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 ####ian 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.
Moyes introduces Anichebe for Yakubu and the young ####ian shows there
pace, strength and skill to win a penalty and score a beauty to give Everton
all three points.
A fantastic European night in the
Frankenstadion. Almost a packed house is
superbly vocal and clad in red, the home support is constant but the two and
half thousand or so Everton fans who made the trip to Germany keep
themselves warm with some vocals of their own.
The atmosphere is stunning, vibrant and not surprising considering the
lowly league position of the home side and the relatively decent one of the visitors. This is European football showing some of its
best.
Unable to discern the difference
between a rose and cauliflower, Meyer, a reluctant gardener made the move back
into football management. His side is
cosmopolitan but is missing four Internationals who would normally start.
Petr Cech’s number two, Blazek
keeps goal. Glauber and Wolf are the
centrebacks with Schmidt and Reinhardt on the flanks. Mintal, Kluge, Mnari, Galasek occupy the
midfield with Misimovic and Saenko up front.
Kluge operates further forward and Misimovic and Saenko take turns as
point man or dropping deep it what is a 4 5 1.
Moyes played his strongest
available side; despite the game against Chelsea
at the weekend. Howard keeps goal with
Valente at leftback, Neville at rightback and Yobo and Lescott in the
centre. Arteta plays wide right with
Carsley and Osman inside him and Pienaar on the left. Cahill plays from deep or off Yakubu who
plows a lone furrow up front. This is an
attacking 4 5 1
Everton almost score with less
than a minute gone, attacking from the kick off the visitors are denied twice
by the acrobatics of Blazek. Carsley
prompts the move with Arteta playing a neat one two with Osman, the shot from
the edge of the area is saved by the Czech ‘keeper but the ball falls to Cahill
in the six yard box, the slide propels the ball goalwards but Blazek regain his
composure to touch the ball onto the post whence Nurnberg clear.
The midfield is cautious but hard
working for the home team and surprisingly attack minded by the visitors. A Yakubu cross from the left is only half
cleared and then the ####ian and Pienaar both have shots blocked. Nurnberg do get a corner and Lescott needs to
be sharp to deal with an attack by Reinhardt on the right flank and Valente
needs a second go to find a good clearance, Nurnberg are playing their way into
the game which is tight with neither side willing to give up ground in
midfield.
Neville loses the ball on an
upfield foray allowing Saenko to run at Everton, his shot from distance lacks
composure and fizzes wide, then the striker gets another chance with a loose
Lescott crossfield pass, this time Howard is quick enough to claim the ball.
The game is cautious and
edgy. Everton’s midfield is struggling
to come to terms with Yakubu and Nurnberg lack
any real cutting edge up front, their greatest threats coming from the runs of
Reinhardt and Kluge’s movement.
Mintal fires a loose ball wide
from thirty yards out and Howard admonishes his defenders then an incorrect
throw in decision allows Reinhardt to get another shot in from distance. Perhaps the confidence from the score is
allowing Nurnberg to play themselves into this
tight game?
A mistake by Schmidt lets in
Yakubu and the big ####ian is almost through but for a great covering tackle
from his marker, Wolf. The corner kick
is cleared by Wolf out to Osman who loses the ball under pressure, Valente
steps up to regain Everton possession and play in Arteta, the Spaniard finds
Osman whose cross skates through the six yard box, Cahill is about a foot from
a simple back post tap in.
Carsley; busy in midfield; gets
back to clear behind from Misimovic and then gets forward only to see his cross
cleared by Wolf.
Nurnberg’s best move’s have been
down the right and Kluge gets onto the end of a nice pattern of play only to
fire wide from inside the area.
Valente’s delivery into the back
post is claimed well by Blazek then Pienaar’s fluff of a clearance allows
Reinhardt to attack the area and shoot forcing a smart save from Howard.
Lescott clears a Misimovic free
kick then Yobo clears from Kluge and Mintal.
