IRONY or merely coincidence that the moment Benito Carbone blasted his spot-kick high the sun came out? I don't suppose we'll ever know. In the end, it signified the conclusion of another tumultuous campaign and the chance for long-suffering Evertonians to go to work on Monday morning without having to nervously laugh off the annual digs that next season will be spent sampling the delights of such far off places as Grimsby. The hope had been that victory over Manchester City at the start of the month would have allayed all fears of a nail-biting climax to the season. As it was, it took another 20 days and four games to do that. It is Everton though, so was anybody expecting anything other than the hard way? To their credit, looking stronger for the presence of Richard Gough, Steve Watson, David Unsworth and Duncan Ferguson who had all missed last weekend's crushing defeat at Arsenal, Everton heads remained high despite succumbing to the type of start that each of their supporters had lived out in their nightmares the night before. Andy Myers, 50-1 to score the first goal, silenced a deafening Goodison just two minutes and six seconds into the game when he rose with ease to head home Carbone's corner. In truth, had Bradford gone on to win the game, as the early exchanges threatened they would, then the omens had been there. When the Z-Cars theme had been inexplicably halted barely into its stride the nerves had intensified. And when a member of the press gang who shortly after the musical error was forced to vacate his 'lucky seat by moving along one to make room for late arrivals, the niggling feeling that this would not be a comfy afternoon resurfaced. Bradford hadn't arrived as a team overwhelmed by the fear of relegation but as a side that had secured back to back victories, and in the latter had torn Derby County apart. Deep down they knew it was all over so it was no surprise that they stroked the ball around in the early stages as if they had not a care in the world. Everton, of course, did. And regardless of Saturday's result, still do. Now the relief has worked its way through the system it is time for the analysis to begin. As for Bradford, any side that can spurn two penalty kicks in the space of ten minutes of such a crucial game, both conceded by the unlucky Watson, deserves to be playing their football elsewhere come August. Walter Smith's men on the other hand will be starting again in the right division. And while some quarters believe the Glaswegian should not be the man to see over them when they do - the same man remember that two seasons ago was being touted by some as worthy of the manager of the year award - they would do well to remember that the poisoned chalice Smith grasped three years ago is still shackled by a lack of funds and has been battered from every angle by an unprecedented catalogue of injuries. Shorn of his midfield at the end of each of his first two terms, it would surely be folly to judge him now on a season that has resembled a scene from Casualty more often than Match of the Day and has afforded him and his players little opportunity to mould the team they crave. If in three years time a new manager working under the same constraints has taken them to the same position or worse, then what? Should he last that long anyway. It's not like News at Ten. You can t just bring the old one back if the new one proves a dud. Duncan Ferguson, however, never wanted to leave in the first place and whatever peoples slant on his return to Everton there is no denying that when the goods need to be produced more often than not he is the man to produce them. On this his 300th senior appearance, the Scot needed exactly a minute less than Myers had done in the first half to find the net after the break. Michael Ball's long throw was flicked on by Kevin Campbell and as the ball dropped behind Niclas Alexandersson, the big man turned to drill home through the legs of Gary Walsh from close range. Alexandersson himself was looking more the like the player that Smith had seen when he brought him in from Sheffield Wednesday last summer. His season has, like many of his team-mates, been marred by a catalogue of injuries so it was pleasing that he can at least now take some solace from the fact that his 64th minute strike keeps Everton up. The outstanding Gemmill's cross was deflected into his path and without hesitation the Swede fired home a left-footed shot for his first goal at home. It was perhaps harsh on Walsh who three times during the match had protected his goal with stunning one-handed saves, once from Campbell and twice from Ferguson, and with just less than a quarter of an hour remaining he showed superb reactions in saving Campbell's goalbound diving header. His opposite number Paul Gerrard has come in for criticism in recently but his stunning penalty save from Robbie Blake with the scores level could have proved the difference between victory and defeat. Carbone, thankfully, gave him the chance to revel in his stop for a little bit longer when the second penalty was awarded ten minutes later. A one-handed save from Halle in the final quarter capped an impressive performance. Everton do have talent, there is no doubting that. Indeed, whatever the finishing position, can a team which this season has produced a revitalised Michael Ball, an increasingly impressive David Weir and an answer to the previously long-term right back problem in the shape of Steve Watson be termed a failure? The sun doesn't always shine, but at least it is starting to peep through the clouds. Everton: (3-5-2) Gerrard, Gough (Hibbert 45 mins), Weir, Ball, Unsworth (Gravesen 45 mins), Alexandersson, Gemmill, Pembridge, Watson, Campbell, Ferguson. Subs not used: Simonsen, Moore, Tal. Bradford: (4-3-3) Walsh, Myers, McCall, Lawrence, Blake, Ward, Carbone, Molenaar, Halle, Jacobs, Jess. Subs not used: Nolan, Davison, Locke, Grant, Kerr. Referee: Paul Durkin Bookings: Unsworth (13 mins) foul, Molenaar (25 mins) foul, Ward (31 mins) foul. Goals: Myers (3 mins) 1-0, Ferguson (47 mins) 1-1, Alexandersson (64 mins) 2-1. Missed pens: Blake (58 mins), Carbone (68 mins). | 
HAVE your say on our Blues Messageboard - click