 YOU only had to see David Moyes' pained expression to read his thoughts on a Highbury afternoon of high anxiety and low comedy. I didn't catch enough of the match to make a considered judgment, but it appeared to follow a familiar pattern, with Everton grabbing an advantage but failing to capitalise on it. Containment was Moyes main strategy and for 25 minutes it made Arsene Wenger wriggle. But then, against 10 men, the Blues failed to exploit their player advantage and allowed Arsenal to show why they are so dexterous in adversity. Two seasons ago at Anfield, they laughed at Liverpool after losing Giovanni van Bronckhorst to a red card. On Saturday, sans Sol Campbell, they again excelled against a timid Everton team. Moyes was right to make no complaints, publicly at least. But, being an in-your-face manager, he will demand explanations from a midfield that seems as ready to switch off as it did last season. Fran faces fury of fans EVERTON fans have CD Rom sized memories, which is why they may find it difficult to forgive Francis Jeffers his trespasses, should he return. They made his life at misery at Goodison Park last term when he returned in Arsenal colours, clearly remembering Franny's frenzied celebrations after scoring against the Blues at Highbury. They'll also recall that he couldn't wait to leave Everton when North London wallets were waved, and be able to quote, verbatim, his comments about the joy of teaming up with better players. Jeffers still insists he's Blue through and through; it remains to be seen whether that's sufficient in the way of atonement after all the grabbing that's gone before. Tie's in knot THE dismissal of the sad-eyed Li Tie so early in campaign was a shock, for this reason. Last season, the China international stubbornly clung on to the title of Premiership player guilty of the most fouls without incur-ring a card. I seem to remember he took his tally to 24 before finally seeing yellow. At Highbury, he seemed intent on upsetting referee Mark Halsey as soon as he got on the pitch. For the record, Sunderland's Tore Andre Flo claimed the crown of fouls without a card, committing 48 infringements, thus claiming the black boot award. |