Cahill salvages Toffees draw but Moyes left fuming at ref

DAVID MOYES claimed Everton were denied a blatant penalty in their 1-1 draw against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The incident occurred in the 82nd minute when Blackburn defender Andy Todd appeared to obstruct Andy Johnson as he burst forward.

But instead of awarding a spot-kick, referee Uriah Rennie gave a corner.

Everton managed to salvage a point thanks to a goal from substitute Tim Cahill a minute later, but Moyes still felt a sense of injustice.

The Everton boss said: “I stated on Saturday we did not deserve to get a penalty against Watford (when Chris Powell was adjudged to have handled).

“I would expect people to say we did deserve to get a penalty tonight.

“It was a definite penalty on Andy and I could see it from the touchline.

“I cannot believe it has not been given.

“You would have expected the linesman to see it at least.”

Everton defender Joseph Yobo also appeared to have won a penalty when he was challenged by Steven Reid.

Rennie again refused to give it but Everton dug in and Cahill rescued a point after stepping off the bench.

He scored from close range after goalkeeper Brad Friedel had parried the ball against the post.

Moyes said: “Tim came on and showed what he is about. He gets goals and livens things up.

“Both he and James McFadden made a difference when they came on in the second half.

“We have 15-16 players who can play a bit and we move them around. It works for us.

“It was a good finish by the boys and it could have been better in the end.”

Blackburn had been in control for long periods and went ahead through Benni McCarthy on his home debut after 50 minutes.

But they failed to build on their advantage, leaving manager Mark Hughes frustrated.

Hughes said: “I felt we dominated the game tonight apart from the last ten to 15 minutes when Everton were trying to get an equaliser.

“They delivered a lot of long balls and got the goal they wanted.

“We are disappointed because we felt we were the better side for the most part.

“We have to take some positives out of it and I was pleased to see Benni find the target.”

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Reid, Todd, Khizanishvili, Gray, Emerton, Savage, Bentley (Gallagher 74), Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts (Jeffers 80).

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs (Lescott 48), Naysmith, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, Kilbane (Cahill 63), Beattie (McFadden 64), Johnson.

Referee: U Rennie.