Arteta’s delivery on corners and free kicks is poor tonight with two
more dead ball deliveries being easy meat for Nurnberg. The Spaniard does better in open play; when
the cross isn’t open he dinks the ball into Cahill who chests down a return,
this allows Arteta the shot that flies narrowly wide of a beaten Blazek’s post.
Everton look much better than
Nurnberg when they play the ball on the ground and pass it about a bit but they
seemed unable to do that much through the hard working Nurnberg
midfield. The tempo wasn’t frantic but
the game was pretty non-stop.
Yakubu wins a cleaver free kick
in midfield with his hold up play and allows Everton to attack. Blazek flails at the corner but a crowded box
doesn’t allow Yakubu more than a tame poke at the ball which is easy for the
‘keeper to recover. Arteta and Valente
combine on the right and the Portuguese Champions League winner fires in a
cross just too high. Kluge wins a
fraudulent corner kick which Everton clear.
Arteta and Cahill combine on the left but Yakubu is beaten to the cross
at the near post by Wolf.
Neither manager makes any changes,
tactically or personnel wise, at the half.
Everton apply pressure down the
right from the whistle but then sloppy defending on the edge of their own area
allows Mintal a shot from inside the area.
Howard’s positioning was spot on and the ball is parried up and safely
claimed by the American ‘keeper.
The pace of the game has picked
up. Nothing lightening fast but the play
opens up a little as Nurnberg sense they can
#### a win.
Yakubu gets onto a long ball down
the right from Neville, his lay off finds Pienaar who can only cross behind
Arteta and Cahill in the area.
The play is flowing across the
midfield area. Everton still look more
dangerous in attack but have shown nerves at the back which allows the home
side some opportunities they shouldn’t be getting.
Misimovic can’t find Kluge with a
through ball. Mintal, Reinhardt and
Kluge can only combine for a goal kick.
Arteta gets a chance from 28
yards out and fires a fierce shot into the wall, from the corner kick Pienaar
can’t deliver a good cross and Nurnberg come out with the ball.
Yakubu looses the ball in
midfield; as he was dropping deeper to gain possession; the ball is played out
left to Mintal but the cross is too high for an unmarked Kluge at the back
post.
Arteta keeps possession for
Everton on the right and cuts inside to deliver a left footed shot on target,
the ‘keeper bobbles the parry but with no Everton player running on the ‘keeper
can gather his own fumble. Tiredness
from Yakubu is creeping into the game.
Osman wins a corner kick from an
Arteta, near post free kick, the delivery in finds Lescott but the big defender
can’t find the net and Glauber clears.
Everton break with Cahill from a Nurnberg
corner, Yakubu picks up the ball and heads upfield, he maintains possession and
through Osman and Pienaar the ball comes to Neville but the Ugly Sister can
only deliver a tepid ball in to the area.
Galasek finds Reinhardt whose
cross finds Kluge with the goal at his feet, seven yards out, the German can’t
control the ball and it slips out for a goal kick.
Nurnberg
pressure the visitors but can’t get any danger into their final balls and the
Everton defence stands firm. Yakubu and
Arteta start a move which finds Carsley unable to add to his tally of two goals
this week. A Misimovic free kick sails
over Glauber at the back post.
Moyes brings on Anichebe for the
tiring but hard working Yakubu.
Meyer responds with the
introduction of Australian Kennedy for Schmidt.
Mnari feeds Kennedy who maintains
possession well but can’t find a way through a packed Everton defence; perhaps
a point is good enough for Moyes?
Galasek’s ball in merely floats
to a waiting Howard. Arteta delivers
another poor free kick but Wolf merely hoofs the ball upfield.
Mnari shows good skills on the
touchline and gets the ball to Saenko, the striker, absent for long periods,
runs at Everton but finds a resolute Carsley blocking his through ball to an
expectant Kennedy.
