Everton’s Last Minute Heroics

Actually, the Toffees have scored nine goals in the final 10 minutes – nearly a third of all goals they’ve scored this campaign – which have earned them an extra nine precious points.

Late goals usually indicate a team’s superior fitness – and the ability to capitalize on the other side’s mistakes as the players begin to tire. But surely this can’t be the reason for Everton’s last-minute heroics, can it? After all, the club’s fitness has been a major problem this season; its talented yet skimpy squad has been laid bare by a rash of injuries. Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, and Mikel Arteta among others have all spent extended periods on the sidelines. As a result, the team struggled – or rather, hobbled – out of the starting blocks.

But it seems Everton may have reached a turning point of late. A nine-match unbeaten streak has catapulted them away from the nail-biting relegation zone and into the more comfortable environs of mid-table mediocrity. And during the January transfer window manager David Moyes did his best to provide extra cover with the meager funds he had available to him – bringing in Landon Donovan and Philippe Senderos on loan.

On Saturday, Everton will make the short trip across Stanley Park to play Liverpool, their Merseyside rivals who have had their own share of disappointment this season. For Moyes, it will mark his 600^th match in charge of the club. Everton sit nine points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. A win at Anfield will suddenly give Toffee fans the courage to dream again about qualifying for the Champions League.

Capturing that fourth spot – especially after Rafa Benitez guaranteed that it would be Liverpool’s – would perhaps mark the greatest achievement in Moyes’ career at Goodison Park. Some may scoff at the possibility of it all. But the way things have gone already this season, we won’t be surprised if, once again, Everton leaves it late.

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One Response to “Everton’s Last Minute Heroics”

1. Everton's Last Minute Heroics | Footy Factor – Premiership Football | Watch Premiership Football says:

   February 4, 2010 at 2:40 pm

   [...] Original post: Everton's Last Minute Heroics | Footy Factor – Premiership Football [...]