Sunday afternoon at Goodison
Park. Hardly the proper time for football but
nonetheless. Tense game with some
expansive and beautiful Everton play.
Pompey’s very own Diddy man evades his markers to grab an equalizer for
the visitors and the home side is discombobulated for a while. Normal service resumes and Tiny Tim gets
Everton’s second whilst the Yak scores the third of the game and his eighteenth
of the season.
A convoluted trip limits the
number of away fans although the home fans turn up in decent numbers for what
is a European six pointer. The weather
and pitch are fine and the Panto Dame predicts a bore draw. Hardly serious football journalism from Lawro
when both sides have only managed two (home/away) draws from league play this
season. The stakes are high and at both
teams are unbeaten in three so something has to give.
Moyes is starting to encounter
the problems of having a full and functioning squad coupled with the need to
drop or change players. Difficult but a
nice problem to have.
Howard keeps goal, Hibbert occupies
the right back berth after a solid performance against Petrov, Yobo and
Jagielka continue their strong partnership in the centre and Lescott stays at
left back. Carsley and Neville sit deep
with Pienaar Osman and Cahill getting licenses to attack with Yakubu as the
main forward. This is very firmly an
attacking 4 5 1.
"IT'S OK LADS! MOST OF THEM ARE ONLY THIS TALL!"
DAVID JAMES ON THE MIDGET GEMS!
Redknapp has plenty to chose from
and opts for a large 4 5 1. James
continues his long streak in goal the back four has the energy at the flanks in
John son and Hreidarsson and solidity in the middle with Campbell and Distin. Strung across the middle are Bouba Diop,
Diarra, Muntari and Krancjar with Defoe and Kanu up front as a little and large
partnership.
"IS THE BIG GUY ENGLISH?"
CAPELLO, HOT OF THE HELICOPTER FROM BOLTON.
PLENTY OF ENGLISH TALENT ON SHOW!
Before Capello has even taken his
seat (the Italian is hot off the helicopter after watching Bolton
lose) Yakubu has duly scored the opener.
A brisk Everton attack and a clumsy challenge see Pienaar deliver a
nothing ball into the area. Distin is
too slow, John son just watches and the rest of the defence barely moves as
Yobo flicks the ball on for his countryman to stoop and head beyond James. Clocked at fifty seconds.
"FEED THE YAK AND HE WILL SCORE!"
JOHN SON AND JAMES CAN DO NOTHING TO STOP NUMBER SEVENTEEN
Before it’s even begun the game
has turned into a major challenge for Portsmouth. One which in the first half they barely rise to.
Huge swathes of the first half
see some delightful Everton passing and movement which bamboozles and befuddles
Pompey.
My highlight is Pienaar and Cahill
passing to each other as they advance down the left ignorant (seemingly) of the
Pompey defenders they leave for dead.
Nothing comes of all the fancy footwork but a few good saves and
clearances from a stout Pompey back line or a wayward strike from Phil
Neville.
Osman and Cahill have chances and
James gets away with one of his trademark Calamity’s ™.
The Everton player with the
hottest boots is Irish; Carsley has a free kick and two more chances, none of which
find the target.
"EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING
THOSE GUYS ARE FAST AS LIGHTENING
SOMETIMES IT'S A WAS LITTLE BIT FRIGHTENING
EVERYBODY IS KUNG FU FUGHTING
LA LA LA LAAH!"
THE KUNG FU OF KUYT IS PRACTISED AGAIN AT GOODISON PARK.
John son skinned Pienaar early on
but produced a poor cross and Kranjcar briefly sputtered into life in a half
that until the thirty eighth minutes the visitors looked practically dead and
buried as they foundered on a calmly wonderful Everton back six.
The ground goes into that stunned
away goal silence when from out of the blue John son lays in a lovely ball
which Howard should be rushing off his line to claim. The big yank doesn’t and the little Englishman
slips between two vastly bigger but static defenders to graze the ball with the
faintest of touches beyond a flailing Howard for the equalizer.
Who picked up Defoe’s run and why
didn’t Howard move. For a normally solid
defence that was shocking.
"SILENCE IS GOLDEN"
UNLESS IT'S THAT GHASTLY SILENCE THAT FOLLOWS AN AWAY GOAL
POMPEY'S VERY OWN MIDGET GEM GETS AN UNEXPECTED EQUALIZER.
Everton still press in the last
five but some of the conviction has slipped from their play.
Moyes keeps things the same and
Harry must have given some sort of fire-breathing-barnstorming-Churchillean
monologue to inspire his players.
The visitors emerged from the
tunnel with their proverbial tails up, Defoe and Yakubu were swapping goal
celebrations and everyone was happy.
Ten minutes into the half and
Everton had barely gotten into second gear.
The champagne had gone flat and it took a determined team effort to haul
their sorry arses back into the game, they were just getting going and starting
to move forward with some purpose when the key managerial input came.
Moyes switched to a 4 4 2 and
brought off Hibbert for John son, Neville slotted in to the right back role and
John son caused immediate mayhem.
A rapid and ball hungry outlet
pulled the Pompey defence all over the park.
The interplay between the front
two was nice to see and effective, Pompey retreated back into their shell and
even the addition of Utaka’s pace and skill made little difference to the
Blues’ dominance.
Things were still tense though as
without a goal Pompey could sneak one or the game could end drawn.
Tensions eased and the noise
level rose after some neat play on the left produced a classic Cahill headed
goal.
SOMEWHERE IN TIM CAHILL'S LINEAGE IS A WALLABY!
THE EXCELLENT OZZIE LEAPS TO GET HIS TENTH OF THE SEASON
The Australian played a ball out
to the left from deep, Yakubu got on the end of it and played in Pienaar, the
South African whose crosses the ball into the six yard box, Cahill has
continued his run and not been picked up and rose magnificently to bury one,
his tenth of the year.
John son scored but the goal was
called back for a tight offside and James had another Calamity ™ yet got way
with it.
The icing on the cake (albeit not
a clean sheet) was Yakubu’s second goal.
Portsmouth lost the ball in the Everton
half and John son picked up the clearance, his crossfield ball flew fourty
yards and caught Campbell in an indecisive mood,
the ex-Gunner let the ball go behind him and the Yak took the gift, turned Campbell inside around and
hammered the ball beyond a stunned James.
