London: Newcastle United striker Demba Ba struck in the last minute to salvage a 2-2 draw with Everton in a pulsating Premier League match at Goodison Park on Monday.
Everton looked to have sealed all three points when Victor Anichebe turned neatly to crack a low shot past Tim Howard with two minutes left but Ba’s clever finish earned a point for Newcastle.
Everton dominated the first half and led thanks to a fine goal by England left back Leighton Baines before Newcastle equalised just after the interval through halftime substitute Ba.
Everton climbed to seventh in the standings on seven points from four games with Newcastle two points back in 11th.
Everton went ahead in the 15th minute when Baines combined brilliantly with Steven Pienaar before drilling a firm left-foot cross shot past goalkeeper Steve Harper.
Newcastle United’s Demba Ba (L) celebrates his second goal against Everton with Yohan Cabaye. Reuters
Baines cleared a rare Newcastle effort on goal off his own line and the home side ended the first half in complete control.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew responded by sending on Ba and the move paid immediate dividends when the striker ran on to a beautifully weighted pass from Yohan Cabaye and struck a firm angled left-shoot shot past Tim Howard.
Pienaar was again the creative spark as Everton almost took the lead again but Marouane Fellaini was adjudged narrowly offside after clipping in the South African midfielder’s clever pass.
Everton were also denied a second goal after 78 minutes when
Anichebe’s close-range header was tipped on to the underside of the crossbar by Harper and appeared to bounce down over the line before being cleared.
Anichebe then controlled Pienaar’s pass and lashed a fierce shot into the corner of the net before Ba prodded Shola Ameobi’s flick-on past Howard to earn the visitors a draw.
Chelsea lead the Premier League standings after four matches with 10 points following their 0-0 draw at Queen’s Park Rangers on Saturday.
Manchester United climbed to second with a 4-0 rout of Wigan Athletic and Arsenal are third after thrashing Southampton 6-1.
Champions Manchester City are fourth following a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.
Reuters
