Brinkmanship is second nature to Everton but the manner of this victory might add to Roberto Martínez’s sense that they can pull this season out of the fire. On a different day,the familiar tale of ill-luck and slender margins inside the penalty areas might believe been offered without a second thought; this time it was Everton who profited at either cessation and a game they could ill afford to lose became one that might sharpen their focus in an often exasperating campaign.
When James McCarthy took leave of his senses in the 37th minute, handling a Charlie Daniels corner despite having plenty of opportunity to prepare a clearance, or the obituaries for Everton’s season and possibly for Martínez’s position – seemed easy enough to write. This was merely the latest evidence of a systemic dopiness but Joel Robles’ save from the resulting spot kick,drilled to his left by Daniels, hauled Everton out of a sluggish opening period unscathed and set a platform from which Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku made their own decisive contributions later on.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com