SPORTS: Everton 3 Oldham 1 (THE SUN)

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

GHOSTING IN ... Mirallas finds too much space to slot home the first goal

Published: 28 minutes ago

The Belgian struck after the Toffees negotiated a sticky first 15 minutes before Leighton Baines and Leon Osman put them three up.

But the brave Latics fought back through Matt Smith who once again headed himself into FA Cup history.

Everton, though, proved too tough a test for the visitors and managed to hold on to see the game out comfortably.

The League One side settled well but in the 15th minute Mirallas freed himself to tap home Darron Gibson’s cross.

Oldham nearly struck straight back through former Everton youngster Jose Baxter but his curling shot hit the post with Tim Howard beaten.

After the ball was played back into the Toffees’ box Phil Jagielka’s clearance bounced onto Gibson’s arm, but the Latics’ appeals were waved away.

SPOT ON ... Baines adds a second for Everton

In-form left-back Baines almost added a second with a brilliant low drive but Dean Bouzanis saved well.

Referee Michael Oliver was again involved 34 minutes in when he awarded a penalty after Connor Brown needlessly handled in the area.

And Baines stepped up to drive past Bouzanis who did well to get a hand to the ball but failed to keep it out.

Nikica Jelavic and Phil Jagielka had chances either side of half-time but neither could keep their effort down and trouble the goal.

Oldham made changes to shake up the game with the giant Matt Smith hoping to continue his superb cup scoring run.

But it was Lee Croft who missed a chance to pull one back as Oldham improved.

And Leon Osman made the visitors pay as his flick header squirmed agonisingly past Bouzanis who, to be fair, was distracted by Jelavic.

The Premier League side looked to be cruising but Smith refused to let his FA Cup dreams die without having a say.

The substitute capitalised on some poor marking just after the hour mark to head home from close range and spark hopes of an unlikely revival.

Gibson missed a chance to seal the win as he blazed high and wide but Everton held on to set up an all Premier League tie with Wigan.

SPORTS