Bolton Match Report

Same old story again. A winnable home game ends with points thrown away after Everton, who dominated for large spells in the game, had to be thankful for Jermaine Beckford's stoppage time goal to salvage a draw.

Before the game, all the talk was of team selection. One of the criticisms of David Moyes is that, from time to time, he is capable of some baffling decisions when it comes to changing his team around. Wednesday night saw Marouane Fellaini replace the injured John Heitinga - not too many complaints there given the Dutchman's form - but, strangely, Louis Saha come in for Yakubu and, even moreso, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replace the in-form Seamus Coleman.

It's easy to make the Russian a scapegoat but the fact is he's not playing well and does not justify selection. Our form this season significantly picked up when Coleman and Yakubu came into the team - we've looked balanced, aggressive and tough to beat. The changes significantly affected the mood inside Goodison (understandably given Coleman's popularity and form) and Bilyaletdinov, again, looked hesitant and scared to make a mistake.

That said, Everton should still have won the game comfortably. After a nervy first ten minutes - Tim Howard in particular looked uncertain - the Blues began to impose themselves, with Fellaini and Pienaar in particular looking bright. What is worrying, however, is the teams reluctance to shoot from range. Arteta, Pienaar and Bilyaletdinov all had chances to do so - but their extra touches or attempts to be cute meant that the chances went begging. As the half wore on, Louis Saha forced a couple of saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen and had a header from Arteta's corner hacked off the line by Chung Yong Lee. Fellaini blazed over as well, but the half ended goalless.

Bolton began the second half with a bit more spark about them - Sylvain Distin, who played well again, had to be alert after Johan Elmander went past the unusually sluggish Jagielka - and a couple of corners led to Matt Taylor hitting the top of the crossbar and Howard saving brilliantly from the impressive Stuart Holden. The game soon reverted to type, however, and half chances for Saha and Bilyaletdinov were not converted, before great work by Baines led to Gary Cahill deflecting the ball over his own crossbar by inches. Coleman replaced Bilyaletdinov, and a couple of barnstorming runs down the right warmed the crowd up and had Everton on the front foot.

Unfortunately, when you don't take chances, the inevitable will happen. From an Everton attack, Jagielka, who was virtually the last man, dwelled on the ball and was robbed by Holden. He fed Taylor on the left, who whipped a beauty of a cross between defenders and goalkeeper for Klasnic to tap in. Brilliant, Everton, well done.

Moyes hit the panic button, sending on Yakubu (who should have started the game - whatever the opinions are on the Nigerian, we play better football when he's there) and Beckford for Saha (bright initially but faded badly) and Neville. The game seemed up, however, when Fellaini stupidly kicked out at Robinson following a crunching challenge, and was rightly sent off. He had played well and should be first choice in that position, but his reaction was moronic and will only increase his reputation, however unwarranted, with referees.

As the supporters headed for the exits, Everton's attacks became increasingly desperate, but those who stayed were rewarded. Leighton Baines' persistence and drive won back a ball that should never have been his, and, from his cutback, Beckford bent an absolute howitzer into the top corner. The ex-Leeds man is nowhere near ready to start games yet - he's still got a way to go to adapt, particularly when it comes to work outside the box - but that was a wonderful goal which will hopefully do him the world of good.

Overall it has to be a poor result - caused by players not willing to take responsibility, and, in no small part, bad team selection - but hopefully lessons will be learned. They have to be, given that Arsenal visit on Sunday.

COYB

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