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.
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.
One silly South African moment hands Manchester United all three points. Tough and tight at Old Trafford. Everton go behind and manage to come back
quickly. They withstand intense home
pressure and throw away the chance o####reat point with a ‘moment of madness’.
Cold and cacky Old Trafford has a
good crowd to see Everton; unbeaten in thirteen; visit a less than
full-strength Manchester United who need to keep up the pressure on Arsenal.
Ferguson has three changes to make; all due
to injury; Kuszczak keeps goal, Simpson gets a first Premier League start at
rightback, Brown moves inside alongside Vidic, with Evra keeping his leftback
spot. Carrick comes into midfield for
Hargreaves alongside Anderson, Giggs and Ronaldo. Rooney and Tevez play up front.
A RARE SMILE FROM LIVERPOOL'S BLUE EYED BOY!
Moyes; also hit by injury; still
manages a decent eleven. Howard keeps
goals with Hibbert back in at rightback, Yobo and Jagielka make up the centre
back pairing and Lescott moves out to leftback.
Neville, Carsley, provide the meat in the middle with Cahill and Pienaar
providing attacking options and width respectively. Yakubu keeps his place alongside Johnson.
Vidic begins with intent; giving
Yakubu a strong challenge. Ronaldo’s
early incursion down the left is well met by Everton, Carsley and Yobo leading
the clearing charge.
Rooney gives us a flash of his
physical side with a hard, late tackle on Cahill and gets a yellow. The Australian gets another physical
challenge from Carrick and Everton’s first opportunity is a free kick on the
left. Pienaar’s delivery is easily
cleared by Manchester United. The first
few minutes are cagey with Everton looking solid and Manchester United failing
to dominate in midfield.
CAHILL HANDLES THE WINTRY COLD BETTER THAN TEVEZ!
A long ball from Simpson for
Rooney is cleared by Jagielka; the utility player doesn’t get a great deal of
distance but Tevez snatches at the ball to send it high and wide.
Yakubu and Brown take turns in
giving the ball away cheaply.
Evra’s challenge on Hibbert gets
him a yellow but the free kick is well cleared and Ronaldo bursts forward on
the right, Lescott is in attendance but can’t prevent the near post cross,
Howard gets his hand in and Jagielka clears from Tevez.
Simpson has to defend at the
other end, Yakubu gets forward with Pienaar but his lay off is too soft and the
fullback intercepts.
Pienaar is provider soon after
playing in Lescott; the centreback plays well on the left but isn’t the best
crosser of the ball; true to form his cross can’t pick out an unmarked Johnson
and Kuszczak smothers gratefully.
Cahill picks up a yellow then
Manchester United loses possession in the middle allowing Everton to come
forward and apply some pressure. Hibbert
gets a yellow for a full blooded and ball winning tackle on Evra. Manchester United comes forward but Simpson
can only get a goal kick under pressure from Pienaar and Lescott.
Pienaar, full of energy and good
touches; gets forward in the middle but dallies, Anderson doesn’t and his reward is to come
away with the ball after a good tackle.
Everton’s edging of the first minutes of the game is evidenced by
Brown’s hopeful hoof up to an isolated Rooney.
Everton come forward when Johnson
robs Anderson, the striker plays in Yakubu who feeds Pienaar with a nice touch,
the South African holds up the ball long enough to complete the one two through
a flat footed Manchester United defence, Kuszczak is alert to Yakubu’s run and vilifies
his defenders after he smothers the cross.
Manchester start to apply some pressure
but Ronaldo crosses behind, Anderson then brings it from defence and plays it
into Rooney, the English centre forward feeds it out to Ronaldo who has a cross
cleared, Manchester retain possession, Tevez finds Ronaldo but Carsley is too
sloppy in closing down Ronaldo and the Portuguese goal machine delivers the ball
perfectly over the Everton defence and wide of Howard for a stunning
opener.
RONALDO'S STUNNING OPENER LEAVES HIT BOOT!
