Young defenders delight Martinez by grinding out draw
NO goals and not much style either. Garry Monk and Roberto Martinez might be prone to minor squabbles over who plays the prettiest football but neither man could win the game nor the argument here.
This was a decent scrap and, predictably, it had more craft and chances than most goalless draws — 857 passes and 29 shots, to be precise.
But it is also true that this was a match determined by defensive structures. Hardly typical of the two team-mates turned managerial rivals; hardly ideal for a spectacle.
In the cold world of points and prizes, however, it doesn’t always pay to go for the knockout. Or, to quote Martinez’s criticism after these sides drew by the same scoreline at Goodison Park last November: ‘It was like going into the cinema expecting to see an outstanding film and you don’t get it.’
That comment — and the suggestion that Swansea came to stifle — irritated Monk, who in turn this week has pointed out that Martinez has become a little less idealistic and a touch more pragmatic with age.
There was no malice in the observation and nor should there be — the truth is that Martinez, on the evidence of this season, is clearly becoming a more versatile manager.
While the old criticism used to be of a man who could attack for fun but struggled to organise, he has now collected three clean sheets away from home in this campaign.
This time he used an all-English back four, to boot. But he will also have to contend with the irritation that his side shaded the possession and chances here and also lost Kevin Mirallas to a moment of stupidity in stoppage time.
He had been on the pitch for two minutes when he brought his studs down on Modou Barrow’s shin and was red carded.
Martinez said: ‘I always tell my subs to give real intensity so I was pleased with his manner. I thought it was more a striker trying to put in a challenge and it looked worse than it was. He clearly didn’t have intention to hurt the Swansea player.’
On the result, Martinez added: ‘We have to be disappointed that we did not get the three points but the performance overall is very satisfying.
‘To keep a clean sheet with that youth (in Everton’s defence) I was extremely proud as a football club.
‘It was a reflection of our club. Experienced players like Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka, and we forget how young John Stones (21) is. We have that core helping the youngsters, like Tyias Browning (21) and Brendan Galloway (19).’
For Monk, it was a solid point and a marked improvement on last week’s defeat at Watford. He was furious at his side’s lack of ‘focus’ there; in this fixture, concentration and discipline were the most impressive facet of their performance, which lacked some sparkle in the attacking areas.
Monk said: ‘It was a good point — I thought it was a good advert for the Premier League with both teams trying to go for it and score goals.
‘Getting a clean sheet is pleasing because Everton have got some great players. It showed we are at least on an even keel with them.
‘I am much happier this week than I was last week against Watford. It was night and day compared to last week.’
That is beyond doubt. For a start, Swansea managed some level of creativity whereas their last outing was a subdued mess of slow passes and slower thoughts.
In the first instance here, a Kyle Naughton cross was acrobatically met by Bafetimbi Gomis. He controlled the volley well enough but Howard was comfortable in saving.
Gomis should have done far better with an opening after 18 minutes when Gareth Barry headed into his path and Galloway failed to cover. Gomis was through but shot across goal and wide.
Gylfi Sigurdsson also hit the side netting with a free-kick that was close but not close enough, much like the man himself, who has not yet found his range this season. At his best, he is a lock-picker with the vision and feet to pass through tight spaces. Currently, he is not at that level, even if he does retain a regular starting space in a squad of talented midfielders.
At the other end, Romelu Lukaku had a free-kick blocked by Ashley Williams and twice went through only to shoot over the bar. In all, Everton had the best chances.
But, as it proved, this was not a day for forwards. Or arguments on style.