Four-star Saha sinks Blackpool

05 February 2011 19:30
Louis Saha scored four and Jermaine Beckford was also on target as Everton came from behind to beat Blackpool 5-3. Blackpool had come from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 with just over an hour gone but Saha's third levelled the scores and he completed the scoring with his eighth goal in his last six games after a superb Beckford volley. Saha opened the scoring after 20 minutes as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov weaved his way into the area and picked out the former Manchester United striker, who confidently swept home from seven yards. Blackpool equalised on 37 minutes when Charlie Adam's corner picked out Ian Evatt at the near post. His shot may have crossed the line after striking the woodwork before Alex Baptiste followed up to make certain. Everton regained the lead within two minutes of the restart as Saha finished off a slick move with a first-time shot. But Blackpool turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of three minutes. In the 61st minute, former Everton striker James Beattie crossed for the inrushing Jason Puncheon to sidefoot home and moments later Adam headed his side in front. Everton equalised 14 minutes from time when Saha completed his hat-trick from a corner as he headed home from close range after a Sylvain Distin flick-on. The crowd called out for another and substitute Beckford obliged in the 80th minute when he raced onto another superb Baines cross and hit a fine left-foot volley past Paul Rachubka. And Saha then sealed the win as he beat Adam on a race to goal and slid in his fourth.

Source: PA