On Monday night Everton came back from a two goal deficit against a side managed by Tony Pulis. I know, I can’t believe it either. This victory was made all the more impressive given the fact that Everton were without three of their first choice defenders, as well as the likes of Mirallas and Cleverley. We examine three positives from the game at the Hawthorns.
1) Brendan Galloway is ace
There title says all you need to know; Brendan Galloway is ace. The 19-year-old has slotted in seamlessly thus far this season, but really came of age last night.
He was energetic in attack and solid in defense. Galloway nullified any attacking threat from James McClean and also provided an outlet from Naismith on the left flank. Many Evertonians were left justifiably worried at the lack of options at left back this season, given the injury problems of Leighton Baines and Bryan Oviedo and also the loan move of Luke Garbutt to Championship side Fulham. But Galloway has eradicated any worry that was ever present.
His goal saving, and possibly match saving, tackle on Berahino was nothing short of heroic and proved to the Everton faithful that the young Englishman is a talent that will be around to marshal the Everton defense for years to come. Brendan Galloway’s performance last night was made all the more impressive given the fact that he was playing out of position. One cannot wait to see what he is capable of when he finally gets his move into his preferred central role.
John Stones 2.0.
2) Blues finally playing to Lukaku’s strengths
For many Romelu Lukaku is an enigma. A player who shows glimpses of world class skill, but often seems isolated whilst leading the Everton attack but in the second half last night Lukaku was simply unstoppable. The Belgian played a huge role in Everton’s victory registering two goals and also providing an assist for strike partner Arouna Kone’s goal.
This points to the fact that if Everton want to continue their push to the top they need to play to Lukaku’s strengths. It was a breath of fresh air watching Deulofeu actually crossing the ball the six foot plus Belgian international. Who’d have thought crossing the ball into a 6’3 towering striker would’ve been a recipe for goals? I know, me neither.
Watching the 22-year-old play with such confidence was a breath of fresh air. He bullied defenders and ultimately had the clinical precision needed for Everton to take all three points against the West Midlands side. His first goal showed his incredible aerial prowess, to head a ball into the top corner whilst being marked so tightly is no mean feat and his second, once again, demonstrated his pure brute force and determination to get on the end of crosses.
Lukaku also showed that he is no one trick pony by playing a beautiful slide rule pass through for Kone to latch onto and finish beautifully into Myhill’s bottom corner. His versatility allowed Everton to complete this comeback, so therefore his role in the victory cannot be understated. When leading the line with confidence Lukaku is simply unplayable. So therefore it goes without saying that Lukaku has to be the focal point of Everton’s attack and if we play to his strengths we can expect regular goals from the Belgian.
3) Deulofeu’s Premier League return big boost for Martinez
Deulofeu last night demonstrated why he was one Barcelona’s most promising attacking talents. His pace, trickery, ability to beat his man and the quality of his crosses were desperately missed by Everton last season.
Last night, Deulofeu gave newly converted full-back Chris Brunt a torrid time and proved that he deserves to one of the first names on the team sheet every week. Having previously performed well in the Capital One Cup against both Reading and Barnsley, Deulofeu marked his return to first team Premier League action with a delightful performance. The young Spaniard provided both assists for Lukaku’s goals and played through an exquisite ball, only for Barkley not being able to apply the finishing touch. He was a constant threat from the right wing and was a thorn in the side of the West Brom defense.
To put it simply, Deulofeu needs to play. His ability to cross a ball is something which Everton have desperately missed throughout Leighton Baines’ absence and judging by last nights showing Deulofeu is aplayer who certainly knows how to cross a ball. Whilst his decision making has not yet fully come to fruition ( the three on one which he managed to pass to West Brom’s only available defender), he is the flair player that Everton need. His ability, combined with his pace, is something which frightens defenders and therefore creates space for his attack minded team mates.
If Deulofeu, Barkley and Lukaku can all click into form at the same time, Everton will most certainly have an attack to be feared. Welcome home Geri.
