14 Sep 2013 19:57
Evertonians celebrate first win of the Roberto Martinez era
Steven Naismith celebrates his goal against ChelseaRoberto Martinez said that after an international break and the distraction of the transfer window, Everton’s season started here.
And he was proved right as Steven Naismith’s close range header kickstarted the Blues campaign with a riotously received victory over Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
The goal came on the stroke of half-time.
Leon Osman clipped a cross to the far-post where Jelavic might have had a header at goal himself.
Instead the Croat had the presence of mind to turn the ball back for Naismith to head in from point blank range.
In pictures: Everton 1 Chelsea 0
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Everton FC 1 Chelsea 0 at Goodison Park
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But if Naismith was the matchwinner, debutant Gareth Barry’s intervention was just as influential.
The midfield enforcer made a goalsaving tackle with the scores still blank and went on to enjoy an excellent debut.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard was caught out trying to pass the ball out from his own six yard box but gave the ball straight to Schurrle. He rolled the ball across goal for Chelsea debutant Samuel Eto’o to supply the finishing touch, but Barry threw in a goal saving challenge to force the Cameroon striker to fire over.
Chelsea had other opportunities.
Schurrle clipped over Howard but into the sidenetting shortly after half-time, and also fired wide when well placed before the break.
But the Blues go better and better as the match wore on.
Kevin Mirallas was denied by Petr Cech, Leighton Baines clipped the crossbar from a free-kick in time added on and Chelsea were forced to resport to a couple of cynical body checks on the excellent Ross Barkley and Mirallas.
Deadline day signing James McCarthy was introduced with half an hour remaining for Jelavic, Mirallas pressed into a central striking role, and there were also late cameos from youngsters John Stones and Gerard Deloufeu as Evertonians celebrated a first Premier League victory under their new Spanish coach.
Click here to rate the EFC players for their performances.
Brilliant result blue boys! Gareth Barry was immense today he really was.. Happy days, we keep that form and it’ll be a good season.
#COYB
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) September 14, 2013
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