What The Papers Say - Jan 28

A selection of reports from last night's win over Fulham.

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

GOD loves a trier. It’s a saying popular in these parts. And football crowds round here have a fondness for forwards who put themselves about, too.

It’s why the Goodison fans have never lost faith in Denis Stracqualursi.

If the Argentinian artisan is lacking many of the qualities usually associated with a top striker, willingness to run about isn’t one of them.

He chases down goalkeepers, he romps willingly after defenders in possession – and every now and then he manages an effort at goal, too.

Well big Denis finally got his reward last night.

Landon Donovan’s 27th minute cross was delicious – one for the watching American TV audience to mark down as a ‘swell assist’ – but Stracqualursi’s header was equally impressive, a soaring, superbly guided effort well out of David Stockdale’s despairing grasp.

The relief in Stracqualursi’s celebration was palpable, but so was the injection of confidence the goal gave him.

Two minutes later he berated Marouane Fellaini for trying his luck from 20 yards rather than playing him in on goal.

Fellaini scowled, but his displeasure was brief.

Stracqualursi’s innocent enthusiasm is endearing and makes it hard for even those fiercest critics, the jaded terrace cynics, to dislike him. There’s a cult hero in the making there.

All he needs is a snappy nickname, and the Blues official website offered up Traca.

He certainly set Everton on the track to the fifth round.

The standing ovation he received when he was replaced seven minutes from time was heartfelt.

Even when he tried his luck, let’s be kind, ambitiously from around 40 yards midway through the second half the crowd laughed rather than screamed.

The South American was in the starting line up because David Moyes finally gave up on Louis Saha’s lack of appearances on the scoresheet or in opposition penalty areas.

Sometimes honest endeavour is worth more than capricious skills, especially in a Cup tie.

“He’s a terrific guy. The lads absolutely love him, said Blues assistant boss Steve Round afterwards. He comes in and trains hard, never moans, never complains, He’s first in and does extra in the afternoons.

“We’ve seen in training that he’s a really good finisher, whether it’s with his head or with his shooting.

“He’s got a tremendous work ethic. He’ll run and run and run and he’s a strong, aggressive player as well. He’s very brave.

“He’s taken a while to settle in and come to the fore. He was top scorer in the Argentinian league last season but it’s very difficult to come into the Premier League with the speed of it, the intensity, and of course he didn’t speak the language.

“It’s taken him a little time to settle down, but just recently he’s just started to get to grips with it all.

“Time will tell whether he can come through and be a top centre-forward for Everton.”

His and his team-mates’ unstinting workrate and decent approach play made the Blues undeniably worthy winners.

But for a spell it looked worrying. A harsh penalty decision for an unwitting handball and a typically impeccable Danny Murphy penalty put Everton the back foot. But they came roaring back and were thoroughly deserved winners. Evertonians have been desperate for a lift this season.

And they just might get one from the FA Cup, the competition which has given this grand old club so many historic highlights.

Their last significant run came three years ago.

But while that Cup run was enjoyed by the fifth best team in the country, this time it’s being enjoyed by the second lowest scorers in the top flight.

Which makes it all the more unlikely – and enjoyable.

The Blues scored two goals in a match for only the second time in 12 games – Tamworth the other victims – and last night’s double came about from the precise crossing boots of Landon Donovan.

If his cross for Stracqualursi’s header was excellent, his ball for Fellaini’s soaring winner was almost as good.

The American gives Everton an extra dimension, the willing workrate of his South American striker, but with a gilding of class to go with it.

Evertonians will be sat around their TV sets on Sunday afternoon with a sense of purpose and anticipation – and for that they can thank their all American hero and the unlikeliest of strike stars.

Denis Stracqualursi has scored the first goal of his Everton career.

Who knows if any more are to follow? But his opening strike was undeniably significant.

Everton had never beaten Fulham in an FA Cup tie before.

Their victory – in one of six all Premier League ties this round – keeps alive the dream of another Wembley date.

And in turn keeps this frustrating season alive, too.




Headers from Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini sent Everton FC into the fifth round of the FA Cup as they came from behind to beat Fulham tonight.

Danny Murphy gave Fulham a controversial early lead from the penalty spot at Goodison Park but hard-working Everton were rewarded for determined fightback.

Landon Donovan was twice the provider as Stracqualursi, with his first goal for the club, equalised before half-time and Fellaini settled the contest 17 minutes from time.

Stracqualursi, who has made limited impact since joining Everton on a season-long loan from Tigre, had been a surprise inclusion for Everton ahead of Louis Saha.

