Everton made very hard work of this, especially considering the strength of their starting 11, but Roberto Martínez’s team advanced to the fourth round for the first time since 2011-12 after coming from behind against an effervescent and experimental Reading. Ross Barkley’s 62nd-minute volley cancelled out Nick Blackman’s first half opener, before Gerard Deulofeu scored the winner from a free-kick despite some questionable goalkeeping from the hosts’ Ali Al-Habsi.
They were Everton’s only two attempts on target and the visitors flattered to deceive in an opening period where Reading, giving first starts to four midfielders, buzzed and deservedly led. Yet the introduction of Gareth Barry for Arouna Koné at the interval, allowing Barkley to push further forward, saw the Premier League team take control and Reading eventually succumbed.
Barkley was making his 100th appearance for the club, a landmark described by Martínez as “immense” and “remarkable”, and kickstarted the comeback when directing a low volley home from 16 yards after Alejandro Fernández could only half-clear a Deulofeu corner. “He has gone to a different level this season,” Martínez said.
.
This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.
No comments:
Post a Comment