Cup semi-finalists
Everton has the reached the semi-finals of a major cup competition for the first time since 1995, and the semi-finals of the Carling Cup (as it's now called) for the first time since 1988. A 2-1 win in London against a good West Ham side did the deed.
Yakubu scored the winner in the 88th minute with a classic poacher’s goal. It was his sixth in the last four matches.
Unfortunately, Yakubu and ace defender Joseph Yobo have been named to the Nigerian squad that will compete for the African Nations Cup in January, so unless Everton can get a dispensation neither will be available for the Carling Cup semi-finals. Fortunately, Nigeria did not call up Victor Anichebe, the young star who backs up Yakubu. But Vic isn’t knocking them in like Yak – no one is right now.
UPDATE: John Pantsil, the Ghana player who celebrated a goal for Ghana in the World Cup by displaying a small Israeli flag, came on as a substitute for West Ham in the match against Everton.
