Monday, March 23, 2009

Neville Southall Backs Everton To Beat Manchester United In FA Cup Semi-Final

The Toffees legend believes being tagged underdogs will help his former club progress to the final...

Legendary Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall is confident his former club can overcome Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and go all the way to this year's final.

The former Wales international, who made 578 appearances for the Toffees between 1981-1998, feels that labelling the Red Devils as favourites to win the tie could work in the Merseyside outfit's favour.

"I wouldn't be worried about playing United because nobody outside of Everton expects them to lose," Southall is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"That means there's no pressure on the boys and there's everything going for them.

"They'll be relaxed but will want to do the job. I'm sure Phil Neville will be sat there thinking it would be fantastic to put United out.

"Everton are a hard team to beat and in a one-off game we shouldn't be scared of anybody. There's nothing to fear as they've got enough to get a result against United."

The 50-year-old has also been hugely impressed with how well David Moyes' side have performed this campaign given the size of their squad and the number of injuries sustained.

"I think they've done fantastically so far this season," he explained. "It's a small squad but they have a really good work ethic and an amazing team spirit.

"Sometimes you can have too many players and struggle to keep everybody happy, so I think the size has worked in Everton's favour.

"They have to get a striker in during the summer and probably a couple of wide men. But having a small squad has worked quite well for them because it's kept everybody together.

"Moyes has been able to pick pretty much the same team every week, apart from when it comes to the strikers, so that's been a bonus.

"And he's got the likes of Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott and Neville who can fill a variety of positions. That's helped enormously and Moyes has bought well considering he hasn't got a huge amount to spend.

"I hope we end the season strongly by winning the FA Cup and finishing in the top four. What Moyes has done is remarkable and if he gets us there it will be beyond anyone's expectations.

"Whatever happens, it's been a really good season but Europe is the one we've got to crack."

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