Revenge is not a factor for Everton

GOALKEEPER Tim Howard insists Everton will not go out at Wembley looking to settle old scores against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow.

The American said they were “taken to the woodshed” in their last meeting at Anfield thanks to Steven Gerrard’s hat-trick.

Last month’s 3-0 defeat was the Toffees’ second to their neighbours this season and their recent record against them is unimpressive with five wins in 34 meetings.

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But Howard said revenge should never be the overriding factor going into any game, let alone one of such significance.

“We know it is going to be a battle but I don’t think we are going to cloud our judgment with results which happened two or three weeks ago,” said the United States international.

“You have to manage your emotions and also, because it is such a big occasion, I think certain players need to calm other players down. From a fairytale aspect there is an element of settling scores but it is about keeping a clear head.

“Sometimes when you are out for blood, out for revenge and trying to set something right you start to allow your judgment to be jaded.

“We need to be focused on Saturday. We cannot start worrying about who kicked who, or who scored what – we have to play the game the right way and afterwards, if we walk off victorious, it will be that much sweeter of course.”

Despite everyone at Everton insisting Liverpool start as favourites the form book suggests otherwise. They go into the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, with just two defeats since 11 January.

Liverpool, by comparison, have been in freefall in the league, with Tuesday’s last-gasp winner at Blackburn only their second in the league in eight matches, which includes five defeats. “I think it is very similar to a few weeks ago: a few people would have pegged us to go to Anfield and get a result and we got taken to the woodshed – it was a rough night,” said Howard. “I think we enjoy the underdogs tag, we always seem to play better that way. It is no secret, that is how people seem to view us and we seem to have success in that role.”

Liverpool have already been to Wembley this season, winning the Carling Cup in February, while Everton’s 2009 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea was their only appearance in a final since 1995.

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However, Howard does not think the Reds’ recent experience at the national stadium will have any bearing on tomorrow’s game.

“When you walk out at Wembley for the first time it is daunting but having been there before and not having to marvel at the size of it and the enormity of the game helps and that comes from experience of 2009.

“I have played in a lot of big games, both teams have players who have played in big games, so you know how to manage it psychologically.”