LIVERPOOL // Football can be a game of fine margins and Roberto Martinez’s great gamble was agonisingly, tantalisingly close to succeeding.
So, too, was Romelu Lukaku when the sliding substitute almost connected with Samuel Eto’o’s injury-time cross, and nearly turned a draw into an Everton win.
“It went inches away from Rom’s foot,” rued manager Martinez.
His plan to rest the Belgian had backfired. With Europa League football adding to Everton’s workload, he held Lukaku in reserve for three-quarters of the game.
Yet, while he has not found peak form since completing his £28 million move from Chelsea, Everton looked toothless in his absence.
Eto’o had prospered as a No 10 last week at Burnley, but was less potent as the main striker.
So there was no third successive league win for Everton when a goal would have been the difference between sitting sixth and ninth.
While Aiden McGeady twice threatened from distance, none materialised.
Martinez constructed the modern-day Swansea, introducing passing principles, but did not recognise the team he saw after the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
“For two teams with an incredible footballing philosophy, it was a real disappointing game,” he said.
“It was strange to see a Swansea performance like that, with nine players and the goalkeeper behind the ball.”
Garry Monk, Martinez’s Swansea counterpart – indeed, his former Swansea captain – savoured the Welsh team’s new-found resilience.
“Defensively we were brilliant,” he said. “We have always played good, attractive football but there have been times even when I was playing that I thought we didn’t do enough defensively. That is something I have introduced this season.”
It was required when Swansea were depleted. The sense that officials have been conspiring against them has been a constant in Swansea’s season.
It continued as they were denied a penalty when Antolin Alcaraz handled Jonjo Shelvey’s shot.
“I didn’t know you were allowed to play with two goalkeepers,” said Monk. “It was a great save.”
Yet, when Shelvey was sent off, there were no complaints. His first yellow card came for kicking the ball away – “that is where I am disappointed with Jonjo”, Monk said – and his second for halting James McCarthy’s driving run illegally.
The former Liverpool midfielder exited to the enjoyment of the Everton fans.
While Martinez highlighted the lack of corners and shots on target from his former club, with a full contingent of players and the muscular menace of Wilfried Bony, Swansea posed a threat.
The Ivorian should have scored when he burst beyond the Everton back four and shot wide.
Instead, he damaged their defence in other ways. Alcaraz hurt his shoulder in a collision with Bony and he will be out for two months.
For Everton, injury was then compounded by an inability to score on a deflating day.
REPORT CARD
Man of the Match: James McCarthy – The Republic of Ireland international has developed into a highly accomplished midfielder
Everton verdict: They provided plenty of passing but not enough incision. They required more pace and width in the final third. 5/10
Swansea verdict: They are keeping plenty of clean sheets, and the combination of Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson offers the promise of goals. 7/10
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