Alex Nyarko says his new-found religious faith saved the fan who confronted him at Highbury last month from getting a good hiding.

The Everton midfielder was approached by Toffees fan Stephen Price and was offered his shirt during the Merseysiders' 4-1 defeat at Highbury on April 21.

As part of a revealing insight into some of the problems he allegedly experienced during his one and only season at Goodison Park, Nyarko revealed: "Some years back I would have finished that guy, but I have come to find God and the scripture of God doesn't say that. It says turn the other cheek.

"Then I thought I was stupid. He could have put a knife in my stomach or thrown acid in my face.

"I was very upset. If it had been an opposition supporter, it would have been different, but it was my own."

Nyarko said that although the incident left him shocked and he considered quitting the game at the time, he has had second thoughts and is now going to carry on playing, though not at Everton after he had his transfer request granted.

Nyarko said he now forgives the fan for what he did, though does not appear to be so forgiving though when he talks in terms of Everton boss Walter Smith, who he said over the period of the season totally changed his attitude towards him.

He concluded: "I didn't understand it because he is not that kind of man.

"In all my career I have never had a season like this for being sick and injured, but I still played 20 games, working hard and not being appreciated."