Marcus Christenson 

James Vaughan dedicates comeback goal to grandmother

Everton's striker James Vaughan has paid tribute to his grandmother, who kept him going during his injury nightmare
  
  

James Vaughan
James Vaughan celebrated the goal against Burnley by kissing a tattoo dedicated to his grandmother. Photograph: Barry Coombs/EMPICS Sport Photograph: Barry Coombs/EMPICS Sport

James Vaughan has said he had almost forgotten what it felt like to score before he struck late on against Burnley on yesterday and has dedicated the goal to his late grandmother, who helped him stay positive throughout his injury nightmare. The 21-year-old had been on the pitch for less than a minute when he gave Everton the lead with his first Premier League goal since November 2007 and celebrated by kissing a tattoo on his wrist, which had been done in honour of Margaret, who died in October.

"I'd almost forgotten what it feels like to put the ball in the back of the net but I'm just relieved it's out of the way now," he said. "[My grandmother] passed away a few months ago and I had a tattoo to commemorate her because she was a massive part of my life, and she was the one who told me to keep going with my football. She was one of my biggest supporters so I was glad to pay my last respects to her in that way."

Everton were heading for a ninth successive home game without a victory when Vaughan reacted quickly in the Burnley penalty area to poke Marouane Fellaini's cross past Brian Jensen in the 83rd minute. Steven Pienaar added a second goal to hand Everton the three points and lift David Moyes's side to 11th in the table. And Vaughan – who has suffered several knee operations, a dislocated shoulder and a severed artery in his foot – is confident he can regain the fitness which saw him emerge as one of the country's best talents as a 16-year-old in 2005.

"It's been frustrating but, like I've always said, injuries happen and mine have just all come early in my career," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I've had great people around me who've kept me going at the club and my friends and family have been superb. I've never doubted I could come back. I will give 100% every time I step on the pitch, that's all I can do and whatever happens happens.

"At the end of the day the goal [against Burnley] was a tap-in but all you can do is be in the right place at the right time. It was a great team goal and we deserved the three points. You see how many places that win has put us up the table. There is a lot of football to be played yet this season and hopefully we can go on and make an impact in the league."

Everton's next three league games are against Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland and Vaughan is hoping the victory against Burnley can, belatedly, kick-start their season. "You can never rule us out of carrying on up the table. We've got the players in our dressing room to beat almost anyone on our day and this will give us the confidence to go forward," he said.

 

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