Goodison cheer for Lescott

07 August 2009 21:24
Joleon Lescott was cheered every time he touched the ball as Everton beat Malaga 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Goodison Park.[LNB] Lescott, who has told boss David Moyes he wants to leave, could have expected a tough night but his name received the loudest applause when it was announced before the game. [LNB] Louis Saha and Leon Osman were on target in a victory which will boost confidence ahead of next weekend's Barclays Premier League opener against Arsenal.[LNB] Any mild dissension towards Lescott was drowned out by the vast majority of Toffees fans who clearly wanted to let the England international know they do not want him to join big-spending Manchester City. Everton insist they have not had a third bid from City after two previous ones were rejected. [LNB] Last season's FA Cup finalists have not had the best of pre-seasons, with only one win in six prior to the match.[LNB] Moyes had blasted his players' poor attitude after Tuesday's defeat at Blackpool but they were much closer to their usual standards and went ahead after 14 minutes when Saha slammed the ball home from eight yards after goalkeeper Gustavo Munua flapped at a Leighton Baines cross under pressure from Tim Cahill. [LNB] Four minutes later Osman guided the ball wide of Munua from Steven Pienaar's pass for the second. [LNB] Everton were comfortable until the break but conceded from a stunning 30-yard free-kick goal from Jose Juan Luque three minutes into the second period. [LNB] Marouane Fellaini hit the foot of a post with a spectacular turn and shot before being replaced by Dan Gosling. [LNB] Lescott played the full 90 minutes and was left in no doubt about the crowds' feelings when the Gwladys Street fans sung his name at the end. Everton gave James Wallace, James Vaughan and Jose Baxter late run-outs.

Source: Eurosport