A kind assassin
Last week Joe Cole, Chelsea's outstanding attacking midfielder, ended Everton's dream of participating in the Carling Cup final this year by scoring a brilliant goal just as the match seemed to turning in our favor. Nonetheless, Cole was sufficiently impressed by Everton's performance during the home-away semi-final to say:
I think you're looking at a top-four side here. They've got players like Arteta, Cahill, Johnson and Osman; top players. They're going to be pushing for a Champions League place. This is a top side.
I don't place great stock in these sorts of testimonials. The fact is, however, that for the moment at least, Everton is in the top four.
