Everton 1 Birmingham 1: Bilyaletdinov brings McLeish's winning streak to halt

20 December 2009 21:42
The statistics paint a bleak picture of Everton's apparently worsening plight, but there were at least signs an overdue revival may not be too far away at Goodison Park.[LNB]After being pegged back by a Sebastian Larsson equaliser and failing to capitalise on their second-half supremacy, Everton were left reflecting on their worst sequence of home results in 37 years, eight games without a win.[LNB]Facts and figures take no account of extenuating circumstances, of course. Everton may have slipped below Wolves in the Barclays Premier League table but were denied a perfectly legitimate second goal from an effort by Louis Saha and late penalty, when Stephen Carr handled.[LNB] Diniyar do well: Bilyaletdinov fires home Everton's opener[LNB][LNB]Everton manager David Moyes said: 'It was a goal by Louis, then hehad the ball punched away from his head by Carr. All you ask is for thebest officials in the country to be in charge of your games, and it isfrustrating when these things happen. I am concerned we are at thewrong end of the league, but we dominated the game and should have won.'[LNB]An early goal always helps a team in Everton's position,particularly an effort crafted and finished off in style. Saha had thepresence of mind to twist and chest Tony Hibbert's sixth-minute throwinto the path of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, who weaved his way past twochallenges before rifling a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.[LNB]The effect was such that Everton, rather than Birmingham, looked theteam on a five-game winning run as they carved out four clear openingsin the next 13 minutes, all the product of crisp, purposeful passing.[LNB]In the black: Seb Larsson celebrates his equaliser for Birmingham[LNB]Saha was unfortunate to be flagged offside as he latched on to anastute reverse ball from Marouane Fellaini and fired past Joe Hart inthe ninth minute, and Tim Cahill's rising drive cleared the Birminghambar by the narrowest of margins seconds later.[LNB]Fellaini was next to suffer with a 12th-minute effort that lookedbound for the top corner until striking Larsson, and Leon Osman wassimilarly out of luck with a shot that was also unwittingly blocked.[LNB]Just as a goal scored can have a profound effect on morale, though, so too can one conceded.[LNB]Pace and finishing have made Christian Benitez an instant success inthe Premier League, and awareness also appears to figure among hisattributes, judging by the way he held the ball up expertly beforeplaying in Larsson for a sidefoot finish in the 24th minute.[LNB]It may have been the first time Everton's goal had come under threatbut it was still enough to knock them out of their stride as Birminghamsensed an opportunity to extend their winning run.[LNB]For a while, anyway, until the resolve that always runs through anyMoyes side, injury crisis or not, began to resurface and tilt theinitiative Everton's way again.[LNB]Moyes has always argued that the return of key players would remedyhis side's early-season struggles and the evidence was plain to see asSteven Pienaar once more conjured openings out of nothing and Osmanprovided a reminder of how his blend of industry and enterprise hasbeen missed.[LNB]For all their second-half pressure, though, there were few hints ofa winner. Roger Johnson denied Cahill with a goal-line clearance on thehour and Yakubu's lack of match sharpness betrayed him in the 89thminute as he scampered after a Saha pass inside the area. [LNB]The Yakubu of old would have been on to it in a flash but,fractionally slower out of the starting blocks after his lay-off, hegave Hart just enough time to save at his feet.[LNB]Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said: 'I know Saha was not offsideso to play not that great and still make it nine games unbeaten is afantastic bonus.'[LNB] Everton boss David Moyes chases Arsenal defender Philippe SenderosGiles Barnes earns chance to win Birmingham City deal as Alex McLeish hands trial to former Derby midfielderGARY LINEKER: Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani... possibly the worst £20m ever spent on a playerEVERTON FC

Source: Daily_Mail