VICTOR ANICHEBE

Victor Chinedu Anichebe is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Everton. He has been described as a fast and powerful player, in the mould of a “traditional” centre forward, although has played on the right of midfield.

Anichebe was born in Nigeria but moved to Liverpool aged one, his family lived initially in Toxteth before settling in Crosby. He is a cousin of former professional football player Iffy Onuora, Olympian Anyika Onuora and professional basketball player Chiz Onuora. He is also an Olympic silver medallist, competing for Nigeria in the 2008 Olympics.

Anichebe made his reserve team debut as a 15 year-old and his first team debut less than two years later on 27 February 2006, as a substitute in the 89th minute of Everton’s FA Cup 4th round tie against Chelsea, replacing Simon Davies. He signed his first professional contract with Everton, a two-year deal, in April 2006.[citation needed] On 7 May 2006, he scored his first Premier League goal against West Bromwich Albion. He was awarded Everton’s Reserve Player of the Season for the 2005–06 season.

Anichebe scored his first two Premier League goals of the 2006–07 campaign in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United on 30 December 2006. His contract was extended by four years towards the end of the season as Everton qualified for the UEFA Cup. In the UEFA Cup Anichebe scored four times, against Metalist Kharkiv, Larissa, FC Nuremberg and SK Brann of Norway after coming on as a late second half substitute in many of the games.[citation needed] At the end of the season he was voted by Everton fans as their Young Player of the Season.

On 22 February 2009, in a game against Newcastle United, a tackle from Kevin Nolan left Anichebe injured and unable to play for 11 months. Nolan, who received a straight red card for the foul, later settled out of court when Anichebe sued for loss of earnings.[5] He returned to first team action in January 2010, in a 2–0 victory over Sunderland. His first goal on rejoining the squad came two months later in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City. In January 2011, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Everton along with teammate Seamus Coleman.

Anichebe suffered a groin injury while on international duty in September and did not play for the rest of 2011. He made his return as a second half substitute on 1 January 2012, against West Bromwich Albion and scored in the 87th minute to give Everton a 1–0 away win.

He continued his comeback by coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 1–1 with Aston Villa on 14 January. Anichebe continued his goalscoring form by scoring his 3rd goal of the season as a substitute in a 1–1 with Wigan Athletic on 4 February. His appearance also meant he became Everton’s most used substitute in the history of the club, breaking Duncan Ferguson’s old record of 82.