EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Everton 1-0 Blackburn

Everton won their fifth league game in a row - the first time since the championship winning season of 1986/87!.

Everton began the match well, with Tomasz Radzinski missing a glorious opportunity to take the lead when The Canadian international fed Lee Carsley who put in a wonderful ball for Radzinski. However, from four yards he fired the ball straight at the Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel.

Minutes later, in-form Richard Wright pulled of a marvellous save to deny Andy Coal, when the striker looked certain to score.

Up to this stage in the game it was end to end stuff at Ewood Park, with both defences now limiting the sides to half-chances.

On 19 minutes Everton took the lead. A long ball forward from Richard Wright found Lee Carsley who give a splendid ball to Kevin Campbell, who finished the ball smartly passed a confused Brad Friedel.

However Blackburn weren't going to lay down, 10 minutes later a decent cross from David Thompson just missed the head of Egil Ostenstad.

On the half hour mark, Everton defender, Alan Stubbs hammered a ferousious free kick, however only for it to be deflected off the wall to relieve many Blackburn supporters.

With 5 minutes to go to half time, Everton won a corner, which was delieved by Scottish star Gary Naysmith onto the head of Kevin Campbell who directed it towards goal, only to be denied by a fantastic save by Friedel. The halftime whistle blew to end the first half.

Blackburn started the second half, the better side, winning three corners in the opening two minutes of the second half. However, all three corners are dealt with comfortably.

The second half took a while to get exciting, Joseph Yobo put in a wonderful challenge to deny Egil Ostenstad. As the Blues struggle to get possession.

Blackburn claimied for a penalty when Johansson dived in the area, but their cries for a penalty were turned down with a yellow card for Johansson as he was accused of diving.

Wayne Rooney was brought on during the 81st minute to replace Gary Naysmith. Rooney has an instant effect... Rooney runs caused great unrest for the Blackburn defence. With the introduction of Rooney, the blues were given a lift. The 17-year-old kept the ball well in the closing stages of the game.

There was major panic during the last few minutes of the game. A Dunn effort was blasted over, Alan Thompson should of scored, but David Unsworth prevailed, and blocked his effort.

During these nervous moments a lightning break from Everton sees Thomas Gravesen run down the left and he passes to Kevin Campbell who forces yet again a excellent save from Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel.

It was the Everton keepers turn to shine... In the final seconds Richard Wright saved a shot from Andy Cole superbly

The Toffees are now joint third and the potential is there for even greater heights to be scaled.