Everton leave it late as Wigan denied

Victor Anichebe's late equaliser earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Wigan that struck a major blow to the hosts' survival hopes.

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Wigan took a shock lead through Phil Neville's own goal with a quarter of an hour remaining.

But Anichebe's header earned Everton a point that means that Wigan have managed just one home win in the Premier League this season.

Everton manager David Moyes started with Steven Pienaar, who returned for a second spell at Goodison Park on loan from Tottenham and the South African winger made a strong start.

He made one long break from his own half and also provided a neat through ball for striker Denis Stracqualursi, who had strayed offside.

Struggling Wigan had their first chance when Emmerson Boyce failed to make decent contact on a header from Jean Beausejour's corner.

Pienaar continued to cause problems and after cutting in from the left flank, he fed Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, who lifted a shot over from the edge of the area.

Having struggled all season, Everton's midfield immediately looked more flexible thanks to the influence of Pienaar and Landon Donovan.

And they opened the hosts up once again when Donovan rolled away from Maynor Figueroa and provided a return pass for Stracqualursi, who could only prod straight at Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Figueroa created another opportunity when his long ball forward picked out Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo, who stabbed weakly at Tim Howard after shrugging off Sylvain Distin.

Jordi Gomez also drove a free kick over the bar but Everton continued to create the better opportunities.

A Leighton Baines free kick was flicked on by Marouane Fellaini but John Heitinga shot straight at Al Habsi.

A strong run down the left by Baines, who started his career with Wigan, saw the left-back cross for Darron Gibson, only for the former Manchester United midfielder to lift over the bar from a good position.

Everton were forced into a change at the interval when Cahill had to be replaced by skipper Neville.

Gibson went some way to making up for his poor first-half finishing when he surged forward to force a low save from Al Habsi.

But Moyes felt his team needed more sharpening up and brought on Nikica Jelavic, who joined from Rangers in a £5.5 million deal last week, just before the hour.

Fellaini went close once again when he pulled down a long ball from Distin and saw his drilled shot saved by Al Habsi.

Wigan were struggling to create any penetration and made a desperate appeal for a penalty when James McCarthy's shot struck Heitinga's hand from close range.

But they took a surprise lead when Beausejour's cross span off Neville and took a strange bounce past the helpless goalkeeper Howard.

Everton responded quickly and pulled level just eight minutes later.

Gary Caldwell headed Baines' corner straight back to the full-back and when he whipped the ball back into the area, Anichebe peeled away to the near post and glanced a header past Al Habsi.

Jelavic's only real chance came when he got on the end of Donovan's corner but saw his effort blocked by Caldwell.

Jelavic targets European push

New Everton striker Nikica Jelavic hopes he can score the goals to help bring European football back to the club.

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The Croatia international, signed from Rangers on deadline day for a reported £5.5million, is keen to be involved against Wigan on Saturday. But the longer-term aim the 26-year-old has set is to return the club to the European stage.

"Europe is something special and we need to play well if we want to get there, but everyone among the players wants to play in Europe," he said.

"I know Everton have not scored much this season but I don't feel the pressure, I like a challenge.

"I will do my best to score many goals. I am always looking to be better every day and my ambitions are to play well and to be useful for the team and score as many goals as possible.

"Playing in Scotland helped me a lot and I think I am ready. The Premier League is something on a higher level and I hope it will be good for me. I don't think I will need time to settle."

Fellow deadline-day signing Steven Pienaar is also hoping to have an impact, having returned to the club he left a year ago on loan from Tottenham.

The South Africa international has made just seven appearances this season, only two of those in the Barclays Premier League and both as substitute.

But, having followed in the footsteps of American Landon Donovan in returning to the club on loan, he hopes he can have as much impact as the Los Angeles Galaxy forward.

"You have to look at someone to inspire you and you only have to see what Landon Donovan has done in the last couple of games and I hope to be able to do the same," he said.

