11:00PM BST 23 Sep 2012
First-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Kevin Mirallas set the visitors on their way to a victory that was made safe by Marouane Fellaini’s 83rd-minute header. That is 10 points from five games for Moyes and another smooth performance that further confirms the club’s arrival at the top table.
“I’m not an optimist, but I said to the players afterwards: ‘I’m enjoying watching you play,’ ” said Moyes.
“There were times at this point last season when I wouldn’t have paid to watch us play. I would definitely pay to come and watch us now.”
Still, there was plenty over which to enthuse as they celebrated their 7,000th league goal and a third victory of the season that will, of course get the tongues wagging. On the evidence of this performance, there is genuine reason to believe that Everton can, at long last, cement their position in the top six.
“A Champions League place would probably be seen as unrealistic with the
quality of the
The 40-point target has been Swansea’s aim since the first ball was kicked in anger last month. Unfortunately, on this showing, it will take some getting. Still, seven points from their opening three games suggests that Saturday’s disappointing performance was more a temporary blip than a permanent concern.
The absence of injured left-back Neil Taylor, suspended centre-half Chico Flores and Leon Britton, whose midweek illness had left manager Michael Laudrup with no option but to start the diminutive playmaker on the bench, left last season’s surprise package a touch susceptible. They were out-thought and out-fought during a first quarter during which Anichebe struck with a crisp volley after Fellaini appeared to handle the ball in delivering the assist. Mirallas doubled the lead.
Laudrup said: “I was surprised by our first 30 minutes. I did not expect that. We were far too slow.”
Laudrup gave a first start to Pablo Hernandez and Ki Sung-Yueng but withdrew the Spaniard at half-time because of injury. Within 12 minutes, replacement Dyer was back in the dugout – a yellow card for dissent preceded a second yellow for a reckless challenge on Leighton Baines.
Thereafter, Everton could have had a hatful before Fellaini popped up eight minutes from time to head home a Baines free kick. “I think this is as good an Everton side as I have played in,” said Baines.
