Saha fires Everton into fifth place

Louis Saha fired Everton into fifth place in the Premier League with a double-strike in Saturday’s 3-1 win over 10-man West Ham at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ FA Cup finalists climbed above Aston Villa as they prepare for their Wembley showdown against Chelsea on May 30.

The Toffees had fallen behind to Radoslav Kovac’s first half goal but Saha levelled from the penalty spot after James Tomkins was sent off for bringing down Tim Cahill.

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo put Everton ahead after half-time and Saha’s late strike sealed the points to end West Ham’s own European hopes.

Everton are already assured of a European place and have the Cup Final to look forward to, but there was no let-up from the hosts in the first half.

Saha dragged a shot wide of the post from the edge of the area after being set up by South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar.

Pienaar went closer himself when he unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards that went narrowly over the bar.

Leon Osman should have given Everton the lead but shot wide of the post after Marouane Fellaini had flicked on a cross from Lars Jacobsen. Osman tested West Ham keeper Robert Green soon after.

But the Hammers snatched the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute.

Czech Republic midfielder Kovac, on loan from Spartak Moscow, took aim from fully 30 yards and lashed a superb strike past Tim Howard.

That setback didn’t knock Everton out of their stride and Moyes’ men equalised in the 38th minute.

Tomkins tripped Australia midfielder Cahill as he burst into the penalty area and was sent off.

West Ham protested against referee Phil Dowd’s decision but Saha sent Green the wrong way with his spot kick for his sixth goal of the season.

Everton weren’t to be denied and took the lead in the 48th minute. Pienaar curled in a corner and Yobo was left unmarked at the back post to smash home via deflection off Matthew Upson.

It was Yobo’s first goal of the season and Everton almost increased their lead two minutes later when Saha got on the end of Osman’s cross but his header came back off the post.

Everton extended their lead through Saha’s second goal of the game. The former Manchester United forward was perfectly-placed to meet Pienaar’s cross with a clinical finish in the 76th minute.