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21-10-2006, 06:29 PM
Everton may have been without a host of senior players for this match, but that did not stop them recording the club's first Premiership victory in October.
The win takes the Blues back into the top six, further underlining the fine start to the campaign.
First half efforts from Mikel Arteta and James Beattie via the penalty spot ensured it was a straghtforward afternoon for the men in Royal Blue, particularly as The Blades were reduced to 10 men midway through the opening half.
Claude Davis was dismissed for the professional foul on Andy Johnson that teed up Beattie's penalty opportunity.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161444824_aj-cd-300.jpgAndy Johnson gets past Claude Davis
This was a much needed three points after a run of three draws and a defeat following the famous victory over Liverpool last month.
David Moyes was deprived of Tony Hibbert, Gary Naysmith, Alessandro Pistone, Nuno Valente, Andy van der Meyde and Richard Wright because of injury but those setbacks did not prevent his Everton side starting the game in the right manner, with Phil Neville and Joleon Lescott fitting in snugly to their roles in the full-back positions.
With James Beattie back in the starting XI as the Blues reverted to a 4-4-2 formation it was clear the manager had focussed his side on providing a regular supply of ammunition from the wide positions.
And it was from that area that the opening goal came in the 14th minute, Neville charging forward to provide a tantalising cross that Mikel Arteta headed into the bottom corner of the net with glee.
It was the Spanish international's first goal from open play at Goodison - his second of the campaign following the opening day penalty against Watford.
Chances continued to fall Everton's way, with Beattie firing over following good work on the flank from Lescott and Tim Cahill unfortunate to see a stabbed volley sail over the bar.
Everton had the chance to double their advantage 13 minutes from time when Andy Johnson was dragged down by Claude Davis after being played through by a great pass from Arteta. To add to the visitors' woes, the defender was dismissed for the foul.
Beattie stepped up and thumped the ball into the top left corner with such ferocity that Paddy Kenny could not get close to it even though he dived the right way.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161444559_beats-pen-300.jpgJames Beattie emphatically nets from the spot
Everton may have dominated the opening period, but had it not been for a smart save from Tim Howard two minutes before the interval to deny Colin Kazim-Richards from close range the lead would have been halved.
That chance gave The Blades hope, as Rob Hulse's drive past the post a minute later illustrated. Everton's response was sharp, with Simon Davies playing Johnson through. The striker fired his left-footed effort past Kenny but it bounced back off the base of the post to the frustration of the home fans.
Sheffield United, however, had adapted well to being reduced to 10 men and it was they that had the first chance of note after the restart, with Mikele Leigertwood firing an effort narrowly wide just 60 seconds after the restart.
The Everton boss opted to add the fresh legs of James McFadden and Leon Osman in place of Tim Cahill and James Beattie for the final 35 minutes.
And with 13 minutes remaining Neville hobbled off to be replaced by Victor Anichebe. Simon Davies dropped back to full-back, McFadden into midfield and Anichebe joined Johnson in attack.
Anichebe did get one great sight of goal seven minutes from the end to add to his tally of one following his strike on the final day of last season. But having earned the right to aim a shot goalwards after charging 20 yards with the ball his effort went over the bar. He got closer with a drive across the face of goal in the 90th minute but the third goal would not come.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161443543_beats-goal-cele-300x182.jpgJames Beattie is congratulated on his goal
Kenny then proved himself equal to a strong McFadden header with a superb save from point-blank range.
But, whilst the changes did not garner further goals in a second half that lacked the action or drama of the first, there was never any threat from the visitors that the win would not be forthcoming.
And so the Blues cruised to their first Premiership victory since the famous defeat of Liverpool in September.
Attendance, 37,900
Referee - Gallagher
Result 2-0
IM PROPER CHUFFED LIKE. BRING ON LUTON PLS<33
The win takes the Blues back into the top six, further underlining the fine start to the campaign.
First half efforts from Mikel Arteta and James Beattie via the penalty spot ensured it was a straghtforward afternoon for the men in Royal Blue, particularly as The Blades were reduced to 10 men midway through the opening half.
Claude Davis was dismissed for the professional foul on Andy Johnson that teed up Beattie's penalty opportunity.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161444824_aj-cd-300.jpgAndy Johnson gets past Claude Davis
This was a much needed three points after a run of three draws and a defeat following the famous victory over Liverpool last month.
David Moyes was deprived of Tony Hibbert, Gary Naysmith, Alessandro Pistone, Nuno Valente, Andy van der Meyde and Richard Wright because of injury but those setbacks did not prevent his Everton side starting the game in the right manner, with Phil Neville and Joleon Lescott fitting in snugly to their roles in the full-back positions.
With James Beattie back in the starting XI as the Blues reverted to a 4-4-2 formation it was clear the manager had focussed his side on providing a regular supply of ammunition from the wide positions.
And it was from that area that the opening goal came in the 14th minute, Neville charging forward to provide a tantalising cross that Mikel Arteta headed into the bottom corner of the net with glee.
It was the Spanish international's first goal from open play at Goodison - his second of the campaign following the opening day penalty against Watford.
Chances continued to fall Everton's way, with Beattie firing over following good work on the flank from Lescott and Tim Cahill unfortunate to see a stabbed volley sail over the bar.
Everton had the chance to double their advantage 13 minutes from time when Andy Johnson was dragged down by Claude Davis after being played through by a great pass from Arteta. To add to the visitors' woes, the defender was dismissed for the foul.
Beattie stepped up and thumped the ball into the top left corner with such ferocity that Paddy Kenny could not get close to it even though he dived the right way.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161444559_beats-pen-300.jpgJames Beattie emphatically nets from the spot
Everton may have dominated the opening period, but had it not been for a smart save from Tim Howard two minutes before the interval to deny Colin Kazim-Richards from close range the lead would have been halved.
That chance gave The Blades hope, as Rob Hulse's drive past the post a minute later illustrated. Everton's response was sharp, with Simon Davies playing Johnson through. The striker fired his left-footed effort past Kenny but it bounced back off the base of the post to the frustration of the home fans.
Sheffield United, however, had adapted well to being reduced to 10 men and it was they that had the first chance of note after the restart, with Mikele Leigertwood firing an effort narrowly wide just 60 seconds after the restart.
The Everton boss opted to add the fresh legs of James McFadden and Leon Osman in place of Tim Cahill and James Beattie for the final 35 minutes.
And with 13 minutes remaining Neville hobbled off to be replaced by Victor Anichebe. Simon Davies dropped back to full-back, McFadden into midfield and Anichebe joined Johnson in attack.
Anichebe did get one great sight of goal seven minutes from the end to add to his tally of one following his strike on the final day of last season. But having earned the right to aim a shot goalwards after charging 20 yards with the ball his effort went over the bar. He got closer with a drive across the face of goal in the 90th minute but the third goal would not come.
http://www.evertonfc.com/assets/_files/images/oct_06/efc__1161443543_beats-goal-cele-300x182.jpgJames Beattie is congratulated on his goal
Kenny then proved himself equal to a strong McFadden header with a superb save from point-blank range.
But, whilst the changes did not garner further goals in a second half that lacked the action or drama of the first, there was never any threat from the visitors that the win would not be forthcoming.
And so the Blues cruised to their first Premiership victory since the famous defeat of Liverpool in September.
Attendance, 37,900
Referee - Gallagher
Result 2-0
IM PROPER CHUFFED LIKE. BRING ON LUTON PLS<33