Fulham also made a change in attack as Andrew Johnson started ahead of Bobby Zamora, who was left on the bench. Everton kept faith with 20-year-old Shane Duffy at the back and gave Magaye Gueye a chance while Fulham bolstered their defence with Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird.

Everton controlled the early possession but it was Fulham who claimed the lead after the first move of note in the 13th minute.

It also came in contentious circumstances as John Heitinga was adjudged to have handled as he slid in to block a Damien Duff shot.

John Arne Riise had got behind the defence as he met a superb cross-field pass from Murphy and cut the ball back for Duff in front of goal.

Duff shot instantly and the sliding Heitinga could do little to get his arm out of the way from point-blank range, although it was raised above his head.

Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy calmly stroked home the penalty but Everton, feeling wronged by referee Howard Webb’s decision, responded well to the setback.

They won a succession of corners and caused problems from each of them with Duffy first heading a good chance wide from a Gueye cross.

Cahill then forced David Stockdale to save with a back post header from a Donovan delivery.

The next corner created even more difficulty for Fulham as Stockdale lost the ball and Duffy turned to curl a shot back at goal. Hughes came to the rescue as he dived across to head behind.

Everton’s reward for this good spell came from open play as Stracqualursi headed them level after 27 minutes.

The Argentinian was making only his third start for the Toffees but justified his selection as he met a Donovan cross with a firm header that looped beyond the reach of Stockdale.

Despite their long spell on the front foot, Everton were almost caught out when Murphy tricked them by playing a free-kick across the field instead of lofting it into the box.

Baird struck team-mate Bryan Ruiz as he tried his luck from long range and the Costa Rican hit a snap-shot straight Tim Howard.

Stockdale remained the busier keeper and produced a fine save to keep out a powerful long-range shot from Donovan.

Everton went close again just before the break as Cahill fired wide in an injury-time goalmouth scramble.

Fulham had the first chance of the second half when Clint Dempsey, who has scored two hat-tricks in his last three games, headed over from a Ruiz cross.

Cahill was booked when he slid in from behind on Murphy, who required treatment before continuing.

The game went quiet for a spell as both sides cancelled each other out before Everton roused themselves for a late rally.

A promising Everton break came to an end when Darron Gibson, looking for Gueye at the far post, hit a cross far too hard.

Donovan then drove another shot across goal from distance.

Everton made the decisive breakthrough as Donovan hit a deep cross to the far post and Fellaini guided a fine header back across Stockdale into the top corner.

Stockdale stretched to try to claw it out but Fellaini’s placement for his third goal of the season was perfect.

Everton almost made the game safe with the next attack as Cahill thundered a header against the bar from a Phil Neville cross.

The ball then hit the bar again as Hughes attempted to head clear from the rebound but this time it went over.

Fulham boss Martin Jol sent on Zamora for Duff in attempt to change the momentum of the game with just over 10 minutes remaining.

It failed to have the required effect for the Londoners and Everton played out time to advance to the last 16.




EVERTON FC assistant boss Steve Round wants clarification from referees about penalties being awarded for handball – after Johnny Heitinga was harshly penalised by World Cup final ref Howard Webb last night.

The decision saw the Blues fall behind to Fulham in their fourth round tie after Danny Murphy converted, but they bounced back to triumph 2-1 and reach the last 16.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the decision,” he said. “And I think we probably all need a little bit of clarification as to what is and isn’t handball.

“The ball definitely hits his arm, there’s no question of that, but whether he had any intent is doubtful. He’s trying to slide in and block the ball and it hits him.

“It’s a very difficult one to call. The referees probably need a bit of clarification on what is and what isn’t.

“We saw one the other day which was very similar.

“When you slide in to block the ball it’s very difficult to keep your arms by the side of your body, it’s just not happening.

“You use your arms for balance and the referee in a split second has to try and determine whether he’s intentionally handled it or whether it’s part of his momentum.

“We’ve seen a couple recently. If it’s hit a player’s arm and was going into the net maybe it should be a penalty, but if it’s not it shouldn’t be. But we don’t really know. We need clarification.”

After an impressive comeback, though, Round hoped that Everton’s home form would finally kickstart after a frustrating campaign for home supporters.

“Hopefully it will,” he added. “It was nice to get a win, nice to get through in the Cup and we have a big game on Tuesday now, very difficult obviously, but the history of Everton at Goodison has always been of a very formidable place to come and we want to make sure we keep that history and tradition up.

“Today will give us a bit of confidence for sure."

“It was great for Denis to get the goal because I thought he played well tonight and worked really hard.

