Team news

Everton preview
Everton top goalscorer Louis Saha is fit to return for the Barclays Premier League clash against Bolton at Goodison Park.

The Frenchman, who has scored 15 times this season, has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Leon Osman (groin) is also back in contention but manager David Moyes can no longer call on Landon Donovan, whose loan from Los Angeles Galaxy has ended.

Moyes has no fresh fitness concerns with Marouane Fellaini, out for the season with an ankle injury, the only major absentee.

Phil Neville is in line to make his 200th Everton appearance.

Neville won six Premier League titles at United but, after two frustrating seasons on the bench, ended an 18-year association with the club to move to Goodison Park in 2005.

The switch has proved a huge success with the 33-year-old shrugging off his past association with a fierce rival to become a vital member of Moyes' team and a much-respected captain.

And manager Moyes said: "He has been exemplary since he has been here as a professional and as a player.

"Coming from Manchester United, a lot of people might have seen it as a step down but I think he saw it as a step up.

"He has grasped the opportunity, he has brought leadership and a winning mentality. He doesn't half take the ball and take responsibility. Even when it is not going right he still wants it, that is a great trait to have.

"He plays every game as if it is his last and is really disappointed when he is not winning or doing well.

"He has a lot of things that are difficult to teach people and the way he prepares himself for every game is a credit."

Bolton preview
Bolton manager Owen Coyle has Sam Ricketts available after the versatile Wales international sat out the victory over Wigan last weekend through suspension.

Mark Davies is also in contention after an ankle injury while Coyle is mulling over whether to include Gary Cahill following his speedy recovery from a blood clot.

Everton vs Bolton

Last modified 21:50 20/03/10

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It's been a year from hell for Mikel Arteta, but his season is ending with a real flourish.

The Spaniard’s third strike in six games, since returning from a cruciate ligament injury, tipped this contest in favour of the Toffees.

Bolton’s Gretar Rafn Steinsson’s harsh 70th-minute challenge denied Yakubu a clear run on goal, so referee Alan Wiley sent off the Icelandic defender.

And Arteta nudged the ball closer to goal, behind the ref, before thundering his 20-yard free-kick in to the top corner.

Everton manager David Moyes enthused: “It was a fantastic free-kick, but I’ve been telling Mikel not to do too much too soon.”

And Steven Pienaar’s 89th-minute goal sealed a seventh home win on the trot, to earn their best run at Goodison Park for 20 years.

But Bolton boss Owen Coyle fumed: “I can just about accept the sending off, but I can’t accept how the referee allowed Arteta to move the ball forward for the free-kick.”

In a scrappy opening half, busy Bolton were denied an early penalty appeal after Johnny Heitinga handled – the first of many decisions that went against the visitors.

Zat Knight volleyed a close-range chance straight at home goalkeeper Tim Howard and Tamir Cohen’s half-volley just cleared the crossbar.

Then a neat move involving Johan Elmander, Chung-Yong Lee and Cohen should have brought an equaliser.

And Kevin Davies, after exchanging passes with Jack Wilshere, drove the ball against Howard’s legs.

At the other end, Anichebe hesitated in front of goal and on 15 minutes was carried off after a fair barge in the back by keeper Paul Robinson.

And Everton’s Tim Cahill, booked for a crude tackle on Wilshere, was fortunate to survive until being substituted on 63 minutes. The Aussie’s studs came into contact with Lee’s back and he appeared to try and guide in an Arteta cross with his hand.

When Louis Saha replaced him, the home fans screamed for the overweight Yakubu to also be withdrawn.

But the underworked Yakubu suddenly found something he fancied when Pienaar’s 70th-minute pass sent him in to a test of pace with Steinsson.

The Nigerian striker got to the ball first, only to go down when Steinsson’s clumsy tackle halted the burly six-foot international.

So Wiley finally produced his red card and Arteta’s free-kick exacted retribution.

In the closing stages, sub Leon Osman should have sealed success when Jussi Jaaskelainen failed to hold Heitinga’s drive. But the midfielder was denied a slice of glory by the crossbar.

Seconds later Osman got to the six-yard box before Pienaar unleashed a powerful strike to seal victory.