Everton's cleansheets record breaker Tim Howard has hailed the defence in front of him.

Howard said: "It is a great unit. We have every aspect of the qualities you would want from defenders.

"Leighton Baines has a great left foot and gets forward really well. Phil Jagielka has improved immensely and gets in everywhere, it's a real shame he will miss the final.

"Joleon Lescott is a thoughtful player who sees danger, and Tony Hibbert is the hard guy who will run through walls for you.

"While Joseph Yobo is one of the most athletic guys I have ever played alongside.

"All these things together make us a really difficult defence to break down. The record is in my name, but I am humble enough to realise that it is not just all down to me.

"And to have taken the record from Neville Southall is also an honour. In his day he was considered the best keeper in the world, so it is nice to be bracketed with him."