Everton 3-1 West Ham: Louis Saha brace sinks Hammers

After a week of hearing David Moyes insist that no one at Everton had given even a single thought to the FA Cup final, the stadium announcer at Goodison rather gave the game away.

As the team walked on to the pitch, he boomed out: "Please welcome the heroes who have taken Everton Football Club to Wembley."

In defence of Moyes, the Goodison boss has done a great job of maintaining the focus on his side's Premier League challenge, with this victory over West Ham - however fortunate - taking them fifth in the table.

Yet it is a nonsense to suggest that no-one is thinking about the impending date with Chelsea. The events in this entertaining contest with the Hammers will directly shape the look of the team that will walk out at Wembley in less than a fortnight.

Moyes has one real selection dilemma for the FA Cup final. With all his strikers injured or, like substitute James Vaughan, still nowhere near fit enough to start a game, and with Jo cuptied, the manager must decide who plays up front.

Tim Cahill has filled that role with distinction but taking the Aussie out of midfield will leave a gaping hole alongside Phil Neville, and would mean that Moyes would probably have to invest his trust in talented 17year-old Jack Rodwell against one of the most powerful midfields in the world.

Which is why the Blues boss took the rare opportunity to put Louis Saha in the starting line-up to see if he could have the same impact he has sometimes shown from the bench.

The French striker has started just 12 games for Everton and has often looked a forlorn figure in those matches.

Coming from the bench it is a different matter, though, his pace against tiring defences often a factor in winning.

So it was an interested Everton boss who witnessed a rather more accomplished display against West Ham from the former Manchester United striker.

Trailing to a quite outstanding strike from Radoslav Kovac from fully 30 yards, Everton struggled to reply until Saha jinked through the visiting defence and cleverly held the ball up long enough for Cahill to burst through.

Cahill's injection of pace and energy provoked an almost instinctive lunge from young defender James Tomkins, which brought a penalty and, by the letter of the law, a red card.

It was the turning point of the game. Saha converted the penalty and Everton were allowed the freedom against 10 men to cruise to victory thanks to fine second-half goals from Joseph Yobo, and - courtesy of a moment of genius from Steven Pienaar - Saha.

Two goals and a lively display from the Frenchman certainly gave Moyes something to think about. "Louis has shown now he can give us another option," the Everton manager said.

"He has made a bigger impact this season as a substitute, and we have looked at him as being suited to that role. But he did nothing wrong today. He got a couple of goals and created a few things, which shows he can play from the start if needed."

Given that there are only two games left for Everton this season, it could be that Saha is needed to start in the cup final, but his flat performance against Manchester United in the semi-final could count against him, especially given Chelsea's excellence at the back.

Which would mean that Rodwell would be pitched in against the might of Essien, Lampard and Ballack. Yet his performance against West Ham as a substitute - and his display from the start against Spurs last week - leaves the Everton manager with little doubt about the teenager's ability.

"Jack passed the ball brilliantly when he came on, and I can say that I would have absolutely no qualms in putting him into any game at any level for Everton," Moyes said.

"He may well have to play in the cup final, and I would have no doubts about putting him in if we had to. He's got such quality on the ball, and has such a good temperament, that he can handle anything."

But had Tomkins not been sent off, then West Ham may well have left Moyes with even more to think about.

When they went ahead, they looked in control, and even with 10 men could have taken more from the game. The Hammers cannot qualify for Europe after this result but boss Gianfranco Zola remains upbeat.

"I am absolutely positive we will be better next season and be challenging for the European places," he said. "Even if we don't bring any new players in, the young players we have can only get better, and don't forget we will have Dean Ashton back and Carlton Cole fit and available.

"But I have been told that if I need to bring in a player then the finance will be available to let me do that. There are decisions to be made, but the club pays me for those moments to make those tough decisions, and I am motivated to do that."

FREE £25 BET WITH BETFAIR

There's a grand up for grabs on our new soccer 7 game Click Here to play now

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker

Win tickets to see The Fratellis live at the Shepherds Bush Empire