Much More Like It
This was much more akin to what we became accustomed to last season – calm and unflappable in possession, potent from the fullbacks and with Lukaku feeding off Barkley up front.
Everton 3 - 0 Aston Villa
The last time Everton won at Goodison Park in the Premier League prior to this weekend, the Grim Reaper was taunting David Moyes from the stands behind the visitors' dug out back in April.
Even allowing for the fact that title-chasing Chelsea and perennial Champions League qualifiers Arsenal made up two of the opponents the Blues had faced at home before Aston Villa came to town, that statistic is still hard to believe given how good we were in front of our fans under Roberto Martinez last season.
Of course, our the season hasn't really gone according to hope or expectation at home or away, but the impact of three returning first-choice players this afternoon offered a hint as to why, and one in particular showed how much he has been missed with first 65 minutes' worth of action in 2014-15.
Few Evertonians expected Ross Barkley to be back in the squad so soon after suffering a medial knee ligament tear two months ago and perhaps even fewer still would have predicted he would be in the starting XI this weekend. Many thought a substitute's appearance at Burnley next weekend would the beginning of his being eased back but Martinez sprung a surprise when he named Ross along with James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman on today's team sheet.
The 20 year-old has a directness and single-minded confidence about his play that is hard to replace and it was a joy to see him slot back into the No.10 role behind Romelu Lukaku as if his season thus far hadn't been wrecked by ill-timed injury. He betrayed some ring-rustiness on a couple of occasions during his 65 minutes on the field, as you would expect, but it only took a couple of lovely flourishes to confirm that he's lost none of his prodigious touch on the ball.
Lukaku has missed him, too; so no surprise then that the Belgian scored a goal served up by Barkley early in the second half. It owed a large debt to fortune given that on most other days a goalkeeper of Brad Guzan's calibre doesn't allow his low shot to squirm under his body in the manner that it did... but then you make your own luck and Rom perhaps needs some to help rekindle his best form.
Lukaku's third goal of the season was just one positive on an afternoon littered with them. From Antolin Alcaraz's assured display alongside Phil Jagielka in the absence of John Stones and Tim Howard's first clean sheet in a month to a pair of superb performances from the central defensive axis of McCarthy and Gareth Barry and Leighton Baines' twin assists – one from either flank – this was a team performance pleasingly reminiscent of the Everton of 2013-14.
They ran out comfortable 3-0 winners and yet you were still left with the feeing that the Blues held back from really taking Villa to the cleaners. Perhaps had the extra potency of Kevin Mirallas been available they might have done but it was a handsome win nonetheless.
Just as they did against Crystal Palace the last time they were on home turf almost a month ago, Martinez's side started in purposeful and dominant fashion and pressed home that dominance by taking the lead. This time, though, they maintained the intensity and composure that they lacked in that 3-2 defeat and never really allowed Villa a sniff of getting back into the contest.
They were aided by the fact that Paul Lambert's men were unable to translate their assured passing in the middle of the park into any consistent threat in the final third, although much of that was due to the near-constant tenacity of Messers McCarthy and Barry as well as tireless work from Steven Naismith in assisting Coleman to prevent any threatening balls from coming in from the Villa left. The Scot was forced to step aside from the central role in which he has been thriving in Barkley's absence but his contributions were no less important. And with more seflessness from Lukaku on a couple of occasions, he might have scored anyway.
Everton's impotence at corners under Martinez has been something of a mystery so it was heartening to see the opening goal come from a set-piece routine after Nathan Baker had put the ball behind and Baines then worked a short corner to Barkley at the edge of the box. The returning forward hammered an audacious shot towards the top corner from the angle of the box that the diving Guzan parried behind and Baines repeated the move from the second corner.
Barkley returned it to the fullback this time and with a neat body feint and knock forward giving him an extra yard to work with, Baines curled a dangerous right-footed ball across the face of the opposition goal where Jagielka, in the centre-forward's position, stooped to head it home. Added to his Exocet in the Anfield derby and a strike on international duty for England, it was his third goal in five appearances for club and country and, hopefully, a sign of more goal product coming from the centre-halves.
Naismith fired a Coleman cut-back wide, Alan Hutton went very close for Villa at the other end after Leon Osman had allowed him to glide past him and try a curling left-footer from 25 yards, and McCarthy executed a superb saving tackle on Tim Cleverley in his own area as the Blues kept the Midlanders contained and tried to break down their rigid shape again down the other end.
