Martyn frustrates former club with super saves

Leeds 1 Everton 1

Martyn was at his best on his return to the place where he enjoyed 11 good years and had it not been for him Leeds would have been ahead at half-time and out of sight in the second half.

England striker Wayne Rooney's 12th-minute shot from 20 yards surprised Paul Robinson for the opening goal, but at the other end Martyn produced two top-class saves from James Milner and Alan Smith before the interval.

But even the former England international could do nothing to keep out Milner's coolly-taken 49th-minute equaliser following Mark Viduka's cushioned lay-off.

The draw made it five matches unbeaten at home a run which has garnered 11 crucial points and kept alive hopes Leeds can beat the drop to Division One. It was also enough to keep second-from-bottom Leicester below them.

Tomasz Radzinski should have put Everton ahead in the seventh minute when Linderoth's slide-rule pass put him clean through, but his shot was turned around the post by Robinson.

Five minutes later Everton did take the lead with a goal from nowhere by Rooney. Leeds failed to clear a left-wing corner and when Steve Watson squared a pass from left to right the England man drilled home.

Martyn then rolled back the years with a superb one-handed save to deny Milner who had curled in a shot from wide on the left after spotting the goalkeeper out of position. Martyn was at it again in the 37th minute, turning over a long-range Smith shot which was destined for the top corner.

Such was his form in the first half the Leeds fans behind his goal chanted 'Nigel, give us a goal'. It appeared Martyn would be Leeds' nemesis as he denied Viduka by parrying his 49th-minute close-range shot with the ball narrowly evading Smith.

But when it was immediately returned into the centre the Australian striker provided the lay-off and Milner coolly stroked home left-footed just inside Martyn's right-hand post.

The goal lifted the majority of the 39,385 crowd and moments later a flowing move, instigated by Milner and including Viduka and Smith, saw the youngster narrowly miss.

But almost as soon as Leeds found their spark they lost it again as the finalball into the penalty area was found wanting.

As a result Everton, who wanted to slow down the game at every opportunity, looked more dangerous on the counter-attack. Leeds searched in vain for the winner their second-half domination deserved but in the end fell just short.

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Caldwell, Duberry, Harte, Pennant, Radebe, Matteo, Milner, Smith, Viduka.

EVERTON: Martyn, Pistone, Yobo, Unsworth, Naysmith, Watson (McFadden 55), Gravesen (Carsley 80), Linderoth (Nyarko 55), Kilbane, Rooney, Radzinski.