Everton 1 Chelsea 1: Super sub Soloman Kalou rescues FA Cup holders

29 January 2011 17:31
Salomon Kalou came off the bench to maintain Chelsea's hold on the FA Cup this afternoon.[LNB] The holders and winners for the past two seasons appeared to be heading for a fourth-round exit at Everton after falling behind to a Louis Saha header.[LNB] Up for the Cup: Louis Saha (left) head's Everton ahead[LNB]But Kalou, who had entered the field just five minutes earlier, booked a replay at Stamford Bridge as he finished off a swift counter-attack 15 minutes from time.[LNB] It came just moments after Petr Cech had produced a brilliant save to prevent Seamus Coleman doubling the Toffees' lead.[LNB] Both sides went close to a late winner as Ramires struck a post for Chelsea and Jermaine Beckford also tested Cech.[LNB] The visiting fans had been in good voice, gleefully proclaiming Fernando Torres as "Chelsea's number nine" in reference to the Stamford Bridge club's attempts to sign the Liverpool striker.[LNB] But the game lacked urgency at the start with Chelsea's Didier Drogba having the first opportunity for either side when he shot weakly at Tim Howard after five minutes.[LNB] Delight: Saha (right) celebrates heading Everton in front against Chelsea[LNB]Everton's first spell of pressure ended with Leighton Baines delivering adeep cross but Coleman's header back across goal was cleared.[LNB] A sliced clearance by Ashley Cole allowed Everton captain Phil Neville to launch a long throw into the box and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov almost profited but the Russian failed to make firm contact.[LNB] Chelsea captain John Terry went close to opening the scoring when he headed narrowly over from a Florent Malouda corner after 17 minutes.[LNB] Everton came to life midway through the first half as Marouane Fellaini robbed Michael Essien and Saha sent Jack Rodwell through. The youngster got a clear sight of goal but Cech reacted quickly to block his shot.[LNB] The hosts had another opportunity moments later as Neville picked out Bilyaletdinov with a cross from the right but his header was comfortablytaken by Cech.[LNB] Chelsea responded with fit-again Frank Lampard slipping Nicolas Anelka through on goal but the Frenchman was flagged offside.[LNB] Anelka timed his run better when Ramires threaded a fine pass through the defence but this time Howard rushed out of goal to block his shot.[LNB] Cracker Jack: Everton's Jack Rodwell (left) shoots past Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (right)[LNB]Mikel Arteta tried his luck from distance in the closing minute of the half but drilled a low shot wide of Cech's post. Everton lifted the tempo after the restart and had an early opportunity after Coleman's persistence won possession on the right.[LNB] The Irishman fed Rodwell and his cross was almost turned in on the volley by Saha at the back post but Ramires blocked on the line.[LNB] Fellaini then brought a fine save from Cech as he met an Arteta cross with a firm header after Cole had needlessly pushed Coleman to concede afree-kick.[LNB] Fellaini turned provider to set up Arteta with a shooting chance on the edge of the area with a good nod down but the Spaniard flashed wide.[LNB] Everton were rewarded for a good spell of pressure when Saha got behind Terry and rose highest to head home a Baines corner in the 62nd minute.[LNB] Super sub: Chelsea's Salomon Kalou (second right) scores the equaliser[LNB]It maintained Saha's fine personal record against the Londoners, having scored against them three times last season and in the 2009 cup final defeat.[LNB] Cech brilliantly prevented Everton from adding a second by saving at point-blank range as Coleman met a teasing Baines cross with a diving header.[LNB] The true value of the save became clear moments later as the Londoners broke up the field to equalise. Kalou, who had seen little of the ball, finished off a swift counter-attack by charging into the area and finding space to hammer a low shot into the far corner.[LNB] The game then appeared to meander towards a replay but Everton were almost caught out five minutes from as Ramires struck a fierce shot against the post from 25 yards.[LNB] Everton substitute Beckford then pounced on a Branislav Ivanovic error to test Cech with a well-struck shot but again the Chelsea keeper saved superbly.[LNB] Let me leave! Torres tells Kenny he wants to join Chelsea as Liverpool net SuarezEverton's Wembley heartache at the hands of Chelsea still hurts MoyesFA Cup fourth round: All the action as it happenedAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Everton news, features and opinion [LNB]  Explore more:People: Louis Saha, Carlo Ancelotti

Source: Daily_Mail