Everton: Garth Crooks blown away by ‘infectious’ Amadou Onana under Sean Dyche
BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has led a rave review of midfielder Amadou Onana after his “infectious” performance propelled Sean Dyche’s Everton to a stunning victory against Arsenal at the weekend.
A James Tarkowski header was enough to get the Dyche era off to a winning start on Saturday (4 February), but the display of marquee summer signing Onana drew a standing ovation from the Goodison Park faithful after the full-time whistle.
Writing in his BBC Sport team of the week column (Sunday 5 February), pundit Crooks admitted he was immensely impressed with the 26-year-old, who has flattered to deceive at points this year.
He wrote: “Against Arsenal I could have picked any of their midfielders, both full-backs and their two central defenders, such was their performance. However, it was Onana who seemed to get the blood pumping among Evertonians as he took the game to the Gunners.
“His passion, determination and willingness to cover every blade of grass was infectious. What a pity former manager Frank Lampard saw very little of that.”
Superb
As Crooks quite rightly highlighted, Onana covered every single blade of grass on the Goodison Park pitch on Saturday lunchtime and dominated the Arsenal midfield throughout.
His physicality, energy in the press and composure when picking up the ball in tight areas was unlike anyone else on Merseyside at the weekend, and this really felt like a coming-of-age performance.
The Belgian has been rather hit-and-miss since his summer move from Lille, but he showed a maturity and leadership in the middle of the park that could quickly make him a fan favourite.
Onana could well thrive under the ex-Burnley manager, as he likes his midfielders to keep things simple, do the dogged work and runs their socks off all game long. The Toffees ace did exactly this on Saturday in his man-of-the-match display and will be vital to any survival hopes the club holds.
The aim now for Onana is to replicate this form on a weekly basis and not go missing for large chunks of games – something that occurred far too frequently under Lampard’s regime.