UEFA CUP DRAW

 

Current Odds. 

 

Odds are from Ladbrokes from before and after the draw and today. 

Remember the bookies aren't exactly trying to pick the winner.  They are trying to make money, so the odds reflect their understanding of the betting market and their expertize at fleecing suckers. 

 

Expect the longer odds to change if that team does well in the first game.  The stronger teams' odds will remain fairly static at the early stages of the KO rounds as the bookmakers realize the games are actually too tough to call with any certainty. 

 

 

Bayern Munich  3/1 - 11/4 - 11/4 - same

Tottenham  9/1 - 8/1 - 7/1 - dropped again; the Ramoslution!

Atletico Madrid  8/1 - 7/1 - 7/1 - same

Villarreal  12/1 - 10/1 - 10/1 - same

Everton FC 12/1 - 12/1 - 10/1 - dropped; still in fourth

Fiorentina  14/1 - 14/1 - 16/1 - increased; still in fourth (perhaps not when Milan play Livorno)

Werder Bremen  14/1 - 12/1 - 14/1 - back up to before the draw odds

Hamburg  14/1 - 14/1 - 20/1 - something must be up with the Hamburgers

Bayer Leverkusen 20/1 - 20/1 - 20/1 - same

Benfica  20/1 - 20/1 - 20/1 - same

PSV  25/1 - 25/1 - 25/1 - same

Sporting Lisbon  25/1 - 25/1 - 25/1 - same

Getafe  25/1 - 25/1 - 25/1 - same

Bordeaux  33/1 - 50/1 - 50/1 - same

Marseille  33/1 - 50/1 - 50/1 - same

Panathinaikos  33/1 - 33/1 - 33/1 - same

Spartak Moscow  33/1 - 33/1 - 33/1 - same

Rangers  33/1 - 33/1 - 33/1 - same

Zenit St Petersburg 33/1 - 33/1 - 50/1 - losing Skrtl must have been a blow

Nurnberg  40/1 - 40/1 - 40/1 - same

AEK Athens  50/1 - 50/1 - 50/1 - same

Bolton  50/1 - 50/1 - 50/1 - same

Slavia Prague  50/1 - 66/1 - 66/1 - same

Rosenborg  66/1 - 100/1 - 100/1 - same

Galatasaray  66/1 - 100/1 - 100/1 - same

Basle  66/1 - 100/1 - 100/1 - same

Anderlecht  80/1 - 125/1 - 125/1 - same

Aberdeen  80/1 - 125/1 - 125/1 - same

Braga  80/1 - 125/1 - 125/1 - same

Zurich  100/1 - 200/1 - 200/1 - same

Helsingborgs  150/1 - 250/1 - 250/1 - same

SK Brann  500/1 - 350/1 - 350/1 - same

 

 

Not much in the way of changes here then. 

Atalanta came from behind twice to grab a hard earned point in Bergamo.  Two goals from Muslimovic repaid the manager's faith in the striker.  Fiorentina without Mutu played well but couldn't get a third to kill the game off. 

 

The Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia had a good crowd for this tough and vital clash of black and blue and purple.  The Orbici are tough at home and la Viola is hard to score against away.  Neither side has its best player on the field so understudies would have to step up and deliver. 

 

Gigi Del Neri, gauche and bespectacled, adopted a normal 4 4 2; strong defence, good width and a gamble on a less than prolific striker were his choices.

Coppola keeps goal with a back four of Rivalta, Pellegrino, Capelli and Manfredini.  Ferreira Pinto and Langella provided width with De Ascentis and Tissone providing the steel through the middle.  Floccari keeps his place and Muslimovic gets a rare start. 

 

Prandelli stayed with his usual 4 3 3.  Solid at the back with a good 'keeper, young talent in the midfield with a potent (not his best with Mutu absent) attacking combination.  Frey keeps goal with a back four of Ujfalusi (who is likely to leave on a free in June, Dianelli, Gamberini (freshly bolstered by his Azzurri call up) and Pasqual.  Donadel and Montolivo; they can tackle although the range of their passing is the key to la Viola's potent attack; work alongside the deeper lying Kuzmanovic in the middle.  Santana and Semioli operate wider and just behind the free scoring Pazzini. 

 

The first two chances in an open game involve fullbacks.  Manfredini gets forward and when things open up he gets ambitious with a volley from the left, Ujfalusi gets forward on the right and sends in a good cross only for Pazzini to head wide. 

