What his counterpart viewed as “a lapse in concentration” he saw as evidence of Gera’s aerial prowess. “It was a great goal, and a very important one for us,” he said. However, he declined to produce the second yellow card that would have curtailed the Australian’s part in proceedings.Moyes pointed out, not unreasonably, that Cahill was hardly likely to have thrown himself to the turf with only Russell Hoult to beat and with the likelihood of red card. A beautifully worked effort it was, too, totally out of keeping with the mediocrity of an opening hour which, to borrow from the Tommy Docherty book of quips, started badly and then fell away. Paul Robinson began the move by winning a header, which he directed to Jonathan Greening. The midfielder had two defenders in close proximity, yet still managed to deliver a cross which found Gera out-jumping Joseph Yobo to score.Five minutes later, Gera could have cost his team at least two points. The Hungarian tugged at Tim Cahill’s shirt as the Everton man raced on to Kevin Kilbane’s back-header.
The contact was clear-cut, if minimal; Cahill fell like a wounded gazelle. Graham Poll, whose refereeing had been uncharacteristically littered with errors, evidently deemed it a dive. Not only are they level with Southampton and ahead of Crystal Palace, but they have a point more than they gained under Gary Megson in the whole of 2002-03.In stark contrast, Everton have mustered a mere 11 from the same number of games, seven of which have been lost. Having had the opportunity to move 10 points clear of Liverpool a month ago, David Moyes’ side lead their neighbours by a single point in the tussle for fourth place.After making a habit of eking out 1-0 wins this season, Everton could have few complaints about being on the receiving end yesterday. Albion twice shook Nigel Martyn’s woodwork, a 10th-minute header by Thomas Gaardsoe twanging the crossbar and a drive by Martin Albrechtsen hitting the post 20 minutes from the end.By then, Albion had their precious goal. Their first back-to-back victories in the top flight since September 2002 have raised them to the dizzy heights of 18th place for the first time since Bryan Robson’s return in November.
Zoltan Gera’s headed goal midway through the second half silenced the Mersey sound and prompted a Black Country cacophony.
Albion, who remain unbeaten at home since their 5-0 rout by Liverpool on Boxing Day, have now taken 17 of the 36 points available since that night. Since I’ve been in charge he’s been excellent.”Alan Curbishley, Charlton’s manager, was not about to have the wool pulled over his eyes by gaining a point. Shaun Bartlett had levelled from close range in the first half before Chris Perry saved face, but the Addicks were woeful. “If I could have done I would have made eight subs at half-time,” he said. But, with the Uefa Cup still a possibility, at least the future looks better than the last time they hosted Manchester City.Goals: Hreidarsson (og 4) 0-1; Bartlett (10) 1-1; Fowler (38) 1-2; Perry (90) 2-2.Charlton Athletic (4-5-1): Kiely; Young, Perry, Fish (Fortune, h-t), Hreidarsson (Lisbie, 76); Johansson (Jeffers, h-t), Murphy, Holland, Konchesky, Thomas; Bartlett Substitutes not used: Andersen (gk), Hughes.Manchester City (4-4-2): James; Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Jordan; Reyna, Sibierski, Barton, Musampa; Fowler, Macken. Substitutes not used: Weaver (gk), Mills, B Wright-Phillips, Sommeil, Croft.Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).Booked: Charlton Young.Man of the match: Fowler.Attendance: 26,436.. Turning the Premiership table on its head, West Bromwich Albion enhanced their prospects of avoiding relegation and dented Everton’s hopes of reaching the Champions’ League at The Hawthorns yesterday.
Instead, although Fowler scored his side’s second goal after Hermann Hreidarsson’s own goal, he was more of a provider, but was looking sharp and hungry.This leaves City with two questions to answer. Firstly, whether they continue with Pearce, and by the way he was talking afterwards the former Nottingham Forest left-back sounds confident of getting the job. Secondly, whether they can build around Fowler given his poor recent fitness record.Pearce thinks Fowler has a lot left to give. “Robbie’s prepared to fight his corner and he’s worked very hard for this club. Inevitably, Jamie Carragher was at the core of resistance to such a course. The chances are it will be redoubled tomorrow night.Goal: Biscan (86) 1-0.Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Carson; Finnan, Carragher, Pellegrino, Traor?Nu?(Morientes, 79), Welsh (Smicer, 73), Biscan, Riise (Le Tallec, 59); Gerrard; Garcia. Substitutes not used: Dudek (gk), Hyypia.Bolton (4-1-4-1): Jaaskelainen; Hunt (Okocha, 50), Ben Haim, N’Gotty, Candela; Hierro (Campo, 83); Giannakopoulos (Pedersen, 65), Nolan, Speed, Gardner; Davies.