FEED THE YAK AND HE WILL SCORE!
NUMBER EIGTHEEN IS ABOUT TO BEAT JAMES AFTER YAKUBU BAMBOOZLES CAMPBELL.
Everton finished
professionally.
Everton played well; they dug
themselves a hole, blundered around in it for a while before pulling themselves
out of it and playing even better.
Happy with the goals, unhappy
with equalizer and the twenty minutes of mental lethargy.
Happiest with the mental
toughness that turned the game around in the second half.
Loved the changed from 4 5 1 to 4
4 2.
EXHIBIT B - HOW BEING A FOOTBALL MANAGER WILL SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR COMPLEXION!
The first half was an intimate
exercise; football in microsm; play well but don’t score and you leave yourself
vulnerable.
2008 is becoming a good year for
Everton in the Premier League.
Seems the defeats in the two domestic
cups were forgotten in the cold of Norway and the team was celebrated
in the six-one European Night.
Thursday will be the toughest
test for the team of the season so far.
Fiorentina are good, hungry, and unfamiliar. To repeat the efforts and enjoy the
performances of the 1984/85 season the team needs to play very well against one
of Italy’s
best sides. Tough but eminently
dooable. COYB
Pompey weren’t in the game for
long periods but could have gotten three points.
"OIY LADS! QUICK! OVER 'ERE - LOOKS LIKE HARRY"S GOING FOR THE HIGH NOTE!" MR REDKNAPP's URGING HIS TEAM ON WITH SONG!
On small things games turn, for
example Defoe. On another day Pompey
score a second and kill the game. Today
they weren’t good enough to do that but good enough to frustrate and get at
Everton without causing Howard too many worries.
Mariner. Pretty good game lah!
Note to Andre: check the video of
the game, notice that Distin had his arms all over Lescott whilst holding him
down, and notice the pushes John son applied at crucial moments to Lescott and
Yakubu. All three offences happened in
the penalty area. Penalties, maybe I’m
not an expert, I’m just mentioning them in case you didn’t see them.
Goodison Park on a sunny Saturday. The expected three points didn’t come easy
but the splendid performance of Phil Jagielka at both ends of the field gave
the Blues the win. A few times with the
ball on the deck Everton looked good, mostly they looked out of sorts. UEFA Cup is next on the agenda. . .
Good support from both home and
away supporters was in evidence but sporadic, the home fans allowed the tense
feeling after two nil-nils to affect their noise. No Sylvester Stallone; which was a real shame.
Moyes opts for a 4 5 1 to start,
injuries, AWOL players and lack of fitness hamper his selection. Howard keeps goal, Neville moves to right
back alongside the returning Yobo and Jagielka, Lescott moves to the left. Carsley sits in front of the back four, Fernandes
is the deepest of the five midfielders with Osman and Arteta wide and Cahill
behind the lone John son.
Coppell continues to plug away
with his brand of football. Hahnemann
keep’s goal with Shorey, Sonko, Cisse and Murty at the back. Oster makes a return to Goodison with Harper
and Matejovsky covering in front of the defence Hunt on the left and Doyle
supporting the sole attacker, Kitson.
Howard gets a chance to warm his
hands after an early Hunt free kick gets a wicked deflection and almost creeps
in. Reading’s next best chance come right at the
end of the half with an Oster free kick having the bend to get over the wall
but not to get under the bar.
The first forty five was pretty
poor from the home side, in no small part to a well managed and resolute
Coppell side. Both sides harry, hassled,
hacked and herded each other with little opportunity to mount much attacking
threat.
Everton keep the ball, look
before they pass and keep their heads and create the first neat pattern of play
for the quiet crowd, Hahnemann is equal to the move but the opening was neatly
crafted.
Oster played well on his return, John
son ran fruitlessly chasing poor passes and high balls, Hunt was integral to
anything decent from Reading
and Fernandes was wasteful with his passes.
The home side always seemed second to the loose ball, even when they won
the tackle.
Cahill has the best opportunities
for the Blues, a late header crept over and a shanked effort well wide after
some neat build up play and a good Osman turn, had his Portuguese midfield
partner given the travel stained Aussie the shout the chance would have been
much easier.
Highlight of the first half
though was all about Ireland. Carsley let Hunt know he was there with a
pretty nasty tackle. Hunt stumbles and
falls then bounces up with his International compatriot firmly in his
crosshairs, one of his big defenders is quick enough of thinking to bearhug his
fiery teammate before fists fly and cards are issued. Storm in a teacup despite the commentary, two
minutes later they shook hands.
LADS! THE GOAL IS THAT WAY!
Moyes pulls of the ineffective
Fernandes and moves to a 4 4 2 with the introduction of Vaughn. Coppell keeps things the same. Thoughts go to Joe Royle in the commentary
box, “Second half is always better you know. Promise”.
Reading manages a quick shot to start the
second half. The Blue response takes a
little while to build but is much more potent than in the tepid first
half.
Six minutes in Vaughn skins Sonko
on the left and puts in a lovely ball that splits Hahnemann and his defenders, neither
Cahill nor John son can connect though.
Two players up front have given
Everton a different dimension, the game is more open and the home side is
staring to play and pass better.
First one corner is headed over
by Vaughn then a second is put wide by a defender as Everton pressure
mounts.
Arteta’s next corner is cleared
as far as Osman who intelligently plays the ball back in to the far post,
Jagielka has beaten the offside and loops a header over the American
‘keeper.
JAG RISES AND NODS HOME HIS FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL FOR THE BLUES!
The goal energized Everton; who
are starting to win more balls and play more in the Reading
half; Reading
are deflated but still gallant battle on.
Two Coppell changes redress the
balance with Malian international Kebe coming close after a terrible Lescott
mistake lets him attack Howard’s goal.
Jagielka’s last ditch block probably saves the three points.
The entire back line was peppered
late on, held well with Carsley filling in the holes.
Two chances come in the final
moments of the game, Harper gets onto a loose ball and a good shot takes the
paint off the upright. In front of the
Gladwys Street End John son can’t finish after rounding Hahnemann to open up Reading from a good Vaughn
header on.