Both teams operate from a strong defensive position, Atalanta rely on the width getting balls into the energetic strikers, who are all troublesome runs and flicks.  Fiorentina rely on the passing of Donadel and Montolivo from the centre out to the flanks and balls into the channels, the three pronged attack can pull the back four around a lot as well opening up dangerous spaces. 

Neither team is about sitting back though, the ball is always moved forward, Atalanta is more direct than the visitors. 

De Ascentis has to concentrate more on his tackling than his passing as Donadel is seeing a lot of the ball early on, his passing is allowing Fiorentina to dictate the play and apply pressure to the home side. 

Neither side can build up enough steam to create much in front of goal. 

Things are ebbing and flowing nicely when a flurry of plays unfold.  Muslimovic gets onto a Floccari flick and shoots wide, Manfredini gets a card and knock on the head from a Viola elbow, Santana gets to the byline and whips a good cross in; more dangerous than the crosses that have been coming from deeper.  Manfredini is replaced by Belleri, certainly feeling the after effects of an elbow to the temple.  The goal comes in short order with Donadel the creator, his ball picks out the run of Santana and the ball in finds Pazzini, the ex-Atalanta player takes a touch then spins and forces it past Coppola.

MUTED GOAL CELEBRATION FROM THE FORMER ATALANTA MAN

The Stadio momentarily fills with a horrible silencio. 

Within a minute the scores are level.  Fiorentina don't clear a corner and the ball back in from Belleri finds the unmarked Muslimovic who thunders the ball into the net.  Faith in his him by Del Neri is repaid. 

The flurry subsides and both sides resume a tactical battle of cut and thrust, quick balls over the top and last ditch challenges.  A couple of half chances go begging and Atalanta is gaining the upper hand with control of the midfield. 

 

Both sides come out as they went in. 

 

The attacking desire continues from the first whistle, half chances being created at either end as the temp is raised and the ball flies from end to end. 

The first moments of the second half belong to Atalanta, Langella and Pinto are full of running on the flanks and the simple passing of De Ascentis are allowing the Orbici to build up a head of steam. 

Donadel is focusing more on defence and Montolivo takes up the attacking duties, his astute and accurate passing hauls the balance back in to the game and slowly tips it towards la Viola. 

Santana makes the most of the ascendancy with a good ball down the right channel, Pazzini latches onto it and lays the ball out wide, without breaking stride Kuzmanovic crosses well and Semioli is on hand in the six yard box to head home.

SEMIOLO CELEBRATES WITH HIS TEAMMATES

Atalanta is nothing if not obdurate and a combination of tough tackling and hard running start to push Fiorentina back.  Langella and Kuzmanovic get involved in an off the ball incident, the veteran Atalanta players almost immediately makes way for Inzaghi; he's lucky to be able to be subbed as the incident with Kuzmanovic didn't seem to be picked up by the officials.  Kuzmanovic is replaced by the excellent simplicity and versatility of Jorgenson before the youngster's temper finds an outlet. 

A Muslimovic card for dissent seems to spark a feistier aspect to the already high adrenaline game, the tempo is increased as the home side tries all they can to get an equalizing goal.  Fiorentina are manfully handling the pressure without being pushed too deep, they also carry the threat of the counter attack. 

The quality of Doni is missed, Inzaghi has the ball taken away from him by Gamberini before he can pull the trigger and Belleri crosses poorly after skinning Ujfalusi on the byline. 

Fiorentina are professional, hard working as they try to slow the game down and earn all three points.  Vieri comes on for his ball holding ability and new Atlanta signing Paolucci is introduced to add some pace to the attack, with the change Del Neri's side move to a more attacking 4 3 3. 

The final few minutes provide a fitting end to a highly entertaining and well fought contest.  Vieri looks to run out time and heads to the byline, when the space opens up he whips in a great cross which sees Coppola leave his area to clear the ball, with the 'keeper well out of position Fiorentina cross tamely, Atalanta break with pace and gusto through Tissone, he finds Inzaghi who draws in the defence then lays the ball wide, the cross in is perfect for Muslimovic to slip behind his marker and stab home from six yards out.  The Stadio Atleti erupts thunderously and Del Neri is ecstatic.

