Everton dust off their passports

KEVIN KEEGAN can dismiss the Premier League as “boring,” but the concluding day of the domestic season brought ample entertainment for Everton and their support yesterday as two goals from Yakubu comfortably shepherded them into next term’s UEFA Cup.

Even allowing for some minor posturing between manager David Moyes and owner Bill Kenwright over the former’s contract extension, the future looks bright for Everton. As for Newcastle, who like their hosts yesterday would like to believe they can infiltrate the “big four” of English football, this will be a long and important summer off the field.

“I’d rather have been parading a cup around the pitch at the end but I’ve got to be realistic,” said Moyes. “We put up a good fight to finish fourth, for most of the season, and just fell short but I’ve been delighted with this season.