If Evertonians arrived to laud Leon Osman for his longevity and loyalty on a landmark occasion, they departed grateful for his enduring quality. The midfielder joined the elite band of players who have represented the Merseyside club 400 times and marked the occasion in style.
His winner was a reminder that, over 11 years, he has forged a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder and his eye for an opening was apparent again. Having hardly ventured forward as he deputised for the injured Gareth Barry, he materialised in the West Ham box to determine the game with its finest strike. Romelu Lukaku and Mauro Zárate had traded goals which, in their different ways, both required a touch of fortune. Osman's did not.
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