TWO GOAL MAN OF THE MATCH IN RELAXED MOOD DURING TRAINING

 

Del Neri will be concerned at the goals but well pleased with his sides attacking and hard work, faith in Muslimovic has been repaid with two poacher's goals and a point from a game with a top four side is a decent result.  Del Neri is morphing Atalanta into a side that can challenge for a UEFA Cup place. 

 

Prandelli will rue his side's inability to keep a lead.  For most of the last twenty five minutes they handled Atalanta well and professionally, Vieri's cross almost led to a goal but had he just settled for the corner flag the three points would have been the visitors'.  His youthful side has a tough stretch in the next month or so which will make or break their season, maintaining a UEFA Cup challenge and staying in the top four are not too dissimilar to the challenges faced by Fiorentina's likely opponents if they make it through to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. 

 

The commentator put it brilliantly - "Do they have the bottle to stay in fourth spot?  Today they have been shown to have a bit of a glass jaw."

 

The referee was OK.  Some of the calls that Atalanta didn't get seemed harsh but his bookings were all justified and he didn't see Langella and Kuzmanovic get shirty.  The trend in Italian officiating seems to be to let play go on. 

 

 

Atalanta:-

Coppola

Rivalta

Pellegrino

Cappeli

Manfredini (Belleri 26)

Ferreira Pinto

De Ascentis

Tissone

Langella (Inzaghi 66)

Floccari (Paolucci 76)

Muslimovic

 

Goals:-

Muslimovic 30, 91

 

Bookings:-

Tissone

Langella

Manfredini

Muslimovic

De Ascentis

 

 

Fiorentina:-

Frey

Ujfalusi

Dianelli

Gamberini

Pasqual

Kuzmanovic (Jorgenson 67)

Montolivo

Donadel

Santana

Pazzini (Vieri 73)

Semioli

 

Bookings:-

Ujfalusi

Montolivo

 

Goals:-

Pazzini 29

Semioli 60

 

 

Referee:-

De Marco

 

Images courtesy of ATALANTA.IT & ACFFIORENTINA.IT

MIKEL ARTETA'S PLACE OF WORK

Goodison Park on a sunny Saturday.  The expected three points didn't come easy but the splendid performance of Phil Jagielka at both ends of the field gave the Blues the win.  A few times with the ball on the deck Everton looked good, mostly they looked out of sorts.  UEFA Cup is next on the agenda.  .  . 

 

Good support from both home and away supporters was in evidence but sporadic, the home fans allowed the tense feeling after two nil-nils to affect their noise.  No Sylvester Stallone; which was a real shame. 

 

Moyes opts for a 4 5 1 to start, injuries, AWOL players and lack of fitness hamper his selection.  Howard keeps goal, Neville moves to right back alongside the returning Yobo and Jagielka, Lescott moves to the left.  Carsley sits in front of the back four, Fernandes is the deepest of the five midfielders with Osman and Arteta wide and Cahill behind the lone John son. 

 

Coppell continues to plug away with his brand of football.  Hahnemann keep's goal with Shorey, Sonko, Cisse and Murty at the back.  Oster makes a return to Goodison with Harper and Matejovsky covering in front of the defence Hunt on the left and Doyle supporting the sole attacker, Kitson. 

 

Howard gets a chance to warm his hands after an early Hunt free kick gets a wicked deflection and almost creeps in.  Reading's next best chance come right at the end of the half with an Oster free kick having the bend to get over the wall but not to get under the bar. 

The first forty five was pretty poor from the home side, in no small part to a well managed and resolute Coppell side.  Both sides harry, hassled, hacked and herded each other with little opportunity to mount much attacking threat. 

Everton keep the ball, look before they pass and keep their heads and create the first neat pattern of play for the quiet crowd, Hahnemann is equal to the move but the opening was neatly crafted. 

Oster played well on his return, John son ran fruitlessly chasing poor passes and high balls, Hunt was integral to anything decent from Reading and Fernandes was wasteful with his passes.  The home side always seemed second to the loose ball, even when they won the tackle. 

Cahill has the best opportunities for the Blues, a late header crept over and a shanked effort well wide after some neat build up play and a good Osman turn, had his Portuguese midfield partner given the travel stained Aussie the shout the chance would have been much easier. 

Highlight of the first half though was all about Ireland.  Carsley let Hunt know he was there with a pretty nasty tackle.  Hunt stumbles and falls then bounces up with his International compatriot firmly in his crosshairs, one of his big defenders is quick enough of thinking to bearhug his fiery teammate before fists fly and cards are issued.  Storm in a teacup despite the commentary, two minutes later they shook hands. 

