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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 18:55:22 GMT
Everton v Hadjuk Split.
Everton : Pickford, Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Mirallas, Klaassen, Lookman, Rooney. Split : Stipica, Rosa, Juranovic, Nizic, Memolla, Radosevic, Kozulj, Gentsoglou, Barry, Vlasic, Zoa.
An indifferent Everton overcame Ruzemberok in the last round without engaging third gear and are now presented with the tougher challenge of Hadjuk Split from Croatia. Split sit second in their domestic league with twelve points from their first five outings, losing the one game to current table leaders Dinamo Zagreb. Wayne Rooney secured an opening Premier League victory over Stoke on Saturday but they'll perhaps need more than the one against a side who have potted in 15 of their last 16 domestic games. "Power, strength, confidence. Let's go!" was the battle cry from the Stadion Poljud on Wednesday. What will we hear from the Toffees' dressing room at 7.45?
Everton find themselves hot favourites in the pre-match Book, but don't forget they were an unbackable 1/12 before the last home leg and thinned out to 1/2 before Rooney's strike.
Everton 1/3 Split 9/1 Draw 4/1 (BET365)
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:24:04 GMT
Just 20 or so minutes in and Split's odds tumble to 11/2 from nines. Both sides have had early chances, Klassen just failing to connect his foot to Lookman's low cross for Everton and Vlasic firing at Pickford to no avail.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:39:14 GMT
Leighton Baines worked hard to get the cross in on '30 and defender Michael Keane did just as well getting up and heading it beyond Stipica to give Everton the lead with their first attempt on target. One-nothing Toffees.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:42:34 GMT
Wait - the referee has taken the players off the field of play. There is aggro going on in the stands. I saw broken seats being hurled onto the pitch from the away end. Hang on, it looks like the players are coming out again.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:46:29 GMT
You can watch it live here if you so wish.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:51:55 GMT
Oh, marvellous stuff as Klassen and Rooney combine outside the area to provide Gueye with an unmissable chance from eight yards out. Gueye finishes in fine style to give the home side a two goal cushion on the stroke of half time.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 19:58:15 GMT
An encouraging first half from Everton. It could have been three moments before the break when Rooney found the goal at his mercy inside the box but screwed it a whisker wide of the far post. Let's hope there's no more trouble from the Split bother boys.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 20:40:13 GMT
Split's Hamza Barry takes advantage of a sleeping Everton and breaks free for a good chance on '71 but his effort is drilled just wide. The home side was caught napping there and Rooney shouts his nut off at his colleagues that the game is not over yet.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 20:56:34 GMT
Gylfi Sigurdsson watches from the stands accompanied by his pretty blonde girlfriend. "I hope he gets two tickets for every game," dribbles the dirty-mac Everton TV co-commentator. See you on Talksport, son.
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Post by staggerstag on Aug 17, 2017 21:00:34 GMT
It's a two goal cushion that Everton take to Croatia next week, but they'll need to keep a keen eye on things, especially if the home fans' reception is as hostile as is expected. But they're professionals and should see the job through. Meanwhile, Ajax have lost their first leg clash 0-1 at home to Rosenborg.
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Post by Carl LaFong on Aug 17, 2017 21:46:51 GMT
Thanks, Wilson!
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Post by Carl LaFong on Aug 18, 2017 1:15:48 GMT
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