Van Der Meyde hopes for more luck at Everton
ANDY VAN DER MEYDE is desperate to ensure his latest Everton comeback does not prove another false dawn.
With injuries decimating David Moyes's attacking options, van der Meyde was a surprise inclusion on the bench for Sunday's dramatic 3-2 home defeat against Aston Villa.
And the 29-year-old winger emerged as substitute in the 85th minute to make his first senior outing since appearing in the 4-2 loss to Manchester United at Goodison back on April 28 2007.
Van der Meyde's Everton career has been hampered by off-field and injury problems following his ã1.9million arrival from Inter Milan in August 2005.
The Dutchman has made just 22 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons, but is now determined to retain his place in the squad for Saturday's trip to Manchester City.
"I wanted to prove something to David Moyes and it was good for myself also," said van der Meyde. "I've been waiting for this moment a long time. I was unlucky with injuries but hopefully now I'm back in the team.
"I'm happy the fans trust in me and want to give me a chance. I hope I can give them something back.
"After such a long time, it was nice to have the feeling of being part of the team again. I was so happy.
"We have good players at Everton and if everyone is fit it is difficult to get in. This is a good chance for me. But I don't know if I will be involved against City, it's up to the gaffer."
Everton thought they had secured a deserved point on Sunday when Joleon Lescott equalised for a second time in the final minute of injury time, only for the home side to then lose concentration and allow Ashley Young to steal a winner 12 seconds before the final whistle.
And while the defeat was hard to take, Neville admitted Moyes's men should have seen out the game after Lescott's late intervention.
"It's probably one of the most disappointing defeats I have suffered since I have been at this club - we are all absolutely devastated," said the skipper.
"If we had come off at the end with a 2-2 draw, it would have felt like a victory. I think we deserved it with the effort and commitment we put into the game.
"It ranks along with losing to Fiorentina last season in the UEFA Cup. Beating Villa would have been a big scalp for us.
"To get back into the game the way we did showed great character.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow.
"We had enough defenders on the pitch and we should have shut up shop.
"Maybe we were still celebrating our goal but we left two versus two at the back and you can't do that against a side with strikers as quick as Villa's."
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