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| Collector's item...Sagna screams his delight as Squillaci offers a helping hand |
Two sweet strikes by an unlikely Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas either side of the first half got the maximum points for us and though Everton managed a riposte through Tim Cahill in the 88th minute, we held on to a very vital and crucial win in what is now becoming an intriguing title race.
Just as was the case at Molineux, four days earlier, crucial saves by the fast-improving Lukasz Fabianski was the platform on which our fourth away win of the season was built on.
He stopped at least five goal-bound shots in the second half to prevent an Everton fightback and enhanced his reputation to the limits.
More than anything else though, was the eventual capitulation of log leaders, Chelsea later in the day to Sunderland, which now reduces the gap between we and them to a miniscule two points. What a win. And what a fortunate turn of events all weekend to make the win all the more sweeter.
Below are the ratings to help describe the match better,
• Fabianski (8/10) – Simply put, he played a blinder. I could recollect him making point blank saves from Jermaine Beckford, Steven Piennar, Loius Saha and Jack Rodwell. He has truly turned the corner and must now be seriously considered as our new number one even if the luckless Almunia returns from injury. His overall command of his area and confidence rubbed off on his teammates as he steeped up to the plate in the second half when Everton bombarded us with shots raining in from every angle. After all the fierce criticism he’s faced in the past year, this has been the best kind of response from him.
• Clichy (6/10) – Did well whenever pressurized especially in the early minutes of the game when Everton seized the initiative. He initially found the marauding Seamus Coleman a handful but settled well as the game progressed and we took control.
• Djourou (8/10) – Another bloke who played out of his skin. He stood up to all the aerial balls pumped into our area by Everton as the hosts tried to make the best use of Cahill’s aerial abilities. Djourou outjumped everyone and also put in some crucial tackles around the edge of the box. So good was he that Fabianksi hardly had any save to make all through the entire fisrt half. He has filled in admirably whenever called upon and methinks he has a big, big future long as he exorcises the demons of injury.
• Squillaci (7/10) – You have to admire the all round ability of this well-travelled Frenchman. Watching him go about his job makes you wonder why we held onto the departed Mikel Silvestre for so long. His replacement, Squillaci, has proved a far better alternative to the hesitant defending of his countryman. He was more withdrawn than Djourou which isn’t surprising considering the difference in years, but all in all he helped keep the dangerous duo of Cahill and Saha quiet – until the 88th minute at least.
• Sagna (8/10) – Whatever you say about this match, Sagna’s goal will always get prominent mention. Only his second goal for us since coming here three seasons ago, this one was sweet as it was crucial. Receiving the ball from Arshavin in the 36th minute on the edge of the Everton area, he dummied past Mikel Arteta before unleashing a fierce howitzer. So brutal and powerful was the shot that Tim Howard in goal only reacted after the ball had hit the net. Sagna’s reward for his endless overlapping runs could not have been more emphatic. How happily he celebrated and how grateful his teammates all were to share in his special moment. More of that hopefully, from Mr Bacary.
• Song (7/10) – As usual, he shielded the back four with panache and calmness. Never stopped running. Never stopped tackling and his role was crucial in stiffling the likes of Arteta and Pienaar who enjoy running from the deep. He almost scored himself in the first half with his new-found attacking confidence by unleashing a shot from distance. Top marks though to a player who’s fighting spirit always propels the team.
• Wilshire (5/10) – His appearance was only for 45 minutes but in that time, he did all the usual things he’s known for very well. Switched play with the confidence of a seasoned pro and his trickery proved too much for their hatchetman, John Heitinga who couldn’t resist tugging and fouling the young Englishman. Wilshire was withdrawn in the second half with the intention to protect him from such rough handling.
• Nasri (7/10) – The little Frenchman was also full of running and drive and was denied twice from scoring after good link up plays. Firstly, a last ditch Sylvain Distin block thwarted him in the first half and in the second, his 40 yard sprint past Phil Jagielka was almost rewarded with a goal if not for the timely intervention of Howard. Nonetheless, he never tired of running into space and looking for outlets. A useful jack-in-the-box player, whose bag of tricks and intelligence makes him a handful for defences.
• Fabregas (7/10) – The captain was ontop of proceedings here. He played a very forward role, as second striker thus allowing him to express himself in an advanced position. Scored with a first shot in the 46th minute to seal the match and almost set up Chamakh later in the game with a cross field pass behind the Everton defence. He has soldiered on masterly and led his troops with distinction since overcoming a troublesome hamstring problem. It was good to see his trademark smile flashed all round at the end of what was surely a worthy win.
• Arshavin (7/10) – Despite not scoring, he could not be accused of not applying himself. Following on the Wolves game, this was another stellar performance from the Russian bear. Though supposedly used as a left winger, he switched positions endlessly and it was such adaptability that produced the first goal, which he laid on for Sagna to smash home. Could this new tendency to drift across the pitch be a new ploy by Wenger to maximize his talents? We wait and see.
• Chamakh (6/10) – Not at the top of his game for this one but nonetheless, he did enough to justify his reputation. He was continually taking up good positions and profited a lot from balls from the midfield. Was at the end of a Fabregas pass from the flank which he jabbed over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten. Was also involved in a cute one-two that produced the Fabregas goal.
Substitutes
• Denilson (7/10) – For a substitute, he gets a good rating for his interception and passing that immediately produced the second goal. He resisted well the Everton midfield and proved a more resilient alternative to Wilshire. Seems to enjoy playing on this ground, considering that he scored a long range effort here, last year in a 6-1 rout.
• Rosicky (6/10) – Came on for Arshavin and helped us withstand the growing threat of Everton as the game wore on.
• Eboue (5/10) – Replaced Chamakh late in the game as Wenger preferred to close shop and we held onto our two goal lead.
Once again, we forced our way back into the title calculations and made a statement regarding our aspirations for this season. As noted in the last blog, Goodison Park is one of the most-intimidating grounds in the league and their day, Everton have ben known to crush many a title-winning sides. Credit to us the way we withstood them and slowly imposed our game on them. It was a win that will go a long to determine where we end up come May.
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