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Match Summary Goodison Park welcomed back Tony Hibbert, who has not figured since the Anfield derby back in December, with Pistone making room as he suffered a knock in training. McBride starts in place of Campbell but, apart from that, though, no other changes, which seems disappointing — particularly for Leon Osman who is overlooked yet again in favour of the usual suspects in midfield. Radzinski got in an early header off a Gravesen cross but it was straight at James, who launched a quick counter that nearly set up Everton nemesis, Les Ferdinand. Then a free-kick that Stubbs drilled but it went for a corner after 5 mins as Everton pressed forward. Gravesen combined well with Radzinski again but he could not get the ball past James as Everton kept probing with a serious of dangerous balls into the area in the first 15 mins. But a stalemate then set in and a scrappy first half started to unfold, with little or no linking or flowing moves as both sides failed to hold possession or do anything meaningful with it. In fact, it degenerated into a really poor exhibition for what is often hyped as the most exciting league in the world. The second half desperately needed something, but David Moyes's inexplicable reticence with substitutions persisted as he failed to bring on Wayne Rooney at half-time. An early scare for Everton as Stubbs nearly scores an own-goal, the ball rolling just wide of the post. Radzinski was then blocked by Rebka — fairly, said Mark Halsey. Moments later, Ferdinand was through but Wright took the ball off his toe. The threat of a triple substitution from Moyes suddenly seemed to raise the tempo, with Sinclair getting an open chance on goal that was saved well by Wright. Then the triple substitution: Rooney, Li Tie and Campbell given the responsibility to change the game. Great goalmouth action with Radzinski first firing well and seeing it clawed away; then Rooney being blocked as they fought to get the game moving. Rooney then took the ball down the side and beat Johnson well, threatening more to come... Watson then tried to do a Radzinski but his shot was dreadful. Campbell, Radzinski and Li Tie combined well but the shot from Li Tie was poor. The football was a lot better, but was it too little, too late yet again? Hibbert's superb cross was headed just wide by Stubbs. Campbell and Radzinski combined but Radz shot too early. Rooney then trying to do everything, Gravesen to Rooney and his tight-angle shot was vitally deflected away for a corner. 12 mins left: pressure, pressure, pressure... A welcome sight was Ferdinand coming off without scoring, but Everton still had everything to do if the fine words about the Champions League were not to be in vain. Radzinski looked like he had hamstring problems but he stayed on as the minutes ticked away... A final corner came to nothing. Rooney and Gravesen then combined for what must be the last chance, but defenders have figured out already how to block the efforts of the young wunderkind. The game fizzled out to a very, very disappointing conclusion. Goodbye Champions League.
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| Match Facts | |||||
| Everton (4-4-2;
56': 4-3-3) Blue shirts, white shirts, blue socks |
West Ham United (4-4-2) White shirts, light blue shorts and socks |
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Middlesbrough (A)
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