Toffees climb the table

Monday, 28/02/2011

by Adam Rowden, Shoot's Everton blogger

After a tremendous victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week Everton fans across the country were praying that it would kick-start a much-needed resurgence this season. A home tie with out of form Sunderland was the perfect opportunity to grab three points and begin our climb up the table.

David Moyes made a bold move in dropping top goalscorer Tim Cahill to the bench in order to play a 4-4-2 formation with Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford paired up front for only the second time ever. Cahill has been tremendous for us this season but when he plays Moyes has to accommodate for him meaning we only ever really play with one proper striker.

On Saturday we played with two up front and Moyes’ gamble worked a treat. Jermaine Beckford bagged two goals and Louis Saha came close a few times. The pair ran riot all game and linked up very well with the midfield. Lets hope this is a sign of things to come. We look far more dangerous when playing a 4-4-2 and we even kept a clean sheet, which is something we haven’t done in a while.

The players looked sharp and played with a hunger and determination that has been missing lately. The penalty shootout win at Chelsea must have helped in boosting their confidence before the clash.

We did enough to win the original tie against Chelsea but were held to a draw meaning an away replay was potentially going to spell the end of our cup run and possibly the end of our season. However our top performer of the season (in my opinion) Leighton Baines stepped up late in Extra Time to curl a beautiful free-kick into the top corner of the Chelsea net right in front of the travelling Toffee fans.

The away crowd went ballistic as Baines’ goal had taken the game to a penalty shootout. Everton cheers were soon reduced to silence when man of the moment Baines missed Everton’s opening penalty of the shootout.

However a very lacklustre effort from Nicolas Anelka meant Everton could pull level and then a terrible penalty from Ashley Cole gave Everton captain Phil Neville the chance to send the Toffees through to the next round.

Neville smashed the winning penalty into the top corner of the net and the fans behind the goal went crazy.

I was so pleased for Neville to get the glory because he really has been the unsung hero for us since his transfer from Manchester United. He has been a rock in midfield and has been a sturdy right back. Neville has been praised a number of times by David Moyes who has called him ‘his manager on the pitch’. Neville organises the defence well and leads by example giving 100% in every match.

The penalty victory means that we now face Reading at home in the next round and if we win that then we are set to travel away to either Manchester City or Aston Villa.

I personally hope we get Man City as we always seem to do well against them even at the City of Manchester Stadium.

After a few victories in a row now it does feel like we can start to steadily climb the table and challenge for Europe once again. Am I being too optimistic? Maybe I am, but that is what being an Everton fan is all about. Isn’t it?

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