Anichebe the toast of Goodison

EVERTON boss David Moyes watched Victor Anichebe confirm his rich potential with two goals against Newcastle on Saturday and then declared that the days when the club sold their best young players are over.

Anichebe, 18, produced two predatory finishes as his side completed a 3-0 win over Newcastle, putting the Blues in buoyant mood ahead of their New Year’s Day trip to Manchester City.

Anichebe’s emergence has filled Everton supporters with optimism going into 2007, with the Nigeria-born powerhouse expected to play an increasingly significant role in the club’s pursuit of a European spot.

But Moyes is mindful that several promising players — including Francis Jeffers, Michael Ball, Wayne Rooney and Richard Dunne — have graduated through the ranks at Goodison Park only to be swiftly sold.

Dunne, who moved to City in 2000 for £3 million, will captain the Eastlands club against Everton today.

Moyes said: “Richard Dunne is a very good player and one who obviously came through the ranks at Everton, but it’s changed now.

“Any good boys we’ve got we like to keep hold of and try to progress them.

“I think there were times when Everton maybe had to sell some of their players. That isn’t the case now, thank goodness, but Dunne has proved to be a good buy for Manchester City.”

Anichebe’s goals against Newcastle lit up Goodison Park and Moyes, who is expected to keep the teenager in the starting line-up at Eastlands, revealed he is constantly striving to improve.

Moyes explained: “Victor has got strength and power, but he has shown me recently that he’s very keen to improve.

“He’s asked to see how (Didier) Drogba and some of the top centre-forwards play and is a young boy who I feel will hopefully keep on improving.

“I said the other week that if they’re good enough here then we will put them in.

“Victor is playing in front of some experienced players and James Vaughan isn’t too far as well, so we’re trying to nurture them along and get them through into the first team.

“If they keep knocking on the door then they will get there.”

Everton head to the City of Manchester Stadium having collected seven points from their first three fixtures of the festive period. That return — with the Blues yet to concede a goal over Christmas — saw Moyes’ men end 2006 in a healthy seventh place.

Moyes will expect a tough game from City — who have won their last two games — but is determined to erase the pain of surrendering two points to Stuart Pearce’s side earlier in the season.

On September 30, Andy Johnson’s goal put Everton on course for a 1-0 victory — but Micah Richards conjured up an equaliser deep into injury-time.

“We were probably as disappointed as any moment this season when they scored in what seemed like the 98th minute,” said Moyes. “That probably was as bad a night as I’ve felt this season and I’ve had some defeats, the way that was taken from us, and that’s one of the games we have to look back and say, that was two points dropped.”

Opta Fact: Everton have kept clean sheets in their last three Premiership outings.

Opta Fact: Newcastle have gone seven games without keeping a clean sheet.