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Tonight's big surprise was no sign of Francis Jeffers for this one as David Moyes stuck with the eleven players who finished the rollercoaster game against Manchester United. Rooney was hopefully playing just behind the front two where he could do some damage, and not stuck out on the right wing. Campbell and McFadden were among the subs after both had shaken off injuries. Forssell capitalized on an early Carsley mistake to fire at Martyn, who saved comfortably at the start, Everton replying with a couple of early corners. But Everton were not convincing and it didn't take long for the Toffees to fall behind to a soft goal from Johnson his first of the season. His weak shot was somehow allowed to dribble in at the far post The two teams then slogged it out fairly evenly for the much of the half, with failing to impose themselves or creating chances of note. Savage was, as usual, putting himself about and causing trouble but more significantly, Taylor did not have a single save to make. Then just before half-time Lazaridis doubled the damage, running purposefully on the break following a sustained Everton attack and drilling in a high shot across Martyn into the roof of the net. Up against it? Nah... we only need three goals.... Rooney and Savage then had a go at each other amid signs that tempers could easily flare and Rooney could find himself drawn into a booking or worse against the narky Welsh git. The half finished in the depressing knowledge that once again, Everton had failed to perform during another critical half of Premiership football. After half-time, Pistone and Campbell came on for Unsworth and Ferguson following another roasting for the team from David Moyes. Too many lumped balls from Unsie to Dunc? Despite the changes, Stubbs made a silly mistake allowing Savage to push the ball to Forssell, and it was suddenly 3-0. Ho hum. But at least it is comforting to know that the pundits have ruled out relegation for Everton this season, on the basis that David Moyes apparently won't let it happen. Forssell then hit the post with a great header as Everton were being overrun by Birmingham and showed no signs of repeating Saturday's stirring comeback. McFadden came on in place of Radzinski, but Dugarry came on in place of Savage; which of those two changes will be more influential??? Pistone saved the fourth goal with a vital headed interception but it was all one-way traffic with Everton looking very sad and sorry indeed, lacking in craft and guile. McFadden tumbled down in the area but no decision was given, providing yet another opportunity for David Moyes to blame the referee for our unseemly demise. Hughes then blasted one in that hit the corner of the goal frame, making it look like what it was: a slaughter. Rooney got through near the end, great control, great shot, hit post: no score.
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| Birmingham
City (3-5-2) Blue shirts, blue shorts, blue socks |
Everton (4-3-1-2) Yellow shirts, yellow shorts, yellow socks |
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Manchester United (H)
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