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We played a 4-4-2. Which was surprising given the team we had out. Schemmel took up the new role of right-winger and there was another new role for Trevor Sinclair who joined Joey Cole in the middle of the park. Kanoute replaced Defoe up front.
Everton seem to come with a plan - to catch us on the break. But it didn't seem to work. They could of nicked a goal - but to do that you must generate some chances - something that they did not do.
We had spells of pressure but nothing really significant. Our best chance fell to Schemmel who had a shot deflected over the bar. Di Canio also his chipped shot go over.
We gave the ball away very cheaply in the first half - Di Canio was the chief culprit of this. Nothing he was doing seem to go right.
So after a very uneventful first half you could only hope for better in the second. The second half was a little different to the first but not by much. We still gave the ball away too much and if Everton had have attacked us a little more I'm sure we could have been in trouble.
But we stayed comfortable. And got our rewards for our persistence when Joey Cole's shot (heading for the keepers arms as usual) hit Trevor Sinclair and went into the back of the net. A complete fluke - but a very important goal which turned out to be the winner.
There weren't many chances in the game. Kanoute saw his shot hit the side netting after a great ball over the top from Di Canio. Di Canio also had a good opportunity but seemed to get it stuck under his feet and in typical Paolo style he went down looking for a penalty which was never going to be given.
To be honest no team ever looked like they were going to score and only for the Sinclair fluke goal I don't think we would of. But Everton were shit. We were just a little better.
But we won and it lifts us up to 10th - so I'm pleased.
Overall - A win is a win. But we will have to play much much better against Manchester United.
Player Ratings
James 7 - Didn't make one difficult save all night. Done everything he had to do well.
Winterburn 7 - Solid as a rock. Nutty Nige at home is always dependable. He was very composed at the back.
Repka 7 - This isn't the Repka that plays away. This is the Repka who's actually quite good. And tonight he showed it again.
Dailly 7 - Like Repka, he's such a better player at home. Everton were never going to get the better of out back line.
Pearce 6 - He was dominating in the air. But I still question his fitness.
Schemmel 6 - He was our best player in the first half but faded in the second and was taken off.
Cole 6 - Joey played quite well tonight. I was impressed. I haven't said that in a long time about Joey but tonight I thought he ran the midfield.
Sinclair 7 - He scored, all be it a fluke but they all count. Looked lost in the centre of midfield. A waste in that position.
Labant 7 - His left foot was always a threat and he worked hard all night.
Di Canio 6 - He was poor. Although still at the heart of attacks he gave the ball away a lot and it broke up promising attacks. He should of been the one who was substituted as thing weren't happening for Paolo tonight. A poor night for Di Canio.
Kanoute 6 - He worked hard and looked sharp. But it was difficult for him against Stubbs and Weir. Still a threat though and a big asset to our team.