Clinical Yakubu crushes feeble Fulham

EVERTON have become wearily accustomed to seeing high hopes dashed at the last, but the air of expectation at Goodison Park is mushrooming by the week.

David Moyes’ team are now firmly-established as one of the top flight’s genuine heavyweights and Yakubu, the striker who single-handedly crushed Fulham with a hat-trick on Saturday, believes they are on the cusp of genuine league achievement and a Wembley final.

The Nigerian, who arrived at Goodison Park in August for €18million, has silenced the whispers that he is not the hardest working footballer in the Premier League.

Nine goals in 16 games have won over the Goodison Park faithful who needed convincing the 25-year-old could cope with the squad’s renowned work ethic.

Yakubu believes he has given his answer as Everton notched their 10th unbeaten game and headed for the Carling Cup quarter-final at West Ham on Wednesday in high spirits.

“I am pleased with the way things have gone,” said Yakubu. “I am working so hard in training to show what I can do and I will keep believing in myself that I can score on a regular basis.

“At the moment, everything is good, the team is playing so well and it could not have gone much better for me since I arrived. The players around me give everything. They show how to play as a team and win together.

“We want to achieve something this season. If we have not done that by the end of the season I will be very disappointed.”

Everton opened up after the break and Yakubu’s power and eye for goal was the key. He scored a close-range tap-in, a far-post header and a clever turn and drive to complete his hat-trick with 11 minutes left.

EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard 6, Neville 7, Lescott 7, Yobo 6, Baines 5 (Jagielka 23, 6), Osman 6, Arteta 6, Cahill 6 (Johnson 82, 5), Carsley 7, Pienaar 6, Yakubu 9 (McFadden 82, 5).

Subs Not Used: Wessels, Anichebe.

FULHAM: Niemi 7, Omozusi 6, Hughes 5, Stefanovic 5, Konchesky 6, Davies 5, Davis 5, Murphy 6 (Ki-Hyeon 74, 5), Kamara 4, Kuqi 4, Dempsey 6 (Healy 64, 5).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra, Baird.

REFEREE: Steve Bennett (Kent): 6 The linesman should have ruled out Everton’s first goal for offside, but Bennett had a largely sound afternoon.

MATCH RATING: *** A poor match was illuminated by the dazzling Yakubu.