Photo by Marc Atkins/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
Tim Howard won't be leaving Goodison Park any time soon.
The U.S. national team goalkeeper has signed a new contract that will keep him with Everton until 2016. By the end of the deal, Howard will have spent a full decade between the posts for the Toffees.
"When you have a really good relationship in life and both sides are eager to continue and keep that going, it's a no-brainer," Howard said. "This hasn't been a knockdown, drawn-out type of negotiation with meetings or anything like that. They were very happy to keep me here and I was very, very happy to stay. It's a place that is home for me."
Howard has played more than 250 matches for Everton since joining the club in 2006, initially on loan from Manchester United.
Here are some more stories to keep your Thursday rolling:
TOTTENHAM'S DAWSON LIKELY OUT FOR SEASON
Tottenham's aspirations of securing a Champions League berth and F.A. Cup glory this season took a blow Wednesday, when centerback Michael Dawson suffered serious ankle and knee injuries in a 3-1 F.A. Cup replay win over Stevenage.
Manager Harry Redknapp said it will be a "miracle" if Dawson plays again this season after the injuries, suffered during a collision with Stevenage defender Chris Beardsley. The injuries would also appear to rule him out of competing for England at Euro 2012.
NEYMAR NOTCHES HAT TRICK IN COPA LIBERTADORES
The legend of Brazilian sensation Neymar continued to grow Wednesday, as the 20-year-old notched three goals in Santos' 3-1 win over Internacional in Copa Libertadores play, the second of which came at the end of a spectacular 70-yard dribbling display.
In other group stage action, Deportivo Quito triumphed 3-0 over Velez Sarsfield, Corinthians dropped Nacional by a 2-0 score, and Fluminense fell 2-1 to Boca Juniors.
BALE DENIES DIVING ALLEGATIONS
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has hit back at allegations of diving, saying he only goes to the ground without contact if he is trying to avoid injury on careless tackles.
"If people want to say I'm diving then they can, but I'm trying to get out of the way and save myself, save my career if you like," he said. "It's a bit annoying [when people say I dive] but you've got people flying in at you, you're trying to get out of the way of the challenge. If you stand there, you're going to get a whack."
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Are you happy to see Howard sign a long-term deal at Everton? How big a blow will losing Dawson be to Tottenham? And where does Neymar's strike stand among this year's best goals so far?
Share your thoughts below.