Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Royston to the Rescue

By Luke   O'Farrell  ::  18/12/2011   3 Comments (»Last) Norwich had clearly identified Baines as Everton's biggest threat. Grant Holt and Kyle Naughton fouled the England full back within the first three minutes. Magaye Gueye, a surprise starter, enjoyed a bright start and linked up well with Baines on the left. The visitors were on the back foot from the start, although their forwards managed to get early shots off. Steve Morison fired over from range and Grant Holt mishit a shot straight at Tim Howard.

A full 198 minutes after Vellios' goal at Bolton, Everton had their next shot on target. A cross by Baines was nicely played by Cahill into the path of Fellaini. The Belgian drew a low save from former Everton stopper John Ruddy. Leon Osman almost gave Everton the lead, curling a Saha lay-off towards the far post. Norwich centre back Russell Martin was on hand to head the ball clear; although the shot appeared to be going just wide.

Everton forced several corners which resulted in Gueye firing a volley wide. With 15 minutes gone, Everton had enjoyed 62% possession but were lacking spark and invention in the final third. The next 10 minutes consisted of Everton pressing and Norwich standing firm.

Norwich took the lead with their first shot on target. Morison headed a free kick into the six yard box and Holt scored with a neat turn and finish. Heitinga's positioning for the goal was poor but Howard, Hibbert and Baines may also feel they should have done better.

Everton have played 11 home games this season; they have conceded first in 10 of them. Everton's eight Premier League home games, this season, have yielded just 8 points. The Toffees' failure to make early pressure pay, combined with an inability to keep clean sheets, is costing them. Everton have lost four league games, at Goodison, this season. In contrast, Everton lost just five home league games from August 2009 - May 2011.

Saha had an effort blocked, and fired another inches wide, as the Toffees tried to get back on level terms. Everton started to run out of ideas as the interval approached and Steve Morison planted a header wide to remind the home side of the visitor?s threat. Baines worked tirelessly down the left side, although Gueye had began to fade after a promising start.

Marouane Fellaini and Phil Neville failed to stamp any real authority on the game in the first half. The goal aside, the back four were comfortable although Jagielka and Howard were poor in possession. Leon Osman's constant urge to move inside was proving a hindrance to Everton down the right and undermined his good work.

Everton produced some neat football at the start of the second period. Link-up between Gueye and Saha created a chance for Osman, inside the area, who forced a save from Ruddy. Norwich provided a reminder of their threat, on the hour mark, as Holt evaded Hibbert and Jagielka to head Naughton's cross just wide of the far post.

An out of sorts Cahill made way for Denis Stracqualursi with 30 minutes remaining. The burly Argentine had an immediate impact with his flick on leading to a Ruddy save from Saha's sliding effort. As the match entered the last 20 minutes, Saha saw two headers drift harmlessly off target and Royston Drenthe came on for Gueye.

Drenthe raced past two Norwich defenders with his first contribution; a sign of things to come. The Dutch winger assisted Everton's equaliser as he cut inside and Osman nicked his shot past Ruddy into the corner. Drenthe fired a long-range effort at Ruddy and his second drive from distance almost gave Everton the lead as Ruddy barely managed to keep it out. Tony Hibbert had a tame effort as the clock ran down.

Conor McAleny replaced Saha with 2 minutes remaining. The Frenchman was more involved than last week but he was wasteful in front of goal; a trait Everton can't afford. McAleny screwed an effort wide and scuffed another whilst Drenthe fired over in injury time as Norwich hung on for a point.

Everton created enough chances to win the game, only poor finishing, bizarre tactics and some resolute defending prevented them from doing so. The home side were shorn of Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman through injury. David Moyes failed to justify his decision to omit Vellios, as he gave replacement McAleny just two minutes action.

Fellaini failed to fully impose himself on the game and played most of the game too deep to have a real influence. The use of Neville alongside him appeared to hinder his performance as the Belgian seemed unsure of his role. Moyes's decision to use Neville as a midfielder for 90 minutes, at home, was a poor one. The manager's tactics and substitutions have been lacking of late and he seems to be stuck in a tactical rut.

Drenthe's introduction lifted the team and the fans, as he can create and produce moments of magic. Stracqualursi did well and pushed his claims for more than just cameo appearances. The big front man won headers and held the ball up well. It is all too clear that, in order to progress, Everton need additions in January. The transfer window, and Landon Donovan, can?t come soon enough.

Swansea will pose a different test on Wednesday. The Welsh side are defensively sound and will look to monopolise possession. The whole club is in need of a lift at the moment; hopefully the manager can offer that with a more positive approach in games.

One thing is certain, Everton have to stop conceding soft goals, as Fortress Goodison is no stronger than your average sandcastle.

Ratings:

Howard 5; Hibbert 6; Jagielka 5; Heitinga 6; Baines 7; Osman 6; Fellaini 6; Neville 5; Gueye 6; Cahill 4; Saha 6.

Subs: Drenthe 8. Stracqualursi 7; McAleny N/A.

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