Coleman came closest six minutes before half time when Barkley picked out his run on the overlap into the penalty area but Guzan was equal to his attempt to bend a shot around him into the far corner and pushed it away to safety from Villa's perspective. The Blues went into the interval 1-0 up following an impressively patient and discplined first-half performance.
The second half was less than three minutes old when they struck again to make it 2-0. McCarthy started the move with a great interception midway inside the Villa half, he fed Barkley wide on the left who in turn knocked it on to Lukaku to gather, hold off his marker and fire low and hard enough that Guzan couldn't get enough on it to prevent it from spinning over the line almost in slow motion.
Not surprisingly, given the scoreline and the propensity Everton have already shown this season to sit back a little at 2-0 up, the visitors had their best spell of the half after that but they had precious little show for it. Christian Benteke would prod the ball into the net after his own header had come off the crossbar but referee Anthony Taylor, who seemed to get a high percentage of the niggly decisions wrong but most of the major ones right, chalked it off for a visible push on Alcaraz.
Naismith had a penalty claim turned down when he was muscled off the ball chasing substitute Steven Pienaar's deft ball over the top and Lukaku fired a direct free kick into the defensive wall before Everton made sure of the points with a killer third goal 14 minutes from time. Pienaar was fouled not far outside the Villa box and with the Villa defence still retreating, Osman played a quick free kick to Baines who fired a pin-point ball across the face where Coleman was lurking with striker's intent to convert from a couple of yards out.
That left the Blues to play out the remaining quarter of an hour in relative comfort. Howard was called into action once more to make a good save to deny Gabriel Agbonlahor and there was a late cameo for Samuel Eto'o where he almost served up a goal for the third sub, Darron Gibson, but his first-time shot was blocked before referee Taylor called time on three well-earned points.
There have many knee-jerk reactions to Everton's iffy start to the season but if this game is any indication of what is to follow in the next few weeks, then Martinez should have put a lid on the criticism because this was much more akin to what we became accustomed to last season – calm and unflappable in possession, potent from the fullbacks and with Lukaku feeding off Barkley up front. It's only one game, of course, and they will have to prove they can do it consistently but there is no question that the Blues are looking much more like themselves with some of those key players back in the side.
Reader Comments (62)
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2 Posted 19/10/2014 at 07:56:59
3 Posted 19/10/2014 at 07:29:07
What a difference a day makes.
COYB
5 Posted 19/10/2014 at 08:53:56
Onwards, upwards from here.
COYB.
6 Posted 19/10/2014 at 10:46:50
7 Posted 19/10/2014 at 11:08:32
Still, well done to everybody involved.
8 Posted 19/10/2014 at 11:15:46
The next four league are all very much winnable, although no game is easy, unless you are Sunderland!! Hopefully they will be four games where Stones and Mirallas won’t be missed as they continue their recovery.
9 Posted 19/10/2014 at 11:32:22
Pienaar also linked up well with Baines and Leighton seems to thrive when Pienaar is playing.
A really good all around team performance and very difficult to find a MotM.
10 Posted 19/10/2014 at 11:32:20
Injuries can – and will – strike at anytime as to assume that from now on we shall have a full roster is naïve at best.
Yesterday was truly a morale booster after what we have seen before but I still believe that 㿈M could have been better spent on beefing up the squad than on one luxury striker.
11 Posted 19/10/2014 at 11:44:35
I think it was a very workmanlike performance, and very pleasing to keep a clean sheet. Although I am not a fan, I thought Alcaraz had an excellent game and took care of Benteke, though I thought Benteke was well short of match practice.
The only surprise yesterday was how muted the crowd were both during and after the game. Maybe still unsure how the season might pan out might be a reason.
12 Posted 19/10/2014 at 12:04:44
1. Ross Barkley is the heart-beat of this side. With him out we have dropped so many points. He was greatly missed against Arsenal at home when it was clear his presence would have dismantled the Gunners when we had them on the ropes. Over the moon to have him back and watch him go on to the next level; hopefully he remains injury free. ItÂ’s crucial.
2. Baines and Coleman are the best full-back pairing to grace the club in 30 years. It is an absolute pleasure to watch these two doing what they do. ItÂ’s incredible how many times they are linking up and creating goals inside the opposition box.
3. Lukaku needs Barkley and a central role. ItÂ’s all good putting Lukaku out wide now and then as a tactical surprise, but we want to see him running through on goal and smashing them past the keeper. Something we will see much moire of with BarkleyÂ’s link-up.