No Manchester United Onslaught
appears despite the goal clearly injecting the home side with some extra
pep. The visitors stick to their tasks
well and work hard to play their way back into the game. The reward comes quickly, Lescott gets
forward on the left and plays a couple of one two’s with Pienaar, the South
African, bamboozles Brown to enable him to loop a ball onto the penalty spot,
Cahill; one of the better leapers in the Premier league, out jumps the bigger,
stronger Evra and heads the ball past Kuszczak for a hard won equalizer.
THE TWO MANCHESTER UNITED MOTM TUSSLE OVER A LOOSE BALL!
Carsley and Rooney, bantering
amicably moments earlier face each other over the rarest of Premier league
incidents, a genuine drop ball, the Irishman wants it more and the violence of
his attack on the ball sees Rooney, arms aloft, whine in protest.
Webb denies Anderson the chance to run into acres of
space on the Everton left, he brings play back for some argy-bargy shirt
pulling between the Brazilian and Nigerian when advantage would have been
better. Poor decision referee!
Pienaar, Yakubu and Johnson
combine to pressure Manchester
united but the ball comes out to ex-manc Neville, he is unable to exert control
over his shot and the decent chance sails well high.
Giggs and Rooney combines up
front and the striker finds the space for a dink to the back post, Howard is
beaten but Lescott is quick enough to head the ball off the line. Anderson
relieves the Manchester United pressure with a needless hand ball.
Everton come out of defence and
feed the Yak! The cross is well held by Kuszczak.
The final fifteen minutes is more
open with Manchester United pushing forward and Everton responding with some
bright counter attacks of their own.
Howard saves a fierce drive that
Tevez fires right at him; good hands. A
Giggs stepover comes to Tevez a little too unexpectedly and the chance goes
begging. Neville gives away a free kick
and a mouthy Anderson
is carded by Webb.
Ronaldo fires one straight at the
wall. Giggs combines with Ronaldo; Yobo
puts enough pressure on the Portuguese winger to fire the difficult chance
wide.
Ferguson brings on O’Shea for more experience
in defence and Moyes keeps his side the same.
Pienaar show good strength in
midfield and comes forward with the ball, he finds Lescott who wins a corner
off O’Shea.
Hibbert has another lapse when he
fails to meet Evra’s through ball on the Everton right; Rooney plays the ball
in but Jagielka, fitting in well at the heart of the defence clears the
danger.
Manchester United is looking for
the third goal and pile some concerted pressure on the Blues. Webb’s cack advantage does Everton no favours
when they manage to push forward.
Ronaldo takes advantage of a
Jagielka slip and crosses for Tevez; the Argentinean is sharp but gets a deflection
for a corner.
Howard leaps to claim a cross
whilst under pressure from Ronaldo.
Howard claims well after Tevez’s shot takes a deflection off
Lescott.
Yobo steps authoratively in front
of a Rooney to prevent the shot and clear the ball.
Everton are pushed deeper but
have the skills to repulse a not quite at their best Manchester United.
A good clearance sees Johnson
turn Vidic; with no support his cross is much too heavy. The two players had a fine tussle throughout the game.
WHAT CAN BE SAID ABOUT THIS LOVELY IMAGE!
A neat turn from Yakubu takes Brown out of
the game, the Nigerian flails wildly with the goal in front of him and send the
ball harmlessly and wastefully high and wide.
Hibbert clears well under
pressure from Ronaldo; Lescott’s clearance is not as good and allows Ronaldo a shot,
which block falls to Carrick who skies it.
Everton have weathered the United
storm and are back to working the ball and looking to create something
upfield.
Everton get in a good position
but fail to pull the trigger and any chance o####oal or corner kick goes
begging.
Saha comes on for Carrick in a
bid to grab the winner, Manchester’s
formation changes to be more attacking.
Johnson takes advantage o####ood
advantage call and cuts in towards goal, Yakubu’s run pulls the defenders and
the ball comes out to Pienaar off a Vidic challenge, the South African can’t
keep possession and the counter collapses.
A clumsy Hibbert challenge sets
up a dangerous placed Manchester
united free kick. Training ground stuff
as Ronaldo plays it laterally to Rooney, the ex-Blue gets under the ball and it
skims Howard’s bar.
Manchester still has more possession but the
game is drifting away from them, Everton’s defenders remain obdurate and feisty
whilst the home sides’ attacks lack conviction.
