Match Summary
Duncan Ferguson went down with a bout of 'flu and fizzed off home before this one started. As Campbell is also out with a toe injury, Moyes was forced to go without a target man as Radzinski came in to lead the line with Rooney.
Radzinski started in his own fizzing style, getting through past Terry and one-on-one with Cudicini but he failed to bury it, the ball fizzing past the post. A glorious chance. Kilbane then connected on a Gravesen free-kick but again the header fizzed over the bar, fractionally off target when it should have been in the net. A terrific start by Everton, who were fizzing, but a telling failure to convert two golden chances???
Chelsea settled and started to make their own advances, starting to claim control of the vital midfield. Everton were running the game with relentless pressure and bubbling fizz, taking it at their illustrious Russian-financed glamour-boys, closing down Chelsea at every opportunity.
After 20 mins, a great attack involving Nyarko, Rooney, and Gravesen culminated with a fabulous strike from Nyarko from 30 yards that fizzed over Cudicini's head and crashed off the underside of the bar... SO CLOSE!
Chances were falling for Chelsea too, but some excellent defending from Weir and Yobo enabled Everton to hold the line. But the fizz had faded from Weir who was struggling on 30 mins after picking up an injury early on — a worrying sight.
Then, another chance, with Rooney chipping the ball over Cudicini and agonizingly over the bar. Stubbs then come on for the injured Weir and took over the captain's armband. Mutu and Cole then combined but their effort fizzed wide of Martyn's post.
With the departure of Weir's commanding influence, Chelsea fizzed right back into it, Stubbs having trouble adjusting to the scorching sizzle and yes, fizz of the game.
Tomasz Radzinski collapsed in a heap of agony just before half-time and it looked like he'd be fizzed off. Chelsea tried again to take advantage but it brought to an end a really fizzing first half from Everton.
Radzinski was still in it after half-time, and so nearly scored yet again, forcing another superb save from Cudicini. Was this going to be the story? Soon confirmed by a startling Chelsea attack started by Geremi that saw Mutu stoop to nod the ball into the empty Everton net despite protests from Martyn. Ah! So that's how you score goals....
Moyes reacted to the setback by readying Jeffers and McFadden to come on, but some fizzing football by Everton caused him to rethink the changes.
Naysmith did well to fizz a delivery in and win a corner, which Gravesen fizzed in well, but Chelsea defended effectively. It led to another fizzing attack, with Naysmith blocking firstly on the line, then Martyn miraculously blocking it. The ball fizzed right back up the other end, and the crowd appealing for handball by a Chelsea defender.
A great run from Naysmith and good interplay with Rooney saw the Scot unleash a fizzled shot after some really good work, as Everton appeared to be unfazed by the cruel Chelsea advantage. On 65 mins, Jeffers and McFadden finally came on for Radzinski and Linderoth.
More fizzing football from both sides ensued as both teams surged at each other in a fabulous exhibition of skillful football, but the impetus was inevitably swinging towards Chelsea, who seemed to be getting the better of it with time running out for Everton. Rooney was starting to struggle as he carried an injury from an earlier knock.
Everton tried with free-kicks and corners but nothing could be created from it. Naysmith then created a perfect one for Jeffers, but he fluffed his header from 4 yards out. What a chance!
Gravesen tried to do it in the dying seconds, great teamwork and skill setting up an excellent shot turned around the post by Cudiccini — the story of the game in a nutshell.
Everton had been so unfortunate that the chances created would not go in — or is it down to something else? Skill? Confidence? Both were on full display and Everton should have really, really won this 4-1.
Everton 1-3 Chelsea
2003-04 Match Reports Index
Match Preview
Having used the Carling Cup to once again get back on track we now play host to the apparent suitors of Rooney: Chelski.
It is apparently nearly 5 and a half hours since we conceded a goal. Quite some record but one that must surely be under immense threat as the Russians Roubles come to town.
I could try and guess what the Chelsea line up would be but as I could actually get all 11 players wrong there is not really much point. If we just look at the attacking options they have Mutu, Crespo (although he is rated as doubtful with an ankle injury), Hasslebaink and Gudjohnsen as their choices - all 4 would walk into our team. For an attacking midfield they can look at Geremi, Veron, Lampard and Cole maybe Gronkjaer or Duff?
An embarrassment of riches doesn't begin to describe Ranieri's options.
So what I think we must do is ignore all that! Their last two games have seen them lose to Arsenal and concede two goals to Notts County! They are human, they can be beaten.
What of our 11? Wright's continuing injury means that the purchase of Martyn is beginning to look inspired. Yobo appears back to his best and Weir's form means that Stubbs may be left on the bench for a while.
Midfield may see the continuation of the rehabilitation of Nyarko as Gravesen appeared to pick up a knock at the end of Charlton match. Leon Osman once again was inspiring for the reserves and if he doesn't make the bench then you can imagine he must be getting fed up! Upfront Rooney and Ferguson again with Radz on the bench? Franny seems to have left the Arsenal bench to sit on ours! It really is a dilemma as to whether to go with Ferguson or Radz. Radz has been excellent for us but the partnership with Rooney does not appear to have flourished as may have been hoped. There is the obvious big man/little fast man combo of Radz and Dunc which could be a great partnership but would mean Rooney on the bench which is highly unlikely!
This has to be considered a tough one. The hope must be that Chelsea don't settle and that Yobo and Rooney play out of their skins.
I'll dream of a 1-1 draw but I ain't too confident!
BlueForEver
Lee Doyle
Report
There was generous applause at the end for a much better team performance in a game we should (not could) have won 3 - 1. Chelsea were frankly only 'OK' — and it was a totally different display from the Blues compared with the disappointments of the Saints game.
for Chelsea - Cole, Bridge, and their keeper were good. rest reasonable but just so. Oh - Lampard too - he got about the field a bit.
Ref Jeff Winter - better than usual! Can't blame him for our forwards' misses......
Chins up - we were better today. As to whether or not we DESERVE more points - well a) YES if you take into account overall possession/chances created b) NO - if ytou take into account that class players score form the positions our found themselves in c) NO in that class players don't waste the ball as much as some of our lads did.
Steve Milne
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