Chapter 120 - Everton(2)

In the 39th minute, Southampton launched again an attack. First, Benson managed to steal the ball from Tony Hilbert. Then he immediately ran straight ahead. Tony Hilbert trailed behind Benson, so the lane in front of Benson was completely empty. Coleman moves to the left to close the lane on the left. However, it makes Crage more free. Benson passed the ball to Crage. At that time, Phil Jagielka stepped forward to take down Crage. Fortunately, the player managed to send a back-pass to Simone.

With one touch, Simone sent a through ball to Bennet. Bennett won the duel against Darren Gibson, then he entered the penalty box while dribbling the ball. Soon, he kicked the ball towards the goalpost. Tim Howard leaped to hold the ball. His hand managed to reach the ball, then pushed the ball away from the net. The ball bounced in front of the penalty box, Rudolf arrived and took a long-range shot from outside the box.

The ball was far from the target, so the opportunity was wasted. In the final minutes of the game, both teams began to attack each other. However, they both failed to break the deadlock in the end, Southampton being held to a draw by Everton in the first half.

In the second half, George immediately entered Rustan to replace Crage. Then he also included Ryan to replace Kounde. In George's design, Ryan will play as a false nine, while Osmund will go to the left in place of Kounde. With Ryan dropping into midfield, it will certainly make it easier for Joe Bennet.

Meanwhile, Everton also made substitutions. First they entered Ross Barkley to replace Leon Osman. Then they replaced Coleman with Steven Naishmith. Overall, Everton formation changed from 4-3-2-1 to 4-2-3-1 with Darren Gibson and Steven Pienaar as defensive midfielders and Fellaini as attacking midfielders.

Everton started the second half kick-off. At the start of the game, they immediately controlled the ball. Southampton's press with low intensity towards Everton. At the start of the second half, both teams played it safe.

Only in the 49th minute, opportunities arose. Simone managed to tackle Fellaini. He snatched the ball from the Everton midfielder. Then, Simone gave the ball to Joe Bennet. Darren as usual tried to steal the ball from Bennet, but when Darren Gibson advanced, Joe Bennet immediately sent a pass to Ryan. Steven Pienaar tried to keep Ryan but the Southampton player was too slippery, he got past Pienaar and provided Rustan with a through ball.

The Southampton right-winger ran fast, he pushed the ball into the middle of the penalty box and penetrated. Rustan was then surrounded by Everton defenders, so he had to give Ryan a pass.

Ryan received a pass from Rustan. He then flicked the ball to the left and kicked it. Unfortunately, Ryan's kick hit the Everton player's body, so it bounced to the left. Sylvain Distin heads the ball off the field. Southampton's chances finally ended in failure. However, this attack made Southampton even more confident.

In the 57th minute, Jagielka managed to cut off Bennet's pass to Ryan. After that, he immediately gave the ball to Pienaar. Bennet chased Pienaar, but the player quickly found a through ball to Darren Gibson's running figure. Darren received a flat pass from Pienaar. Then he gave the ball to Tony Hilbert. Tony stepped up and passed Fellaini. The Everton attacking midfielder avoided Simone and provided a through ball to the right.

Rose Barkley ran fast. In the face of Benson, Rose made a step-over before kicking the ball past Benson. Then he chased the ball, Rose then made a cut-inside into the penalty box. Hilton ran towards him, he blocked Rose's running path. Rose provided the pass to Fellaini. Fellaini sent a cross to the far post.

Naishmith comes in and volleyed the ball. The ball was blocked by Dean Smith. Finally, the ball bounced off the field. Everton only get a corner-kick only.

In the 66th minute, Jagielka gave a pass far to the left. Leighton Baines received the ball and gave it to Steven Pienaar. Southampton defensive midfielder Rudolf tried to snatch the ball from Pienaar. Pienaar passed the ball to Darren Gibson. Darren Gibson in a one-on-one situation with Joe Bennet.

Darren Gibson leaned to the right, then quickly pushed the ball to the left. Bennet reacted swiftly to steal the ball from Gibson, but Gibson pushed the ball to the right with his left. Gibson managed to break through Bennett.

The Everton forward moved themselves after seeing Gibson break through Bennett. However, this time Gibson did not choose to pass the ball, he kicked the ball firmly from outside the penalty. Dean Smith jumped and blocked Gibson's kick. However, the ball bounced off the field. Corner-kick for Everton.

Rose Barkley took the corner. The Everton players, including the tall center-back, gathered in the Southampton penalty box.

Rose Barkley kicked the ball after the referee's whistle sounded. The ball flew into the area in front of the goalpost. Okhalo, Southampton center-back, duel with Nikola Jelavic. Luckily, Okhalo won the duel. The ball bounced to front of the penalty box. Ryan received the ball, but Jagielka, the Everton center-back, snatched the ball from Ryan's feet. After that, he gave a hard kick to Dean Smith. The kick hit the post and bounced off the field.

In the 74th minute, George finally put Kazuki into the match. He replaced Osmund, who performed poorly as a left wing. Ryan will move to the left, while Kazuki returns to the center as a striker. The inclusion of Kazuki will certainly get extra attention from the Everton players.

In the 83rd minute, Southampton got a chance. Simone made a clean tackle to bring down the overlapping Leighton Baines. Without saying much he gave a long pass towards Rustan who was free from guard. Rustan relied on his speed to overtake the Everton defender and receive the ball.

He then dribbled into the penalty box. After that, Rustan was blocked by Jagielka. In front of Jagielka, Rustan pushed the ball to the right then pulled it to the left quickly. Jagielka looked calm in the face of Rustan's trick, he then stuck his foot out to reach the ball to Rustan's left. But Rustan kicked the ball through the gap between Jagielka's legs.

The ball went to the goalmouth. Kazuki was able to reach the ball, but his position was too narrow, so he pushed the ball to the right. Ryan immediately appeared, then pushed the ball into the unguarded net. Southampton managed to score a goal in the 84th minute. This goal became the only goal that was created in this match.. Southampton won the 9th round of the Premier League.