Everton-SK Brann: Toffees Blow Out Norweigans at Goodison Park

This goal was an example of top class finishing, out witting defenders and sending the keeper the wrong way. It was one of the best goals I have ever seen at Goodison.

A lot of teams at this point would have shut up shop and played out the last 30 minutes making no attempt to score, not SK Brann. To their credit they continued to push forward when they could, and when they got a free kick 10 yards outside the Everton area Vaagan Moen stepped up to have another crack. This time his low shot went under the wall and completely out foxed Howard who made a hash of saving the shot.

3-1 Everton.

And the Norwegian supporters went wild.

With the goal it seemed SK Brann finally admitted defeat. They had got as much as they could and now they just wanted the game to be over. Everton had other ideas.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Mikel Arteta stole in from the right. After going past one defender he fired towards the left of the goal. Opdal looked to have it covered the whole way until one of his own defenders stuck out a boot in an attempt to clear the ball. To his horror all he did was defect it away from his keeper and in to the open side of the goal.

4-1 Everton.

When it’s not your day everything seems to go against you. Moments after the goal Everton broke yet again down the left. Pienaar played the ball into the box from the by-line and with the keeper and defenders all over the place, Yakubu had the simplest of chances to wrap up his hat-trick.

5-1 Everton.

It was Yakubu’s last action of the night. He was brought off to standing ovation and replaced with Anichebe. The young striker was desperate to make the most of his opportunity. Twice when he could have squared it to Johnson he had a shot himself, only to see it comfortably saved.

Anichebe wasn’t the only one trying to get on the score sheet. Pienaar, who probably deserved a goal more than anyone else, was left on his knees after seeing his fine effort from the edge of the box hit the post.

Hitting the woodwork became contagious. Vaagan Moen had the chance to score his second when, with the whole of the Everton goal at his mercy, he somehow managed to hit the post. It was left to Johnson to have the final say on the night. From 20 yards out the little striker belted a powerful dipping shot that flew into the SK Brann goal.

6-1 Everton.

The rout was over. Everton had emphatically booked their place into the next round of the UEFA Cup. There they will meet the Italian side Fiorentina. Against the Italians it will be a whole different kettle of fish.

But before then, Everton have two massively important league games against Manchester City and Portsmouth as the race for the last Champions League place heats up.

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