Fired up: Lescott insists Everton can beat United
at Wembley
They were like a Goodison branch of the Manchester United Supporters’ Club less
than a fortnight ago, but Joleon Lescott is convinced he and his
Everton team-mates are on the
verge of dashing the Old Trafford dream of a clean
sweep.
Already world club champions and Carling Cup winners, United
still top the Barclays Premier League and are through to the
semi-finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup.
It will be Everton’s turn at Wembley on Sunday to try to halt
United and disprove a theory aired by Cristiano Ronaldo after
Wednesday night’s Champions League victory against Porto that
United have enough in reserve to triumph on all fronts.
Lescott insists they can knock out Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in
the semi-final, and he is adamant that, while United’s renowned
flair can intimidate some opponents, Everton will not be sitting
back and admiring their opponents’ skill — unlike a week last
Sunday.
‘We had just beaten Wigan 4-0
and we all piled into the players’ bar to watch what was left of
United’s game with Aston Villa,’
said Everton’s England centre back. ‘For a variety of reasons, we
were all cheering for United, and we really were giving it
everything.
‘You’d got the homegrown lads, for a start, the likes of Tony
Hibbert, who is such a Blue that he would get behind anyone who
might stop Liverpool
winning the title. Then there were others, like myself, who were
more concerned about Villa finishing empty handed, to give us a
better chance of pipping them for fifth place.
‘We were all crowding round the telly, screaming and shouting
for United to see them off, but it wasn’t exactly going according
to plan. I had to leave about five minutes from the end, and I was
a bit downcast. United were 2-1 down, and it wasn’t looking good.
‘Next thing you know, I get a call in the car to say United had not
only equalised but also scored a winner in injury time. I was made
up. That really rounded off the perfect afternoon.’
United may have made Lescott’s day, but he believes he is about
to spoil theirs and he is confident enough to predict Everton will
even take them on at their own game.
‘There is a different mindset about playing United now,’ he
said.
‘They maybe don’t look quite as invincible as earlier in the
season, and there is a growing self-belief about the way we go
about things. ‘They are still top of the league and in every
competition going, so it’s going to be tough. But we have come on
so much, we are no longer just a team who make life difficult for
opponents.
‘There are times when we can outplay anyone. It’s difficult to
maintain that over 90 minutes, but we are confident that, at any
given time, we can pass our way through
any team. Of course, we also still have the spirit and
determination to out-power sides.
‘That’s why we are beginning to feel comfortable mixing it with
the top four. I think we have reached the stage where we are going
into these games focusing far more on ourselves than what the other
teams can do. We are thinking of what we are capable of, and that’s
giving us even more confidence.
‘The league game with United at Goodison in October was a case
in point. We turned it round, after going behind, and came away
with a 1-1 draw. We were quite confident after that. It showed what
we could do against teams right at the top, and we have taken
points off the others up there since.’
Best in the world: Rooney is on top of his game,
says Lescott
Lescott pinpointed Wayne Rooney as the biggest threat to
a place in the final for Everton but claimed he was in prime form
to contain his England team-mate after recovering from an
error-strewn start to the campaign.
‘United’s strike force is amazing, and I would rate Wayne the
best in England at the moment, if not the world,’ he said. ‘You
just have to concentrate even more than normal and do our best, as
a team, to try to limit the supply to him in the hope he gets
frustrated. He’s the best around, so naturally gifted he can do
things that are beyond he average footballer.
‘At least I feel I’m getting back to my best. I don’t know why,
but my form dipped noticeably at the start of the season. I had
hoped to carry on where I left off last season, but I made a few
mistakes that cost us goals, and it affected me.
‘My concentration level wasn’t all it should’ve been, but Steve
Round (assistant manager) went to work on me, and boss David Moyes
had a go about the mistakes. I needed that. I needed telling I was
doing wrong and needed to improve, and I’d like to think I reacted
to it.
‘I’m quite pleased with how it’s going now, and I feel I’m
developing a good understanding with Phil Jagielka again. I’ve had
to work harder on the training ground, but I don’t mind if it
brings rewards like reaching an FA Cup semi-final. We are not
settling for that, though. We’ll only be happy if we are heading
back to Wembley for the final.’
