Everton’s Kevin Mirallas scores the opening goal of the game against Oldham Athletic. Nigel French/EMPICS Sport
EVERTON SUCCEEDED WHERE Merseyside rivals Liverpool had failed by beating Oldham Athletic 3-1 tonight to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Third-tier Oldham eliminated Liverpool in round four and held Everton to a 2-2 draw in their initial fifth-round meeting 10 days ago, but their cup heroics were ended in the replay at Goodison Park.
Goals from Kevin Mirallas, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman took David Moyes’ side into the last eight, where they will face Wigan Athletic, with Oldham’s cup talisman Matt Smith replying for the visitors. Beaten semi-finalists in last season’s competition, Everton were without the injured Marouane Fellaini but made a purposeful start and took the lead in the 15th minute.
After a patient build-up, Darron Gibson shaped a beautiful cross into the box from deep on the right and Mirallas stole in to finish with an adroit half-volley from eight yards. Oldham almost drew level immediately through former Everton youngster Jose Baxter, who seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box but saw his curling shot bounce back off the right-hand upright.
The visitors then had a penalty appeal turned down when Phil Jagielka’s clearance struck Gibson on the arm. Their resurgence proved short-lived, however, as Baines helped Everton stamp their authority on the tie.
Having seen a vicious strike saved by Oldham goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis minutes earlier, the England left-back doubled his side’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Connor Brown was penalised for handball.
Everton centre-back Jagielka blazed over the Oldham bar early in the second half, while Bouzanis saved from Osman.
In response, Oldham introduced giant striker Smith, scorer of two goals against Liverpool and an injury-time equaliser in the first game with Everton.
Oldham rallied, Lee Croft firing wide from a good position, but in the 62nd minute, Everton struck again.
Steven Pienaar whipped a cross into the box from the left and Osman’s flicked header deceived Bouzanis, who was distracted by the onrushing Nikica Jelavic. Smith replied immediately, nodding in a right-wing corner from close range, but Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard resisted Oldham’s efforts to claw their way back into the game.
Looking forward to Coutinho in this fixture in 2018. Happy Holidays everyone!
@Whatshisname: Can’t wait to see Ozil and Sanchez facing off in the Manchester derby next year. A pity Arsenal won’t get any money for them.
@Whatshisname: The fact you say happy holidays shows the kind of tool you are.
@Let free speech live: lads not even an arsenal fan man. Just a troll. Better off just muting him
@Let free speech live: Back in the schoolyard I see. You’re a joke
@Whatshisname: I’m fond of Arsenal football club myself but you sir are an embarrassment, every time I come on here you are spouting some drivel. Happy xmas anyway, hoping the new year has me reading less of you.
In an “ordinary” club, Zidane’s job should not be under threat when you consider all they have won since he’s been in charge but this is Real Madrid where past achievements are soon forgotten so anything can happen.
@Sloop John G: it’s no ordinary club that’s for sure , the Real Madrid managers head is on the block almost every game . Zidane has credit in the bank but if say Madrid got whipped on Saturday the atmosphere will change . Ancelotti was fire because of a heavy loss to Atletico Madrid at home that he didn’t manage to redress . Under him Real do perform on the crunch days ( especially in finals) and tend to have a much better second half of the season . A win for Real will kick off the resurgence !
Ah jeez Gavan Casey and Ryan Bailey, seriously who’d ye think ye are? The serious heads on ye with the pouts, the fancy hair do’s and the indoor scarf wearing, and the live link up to some nobody in Madrid. It’s like ye’re playing ye’r favourite game; “media goys r us” Scarlet for ye in all fairness.