Blues prevail despite Niemi’s heroics

By Chris Kirwan
February 22 2003

Tomasz Radzinski was made up for his slack finishing earlier in the match by slamming home the winner in injury time. The Blues had fallen behind to James Beattie's first half opener, but a late double by Radzinski won it for Everton.

The Blues dominated the second half, and were worthy of the three points. But for much of the game Moyes must have been fearful that James Beattie’s first half opener would give Southampton a rare double over Everton. Southampton looked as if they would sneak the three points despite being outplayed, just as they had at St Marys.

Southampton were aided by an inept first half performance by the Blues, so bad that Moyes revealed he had considered bringing on three substitutes at half time. An ill disciplined backline had presented James Beattie with a one-on-one, which the England striker took with the composed approach that has added to his repertoire this season. And despite the improvement second half it took an excellent save by Richard Wright to prevent Beattie putting the game beyond Everton.

At the other end Wright’s counterpart was in equally good form, making inspired stops from Naysmith, Rooney, Radzinski, and anybody else who fancied their chances. But on 84 minutes the pressure finally told. Rooney found space down the left flank, and whipped in a superb ball that Radzinski gleefully headed home. After so much hard work it must have disappointed Strachan that Rooney was given so much room by Dodd and that Radzinski was left unmarked 6 yards out, in the middle of the area.

Southampton clearly felt that they were unable to snatch a winner, so were content to play for a point. When a corner had been won in injury time they chose to keep it in the corner, rather than chance their arm an attempt to sneak a winner. If the thinking behind the decision was to prevent being hit by a counter attack it didn’t work. The ball wormed it’s way to Wright and it was thumped up field, fortune favoured the Blues as possession fell at the feet of Gravesen despite the Saints outnumbering their opponents. He found Radzinki on the right flank, with no options other than to shoot he hit a thumping right footed shot into the back of Niemi’s net. The inconsistency of the Canadian international’s finishing is quite remarkable. He had looked flustered in front of goal earlier in the game, but he possesses a trait that is common amongst Moyes’ team; he never stops trying.

An excellent 3 points for the Blues, and with Chelsea dropping points we move joint fourth. If Liverpool fail to win a tricky game at Birmingham then Everton will be edging closer to European qualification, and a finishing position above Houllier’s rabble.