 |
Match
Preview |
 |
 |
| Result |
Everton |
2 - 1 |
West Bromwich Albion |
| Scorers |
Leon Osman (2)
Leon Osman (70) |
Scott Dobie (7) |
| Attendance |
34,510 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
25 - Nigel Martyn (GK)
22 - Tony Hibbert
3 - Alessandro Pistone
4 - Alan Stubbs
20 - Joseph Yobo
26 - Lee Carsley
16 - Thomas Gravesen
14 - Kevin Kilbane
21 - Leon Osman
7 - Marcus Bent
9 - Kevin Campbell |
4-4-2
(GK) Russell Hoult - 1
Neil Clement - 19
Darren Purse - 6
Paul Robinson - 3
Riccardo Scimeca - 2
Thomas Gaardsoe - 4
Jonathan Greening - 8
Andy Johnson - 10
Scott Dobie - 12
Zoltan Gera - 11
Nwankwo Kanu - 25
|
| Substitutes |
1 - Richard Wright (GK)
2 - Steve Watson
5 - David Weir
10 - Duncan Ferguson
11 - James McFadden |
(GK) Tomasz Kuszczak
- 29
Martin Albrechtsen - 14
Bernt Haas - 22
Darren Moore - 5
James O'Connor - 23 |
| Substitutions |
D Ferguson for K Campbell
(62) |
M Albrechtsen for T
Gaardsoe (23)
B Haas for Z Gera (54)
D Moore for P Robinson (64) |
| Yellow Cards |
None |
Riccardo Scimeca (62)
|
| Red Cards |
None |
None |
| Referee |
P Walton (Northampton) |
This was certainly
the worst performance of the season from the Baggies as they looked
uncoordinated at the back and seemed to have lost the ability to
keep the ball.
The first half was certainly exciting for the neutral as both sides
squandered possession frequently. Thomas Gravesen had an absolute
stormer as he dominated the middle of the park making Clement and
Johnson look completely out of their depth.
It was a Gravesen long throw that brought the Everton opener. It
was flicked on by Kilbane and, with Robinson ball watching at the
far post, the diminutive Leon Osman was unmarked to loop a header
into the far corner.
Albion immediately looked to attack and exerted significant pressure
on the Everton defence with Greening and Gera the main architects.
It was a corner from Greening that was met by Dobie surrounded by
a clutch of Everton defenders, but his header found the far corner
to bring the Baggies level.
It was end to end stuff for the remainder of the first half with
both sides having good opportunities to score. Too many times, Everton
players were given free headers in the box but they were either
off target or within reach of Russell Hoult. Albion's main problem
was the inability to keep possession. Time and again, the ball was
won back well only to be given away by a misplaced pass - most Albion
players were guilty at one time or another.
Campbell left a foot in when he challenged Gaardsoe, missed by the
referee, which saw the Dane stretchered off and replaced by his
countryman Albrechtsen for his debut. After missing his first header,
Albion's record signing went on to put in a good performance although
he could be partly blamed for the Everton winner. Campbell did the
same to Purse later in the game, but thankfully the injury was not
as severe and he could continue.
Purse was grateful for Albrechtsen's intervention when he lost possession
to Bent when he was the last man; the Dane managed to recover and
block the striker's shot.
It was one of those days when even Kanu looked out of sorts - he
got very little support from the referee but he was muscled off
the ball on numerous occasions. In fact, Everton looked stronger
in the challenge all over the park which is something Albion will
need to address.
Greening remained calm and collected throughout and was easily Albion's
best performer. He still needs to make sure he beats the first man
on his set pieces, but in open play he rarely misplaces a pass and
he keeps the ball moving well.
The second half was a contrast to the first and was a largely dour
affair, at least until Everton's second goal. A second Albion defender
had to withdraw through injury when Robinson was replaced by Big
Dave with Megson switching to 3-5-2. With Ferguson also on for Campbell,
Everton were relying on the long ball which Moore, Purse and Albrechtsen
were happy to lap up.
It was Albrechtsen that was guilty of tugging at Ferguson on the
edge of the box which ultimately left both players in a heap, and
Everton with a dangerous free-kick. Clement must be under instructions
to cover the post behind the wall, but it always looks dangerous
and is a tactic that has caught us out more than once. This was
another occasion as, for some reason, Osman was left unmarked on
the six yard line and he got a head onto Carsley's shot to deflect
it past Hoult. It was a stupid way to lose a game.
Albion tried hard to get an equaliser, switching back to 4-4-2,
if not 4-3-3 with Big Dave up front, and while Kanu and Johnson
both went close, they failed to find a way through and were susceptible
to dangerous counter attacks from the home side.
It was a disappointing afternoon as this was a game that we were
capable of winning. And we don't have a game for a fortnight to
bounce back, and the next game is at Anfield so it will be tough
to do so anyway. It is important to ensure that we learn from this
defeat and make sure we don't make a habit of such mistakes.
However, the next home game against Fulham is staring to look like
a must win game to get the season up and running.
Marks
Russell Hoult - 7 - Made some good saves.
Neil Clement - 6 - After a couple of good performances, Clem produced
a mixed afternoon - distribution was woeful at times.
Darren Purse - 6 - Did OK but he was caught a couple of times and
picked up the "pass to the opposition" disease at times.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Better from Robbo - some good moments going
forward and read the game well. Ball-watching for the first goal,
though.
Riccardo Scimeca - 7 - Another good showing from Riccy.
Thomas Gaardsoe - 7 - Didn't do a lot wrong until Campbell took
him out.
Jonathan Greening - 8 - MOM. Looking like a better signing every
game, distribution good, works hard - excellent game.
Andy Johnson - 5 - One or two good challenges, but otherwise looks
lost at sea.
Zoltan Gera - 7 - Another lively display with some good touches
- hopefully he'll be fit enough for 90 minutes soon.
Scott Dobie - 6 - Did well for the goal but didn't do much else.
Nwankwo Kanu - 6 - Uncharacteristically poor game from Kanu; got
caught in possession too often.
Martin Albrechtsen - 7 - Solid performance other than not marking
Osman for the second goal.
Bernt Haas - 6 - Did OK but his decision making still leaves much
to be desired.
Darren Moore - 7 - Was not tested on the floor and stood up well
to Ferguson and did OK when pushed up front.
Gary Megson - 6 - Left no attacking options on the bench - Sakiri
or Dyer could've been there rather than O'Connor. Subs were right
with what he'd got although I'd have given Gera longer. Needs to
sort out the free kicks - defending on the line doesn't work!
Jon Want, 29th August 2004.
|
| ^ Back to Top
|
|