Pienaar relishing Everton return

Steven Pienaar has promised to emulate Landon Donovan in his second spell at Everton as he prepares to face Wigan.

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The South African winger, 29, left Everton for Tottenham last January but has now returned to Goodison Park for the rest of the season on loan after struggling for regular football at Spurs.

Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic could also make his Everton debut at the DW Stadium after completing a £5.5 million move from Rangers on Tuesday.

Pienaar got his career on track when he joined the Blues in 2007 after a difficult spell at Borossia Dortmund and he is hoping to do the same this time around.

He will join up with another former team-mate, Donovan, who is impressing in a second loan spell from LA Galaxy.

Pienaar said: "I have been speaking to the players a lot and when the manager gave me a call on Tuesday it made things much easier.

"Like all the other players I have to come and fight for my place.

"I know it is not going to be easy, the team has had two good wins so I will have to come and fight and show I deserve a place.

"You could say there is pressure because people will expect the same stuff but maybe I'll have a Landon Donovan effect and do even better than last time.

"You have to look at someone to inspire you and what Donovan has done in the last few games. He's been playing really well and hopefully I can do the same.

"It feels great to be back. I just want to play football and got an opportunity to come back and play. I will definitely take it with both hands."

Jelavic has been in prolific form in Scotland, where he scored 30 goals in 41 SPL starts after joining Rangers from Rapid Vienna in the summer of 2010.

The Croatia international, 26, is sure he can maintain that scoring form in the Premier League.

"Of course it's a step up," Jelavic said. "The Premier League is the biggest in the world, the strongest, and for me it's a big step forward in my career so I want to prove myself here and to play well for the club and the supporters.

"It's not pressure, I look at it as a challenge. I scored in Vienna, at Rangers and so I can score here as well.

"I have my way and my style and I look only at it as a challenge and won't put any pressure on myself with numbers."

David Moyes will hope that Jack Rodwell can overcome a hamstring problem but Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman and Leon Osman are all absent through injury.

Colombian Hugo Rodallega could feature again for Wigan after being left on the bench for the 3-1 defeat at Spurs in midweek, following repeated speculation about his future.

Franco Di Santo is likely to overcome a cut leg and Antolin Alcaraz could return from a groin problem.

The Latics are currently bottom of the Premier League and four points from safety.

Manager Roberto Martinez is sure that Rodallega, whose current contract expires in the summer, can make a big difference in the second half of the season despite the likelihood he will leave on a free transfer.

"It is quite clear that the position we are in in the table that the most important thing is Wigan, nothing will distract us a group," Martinez said.

"Individual situations do not matter now as the window is closed.

"Everything is around what Wigan need in the next 15 games. Individual situations are not going to benefit or hinder what we are trying to do.

"I'm delighted as we have Hugo now for the next 15 games. Everything else is not important at all.

"Hugo has shown over the last few seasons how important and affective he has been over the last few seasons."

Jelavic: I did not demand move

Nikica Jelavic insists he did not force his transfer to Everton despite claims from Rangers chairman Craig Whyte that he had no choice but to sanction their top goalscorer's exit on transfer deadline day.

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The Croatian striker, who netted 17 goals for the Scottish champions this season, moved to the Barclays Premier League club for a fee reported to be around £5.5million.

"My dream was to play in the English Premier League but I never forced my transfer," said Jelavic.

"I spoke with Ally McCoist and said if the president wants me to stay I'll stay and if they need money and want me to leave, I'll leave - the club decided."

Jelavic also expressed concerns over the troubling times his former club is facing but backed Rangers to overcome a difficult period.

The Glasgow giants continue to face financial uncertainty as they await the verdict of a tax tribunal, which could leave them with a bill as high as £49million if they lose the dispute with HMRC. Whyte this week also issued a denial over allegations he used season ticket sales to fund his takeover of the club in May.

