It's not all that surprising that an American scored at Goodison Park on Wednesday. After all, Everton's match against Bolton marked Landon Donovan's return to the Toffees. Thing is, Donovan wasn't the one to find the back of the net.
In open play, goalkeeper Tim Howard unleashed a long kick from his own box that took a perfect bounce from about 25 yards out and got carried by a furious wind over Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan into the goal. The tally broke a scoreless draw in the 63rd minute of Everton's 2-1 loss to Bolton.
Howard, who made his 250th Premier League appearance and had come up with a number of clutch saves to that point, was beaten by David Ngog four minutes later and again by Gary Cahill in the 78th minute, with those goals accounting for the final score. Leighton Baines nearly tied the score in stoppage time, but his free kick caromed off the crossbar. With his goal, Howard became the second American goalkeeper to score in the Premier League and the first since Brad Friedel accomplished the feat in 2004.
Donovan, meanwhile, had an active debut — especially in the first half — nearly drawing a penalty toward the end of the first 45 minutes. He played all 90 minutes in the first match of his second loan stint in the Premier League.
Video of Howard's goal is after the jump:
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What did you think of Howard's goal? How do you think Donovan played? Disappointed that Everton let the result slip away?
Share your thoughts below.
Donovan looked good during most of the game, totally confident and creative and outclassing his Everton teammates, especially in the first half. I do not understand why most of Everton’s offensive forays were taking place on the left side instead of on the right-side with Donovan. Everton looked awful most of the game. I had the feeling that Donovan a few times was being ignored by his teammates. On one potential give (from Donovan) and go instead of passing back to Donovan who was racing down the sideline, the player made a poor pass to the center of the field and the play ended up fizzling.
On what some are calling a diver Donovan was definitely fouled with a hand (and it is possible he was tripped). Outside the box it would have been a free kick.
My favorite part was when the commentators said the would-be penalty would surely have been deemed a foul if outside the box — at the exact moment Donovan was getting body-slammed at midfield with no call
Sky Sports’ write-up was very positive of Donovan. They ranked him a 7.
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,,11065_3458932,00.html
Pretty much. A couple of good touches, though.
Yes — there are two (or three, if you count Reyna) of them.
Not that anyone cares what I thought, but it looks like Ricketts put his hand on Donovan’s shoulder for an instant…and then Donovan decided to lose his footing and hit the turf. Embarrassing? Nahh. Disappointing, because I would rather have seen him try to score. That would have been epic if he had. Dude needs to have the confidence he can do it rather than looking for the penalty.
Also, he had one turnover that the English announcer called “wretched.” Nearly led to a Bolton goal.
Other than that, he was aces.
Who needs Jozy.
Excellent post 🙂
LOL
I did not watch the game, but a lot of people were saying Saha looked bad today.
Idk but depsheit sounds awesome.
lol well mine was Sweeish it means someone defecated only on coats.
KKKKKKHHHHHHAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!
What does that mean ?
All of you speak English I cannot understand. -____-
Everton looked awful, aside from Donovan and Howard and maybe two or three others. Once their players started leaving in droves due to injury, even Bolton were far superior.
Yet another Jersey boy and former Metro.
Dempsey has his own song, but I think I’ve heard USA chants as well
Who says there is no “I” in “TIM”?
– du bist eine dipsheit.
At least one american scored!!!
And who cares what people in England think after one game? Everton lost several players to injury in the match, so I doubt anyone is breaking out their Jump to Conclusions mat.
Disgusting. If that’s the way you view a sports team, I pity the women who are unfortunate enough to know you.
I had a strange feeling that Everton were going to lose Donovan’s debut.
First I had just read that Everton were hot and had a four game winning streak going, or something like that. That immediately made me think “Oh great, now watch them finally lose when Donovan debuts and everyone will make a connection. Then Moyes kind of jinxed them with his comments. He probably should have kept those feelings about the game to himself.
Well, no one here has made the connection yet. I bet some people did in England though.
Not the Spanish commentators I heard. They called it a dive.
Howard had 2 good saves before the goal that could have made it 3 or 4 goals for Bolton so I’d give him a match rating of 7 & Donovan a 6 who was bright in the 1st half but couldnt really get involved in the 2nd due to Everton’s inability to keep the ball & the loss of Jagielka & Osman. Good return debut for Donovan himself but he’s probably dissapointed as is the rest of the team with the loss..
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/video/premier-league/?vid=fac369d7-cda9-4662-a062-1b4b3af67df7
Classy finish
Well both British and Spanish commentators over here in Europe said there was definite contact but that it wasn’t a penalty.
Try here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2i4FODM1Ss&context=C3f25524ADOEgsToPDskL7dnGPmdll8h44Wx2S5LXe
Thats funny- the bounce was perfect- if he played at giant stadium he would be making hat tricks.
nÃ¥gon som bajsat bara pårockar.
And if Howard scores one more, he’ll be tied with Landon for Premier League goals.
no, embarrassing is your consistently hyperbolic comments. It’s like “flopping” every time you post…so actually yeah, you might be the best judge on whether Donovan dove or not.
Hey, the crowd was chanting USA USA USA. Cool. Have they ever done that at FFC when Deuce scored?
Utterly despicable. Have some class.
Whatever.
Nézd tudok beszélni a magyar is!
Thank you, it was embarrassing.
lol. first, I like the translator service you used. second, wildchild’s is not German . . .
lame.
although that’s assuming stu ever actually gets healthy
No. Not in the least bit disappointed they lost. Definitely want Bolton out of the relegation zone.
Schau, ich kann in deutscher Sprache zu sprechen!
Ah Everton, the club that loves to break my heart.
If you were a woman I’d beat you.
I’m kidding.
Kinda.
Howard officially has more goals than eddie johnson in the premier league XD
+ 1
SVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like he lost control of the ball. I thought he got brushed by ricketts; I don’t think he had a chance to shoot after that.
Oh well….perhaps if Donovan takes a shot instead of a dive…
hiba a video letoltesekor!