FA Cup: Everton Marches into the Next Round

Everton puts in a totally wonderful 1st half to earn themselves a place in the final eight.

This was supposed to be the final match for the talismanic Donovan but the sniffles prevented him from playing in this game. It was great to see Wayne Rooney and Duncan Ferguson in the stand. Even Cahill was there with his entire family. Looked like a wonderful reunion of sorts.

As for the team line-up, Hibbo was brought back into the team together with a new-look midfield of Magaye, Neville, Felli, Gibson and Drenthe. Strac continues to lead from the front. 

Everton came off the blocks first. With a sweeping move, Magaye took the ball to the left byline before putting in a lovely cross. Felli was first to the ball in the penalty area but was quickly surrounded by players. He then made a pass out to Drenthe who curled the ball into the net. Everton 1-0 Blackpool. Assist: Felli.

That totally unsettled Blackpool who then went on to concede another goal in the 7th minute. A corner taken by Drenthe saw a reverse header by Magaye. The ball placed the Blackpool defence in sixes and sevens. Strac was quickest to the ball to toe-poke it into the net. Everton 2-0 Blackpool.

Howard came into action very effectively in the 18th minute when Neville failed to track the Blackpool striker and the latter had the opportunity to go one-on-one with Howard. The Everton custodian dived bravely to ensure that the ball went anywhere but into the goal.


Strac is putting in his 110% effort as he ran after everything that moved. On the wings, Drenthe needs to remember to keep his play simple. His passes are too over elaborate and he's not picking out his colleagues when they are open.
 
Still, Drenthe created space for himself and created space for himself. He cuts it back for Felli whose strike was deflected off a Blackpool player. Corner. The ball was throttled into the danger area once again and Strac tried a looping header but just over the top.
 
Everton totally dominated the 1st half.
 
In the 50th minute, the hard running of Strac saw him breaching the offside trap. He brought the ball down through the left channel and placed in a lovely chip. Felli and Gibson both got tangled in the penalty area and the chance was lost.
 
Moyes made an early change in the 56th minute. Coleman in for Magaye. This means more threat on the wings as Drenthe moved back to his preferred left wing while Coleman takes the right.
 
Immediately, Drenthe was dominating the left channel and his thunder of a strike was palmed away by Blackpool's goalkeeper.  
 
A good set-up by Everton in the 80th minute. Hibbo with a cross, Strac with a back flick, Felli was at the end of the ball. He smashes in the ball only for it to be cleared off the line.
 
Moyes made his second and third changes in the 83rd and 87th minute minute respectively. Barkley and Vellios in for Gibson and Strac.
 
Somehow in the 90th minute, Heitinga was adjudged to have fouled a Blackpool player in the penalty area. Penalty. But the Blackpool striker totally skied the ball! What a let-off!
 
Score: Everton 2-0 Blackpool
Scorers: Drenthe, Strac
Assists: Felli
Subs: Coleman, Barkley, Vellios