Saha´s double gets Everton back on track

September 20, 2009

Everton forward Louis Saha made up for his Europa League red card as the French star’s double-strike inspired a 3-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday in their Premier League match.

Saha was harshly sent off in the final moments of his side’s 4-0 Europa League win over AEK Athens on Thursday after an off the ball clash with defender Juanfran.

But the former Manchester United player took out his frustrations on Blackburn to continue his prolific start to the campaign and lift Everton out of the relegation zone.

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo was also on the scoresheet at Goodison Park as Everton won for just the second time in the Premier League this season.

Everton boss David Moyes made three changes from the side that beat AEK Athens, with Dutch defender John Heitinga making his home debut.

Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was out with a groin strain while Jo and Dan Gosling dropped to the bench to allow Saha and Leon Osman into the starting line-up.

This has been Everton’s worse start to a league season since 2004 and they set about correcting that unwanted statistic.

Leon Osman saw a shot on the turn deflected just wide, before Steven Pienaar’s cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Saha.

It didn’t take Saha long to make amends as he struck in the 22nd minute.

Leighton Baines fired in a free-kick from the left and Saha arrived at the near post to turn the ball past Paul Robinson for his fifth goal of the season.

The hosts almost scored again a minute before the break when Osman’s glancing header from Saha’s cross went wide.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard saved smartly from El-Hadji Diouf’s right-footed effort in the 51st minute but three minutes later Everton had their second goal.

Marouane Fellaini was the creator, crossing from the right and teeing up Louis Saha to head home his second goal.

Saha turned the provider in the 58th minute when he headed Baines’s cross at goal. Robinson was able to parry it away but the ball only made it as far as Yobo, who tapped home to put the result beyond doubt.

Moyes allowed Saha to take a standing ovation from the crowd as he was replaced by Jo with 18 minutes to play.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

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