“We added the second and I was just a little disappointed we didn’t go on and add a third. We had a spell when we could have got another and buried the game, but of course if you don’t take that chance you’re hanging on a bit at the death.”

Round also revealed that matchwinner Marouane Fellaini had predicted he was going to score before he even ran out.

His last goal came at Bolton in November and was only his second of the campaign and Round explained: “He’s had quite a few chances that haven’t gone in recently, headers that have been cleared off the line, shots that have produced great saves and he said beforehand he was definitely going to score today.

“When he did I think he was running to the dug-out to remind us of what he’d said!”

Round also praised the contribution of on-loan Landon Donovan who set up both goals with impressive crosses.

“Landon’s been great since he’s been here,” he added. “He’s a real diamond of a guy and the lads all like him.

“He’s very intelligent footballer and person as well. He gives a lot of speed to the team and takes us from defence to attack very quickly.

“You can also see the quality in his end product whether it be his crosses or set plays or whatever. He also had a great shot first half which was well saved, so he’s brought a lot to us in the short time he’s been here and we really enjoy having him here.

“He’s a top player.”




LANDON DONOVAN hailed the goal-scoring contribution of Denis Stracqualursi, as the Argentinian’s first Everton FC goal sparked the fight-back against Fulham that secured passage into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Donovan, 29, provided the assist for Stracqualursi’s first-half equaliser, and crafted Marouane Fellaini’s winning header at Goodison Park last night.

But the LA Galaxy loan-star, who shone during a contest shown live on TV in America, insisted Stracqualursi deserved the credit for the header which cancelled out Danny Murphy’s 13th minute penalty.

He said: “I was happy for him and he deserved it on the night. 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.”

Stracqualursi has struggled to make an impact so far since joining from Argentinean first division outfit Tigre in the summer, was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up.

But he responded with a hard-working display that was typical of his attitude in training, says Donovan, and sobbed with joy after opening his Toffees’ account.

“It meant a lot to him,” said Donovan, who added that he feels 100% fit after playing six times since re-joining at the start of January. “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.

“There’s no question I feel fit. This league gets you in shape quickly. It’s been nice to get back in with the team, we’ve all been a little frustrated with performances lately but tonight was a step in the right direction. There’s little time to celebrate because we have a really big game on Tuesday.”



MAROUANE FELLAINI was Everton's cup hairo — after a pre-match vow to his team-mates that he would be their hero.

The 6ft 4in Belgian, with the equally massive hairstyle, rose to head the 73rd-minute winner which sent the Blues roaring into the fifth round.

Fellaini charged towards the bench in celebration — and assistant boss Steve Round revealed just why.

Round said: "Felli has had a bit of stick lately because he has had quite a few chances which haven't gone in.

"They've been cleared off the line, he's had headers go close and goalkeepers have made great saves.

"But he told us before he was definitely going to score tonight so I think he was proving a point."

Attacking midfielder Fellaini, 24, pounced after on-loan Argie Denis Stracqualursi had headed his first Everton goal to cancel out Danny Murphy's early penalty for Fulham.

It was the first time David Moyes and his Everton side had beaten the Londoners in five FA Cup clashes.

And hopes are starting to flicker at Goodison of a second trip to Wembley in three years. Round added: "The manager said before the game that Everton have a great FA Cup history."

Beaten Fulham boss Martin Jol admitted: "It was always going to be difficult here but with our quality up front, we should have done better."



Everton's season has long been on the critical list, but Marouane Fellaini provided some dramatic, emergency resuscitation to keep their FA Cup dream alive.

The Blues midfielder breathed fresh impetus into a campaign that had taken on a deathly pallor, with a brilliant winning goal in their tense fourth round showdown with Fulham.

Fellaini produced his dramatic winner on 73 minutes, just as it seemed the Blues were once again to be struck down by their fatal weakness in front of goal.

And if his fine header offered safe passage into the fifth round and a first victory over Fulham in this competition in eight attempts, then it provided much, much more for this sickly club.

In what has seemed a season of stagnation and bitter frustration for both club and fans, the allure of Wembley and the thrilling sensations a lengthy cup run brings, offers a special kind of relief, as their assistant boss Steve Round admitted in the joyful aftermath of victory.

"It was a hugely important victory, because a good cup run lifts confidence and brings something special to the club and the supporters," he explained.

"The manager spoke in the dressing room beforehand about just how important this competition is in the history and tradition of this club, and we did that tradition proud with our spirit tonight."

Moyes' side certainly showed a desire and determination that has been lacking on home turf at times this season, to recover so admirably from the devastating blow of losing an early, controversial, goal to the visitors' first real attack.

