By all accounts, it would seem that Everton confirmed a few things tonight in Kharkov with a battling display that eventually saw them book passage to the group stages of the Uefa Cup by a margin of 4-3 on aggregate: that they had the quality to overcome Metalist over two legs; that they are prone to worrying lapses at the back and being carved wide open as a result; and that the novelty of European competition still brings out the jitters and self-doubt among David Moyes's charges.
Certainly, the memories of the mauling they took in Bucharest two years ago would have come flooding back after 21 minutes in the Metalist Stadium when Edmar, the Brazilian whose flair at Goodison had set up Zeze to give the Ukrainians a priceless away goal in the first leg, opened the scoring. The home side, who seemed to waltz through the Everton defence with ease earlier in the half when Tim Howard had to save well to deny Edmar following good work by Jakobia, sliced through the visitors' rearguard again on 21 minutes when Edmar buried a left-footed shot past the advancing 'keeper.
Stung not into action but apparent paralysis, the Blues' attempts to get back into the tie were limp at best. While they failed miserably at even the most basic responsibilities — like keeping possession or stringing together more than two passes — frailties at the back, a void in central midfield (whither Lee Carsley?), and almost non-existent bite up-front threatened to condemn Moyes's side to another premature exit from this competition.
A Leon Osman header from Steven Pienaar's cross should have yielded a first-half equaliser but he planted it straight into the 'keeper's arms, and James McFadden, starting up front with Yakubu after Andy Johnson failed a late fitness test on his injured groin, flashed a long-range shot narrowly over the bar. That was the sum total of Everton's attacking contribution to what was a desperately poor 45 minutes from their point of view.
The second half, however, brought far more cheer for the estimated 1,500 traveling Evertonians who had made the grueling trek to northeastern Ukraine. Within two minutes, Joleon Lescott, who started at left back at the expense of Leighton Baines, grabbed his fifth goal of the season by tucking home smartly after Pienaar's effort had been deflected into his path.
The Blues' joy was to be short-lived, though. Four minutes later, Kharkiv were back in the driving seat thanks to another rebound: Olexandr Rykun's impressive shot came back off the post and Hatchim Mahdoufi slammed the loose ball home to make it 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
With elimination on the cards, Everton stepped up their efforts going forward but it was the introduction of Victor Anichebe and a switch to 4-3-3 after an hour that helped swing the game in the Blues' favour. Within 10 minutes, they were level when McFadden turned on Anichebe's square pass and smashed the ball into the corner from the edge of the box. 2-2 on the night and 3-3 overall, the requirement to score was now on Kharkiv's shoulders for the first time in the tie.
That they didn't was probably down to the presence of Tim Howard, a more secure back line following the departure of Phil Jagileka, and off-target finishing by their hosts.
And with Yakubu, who was frustrated all evening by Guie, already departed from the fray, Anichebe re-affirmed the energising and confident presence he brought after coming on with the icing on the cake, a brilliant solo goal following a clearance from the back three minutes from the end. Latching onto a poor back-header by the otherwise impressive Guie, he turned the man in front of him one way then the other before driving it past the 'keeper and the Senegalese defender on the line.
That strike won the tie for Everton on aggregate and qualifies them for the group stage of the competition where better opposition lie in wait.
Lyndon Lloyd
It's funny, but as soon as Everton got that first goal I knew everything was going to be good. Getting that first goal and cancelling out the away goal was the tricky part. I didn't panic when they went 1-0 up because I knew a single goal from Everton would force extra time.
I didn't panic when they went 2-1 up because I knew that Everton still needed just a single goal to win on away goals. I think maybe the players knew that too and that's why they got better after Lescott's goal.
Let's not kid ourselves, though. Everton made very hard work of a team they really should have rolled over easily.
