Cahill secures late win for Everton - 7M sport

Cahill secures late win for Everton

Posted Sunday, April 18, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

By WALTER SIMON STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Everton manager David Moyes admits he was ready to settle for a point after Blackburn had twice come from behind before Tim Cahill snatched a late winner to earn his side a fine 3-2 victory at Ewood Park.

Mikel Arteta’s penalty gave Everton the lead but Steven N’Zonzi’s stunner drew Rovers level only for Yakubu to strike back for the visitors.

Jason Roberts thought he had earned his side a point with a fine strike from outside the penalty area but as the seconds ticked away Everton produced a swift passing move that ended with Cahill scoring from close range.

Moyes said: “Blackburn have a great home record and we came here and played really well. It looked like we were not going to get all three points because they scored some great goals.

“I thought it was going to be a point but the boys played well, kept going and it was well-crafted winner. We had to work hard for our goals and defend well.

“Yak was unlucky not start the game but he did what he did and that is score goals, he also made one today but I thought the lads did very well.”

With Aston Villa playing bottom club Portsmouth on Sunday, Everton knew a victory was essential to reduce the four-point gap the Midlanders had on seventh place.

The majesty of Arteta gave them the perfect start when the Spanish midfielder twisted and turned in the penalty area, tempting Nelsen into a challenge and the big New Zealander obliged.

Arteta then stepped up to smash home the penalty and set the tone for what proved to be a lively afternoon of football in Lancashire.

While devastating in and around the box, Arteta was lucky to stay on the field when a clash with Morten Gamst Pedersen saw the Everton midfielder appear to poke the Norwegian in the eye but escaped with just a yellow card.

Blackburn, with their commanding home record, battled their way back into the contest and tested Tim Howard, who was looking shaky in the Everton goal, through Pedersen, Martin Olsson and then Keith Andrews.

Despite signs of a comeback it was Everton who started the second half the better with Cahill heading just wide and the Leighton Baines’ fine 20-yard drive whistling just wide of the Bolton goal.

While Baines had gone close though, N’Zonzi hit the mark with an absolute stunner to restore parity to proceedings.

The young French midfielder drifted forward and with a lack of options either side unleashed a blistering drive that left Howard with no chance.

Just ten minutes later Everton had regained the lead with substitutes Victor Anichebe and Yakubu combining for the Nigerian to tap home from close range just 20 seconds after he came on and leave Rovers chasing the game.

The intensity of the match increased and within two minutes the home side were level again as Nikola Kalinic’s through ball found Roberts for the striker to slot past Howard.

It was Everton though who demanded the final say in a thrilling game with Yakubu’s low cross evading the home defence and Cahill appearing in space to finish.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce said: “To have scored two outstanding goals it is very difficult to accept defeat.

“It was a great fightback and we played against a very good team who are in a great run at the moment.

“We showed what we were made of and while we scored two very good goals for the first time in a long time our defending has let us down. All three goals could have been avoided.”



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