Goodison Park has witnessed some incredible late drama at times this season and another healthy dose was served up today as Marouane Fellaini headed home his second goal in the space of 25 minutes to cap a pulsating encounter and an impressive recovery by Everton.
Though the jubilation at that dramatic finale masked yet more frustration at two home points dropped, credit must go to David Moyes's players who picked themselves up from three self-inflicted wounds to fight back from two goals down and earn a point and protect their unbeaten start to 2013.
The Blues have drawn too many games this season, of that there is no question, and that has been down to lapses in concentration at the back as well as a failure to make their superiority tell at the other end with enough goals. Today, their attempts to record three successive wins in seven days were critically undermined by an awful individual performance by John Heitinga, easily the worst by an Everton player so far this season.
Deployed in central defence for the second game running, despite another highly suspect display in midweek, because of a lack of cover at right back (where Phil Jagielka deputised again), the Dutchman endured a torrid afternoon against Christian Benteke who bullied, out-muscled and out-paced him until Moyes belatedly withdrew him following one mistake too many after 63 minutes.
He had been let off the hook for his moment of madness against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday by Everton seeing out that game to secure three points. However, the manner in which Romelu Lukaku had been able to roll past him at almost every opportunity — in much the same way he allowed Aruna Kone to at Wigan earlier in the season — foreshadowed the nightmare Heitinga would have against Benteke, one which began as early as the second minute.
The burly Belgian breezed past him with shocking ease to drive onto Charles N'Zogbia's pass into the penalty area and he rolled the ball past Tim Howard's out-stretched leg and into the far corner.
Set back but unphased, Everton responded by going on the offensive and Fellaini flashed a left-foot shot inches wide after Kevin Mirallas' purposeful run before Baines smashed a rising 35-yard free-kick attempt over the bar and Steven Pienaar failed to really test Brad Guzman in the Villa goal with a weak shot from 20 yards.
The equaliser arrived after 20 minutes, though, after sterling attacking play by Victor Anichebe who repaid Moyes's continuing faith in him but bustling past the close attentions of Kieran Clark and firing left-footed and low past the goalkeeper.
Parity restored, that should have represented a reset button for the Blues but the visitors were back in front within three minutes. Benteke was released into space behind the defence in almost the same position as for the opening goal but Heitinga atoned somewhat for his earlier error by getting enough on the striker's shot to see it behind for a corner.
The Dutch defender shot himself in the foot, though, when the resulting corner was cleared but then worked back out to the right by Villa and Gabriel Agbonlahor was allowed to rise completely unchallenged and head the ball past Howard's despairng dive to make it 2-1.
Again, with plenty of time to go, there was no reason for and no panic shown by Everton as they continued to drive forward and escalate the pressure on the opposition goal for the remainder of the half. The goal that would have sent them into half time on level terms and changed the character of the mission in second half significantly, didn't arrive. That was partly due to Baines being uncharacteristically ineffective from dead-ball situations and partly because the Villa defence was defending as if their lives depended on it for much of the game.
A one-two exchange between Mirallas and Jagielka created a chance for Osman but his shot was deflected behind, Mirallas himself fired over from 18 yards and Pienaar blazed a decent opportunity over from a similar distance just before the interval.
If anyone present had feared Paul Lambert's struggling side would buckle in the second half, the first clue to the contrary would have been the 52nd-minute chance that probably should have seen them double their advantage. Agbonlahor drove through the centre of Everton's midfield and timed his through-ball perfectly to release Weimann into the clear as Baines inadvisedly tried to step up and set the offside trap. Thankfully, Weimann opted for power over precision when faced with just Howard to beat and he skied his effort over the crossbar.
The warning was not heeded, though, and after Fellaini and Anichebe had both seen fairly tame efforts safely gathered by Guzan, Benteke struck again to put the Blues in serious danger of only their fourth League defeat of the season. Weimann played a one-two with Matthew Lowton that gave the fullback plenty of space to swing in a deep cross and, brushing past Heitinga with ease once more, the Belgian got goal-side of the last-man and steered a header in off the far post. There was more than a suspicion of offside when the ball was played in but Heitinga's slow reactions and failure to match Benteke's desire to win the ball were crucial.
With a mountain now to climb, Moyes responded by hooking the beleaguered Heitinga in favour of Bryan Oviedo, a move that saw Jagielka move back inside the centre half, and introducing Nikica Jelavic for Mirallas, which prompted a chorus of boos from some of the faithful. As against West Brom on Wednesday, Mirallas had looked understandably rusty and there may have been an element of risk aversion in the decision given his lack of fitness after so long out with hamstring problems, but as the most creative player on the field many no doubt felt he could have provided the ammunition for Jelavic in the final 25 minutes.
As it was, it was the two players who started the game up front who combined to halve the deficite with 20 minutes left of the regulation 90. Fellaini collected a throw-in on the left before driving inside and squaring it to Anichebe. He held off his marker superbly to lay it back into the Belgian's path and Fellaini swept home from 12 yards to mark phase one of the rescue operation.
