Bent: Doucoure and Allan bullied Fred and McTominay in Everton 1-1 v Man Utd
Everton held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday, and Darren Bent was impressed by Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Frenchman assisted Andros Townsend’s late equaliser, and while his performances in the attacking phases were outstanding, it was his display in the middle of the park that stood out.
Alongside the Brazilian, Doucoure made Everton tick in midfield, but the same cannot be said of Fred and Scott McTominay.
The Man Utd duo struggled, and Bent has showered praise on the Toffees midfielders for outshining them.
Speaking on talkSPORT (as shared on their official Twitter account), the ex-striker, who also regularly works for Sky Sports, insisted that Allan and Doucoure bullied their Red Devils counterparts.
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.”
Class
Everton won the midfield battle, and that was all Rafa Benitez’s side needed to limit the Red Devils’ attacking threat.
Allan and Doucoure both put in a solid defensive shift, constantly helping out their defenders and thwarting the hosts’ efforts in the final third.
The Toffees midfield duo are not as famous and flashy as Fred and McTominay, but that did not matter, and they proved that they were better in terms of overall quality.
Brazil and France should be looking at Allan and Doucoure respectively, as both can definitely improve their countries’ midfields.
They do not get a lot of plaudits, but both have played crucial roles in their side’s impressive start to the season.
Everton want to be playing in Europe, and they already have two quality midfielders capable of guiding them to the continent.
Both players do not stop running and pressing, constantly working their socks off every game, and their teammates can learn a lot from them.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in hunt for new coach after exit left void in key behind-the-scenes area.
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