Match Summary
The game kicked off 5 mins late after a delay due to a traffic accident outside the ground. Meanwhile, inside, Jamie McFadden was given his first Premiership start. Unsworth played in place of the injured Pistone, and Duncan Ferguson led the line with Radzinski; Wayne Rooney was on the bench.
A fairly lively start ensued from both teams, with end-to-end stuff as the players settled. Eyes on Unsworth, who has the job of marking Pennant. McFadden wins an early couple of corners, Yobo tried a shot, and Gravesen driving it back in through the melee, but just wide.
The pattern of the game was being dictated by Everton, who's wing players appeared unusually determined to take on their men and whip balls into the Leeds penalty area. Radz got the ball in from a Stubbs shot after 15 mins but it was offside after Ferguson had neatly ripped Rocque Junior's shirt in half.
McFadden was involved in everything, heading back a perfect ball from the far post in to Duncan but the big man could not control it and it spilled wide. Then he showed his skill, beating three men and crossing well in front of a well entertained Goodison crowd. Carsley nodded another one down to Radzinski, who drilled it just wide.
Finally, a great goal by Watson, with Gravesen and Ferguson in the build up, Gravesen getting the ball past Rocque Junior and Watson playing a one-two off Ferguson before he blasted an unstoppable shot into the net.
A fabulous move by Hibbert set Radzinski on his way and he did everything right but score, beating Robinson and the far post. McFadden, a lovely ball for Radzinski to chase, Robinson beat him but the ball fell to Watson, who smashed it first time from 40 yards — a fantastic goal.
And finally the classic combination: From a Gravesen free-kick, Hibbert beats his man, centres superbly, Duncan Ferguson header: THREE - NIL!
Leeds rallied a little, getting a threatening free-kick that went for a corner but Ferguson was there to head the ball out defensively, much to the appreciation of the Goodison crowd who were loving this.
Watson almost goat his hat-trick just after the restart, following a triple substitution from Peter Reid. But he was determined to do it — and finally he did. A great move started by McFadden, rescuing a lost cause, Ferguson getting the ball in to Watson who floated the ball over Robinson to win the match ball.
The urgency finally subsided as Everton relaxed into the final third of the game, with David Moyes bringing off the match stars, Radzinski and Watson, to a standing ovation. Rooney then came on for the last 15 minutes and almost scored.
Rooney really should have made it five at the death when he beat Robinson but screwed a golden chance past the post.
And what a pleasure it was to finally have a proper referee who knows what he is doing and does it well.
Everton 2-0 Leeds
2003-04 Match Reports Index
Match Preview
After getting back on track with a solid 3-0 victory over Stockport, which was enlightened by a very promising full debut by McFadden, we now entertain Leeds.
Make no mistake, this is a very important game and a defeat would undoubtedly have the Echo shouting "crisis" — which would be melodramatic but not too much of an over reaction.
Leeds too are having difficulties (but then so too were Middlesbrough), no more so than at the back were the signing of Rocque Junior is looking very dodgy. Matteo may return which would certainly improve them back there. In midfield they have pace in Pennant but lack any real commanders. Upfront they still have quality in Viduka and commitment in Smith. They are however, undoubtedly missing Kewell.
For us, Naysmith is suspended after his sending off against Newcastle and, despite Weir being involved in our first clean sheet of the season on Wednesday night, Stubbs and Yobo are likely to be back in harness with Hibbert and Pistone on the flanks.
Two areas where Wednesday's game will have made selection difficult for Moyes is left-midfield and centre-forward. Can McFadden's claims be ignored? Kilbane's signing is already looking to be the most questionable of Moyes's reign and if McFadden is given his chance I think it will mean that we see very little of the Irishman. Upfront the options are endless but Moyes must select the right combination.
Radz has been the most dangerous of our players and Ferguson is now top scorer but how do you leave Rooney out? Is it time that Rooney returned to the bench? Personally I think so — where he is likely to sit alongside Jeffers, who should have recovered from a back sprain.
The defence must stop messing around; already they have thrown away too many points due to silly errors. If we cut them out then the results will start coming if we don't we'll continue to struggle.
2-1 - please?
Blue4Ever
Lee Doyle
Report
Steve Milne
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