Mickael Madar presented Everton with a relegation lifeline and their first win
in six matches.
The source of Everton's crucial winner was almost as surprising as the fact
that they managed to hold out against a Blackburn side who may have seen their
last hope of reaching the Champions' League with a runners-up spot disappear.
Everton fans were screaming at boss Howard Kendall to take off the arm-waving,
complaining Madar who had been imported from Deportivo La Coruna.
He appeared not to like the pace and power of the typical Premiership clash,
and was even less impressed with the attentions of Colin Hendry and Stephane
Henchoz.
With Barnsley and Bolton both winning, plus Tottenham getting a point, Madar's
contribution was critical.
He rose above Tim Flowers to flick a header home after 61 minutes.
Madar had been lucky to still be on the park following his histrionics, and he
stayed on long enough to give Everton the platform to withstand Blackburn's
desperate attempts at an equaliser.
When he was eventually taken off to allow Cadamarteri on with just minutes
left, he received a standing ovation.
Blackburn had Flowers back in goal for Alan Fettis after the four-goal
drubbing at Leeds, and Billy McKinlay and Stuart Ripley also returned.
Everton's new loan star John Spencer almost scored with the first touch of his
debut, taking a John O'Kane pass that bounced to him on the edge of the box and
sprinting away only to shoot weakly to Flowers' right when he really should have
scored.
That apart, the entertainment in the first half was non-existent. Everton were
punchless upfront and Rovers - although winning plenty of midfield possession -
failed to turn their superiority into chances.
Ripley fired wide under pressure from Michael Ball, and Tim Sherwood skied a
good chance over after Chris Sutton had nodded a Jason Wilcox cross into his
path.
Madar almost exposed Flowers with an aerial challenge that forced the keeper
to drop the ball, but the Frenchman was unable to force it home.
Thomas Myhre had to dive at Martin Dahlin's feet, while at the other end
Madar's looping header was tipped over the bar by Flowers.
With Rovers' abrasive midfield of Sherwood, Garry Flitcroft and McKinlay in
command, there was little to suggest that Everton's own midfield could stem the
tide.
Only the strength and determination of veteran Dave Watson and his defensive
partners Carl Tiler and Slaven Bilic kept Chris Sutton at bay.
The spirit was with Everton, but the guile was not. Madar was mainly an arm
waving, moaner, clearly unhappy with the treatment one receives on a regular
basis in the Premiership.
The nearest Everton got was a close-range header from Barmby after Oster had
pulled the ball back from the byline.
Colin Hendry got booked for a foul on Madar, and then McKinlay and Barmby were
both cautioned for a nasty kicking and pushing exchange.
Madar looked to have lost all measure of composure, and Kendall had Danny
Cadamarteri warming up on the line.
But then the French striker struck with a goal that could have a major impact
on Everton's future.
O'Kane lifted the ball in from the right, and Madar rose to flick a header
over the advancing Flowers and into an empty net.
Madar whipped off his shirt and went on a manic, shirt waving lap of honour.
Chris Sutton, Watson and Tiler were all cautioned in the final exchanges, and
Madar could have had a second as he flicked an Oster pass wide of the far post.
Blackburn hurled everything at Everton's defence in the closing minutes, but
the Merseysiders held on for three precious points.
Teams:
Everton: Myhre, Watson, Bilic, Tiler, O'Kane, Hutchison,
Barmby (McCann 76), Oster, Ball, Madar (Cadamarteri 82), Spencer.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Allen, Dunne.
Booked: Barmby, O'Kane, Tiler.
Goals: Madar 62.
Blackburn: Flowers, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry, Ripley (Duff 73),
Sutton, Dahlin, Wilcox, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Henchoz.
Subs Not Used: Croft, Broomes, Fettis, Beattie.
Booked: Flitcroft, Hendry, McKinlay, Sutton.
Att: 33,423
Ref: G S Willard (Worthing).
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