Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas celebrate Donny van de Beek Everton influence after Leeds United start
Donny van de Beek was “tremendous” for Everton against Leeds United and is the answer going forward, according to Danny Murphy and Jermiane Jenas.
The Dutchman made his first start for the Toffees on Saturday (February 12) following his January loan move from Manchester United and was instrumental in the excellent 3-0 victory over Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Goals from Seamus Coleman and Michael Keane, plus Anthony Gordon’s deflection on a Richarlison shot, saw Frank Lampard’s men run out comfortable winners against a direct rival in a huge lift after midweek.
The pair of BBC pundits were effusive in their praise of the new operator in the midfield on Match of the Day last night, with ex-Liverpool man Murphy saying: “I have to say van de Beek was tremendous sat in the middle there with Allan. He kept things simple, kept things ticking”.
Former Spurs midfielder Jenas went further and suggested he was already undroppable: “Today for example Donny van de Beek, brilliant. Stays in the team, has to stay in the team”.
What a difference four days make
The win at Goodison was the perfect response to a miserable performance at Newcastle on Tuesday night.
It looked like the new manager bounce had lasted all of 90 minutes for the Brentford win in the FA Cup when Lampard’s side went down 3-1 in the North-East.
But the response was magnificent as the players out-pressed their notoriously hard-working opponents.
The home crowd looks to be playing a huge part in results since Rafael Benitez was replaced by the former Chelsea manager, with both home games under him exciting victories.
The performance of the man that the new boss personally intervened on to bring to Merseyside at the end of the transfer window was particularly encouraging, along with an improved showing from fellow newcomer Dele Alli.
A major home improvement is a big achievement from Lampard, and continuing that will be the minimum needed to rescue the season.
In other Everton news, the manager was blown away by the performance of another Toffee who came into the side.