The home side is keeping the ball as well as keeping the pressure on
Everton, the visitors remain solid in the second half.
A moment of madness hands the
home side the victory with two minutes to go.
Pienaar is back defending and
Giggs has beaten him but is heading for the touchline, really tired, sloppy
play from a pro; he lashes out with his trailing leg and fells Giggs, Webb
points to the spot and Ronaldo bags the winner from the spot.
IT WAS A PENALTY STEVEN!
NOW TO ADD STEVEN PIENAAR TO MY CHRISTMAS CARD LIST!
Two points for free for Ferguson. Happiest of the two manager’s he’ll take the
gift and probably some credit. Yet again
his team isn’t at its best but takes the three points. An admirer of Moyes he is decent enough not
to gloat. Queiroz is less
munificent.
THE BEST EVER PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER - GETS ANOTHER WIN.
Moyes is gutted; just check out
the photos; his side played well whilst not at full strength. They fought back from a goal down at Old
Trafford and lost the game on a silly leg flick.
I’m more disappointed that we had
Hibbert at rightback and not Neville which would have allowed Gravesen to play
in midfield, Yakubu stayed on the pitch for too long as well. Pienaar created the second and third goals so
whilst any Blue should be annoyed with him his contribution throughout the
entire game can’t be discounted.
NO CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR YOU, STEVEN!
Webb showed why he is England’s representative
at Euro ’08. A few early cards set his
tone and after the initial flurry of rash and hurried challenges things settled
down. His card for Anderson was a good statement. Everton may have looked like they got the
worst of Webb but the away side defended more than attacks so more fouls
against is to be expected. Webb’s only
blunders really were two wrongly called advantage calls. He let an Everton one go when a deep free kick
would have been a better reward and he called back Anderson when the Brazilian had space in
front of him. Hardly more than a blemish
on what was a fair and measured performance.
Manchester United:-
Kuszczak
Simpson (O’Shea 46)
Brown
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Carrick (Saha 70)
Anderson (Fletcher 85)
Giggs
Rooney
Tevez
Bookings:-
Anderson
Evra
Rooney
Goals:-
Ronaldo 22, 88 (P)
Everton:-
Howard
Hibbert
Yobo
Jagielka
Lescott
Cahill (Anichebe 84)
Carsley
Neville
Pienaar
Johnson
Yakubu (Gravesen 75)
Bookings:-
Pienaar
Cahill
Hibbert
Goals:-
Cahill 27
Attendance:-
75749
Referee:-
Howard
Webb
Images courtesy of:- evertonfc.com getty images and manutd.com bbc.co.uk
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.
Sunderland made to look woeful as Everton hammer seven goals past them
at Goodison Park.
Windy Goodison
Park on a November
Saturday saw a stunning and hugely one sided match.
The International break gave the
managers plenty of time to prepare; despite the absence of key players; tactics
were worked out and injuries allowed time to heal.
The Goodison faithful enjoyed the
Z Cars theme and roared their players on.
Sunderland’s traveling support was more
hopeful; given their away form this season; but vocal none the less.
THE SCINTILLATING SPANIARD SHOWS OFF HIS SILKY BALL SKILLS
Moyes went with a strong 4 4 1 1,
attacking formation. Howard keeps
goal. Yobo and Lescott continue in the
middle of defence with Valente rewarded with another starting spot and Neville
dropping to right back ahead of Hibbert.
Carsley is the midfield battler;
ball winner and doer of destruction, around him are three attacking midfielders
in Arteta, Pienaar and Osman. Yakubu is
the main centre forward and is supported by Cahill.
Keane goes with a 4 4 2, fairly
attack minded with two out and out strikers.
The expensive Scot; Gordon; keeps goal.
A back four is Whitehead, McShane, Higginbotham and ex Leeds
dead ball specialist, Harte. The middle
four is Edwards, Etuhu, Yorke, and Leadbitter.
Chopra and the tantalizing talent of Jones played up front.
Sunderland
attack but Everton defend well. Carsley
fouls to break up another Sunderland attack
and hands Harte a chance to test Howard.
His shot slams straight into the wall.
