Darren Bent has named Everton duo Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan as key anchors in the club’s tactical system that helped to thwart the best efforts of Manchester United.
Everton came away with a hard-earned point thanks to a second-half strike from Andros Townsend to round off a counterattack but Bent feels the midfield pivot deserves plaudits.
Speaking on talkSPORT (as shared on their official Twitter account and shared via Goodison News), the former striker was keen to insist that the duo outclassed their opposite numbers in United.
He said:
“Fred and McTominay, they’re both good players…but I don’t think you’re going to win the league, with them two playing central midfield.”
“You saw for yourself how open Man Utd were every time Everton counterattacked.
“Look at Doucoure, and Allan, against them two. Absolutely bullied them.”
Read Everton Verdict
The duo form Everton’s silent engine in the heart of midfield and deserve all the attention they can get as unsung heroes at the club.
Doucoure in particular has made an offensive impact following his conversion into a box-to-box midfielder.
He has added four assists (a team high) and two goal to his game with Rafa Benitez affording him more of a free role in the middle of the park.
That compliments the nature of Allan, with the former Napoli man dropping deeper to sweep up loose balls and add defensive presence to the back line.
Having played in seven games this season, Allan is forming a dependable partnership that is looking to be the bedrock of recent success at Everton.
In that view, Bent is right to call for greater attention to be shifted onto the midfield, who exemplified their capabilities by contributing at both ends of the pitch.