Everton push forward but their
pressure is scrappy and ineffective until Arteta outs his foot on the ball uses
his head and plays a great ball through to Anichebe, the youngster has the
strength to outmuscle Glauber so the defender hauls him down for a penalty
kick.
Arteta calmly buries the spot
kick for a one nil Everton lead.
Pagenburg comes on for Saenko as
Meyer looks for a point.
Glauber and Anichebe renew their acquaintance
and the ####ian ends up on the ground again.
Arteta beats the wall with his free kick but can’t find the net or
trouble the ‘keeper.
Meyer’s last roll of the
substitution die is to bring on Benko for Glauber; he’ll throw it all at
Everton now.
Lescott clears a Galasek free kick;
fortunately the ball comes out to Wolf who skies one from twenty five yards
out.
Howard clears well to Pienaar on the
right who finds Anichebe, pace and skill take him into the area and he
outmuscles Mnari, then calmly slots the ball through the legs of Blazek into
the far corner for Everton’s game winner.
He gently chides the Czech with a taunt of “nutmeg” as he wheels away in
celebration.
Howard is equal to a late Mnari
effort, Neville clears a Kennedy flick on and Reinhardt’s shot is well
wide.
Playing with plenty of
determination and some skill earned the Blues three valuable away points and
almost ensures qualification. All the
Everton players worked hard tonight, graft and commitment were slightly more important
than skill but on another night Everton might has converted more chances. This 4 5 1 or 4 4 1 1 suits Everton’s current
personnel but you can’t help but see the disconnect between Yakubu and the
midfield. Pienaar is coming into his
role, Osman is hard working and skilful, Arteta; when his dead ball are poor
can still impact a game and Carsley works tirelessly to protect the
defence. Valente showed a great deal of composure
on the left and Lescott and Yobo looked good, as did Neville, some poor closing
down earned them the wrath of Howard on more than one occasion but the ‘keeper
was equal to anything that got past his defence.
Great team performance with some
nice pieces of skill. The substitution
wasn’t inspired but Anichebe repaid his manager with a stunning man of the
match performance.
Meyer’s side played well above
their relegation standing in the Bundesliga but lost. Had they had their four star Internationals
things may have been different as they played hard and created chances.
The referee was excellent; he was
frugal with his cards and pretty consistent.
He stepped in when necessary, played advantage well a few times and mostly
allowed the game to play out without interruption. His linesman made one woeful corner decision
and he made one wrong throw in call.
Pretty good European refereeing crew really.
FC Nurnberg:-
Blazet
Schmidt (Kennedy 76)
Glauber (Benko 86)
Wolf
Reinhardt
Mintal
Kluge
Mnari
Galasek
Misimovic
Saenko (Pagenburg 85
Bookings:-
Blazek
Glauber
Goals:-
Everton:-
Howard
Neville
Lescott
Yobo
Valente
Arteta
Osman
Carsley
Pienaar (Hibbert 90)
Cahill (Jagielka 90)
Yakubu (Anichebe 75)
Bookings:-
Yobo
Valente
Goals:-
Arteta 83 (P)
Anichebe 88
Attendance:-
43000
Referee:-
Alberto Undiano Mallenco (ESP)
East German Wit:-
"We had to stop training because some players were so
overwhelmed with joy, they started to cry."
After being offered a new deal by a former club.
"In my optimism, which knows no bounds, I expected [FC]
Bayern [München] to offer me a job a day or two after the Berlin wall came down."
On German reunification
"Now we are top; we will stay here."
After a 3-0 win on the opening day of last season left
Nürnberg top of the Bundesliga
"If you are a professional footballer, you live with
that everywhere you go. Try visiting the theatre after losing three matches in
a row – you are the one spoiling everyone else's night."
On dealing with fame
"They are quick to build a monument to you in football,
but they are also quick to urinate on it."
