Everton boss Dave Moyes is delighted with the form and progress of his goalkeeper Tim Howard.

"To me, he was the best keeper in the country in that first season for Manchester United," said Moyes, looking forward to tonight's last-16 first leg UEFA Cup tie with Fiorentina.

"There were some outstanding keepers in the Premier League then, just as there are now, but he was something else. He settled into English football straight away and was outstanding.

"It didn't go quite so well after that and he had to put his career back on track when he came here. But I always felt he could. I'm not so sure confidence was an issue at the time, though it clearly can't have helped being out of the team.

"Really, I just think he needed a bit of love and attention. He needed to feel he had a part to play and was wanted and he got that here. In return, we've got a keeper who has proved a more than capable replacement for Nigel Martyn.

"I still rate Nigel as my best signing because we got him for nothing and he did so well for us. He actually forced his way back into the England squad. But Tim is now back to his old level and to keep 12 clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season says everything about his consistency.

"Nigel had a spell where he kept one clean sheet after another and now Tim is doing the same. That can provide the springboard for the sort of run you need to be challenging for honours. There is a quiet efficiency about the way he goes about his job and that is often a sign of quality with a keeper.

"Basically, we trust him and it has reached the stage where we expect him to pull off the sort of saves he has been making on a regular basis.

"The great thing for him is that, in goalkeeping terms, he still has age on his side. You look at the way David James has improved with age and you can see Tim doing the same."