Garth Crooks names ‘dangerous’ Everton duo in Team of the Week after 2-0 win v Burnley
Garth Crooks has been left stunned by the “dangerous” displays of Everton duo James Tarkowski and Amadou Onana against Burnley, including both stars in his team of the week.
Sean Dyche’s side made it four wins on the bounce in the Premier League at Turf Moor on Saturday 16 December, claiming all three points thanks to goals from Onana and Michael Keane to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.
While Keane earned plenty of plaudits for his performance having barely played for the Toffees so far this season, Crooks instead opted to praise defensive partner Tarkowski, suggesting his and Onana’s displays “made all the difference”.
Writing in his BBC Sport Team of the Week (18 December) he said: “Michael Keane got the goal but it was James Tarkowski’s performance that made all the difference. Everton are flying.
“I don’t think I’ve seen an Everton team look so dangerous on set-pieces. James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucoure, all six-foot-plus, attacking the six-yard box like their lives depended on it.
“The superb header scored by Onana was typical of the barrage of artillery the Burnley defence was under when it came to set-plays.”
Difference makers
Every time Everton got a corner or a free-kick in Burnley’s half on Saturday, it felt as though the Toffees would find the net as the giants from their midfield and defence made their way into the home side’s box ready to pounce.
Few teams in the Premier League can boast such scoring power in their side and few carry as big a threat as Dyche’s side in dead-ball scenarios and it is a huge asset to have in the armoury for the fight against relegation this season.
Tarkowksi in particular has looked like a player reborn under Dyche’s management this season. The Englishman has added a level of consistency to his game that has previously been missing at Goodison and while Jarrad Branthwaite tends to grab the attention, the 30-year-old has been equally as impressive.
For Onana the challenge has always been contributing more in the final third and his header was an excellent demonstration of that at Turf Moor. The Toffees have a good thing going at the moment and there won’t be many sides in the Premier League looking forward to facing them this season.
In other Everton news, reports suggest that Iliman Ndiaye has already decided on his future amid interest from the Toffees