Donovan So Happy For Stracq

American praises goalscoring impact of on-loan Argentine.

Landon Donovan paid tribute to goal hero Denis Stracqualursi after the Argentinian helped fire Everton past Fulham and into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Stracqualursi, who was making only his third start since joining the Blues on loan from homeland side Tigres, met Donovan's delectable cross to head a precious first-half equaliser.

The Blues went on to seal a place in the hat for Sunday's draw thanks to Marouane Fellaini's winner 17 minutes from time.

Afterwards Donovan hailed the impact of Stracqualursi, saying the striker's first goal in English football was just reward for his tireless work rate.

"I was happy for him and he deserved it on the night," he said. "It’s easier for me coming from America, I speak the language and I’ve been here before.

“For Denis it’s completely foreign and he’s a really nice kid. The guys like being around him and he works hard, and you’ll find that in this game if you do those things people are going to pull for you. We were all very happy for him."

Everton's equaliser prompted emotional celebrations from 24-year-old Stracqualursi and Donovan added: “It meant a lot to him.

“He trains hard, and wants to contribute in a real way. It was a really important goal for us and a great goal for him."