With Goodison Park now heaving in anticipation, a period of one-way traffic ensued as the Blues searched for the equaliser. Oviedo dragged a left-footer just wide from the edge of the box and Guzan had to paw a deflected Jelavic shot behind but time after time, Everton's corners were finding an Aston Villa head or being driven too deep to have any effect.
That changed crucially, however, in the third of six minutes of stoppage time when Bennett headed a cross behind and Baines whipped the resulting corner onto the head of Fellaini in the six-yard box and he out-jumped Vlaar to power home.
The Blues' top scorer almost grabbed a sensational winner two minutes later but though he connected with Steven Naismith's flick-on, he struck his half-volley into the ground and it skipped up to a nice height for the 'keeper to catch comfortably.
It was a stirring fightback by Everton, one that keeps them unbeaten this year so far and also extends Darron Gibson's remarkable unbeaten sequence in a blue jersey when he has played more than an hour in a game. The point earned keeps the Blues in the hunt with Arsenal, who won narrowly at home to Stoke, and brings them level with Tottenham until they play at The Hawthorns tomorrow.
Two more important points were dropped, though, in the push for Champions League qualification with a performance that lacked quality and cohesion at times. There was a shortage of effective passing and link play through midfield at times and too often all three of Pienaar, Baines and Mirallas were crowded over on the left touchline, leaving few opportunities to switch the play and ask questions of Villa down the right.
In defence, though no one covered themselves in glory by any means, Heitinga's alarming loss of form is a real cause for concern in a side that is battling to cover a shortage of options at right back. After being skinned for pace by Kone in that rare starting role against Wigan earlier in the campaign, his failure to deal with Lukaku in midweek, and now arguably being at fault for all three of Villa's goals today, serious questions should be asked as to whether he should be selected at centre half again this season.
Certainly, the player who was rightfully named player of the year last season is nowhere to be seen right now. In his place is a supposed world-class international defender whose lack of speed and concentration and worrying body language makes him a serious liability to a team who can't afford any passengers, least of all in defence. How Moyes responds with limited resources will be interesting.
On the plus side, Anichebe put in an other great shift leading the line and was rewarded with his sixth goal of the season; though playing on his weaker side, the team visibly settled with Oviedo at right fullback where Jagielka has struggled to impress; and Fellaini dispelled recent doubts over his stomach for the fight with two vital goals and an adrenaline-fuelled celebration for his equaliser.
And so to Old Trafford where a towering display and three unexpected points would immediately banish the memory of today's disappointment. You get the feeling that it's going to take a monumental result or two on the turf of the other clubs vying for the Champions League if the Blues are going to finish in the top four come May.
Lyndon Lloyd
Everton started with Victor Anichebe retaining his place and Nikica Jelavic on the bench alongside Phil Neville, who was also benched in favour of Darron Gibson.
Inside 2 minutes the Blues were behind, Heitinga easily rounded by Benteke, who fired past Howard as if he wasn't there. A dreadful start for the Blues.
Everton looked to respond with Mirallas running through and feeding Marouane Fellaini, his shot rolled inches wide. Pienaar won a free-kick but it was drifted over everyone by Leighton Baines.
Mirallas won a free-kick by the right corner flag that was rolled back, finding Gibson, whose shot was deflected wide but pressure from the corner was dispelled by The Villains until Osman won a soft foul that Baines tried to rocket in but it was well wide.
A nice move down the left saw Baines and Pienaar link up well, the South African choosing to fire in a weak shot as their play lacked a little composure. Good work by Mirallas sustained some better pressure but nothing came of it as Everton had to be alert for the break.
But the next attack, Mirallas ran across the area and fed Anichebe to feet, the big Nigerian, holding off his man and turning well to fire home superbly.
Benteke again got behind Heitinga but could only get a corner and in the follow-up a header from Agbonlahor could not be stopped. 1 - 2 and everything to do again.
Mirallas was involved in everything Everton were trying and he was fouled on the right edge of the area, but Baines's free-kick was defended away with too much ease. Another smart move down the left but he plays in a nice cross directly behind both Fellaini and Mirallas, who then set up Osman for a shot that won a corner but nothing came of it as Everton pushed hard for a second equalizer before the break.
Kevin Mirallas had a couple more corners but Everton were playing them to the back of the area, and not creating meaningful chances. Osman won another soft free-kick that Baines floated in but nothing could be created in a crowded area as an Everton player was fouled but not given.
Good movement and some variety in midfield saw Pienaar and then Gibson try shots from distance but both were poor and a dejected Everton side went off to a very quiet Goodison crowd.
The pattern of Everton dominance with little to show for it continued into the second half as some may have expected teh Everton manager to take some proactive decisions to change things up a gear... but of course, no options from the bench, reflecting the failure to strengthen during the except perhaps the misfiring Jelavic?
But before he could get on the field, Benteke got on the end of a lovely cross, agian getting easily in front of Heitinga to power in the header, surely sealing Everton's fate at 1 - 3.
