Singing the Blues' praises

07 February 2009 18:40
Everton 3-0 BoltonSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] It has certainly been a good week if you live in the blue half of Merseyside.[LNB]After their extra-time victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup in midweek, Everton put in another masterful display to beat Bolton 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.[LNB]New signing Jo bagged a brace, while Mikel Arteta marked a fine display with a goal from the penalty spot - and Paul Merson was extremely impressed after watching the game on Soccer Saturday. [LNB]"I thought they were a different class," he said.[LNB]"That's as good a performance as I've seen in a first half from any Premier League club this season, they were that good.[LNB]"It was important to start the game well because of what happened in the week and to keep the feelgood factor up, but I thought they were outstanding.[LNB]"Jo was outstanding and Mark Hughes will be pulling his hair out because he looked like a top-drawer player today, a different class. His touch and turn was Bergkamp-like for the goal.[LNB]"Arteta was just absolutely outstanding as well. Just class, class."[LNB]RaceBut while Merson was full of praise for David Moyes' men, he remains unsure if they can overtake Arsenal in the race for European qualification.[LNB]"I still fancy Arsenal to be catching Liverpool and Chelsea," he continued.[LNB]"I think Arsenal are capable of going on a run. But you've got to hold your hands up because nobody ever says anything about Everton and they are playing very well.[LNB]"They were outstanding because Bolton are not a bad team and they really ripped them apart."[LNB]Merson added that he was disappointed by Bolton and the way they failed to take advantage of the tired legs in the Everton camp.[LNB]"Given that Everton had played extra time and a big game against Liverpool in midweek, they were going to be tired.[LNB]"You'd think Bolton would come out and try to steamroller Everton but it was the other way round. They got the fans going and they were always on their side.[LNB]"I was disappointed in Bolton. There was a 10-minute spell in the game where they were good and a chance of getting back in it.[LNB]"Apart from that, Everton were absolutely outstanding."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports