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Merson hits stunner Villa tops Everton with late, long-range winner
LONDON (Reuters) -- Paul Merson scored with a stunning 90th-minute lob to give Aston Villa a 1-0 Premier League victory at Everton on Sunday. Villa had barely mustered a shot in the previous 89 minutes of a poor game until the ball fell to Merson 30 meters out. The former England striker looked up and sent a dipping shot over Everton keeper Paul Gerrard and just under the bar. It was hard luck on the home side, which had made most of the running after a first half of little action. Everton, with only one home win all season, increased the pressure after the break and Villa keeper David James produced a brilliant reaction save to turn a Gary Naysmith header past the post after 58 minutes. Naysmith should have done better 10 minutes later after a good run by Danny Cadamateri opened up the Villa defence but the Scot shot wide. James, playing with a blood-splattered nose after a collision with Everton striker Kevin Campbell, was on hand again 10 minutes from time to block Thomas Graveson's shot. Villa, with David Ginola left on the bench, had offered nothing up front until Merson's goal from nowhere. The win takes Villa up from 11th to fifth place on 19 points and it has a game in hand on all the teams higher in the standings. Everton remains in 15th on 12 points and seems set for yet another long fight against relegation.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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