Everton v Blackburn
Everton have maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Goodison.
The Toffees were on top for vast parts of the afternoon and the final scoreline doesn’t really tell the full story – Andy Johnson’s first-half goal sufficient to secure all the points.
Debutante Manuel Fernandes showed some good early touches and had the Goodison crowd on its feet on more than one occasion.
The only goal came in the 10th minute. Lee Carsley won a header on the edge of the box, Mikel Arteta flicked the ball on and Andy Johnson lashed a first-time volley past Brad Friedel.
Even at such an early stage of the game, it was a lead that Everton thoroughly deserved – some of the play from the home side was lovely to watch
Next to try his luck was Tim Cahill who headed into the arms of Friedel.
The players celebrate AJ's goal
Blackburn’s first effort came from Australian international Brett Emerton who collected a loose pass from van der Meyde before rifling a long-range drive high over the bar.
But it was no more than a sporadic venture into Everton territory and with Johnson looked really lively in the first period the Toffees were well on top.
Johnson had a shot blocked by Christopher Samba and a volley that flashed over from a van der Meyde cross before he drifted wide and slipped a terrific pass into the path of Fernandes only for the young Portuguese midfielder to be denied by Friedel.
Tim Howard was a virtual spectator until the final minute of the half when he touched over a ferocious strike from Zurab Khizanishvili.
There was always a slight worry as the players trooped off at half-time that Everton may not have made enough of their domination and Blackburn certainly came into things a bit more after the restart.
However, it was Everton who almost scored again when Arteta superbly skipped away from two challenges on the left wing but pulled his low centre just a touch behind Johnson inside the six-yard box.
The irrepressible Johnson tested Friedel yet again with ten minutes to go when he directed a powerful header goalwards that was comfortably smothered by the American keeper.
Cahill was cautioned for a foul on David Bentley mid-way through the half, which rules him out of the Tottenham game through suspension and Andy Todd was booked for Rovers just 20 seconds after coming on as a substitute!
The Everton hitman smashes home the winner
The Ewood outfit piled on the pressure in the closing stages, winning free-kicks from dangerous positions as well as a few corners – including one in the last minute of stoppage time that Friedel went up for.
But with Alan Stubbs outstanding yet again, Everton held firm for a win that although should have been more emphatic was most welcome nonetheless.
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