Source: Telegraph
David Moyes hails Everton's win over Manchester United as pivotal moment
With Everton poised for their fourth top six Premier League finish in five years, Moyes also hailed the progress that had been made by players who have now eliminated both Liverpool and Manchester United on the way to a first FA Cup final since 1995. [LNB] "For everyone at Everton it is fantastic," he said. "If they keep doing what they are doing now, success will not be too far away. [LNB] Related ArticlesFerguson suggests Riley was influencedJagielka reluctant hero for EvertonHoward guides Everton into Cup finalMan United v Everton: FA Cup man markingFerguson defends Wembley selectionFA Cup semi-final action "This was probably the biggest game I've been involved in, partly because it was a semi-final and partly because of Manchester United. [LNB] "We're now looking forward to playing Chelsea. We're playing the big teams more often now and that tells you we are getting somewhere. [LNB] "But this is just a semi. We have not won anything yet but it was an important moment for the football club. The fans made that a special semi-final. I thought Everton's supporters were raucous." [LNB]Everton had practised their penalties in the build-up to the match and goalkeeper Tim Howard admitted that he had been studying footage of his former Manchester United team-mates. [LNB] "Technology is crazy today, you can look at the penalties from something like the last eight years," Howard said. [LNB] "However, it was not perfect as I went the wrong way for two of them. Throughout the week, knowing that it could possibly go to penalties, so we studied it. I tried to be patient, which is not easy, and I guess I got lucky." [LNB]Howard also recalled how he had been close to being sent on for United's shoot-out against Arsenal in the 2005 FA Cup final. "He (United boss Sir Alex Ferguson) wanted to bring me on for the penalties," he said. "It was talked about. He got me to warm-up, so there must have been a reason. [LNB] "I have not saved a penalty since I have been at Everton. I was obviously saving my luck. It probably means more to me than I expected. [LNB] "I still have got friends there whom I look up to. I want them to do really well and win the league but, when you go head to head, I am a competitor. [LNB] "There is no hard feelings there but it is nice for me, Louis (Saha) and Phil (Neville), who have all had the privilege to play for Manchester United." [LNB]Everton captain Phil Neville said it was time for the club to start winning trophies again. "Hopefully that will catapult us back into the big time because Everton have been out of the big time for too long," he said. [LNB] "The fans were magnificent and kept us going when we had run out of steam a bit. We have gained confidence from every team we have beaten in each round. Now it is Chelsea and, in the final, anything can happen. [LNB] "It was a difficult day. I did not celebrate too much when I scored my penalty because you do not do that in front of the people who have helped you so much in your career. [LNB] "When you get to cup finals I think it is a reward for a lot of people. But the boss has stepped up to the mark. [LNB] "He wanted us to go out there and express ourselves. He gave us that confidence – now we need to go and win the cup final. [LNB] "It's one of the proudest moments of my career, to lead the team out at Wembley in the FA Cup final. They say your next achievement is the best and that is certainly how it feels. We've done it the hard way. We've beaten the best side in the world." [LNB]Tim Cahill, who missed a penalty for Everton, said that he would still be willing to be involved in any shoot-out in the final. [LNB] "It's the best feeling in the world. I suppose the fans have been waiting for this forever. I'm just overwhelmed really," he said. "It is a reward for the fans and players. I'm just gutted I didn't score. But that's why we are a team because the boys got me out of it. [LNB] "I wanted the ball to go in the back of the net as soon as possible and just skied it. It happens. If I get another one in the final I will probably have another go. Tim (Howard) has been amazing – he has been saving everyone's penalties in training." [LNB][LNB]
