CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Sheff Weds v Everton 11/01/97 3.00

Sheff Weds              (1) 2 Everton                 (0) 1 FT
Pembridge 22                  Ferguson 63
Hirst 50

Sheffield Wednesday stretched their unbeaten record to 13 matches with a deserved victory over Everton and finally laid to rest the ghost of flying winger Andrei Kanchelskis.

Everton star Kanchelskis had haunted Wednesday by scoring five goals in their previous three meetings, including a hat-trick in Everton's 5-2 victory during the corresponding fixture last season.

But although Everton, 2-0 down through goals from Mark Pembridge and substitute David Hirst inside 50 minutes, pulled one back through Duncan Ferguson and produced a vastly improved second half performance, Kanchelskis was largely an anonymous figure and restricted to just one meaningful shot.

The credit for the Russian star's shackling should go to pacy full-back Ian Nolan and goalscorer Pembridge, who not only tracked back to nullify Kanchelskis' menace but was also able to provide Wednesday's main threat in a dominant first half.

Pembridge, whose midfield partnership with Graham Hyde has been a major factor in Wednesday's unbeaten run, proved a constant thorn in Everton's left flank and tested 'keeper Neville Southall twice before earning the deserved breakthrough.

Allowed plenty of space, Pembridge frequently found himself unmarked on the left-hand side of the box and gave Everton an early warning of his threat by forcing Southall into a stunning third minute parry from his half-volley.

Southall also saved his low shot from the edge of the box before Pembridge cut inside in the 22nd minute, forcing 17-year-old defender Richard Dunne into conceding a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area.

Pembridge seized on the opportunity and struck a low drive through the wall and although Southall managed to get a hand to the shot, it was hit too powerfully to prevent Wednesday claiming a deserved lead.

So comprehensive was Wednesday's shackling of both Kanchelskis and Duncan Ferguson, expertly marshalled by Des Walker on his 400th league appearance, that Everton were limited to just one scoring opportunity in the opening 45 minutes and that a mis-timed clearance from Wednesday midfielder Guy Whittingham expertly saved by Kevin Pressman.

But it was the half-time switch of David Hirst, making his comeback from yet another injury absence, for Andy Booth which effectively sealed Wednesday's victory just five minutes after the interval.

Hirst outjumped Dave Watson on the half-way line and ran clear but his pass towards Ritchie Humphreys on the left seemed to have pushed his young team-mate too wide.

Humphreys, still buzzing with confidence after his two-goal display in last week's emphatic 7-1 FA Cup victory over Grimsby, was not to be denied, however, and put over a low cross which former England striker Hirst finished with aplomb at the far post.

Everton responded by playing with far more drive and determination than they had in the previous 50 minutes and Ferguson finally escaped Walker's attentions to head Everton back into the game from Graham Stuart's 63rd minute cross.

Hirst missed two further opportunities to restore the comfortable platform as Everton pressed for an equaliser, but for all the visitor's late pressure, 'keeper Pressman was mostly untroubled as Wednesday continued their rise up the Premiership table.