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Pienaar relishing Everton role

Johannesburg - Steven Pienaar says his Everton team are not only winning the games that have elevated them to seventh position in the English Premiership but they have also become "exciting entertainers."

The Bafana Bafana captain expressed this view in an interview on Everton's TV channel immediately after he had starred in the week-end's 4-0 thrashing of Fulham at Goodison Park.

Pienaar played a prominent role in two of Everton's goals and was hailed on the club's website as having given "a magical performance."

It was the crunching infringement on the Bafana midfield kingpin that resulted in former Glasgow Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic sending Everton on the road to a resounding victory with a penalty-spot goal.

The Blues' final dazzling goal, from Australian international Tim Cahill, emerged following a defence-splitting pass from Pienaar which sealed Fulham's fate.

"With eight goals in our last two home matches," said Pienaar, "we are providing our fans with the kind of exciting entertainment they have not had for a long time.

"And the team is playing with the kind of confidence that enables you to exhibit a lot of flair and win games at the same time.

"Of course," added the crafty midfielder with a smile," it's nicer to score goals yourself, but I'm more than happy helping the other players do the scoring.

"With players like Jelavic and Cahill in the side, it makes my job all that much easier."

Everton are up against Stoke in an away fixture on Tuesday night and Pienaar said the team would endeavour to produce the same brand of entertaining soccer as they had played at home.

"But they are a tough nut to crack as they demonstrated in the drawn game against Arsenal over the week-end," added Pienaar.

"They give their opponents no presents."

Despite Pienaar's stimulating return to form since moving back to Everton on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in February, after a frustrating year with the London club, his future remains uncertain.

His business manager, Rob Moore, proclaimed recently that there had been no permanent transfer offers from Everton - or any other club.

Moore, however, made it clear where he believed Pienaar's interests would be best served by proclaiming "his style seems best-suited to that of Everton and his zest for the game has come back since his return to the Merseyside club.

''Nothing makes Steven happier than when he is playing soccer," added Moore, "and he could not be happier than he is right now."

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