Garth Crooks raves about Everton ‘lump’ who caused Watford ‘meltdown’
Garth Crooks has included Everton defender Yerry Mina in his Premier League team of the week.
The Colombian defender bagged a brace for Carlo Ancelotti’s men as they fought back to overturn a two-goal deficit against Watford on Saturday afternoon.
The strikes were the 25-year-old’s second and third for the Toffees, and his first of the season.
And Crooks was suitably impressed with his contribution in a vital win for the Blues.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “It’s rather unusual to pick a defender for scoring goals rather than his team coming away with a clean sheet.
“Nevertheless I have decided to go with Yerry Mina simply due to his persistence. Every time the ball went into the Watford penalty area at set plays their defence fell to pieces. The sheer presence of Mina (who is a lump by the way) sent Watford into meltdown.
“What a result this was. Everton scoring three goals away from home is about as crazy as Barcelona wanting to buy Richarlison for £75m!
“To think both happened in the space of a week suggests the Carlo Ancelotti effect is starting to work.”
How good was Mina on Saturday?
Defensively, the dramatic win was something of a mixed bag for the Colombian.
On the one hand, he did make five interceptions, and won 60% of his defensive duels, but on the other, he only won six out of 13 aerial duels – an uncharacteristically low number, as per Wyscout.
Realistically though, is anybody going to remember those numbers when they look back on this match in months and years to come? Of course not.
Ultimately, what matters most is that Mina scored twice and caused absolute carnage in the Hornets’ box.
Hopefully, he can begin to replicate that kind of display on the regular, because what a weapon it would be for Ancelotti to have at his disposal.
In other Everton news, Athletic journalist reveals reasoning behind January exit of Goodison ace.