Everton midfielder Li Tie and Manchester City defender Sun Jihai delighted an
estimated TV audience of 300 million people in their native China today.
Both players played a part at Goodison Park, each having a hand in one of
their side's goals in a 2-2 draw.
Li Tie's contribution was the more dramatic as he laid the ball on for Tomasz
Radzinski to get the equaliser in stoppage time.
City had gone ahead through Marc-Vivien Foe in the 82nd minute after Nicolas
Anelka had cancelled out Steve Watson's opener for the home side.
Striker Kevin Campbell passed a late fitness test on his injured ankle for
Everton and partnered 17-year-old Wayne Rooney up front.
Manager David Moyes made one change to the side that drew 0-0 against Bolton
on Saturday with Watson replacing Lee Carsley in midfield.
Shaun-Wright Phillips returned to the City starting line-up with Eyal Berkovic
sidelined because of a groin injury.
Everton took the lead after six minutes following a clever through ball from
Rooney. He split the offside trap and released Watson, who drilled a shot beyond
the stranded Peter Schmeichel.
It was Watson's first goal in the league this season and just the start
Everton wanted after successive draws against Bolton and Birmingham.
Referee Andy D'Urso became the game's first casualty after 15 minutes. He came
off following treatment on a leg injury and was replaced by the fourth official
Alan Wiley.
City tried to get back in the game and Anelka got away from David Weir, only
to lose his footing.
Then Wright-Phillips latched on to a pass from Anelka and from 25 yards was
just inches over the top with his effort.
Wright-Phillips was released by Niclas Jensen as City broke quickly but his
pass to Anelka was over-hit.
City drew level after 33 minutes when goalkeeper Richard Wright spilled a
delightful chip by Ali Benarbia from the byline.
Anelka was on hand to knock the ball in for his 10th goal of the season.
City were beginning to pose a threat with Anelka and Wright-Phillips showing a
lot of good movement.
After such a bright start Everton were finding it difficult to string more
than two passes together.
Rooney, however, skipped away from Richard Dunne, only for Schmeichel to race
off his line and avert the danger.
Then Rooney headed wide of the target following a corner from the right by
Watson.
Everton defender Joseph Yobo, who had taken a knock in the first half, was
replaced at the break by Lee Carsley.
Campbell, who had also been struggling with an ankle injury, also came off
with Radzinski drafted into the action.
Rooney tried to release Carsley but the move broke down when Jensen read the
situation and intercepted.
Benarbia should have put City ahead in the 52nd minute following a clever
flick from Wright-Phillips.
But the Algerian playmaker somehow managed to drag his effort across the face
of the goal and wide of the target.
Rooney then laid the ball into the path of Thomas Gravesen 30 yards out and
his ambitious shot sailed over the bar.
Rooney, sent off on Boxing Day against Birmingham, was booked by referee Wiley
in the 58th minute after a clumsy challenge on Foe.
Then Radzinski got away from Schmeichel to have the Everton fans cheering,
only to over-run the ball.
The Canadian striker was looking lively up front and Rooney was always a
threat.
It was City, however, who were looking the most creative of the two teams with
Benarbia pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
Foe's effort found the roof of the net for the visitors after Wright lost
possession following a good run by Wright-Phillips.
Anelka flicked a header wide following a good run and cross from Foe in the
76th minute.
Wright-Phillips then played the ball across the face of the area but Foe
seemed surprised at the chance and cleared the bar with his effort.
But Foe got his reward in the 82nd minute by putting City in front, heading
home a cross from Jihai.
Foe, on a season-long loan deal from Lyon, has now scored six goals in his
last six games.
Watson almost pulled Everton level but headed over from a good position
following a corner from Mark Pembridge.
Radzinski secured a point for the home side in stoppage time when he headed in
a good delivery from Li Tie following a long ball from Watson.
Teams
Everton: Wright, Yobo (Carsley 45), Weir, Stubbs, Naysmith,
Watson, Tie Li, Gravesen (Gemmill 56), Pembridge,
Campbell (Radzinski 45), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, McLeod.
Booked: Rooney.
Goals: Watson 6, Radzinski 90.
Man City: Schmeichel, Dunne, Howey, Distin, Jihai,
Wright-Phillips, Benarbia, Jensen, Horlock, Foe,
Anelka (Huckerby 81).
Subs Not Used: Wiekens, Goater, Nash, Mettomo.
Booked: Jensen, Horlock.
Goals: Anelka 33, Foe 82.
Att: 40,163
Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).