Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs(C), Unsworth, McFadden, Gravesen, Linderoth,,Kilbane, Rooney, Radzinski.

Bench: Osman (McFadden 82), Jeffers (Rooney 82), Nyarko, Clarke, Simonsen

Referee: Mike 'old mother' Riley

After the debacle that was Ewood Park nearly a fortnight ago, the Everton players owed us big time. A year ago we were sat proudly in a Champions League spot, and here today we were entertaining newly promoted Wolves in a game, that if not won could see us second from bottom in the Premiership.Unsy was recalled, as Nace failed a fitness test, Faddy was pushed out wide right, to accommodate Kilbane on the left. On paper at least it looked a very attacking formation, with The Roon partnering The Rad up front. Everton started as if they meant business with Unsworth gaining on early free kick, that Rooney dispatched narrowly over the bar after a deflection of the visitors wall.Wolves to their credit looked comfortable on the ball, without really threatening the Blues rear guard, until on sixteen minutes Irwin the Wolves full back inexplicably passed the ball straight into The Rad path about twenty five yards out. The Canadian took a few steps with the ball and unleashed a low drive into the bottom left hand corner of Oake's net. In that fleeting moment you could feel the tension lift from Goodison Park, a goal, a lead, now let's get the three points. Everton looked different class with The Grav marshalling the midfield with boundless energy, and minutes later after an excellent centre wide right from Rooney, Kilbane leapt like the proverbial salmon to guide his header into the top corner of the Park End net. It was like waiting for the bus all day, then two come at the same time, and you sensed a victory of Leed's proportions was on the cards. Again Kilbane went close with his head as the Blues pounded the visitor's net, Rooney had what looked like a blatant penalty appeal turned down by 'Ol Mother Riley', and he also narrowly failed to make contact with a low cross supplied by the magnificent Gravesen.Faddy was playing his part on the wide right teasing the Wolves defence with his trickery, but as half time whistle came 2-0 it stayed.

Half-Time: Everton 2, Wolves 0.

Wolves started the second half shuffling their pack a bit, as Kenny Miller came on for Newton, and in another attacking move Nathan Blake replaced Stefan Iversen.They maybe sensed a comeback like they enjoyed against Leicester the other week, but thankfully we seemed to be made of sterner stuff. Never at any point did they threaten the Blues goal, as the second half seemed to be contested in the middle of the park, with The Grav still showing ex Shite man Ince how to do it. It took until the 69th minute for Wolves to register their first meaningful effort at Nige Martyn, who blocked Blake's weak header with his outstretched foot.Everton maintained the lion's share of possession, but I got the impression that the three points were more valuable to us, than going on a scoring spree. We played it safe, doing the simple things as they should be done simply.Moyesy threw on Jeffers, and Leon Osman on late on for Faddy and The Roon as the pair of them have had a busy week on the international front.The points were in the bag and hopefully we have waved bye bye to the bottom three position for a long long time. At this point I have to eat large portions of humble pie, as by my own admission I am not The Grav's most ardent supporter, but today the Danish International was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch.He masterminded Everton's victory from the middle of the park, with vision and creativity that has been sadly lacking by all in the last few games.Well done Grav keep up the good work, and you could still add one more fan to your list of supporters.

Full-Time: Everton 2, Wolves 0.

Lavington Reports from Goodison Park

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Blue Kipper Star Man

Superb Performance

 

Fine Header

Super Strike

Team News

After the flu bug that hit Goodison like a tornado, most of it's victims are fit. Alan Stubbs come's back into contention, as does Li Tie and of course the Roonster.The game however has still come to early for Steve Watson, Dickie Wright and Scot Gemmill.Definetely out is Big Dunc as it looks like the stand off with Moyesy is set to continue, and to be honest you can only see one winner.With the Blues last outing the most embarrassing of the season to date, Moyesy will demand nothing less than an emphatic performance, resulting in three points. Moyesy is also asking the fan's to raise the roof, as the game has been a sell out for nearly a week now.

Moyesy says: "It's been difficult to wait for this fixture because we wanted to play as soon as possible after the Blackburn defeat. In lots of ways, it's allowed one or two players to get over their illness and our squad is much stronger than it was a week or two ago.The situation is that our illness has got better and the likes of Alan Stubbs, Wayne Rooney and Li Tie, who have all had flu have all recovered. The fans role is always very important, but more importantly than that, I don't think you can get a seat for the game against Wolves. Every ticket has been sold and that shows how much the Everton supporters want to come and support their team and we need it on Saturday and I'm sure that our players will be doing everything they can to put on a good performance for the supporters." (21/11/03)

Stubbsy says: "It’s not just lack of goals, but if we can get that vital early goal or just that vital first goal I think it gives us a platform to move forward then. We’re not panicking." (21/11/03)

Lavington's Team To Start: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Naysmith, Mc Fadden, Linderoth, Gravesen, Nyarko, Radzinski, Rooney.

Squad: Martyn, Stubbs, Unsworth, Radzinski, Jeffers, Hibbert. Simonsen, Kilbane, Naysmith, Gravesen, Rooney, Yobo, Linderoth, McFadden, Martyn, Clarke, Chadwick, Osman, Nyarko, Li Tie.