Everton cruise through but at a cost

Lyndon Lloyd , 25 January, 20comments | Jump to most recent

Stevenage 0 - 4 Everton

Everton made comfortable work of a potentially tricky tie at Stevenage with a handsome 4-0 win but the evening was marred by a horrific injury to Bryan Oviedo.

The Blues were a goal up thanks to John Stones' superb block from Francois Zoko in front of an empty goal and Steven Naismith's early opener when the Costa Rican was caught by Simon Heslop as he tried to shoot from distance and was stretchered off with a broken leg.

Roberto Martinez confirmed after the game that the 23 year-old suffered a fracture to both his tibia and fibula and will undergo surgery on Monday, ending his season and putting his involvement in the summer's World Cup Finals in serious doubt.

Everton remained composed, though, despite the players' visible distress at Oviedo's plight and, having weathered early Stevenage pressure on a heavy pitch, doubled their lead after 32 minutes.

Naismith was released by Leon Osman's pass and he poked home to make it 2-0 and put the Blues firmly in the driving seat.

The home side were not without threat and Joel Robles had to make an excellent save from Morais' curling free-kick, pawing the ball away from the top corner in the 26th minute

The second half was more routine for Everton and, after Kevin Mirallas' twisting run had forced a save from Day in the Stevenage goal, the Belgian executed a superb overhead kick from the resulting corner to provide John Heitinga, who had replaced Phil Jagielka as a precaution at half time, with a free header that he planted home via a deflection of a defender.

Naismith then had his chance to notch a hat-trick ruined by an erroneous offside flag and was booked for floating the ball into the goal anyway.

Zoko, meanwhile, prodded a terrific chance for a consolation goal wide after expertly bringing Freeman's cross down on his chest and Robles had to be at his best to push a deflected corner behind at his near post as Everton's defence held against the League One side.

Mirallas was removed from the fray in the 80th minute to protect him ahead of Tuesday's Merseyside derby and his replacement, Magaye Gueye, marked a rare appearance with the fourth goal. The Frenchman was picked out by Osman's excellent pass and, after holding his marker, he tucked the ball past the 'keeper to seal the win.

Though the Lemax Stadium pitch was like treacle in places, it did not stop Everton from controlling much of the match with their passing game but it played a big part in denying the home side a goal in the 90th minute.

Robles got a hand to Darius Charles' shot but the shot had enough on it to have dribbled home in dryer conditions. Instead, the ball held up in the mud and a combination of Heitinga and the goalkeeper prevented Stevenage from bundling the ball home on the line.

Everton now progress to the Fifth Round for the fourth season running and Martinez remains on course for a second-successive FA Cup triumph.

Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports

Reader Comments (20)

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Dave Lynch
1 Posted 25/01/2014 at 22:19:13

Gutted for Brian.

This coming derby is going to be one helluva test.....

Paul Taylpr
2 Posted 25/01/2014 at 22:57:58

Likewise, Brian has done a great job for us recently. With the injury to Baines and speculation about him leaving for the mancs. Get well soon Brian...

Christopher Wallace
3 Posted 25/01/2014 at 23:14:35

Gutted. I was certain that we would get a bad injury before the game. I'm just relieved there was no more in the remaining 75mins.

Eugene Kearney
4 Posted 25/01/2014 at 23:52:45

Bad news for Bryan...and he was obviously on such a high with his recent performances.
MejÃ³rate pronto!

Kevin Tully
5 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:04:39

Looks like Mirallas is coming into form at the right time anyway. I think the free roaming role that Barkley plays would suit him as he becomes accustomed to it.

I reckon we'll be in for a surprise Coleman and Pienaar return on Tuesday.

Craig Fletcher
6 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:20:09

I had that feelin too Kevin re Coleman and Pienaar. I think the derby may come too early though for Barks unfortunately.

I'd like to see Nais in the No. 10 role behind Lukaku for Tuesday, with Pienaar and Miralles on the flanks. It seems to be his best position, and he has a goal scoring pedigree against the RS after last season. Also Nais and Kev can interchange positions if need be.

Get better soon, Bryan!

Craig Fletcher
7 Posted 26/01/2014 at 00:33:38

Off topic, but at least we know where Gueye has been hiding the past few months, obviously in the gym - the lad is massive now!

He must be getting sponsored by the same weight gain formula / protein bars as Big Vic nowadays at West Brom.

Andy Meighan
8 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:15:19

As I said on another thread, absolutely gutted for Bryan who's been brilliant since he got in the side and it's totally soured an easy victory in all fairness. Yes, they started at a high tempo but that's only to be expected given the circumstances. But we were so professional and I really never expected anything else.

As I said last night, I thought we'd win by 2 goals. I should've listened to my son who said early on in the day quite nonchalantly "4-0, Dad, and someone who hardly ever scores will get one." So I had 2 quid on Hibbert for last goal. And guess who never scored the last goal.

Roman Sidey
9 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:22:29

This is probably the worst I've felt after a win. The performance was fine, and was stoked for Nais, Johnny and Maggy to get the goals, and Kev to put in a good show, but Oviedo's injury is such a blow.