LADS! THE GOAL IS THAT WAY!

Moyes pulls of the ineffective Fernandes and moves to a 4 4 2 with the introduction of Vaughn.  Coppell keeps things the same.  Thoughts go to Joe Royle in the commentary box, "Second half is always better you know. Promise". 

 

Reading manages a quick shot to start the second half.  The Blue response takes a little while to build but is much more potent than in the tepid first half. 

Six minutes in Vaughn skins Sonko on the left and puts in a lovely ball that splits Hahnemann and his defenders, neither Cahill nor John son can connect though. 

Two players up front have given Everton a different dimension, the game is more open and the home side is staring to play and pass better. 

First one corner is headed over by Vaughn then a second is put wide by a defender as Everton pressure mounts. 

Arteta's next corner is cleared as far as Osman who intelligently plays the ball back in to the far post, Jagielka has beaten the offside and loops a header over the American 'keeper.

JAG RISES AND NODS HOME HIS FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL FOR THE BLUES!

The goal energized Everton; who are starting to win more balls and play more in the Reading half; Reading are deflated but still gallant battle on. 

Two Coppell changes redress the balance with Malian international Kebe coming close after a terrible Lescott mistake lets him attack Howard's goal.  Jagielka's last ditch block probably saves the three points. 

The entire back line was peppered late on, held well with Carsley filling in the holes. 

Two chances come in the final moments of the game, Harper gets onto a loose ball and a good shot takes the paint off the upright.  In front of the Gladwys Street End John son can't finish after rounding Hahnemann to open up Reading from a good Vaughn header on. 

 

Everton didn't play well and they still managed to get the points.  Jagielka was man of the match by a mile; although the entire back line played well.  Reading's stifling play didn't allow Everton much room to pass or play and they looked most dangerous on set pieces.  The three points is a welcome boon after two goalless draws and UEFA Cup progression against SK Brann is next on the agenda. 

 

Coppell's side played well without really threatening much.  They came for a point and looked good for it throughout the first half.  Managerially the goal was soft and the lack of much test for Howard is a worry.  Too good to go down, perhaps, seven losses on the bounce hasn't demoralized Reading though they have to pick up points and soon. 

 

Halsey was excellent, a few good advantages highlighted his intent and he didn't need to brandish any cards. 

A different referee may have given two penalties, although if one wasn't given it's unlikely the other one would be.

GOOD GAME! GOOD GAME!

Praise where praise is due.  Hopefully that will be noted in the other post match reports or interviews. 

 

Everton:-

Howard

Neville

Yobo

Jagielka

Lescott

Arteta

Carsley

Fernandes (Vaughn 46)

Cahill

Osman

John son

 

Bookings:-

 

Goals:-

Jagielka 61

 

 

Reading:-

Hahnemann

Shorey

Sonko

Cisse

Murty

Oster (Kebe 80)

Harper

Matejovsky

Doyle

Hunt

Kitson (Long 74)

 

Bookings:-

 

Goals:-

 

Attendance:-

36582

 

Referee:-

Mark Halsey

 

 

Images courtesy of Evertonfc.com

Images courtesy of BBC.co.uk

Serie A week 21 preview. 

 

Internaz ionale extend their lead at the top of the table with a win at home; a loss from Roma and a Juventus draw help matters.  Some topsy turvy results panned out last week.  The battle for the lesser European places and the scrap to avoid relegation look to be the most open as the season unfolds.  Plenty of points on offer and some tough games for everyone could leave most things until the last day of the season.  Last week's surprise teams were Lazio, Napoli, Atalanta, Torino, Siena along with Roma and lowly Cagliari. 

 

Some of the Azzurri's stars will be on show in Serie A this week. 

FIXTURES

 

Atalanta V Fiorentina

La Viola were below par; particularly in front of goal; last week and face a tough game in Bergamo.  Fresh from a spectacular game in Parma last week the Orobici will be buoyant despite Fiorentina's position and pedigree. 

Only eight points separate the two teams and they've been close in terms of results recently as well.  Expect a tight one at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.  Earlier this season the game ended 2-2 in Florence with a last gasp equalizer from Zampagna. 

Prandelli has a strong squad and will expect much from his defence; strong this season away; and a return to form in front of goal for his strikers. 

Del Neri is without Doni although other players will return.  Width will be the key with Langella in excellent form. 

