World Soccer: Everton Football Club

Tuesday 31 July 2007

Everton 2 Werder Bremen 2 (Goodison Park)
McFadden 74 --- Sanogo 54
Da Silva 88 ------ Mertesacker 85

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott (Stubbs 46), Yobo (Jagielka 46), Valente, Neville, Arteta, Carsley (Van Der Meyde 81), Cahill (McFadden 61), Johnson (Da Silva 61), Anichebe. Unused Substitutes: Turner, Beattie.

Werder Bremen: Weise, Baumann (Schindler 82), Fritz, Rosenberg, Diego (Jensen 59), Sanogo, Alberto (Vranjes 59), Borowski, Schulz, Mertasacker. Unused Substitutes: Vander, Niemayer, Artmann, Harnik.

Attendance: 12,144.

Referee: Chris Foy.

Everton had to twice come from behind to grab a more than deserved draw in the blues one and only pre-season friendly at Goodison Park in a thoroughly entertaining and competitive match. A very disappointing 12,144 attendance including all 37 loyal Werder Bremen supporters witnessed the clash that the toffeemen in general dominated albeit several forages forward made by the Bundesliga outfit.

On 7 minutes, Phillip Neville forced goalkeeper Tim Weise into an excellent reaction save to turn the ball behind for a corner kick following a deflected shot from Victor Anichebe. From the resulting set-piece that Mikel Arteta swung in, Joseph Yobo flicked the ball into the path of Anichebe that a busy Weise was once again forced into a save.

Arteta then on 16 minutes whipped in a seemingly harmless direct free-kick attempt on Tim Weise' goal that was uncomfortably dealt with by the Bremen keeper as he spilt the shot but was fortunate by the outcome and his blushes where spared. Bremen, for the first occasion of the evening threatened Tim Howard's goal but Diego's 30 yard speculative effort squirmed well wide of American's right hand post. Nuno Valente then fired in a searing left footed drive at goal that was always bending away from Weise's goal that eventually went 7 yards wide of the upright.

Bremen in the meantime could only muster one or two long range efforts although Howard on one particular occasion was extremely unhappy with his defence allowing Diego too much time and space to let fly with an effort on goal that eventually flashed well wide. Mikel Arteta was the prominent figure on the pitch, teasing Bremens defence showing touches of class and just before the break, the Spaniard, who should not be overlooked for international dutie, swung over a dangerous cross that suprised Anichebe as the young Nigerian shinned the ball harmlessly wide.

The second half began much the same as the first half ended, with the blues controlling proceedings largely but with the obvious threat of the German's looming. Phil Neville must have suffered a couple of nose bleeds during this game as he within the first 10 minutes of the restart, twice blazed over the top, his second attempt followed after a lively looking Andrew Johnson had charged down Weise's attempted clearance and pulled the ball back into the path of the Everton captain.

Then despite all of Everton's promising endeavour and enterprise, it was Bremen who took an undeserved 55th minute lead as Boubacar Sanogo tapped home Clemens Frings low centre from around 3 yards out. Arteta continued to shine but the 61st minute introduction of James McFadden appeared to be the catalyst of Everton's revival as the Scotland International levelled for the home side 13 minutes after replacing Tim Cahill who limped off injured. Leon Osman unintentionally deflected an Arteta cross into the path of McFadden who drilled home the deserved equalizer off Tim Weise's left hand post.

However, as Everton looked to win the game, the German's then regained the lead 11 minutes later as Per Metersacker chested home from close range as David Moyes side defended poorly from a left wing corner and could indeed have gone 3-1 up shortly afterwards as Borowski screwed a disappointing shot wide whilst well placed after Bremen cut Everton's defence apart as the blues were looking to salvage something as an attacking force,commiting men forward and leaving space for Bremen to expose on the break.

Everton capatilised on Bremen's failed opportunity to extend their lead, to grab a much deserved share of the spoils as both substitutes combined to send the majority of the dissapointing turn-out home happy as McFadden, who has just recovered as a long term injury absentee, turned provider as the Scot squared the ball towards Brazilian Anderson De Silva who finished from 3 yards out scoring his first goal in an Everton shirt.

The biggest disappointment of the evening besides the low turn out, was unfortunately the German's general attitude in spoiling the flow of the game at times by deliberately pulling attackers jerseys when beaten, putting arms into opponents faces and basically rolling over as if they had been shot. Saying that, this game was an enjoyable encounter and both sides definately were both up for it despite it being a friendly.

On this type of performance strictly going on this match, Everton will once again be a tricky team to visit for opposing teams this coming season and, the away form certainly needs improving however but most important of all, Moyes needs to add new faces to the squad in a very short time. Leighton Baines was present at Goodison tonight suggesting he may well be one the the newcomers. One footnote, Beattie was on the bench but was unused, is this a sign that he will not pull on an Everton jersey again, i suspect Beattie is on his way.

Edited by Stephen Woodside.

Please rate my match report i you so wish to do so or give me some feedback. I thank you.

Edited by stephen_woodside (01/08/2007 10:09)

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