Monday 8 March 2010, 09:38
by Suzie Myers
The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.
David Moyes believes there is still more to come from two-goal Mikel Arteta – after admitting he lost count of the score as Everton romped to victory over Hull City.
Moyes’s side netted five times for the first time in more than two years to secure a record-equalling sixth successive home Premier League victory.
Arteta scored twice as Phil Brown’s Hull were thrashed 5-1 at Goodison with a Richard Garcia own goal, Landon Donovan and Jack Rodwell completing the scoring after Tom Cairney had equalised for the visitors.
The brace represented Arteta’s first goals since returning to action after more than 11 months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.A delighted Moyes reckons the Spaniard can now build on his display for the rest of the season.
“Mikel Arteta scored two really good goals,” said the Goodison manager. “He played well all-round so I’m really pleased for him. Mikel is still not right back to where he was but today it was more like him. It shows you how much we have missed him over the last year or so.
“I knew he would come on a bit as his fitness and confidence has grown. He had a tough time over the last week against Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham, I thought it was him emptied out. I gave him a couple of days off and he has trained better after that. He has looked a bit more like himself.
“It will take him a wee while to get his full strength back, but he did a lot of good things with the ball today.”
While Moyes admits Arteta is unlikely to break into Spain’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, the manager is convinced international recognition remains in the midfielder’s reach.
“If Mikel hadn’t been injured last year I thought he’d have been a consideration for the Spain squad,” said Moyes. “Because he is playing in the Premier League and is one of the better midfielders here, that draws attention to the national team.
“It also gives an indication of how strong Spain are. Maybe he’ll have to wait after this competition [the World Cup] and if he keeps playing well for Everton then maybe he can get his way into the squad for the next European Championship qualifiers.”
Yesterday’s triumph was Everton’s biggest win of the season and the first time they have scored five since thrashing Brann 6-1 in the UEFA Cup in February 2008.
Victor Anichebe also saw a goal disallowed while Yakubu missed a penalty, and such was his team’s dominance that Moyes struggled to keep track of the score.
“We played some really good football, and to score six against them... was it six or five?” said Moyes. “Six, aye. One of the radio boys said we’d scored five, and I was going to say something, and I thought ‘was it five, I’m sure it was six’.”
When informed the game ended 5-1, Moyes added: “Did I say six? Someone said it was six. So the [radio] boy was right? I’m glad I didn’t say anything then!”
The win moves Everton to within seven points of a likely European qualification place and extends their record to just two defeats in 15 Premier League games. And Moyes said: “It’s hard to say whether we can get into Europe. We have to just keep on going and if we keep winning games then we might be talking about good things at the end of the season. And if we aren’t then I’m sure we’ll look back at our poor start and the injuries. But if we play like we did today, we can at least send our supporters away thinking we have a good team”
Landon Donovan bade a triumphant farewell to Goodison – then revealed he hasn’t given up hope of extending his stay.
Donovan came off the bench to score one goal and set up another for Jack Rodwell as Everton romped to a 5-1 victory over Hull City.
With the American’s loan deal due to expire after Saturday’s forthcoming visit to Birmingham City, it was his last appearance at Goodison before he returns to LA Galaxy at the end of his 10-week loan deal.
But Donovan has not ruled out remaining at Everton for a longer period.
“There is a chance, yes,” said the forward. “We will know more this week. But if that is it, then I am happy with the way it has finished.
“I have really enjoyed my time here, the fans have been fantastic and the players are fantastic also. It’s been great. We had enough chances to have scored nine or 10 today.”
The uncertainty over Donovan’s immediate future has arisen due to an impasse in the dispute between the MLS Players’ Union and the league over payment and freedom of movement at the end of a player’s contract.
“It has something to do with it,” said Everton manager David Moyes. “We and Landon are both keen, but we respect the Galaxy’s situation. But he’s here for at least one more game as owe have a wee bit of time.
“But if there’s not, then you can see what the fans thought of him. It was fitting he should score at the end.
“We’re a bit surprised about how well he hit the ground running in the Premier League. He went in against Arsenal, played well and the team played well and realised he wasn’t out of his depth. The players made it easy for him to settle in.”
Mikel Arteta scored twice yesterday, his first goals since returning from more than 11 months out with a serious knee injury.
And he said: “I was really happy to have scored after being out for so long. That was the first goal my son has seen me score. My wife was here as well so I am very happy for both of them.”
Everton’s margin of victory could have been greater but for Yakubu missing a penalty along with a clutch of other clear opportunities.
However, Moyes refused to criticise the forward, and said: “I thought Yak did a lot of good things. I said to him that he needs to score goals when the game is tight.
“Today it didn’t matter that he missed a few chances. Then again, when it was 1-0 and he missed a penalty and they got it back to 1-1 then it may have been important. But it didn’t matter too much today.
