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Everton 2-1 Charlton
Everton left it late to beat Charlton and grab another vital three points at Goodison Park yesterday.
The match was an entertaining affair, with both teams seemingly desperate for the three points to aid their somewhat different ambitions this season. The blues were the first team to threaten the goal. Leon Osman turned inside from the right wing and struck a whipping left foot shot. Charlton defender Diawara deflected it agonisingly wide of the post with his head.
Darren Bent worked hard in the Charlton attack but the Londoners failed to create any real chances in the first half. Everton however missed a host of good opportunities. Lee Carsley shot just over, Osman again went close and Beattie failed to score two headers before the break.
The second half started and Charlton looked a lot more penetrative in attack. Darren Bent’s pace created real problems for Everton’s defensive duo of Yobo and Stubbs. Indeed, on 55 minutes Bent could well have scored. He latched on to a good pass before wasting the opportunity by shooting wide. Zheng should have also scored for Charlton. A corner fell perfectly at his feet just yards from goal. However he couldn’t react quickly enough and Howard was able to pounce on the loose ball.
The game looked to be heading for a somewhat unlikely goalless draw before Everton finally opened the scoring with less than ten minutes to go. After some sustained pressure on the Charlton backline, McFadden lobbed the ball into the six yard box. Andy Johnson instinctively volleyed towards goal before Carson produced a fine save. However, the ball rebounded out to Joleon Lescott who made no mistake as he smashed the ball home.
Relief was in the air at Goodison, but it didn’t last long. In the last minute of normal time Charlton launched a long ball into the Everton area. Darren Bent controlled the ball before lashing it past Tim Howard to equalise. There was a stunned silence around the stadium as Charlton looked to have snatched a point.
However, deep into stoppage time Everton managed to put a stop to Charlton celebrations. James McFadden received the ball on the edge of the area. He feigned to shoot before sublimely lifting it over Bougherra. He calmly waited for the ball to drop before he unleashed a superb volley that Carson had no chance of saving. Wild celebrations ensued as Evertonians celebrated McFadden’s comeback goal after injury.
The win lifts Everton up to fifth in the Premiership. Chelsea’s FA Cup semi – final victory means seventh place will qualify for Europe. This means that Everton have all but cemented their place in Europe for next season.
By David Robson
Everton left it late to beat Charlton and grab another vital three points at Goodison Park yesterday.
The match was an entertaining affair, with both teams seemingly desperate for the three points to aid their somewhat different ambitions this season. The blues were the first team to threaten the goal. Leon Osman turned inside from the right wing and struck a whipping left foot shot. Charlton defender Diawara deflected it agonisingly wide of the post with his head.
Darren Bent worked hard in the Charlton attack but the Londoners failed to create any real chances in the first half. Everton however missed a host of good opportunities. Lee Carsley shot just over, Osman again went close and Beattie failed to score two headers before the break.
The second half started and Charlton looked a lot more penetrative in attack. Darren Bent’s pace created real problems for Everton’s defensive duo of Yobo and Stubbs. Indeed, on 55 minutes Bent could well have scored. He latched on to a good pass before wasting the opportunity by shooting wide. Zheng should have also scored for Charlton. A corner fell perfectly at his feet just yards from goal. However he couldn’t react quickly enough and Howard was able to pounce on the loose ball.
The game looked to be heading for a somewhat unlikely goalless draw before Everton finally opened the scoring with less than ten minutes to go. After some sustained pressure on the Charlton backline, McFadden lobbed the ball into the six yard box. Andy Johnson instinctively volleyed towards goal before Carson produced a fine save. However, the ball rebounded out to Joleon Lescott who made no mistake as he smashed the ball home.
Relief was in the air at Goodison, but it didn’t last long. In the last minute of normal time Charlton launched a long ball into the Everton area. Darren Bent controlled the ball before lashing it past Tim Howard to equalise. There was a stunned silence around the stadium as Charlton looked to have snatched a point.
However, deep into stoppage time Everton managed to put a stop to Charlton celebrations. James McFadden received the ball on the edge of the area. He feigned to shoot before sublimely lifting it over Bougherra. He calmly waited for the ball to drop before he unleashed a superb volley that Carson had no chance of saving. Wild celebrations ensued as Evertonians celebrated McFadden’s comeback goal after injury.
The win lifts Everton up to fifth in the Premiership. Chelsea’s FA Cup semi – final victory means seventh place will qualify for Europe. This means that Everton have all but cemented their place in Europe for next season.
By David Robson
