Chapter 43: First Half

Everton is a ball possession-oriented team. This is rather unique considering that no other mid-table team uses a ball possession strategy except for Everton. Everton's ball retention is also one of the highest in the premier league. Ball retention is possession of the ball in the opponent's half of the court. This means that Everton is accustomed to the opponent player's high press.

The same thing happened at the start of this game. Everton dominated the game with ball possession. Southampton's man-to-man marking failed because Everton's individual skill quality was better than Southampton's. To prevent Everton from attacking, Southampton made fouls to slow down the ball movement.

Unexpectedly that the referee who supervised the match was very strict. In the 5th minute, Dallas, the Southampton midfielder was shown a yellow card after knockdown Leon Osman.

Everton took a free kick with a short pass. Fellaini, Everton midfielder provides a pass to Leon Osman. Osman gives the ball to the left of the Southampton defense. Drenthe picks up the ball while Hugo tries to grab it. Baines, Everton's left-back stepped forward, Drenthe pass the ball to Baines, Vicente made Intercept at the right time.

Baines throws the ball back onto the court. The ball flew towards Drenthe. Everton midfielder Drenthe gives the ball to center-back Distin. Distin provided a long pass towards the right flank area.

Shifting the ball from side to side is one of Everton's tactics. They can quickly move the ball from left to right. With this tactic, Southampton must defense both sides well, meaning that Southampton's formation will stretch which makes it easier for Everton to break through the Southampton defense.

Rodwell competed for speed with Ben Carter. He managed to get the ball, he then provided a cross pass into the penalty box.

Belliand jumped high and headed the ball towards the Southampton goalpost. Dean Smith jumped to the right, he tried to prevent the ball into the Southampton goalpost. Dean Smith managed to reach the ball but it bounced into the goal.

Belliand who saw it immediately ran to the side of the field and celebrated wildly. Other Everton players also followed Belliand and hugged the former Southampton striker.

Jim Kaglin shouted excitedly "Goaaaalll! A powerful header to the right of Southampton's goalpost put Everton ahead of Southampton. Belliand showed Southampton they were wrong if they thought Belliand was inferior to Kazuki."

Odson also said excitedly, "That's Everton! We may not be The Big Six but we are also a strong team! Southampton who is relegated candidates should not be too arrogant against this team."

Carragher glared at Odson saying, "It's only been 7 minutes, Southampton will do something, they will get the goal to equalize the score."

Back on the pitch, Southampton started the Kick-off after conceding the first goal. Southampton started the kick-off calmly. There's still time and Southampton doesn't need to rush into scoring goals.

Southampton and Everton fight for possession in midfield. The competition between the midfielders looks very tight. Simone repeatedly confronted Louis Saha physically. While others also experienced the same thing. Kazuki himself was keeping an eye on Fellaini.

In the 14th minute, Southampton managed to get a chance. Kazuki stole the ball from Fellaini who was trying to break through Kazuki's defense. After getting the ball Kazuki gave it to the Southampton midfielder, Dallas who was behind him. Everton midfielder Drenthe stepped up and put pressure on Dallas. The Southampton player provides a pass to the right.

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Hugo received the ball while Leon Osman tried to run towards Hugo intending to make physical contact so Hugo lost the ball at his feet. Hugo saw that clearly, he used his skill to get through past Osman. After that, he brought the ball quickly forward. He provided a through pass into the middle.

Kazuki who was guarded tightly by Fellaini received Hugo's pass. He accelerated his run, Distin blocked Kazuki's path, Kazuki pushed the ball to the right then moved it to the left quickly. He passed Distin, but Fellaini clung to Kazuki's side covering Kazuki's shooting space.

Kazuki pulled the ball back and turned his body, he then passed the ball to the left. Osmund ran faster than Jagielka, he kicked the ball into the right corner of the goalpost. Howard couldn't catch the ball.

"Goaaalll!! A very piercing counter-attack by Southampton players. Osmund managed to score a goal after receiving Kazuki's pass. Southampton managed to equalize."

Meanwhile, Odson patted his head disappointed to see the goal. Instead, Carragher cheered cheerfully as he said, "As I said, the game has just started. Everton's defense failed to defend Kazuki, that young man is not to be underestimated.

On the other hand, Kazuki and Osmund were hugging. Osmund was grateful for Kazuki's assist. Since Kazuki entered the team Osmund's playing time has been decreasing, which made him depressed, but this new formation made Osmund see hope to return to being the main player, despite Osmund having no problem being a substitute.

Everton started again kick-off. This time they controlled the ball tranquil in their defense area. They weren't in a hurry to attack. Slowly Everton regained control of the midfield. Southampton did not do man-to-man marking but made a low block line to intercept Everton's attack.

In the 25th minute, Everton midfielder, Fellaini made a shot from outside the penalty box. Fortunately, the shot hit the top bar of the goalpost. 7 minutes later, it was Southampton's turn to launch an attack, Hugo crossed into the penalty area, but Distin managed to intercept the pass with a header.

In the 38th minute, Everton got a chance. This opportunity started with Jagielka who was always in the backline suddenly up to the midfield so that the number of Everton players in midfield was superior to Southampton.

As a result, Louis Saha and Fellaini managed to break through the Southampton penalty box. Saha provided Fellaini's through ball. Fellaini found space to shoot the ball, but Okhalo slid in front of Fellaini and blocked his shot. The ball bounces off the field. Everton only got a corner kick.

Fellaini takes a corner. After the referee gave the signal, Fellaini kicked the ball hard. Belliand won the duel with Southampton defender Jimmy. But his header was blocked by Dean Smith. The ball bounced in front of Saha. Saha shoot the ball so hard, the ball hit Southampton net.

The cheers of The Toffees fans filled the Goodison Park stadium, Everton ahead of Southampton again.

"Fellaini kicks the ball, the ball flies to the far post, Belliand and Jimmy duel, Belliand heads the ball! Dean Smith saves the ball! Louis Saha kick the rebound ball into the Southampton goalpost. 2-1 to Everton's advantage."

This goal was the last goal of the first half.. Until the first half was over, Southampton could not equalize.

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