Everton didn’t play well and they
still managed to get the points.
Jagielka was man of the match by a mile; although the entire back line
played well. Reading’s stifling play didn’t allow Everton
much room to pass or play and they looked most dangerous on set pieces. The three points is a welcome boon after two goalless
draws and UEFA Cup progression against SK Brann is next on the agenda.
Coppell’s side played well
without really threatening much. They came
for a point and looked good for it throughout the first half. Managerially the goal was soft and the lack
of much test for Howard is a worry. Too
good to go down, perhaps, seven losses on the bounce hasn’t demoralized Reading though they have
to pick up points and soon.
Halsey was excellent, a few good
advantages highlighted his intent and he didn’t need to brandish any
cards.
A different referee may have
given two penalties, although if one wasn’t given it’s unlikely the other one
would be.
GOOD GAME! GOOD GAME!
Praise where praise is due. Hopefully that will be noted in the other
post match reports or interviews.
Goodison Park, top six clash, Everton hosting Manchester City.
Certainly the biggest game of the day.
The two sides have aspirations and a first meeting between the two teams
will ascertain whether those aspirations will be met.
Certainly a game of two halves, Everton dominated the first and scored,
City dominated the second but Howard’s first save came in extra time. The second half was a consummate display of
defending.
Buzzing and vibrant on Liverpool,
the short trip down the East Lancs road meant
plenty of away support as a counterpoint to the expectant and vociferous home
crowd. The atmosphere was loud and pure
football.
Moyes; bereft of three key
players to the African Cup of Nations goes with a 4 4 1 1. Howard keeps goals with Hibbert works the
right with Lescott and Jagielka in the centre back Valente gets the nod on the
left. Carsley sits in front of the back
four with Neville, McFadden and Arteta providing a fair amount of class and
bite. Anichebe gets the nod up front
whilst Cahill operates behind him
COYB!
The less orthodox 4 3 3 is the
choice of England’s
ex-Swede. Eriksson keeps faith with the
youngster Hart in goal, behind a back four with the pace of Onuoha and Richards
and two ex Blues Dunne and Ball.
Corluka, Hamman and Elano form a midfield trio with Vassell and Petrov
wide and Castillo through the middle, certainly no lack of skill but not the
tallest front line. .
SWEDISH SIGN LANGUAGE
Even and bright; as befits two
teams with barely any points between them.
The early going sees half chances for Anichebe and McFadden whilst
Vassell gets a sniff for City.
The early going is tight for both
teams with chances at a premium, Everton edge the play and possession with some
neat passing.
The battles on the pitch are
developing nicely, Richards and Anichebe, Petrov and Hibbert with Carsley
taking on everybody.
YOUNG GUNS! WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!
The first chance comes to the
home side and Cahill blazes over from close range when a cool tap in would have
been a much better choice, Hibbert and Anichebe showed well to set up the
opportunity and Hart and Richards did well to stop the first two chances from
being taken.
Everton are using the whole width
of Goodison, Arteta is key with his ability to hold up the ball and find
teammates.
The dead ball delivery of the
Spaniard provides the breakthrough, a good corner is cleared out to Neville who
plays it intelligently back to Arteta, the ball is fizzed into the six yard box
and Lescott holds his position to stab the ball past Hart, the defence was poor
but the score is one – nil.
TWO DEFENDERS A 'KEEPER AND THE WINNING GOAL
Howard gets his first sniff of a
save when an Elano free kick takes a deflection of the wall and loops onto the
top netting.
Everton are content to let City
play in front of them and always look the most likely to score, although an
effort from Neville is an easy save for Hart.
Manchester City
builds some pressure before the break, the effort from Corluka flies well wide
and high.
Neither manager makes half time
changes. Eriksson’s team talk certainly
lights a fire under the collective arses of the visitors.
City come out strong in the
second half, Everton can barely keep possession and the bulk of the play is in
their own defensive third. For fifteen
minutes questions are asked of the home side with City playing with much more
fire and vim. Howard is still largely a
spectator. Carsley is everywhere;
seemingly.
Eriksson tries a double
substitution to break Everton down, Castillo; largely ineffective; and Hamman;
tiring; are brought off for The zip of Fernandes and the attacking intent of
Bianchi. Nothing much changes, Everton
are pressured but comfortable.
Howard remains largely a
spectator.
The introduction of Vaughn for
McFadden around the hour mark shows another aspect of the Everton defensive
strategy; hassle the opponents defensive unit.
The game is still largely City but Everton get more and more into it and things
kind of even themselves out for the last twenty.
Cahill gets a chance but heads
wide of a corner kick as Everton get back into the game.
Vaughn is a terrier, chasing
everything and not allowing the City back four time to play anything of quality
forward.
Anichebe and Petrov try some
handbags.
BULGARIA V NIGERIA - HANDBAGS AT THE READY LADIES!
Cahill has another chance but
heads wide.
Hibbert blocks Petrov,
again.
The pressure builds as City
frantically look for something from the game.
Petrov gets free in the area but his shot is well held by Howard. The American is just as secure when a last
ditch Bianchi header loops into his arms.
Everton had to make do with their
team selection today, injuries and ACoN absentees gave chances to squad
players. The entire team responded
magnificently. The entire back four was
outstanding; keeping the pressure off Howard for more than ninety minutes. As a team they held up well under incessant Manchester City pressure. Going forward they were a tad lightweight but
always looked more likely to score and forced saves from Hart. It certainly wasn’t the prettiest but a
brilliant performance nonetheless, more so when you look at what Manchester City’s new imports have been able to do
to other teams. The trip up the East Lancs road towards the end of the season is a much
anticipated game.
Eriksson showed his managerial
skill with and incisive half time team talk but his players couldn’t
deliver. Although they defended well
they couldn’t break down a resolute Everton back four. He will be worried that the first save Howard
made was in extra time. Castillo looked
lost but showed a few brief touches of his Copa form and the inability of Elano
and Petrov to cause damage was a testament to the home defence.
Halsey had an inconsistent
game. His advantages weren’t great and
he let Carsley get away with a horrible one on Corluka. I just wonder if referees feel they shouldn’t
make a decision that the crowd howls for.
