Another first for Cherries fans as we congregated for the first league meeting between the teams at Goodison Park. I have to say from beginning to end we received an excellent reception from fans and stewards alike. They were a real friendly bunch. Before the game there was a very, very emotional five minutes when the family and friends of some of the Hillsborough 96 were paraded to the crowd to tumultuous applause and cheers. Tears were shed.
Eddie again surprised the travelling hordes. 24 hours after suggesting that Harry Arter`s season was over, he started!!!! Also there was first start for Callum Wilson, following his prolonged injury. There was also a recall for Matt Ritchie. On paper it looked a pretty good team, with the Championship winning team back together again.
The game was only seven minutes old, however, when, following, a swift passing move on the left the ball was played into CLEVERLEY, who swivelled around Francis to slam the ball into the far corner beyond on the reach of the diving Boruc. The game was fast and furious at this point with both teams gifting the ball to the other. Two minutes after the Everton goal and the Cherries were level.
A long ball from Francis was won by Wilson who muscled young Pennington off the ball, controlled it with the top of his arm and swung a cross over which eventual fell to PUGH who stroked the ball in off of the goalkeeper. Was it a foul on Pennington? To be honest, yes. If it had happened to us I would have been very upset. It was probably the only thing ref Swarbrick gave us all game though so I am happy to take it. The Everton players were, unsurprisingly, apoplectic though but got nothing from the referee.
The game ebbed and flowed after that but Everton looked most dangerous when running at the Cherries defence although the end result always came to nothing. Bournemouth on the hand were pressing without causing too many problems and too often giving the ball away in midfield.
Half Time – Everton 1 AFCB 1
The second half was much the same. Some of the passing from both side was very poor and there were few chances created until Everton grabbed the initiative just after the hour mark. The ball was played out to the right. A cross was swung in which missed everybody until left back BAINES, made a late run to smash the ball into the top corner, leaving Boruc with no chance to save,
The away team didn`t give up however and pressed hard for the equaliser. Chances came and went for Wilson, Ritchie and Afobe (twice) but we just couldn`t find the target. Frustratingly we were still far too profligate and good moves came to halt all too frequently with a wayward pass.
In the end we just didn`t have enough to score the deserved equaliser.
Full time – Everton 2 AFCB 1
Verdict
A draw would have been a fair result but it was great to see both Wilson and Arter start, but both clearly need some game time to regain their sharpness. Overall it wasn’t a bad performance and of course the day ended well with defeat for Norwich, which guaranteed Premier League football for another season.
Boruc: 7 A couple of good saves by the Pole
Francis: 6 The link up with Ritchie didn`t really tick all game. No real fault for the first game.
Cook 6 Fairly solid. No big scares
Elphick 6 His lack of speed worries me quite a bit but played ok
Daniels 6 Not at his mid-season best with some of his passes going astray. Some good overlapping runs
Ritchie 6 Much better than of late but needs to get his shooting boots back
Arter 6 Great to see Harry back again. Worked hard in midfield but some of his passing was off today.
Surman 6 Looked comfortable in midfield but again his distribution could have been better.
Pugh 7 One of our better players. His turns and jinks are a joy. Took his goal coolly.
Wilson 7 Led the line very well and created space for others. His shooting boots were at home though
King 8 Another outstanding game. He chased, harried and worked really well.
Stanilas 6 Worked hard when he came but gave the ball away too much.
Afobe 5 Had two good chances which he failed to take, especially the header right in front of goal
Grabban 5 Didn`t really contribute much when he came on
Report by Audenshaw Cherry
Uttoxeter cherry wrote…
I travelled up the m6 in the hope of a good game and adding to our points tally.
We got the the first but unfortunately not the second.
Cherries fielded possibly our strongest team with Callum making his first start since injury and Harry returning to midfield. Formation seemed to be a 4 4 1 1 but with josh playing wide right.
After the wonderfully heartfelt hillsborough tribute, the game began with hope of resisting an early goal unlike recent games. Unfortunately we succumbed early again after cleverly cleverly turned Francis inside out before beating Boruc. It was a well taken goal but Boruc seemed easily beaten again and should be disappointed not to get a hand to the ball. Our response was immediate though, but we can be grateful that the ref didn’t blow for an obvious push by wilson/king in the build up. The ball dribbled across the box with Pugh finishing off via the keepers legs.
The game became very open and excellent to watch. It was fairly end to end stuff as each team traded possession and attacks. Both teams got into good positions but were wasteful with the final ball or shot. I felt fairly comfortable though as our defence held firm. Our passing was also very slick with some superb olé moments through midfield.
2nd half began in similar fashion but with Everton pressing more. Josh king came more and more into the game and ran the right channel superbly. He beat his man for fun and caused all sorts of problems. Crosses into the box though never quite fell to our boys, or when they did the finish was lacking. Pugh also had a good game and although not as quick as Gradel, does seem to have more guile.
…and then Everton scored. A similar goal to ours with baines smashing into the roof of the net.
I was a bit disappointed when both king and Pugh were then subbed, with junior and afobe coming on. We really pressed the last 15 mins and the attacking came more down the left with Daniels and junior combining well. Again though we either waited too long to shoot or shot too early! Daniels in particular trying a Bergkamp when there were better options available. Afobe missed a sharp headed chance amongst other close efforts by Ritchie.
So we lost again but deserved more this time. It was a good performance and we certainly held our own. I do think we need a direct running midfielder who can take on and beat a player to counter the side to side passing.
Fans were excellent again. Been a pleasure to support with you this season. See you at United.
MOM king for constant running and threat.
Boruc 6.5- good distribution. Disappointing goal
Daniels 6.5- some good attacking but not the form of a few weeks back
Cook 7- been getting better all season.
Elphick 7- solid and attacking in air
Francis 6.5 – beaten for goal but otherwise ok
Arter 6.5- tackled well and tried to keep ball moving
Surman 6.5- solid if unspectacular as always
Ritchie 6.5- can’t make my mind up about Ritchie. Can do the spectacular but seems to drift in games. Could we try him in the middle…
King 8- such an improved player and now vital to our play. Great speed and strength.
Wilson 6.5- not quite back to best but will take time.
Subs
Stanislas – some good wing play with Daniels
Afobe – good option from bench. Difficult chance missed
Grabban – worked hard