4. Get rid of Distin. I admire how well the Frenchman does for his age, but IÂ’ve always disliked his personality. Taking to Twitter to argue with fans, fronting away fans after poor performances, and that backpass at Wembley against the Redshite. If he is rocking the Martinez cruise ship, throw him overboard. John Stones is the man.
13 Posted 19/10/2014 at 12:21:15
14 Posted 19/10/2014 at 12:06:23
I hope you have to eat your words on Lukaku not being worth 㿈M. Other ToffeeWeb posters have mention the 㿈M is really 㿄M with a ٢M add-on if Everton make Champions League.
Right now, heÂ’s a reliable 15-goal-a-season scorer (heÂ’s done that both of his previous seasons). HeÂ’s signed until 2019. HeÂ’s 21 years old, his teammates like him and heÂ’s willing to play whatever role Martinez assigns him. HeÂ’s also not a party boy and IÂ’ve heard he doesnÂ’t touch a drop of alcohol (I personally canÂ’t make the same claim!). Having EtoÂ’o to mentor him should help his progress too.
3 goals and an assist carrying a toe injury and playing much of the time wide right miles away from the 18-yard box is a decent return. I figure he would have played more in the middle, but Naismith was scoring. With Barkley back in the team Lukaku moved back to the middle and looked like more of a goal threat.
I figure one of two things will happen: If Lukaku doesnÂ’t improve tremendously, heÂ’ll be a reliable 15 goal and 5 assist striker for the next 4-5 seasons (which in most seasons will place him in the top 10 for scoring in the Premier League). Among the leagueÂ’s top scorers the last two seasons few are on wages Everton can afford so thatÂ’s another plus.
If he becomes a 20-goal-a-season scorer, bigger clubs may come calling. It took Bale at Spurs more than a couple of years to become the player Real Madrid paid a bloody fortune for. 2-3 years from now Lukaku will be 23-24 years old with 4-5 years experience in the Premier League. HeÂ’s very marketable at that age and would command a fee premium since he counts as a homegrown player under Premier League rules.
IÂ’ve heard the rumors that Man City is sniffing around Barkley and one of the main reasons is Man City is short on homegrown players that make their 1st team. I could see the same thing happening to Lukaku in a year or two if he improves like I think he will. If Lukaku is sold to one of the big money teams, I guarantee it will be for a lot more than 㿈M. The TV money is only going up and fees for premium strikers will only be going up too.
15 Posted 19/10/2014 at 12:34:17
16 Posted 19/10/2014 at 12:34:21
I noticed a fair few times that, even with possession in the opposition’s half, we still have that tendency to play too many passes which then goes back to the defence and then to Howard.
We need to be that little bit imaginative, especially when we have the ball in the middle of the oppositions half, play balls into open channels perhaps and force Naismith and Lukaku to run into these balls as opposed to pass, pass, pass and then ball end backing to the goalkeeper.
Let’s keep the performance going at Burnley next weekend.
17 Posted 19/10/2014 at 13:11:04
Lukaku improved, and scored just as I was getting fed up with his lack of awareness of teamates! The quicker tempo certainly helped his game.
The only downside was Osman ,so often pushed off the ball and often a spectator. I know it’s not his fault, but he really is much better coming on for the last half hour. In a tougher game his poor strength would have been costly.
However, an excellent performance.
18 Posted 19/10/2014 at 13:30:38
Yesterday was an important test of RMÂ’s credibility and he passed with honours. The only glitch was the selection of Osman; whilst some others may have been left out through travel fatigue, I still believe like many others, Osman is just a sub and that perhaps Pienaar should have started. Still, Osman has always had good games against Villa in the past.
One can only hope the injury problems stay away and I am sure in particular Alcaraz can get a decent run as he is a class act.
19 Posted 19/10/2014 at 13:38:27
Villa are pretty crap at the moment and we couldnt have played them at a better time, but its in games like this where confidence will be restored.
Taking all things into consideration this was one of the most important results Since Martinez took over.
Made up with the performance even more made up with the result
20 Posted 19/10/2014 at 14:16:43
21 Posted 19/10/2014 at 14:21:41
22 Posted 19/10/2014 at 14:25:04
23 Posted 19/10/2014 at 15:25:57
24 Posted 19/10/2014 at 15:48:58
The only downside for me was Osman - he is a year older and a year slower and it showed. Not sharp enough to the ball when put under pressure, yes, given time he can play short passes, but too often knocked off the ball or beaten to it far too easily. As someone said earlier against better, stronger sides he will be taken apart. Play him in the early stages of Europe perhaps but keep him out of the Premiership side for all but cameo appearances - Pienaar or Osman ? no contest !