OWH! C'MON REF, I HARDLY TOUCHED HIM!
Gordon McQueen is a tough
sell. The Scottish inspired team and the
wonderful defensive display earned his grudging respect as the final whistle
blew.
Tough wintry game at Goodison Park. Tight in the first half but class tells in the second to give Everton a 2-0 lead.
Well wrapped up and well fed Goodison crowd gives a warm welcome to an ex player turned opposition manager. Bolton is seeking their first away League win since April and Everton want to continue their good home form. The home side doesn’t win too many on Boxing Day but with Arteta back in the side they are positive and confident.
Moyes; goes with a 4 4 1 1. Howard keeps goals with Neville in at right back Yobo and Jagielka make up the centre back pairing and Lescott keeps the leftback spot. Carsley and Gravesen (a commentator’s nightmare) pair up in the centre of midfield with Arteta and Pienaar providing width. Yakubu starts with Cahill sitting off him.
Megson goes with a 4 5 1, the two wide players operating as wingbacks but focused more on the defensive side of the position. Jaaskelainen keeps goal with a back four of Hunt, Meite, O’Brien and Gardner. Diouf, Nolan, Campo, Guthrie and Davies string themselves across the middle with Anelka up front.
The visitors start with a Megson-induced bright start. Guthrie looks good in possession; Lescott, Jagielka and Yobo do some good covering at the back.
The Bolton pressure has Everton on the back foot but doesn’t last long, ten minutes in and the home side have got their passing game going and Bolton have dropped back into a deep lying 4 5 1. The visitors are working hard to defend and regain possession, sporadic forays forward don’t really trouble Everton, a Gardner effort going wide their best chance.
Long periods of Everton pressure are well defended by Megson’s men but Jaaskelainen isn’t troubled or forced to make a save. The Blues play plenty of neat football in front of Bolton but can’t penetrate the nine or ten men sitting at the edge of the area, both Davies and Diouf are taking their defensive responsibilities seriously.
Gravesen has an on target shot bravely blocked by Nolan and a Yakubu goal is disallowed for a spurious offside. Cahill was static and possibly not interfering with play but Styles says two players were in an offside position. Clearly his view isn’t great as replays show Yakubu was certainly onside.
Megson and Moyes keep faith with their starters and Moyes must have given the players more than a half time orange.
Everton have two good chances inside the first minute, Yakubu gets in the box to a Neville ball, holds up the play and lays it into Cahill’s path, the Australian fires on target, Jaaskelainen makes his first save of the match and it’s a good one.
Lescott gets free in the six yard box onto a Jagielka flick on from the corner kick but fires wide on his weaker foot.
Everton are starting to turn the screw on Bolton, and Yobo and Lescott are even getting into the attacking action, the Nigerian providing a neat back post cross which has the Bolton defence scrambling to clear.
Everton probe and keep possession, the ball is played out to Neville on the right who cuts onto his weaker foot, he plays the ball into the six yard box and Jaaskelainen; under intense pressure from Cahill; completely misses the ball and it goes through for the opener. Not something that Premier League crowds are used to seeing, a Phil Neville goal. For the rest of the game any forward possession by the Captain is greeted by shouts of “SHOOT!” from the home fans.
Diouf gets a booking for dissent, which seems par for the course for the fiery player.
Megson rings the changes and brings off Guthrie and Campo. Samuel comes on into defence and McCann; an ex Blue; comes into midfield. Bolton switch to a more aggressive 4 4 2 as they look for the equalizer.
The change almost gets immediate benefits for Bolton, a good back post free kick from Diouf comes out to McCann whose fierce, low drive is blocked by the excellent Jagielka. The same defender holds up Anelka’s run for a through ball long enough for Howard to come and claim.
Bolton is leaving two men up even when defending and the game is more open, Everton are the team that are making better use of the spaces. The home side shortens their passing game to exploit the more aggressive Bolton tactics.
A long throw troubles Everton and they half clear the ball out to McCann, his acrobatic kick is goalbound and for the second time in two games Lescott clears off the line to prevent a certain goal. This game, his clearance is measure and very acrobatic.
Everton are playing neat, attractive and threatening football which keeps Bolton on the back foot. The entire defence hesitates when Styles waves play on for a foul on Gravesen, they are not as alert as Lescott who provides a good cross from the left; an aspect of his game he’s been improving of late; Cahill; poacher supreme; arrives with a perfectly timed run and side foots it past Jaaskelainen for Everton’s second.
Nolan picks up a card and is brought off for O’Brien in quick succession.
Jagielka keeps the shackles on Anelka but when the Frenchman combines with the Senegalese he forces Howard into his first save of the match.
Johnson comes on for Gravesen, who has a knock.
Diouf and Anelka combine again but Howard is alert and comes out quickly to stymie the Frenchman.
Neville gets a standing ovation as he is replaced by Hibbert.
Bolton fans are off their seats when a neat move ends with a searing McCann drive which can only find the side netting.
Vaughn comes on for Yakubu.
Pienaar makes another howler, this time it’s not punished by a goal, merely a dangerous Diouf corner. The Senegalese player endures heaps of abuse as he delivers two good balls in succession but Everton have the tenacity to keep their sheet clean. The two players should continue their rivalry in Ghana in January!
Gutted on Sunday the Everton boss is delighted with the win and the clean sheet. His side dominated the game and despite being flat in the first half managed to excel and overrun Bolton in the second. Good performances from all his players will stand him in good stead as he prepares for Arsenal on Saturday.
A comfortable win today.
Megson’s side played well in the first half, forcing Everton to play in front of them for long periods and being obdurate enough in defence to keep the game scoreless.
They didn’t quite have it in them to deny a strong Everton side. The move to a 4 4 2 showed tactical acumen and almost came off. Games against Sunderland and Derby look eminently winnable as Megson seems to have the team solidly in mid table form. Something that Ringo didn’t really think would happen.
Styles had his usual game, authoritarian but actually quite good. Overall he officiated fairly, evenly and not card happy. His offside on Yakubu wasn’t correct but he bowed to the better position of his assistant to award Everton a free kick in the first half; it’s always good to see the officials working together.
He was strong enough to keep his whistle in his pocket as Everton had penalty shouts correctly ignored, Arteta didn’t get everything he tried for either.
