By Alan Duffy
Everton 3-1 Oldham – FA Cup – 26th February 2013
A fine FA Cup run it has been for Oldham, what with beating Nott’m Forest, Liverpool and taking Everton to a replay. However, at Goodison Park on Tuesday night, their sterling cup adventure finally came to an end.
The Premier League side were deserved 3-1 winners, with Kevin Mirallas’ early strike settling the nerves before a Leighton Baines spot-kick on 34 minutes and a second-half strike from Leon Osman fleshed out the final score.
Matt Smith, the university-educated hero of the Latics’ previous two cup fixtures, came off the bench to bag a consolation goal while, arguably, things could have been different had Jose Baxter’s effort gone in as opposed to hitting the post or a penalty had been awarded when Darron Gibson appeared to handle in his own box early on.
However though, all in all, it was a deserved victory for Everton who now face Wigan in the last eight while the Latics can focus on trying to beat the drop in League One.
Photos…
Highlights…
Photos: PA