Everton coach warns Yakubu against laziness
EVERON manager David Moyes has warned Eagles striker Ayegbeni Yakubu not to rest on his laurels following his dream debut at the weekend.
Yakubu started to repay the club-record �11.25million splashed out on him last week by scoring the opening goal after just 10 minutes of the 2-1 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
If that was a sign of things to come from a �20 million strike force which saw Andy Johnson's industry and endeavour pave the way for the 24-year-old Nigerian to slot home, then Everton will be delighted.
However, Moyes will not be afraid to shake things up if the need arises, although not to the degree of Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez.
"We're delighted for Yakubu. When you sign any striker you want him to get that first goal quickly," Moyes said.
"But it would be difficult to praise Yakubu without praising Andy Johnson. The work Andy put in was terrific. He really laid it on a plate for Yakubu.
"If ever there was a strike partnership goal then that was it.
"But I've said to the players that, despite a bigger squad, I won't rotate. I will make changes at the right time.
"I've James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe and James McFadden waiting in the wings, and I'm more than comfortable using any of them."
After Nicolas Anelka deservedly volleyed Bolton level in the 55th minute with his fourth goal of the season, it took a centre-back to steal the points at the death.
Joleon Lescott headed home a corner from Thomas Gravesen, whose 61st-minute introduction for his second debut with the club put the brakes on Bolton's dominance.
However, it required a few stern words at half-time from Moyes for Lescott to finally come good.
"He is improving, although I thought he had a tough time at different periods in the game," added Moyes.
"In the first half he should have won a couple of headers more than he did, and I gave him a bit of stick at half-time.
"In the second half I thought he dominated things a lot more, and he got a goal, his second of the season.
"I said to him at the end, 'That's the way to make your manager shut up."'
Moyes should know a thing or two about defending from his own career, and he scored a few goals too.
"I've told him that I think in my best season I scored 10. I don't know if he'll score that many - I don't know if he's that good!" joked Moyes.
"There will probably be a bet between us now, and if does beat me then I would be more than happy to pay out whatever it would be."
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/sports/article11/030907