His advantage for the second goal was excellent, putting his whistle in his mouth then not blowing won’t endear him to any Trotters though.
Joe Royle was profuse in thanking David Moyes for replacing Johnson with Gravesen. He would have been really confused with the Everton numbers 8, 10 & 26 on the pitch at the same time.
Fulham put in a good first half whilst Everton were poor in parts. The Blues turn it around in the second and
Yakubu gets a hat-trick; another home win and now the Toffees are unbeaten in
ten.
Goodison Park
in filthy conditions presented a real English football experience. December in Liverpool
was wet, cold and windy, perfect for a game of football.
The conditions made the pitch
greasy and some of the players had a hard time adjusting. Plenty of fans traveled up from London but the ground was
quiet in the first half. Second half was
much better for both the home side and home fans. The managers have met previously with Preston not suffering a defeat to Wycombe in three
outings. The Moyes revolution began with
a home win against a Fulham side that shares no personnel with the side brought
to Liverpool by Sanchez today; with the
obvious exception of Mohammed Al Fayed.
PALE AND UNSMILING - JUST ONE COFFIN PLEASE!
Moyes; pale and unsmiling; went
with an attacking 4 4 1 1 formation.
Howard in goal, Yobo and Lescott in tandem in the back with Baines and
Neville as fullbacks. Carsley sat back
in the middle with Osman, Arteta, Pienaar providing the attacking options and
helping Cahill; acting as a withdrawn striker; and Yakubu up front.
Sanchez puts it on the line with
an attacking 4 4 2 formation away from home.
Niemi helped by a back four of Omozusi, Hughes, Stefanovic and Konchesky. A midfield quartet of ex-Blue Davies, Davis,
ex-Red Murphy and Kamara ; dropping back into midfield; supported a front two
of target man Kuqi and the more nimble and skilful Dempsey.
Fulham get up and at the home
side early on with some quick and smart play, they win a corner kick and Kamara
gets to the near post; a problem for Everton this season; before his marker,
his flick is wide of the far post. Yobo
gets in the right place to clear from Davies and Howard punches clear from
Dempsey. Fulham are bringing it to
Everton and the home side is rattled.
Carsley steps up to break the next Fulham attack and the home side break
quickly with a ball out to Arteta, a brilliant corner kick delivery and
Lescott; up for the set piece; gets in at the near post and forces a sharp save
from Niemi, the ball comes out to Pienaar who forces another corner, Arteta’s
dead ball delivery masterclass continues but Fulham clear, the ball bounces
around somewhat before it comes to Carsley who is shaping to shoot when Fulham
forward Kuqi steals the ball from him with a lovely piece of back
tackling.
Both teams have the right foot on
the pedal and the game is free flowing and end to end, this belies the greasy
pitch and the atrocious weather.
Pienaar shows good touch with a
flick for the overlapping run of Baines, the cross is driven in low and it
takes two to prevent Osman getting in a shot.
Kamara and Dempsey combine on the
left and get corner kick, it’s taken short and Pienaar forces the tricky Kamara
back and concedes a corner, the ball is delivered in the middle and Howard
claims well.
Kamara goes into the book for
foolishly encroaching on the Everton free kick, Arteta’s delivery is good but
Niemi is equal to this one.
You have to hand it to the commentators for this match – one of them really,
really, really doesn’t know anything about football – who in their right mind
would compare Phil Neville to Kevin Ratcliffe and Brian Labone the other ####
didn’t tell him he was totally wrong either – Setanta should stop filling the
Green Room with hallucinogens or just hire some proper commentators.
A GREAT FOOTBALLER...
ANOTHER GREAT FOOTBALLER... ...AND PHIL NEVILLE
Murphy hauls down Osman and
Arteta’s free kick takes a deflection of the wall and dips goalwards, Niemi is
sharp in turning it over his own crossbar.
Arteta delivers another peachy ball and a wide open Cahill at the near
post heads so wide it’s a throw in. A
glaring chance spurned.
THIS ONE WENT FOR A THROW IN!
Fulham comes out with a good,
quick break, Davies puts a nice crossfield ball into Konchesky and the willing
fullback’s touch lets him down and Yobo mops up.
Everton are playing a passing
game despite the conditions, their build up is patient and measured and full of
inventive running, Fulham are more direct but any ball that gets through to Kuqi
seems to cause the home side some consternation.
Konchesky plays in Dempsey on the
left, the American fluffs it and it goes for a goal kick.
Pienaar flicks a ball on for an
overlapping Baines run, again, the lively fullback races into the space and
then pulls up clutching his hamstring.
That’s not good, especially with no left fullback on the bench.
Baines comes off, Jagielka come
on, Neville goes to left back and Jagielka slots in at right back.
The change goes badly for
Everton, for the rest of the half they look slow, staid and bereft of ideas in
attack and flustered if still secure in defence. Surely a change in personnel cannot be that
demoralizing for the home team?
Fulham take advantage with some
fine and incisive play. But lack a final
ball to take advantage of the Everton malaise.
Their first attack flounders at
Dempsey’s feet, then they get a close offside decision go their way when
Everton fall back to a “hoof it long to the big front man” philosophy.
Davis’s free kick is woefully over
everyone.
Kuqi and Dempsey get their wires
crossed in a promising position. This
really ticks Murphy off, his ball in was pretty neat and ultimately
wasted.
Fulham break from an Everton
corner kick, Davis
is shaping to shoot when Osman comes back to force a corner with a good display
of tackling back.
Everton look shaky on the corner
but Murphy’s shot from outside the area goes wide.
Everton make a tactical switch
with Lescott going out to the left, Jagielka coming inside and Phil going back
to his right back spot.
This doesn’t change Everton’s
poor first half form much though.
Arteta fires one in which is easy
for Niemi.
A Davies free kick is wide, then
he is let down on the break with a poor pass for his defence splitting run, he
has to break his run and Everton have time to regroup.
Lescott gets up a gallop on the
left but the pace of Omozusi allows the Fulham fullback to clear ahead of the
Everton fullback.
Howard claims a Konchesky cross
to finish a half in which Fulham dominated after Baines went off but didn’t
have the final ball or pass to cut through the Everton defence and be bale to
beat Howard.
