The best little Spaniard we know is back!
Mikel Arteta gave the clearest indication yet that he's back to his best following nearly 12 months of injury hell by scoring twice and inspiring Everton to a 5-1 win over Hull.
His first after 16 minutes was the result of a burst into the box and a clinical connection to Yakubu's cross and his second was calmly sidefooted home on 38 minutes after Yakubu had missed a penalty.
He was also the main protagonist in Everton's third when Richard Garcia headed the Spaniard's cross into his own net five minutes into the second period.
Hull had briefly been level at 1-1 through Tom Cairney's excellent left-foot strike but once the lead was regained the Blues were comfortable.
There was even time for Landon Donovan to sign off from his last home game before returning to America by scoring the fourth goal himself and setting up Rodwell for the fifth.
Arteta scores the first
After five minutes Tim Howard saved well from Garcia but from then on it was Everton who had the majority of the play.
Steadied by the Phil Jagielka at the back - the defender starting for the first time since his own return from injury - and with John Heitinga mopping up in midfield, the Blues set about their task with real purpose.
Arteta served early warning of his mood when he slashed a volley wide after a swift Everton counter and in the 13th min Yakubu picked up Leon Osman's poked through ball and sent a left foot effort off the post with Myhill beaten.
Yakubu then turned provider for the opening goal after 17 minutes. His deep ball from the Everton left was guided home at the far post by Arteta, the Spaniard on the scoresheet for the first time since returning from a knee ligament injury in January.
The lead should have been doubled on 28 minutes when Baines' cross was picked up at the near post by Yakubu who was clumsily fouled by Kamil Zayatte.
The Nigerian picked himself up but his tame spot-kick was saved. Replays showed that Myhill was well off his line but Yakubu's penalty was weak.
It looked as though the mistake would be a telling one just three minutes later when Cairney picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Everton box and lashed an exquisite left foot volley past Howard. In netting the equaliser the 19-year-old was scoring his first Premier League goal.
Donovan and Rodwell celebrate
But rather than being rattled by the leveller, the Blues continued to probe and duly regained the lead in the 39th minute. Anichebe was released on the right, his centre found Pienaar and the South African deftly rolled the ball behind him to Arteta.
The Spaniard was left with the simple task of side-footing past Myhill to restore Everton's advantage.
It was a deserved lead but there was an injury worry for David Moyes before the break as Osman limped off injured to be replaced by Rodwell.
Six minutes into the second period it was 3-1. Arteta's chipped cross was drifting under the Hull crossbar before it flicked Garcia and crossed Myhill's line. The Everton man was grinning but the effort will surely go down as an own goal.
The Toffees were utterly dominant and from Pienaar's break, Rodwell had a shot deflected wide by Cairney before Myhill saved from Sylvain Distin after the hour mark.
Donovan bids farwell to the Goodison crowd
Yakubu wasted a good chance midway through the period and soon Landon Donovan was on to replace Anichebe.
Not long after his introduction the American fed the Yak but on this occasion, he didn't score - sending a left footer way over the bar.
Soon it was Donovan's turn to have a sight of goal as Leighton Baines' cross went all the way along the edge of the six yard box. The American lashed it back across goal and into the corner, and Goodison erupted into chants of 'USA'.
Donovan wasn't done there though, centring for Rodwell to steer home the fifth with four minutes left.
And when the final whistle went Donovan went on a lap of honour - he has just one game for Everton left and the Blues fans were vociferous in their thanks for his efforts.
Your Comments
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arthur jones
Superb performance by the lads again , Mikel was great Johnny H is becoming a cult hero and what can I say about Landon ? , scored one and set one up for Jack . It would be fantastic if he could stay here for a while longer . It's also great to see how many USA fans are now aware of our mighty club due to Landon . Good Luck in the World Cup to our friends across the pond !
