CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Leeds v Everton 08/03/97 3.00

Leeds                   (1) 1 Everton                 (0) 0 FT
Molenaar 28

Flying Dutchman Robert Molenaar maintained Leeds' Elland Road hoodoo over Everton and sent Joe Royle's FA Carling Premiership struggling side spiralling further towards the relegation zone.

The 28-year-old defender, nicknamed the Terminator, rose high to head his first goal since moving to Leeds in a £1million deal from Volendam in January and it was enough to make sure that Everton's 46-year search for a victory in this part of West Yorkshire continues.

Molenaar's first half strike also had George Graham dreaming of a late season charge for a European place following a third successive win, while the alarm bells will be ringing at Goodison as the Blues' miserable run stretched to just one win in 12 outings.

It was easy to see why these two footballing giants from opposite sides of the Pennines have failed to join the chase for honours this season.

The Yorkshiremen went into the game having scored just 23 goals in 28 matches and were guilty of squandering some excellent chances in the first period.

And although Everton have found hitting the net less of a hardship they faded after a bright start and looked every inch a side heading in the wrong direction despite a second half rally that deserved a point.

To rub salt in the Everton wounds, it was Nigel Martyn the man who opted for Elland Road ahead of Goodison when he made the £2.25million switch from Crystal Palace in the summer who repelled their advances beginning with a wonderful early save to tip away Duncan Ferguson's 20-yard curler.

Everton also had to reorganise when midfield hardman Joe Parkinson limped off after just seven minutes to be replaced by Graham Stuart after a coming off worst when he fouled Carlton Palmer.

But even then it took another excellent save from Martyn to keep out Terry Phelan's 12-yard shot as the Merseysiders continued to have the early edge.

But Leeds fought their way back into the contest through sheer industry and to push the visitors back.

And Lee Sharpe unlocked Everton to provide Tony Yeboah with an opportunity that should have realised the lead, the Ghanaian heading over from point-blank range after Lee Bowyer's initial miskick had been nodded goalwards by Halle.

Another Sharpe cross caused more panic, but Deane was inches away from connecting as he slid in but the decisive breakthrough was to come after 28 minutes.

The home side forced three corners in succession and, from the last, Lee Bowyer's flag-kick was met by an emphatic header by Molenaar that gave Neville Southall no chance.

What little confidence Everton had seemed to drain from the team and Deane almost prospered when he cut inside David Unsworth to crack in a shot that whistled into the sidenetting.

Deane threatened again when he flung himself full length to meet Yeboah's cross, but this time Southall plunged down to save by his left-hand post.

It then took a smart tackle from Craig Short to deny Halle after the Norwegian had broken clear of Everton's offside trap just before the break and Royle must have read the riot act when half-time came.

His words certainly had the desired effect and Claus Thomsen was just off target with a thumping half-volley that flashed wide with Martyn for once left standing.

Yeboah replied with a shot that was deflected just side, but Everton maintained their search for parity and should have found it when Unsworth found himself jumping alone for Nick Barmby's corner only to plant his header straight into Martyn's grateful arms.

Michael Branch came on for the disappointing Barmby on the hour and almost immediately Speed had a shot deflected behind as the Blues continued to keep Leeds pressed back.

Branch, freed by Speed's precision pass, looked certain to score with 10 minutes remaining until Martyn spread himself magnificently to block.

Royle immediately brought on Paul Rideout to form a three-man forward line, with Short making way, but it just was not to be.

Ferguson was left holding his head in disbelief when he thundered in a header from a last-minute corner only to see the ball strike team-mate Unsworth, and even then there was time for Martyn to have the last say with a stunning save to deny Speed.