That’s the Everton we want to see. An accomplished and impressive 3-0 win over Lille sent Everton to the brink of qualification to the Europa League knock-out stages, and the swashbuckling style in which the Blues played delivered a real tonic to the early season worries of many Evertonians. Has the corner been turned for good?
Where else to start but with the man of the match?
James McCarthy was incredible. Absolutely incredible. The Irishman did his usual job of breaking up attacks and recycling possession, but he added another dimension to his game on Thursday night. For the first time in a blue shirt McCarthy was a constant attacking presence, his third man runs piled pressure on Lille’s centre-backs Kjaer and Basa, who were already occupied by Naismith and Lukaku, so there was nobody left to deal with the roaming midfielder.
McCarthy’s offensive threat was highlighted by the first goal. He drove the ball forward, laid it off to Mcgeady, carried his run on into the box a la Cahill, and was unlucky that the cross was just a little too high for him. It was a wonderful, complete performance from the 23-year-old, and it will be interesting to see how he builds upon it.
Another Irishman who played well last night was the much maligned Aiden Mcgeady. The 28-year-old winger has been scrutinised by some fans since his arrival in January, but his performance against the French outfit on Thursday night was very encouraging. The no.7 delivered the cross for Osman’s goal and he whipped in the corner for Jagielka’s header. He faded in the second half but judging by his last couple of games, Mcgeady’s on the up.
The 3-0 win over Lille was one of Romelu Lukaku’s best performances in an Everton shirt.
The powerful Belgian looked sharp, fit and hungry, and he deserved a goal for his efforts. His extra training sessions with Duncan Ferguson seem to be paying off, as his link-up play and battling in the air was a lot better. With the likes of Ferguson and Samuel Eto’o around him, Lukaku can only improve. He played a part in 2 of the 3 goals yesterday evening, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts getting his name on the scoresheet on a regular basis.
One thing I would say about Lukaku is that he doesn’t use his strength enough. A striker of his size should be bullying defenders all day long, and he doesn’t do that at all. Hopefully Big Dunc will be able to coax it out of him.
The tempo and intensity of Everton’s play was superb, Lille’s players never felt comfortable on the hallowed turf of Goodison due to the intense closing down of the boys in blue. There always seemed to be somebody hounding Lille when they had the ball. If it wasn’t Naismith it was Barry, if it wasn’t Barry it was McCarthy etc. Everybody was getting stuck in for the team and when that happens, you’re on the way to victory.
An honourable mention has to go to Tony Hibbert. He’s not as young as he once was but when Martinez has picked him he hasn’t put a foot wrong, and his good form continued last night with another dependable display.
A great European night for the Blues with the promise of many more to come, roll on Warsaw.