“Yak always scores in the Premier League so I’m sure he will keep on getting his goals.”
Everton boss David Moyes paid tribute to on-loan Landon Donovan after the American netted on what could be his last Goodison appearance for the club in yesterday’s 5-1 thrashing of Hull City.
Donovan again impressed after coming off the bench by finishing powerfully and then setting up the fifth for Rodwell.
It was United States international’s final home appearance before returning to Los Angeles Galaxy and Moyes conceded hopes of extending his 10-week loan were slim.
He said: “We would like him to stay but it looks like he is going back to America.
“We respect that and don’t have a problem with it, but he has done well.
“I think we and Landon would be keen but he is here for the Birmingham game next week.
“Maybe there is a bit of time to see if anything can be done but, if not, you could see what the supporters thought of him.”
Moyes revealed he lost count after his side ran out convincing winners.
The scoreline could have been even more emphatic as a host of other chances were passed up.
Ayegbeni Yakubu missed a penalty, hit the post and put another good chance over the bar while, among other opportunities, Victor Anichebe had a goal disallowed.
At full-time Moyes was convinced his team had scored six and had to be corrected in his post-match Press conference.
Moyes said: “I thought the players played really well and to score six was very good.”
Moyes then joked about how a radio reporter had told him the team only scored five goals.
When it was pointed out five was indeed the correct score, Moyes said: “I’m sure it was six. I’m delusional!”
Regardless of the number of goals, Everton’s emphatic performance lifted them to eighth in the table and firmly back into European contention.
Arteta’s performance was particularly satisfying as the Spaniard continues to feel his way back into action after only returning from a near year-long lay-off in January.
Moyes said: “He scored two very good goals and played really well all round.
“Mikel is still not back to how he was but I thought today was more like him and shows how much we have missed him over the year.
“It might take him a while to get his full strength back but he did a lot of good things with the ball.”
Moyes also had consoling words for Yakubu after a forgettable afternoon on the personal front.
“I thought Yak did a lot of good things,” Moyes said. “I said to him he needs to score the goal when the game is tight.
“Today didn’t matter, it wasn’t important.
“When he missed the penalty at 1-0 and they got back into it, it could have been important but, overall, if he scores when the game is tight then that will be good for me.”
Defeat was a demoralising one for Hull and left them in the relegation zone after three defeats in succession.
Manager Phil Brown said: “I thought we were competitive in the first half but in the second we certainly weren’t.
“We left our game in the changing room for whatever reason.
“Everton were good but we made them look good because we didn’t get in the face of the opposition.
“Defensively I have questioned one or two but we will dust ourselves down and get on with it. We have got 10 big games now.”
- Latest News
- Most Popular
Chelsea
Everton
Fulham
Your Comments
Please login to post a comment.
The views below are submitted by registered users of evertonfc.com and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton Football Club.
Soccer LA
The Beckham Donovan story is misunderstood in Europe and they are friends who text frequently. You have to understand the a new MLS player makes $18,000 USD, and the average salary is around $30,000. You can make more working at stabucks! So Beckham making 50 millions a year should have shown more leadership on a personal level to his teammates. Also, Beckham is trying to impress to make the England squad, Donovan is a lock for the US and is not proving anything. Plus, the level of sportsmanship to a contract has been respected by Everton and Donovan which shows class, Beckham and AC have not done the same. But i'll tell you... the Don learned a little bit from watching Beckham take corners!
Report comment
Wednesday 10th Mar 2010 22:28
Agree with Soccer?
Mark Lynch
Totally agree with Davy, the Yak played his part in the result and was unlucky not have gotten on the score sheet, He needs encouraging not slating, so give the lad a break and remind him why we are a family and not just another bunch of supporters.... on another note, it would be fantastic if we could secure Donavan for a bit longer, but i suspect that it will only happen *IF* this dispute within his league is not sorted out, i would assume he wouldnt want to appear Hypocritical and force an extension if his league is up and Running, remember it was him who blasted Beckham for doin just that!
Report comment
Monday 8th Mar 2010 22:27
Agree with Mark?
Charlie Mathews
As a fan of Landon Donovan in the United States, I want to thank all Evertonians for making him feel welcome and recognizing what we in the US have known for a long time, that he is a special player. I hope he can continue with Everton and help you make Europe.
Report comment
Monday 8th Mar 2010 16:55
Agree with Charlie?
colin dolman
BRILL GAME LAST NIGHT LADS I WAS THERE AND WE NEED LANDON TO STAY AT R CLUB COME ON MOYES YOU CAN DO THIS MATE GET LANDON TO STAY 5 - 1 LOVE IT COYB IMWT AND IF LANDON CAN NOT STAY A BIG THANK YOU FROM ALL EVERTON FANS :) USA
Report comment
Monday 8th Mar 2010 12:32
Agree with colin?