Delilah

Everton took care of a fairly stern challenge from Stoke on Saturday, but I think the 3-1 scoreline is misleading. Once Stoke pegged us back to 2-1 early in the second half, they put together 20 minutes of old-school English football, making a very uncomfortable period until the braided Fellaini finished it minutes from the end.

The game was largely forgettable, but the 3000 Stoke fans deserve massive credit for selling out their section, all showing up and putting together 90 minutes of 'back in the day' chants, sing-songs and behaviour that turned the clock back. I appreciate Stoke have been out of the top flight since the mid-80s, and that could go somewhere to explaining the style of football they play, but there must be more to it. I can't recall a larger police presence than the one surrounding that corner of the Bullens Road Stand, inside or out, nor the systematic piling in of the coppers to eject Stoke fans at regular intervals until they finally became becalmed once Lescott tapped us 2-0 up after 25 or so minutes.

Up until then, the Goodison faithful had been treated to a cacophony of noise and some decent banter with the Park End Blues. Although slightly quieter between Everton's second and the Stoke goal from Shawcross, things livened up for the remainder of the game. The excitement that greeted every Delap throw-in was priceless.

Outside of the visits of the 'big four' sides, Sunderland's travelling support usually provide the best show at Goodison, but for me in 08/09 campaign, the boys from the Potteries take the award for Best Travelling Fans.