25 Posted 19/10/2014 at 17:09:50
26 Posted 19/10/2014 at 18:09:43
That has to be the most biased description of Distin IÂ’ve ever read. He constantly put his all in and itÂ’s a testament to his professionalism that he can still perform at such a high level at the age of 36. Yes, heÂ’s on a run of bad form, but in terms of "arguing with fans", heÂ’s responded to a few Twitter ragers. Personally, IÂ’m always happy to see players sticking up for themselves when provoked on social media.
And as for the semi final incident, I was there. He came to the fans on the final whistle and put his hands in the air to say sorry.
I think heÂ’s one of the most passionate, professional players we have in this squad, and his experience is irreplaceable. I canÂ’t believe how critical you are of him based on speculation and your own opinion, rather than the way heÂ’s served our football club.
27 Posted 19/10/2014 at 19:04:18
Yesterday carried that on. We had players on the pitch running at them, causing problems and creating options. Keeping the ball only makes sense when you have the pace and creativity in front of you. Without that, it looks as pointless as Phil and Darren keep telling us.
Martinez has got plenty wrong this season, but missing Oviedo, Barkley, Coleman and Mirallas against good sides hasn’t helped. We’ve already scored plenty this season. With the return of our pace, directness and creativity we’ll score more.
28 Posted 19/10/2014 at 20:20:15
29 Posted 19/10/2014 at 21:21:33
31 Posted 20/10/2014 at 10:34:36
I think Sunday against Burnley will see if we have indeed turned the corner; we have lost both Sunday matches after Europa League midweek games so hopefully that can be sorted out. I for one would 100% not start Ross or Rom in the Lille game.
32 Posted 20/10/2014 at 11:30:32
IÂ’m not on Twitter and I wish that the players were not as some people use it to be very abusive to others and no come back. Twitter accounts give fans a direct link to the players so fans canÂ’t moan when the players reply to the abuse they no doubt receive on a regular basis.
I fully expect Martinez to use him at some point on Thursday.
With the general feeling to certainly rest Barkley on Thursday.
33 Posted 20/10/2014 at 12:20:15
If Osman was playing for Arsenal, Chelski etc you can pretty much guarantee that he would have a foul given every time he was "knocked" off the ball, a la Wiltshire and his diving pricky attitude.
Not his best game yesterday but people saying the "only downside/glitch" was Osman....... over an incredibly comfortable 3-0 win, absolutely fecking ridiculous.
34 Posted 20/10/2014 at 12:44:22
Obviously he is getting older and will need to be replaced and maybe he is not as effective over 90 minutes as he used to be. But for me he is still worth his place in the squad.
35 Posted 20/10/2014 at 12:55:59
They keep on spouting how shit he is, so in essence they are saying that the managers who consistently keep picking him are obviously thick then?
Martinez used him in all 38 league games last season. If he is so evidently shite, how is still getting a game?
36 Posted 20/10/2014 at 13:17:05
His best days are behind him and Martinez is at fault for starting him and against Villa he got away with it but stronger teams would have exploited that weakness as they have done many times.
37 Posted 20/10/2014 at 14:35:13
I was disappointed to see EtoÂ’o languishing on the bench when we know he is one of our outstanding talents. In my opinion, playing him and Lukaku is something we must do to beat the better sides. Villa were not this and are on the slide right now.
We have a lot of making up to do after our dreadful start to this season. So many Toffees were relishing this season, their expectations raised by last. The next 3 points should come care of Burnley if RM plays a strong side. Nothing is certain in our league so resting people is something I hope he doesnÂ’t do.
40 Posted 20/10/2014 at 16:27:21
I can well imagine him playing the Europa League games and coming on near the end of league games to give Lukaku a hand.
Tom, how is our manager "at fault" for picking a player who played his part in an extremely comfortable 3-0 win?
"stronger teams would have exploited that weakness" – They weren't and they didn't. Usual "if my auntie had bollocks, she would be my uncle" rubbish.
You pick your team according to the opposition and form, clearly Martinez is making many mistakes, as he keeps on picking him to play.
