Posted by James W. Hollis

Everton started brightly, playing some nice football with Leighton Baines and shock-inclusion Magaye Gueye linking up nicely down the left side. There were even shades of four years ago in some of the one touch passing moves that Everton created but again, there was no telling final ball to outwit John Ruddy. As has happened so many times this season, Everton’s impotency in front of goal was punished in the 28th minute when Grant Holt, surrounded by Everton defenders, dragged the ball past John Heitinga and slotted a left-footed shot off of the inside of the post to put the visitors ahead against the run of play. The goal reinforced the frustration that our fans have felt during our performances (especially at home) this season as Norwich went into half time a goal to the good.

The second half started as the first half finished, with Everton on the front foot, well in control of the match but utterly clueless and predictably in the attacking third. Moyes made his first change in the 61st minute as he swapped Tim Cahill for Denis Stracqualursi. Denis (we’re now on a first-name basis after his performance Saturday) had a profound impact on the game and you cannot criticize the effort he put in. He won headers, free kicks and terrorized Norwich’s back line with his physical style of play. However, the equalizer did not come until Royston Drenthe made his return to the team in the 72nd minute. With his introduction, a dull Everton sparked into life and Norwich was hanging on for their lives. In the 81st minute, Drenthe launched into another of his trademark runs into the Norwich box and scuffed a shot. Leon Osman, thinking quickly, guided the ball past John Ruddy. Ruddy was fortunate to save what would have been the go-ahead goal when Drenthe fired another scorching shot from range. The match finished 1-1. 

Talking Points: 

Team Selection: When the team news came out ahead of the match, many were surprised. I think the team selection on Saturday was brought about by a combination of injuries and frustration at our team’s ineptitude in front of goal. Neville was included in the midfield again, much to the chagrin of the set of fans who think he hurts the fluency of our play. Magaye Gueye looked bright early but appeared shattered before he was replaced in the second half (and at the end of the first half, to be fair). All in all, I think that it’s good that Moyes is trying to experiment because it’s plain to see that what he’s been doing recently hasn’t been working. Not that he’s working with solid gold or anything... 

The inside of Tim Howard’s left post: That’s two matches in a row in which the other team scored a goal off of the inside of that post. First RvP, now Grant Holt. Seriously, I’m not asking that the laws of physics be changed in Everton’s favor, but Tim Howard might appreciate a bad bounce every once in a while.

Going behind at home: Everton traded one terrible stat (no shots on goal for more than two matches) for another one on Saturday. Everton has now taken 8 points from 8 home matches this season. How do you take only 8 points from 8 matches? You let the other team score silly goals to go ahead and allow them to shut up shot for the remainder of the game. Everton have gone behind in the first half of six of the eight home matches:  QPR: 31’, United: 19’, Wigan: 31’, Wolves: 37’, Stoke: 15’, Norwich: 28’. When you have only scored 16 goals in 15 games, going a goal behind means that at the very least we’re losing the opportunity to get two of the three points available. That’s what happened again on Saturday. 

Creativity: Everton was dismally predictable before Royston Drenthe came into the game. Go down the left, swing a cross in aimed at Tim Cahill. Headed away. Go down the left, get past a defender, play a ball back to where Leon Osman is supposed to be coming in late. Cut out by the defender. Repeat. Hopefully, Landon Donovan’s return will give Everton the shot in the arm that they need and keep Drenthe from having to pull too much of the weight in terms of creativity. One or two more creative players will also make Leon Osman into the threat he became at the end of last season, he’s just not capable of doing it all on his own. 

Man of the Match: Royston Drenthe. You know that the performance was dull when someone brought on in the 72nd minute is the man of the match. But, let’s be serious, we would’ve lost at home to another promoted team on Saturday if Royston Drenthe hadn’t played. As such, he gets my man of the match and I hope he’s fit enough to play from the start against Swansea, we need his unpredictability and his turn of pace. 

Wednesday sees Everton welcoming the third and final promoted team, Swansea, to Goodison Park. Swansea plays a more swashbuckling passing style and should be an interesting test.