Everton 3-0 Aston Villa

Everton 3-0 Aston Villa

(Jagielka 18, Lukaku 48, Coleman 76)

39,505

 

Thats more like it Everton. Couple of important players back from injuries, most impressively Ross Barkley, and coupled with a dreadful Villa side, and we're on the up again. Barkley's return lifted the whole place right from the kick off, as did the returns of Coleman and McCarthy, and we looked slik and confident from the off. Missed a couple of early chances to score, befpre Guzan made a good save from Barkley's shot. But from the resulting short corner, the ball went back to Baines who crossed for Jagielka to bravely head in under pressure. Hutton's long range shot just wide was the only threat Villa showed first half, and it was just a question of how many we'd get, or given what happened against Palace, as long as we didnt concede a stupid goal and let them back into it. No such concerns, as just minutes into the second half, McCarthy won a challenge and sent Barkley racing down the wing. He passed inside for Lukaku, who's powerful shot squirmed under Guzan and that was pretty much game over, a chance to relax and enjoy the rest of the game. Lukaku's touch hasnt been quite there, but it seems that little bit of luck lifted him and he was fantastic second half, absolutely back to his best with a good touch and bullying defenders all over the place. Benteke had a goal disallowed for a foul, but we scored a deserved 3rd with 15 minutes left. A quickly taken free kick found Baines on the left to square for Coleman to score his 3rd of the season. 

So finally got that home win out of the way, bring on the Lille invasion!

Everton Man of the Match

Could have been one of a few. McCarthy, Naismith, Baines, Coleman, all outstanding. Has to be Ross Barkley though. Crazy how much we've missed him this season so far, and he played today like he's never been away.