On the fleeting nature of success
"Only fourth placed? I am quite disappointed. I
couldn't sleep the entire night. I have been lying there, asking myself for
hours what the reason might be." After being voted as Germany's
fourth-best coach behind Jürgen Klinsmann, Thomas Doll and Jürgen Klopp
"He once came into our dressing room after a match
wanting to swap jersies. I told him that he couldn't have one because he would
get plenty of them next season. He did not laugh. No sense of humour – he
failed my test."
On why he did not sign midfielder Daniel Felgenhauer
"Well, he certainly looks much more interesting
now."
On a player who broke his nose
Everton manager David Moyes on Anichebe:
"Victor made some impact, what a way to finish that
was.
"He has been struggling with a broken hand and I wasn't
sure whether to put him on, just shows what I know!
"Overall I thought it was a good performance, we did
well enough. They had one or two chances early on as we did, but they are a
good side too."
One wonder goal, a sniff of a comeback but the Toffees show Liverpool
how to win in Europe, 3-1 home win against AE Larissa.
A return to a European night at Goodison Park.
Wide eyed and expectant fans braved the chills to give their all on this
most special of occasions. The pressure
is off a little as this isn’t a must win game, the players should relax and the
fans will certainly get behind their team.
With a fuller squad to pick from
Moyes’ first eleven is a surprise.
Howard stays in goal behind a familiar back four of Hibbert, Yobo
Lescott and Baines. A five man midfield;
at home in Europe?; sees Arteta on the right,
Osman, Carsley, Cahill; back from injury; and Pienaar supporting McFadden as
the lone striker.
Donis stays with a useful looking
4 5 1 away from home. Bakayoko makes a
return to Everton as the lone front man supported by a five man midfield;
Parra, Sarmiento, Fotakis, Cleyton and Venetidis. The back four is Galitsios, Dabizas, Foerster
and Kiriakidis protecting Kotsolis in goal.
Osman and Hibbert make the first
foray forward and get a throw on the right, the ball in is cleared and Hibbert
crosses in again, a second clearance comes back to the home side and Arteta
gets a free kick.
Everton are pressing well in
midfield but neither side is able to put its foot on the ball and play in the
first few minutes.
Another free kick is cleared,
Hibbert send it back in for Lescott to head on but Larissa scramble clear. The Greek side has definitely come to Goodison Park to play.
Larissa plays the ball forward to
Bakayoko who has the ball stolen from him by Baines. Foerster comes out from the back and plays a
great ball down the touchline, Hibbert can’t get past Fotakis but the Greek’s
touch takes the ball behind. Cleyton
almost finds Bakayoko with a neat through ball.
Sarmiento runs down the right and plays in Kiriakidis whose cross is well
cleared ahead of Cleyton by Hibbert at the far post. Then Osman puts Lescott into trouble with a
shoddy back pass but Baines comes over and clears.
Everton get back into the game
with some sweet passing, Baines, Pienaar and Carsley combine and Baines’s
overlapping run earns the home side a free kick which Arteta whips in
dangerously but the ‘keeper claims from a defensive header. Arteta wins a corner on the left with some
strong running, he plays it short to Osman who turns, cuts to the byline, beats
his man and whips the ball across the box, an unmarked Cahill sneaks between
three Larissa defenders stooping low to head in the opener.
Larissa has plenty of fight and
look to get back into the game. Fotakis
gets forward on the left and crosses for Bakayoko only to see the ball half
cleared to Kiriakidis whose long range shot goes well wide.
Hibbert does well to keep a loose
ball in on the right, it comes to Pienaar who whips in a cross to Cahill at the
near post, the Australian doesn’t shoot and lays the ball off for McFadden, a
move which surprises the Scot who toe pokes the ball tamely at Kotsolis. McFadden almost plays in Pienaar, McFadden
knocks on for Cahill, and Arteta gets a soft free kick for going down easy off
a Kiriakidis challenge as Everton pressure starts to mount on Larissa. Dabizas concedes a foul and gets yellow then
Lescott’s reputation precedes him as he gets a yellow from a horrendous Greek
dive. The centre back goes on a
tremendous run upfield after being set free by Baines; he goes deep into the
Greek half but is well tackled by Foerster, perhaps the German’s best play of
the entire game.
