
, Mirallas (Naismith), Neville (Anichebe
)
, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini
, Jelavic
The talk before the game was could we keep this great early league form going. Most were of the opinion that if we keep the first team fit we've got a chance, if not we could slip down the league a bit. Some were comparing this team with the 2004/05 team which was OK, but when some of the younger fans were comparing us to the 85 team they were told 'Go and do one'. Its good at the moment. Long may it continue.
Everton started with the same eleven which did so well against Southampton last week. It was Wigan though who started the better. Everton were second best to nearly every ball in the first few minutes with the defence especially out of sorts. Franco di Santo and Arouna Kone looked lively from the start for Wigan. Within 10 minutes Everton were a goal down. Mirallas, Neville and Coleman together couldn't stop an attack down the right. Maloney did well to cross to the unmarked Kone, who looked yards offside, but his headed goal stood.
Everton replied within a minute. Pienaar took the ball on a run down the left and hit a shot goal wards. As he shot, he got pushed and the ball found its way to the incoming Nikica Jelavic who headed the ball downwards and past Al Habsi for the equaliser. Right we thought lets get this game won. Wrong! For the rest of the half Wigan continued to dominate.
A long clearance up field saw Kone take on Heitinga. Johnny was casual and flicked a foot at the ball to dispossess the Ivory coast forward, but he never got enough on it. The Wigan forward pulled the ball back and Di Santos come storming in to score. 2-1 to The Pie Eaters.
Wigan remained the better side and Howard had to save again to keep the score down. Even when Everton got possession, they and Jags in particular seemed to think that as Fellaini had won a few headers, that he is the new Duncan Ferguson and continued to thump long balls to the curly haired one. Everton continued to give cheap balls away and Wigan continued to press.
The funny thing was Everton broke away twice and should have scored on both occasions. Bainesy who was one of the few Everton players to be in top form, went on a delightful run and toe pocked then ball onto the post. Then Ossie, who had been hopless, hit a shot which got deflected only for Ali Al Habsi to twist and push over the bar.
On top of that Fellaini was given a yellow card for one of those clash of elbow/arm/head things. Another time and he could have walked.
Half Time: Wigan 2-1 EVERTON
Credit to Moyesy as he changed it at half-time bringing on Distin for Heitinga. He brought Fellaini back into midfield and moved Mirallas up front to partner Jela in a 442 formation. It seemed to work slowly as Everton got on top with Bainesy and Peanuts leading the way down the left. Mirallas benefited twice from the play. On chance in particular saw him sky it over the bar from 12 yards out. The other he got a tongue lashing from Jela, who wanted a pass.
The game seemed to be getting away from Everton and with the referee making some puzzling decisions for both sides, some desperation was creeping into the play. It wasn't helped by Al Habsi wasting time and the not so friendly Kevin waving away a couple of penalty shouts.
It was all Everton for the last 20 minutes and at last we got a break. Mirallas got booted by Figueroa and a penalty was given. Bainesy smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Everton got their reward for a better second half performance.
The best man on the pitch was Leighton Baines, who was head and shoulders above every Everton player. A Lot of the players need to look at the left back's performance and think to themselves. I'll give it my all like Bainesy next time.
Full Time: Wigan 2-2 EVERTON

















