Manager David Moyes yesterday added to the brilliant reposte that Everton dished out on the pitch to Dick Advocaat’s claims that the Toffees were partial to a spot of ‘hoof-ball’.
Everton’s victory came courtesy of the by now standard late Tim Cahill goal, and the chance to stuff Advocaat’s accusations of “long ball and physical play” back down his throat. Moyes reserved judgement until after the match saying:
“Our style was excellent, we passed the ball and had gifted technical players who tried to move the ball around on the ground. We had them under pressure right through. That is why we got the right result.”
The match was punctured by the wrongful 30th minute sending off of Zenit’s Nicolas Lombaerts for legitimately blocking the ball on the line, but the subsequent penalty was magnanimously missed by Arteta. And now Everton, guaranteed top slot in the group, will miss the clubs dumped out of this round of the Champions League – but how far can they go?