Jelavic added: "It is a difficult situation for them I know and I heard inside information about them having problems. It is still my team and my friends are there and I am worried about the situation but I think they will find a solution because they are a big institution."

Rangers were unable to secure a replacement for Jelavic ahead of Tuesday's deadline after failing with a bid to sign Norwich striker Grant Holt. But Jelavic believes McCoist's men can still retain their SPL crown this season despite his departure, while paying tribute to his former team.

He said: "It was difficult for me but we are professional and that is football. It was difficult because they gave me a beautiful 18 months, two trophies, many goals and it was not easy. This is football and we are all professionals.

"I just want to say thanks to everyone from Rangers, they will have a special place in my heart always. With or without me I don't see why they shouldn't win the championship - they are a good team and there are plenty of games to go."

Mancini takes blame for defeat

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini blamed himself for his side's potentially damaging defeat at Everton.

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The Italian conceded he had been complacent having watched his side's three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League get wiped out following a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Former Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson, whose old club now trail the leaders only on goal difference, scored the only goal of the game on the hour and Mancini said: "I didn't prepare well for this game. I thought it was maybe easier. I know here it is never easy, never."

He added: "I acknowledge my mistake. It is important for me to know this because, like this, I can't do the same mistakes in the next game."

When asked to elaborate on his mistakes in his post-match press conference, Mancini referred to the team's training in recent days.

He said: "The players put everything on the pitch but I made some mistakes during the last three days preparing for this game. I didn't prepare very well. For this reason we lost this game but I also feel we didn't deserve it because they had two chances to score and we were so unlucky in the same situation."

City have won just one of their last 14 visits to Goodison Park but despite that poor record, Mancini claimed he had been lulled into a false sense of security.

Mancini said: "We played well against Tottenham, we won the last three games in the Premier League. I thought Everton were without three or four important players, and maybe we did these mistakes. It can happen."

Mancini claimed he was not concerned about the situation at the top of the table with United closing in.

He said: "This is not important. We are on the top again. We have 15 games. It is important next Saturday we win the game at home. We have time."

Everton complete Jelavic deal

Everton have completed the signing of Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic from Rangers on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

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The 26-year-old completed a medical and agreed personal terms at Everton's Finch Farm training base on Monday afternoon before finalising the details of his contract at Goodison Park.

He becomes David Moyes' third signing of the January transfer window, following a loan for Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan and a permanent deal for Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson.

Jelavic scored 36 goals in just 55 appearances for Rangers having been signed from Rapid Vienna for £4million in the summer of 2010.

Prior to his move to Scotland, Jelavic had scored 40 in 93 games in three seasons in the Austrian league.

Fan handcuffs self to post at Everton-City clash

Manchester City's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park was disrupted on Tuesday after a spectator handcuffed himself to the goalposts.

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Play was interrupted for several minutes shortly before half-time after the male fan cuffed himself to City keeper Joe Hart's goalposts.

Players from both teams looked on bemused before the fan was eventually led away down the touchline by stewards.

Everton interested in Jelavic

Everton have been in touch with Rangers regarding Nikica Jelavic but Press Association Sport understands that no official bid has yet been made.

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The Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions have already rejected a £7million package from West Ham for the 26-year-old Croatia striker, who missed Saturday's 4-0 win over Hibernian at Ibrox with a virus.

Everton boss David Moyes made his move for Jelavic after Diniyar Bilyaletdinov completed his transfer to Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee, but one which has been reported as £5million.

The Ibrox club are bracing themselves for the Merseysiders to make an official offer later on Sunday night or on Monday morning for a player who also been linked with Liverpool and QPR.

However, it is understood that Ibrox owner Craig Whyte is determined not to let Jelavic leave for anything less than his valuation of the player, thought to be £8million-plus, and will be more than happy to still have the player at the club on Wednesday morning.

