Monday, March 9, 2009

Brad Blunder Costs Boro Cup

as seen on au.fourfourtwo.com

Aussie Brad Jones's second-half goalkeeping error cost his side as Everton came from behind to defeat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The 26-year-old shot-stopper was caught in no-man's-land when Marouane Fellaini looped a header over the Australian and into the unguarded net after Boro had led at half-time.

Earlier Jones had played his part for Middlesbrough after denying a good Fellaini effort at his near post with a smart save in the 41st minute. Then only a few minutes later, Boro's David Wheater headed the visitors into the lead at the other end.

But Jones's afternoon turned sour in the second-half, after fellow Australian Tim Cahill, who had dropped into midfield after the break following the introduction of Louis Saha, whipped in a dangerous right-wing cross for Fellaini.

Jones came to collect the cross but found himself caught out of position as Fellaini rose to head the equaliser home for the Toffees.

Moments later, it was clear Jones's confidence had taken a hit after his poor punch from a Leighton Baines free-kick allowed Louis Saha a chance, but the Frenchman couldn't convert the opportunity.

It was the Boro goalkeeper though who couldn't do much on 56 minutes when Steven Pienaar's cross found an unmarked Saha who headed past Jones from close-range as Everton completed an incredible turnaround.

The Toffees almost sealed the result in the 65th minute when Baines' free-kick hit the crossbar with Jones rooted to the spot.

Late in the contest, Jones's disappointing afternoon almost got worse when he slipped as he went to collect a loose ball and allowed Everton a goalscoring chance but somehow Boro scrambled the danger away.

And despite the Australian goalkeeper heading up to the Everton goal for an injury-time Boro corner, it was all too late and the damage was already done as Cahill's Toffees reach their first FA Cup semi-final under David Moyes.

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