Everton 5-3 Blackpool

Saha shines brightest to secure a crucial victory for Everton

An inspired Louis Saha ensured that Everton claimed a vital three points after scoring four goals against Blackpool yesterday.

Saha put in a rambunctious display and was justly rewarded, increasing his goal tally for the season in all competitions to nine, eight of which have come in his last six games.

It was Everton who started the brightest and they nearly took the lead in fortuitous circumstances just 12 minutes in when David Carney turned the ball hazardously close to goal following Jack Rodwell’s burst into the box.

The Blues went even closer in the 14th minute through the impressive Diniyar Bilyaletdinov after he planted a header over the bar from Phil Neville’s cross.

Marouane Fellaini continues to impress in the heart of Everton’s midfield and he showed good strength and skill in the 18th minute, turning his marker well before blazing his shot over Paul Rachubka’s bar as the Toffees continued to threaten.

The breakthough did arrive in the 21st minute, and two of the game’s star performers combined to give Everton a much deserved lead.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov found himself with two Blackpool players for company on the left hand side but he weaved his way past them, cutting inside into the box before expertly rolling the ball across to Louis Saha who finished with ease inside the six-yard box.



Saha celebrates after opening the scoring for Everton.

However, despite the general feeling that Everton would go on to exert more pressure upon a so far disappointing Blackpool, the visitors got themselves level after a decent spell of possession.

As a result of his near move to Liverpool, Charlie Adam was always going to be in for a tough afternoon from the Everton faithful, and as he came over to take the corner leading to Blackpool’s leveller, he was on the receiving end of some vicious abuse from the fans of the Gwladys Street.

The Evertonians went on to jeer as Adam’s corner looked to have been miscued but on further viewing it was evident that it was whipped in purposefully low. Met by Ian Evatt at the near post, the ball struck the post and rolled along the line to the feet of Leighton Baines who’s attempted clearance only managed to strike the legs of Alex Baptiste and trickle over the line to give the visitors the equaliser.

Adam’s celebrations said it all as he turned around to face the Gwladys Street, his chest puffed out and a cold stare on his face before reeling away with his team mates.

Then came a moment of real controversy as Louis Saha was denied a second goal which would have restored Everton’s lead. With half time looming, Seamus Coleman surged goalwards and was hauled back on the edge of the box. The ball found its way to Saha who poked the ball home via a deflection, yet with the ball about to cross over the line, Kevin Friend brought the play back for the foul on Coleman leaving David Moyes and the Everton fans absolutely furious.

The half time whistle blew and Friend was understandably on the receiving end of a chorus of boos from the home crowd.

It was an entertaining first half but the fans were to be in for an unbelievable second 45 minutes which started off in explosive fashion.

Just two minutes in, Everton regained their lead through that man Saha after he tucked the ball away six yards out following an inviting cross from Leighton Baines.

The Toffees were threatening again just a few moments later as Saha’s deft touch played in Bilyaletdinov who – when well placed just inside the area -should have done better as he fired a scorching effort straight at Rachubka.

In the 59th minute, Everton should have put themselves out of sight of the Seasiders when Jack Rodwell passed up a glorious opportunity. Phil Neville’s low cross found Rodwell eight yards out and his shot crept agonisingly wide of the upright.

That miss was a pivotal moment of the match as Blackpool went on to strike twice within two minutes, giving them a lead that nobody would have predicted.

Johnny Heitinga and Elliot Grandin challenged for the ball in midfield and Grandin stole away, playing in former Everton striker James Beattie who -despite having been completely anonymous until that point – did well to slide the ball across to fellow debutant Jason Puncheon who side footed home inside the six-yard box.

And it was the villain of the show Charlie Adam who completed an astonishing turnaround after he rounded off a superb counter-attack.

Jason Puncheon drove through the midfield and played the ball to DJ Campbell who was unlucky to see his left-footed effort crash back off the bar. Fortunately for him, Adam was there to stoop low and head Blackpool into the lead, sparking scenes of wild celebration in the Blackpool end and disbelief in the Evertonians.

