Ever since Arsenal emerged from an opening day fixture at Leeds United with a point, virtually everyone has been extolling their virtues while explaining precisely why it is they might just win the Premiership this time. On Saturday, after the frailties of Arsene Wenger's team had become apparent for the first time this season, the more mischievous were listing the reasons why they possibly might not succeed. Wenger himself made a decent fist of playing the reasonably content manager but if he did not savage his players for the appalling arrogance which almost presented a severely weakened Everton with victory, then the man can boast the patience and compassion of a saint. He is a clever man, though, is Wenger, and it was perceptive of him to acknowledge the contribution made by a Merseyside public which continues to display the most remarkable restraint in what are rather painful days of regrouping.
"The crowd did not boo their team even when they were two goals behind because they support their young players," said Wenger. Blind faith is a pre-requisite of every fan and nowhere is this quality more evident than at Goodison Park where the local have all but perfected the art of finding solace where there seems none to be found.
The club's much trumpeted transformation from mid-table fodder into something worthy of serious consideration is taking an awfully long time, the blame for countless ills lying not so much with those in shorts, more with those in suits, who for years chose to select managers of potential rather than actual merit. Howard Kendall is only a matter of a few months into his third spell in charge, yet already he is coming to represent more hero than villain.
An astute and gifted manager, Kendall is the man with his finger in the dyke, representing as he does a flimsy barrier which separates Everton and probable calamity. It was Kendall's typically bold decision - more likely desperate gamble - during the interval which was to so totally change a game which had much to commend it. Two goals adrift, Arsenal in complete control and Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright set fair for further rampaging, Kendall moved his pieces around the board. He introduced an orthodox flat back four, switched 17-yearold Michael Ball to the left side of midfield, and moved Graham Stuart up front to offer invaluable support to another 17-year-old, Danny Cadamarteri. The effect was absolutely breathtaking, so much so that had Everton's youthful exuberance not eclipsed their sense of reason during the final, compelling exchanges, they could have actually won the game.
"I felt I had to do something at half time," explained Kendall. "We were losing, the players were down and the fans were stunned and disappointed. I just had to try something positive." He did, and as Wenger generously conceded, it worked a treat. By the 57th minute Arsenal's seemingly impregnable advantage had been whittled away, Ball climbing at the far post to head in Stuart's headed cross and Cadamarteri driving in deliciously after doing his best to lose possession inside the penalty area. Remarkable stuff, really, because after riding out what was more blustery squall than storm, Arsenal had dominated the latter stages of the first half, scoring twice through neat strikes by Wright and Marc Overmars and threatening to humiliate an Everton team stripped of six regulars. The longest journey opens with a single step and while Everton's present may be giving cause for concern, a future which lies at the feet of young men with considerable ability looks rather more secure.
Kendall has probably never heard of Kurt Cobain or Nirvana, but there was definitely a smell of team spirit around Goodison on Saturday.
There is a familiar name at the top of the leaderboard in what is developing into a tight and tense Irish League Premier Division Championship. Portadown, winners when the series was first introduced two years ago, are not only out in front but are two matches in hand. They are the only one of the ten contenders still to taste defeat, preserving their record against Ards at Shamrock Park. Their winning goal was scored by Dubliner Vinnie Arkins, the former Notts County striker. It came after Ards had lost another ex-Republic of Ireland player, goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.
Portadown owe their place at the top of the table to goal difference with three others defending champions, Crusaders, Glenavon and Cliftonville all on the same points mark.
An injury time goal from defender Aaron Callaghan, yet another Dubliner, shot Crusaders back into the pack and broke the hearts of Linfield at Seaview.
