PETER D. BERTIN
Everton beat a dominant opposition team in Man United in a show of diligent counter attacking football over the weekend. In a game that saw them ahead by two goals in the opening half, they managed to still spank a side that were ever tenacious in their attack and will to win. Everton have now won 5 of their last 6 games.
The game started with a quick tempo, with Everton causing United problems using their fast paced attacking football. Maroune Fellani tried a shot from the box which was blocked by Everton’s defence. A quick counter attack for Everton created a chance for JamesMcCarthy to put the ball into the back of the net, for the perfect start on the fifth minute. United got a break, but Fellini who was clear on goal scooped it wide. Fellaini was definitely up for it today, flying into the Everton defence and was lucky not to get a card. Shortly after this, Fellini clatters into the back of Ross Barkley and is duly given the fist card of the day. Lukuku tries a long range free kick which goes into the wall for Leon Osman shot to be blocked.
Luke Shaw goes on one of his wings and runs down the left flank, United getting a corner which was completely dealt with by the Everton defenders. Everton seemed to be closing United down very quickly. Gareth Barry was trying to boss the midfield, with Fellaini fast becoming a target. Luck Shaw again sticks to the left flank and cuts in and plays a one-two with Rooney to no avail. Leighton Baines goes in hard on Fellani. Man Utd are awarded a free kick which is taken by Juan Mata, he crosses into the box for Chris Smalling to head the ball straight into Tim Howards arms. Ander Herrara and Rooney try to link up, together, but once again, Everton stop the attack.
30 minutes into the game, and United seemed to be struggling to generate a meaningful attack. Everton was in control, as United could not get close to the ball at the minute and be positive in the last 3rd of the pitch. The game became a little heated, as Seamus Coleman clattered into Ashley Young. United got an another freekick which was once again wasted. Lennon tried to counter attack for Everton, but Shaw went in with a hard tackle to stop Everton’s centre back, John Stone. Lennon then finds some space to run into, and plays a lovely reverse ball for Coleman on the right flank, he then plays a cute cross between Smalling and United Keeper David de Gea , but Smalling recovers well to concede a corner. Fellani clears the ball for another corner. Everton are given a third corner in quick session. Baines sends in another crisp inswinging corner to which John Stone jumps superbly to get his first ever goal for Everton. Antonio Valencia and Fellani should have been more observant, as their lapse of concentration cost United, to give Everton a two goal lead. Fellani caps a frustrating half for himself by shooting the ball into the ground. Everton break again for Lennon to find Ross Barkley who attempts an audacious clip shot to go over the bar. The referee blows the whistle.
Half Time
Even though United have had over 60 % possession play, they couldn’t score.
Second Half
Falcao is brought on for United as they try and find some impetus to create a spark and try get back into the game
Luke shaw gets too close to Lennon, who spins the United left back and Shaw foul him and to get United first yellow card for the united left back. Man United maintained possession of the ball, as Everton got their moments where they could be dangerous with set pieces and quick counter attacks.
United were looking more and more frustrated and were not really penetrating Everton are happy to sit back. United gave the ball away, which lead to an attack from Kevin Mirallas, who ran into the space to bury the ball in the back of the net. Manchester United player, Antonino Valencia, has been a great servant for them but he has looked out of sorts today. Lapses of concentration have cost them, dearly.
Man United could not get into Everton’s box, today and in the last 10 minutes, Gareth Barry and McCarthy have had total control of the midfield and not given the likes of Fellani or Herrara any chance in the midfield. resulting in United’s lack of penetration in front of goal.
David De Gea made an absolutely brilliant save from Kevin Mirallas Man United could not handle Everton counter attacking strategy. It is the same strategy they used against David Moyes last season . Just like last season, they came away from Goodison Park with nothing
Everton game plan worked well. The tools of Fellani have made him one of Manchester United’s key players in their recent form, but Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma kept him quite last week. Roberto Martinez spotted this weakness and exposed Fellani and United today From his early booking he was walking on a tightrope for the remainder of the game.
It seemed that Everton boss Roberto Martinez read L V G tactics and frustrated United, particularly their midfield. Although united had 17 attempts, they could not break down the Everton defense and Jagelika and Stone had good games but their jobs were made easy by the likes of Gareth Barry and of course, man of the match, James McCarty who was the best player on the pitch. It was Everton’s best win in 23 years.
