FAN ARTICLES
Thumping Win for Blues
Comments (56) : Technical problems mean I missed most of the fun, so anyone who can give a good summary would be appreciated. Meanwhile, this is from ESPN:
Everton moved to within one point of Merseyside rivals Liverpool and put a major dent in Wolves' survival hopes with a 3-0 victory at Molineux on Saturday. Jermaine Beckford, Phil Neville and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all produced fine strikes to inflict a crushing defeat on Mick McCarthy's men, leaving them 19th in the table with only six games remaining.In fairness to Wolves, they made the much brighter start on home soil, but they were rocked by Everton's 21st-minute opener, which was beautifully crafted by Leon Osman. The elusive midfielder glided down the right flank before whipping in a wicked cross to the near post, where Beckford arrived on cue to glance past Wayne Hennessey.
The same combination almost doubled Everton's advantage 10 minutes later in almost carbon copy circumstance, with Osman once again swinging over a sublime cross only to see Beckford this time denied by Hennessey, who was being worked overtime.
The Wales international goalkeeper then pulled out a superb reaching one-handed save to prevent an own goal from an Everton corner, but there was nothing he could do when the rebound worked its way to Neville. Taking one touch to settle himself on the edge of the area, the former Manchester United man arrowed a shot into the far top corner as Wolves' defence capitulated.
Everton were now outnumbering the Wolves defence with alarming regularity, and a third goal arrived when Bilyaletdinov advanced with the ball, with Beckford free to his left. The Russian arguably should have passed, but instead he chose to unleash a 25-yard howitzer that sent the Toffees into half-time with a 3-0 lead.
Adlene Guedioura twice forced top class saves from Tim Howard as Wolves attempted to find a way back into the contest, but the home side's defence had already killed any hope of a result.
Reader Comments (56)
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2 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:54:18
3 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:44:41
We slowly got back into things. Ossie put in a great cross, Beckford glanced in for a proper striker's goal.
From then we took over and Wolves collapsed. They nearly scored an own goal only for Beckford to play it to Pip who sent in a rocket before Cahilling at the flag.
Dying seconds on the half saw another Wolves mistake picked up by Bily coming into the centre. He scored with an unstoppable swerver that nearly broke the net.
Second half was a bit boring, notable only for Beckford arguing with Moyes when he came off. The whole team played well, except Geuye, who looked lost. He almost scored when one-on-one but the goalie got a foot to it. Vellios looked ok and laid a nice ball off for Bily who fell over before getting cramp. Ossie MotM for me.
4 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:53:04
5 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:55:38
6 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:55:25
BTW, it was 0-3 Nick.
7 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:53:27
Thought defensively we were really solid and well disciplined, tracking Jarvis on all his runs, and not giving Wolves any clearcut opportunities from their numerous corners and free kicks.
So, first clean sheet away from home for six months. Cherry on the cake was the three great goals: first one a great run from the tireless Osman to beat the offside trap followed by a perfect assist; then a great strike from Neville and a thunderbolt from Bily.
8 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:58:23
9 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:59:44
For me Ossie stood out. Good mentions though to Jags, Hibbo, Distin, Howard, Pip and John H. Bily not too shabby, some good touches. Beckford's getting into the groove but god knows what will happen after shouting with Moyes. Baines, nothing special but reliable. Forshaw came on as sub but didn't get time to show anything. Big Vic, enough said.
10 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:08:21
Bily was poor except for the goal, which was outstanding, Gueye was anonymous, Beckford ? who reminds me of a poor man?s Berbatov with that languid style ? took his goal really well and laid the ball off for Neville?s goal. Victor was... well, Victor.
11 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:02:38
First 15 minutes, looked like the lads were enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to summer
On 20-odd minutes Ossie breaks down the right and floats in a cross to the near post for Becks to head home unmarked
Shortly before the break, two awesome goals. First, Pip picks up the ball on the edge of the area after Elokobi almost scores an og, and drives a screamer into the opposite corner of the net. Does a Timmy celebration by sparring with the corner flag and misses a punch (needs more practice).
