Moyes hails match-winner Yakubu

12 April 2012

Manager David Moyes heaped praise on Ayegbeni Yakubu after the Nigeria international struck two minutes from time to sink West Ham and seal Everton a place in the semi-final of the Carling Cup.

Yakubu pounced on a defensive mix-up between Robert Green and Danny Gabiddon to score his sixth goal in four games and 10th for Everton since completing his £11.25million summer move from Middlesbrough.

"People who know about Yakubu will tell you that's what he does," said Moyes. "His workrate and movement is fantastic. All round he's done a great job for us."

Everton had to come from behind after Carlton Cole's 11th-minute opener but drew level through Leon Osman shortly before the interval and Yakubu's strike sealed Everton their first league cup semi-final since 1988.

The Toffees face West Ham again in the league on Saturday and Moyes added: "I'm not one to get excited. We're not getting carried away. We're obviously pleased. But we've never been here before, challenging on four fronts.

"The league is our priority but it's a good result for us, to come to Upton Park in a cup tie is a hard thing to do, and this was our third draw away from home.

"I'm looking forward to coming back on Saturday. Hopefully we'll do the same again, and play the same way again."

The late defensive howler cost West Ham manager Alan Curbishley the chance to celebrate his one-year anniversary with a semi-final.

Curbishley was frustrated by referee Mark Halsey but conceded Everton deserved their victory.

"We started ever-so well, got the goal, and unfortunately Everton took over after that. They have a very established side," said Curbishley. "It was drifting into extra-time and then they got their goal. Danny and Greeny got caught in between. Greeny was going to get it, Danny headed it. It was a mistake."

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