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Player Valuation: £40m
ANDREW JOHNSON hailed Ayegbeni Yakubu's master class of finishing - then warned Everton's future opponents their partnership is getting better.
The pair have only started eight games together since Yakubu’s £11.25m arrival last August but they showed clear signs in last night’s 6-1 drubbing of SK Brann that they are starting to gel.
Yakubu became the first Everton player since Graeme Sharp 20 years ago to score two hat-tricks in one season, while Johnson’s double salvo provided the England international with a huge confidence boost.
But with James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe waiting in the wings, Johnson knows he and Yakubu will have to maintain such levels of form if they want to stay in the starting line-up. He is, however, looking forward to their next outing.
“Yak is a fantastic player and we have missed him so much,” said Johnson. “We struggled to score while he was away. He’s not just a fantastic goalscorer, he’s a top all-round player too.
“Every time he turns, he is looking to play you in. He can hold the ball up and play some great passes. I always try to make a run because I know that he’ll find me. He is just a joy to play with.
“The signs between us were good but don’t forget we have got four top class strikers here. It’s not just about me and Yak. Victor and Vaughany will both have a role to play and that’s why we have got such a fantastic squad. It’s looking good.
“The main thing is the team won and we are through to the next round. The boys have been working hard and it’s a while since we scored a few goals like that at home.”
Everton’s reward for disposing of Brann 8-1 on aggregate is a clash in the last 16 with Fiorentina but Johnson says that date will go on the backburner as the side prepare for Monday night’s crucial battle with Man City.
“Fiorentina are a big team and will be one of the favourites to win the competition but we are in good form and fancy our chances against anyone at the moment,” said Johnson. “But the main thing now is to get our heads down and concentrate on Monday.
“Our away form has been good but Man City are a top team. It’s going to be a tough task and this is probably our biggest game of the season so far. We want to finish in fourth and this is a massive game but we have got to go there with confidence.”
Yakubu said of last night’s Blues romp: “If we keep fighting like that I think we can go through to the final. “It’s a great feeling.
“AJ did a lot of running for me and I’d like to thank him and my team-mates. We have got a great spirit and we don’t have any more injuries and all the players are back now. If we keep working like this we can go through.”
They are certainly complimenting each other nicely, they seem to get on really well, so hopefully they can fire us to champions league.
It seem's like every player comments on the spirit, it's played a major part in our success imo.
