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Stop me if you have heard this statement before. Everton earn a draw against a team despite being the better side for almost all the game, but were unable to convert multiple chances on goal. The good news is that we have continued to play well, the bad news is that we are now playing like earlier in the season where we should have earned all three points, but were forced to settle for a draw. That being said, Heitinga’s strike in the game was beautiful, and after a slight layoff, Seamus Coleman returned with a fantastic performance. In addition, both Saha and Beckford look good up top despite being unable to put the ball in the back of the net this time around, and now on to a few more thoughts about the game.
1. Arteta limped off injured, and it couldn’t have been at a worse time. Although the Spaniard has not had one of his better seasons, the past few games have seen the midfielder improve his form to a level that Evertonians are accustomed to seeing. Unfortunately Arteta limped off very early on with what turned out to be a grade 2 tear of his hamstring. Although EFC has yet to comment on how long Arteta will be out, it is medically accepted that most grade 2 tears require 4-6 weeks of healing time, and given Arteta’s history with muscle injuries, it may very well be more towards 6 weeks out, which would mean he wouldn’t return till the away trip to Manchester United in the middle of April. Hopefully Arteta will heal quickly from this injury, as the loss of Arteta, Cahill, and Fellaini means that the midfield has almost no creativity.
2. Heitinga finally got his first goal as an Everton player, and it was an absolute beauty. With Phil Neville injured and Moyes wanting to give Seamus Coleman a rest, Heitinga got the start next to Jack Rodwell in the midfield, and pounced on a poorly hit clearance by the Birmingham defenders off of an Everton corner kick. Heitinga took the ball at the top of the 18, and calmly slotted the ball into the upper 90 of the right side of the goal, right above the head of the Birmingham defender on the post. It was a beautiful goal, and well deserved to draw Everton level at 1-1.
3. Seamus Coleman is going to benefit from the international break more than any Everton player. Although Coleman first started getting first team minutes at this time last year, this season has seen him lock down the right midfielder spot, but now the long season is catching up to the youngster. Moyes has been keeping Coleman out of the starting lineup for some rest the past few games, and his appearance to replace an injured Arteta showed just how useful the rest has been. With the game against Fulham in a little over a week then followed by an international break, Coleman will bewell rested for the final 2 months of the season, and that can only help Everton in the stretch run.
4. Phill Neville, please get healthy quickly. All Everton fans love Tony Hibbert, but it is clear he is not good enough anymore to be the starting right back. While Hibbert did get a bit unlucky on the Birmingham goal, if Neville is in the game, that ball is most likely cleared by him instead of floating into the box to a Birmingham defender to put past Howard. Once again the international break favors Everton because if Neville is not fit for the Fulham game, he is likely to be fit once EPL action resumes in April.
5. Everton needs to start beating lower skilled teams if there is to be any hope of European qualification. Everton’s remaining games include games against Wolves, Aston Villa, Fulham, Wigan, and West Brom. Everton should certainly beat Wolves, Wigan and West Brom, and will be considered favorites against Aston Villa and Fulham as well. This season has seen the Toffees drop points against sides like this, and it really needs to stop. With clashes also against both Manchester teams and Chelsea, Everton needs to do more against the smaller sides to reduce the pressure they have when playing teams that populate the top 4 of the EPL.
That is all from me today, starting on Monday look for a more regular schedule of articles between The Everton Offside, and Royal Blue Mersey, and until then enjoy the free weekend, and COYB!
Category: Reviews
Tags: Arteta, David Moyes, Everton, Leon Osman, Phil Neville, Reviews, Seamus Coleman, ToffeesTweet « Change is Afoot | Home |
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