Finally a Bit of Fight
Well, what a night that turned out to be. Ive enjoyed the pub before the game in this Europa League campaign. There seems to be a bit more excitement in the air and its nice to watch an early game in the pub… Wolfsburg beating Inter Milan in this instance.
Antolin Alcaraz was the surprise inclusion in the team, replacing the virus-stricken John Stones at the back. We arrived in the ground nicely in time for Z-Cars and the teams, after what seemed like an age, took to the field, Everton all in blue for some reason. Did Dynamo Kyiv just bring the wrong shorts?
Id like to fast forward through the first 35 minutes or so because Everton were atrocious in the preceding period. There was no shape to the team and, though solid and disciplined, it wasnt difficult for Dynamo Kyiv to get the better of us. The goal we conceded was just diabolical. A nothing ball into the box was seemingly watched by everyone and eventually culminated in Everton giving away a cheap corner… and then an even cheaper goal straight from the corner.
End of the road for Martinez was pretty much the flow of conversation around us with most even saying to get rid of him before the Newcastle United game on Sunday, with Big Dunc until the end of the season mooted. The knives were out… who would have thought at that point that, come full-time, the Lower Gwladys would be singing his name?
Still, by hook or by crook, we did get ourselves back in the game. Lukaku had already missed a good opportunity from distance with Shovkovskiy off his line but he was thwarted by a fine save on his next chance from a free kick. We came even closer to scoring from the resulting corner when a Jagielka header was cleared off the line and the rebound deflected over the bar.
The momentum was starting to turn and on 39 minutes the goal arrived when a determined Lukaku stormed through a few challenges and kept on going, eventually slipping a ball through to Steven Naismith to finish and level the score. Delight and relief all around the ground, and though playing awful, at the break we had to be happy to be all square.
Onto the second half and though the crowd undoubtedly played its part, Everton were fantastic after the break with Dynamo Kyiv camped inside their own half for large periods of it. We piled on a lot of pressure and the players found their bottle and were up for the fight. We missed good chances (it always seems to be the Everton way) but with hopes fading we got the lifeline of a penalty thanks to a Dynamo Kyiv handball. Up stepped a confident Lukaku who just about found the net to put Everton ahead.
Stick or twist at this point? I said ‘stick’ though everyone else said ‘twist’ and it so nearly paid off when Osmans header went across goal and couldnt be turned in by Naismith on the stretch.
It was a fantastic effort from Everton in the second half and resulted in a thoroughly deserved win. It is crucial to go to Kyiv ahead. Avoid defeat over there and we are through. 1-1 would have been very tough as we would have had to search for something. It wont be easy… it will be extremely tough… but, if we can show that second half fight in Kyiv, we should be in the quarter-final of a European competition.
Now if only we could show that fight in the Premier League.
Player ratings:
Howard: Seems to regaining his confidence a bit and not before time. 6
Garbutt: I was quite proud of Garbutt in the second half as he was well up for the battle and encouraged us forward. He had a great game, especially in the second half. We really need to get him signed up. We have a ready-made replacement for Leighton Baines right there. 8
Jagielka: Excellent in the second half. Kept us at a high line to force mistakes but showed enough pace and intelligence to keep everything in front of him at the back. 8
Alcaraz: Awful start to the game with passes array and defensive absenteeism. Improved second half though Im never happy with him in the team. Hopefully Stones is back for Sunday. 5
Coleman: Got forward a lot but when did we last see a good cross or Coleman assist? Always full of effort but appears to have lost his way this season. 5
Barry: Seemed anonymous in the main. 5
McCarthy: A great effort by McCarthy and was one of the few who kept us going in that dire first half. 8
Mirallas: Glimpses of what he can do but didnt look bothered for a lot of it. 5
Naismith: Took his goal well and was full of effort. 7
Barkley: Never settled in the game and it was only really a surprise that he wasnt substituted sooner. 5
Lukaku: My Man of the Match. An awesome display. Will we see the same Romelu on Sunday? I doubt it somehow. Too many false dawns this season for me. Would love to be wrong of course. 9
Kone (for Mirallas): Put himself about and came close with one effort but I just dont think he offers enough for the team. 5
Osman (for Barkley): Got into the game quickly and showed good intelligence. We need him in the starting XI as quickly as possible. One of the few calm heads we have out there. 6
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