Here's my ratings for the game:-
Tim Howard Was Everton's best player in the first half. Claimed everything that came his way and made some nice saves. He even attempted to shout his defence out of their slumber. Rating: 7
Phil Neville A surprise choice at right back. Struggled early on as Metalist's movement pulled Neville and his partners out of positions. Totally disappeared for their first goal. His passing wasn't exactly better then Hibbert's either. Did better in the second half and made a couple of important tackles. Rating: 6
Joleon Lescott Our leading goal scorer continues his on-fire form in front of goal. Played out of position but still managed to be Everton's best defender. Apart from his goal Lescott was the only Everton defender looking comfortable at the back. His runs up the left flank were very impressive if only he could figure out how to cross a ball. Very good performance. Rating: 8
Joseph Yobo Not a good day for Yobo. Maybe being dropped for the last couple of games has effected his confidence. Far too often he got caught out of position and he was never as commanding at the back as we know he can be. The very average Metalist strikers were given too much freedom from Yobo who will struggle to keep his place on this form. Rating: 5
Alan Stubbs Did better then Yobo and made a couple of great last ditch challenges. His lack of pace may be the reason Everton defended so deep? Still Stubbs at times managed to keep a degree of composure while Yobo and Neville were being pulled apart. Rating: 6
Phil Jagielka So this is why Moyes has used him as a substitute so much. Looked completely out of his depth. Jagielka is a player trying to find his feet in the Everton team and Euro football at this time looks to be a step to far. I don't think he's suitable for a midfield role and would rather have seen him at right-back with Neville in midfield. A night Jagielka will want to forget. I just hope he's given some time to settle because he is a good player. Rating: 5
Steven Pienaar In the first half Metalist midfield dominated and Pienaar looked pretty lost. His diminutive physique doesn't help him. As Everton grew in stature in the second half so did Pienaar. He started to see more of the ball, found some space and got a couple of nice shots in. Still to similar to Osman to play in the same team as him but he's proving a useful squad player. Rating: 7
Mikel Arteta Personally I think he was a big disappointment tonight. The European games is where Arteta needs to prove his worth if he really wants to get into that Spanish squad. This was a chance to use his undoubted ability and pick Metalist apart but he never really got going. He wasn't Everton's worst player but he was nowhere near as good as we know he can be. Rating: 6
Leon Osman Did his best to cause problems for Metalist but really struggled to get into the game. Like Pienaar he looked lost in the first half but got better as Everton did. Can do better and hopefully will develop into a decent Euro player as the competition goes on. Rating: 6
Yakubu I'm getting tired of saying it but this is not a £11 million striker. He's lazy, he doesn't hold the ball up well, he doesn't have fantastic pace and let's be honest he was embarrassed by a young Anichebe who cost Everton £11 million less. Frankly I was glad to see Moyes drag him off. Can't wait for January when Moyes can try and find some suckers to take him off our hands. Rating: 5
James McFadden In the first half he was frustrating, shooting when he should have passed, losing the ball too easily but at least he was clearly trying his best to make something happen. McFadden is close to becoming a great little player. He's got great feet, good vision and a little pace. Took his goal very well. Metalist struggled to contain McFadden at times and he's done enough to keep his place for awhile longer. Rating: 7
Victor Anichebe Came on in the second half and really changed the game. Caused Metalist more problems in his brief appearance then Yakubu did the whole game. Even managed to hold the ball up and let his midfielders get up the pitch to join him. How wrong is it that I genuinely believe that our £11 million Yakubu can learn something from Anichebe. Showed great composure and confidence when taking his goal and sealing the win. Rating: 8
David Moyes Made some big choices. No Hibbert or Baines. Neville at right back. Jagielka over Carsley. To be fair not all of them worked and Everton's poor first half probably earned them a Moyes-rocket at half time. It clearly worked because Everton came out a better team and scored right after kick-off. Moyes also made great substitutions. While old skipper Kevin Rattcliffe was busy telling us all that defensive midfielder Lee Carsley was the way to success, Moyes made a very attacking substitution bringing on Anichebe for Jagielka, it could have lead to Metalist exploiting yet more room at the back, a dangerous move considering Everton at that stage only needed a single goal to go through. Luckily, Anichebe changed the game and Moyes must be given credit for that brave decision. He didn't get everything right on the night but for what must have been an inspiring half-time chat (they scored three goals in the second half) and a brave substitution Moyes deserves the satisfaction of further Euro games. Rating: 8
Overall it was a difficult night but it ended well and the Euro adventure at last begins. Most relieved man must be Andy Johnson, whose two penalty misses can now be forgotten as trivia. Well done boys.
