Stoke 1-1 Everton: Forum Views

After 18 goals in our last 6 games, we needed Stoke to score for us in this game to get a point.

We didn't even muster up a proper attempt on goal inside the opening half an hour, unless you class a miss hit strike from Leon Osman on 27 minutes as an attempt (I don't).

In the final ten minutes of the half we had a couple of attempts from Jelavic and Pienaar, but the goal came just before half time when a Hibbo cross hit two Stoke defenders before beating the Keeper to go in.

It was a lucky way to go in at half time in the lead, but it was deserved. Not that we could hold on as Jerome bulldozed his way through the defence to get an equaliser.

So what did the forum make of it it all? Here are some highlights:

Pre Game

ToffeeBlue: I would imagine it will be pretty much as before with no changes from Saturdays demolition of Fulham with Baines still struggling

Howard

Hibbo Jag Heitinga Distin

Ossie Gibson Neville Pienaar

Fellaini

Jelavic

Another 4 goals for 4th game in a row? Nah i think it will be 2-1 Toffees

EvertonMike: It might actually be beneficial the enforced Distin for Baines at left back for this game, they're only threat is in set plays having an extra CB should be useful.

It's a game we should be winning really but for some reason not feeling confident we will.

Half Time

Rob-EFC: Been a pretty scrappy game, but felt on the run of things, we have slightly edged, not the prettiest goal to have score, but nevertheless, still in the lead, and hopefully play a bit better, Pienaar and Jelavic need to find the ball a bit more, hopefully with Stoke trailing, they push a few bodies forward and leaves us a bit of room to play and not have 10 men behind the ball.

The only real threat they pose is from those throw ins, so if we keep them at a minimum we should really hold on.

Full Time

EvertonMike: Rubbish delivery all game and pathetic defending leads to another 2 points thrown away...

Rob-EFC: Yeah, really poor 2nd half, no quality in that final third, had the possession but just couldn't do anything with it, completely the opposite compared to the last few games.

As for the goal, for him to just run through both the centre backs is really poor from Jags and Heitinga, poor 1v1 with Jags and Heitinga provides no cover whatsoever.

With the enemy losing, I guess we have gained a point on them for 7th, but really we should've had a 5pt lead with 2 games left. Disappointing

ToffeeBlue: Usual story against Stoke, only 1 team wanted to play football and they played in yellow. Played some decent stuff and were unlucky not to score more but Jag reared his ugly manc head again and let Jerome run half way down the pitch without a challenge.

Game doesn't really matter and a point is a decent result at that place

Player ratings V Stoke

Rob-EFC:

Howard 5: Aside from at the death, had no save to make

Distin 7: Solid at LB again

Jags and Heitinga 4: Both poor for the goal

Hibbo 7: Another solid game

Pienaar 6: Not at his best

Fellaini 6: Same as above

Cahill 6: Did a decent job in the middle of the park moving the ball side to side

Osman 6: Looked lively, but things just weren't going his way

Anichebe 1: Injured early

Jelavic 5: Quiet, but really had no chances

Subs

Gueye 4: Thought struggled with the physical side

Stracq 5: Threw himself about

McFadden 1: Too hard to judge.

EvertonMike:

Howard 4 - No real contribution

Distin 5 - One mix up with Heitinga but otherwise little to do really

Jagielka 0 - Crap again

Heitinga 5 - Should have realised how crap Jagielka is these days and stepped in to deal with it

Hibbert 6 - One rash challenge could have given away a pen, otherwise decent

Pienaar 7 - Our best player as always

Fellaini 6 - Covered a lot of ground did his job

Cahill 0 - Crap. Gave the ball away softly for their goal.

Osman 4 - Good link up, but every time he shoots it's effectively a pass to their keeper

Anichebe n/a

Jelavic 6 - Worked hard, some good link up, no service



Gueye 0 - offers nothing

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