Then my DSTV goes dead so I missed the goal of the match. But from Replays I see Bily scores goal of the season with an absolute screamer.
Second half not much to write about, except some type of row between Becks and Moyesy, not sure what that was about.
Overall marks:
Howard - 6 not much to do.
Hibbo - 8 superb kept Jarvis in check.
Distin - 8 another colossal performance, real battle with Ebanks Blake who was up for it.
Jags - 7 a bit untidy in possession but solid all the same.
Bily - 7 did fuck all but what a beaut of a goal.
Heitinga - 6 good impression of the invisible man.
Neville - 9 MotM in my opinion, some vital blocks in the beginning, cracking goal and hilarious celebration.
Ossie - 7 stray passes and loses possession too easily, but in the last third he comes alive and a peach of a cross for Becks goal.
Gueye 6 - looked nervous and missed a good chance one-on-one with their keeper, just needs more games and more confidence
Beckford - 7 very good off the ball and a good goal, should have stayed on as he could have got more.
Subs:
Vic - 5. Tried to let the ball roll out and allowed a Wolves player to keep it in and start an attack. Said it all really.
Vellios - 6. Not enough time but I like him, nicked possession off their defenders and looked lively.
Forshaw - 6 not enough time.
12 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:16:21
13 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:34:43
14 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:35:36
The conundrum that Moyes has to resolve is that our second team is far more effective than the A team .
Oh yes, fairs fair, big Vic looked alright when he came on, must be the new beard. Great win today given how badly we have done against them.
15 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:06:52
16 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:02:29
17 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:12:28
He is more or less the only senior striker left standing at the moment. 20mins to go, 3-0 up, theres a hungry young forward who needs game time on bench. Moyes probably didnt want Beckford to pick up a knock - the game was well won by that point.
They also shook hands at the end of the game when the players were heading down the tunnel.
Moyes is probably happy Beckford showed a bit of spirit, though he will probably give him a bit of a telling off for the public show. Thats all.
18 Posted 09/04/2011 at 15:57:47
Beckford then had a chance with a header but bit too close to keeper who made a fine save.
From a corner, their player headed towards their goal. Looked in but keeper made a great save. Came back to Beckford who held the ball well back to Neville who pinged into into the top right hand corner.
TV was showing a reply when Guaye was through on goal. Not quite clinical and keeper made a good save.
Wolves then lost ball in midfield, three touches from Billy then "Bang" stunning strike into same corner as Neville from 25 yards.
2nd half came and went. 70 odd mins Beckford comes off and Vellios came on. Disgraceful actions from Beckford saw him lay into Moyes. I appreciate why he was upset to come off but you don't react like that. The same was won and we need him fit for other games as we have no one else.
Imagine if he'd got injured at 3 up and we'd have no forwards for the next game?
Osman and Neville were great.
19 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:15:38
20 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:17:47
21 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:44:10
One idea might be that we're not great when the pressure's on... and when there's no pressure, when we have a weakened squad, then less pressure on and we play better football.
Otherwise, it could be the "backs to the wall" mentality when Moyes is in his element and so strong?
Just seen Moyes's post match interview and he was defusing the situation completely. Beckford needed to be taken off as we'd already won the game and no point risking an injury on our only remaining striker.
22 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:52:54
I'm very glad to see though that he adopted a conciliatory stance later. He's learning.
23 Posted 09/04/2011 at 16:56:34
Neville and Osman are both good at carrying out the basic requirements of their position; Neville tracks the runners, puts the tackles in and blocks the shots. Osman makes and scores goals. Fellaini and Arteta can look as composed and languid on the ball as they want but in my opinion they were fialing to do these basics earlier in the season.
24 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:02:59
What do you expect? Moyes to just laugh it off?
Beckford should not have reacted like that.