Dutch Schaffaer
Everton travel to the little-known environs of Kharkov in Ukraine on a mission to save their Uefa Cup skins after a disappointing first leg at Goodison a fortnight ago in which they not only failed to win but also gave up what is a potentially crucial away goal.
The manner in which they tried to bludgeon Metalist Kharkiv into conceding a second goal with endless balls hoofed down the middle drew sharp criticism from the faithful and, just as in the aftermath of the infamous Spurs defeat earlier this year, there has been a noticeable change in the Blues' approach, as evidenced by more patient build-up in the subsequent Premier League outings against Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
In between, a 3-0 success at Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup was perhaps key in a noticeable uptick in confidence... that and the return of one Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard played his first game in four on Sunday after a frustrating spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury and he is set to make his first appearance in European competition since being poleaxed by Mihaita Plesan in the closing stages of the second leg against Dinamo Bucharest two years ago.
While the absence of Thomas Gravesen and Tim Cahill have undoubtedly been felt deeply by a midfield lacking any real depth of quality, it is Arteta who really makes this team tick and he who will lie at the heart of the Blues' chances of getting the result they need at the Metalist Stadium.
With the away goals rule, a 2-2 draw or better would be enough to send David Moyes's side through to the group stages and the paradox of a welcome glut of fixtures on the calendar.
Along with Leon Osman, the headline-maker from the first leg, Andy Johnson, is the main doubt for Thursday evening. Both players missed the victory over 'Boro with groin strains and would be surprise inclusions against Kharkiv. There has been no talk of Gravesen this week so it's probably safe to assume he's still stuck in the treatment room.
Instead, the manager will likely perm two from Yakubu, Anichebe and McFadden while keeping faith in Steven Pienaar in midfield. It would be nice to see Lee Carsley brought back in and Phil Neville drafted to right back where he can provide service from the flank but Moyes may want his captain in the middle for this one. Furthermore, Hibbert did put in the kind of defensive display for which he is famous among Evertonians at the weekend and would feel hard done by if he were to be dropped.
The concern going into this away leg is the way in which Kharkiv looked better the more creative players they threw on in the second half. They certainly proved to be no slouches when it came to moving the ball around and Everton have looked a little vulnerable to being carved open in recent matches.
By the same token, however, as the 5th-placed team in one o Europe's strongest leagues, the Blues should — and do — have enough quality to overcome Metalist who will be without the two defenders who saw red in the first leg.
Update: Andy Johnson and Leon Osman have both responded well to treatment and traveled with the squad to Kharkov today. They will be assessed for inclusion tomorrow. Andy van der Meyde, Thomas Gravesen and Iain Turner remained on Merseyside with long-term absentees, Tim Cahill and James Vaughan.
Thursday’s match will see Everton play their 51st European match, and, unless they play a lot better than they did in the first leg, they will not play their 52nd this season!
Everton's record in Europe:
P
W
D
L
F
A
European Cup
10
2
5
3
14
European CWC
17
11
4
25
9
Fairs Cup
12
7
22
15
UEFA Cup
TOTALS:
50
24
13
76
45
Our away record in Europe:
1
8
6
0
26
Everton’s away record in the UEFA Cup, therefore, is not very good. The only victory was on 12 September 1978, when they won 5:0 at Finn Harps, with Andy King, Bob Latchford, Mickey Walsh, Trevor Ross and Martin Dobson getting the goals.
This will be Everton’s 21st match on 4 October:
Premier League
Division One
Division Two
League Cup
20
38
27
The last match on this date was in 2003 when Everton lost 0:3 at Tottenham Hotspur.
Milestones that can be reached this game:
Steve Flanagan
May appear here later
Author
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* Everton deducted 8 pts; † Forest deducted 4 pts for PSR breachView full table
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