Linesman denies Everton win at Blackburn

Blackburn 0 Everton 0

David Moyes and 6,000 visiting supporters were left bitterly frustrated as Andy Johnson’s late strike was controversially disallowed to deal a blow to Everton’s Champions League aspirations.

The Merseysiders began the day in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League but could not fashion a deserved victory after Johnson’s 83rd-minute effort was ruled out for offside.

Everton largely dominated proceedings, created several clear-cut chances and hit the post through midfielder Manuel Fernandes.

And when substitute James Vaughan’s clever pass put Johnson clear late on, the former Crystal Palace striker finished clinically – only for his celebrations to be cut short by a raised flag from a referee’s assistant.

Moyes was left fuming pitchside but was ultimately left to pay for his cautious approach as Johnson – who was omitted from new coach Fabio Capello’s first England squad this week – toiled manfully but in vain for long periods as a lone frontman.

That Everton and their huge army of travelling supporters departed Ewood Park with disappointment etched across their faces said much for the club’s steady progress under Moyes.

The Toffees disrupted the established order in 2004-05 when they pipped neighbours Liverpool to fourth spot.

And their hopes of emulating that success this term have been boosted by the Reds’ turmoil off the pitch and shortcomings on it.

Everton’s quality was illustrated during the opening quarter as Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill and Leon Osman knitted several sequences of intricate passing together.

In the 14th minute, Johnson’s neat pass found Arteta in space and the Spaniard quickly shunted possession to Phil Neville out wide on the right flank.

The skipper whipped in a fine cross at pace but Blackburn averted the danger before Johnson fired in another teasing ball two minutes later which forced the recalled Zurab Khizanishvili into a vital clearance.

Rovers midfielder David Dunn earned a yellow card for a cynical foul on Arteta midway through the opening period, which said everything about the perceived threat of Everton’s playmaker.

Shortly before the half hour mark, the former Atletico Madrid man produced a moment of magic which almost delivered the breakthrough.

Blackburn’s defence stood mesmerised as Arteta was given the time and space to weave his way on to the edge of the 18-yard box and crack a fierce, low left-footed drive goalwards.

Brad Friedel could only parry the shot back into the danger zone and a desperate Blackburn boot hacked the ball clear.

From the resultant corner on the left by Fernandes, the ball fell to Osman 18 yards from goal and he hit a low right foot shot which missed Friedel’s far post by inches.

David Bentley, who struggled to reproduce his best form, finally served notice of his threat three minutes before the break with an ambitious 25-yard strike which dipped over Tim Howard’s crossbar.

But Everton fashioned their clearest chance yet on the stroke of half-time when Dunn was forced to head the ball off the line from Johnson’s diving header after a corner was flicked into his path.

While the first half was a cagey and instantly forgettable affair, the second period was a welcome contrast.

Just 18 seconds of the restart had passed when Bentley collected possession, strode forward and rifled in a low shot which forced Howard into his first save of note.

Two minutes later, Arteta’s clever pass found Fernandes unmarked but his low shot was expertly repelled by Friedel.

A series of niggling challenges from both sets of players saw Brett Emerton booked for a late challenge on Arteta, who proved key to a spell of sustained Everton pressure.

Neville’s right-wing cross was headed wastefully wide by Osman and then Fernandes saw his 25-yard free-kick beat Friedel but bounce agonisingly back off an upright.

Everton continued to look dangerous and should have claimed victory with five minutes remaining when substitute Vaughan broke clear, beat Friedel to the ball and unselfishly fed the supporting Johnson.

He provided a calm finish into Friedel’s empty net but a raised flag from a referee’s assistant quickly put paid to his celebrations.