Everton manager David Moyes has implored the midfielders in his squad to start contributing more in order to take some of the creative pressures off the shoulders of Bafana Bafana star Steven Pienaar. Pienaar missed the first six weeks of the 2008/09 Premiership season with a broken big toe, but he has returned to the side in impressive form.

"Steven was an important player for us last year and he is proving that again for us this year, but we have got to be careful not to put too much emphasis on him," Moyes told the official Everton website.

He added: "There is no question that he is an exciting player. We brought him here to be a part of the squad, but suddenly he became a real focal point of our team.

"We know he can make goals and we know he is a great player to have in the team. Steven always does a good job for us. But I would definitely like to see others start chipping in now."

Though Pienaar impressed in his first season after joining Everton from Borussia Dortmund, concerns were expressed as to whether the South African could maintain his good form in his second season with the club.

"We knew he could handle it (playing in the Premier League) because he is a good footballer," Moyes pointed out. "We are delighted now that he is back in the team with us once again."