Sunday 15 February 2015 07:54, UK
Steve Clarke and Steve McClaren led the plaudits to Yakubu as the striker rolled back the years to put Reading in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The former Portsmouth, Everton and Middlesbrough forward came of the bench to score an 82nd-minute winner as the Royals booked their place in the last eight with a 2-1 win away at Derby, who had Stephen Warnock sent off in the first half.
And Reading boss Clarke, who signed Yakubu as a free agent on transfer deadline day, said he had no doubt he would make the most of his opportunity.
He said: "We knew what we were getting with him. He's a goalscorer and when he goes through one against one you expect him to score.
"He's very good at doing the business in that sort of situation and that makes him a great asset.
"All credit to Derby for the way they played with 10. We knew they would still come at us but we handled the situation well."
Derby manager McClaren signed Yakubu, who now claims to be 32-years-old, for Middlesbrough in 2005 and says the striker's class is still evident.
He said: "Even a man down, we looked the better side but we were eventually caught on the break and a well-taken goal from the Yak saw Reading through. As soon as I saw him warming up to go on, I thought 'Oh no, not him!'
"I don't know how old he is now - I didn't really know his age when I signed him for Boro and he was telling me he was only 25 - but he'll always have that pace and ability to finish."
