Goodison is Everton's 12th Man

Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

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Evertonians are very proud of the atmosphere Goodison can create and the noise that reverberates around the 121 year old 'Grand Old lady' of the Premier League. This atmosphere was in full force against Arsenal.

The Goodison faithful are not a happy-clappy, flag waving and scarf showing set of supporters. Never have been and never will be. They are an angry, passionate mob who will sing when they feel like singing, wear what they want to wear and go absolutely mental whenever Everton score a goal. The match day fan is one of the main differences between Everton and Liverpool. Liverpool like to wear their scarfs, make sure they wear red, get their banners and flags out and have a good old pre-planned sing song. That's not us, and I'm glad it's not. As a man of a miserable disposition anyway, I like my atmosphere a bit more spontaneous. I'm not saying one is right or one is wrong, in fact I think in a big match, they are the top 2 when it comes to effecting the performance on the pitch.

On Sunday, the atmosphere was everything you wanted it to be. The fans were slow getting to the ground most likely given the early kick-off and trying to squeeze in another pint. The ground filled up rapidly before kick-off ready for the only pre-planned part of Everton's match routine, the Z-cars theme tune. Soon after it started, I couldn't hear it for the roars around me as the hairs on my neck stood to attention as I left out a roar of myself. The atmosphere was of nervous passion and ensued for the next 10 minutes as Everton made their positive start and Osman's shot nearly dipped in. I've seen many a standing ovation at Goodison, mostly for our players, sometimes for theirs and sometimes for a fine piece of defensive work. A standing ovation for a foul however? That was a new one. Steven Naismith has rapidly become a very appreciated member of the Everton squad and even more so after the clattered in to Arteta near the half way line. It showed something that Everton didn't in the FA Cup, that they were up for a battle. Goodison Park then showed how much they were up for the fight as well and Arsenal and Arteta quickly showed that they weren't.

Not long after that, Naismith had scored which increased the atmosphere further and after Lukaku's fine goal, it put the Everton fans into a shocked delirium as this was supposed to be a tough match which was turning into a walk in the park.

Before the match I wasn't too fussed about booing Arteta as I never fully took to him at Everton and after Rooney I haven't got too attached to any Everton players since. I was however planning to join in on the boo's for the sole reason that I thought it may effect his performance. Whether or not he would have had a bad game regardless is up for debate but he was terrible and I'd like to think it played it's part and his own goal was just another layer of icing on a wonderful day. Ross Barkley throwing him halfway to the Bullens Road was very funny as was Arteta's reaction. I always laugh when little players act the hardman in front of the camera's as I somehow don't think you'd see a 5 ft 9 man from San Sebastian confront a 6 ft 2 lad from Wavertree in the streets of Liverpool! Baines' reaction was also brilliant as he had a go at his former team mate and to the joys of the crowd it all ended with Arteta getting a yellow card to go with his own goal and woeful performance.

By this stage the crowd was bouncing, having not sat down or stopped singing for the whole of the second half, the players responded by their unrelenting perfection that was demanded from Martinez. The Ole's further added to Arsenal's embarrassment as did the showboating from Barkley, Mirallas, McGeady, Deulofeu and the main culprit, Seamus Coleman.

I recently asked Kevin Ratcliffe about the atmosphere at Goodison Park as I always wondered how much the players can take it in when they are concentrating on the game. He said that it defiantly effects the performance and when you're out there “you can hear it, you can feel it”, Goodison is always there when they team need them to be and it so often reflects the result.

This was seen in the recent game against Aston Villa. Both sets of fans were poor for most of the match in what was a low key game as Aston Villa held the lead at half-time. As the match wore on with Everton still losing the crowd got louder and louder until Everton equalised with 15 minutes to go. The atmosphere from that point on was brilliant and by the end Everton had won and the fans were singing down the concourse and onto the Glwadys Street road.

If Everton are to finish 4th the the Goodison crowd has an important role to play. Not like it needs encouragement. The atmospheres against the two Manchester clubs could prove to be even more special than the Arsenal match and will even be buoyant against Crystal Palace.

Everton might need to turn the PA up for these last few matches, as much  as I like Z-cars at the start of the match, the fans drowned out the speakers for the rendition of 'And if you know history', not once or twice, but three times.

She may be partly made of wood, she may be 121 years old, she may need replacing sooner or later but she can't half make one hell of an atmosphere when she needs to and when she does there is no place in the world I'd rather be.

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