• David Moyes critical of Liverpool’s Sotirios Kyrgiakos
• Everton may be without Cahill for visit of Manchester United
Everton’s manager David Moyes has hit out at the Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos for the tackle on Marouane Fellaini that has put the Belgian midfielder out for the rest of the season.
Kyrgiakos collided with Fellaini during this month’s Merseyside derby, which Liverpool won 1-0, and was subsequently sent off for the challenge. The Everton midfielder had to also depart the pitch with an ankle injury and yesterday it was confirmed that he will require surgery on the joint which will keep out of action for at least six months.
“It was a terrible tackle,” said Moyes of Kyrgiakos’s lunge. “We have lost a few players to tackles. It is a blow to us as Marouane will be out for a while.”
Moyes will now monitor the fitness of another key midfielder, Tim Cahill, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Manchester United. The Australian was forced to come off with a calf problem in yesterday’s 2-1 victory against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League. “Cahill may have a calf strain, we’re not sure of the severity yet,” said Moyes.
The Scot was angered with the way Everton let Sporting back into last night’s tie – they went 2-0 up through Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin – before conceding an 87th-minute penalty which Miguel Veloso converted for the Portuguese side – but he remains convinced they can complete the job in Lisbon a week tomorrow.
“We feel we are good enough to beat Sporting,” said Moyes. “Playing there is going to be a different story and that’s why it is unfortunate to give up a goal, but they still have to score.”
Distin will miss the match after being sent off for the challenge that led to Sporting’s penalty. With John Heitinga ineligible, Philippe Senderos looks certain to be drafted in provided he shrugs off a back injury.
Evertonguardian.co.uk
