FAN ARTICLES

Toffees Tame The Wolves

The team picked itself as Coleman was unavailable. Gueye was making his first Premier League start and lining up on the left initially, although he moved behind Beckford after 15 mins. The bench picked itself, with Victor fit again to take his place. The first 25 mins were appalling. Thankfully we improved. The next 20 mins saw us bag 3 goals and in all honesty it could have been more. Beckford, Gueye and Bily all had good chances as the game went on. The second half was played out like a training game almost; Wolves never looked like getting back into it and we had done the hard part.

Match Report by Daniel Broderick:

Well, that was an unexpected treat and the perfect pick-me-up after a day at the races. After a shaky opening, with a string of first team players missing, a scoreline of 3-0 to the mighty Blues could not have been predicted. Never discount Everton to amaze though, and somewhat against the run of play on 21 minutes a glorious cross from Leon Osman, my MotM, found Jermaine Beckford, and the striker planted his header into the net for a 1-0 lead.

After this point, it was one way traffic as the blues found a foothold in the game and, but for a fine save from a Beckford header and Magaye Gueye unable to find the net when clean through on goal, the scoreline could have been far more convincing.

Thankfully, those two chances not leading to goals did not matter though, as arguably the best 6 minute-period of Everton's season began on 39 minutes. This started with a Phil Neville wonder-goal complete with a Tim Cahill corner flag celebration (there is a sentence many thought not possible) and ended with a scorching strike from Bilyaletdinov on the stroke of half time. That was the icing on the cake and sent Evertonians into dreamland, and a 3-0 half-time lead at the so-called fortress that is Molineux.

The second half was fairly boring in comparison to the drama of the first half, with Everton looking comfortable. The notable things of the half were a Beckford spat with Moyes after being subbed, some decent Howard saves, and the chance to see Vellios and Forshaw get a run out.

Overall, the performance was one of the best Everton displays all season, and it makes you wonder what really could be achieved if we were not so inconsistent. Onwards and upwards, Everton.

Player Ratings by Luke O'Farrell

Howard: Was a spectator for the most part, could still do with commanding that box a bit more. Alert to make two decent saves in the second half. 6

Hibbert: Thought he defended well against Jarvis made him look ordinary at times. He pulled off a very good block in the first half when Wolves were on top. 7

Jagielka: At times he was a bit too eager to hoof it but defended very well throughout; looks comfortable alongside Distin. 7

Distin: Must have a headache after that performance; won everything in the air. Has been fantastic this season; another colossal display. 8

Baines: Didn?t have that much to do defensively and was rather quiet going forward. Steady if unspectacular. Thankfully the players in front did the job and was his forward threat was not missed that much. 6

Gueye: Was moved around a bit as he tried to get into the game. Quite unlucky with his one chance through the middle, I thought. He seems more suited to a central role at the moment, as he seems a bit too slack in the tracking back department. 6

Neville: Scored his customary one every 3 seasons goal; took it extremely well with the aid of a slight deflection. Chased and hassled their midfield well and lead by example. 7

Heitinga: Thought that was probably the best he has played in the midfield ?enforcer? role for quite some time. Actually closed people down, got in his fair share of tackles; without bottling any and used the ball relatively well. 7

Bily: What a hit that was; in the central position he is a threat, as I said after the Villa game. Showed some good touches and seemed to drift around the midfield. Looked much sharper and brighter; hopefully the goal is a confidence booster. 7

Osman: A close second to Distin for man of the match. Did some good defending in our box when required; also put in a quality cross for the first goal and another great ball in for Beckford?s other chance. Looks like a different player from the one I used to chastise week in week out. 8

Beckford: Lead the line well, probably the best he has played in the lone striker role to date. Took his goal well, could have had another one. He scared their backline with his pace and was full of running. 7

Subs:

Vellios: Put a good shift in and hassled their back 4 well when he came on. Only rarely had once half-chance, but Victor?s cross was just behind him and Bily made a meal of the follow up. 6

Anichebe: Seemed a bit lost on the left hand side. Just looks so disinterested at times. Didn?t really have any sort of impact on the game, seemed to pass him buy. 5

Forshaw: Nice to see another Academy player be given a debut.He barely touched the ball although tracked back well to help Hibbert towards the end. N/A

Moyes: Glad to see him put Bily on the right, looks much better there than the left hand side. He needs to tell the players to stop hitting kick-off long; surrendering the ball contributed to their good start. Glad to see him leave Beckford up for corners; at long last he did it, let?s hope it lasts. Subbed early for a change; made a nice refreshing change. Now he needs to carry this mind set through to when we have everyone back; sub early and leave one up on corners. 8

Overall a hard-earned professional away performance with two quality strikes to liven up the game. Everyone contributed today; glad to see even when Baines doesn?t raid forward all game we can still pose a threat.

Still been a poor season but hopefully we can have a good finish so it's not all doom and gloom come the summer.

Onwards and upwards, I hope.

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