Moyes sweats over Pienaar, Neville for Cup Final

Everton boss David Moyes is sweating on the fitness of South Africa’s Steven Pienaar and veteran midfielder Phil Neville ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Pienaar and former Manchester United star Neville both suffered minor hamstring injuries in Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Fulham and face fitness tests this week to assess their chances of making the Wembley date.

Moyes said: “Neville has a problem with his hamstring as does Pienaar. We’ll have to see how they are – I don’t know about next week yet.

“Phil’s was a little worse than Pienaar’s, I’ll have to see how he is as the week progresses.”

Losing both players would be a massive blow to Moyes but he believes France striker Louis Saha has the potential to frighten Chelsea’s defenders into submission anyway.

Saha is getting back to the form which saw him earn his 12.8 million pounds move to Manchester United from Fulham in 2004.

Moyes saw Saha, 30, turn in a spirited performance against his former club at Craven Cottage.

The Frenchman is now certain for a starting berth against Chelsea given that Everton?s on-loan Brazilian striker Jo is cup-tied for the showpiece final.

Moyes said: “I think Louis would be a player who very few would like to play against when he?s at full tilt.

“His reputation, he?s played in big games and for big clubs, and I think on his day he has all the ammunition to worry anybody.

“His problem has been getting him out regularly and giving him the confidence to do that again.

“I’ve got to say I think in the last couple of games – two goals last week and two or three attempts – I thought he had a good contribution to the game.

“I’m going to try and prepare for the Final as we would for any other away game. But the FA Cup Final will make things different.

“It’s the first time I’ve been there. It’s a new experience and I?m looking forward to having that experience.”

Leon Osman’s goals in either half sealed the win for Everton – their first points at Fulham since 1966.

The midfielder notched his first when he calmly rounded Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on the stroke of half-time.

Despite a valiant fight back from Fulham they were caught by a sucker-punch when Osman chipped in his second of the afternoon with two minutes remaining.

However, it was still not enough to take the gloss off Fulham’s day, as Tottenham’s defeat at Liverpool ensured their seventh-placed finish – the highest in their 130-year history.

It marks a sensational turnaround given last season’s relegation battle where they secured their top-flight status on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth.

Seventh spot is also enough for them to qualify for the inaugural Europa League – an achievement boss Roy Hodgson is extremely proud of.

He added: “I am very proud although a little disappointed we did not play as well as we could on the final day of the season.

“I think the seventh place finish over 38 games is what we deserved and fortunately the other results went as we thought.

“I will take seventh spot and a European place and, after a couple of days, I will take a look back over was has been a fantastic season.

“I am delighted and now the hard work will begin to make sure we bolster our squad and are ready on the 1st August.

“This is a crowing for w hat has been a good season for us. I am really proud of it and shall remember it as one of my very best years.”