A goal just before the interval sealed a win for Everton that’ll see them be in the draw for the fourth round for the first time in three years. The goal just after forty minutes showed why the toffees are placed 6th in the Premier League. A fine strike by Leon Osman nestling into the roof of the net.

At 3 p.m the pitch looked in good nick despite recent scares that it could be frozen solid. A few bobbles here and there but that’s what you’d expect from a League 2 side’s ground. A sell out away end greeted the Everton team onto the pitch with a chorus of ‘If ya know yer history.’ All formalities were performed and 5 minutes later we were off. Everton in their white strip looked as if they were here to give Macclesfield a lesson in how to play football, however it were the latter who were to apply early pressure.

In the fifth minute and the first chance. It went the way of the home side. A ball pulled back was blasted over by Evans when a cool head was needed. Then on ten minutes another chance for Macclesfield. this time it was more clear cut. A quick free kick and a few phases later the ball ended up 5 yards out on Nat Brown’s head, only for it to go over with Howard struggling to get across.

But then Everton took to the ascendancy, however not many clear cut chances were shown for all the toffees’ pressure. Baines and Hibbert penetrated Town’s back line only for their crosses to be way off the target men.

It would be in the forty third minute before any side managed another shot on target, and what a shot it was! A poor corner came back to Arteta on the left who whipped in another ball. It was headed out only as far as Leon Osman who took a touch down on his chest, and on the half volley rifled the ball home from the edge of the area into the top corner. The travelling fans cheered and the blues were one up.

It could so easily have been two before half time only for some neat work on the edge of the Macclesfield box to be snuffed out. The ref then blew his whistle and it was half time.

Out for the second half and with the lead Everton looked a lot more relaxed. It was apparent the Town had run themselves into the ground in the first half as they just couldn’t keep up.

In the second period the toffees created a lot more chances than in the first but their impotency prevented Macclesfield from being embarrassed.

Anichebe was the first to have a chance. A bending shot from the left just going wide. Then it was Jagielka’s turn. With back to goal the Englishman hooked the ball over Brain but it nestled on the roof of the net. And then Another Jagielka chance. A ball by Baines into the box was clipped over from 8 yards out. The last Everton effort came courtesy of Baines whose cross come chip shot went agonizingly close as Brain could only watch it go over his head … but wide.

The final ten however was all Town and they could have earned a replay if it weren’t for the brilliant Tim Howard. The yank didn’t have to make a save all game but with the last kick of the match he jumped full stretch to tip wide Simon Yeo’s shot.

The referee blew and Everton had made it into the fourth round of the cup for the first time in three years. I know who I would like in the fourth round (Kettering)!!!

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