Everton’s Alex Iwobi wows Ian Wright with ‘hunting’ display in defeat of Manchester United
Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi topped the charts for distance run in the win over Manchester United and wowed Ian Wright in the process.
The 25-year-old covered a total of 11.5 kilometres and made 26 sprints, according to stats shown on BBC Match of the Day, which were both game-highs, as the Toffees pulled out a vital 1-0 win over the visitors from Old Trafford.
A deflected Anthony Gordon strike in the first half was enough for the points, as a hugely-improved defensive performance from the whole team preserved a clean sheet.
Speaking on Match of the Day after the game (9 April) host Gary Lineker said: “You felt Ian, if one man epitomised the effort and the vigour of Everton’s performance, it’s a former Gooner.”
Wright said: “Yes, Alex Iwobi. He was magnificent, and he’s somebody that no matter how he’s playing – even when he played against West Ham and made a mistake – he does not stop trying to get on the ball, to be progressive.
“It was his work rate today. This is the kind of performance you want to see from somebody at home. The Everton fans want to see [it] because if they’re going to get themselves out of this predicament, it’s this kind of work rate.”
Over a clip showing the Nigerian harrying the opposition 170 metres from one flank, over to the other, then all the way back again, Wright added: “Look at him. He’s hunting it down. He hasn’t stopped… His work rate in this game today was fantastic.”
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It was no surprise to see that four of the top five in both distance covered and sprints were players in Frank Lampard’s side.
It was the kind of performance that would have kept this side well away from the relegation battle if it occurred on a regular basis.
While it was Burnley who were seen as the target to gain three points from this week (6 April), Ralf Rangnik’s tame outfit ended up being the victims.
The vital three points made up for the crushing defeat suffered late on at Turf Moor.
And it is arguably more beneficial to have got the win in this fixture and lost the previous one as it shows an ability to beat a side much-higher up the league, and allows Lampard’s men to go into the 10-day break before the Leicester game (20 April) off the back of a win.
More is needed, but this was a sign that in home games at least, there is still enough there to compete with most.
Iwobi has played 90 mins in the last four league games and looks to be a favourite of the manager, so he will be crucial to the run in.
In other Everton news, Donny van de Beek may be out in the cold at the club now.
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