What would Moyes do to change the relentless pattern of this game? A reactive double substitution, Mirallas — Everton's most creative spark — replaced by Jelavic, to a chorus of boos from some of the Everton faithfull in frustration at this decision by the manager, and Heitinga (long overdue) by Oviedo...
Pienaar won a free-kick wide left that Pienaar powered in too close to Guzan, who punched it back out for a throw... from which Anichebe did really well to hold up he ball andmake space for a lateral run by Fellaini with the ball, and he picked his spot to make it 2 - 3 andset up a great finish to the game.
Oviedo fired a shot just wide, then Jeleavic was fouled and the ref hauled play back after giving Fellaini the advantage, Gibson picking out Distin with the free-kick, but his contact was insufficient. It was all Everton attack, Baines taking a corner that bounced a yard off the line. Then a cross in to Jelavic that he seemed destined to finish with power but his weak sidefoot stood up too nicely for Guzan.
Into the last 15 minutes, and Everton were trying everything to create a chance for the equalizer, but seeing Jelavic putting in the cross was not exactly the best option as they failed to make anything from yet another corner, as Villa made their first change, bringing on new boy Sylla.
Villa continued to slow down and break up the play, Holman replacing Al Hamadhi, and the fire behind Everton's fightback had started to fade, as the timewasting was rewarded with a yellow for Agbonlahor kicking the ball away at a free-kick. Osman was then booked for a very wreckless high kick on Loughton.
Into the last minute and the final play of teh cards was to bring on Naismith for Gibson as 6 minutes of stoppage time was indicated. A couple of late corners and on the second Marouane Fellaini powered home with that big black fuzz! 3 - 3!!!
Everton did well to create another half-chance with Naismith well involved that Fellaini dug into the ground and Guzan saved easily. Sylla then fouled and saw yellow, a Baines free-kick swinging in, winning a last play form a corner, but it was too deep and that would be it. Two precious precious points dropped in Everton's 12th draw of the season, to one of the poorer bottom-half teams in the league.
Michael Kenrick
With the damp squib of the January transfer window out of the way, Everton are back to business on the pitch for the visit of struggling Aston Villa, just four days after their Midlands neighbours West Bromwich Albion left Goodison in defeat.
The Blues' 2-1 win put them squarely back in contention for a coveted Champions League qualifying spot, one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham — against whom the Baggies can do Everton a favour at the Hawthorns this weekend —and three points above erratic but improving Arsenal.
David Moyes may not have been able to add the personnel he wanted before the transfer deadline and time will tell if the Blues' squad is strong enough — or, more accurately perhaps, deep enough — but there is no question that the return to action of Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas on Wednesday will come as a massive boost.
Gibson's importance in a central midfield that has looked ponderous and unimaginative at times recently is hard to understate; Everton have yet to lose when he has played more than 60 minutes of the game and his assured passing and vision will be crucial down the final stretch of the campaign.
Equally as important will be the presence of Mirallas, the one player with the pace and invention to unsettle opposition defences and create chances out of more than just quick passing or a devastating through-ball. Somewhat surprisingly — but no less welcome — given that he didn't make it past the 20-minute mark at Bolton, the Belgian completed an hour against West Brom and will likely make only his 10th Premier League start for Everton this weekend.
The situation that Aston Villa find themselves in coming into this game presents an ideal opportunity for Everton to record their third win in the space of seven days but just because Paul Lambert's side are in the middle of an awful run of form does not mean this will be a formailty or even an easy encounter by any means.
Since winning on their last visit to Merseyside, a 3-1 win at Anfield in mid-December, Villa have been hammered 8-0 by Chelsea (the first a three-game run where they shipped 15 goals without reply) and have won just twice in 11 games in all competitions. Both of those victories came in cup competition and one of them, a 2-1 home win over Bradford City in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final, was ultimately in vain as they lost 4-3 on aggregate.
In the past week, Lambert has seen his side dumped out of the FA Cup by Millwall and lose at home to Newcastle, their 20th League defeat of the season, although their second-half performance against the Magpies should serve as a warning to Everton that the fight has not gone out of Villa's players yet.
Moyes will know that the key for his side will be to get at the visitors early and hopefully get an early goal or two to crush their spirit. In terms of selection, there is talk in the press of a return to the starting XI for Nikica Jelavic but Victor Anichebe gave his manager no reason in midweek to drop him so the Croatian may have to settle for the bench.
If Gibson is deemed fit enough to start, Phil Neville would surely revert to right back, allowing Phil Jagielka to move inside to centre-half at the expense of the error-prone John Heitinga. Elsewhere in the side, few changes, if any, are expected.
With Spurs and Chelsea, the teams immediately above and below the Blues in the table, both playing away this weekend, the possibility for either or both to drop points is strong so victory for Everton is paramount ahead of next Sunday's trip to Old Trafford. More of the form on show in the first half against the Baggies — or, indeed, that which destroyed Lambert's men at Villa Park in August — and they should have too much for a Villa side in crisis.
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