Start of the season and Everton has just the platform to show why they are fifth in the table last season. Alternatively, if they lose this match, then it might just be an early signal that we may not be able to compete for the top four position. Everton is playing 4-5-1 with Jo thrusts upfront. Pienaar who had a slight ankle injury during midweek is back in the side. Interesting to see how Lescott performs in what might be his last match at Goodison. Maybe he wants to leave because the new jersey looks horrendous! Anyhow, here goes.
The play's pretty scrappy for the first 10 minute. But the danger for Everton is that they are sitting back just that slight bit. Good stop by Yobo to prevent Arsenal from taking a crisp shot in the 12th minute.
Everton had good possession in the 15th minute with good passing all round but the attack came to nothing. Cahill nearly got clear with a wonderful Pienaar pass in the 21st minute. Still there was not shot.
Ossie was set free on the right but could not get pass the defenders. Very quickly in the 25th minute, Arsenal struck back effectively, putting the ball past Howard. Everton 0-1 Arsenal. Everton has to show character now. Either they fight back or crumble. The singing is now coming from the Arsenal crowd within Everton's ground. The nerve of them!
Everton wins their first corner, and then another in the 32nd minutes. Nearly by Felli but cleared off the line. The crosses are coming in but the Everton players are just not at the right positions. The midfield is for Everton to win but somehow, Timmy is not there to control the game. Open goal for Arsenal in the 36th minute from a free kick. The defence is in shambles! Everton 0-2 Arsenal. Their new defender scored. This is a total insult on home ground. And Arsenal scores again in the 40th minute. Everton 0-3 Arsenal.
The lack of quality players is impacting Everton so early on in the season. Lescott has not look assured in the defence at all. He truly looked unsettled. Total annihilation in the first half. Let's look at our injury list. When's Yak, Arteta and Jag coming back? Hope that they got a hairdryer treatment from Moyes!
Start of the second half and within 2 minutes, they are 4 goals down! Its an onslaught! Score doesn't matter now. It's how they are willing to fight back. Saha needs to come in for the ineffective Jo. As for Ossie? I really don't know if there's a attacking midfielder on the bench.
Ossie, Jo and Hibbo are being replaced by Saha, Rodwell and Gosling. Moyes has tossed in all in coins as he seldom puts in three substitutes after the lesson he'd learnt last season whereby three changes were made early and afterwhich Everton suffered and injury and they had to play with 10 men.
Opening for Rodwell but lashing it wide in the 61st minute. Oh boy, Everton conceded their 5th goal. It's free play by Arsenal. First time I'm seeing fans heading home that early. Arsenal is in devastating form. Saha shoots just wide in the 75th minute. Saha had another chance in the 79th minute but shot wide left. Then it was 6 goals while Saha scored the only consolation goal in injury time. Total disaster!
Score: Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Scorer: Saha
Assist: Nil
Subs: Saha, Rodwell and Gosling
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