For Fabio Capello, the devil was in the detail. Watching an Everton defence containing three England internationals keep a clean sheet could have construed an enjoyable afternoon. That neither goalkeeper was beaten and both, Tim Howard and Marcus Hahnemann, are probable members of the United States World Cup squad, instead highlighted Capello’s quest for a reliable shot-stopper.
Ahead of another Anglo-American contest in Rustenburg on 12
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
Had Mikel Arteta been fit for the whole season, Everton might have more than just a hope of European football next season. The return of the Basque playmaker has directly coincided with an upswing in Everton’s form that has seen them win 10 of their past 11 home games in all competitions and seven in a row in the Premier League. Supporters of Landon Donovan, who has returned to Los Angeles Galaxy after a loan spell that was more successful and which ended less painfully than David Beckham’s at Milan, might also point to the American’s contribution.
This, however, was a hard-fought victory over a Bolton side who have not managed a league goal on Merseyside for five years, but who looked second best only after they were reduced to 10 men with 18 minutes remaining.
As Yakubu broke clear, he seemed to be pushed in the back by Gretar Steinsson who was sent off, although the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, might have argued the Nigerian was still 20 yards from goal when the incident occurred. It was, however, the third red card Bolton had been shown in their past four games and Arteta doubled the punishment with a beautifully flighted free-kick that curled into a corner of Jussi Jaaskelainen’s net.
Thereafter, Bolton collapsed and in the final few minutes Everton made the game safe. Leon Osman, who had just hammered an almost unmissable chance on to the bar, cut in to the right of the area and laid a beautiful ball back past three white shirts massed at the near post for Steven Pienaar to finish off. The loss of Victor Anichebe, carried off on a stretcher before the game was a quarter of an hour old, was the only drawback for an Everton side whose home form now appears almost irresistible.
Premier LeagueEvertonBolton WanderersTim Richguardian.co.uk
