David Moyes marked his 300th game as Everton manager with 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur but that milestone was overshadowed by an Achilles injury that will rule Ayegbeni Yakubu out for the season.
Yakubu ruptured an Achilles following a challenge with Ledley King and to deepen Moyes’ gloom, his replacement, Louis Saha, aggravated his hamstring injury and had to be taken off.
With young striker James Vaughan requiring surgery on his knee, Moyes will be looking for loan signings when the January transfer window opens to bolster his attacking options.
“Yakubu has ruptured his Achilles and it will keep him out for the rest of season.
“It is a massive blow for us and the boy as well. Look at his record in the Premier League since he has been here, it’s normally 15 or 16 goals per season.
“For us to find that and replace that it’s not easy.”
Moyes added: “Saha looks like he has a hamstring injury, but we haven’t properly assessed it yet.
“On the back of James Vaughan having a knee operation this week, it’s really given us a blow.
“Tim Cahill can play up front but we have to find other ways of doing it.
“We’ll have a look at what is available on loan.
“The club gives us all the money they can but as everyone knows we don’t have big amounts of cash.”
The visitors soaked up late pressure to earn the win – a fitting way for Moyes to mark his 300th game in charge.
”I’m really fortunate to be given 300 games as a manager,” he said. ”A lot of managers don’t get given time these days. I hope I get another 300 and hope the good times are still to come.
”I’m not going to overtake Sir Alex Ferguson if he goes on but this is a big honour.”
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