 

Cagliari V Parma

A not quite relegation six pointer.  Both teams got unexpected results last week and will be expecting to improve this week.  Parma's loss at home dropped them into trouble and a shoddy Juventus defence let Cagliari bag a point in Turin. 

Five points separate the two sides and the Rossublu will be buoyant with the Gialloblu being winless away. 

Two draws in their two previous would suggest a tight game at the Stadio Sant'Elia although Cagliari has a slightly better record of late. 

Ballardini must cope with injuries and find a way for his team to score.  Di Carlo must work around some suspensions and returning players and will want his new signing Lucarelli to put last week's penalty miss out of his mind. 

 

 

Catania V Internaz ionale

The Elefanti lost and the Nerrazzurri won last week, pundits will think the same will happen this week as the Serie A table toppers seek to strengthen their grip on the Scudetto. 

Thirty points separate the teams.  Catania is strong at the Stadio Massimino although Inter are still winless despite their less than stellar 2008. 

Last two games both went to Inter who scored seven goals to Catania's two.  The form suggests an away win although Catania will have taken heart from Siena's victory last week. 

The Rossazzurri will relay on defence and not goals to get the right result and Baldini has to manage with some injuries, particularly up front.  The Nerrazzuri are in fine form in front of goal and Cesar is playing well at the other end, much will depend on Mancini's use of tactics and personnel; his midfield is still less than complete as Viera misses the next two games. 

 

 

Empoli V Lazio

The Azzurri are in a slump and good be looking up at nineteen teams come Sunday night; the Biancocelesti will be buoyed by a tough win at home. 

Only seven points separate the two sides who are both in the wrong half of the table. 

Last two games ended in draws, not exactly tight just not exactly stunning football.  This game will depend more on grit then flair. 

Rossi will want the integration of his January signings to increase pace although Ballotta (the oldest man in Serie A) has been decent at the back; he's still mostly scuppered by injuries though.  Malesani is hampered by injuries and a striker who missed a penalty kick.  Rocchi's return to his old club may provide an interesting aside throughout the match. 

 

Livorno V Genoa

The Grifone won well at home last week and The Amaranto lost a close one. 

Seven points separate the teams putting the away side still with a shout at Europe and the away side with a chance to go down. 

Last game was a one all draw with Tavano and Borriello scoring.  This one could be a more free scoring affair with Borriello in form for Genoa and Bogdani, Tristan or Tavano capable of getting goals. 

Genoa have the form coming into the match, Gasperini has his first choice 'keeper back although he does have injury trouble.  Camolese's team are solid enough at the Stadio Armando Picchi and have played well until they get into the penalty box in the last few games, suspensions and injuries are hurting them. 

 

 

Milan V Siena

Both teams won last week, the Rossoneri won hard against Fiorentina and the Robur popped up with the surprise and heavy defeat of Roma. 

Thirteen points separate the teams with Milan still having a game in hand, Siena are on the cusp of a relegation dogfight and Milan stand to make a play for the final Champions League spot. 

Last two games have been draws so Siena will fancy beating a tired and injured Milan side. 

Berretta is likely to keep faith with the side that beat Roma.  Ancelloti has a well published headache with injuries so fringe players will have to step up, the relatively poor form this season at the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza will also be a concern. 

 

 

Roma V Reggina

The shock defeat to Siena last week saw the Giallorossi's Scudetto hopes take a hammering.  The Amaranto took a beating as well in a relegations six pointer. 

Twenty seven points separate the teams this week although both teams are in scraps they are of a very different nature. 

Roma beat Reggina twice in two without conceding and scoring five.  A loss could see Reggina bottom on Sunday. 

Uliveri will be desperate for any and all points as he starts a difficult run, he doesn't have too many injuries or suspensions to contend with, and he'll rely on Amoruso and Vigiani.  Spalletti will feel his team are a stronger opponent at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and will need to reenergize his squad, a few injuries aren't all that damaging to the team as more than capable players can step in, Totti will be the focus of one half of Rome for this match.  Lazio supporters don't really care for an Azzurri win inspired by Totti. 

 

 

Sampdoria V Napoli

Cassano couldn't inspire the Blucerchiati last week whilst Lavezzi certainly inspired an Azzurri victory. 

A solitary point and two teams split Samp from Napoli, this is a mid table clash with a lot at stake, least of all beating the teams around you. 

Napoli beat Sampdoria at home earlier in the season so revenge will be a factor. 

