Yakubu hat-trick simply adds to Fulham’s travel sickness misery

Seven weeks ago the Everton manager could hardly contain his anger at Clattenburg over a series of contentious decisions that went against his side in a hotly disputed derby defeat by Liverpool.

Few took much notice of his defiant parting shot — that Everton would emerge stronger and more resilient for the experience — but the rest of the Barclays Premier League are starting to sit up now.

Everton have gone 10 games undefeated since and although UEFA Cup qualification was seen as a significant breakthrough at the end of last season, Moyes is clearly setting his sights higher still after the longest unbeaten run in his five-anda- half years in charge.

Acknowledging Clattenberg's unwitting role in Everton's advance towards the top four, Moyes said: 'What happened in that Liverpool game was so widely condemned that I felt it would make us stronger. I meant what I said and it has proved to be the case.

"It was a derby with a lot riding on it and what went on just wasn't right. There was a sense of injustice and we have really kicked on since. Getting injured players back like Tim Cahill has helped, but maybe that gave us an extra spur."

Hat-trick hero Yakubu reinforced his reputation as a prolific marksman by taking his tally to nine from 14 starts this season but delivered the verdict Moyes was dreading by announcing he will be heading for the African Nations Cup next month.

An apparent difference of opinion with Nigeria coach Berti Vogts had cast doubt over his involvement but he ended the uncertainty after sinking Fulham with his second-half treble.

"If called on, I will be going," said the club record £11million signing, who will miss up to six games. "I am a bit sad about being away for so many important games, but everyone loves playing for their country, and I am no different.

"Maybe I wasn't fit enough when I arrived here, but I have been working very hard, and I'm almost there now. The service from midfield was one of the reasons I joined Everton, and the way it's going, my target has to be to top 20 goals this season."

Fulham created little but were once more left feeling hard done by, as replays suggested Cahill was offside for the shot that Antti Niemi parried into the path of the lurking Yakubu in the 51st minute.

'Only by a yard, so that's not bad for us,' sighed Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez.

"The first goal was always going to influence the outcome, and it's just so disappointing when so many are given wrongly against us. The players did everything I could've asked in the first half, and I told them more of the same would surely bring us some reward. It is so tight in the bottom half that a point could have moved us up a couple of places. Instead, we get a decision like that, and it does batter you a bit when they keep going against you.

"We will get it right — it's just taking a little longer than I expected."

Yakubu scored a closerange header in the 61st minute, while his hat-trick goal owed everything to power and poise as he latched on to a superb pass from Steven Pienaar and turned his marker before curling in the ball.