The Ibrox club are confident that manager Ally McCoist will have at least one new player in his squad before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

McCoist had expressed interest in signing Pawel Brozek from Turkish club Trabzonspor but the Polish striker has agreed terms with Old Firm rivals Celtic and will join on loan until the end of the season subject to a medical.

Moyes quiet on Jelavic link

Everton manager David Moyes has refused to comment on speculation linking the club with Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

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Reports have suggested the Barclays Premier League are among the front-runners to sign the 26-year-old Croatia international before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Rangers are thought to value the player at around £8million and have already rejected an offer from West Ham. QPR have also been linked with the forward, who missed Rangers' 4-0 win over Hibernian on Saturday with a virus. When asked directly about Jelavic, Moyes said: "I never talk about players at other clubs, I wouldn't do that."

He added: "I don't like it and I didn't like it when I was a player and I kept hearing there were other centre-halves coming in to take my position. I wouldn't talk about players at other clubs.

"If there was any news I would give it to you. You will need to wait until midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) night and then we will let you know what is happening."

Moyes was speaking at a press conference to preview the Premier League game against Manchester City.

When asked further about the latest reports in Scotland concerning Jelavic, the former Celtic defender added: "It is a strange place that Scotland! I don't know what they do up there. They talk about anything up there."

Moyes has already completed a loan deal for Landon Donovan and the permanent signing of Darron Gibson in the current transfer window. The club have not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years but Moyes is now thought to have some money available following the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov over the weekend.

The Russian winger has joined Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £5million. Although he would not comment on individuals, Moyes is keen to complete another signing before the deadline.

He said: "I said probably a month ago that I would hope to bring two or three players in during the window, so the answer to that is yes."

Everton manager David Moyes has refused to comment on speculation linking the club with Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

Reports have suggested the Barclays Premier League are among the front-runners to sign the 26-year-old Croatia international before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

Rangers are thought to value the player at around £8million and have already rejected an offer from West Ham. QPR have also been linked with the forward, who missed Rangers' 4-0 win over Hibernian on Saturday with a virus. When asked directly about Jelavic, Moyes said: "I never talk about players at other clubs, I wouldn't do that."

He added: "I don't like it and I didn't like it when I was a player and I kept hearing there were other centre-halves coming in to take my position. I wouldn't talk about players at other clubs.

"If there was any news I would give it to you. You will need to wait until midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) night and then we will let you know what is happening."

Moyes was speaking at a press conference to preview the Premier League game against Manchester City.

When asked further about the latest reports in Scotland concerning Jelavic, the former Celtic defender added: "It is a strange place that Scotland! I don't know what they do up there. They talk about anything up there."

Moyes has already completed a loan deal for Landon Donovan and the permanent signing of Darron Gibson in the current transfer window. The club have not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years but Moyes is now thought to have some money available following the sale of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov over the weekend.

The Russian winger has joined Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £5million. Although he would not comment on individuals, Moyes is keen to complete another signing before the deadline.

He said: "I said probably a month ago that I would hope to bring two or three players in during the window, so the answer to that is yes."

Round: We deserved Cup win

Assistant boss Steve Round felt Everton fully deserved their place in the FA Cup fifth round after seeing off Fulham on Friday night.

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The Merseysiders came from behind to win 2-1 at Goodison Park with headers from Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini after a controversial Danny Murphy penalty. John Heitinga was penalised in the 13th minute when the ball struck his arm as he attempted to block a Damien Duff shot but Everton otherwise dictated the game.

Round said: "I think we deserved it. Their goal was against the run of play. It was a very difficult decision for the referee to give and I don't envy him in those positions. It did hit his hand but I think it was more ball to hand than hand to ball. We didn't think it was a penalty, it was quite harsh, but to come back, the team showed great spirit, great togetherness."

He added: "We got the goal and then I thought we would go on and win it.

"We showed more ambition and I thought every time we put the ball in the net from a shot or cross we looked a real threat."

