Everton 4-1 Wolfsburg
(Rodriguez OG 15, Coleman 45, Baines (P) 47, Mirallas 89: Rodriguez 90)
Bizarre game footy...how many times have you seen a team win 4-1, and their keeper be man of the match? One of the most flattering scorelines I think Ive ever seen watching the Blues, Wolfsburg were a decent side, we were sloppy, and Howard made some world class saves to keep us in it, especially in the second half. We were already 2-0 up somehow by that point, a good run into the box by Baines set up Naismith who's shot took a triple deflection between Benaglio and Rodriguez before trickling into the corner. Any hope that was going to liven us up after a half mostly characterised by sloppy passing from us any time we looked like starting an attack, didnt really materialise, as Wolfsburg played some good stuff and wasted a few good chances. We went in at half time with 2 though, As Mirallas' shot was beaten away for Baines to help the ball back across goal for Coleman to nod in.
And it was game over just 3 minutes into the second half when McGeady was brought down. Tackle looked to me like it came outside the box, but the ref awarded a penalty, and Baines doesnt miss unless its against Petr Cech! Instead of coasting through to a comfortable win though, Wolfsburg made a couple of attacking subs and kept trying to get back into the game, Stones and Howard outstanding in keeping them out. Howard's one handed save from Rodriguez' free kick being by far the pick. Eto'o came on for Lukaku with 20 to play and we did at last liven up a bit and threaten to score a couple more, before we got a 4th when Eto'o sent Mirallas racing clear for an easy finish. And just when we thought that was it, Wolfsburg did score! Rodriguez with his 3rd attempt of the night from a free kick into the top corner.
So knowing our luck now, we batter Palace on Sunday and lose 1-0! A good night all round really despite a sloppy performance. A good boost to the goal difference on top of the win, and with Lille and Krasnodar drawing in France in the other game, we now have a little daylight and a little less pressure on the Krasnodar game in 2 weeks.
Everton Man of the Match
Tim Howard. Outstanding, gets better with age. Kept us in it at times tonight and made a game that could have been very tricky as comfortable as the scoreline made it look.
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