Everton wrapped up their second away win since September in style at Selhurst
Park.
Three fine goals in 10 second-half minutes produced a startling scoreline
against a Dons side battling for points to lift themselves away from the drop
zone.
Danny Cadamarteri, who had not started a Premiership game for almost a year,
was the creative force behind the win with a magnificent exhibition of wing
play.
And Kevin Campbell provided the finishing touches with two fine headers to
take his tally for the season to 12.
Everton's second-half blitz started in the 53rd minute, after a first half
that had seen Everton dominate but fail to turn their superiority into goals.
Don Hutchison broke from defence and fed Cadamarteri on the right, where the
teenager had been willing to run at Alan Kimble all afternoon.
Cadamarteri once
again attacked the full-back at pace before lifting a cross into the box for
Campbell to head home, getting to the ball before Sullivan's flaying fist.
Eight minutes later after some confident play from Everton, they scored again
with a carbon copy of their first.
Again Cadamarteri got the ball in from the
right, and Campbell rose unmarked to turn another header past Sullivan.
Two minutes later it was all over with Everton's third. Hutchison collected a
poor clearance, fed Campbell on the right and when the low cross came into the
box, Joe-Max Moore was there to stab home his third in four games.
Cadamarteri's last taste of action at this level was ironically against Wimbledon last
February in a 1-1 draw at Goodison.
Since then he has had a loan spell at Fulham
but took his chance to impress in style.
So too did Moore. The little American scampered around, got himself booked,
and showed that eye for goal that had only previously been seen with him coming
on to grab last-ditch efforts as a substitute.
Wimbledon, defending a 12-match unbeaten home run, were unchanged from the
side that beat Newcastle at Selhurst Park a fortnight ago, while Everton, with
the FA Cup quarter finals on their mind, rested Francis Jeffers and John
Collins.
Everton could have been ahead in the first minute. Mark Pembridge had a 10-yard shot deflected over, and when the Welshman took the corner Neil Sullivan
dropped the ball and it seemed to cross the line before the Scottish
international recovered.
Television replays appeared to show the ball crossing
the line.
Moore had another chance after seven minutes when he chipped the ball over
Hermann Hreidarsson after a Campbell flick.
The little striker's attempts to
reach the ball were blocked by the Icelandic defender, and plaintive appeals
were dismissed.
Moore, quick and mobile, was determined to make the most of his opportunity,
and had Everton's best efforts certainly in the first half.
He shot wide after
Kevin Campbell had set him up, and then headed over after a fine run by
Cadamarteri.
Cadamarteri really should have scored on 31 minutes.
Dave Unsworth lifted a
ball in from the left, and although Campbell was offside - which caused the home
defence to stop - Cadamarteri was allowed to run in and send a downward header
that Sullivan fumbled before scrambling away.
Wimbledon, uninspired but workmanlike, could hardly have expected to be on the
end of such a quickfire battering after the break, and when the dust had
settled they rarely threatened.
Now they
still have work to do if they are to extinguish the fear of relegation.
As for Everton, they know they are now safe and can turn their attention to
the FA Cup and Saturday week's clash with Aston Villa - form like this will only
boost their confidence further.
Teams
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Andersen, Hreidarsson, Kimble,
Badir (Francis 76), Earle (Ardley 66), Euell,Leaburn (Andresen 66), Gayle, Cort.
Subs Not Used: Willmott, Davis.
Everton: Myher, Dunne, Gough, Weir, Unsworth, Moore,
Hutchison (Xavier 84), Pembridge, Ball, Cadamarteri, Campbell.
Subs Not Used: Collins, Gemmill, Jeffers, Simonsen.
Booked: Moore.
Goals: Campbell 53, 61, Moore 63.
Att: 13,172
Ref: G Barber (Tring, Herts).
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