Hibbert: we can keep run going

Everton defender Tony Hibbert claims fatigue will not be a problem for the players as long as they continue to succeed.

A 2-0 victory over West Brom at Goodison Park yesterday was their third win in a week — one of which was in the FA Cup.

It ended a run of eight matches in 29 days and manager David Moyes admitted he thought his team looked physically and mentally tired against the Baggies.

But with five games coming up in 22 days, including an FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, Hibbert is confident the team can maintain their momentum.

“Going into the game we were doing everything we could training-wise and with rehab the lads were feeling all right,” said the right-back.

“Once you get into the game you do feel you are low down on energy but we have had eight games this month so there is going to be a fitness issue. But winning games means the confidence takes over that.

“The lads were confident going into the game and although we had a sticky first half, in the second half we kicked on, and showed what we could do.

“The team was unbelievable on Tuesday night (winning their FA Cup quarter-final at Sunderland) and we needed to bring the confidence from that game to kick on and keep the momentum going.”

The hosts fortuitously took the lead in the 18th minute when Leon Osman’s shot took a huge deflection off Gareth McAuley to wrong-foot Ben Foster, before substitute Victor Anichebe’s first goal at Goodison Park since August 2007 wrapped things up midway through the second-half.

“We have started late again as usual but we want as many points as we can until the end of the season and the more games we play the better we will get,” added Hibbert.