If brilliance has a drawback, it lies in the sense of anti-climax when exalted standards are not met. Wolves produced arguably their outstanding result and performance of the campaign in winning at West Ham last Tuesday; Everton excelled in defeating Manchester City 24 hours later. With neither capable of replicating that display, a creditable result for both clubs nonetheless appeared underwhelming.
As two sides managed by former central defenders proved resolute enough to keep a clean sheet, they were respectable rather than remarkable. Unbeaten runs were extended – Everton have now been defeated just twice in 18 games while Wolves’ past four matches have yielded 18 points – but perspiration was in greater supply than inspiration.
Nevertheless, Everton’s confidence was apparent in the construction of several moves of high class. After five minutes, the Wolves defence were exquisitely unlocked. Steven Pienaar, switched from the left flank to the right by manager David Moyes, combined with Louis Saha, collecting the Frenchman’s return pass to accelerate into the penalty area. Rather than shooting, he took the unselfish option and squared the ball for Leon Osman. His low shot was superbly saved by Marcus Hahnemann.
The American was also alert to hold shots from Osman, Saha and Leighton Baines. When he was beaten, Saha’s superb shot left the woodwork reverberating as it clipped the bar on its way over. The striker had taken Baines’s diagonal ball on his chest before unleashing a fearsome drive. It was another indication of the influence of the left-back, who was being watched by Fabio Capello.
Everton continued to press. Saha propelled himself through the air to meet Osman’s cross, but headed it over the bar; Tim Cahill met Baines’s corner but his glancing header went the wrong side of the post. In the last minute, Cahill headed the ball into the path of substitute Dan Gosling and Hahnemann made a second vital stop. In added time, Cahill’s improvised overhead kick was cleared off the line by Jody Craddock.
Premier LeagueWolverhampton WanderersEvertonRichard Jollyguardian.co.uk
