The race for fourth place is threatening to be a battle between Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton. Although Aston Villa cannot be discounted, the coveted fourth spot in the Premier League looks like it will go down to the wire.

Sunday illustrated the see-saw nature of the race as Liverpool recorded an impressive win at Bolton followed by an equally merited victory for Everton at home to Portsmouth. Both victories were marked by excellent performances from two attacking players who were bought for big money in the summer.

While many of the headlines this season have concentrated on managers Rafa Benitez and David Moyes, Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Ryan Babel could have a big say in the race for fourth place.

'With each passing week of Premier League football the Liverpool-Everton clash at Anfield on March 30 takes on more importance'


Since his delayed return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Yakubu has been sensational. The Nigerian forward has scored five goals in the last three games and has breathed new life into an Everton team that struggled for goals in his absence. This was most keenly felt in the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg against Chelsea, when Everton never looked like breaking down Avram Grant’s side.

Yakubu is a proven goals corer in the Premier League and in Everton’s final ten games his goals could be crucial. Alan Smith, writing in the Daily Telegraph on Monday, praised the former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough forward: “Yakubu didn’t just see off Portsmouth yesterday, he infused Goodison Park with genuine belief. Yakubu is arguably a better player now than ever before. His touch has developed, become a lot neater, which helps team-mates no end when they are looking for an outlet.”

The £11.25 million Everton paid out for the Nigerian is looking like a bargain. Everton rely on Yakubu more than they would like to think, Andy Johnson has not scored as many as would have been expected, just nine so far this season despite the hard work he puts in every game. And while James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe are promising, they cannot guarantee you goals in the way Yakubu does.

In an illustration of the financial resources of both Merseyside giants, Ryan Babel cost Liverpool £13.5, over a million more than Yakubu, and the Dutch winger wasn’t even Liverpool’s biggest signing in the post-season. He was eclipsed by Fernando Torres. As a result, whilst “El Nino” and other summer signings such as Yossi Benayoun have made an impact, Ryan Babel undoubtedly had his best game for the club against Bolton on Sunday.

Babel has been compared to Thierry Henry in the past, but his powerful running from the left-wing reminds Liverpool fans of John Barnes. The England left-winger was a crucial component of the last Liverpool team to win the top division in England and if Babel gets an extended run in the Liverpool side he could be an important cog in the next Liverpool team to win the Premier League.

It was clear in the Champions League final defeat to AC Milan that Liverpool needed better wide players than Jermain Pennant and Harry Kewell. Babel could be the missing link to provide the creative spark needed by Benitez’s side.

On Monday, Babel told the Liverpool website that "I still think I will improve some more, because I am still getting used to football in this country. The game is a lot more physically demanding here than I was used to in Holland but I feel I am much stronger now compared to the beginning of the season. I am not where I want to be just yet but hopefully soon I will find my level and I can play beautiful football for Liverpool.”

With each passing week of Premier League football the Liverpool-Everton clash at Anfield on March 30 takes on more importance. Football fans are quick to judge managers on their signings, in the cases of Yakubu and Babel both Moyes and Benitez should be praised. These two attacking players could yet make a massive difference to their respective clubs hopes of playing in the Champions League next season.

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