EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Everton 1-1 Birmingham

A Kenny Cunningham own goal in the dying seconds saved Everton’s blushes as they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City at Goodison. It had seemed certain that Birmingham would take all three points after Alan Stubbs was sent off for a professional foul on Stern John, who blasted a penalty past Steve Simonsen shortly after the half-time interval.

Everton were without the services of Richard Wright and Mark Pembridge through injury and Niclas Alexandersson made way for Wayne Rooney to partner Kevin Campbell and Tomasz Radzinski in the Everton attack. Birmingham started the brighter of the teams and Stern John tested Steve Simonsen in the opening exchanges with a looping header. Minutes later, it was the woodwork which saved Everton as Martin Grainger’s free-kick clipped the angle of the crossbar.

However, as the half went on, Everton began to assert their authority. David Unsworth’s shot looped over the crossbar, whilst Nico Vaesen had to be at his best to deny Wayne Rooney, who completed his first 90 minutes in the Premiership. The Toffees had a glorious chance to take the lead seven minutes before half-time when Kevin Campbell struck the foot of the post after good link-up play with Tomasz Radzinski. The first half ended with the honours even, but within four minutes of the re-start Birmingham had taken the lead.

Alan Stubbs was adjudged to pull back Stern John in the area after Thomas Gravesen’s backpass had given the striker a one-on-one opportunity with Simonsen. Stubbs was sent off by referee Wolstenholme and forced to watch from the sidelines as the striker made no mistake with his powerful penalty. The sending off seemed to inspire the ten men of Everton. Li Tie, Wayne Rooney and Tomasz Radzinski all fashioned good efforts, whilst at the other end resolute defending from the ever-dependable David Weir denied Stern John from adding to his tally.

The Blues had claims for a penalty turned down when Kevin Campbell appeared to have been bundled down by Darren Purse, but the referee waved play on to leave Blue hearts in Blue mouths. With 90 minutes on the clock, a Wayne Rooney corner from the right hand side was only partially cleared by Vaesen. The ball fell to Unsworth who swung his trusty left foot at the ball. Somehow it cannoned off two Birmingham defenders, Jeff Kenna and Kenny Cunningham en route to the net to send Goodison wild.