Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Arteta earns Moyes praise

01 Oct 2007 - 07:38:12

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Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta earned high praise from manager David Moyes after his superb display in the 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.

The Spaniard had a hand in both goals, scored by Joleon Lescott and Steven Pienaar, having missed the last couple of games due to injury.

Moyes enthused: "Mikel is a really important player for us and played well. He made a difference.

"He gives us composure and not only that, he can eliminate players.

"He can play in the middle of the park, as you saw. He can go past players in the wide areas. He can pass it as well when need be.

"He's got an ability not to give the ball away and keep it. At times we gain free-kicks from it, because he does very well getting his body between the ball and the opposition.

"The creativity Mikel gave us has certainly been missing.

"I thought we made chances. Against Aston Villa last weekend we probably had as many passes, but we didn't create any chances.

"This time I thought we did make some chances, although Middlesbrough made chances as well."