Have you ever seen people like Neville, Cahill, Jags, Arteta react like that? I haven't.
I'm sure Moyes will tear into him in private. As all good managers do.
25 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:11:24
26 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:11:51
27 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:07:01
Is Rooney ever described in the press as a former Everton player? Actually i'll answer my own question: Only when he's shagging grannies or swearing at cameras.
28 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:17:14
Hibbo: 7 Very solid and energetic
Baines: 7 Solid game
Distin: 7 Class!
Jagielka 7: Class!
Heitinga: 6 not really a great game, but seen him a lot worse.
Neville: 7 for the goal, otherwise unremarkable
Osman: 8 MotM he was really good for most of the game once again. Some top class crosses
Bily: 6 What a goal, but missed the ball from 4 metres. Really sums the guy up perfectly.
Gueye: 5 Not a good full debut
Beckford: 7 Very good first half; second... not so much.
Subs:
Anichebe: 6 Actually won a few balls today, but everyone knows it won´t amount to anything in the end.
Vellios: Looked tidy, but his teammates didn´t really use him properly
Forshaw: Gave it his all the few minutes he got on.
29 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:22:24
>Howard: Not much to do
Eh? He made three very fine saves that had he not, would have been 3-3.
30 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:27:27
31 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:40:21
32 Posted 09/04/2011 at 17:51:07
33 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:00:57
34 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:17:39
35 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:27:04
36 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:24:57
Hibbert 7 Great defender
Distin 7 Solid
Jagielka 7 Solid. Some crucial last ditch tackles.
Baines 6 (I forgive him, though)
Geuye 7 (where was he playing? not a winger, not a central player...hmmm deja vu. Nevertheless, well worth the money Everton paid. Potential.)
Osman 9 (Excellent performance. Great feet. Showed leadership and Premiership quality)
Neville 8 Good goal. Shite celebration.
Bily 7 (Goal of the season..again. Give him one more season, in lieu of notable improvement, send a youtube video to Shaktar; they'll bite Kenwrights's arm off for £20 million)
Beckford 8 (some poor decisions on the ball; however, worth his weight in gold for the space his pace creates and his natural finishing)
Heitinga 5 shite in Midfield
Anichebe 5 Shite
Velios 6 like the cut of his jib. Nothing special, today. But only an under 19.
37 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:41:29
Went for 'Money can't buy time' in the National. Reminded me of Everton. Jog on Kenwright.
38 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:37:00
I can't criticise too much but thought Hibbert gave Jarvis far too much space, Gueye, Beckford and Bily gave possession away far too cheaply.
Still 3-0 with a weakened side and not playing particularly well makes up for the better performances when we got nothing ? i.e. Villa away.
Don't read too much into this performance, methinks.
39 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:48:12
40 Posted 09/04/2011 at 18:44:44
Wolves were absolutely desperate so it`s difficult to judge how we played.
Howard, Distin, Ossie good, Hibbo Jags resilient, the rest . . . ok
Joeynkoo ;
It was nice to meet you, Make sure the young family keep the faith
41 Posted 09/04/2011 at 19:39:41
42 Posted 09/04/2011 at 19:51:14
I like that young Vellios though, he could be just what we need chasing defenders down, even though we were 3 up... unlike big fat Vic who will only chase the ball if there's a Big Mac or pastie attached to it!
I was surprised at how little fight Wolves had after the first goal though. I thought it was going to be the day were Hibbo finally scored after Captain Pip's effort!
After all the shit we've been through this season, Europe is still a possibility... unbelievably!
43 Posted 09/04/2011 at 20:38:14
Carlos Camacho #29 ? you're right, Howard made a couple of very good saves. Overall, however, not his busiest game ? not many crosses to come and take, which reflects how solid Distin and the rest of the defence were.
