BLUE WATCH: Tim Howard has been the business for Everton

Nov 13 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Keeper is great bit of business

BY only conceding the one goal at Upton Park on Saturday, Tim Howard became the first Everton keeper to concede less than a goal per game in his first 100 matches.

Is there some sort of medal or small trophy for achieving that memorable feat?

Seriously, as obscure ‘records’ go, that really does take some beating.

Even if it is a bit of a manufactured achievement though, it does still show how well the American has played on the whole since taking the now well-travelled path from Old Trafford to Goodison Park.

He’s had his wobbly moments, granted, particularly at the start of this season, but he appears to be back to something near his best now, and although another ex-Manchester United man, Louis Saha, grabbed the headlines with his goals on Saturday, Howard’s first half saves were just as crucial, keeping Everton in the match when the home side threatened to capitalise.

Occasionally Howard does make mistakes – it’s no secret that he doesn’t relish physical challenges, especially when he has to come through a crowd of players – but he also has a great habit of making saves.

That may sound obvious, but there are plenty of keepers, even in the top flight, who make a living out of being competent and steady, but rarely make those interventions that win games.

Gianfranco Zola, for instance, apparently wants to replace Robert Green at West Ham. Now Green’s been on the fringe of the England squad, and never seems do a great deal wrong, but we all saw on Saturday that he’s no match-winner.