The middle of the park is
understandably tight with Carsley at the heart of things showing the Dogs of
War ethic is not entirely dead, the Irishman is a vital cog in the Everton
machine.
Valente shows why he’s starting
with some smart defending to avoid a corner kick and clear the ball.
Everton win possession through
Carsley and Pienaar cuts in from the left but his shot is well wide, the finish
doesn’t do justice to a neat Everton move.
Lescott and Valente combine to
break up a Sunderland attack.
McShane blocks Cahill’s shot
after some dazzlement from Arteta to bamboozle Harte, then Neville uses a more utilitarian
method to find Cahill from the right but the diminutive Australian can’t get
over the ball.
Chopra shows Sunderland’s
intent with neat play to beat Neville on the left, his ball inside is well read
and doesn’t find Yorke. Everton come
away with the ball and play some nice possession before Valente cuts inside and
still manages to test Gordon on his weaker foot.
Lescott disdainfully brushes
aside Jones in the area and shepherds the ball into touch. Howard’s clear long and McShane swings and
misses with Yakubu close by, the Nigerian accepts the invitation and drives
forward, he has the strength to out muscle Higginbotham and the skill and luck
to beat Gordon with a scuffed shot that loops over the Scot. McShane was found seriously wanting on that
one.
YAKITY YAK, DON'T LOOK BACK!
Yorke is judged harshly for a
non-existent handball but Everton’s free kick is cleared by Sunderland.
The Black Cats let another one in
though, not through sloppy defending but through scintillating Spanish
flair. Neville starts a move down the
right and finds Yakubu who plays it forward to Arteta, the Spaniard holds up
the ball and keeps Harte at bay whilst he waits for the late run of Neville, the
ex Manchester United player is deliciously slipped the ball and dinks a sweet
ball into the danger area, Cahill controls the ball and turns and shoots to
continue his run of excellent goals.
Stunning well crafted goal involving slick passing and one Englishman.
TINY TIM GETS HIS FIRST!
Everton still need to be aware as
Sunderland’s lone threat finds space from twenty five yards out and fires one
narrowly wide of Howard’s upright, maybe the ‘keeper had it covered, maybe
not.
Osman, Pienaar, Neville and
Yakubu combine in another flowing attacking display but the move doesn’t quite
come off, then McShane; making some amends for his early mess; blocks Yakubu
twice, the first stop is good and he has the presence and attitude to get up
and block the second shot. Gordon was well
beaten on the first but regained his position for the second shot.
Everton show why they struggle to
get clean sheets, a good cross from the right from Edwards is tipped into
danger by Howard, Leadbitter is woeful as he steers his free header into the
side netting instead of the open goal from a wide but hardly difficult
angle.
Arteta hits a free kick at the
wall but gets a second chance when he’s brought down, his second finds Osman at
the near post and the Englishman’s glanced header flashes past a stricken
Gordon but also past the post for a goal kick.
Arteta; drifting into the middle;
shows his ball skills and then displays his skills at winning free kicks,
Valente takes this one and Gordon punches well clear.
Carsley breaks up play from the
ever willing Black Cats and gives away a corner. Harte’s first delivery is well met by the
Irishman and his second is better but Yobo heads behind in front of Jones, the
third sees McShane evade Lescott as he darts to the near post, Carsley is
static (as he was for Drogba’s goal at Stamford Bridge) but the defender’s
header flashes behind.
Carsley is all over the middle of
the park and breaks up another Sunderland
attack, Valente clears ahead of Chopra, Carsley combines (inadvertently) with
Lescott to clear then Howard gets a chance and punches the ball in wide.
Sunderland
run out of ideas and Everton come out, the run of Osman allows him a shot but
Gordon is equal to the test.
Everton; full of ideas and craft
going forward; get a third just before the break, Pienaar in the left channel
finds Valente out wide, the Portuguese left back’s ball back is perfect in
every way and Pienaar duly obliges with a stunning goal.
The two left sided players cut
through Sunderland and we didn’t see any
explosions from the away bench.
Sunderland
under Keane is nothing if not hard working and right at the death they get a
lifeline. Howard does well to get down
to a vicious shot from Leadbitter, Edwards was quickest to react but the big
American ‘keepers uses the post to keep the second shot out, Jones is well
positioned to play the ball back into the path of a late arriving Yorke who
shows his finishing prowess with a late goal.
