Baines Caps Dramatic Everton Comeback

-
Goals from Oumar Niasse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Leighton Baines saw Everton come back from two goals down to beat Watford 3-2 in a dramatic contest at Goodison Park.

Richarlison and Christian Kabasele gave Watford a commanding 2-0 lead early in the second half, but goals from Niasse, Calvert-Lewin and Baines' spot-kick in stoppage-time ensured an incredible fightback.
There might have been further drama as Tom Cleverley had the opportunity to convert a penalty for the visitors in the 11th minute of injury time after Richarlison was brought down by Jordan Pickford - but the former Everton midfielder fired wide as the hosts held on for a crucial victory.

Player ratings

Everton: Pickford (6), Kenny (6), Keane (6), Jagielka (6), Baines (8), Gueye (6), Davies (6), Sigurdsson (6), Baningime (6), Rooney (6), Niasse (7)

Subs: Lookman (7), Calvert-Lewin (8), Baningime (6)

Watford: Gomes (8), Femenia (7), Kabasele (7), Britos (6), Holebas (5), Doucoure (6), Cleverley (5), Hughes (6), Carrillo (6), Richarlison (7), Gray (7)

Subs: Karnezis (4), Mariappa (7), Okaka (5)

Man of the match: Leighton Baines

Both sides struggled to get into any real rhythm in a scrappy but entertaining first half. Everton were almost made to pay for not breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute as Andre Gray slipped Richarlison through Everton's high line but though the 20-year-old Brazilian rounded Pickford, he fired his strike into the side-netting.

Two minutes later, Abdoulaye Doucoure unleashed a clean strike from distance which Pickford blocked in a half that Silva's side edged.
Watford carried their momentum straight into the second half as Richarlison atoned for his earlier miss. A rapid counter-attack saw Gray unselfishly lay the ball off to the winger, who skipped by Pickford and poked his shot in off the post (46).
But Everton replied quickly. Gomes pulled off a fine double save to deny Niasse and Rooney yet, unfortunately for the Brazilian goalkeeper, he was forced off injured after colliding with the Senegalese forward's knee when he landed - prompting the ample added time.
Christian Kabasele doubled Watford's lead after heading in Jose Holebas' corner but, moments later, the visitors gifted Everton a route back into the match. Holebas' scuffed clearance led to a mix-up with substitute goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, allowing Niasse to slot home the ball (67)
Calvert-Lewin then came off the bench to head home Baines' corner (74) and a comeback to remember for the strugglers was sealed when Holebas slipped into Aaron Lennon, resulting in an Everton penalty which Baines calmly converted (90+1).
Watford nearly took a point back to Vicarage Road as Richarlison was hauled down in the penalty box by Pickford deep into stoppage time, but Cleverley fired his penalty wide to ensure Everton claimed a morale-boosting victory.

Man of the Match - Leighton Baines

Baines showed his experience and composure at an incredibly important moment in Everton's season by cooly placing his spot-kick to ensure his side would complete the victory against Watford.
The 32-year-old also produced Everton's closest opportunity in the first half as his shot was tipped away by Gomes, and he added an assist to his record for Calvert-Lewin's goal to mark a fine performance.

Opta stats

  • Everton came from two goals down to win at home in the Premier League for only the second time ever and for the first time since May 1994 v Wimbledon (3-2).
  • Watford have lost each of their last three Premier League games, after losing just one of their previous eight under Marco Silva this season (W4 D3).
  • Richarlison has been directly involved in six goals in the Premier League this season (4 goals, 2 assists), more than any other Watford player.
  • Oumar Niasse has netted four goals in his four Premier League appearances at Goodison Park for Everton this season.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Niger Delta Avengers Declare “Bloody” End To Oil Ceasefire

-
Image
Just as Nigeria has started to pump more than 1.8 million bpd of crude oil for two consecutive months, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)—the militant group responsible for most of last year’s attacks on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure—returned to the scene with a gruesome message on its website, warning oil companies of a “brutish, brutal and bloody” end of the ceasefire in the oil-rich Delta. “Message to the Oil Companies; Our next line of operation will not be like the 2016 campaign which we operated successfully without any casualties; this outing will be brutish, brutal and bloody, as we are shall crush everything we meet on our path to completely put off the fires that burn to flair gas in our communities and cut every pipe that moves crude away from our region. We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers,” the militant group said in a message on its website posted on Friday. Last year, the NDA had carried ou
Read more

Europa League: Arsenal through, Everton out, Evra in karate kick red card

-
Image
Arsenal reached the Europa League last 32 Thursday as Everton crashed out and Patrice Evra was red-carded for a karate kick at one of his own Marseille fans -- before the match had even started. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal fought out a drab 0-0 draw with Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates but the point was enough to make sure of qualifying for the knockout round with two games to spare in Group H. Jack Wilshere, overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate earlier in the day, had the best chance but saw a second-half effort cleared off the line. The result allowed the Gunners to stretch their unbeaten home run in all competitions to 16 games. "If you can't win the game, don't lose it. We're not delighted with the point, but we'll take it," said Wilshere. Veteran Marseille defender Evra was sent off after launching a karate-style kick at one of his team's own supporters before the match against Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal. Former Manchester
Read more