Blackburn Rovers 0 - 0 Everton

Feb 2 2008 By DOMINIC KING at EWOOD PARK

EVERTON’S attempts to strengthen their grip on fourth place were frustrated this afternoon as they were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers.

Andrew Johnson thought he had scored a late winner but his effort was ruled out by a linesman’s flag, as he was deemed to be offside when substitute James Vaughan had burst clear to dispossess Brad Friedel.

The fact that the Blues dominated throughout will be no consolation to David Moyes and he will be disappointed that their superiority was not hammered home as a succession of chances went begging.

Though both sides were cagey in the opening exchanges, the more the game opened up the better Everton looked and they took the initiative thanks to the constant prodding and probing of Arteta.

He had the first meaningful attempt at goal, linking smartly with Tim Cahill and Leon Osman - back in the starting line-up after missing the 0-0 draw with Tottenham last Wednesday - before jinking past a challenge and forcing a fine save from Brad Friedel.

From the little Spaniard’s resulting corner, Osman picked up a loose ball and cracked a drive inches wide of Friedel’s goal as Everton continued to grow in confidence and belief that their efforts would be rewarded.

Unfortunately, though, they had to settle for parity at half-time as their best chance - a header from Phil Jagielka from another Arteta set piece - was cleared off the line by David Dunn in stoppage time.

The picture should have changed within a minute of the re-start but, much to the chagrin of Everton’s travelling supporters and manager David Moyes, Manuel Fernandes wasted a glorious opportunity when he shot straight at Friedel with the goal at his mercy.

Fernandes almost atoned in spectacular fashion shortly after when his 30-yard free-kick bounced off a post but none of his team-mates were in a position to follow up the rebound.

As time ticked by, Everton tried everything to break the deadlock and that moment looked to have come in the 86th minute but Johnson’s celebrations were cut short by an eagle-eyed linesman, leaving them having to settle for a point.