Poor and blunderous defending with Sunderland
being first to the ball twice ahead of the Everton defenders.
Keane swaps things around in the
second half; Yorke and Etuhu are sacrificed with Collins and Wallace being
introduced.
Whitehead will move into midfield
and Collins will fill in at left back.
Sunderland
have had the best of the half time oranges and come out strong, giving a hard
time to the home side without really threatening Howard’s goal.
Osman easily clears a poor
Wallace free kick, a second free kick from Whitehead is better but Lescott
heads away and Osman clears. Sunderland are applying pressure and Everton are pushed
back into a more defensive 4 5 1.
Everton always looked strong and
from their forward play saw Arteta’s free kick hit the side netting, Cahill
come close twice; ensuring plenty of practice for Gordon; and Yakubu fired
wide.
The pressure is broken when
Everton get another break due to some more poor defending from Sunderland.
McShane is again guilty of another howler, this time off a long ball
forward from Yobo, Cahill; full of confidence; brings the ball under control
then fires a low shot past Gordon, four one.
Sunderland are to be commended on
the fight and spirit but not their finishing, Chopra is gloriously woeful in
front of an open goal after Howard is pulled out of position. Everton were almost asleep to let the Black
Cats have such a chance.
Not all Everton’s goals are
stunning shots following some slick passing, Yakubu gets on the scoresheet
after Gordon saves from Osman, Arteta takes a short one and the ball is played
into the danger area, Yakubu is the finisher and gets his second and Everton’s
fourth.
Cahill and Yakubu come off for
Anichebe and Johnson.
Sunderland
will not quit and Harte forces a good clearance from Osman.
Johnson gets happily back into
scoring form as his pace allows him to get to a long ball from Neville, a
square and flat footed Sunderland back line has no chance once the ex Palace
striker has the ball at his feet, he shows his skill with a neat chip to beat
Gordon for Everton’s sixth.
JOHNSON BACK TO GOAL SCORING WAYS WATCHES WITH CRAIG GORDON WELL BEATEN
Neville does his defensive duties
well with a block from his old team mate Cole, and then Jagielka clears a
Leadbitter corner.
Osman rounds off the day amongst
some testing shots for Gordon and the posts and bar doing their defensive
jobs. He showed a clean pair of heels to
a number of clumsy lunges; seriously, you can’t call them tackles; from the
tired and bewildered Sunderland players before
passing the ball into the net. The
Englishman had traveled half the length of the pitch to score.
OSMAN DRIBBLES AND RUNS HALF THE LENGTH OF THE PITCH BEFORE PASSING THE BALL INTO THE NET FOR EVERTON'S STUNNING SEVENTH
Cole brings a block from Lescott
The home side had a stunner and
scored freely and easily, some of the goals were pure defensive mistakes that
Everton capitalized on but others were crafted and classy goals. Sunderland
showed spirit and fight but lacked the skill to compete with Everton who
dominated the midfield for most of the game and defended pretty well.
Moyes will be ecstatic, rarely
have an Everton team of his played so well.
This is progress, albeit against poor opposition. It could be argued that this isn’t actually
his strongest team. Tough games coming
up in the League, The League Cup and the UEFA Cup look a little more like
manageable targets after this resounding win that sees the Blues climb the
table and go seven unbeaten in all competitions.
NO HARD FEELINGS MATE! EVEN AFTER A MAULING, KEANE'S ANGER MANAGEMENT COUNSELLING PAYS DIVIDENDS.
Keane must be congratulated for
fielding a side with the fight his Black Cats displayed today they never gave
up despite being hammered on the road.
This is atypical o####ood Championship side in the Premier League. The ex Manchester United midfield general may
yet avoid the drop but his team needs to erase their atrocious defensive
errors; they cost Sunderland maybe four of the
goals today; and help out the ever effervescent Jones.
IT'S BEEN THAT SORT OF DAY FOR THE RECORD BREAKING SCOTTISH 'KEEPER.
