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Cahill to the rescue

Blackburn Rovers 1 Everton 1: Tim Cahill stepped off the bench and rescued a point for Everton with a dramatic, late equaliser…

Thu Aug 24 2006 - 01:00

Blackburn Rovers 1 Everton 1: Tim Cahill stepped off the bench and rescued a point for Everton with a dramatic, late equaliser at Ewood Park last night.

The Australian reacted quickly with seven minutes remaining to score from close range after a wayward clearance by Blackburn's Zurab Khizanishvili.

Blackburn were stunned, as they had looked in control until then and had taken the lead in the 50th minute through Benni McCarthy on his home debut.

The home side almost took the lead in the second minute following a quick break. Jason Roberts advanced on goal but Tim Howard reacted quickly to clear the ball to safety. Blackburn were beginning to dictate the pace of the game and twice in quick succession McCarthy and Roberts squandered good chances.

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Everton's Andy Johnson was again looking lively. He picked out James Beattie with a chip but his strike partner could not get enough power on his effort.

Everton boss David Moyes was forced to make a change in the 49th minute when Alan Stubbs limped off and was replaced by Joleon Lescott. The former Wolves star was still getting his bearings when Blackburn made the breakthrough a minute later.

It was a sweet finish by the £2.5 million South African McCarthy after a shot from the impressive Bentley came back off Yobo.

Moyes made a double substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on Cahill and James McFadden for Kevin Kilbane and Beattie.

Everton secured the point when substitute Cahill scored from close range after a wayward clearance from Khizanishvili came back off the post.

The result was another sign that Moyes has put together a side with a hard edge to it.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Reid, Todd, Khizanishvili, Gray, Emerton, Savage, Bentley (Gallagher 74), Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts (Jeffers 80). Subs Not Used: Brown, Kuqi, Mokoena. Booked: Pedersen, Todd, Bentley, Khizanishvili. Goals: McCarthy 50.

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs (Lescott 48), Naysmith, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, Kilbane (Cahill 63), Beattie (McFadden 64), Johnson. Subs Not Used: Wright, Davies. Booked: Osman, Arteta, Beattie. Goals: Cahill 84.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).