuberant affair, with Everton energised and sparking from the first minute, with Ferguson living every piece of the action. Two ballboys will never forget the day their side was reborn as they were grabbed by an ecstatic Ferguson during the wild celebrations and Chelsea were sucked into a whirlpool of high emotion.
“Whatever happens, no one can take this day away from me,” admitted Ferguson.
“It was exciting, very emotional, a bit nervous. The atmosphere was sensational. It couldn’t have gone any better.
“I think Everton fans want to see passion in their manager. But this is not about me, it’s about Everton. Whoever takes over is coming to a fantastic football club.
“But it was a fantastic feeling. I’ve been involved in cup finals with the club, but this has been incredible.”
It had taken only four minutes and 18 seconds for Chelsea to feel the stunning effect of the Big Dunc factor. And it was a goal which had his name stamped all over it – a glorious throwback to the days when the combative Scot ripped apart opposition defences.
Opting to start with a 4-4-2 formation, it was a licence for the wide men Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi to try and wreak havoc.
But it was Djibril Sidibe who created mayhem in the Chelsea area, continuing a positive and energetic move with a fifth-minute cross, which was met by a fierce header from Richarlison for the Brazilian’s eighth goal of the season.
Cue crazed celebrations from Goodison’s caretaker boss, galloping down the touchline and imploring more backing from the home fans.
Up in the stand, chairman Bill Kenwright contented
himself with a clench of the fist, indicating the heart was back at the club.
Chelsea dominated possession and made a succession of chances – only to be hit by a second Everton goal just after the break.
It was a goal Dominic Calvert-lewin, who seemed imbued with confidence often lacking in many games, richly deserved.
He took advantage of nightmare defending from Chelsea’s central pair, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma, to calmly side-foot past a bemused Kepa.
VAR was called in to make certain the striker hadn’t handled, but, by then, Ferguson had once again raced down the touchline.
This time he span an unsuspecting ball boy round and round in a frenzied waltz.
And when Stockley Park confirmed the goal, the gleaming smile from the Gladys Street hero lit up the whole place.
Not that poor Lampard was joining in as he sat passively in the knowledge that all his warnings to his players had fallen on death ears.
He confessed: “All the goals we conceded were sloppy.
“They were direct and we had to deal with that and we didn’t deal with it well enough.
“It was definitely an extra dangerous time to play against them.
“They got an extra bounce and they have some very good players.”
Chelsea grabbed a goal back through a long-range strike from Mateo Kovacic as Everton keeper Jordan Pickford appeared distracted by Tammy Abraham’s presence in his eyeline.
But it was an afternoon
Ferguson and his charges weren’t to be denied, Calvertlewin taking advantage of an error from Kepa who had set up Theo Walcott and then substitute Tom Davies, following a shocking clearance with 84 minutes played.
Now, another ballboy rushed up to Ferguson hoping it was his turn on the one-man Waltzer – Everton’s interim boss didn’t disappoint. After all, it was Big Dunc’s day.
EVERTON: Pickford 6, Sidibe 7, Holgate 6, Keane 7, Digne 7 (Baines 82), Walcott 6 (Bernard 86), Schneiderlin 7, Sigurdsson 6, Iwobi 6, Richarlison 7 (Davies 70, 7), Calvert-lewin 7.
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Tosun, Kean, Niasse.
CHELSEA: Kepa 6, James 6 (Batshuayi 82), Christensen 6, Zouma 6, Azpilicueta 6, Kante 7, Kovacic 7, Willian 7 (Hudson-odoi 70, 6), Mount 6, Pulisic 7, Abraham 6.
Subs not used: Caballero, Jorginho, Barkley, Tomori, Emerson.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Richarlison. For his first-half performance, which galvanised Everton’s spirit and adventure, complete with a wonderful headed goal.
REFEREE: Craig Pawson 7.