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Stevenage
FA Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 25, 2014 at 5.30pm UK
 
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0-4

FT(HT: 0-2)
Naismith (5', 32'), Heitinga (55'), Gueye (84')

Live Commentary: Stevenage 0-4 Everton - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage of Everton's 4-0 victory at Stevenage in the FA Cup fourth round.
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Everton made it safely into the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday as they earned a 4-0 win at League One side Stevenage.

Steven Naismith scored twice for the visitors in the first half to give them a commanding lead.

The victory was then rounded off late on thanks to goals from substitutes Johnny Heitinga and Magaye Gueye.

Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at the Lamex Stadium.


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Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's FA Cup fourth-round tie as Stevenage play host to Everton. We should have some team news through for you shortly...

There are currently nine other fourth-round ties being played in the FA Cup, and we will bring you those results as soon as they come through. Around 20 minutes to play in those.

Meanwhile, today's early kickoff in the FA Cup saw Liverpool beat Bournemouth 2-0 at Dean Court. Victor Moses opened the scoring for the visitors before Daniel Sturridge rounded things off. You can read our report of that match right here.

So, can Stevenage cause a huge upset this evening and knock out Everton? It's going to be a big task for the League One side considering their dismal form this season.

The Boro are currently at the bottom of the League One table following 16 defeats from 26 matches. In contrast, Everton are flying high in the Premier League. The sixth-placed Toffees are just one point off a Champions League spot thanks to a sensational campaign so far under new boss Roberto Martinez.

WEATHER UPDATE: As you might have heard, there's heavy rain across the country today and it's no different at the Lamex Stadium. Could that benefit the home side?

EVERTON: Robles; Hibbert, Baines, Jagielka McGeady, Oviedo, Mirallas, Naismith, McCarthy, Barry, Stones

EVERTON SUBS: Howard, Heitinga, Lukaku, Gueye, Osman, Vellios, McAleny

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has made five changes to his starting XI following Monday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. Joel Robles is given the nod in goal, while Tony Hibbert, John Stones, Steven Naismith and Aiden McGeady are also included. McGeady is making his first start for the Toffees after completing a move from Spartak Moscow two weeks ago.

STEVENAGE: Day; Ashton, Jones, Morais, Charles, Akins, Zoko, Heslop, Freeman, Smith, Hartley

STEVENAGE SUBS: Smith, Wedgbury, Burrow, Parrett, Tounkara, Andrade, Deacon

STEVENAGE SUBS: Smith, Wedgbury, Burrow, Parrett, Tounkara, Andrade, Deacon

It looks like those full-time results from today's other FA Cup games are starting to trickle through...

FA CUP FOURTH-ROUND RESULTS:

Port Vale 1-3 Brighton
Southend 0-2 Hull
Rochdale 1-2 Sheff Weds
Birmingham 1-2 Swansea
Bolton 0-1 Cardiff
Man City 4-2 Watford
Southampton 2-0 Yeovil
Sunderland 1-0 Kidderminster
Wigan 2-1 Crystal Palace


Not a great deal of shocks there, though you could argue that Wigan beating Crystal Palace 2-1 is something of a surprise. However, the Latics are the holders and won't want to give their trophy up without a fight.

It must also be said that Man City were trailing 2-1 at home to Watford with around 20 minutes to play before the Blues hit back in emphatic style to seal their progress through to the next round.

Anyway, back to business. This is the first time that Stevenage and Everton have faced each other in the FA Cup. Their first ever meeting came earlier this season as the Toffees earned a 2-1 win in the second round of the League Cup. Can Stevenage push them close again tonight?

RECENT FORM:

STEVENAGE: LLWLWL
EVERTON: LWDWWD


Stevenage earned a 3-2 win at Doncaster Rovers in the last round, while Everton confirmed their progress thanks to a 4-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park. Stevenage will be all too aware that the Toffees could tear them apart if they are allowed to play their incisive passing game. One should imagine that Graham Westley will tell his players to get in the faces of the opposition and make them feel like they're in a blood and thunder cup tie.



