David Prentice Analysis: Everton FC the nearly-men again on another frustrating night at Goodison Park

Nov 29 2012 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

THE world really has turned against Everton. David Moyes’s sparkling side can create more chances in a single match at Craven Cottage than Sunderland have managed in a whole season – and still fail to win.

They can run riot at Reading for 45 minutes, lead – and still lose.

And they can physically score four legitimate goals against Newcastle, yet still draw 2-2.

Now even their hardy perennial has turned against them.

Michael Oliver has taken charge of Everton seven times prior to last night – and the Blues had never lost.

That record was extended last night.

But a niggardly point was scant reward for a performance when Everton did pretty much everything but win – again.

Imprecise finishing – Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic the guilty parties, a horribly-sloppy opening 60 seconds – the concession of an early goal is as much an Everton staple now as Dixie Dean's centre-part and Z-Cars, and a lack of generosity from Mr Oliver were all contributory factors in another frustrating stalemate.

So much for lucky charms.

Early in the second half Pienaar was hauled over by Mikel Arteta for one of the more clearcut penalty decisions you tend to see.

A corner was the outcome.

Leon Osman was fouled by Bacary Sagna on the edge of the Everton penalty area for a first-half free-kick, which bizarrely went to the Gunners.

Darron Gibson collected a harsh caution and a string of 50-50 decisions went against the Blues, so much so that when Mr Oliver finally awarded a free-kick to the home side 12 minutes from time the ironic cheers were immense.

Unfortunately Thomas Hitzlesperger fired too close to Wojciech Szczesny.

It was the story of the night.

Everton did nearly enough.

But nearly isn't quite enough to win matches in a wide open, highly-competitive Premier League season. Everton have a team which is capable of realistically challenging for a top four finish.

But they don't have a squad of similar stature.

Steven Naismith for Phil Neville was the only difference from the team which beat Manchester United on the opening day.

And Everton did more than enough to beat an Arsenal team enjoying one of its invigorated good nights.

But they needed everyone firing on all cylinders and at maximum sharpness.

Tony Hibbert and Gibson were playing their first matches for more than two months, Naismith is struggling to find the necessary sharpness for a midfield role in the Premier League – and Jelavic is still craving confidence as much as Joey Barton wants publicity.

At least there's always Marouane Fellaini.

Earlier this month the big Belgian declared he had no designs on a club top scorer trophy, a prize which seemed the personal property of Jelavic before a ball had been kicked this season.

He may have to change his intentions if his stated target – a top four finish – is to become reality.

While Jelavic continues to misfire, Fellaini has now added ruthlessly efficient finishing to his already considerable armoury.

And there's variety as well as efficiency to Fellaini's finishes.

He scored a towering header against Manchester United, a cultured right-footed finish against Sunderland and last night added a laser-guided left-footer to his seven Premier League goals.

That strike brought Everton level after the shock of a goal conceded in 52 seconds.

And with a little more steadiness from Jelavic it would have been the platform for victory.

The Croatian is almost there, but in the unforgiving, high intensity arena of the Premier League 'almost' isn't enough.

The Croatian chested a difficult flick from Fellaini over the attendant Per Mertesacker wheeled superbly but then blazed a left-footed effort over the crossbar.

Almost, but not quite.

Then a minute before half-time his desperation for a goal betrayed him.

Leighton Baines pinched the ball on the halfway line with Arsenal attempting to launch a typical counter, but Jelavic couldn’t help sticking out a foot to give himself the same run on goal Baines’s pilfering had set up.

The only problem was that Jelavic was two yards offside, while Baines was racing from his own half.

It was indicative of another frustrating evening for Everton.

They're nearly there. They're a stroke of good fortune or a moment of inspiration away from a much-needed Premier League victory.

But neither were forthcoming last night.