Everton manager David Moyes has praised the impact of Victor Anichebe after the striker made a goal-scoring return from injury.
Boss delight at striker's late winner
Everton manager David Moyes has praised the impact of Victor Anichebe after the striker made a goal-scoring return from injury.
The Nigeria international came off the bench to score a late winner for the Toffees against West Brom at the Hawthorns.
It was the 23-year-old's his first Premier League goal since March 2010 and his first appearance since September after recovering from the latest of a catalogue of serious injuries he has suffered in his short career.
It ensured Everton went a fourth game without defeat and rose into the top half of the table for the first time this season.
Goodison boss Moyes was delighted with the player's telling influence given he had only just returned to fitness.
"It was a serious injury. Victor has had no games. I've not even had him playing in reserve games," said the Scot.
"Then he had an ankle injury when he came back in training.
"He is someone we have missed because we can play him in several roles and he is someone who has got a lot of potential if we get the opportunity to unwrap it.
Attributes
"He is a good all-round forward player, he can play wide, he can play through the middle and has a lot of real good attributes which are important in the Premier League.
"He has missed a lot of football. At times he lacks a bit of self-confidence but the goal today and the reaction of the supporters will help him."
Moyes admits that his side were perhaps fortunate to snatch all three points, in a game largely devoid of significant goal mouth incident.
"The game overall was a draw. I didn't think there were many chances for either of the teams," he added.
"We tried to make it difficult for West Brom like they make it difficult for teams.
"It was a bit of a stalemate at times. I don't think you'll buy the DVD of the game!
"But at the end of the day, this has been a hard place for us. We've not won here for a while and the victory gives us a chance to look forward.
"You need to grind out results and over the years at Everton we've needed to do that at times."
