Crewe 1 Everton 2
The Canadian striker struck just before half time to cancel out Dean Ashton's earlier strike for the home side. Crewe dominated the first 45 minutes, and despite the fact that as underdogs, everyone in the media will play up their achievement of outplaying us, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the good attacking football they played. Young strike pairing Ashton and Rob Hulse gave Everton's experienced duo of David Weir and Alan Stubbs a torrid time.
It was the pace of the attack that left Everton flat footed, and the opening goal was only going to be scored by one team. Ashton had twice had good opportunities before h finally but his team ahead.
It was the pace of the attack that left Everton flat footed, and the opening goal was only going to be scored by one team. Ashton had twice had good opportunities before h finally but his team ahead.
Ashton robbed the hesitant Mark Pembridge and raced 40 yards in composed fashion before beating Simonsen with ease. Crewe went close moments later when Hulse, through on Simonsen again, went too wide and beat himself with the angle.
Everton were on the rack, but it was a good move that lead to the opening goal. The impressive Pembridge, who had had Everton's best chance with a shot from 18 yards, found himself at the by-line on his right foot. Despite being decidedly left footed, he produced a beauty of a cross for Radzinski to nod home the equalizer. It was against the run of play, but it was the turning point.
Everton boss Smith made a double change at half-time, substituting the ineffective David Ginola and injured Gary Naysmith with David Unsworth and Thomas Gravesen. Gravesen made a big difference, running and playing like we know he can.
Pembridge, playing a stormer, saved Everton on 56 minutes with a header of the line after Hulse had flicked on Ashton's effort. As the game wore on Everton's premiership skill and fitness started to show, and Crewe looked more and more in danger. The goal that everyone was expecting came on 69 minutes, Radzinski provided a great cross from the right, and when the inconsistent Sodje missed his kick, Campbell controlled and turned to score superbly.
After that Everton never looked back, Radzinski and Campbell going close towards the end, and Crewe had lost the spirit and work rate that had earned them so much in the first half.
Everton were on the rack, but it was a good move that lead to the opening goal. The impressive Pembridge, who had had Everton's best chance with a shot from 18 yards, found himself at the by-line on his right foot. Despite being decidedly left footed, he produced a beauty of a cross for Radzinski to nod home the equalizer. It was against the run of play, but it was the turning point.
Everton boss Smith made a double change at half-time, substituting the ineffective David Ginola and injured Gary Naysmith with David Unsworth and Thomas Gravesen. Gravesen made a big difference, running and playing like we know he can.
Pembridge, playing a stormer, saved Everton on 56 minutes with a header of the line after Hulse had flicked on Ashton's effort. As the game wore on Everton's premiership skill and fitness started to show, and Crewe looked more and more in danger. The goal that everyone was expecting came on 69 minutes, Radzinski provided a great cross from the right, and when the inconsistent Sodje missed his kick, Campbell controlled and turned to score superbly.
After that Everton never looked back, Radzinski and Campbell going close towards the end, and Crewe had lost the spirit and work rate that had earned them so much in the first half.