Everton struggling for fourth after late Ashton equaliser
Everton face battle for fourth after Dean Ashton's equaliser at Goodison Park.
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Saturday, 22, Mar 2008 07:30
Everton face an uphill battle for fourth spot in the Premier League after Dean Ashton's equaliser saw West Ham earn a point at Goodison Park.
Yakubu's early opener had seemed set to open the floodgates for Everton and the Nigerian saw a second ruled out for offside before Joleon Lescott and Victor Anichebe came close.
But when West Ham's Lucas Neill was given space on the edge of the Everton box on 68 minutes, he crossed to allow an unmarked Ashton to head powerfully home from 16 yards.
Freddie Sears could have won the game in the last minute only to hit the post after rounding Tim Howard.
Everton are now two points behind their rivals Liverpool, who face Manchester United on Sunday before the Merseyside derby next weekend.
West Ham defender James Tomkins had came close to opening the scoring after his header from a corner bounced back off the bar but the teenager's afternoon soon soured as he failed to clear allowing Yakubu to smash home past the outstretched Robert Green.
Though he scored last weekend, Ashton put a surprise chance wide after Mikael Arteta's collision hit Phil Jagielka's leg before good Yakubu footwork nearly resulted in a second but for a strong tackle from Hayden Mullins.
Ashton was then denied the chance to draw the Upton Park men level after Howard saved superbly with his legs from a curling freekick in the last minute of the first half.
Eighteen-year-old Sears replaced Luis Boa Morte at the start of the second half but Alan Curbishley's side's failure to convert their chances was nearly punished after Arteta's indecisiveness wasted a good chance.
But after Neill was given time to cross, Ashton jumped to head in off the post from 16 yards and draw West Ham level, provoking a tense climax with Howard saving well from Sears after a Jagielka mistake.
And in the last minute, Sears seemed set to follow his match-winner against Blackburn only for Jagielka to clear his effort off the line after it hit the post.
In worrying news for Everton fans ahead of a crucial clash with Liverpool, boss David Moyes forced to withdraw Australian midfielder Tim Cahill after ten minutes.