Everton 0-1 Bate Borisov: Toffees Kids Undone By Deflected Goal

Posted Friday, December 18, 2009 by Goal.com

An already secure Everton are defeated 1:0 by BATE Borisov after both teams struggle to make an impact.

Everton looked comfortable on a freezing night in Merseyside with qualification to the next phase secure. However, both teams started off with a quiet determination that resulted in a number of fouls early on.

Things settled down with Igor Shitov providing some enticing balls into Everton's box but the back four held strong to deter any chances from the strikers.

Everton reacted quickly to the pressure with veteran defender Tony Hibbert and full back Shane Duffy obsorbing the attacks. The experienced defenders managed to control the ball and keep possession, playing through Aayegbeni Yakubu and Leon Osman on two seperate occassions.

The visitors were working hard to penetrate Everton's back four and in the 39th minute Siarhey Krivets produced a fine shot from a good move from the midfield. Carl Nash looked aware of the shot early and managed it comfortably.

Krivets took control of the last 5 minutes of the first half delivering a magical ball into the Everton box only to be cleared by Leon Osman. Krivets continued to put pressure on the Everton defence, firing in two dangerous crosses and finally a shot just before the half time whistle, which was excellently blocked by Seamus Coleman.

The start of the second half saw another distribution of fouls from both sides. After only 5 minutes into the half Shane Duffy took down Vitaly Rodionov, which secured a booking for the defender.

Krivets continued strongly in the second half producing a couple of early shots on target, while Shitov swung a fantastic ball to the back post, which was cleared by Hibbert.

Both Hibbert and Duff, although with a booking, continued to match the BATE strikers with impressive tackles and match winning clearences.

Shots continued to spray the Everton six-yard box with a scorchng drive from Pavel Nekhaychik almost finding the left corner. However, once again Hibbert expertly cleared the ball for a throw in.

Players started to feel the intense cold weather and the tempo slowed in the last half hour of the match. A flurry of fouls didn't help either side but both teams quickly came to life after a great cross from Krivets found Nekhaychik who struck the ball inside the six-yard box, only to slide right of the target.

Minutes later Shitov received the ball from another perfectly placed cross from Krivets and fired the ball towards the left side of the goal, only for Hibbert to block once again.

The pressure from BATE did start to wear the Everton defence down and finally Alexander Yurevich was able to put his side ahead with a fine strike into the right corner of the goal. Krivets and Yurevich combined cleverly to create the chance, which put the visitors in the lead.

BATE continued to pile on the pressure and Everton looked content with holding the side to one nil with a comfortable performance from both teams.