US Goal Keeper Tim Howard Scores From Own Penalty Area For Everton

LONDON (AP) -- Tim Howard became the fourth goalkeeper to score in the Premier League when the American put in a wind-blown clearance from about 100 yards during Everton's 2-1 loss to Bolton on Wednesday night.

The American, playing his 250th club match in England, gave Everton a 63rd-minute lead at Goodison Park. His right-footed kick from about 5 yards inside his own penalty area bounced about 30 yards from the Bolton goal and was blown by the wind over leaping Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan, who was standing by his 6-yard box. Howard hardly reacted.

"I was delighted that we were in the lead and would hopefully go on to get three points, but it's not a nice feeling for a keeper. It's really awful actually," Howard told Sky Sports. "For the back four and the goalkeepers at both ends, there was an awful wind swirling. You could see everybody was mistiming balls. Defenders were missing clearances that normally they would put up the field. I think the wind is the hardest condition to play in. Snow, rain, sun doesn't matter, but the wind really does play tricks on you."

Howard spoke with Bogdan after the match.

"I let him know that I was feeling for him," Howard said. "It's not a nice place to be. I've been there before, a long, long time ago, and that was why I didn't celebrate."

Bolton rallied on goals by David Ngog in the 67th and Gary Cahill in the 78th.

The only other goalkeepers to score in the Premier League are Peter Schmeichel, American Brad Friedel and Paul Robinson.

Friedel scored for Blackburn following a corner kick at Charlton in the 90th minute on Feb. 21, 2004, but Claus Jensen scored seconds later to give Charlton a 3-2 win. Schmeichel's goal also was in a losing effort, for Aston Villa in a 3-2 defeat at Everton on Oct. 20, 2001. Robinson scored in a 3-1 home win over Watford on March 17.

The game marked the return to Everton of American midfielder Landon Donovan.