41 Posted 20/10/2014 at 17:19:47
42 Posted 20/10/2014 at 17:52:55
43 Posted 20/10/2014 at 18:29:21
44 Posted 20/10/2014 at 18:54:02
Everton have won nothing with Osman in the side... much like all the barren years with Mike Lyons trying to be a centre back and continually being exposed under lousy managers like Gordon Lee.
45 Posted 20/10/2014 at 19:28:12
46 Posted 20/10/2014 at 19:32:22
We will always have the so called top clubs sniffing around our players.
Those days are gone; we will keep them and we will win the league in a few seasons if we do.
47 Posted 20/10/2014 at 19:47:11
48 Posted 20/10/2014 at 20:16:27
At some point, Arsenal will put together a run and they generally get stronger around February/March. I also expect Man Utd to strengthen their defence and challenge for that 4th spot. If anyone gave me a top 7/8 finish and winning the FA Cup, I would bite their hand off now.
49 Posted 20/10/2014 at 20:48:37
50 Posted 20/10/2014 at 20:49:56
51 Posted 20/10/2014 at 21:25:32
52 Posted 20/10/2014 at 21:51:40
We have a stretch of very win-able games that will see us near 4th by mid-November if we take care of business. If we can get through December and be within 4 to 6 points of 4th and our injured players return I don't see why 4th is out of the question.
There are basically 5 teams for 2 spots: Everton, Man Utd, Spurs, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Arsenal will make it in, they always do. I've seen absolutely nothing from the others that makes me think we can't pip 4th.
There's 30 games left! We seem to be moving in the right direction after a sluggish start. If we get through this current injury "crisis" we'll be up there sniffing around.
I think I should just cut and paste Colin Glassar's and Kevin Tully's posts from this point forward...
53 Posted 20/10/2014 at 22:08:02
54 Posted 20/10/2014 at 22:37:51
You should definitely win on your bet there... good luck.
I am not sure how that works though, was it the same 6/4 price for both 6th and 7th position?
55 Posted 20/10/2014 at 23:12:24
56 Posted 20/10/2014 at 23:17:31
57 Posted 21/10/2014 at 02:16:12
Phil, as always, even when you give credit, you evoke an argument: Lukaku has a lot of improving to do for me, to justify his price tag.
As for the Ossi bashers, I'm a big fan... and the manager's knowledge of the game and players is streets ahead of your average fan.
58 Posted 21/10/2014 at 10:37:22
59 Posted 21/10/2014 at 12:01:08
The only person who looked up for it in their team, in my opinion, was Hutton... in the first half at least.
60 Posted 21/10/2014 at 13:17:36
61 Posted 21/10/2014 at 15:18:43
It isn't that he is being fouled, but that after half time he is as weak as a kitten, and loses the ball too often.
I don't doubt his skill in seeing clever, little, nicely weighted passes in and around the penalty area.
The problem is that after he is puffed-out, he starts to cost the side.
It's nothing personal and it doesn't deflect from the good things he's done for us, but it happens to all of us.
It should be the bench for Leon, unless we have an injury crisis.
62 Posted 21/10/2014 at 16:09:22
He is a 60 minute man from the start or a 30 minute at the end man now.
He is and always has been one of our more skilled players but he hasn't the legs and the lungs any more.
Then again, what do I know? He played that great quick free kick on 75+ minutes.
63 Posted 21/10/2014 at 16:41:53
64 Posted 21/10/2014 at 16:53:38
65 Posted 21/10/2014 at 17:59:07
He has a good footballing brain, quick feet and decent technique. He's slow and weak however, so when the other team is fit, fresh and closing down our players he tends to suffer and is too easily bullied off the ball.
I'd much rather see Besic played from the start in attacking positions than Osman, if our backup wingers are not good enough. Besic seems to have excellent feet like Osman and a very good range of passing. He also works hard and will cover back, which is more than McGeady or Atsu often do.
I think Martinez is obviously giving Besic bits here and there. I've been disappointed we've not seen more of him to be honest as his Chelsea debut aside, he's been excellent since.
66 Posted 23/10/2014 at 02:15:28
Burnley, that should be a 3-0 win no problem, in my opinion. Then maybe we can talk about pushing on.
I think we're up for doing well in Europe. Although we've been up and down so far, we have the points and are top of group. A bit of graft, a bit of skill, a bit of luck... and I think our Euro season will do just fine.
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1 Posted 19/10/2014 at 06:51:35