Soccer
Former Super Eagles and Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has singled out one Everton player for praise following their 3-0 win over Chelsea just before the International break, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 43-year-old is a cult hero on the blue side of Merseyside and is largely remembered for the four-year stint at Goodison Park, where he scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in 107 games for Everton across four seasons, before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2011.
The Yak was present at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, as fans cheered ‘Feed the Yak and he’ll score’ in his former side’s 3-0 win over Chelsea.
The Yak is back on Merseyside. pic.twitter.com/I7EQXkKEoK
— Everton (@Everton) March 21, 2026
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Soccer Yakubu Aiyegbeni laps up Jordan Pickford’s on-field reaction
Famous for his near-post miss in Nigeria’s clash against South Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Nigerian revealed he was sure Everton were going to seal a win against Liam Rosenior’s side.
“I knew we were going to win. I said to Tim [Cahill], we will win 2-1, but we ended up with 3-0. We were much better than Chelsea,” the 43-year-old said on the Clutch 9 Football podcast.
“The defence was good, and the midfielders were solid. It was good to see Beto; he’s been struggling to score goals, but the first goal was a proper striker’s finish.
“He just needs to keep the ball more whenever we’re under pressure. He’s a big lad.
“I knew Chelsea were going to lose. The setup of Caicedo, Lavia and Enzo was like fielding three defensive midfielders.
“Moyes is a clever one, you know. He capitalised on the ball over the top.
While many consider Pickford’s antics as over-the-top, the former Blackburn Rovers attacker revealed he likes the energy the England number one brings to the team.
“Oh, Pickford, he made several good saves, you know. I think for now, he’s one of the best goalkeepers in England.
“He celebrates every action, I like it. You have to celebrate, he’s so good. I think the team has some good momentum,” Aiyegbeni concluded.
Everton are poised for a return to European football if they remain consistent in their 8th position on the English Premier League table.
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