Fulham boss Martin Jol was frustrated that his team failed to gain a greater foothold in the contest but had no complaints about the result.

Jol said: "If you score a goal that early, you hope for more, you hope to go to the next round.

"But you have to defend well because you know the quality they have from crosses and midfield players.

"They had a strong spell of five corners in about two minutes, that is their strength. They were trying to get balls into the box from the right and the left and we knew they would.

"Overall we defended well but on two occasions we didn't and there was another ball on to the bar which made us nervous, but with our quality we should have done better."

Everton rally to beat Fulham

Headers from Denis Stracqualursi and Marouane Fellaini sent Everton into the fifth round of the FA Cup as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 on Friday.

Danny Murphy gave Fulham a controversial early lead from the penalty spot at Goodison Park but Everton hit back against their Barclays Premier League rivals.

Landon Donovan was twice the provider as Stracqualursi equalised before half-time and Fellaini settled the contest with 17 minutes from time.

Everton V Fulham at Goodison Park : Match Preview

Everton boss David Moyes has attempted to deflect criticism from chairman Bill Kenwright by taking responsibility for the club's perceived failings.

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A faction of disgruntled supporters believe Everton have stagnated under Kenwright due to a lack of investment and want him to sell his stake in the club.

Kenwright has long said he is willing to do that if he can find a suitable investor but there have been peaceful fan protests against his ownership this season.

Some fans also voiced their disquiet after last week's frustrating Barclays Premier League draw with Blackburn but Moyes believes it is up to the team to put that right.

Moyes, whose side are 14th in the table, said: "The only negativity there is is because of how the team play.

We have not played well enough. "It is nothing to do with the board of directors or the chairman, it is to do with me and the team.

"We have got to do better on the pitch. If the team plays better it lifts the mood and people change.

"We need to perform better and win more often. If we do that it will change everything. "Winning football games is always the answer so I will take responsibility for that."

Moyes has brought in Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan on loan and Darron Gibson from Manchester United this month but the club have still not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years.

The other notable piece of business in the current transfer window so far is outgoing with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov poised to complete a move to Spartak Moscow. A fee thought to be around £5million has been agreed for the 26-year-old Russian winger, who has failed to command a regular starting place since his £9million arrival from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2009.

Moyes said: "Billy has been here and maybe not quite reached what we wanted but I couldn't fault anything he did. "I am disappointed because he was such a good professional and a great boy to work with.

"He was tremendously committed when he played for us and was really keen to be a success here.

"From that point of view I have no failings with him at all and we wish him well." Moyes is now looking at whether he can still add further to his squad before the closure of the window next Tuesday.

He said: "We are asking around a little bit to see what we could maybe get but at this moment in time we have got nothing to report."

Moyes' immediate priority is Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Premier League rivals Fulham at Goodison Park.

The Scot said: "It is a tough game but it would have been tougher at Craven Cottage.

"They have brought some good players in but they already had some good players before that. "It is a Premier League tie and that keeps the players' mentality levels up - the attitude level has to be right.

"They are up against players of very similar ability and they understand the games are tight. "It is important to win. It is a last chance for us to win a cup competition this year and we want to get through to the next round."

Moyes must decide whether to continue with 20-year-old Shane Duffy in defence in the absence of injured Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka or reshuffle the back line by recalling fit-again Tony Hibbert.

Fulham manager Martin Jol has praised Clint Dempsey's form but rejects the notion his side are becoming over reliant on the American. The 28-year-old has been in inspired form for the Cottagers this season and scored two hat-tricks this month, including a treble in the 5-2 defeat of Newcastle last weekend.

Fulham next face Everton, where Dempsey will face fellow United States internationals Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.

The latter suggested in the build-up to the match that the west Londoners are increasingly relying on Dempsey's presence, although Jol downplayed the comment.

"It is always great to have players that can make the difference and he (Howard) probably does that for Everton as well," the Dutchman said.

