I don't know if it was a co-incidence or not, but without Neville and Hibbert we suddenly looked like bloody Brazil at times. Hoofball was not non-existent, but there was a lot less of it. The team broke at speed (through Pienaar) and totally controlled the centre of the pitch. Some player comments:
- Pienaar had the best game I have seen of him for Everton. Simply fantastic.
- Rodwell - oh my God. What a cracking game, he gave the ball away once in the entire 90 minutes and that was late in the game at 3-0. He dictated the midfield and was the heart-beat of everything in the middle.
- Fellaini. Lost the ball way too many times deliberating over it. Too many of our attacks died down because he struggled to control the ball and because of this he had to slow down the play. I see people have mixed feelings about his performance, I think this was one of his poorer ones.
- Heitinga. A good if not spectacular game. Should have marked the opposition a bit tighter a few times although he might also have just been careful after his yellow card. Offered a genuine threat going forward even though his shooting was wayward. It is nice to see crosses from our right-back that have a chance of finding a blue shirt. As a central midfielder he looks out of place, though.
- Osman. Had had a kick up his backside. Was much more industrial and creative than usual. Unlucky not to score.
- Saha. Well, we all knew he is the best of our forwards if he stays fit. A world-class player when in form.
What I was left wondering was Moyes's substitutions. What was the point in bringing in Hibbert? Why not give a run-out for Yakubu? Why not give more time for Gosling? Where was Billy? It was a bit annoying: three goals up and Moyes still is cautious. He should have swapped Cahill to Yakubu and Osman to Gosling.