PREDICTION TIME: Around 10 minutes until this one gets underway. How do you see it going? We here at Sports Mole reckon it will be a surprisingly tight encounter, but we still think that Everton will come through 2-0.



Not long to go now. The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel, ready to step out into the wind and rain at the Lamex Stadium. No doubt they'll receive a great ovation from the fans that have packed into the ground this evening. Make no mistake, this is a proper FA Cup tie.

KICKOFF! Both teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done and it will be Everton to get us underway. Here we go!

This has been a good start from Stevenage. They've already won a corner, though it eventually come to nothing. However, the hosts are playing with a bright tempo as Everton try to get a foothold in this game.

CHANCE! Confusion in the Everton box as Stevenage nearly take the lead. Robles fumbles the ball, allowing Akins a free crack at goal, but Stones was on the line to block his effort.

GOAL! STEVENAGE 0-1 EVERTON (NAISMITH)

Just like that, Everton take the lead through Steven Naismith! It was Stevenage goalkeeper Day's turn to fumble the ball this time before Naismith poked home from close range inside a crowded box. It's a very scrappy goal, but the Toffees will not mind one single bit.

This is ominous for Stevenage as Everton start to take control of the contest. The hosts haven't reacted particularly well to going behind, while the visitors look eager to stretch their lead as soon as possible.

Credit to Stevenage, they're starting to fight back a bit here. The home side have used the width of the pitch to good effect so far, pumping the ball into the Everton box whenever they can. No luck so far though.

There's not much in the way of flow to the game at the moment. Everton are enjoying most of the possession, but Stevenage are doing well to close them down quickly. Still, it's the away side who continue to look the better of the two teams.



Bad news for Everton here as Bryan Oviedo looks to have suffered a really bad leg injury. The defender fell awkwardly while challenging for the ball and is currently receiving treatment. This doesn't look good at all.

SUBSTITUION: The stretcher is on and Oviedo is off. The Costa Rican is replaced by Leon Osman. Let's hope that Oviedo's injury is not as serious as it looked.

CHANCE! Stevenage win a free kick on the edge of the box which is teed up for Freeman, but Robles is able to push his effort away. That was a decent strike from the midfielder. Everton swiftly break up the other end, only for Osman to slice a volley way off target.



SAVE! Stevenage get another free kick in a dangerous position as Morais steps up to take, but Robles does well again to claw away the danger with a good save. The home side are building up a head of steam here. Can they capitalise?

UPDATE: We understand that Bryan Oviedo has been taken straight to hospital after suffering that ankle injury.

Everton look to have had a bit of their enthusiasm drained out of them following that injury to Oviedo. One or two of them were stood around, but their reactions weren't good. They want to be careful because Stevenage will have no problem taking advantage of the visitors' slump.

GOAL! STEVENAGE 0-2 EVERTON (NAISMITH)

Just as Everton were looking vulnerable they double their lead! Osman slips a ball through towards Naismith, but it looks like Ashton will be able to cut it out. However, the Stevenage captain makes a right mess of it, allowing Naismith to run through on goal and slot the ball home with confidence.



Naismith is looking lethal at the moment. The Scot is making some great runs behind the Stevenage defence. It wouldn't be a surprise if he completes his hat-trick tonight.

YELLOW CARD: Stevenage's Hartley is the first player to go into the book tonight after chopping down McGeady. No arguments there.

A few minutes of normal time left in this half, though there's likely to be a fair amount of time added on following that injury for Oviedo. It's not been vintage Everton so far but they're firmly in control of this match.

The fourth official indicates that there will be six minutes of added time...

Stevenage have a crack at goal through Freeman, but he can only flash his effort well wide. The home side started the half well, though they've done very little to trouble Everton since then.

Everton are just being professional now, whittling away the minutes until the half-time whistle. It will be interesting to see if Roberto Martinez makes any changes later on considering that they travel to Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday.

HALF TIME: STEVENAGE 0-2 EVERTON

The half-time whistle goes and it's Everton who lead 2-0 thanks to two goals from Steven Naismith. It's not been a scintillating opening half of football, but Everton will be feeling good with the position that they're in.

