Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 2 Everton 3: Comeback kid Mikel Arteta keeps Toffee's Europe hopes alive
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta patched himself up to give his side's lingering European ambitions a shot in the arm but should have been sent off for a poke in the eye. [LNB]Arteta offered a midfield masterclass, which was only blotted by his vile response to Morten Gamst Pedersen's late challenge, as Everton went in front three times against bolshy Blackburn.[LNB]The first advantage lasted more than an hour after the Spaniard scored his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot. [LNB] Cool finish: Arteta slots his penalty away for Everton[LNB] But it was only a quarter of the way through that stretch when he first jabbed at Pedersen's cheek and then his right eye: actions which will earn no further punishment because referee Andre Marriner dealt with the incident by booking both players. [LNB]In apologising for his behaviour, Arteta revealed history with the Blackburn player. ' I probably shouldn't have reacted like I did but there have been a few times not just here when he's made bad tackles. I don't mind it when they're fair or tough, I accept it with no problem. But with him it's different and he knows that I told him afterwards. [LNB]Eye for an eye: Everton's Mikel Arteta was lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to poke Morten Gamst Pedersen in the face[LNB]'But I made a mistake, I shouldn't have reacted and I apologise for it. I got more upset because I was out for so long and don't want a stupid challenge like that injuring me again.' [LNB]Arteta was not expected to feature until the final week of the Premier League season after his latest groin tear, incurred on March 24 and still not fully healed.[LNB]'They told me it would be four to six weeks, but I worked hard and in the end came back after three,' he said. 'It was a risk but we had to take it because if we hadn't won, that was it for us in Europe.' [LNB]Blackburn has proved as inhospitable as anywhere outside the top three and this was only their third home defeat this season, inflicted when substitute Yakubu nodded in with his first touch after 10 seconds and then teed up Tim Cahill's tap - in with seconds remaining. [LNB]The Lancashire club twice levelled in a grand finale with goal-of-themonth contenders. First, Steven Nzonzi fizzed in a 30-yard firecracker and then substitute Jason Roberts rifled one in on the run. Rovers manager Sam Allardyce reckons Nzonzi's spectacular strike was rich reward for his displays since a swi tch f rom Amiens last summer. 'There is not a better find for the consistency he has shown over the season,' he said.[LNB] EVERTON
