English Premiership
Newcastle snatch late draw
2012-09-17 23:29
Liverpool - Newcastle United striker Demba Ba struck in the last minute to
salvage a 2-2 draw with Everton in a pulsating English Premier League match at
Goodison Park on Monday.
Everton looked to have sealed all three points when Victor Anichebe
turned neatly to crack a low shot past Tim Howard with two minutes left
but Ba's clever finish earned a point for Newcastle.
Everton dominated the first half and led thanks to a fine goal by
England left back Leighton Baines before Newcastle equalised just after
the interval through half-time substitute Ba.
Everton climbed to seventh in the standings on seven points from four games with Newcastle two points back in 11th.
Everton went ahead in the 15th minute when Baines combined brilliantly
with Steven Pienaar before drilling a firm left-foot cross shot past
goalkeeper Steve Harper.
Baines cleared a rare Newcastle effort on goal off his own line and the home side ended the first half in complete control.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew responded by sending on Ba and the move
paid immediate dividends when the striker ran on to a beautifully
weighted pass from Yohan Cabaye and struck a firm angled left-shoot shot
past Tim Howard.
Pienaar was again the creative spark as Everton almost took the lead
again but Marouane Fellaini was adjudged narrowly offside after clipping
in the South African midfielder's clever pass.
Everton were also denied a second goal after 78 minutes when Anichebe's
close-range header was tipped on to the underside of the crossbar by
Harper and appeared to bounce down over the line before being cleared.
Anichebe then controlled Pienaar's pass and lashed a fierce shot into
the corner of the net before Ba prodded Shola Ameobi's flick-on past
Howard to earn the visitors a draw.
Chelsea lead the Premier League standings after four matches with 10
points following their 0-0 draw at Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday.
Manchester United climbed to second with a 4-0 rout of Wigan Athletic and Arsenal are third after thrashing Southampton 6-1.
Champions Manchester City are fourth following a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.