Column

Always Doing It The Hard Way

"As we continued to miss chances you got a little jittery as the game was worryingly poised at 2 - 1, but we were able to see the game out without much discomfort."

Having started the day with the Leroy Fer transfer “on the brink of collapse” and then, come kick off time, the transfer completely broken down, I didn’t come into the game in confident mood, though left Goodison Park entertained, satisfied and optimistic fort he remainder of the season.

Having come straight from work down the East Lancs Road, I was just about able to park and after a quick chippy joined the others in the pub…everyone in good spirits despite the frustration of the Leroy Fer transfer falling through. We saw the team news in the pub and there was only one change from the team which defeated Bolton – FA Cup hero Heitinga in at centre back with Jagielka moved to right back, Neville back into midfield and Jelavic the man to miss out.

Had Fer have signed today I would have anticipated quite a buzz about the ground as he got paraded. With this no longer the case, the atmosphere was a little flat as the game got underway. A fairly pitiful following from The Baggies did little to help this, though it was remarkably quiet in the opening exchanges. West Brom were doing a good job of keeping possession and keeping us quiet and were also lively in the attack with Jerome Thomas causing quite a nuisance on the right flank. Everton on the other hand couldn’t keep the ball effectively and struggled to settle into the game.

We had a bit of a spark when Heitinga pumped the ball up long to Distin who got up well to head across goal, Fellaini managing to turn and get his shot away but catching the outside of the top upright with Ben Foster beaten. This didn’t change the shape of the game however, and it was down to an individual piece of brilliance from Leighton Baines to settle this one. The England full-back taking on an excellent return pass from his England colleague Leon Osman, running it into the left edge of the penalty area and smashing a great drive past Foster to give Everton the advantage and settle a few nerves.

Baines was at it again just before the break, coolly slotting home a penalty which had been won by Anichebe following a foul by Yacob – giving Everton a comfortable, and you hoped unassailable 2 - 0 lead at the interval.

Into the second half and Everton began more on the front foot as they looked to put the game out of sight…Mirallas perhaps coming closest to adding to our goals tally…his shot pushed round the post by Foster. Regardless we looked comfortable…were comfortable in fact. West Brom were struggling to create anything and we had all the play…the crowd was still fairly quiet…we seemed on the road to a comfortable three points…and then the game came to life…

West Brom had barely mustered an noteworthy effort on goal throughout, though then scored out of nowhere…Lukaku getting into the box and rounding the committed Howard, thought Heitinga was able to clear his shot from the goal line…or so you thought. Instead of simply smacking the ball as far as he could, he tried to be clever and control it, only to mis-control and present a fairly easy goal for substitute Shane Long.

It was ‘Game On’ indeed. The crowd found its voice, Everton went for the killer third goal, with West Brom also now more threatening knowing that another goal would earn them a point. West Brom did come extremely close with an audacious free kick from Graham Dorrans which came back off the crossbar and was cleared.

This was pretty much the end result of all West Brom’s efforts and it was Everton who missed the chances to put this game to bed sooner. Had Anichebe kept his focus on the play rather than screaming at the referee for a penalty (though it should have been a penalty for the foul from Olsson) he would have been presented with an open goal though West Brom were able to clear before he got there. Osman however really showed him how to miss an open goal when he blazed over on the rebound after Pienaar had hit the post.

As we continued to miss chances you got a little jittery as the game was worryingly poised at 2-1, but we were able to see the game out without much discomfort.

Leaving the ground I was pleased with what I’d seen, particularly in the second half. The return of Mirallas and Gibson (from the substitutes bench) though not crucial to the result is certainly significant as getting them back is critical for the run in. I was also encouraged by our ability to create chances following three rather baron games…particularly against one of the more difficult teams to play against in the division. Really we should have scored more than just the two tonight. Finally, though discouraged by the Leroy Fer transfer falling through, I’m encouraged that Everton seemed able and ready to spend some money…it’s enough to convince me we’ll have a few new faces in by the time the window slams shut at 11pm on Thursday 31 January.

It’s going to be an interesting day…but why do we do everything the hard way?

Player Ratings:
Howard: Perhaps sold himself a bit too easily with the goal but had so, so little to do otherwise. 6

Baines: Has to man of the match. Two goals, one a brilliant one, and attacked well all night, showing good link-up play with Pienaar, Mirallas, Osman and Fellaini at times. Solid defensively also. The perfect performance really. 9

Distin: Handled the threat of Lukaku rather well. 7

Heitinga: Aside from the mistake he had quite a solid game I thought. Important thing was that he didn’t seem to dwell on the mistake. Will be interesting to see if he plays against Aston Villa on Saturday. 6

Jagielka: Was given quite a torrid time in the first half by Thomas though did better in the second half and got forward to better effect also. 6

Fellaini: Not quite at the races first half though got more involved after the break. Spent more time in midfield than up front. Would like to see more from him on Saturday…we could really punish Aston Villa if he is at his best I think. 6

Neville: Nothing spectacular really. Filled a few holes. 5

Pienaar: I found it difficult to fathom whether Pienaar was playing central midfield or Osman. I think Pienaar seemed to be playing the midfield role a bit more and was pressing all over the pitch in a typically tenacious performance. I thought he had an excellent game though coming out of the match Sue was telling me he’d had a shocker. I thought he caused them problems throughout and they really struggled to live with him. Like Fellaini…if he’s on top form this Saturday we could really punish Aston Villa. 8

Osman: Played a lovely ball in for Baines for the first goal and had quite a constructive game. However, I still think his form is somewhat patchy, exemplified by his horrendous open goal miss…strange for one normally so composed. Nothing to worry about though. He’ll get it back. 6
Mirallas: Did OK. You can tell he’s still feeling his way back to fitness and will need time to get back to his best but the important thing is that he is back. Given six games he could be ready to make quite an impact on the run in. 6

Anichebe: Was generally busy, worked hard and put himself about. Won the penalty for our second goal of course. Will be interesting to see if he keeps his place for Saturday. 6

Substitutes:
Gibson (for Mirallas): His passing is not quite up to scratch yet though he showed good willingness to press and pressurize to win the ball back when West Brom were in possession. The sooner he’s back in the team the better. 6

Jelavic (for Anichebe): He’ll have been pleased with the reception he got when he warmed up. Otherwise, he can also be pleased with his efforts in the 10 minutes he had on the pitch. Battled well and held the ball up well. Will also be interesting to see in what capacity he is going to be involved against Aston Villa at the weekend. 6

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