Everton FC News: Louis Saha eager to gain Manchester United scalp next

Feb 12 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: LOUIS SAHA is determined to give Manchester United the same dose of pain that dealt Chelsea’s championship challenge a significant blow in midweek.

But the Everton striker admits he would like nothing more than to see the Premier League trophy back at Old Trafford come the end of the season.

Saha did his old team-mates a huge favour by scoring both goals as David Moyes’s side came from behind to beat league leaders Chelsea 2-1 at Goodison on Wednesday night.

It was the perfect response to the derby defeat at Liverpool five days earlier, and an important morale boost with Everton’s next league assignment of a pivotal February the visit of United on Saturday week.

Saha now has 15 goals for season and his double strike has rekindled hopes of European qualification.

But when asked where his title allegiance lies, the striker said: “I’d love to say Everton, but obviously that’s not going to happen, and I think it will be tight between Chelsea and United.

“Chelsea are very strong, but I think United are better – and personally I would be delighted if they won it. I’d definitely prefer that. I still keep in touch with a lot of them from United, especially Patrice Evra. Wayne Rooney and Owen Hargreaves are on the phone a lot, and they’ve got a really good bunch of guys. But after Wednesday night I will probably have got more messages and calls than ever.

“I know I will be getting a lot of calls now, and it is a big boost for United. But the main thing has to be Everton, and taking us as high up the table as possible.

“It’s a big month for us, and we need to concentrate on keeping this level of performance now. We have a big squad with a lot of belief in there.”

Saha ended speculation over his future last week by signing a two-year contract extension at Goodison. And the 31-year-old admits the rumours of a possible departure had affected his game.

“It is a relief having the contract talks settled, because it was a bit stressful,” said Saha. “I have always said I see my long-term future at Goodison and Wednesday was great. But it’s not about just me, it’s the team because we have a great spirit here.

“We showed great character to come back from the Liverpool game, because we didn’t play our best and it wasn’t our day. We knew it was important to bounce back against top-class opponents, but we have showed what self belief we have.”

Saha had netted just once in his previous eight games before Wednesday night, when he responded to the challenge of manager David Moyes to rediscover his best goalscoring form.

And he added: “I haven’t set myself a target of goals this season – just more than I’ve got at the moment! The main thing for me is to stay at this level now. That’s my only goal.

“I want to show it to every opponent that I am serious. I want to work hard. I want to do well. I’m really enjoying my football.”

A date has now been set for Everton’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Everton won 3-0 at Preston in the fifth round to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time in eight years.

They will now take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Monday, March 1 (kick-off 7pm).

EVERTON Ladies lost 3-1 to Leeds Carnegie in the FA Women's Premier League Cup final at Rochdale FC’s Spotland ground.

Fara Williams scored for Everton but two from Ellen White and one from Katie Holtham gave Leeds the cup.