Everton returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Bolton at Goodison Park.
Neville and Cahill sink Bolton at Goodison
Everton returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success over Bolton at Goodison Park.
The Toffees' long unbeaten run was ended by late heartache at Manchester United, but David Moyes' high-flying side have responded in fine fashon.
Everton brushed off the disappointment of Yakubu Aiyegbeni's disallowed goal just before half-time by taking the lead in the 51st minute.
Jussi Jaaskelainen totally misjudged Phil Neville's cross and, coupled with pressure by Tim Cahill, allowed the ball past him into the empty net.
Everton wrapped up the contest in the 70th minute when Cahill converted Joleon Lescott's low cross into the roof of the net.
Bolton carved out the first half chance of the match in the 15th minute when Ricardo Gardner tried his luck from distance, however the Jamaican full-back's effort went high over Tim Howard's bar.
Crowded out
Gardner then released El-Hadji Diouf but the Senegal striker was crowded out as he shaped to shoot.
Everton suddenly sprung into life in the 20th minute and Mikel Arteta's effort took a deflection to safety after he had been set up by Lescott.
Arteta was coming more into the game after missing the United match through illness and picked out Yakubu after 33 minutes.
However the Nigerian striker seemed to be off-balance and headed wide at the near post.
Yakubu did find the net a minute before half-time but his effort was ruled out as Cahill was offside.
Everton almost took the lead a minute into the second half when Yakubu released Cahill. The Australian looked certain to score but Jaaskelainen made a marvellous point blank save.
Everton stepped up the pressure and Jaaskelainen turned away Lescott's effort with his knee.
Jaaskelainen was left red-faced, however, in the 51st minute when Everton opened the scoring.
Eye off the ball
He came racing off his line to prevent Neville's delivery from the right reaching Cahill and clambered on the back of the midfielder. But he took his eye off the ball and Neville's cross ended up behind the Finn and in the net.
Everton found themselves on the back foot in the 66th minute when substitute Gavin McCann sent in an ambitious overhead kick, however Lescott was handily placed and cleared the ball to safety.
Everton extended their lead in the 70th minute when referee Rob Styles played the advantage rule after McCann had bundled over Gravesen.
With Bolton static, Lescott raced to the byline and pulled it back to Cahill, who rifled a shot home.
Megson would have been furious at the way his side had gone to sleep and Gravesen almost added a third in the 77th minute, only for his effort to go wide of the target.
Bolton, however, continued to make a decent fist of it and Anelka broke clear seven minutes later but goalkeeper Howard made a good block.
| Everton |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
| 2 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 10 |
Blocked Shots |
6 |
| 6 |
Corners |
4 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
19 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 81.6 |
Passing Success |
67.7 |
| 24 |
Tackles |
30 |
| 70.8 |
Tackles Success |
76.7 |
| 55 |
Possession |
45 |
| 58.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
41.1 |
|
