Arteta’s spot on to deny Fulham
MIKEL ARTETA fired home a stoppage time penalty to keep Everton’s slim hopes of a European place alive.
The Spaniard slotted home from the spot in the fifth minute of added time after Chris Baird upended Tim Cahill in the box.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson rested no fewer than nine players ahead of Thursday’s crunch Europa League semi-final second leg with Hamburg, with only keeper Mark Schwarzer and Baird starring in Thursday’s 0-0 first leg draw in Germany.
But the Cottagers took a shock lead on 36 minutes when Erik Nevland slotted home after Leighton Baines’ poor back pass. Everton, however, levelled just after the break when Victor Anichebe’s header deflected in off Chris Smalling’s shoulder.
Both sides might have struck a winner until Arteta stepped up to dramatically steal the points.