Vitalii Mykolenko hailed by Jermain Defoe for ‘fantastic’ moment in Everton win vs Fulham
Vitalii Mykolenko has been hailed for a moment of quality that he provided for Everton in their 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
The Toffees had been on a run of three games without a win in the Premier League, but they quickly put that behind them to secure a crucial victory and clean sheet against their visitors from London.
Idrissa Gueye netted the opener for Everton on the stroke of half-time, before Michael Keane turned the ball home from a corner to put the result beyond doubt in the latter stages.
Mykolenko was central to those defensive efforts from David Moyes’ men, and he has been showered with praise for his involvement in a key moment in the game.
Vitalii Mykolenko played a crucial role in Everton goal vs Fulham
Everton are lining up a new contract for Mykolenko ahead of the January transfer window, as they look set to address the speculation surrounding his future that has emerged of late.
The left-back hasn’t been at his best for the Merseysiders so far this season, but he played a vital role in one of the goals that settled the game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
| Touches | 58 |
| Accurate Passes | 25/30 (83%) |
| xA | 0.27 |
| Accurate Crosses | 2/3 (67%) |
| Defensive Contributions | 6 |
The 26-year-old hung the ball up to the back post after Tim Iroegbunam played a pass to him out wide, and James Tarkowski headed his delivery against the crossbar, before it was eventually drilled home by Gueye.
The veteran midfielder took the majority of the plaudits for the goal, but ex-Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe was quick to praise the quality of the first-time cross from Mykolenko on the left flank.
“The ball goes wide and it’s a fantastic cross, he just stands it up,” Defoe said during the half-time break in the Premier League’s international coverage of the game.
“Tarkowski uses his presence in the box, and I think that’s an assist from Iroegbunam. Gueye follows it up like all players should do, and Everton get the goal.”
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Jack Grealish needs to look for Vitalii Mykolenko on the overlap more often
Jack Grealish has been superb for Everton so far during his loan spell, but the England international could perhaps use Mykolenko to his advantage a little more often.
The defender has a very decent delivery on his left foot, especially from situations where the ball is already rolling.
Grealish’s tendency to drift inside from the touchline often opens that space up for the pass to be reversed for Mykolenko, providing that he is willing to bomb on in support.
Moyes’ men lack creativity at times, and if his partnership on the left flank can strike up a little more of an understanding of each other in the coming weeks, then they could develop into an extremely effective weapon for Everton.
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