Peter Lynch

Thu 4 May 2023 11:40, UK

Michael Ball has slammed “woeful” Everton attacker Alex Iwobi for his “schoolboy football” in the 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Monday (1 May).

The Toffees ace was guilty of giving away possession for Leicester’s second goal of the evening, before redeeming himself by scoring the equaliser at the King Power Stadium.

The Nigeria international has been a regular for Everton this season, operating in various positions including central and right midfield, as well as on the wing.

“It’s just not on, it’s schoolboy football,” Ball wrote for the Liverpool Echo. “Just don’t play a ball square.

“I know it’s not Iwobi’s favoured position and Dyche is playing him out wide because of his work ethic – he showed that in the second half when he sprinted back and recovered really well – but what he did in the first half was woeful and he might have been dragged off at the break given how wasteful he was in possession.

“I’ve still not seen him run at a full-back though and that’s his job in that position.”

Still hope for the Toffees

Iwobi quickly made amends for his error against the Foxes, with the midfielder showing his determination and quality to fire the ball into the back of the net at the King Power.

He can hardly be to blame for the club’s struggles this season, with Iwobi perhaps representing one of just a few players who can hold their heads high on an individual level amid a miserable campaign for Everton collectively.

The 27-year-old has proven his versatility and therefore willingness to play wherever he is asked to, with not all players at the club able to say that.

Some Toffees supporters may see the point picked up at Leicester in a positive way given how they had to come from behind, while others may judge it as points dropped given how poor the Foxes have been all season.

Despite impressing, Iwobi does, however, have just two goals to his name all season, with the attacker desperate to improve on that tally in the coming weeks.