Simon Davies endures miserable return as Everton continue impressive unbeaten run
Dec 11 2007
By Joanne Lewis, icLiverpool
IN his press conference ahead of Saturday’s game at Goodison, Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez extolled the virtues of former Everton man Simon Davies, highlighting his transformation into one of Fulham’s key players since he ended his miserable spell on Merseyside back in January.
Davies, recently voted Fulham’s player of the month, has been in sparkling form for his new club and recently captained his country for the first time in the absence of Craig Bellamy, leading out Wales in their last two Euro Qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Germany.
Davies was afforded a good reception from the home crowd on his return and was one of Fulham’s best players on the day. Yet while things have improved for the midfielder on a personal level, his new team arrived at Goodison with a whole host of worries to contend with before a ball had even been kicked. Without an away win in 25 league games and with previous encounters between the two sides always ending in favour of the home team, it is of little surprise that most of Fulham’s supporters had this one down as a foregone conclusion and decided to stay at home.
The task would have been a tough enough one last season, but this time around Everton are flying. Buoyed by the confidence of a nine game unbeaten run prior to Saturday’s game, the Blues were expected to win this one comfortably.
In truth, it was Fulham who started the game the brighter in the opening period, with Davies pulling the strings in midfield and Dempsey looking threatening in attack. Everton were surprisingly lacklustre, possibly suffering from a combination of the appalling weather conditions and the aftermath of a hard-earned victory against Zenit St Petersburg midweek, but a goal early in the second half turned the game on its’ head and the Blues were back in business.
There were many eyebrows raised when David Moyes decided to splash out £11.25 million on Yakubu in the summer, and while it seemed to take him a little time to settle in at the club, in recent weeks he has looked exactly the kind of player the supporters have been crying out for over the last few seasons- a predatory striker who knows exactly where the back of the net is. His impressive hat trick on Saturday took his goal tally to 8 in 10 games, but it has been his work rate and strong hold-up play as well as his finishing that has had the fans purring in the stands.
One of the most positive aspects of Everton’s play of late has been the work ethic and team spirit evident throughout the side. Cahill and Arteta, as two of the more creative players in the team are often on the receiving end of plaudits, and Cahill in particular has been a revelation since his comeback from injury. His inclusion in the team also undoubtedly brings out the best in Lee Carsley, who thrives in the role just behind the midfield, mopping up everything that comes into his path. Too often overlooked for the contribution he makes to the team, Carsley has been in exceptional form in the last two home games and adds a stability and steel to the midfield that allows the more attack-minded players a license to get forward.
One player certainly benefiting is Steven Pienaar, who, had it not been for Yakubu’s hat trick, would surely have picked up the man of the match accolades on Saturday. The South African seems to get better with every game, and is playing some exquisite football at times, as was perfectly demonstrated in his build up play for Yakubu’s third against Fulham. Remarkably strong for a player so small, and with fantastic ability on the ball, he surely has to be top of Moyes’ shopping list once his loan deal runs out in the summer.
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