Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC 2, West Ham United 2: Blues stuck in the wrong Galaxy
THE sight of the LA Galaxy's youth team taking their seats at Goodison was an arch reminder of what Everton are missing as their bid for European football stutters at its crucial stage.[LNB]The youngsters were guests at the game against struggling West Ham, as a gesture of thanks for Galaxy's part in allowing Landon Donovan to spend three months in Merseyside.[LNB]And during the ensuing 90 minutes just how acutely David Moyes' side have missed the USA captain was put into sharp focus.[LNB]The Toffees' attacking play was crying out for the directness and pace which Donovan offered in abundance.[LNB]In the absence of Mikel Arteta, still feeling the groin strain which has troubled him since before the victory over Manchester City, there was little midfield inspiration to fire Everton against opposition woefully short of form and confidence.[LNB]Too often they opted for balls lofted from their own half. The usual approach play of slick passing was working only intermittently, and the long ball became a default.[LNB]How often did Donovan take the game to opponents by simply running at full-backs and putting them on the back foot? His absence cannot be helped. The deal which brought him to the School of Science for such a happy term was always going to be temporary.[LNB]But nevertheless his qualities were missed. This was an opportunity to extend an impressive run on home soil to eight victories on the trot. For Gianfranco's Zola's free-falling Londoners it was a bid to halt a run of six consecutive defeats.[LNB]Perhaps belatedly though Zola's side realised they will have to scrap to stay in the top flight.