"You always rely on good goalkeepers, good centre-forwards and productive players.

"You will never be a good team without one or two players [that can make the difference]. Even Barcelona would not be without players that can make the difference.

"We have other players that can score. We have got goals in us, with Bryan Ruiz, Mousa Dembele and Bobby Zamora, who was involved in at least three goals the other day.

We have got the quality but I can't deny that Clint is very different for us this year."

Fulham will again be without Mousa Dembele (hip) but Steve Sidwell is available despite coming off injured against Newcastle last Saturday.

Moyes shoulders the blame

Everton boss David Moyes has attempted to deflect criticism from chairman Bill Kenwright by taking responsibility for the club's perceived failings.

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A faction of disgruntled supporters believe Everton have stagnated under Kenwright due to a lack of investment and want him to sell his stake in the club. Kenwright has long said he is willing to do that if he can find a suitable investor but there have been peaceful fan protests against his ownership this season.

Some fans also voiced their disquiet after last week's frustrating Barclays Premier League draw with Blackburn, but Moyes believes it is up to the team to put that right, saying: "The only negativity there is is because of how the team play. We have not played well enough. It is nothing to do with the board of directors or the chairman, it is to do with me and the team."

He added: "We have got to do better on the pitch. If the team plays better it lifts the mood and people change.

"We need to perform better and win more often. If we do that it will change everything. Winning football games is always the answer so I will take responsibility for that."

Moyes has brought in Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan on loan and Darron Gibson from Manchester United this month but the club have still not paid a significant transfer fee for more than two years.

The other notable piece of business in the current transfer window so far is outgoing with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov poised to complete a move to Spartak Moscow.

A fee thought to be around £5million has been agreed for the 26-year-old Russian winger, who has failed to command a regular starting place since his £9million arrival from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2009.

Moyes said: "Billy has been here and maybe not quite reached what we wanted but I couldn't fault anything he did. I am disappointed because he was such a good professional and a great boy to work with.

"He was tremendously committed when he played for us and was really keen to be a success here. From that point of view I have no failings with him at all and we wish him well."

Bily close to Russian return

Everton have agreed a deal with Spartak Moscow for winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, the Russian club have announced.

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The 26-year-old Russia international will now undergo a medical ahead of a potential move back to his homeland.

A statement on the club's website, "Spartak have reached an agreement in principle with the English [club] Everton and 26-year-old midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for a transfer to our club. The contract will be signed after the medical examination."

Bilyaletdinov has failed to make a big impression since his near-£9million to Goodison Park from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2009.

He took time to settle on Merseyside but showed potential during his first season at the Barclays Premier League club, scoring seven goals.

However he failed to build on that promise and has been unable to command a regular place in David Moyes' side.

He has started just seven league matches this season and was an unused substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw with struggling Blackburn.

Bilyaletdinov's departure would be Moyes' third major piece of business of the January transfer window after the signings of forward Landon Donovan, on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United.

Heitinga not expecting Pienaar move

Defender John Heitinga believes Everton would be priced out of any attempts to bring Steven Pienaar back to the club.

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The South Africa international was sold to Tottenham for £3million a year ago but injuries have restricted his progress and the 29-year-old has made only 16 appearances for the club. Pienaar has been linked with a return to Goodison Park but his former Toffees and Ajax team-mate believes that is unlikely, with manager David Moyes working to a restricted transfer budget.

"I'd take him back but I don't think it's realistic," the Holland international told the Liverpool Echo.

"They would ask for more money to sell him than they paid us for him and we don't have much more. It's up to the manager and the board whether a few players come or not but Pienaar is unrealistic."

Heitinga did not criticise Pienaar for his decision to leave - he also had the chance to go to Chelsea - but he expected the midfielder to have had more game time.

"I played with him at Ajax and he's got a lot of quality," he added.

"It surprises me that he's not playing more regularly for them. He was injured but he did very well for Everton in the past.

