Arteta getting back to best - Moyes

Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 by PA

Everton boss David Moyes felt two-goal Mikel Arteta was returning to his old self after a devastating display in the 5-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Hull.

The Spanish playmaker's goals, either side of a sublime Tom Cairney equaliser, were the 27-year-old's first since returning to action in January after an 11-month lay-off with a serious knee injury.

Moyes said: "He scored two very good goals and played really well all round. Mikel is still not back to how he was but I thought was more like him and shows how much we have missed him over the year."

He added: "It might take him a while to get his full strength back but he did a lot of good things with the ball."

Everton had so many goalscoring opportunities - and Victor Anichebe had an effort disallowed - that Moyes was convinced his team had scored six after the game.

"I'm sure it was six," he said. "I'm delusional!"

Moyes also insisted he was not concerned about Ayegbeni Yakubu's repeated failings in front of goal.

The Scot said: "I thought Yak did a lot of good things. I said to him he needs to score the goal when the game is tight. Here didn't matter, it wasn't important."

Landon Donovan left the field to a huge ovation after what was the final home game of his 10-week loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

"We would like him to stay but it looks like he is going back to America," conceded Moyes. "We respect that and don't have a problem with it, but he has done well."