Source: SKY_Sports
Howard eyes Wembley shut-out
Tim Howard has admitted he would give up his record for clean sheets to keep out Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Howard wrote his name into Everton's record books on Saturday following the goalless draw with Tottenham at Goodison Park.
It was the goalkeeper's 16th clean sheet in the Premier League this season and he has expressed his delight at the achievement, whilst also paying tribute to the defence in front of him.
"I am obviously very pleased with the record for clean sheets, and in some ways this game was a nice way to do it because I barely had anything to do," said the American.
"The rapport between myself and the back four has been really good. Anyone can keep a clean sheet when your defence keeps getting the ball away in front of you, it is not just me.
"Collectively we have been putting in really good performances. At the beginning of the season we were awful and just couldn't keep a clean sheet, but that was hardly surprising because our performances were not good enough.
"But we have got things together, the lads in front of me know what they are doing and the results have improved."
Everton are still battling for fifth place in the Premier League this season but, with European qualification already secured, there is little question about their priority.
The Toffees face Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup on 30th May and Howard is determined to prevent the Blues from scoring.
"Now I aim to keep another clean sheet at Wembley. The one shut-out I really want is at Wembley in the cup final. I would give up all the rest just for that," he said.
"We have a couple of league games left and we are still aiming for fifth place. But the thought of Wembley is really motivating us.
"We are training hard, everything is very exciting. We aim to end our league programme in style and then really turn it on at Wembley."