Reja has defensive problems so will rely on his midfield and attacking pair to get at least a point.  The Stadio Luigis Ferraris is a formidable place for Sampdoria and Cassano is in fine form, Doria has injuries in the middle, nothing too serious though as Volpi hasn't been up to scratch this season. 

 

 

Torino V Palermo

The Granata scored three in a win last week whilst the Rosanero managed just one in their win.  Neither side has been stellar of late and they both managed the three points for the first time in five games. 

Seven points separate the two teams who haven't lived up to some of their early season expectations. 

Two draws in two suggest a tight one and with Palermo fielding some former Torino players things could get testy. 

Guidolin has a few injury problems, nothing major and is likely to start Cavani who played well against Livorno.  Even the Stadio Olimpico is not a great place for Torino; they draw a lot at home.  Novellino has plenty of injury worries, particularly at the back. 

 

 

 

Udinese V Juventus

Neither team got the expected result last week.  The Zebretta got stunned in Naples and the Bianconeri couldn't beat lowly Cagliari. 

The Zebrette are eight points behind the Bianconeri and the black and white derby is important to both teams' European aspirations. 

Udinese lost to Juventus earlier in the season but only by a solitary goal. 

The Stadio Friuli is a good place for Udinese; Marino has injury problems but retains his overall solidity in defence.  Ranierii has more pressing injury worries with Trezeguet a doubt, although Iaqunita is a capable understudy. 

 

 

My Game of the Week. 

Sampdoria V Napoli (but keep your eye on Udinese, Atalanta and Milan)

 

What's On FSC?

Roma V Reggina (Sat)

Atalanta V Fiorentina(Sat)

Milan V Siena (Sun)

Catania V Internaz ionale (Sun)

 

Ewood Park bathed in the sun of a Saturday afternoon as the six or eight thousand traveling fans made the atmosphere sparkle.  Three decisons changed the game.  Despite the interference of the referee and his assistant the game had plenty of talking points but not goals. 

 

The trip to Blackburn meant plenty of Blues fans had made the trip to Ewood Park.  The weather was pleasant enough and the pitch was in pretty decent condition.  Teams with European aspirations doing battle, the sort of game against your rivals that is more important than the games against the top three, perhaps. 

 

Without some key players Hughes has to make do in defence.  Friedel keeps goal behind a makeshift back four of Emerton, Ooijer, Khizanishvili and Warnock. 

A five man midfield includes the recently called up England man Bentley alongside Reid, Derbyshire, Dunn and Pederson, Santa Cruz occupies the lone role up front in a 451 with the emphasis on width and defence. 

TURNER IS ABOUT 5'10" or 6' SO A STANDARD SIZED COFFIN WOULD BE ABOUT RIGHT...

 

Moyes battered by injuries and ACoN absentees picks a pretty standard 4 4 1 1.  Howard keeps goal, Neville drops into the defence alongside Capello favourite, Lescott, Jagielka and Baines.  Carsley sits in front of the back four alongside Fernandes, Osman plays on the left with Arteta on the right.  Cahill operates behind Johnson in attack.

 

As early of the second minute Blackburn show that they have been watching and preparing for the visit of Everton, Santa Cruz easily evades his marker and gets behind Carsley at the front post but glances his header just wide. 

Two sides with one foot in the 'clean sheet then score' camp provide a scrappy opening; space and time are at a premium as defence and midfield are solid and clogged respectively. 

Friedel's first real test comes after Lescott romps upfield and plays in Neville, the cross is good but Johnson's run isn't and the big American stopper comes to claim the cross. 

The visitors start to dominate possession but don't really do much with it.

SPOT THE BALL

Dunn gets a yellow for a tackle on Arteta. 

Blackburn's strength on the wide positions is demonstrated with a cunning Pederson free kick. 

Everton pressure from the right sees Arteta play some give and go with Cahill, space opens up for the Spaniard and Friedel does well to parry the ball wide, from the corner kick an Osman drive narrowly misses the upright. 

Bentley demonstrates his intent as Everton display their closing down and the shot goes well high. 

Dunn is bamboozled by a cheeky Neville flick so deliberately uses his hand to win the ball.  Riley is only a few yards away and gives the foul but mysteriously decides that the rules for 'deliberate handball' don't apply this afternoon and all Dunn gets is a brief chat. 

More Everton pressure and another corner kick and Jagielka's stab is headed off the line from Dunn. 

