David Moyes has turned Goodison Park into a fortress, with Everton’s hard-fought draw against Arsenal marking the sixth Premier League game in a row that defeat has been avoided on home turf.
Everton were breached after a prickly opening half hour when Raheem Sterling played Leandro Trossard into space and the Belgian dispatched a cool finish past Jordan Pickford.
However, this new version of Everton has confidence in abundance, and Moyes’ half-time team talk appeared to stir his squad into life, for Iliman Ndiaye slotted home from the spot after Myles Lewis-Skelly brought Jack Harrison down in the box.
Ndiaye’s return is significant, sparking attacking zest back into the Toffees team.
Why Iliman Ndiaye's return was important
Ndiaye has probably been Everton’s standout player this season, but he’s missed the past month-and-a-half of action due to injury and has been sorely missed, even though Moyes’ side have done alright.
However, his return to the starting line-up today reminded the Blues of the quality of player they have in their midst, with Ndiaye’s coolly-taken penalty marking his ninth goal of the season.
However, his second-half spot-kick didn’t tell the full tale of the tape, with the Senegal winger also winning six duels and making two tackles, as per Sofascore, to help his team go punch for punch with a combative Arsenal side.
The balance and electricity that he brings to the table will help Moyes’ side to no end over the closing weeks of the campaign.
However, not all of Ndiaye’s teammates can say they matched his levels on Saturday afternoon, with Abdoulaye Doucoure in particular beginning to look like a man playing on borrowed time.
Abdoulaye Doucoure needs to go
Everton are changing scenery this summer, and Doucoure needs to be part of the exodus. Moyes has surprised even himself with the incredible turnaround on Merseyside since he replaced Sean Dyche in January, but with so many first-team players out of contract this summer, there’s plenty to do in the transfer market.
The anticipated returns of Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil, who came on for Jack Harrison in the closing stages this afternoon, suggest that Doucoure, who is 32, seemingly declining and entering the last few months of his contract, is set to depart.
Couple that with the winter loan signing of Charly Alcaraz, who will sign on a permanent deal if he features across three of Everton’s last seven games of the season, and it’s clear that Moyes must ensure the veteran is not playing at Bramley Moore.
Minutes played
90′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
22
Shots (on target)
1 (1)
Accurate passes
6/9 (67%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles + interceptions
2
Duels won
3/12
Dribbled past
2x
Against Arsenal, he brought his usual huff and puff and forced David Raya into one second-half save, but it wasn’t enough to suggest he’s got enough left in the tank to play an important part over the coming campaign.
It was a flat and uninspiring performance, Doucoure only completing six passes all game, losing nine of his 12 contested duels and failing to even attempt a dribble.
Given that the Malian midfielder is currently Everton’s highest-paid player at £130k per week, it feels like a no-brainer that he should be cut loose this summer.
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