Moyes hails Anichebe impact

by Setanta Staff , 10 February 2012

Everton boss David Moyes is grateful for Victor Anichebe's knack of scoring goals at the right time but won't label him a super sub.


The Nigeria international is the Toffees' joint-top scorer with four goals in nine appearances of an injury-hit season, level with defender Leighton Baines who has played 29 times.

Three of those strikes have come in seven matches since he returned to the first-team on New Year's Day and they have been significant goals as they helped secure five points on their own.

Anichebe hit the winner against West Brom and earned 1-1 draws at Aston Villa and Wigan, last weekend - all after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Moyes is looking for the 23-year-old to enjoy a long run in the side to show he is over his injury problems, having missed almost a whole year spread over the 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons after knee surgery, suffering a further knee injury last season and a groin problem in September.

"I don't think Victor would ever be classed as a clinical finisher," Moyes said.

"He makes a lot of assists but has come on and played a part in scoring a few goals. If you had said to me in the past did I ever think Victor was a super sub I'd say definitely not.

"But I don't really care what you call them.

"If people come on and score goals I am delighted, whether it is for 20 minutes or from the start of the game.

"We needed a goal last week (against Wigan) when we weren't playing well enough but got one back to get us a draw.

"The big thing is he needs to get over his injury problems completely; he's had one or two scares this week and we need to see how he is."

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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