Of course, that half was marred by an injury to Everton defender Bryan Oviedo. The defender looked to do some serious damage to his ankle after falling awkwardly. He's been rushed to hospital where he'll hopefully get the treatment that he needs.

For those who missed them, here are today's other full-time results in the FA Cup...

FA CUP FOURTH-ROUND RESULTS:

Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Port Vale 1-3 Brighton
Southend 0-2 Hull
Rochdale 1-2 Sheff Weds
Birmingham 1-2 Swansea
Bolton 0-1 Cardiff
Man City 4-2 Watford
Southampton 2-0 Yeovil
Sunderland 1-0 Kidderminster
Wigan 2-1 Crystal Palace


Can Stevenage rally and stage a fightback, or is it a bridge too far? It's hard to see Everton letting this one slip to be honest. Still, stranger things have happened in the FA Cup...

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Stevenage to kick off the second half. One change for Everton at the break as Johnny Heitinga replaces Phil Jagielka.

UPDATE: Everton director of communications Alan Myers has just tweeted that Bryan Oviedo has suffered a suspected broken leg.

It's been a very scrappy start to the second half from both sides. Neither team has been able to get a proper hold of the ball in the swirling wind and rain. You have to say that Stevenage need to keep it tight at the back for the next 15 minutes or so if they want to give themselves the chance of a late surge.



GOAL! STEVENAGE 0-3 EVERTON (HEITINGA)

Game over. Everton stretch their lead thanks to substitute Johnny Heitinga. Mirallas tries a ridiculous overhead kick that is more of a cross than anything, and there's the Dutchman to nod in from close range. There's surely now way back for the home side now.

This is almost like a training match for the Toffees now. They're passing the ball around with plenty of ease while the Stevenage players chase like silly dogs.

An hour played and Everton are well on course for a place in the fifth round. It'll be the fourth consecutive season that they've reached that stage of the competition. Could it be their year? Roberto Martinez certainly knows what it takes after guiding Wigan Athletic to success in the tournament during the last campaign.

Stevenage boss Graham Westley is looking pretty beleaguered on the touchline, it has to be said. How does he get his players going again? They're playing for pride now.

YELLOW CARD: Everton's Steven Naismith goes into the book now for putting the ball into the net after the whistle had gone.

Everton continue to dominate at the Lamex Stadium. Their passing has been crisp for most of the night, though all of their goals didn't involve too much build-up.

CHANCE! Close for Stevenage as Zoko puts his effort narrowly wide. The striker controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest from a cross, but he was just lacking with the finish.

SUBSTITUTION: Stevenage make a change now as Luke Jones replaces Dean Parrett. Just under 20 minutes left to play.

It may surprise you, but Stevenage are making a real fist of these final stages. They're starting to push Everton back a bit, though the away side are still posing a big threat on the break.

We've just seen three footballs booted out of the ground in separate incidents. Apparently there are only three left. Let's hope they don't go missing, otherwise this game might have to be replayed...

SUBSTITUTION: Everton's final swap of the night sees Kevin Mirallas come off for Magaye Gueye. Just under 10 minutes to go and Everton are counting down the clock.

CHANCE! Almost the hat-trick for Naismith! The Scot was sent through on goal, but he just couldn't get the ball out from under his feet. Day was quick off his line to collect.

GOAL! STEVENAGE 0-4 EVERTON (GUEYE)

And that is that. Magaye Gueye makes it 4-0 after collecting Osman's threaded pass before showing great control to slot home. That should give the youngster plenty of confidence.

You've got to love Roberto Martinez. His side is 4-0 up but he's still on the touchline getting his players to move around and adapt their play. That's the kind of attention to detail that has brought him success this season.

Three minutes added time...

FULL TIME: STEVENAGE 0-4 EVERTON

The full-time whistle goes and it's Everton who are safely through to the fifth round thanks to a 4-0 win over Stevenage. Steven Naismith scored twice for the visitors while substitutes Johnny Heitinga and Magaye Gueye rounded off the victory.

Thats's all from me for now but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reports and reaction from today's FA Cup ties right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!

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