 

Neither manager makes half time changes. 

 

The first half starts with a wh!z b@ng wh@llop. 

Bentley forces a good save from Howard as he breaks down the right channel and unleashes an unexpected low drive.  Howard clears his lines quickly and Everton are on the counter, good work down the left see the ball arrive at Cahill's feet, he spots the late run of Fernandes and lays the perfect ball on a plate for the Portuguese midfielder.  The away fans behind the goal groan as Fernandes manages to whack the ball straight at Friedel. 

The play calms down but Everton retain the ball better and attack better, they aren't able to really test Friedel. 

Arteta has his range on the dead ball deliveries and a fantastic cross from the right is too good for anybody else on the pitch and sails harmless through the six yard box at the perfect height for the merest of glances to turn it in the net. 

The game drags on and starts to get feisty, two or three dodgy calls from Greg Turner, one classic in which Arteta is bustled off the ball from behind his flag goes up for a Blackburn throw in and Riley comes rumbled over from thirty odd yards away and reverses the awful and wrong decision. 

Fernandes hits the base of a much relieved Friedel from a free kick. 

Hughes makes a second change and turns the game, Tugay replaces Derbyshire which added to the inclusion previously of McCarthy gives Blackburn that boost up front and in the middle.  The game is more open now with Blackburn able to keep the ball, build pressure and threaten Howard. 

Late on Vaughn shows great desire and beats a Blackburn defender to the ball, Friedel comes out but Vaughn shows his mettle with a challenge against Friedel that wins the ball, the Everton substitute is first to the loose ball and hooks it into the path of the onside Johnson, the Everton striker rounds and Khizanishvili and scores.  Only when the ball is in the net does Mr. Turner raise his flag for offside.

GLEN, WORLD CUP OR NOT YOU GOT IT WRONG YESTERDAY!

Tugay has a late chance and to end the game Santa Cruz gets free in the area and smashes the ball just over the crossbar. 

 

Everton played well enough considering they fielded two players carrying knocks and a third who is not fully match fit.  They played well in parts against a difficult opponent and created some good chances that they failed to take.  When they did take them they were penalized.  Had they played the match against the ten men following Dunn's handball things may have been different. 

A point away isn't too bad a result and we are still in fourth.  The team is missing Yakubu, Pienaar and Yobo. 

 

Hughes played a makeshift back four that managed to keep a clean sheet.  His substitutions made the game closer than it should have been and he got lucky with some wrong decisions.  His team is built to be hard and tough but that hampers the goal threat.  Considering a point against a top four team is quite a good result for Sparky.  His moaned about McCarthy not getting a penalty can be ignored, he was fifty yards away at the time. 

 

Riley was his usual good self.  Plenty of common sense applied and officiated with a smile and without getting flustered. 

Three decisions changed the game. 

First only he knows why he ignored the following and let Dunn continue to play. 

 

Disciplinary sanctions

There are circumstances when a caution for unsporting behaviour

is required when a player deliberately handles the ball, e.g. when a

player:

• deliberately and blatantly handles the ball to prevent an opponent

gaining possession

 

Second he ran thirty or more yards to correct a wrong call from the near touchline assistant referee, Glen Turner. 

Third he didn't stop play when McCarthy went down quicker than a strumpet's knickers at Mardi Gras under the challenge of Jagielka. 

Glen Turner may have gone to Germany to officiate at the World Cup but his wrong offside decision against Andy Johnson was poor form.  You can see it in his mind, "these blue boys have been shouting at me all this half, and I'll show them".  If an assistant doesn't actually know how to recognize what an offside is or isn't then he shouldn't be on the touchline. 

 

Blackburn Rovers:-

Friedel

Emerton

Ooijer

Khizanishvili

Warnock

Derbyshire (Tugay 73)

Bentley

Reid

Dunn (McCarthy 56)

Pedersen

Santa Cruz

 

 

Bookings:-

Dunn

Khizanishvili

Emerton

Pedersen

 

Goals:-

 

 

Everton:-

Howard

Neville

Lescott

Jagielka

Baines

Arteta

Carsley

Fernandes

Osman (Vaughn 75)

Cahill

Johnson

 

Bookings:-

Howard

Arteta

 

Goals:-

 

Attendance:-

27946

 

Referee:-

Alan Wiley

 

 

Images courtesy of Evertonfc.com

Images courtesy of BBC.co.uk