VICTOR ANICHEBE dedicated his winner to his ill father after making a dramatic return to action for Everton FC.

Anichebe stepped off the bench to mark his first appearance in four months by netting a dramatic 87th-minute winner to give David Moyes’s side a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion. The 23-year-old has been sidelined by a serious groin injury suffered while on international duty with Nigeria in September.

And the forward has revealed the goal was for his father, who is currently in hospital.

“It was great, a big sigh of relief,” said Anichebe. “It was good because of all the hard work me and the physios had put in to get me back here today.

“That was for my dad as well. He’s not feeling very well at the moment and is in hospital. That goal was really dedicated to him.

“Hopefully he can be better and come out of hospital. Hopefully that can spur the team and my family on.

“It’s always great to be back playing. When you aren’t playing it’s always hard. I’ve been there before, though. The players, manager, family and friends have helped me get through it.

“I’ve had a few setbacks throughout my career but hopefully with the turn of the year I can put that behind me and stay on the pitch and keep going.”