Yakubu ends EPL goal drought to sink Stoke

Ayegbeni Yakubu scored his first Premier League goal since April to give Everton a 1-0 win against Stoke at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Yakubu has struggled to convince Toffees boss David Moyes that he is worth a regular first-team place for the last few months after reports that the Nigeria striker was troubled by fitness issues.

But he made his point to Moyes with a clinical second-half finish that lifted Everton into mid-table and left Stoke just one point above the relegation zone.

Moyes was boosted by Mikel Arteta’s return from a hamstring injury after the Spanish midfielder passed a late fitness test.

Arteta had an early opportunity when Yakubu was tripped after turning Ryan Shawcross, but he blasted the free-kick well over.

Moments later, Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones dragged an effort wide when he pounced on the rebound after Everton defender Sylvain Distin smashed a clearance straight at Arteta.

Everton responded and Steven Pienaar’s clever through-ball sent Yakubu clear on goal, but the Nigerian was unable to get enough accuracy on his shot and Asmir Begovic saved easily.

Arteta underlined his creative skills with a neat pass to Phil Neville in the Stoke penalty area, but Abdoulaye Faye got back to deflect the former Manchester United midfielder’s shot to Begovic.

Stoke had a sight of goal just before the break after winning a corner but Faye shot wide at the far post.

Everton’s Leighton Baines picked out Tim Cahill with a good cross early in the second half, only for the midfielder to head over.

The visitors hit back and should have gone in front when Shawcross shot wide after Robert Huth had a shot blocked.

Tuncay Sanli thought he had scored at the far post after bundling the ball over the line, but referee Lee Probert ruled that the Turkish forward had barged into Baines.

It was Everton who finally made the breakthrough in the 67th minute after Faye failed to clear Pienaar’s cross.

Yakubu collected the loose ball and set up Cahill. The Australian’s powerful shot hit a post and Yakubu was on hand to lash the rebound into the roof of the net.

Moyes’s side were happy to sit on their lead after that but Stoke should have equalised 10 minutes from time when Matthew Etherington broke clear, only to drag his shot across goal.