Everton: Danny Murphy wowed by ‘wonderful’ MOTD footage of Nathan Patterson v Burnley
Danny Murphy singled out Everton wing-back Nathan Patterson for praise during Saturday’s (16 December) 2-0 win over Burnley.
Patterson was recalled to the staring line-up for the Premier League match at Turf Moor as Sean Dyche went with a back five.
Injuries and suspensions for Vitaliy Mykolenko, Ashley Young and Jarrad Branthwaite meant for a rather makeshift defence for the Toffees.
However, Everton produced a solid defensive display to keep a fourth straight clean sheet, while the wing-backs also helped in an attacking sense.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day [16 December, 31m 13s], Murphy said: “Burnley didn’t deal with the problem and found themselves at sixes and sevens. There’s another terrific ball in by Patterson.
“The wing-backs really enjoyed the system. They played with good energy and were on the front foot. This here is a wonderful cross [by Patterson] that you would expect Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score from.
“What was great about it is that in the second half, the system became more defensive as the wing-backs dropped in to see out the game.”
Food for thought
The team named by Dyche to face Burnley raised a few eyebrows, but it soon became apparent that Dwight McNeil would operate at left wing-back and Patterson on the right, with three centre-backs between them.
McNeil thrived in the system as he registered eight crosses – five more than any of his team-mates [WhoScored] – while Patterson was also given licence to get high up the pitch.
The Scotsman put in a number of teasing deliveries, the best of which Calvert-Lewin really should have been sticking either side of James Trafford in the Burnley goal.
The comfort of this victory may well give Dyche some food for thought going forward, as this is a system his players can easily adapt to.
Patterson in particular will just be hopeful that his performance was enough to retain his place in the side once Ashley Young returns from injury.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys hit out at something “stupid” after watching Everton’s win over Burnley.