"Everton is a nice club to play for and Steven made the decision to go to another club and it's his right to make that decision.

"You'd need to ask Steven if he regrets it (leaving). The important thing for me is that you're happy and you play.

"I heard in the newspaper he was going to leave and go to another team so you never know what's going to happen."

Moyles hails returning Anichebe

Manager David Moyes praised another crucial contribution from fit again Everton striker Victor Anichebe after his equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

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The Nigeria international had come off the substitute's bench after a long injury lay-off to score a late winner against West Brom at the Hawthorns a fortnight ago.

Anichebe followed that up by cancelling out Darren Bent's opener for Villa just eight minutes after coming into the action, and Moyes said: "It was a great finish. Victor has had a terrible couple of years with injury."

He added: "He can be a real handful and has got a good temperament. We need to get him on the pitch more often because we know what he is capable of doing."

Landon Donovan exuded class in his second loan spell at Everton from the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Moyes said: "I thought Landon was the best player on the pitch today. He has come over here from Galaxy, completed the full 90 minutes, and it is a testament to the professional he is."

Donovan's Galaxy team-mate, striker Robbie Keane, made a late appearance for Villa in what was his debut after joining the midlands club on loan.

Villa boss Alex McLeish said: "Robbie has not played for two or three weeks. He has come across the big pond (from America) and only trained for a few days. He is not going to be 100% after that short period and the other strikers have done well. But Robbie did well when he came on and I hope he can make an impact."

Villa ended a run of four successive home defeats and McLeish was content with the overall performance despite allowing Everton to salvage a share of the spoils.

He said: "With performances like that, the home wins will come. Aston Villa fans come here expecting to win and it was an improved showing on the performance against Swansea. We were concentrated and the work rate was much better."

Bent's seventh goal of the campaign put Villa in front early in the second period after he was teed up by the impressive Stephen Ireland. But Anichebe timed his run perfectly to run onto a pass from Donovan for the equaliser.

Aston Villa V Everton at Villa Park : Match Preview

Villa Boss Alex McLeish is hoping the signing of striker Robbie Keane can act as an inspiration to the other Aston Villa players ahead of the home Barclays Premier League clash with Everton.

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Keane is included in the Villa squad after signing on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy until the end of February.

McLeish is refusing to reveal whether the Republic of Ireland international will start but has no doubt he will have a positive influence at Villa.

He said: "In terms of the impact Robbie will have, he will have a great effect.

"His experience and knowledge in the dressing room should be worth its weight in gold. "In my playing career, bringing players into a club of that ilk was a case of not only looking for individuals to do well but looking for others to be inspired.

"Hopefully Robbie can push others to play their best football and I also think there's no bigger threat than someone coming in to take your place.

"I am sure the fans will enjoy seeing Robbie in a Villa jersey. We will just have to wait and see when that is.

"Robbie could make his debut but I am not going to reveal my starting line-up at the moment." McLeish will hope Keane can help Villa put an end to a run of four successive home defeats if he is involved against the Toffees.

He said: "Desperate is a word I don't like to use but the home form certainly is something we want to put right. "We have lost to three of the elite clubs and Swansea beat us after we got a great result at Chelsea which was a real kick in the backside.

"It's up to us. I do feel we have been punished for every little mistake at home. But the one thing we have to concentrate on is concentration.

"I feel sometimes we can have little lapses and two against Swansea cost us two goals.

We have to concentrate from start to finish as we did against Stoke, Arsenal and Chelsea."

Goalkeeper Shay Given is available after a six-week lay-off with a hamstring problem but defender Carlos Cuellar (thigh) and midfielder Chris Herd (ankle) are still ruled out.

Some advice from Manchester United team-mate and former Toffees striker Wayne Rooney helped convince new Everton midfielder Darron Gibson to move to Goodison Park.

