Source: Eurosport
Homework paid off, admits Howard
Tim Howard revealed their homework had paid off as his saves helped Everton beat old club Manchester United to reach the FA Cup final.The Red Devils had left the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar out and fielded a team full of youngsters, but one that nevertheless held their own during a goalless 120 minutes.In the end, though, it was the experience of Howard that came through in the shootout, saving from Dimitar Berbatov and United captain Rio Ferdinand.United keeper Ben Foster, in goal again today, famously watched an iPod to view footage of Tottenham's penalty takers before their successful shootout in this season's Carling Cup final.And American stopper Howard revealed Everton had made sure he had plenty of information ahead of the spot-kick lottery."Technology is crazy today, you can look at the penalties from something like the last eight years," Howard said."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."Howard added: "I tried to be patient, which is not easy, and I guess I got lucky."The Unites States international recalled how he had been close to being sent on for United's shootout against Arsenal in the 2005 FA Cup final, which they lost."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."I have not saved a penalty since I have been at Everton."I was obviously saving my luck for today."The American, 30, arrived at Old Trafford during 2003 and took the number one jersey from Fabien Barthez, going on to win the FA Cup against Millwall the following season.However, Howard then lost his place in the team following some inconsistent displays and eventually joined Everton, initially on loan in May 2006, after the arrival of veteran Dutchman Van der Sar."It probably means more to me than I expected," Howard said following today's dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory."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."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."Everton captain Neville feels this season could be set for the Toffees."It is about time this club started winning trophies again now - and they do not come much bigger than the FA Cup," he said."Hopefully that will catapult us back into the big time because Everton have been out of the big time for too long."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.Neville added: "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."One of the key moments in the match came midway through the second half.Defender Phil Jagielka appeared to trip United youngster Danny Welbeck as he dashed into the left side of the penalty area.Ferguson was incensed - racing out of his technical area - but referee Mike Riley waved away the appeals.Jagielka accepted Everton had been somewhat fortunate. He said: "I touched him but I do not know how much it caused him to go down."Thankfully the penalty was not given, so maybe we were a bit lucky[LNB]
