feisty Standard Liège

Whether you call them feisty or stubborn Standard Liège has painted Everton into the corner after drawing 2-2 in the first of their UEFA Cup match-up at Goodison Park.

Defensively this was a nightmare, a woeful madcap display best served for the practice grounds. After dilly-dallying with a goal, Everton found themselves down by one ten minutes in the match when Wilfried Dalmat crossed to a wide-open Dieumerci Mbokani for a easy goal. The Belgian’s continued to attack, predictably on the flanks, that no-one seemed to understand on the pitch and just picked Everton apart. Somehow they also managed not to plunder the goal and Yakubu drew the match level on a slick set-up from Mikel Arteta at the twenty-three minute mark. Twelve minutes later, Joseph Yobo tried to clear a ball but it plunked over Tim Howard to give Standard Liège the 2-1 lead (and the over hit). Things were getting a bit tense in this pinball game and just as fast as you can say “Everton is Liverpool’s favourite team“, Segundo Castillo, a real find from Red Star, drove a powerful shot past the Belgian ‘keeper to level the match at two. There was a great deal of scoring opportunities throughout the balance of the match but neither squad could get the winning strike, however the two “away” goals are a definite advantage to the Belgians. Unfortunately twenty or so minutes after the break, Victor Anichebe was carted off after a tough challenge and we’ll have to wait on the official word.

The Toffees are off to face Hull City which really has to stop this nonsense of playing as upper-table team and fulfill the responsibility of a newly promoted club. Quite seriously, if I can be serious, I find Hull City brilliant so far and I relish there take-no-prisoners, damn the status-quo approach.

~ 21 ~

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to Everton
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Category: Team News

Tags: Standard Liège, Team News, UEFA Cup

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