Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Lack of Investment Shines Through

By Luke   O'Farrell  ::  29/10/2011   13 Comments (»Last) Manchester United didn't get out of second gear and once they took the lead, there was almost an air of resignation hanging around Goodison Park.

Everton started brightly enough with the recalled Coleman troubling United within the first twenty seconds. The midfielder's purposeful run took him to the edge of the box but his shot lacked the necessary power and direction.

United threatened shortly afterwards with Howard barely managing to keep out Park's low shot from a Welbeck cut back. The opening promised an entertaining game, when in truth, it never got going.

Fellaini brought a comfortable save out of De Gea with a header and Bilyaletdinov won a corner that was easily dealt with. Phil Jagielka, back in place of the injured Distin, sprayed a few wayward balls forward as United slowly began to get on top.

Before the game was twenty minutes old, United were ahead. Slack defending allowed Cleverley to drift inside and the ball was eventually worked to Evra on the wing. Rooney missed Evra's cross, as did the statuesque Heitinga, and Hernandez applied the finish.

Following the goal, Unite seized temporary control of the midfield as Everton backed off, showing the visitors too much respect. United began to dominate possession with a disgraceful dive by Park, that went unpunished, the only negative for the away side.

After ten minutes of United dominance, Everton began to stir. Bilyaletdinov had a well struck drive deflected wide and Osman should have done better from a Fellaini knock down.

Rodwell latched on to a mistake by Evans and drove towards the edge of the United area but his shot flew a few yards wide of the far post. The closest Everton came to an equaliser was 5 minutes before half time, Fletcher halted Fellaini's good run towards goal with a body check. Leighton Baines stood over the ball on the edge of the area and fired a wicked effort off the crossbar, with De Gea well beaten.

Hernandez had an effort for United just before half time whilst Saha had two for Everton, however all three attempts lacked power and both keepers saved easily. Everton had started and ended the half well, aside from the goal and the ten minutes afterwards, they were the better side. Fellaini and Rodwell were again playing well in midfield and Coleman had troubled the visitor's defence with his pace and enthusiasm.

Bilyaletdinov was off the pace throughout and made way at half time for the highly regarded Barkley. The youngster showed some assured passing early in the second half, before fading badly later on.

Five minutes after half time, Rodwell drew a save from De Gea with a driven effort from distance. The United keeper misjudged the flight of the ball and ended up saving the shot with his face. Welbeck fired in a shot on the hour mark from a rare United attack.

Everton dominated possession as the half wore on with Fellaini controlling the midfield. The one problem remained Everton's lack of cutting edge in the final third. A Hibbert cross into the box caused panic and Vidic headed behind for a corner. A scuffed Saha effort from the ensuing penalty area scramble was the result.

With 15 minutes remaining, Osman made way for Vellios as Everton pushed for an equaliser. Jagielka fired wildly over from all of 40 yards as Everton struggled to fashion any real openings.

Rodwell and Coleman both had tame efforts from distance as the clock began to eat up Everton's time. Moyes's final substitution saw Gueye replace a below-par Saha with 5 minutes to go.

A poor Vellios shot from distance in added time was the sum total of Everton's final push for an equaliser. United kept the ball better towards the end as Everton ran out of ideas and options. Mark Halsey brought the game to an end as Everton lost to United for the 29th time in 39 Premier League meetings.

Fellaini was the one player who performed for 90 minutes making him Everton's best player for a second time this week. Unfortunately a yellow card near the end rules him out of the Newcastle game. Rodwell and Coleman both faded near the end after performing admirably for the first two-thirds of the match.

Osman was anonymous throughout and lucky to last 75 minutes. The invention Drenthe brings to the team was sorely missed. The performances of Jagielka and Heitinga hinted at a possible future centre back pairing, although Heitinga was culpable for the goal.

Fans may complain about Moyes's tactics and substitutions; and both are valid points. However, nobody can fault the management or the players for today's performance. They gave their all against a United team that was just too strong in the end. Certain fans may think that Moyes should make better use of what he has. Sadly, what he has is not a lot.

The harsh reality remains that until Everton can obtain some investment, keeping up with the bigger teams in the league is near impossible. Hard work and organisation only get a team so far. The days of unearthing gems such as Pienaar and Arteta for £2 million are fading into the distance.

Money buys the real quality players and money is something Everton just haven't got.

Ratings:

Howard 7; Hibbert 7, Jagielka 7, Heitinga 7, Baines 7; Coleman 7, Rodwell 7, Fellaini 8, Bilyaletdinov 5; Osman 5; Saha 6.

Subs: Barkley 6, Vellios 6, Gueye n/a.

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