Hibbo's Fairytale Night

Defender praises fans after special night at Goodison.

Tony Hibbert described his testimonial as a fairytale after sending Goodison delirious with the rarest of goals.

Hibbert ensured the 4-1 friendly win against AEK Athens would live long in the memory by ramming home a second half free-kick to spark extravagant celebrations.

That goal was Everton's fourth after a Steven Naismith hat-trick in the first half - but the night belonged to one man.

"The lads all said in the dressing room afterwards it was like a fairytale," Hibbert beamed after the game.

"I think the fans were unbelievable, they always are, coming out tonight and doing exactly what they said they would do is special to me."

Hibbert's every touch was met by cries of 'shoot' from the thousands within Goodison and he confirmed that getting on the scoresheet had been at the forefront of his mind.

"I said to Bainesy I would be on the free-kicks as that's what the fans wanted and all they were asking me before the game.

"So I wanted to give them something special. I had a shot in the first half which lifted the crowd a bit but I had a free-kick and I hit it well and it went in.

"I think it was different class with the crowd tonight. The fans here at Everton are special.  It certainly wasn't a riot, but it was special. There was great banter with the fans all night."