150 minutes is a long time in Football. In a game where momentum is key, and fine margins exist between victory and defeat, game-changing moments such as the one experienced roughly 30 minutes into Thursday’s match against Dynamo Kyiv can make or break a season. In this case, Everton, 1-0 down after an early Oleg Gusev away goal from a corner, were faltering against the Ukrainian champions- as they so often have done in the league this season- with a usually raucous Goodison crowd fractious to the point of being hostile. Antolin Alcaraz- only playing because of an injury to defensive mainstay, John Stones- nearly gifted Dieumerci Mbokani a vital second with a stray pass to which the Gwladys Street responded with a torrent of abuse. For some, this was merely a way to vent months worth of frustration, yet for others this was a form of constructive criticism. The message- one that has been frequently repeated throughout this desperate campaign- was clear: move the ball forward quickly, with purpose and incision. Such cries for a more direct brand of football are commonplace amongst a certain few, with certain Blues still yearning for the aggressive, all-action style seen during the Moyes era. This is not something that totally unites the entirety of Everton’s support, as those who still chant Roberto Martinez’s name in reference to the “re-opening of the School of Science,” serve to evidence, but for once the fragmented Goodison fanbase spoke in unison, and the players responded emphatically.
Two minutes later, Jagielka cleared, somewhat aimlessly, forward for Romelu Lukaku to chase. Kyiv’s defence, and their 40-year-old veteran ‘keeper panicked, with the latter rushing a clearance that fell invitingly for the big Belgian striker. He struck wildly at the open goal from 45 yards, with others better placed, but the sheer disarray seen in the away side’s backline was an encouraging sign for the home side: a further incentive for an Everton team devoid of confidence, and caught between two styles of play, to play at a quicker tempo.
This decision to go more direct paid dividends just before half time, as Lukaku, who has been heavily criticised for his erratic hold-up play at times this season, shrugged off the attention of his marker, barged his way past two further challenges, and slipped a cute pass to the onrushing Naismith, who finished calmly beyond the despairing dive of the rattled Ukrainian custodian. Cue pandemonium, and further Everton pressure before the half-time whistle sounded. Now the Goodison crowd, so vociferous in their criticism just 15 minutes previous, instead offered their players a standing ovation as they made their way to the dugout for the interval. There is little better in the way of support than a roaring, floodlit Goodson Park and the atmosphere seen (and heard) on Thursday night remained a far cry from previous matches at a hostile Old Lady. The Blues, finally, had their momentum, and how they exploited it.
The second half, thankfully, continued in much the same vein, with Everton offering wave after wave of attack in an attempt to gain a valuable lead to take to Kyiv. Eventually, the relentless pressure told, as Lukaku fired a late penalty under the Kyiv ‘keeper to seal the deal on a night described by the 21-year-old starlet as his best in a blue shirt. That Everton go to the daunting Ukrainian capital this week with any lead at all-never mind a crucial, yet narrow, one- says as much about the players and supporters as it does about their Catalan manager, if not more. You see, Roberto Martinez has resembled something akin to an intransigent, immovable object where tactics are concerned this year, as those in the Goodison terraces have bemoaned a lack of variety in their side’s play. Here, it seems, the change of tact, which ultimately won the Walton side the match, can be traced back not to any particularly innovative tactical adjustments made by the under-fire manager, but instead to a combination of the frustrated, yet knowledgeable, home crowd and a group of players keen to explore other avenues in the attempt to claw their way back into a precariously poised tie.
Fast forward a further 3 days, and the manager had finally caught up with his aforementioned charges, springing a tactical surprise of his own, and playing a fluid 4-4-2 against Newcastle, as Arouna Kone was selected alongside Romelu Lukaku. With Leon Osman and Darron Gibson pulling the strings in midfield, Newcastle, who had prepared all week to face a Blues side playing in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, were blown away. Finally, glints of light can be seen on the previously cloudy horizon, as the Toffees look to reignite their disappointing, stuttering season.
Last year, tactical innovation such as this was commonplace, as the Blues dismantled Arsenal at Goodison thanks to an astute call from the Catalan that highlighted Gunners’ full back Nacho Monreal as the weak link, and isolated the Spaniard against the pace and strength of Lukaku. That day, Martinez worked one over his opposite number. Yesterday he did the same to John Carver, in a manner finally befitting of someone who was rated so highly last season. Such pieces of inspiration have been too few and far between this campaign, but if Martinez persists with the tactics, personnel and tempo found, perhaps by chance, during the games against Kyiv and Newcastle, then we may finally begin to see the Everton of last season return. The blue touch paper may, just may, have been lit…
