Johnny’s on the Spot.

Heitinga scores late winner as Everton progress in the FA Cup.

By Connor Bennett, at the Reebok Stadium.

John Heitinga scored a dramatic late winner away at Bolton Wanderers to give Everton a passage into the Fifth round of the FA Cup. 

Everton opened the scoring after 18 minutes when a Victor Anichebe shot rebounded off

Bolton Keeper, Andy Lonergan and bounced in to the path of Steven Piennar.  Bolton leveled the proceedings through a well worked goal that saw Darren Pratley turn away from Leighton Baines and play the ball into the path of Marvin Sordell at the near post and he stroked the ball past Tim Howard.

The game signalled Everton manager David Moyes’ 500th game in charge. Heitinga who was an 80th minute substitute for the misfiring Nikica Jelavic was brought on to, what it seemed to many of the fans, consolidate on a draw and take a replay back to Goodison Park, the change was greeted with many jeers from the travelling Everton support, but provided to be a masterstroke even if it wasn’t intended to be.

Everton welcomed back Kevin Mirallas from injury but his Afternoon was cut short after 15 minutes with, what looked like to be either an ankle or hamstring injury. Everton were without full-back, Seamus Coleman and Central Midfielder Darron Gibson who was sat with the Everton fans. Bolton had Kevin Davies back from a slight knock.

Everton lined up:

Howard

Neville Jagielka Distin Baines

Mirallas Osman Fellaini Pienaar

Jelavic Anichebe

Bolton lined up:

Lonergan

Ricketts Knight Ream Alonso

Lee Vela Pratley Spearing Eagles

Sordell

Subs
Bolton: Bogdan, Mears, Holden, N’Gog, K Davies, Afobe, C Davies
Everton: Mucha, Heitinga, Duffy, Oviedo, Naismith, Gueye, Vellios

The Bolton Ground Staff did a tremendous job to get the game on

Both sides were looking to be in the hat for the next round and this was evident as for the first 20 minutes Everton were the better side and scored while they were on top. After the Steven Pienaar goal, Bolton pulled Everton out of shape, constantly switching the ball from side to side where their quick wingers, Chung-Yong Lee and Chris Eagles ran at the full backs while being supported by their full backs, Sam Ricketts and Marcos Alonso, respectively.  Bolton, playing their football in the Championship, looked like the better side from then to half time, scoring to get back into the game and almost taking the lead 30 seconds later when Marcos Alonso struck a shot at Tim Howard which caused the Everton Keeper to only parry the shot down but quickly grabbed the loose ball.  Victor Anichebe should of given Everton the lead on the stroke of Half time but his header glanced just wide of Andy Lonergan’s net.

Half time came and went and Everton were out earlier than Bolton, surely due to a dressing down from the manager. When the second half started, Everton started like they did the first, knocking the ball about well and showing their FA Cup credentials. Bolton quickly grew into the game and frustrated Everton for periods.  Darren Pratley had a free-kick in a dangerous are just outside Tim Howards box but it flew over the bar without any danger.  
Magaye Gueye headed wide a Leighton Baines cross that should have really tested Andy Lonergan in all honesty.

Everton piled on the Pressure with 10 minutes to go in the tie with a great curling Steven Pienaar effort that produced an excellent save from Bolton Keeper Andy Lonergan who sprawled low to his right to keep the tie at 1-1.

Bolton tried to weather the Everton storm but it came to nothing in the 91st minute when a Magaye Gueye corner bounced around the box with shouts of Penalty from a few Everton players, the ball bounced out to John Heitinga who struck the ball low to Andy Lonergan’s left and found the net sending 6,000 Everton fans into raptures. Heitinga who, this season has not lived up to his last season’s Player of the Season award scored his first of the season. Within 30 seconds of the restart, Everton found themselves under pressure from Bolton but Substitute Benik Afobe could only blaze over and Everton hung on to the win.

Heitinga fires the blues into the 5th Round, which save the blues  a replay at Goodison

Man of the Match (Everton): Sylvain Distin. The defender who earnt a contract extension during the produced a top class performance as usual.

Man of the Match (Bolton): Marcos Alonso. The fullback troubled Everton all afternoon and could have had a goal for his efforts if it was not for Tim Howard.

Stats.
Possession: Bolton 45% Everton 55%
Shots: Bolton 10 Everton 11
Fouls: Bolton 5 Everton 13

Bookings.
Bolton - Spearing
Everton - Fellaini