Yakubu’s goal threat is the key for Moyes

Dec 10 2007 by Andrew Gilpin, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON manager David Moyes hailed the complete game of three-goal hero Ayegbeni Yakubu after his goals put Fulham to the sword on Saturday.

The club-record £11.25m striker netted a second-half perfect hat-trick – scored with his head, right and left foot – to leave Moyes purring.

And the manager is sure there is a lot more to come from the former Middlesbrough player.

“He’s got a great goal-scoring record and he came alive in the second period,” he said.

“The thing about Yakubu is that he’s always got a goal in him and his ratio is up their with the best.

“Everyone looked tired in the first-half, but you are always reluctant to take Yak off because of what he can do in front of goal.”

And Moyes also hailed the Nigerian’s all-round contribution after criticism that the striker doesn’t work hard enough for the team – an accusation that has dogged the frontman all through his Premier League career.

“I think his work-rate is getting there and he works hard for us,” added Moyes.

“He’s a really good lad to deal with. His training’s been good and his finishing is top-notch. We’ve all been really impressed with him.

“But we’re working him hard as well. We’re not just letting him away with goal-scoring, we’re making sure he’s doing all other the bits.

“He got a rest in midweek and he should have been the fresh one, so I think it was the team as a whole who looked tired in the first period.

“He has the power, but most of all Yak is a proven goalscorer.

“He needs good service in the box and if we can give him that we’re in business.”

The win stretched Everton’s unbeaten run to 10 games – including eight wins – Moyes’s best spell as manager since taking over five-and-a-half years ago.

In fact Everton’s last defeat was a controversial home loss to local rivals Liverpool, which left the manager up on an FA charge after he publicly criticised referee Mark Clattenburg.

And Moyes admitted the injustice of that game – where Everton were denied a penalty, saw Tony Hibbert sent off but Dirk Kuyt escape following a high tackle – has spurred his side on to great things.

“I said at the time that I felt it would make us stronger,” he said. “It was a local derby and what happened to us wasn’t right.

“But it’s over now and we’ve kicked on, as well as having people come back from injury.

“Tim Cahill’s return has allowed us to look different and get people like Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar on the ball more.

“We feel now that we can go and win anywhere,” he added. “That’s what I’ve been trying to get together since I came here.

“It’s going to take a good side to beat us and the idea is that we’re always trying to get better.

“But I think the group of players we have now are playing to their full potential.”

It wasn’t all good news for Moyes though as full-back Leighton Baines had to be substituted after just 20 minutes in due to a hamstring injury.

And Moyes admits that it has left him with a little short in the full-back area.

“I don’t know how bad it is but it’s a blow because we’ve got Nuno Valente out as well,” added Moyes.

“We have got Joleon Lescott to go into that position.

“Once again I thought he fantastic in both positions for us against Fulham.”