I hope the feelgood factor remains following the amazing game here on Wednesday night!
Anyone who is of the opinion that the FA Cup has lost its magic should have been at Goodison Park.
I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a match like it.
We were taken by surprise by the intensity with which Tottenham started the game and we needed to show great resolve to keep ourselves in the tie.
We did that – but I don’t think even the most fervent Evertonian would have anticipated a 3-1 lead as we approached half-time.
Their late goal before the whistle changed things and it was to and fro for the rest of the night.
We had to dig deep and we had to show a real spirit and togetherness to survive – but that’s never been an issue at this football club.
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR EVERTON V FULHAM PROGRAMME NOW
The desire to win football matches is massive and you could see that on Wednesday night.
From the second half onwards, Spurs brought on five international players as substitutes and I am sure most pundits thought that would give them the edge as we moved into extra-time, but we just gave it everything we had and I was so proud of all the players.
I feel as though I should mention every player but I will single out Tom Davies. He has been terrific of late and is showing everyone what we at the Club already knew – that he is a quality Premier League footballer.
It’s very, very difficult for young players to sustain their form when they burst onto the scene like Tom did, but he played with so much maturity on Wednesday and showed he can be creative as well as protective.
I am writing these notes on the morning after that game so I can’t make any comment on how the quarter-final draw has panned out for us but…fingers crossed!
We enjoyed the Cup win but then we quickly got down to the business of the Premier League. Fulham fought every inch of the way when we won a five-goal game at Craven Cottage in November and I am expecting every bit as tough a contest tonight.
Finally, I know your celebrations on Wednesday night will have been tinged with a touch of disappointment that you couldn’t be here with us in person at Goodison Park. Again, the lads were talking afterwards about how absolutely unbelievable the atmosphere would have been.
But we’re getting closer all the time to a return to normality. Just keep doing what you know is right and proper and hopefully we’ll see you back at Goodison before too long.
All the best,
Seamus
Order the Everton v Fulham matchday programme now.
Another issue packed with exclusive content features an in-depth interview with new signing Joshua King.
The Norway international discusses his upbringing in Oslo, dealing with racism, why he believes he's entering the prime of his career, and his first week with "big club" Everton.
The former player interview is with Idan Tal as the Israeli looks back on his Goodison career, while there is more from Carlo Ancelotti and Yerry Mina.
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR EVERTON V FULHAM PROGRAMME NOW
CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR MATCHDAY PROGRAMME FOR EVERY EVERTON HOME GAME IN 2020/21
