It was a bit of shame that only just over 17,000 weary souls took this game in during a pleasant evening in L4 last night. Mainly because Everton managed to do something they haven't been great at by getting a routine win against a poor Sheffield United, but also because they almost did it with a bit of panache, a semi-swagger if you will.
Employing just one up front again(Anichebe) you could forgive those that bothered their arses for treating it with a heavy dose of trepidation, but with the team rejigged and with a sense of purpose, fear ye not my blue brethren. Everton slid the ball about quickly from kick off and looked clearly the two leagues between them and Sheffield United. Mucha came in for Howard and was mostly untroubled . Hibbert came in for Neville and had a good solid game keeping things simple and showing some decent crossing. Barkley looked far more at home on the right and again looked way beyond his years causing the opposition all kinds of problems. Big Victor Anichebe scoring his first goal in what felt like a generation, possibly reminded his detractors why Moyes keeps the faith with him and thinks there maybe a player in there trying to get out. Working hard, holding up the ball and linking play well, the Sheffield United defenders couldnt really handle his strength. Jack Rodwell showing a touch of aggression and a direct style to his play again, also managed to remind people what he could be(for United natch). Another plus point was Johnny Heitinga beside Jagielka in the heart of the defence, his good distribution and relaxed technique seems to settle those around him, sorry Sylvain.
The real difference however was Fellaini and Arteta. They are technically Evertons best two players whichever way you look at it. They have the ability to control games with their clever linking of the play and winning the ball back for each other and starting again and playing against a poor Sheffield United they really made it show. I've seen Arteta described as a deep lying play maker and a 'Ghost Winger', whatever the fuck that is, but it is clear from the players we have available just now, that his best position is going to be out left, linking with Baines and coming inside. Unsurprisingly this is where our first goal came from.
When Cresswell slotted, it can only be described as a pretty freakish goal totally against the run of play really. Simonsen webbed it up field, i think, Jagielka then uncharacteristically mistimed his header, letting his strike partner Stephen Quinn run in behind him and set Cresswell up to slide it home. Queue a Limpet Hoop moment and three whole minutes of wackiness from skinny steel workers sons with seven haircuts in one, ''Shite Ground, No Fans'' etc etc, they were spot on like.
Anyhoo, the very same player justifiably tapped into his own net after a great run and shot from Rodwell down the left. About five minutes after that Everton went ahead with the impressive Barkley linking superbly with Osman to set up Anichebe for his tap in. You wonder whether the young lads assist was a shot to be honest as he seemed to thrash at it, but who gives a fuck. The goal of the night came just before half time when Arteta stroked home a loose ball with all the assurance and ease of a Crokky soldier being eagerly instructed by his peers to ''smash it lad''.
Right then lads, a hat full for confidence please... as it was, that was the last of the action really, apart from a few niggly challenges by both sides and Fellaini inexplicably going in shin high on some short arse and luckily escaping with a yellow. Everton can take confidence though, they dominated possession throughout the second half and never really broke sweat and can look forward to the draw, Liverpool please.
They were able to make a a few subs and rest some bodies for the weekends trip to Blackburn, which even though we are only two games into the season, has an important feel about, if only to convince some of fringe support to keep the faith and get behind them. On this showing, they're capable of it. Still, it was only Sheffield United wasn't it?
Up the Toffees.
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