Parra gets forward for Larissa,
he lays the ball off to his right and the shot takes a deflection, Howard
watched it go for corner kick. This move
announces the Greek’s intent and prompts a scrappy spell of pressure from the
visitors.
Another Arteta free kick almost
reaches Lescott at the back post, a long clearance finds McFadden who head down
for Cahill, the diminutive Australian has his shot well saved by Kotsolis. Pienaar can’t find Baines after some neat
forward play by the left back; the South African hasn’t played well all this
half.
Neither manager makes any
changes, tactically or personnel wise, at the half.
The second half start with some
open play, Larissa sees Venetidis have a good effort from range then the ball
breaks and McFadden beats the poor offside trap, one on one with Kotsolis his
low shot can only fond the keeper’s legs.
An open midfield and Larissa
looking for the equalizer opens the door for Everton’s second, a total stunner
on the break.
Baines picks up a short
clearance, he finds Cahill on the right flank and gets the ball after his
overlapping run, he looks up and crosses to the onrushing Pienaar who shows
great vision with an outrageous back heel into space, perfect for Osman to run
onto and calmly rifle his low shot into the corner past a disbelieving
Kotsolis. The players settle down and
start to look more confident on the ball and with their passing, the defending
is very solid with Howard rarely called upon to do more than claim high balls
in.
Foerster makes a run upfield and
finds Bakayoko on the edge of the box, the Ivorian’s turn is neat but his shot
is poor. Lescott clears from Cleyton;
who gets more involved in the second half.
Arteta starts a move on the right and ends up on the left laying a ball
back for Hibbert to shank badly and end up with a poor cross. McFadden, playing the lone role well twists
and turns his way forward; Kiriakidis tracks him well and denies him the shot
with a clearance behind, the corner kick is well cleared by Parra in front of a
leaping Cahill.
Cleyton makes a deep run and lays
the ball off to Sarmiento who has makes space to shoot but can only fire wide
and high.
The first change of the night is
for Larissa, Kalantzis comes on for Parra.
Lescott and Baines take advantage
of the change in personnel with some forceful running down the left; Lescott is
bustled off the ball which falls easily for the ‘keeper. Yobo slips running for a through ball and
Kalantzis is away, the ####ian recovers well with a stunning tackle which is
lamely rewarded with a soft yellow, nice dive from the Greek who was hardly
touched after he lost the ball.
Venetidis hits the free kick straight at the wall and it fall nicely for
Howard to claim.
The American has his moment of
madness when he rolls the ball out to Lescott, the ex-Wolves defender isn’t
quick to read his ‘keepers atrocious clearance and Cleyton nips in for the
ball, the Brazilian rounds Yobo and slots one past a painfully embarrassed
Howard for a Larissa lifeline.
Moyes decides to change things
around with the introduction of Anichebe and Gravesen for McFadden and
Cahill.
The crowd and the players of
Everton are a bit jittery now, Larissa sense this and attack. Lescott’s clearance finds Gravesen and the
Dane gets the ball out quickly to Anichebe, the young ####ian is denied by a
good sprawling save fro Kotsolis. With
Larissa’s tails up the game is open, free flowing and almost end to end. Pienaar loses the ball which allows Bakayoko
to get in and cross low to the near post, Cleyton beats his marker to the ball
but his touch is unsure and the ball spoons up and over the crossbar. Dabizas, making more runs upfield, finds Cleyton
but the resultant pass only find Howard.
Larissa withdraw Kiriakidis for
the more attack minded Labropoulos.
