Garth Crooks gushes over ‘outstanding’ James Tarkowski in Everton win v Brentford
James Tarkowski was “outstanding” for Everton in their win against Brentford, according to BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks.
The central defender picked up a goal and an assist as the Toffees defeated the Bees 3-1 on Saturday (23 September).
It was Everton’s first victory of the new Premier League campaign, and lifted them to 15th place in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone.
Naming Tarkowski in his Team of the Week, Crooks wrote for BBC Sport (24 September): “Crisis, what crisis? Not if Everton keep playing like that.
“The urgency with which Tarkowski raced back to defend an attack in their win at Brentford was expected, but to nudge the ball expertly away from the oncoming Keane Lewis-Potter, who was about to tap the ball into the net, was a turning point in the game.
“Brentford had already equalised and looked like they had Everton on toast. Had it not been for an outstanding all-round display by Tarkowski, Everton would have been nursing another defeat.
“The former Brentford defender didn’t mind celebrating his well-taken headed goal against his old club either. That’s always a good sign. I never understood players who scored against their old club and thought it was somehow a betrayal.”
Top display
Everton had been very poor this season before their trip to West London to take on Brentford, and even though their opponents weren’t in top form either, they still represented a very tricky encounter.
But the visitors did not make it look tricky, with Sean Dyche’s men producing a stunning display to leave with all three points.
Scoring goals has really been an issue for the club in recent times, but Tarkowski – along with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – eased any worries in this regard.
They all found the back of the net against Thomas Frank’s side, with centre-back star Tarkowski assisting Doucoure’s opener.
Toffees fans will still be over the moon after the win, but Dyche must take the momentum into two huge league matches coming up next; home clashes with both Luton Town and Bournemouth.
First, however, the Merseyside outfit travel to Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday (27 September).
In other Everton news, a former Goodison Park ace has sent Dominic Calvert-Lewin a one-word message after the club’s win against Brentford.