Premiership bottom-club Bradford City were today relegated as the result of their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park who in turn ensured their own safety. It looked as if the Bantams might be granted a repreive when Andy Myers put them ahead with an early header but their two-year spell in the top flight was brought to an end by two second-half goals from the home side.
Everton had numerous chances in the first-half to kill off this tie but their finishing let them down time and again, while giving Bradford renewed hope with every missed opportunity. Two minutes after the break the Merseyside team were level. Kevin Campbell's flick-on found Duncan Ferguson and the big Scot turned on the ball and nudged it home from close range for his fourth goal in six appearances. Bradford were given a lifeline when Dave Watson brought down Benito Carbone inside the box but Robbie Blake's penalty kick was brilliantly saved by Paul Gerrard.
The gravity of this miss was compounded just seven minutes later when Everton took the lead. Niclas Alexandersson was the hero for the Goodison faithful when he fired in from the far post after Gemmill's cross was deflected by a Bradford defender. However, the drama continued when referee Paul Durkin awarded yet another penalty to the visitors after he deemed Waton had handled in the area. Benito Carbone took responsiblity this time but he could only fire over.
To check out all the rest of today's results from the Premiership click here.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
