Wigan 1 Everton 0
Attendance: 18,344 (almost half was the away end)

Finally, Everton’s luck ran out, and a pretty standard display secured a much needed win for Wigan. The Lactics deserved their victory as well, from Everton’s dominance in the first 15 minutes, the blues never looked like getting back in the game.

There was expectance in the air. The turgid JJB stadium had a vociferous and packed away end hoping to spur the toffees on and to continue their 5 match unbeaten run. A reputable Rob Styles blew his whistle and the game was under way.

Everton, under the floodlights, in their even more fluorescent yellow kits dazzled Wigan as they took the game to a team lying in the relegation zone. Consistent pressure brought about 3 corners, none of which produced a notable chance. It was to be Kirkland that was tested first. A great Everton breakaway resulted in a through ball from Yakubu to the impressive Saha who blasted a shot which was well saved by Kirkland, down to his left.

With Everton in the ascendancy the crowd got behind the toffees. Little did they know that were to be one of only two chances in the entire game for the blue boys. They didn’t deserve anything out of the game. There was a lack of ‘want’ for 50:50s, Wigan closed down very well and made it difficult for Everton – Blues, take a leaf. They did well and create chances, so much so that scoreline flattered Everton. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

In the 30th minute Wigan should have taken the lead. A well worked crossfield ball that caught out the dosy Lescott was passed back across goal, only for Wilson Palacious to head over with the net gaping. A warning sign for Everton that they did not heed. The next chances were to come just before the interval, and like the animals in Noah’s ark they came in twos. (Trying to lighten up the depressing result with a horrible metaphor!) Signs show Lescott’s not a left back. First was a probing run by Lee Cattermole which was palmed wide by the in-form Tim Howard. From the resulting corner a powerful header produced an astronomical save (it really was out of this world) by the American. From point blank range the yank managed to stick out a firm right fist, which angled the ball wide. The Wigan fans chanted ‘Timmy tourettes’ whist the blue boys sang ‘USA, USA, USA’.

A long blast of the whistle in turn signaled half time. Everton had to take note of what this average Wigan side were capable of. Unfortunately there was to be no change of fortune in the second half. The introduction of the injury-prone Henri Camara wasn’t exactly enough to get the Wigan fans off their seats. But it was to be the silky Senegalese international who broke the deadlock. Again, Lescott was caught out by a cross field ball, this time Valencia took it down, almost ambled past the ‘mighty’ frame of the England international and squared the ball to Camara who was on hand to put Wigan ahead. Again, Lescott isn’t a left back, he’s a central defender.

Cue a scrappy last 30 minutes in which the blue boys did have chances, potential Wigan counters, Everton pressure, but no end product. No LUCK. The toffees luck seems to have run dry. This was epitomised by a now usual last gasp chance blasted over by the relatively average Tim Cahill. A cool head was needed as he slashed the ball into row Z from eight yards. A chance that would have been capitalized on away to West Ham, or at home to Fulham. A bit of time wasting in the corner and then it was all over. Evertonain’s put out of their misery as an awful display was brought to an end. Fair play Wigan, they showed they were no push overs, and showed how tight this season’s league is and will be. 18th beating 7th just didn’t really happen last season. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

TEAM ANALYSIS, WHAT’S WRONG?

It will be difficult for the blues to build on thes display. the whole team really needs to take a look at themselves. Starting from the back, Neville is looking better, but still needs to inspire the team more, on the contary, Neville was poor against Wigan. Yobo and Jagielka are relatively solid at the back, Jagielka has been top quality this season. Lescott needs to be dropped. Baines had his chance earlier on in the season and I don’t quite see what he did wrong?

In midfield, there is no fluency. The intricate passing that is more commonly found in an Arsenal team just doesn’t work when you have terrier like players such as Osman and Cahill in the centre. who apply pressure on opponents and pop up with the odd goal but have no skill. On the wing Mikel needs to buck up and try to sort out his free kicks. Just take half an hour a day Mikel to sort them out. Fellaini refuses to run and go in for challenges, he can head the ball, play 5 yard passes but looses the ball too easily – and no trademark 360 turns from him yet. He needs to be consistently good with that price tag, even if Everton only paid 4 million pounds up front. He’s a player for the future though.

Up top the understanding that was evident last week against Boro went out the window today. The little link up play evident today between Saha and Yakubu was quashed whenever either had the ball at their feet by to be fair, the solid Wigan centre backs (Geez, that did include Bramble). Although Saha looked good in the first 30 minutes with change of pace, taking on defenders, he needs to keep going for the full ninety, unless he’s taken off of course. Yakubu needs to reform himself like the Yak of old. He is looking a lot bigger and not as mobile as before, clearly show when he lost his balance trying to pull the trigger after taking down an Arteta cross in the second half. He’s becoming a diver – not something we like.

Hopefully the luck will be back against Tottenham. I would also love to see a solid performance, a 2-0 or 1-0 win. On top of a win, it is imperative we manage to play well, as all the wins so far this season have been due to our good luck (besides from Stoke).

I know it is usually said, but in relatively troubled times, those of you that give great support when things are going well need to stick with the boys to help catalyse another unbeaten run.

COYB

by
Max O’Collins

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