Everton Dominate Bolton in League Action

In a match that didn’t move the needle on the table very much either way for Everton, but did introduce transfer window signer Jo to the team, the Toffees dominated Bolton at Goodison Park.

Everton looked very much on form against Bolton as attacks came from all sides but nothing fell until Jo was tripped up in the box to draw the Penalty Kick.

The PK was easily converted by Arteta to put Bolton ahead, but the 1-0 score line at the break did not do the Toffee’s justice as they dominated possession and had the lion’s share of attacking chances – including a rare close range miss by Tim Cahill early in the half.

Surely Bolton were hoping for some tired legs going in to the second half as Everton had played 120 minutes of gritty FA Cup football, knocking Liverpool out just a few days prior, but it would not be.

Jo showed a flash of the goal scoring prowess he had in Moscow shortly after play resumed, with a fantastic touch and turn strike to put Everton up by two.

The final goal came on yet another PK as Bolton was called for handling the ball in the box. Jo slotted this one home as well – making him a party to all three of Everton’s goals – a point sure to be high on Moyes’ mind and a major confidence boost for the Brazilian striker.

Everton finally advance!

It took a little divine intervention and a lot of grit, but Everton finally pulled off the Merseyside derby victory against Liverpool to see themselves through to the FA Cup round of 16 for the first time in four years!

Liverpool playmaker and lynchpin Stephen Gerrard went out at 15 minutes with a hamstring pull – a very painful injury and usually a minimum of three weeks to recover, I know a lot about those mind you – and then Lucas Lieva went on to earn two foolish yellow cards which left the Reds down a man against the Toffees from about 65 minutes on. Clearly Liverpool were against the ropes and Everton could smell victory.

But Rafa’s strategy was obvious at that point. Play a four four one, hope for the quick counter, or otherwise play for a penalty shoot out. Liverpool was digging in and the strategy to keep level until penalties was working.

Everton would not have it. The lads continued to press for the victory during regular time, and then on in to the two 15 minutes of extra time….but it became increasingly apparent as the match wore on that it was Everton’s to lose!

Fortunately for the Toffees, a brilliant bit of ball movement in the box by Dan Gosling gave the teenager just enough space to curl a right footed inswinger to the far post – literally – as his strike ricocheted off and in to the back of the net 118 minutes in to playing time.

Final score: Everton 1 - Liverpool 0

Everton now look to take their cobbled together side to League number fours, Aston Villa, on 15 February.

Everton hobbles in to Liverpool FA cup rematch

Tomorrow, an Everton very light on strikers will do its best at Goodison park against a relatively injury free Liverpool for yet another Merseyside FA Cup derby. Most likely the scoring duty will once again fall to Everton's Tim Cahill, while Liverpool have quite a few tried and true goal scorers at their disposal with Gerrard, Torres, and Kuyt all ready to send the Toffees packing.

Everton did pick up Joao Alves de Assis Silva (aka Jo) as the transfer window closed in hopes that the young Brazilian might find the CSKA Moscow form in royal blue that never materialized in light blue at Manchester City. However Jo is cup-tied for the FA Cup and will not see any action for the Blues in this tournament.

If Everton finally get past Liverpool, it will be the first time in four years they have reached the round of sixteen.

Tomorrow's match kicks off at 3:00PM Eastern in the US on Setanta Sports USA. The full sides are:

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Anichebe, Gosling, Castillo, Rodwell, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Nash, Yobo, Van der Meyde, Jacobsen, Jutkiewicz.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, Riera, Cavalieri.

A little humor for your Sunday afternoon pleasure

On a day when American Football will take center stage in all of its commercialized glory, I found this little video of Coventry City's Robbie Simpson doing a goal celebration knee slide turned face plant. Enjoy...I hope you get a chuckle out of this like I did: