Two-goal Saha fires Everton to victory

Feb 11, 2010 - 12:59 AM By MICK ROBERTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Louis Saha scored twice and missed a penalty as Everton came from behind to topple Premier League leaders Chelsea 2-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

With champions Manchester United drawing at Aston Villa, Chelsea's lead at the top of the table was cut to a single point with 12 matches to go.

Chelsea looked to be on course for a valuable away win after Florent Malouda gave them a 17th minute lead but Saha was in irresistible form, leading the comeback from the front.

Everton manager David Moyes was quick to recognise the vital part played by the pacy and powerful French striker.

"Louis is playing with great confidence and long may it continue. He scored two terrific goals, missed a penalty and had another great effort saved, so he might have got four.

"It helps when you have a striker in that sort of form, believing that every time he gets the ball he can score."

England's deposed captain John Terry endured a torrid evening, booed by the home crowd at every touch and out-manoeuvred and overpowered by the rampant Saha.

Not that Chelsea looked in any trouble early on as Frank Lampard went close in the eighth minute and then Malouda opened the scoring.

Petr Cech's long kick down the field was headed on by Didier Drogba and Malouda fired in his eighth of the season and his fourth in the last seven games.

But rather than capitulate, Everton stormed back and Saha equalised in the 33rd minute, heading in a smart centre from American loan signing Landon Donovan.

Nicolas Anelka missed a chance to restore Chelsea's lead before Saha was brought down by Ricardo Carvalho.

Cech saved the spot kick but Everton were not finished.

Ashley Cole limped off, Anelka was replaced and Chelsea struggled right up to the 75th minute when Saha beat Terry to score with a left foot shot.

Drogba hit the bar as Chelsea dominated the last 15 minutes plus an agonising five more added on for stoppages.

But Everton held on and Moyes said: "I worried when we went a goal down and we did not start well.

"Perhaps we were still a bit down after losing to Liverpool in our last match but we raised the tempo and I thought we deserved to win."

Saha's goals confirmed him as one of the Premier League's most in-form strikers.

Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins confirmed that Terry was being allowed to miss the FA Cup match against Cardiff this weekend to fly to Dubai to patch up his marriage.

"John is having a few days' leave. Everton is always a difficult place to come. They worked hard and made it difficult for us.

"Everton just about deserved to nick it. We are down and disappointed but all good things come to an end. We have had a good run and now we must start another one."