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The Wednesday Wonder: Everton

By Taylor Fisher | 2nd September 2009
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leighton-baines-penaltyIt seemed like every week last season somebody from Everton was deserving of the Wednesday Wonder. This season, though, as short as it has been, has not been the case. With expectations extremely high at Goodison Park after a fantastic season for an exciting Everton squad, their start to this season has been less than impressive.

Through the first two match weeks Everton had scored one measly goal, while allowing seven – six of them alone coming from an Arsenal side that silenced the Goodison Park masses. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they then traveled to Turf Moor to face Burnley. It may have seemed like a cupcake game when the schedules were released, but they need to prove their dominance. That of course did not happen as they were shutout 1-0.

Now a pessimist may look at the situation and say, “Well things certainly won’t be getting any better if they can’t even beat a newly promoted side,” but an optimist – like myself – would say, “Well it looks like things can only get better from here!”

The good news was they were facing Wigan the following week at home, so the crowd would be on their side. The bad news was they were facing a Wigan side that just lost 5-0 to Manchester United and needed to go out and prove themselves. Something had to give – and did – at Goodison on Sunday.

Although Everton was able to start off the match strong, nothing would come of the chances in the first half. Then – to make matters worse for the Toffees – Wigan started off the second half very strong. About ten minutes into the half, Charles N’Zogbia crossed the ball in from the right side of the pitch to a streaking Paul Scharner, who then acrobatically dove for the ball and delivered an amazing header into the back of the net breaking the deadlock. One-nil Wigan in the 56th minute. Wigan looked to add another goal just minutes later off the foot of Jordi Gomez, but was denied by the post.

Everton finally took advantage of the wonderful opportunity that was presented to them just two minutes later. Leighton Baines put a beautiful corner into the box, where Louis Saha received it, and headed it home. With the score tied up, Everton had a fire lit inside of them.

The score would stay knotted up though until the third minute of stoppage time. Jo was brought down in the box, and that major infraction would cost Wigan the match. Leighton Baines – once again – would step up to the penalty spot and smash home the winner for Everton. With that goal, Everton pulled themselves off of the bottom of the table, and now it is just a matter of time before they are back on top of their form.

I could’ve easily given Leighton Baines the Wednesday Wonder this week, but when a team is down and out, one player does not single-handedly turn them around. It takes a team effort, and that is what Everton did out on the pitch this past Sunday. Sure, a player could record an assist and score the game-winning goal (i.e. Leighton Baines) and have it be considered Wonder worthy, but you win as a team and you lose as a team, so I only felt it fitting that Everton’s first win this season should be recognized as the whole squad.

Leighton Baines, you will have plenty of more opportunities this season and in the seasons to come to achieve Wednesday Wonder status all by yourself, but for this week, the rest of your mates are being recognized as well. Everton, you are this week’s Premiership Talk Wednesday Wonder!

What do you think of this week’s choice? Have your say below!





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