David Moyes's latest inspired signing, Jo, scored two goals and won a penalty as Everton totally outplayed a poor Bolton side and ran out 3-0 winners.
It was back to the business end of the beautiful game for Everton after Wednesday evening's euphoric FA Cup victory against local rivals Liverpool.
No doubt Gary Megson was hoping the gruelling albeit fruitful 120 minutes the Toffees endured in that game would prove decisive as Bolton arrived on Merseyside fresh after enjoying a full week's rest.
With both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar carrying knocks Manchester City's Brazilian misfit Jo made his Goodison Park debut alongside Dan Gosling, rewarded with a first team start for his cup heroics.
Bolton fielded the side that had impressed last week against Spurs with just one change as Ricardo Gardner was replaced by Andy O'Brien.
In fairness Everton started much the brighter and Tim Cahill and Jo missed sitters within the first 20 minutes.
Everton played with the adventure of a team full of confidence, probing, passing and shooting as Bolton were left chasing hopeful punts up to Ariza Makukula and Kevin Davies.
A long range Fabrice Muamba effort which flew over Tim Howard's crossbar was a warning to the Toffee's not to get complacent though.
Jo had a chance to cover himself in glory as he collected a Tim Cahill knock down near the centre circle and and sped away from his marker put he put his shot 2 yards wide of an outstretched Jaaskelainen.
The Brazilian was enjoying a decent debut though and twice came close minutes later.
By now Everton were launching waves of attacks with Leighton Baines and Leon Osman linking up well down the left.
As the half drew to a close Everton were piling on the pressure and when Jo ran into the Bolton area only to be upended by Andy O'Brien one felt the Blues got their reward for dominating the half as Mikel Arteta beat Jaaskelainen from the resulting spot kick.
Phil Jagielka almost added another on the stroke of half time but his header from a corner hit the Bolton crossbar.
Gary Megson would have had some harsh words for his lacklustre side at half time but unfortunately they obviously had little effect as 4 minutes after the restart a lovely flighted ball from Phil Neville from the halfway line landed on Jo's toes and he sublimely flicked it beyond Gary Cahill twisted and volleyed beyond Jaaskelainen to make it 2-0 to the home side.
Bolton started to pull together and the introduction of Chris Basham and Ebi Smolarek for the woeful Puygrenier and Muamba at least made the game into some sort of contest.
In fact Matthew Taylor even forced Howard into his first save of the day on 69 minutes as Bolton began to muscle their way into the contest.
Everton were having to deal with Bolton's long ball approach and as the game wore on the Toffee's midweek escapades were obviously beginning to have an effect as they visibly slowed down but the Trotters still lacked the guile to break the Blues down.
In fact it was Everton who had the final say.
Mark Davies handled an attempted Dan Gosling cross in the area and as referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot the ball was handed to new boy Jo to get his second goal in front of the fans who will surely now claim the Man City boy as one of their own.
Post a comment