Frustration at not getting first-team chances at Old Trafford played a significant part but the 24-year-old said after speaking to the England international - and then Everton duo Phil Neville and Tim Cahill - his mind was made up.

"I was speaking to Wayne about it a bit and after that and coming to see the facilities it was an easy decision," Gibson, who is in the squad to face Aston Villa, told local radio reporters. "He told me it was a great club and he really enjoyed his time and the people here.

"Having a word with him and people like Tim Cahill and Phil Neville convinced me to come."

Gibson has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of £1million, rising to £2million on appearances. He made 60 appearances in six years at United but knew he had little future at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson decided to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement.

The 37-year-old, who quit the game last season, was brought back on a short-term deal to provide cover for an injury-stricken midfield and came off the bench in last weekend's 3-2 FA Cup third round victory at Manchester City.

"I was very frustrated [at Manchester United]. It was hard for me at times," the Republic of Ireland international added.

"I think when I did get a chance I did well and obviously I was getting left out afterwards and I was playing one or two games here and there.

"When Scholesy came back the manager told me I was free to go. "Everton had shown some interest a month before hand and the gaffer (David Moyes) wanted me in so it went from there.

"It was very frustrating but I think it was the right time for me to move on and I'm looking forward to my time here.

"I'm really looking forward to kicking on now." Sylvain Distin (hamstring) and Phil Jagielka (knee) are still sidelined so Shane Duffy, who only made his first league appearance as a substitute in the midweek defeat at Tottenham, could start.

Everton snap up Gibson

Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson has joined Everton on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the Goodison Park club have said.

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The 24-year-old Gibson has moved to Merseyside for an undisclosed fee, becoming the club's second signing of the January transfer window following Landon Donovan's loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy.

The midfielder, a product of the United youth team, scored 10 goals in 60 appearances for the Old Trafford side since breaking into the first team in the 2005-06 season.

Gibson, who was born in Northern Ireland but opted to play for the Republic of Ireland, has played 17 times for his country, scoring once.

Everton swoop for United midfielder Gibson

Everton are closing in on the signing of Manchester United's Darron Gibson.

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The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder is likely to cost Everton around £2m.

Gibson has struggled to force his way in the starting XI at Old Trafford this season and is now set to leave the club in order to ensure he makes Republic of Ireland's Euro 2012 squad.

A propsed move to Sunderland in the summer broke down over personal terms but BBC Sport are reporting that a move to Everton could be closer.

He would be Everton's second addition this month following the arrival of Landon Donovan on a short term loan deal.

Moyes seeks improvement

Everton manager David Moyes accepts his squad's brittle confidence means there are likely to be more ups and downs before the end of the season.

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Defeat to Bolton a week ago ended a four-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League and left the side stuck in 11th place. A 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory over non-league Tamworth at the weekend helped lift spirits but a trip to high-flying Tottenham tonight presents real difficulty for the Toffees, who are likely to have six first-team regulars missing with injury.

Moyes has no doubts about the battling qualities of his squad but knows they need a succession of good results to help kick-start the second half of the season. And he said: "Injuries have come in the last couple of games but we have to consider where the Bolton game was and it was very poor performance-wise."

He added: "I think we had a good sequence of results before Bolton but it only took one night to quickly erode the confidence.

"That can happen because in truth we have been a little bit fragile for most of the season and we are very aware of that.

"We are in a tough year and we have told people that but we will try to do as much as we can to make it as good as we can.

"We don't have any magic wand behind the scenes to do anything. We will continue doing the same work we have done over the years which has tended to see us through in the end and we are hoping we pick up enough points.

"We have to raise our performance levels to hopefully get more results and it is going to be that way until the end of the season."

Everton have a good recent record against Tottenham, having lost just once in their last five league visits to White Hart Lane.

Spurs have made considerable strides over the last couple of seasons, however, and Moyes knows despite all the talk about Gareth Bale being the dangerman they cannot afford to ignore the rest of Harry Redknapp's team.