Source: SKY_Sports
Homework pays off for Howard
Everton keeper Tim Howard admits he did his homework after helping to knock former club Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
Howard saved penalties from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand as the Toffees won 4-2 in the shoot-out after a 0-0 draw in the Wembley semi-final.
The United States international revealed he had researched where the United players might place their penalties in the build-up to the game.
United keeper Ben Foster employed a similar tactic in the Carling Cup final, with Howard acknowledging the role technology played.
"I think for the League Cup they said they had an Ipod or something," Howard told Sky Sports News.
"Technology today is crazy. We can have a look at the penalties from the last 8 years. Obviously I was not perfect as I went the wrong way on two of them, but it helps.
"Throughout the week we studied it, knowing it could possibly go to penalties."
Regarding Berbatov's penalty which he saved with his legs after Tim Cahill missed Everton's first spot-kick, Howard concedes he had to be patient.
He added: "Listen, they all did a really good job of waiting and waiting and waiting, and I tried to be patient which was really hard in that position because the goal was gaping.
"I thought he likes to go right. If I put him off, I'm not sure, but I know he's one of the shooters that likes to wait and I got lucky."
Howard joined Everton in 2006, initially on loan from United, but insists victory is not extra special merely because it was against his old club.
"I still have good friends there and people I look up to," continued Howard. "I want them to do really well and win the league.
"When you go head-to-head, I'm a competitor, but there's no hard feelings there.
"It's always nice for me, and Louis (Saha) and Phil (Neville), who've been there and had the privilege to play for Manchester United."
