As the Beatle’s sang, ‘I’ve got to admit it’s getting better’. For the second game in succession we left the Reebok feeling we had had our monies worth and in between those matches we had put in an admirable display at Old Trafford.
This time, however, we’d also taken the three points. It was far from a perfect display and I am still mystified by some of the manager’s tactics but the game was enjoyable and there was much to commend. Mego fielded the starting eleven that began against United, which was Jussi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba; Cohen, Gardner; Taylor, Davies, Chung-Yong Lee.
It was an encouragingly attacking 4-4-3 line-up, but I was surprised to see CYL starting on the left with Matty Taylor on the right.
We obviously lost the toss and Everton elected to play towards the South Stand in the first half. I don’t know why more teams don’t do this as Wanderers clearly prefer to attack the North Stand end after the interval. Losing the toss, however, allowed us to begin with a well thought out routine. From the kick off, Gardner dribbled forward but then turned to pass back to Samuel. A quick, lofted ball to Davies was headed into space, but landed just behind the supporting midfield. The move deserved better.
Nevertheless, we almost scored in the opening minutes. Lee made space and released Samuel whose cross went to the unmarked Cohen. The Israeli headed powerfully back across the goal but his effort went just the wrong side of the post. This opening set the pattern and the tempo for the game. It was apparent the Everton attack was a handful but the defence looked rocky. Given our tendency to concede, it seemed that a few goals might be on the cards.
And so it proved. Wanderers had the best of the early exchanges and Davies almost scored with a downward header from Taylor’s free kick. Then, after fifteen minutes we were ahead. Ricketts made a determined run down the right and crossed from the by-line. The ball ran to CYL and the youngster, cool as you like, placed his left foot volley past Howard. It was a well taken goal but he clearly needs to work on his celebrations as he kissed the third finger of right hand before kissing the badge.
Everton responded with some skilful attacks and an equaliser looked on the cards but, instead, it was Bolton that scored another. Davies was fouled for the umpteenth time and for once was granted a free kick. Taylor’s pinpoint delivery was headed firmly home by Gary Cahill. Perhaps we hardly deserved a two goal lead but who cared? Everton let in five in the Europa League on Thursday and a repeat looked possible.
But the visitors responded well. Neil found Saha with a penetrating pass. As the striker advanced, Knight backed off him allowing space for a magnificent curling shot that gave Jaaskelainen no chance.
In and amongst the goals, Everton had played some attractive football without giving Jussi a lot to do. Bolton also had their moments, though, other than their respective roles in our goals, the wide men were achieving little. The principal threat came from Sam Ricketts who, though having something of a torrid time in defence, continued with his tenacious forays down the right wing.
The second half continued in much the same vein. Though not playing badly, we lacked the inspiration that CYL provided in the Spurs game and things looked ominous when, after ten minutes, Everton equalised. Again the scorer was given too much space as he ran through; this time it was Cahill who held off from the challenge. We were now being overrun in midfield and with half an hour or so to go the manager made what proved to be a decisive change. Klasnic was introduced, the increasingly ineffective Gardner was sacrificed, and the formation switched to 4-4-2. Perhaps, even more pertinently, CYL and Taylor swapped wings. Thereafter we improved and, apart from one scary moment when Gosling scampered clear and would have scored but for a magnificent challenge by Muamba, we had the best of the game.
A pleasing feature at this stage was that both teams were trying to win; neither was content with the draw. Despite this the score remained level and the tension mounted. There had been some hefty challenges from both sides and with a few minutes left Klasnic was floored by Lucas Neill. The striker lay prone and immobile; things didn’t look good when the referee gestured animatedly for a stretcher. Thankfully the big man was able to resume after treatment and within a couple of minutes it was he that struck the winner. A long ball from Jussi ricocheted around before running clear and Klasnic rammed it home with his left foot. Inspired substitution? Ginger Moriniho rules ok? Well, maybe, but see below.
Four minutes of added time left finger nails chewed to the quick, but the goal had flattened a tiring Everton and we were able record our first win at the Reebok since the beginning of April.
The visitors probably felt they deserved something but then we might have won against Spurs and many thought we were unfortunate not to draw against United. It was a rip roaring game with periods of domination by each side and five goals. I think we won because our players were just that bit more determined and no one exemplified this more than Sam Ricketts. The effort he showed to provide the cross for CYL’s goal was tremendous and he maintained this quality throughout. Cohen and Muamba also worked their socks off in what was essentially a team effort. There were a number of mixed performances. Samuel and Knight are often guilty of lapses but in this game even the normally reliable Cahill was at times at fault. Thankfully he was a rock in the final ten minutes. On the whole though, thanks to the players for an entertaining game.
No, not you Gary, sit down, at least for now. A few weeks ago, the manager, when beleaguered, said he didn’t care what the spectators thought. They didn’t really understand the game, only he and his fellow professionals had that knowledge. It’s the kind of statement that makes him so hard to love, but, ok, he has a point. While I was learning about computers, he was playing football. He’s done all the courses and spent his lifetime in the game. Of course he should know more than the supporters. But perhaps he could explain to the fans why he didn’t swap them round after twenty minutes. CYL playing on the left was largely anonymous, and, apart from his free kicks, Taylor playing on the right was awful. When the change was eventually made, both of them played much better.
The other concern is the defence. Thankfully we are scoring for fun and our goal difference is keeping us in twelfth place above Fulham and Everton who have the same number of points. But we haven’t kept a clean sheet in nine Premier League games and show no signs of doing so. Zac Knight isn’t the commanding centre back we needed but there’s nothing we can do about that at the moment as he’s probably better than the alternatives. Samuel, however, could be replaced. He didn’t have an awful game, but he tends to linger on the ball and find himself in trouble, and because of this he doesn’t inspire confidence. He could be replaced by Gardner, or alternatively by Ricketts with Steinsson taking the right back position. Ricketts looks equally comfortable on either foot and often chooses to cross with his left.
That’s enough of the brickbats. I don’t know what ‘road to Damascus’ kind of experience Mego has had that has brought about the more expansive approach, but it’s very welcome, and even the pundits have noticed. Unfortunately it is going to take along time to retrieve the decline in attendance. There were twenty one and a half thousand to watch the game and five thousand of those were from Everton.
Next, we entertain the juggernaut that is Chelsea. Whether, against them, attacking football will be successful, or even employed, remains to be seen but, at least, I’m looking forward to going to the matches again.