Arteta wins the ball on the right
and plays in Anichebe, the run is good but the cross sails way over the head of
the incoming Pienaar. Yobo clears from
Bakayoko but the ball comes out only as far as Kalantzis, the Greek’s cross
flashes through the six yard box.
Bakayoko finds Cleyton who wastes the ball with an aimless pass
forward.
Foerster is sacrificed for Venetis.
Anichebe does well to get the
ball into Pienaar, the South African’s run ends in a good cross which Dabizas
does well to clear.
Everton are nervy, Larissa sense
this and press forward. Bakayoko gets
onto a knockdown in the area but the Everton defence holds and concedes the
corner. Venetis works the ball down the
left for Bakayoko but the Ivorian’s cross is poor.
Baines clears the next Larissa
attack and finds Gravesen in the middle, a quality through ball finds Anichebe,
whose pace takes him between two defenders, and he lucks out with a poor final
Greek challenge and keeps his head to slot the ball past the grounded ‘keeper.
The tension on the players, staff
and supporters is palpable, even through the TV screen.
Larissa is still game but the
introduction of Stubbs for Pienaar signifies the home intent.
A cross comes in for Kalantzis
who heads marginally wide. An Arteta
free kick is met by Anichebe and claimed well by Kotsolis. A Greek break near the death finds Howard in
good form to keep the advantage at two.
Moyes will be delighted, he got
the squad right tactically and despite some shaky moments came through with a
fine win. The 4 5 1 wasn’t expected and
the team took a while to get used to the formation. The midfield is a strong one and the defence
held firm limiting Larissa to a few chances throughout the game. The goals were all well crafted; the second
being an absolute peach. A Howard
blunder gifted Larissa a goal but the defence held against the renewed vigour
of the away side. Topping the group will
help Liverpool’s premier team rest easy
tonight. Arteta went down too many times
far too easy. Pienaar had one moment of
genius but didn’t play well for the other 93 minutes.
Larissa acquitted themselves
well. They came to play but their
attacks lacked a cutting edge. They came
at Everton throughout the match and always looked capable of doing
something. But they just got outplayed
by Everton in key moments during the game.
Mostly the referee was good, he
missed the chance to play advantage a few times and Lescott’s yellow was
atrocious. But overall he allowed the
game to flow and was miserly with his cards.
Latest transfer news from the MLS.
Well rumours more than news.
Five big moves or non moves, one
confirmed and four still up in the air.
FC Dallas has not yet procured
the signature of Brazilian maestro Denilson.
Kind of an off and on romance?
Freddy Adu couldn’t agree terms
with Benfica. Portugal would suit him, he’d just
get better.
Paulo Wanchope; ex Derby hero; signs for Chicago.
The rubber legged Costa Rican star will add a new dimension to the
Fire. Will he complement Blanco?
Derby again, Eddie Johnson rejects a move to
the new Premiership team. Is he looking
to a bigger club, there is still plenty of time until the transfer window slams
shut.
Will Jay Jay Okocha be a Dynamo
or was it just speculation? Will the
####ian forward play in the MLS or will he stick to making skills DVDs?
My take.
I can see Denilson’s terms being
too much for FC Dallas to pay.
Freddy must be mad, the ideal
spring board into Europe.
Paulo will be a star.
The boy wonder will never be more
than just pace and a pretty haircut in the MLS.
With still more than a year to go
before the next European Championships there is plenty to play for. Two nations from each of the seven groups go to
the finals, along with hosts; Austria
and Switzerland.
Some teams are already long shots
to make the finals but in some groups three and even four teams are still in
with a realistic shout.
After the games today and the
next round of matches things will be a whole lot clearer.
Home team is listed first.
Wales v Czech Republic
Potentially tough away game in Group D, particularly with Ryan Giggs;
one of the best wingers never to play in a major international tournament; in
his swansong for the Welsh. . With the Republic of Ireland
on the same points a victory is needed. Away
win.
