Benfica vs. Everton UEFA Cup Matchday 3: 22/10/09 [R]

[Tony Dellbird]

Finally found out where the bastard game is being shown, since our normal slot on Channel 5 seems to be Fulham's now and ITV4 are showing Hamburg and Celtic for some reason, we're on ESPN. Be lucky if I make it down the pub after work for this one. We've got a lot of defensive problems as usual, Hibbo at centre back seems likely, maybe Coleman or Gosling at RB, since Neill and Heitinga are INE and Neville and Yobo are injured. I'm not expecting much out of the game in all honesty, but I'd rather go to Portugal and attack and try new things than try all out for a point that probably won't come.

[Kevinp526]

The game will be on Gol TV (Directv 620) with English commentary as per usual in the USA.

Let's hope we get a few good bounces today.

[KATref]

It's on GOL tv here at least in my area it is. I wonder if I could pull off being "sick" this afternoon to watch it....

Moyes' Benfica Headache (http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/moyes-benfica-headache.html)

Still no Pienaar, I guess his knee is worse than was first thought?

[Rocket]

With so many players injured or unvailable, it looks like we might need to shuffle players around a bit for this one.

From the BBC:

"Everton will be without Joseph Yobo, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman for Thursday's Group I Europa League match...

Lucas Neill and John Heitinga are both ineligible."


Apparently the team has already submitted its roster to UEFA:

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Gosling, Baines, Coleman, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Jo, Saha, Yakubu, Fellaini, Nash, Wallace, Duffy, Akpan.


The only regular defenders listed are Hibbert, Distin, and Baines.

So does this mean that we might play a 3-5-2?

Or perhaps Gosling might be moved to defense for today's match?

[Slater582]

Baines is now injured as well. Irishman Seamus Coleman makes his debut.

Howard in goal. Back four of Gosling, Hibbert, Distin & Coleman.

Jo & Yakubu up front.

How does the midfield of Fellaini, Cahill, Rodwell & Bilyaletdinov line up?

Bilyaletdinov on the left? Fellaini on the right?

ESPN just said there's about 5k Everton fans there...

[spider_kin]

good god. is our entire backline going to be injured? ********. I pray not!

I am stuck at work so no watching for me. This past month has been strange - games on delay so i watch at home, or i'm stuck at work. i want regular live matches at 10am again! damnit!

anyway. COYB!

How many more do we need to win to guarantee going through? 2? 3? COYB! kick some ass!

[Slater582]

Javier Saviola scores from a cross in the 14th minute.

[spider_kin]

Javier Saviola scores from a cross in the 14th minute.
:( not cool.

[Slater582]

Dan Gosling is booked in the 33rd minute.

Howard & Distin are solid calm experienced players but Hibbert doesn't look comfortable at center back and the full backs don't look ready for a test of this calibre.

Midfield are doing ok, Bilyaletdinov in particular is playing intelligent passes, had a powerful shot and his corners are excellent.

Jo & Yakubu aren't getting much service.

0-1 @ Half-time.

[Rocket]

Distin is playing well, but the rest of the backline is looking shaky. Especially our makeshift fullbacks.

I have a feeling, though, that if we can hold off Benefica from scoring another, we might be able to knick a goal off a set play and earn a point.

[Benfica4Life]

Fellaini is a fantastic player, along with Bilyaletdinov.

But no one can contain Di Maria.

[Benfica4Life]

Louis Saha is your best bet. Jo hasn't been doing anything. He's been offsides 3-4 times.

[Benfica4Life]

Also, Benfica seems to play the better in the 2nd half. Our last game, we scored 1 in the first half and 5 in the 2nd.

[Rocket]

Also, Benfica seems to play the better in the 2nd half. Our last game, we scored 1 in the first half and 5 in the 2nd.

Unfortunately, the way Everton are playing defense, I could see the same thing happening today. :(

[arkanian215]

strange seeing coleman on the left. im not sure why moyes piled up the two most inexperienced guys on one side. then again theres no way that you can mix and match that wouldnt let that happen. rather it be on the left than the right at the moment. gosling has enough problems with 20.

[arkanian215]

yakubu is doing a good job getting the ball and getting others to come up. ive seen less from jo. bily's service needs to be a little better and gosling should be a little more level headed when he's doing anything. his crosses are coming way too early.

[JasonD]

whoa, according to uefa.com the same player from benfica just scored twice in the first 3 minutes of the 2nd half, is that right??????

[Jondi10]

Well that's 3-0, it's over. We've looked horrible in the back. This combined with the speeding ticket I got has made today a horrible day.

[Benfica4Life]

Wow 2 goals in 2 minutes by Cardozo. Told you Benfica plays better in the 2nd hald.

[Rocket]

4-0 Benfica.

It's adios for me.