Saha can learn lesson from Davis

LOUIS SAHA’S dream of joining Manchester United may have been extinguished by the defiance of Fulham boss Chris Coleman, but in Sean Davis the Frenchman has the perfect example of how to overcome his disappointment.

Davis put in a transfer request over the summer, citing his desire to join a bigger club, only for his £5.5m move to Everton to be scuppered at the last minute by a failed medical which revealed a serious knee problem.

However, the industrious Cottagers' midfielder has overcome that setback by making a full recovery from injury, pledging his loyalty to Fulham once again and forcing his way back into the starting line-up. The 24-year-old was at the heart of a determined display from his side yesterday silencing disparaging chants from visiting fans with an imperious 90 minutes. Coleman was certainly impressed by Davis' effort, describing it as his finest performance for the club, and the Welshman hinted that Saha should look to his combative team-mate to see how disillusionment can be overcome.

"That was the best I've seen Sean Davis play and I'm not just talking about this season. I've played with Sean he's an outstanding young talent but his overall performance yesterday was incredible," he said. "Sean is really starting to mature now. Before the match and during half-time he was going around the dressing room and geeing the players up and giving advice to young Adam Green, which I thought was tremendous.

There had been suggestions that Saha's fall-out with Fulham last week Coleman refused a fresh £10m bid from Alex Ferguson would result in below-par performances from the Frenchman. But his display on Saturday erased any fears over his commitment as he proved a constant threat to Everton's defence, capping it all with a first-half penalty.

Steed Malbranque won the spotter, racing into the area before being hauled down by Gary Naysmith and referee Graham Poll blew immediately, with Saha tucking home the penalty.

The goal was no more than he deserved, but he was not the only player to impress in attack as Malbranque lit up Loftus Road with another creative masterpiece which was capped by his third strike of the season. He took full advantage of a retreating defence to lash home from the edge of the area moments after the restart. He drew rich praise from Coleman who said the former Lyon midfielder was another player who would not be sold.

Everton pulled one back through Kevin Kilbane with 10 minutes to go but that was scant consolation for Moyes who lamented two lapses in concentration and the number of chances which went begging.