Wednesday 10th Mar 2010 15:04
Mark Lynch
I would like to welcome all you American supporters to the Family, Once a Blue always a Blue (unless your name is Wayne Rooney lol) I trust that you have all ordered your New home or away shirts in an effort to boost our humble resources? it would be fantastic if based on our shirt sales in the states we could fund a transfer fee for Donavan. COYB
Tuesday 9th Mar 2010 17:30
Soccer LA
I could not agree with you Mr. Orlick. Everton has become my team and I love rooting for Arteta, Peanuts, Cahill, the french King, the russian (tough name), the skipper, Leighton-on-the-money, Heitinga power, Gosling Rodwell, Yakubu, Anichebe. I love these guys! Everton has become my club - and there are many more like us here. I bet there is a way to sign Donovan which will include exclusive branding/marketing rights for Everton in the MLS. Which would easily pay back his salary. Everton Jerseys sold at MLS games, sold out pre-season tournaments in the States, and swapping of developing academy players to play in MLS. This would be a coupe for Everton!
Tuesday 9th Mar 2010 01:11
Cheryl Kirkdale
I am living in the States now and follow Major League Soccer a bit. Although the league is weak, I have to say there is a pool of young talent here. If DM isn’t successful in signing Donovan, I hope he at least takes the opportunity to develop a rapport with Bruce Arena (Galaxy Manager). The Galaxy have a defender, Omar Gonzales who was the MLS rookie of the year last year. He is young (21), very talented and built like a tank at 2.0 m. DM has always found that “diamond in the rough,” this kid would be a great signing!
Monday 8th Mar 2010 22:20
Larry Barnard
Thank you, Thank you to the faithful at Goodison for the chance. LD has had chances in Europe before, but this was the one chance I prayed for. I was ever so hopeful that he would find a fit and relax enough to show his quality. To be voted by fans as player of the week and have so many fantastic footballers and fans talk well of his efforts is so amazing and gratifying. Im just a fan of this game for many years, and play 3x per week. My girls play at college and club level as well. My 15 yr old wakes me to watch Everton and other EPL televised matches on our Fox Soccer Channel. LIFE IS GOOD! Thank you Everton!! Thank you Moysie!! COYB!!
Monday 8th Mar 2010 21:13
Adrian Uribe
I agree with Michael Orlick I've been a lifelong fan as well and played all my life here in the states but being able to watch the Everton games has been such a great change. You can't say enough good things about the Everton fans and players I'm definitely hooked on this club regardless of what happens with Donovan. I look forward to the rest of the season! COYB..
Monday 8th Mar 2010 18:44
Adam Parker
I must say, I've never followed EPL as much as I have this year. I live in Seattle over in the States, and although I am die hard for my Sounders FC, watching the Premier league is always a treat, because it's televised in the US more than ever now. Landon is one of my favorite players and upon his loan to Everton, I have watched every game since(on TV and Internet) and have become a fan as quickly as the team has surged to top form as of late. Even without Landon playing, I must say that Everton FC will still be the team that I will call my own from your league. I guess you can thank Landon for getting Americans like me hooked on your team, but we have only thanks to you fans for the support you've shown. I love going up against Landon in the MLS, but I would like to see him get out of his contract and remain with Everton. I'm glad out of all of the teams, Everton was the one to get him. It's great having an EPL team to root for passionately now.
Monday 8th Mar 2010 17:26
Alex Weatherby
Great game! Everyone playd brilliant especially arteta n heitinga. I dont understand y vaughan hardly plays tho i think hes quality. Victor is gud 2 people shouldnt slag him off. In the future vaughan and vic could be great together. Wot do other people think?
Monday 8th Mar 2010 17:17
paul houghton
mr orlick and mr aeby glad to hear ya found the best club in the world ....welcome to the peoples club.. once a bluenose always a bluenose ... and well done boys on yesterday was a great win lets just hope we can do the birmingham in next weekend aswell imwt ..
Monday 8th Mar 2010 15:45
Paul Tiemens
Stephen Bovill is so right when he says how important the maturing young players will be for the squad next season, With everyone fit Everton will be a real threat next term and can seriously challenge for a trophy so long as the club can keep hold of emerging talent plus Landon of course. A special mention for Steven Pienaar ; He has held the side together for so long in the absence of so many players. With those players back and the pressure off him I think we will see yet another dimension to his game - like that tasty back heel ?
Monday 8th Mar 2010 15:45
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