The Moyes half time team talk was
definitely on a par with that of Advocaat in midweek. The Everton players took the field in the
second half looking like a different team from the sorry looking figures that
trudged off after the first forty-five.
Sanchez’s bluster about winning and Wimbledon
obviously didn’t stick in the minds of the Fulham players.
Everton pressure from the whistle,
an Arteta free kick is well delivered but Lescott can only head it behind.
Yakubu is sloppy in his first
touch.
Lescott sees an effort blocked
and Fulham break then break down, Everton come out and a Yakubu ball in is met
by Cahill in the area but the Australian slips under a Stefanovic
challenge. Eventually Fulham clear but
only for a throw in, Neville shows his long one and Yobo is tugged in the
area. Fulham scramble the ball clear
only as far as Lescott, when the ball comes back in Cahill is offside but no
flag is shown, Everton don’t stop play and Pienaar lofts a beautiful ball
behind the mass of defenders on the edge of the area, Cahill volleys goalwards
and Niemi saves with his legs but Yakubu is in the right place at the right
time and finishes the scrappy; if effective; move with a tap in.
ONE WITH HIS RIGHT!
The goal elevates the crowd and
the home team but Fulham respond as well as they can. They stifle both Yakubu and Arteta on the
edge of the area and break with the ball, Kamara has his shot blocked and
Neville’s header out is poor, it comes to Murphy who from twenty yards lets rip
a lovely volley which Howard does well to get his hands to.
Everton are finding a rhythm and
Neville gets forward down the right and plays in a nice cross, Omozusi; without
a call from his ‘keeper and Pienaar lurking; heads behind. Arteta’s “How to take corner kicks – 101”
continues and Niemi does well to palm the delivery away, Yakubu puts the ball
back in and Fulham scramble the ball away.
Fulham’s more direct strategy still troubles Everton but Kuqi isn’t as
difficult to beat as he was in the first half.
Hughes does well in tackling
Arteta and in the heart of the Everton defence Yobo is displaying the art of
winning the ball without conceding a foul.
Slack marking in the middle
allows Kamara to cut in from the left and run at Everton. His neat lay off to Dempsey allows the American
to turn and fire a swirling volley at Howard, his USMNT compatriot palms the
ball down and to the side, Lescott emulates his Nigerian partner and robs the
ball from Kuqi in the area without giving away a needless penalty. Quality defending. The ex-Wolves man calmly hoofs the ball downfield
when he gets clear.
Fulham are nothing if not game
and come straight back at Everton only to be rebuffed again.
Arteta gets on the ball wide
right and cuts inside, he eschews the shot and dinks a cross to the back post
with his left, Omozusi half clears and Osman has a shot. Niemi’s save is decent but his block of
Pienaar’s follow up is brave and better.
Cahill, Arteta and Yakubu work together
down the left but Omozusi’s pace enables him to get to the ball and clear.
Arteta’s delivery is perfectly
met at the near post by Jagielka and an unmarked Yakubu leaps daintily to head
in his second.
ONE WITH HIS HEAD!
Fulham keep on plugging away but
after Kamara and Konchesky combine well on the left and force Jagielka into
clearing for a throw. When taken the
throw is a foul one, Everton have regained possession with a soft mistake.
Lescott shows his desire to join
in the Everton attack with a run along the touchline of seventy yards before he
wins a corner kick. Arteta finds Jagielka
at the near post again but the flick on goes behind.
Dempsey comes of for Sanchez’s
impact player, Healy.
Around the sixty fifth minute
Everton put on a cheeky display of possession, it takes a little over twenty
passes; all well cheered and olayed by the home fans; before Omozusi breaks it
up with a foul.
The possession is wasted and
Fulham come forward again, Neville needed to be sharp to clear Davies’s ball
in.
Pienaar; really starting to find
his feet, on both sides of the ball; plays a lovely ball across the pitch for
Arteta to run onto, the Spaniard looks favourite but the pace of the young Omozusi
wins that race.
Arteta tries a lobbed corner kick
which has Fulham scrambling to clear but isn’t really as effective as one of
his whipped in, flat, perfectly flighted balls he’s been delivering into the
teeth of some awful, North West weather all afternoon.
Yakubu gets clear on the right
and cuts inside, he doesn’t shoot and plays in ball for Arteta, the Spaniard is
grateful for the offside flag as his fluff of the easy tap in was
terrible,
Yobo clears from Davies, then
Kamara out leaps Howard to the return ball in, it falls to Everton who coolly
clear the ball out of the area.
Healy puts a cross behind as
Fulham; despite their lack of really talented players; still come at
Everton.
Seol comes on for Murphy and
Fulham seem to go to a 4 3 3.
Yakubu gets forward looking for
his third; he shoots wildly due to the lack of quick support. He gets into space on the other side moments
later but without support a corner is his only option. This is cleared and Fulham come forward,
Pienaar tracks back and wins the ball in his own half, a powerful run across
the park; right to left; pulls Fulham wide open and he cuts inside to play the
ball perfectly into Yakubu, the big Nigerian feints left as goes right and
passes into the far corner past a well beaten Niemi for his hat-trick.
THAT'S THREE!
Fulham still have the legs but
not the heart or the skill to penetrate a strong and buoyant Everton, whose
defence is occasionally a little soft but has held firm.
Johnson and McFadden come on for
Yakubu and Cahill and occupy much the same roles.
Pienaar plays in Arteta who
crosses for McFadden; the Scot goes for the near post forcing Niemi to push the
ball behind.
Healy gets into a good forward
position after some neat Fulham build up, he cuts inside and when the space
opens up chips one goalwards, Howard is off his line but fast enough over the
sodden ground to cover his goal. Pienaar
makes a run down the left and cuts the ball inside to Osman, the Englishman
find the Scot and McFadden cuts inside and tries to place one past Niemi, the
Finn is match for the shot. Johnson gets
open but his back post cross is a touch to pacy to enable McFadden to get a
touch and probably a goal.
Healy; bright and full of running
since he came on; gets a neat chip turned behind by Howard.
