Merseyside relief as Owls end run
The Owls virtually ensured Premier League status for next season with a 2-1 win over Everton at Goodison Park, at the same time this result plundered the Toffee's into the bottom three and increased worries that they might drop out of the top flight for only the fourth time in their club's history.
With no Des Walker in defence, out through an ankle injury, there was a call-up to the side for Jon Newsome who could well leave Hillsborough in the summer after a frustrating season on the bench for him. There was also a re-call to the team for Andy Booth who returned from suspension. Many thought that youngster Richard Cresswell would keep his place in the side after a good performance on the weekend against Coventry.
It had all started so horribly wrong for Wednesday from the start. Everton were on top and opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Pavel Srnicek spilled the ball straight to Jeffers who hooked the ball into the net to give Everton the lead. The Owls were now looking at a sixth consecutive league defeat.
Later in the half it was almost 2-0 as David Weir sent a through ball that England full-back Andy Hinchcliffe almost sent into his own net. The half ended with Everton a goal to the good and unless Wednesday could swing the game around relegation could become a reality for a side that only a month ago were talking of pushing for a place in Europe.
Half-time: Everton 1-0 Owls
Wednesday came out from the half-time break looking a refreshed side and there certainly must've been some serious words said by Danny Wilson to his players. Everton fans must've wondered what went wrong as some terrible defensive errors swung the game in Wednesday's favour.
Just seven minutes after the break it was 1-1 when Everton defenders Marco Materazzi and Thomas Myhre both hesitated and left David Unsworth having to play the ball back to his keeper. The pass was mishit and Carbone was on hand to slip the ball under the keeper to tie the game up.
Just four minutes later Everton fans were screaming for a penalty when Andy Booth appeared to foul Scott Gemmill in the box but referee Mike Reed waved play on much to the relief of the Owls.
It was to get worse for Everton in the 68th minute when another shocking mistake at the back let in Wednesday. This time Materazzi was the culprit, as his mishit backpass was again latched onto by Carbone as the little Italian gave the Owls the lead.
In the dying minutes it could've been 3-1 when Carbone's cross was met by a Wim Jonk header that shaved the crossbar. It didn't matter in the end as the final whistle blew and a big sigh of relief for Wednesday players, management and fans alike as with the recent run of bad results and tough fixtures ahead - this win really was vital.
|
Booth