Match Reports

FA Cup – Bolton v Everton

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Guest writer Chris Manning takes a look back at the FA Cup defeat to Everton.

Dutchman John Heitinga scored 90th minute winner to give Everton a barely-deserved win against Bolton in order to book a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Everton went 1-0 up very much with the run of play as Anichebe’s shot bounced off Pienaar beyond Andy Lonergan and into the corner of the Bolton net.

However the impressive Sordell equalised smartly turning in Pratley’s low cross past Howard.


Both sides had chances to go ahead in each half, with Bolton bemoaning some poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Howard before Heitinga struck to seal a late win.

The consensus was that the goal was harsh on Bolton, who had deserved a replay.

Player Ratings

Lonergan
Barely a save to make – one notable save however was an excellent tip-round-the-post from Steven Pienaar. Did enough.

Ricketts
Was poor defensively initially but grew into the game. Attacked with verve and provided excellent assistance to CYL on the right wing.

Alonso
Probably MoM – strong in the tackle and confident going forward. A real shame that he’s leaving now we’re finally starting to see the best of him.

Knight
Did well against Jelavic, who was substituted after being largely ineffective. Struggled when Fellaini was pushed forward.

Ream
Bullied by Anichebe, he seemed to be in for a long day however similarly to Ricketts he grew into the game and looked confident. Understandably struggled too against Fellaini.

Vela
Did really well. Sometimes looked to play the simple passes when an adventurous effort forward might have been better but this will come with experience. Tackled well and looked at home. A really good performance.

Pratley
Energetic and involved – he’s become a key member of the midfield of late and he didn’t allow a single minute of relaxation for the Everton four as he was harassing and harrying them throughout. Did well.

LCY
Really returning to the player that he was before the broken leg. Tricky and hard working he’s a really important part of our team at the moment. Unlucky with a few tricks that he attempted but overall did well.

Eagles
I’m really trying to defend him but his form has tailed off massively since Coyle left. We’d have struggled without him this season and I would say he just about deserves to be kept in but this goodwill is slowly ebbing away. Was poor.

Spearing
Another one who perhaps wasn’t at his best but still was tenacious in the tackle and economical with his passing. He has had better days but would have enjoyed dumping Fellaini on his backside once or twice.

Sordell
An impressive performance from Marvin – he was strong and held the ball up well and also provided a speedy outlet for the midfield looking to hit the ball into the channels. Took his goal well and I think he would be the only striker in our ranks who could have finished like that. Deserves a run in the side.

Afobe
I won’t comment on his performance as I’ve been told not to swear.

Ngog
Barely involved
Wow what a moment – his return following two years out was a real lift to the crowd. He showed his usual tidy game with accurate passing and a couple of tenacious tackles. Looks sharp and ready to come back in.

Manager Rating
Dougie Freedman set his team out in a cautious manner, as we’ve come to expect, but this still allowed flexibility and freedom to attack Everton whilst also retaining the solidity provided by a five man midfield.

Opponent Rating
David Moyes, as for most of his career, got lucky.

Away fans in the home end
This practice doesn’t bother me one bit when you’ve got the decent ones – for example we had some in front and behind us who despite clapping Everton’s goal they stayed sat down and didn’t rub it in at the end when they scored the winner.

However we also had some right scrotes who leapt up to celebrate when the above happened, and then after that it all booted off with people being shoved, some old bloke being thrown down the stairs and general kerfuffles breaking out everywhere.

Why can’t they just sit there and behave themselves?! No problem with the good ones, but the bad’uns can do one.

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