Everton lose ground to Liverpool after Birmingham draw
Saturday, 12 Apr 2008 17:37
Lescott's goal was not enough for Everton to gain the three points they needed
Everton have lost ground to
Liverpool in the chase for fourth place following a 1-1 draw with
Birmingham City in the Premier League.
The solitary point also does little to help Birmingham's relegation fears as Bolton and
Fulham closed the gap to them at the foot of the table.
The Blues deserved more from the game but in the end they were grateful to substitute Mauro Zarate to get at least something out of the match.
In the first half Liam Ridgewell volleyed narrowly wide before Cameron Jerome hit the woodwork. Toffees goalkeeper Tim Howard also had to be at his best to deny both Radhi Jaidi and James McFadden.
But it was Everton who took a surprise lead when Joleon Lescott got the decisive touch inside the area from a floated ball to the far post.
However, the Blues eventually got something to show for all their pressure when Zarate curled a precision free-kick into the corner of Howard's goal.
The Toffees are now two points behind Liverpool having played one game more.
Bolton have now reduced the gap with Birmingham to just two points following their 1-0 win over West Ham at the Reebok Stadium.
Kevin Davies was the hero for the Trotters as he finally breached the visitors' defence having had two shots cleared off the line in the first half.
Hammers defender Jonathan Spector appeared to hamper goalkeeper Robert Green as he came to meet a cross and Davies was on hand to notch his second league goal of the season.
West Ham went close with a Dean Ashton overhead kick late on but the Trotters held on for a vital three points in their fight for survival.
Elsewhere, bottom-of-the-table Derby were resoundingly beaten 6-0 by
Aston Villa at Pride Park.
Ashley Young, John Carew and Stiliyan Petrov netted in the first half before Gareth Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood scored in the second 45 minutes.