“From what I remember now when I see it back I think I will say it is the most beautiful goal I have scored.”
Let’s be honest….it’s as good a goal since Rooney’s against the same opponents. The old “you would have settled for that in the morning” is about right as I had an Everton win outright, Piennar first/last goal and Everton to win 2-1 betting slip in my hand when the fourth official raised his Magna-Doodle board telling us there was five minutes overtime. You can’t win ‘em all eh ?
We took it to Arsenal from the off, we were the better side and came away with a result “the top four” would die for. That’ll do for me.
Here’s your match report from Peter Roberts….
As the Big Freeze decimated the footballing fixtures up and down the country (only 7 matches were played on the Saturday across 4 divisions), Everton fans were left with the daunting trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on an Arsenal side who had taken a miserable Everton side apart 6-1 on the opening day of the season. However, confidence restored after a mini-run which had seen Everton undefeated in the league since the derby turnover at the end of November, spirits were high and with the weather wreaking havoc, maybe a chance of an upset.
Moyes included new loanee Donovan in a 4-5-1 formation on the wide right of midfield. Neville was moved to right-back in place of Hibbert who suffered a groin strain in the FA Cup win over Carlisle last week. Saha was deployed as the lone striker with Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini and Osman the other midfielders. Bily and Vaughan were on the bench along with what seems like the customary 4 subs selected from the Academy.
The game kicked off and straight away, Everton seized the initiative. Saha wasted a good early chance by blasting high and wide from an excellent Pienaar delivery. For the first few minutes, it seemed, Arsenal couldn’t hold the ball for love nor money, Everton harassing them into mistakes aplenty. Donovan’s direct running was causing the left-back Traore (Armand, not Djimi) all sorts of problems and this continued for much of the afternoon. The American doesn’t quite have the guile or craft that Pienaar or Osman can provide but he has pace and is definitely adds another dimension to our forward play.
On 12 minutes, it was no surprise when Everton took the lead. A corner from the right-hand side by Donovan was met by the smallest person on the pitch, Osman leaping between Vermaelen and Gallas, timing his run from the edge of the box to perfection, to bullet a header past Almunia and despite the efforts of Denilson, into the net. Delight for the travelling Everton fans. In four seasons of playing at the Emirates we have scored first three times, all three within the first 12 minutes of the match. A useless trivial statistic but notable nonetheless.
Arsenal managed to get a foothold in the game and starting to test the Everton rearguard. However, time and time again their forward progress was halted by the superb Fellaini, who got in tackle after tackle to win the ball. The referee, Peter Walton, one who I have criticised in the past, was excellent, allowing play to go on when there was no clear indication of a foul. The big Belgian is a bit ungainly but is clearly now up to speed with the pace of the league unlike last year. The efforts of Fellaini meant that the supply line to Arshavin, playing upfront in lieu of their normal forward line, was cut off.
Arsenal did draw level but only thanks to a lot of good fortune. An intricate passing move found its way to Denilson. His shot was on course for Tim Howard’s safe hands but the ball deflected off the unlucky Osman and found its way into the net, wrong-footing the American goalkeeper. A cruel blow for Everton and for a while, it looked like Arsenal would eventually find their rhythm. However, the endeavours of Everton were not to be sniffed at and despite not creating many chances amid the swirling snow, we were in a game against Arsenal and they knew it.
Half-time came and went without any changes from the visitors and the game kicked off again. Everton again were faster out of the starting blocks than the hosts and a number of chances went begging. Most of them appeared to come down the right hand side with Donovan’s direct runnign and pace causing problems. Although the American is predominantly left-footed, this helps when playing on the right as it allows him to cut inside the full-back. Eventually he tired as the game went on and was eventually withdrawn on 70 minutes for Bilyaletdinov. However, should he play like that for the next 10 weeks, it will be all for the better as he looked effusive and full of running.
6 minutes later, Saha was pulled for Vaughan to inject some life into a forward line which had become more and more lethargic as the game wore on. Rumours of a contract dispute may be a cause for concern but if Louis wants to carry on playing for us after the summer he needs to show it.
The second goal came after a sustained spell of Arsenal pressure. After a couple of corners, Osman broke down a forward move for Arsenal and instinctively moved it upfield to Cahill. His pass set Pienaar free, clear of the last man with no question of offside given he was still inside the Everton half when the ball was played. As Almunia went to ground, the South African impudently clipped the ball over him into the net to the delirium of the travelling faithful. Was this to be the moment we would beat Arsenal away since the days of Kanchelskis?
Within moments, it was nearly 1-3 as Cahill seized on the unfortunate Denilson collapsing in a heap to send away Vaughan. However, the youngster couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and under pressure from three Arsenal defenders, shot straight at Almunia. Arsenal started to get desperate and with two minutes of stoppage time played, a ball found its way to Rosicky who fired into the net via the outstretched boot of Lucas Neill. A devastating blow and totally undeserved for Everton who had done enough to snatch victory from the Gunners. However, a point away is a fantastic result at a place where we have won once and drawn once previously in 16 visits in the Premier League.
Player Ratings:
Howard: 7 – Apart from pick the ball out of the net twice, didn’t do much.
Neville: 8 – How much have we missed this fella. Imperious in the tackle, leadership qualities aplenty and the team generally looks a lot more assured under him.
Neill: 7 – getting better but still has issues which need addressing.
Heitinga: 7 – solid as ever.
Baines: 7 – bit quiet but got forward. Could learn from Donovan how to cross a ball.
Fellaini: 8 – MOTM. Calm, collected, but also decisive. Looks more comfortable in the midfield enforcer role than at any other time in his Everton career.
Donovan: 8 – Close to MOTM but Fellaini just nicks it for me. Great running, has pace, causes problems. Loan signing nonetheless but a very good one at that.
Cahill: 8 – Hustling, nuisance performance, but lined with a quality pass or two, not least the one to set up Pienaar for the goal.
Osman: 7 – Tired as the game went on but a very good first half capped with a splendid goal.
Pienaar: 8 – Please stay, Steven, I beg of you. Without you this team is nothing special.
Saha: 6 – Not at the races today. Missed a couple of good chances which on his day, would have been buried.
Subs
Bilyaletdinov: 6 – Didn’t do much in the time he was given.
Vaughan: 6 – One good chance spurned.
Overall, a much better performance than expected but hope the momentum can be carried forward. City at home on the 16th with one eye possibly on their Carling Cup semi-final against Man Utd the following week. Let’s hope the Blue revival can be continued.