Everton 5,v Wolves 0 / Tue 2nd Sept. 2003. / Atten: 863. / @ Haig Ave, Southport. / Kick-Off: 7.00pm

Everton: Turner; Hibbert, Moogan B, Weir, O’Hanlon ( c ); Osman, Carsley (Moogan A 61mins), Nyarko (Schumacher 61mins), Alexandersson, Chadwick, Ferguson (Pascucci 61mins).

Bench: Symes, Gerrard

Scorers: Ferguson (2), O'Hanlon, Pascucci, Chadwick.

By Inchy

Although this was never going to be a crowd-puller it was most certainly a crowd-pleaser. Everton were in control from the first whistle to the last, with a solid performance against what has to be said, a rather woeful looking wolves team.

Andy Holden had a strong squad to pick from, amongst them Lee Carsley making a return from injury and Nyarko making a return from yet another aborted loan move. With David Moyes and Alan Irvine watching from the stand, Nyarko certainly won’t have enhanced his chance of breaking into the first team squad with a lacklustre performance. It didn’t take Everton long to stamp their authority on the game – in the 3rd minute, a long ball from Turner was flicked on by Duncan Ferguson and Nick Chadwick’s powerful shot grazed the crossbar.

A defence that was all at sea, appropriate for the setting, again contributed to let Chadwick in, again his shot found the wrong side of the bar. Everton were untroubled by the young Wolves team and it was inevitable that they would eventually fall behind. Leon Osman, moved to the left side for this game, played a smart ball through for Ferguson who’s shot cannoned back from the keeper and rebounded into the net off some part of his anatomy – only Dunc quite knows how that one went in.

With the half hour mark approaching, the impressive Brian Moogan put a great ball in that was met by Ferguson but failed to beat the keeper. With the resulting corner however, he was powerless to stop Sean O’Hanlon’s neat header that sailed into the left hand corner of the goal to make it 2-0 to the blues. With half-time approaching, Ian Turner was forced into action for the first time in the game, making a good save low down from Wolves Adam Proudlock.

Half-Time: Everton 2, Wolves 0.

Everton picked up where they left off in the first half after the interval, Ferguson and Chadwick looking equally as strong up front and even Alexandersson starting to show a few glimpses of the form that made him such a hit for Sweden in the world cup. On the hour mark, a good free kick from Carsley was crashed in by Ferguson for his second and Everton’s third.

Holden decided to ring the changes at this stage, Carsley, Nyarko and Ferguson were brought off to be replaced by Alan Moogan, Stephen Schumacher and the Italian Pascucci. The only surprise was that Nyarko had come out at half-time again – he seemed to epitomise the good, the bad and the really bad on the field. With the disruption to the team, it wasn’t until the 75th minute that Everton struck again. Brian Moogan once again went marauding down the left and played in a deep cross that was headed back across the box by Alexandersson where Pascucci met the ball with a fine header to make it 4-0. The fans were made to wait until the final minute for the 5th, with Osman playing a superb ball through the centre to find Chadwick who scored a deserved goal.

Nyarko aside, this was a fine performance from a strong Everton reserve side. The back four, although mainly untroubled, dealt with everything that came their way impressively. Tony Hibbert in particular oozed class at right back. Leon Osman never really looked comfortable on the left side, but was extremely effective when drifting into the middle. Carsley played his usual no nonsense game, whilst Alexandersson looked able if not slightly lightweight. Ferguson and Chadwick were far too much for the two young boys from the black country at centre half, who looked frightened to death all game. With the much needed additions to the first team squad on Monday, a lot of these players are now playing for contracts at the end of the season. On this performance there will be few that go home empty handed.

Turner - Not much to do, but commanding in the box 7
Hibbert – Never put a foot wrong 9
Moogan B – Impressive Performance 8
Weir – Occasional Lapse, but otherwise solid 7
O’Hanlon – Looked composed and took goal well 7
Osman – Never comfortable on the left but always involved 8
Carsley – Looked strong on his comeback from injury 7
Nyarko – Didn’t look interested 5
Alexandersson – Lively and lightweight 7
Chadwick – Never stops running. Too strong for Wolves 8
Ferguson – Questionable first touch, but awesome in the air 8

Pascucci – took goal well, but gave ball away cheaply 6
Moogan A – Got involved well after coming on 6
Schumacher – Tough in the tackle 6

Team News

Andy Holden has the chance to put out a strong side against Wolves tonight at Haig Ave, but no new signings. At his disposal he has the likes of Tony Hibbert, Davie Weir, Duncan Ferguson, and Lee Carsley just back from injury. So if you get the chance get down to Southport grab a candy floss and 6 donuts and watch the Blues.

Everton from: Turner, Hibbert, B Moogan, O'Hanlon, Weir, Carsley, Alexandersson, Nyarko, Pascucci, Ferguson, Chadwick, Osman, Symes, A Moogan, A Gerrard, Schumacher.

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