LEIGHTON BAINES’ performance at Chelsea last weekend may have come as a surprise to many across the country – but regular denizens of Goodison Park barely raised an eyebrow.

It’s because the left-back’s scintillating runs and potent link-up play with Steven Pienaar have been an excellent feature of Everton’s play for some time now.

It was irritating though to hear journalists on radio station Talk Sport, praising the Toffees defender while also repeating the claim that he does not relish away trips with England.

That falsehood, a result of misinterpreted quotes which were spun by the London media, arguably cost Baines a part in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad and can be the only logical reason the Italian has yet to welcome him back into the international fold.

It is to Baines’ credit that he has not complained about the blind-spot that continues to dog his ambitions.

Instead he has got his head down in typical fashion, and concentrated on becoming the best full-back on form in the league this season.

Let’s hope that Capello’s attention can be won back, and that people realise that the former Wigan star can maintain his top form against the club which gave him his big break today.