Everton were inspired v Manchester United by what Yerry Mina did pre-game
Everton took a huge step towards securing their Premier League status for another season yesterday as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Anthony Gordon grabbed the all-important goal for the Toffees with a long-range effort deflecting in via the thigh of United skipper Harry Maguire in the first half.
Frank Lampard’s side dug in defiantly to hold onto their slender lead in a game of virtually no quality to pull themselves further away from the relegation zone with just eight games left to play.
While it was the players on the pitch who got the job done, there was a big contribution by one of Everton’s injured stars before the game even started.
As the home squad headed out to warm up pre-game, defender Yerry Mina was waiting in the tunnel to give each and every one of them a big hug and the support they have been so desperately needing [Liverpool Echo].
Whatever he said to his teammates obviously worked and Lampard may well be asking him to do the same for every match from now on.
Captain material
Sometimes you have to look past longevity when choosing the club captain and this is one of those situations.
Seamus Coleman might be the club’s longest-serving player but his time at the top is rapidly coming to an end and Mina is a very strong candidate to replace him as skipper.
He showed before his injury that he had that leadership quality when on the pitch and his effervescent personality off it got everyone smiling pre-game and that was a huge reason for the improved performance.
Finch Farm and Goodison Park have been rather glum places recently but with people like Mina around the club, there are always going to be those moments of happiness that can often be the difference between winning and losing when the big day comes.
That was proved yesterday and when Mina returns, Everton will get even better no matter who the manager may be.
In other Everton news, an Aston Villa player sent a two-word message to the Toffees’ match-winner on Instagram.
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