Dogs Of War are back, with just a touch of class this time around. A defensive lapse gives Drogba the goal but
Everton never give up and Cahill grabs a late equalizer. 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
One Minutes Silence Lest We
Forget
A packed Stamford
Bridge saw a Chelsea side getting back to it’s winning
ways taking on an Everton side looking to match a winning record from 16 years
ago. The visitors were confident after
five wins; Chelsea’s
home form is a tough obstacle. Both sets
of supporters were vibrant on a cold afternoon in London.
Grant picks his own sides, so
despite being in the England
squad a fit Ashley Cole wasn’t in even on the bench for Chelsea.
Cech and Terry are injured so
Cudicini gets his 38th start; Belletti and Bridge defend out wide
with Carvalho Alex in the middle. Essien
sits in midfield with Mikel getting and Lampard getting forward. Cole and Wright-Philips operate out wide with
Drogba as the point man. Formation is more or less a 4 3 3.
Moyes has injuries of his own but
keeps faith with Hibbert at right back and moves Neville into midfield. Howard keeps goal with Hibbert on the right,
Yobo and Lescott pairing up as centrebacks, Valente plays on the left. Midfield has Carsley and Neville holding with
Cahill on the right and Pienaar on the left, Osman operates just behind
Yakubu. Formation is more or less a 4 4
1 1.
Belletti kicks of the proceeding
with a smart run down the right, his cross evades Hibbert to find Lampard at
the back post and the ball comes back but Everton clear the danger. This pattern continues for much of the
game. Everton pretty solid at the back
and Chelsea
lacking quality in their final ball.
Chelsea are playing and spraying the ball
about, not too hurried, nice and composed.
Everton wait and don’t Harry too much.
Quick thrusts from midfield characterize the Chelsea efforts and Everton must defend a
ball in from Cole then Yobo clears well from Bridge’s return ball in. Howard comes out smartly ahead of
Essien.
Pienaar and Cahill start a move
forward with a smart one two but Carvalho steps up with a strong challenge to
break up the move.
Lescott clears a free kick from a
soft Wiley decision on the right.
Valente fluffs possession but
Lescott is quick enough and strong enough to stop Drogba capitalizing.
Everton’s attacking is limited
and sporadic and Chelsea enjoys large chunks of
possession forcing Carsley and Neville to cover their back line, Everton’s
midfield is working hard to limit the Chelsea
opportunities but Lampard is having a good game.
Chelsea defend an Everton free
kick well, then Yakubu and Pienaar combine on the left, Belletti dives in and
misses his tackle, Osman nods back Yakubu’s back post cross into space and
Pienaar gets all tied up in front of an open goal, should have done better with
such a clear opportunity.
Lampard sends in a corner kick
and Osman blocks well a fierce Drogba shot for a corner, then Drogba gets in
front of Carsley at the near post but heads wide.
Yobo clears upfield to Yakubu and
the big Nigerian’s hold up play is excellent but his ball to Cahill is woefully
short.
Bridge and Lampard combine on the
right to win a corner kick form Hibbert.
Everton break from the corner and the ball comes to Osman through some
nice passing, Neville, Hibbert keeping possession well, the diminutive
midfielder slips and allows Chelsea
to break themselves, Wright-Phillips streaks down the right but his final ball
is poor.
Carvalho jumps all over Yakubu
and the Nigerian holds his ground, Riley keeps his cards in his pocket,
probable as the Portuguese player came down heavily and injured his back. Play stops with the assistant flagging
furiously.
Carvalho is obviously injured but
Grant keeps him on for now.
Yobo reads the movement of Drogba
from a neat Belletti cross.
Yakubu loses the ball to Alex;
Cole beats Hibbert and Osman with a good cut inside but shoots wildly.
The game is scrappy which suits
Everton, Chelsea
haven’t got into top gear yet.
Pienaar wastes a chance with a
poor free kick delivery which ends up back with Howard.
Valente blocks a Bridge cross,
the ball pops out for Lampard but the Portuguese left back gets up and blocks
the shot which spoons up to Howard.
Cole works well coming inside and
with Hibbert beaten Yobo comes across and neatly dispossesses the
Englishman.
Carvalho rightly comes off for
Ben Haim.
Cahill hurries his shot without
realizing he has time and space to do more.
