Steve Sidwell is 'due' another goal

Oct 30 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Steve Sidwell

STEVE Sidwell admits he is overdue another ‘premature’ goal at Everton tomorrow – providing his pregnant wife doesn’t drop their baby.

The Premier League’s fastest strike of last season after just 31 seconds took everybody by surprise, not least the midfielder’s missus, Krystell.

It set Martin O’Neill’s men on their way to a thrilling 3-2 victory over David Moyes’ Toffees, even though most of the action arrived in a frantic finale.

Sidwell’s son Rocco was a babe in arms when daddy’s lightning-quick screamer almost launched the newborn screamer from his mum’s grasp.

Mat Kendrick and Lisa Smith will be live at Goodison Park to bring you match coverage and banter from the ground - join them live at 2.30 at www.birminghammail.net/live 

And with Mrs S five months pregnant and due to give birth to their third child in February, Sidwell is wary of causing too much excitement at Goodison.

“My mum and dad have probably got the goal recorded somewhere at home,” smiled Sidwell, who is also father to three-year-old boy Harry.

“It was quite surreal. A few days before my wife gave birth to our second son at the time.

“I remember it being a weird week for me. I missed training a couple of days to be at the birth and then I went up to Everton and scored so early.

“I spoke to my wife afterwards and she was holding the baby and when I scored the baby almost went flying.

“I’m long overdue a goal. I think last year a lot was put on me about my goals,” added Sidwell, who is yet to open his account this term.

Last season’s fixture at Goodison Park was ultimately remembered for Ashley Young’s late winner rather than Sidwell’s early opener.

But the former Chelsea dynamo was happy for the winger to bask in the glory of a performance which was hailed as ‘world class’ by O’Neill.

“When the equaliser went in to make it 2-2 you just thought, ‘Right that’s it, just shut up shop and we’ll take that’,’’ added Sidwell.

“But Ashley goes down the other end and scores a wonderful.”