AYEGBENI Yakubu pounced on a defensive howler two minutes from time to book Everton a place in their first Carling Cup semi-final since 1988.

Mark Noble is pushing for a return to the West Ham squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn after undergoing a hernia operation.

Danny Gabbidon has called for West Ham to stand up and be counted in the second half of the season to ensure their promising campaign does not end in a battle for survival.