How’s the heart? Everton did what they do best; they made everything a lot harder for themselves. But with goals from Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith, the Blues beat Barnsley 5-3 to reach the third round of the League Cup.
Here are five things we learned from the thriller at Oakwell:
1.Gerard Deulofeu is back
After a couple of cameo appearances, the Catalonian wizard announced his return to Everton in some style. Three assists, pace, exquisite wing play and fantastic hair. All served up by the magic man that is Gerard Deulofeu. Yes, it was only Barnsley, but the winger’s direct attitude, intelligence and dangerous delivery will trouble many opposition backlines this season.
Brought on at half-time with Ross Barkley, Geri turned the game on it’s head and showed Evertonians exactly what they missed last season; exciting, good old-fashioned wing play. Let’s hope the Barca boy stays fit and has a similar impact on Saturday. How good is it to have him back?
2. Tom Cleverley – Everton’s Mr Dependable
He doesn’t have Deulofeu’s speed or Lukaku’s goals, but with every passing game Tom Cleverley is gradually becoming one of Everton’s most important players. In four games for the Blues, Cleverley has played in three different positions and hasn’t let the side down in any of them.
His energy, workrate and understanding of the game helped him become a brilliant foil for the infectious Deulofeu, and he helped shore up a porous backline in the second half. It was encouraging to see Everton possessing an attacking threat from right-back without Seamus Coleman, full credit to the former United man once again, an absolute steal on a free.
3. The left-back position is a real worry
With Leighton Baines, Brendan Galloway and Luke Garbutt all injured and Bryan Oviedo unfit, the left-back slot has gone from being a well-stocked department to a position of concern. Oviedo has his fans and his doubters, but against Barnsley he was off-the-pace and was seen as a weak link by the Tykes.
Everton miss Baines so, so much. He brings experience, defensive and offensive prowess and a real understanding with the rest of the back four. Martinez needs to find a solution to the area and quickly, other managers will cotton on to Everton’s susceptibility on the left flank soon enough. The Toffeemen have enough defensive problems as it is!
