Everton Football Club News

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Suspension blow hits Fellaini

11 Jan 2009 - 11:01:13

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Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini will miss the upcoming Merseyside derby double-header against Liverpool due to a two-match suspension.

The 21-year-old Belgium international has been booked ten times already since joining the Toffees from Standard Liege and his latest caution in the 2-0 win over Hull City has cost him dear.

Fellaini will now miss the Premier League meeting with Liverpool next weekend and the FA Cup fourth round meeting of the two sides at Anfield a week later.

Blues manager David Moyes said: "We were in control and Tim Howard had just a couple of catches to make.

"The downside was the booking for Fellaini. I have seen it now on TV and the Hull lad ducked his head down to about four feet off the ground, Fellaini is looking at the ball and toe-pokes it away.

"It can't seriously be dangerous play, you are entitled to challenge for that. It was a costly decision and clubs do get people suspended.

"We thought about taking him off at half-time because of the possible problem of him being suspended with another booking.

"But we were 2-0 up against Newcastle and didn't win, so the most important game is the one we are playing.

"I made the decision and if he could have got through 15 minutes or so we would have taken him off."