Iceland v Liechtenstein
Your typical relegation 6 pointer, few players stand out in this bottom
of Group F clash. Hreidarsson and
Gudjohnsen will make the difference with strong tackling and an eye for goal;
respectively. Home win.
Kazakhstan v Armenia
National Pride at stake in Eastern Europe
and not much else. Armenia has failed to win or score
in there last five group games. Zhumaskaliyev
is the in from striker for Kazakstan. Home
win.
Russia v Andorra
A good time to play in Moscow. Russia
can’t help but crush Andorra. Look for more goals from Kerzakhov and a run
out for the youngster Sychev. Home win
Germany v San Marino
Perennial European minnows; San Marino will be thumped
tomorrow. A good opportunity for some of the fringe German players to get a game. Last time the two teams played, San Marino
conceded thirteen goals. Home win
Finland v Serbia
You fancy away team, but Finland
is a tough place to play. Expect a lot
from Johansson after his goals against Portugal. Stankovic and Ilic are always a threat. Away win
F.Y.R. Macedonia v Israel
With Group E wide open Israel
may look to Chelsea
player Sahar to keep their second place. Away win
Faroe Islands v Italy
Only ten points separate the two teams in Group B. Italy is still fourth though and has
injury worries, particularly Nesta.
Inzaghi is in good from so look for him to play. Away win
Denmark v Sweden
This game should be well supported.
You fancy Sweden;
particularly if Ibrahimovic plays. The
Danes are at home and they have Jørgenson and Rasmussen, two quality strikers.
Draw
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Turkey
Turkey is in great goal scoring from with a mean
defence. Bosnia Herzegovina knows how to
score but is leaky at the back. Tuncay
is the Turks most potent weapon. Misimovic does much the same for the
opposition. Draw.
Norway v Malta
Solskjær out for Norway
will limit their goal scoring ability. The away draw with group leaders Turkey will give
them confidence. Will Agius’ 100th
game for Malta
be marked by a goal? Home win.
Albania v Luxembourg
Not really going to be a goal thriller, is it? Strasser; returning and Peters may get some
goals. Albania’s
three draws and a home game will make it tough for Luxembourg though. Draw
Slovenia v Romania
Tough to beat the mean defense of the Romanians. Mutu is in fine goal scoring form. Novakovic and Lavric need to up their tally
to give the home side a chance. Away win
Belgium v Portugal
Wanting to repeat their last performance against the Belgians; Portugal will
look to Simão or Ronaldo to score if Nuno Gomes is unfit. Expect Van Buyten to play well after a great
season in the Bundesliga. My surprise of the
week. Home win
Azerbaijan v Poland
The Group A leaders were comfortable winners in the last encounter with Azerbaijan. Expect goals from Matusiak’s replacement Piszczek. Away win
Lithuania v Georgia
With the bulk of Georgia’s
goals coming against the Faroe Islands and
Arveladze unlikely to play scoring may be a problem. Lithuania could leapfrog into fifth
place in Group B if the returning Cesnauskis plays well. Away win
France v Ukraine
With Shevchenko a doubt goals from midfield will be important. France
is better in attack and defence than Ukraine but in Vierra, Les Blues will
likely miss a key player. Draw
Belarus v Bulgaria
Bulgaria is two points ahead of Belarus and need good performances
from Berbatov and Petrov to extend that.
Kornilenko is in good form but an injury doubt hangs over Hleb. Home win
Latvia v Spain
New squad member Soldado is likely to partner in form Villa as Spain’s goal
threat. A recent away loss in Liechtenstein and a fresh face in goal
have Latvia
relying upon the experience of Bleidelis
and Zakreševskis. Away win
Greece v Hungary
Still smarting after a thrashing by Turkey,
Greece
will be in an unfamiliar home stadium.
They need midfielder Katsouranis to continue scoring and new left-back
Spiropoulos to shore up their defence. A
leaky defence is Hun
