After a game where any result had seemed possible, the Toffees required a late penalty to secure a much needed win over Wigan Athletic, gaining them their first points of the Premier League campaign.
New-boy, Sylvain Distin, was named in the starting line-up, and he slotted straight into the heart of the Everton defence, alongside Joseph Yobo.
The first half was undoubtedly controlled by Everton, although for all their possession, the Blues created few chances. The first real chance of the game came when 18 year-old Rodwell had a left footed shot, similar to one he scored at Goodison against Sigma Olomuc, saved by Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt. Five minutes later Wigan received their first yellow card of the game, which was only a matter of time due to the Latics’ rough approach and the number of fouls they had committed. The yellow card did not disrupt Wigan’s style of play, as they went on to receive five more.
Just under thirty minutes into the game, Everton should have taken the lead, when Tim Cahill crossed to Louis Saha, whose shot from six yards was superbly blocked to deny Everton a goal.
The start of the second half was almost as bright for Wigan as their hideous fluorescent orange shirts. Eleven minutes after the break, Paul Scharner found himself unmarked at the back post during a Wigan counter attack, where he headed into the Everton net to score yet another goal against the Toffees.
Five minutes later it was the Blues who were celebrating, as Baines, whose set plays had been disappointing so far, picked out the head of Louis Saha, who bagged himself his fourth goal in as many games.
The game, as a spectacle, continued to be played as it had been all game. Everton remained on top in terms of possession, but struggled to make anything of it, whilst Wigan were still a serious threat on the counter attack.
Fellaini and Jo both made huge contributions to the game as they came on off the bench. They were later followed by Everton’s new Russian signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, known affectionately by the fans as ‘Billy’, who in fairness was not given enough time to make an impact.
With the sheer size of Fellaini and Jo’s Brazilian flair, Everton’s attack was given an encouraging boost, and they came close to scoring on various occasions. Tim Cahill unbelievably missed a header from six yards out, before Jo had a left footed shot blocked by Pollitt, and the 37 year old keeper was thankful to see Rodwell blaze the rebound over the bar. A series of corners followed but Everton were still unable to get the ball in the Wigan net.
It seemed as though the Latics were going to hold out, until deep into injury time when Jo was brought down in the box by Emmerson Boyce. With Louis Saha having been substitued earlier, ex-Wigan boy Baines stepped up to convert the penalty and give Everton the lead against his former club. The Toffees almost added insult to injury when Brazilian Jo, again proving to be a threat, was put clean through on goal after some great work from Fellaini. His shot was wide of the goal, but with Everton leading and the final whistle fast approaching, the chance was seen as a bonus rather than crucial.
After some late drama at Goodison Park, Everton will feel relieved to have won the match, whilst Wigan may feel that they should have taken at least a point from the game.
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