McFadden goal earns Everton a point
David Moyes' team are fifth in the league
Also In The News
|
Irish fly-half Ronan O'Gara scored a controversial late try as Ireland edged past Italy 23-20 at Ravenhill. |  |
Saturday, 25, Aug 2007 09:32
Blackburn were deprived of a valuable three points away at Everton this evening after James McFadden scored a late goal at Goodison Park to earn the home side a point.
The Scotland international got onto the end of a cross by Mikel Arteta and thumped the ball passed Brad Friedel to cancel out Roque Santa Cruz’s goal for Blackburn.
Everton started the game the better side and had two good chances through Andrew Johnson and Alan Stubbs who both had their shots blocked by Friedel in the Blackburn goal.
But the Toffees failed to make their dominance count and poor defending led to Santa Cruz giving the away team the lead. Everton failed to clear a Morton Gamst Pedersen shot which hit the bar and Blackburn’s summer signing was there to tap the ball home.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side and Blackburn took control of the game.
New Everton left-back Leighton Baines saved his side from going 2-0 down after he made a fantastic goal line clearance from a Christopher Samba header. Keeper Tim Howard was also forced to turn away a 25-yard shot from David Dunn.
Everton’s cause wasn’t helped when they had to take of veteran stars Lee Carsley and Stubbs through injury. Carsley’s replacement Phil Jagielka had a great chance to bring his side level on 57 minutes, but he headed wide from only six yards out.
With only 13 minutes left of normal time, Blackburn looked to be heading for victory. But a poor clearance from goal scorer Santa Cruz fell at the feat of Arteta and his precise cross was met by McFadden to score.
David Bentley almost grabbed all the points for Blackburn in injury time but his free-kick was pushed onto the bar by Howard.