Everton - A Good Point Away From Home

Everton gets a point for all their huffing and puffing. A point away from home is definitely a good point.

Everton's squad is wafer thin as injuries blighted the club. Drenthe and Felli were brought back and new signing Darron Gibson is brought straight into the squad. Donovan also played his third game for the club.  As for the formation, Moyes continued to play 4-5-1 with misfiring pair Saha and Cahill playing upfront.

As early as the 7th minute, Aston Villa took a stinging free kick that Howard had to palmed away. Close call.

Gibson was lively and he created the first clear chance for Everton. A nicely weighted floater saw Cahill running in blind towards the penalty area, only to hit the ball weakly. To be fair, it was not an easy ball to bring down. Everton had an even better chance in the 17th minute. A free kick by Bainesy saw Saha's skimming header palmed away by Villa's goalkeeper. That should have been 1-0 to Everton!

Saha had another chance when Saha was tugged down in the penalty area. But the striker did not even complain about it. You really have to wonder why.
 
In the 23rd minute, Villa nearly killed themselves when Villa's defender Stephen Warnock had wanted to help Everton score with a wonderful header, wonder save by the Villa goalkeeper again!

At the end of the 1st half, Everton only had one shot on target and yet we have more of the possession. This is the state of the Toffee's football.


In the 2nd half, Bainesy took a freekick in the 48th minute straight to the head of Felli . The ball was heading into goal, only to be saved by Villa's goalkeeper's chest? How was that possible?

In the 55th minute, Villa broke through Everton's defence to hook in the ball. Villa 0-1 Everton. This is totally saddening.

Suddenly Everton seemed to be in a disarray! The Toffees had to replace Drenthe in the 60th minute. Looks like he is injured. In comes Anichebe and what an introduction.

A sliced pass in the 67th minute by Donovan saw Anichebe lurking just onside. He latched onto the ball and placed it past the on rushing goalkeeper. Goal! Villa 1-1 Everton.

Gibson is taken off after 80 minutes of hard running and lack of match fitness saw him being replaced by Bily.

It all came alive again for Everton in the 85th minute when Donovan, Saha and Anichebe came marauding forward. Final shot by Anichebe palmed away by the oppposing goalkeeper.

Final substitution in the 88th minute - Strac in for Saha.

After 90 minutes, Everton came away with a point. Can't complain about the final score. At least we are climbing up the table.


Score: Villa 1-1 Everton
Scorer: Anichebe
Assist: Donovan
Subs: Anichebe, Bily, Strac