Jack Rodwell again went agonisingly close to scoring in the 66th minute after a moment of absolute madness from Paul Rachubka. Racing out of his goal, the goalkeeper attempted to take the ball past a crowd of players before being dispossessed. With the ball at his feet 25 yards out, Rodwell took aim and clipped a delightful goalbound effort towards the empty net, yet he was denied the equaliser after Ian Evatt raced back and produced a quite stunning goalline clearance.

Everton were in need of a change and that came in the form of Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill, returning from international duty with Australia.

It was this change that triggered a remarkable revival in a shellshocked Everton side and the crowd were to be treated to a grandstand finish.

Charlie Adam went off the pitch for treatment and Everton made the extra man count from a corner in the 76th minute. As the ball came in, Jermaine Beckford got a touch which diverted the ball towards Louis Saha who headed home the equaliser from three yards out – completing his hat-trick in the process.

Just two minutes in, Everton regained their lead through that man Saha after he tucked the ball away six yards out following an inviting cross from Leighton Baines.

The Toffees were threatening again just a few moments later as Saha’s deft touch played in Bilyaletdinov who – when well placed just inside the area -should have done better as he fired a scorching effort straight at Rachubka.

In the 59th minute, Everton should have put themselves out of sight of the Seasiders when Jack Rodwell passed up a glorious opportunity. Phil Neville’s low cross found Rodwell eight yards out and his shot crept agonisingly wide of the upright.

That miss was a pivotal moment of the match as Blackpool went on to strike twice within two minutes, giving them a lead that nobody would have predicted.

Johnny Heitinga and Elliot Grandin challenged for the ball in midfield and Grandin stole away, playing in former Everton striker James Beattie who -despite having been completely anonymous until that point – did well to slide the ball across to fellow debutant Jason Puncheon who side footed home inside the six-yard box.

And it was the villain of the show Charlie Adam who completed an astonishing turnaround after he rounded off a superb counter-attack.

Jason Puncheon drove through the midfield and played the ball to DJ Campbell who was unlucky to see his left-footed effort crash back off the bar. Fortunately for him, Adam was there to stoop low and head Blackpool into the lead, sparking scenes of wild celebration in the Blackpool end and disbelief in the Evertonians.

Jack Rodwell again went agonisingly close to scoring in the 66th minute after a moment of absolute madness from Paul Rachubka. Racing out of his goal, the goalkeeper attempted to take the ball past a crowd of players before being dispossessed. With the ball at his feet 25 yards out, Rodwell took aim and clipped a delightful goalbound effort towards the empty net, yet he was denied the equaliser after Ian Evatt raced back and produced a quite stunning goalline clearance.

Everton were in need of a change and that came in the form of Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill, returning from international duty with Australia.

It was this change that triggered a remarkable revival in a shellshocked Everton side and the crowd were to be treated to a grandstand finish.

Charlie Adam went off the pitch for treatment and Everton made the extra man count from a corner in the 76th minute. As the ball came in, Jermaine Beckford got a touch which diverted the ball towards Louis Saha who headed home the equaliser from three yards out – completing his hat-trick in the process.

Louis Saha gets Everton back on track.

And Everton went on to regain the lead just minutes later through Jermaine Beckford after he fired an instinctive volley past Rachubka following Baines’ ball over the defence.

Goodison Park was rocking and Everton could sense that victory was near. Such a victory was assured when Louis Saha wrapped up the points with a well taken goal on the counter-attack. After being played through on goal by Marouane Fellaini, Saha drove into the area and confidently tucked the ball past Rachubka to put any Evertonian nerves to rest.

Everton thoroughly deserved their victory and Blackpool were not at their best, alluded to by Ian Holloway in his post-match interview. The Everton fans will hope to use this match as a catalyst to surge up the table with seventh placed Sunderland just seven points ahead having played an extra game.

They will take great pleasure from seeing Louis Saha playing with such confidence and swagger, the Frenchman showing that, when on form, there aren’t many better strikers in the league. Added to this the performances of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Marouane Fellaini, there are many reasons to be hopeful for Everton fans as they enter a period of very winnable fixtures against opposition around them.