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 of a good 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 crank 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.

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TINY TIM DOES IT AGAIN!

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. 

 

Dick 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. 

 

 

Everton:-

Howard

Neville

Lescott

Jagielka

Baines

Arteta

Cahill

Carsley

Pienaar

McFadden (Anichebe 64)

Johnson (Vaughn 81)

 

Bookings:-

Johnson

 

Goals:-

Cahill 85

 

 

Zenit St Petersburg:-

Malafeev

Anyukov (Lee 78)

Skrtel

Lombaerts

Kim

Shirl

Tymoschuk

Zyrianov

Dominguez (Gorshkov 46)

Arshavin

Pogrebnyak (Hagen 61)

 

Bookings:-

Lombaerts (R)

Pogrebnyak

Shirl

 

Goals:-

 

Attendance:-

38407

 

Referee:-

Kristinn Jakobsson (ICE)