Mind you, it took something special for Everton to shrug off the shackles that have too often restrained them this season, with both their goals containing a touch of magic.

Fellaini's winner, with time running out and frustrations rising, was outstanding, as he utterly destroyed Fulham's season with one powerful leap and a fine looping header from Landon Donovan's cross.

The Belgium international midfielder produced a dominant display in the middle of the park to foil Fulham's gameplan of playing through their skipper Danny Murphy.

It leaves the visitors contemplating the remainder of a season that will now be merely a grim struggle through the mid-table morass of the Premier League... which accentuates how important this game was for both clubs.

Fulham had seemed to gain the upper hand on 11 minutes when referee Howard Webb judged that Damien Duff's shot - from Murphy's fine pass - had been blocked deliberately by John Heitinga's flailing arm, to allow the visiting captain an assured conversion from the spot.

Yet the home team responded superbly, and were worthy winners, even if they yet again required a worrying number of chances before they found the net.

In no particular order, Shane Duffy, Tim Cahill, Magaye Gueye, Duffy again, Fellaini twice and Donovan all had chances, before Argentinean loan signing Denis Stracqualursi proved the unlikely source of an equaliser on 27 minutes.

The striker has struggled to adapt to English football, but there is no doubting his energy and enthusiasm... as his tearful celebration illustrated.

And maybe we shouldn't doubt his technique either, because his was a fine header from Landon Donovan's cross to beat Fulham keeper David Stockdale from 12 yards.

This was perhaps Everton's best display of the season, and they could have won even more comfortably, had Cahill not twice hit the bar.

But Fellaini's finish was good enough to win the tie, and provide the perfect tonic to a season in which the Blues fans can now dare to dream once more.




David Moyes has regularly cursed his inability to capture high-profile transfer targets. There is a certain irony that the one he has signed twice will likely cause him as much frustration as any that slipped through his grasp. Sadly for Everton, the class of Landon Donovan is only a temporary luxury. How Moyes must wish he could lure the 29 year-old to Goodison on a permanent basis.

Donovan is halfway through an all-too-brief loan spell, but his contribution retained Everton’s interest in a season which will drift if they don’t build on the FA Cup progress they secured with victory over Fulham.

Donovan created both goals to overturn Danny Murphy’s early penalty, enabling Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini to head Everton into the fifth round.

The American winger has evidently learned plenty from the crossing expertise of LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham. His consistent accuracy from the flanks proved the difference.

Both teams went into the tie knowing their season was hovering dangerously on the edge of a descent into serial drabness. Moyes admitted as much, acknowledging there would be little to get excited about between now and May if his side didn’t progress.

With random verbal attacks on chairman Bill Kenwright following every final whistle, even when his side wins, the undercurrent of unease bubbles away. A run in the Cup can at least retain a unified focus on team affairs.

Considering the importance of the competition, Moyes’s team selection was somewhat surprising. As well as Stracqualursi, he entrusted French youngster Magaye Gueye to locate the cutting edge his side has been missing.

Perhaps it said more about Moyes’s view of Louis Saha, who was left to sulk on the bench as opposed to brooding on the pitch. Turning to his underused striker Stracqualursi may have carried the vapour of desperation before kick-off, but the enthusiastic Argentine rewarded his manager’s faith with the equaliser – a glancing header from Donovan’s exquisite cross and his first for the club. “He is a tremendous worker,” said Everton’s assistant manager Steve Round. “He will run and run and run. It’s taken him a while to settle but we have seen him start to come to terms with it all.”

Just 25,300 were present to watch this match. Officially, Fulham sold 400 tickets. It looked like at least 200 of them had not bothered to make the trip. Those that had were celebrating after 14 minutes. Murphy scored the penalty and was heavily involved in the move which led to it.

His defence splitting pass to John Arne Riise allowed the full-back to cross for Damien Duff, whose shot struck John Heitinga’s arm.

Referee Howard Webb showed the yellow card to the Dutchman, though in truth he was unlucky to get booked.

Everton’s response thoroughly merited the victory, which was secured when Fellaini leapt majestically to meet another Donovan delivery in the 73rd minute.

Cahill hit the bar as Everton looked more likely to extend their lead than be forced into a replay by visitors who staggered disappointingly to defeat.

“If you look at the quality we’ve got, especially upfront, we could have done a lot better,” said Fulham manager Martin Jol. At least Fulham’s season isn’t over yet, although the fact their only focus now is avoiding relegation is hardly a consolation.