Garth Crooks includes Everton ace in TOTW who made Palace ‘miserable’ in 2-1 win
Garth Crooks has included Everton playmaker James Rodriguez in his Premier League Team of the Week.
The Toffees continued their perfect start to the season against Crystal Palace, beating the Eagles 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Rodriguez was at the heart of both goals in London, playing brilliant passes in the build-up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s opener and the penalty incident.
Crook claimed that the signing of the 29-year-old is one of the main reasons that Everton are towards the top of the Premier League.
“For the third consecutive fixture, James Rodriguez makes my team of the week,” he wrote for BBC Sport.
“His inclusion is as much a reflection on Everton’s rise to the top of the Premier League table after three games as it is his outstanding performances.
“The Colombia international made it a pretty miserable afternoon for Crystal Palace after providing assists for both of Everton’s goals.
“However, the decision to award Everton a penalty when Joel Ward was judged to have handled the ball was nothing short of outrageous.”
Rodriguez didn’t quite provide assists for both of Everton’s goals like Crooks said he had, but he was still influential.
He completed 43 passes at a phenomenal success rate of 91%, with 100% of his final third passes finding their target according to WyScout.
His success has seen Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin flourish this season, and his ability to pick out passes in-and-around the area will see them both score considerably more in this campaign.
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