44 Posted 09/04/2011 at 20:44:38
Ossie over the last 6 matches to me has been the key player and the reason we have got the critical points, but still on this site he has loads of critics. Perhaps if we all got behind Ossie and Co and showed our appreciation, they would take responsibility when the the full team is available rather than sometimes taking the back seat, assuming like many of this site that others are more important.
My own theory is that the team for whatever reason has put too much responsibility on a couple of key players like Mikey and when they are not performing we struggle, when we should realise we have a got a squad of good players so if say Mikey is out of touch then someone like Ossie gets the free role and Mikey plays the disciplined role. Probabaly I could lay blame at all if my view is correct but I think that it can only help if we all appreciated the Ossies of this world.
45 Posted 09/04/2011 at 23:07:32
3 excellent goals.
Excellent defending (by us!!)
10 minutes of Forshaw.
Apparently Moyes and Beckford had been screaming at each other for 20 minutes before he was hauled off to the effect that Beckford needed to start chasing down more with Beckford's retort being WTF I'm on my own.
Bit worrying seeing the temper in both of them and Beckford and Gueye apprently agreeing that they "don't understand Moyesy".
They're probably not on their own in that but hopefully it will all be forgotten as we celebrate an excellent 3 points.
46 Posted 10/04/2011 at 00:34:16
With no fear of relegation and the slimmest of hopes for Europa League... maybe, just maybe, we should give the youngsters Gueye, Vellios, Forshaw a chance to be blooded ? sell on some shite: Bily, Heitinga, Hibbert raise money, reduce debt! It worked for Utd with youngsters, what should be different to them than us?
Also, give Moyes credit: youngsters cost nothing ? superstars a lot we could actually have something big on here. Moyes is trustworthy he could have gone but he has stuck with us and seen things that we don't see. COYB ? finish strong and bring on next season.
47 Posted 10/04/2011 at 01:06:07
Obviously I was refering to Vellios, considering it's him who came on for Beckford.
I also said Beckford is our one fit senior striker. Anichebe wasn't mentioned for a reason.
48 Posted 10/04/2011 at 01:08:03
---------------------
The answer Moyes gave makes perfect sense. We've got no other fit strikers, and we're 3-0 up; why take chance on injuries?
Beckford took his goal well, as he has a few times. But the jury is defo out. Let's hope second season means he's more acclimatised to the Premier League.
We're gonna need to get two strikers in the summer, and I'd use all the money from sales of: Yak, Yobo, probably Vaughan, and throw in Anichebe, to get one of them. Then either a loan or sell one of the silver plates to buy.
49 Posted 10/04/2011 at 01:22:56
Yes it is. Fun to watch these younger kids.
I personally have enjoyed watching the last 3-4 weeks more than I have in a long while.
Hats off to Osman. He's been excellent lately.
50 Posted 10/04/2011 at 05:34:02
51 Posted 10/04/2011 at 08:54:10
52 Posted 10/04/2011 at 11:32:23
Jay, I agree with Gueye and Beckford screaming at Moyes, Beckford always played with support before so for Moyes to expect a different game at the drop of a hat is plain silly. It'll calm down but Moyes will demand his game plan and not play to Beckford's strengths.
53 Posted 10/04/2011 at 12:45:16
54 Posted 10/04/2011 at 12:57:25
55 Posted 10/04/2011 at 13:29:35
56 Posted 10/04/2011 at 15:52:25
Moyes has steadily brought him on, he has demanded a higher standard from him, but has been patient. Beckford has improved dramatically and looks like he may yet earn a decent living playing at the top level but he needs to get his head down, keep his gob shut and keep grafting. Being late for a game and then publicly gobbing off to the guy who gave him a chance when nobody else wanted to will not impress anybody.
I`d make him sit the next one out and give Vellios another go. Beckford needs to remember, his opportunity has come late in life and if he doesn't make a go of this he will almost certainly end up back in the lower divisions. Trying to bite the hand that feeding him is NOT a good career move.
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1 Posted 09/04/2011 at 14:51:58