Premier League - Everton tame lively Stoke

Eurosport - Mon, 15 Sep 10:10:00 2008

Everton survived a stirring comeback from Stoke City to win a rip-roaring Premier League encounter 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium.

2008-2009 Stoke City-Everton Tim Cahill celebrates his goal - 0

Everton went ahead through Ayegbeni Yakubu and Victor Anichebe, before Seyi Olofinjana and a Phil Jagielka own-goal brought Stoke level.

Toffees boss David Moyes was sent to the stands after his side were denied a penalty, but Tim Cahill secured an away win with a close-range header.

After 40 of the drabbest minutes imaginable, the matched sparked spectacularly into life as the Premier League new boys left their visitors rocking, but ended up with nothing.

In the first half, Stoke set out to defend, getting men behind the ball and allowing the visitors to dominate possession.

Even with record signing Marouane Fellaini and Ecuadorian Segundo Castillo making their debuts, and Cahill back in the starting 11, chances were at a premium.

Stoke's Ricardo Fuller registered the only shot on target of a stultifying game before Yakubu broke the deadlock five minutes before the break.

It was a peach of a goal. Fellaini played a clever reverse ball to Cahill who teed up Yakubu.

The Nigerian - the most prolific striker of any currently playing in the English top flight - cut back onto his left side and placed a superb left-foot shot into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box.

Just over five minutes into the second half, it looked to be all over when Anichebe made it two with a deft header. Mikel Arteta delivered a free-kick into the box and Anichebe let the ball brush to the top of his head, redirecting it just enough to guide it inside the far post.

Stoke had played nearly all the first half inside their own territory, but now they were forced to respond, and did so in thrilling fashion. Knowing their limitations, Stoke have made a useful habit of playing to their strengths.

Among these are the extraordinary long throws of Rory Delap, who time and again flung the ball into the Everton area, causing panic.

Delap's missiles led to both Stoke goals. First, on 54 minutes, Tim Howard palmed one long throw weakly to Seyi Olofinjana, who smashed a volley in from eight yards.

Nine minutes later Delap loaded up again and hurled towards the Everton goal. Jagielka jumped to head clear, but could only glance it over Howard and in for an equaliser.

On 73 minutes, Leon Cort handballed inside the Stoke box and referee Alan Wiley pointed to the penalty spot.

However, Wiley then consulted with the linesman and decided - wrongly - the offence took place outside the box, awarding Everton only a free-kick.

A furious Moyes was sent to the stands, although he cleverly settled on a seat just behind the Everton dug-out and continued to bark instructions at his players.

In the event, it did not matter, as Cahill showed his aerial prowess yet again. Arteta swung in a free-kick from the left and Cahill, making a late run from the back post to the front, redirected the ball past Thomas Sorensen.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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  1. southsaxon you look like a bogbreathed peado get ya­ picture changed quick an a must do quicker get out an­ get some exercise.. pigs bladder.. you fool your face­ looks like a pigs bladder... 1878 know it...

    From Jasoptimum851, on Mon 15 Sep 3:03PM

  2. Aiyegbeni(a Nigerian) is the most prolific of any­ playing in the English top flight (including Tores,­ Drogba, Berbatov). I fee so fulfilled. Long Live Nija­ (Luxy, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)

    From Luxy, on Mon 15 Sep 12:35PM

  3. MAN U, WILL GET LIVERPOOL AGAIN SO WHAT MAKE YOU HAPPY.­ I CAN SAY UNITED WILL BE CHAMPION
    AGAIN, SO LONG NO­ GIVE UP FROM THE UNITED

    From Ruben, on Mon 15 Sep 11:14AM

  4. to all my gunners fan this is our season no ciub can­ take it away from us gunners 4 life

    From Oluwakemi B, on Mon 15 Sep 11:05AM

  5. man u really a one man team ( Official)

    From steviecalrow, on Mon 15 Sep 9:39AM

  6. Join My fantasy champions league

    chelsea forever

    From Shawn M, on Mon 15 Sep 5:11AM

  7. Khanusman u whip TYson Aasssss u idiot

    From maransugu81, on Sun 14 Sep 8:41PM

  8. why is everyone slagging all the teams off instead of­ enjoying the great football that we are seeing from the­ premier league

    From stevenmeigh, on Sun 14 Sep 8:00PM

  9. up gunners,up gunners, up gunners.adebayor is back­ with a bang,bang, bang,so all priemier league club­ beware of deadiest striker in d world.all gunners fans­ never mind d big spender.man u, chelsea,liverpool,all­ of dem don die and dey go cheat.up arsenal,gunnners 4­ life.i remain loyal and gunners 4 life.

    From damshow_oshomo, on Sun 14 Sep 7:37PM

  10. Southsaxon made me lol

    From Ken S, on Sun 14 Sep 7:31PM

  11. Tyson , go read a book or get a hobby. Weren't you­ on Cracker once?

    From fed up scouser, on Sun 14 Sep 7:15PM

  12. Ricardo fuller needs more support up top.....from his­ strike partner to supporting midfeilders

    From LamondS, on Sun 14 Sep 6:36PM

  13. The article was interesting and balanced, as they­ usually are. Most of the comments are interesting too;­ but is there no way of filtering out the foul mouthed­ morons who have nothing sensible to say but presumably­ enjoy seeing their abusive trash in print?

    From ERIC P, on Sun 14 Sep 6:15PM

  14. to bignuggets comment 'typical scousers, dont hear­ a thing til they get a lucky win. never mind­ they'll be silent again by end of season'­
    well, were you even watching the game???
    i would like­ you to come back with a credible reason as to how­ liverpool were lucky to win yesterday.
    i bet you that­ you cant.

    From brailsford.mike, on Sun 14 Sep 6:11PM

  15. For pete's say you tossers it's a bloody game­ and who cares. Grow up all of you. 22 men running­ around kicking a pigs bladder that's football­ .Except its no longer a pigs bladder

    From Pegden, on Sun 14 Sep 5:49PM

  16. stoke city put up a brave attempt and played some nice­ football at times looking promising for survival the­ best team won in the end but it makes me proud to be a­ potter

    From Kevin, on Sun 14 Sep 5:24PM

  17. typical scousers, dont hear a thing til they get a­ lucky win. never mind they'll be silent again by­ end of season

    From bignugget, on Sun 14 Sep 5:17PM

  18. congrats to Liverpool for finally beating United in lge­ under Rafa,lets not forget one thing last season Utd­ only had 2pts from 3 games and 5pts from 4 games,this­ season 3 games in they have 4 pts theres along way to­ go yet but seems alot of Liverpool Fans think beating­ United is more important than winning the league,after­ 38 games then we will see whos beaten who!,me­ personally im a shrews town fan but always keep an eye­ on Prem like any Footie fan would

    From Dazza, on Sun 14 Sep 5:15PM

  19. kathy Liverpool beat Manchester Utd: a good result

    From John Hamer, on Sun 14 Sep 5:13PM

  20. YOU ARE ALL FULL OF @#$%!!!!!

    From peter.cartwright747, on Sun 14 Sep 5:02PM
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