It’s Tight At The Top As Everton Take All Three Points Against League Leaders Portsmouth

EYE’S ON THE BALL? - Image: Jake Kirkman

Everton took a huge step forward in their bid to complete a league and cup double this season, securing all three points in a 2-1 win over Portsmouth - moving them level on points with the league leaders.

The Toffees wrapped up the FA Disability Cup at the end of June with a 4-2 victory over Pompey and kept up that momentum to hand Portsmouth their first defeat in the league this campaign.

Coming into the match it was hoped that Pompey would’ve pushed the cup heartbreak to one side, however they found themselves behind early on, David Tweed scoring in the 10th minute to nudge the Liverpudlian club ahead.

That’s how it stayed until after half-time where Pompey striker Jamie Tregaskiss levelled things up halfway through the second-half to set-up an exciting finish.

It didn’t take long though for Everton to edge themselves back in front, new signing and debutant Lee Dobson with a clinical finish to restore his side’s one-goal advantage and score the winner to seal the three points.

DOBSON DELIGHT: Lee Dobson, David Tweed and Rhyce Ramsden - Image: Jake Kirkman

Central midfielder Jamie Oakey, who scored a superb solo effort earlier on in the afternoon in his side’s 6-2 win over Chelsea, believes the experienced Dobson can play a huge part for the team in the remaining two rounds of fixtures.

Oakey said: “Lee is a very exciting player with a lot of knowledge and experience and he’s exactly the type of player you want to have on the pitch alongside you.

“Everyone in the team has played with him at some point during their careers, whether it be at club level or international, so we all know what he’s capable of and his goal to win us the match was just a trademark Lee Dobson turn and finish to give us a massive three points.”

The 20-year-old also scored in the cup final, and he’s determined to make sure it isn’t the only piece of silverware they’ll be picking up this season.

“We had a rocky start to the season, but we’ve got into the swing of things now and we’re more focused than ever before,” Oakey said.

“Everybody in this team from the players to the staff is dedicated and determined to do the best as possible, and to move level on points with Portsmouth is an unbelievable feeling and shows we are heading in the right direction.

“The season’s not over yet and there’s still a long way to go, but I’m sure whatever the outcome is we will give 100% in trying to lift that trophy at the end.”

Everton’s next league fixtures take place on the 19 August where they’ll once again face-off against Portsmouth and try to leapfrog them in the table.