View: The three players who loved Everton’s shift to 3-4-3
Everton beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday to end a four-match winless run and move into sixth in the Premier League table.
Two goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s first for the club sealed the win, as boss Carlo Ancelotti switched from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 formation.
There were a number of beneficiaries to the change, but here are the three players looked best playing in the new system.
Alex Iwobi
Bought as an attacking midfielder or winger, things have not quite worked out for Iwobi since last summer. However, playing at wing-back role he thrived, charging down the right flank and creating a number of dangerous situations for his side.
Over the 90 minutes, the former Arsenal man completed six dribbles and had 77 touches of the ball, something bettered on the Everton side by only Doucoure. He was decent defensively too, making two tackles, three clearances and two interceptions (via WhoScored).
Lucas Digne
Digne is a full-back that has always thrived going forward more than going backwards, so this wing-back role really suited him. Providing two assists and completing five key passes (via WhoScored), Fulham did not have an answer for the flying Frenchman.
While Everton have Seamus Coleman as an option for the wing-back role on the right, Digne is an obvious choice on the left and will probably be hoping Ancelotti makes the switch permanent as it suits his game perfectly.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
It is perhaps unfair not to mention Calvert-Lewin who bagged two goals, but Doucoure just beats him out due to the different way he played in the new system. With the extra space, Doucoure’s athleticism allowed him to come into his own and he dominated the midfield, completing 63 passes, three tackles, six interceptions and one key pass (via WhoScored).
With an extra defender covering behind him, Doucoure was given more freedom to attack and helped himself to a first Everton goal in the process. As he showed at Watford, he loves to get forward and the 3-4-3 formation gives him more of a chance to do that.
In other Everton news, here is how Allan made an impact since arriving over the summer