Idrissa Gueye undroppable for Everton after record-breaking display v Tottenham
Everton were up against it from the very first whistle in their Premier League clash against Tottenham on Saturday (3 February).
And Sean Dyche was very glad to welcome back midfield ace Idrissa Gueye for the meeting at Goodison Park, with the Senegal international returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
He replaced Arnaut Danjuma in the only change from the midweek draw with Fulham, and it turned out to be a very welcome return for the midfield powerhouse.
Gueye may not have been able to prevent former Toffees ace Richarlison from netting a brace against his former club, but he did have a match to remember himself.
As per WhoScored (4 February), the midfielder won possession of the ball in the attacking third six times, a record in a Premier League match this season.
But his superb efforts didn’t stop there, with Gueye becoming the first player to make eight-plus tackles and six-plus interceptions in a Premier League game, since ironically he achieved that feat against Fulham in September 2018 [Squawka, 3 February].
Gueye shines for Everton
Jarrad Branthwaite has stolen the headlines following his stoppage-time equaliser, after Jack Harrison had scored the home side’s first goal, with the pair helping create a Premier League record.
But the hard-fought point would not have been possible with Gueye, who must now be a regular starter for Dyche as the Toffees look to steer clear of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
They currently occupy 18th place in the Premier League table, one point behind Luton Town in 17th, although the Hatters do have a game in hand.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville has predicted a transfer explosion as he dropped a Toffees verdict live on Sky Sports.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.