Everton: Important Three Points

Everton grabbed a good three points with Ossie scoring a lovely header.

Moyes still continues with his 4-5-1 but as the Singaporean Evertonians were discussing last week, it would be best for Cahill to be rested as he has not been able to contribute effectively to the team. Drenthe and Coleman are slotted back into the two wings while Ossie takes the place of Cahill. Strac has impressed the last match and is warming the bench. Other substitutes include Faddie, Distin, Magaye and Barkley.

One thing that this game shows is that there is no weak teams in the Premiership. Swansea came to Goodison fighting and their passing was magnificant while Everton's wings looked a lot more lively. Still, the Toffees lacked the final incisive touch.

The game was played at a pretty breath-taking pace.

Unfortunately, Coleman has to be taken out due to injury and Magaye takes the winger's place in the 30th minute.

Drenthe moved over to the right and immediately, swaggered left and right to create a chance for Saha who headed wide. Everton has been winning free kicks and corners but so far nothing has come out of it.

Everton has a great chance in the 36th minute. It started with a sliced pass by Ossie. Bainesy puts in a low cross for Magaye to smash the ball towards goal. Palmed away by the goalkeeper, only as far as to Magaye who tried to tuck the ball into the net. Stopped by two Swansea defenders, unjustly with the use of hands. But the referee chose not to give Everton the penalty.

Another handball at the edge of the box gave Everton a chance to put in past the goalkeeper via a deadball situation. Bainesy puts it over. Magaye had another try on target but the goalkeeper was equal to it to prevent the winger for scoring. By the end of 1st half, Swansea has not taken a single shot at Everton's goal.

Everton has strong possession - numerous free kicks and corners but are not turning them into goals. The weak link really is the final third whereby the midfielders also need to chip in their fair share of goal, rather than just relying on Saha.



Once again, Everton starts well with loads of flowing passes. The pressure from the front is not there. Strac indeed have to come in sooner than later. Drenthe's pace and control is definitely giving Swansea alot to think about and finally, a Drenthe cross saw Ossie rising like a salmon to head part the goalkeeper. 60th minute goal. Everton 1-0 Swansea. A good mid-way goal. But I guess with this, Moyes will not bring on Strac. Or maybe he will for Saha.

Everton needs to prop up their goal difference and this home game should accord Everton with that. Swansea is now coming back harder and they had the first chance on goal. Howard was not too troubled.

Saha wins Everton a free kick near the box, Drenthe though ballooned it. All the free kicks taken today don't seem to be heading towards the net. Still, Drenthe looked like a good loan deal with loads of running and defending from the front.

Strac in for Saha in the 70th minute and final substitution, Cahill on for the magnificant Drenthe in the 80th minute.

The last 10 minutes or so, Swansea just could not breach the Everton's defence. So a great three points for Everton to bring us into a lovely Christmas!

Score: Everton 1-0 Swansea
Scorer: Ossie
Assist: Drenthe
Subs: Magaye, Strac