Return to form of Rodriguez in Wednesday cruise bodes well for Everton
RECENT history may not support the contention, but there are few Premier League clubs who cherish and respect the FA Cup as much as Everton.
One of the club’s favourite anthems played before every home game namechecks Harry Catterick’s 1966 FA Cup win, which was won against yesterday’s vanquished opponents Sheffield Wednesday.
Victory at Wembley in 1984 is recalled fondly for kick-starting the Howard Kendall era. And Everton’s last trophy in 1995 was this one, when a semi-final victory over a strongly fancied Tottenham Hotspur was arguably the club’s most complete performance that decade.
After easing past Wednesday, the more superstitious among the club’s fanbase may not be too perturbed if Jose Mourinho’s side see off Wycombe to become the next obstacle to ending a 26-year trophy drought.
They will take confidence into such a meeting now that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back among the goals, and James Rodriguez has re-established himself as the creator supreme.
Chances
As was the case earlier in the season, the England striker took on the role of predator while the Colombian carved out the chances, Richarlison and Yerry Mina both beneficiaries in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Calvert-Lewin had not played since January 1. He was reuniting with Richarlison and Rodriguez for the first time in a couple of months longer than that.
Although the meekness of the opposition must be taken into account, as an attacking force Everton look like they have had a fashion makeover whenever their first-choice front line is united.
Everton took the lead after 29 minutes when Andre Gomes was granted the space to whip across the six-yard box, where Calvert-Lewin stretched every sinew to divert past Wildman. The second arrived a minute before the hour, when Rodriguez’s corner was flicked in by Richarlison.
Mina replicated Richarlison’s goal after 62 minutes, Rodriguez again the supplier from the set-piece.
That gave Ancelotti the luxury of an easy finale, subbing Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Rodriguez in the latter stages. Everton reaped the reward of going strong.
There will be no more rotation in this cup run. (© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2021)
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND – Burnley v AFC Bournemouth or Crawley Town; Manchester United v West Ham; Sheffield United v Bristol City; Wolves v Southampton; Barnsley v Chelsea; Everton v Wycombe Wanderers or Tottenham Hotspur; Swansea City v Manchester City.