He's been probably my favourite player in the side since the Stoke match and I really can't put in words how unfair it feels that such a good bloke and top performer is probably going to miss out on his first World Cup and possibly curb or even reverse his development as a player.

Paul Woolf
10 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:15:10

I was at the game today. Bad news for Bryan, leg looked horrible. After goal number 2, it was all over. Good job done to silence the home crowd after the first 5 mins, when Stevenage had a couple of chances.

We were a little worried when Jags did not appear for the second half, but, apparently rested for Tuesday. Great support today, onwards and upwards. COYB

John Boon
11 Posted 26/01/2014 at 01:52:54

relatively easy game. Problem is that it is never easy to really judge players when they are playing against such opposition. Could Naismith reproduce this game against Prem League? Opinions?

Dave Weston
12 Posted 26/01/2014 at 02:59:18

Gutted from Bryan, never mind the game today just think what this lad is going through.He was in the form of his career and this happens. Just hope he gets through it and comes back stronger as Barkley did when he did his leg.

I hope this gives the boys the strength to go to Anfield and win it for Bryan.COTB

Get well Soon Bryan

John Zapa
13 Posted 26/01/2014 at 04:59:13

Over the last 20 years or so, there has been a lot of improvements in the stadiums of clubs to improve supporter safety. Unfortunately that didn't include improving the pitches at many clubs in the lower divisions. Players safety should be high on the FA agenda, high minimum standards should be developed related to the quality of the playing surface. Could that have prevented Brian Oviedo's injury? If there was a 1% chance it could have, then action is needed.

Karl Okonkowski
14 Posted 26/01/2014 at 08:01:36

Likewise, I thought we would get an injury in this game, just didn't think it would be something this bad; hope you recover quickly, Bryan.

Personally I think this is down to playing lower league teams who just can't cope with the speed and movement of Premier League clubs. There were quite a few times in the game where another player could have got crocked because their players were a bit clumsy. I couldn't wait for Mirallas to be subbed because if we were without him as well we would be in serious trouble.

I would have thought people like Gueye and Heitinga would have started in a game like this, we shouldn't be risking players who are in top form – the Premier League is much more important to the club than the FA Cup.

Ernie Baywood
15 Posted 26/01/2014 at 09:32:00

Obviously gutted for Oviedo, but it's unfortunately part and parcel of the game. It happens and the salaries reflect the risk of injury, appeal of the game, and short career. For it to happen to a young lad just starting to show what he can do and in the year of a World Cup does seem exceptionally cruel though.

Thought we put in a very professional performance all things considered. And Heitinga provided some great comedy in that goalmouth melee.

This derby is a real opportunity. They're shit at the back and depleted in midfield. Shame we're missing the players to really make them pay. If Gerrard plays deep (and I think he will) then it would have been hilarious to see Barkley run him ragged. Pienaar returning would be good as Barry and JMcC will boss things and we need a clever player in possession.

Still think we'll need to score more than one.

Brian Wilkinson
16 Posted 26/01/2014 at 15:58:14

The window cleaners wife's son's mate's dad's brother said he was mending a patio, and heard Martinez say, "Don't panic, Bill, your theatre money is safe, Del Boy, Ross, Pienaar and Coleman are down for Tuesday night. Forget taking knives to a gunfight, I am taking a neutron bomb there to wipe the spawny redshites clean out and give them a right good spanking, so that by the time the games over, Rogers will feel like he's had his kecks yanked down and shafted by the Queen nonce from wormwood scrubs."

Oh well... we can but dream, better than worrying about our injuries.

Phil Sammon
20 Posted 26/01/2014 at 22:34:06

There are three things Naismith can do well. Work hard, win headers and score goals. Why not give him 20 minutes up front? I reckon he'd be ok. He wouldn't hold it up well but I still think he's a decent option.

Jon Withey
21 Posted 26/01/2014 at 22:37:21

Happily got to see this one up close in the Stevenage stand, sitting right behind Martinez.

I don't have the memory for a match report but some things that stood out :

- Fantastic watching Mirallas play, he is lightning and incredibly good with the ball at his feet. He was going down with any real contact and wasn't a favourite with the Borough fans.

- Stones also really mobile, he just needs an experienced head...by getting more experience.

- Naismith is a very decent finisher and seems to have good movement in and around the box, I've no idea why he is played as a winger as he can't get past people.

- Oviedo got stretchered past us, crappy to see but he managed to give a wave to the Borough fans clapping him off.

- McCarthy and Barry ran the show in midfield. They couldn't get near McCarthy especially.

- McGeady looked alright, a couple of decent crosses and a couple of tricks but he doesn't seem that sharp yet. Glad he got 90 mins.

- Vellios is as big as Lukaku, why don't we play him in these games?

- Our French speaking contingent are obviously all mates, including Maggy.

Peter Bradshaw
22 Posted 26/01/2014 at 23:08:34

Playing Naismith at the derby game will be a master stroke made by a previous manager many years ago in playing Michael Branch.

Play your strongest team, the redshite will be up for this one; we need to be....

Brent Stephens
23 Posted 26/01/2014 at 23:42:10

Phil #189 with you on Nais and headers. He played wide one game recently and won so many headers, going in with no fear at all.

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