Everton started well then went
all pear shaped when Baines went off and they changed their players
around. They were tough enough at the
back with some superb defending from Yobo and Lescott to resist Fulham and
Howard had a good game in difficult conditions.
They got a break on the first goal, took full advantage of the bodged
call and never looked back. Wonderful
defending and slick attacking play saw them outplay the visitors. The three points are valuable as they now
have four away games on the bounce. Mikel
Arteta’s dead ball delivery was wonderful, time after time he put the ball into
a dangerous area which in the conditions was nothing short of brilliant,
Pienaar’s play is making the choice as to whether or not to make his loan
permanent easier, mostly. Lescott will
still get better.
Sanchez was good enough not to
moan too much about Cahill’s offside but his team wasn’t that good despite
plenty of possession. In a first half
where they had the ball and the attack they could do nothing with it. Then they just couldn’t match the home side
in the second half. They were at their
most dangerous from set pieces.
Bennett did well in the foul conditions
and kept his cards to a minimum, he got no help on the Cahill offside from his
assistant. Very good refereeing
performance.
Tiny Tim keeps the crowd on tenterhooks as he waits until the
eighty-fifth minute before grabbing the winner.
Zenit get hobbled by the inept referee but show the value o####ood
manager with a stunning ten man performance.
Goodison Park
hosts another European night, balmy by Russian standards, chilly for the home
fans. Zenit brought their fair share of
vocal, semi-naked and blue and white supporters to add to the occasion and
Goodison was full of noise. Both teams
can qualify but an Everton win eases the pressure for matchday four in Holland, a nice break in
a hectic December schedule.
Howard is recovered enough to
keep goal behind a much changed back four from Saturday. Neville and Lescott keep their spots, Yobo is
replaced by Jagielka and Baines slips into the left back slot. Arteta, Cahill, Carsley and Pienaar line up
across the middle and Osman in dropped in favour of McFadden, the Scot sits up
front alongside Johnson in an attacking 4 4 2.
Advocaat is a canny manager and
his side is the recently crowned Russian Champions. Malafeev keep goal and is familiar with England; he was between the sticks when Russia visited
Wembley. A back four of Anyukov, Skrtel,
Lombaerts and Kim is multinational and solid.
Dominguez and Shirl provide width, Zyrianov looks forward and the
excellent Ukrainian Tymoschuk holds in a well drilled and neat midfield,
Arshavin will sit in the hole and Pogrebnyak will be the target man.
Everton start brightly, pegging
the visitors back from the whistle. The
Russian side don’t get time to settle and an early defensive slip allow Pienaar
to get the cross in but Kim comes back to clear. Arteta forces a goal line clearance and Zenit
are quick to come forward, Arshavin; at the heart of anything good from the
Russian side; plays in Kim on the left but the full back’s cross is
behind.
Everton come forward again after
winning possession in midfield but Malafeev keeps his hands warm with a good
leap top claim Neville’s cross.
Arshavin gets the ball again but
his ball forward into space isn’t read by his team mates. Arteta sets up a ball for Johnson to chase
and Skrtel comes across to bail out his ‘keeper.
Malafeev is called upon again and
clears quickly, Neville wins the ball then hands possession to Arshavin, the Russian playmaker puts his
cross behind. Then Everton have to clear
Arshavin’s free kick.
Everton create another chance
when Pienaar steals the ball after Zenit were held up by Jagielka on the left touchline,
the South African gets the ball back when his first pass cannons of a Zenit
player, his second ball is better and puts in McFadden, the Scotsman’s run is
good; as is the run of Johnson into space in the area; the final ball is poor
and McFadden’s cross is easily intercepted and cleared by Lombaerts.
Zenit are a well managed team and
look bright in attack, they play the ball around well and look to play to
feet. Arshavin is quality.
Pienaar; having an hot and cold
night in his gloves; wastes some nice Everton possession on the left with a
sloppy cross, Carsley needs to be alert to break up the ensuing Zenit
attack. The South African then plays the
ball too high for a well positioned Johnson; who doesn’t have a stepladder in
his pocket.
Baines concedes a corner when
Zenit break down the right, Zenit’s next attack sees Pogrebnyak shoots wide
from outside the area.
The game is open and free flowing
Everton and Zenit are looking to attack with Lescott and Malafeev being the
standouts in defence.
Everton come out with the ball
and win a free kick and a lovely position on the right, McFadden aims for the
‘keeper and finds him with a wasted delivery.
Arshavin plays a ball into the
path of Shirl but Howard is quick off his line.
Advocaat has the Russian side
playing attractive attacking football, this Russian machine has been very much
well oiled, and the break since their season ended hasn’t affected the team at
all. They attack with speed and poise
and defend well.
Dominguez cuts infield on the
left and swings in a beautiful ball which misses the head of Pogrebnyak by a
foot.
Skrtel resumes his battle with
Johnson and clears the ball away neatly.
McFadden wins a deep free kick which Arteta converts into a corner kick,
the ball is whipped in comes out to Everton, Pienaar chips a delightful ball over
the crowd at the edge of the area and Cahill is more alert than Malafeev;
heading over the flying Russian; he brings the ball down and slams it goalward,
Lombaerts sliding tackle takes the ball behind.
The crowd and Cahill are baying for a handball and the referee duly
obliges then to add insult to injury shows the Belgian a red. Replays show the challenge was a good one and
Lombaerts used his groin and face to clear the ball, not his hands or
arms.
Liverpool
isn’t the only club on Merseyside to get some help from the officials this
season.
"IF MR. CLATTENBURG CAN FOUL UP A GAME IN LIVERPOOL THEN SO CAN I" HOW DO YOU SAY THAT IN ICELANDIC?
The crowd expects the Spaniard to
hand them the lead but JUSTICE PREVAILS and the Barcelona product atrociously skies the spot
kick. The Spaniard has obviously spent
too much time in England
if he tales that poor a penalty kick.
"COHONES! " IS THAT HOW YOU SAY BOLLOCKS! IN SPANISH?
Zyrianov drops back a little
deeper but Zenit stick with their original formation. Then they attack again from the restart. Pogrebnyak gets forward and shows good skill
to bamboozle Jagielka on the edge of the area, his shimmy and pull back free up
Arshavin and prevent something agricultural from Neville. The ex blade redeems himself by getting his
body in the way of the fierce Russian shot.
