Report: We just can’t Beat Everton for Toffee

Everton away has turned into a forgone conclusion these days with defeat in the minds of most on Wearside. Ten years since a win at Goodison Park being the reason for this and not many thought that run was going to end on Wednesday. There hasn’t been much good news at all lately, but there was finally something to feel optimistic about as Cattermole made his long awaited return to the side. The defence had yet another face lift as Gordon returned in goal, Mensah and Kilgallon joined Nosworthy and McCartney in defence; Cattermole and Cana filled the middle of the park with Henderson and Zenden on the wings; Bent was upfront with Richardson playing just behind him in an attacking midfielder role. 

I can’t imagine one person forgetting to mention the danger of Cahill on the stands and especially not within the dressing room. Nosworthy and Kilgallon seemed to have missed this advice as six minutes in he was gifted a free header due to some lackadaisical marking and already we found ourselves 1-0 down. After conceding seven in our last league game we really didn’t need a replay of the hammering we took under Keane against Everton. There was no real response to the goal and we started to get a little sloppy with whatever possession we managed to gain. 

It took only just over ten minutes for Everton to double their lead as Cahill set up Donovan on the edge of the area and after creating some space the U.S.A international slotted the ball easily past Gordon. With not even 20 minutes on the clock and the lads already 2- 0 down, the fans could hear the floodgates creaking under pressure. Given the performance so far it seemed that not only Jones was distracted as no one on the team seemed interested. Richardson came off on 26 minutes due to an ankle injury forcing Jones to make a premature appearance. Anybody who thought that the big forwards presence would kick start our performance was sadly mistaken. 

We never threatened at all for the remainder of the half, ending the first 45 minutes without mustering a shot on target. The closest we came was towards the end of the half when Zenden put a ball across the six yard box which Jones dispatched well over the bar. Performances like this leaves us wondering when this horrid run of form is going to come to an end. 

Cattermole was replaced with Reid after the break and Mensah switched positions with Nosworthy at the back. Not good news for Cattermole as he felt his hamstring twinge in his other leg rather than the one that has kept him out for nearly a month. The second half was no different from the first and we were fortunate not to be 3 – 0 down by the hour mark as Donovan rounded Gordon only for McCartney to clear the ball off the line. Soon after Mensah made a last ditch tackle to deny Saha as Everton dominated play once more. 

It was only in the last 15 minutes we managed to carve out an opportunity that was actually on target. Zenden let loose a clever snap shot that forced a good save from Howard as well as Jones’ header needing to be tipped over the bar by the alert Everton keeper. After a flurry of corners which all ended in the same disappointing result the match ended 2 – 0 in what was probably Everton’s most comfortable result this season. 

Man of the Match: Mensah or McCartney as they were the only two that actually did anything worth shouting about.

Final Score: Everton 2 – 0 Sunderland

By Jonothan Scollen

What is your view on this story? Have your say below - You DON'T need to register in order to post your comment