Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Everton: Late Tim Cahill Strike Maintains Toffees Chase For Europe

Posted Sunday, April 18, 2010 by Goal.com

Everton's fading hopes of European football were kept alive after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Mikel Arteta opened the scoring within the first three minutes after he converted a penalty that was rewarded after the Spaniard himself was tripped in the box. The Toffees were pegged back in the second half after a long-range Steven N'Zonzi strike before Yakubu came on and instantly put the visitors back in the lead. Rovers then struck again through Jason Roberts before a final goal by Tim Cahill settled proceedings.

Rovers made three changes from the side that held Manchester United to a draw last week. Chris Samba being replaced at the back by Ryan Nelsen and Brett Emerton and Vince Grella making way for Keith Andrews and David Dunn.

Everton made two changes from the draw with Aston Villa. Louis Saha was in place of Yakubu up front and Tony Hibbert was preferred to John Heitinga in defence.

The game started in some fashion with a penalty within the first three minutes of play. A cross from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was not dealt with by the Rovers defence and the ball fell to Mikel Arteta. A rash challenge from Nelsen brought down the Spaniard in the box and referee Andre Marriner had no choice but to point to the spot.

Arteta himself stepped up and converted from the spot to give the visitors an early lead against a side that had previously not conceded a goal in 305 minutes of play.

The start was just what Moyes' side needed with three points being a must from this fixture and Everton looked in a good position to find a decisive second after they begun to dominate play.

Arteta, Steven Pienaar and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's superior technical qualities allowed the Toffees to monopolise possession of the ball and a good move between the three culminated in a great shot that went just wide from Pienaar.

Rovers haven't exactly been a free-scoring side this season but they had to open up on the offensive to find a goal now and they came very close after a corner led to a goal-mouth scramble and Nikola Kalinic's stabbed effort was cleared off the line by Tim Cahill.

It was a reminder if ever there needed to be one that Blackburn are very dangerous in their set-piece play.

And Everton did not exactly heed the warning as despite seeing more of the ball in the opening half-hour, it was the home side who had the best chances to score from threatening set-pieces.

Morten Gamst Pedersen caused another goal-mouth scramble after his out-swinging corner was not cleared properly and David Dunn's shot was just about shielded away from goal by Hibbert.

And soon after a long throw into the box caused problems for the Toffees' who allowed the ball to fall to Martin Olsson whose blasted shot was hooked away by Phil Jagielka.

Everton had a chance on the break when Bilyaletdinov was released with the ball and it was three against three as he charged down the channel with his teammates but the Russian played a poor ball across goal that found neither Pienaar or Cahill.

Just before the end of the half Rovers gave a reminder of which side was finishing the stronger when Nelson fed Andrews on the edge of the box and his low, hard effort stung the palms of Howard, who gathered at the second attempt.

The second half had a less frenetic start than the first and it was not until the 56th minute that the game saw another decent scoring chance.

Possession play saw Arteta slide the ball to Hibbert down the flank and the Englishman sent in a great cross from the right that Cahill should have buried from five yards out but the Australian's header went off target much to Paul Robinson's relief.

Everton were playing with more control now and soon after that chance an interception by Rovers defender Nelsen saved an almost certain goal after Saha's cross-shot across the box threatened to find Cahill at the far post.

The visitors continued to pressure and after a cross was chested down by Bilyaletdinov, Baines unleashed a 20 yard rocket that stung the post to let Rovers off the hook.

The Toffees were made to pay minutes later when an even better strike from Steven N'Zonzi levelled the tie. The Frenchman was some way from goal when he moved into the centre of the pitch from 30 yards and unleashed a tremendous hit that sailed past Howard at his left post.

The stunning strike was against the run of play and now urgency was needed again from the Toffees.

Yakubu was brought on for defender Hibbert and amazingly the Nigerian made an instant impact.

A long throw by Baines to the left of goal was flighted right into the dangerzone between the opposing keeper and his defenders and Yakubu was positioned well to profit as he rose highest to head into the back of the net.

But Rovers weren't finished yet. Minutes later, the game saw it's second great goal when substitute striker Jason Roberts ran between Everton defenders Jagielka and Nelsen and unleashed a terrific half-volley that buried itself into the bottom right-corner of the goal.

Everton kept pushing as the clock ticked away and they were rewarded when amazingly they breached the Rovers back-line for a fifth time.

Tim Cahill was played in from the left and he made no mistake from point blank range to give Everton the lead for the third time in the match.

Rovers tried to respond for a final time but it proved beyond them this time and Everton recorded their first win after three consecutive league draws.