Leon Osman sets himself a 10-goal target for season

Apr 7 2008

MATCH-WINNER Leon Osman today mapped out his dream end to the season – to score 10 goals and help Everton book a place in the Champions League.

The Blues made hard work of closing the gap on fourth placed Liverpool yesterday but, thanks to Osman’s seventh of the campaign, the deficit between them is now three points after they beat Derby County 1-0 at Goodison Park.

Though time is running out for Everton – there are now only five games left – Osman believes their first victory in the Premier League since March 9 has given everyone at the club a lift at just the right time.

Now he wants to help lead the charge by embarking on a scoring spree between now and May 11 to reach double figures for the first time in his career and help ease the pressure on forwards Ayegbeni Yakubu and Andrew Johnson.

“I’m always happy with every goal I score but that one was very nice,” said Osman, who broke the deadlock with a fierce left foot shot after Manuel Fernandes sent him clear.

“Can I get to 10? I hope so. I want to score in every game. That’s always the way. But if I score three in the next three games, I’d then want to get to 12 and wouldn’t be happy if I missed that target.

“That’s the way I work. We have played very well this season and scored a few goals. I’m fifth in the charts at the minute and while I feel as if I have had a decent return, I still think I can get a couple more before the end.”

While Osman was thrilled to get on the scoresheet, he was more pleased with what it meant for the team. Everton were certainly not at their best but the midfielder reckons they have now turned the corner.

“As everyone knows, we have had a little stumble recently,” said Osman. “No wins in three and only one point wasn’t good enough and it was vital that we got back to winning ways. Thankfully, we put that right.

“Derby made it difficult and they played some really good football. They showed why they got into the Premier League in the first place. The first half was pretty ugly and we gave the ball away too much. We knew we had to up it in the second half.

“Thankfully, we got the goal. “The gap between ourselves and Liverpool is not insurmountable and we will keep going.” right the way to the end. The blip did not come at the right time but we have got ourselves back on track now.”