Everton 1-0 Derby

Everton took control of the game from ver early on, Derby were clearly missing

Gravesen drives on

the creative influence of the Injured Ravinelli. EIther that, or they are always this bad, perhaps some Derby fans would care to enlighten me ? From Everton's pint of view that really didn't matter. We were by far the better side, period.

Everton's build up play was excellent at times, and always promising. Permbridge, Alexandersson and Naysmith were all contributing well. Gravesen was as string as ever in midfield, and he was the first Everton player to go close, testing the visiting 'keeper on 10 minutes with a stinging shot from 30 yards that went just wind.

Moore head Everton in front after 75 minutes

After that Everton continued to push forward. Watson held the ball up well for Radzinski, who was running hard without actuallt achieveing much, this was certainly not to do with lack of effort. Permbridge, in for Gascoigne, looked good down the left wing, he is certainly going to give new man Blomqvist a run for his money. Permbridge was involved when Everton very nearly scored again in the frist half. After some good passing the Welshman played a ball into the feet of Watson, who's clever flick narrowly missed putting RAdzinski through on goal.

On 21 minutes Pistone was unlucky not to score after heading Alexandersson's corner against the foot of the post. Shortly afterwards, Oakes in Derby's goal made one of his many cock up's. He came out to head a long ball clear, and only managed to play the ball to Steve Watson who did well to hit the ball on target. The attempt was foiled, and Oakes was saved his blushes as the last man headed the Ball just over the Bar. David Unsworth came on for the injured Stubb's and it is a testament to him, and to the lack of any Derby attack, that noone really noticed.

Pistone was denied by the woodwork once more before half-time, heading against the bar from Niclas Alexandersson's corner. Everton reshuffled their line-up during the interval, sending on Moore for Pistone, allowing Watson to revert to his more familiar defensive role. The second 45 minutes started off without the pace of the first, and this theme continued until the introduction of Paul Gascoigne, coming on to replace the injured Gravesen. Gravesen had been hurt in a sickeding clash of head with Darrel Powell which left both players needing a night in hospital. Indeed, many people were worried until, as he was

Gascoigne replaced the injured Gravesen

being stretched off the pitch, Gravesen acknolledged the crowd's chants with an outstretched fist. If there is a more spirited player in the premiership i am yet to come accross them.

Gascoigne came on, and whilst he did not play brilliantly, and never looked as sharp as Gravesen had, his clever touch and calm boot was what Everton needed to crack open Derby.Everton were enjoying massive territorial supremacy, with Derby desperately poor as an attacking force.

And Everton deservedly took the lead through substitute Moore with 14 minutes remaining, having had almost all of the possesion and the chances, with ALexandersson and Pembridge both going close from difficult angles.Moore headed from from close range following a right-wing cross from the dangerous Alexandersson, and it was enough to give hard-working Everton a win their performance merited. For the last 10 minutes Derby introduced Kinkladze. The little Georgian was by far the best Derby player (it says alot that i didn't realise that Carbone was playing until an hour had passed), and Everton were on the back foot from the last few minutes of the game. It has to be said however that this was mainly of thier own doing. They stepped down a gear and found it hard to break out of thier own half. HAd they not done this Derby never would have had a look in.