Arteta tries a bit of redemption
himself but from thirty odd yards out Malafeev is able to get to his top left
corner and palm the sumptuously curling ball; the Spaniard was sure was the
opener; away. Johnson is too intent on
admiring the flight of the ball and doesn’t get to the loose ball in front of
the open net before the defender. Zenit
only half clear and the ball comes out to Carsley, the Irishman opts for
placement instead of power and is unfortunate to see the ball come out of the
inside of the post, McFadden latches onto the rebound but with men open in the area
and only finds the first defender.
Baines and Pienaar combine well
on the left but the South African is well tackled and Zenit come forward
again. The Argentinean; Dominguez; has
come infield and is shaping to pass when Neville goes all agricultural on
him. The terrible challenge is merely a
free kick and not even a card.
The Icelandic referee thinks that
if it’s alright for Kung Fu Kuyt to get away with one then why not one of the
Ugly Sisters.
Dominguez struggles on but is obviously
unfit to continue and comes off before the half, Advocaat; unwilling to make a
change just yet; lets Zenit play with nine men.
Malafeev saves one form Cahill
and Jagielka unsuccessfully tries his hand at crossing before Advocaat brings
on a veteran Russian substitute.
"WANKER! IT WASN'T A PEANLTY!" HOW DO YOU SAY THAT IN RUSSIAN OR DUTCH?
Neither manager makes any
changes, tactically or personnel wise, at the half. But the Advocaat team talk must have been something
to behold. McClaren could provide them
for Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup but
apparently with national pride at stake his head went up his bum at half time
You’d be hard pressed to tell
that one side was a man down. Zenit had
switched from a 4 4 1 1 to a 3ish 5ish 1, amazingly it worked. Malafeev; the Zenit MOTM; came out quickly to
save his defenders blushes. Neville
pumps one in which is cleared to Baines, the leftback puts in for McFadden but
the Scot shanks it wide.
Zenit break quickly and Zyrianov plays
the ball into the path of Pogrebnyak, the tall Russian stays ahead of Baines
and Lescott but Howard makes a fine save to keep things level.
Baines get forward at the other
end but his whipped in cross beats three Zenit defenders, Malafeev and Johnson
in the six yard box.
Arshavin lays a beautiful ball
over the Everton defence into space, the run of Zyrianov sees him free with
only Howard to beat but he spoons it wildly over the bar. That was a let off.
Howard collects a high ball
easily whilst under pressure from Arshavin as Zenit belie their man deficit and
take the game to Everton.
"THE GOAL IS THAT WAY LADS!
Everton have to play hard to get
opportunities forward, Arteta and Johnson combine and only the quick play of
Malafeev prevents Neville from getting onto a lovely, dinked cross.
Lescott is at his best tonight
and shows Arshavin the art of the tackle.
Everton are being unbelievably pegged back by the ten men of Zenit.
Johnson gets forward to bring
some relief to Everton and his cross is put behind for corner number eight, the
delivery comes out to Pienaar who shanks the ball wide from inside deep. Arteta cuts inside but put the ball behind.
Advocaat decides to shore things
up with the introduction of a defender for his lone striker, Arshavin ploughs a
lone furrow up front.
The ball comes in for McFadden,
and instead of getting a shot off the Scot gives Zenit a free kick, Moyes call
time and brings on the effervescent Anichebe, a match winner in Everton’s two
previous UEFA Cup ties this season.
Pienaar keeps trying but his
cross is poor and easily cleared, Zenit break but Lescott keep pace with
Arshavin and shrugs the Russian off the ball.
Baines puts in a poor one as
Everton start to #### up some pressure, Anichebe has a run from deep but his
shot fizzes wide, Jagielka; up for the corner; tries from distance but Malfeev
smothers the shot. Pienaar gets the ball
again but his cross is to someone much taller than a wide open Johnson.
Arshavin puts a free kick
harmlessly behind.
Everton are finding it tough to
break through an obdurate Zenit team who defend deep and well but break with
amazing alacrity and speed.
Lescott joins the fray on the
left but his dispossession allows Zenit to get forward, Zyrianov is tiring and
can’t get to his own ball which goes out for a goal kick.
Anichibe’s cut back is behind
Cahill, then the Nigerian can’t get his shot off as Zenit close him down, the
Russians break upfield with Zyrianov but the shot is wild and high.
Carsley has a go but is high, Lee
comes on for Anyukov and Zenit show that attack is often the best form of
defence. Moyes brings off Johnson and
lets another great Everton
Academy product loose on
the Russians, Vaughn will add some height to the attack and provide a better
target for Pienaar.
Zenit clear another Everton
corner kick but Everton mount a concerted effort for the winner. Arteta has a shot blocked then the home side
gets a corner. Arteta finds Lescott at
the near post and the header is well blocked but only as far as the ex-Wolves
defender, his rasping shot is well turned aside by Malafeev, the man on the
line is playing Cahill onside and the diminutive Australian needs two touches
to bury the ball in the net and secure the win.
Zenit are immediately into the
attack but the home side keeps possession, attack themselves and rebuff the
Russians to see out the three extra minutes of a hugely nerve-wracking and
entertaining game.
Moyes was gracious in victory
(unlike a certain cretinous waiter). He
admitted the red card was harsh and complemented his players for their
tenacity.
Eleven on eleven the result could
well have been different but a win is a win is a win and the group stages have
been maneuvered through. The break is
that on December 20th the result against AZ Alkmaar will be
meaningless to Everton who have topped their group, it will be a nice
opportunity to try some of the reserves and rest players in a hectic month.
#### Advocaat showed his
managerial credentials with an awesome ten man display. His team attacked and defended well and had
three really good opportunities. His
team’s progress through to the knock out stages are in the hands of AZ Alkmaar
and Nurnberg now.
The referee played three good
advantages. On the negative side he
handed Everton a huge bonus with the grossly incorrect red card on Lombaerts
and the penalty decision. He was also
lax when Neville’s Kuyt-like violence against Dominguez didn’t even produce a
yellow. His booking of Johnson was a bit
harsh as well. I think UEFA might be
having words with Mr. Jakobsson.
