Cracking performance all over the pitch.
All about the partnerships.
Branthwaite and Tarkowski were immense at the back, were calm and aggressive in equal measure. Great foil for eachother, Tarks the proactive leader and communicator, Branthwaite just so clutch, more of a modest game reader than a game leader. Mykolenko and McNeill on the left, Coleman and Young on the right, worked so well in tandem tracking back as well as getting forward. Almiron/Trippier were completely nullified on the right, the fact that they had to constantly switch up their front three spoke volumes. Both sides adapted so well to the different threats that were posed. Thought Harrison and Dom were also on a great wavelength, both did so well to stop the build up from their centre halves through midfield by tirelessly pressing and cutting passing lanes, as well creating a threat in behind, holding the ball up and winning those second balls when we needed to bypass their press.
Only area we were a bit sub par was centre mid, although perhaps to be expected given the personnel. Both Doucz and Gueye like to go beyond the midfield to press, and Newcs only real threats tended to come when Gueye and Doucz had vacated their positions, leaving us exposed in the middle of the park. However their front foot defending also meant we were able to win and then keep the ball higher up the pitch, so a risky strategy that also paid off (C.F. our second goal).
Harrison MOM for me. Given the circumstances, playing out of position, and assigned the task of both disrupting Guimares and then attacking off the back of him, thought he was the difference maker in many ways.
Chuffed to bits, Goodison needed that. Let's pipe Chelsea on the weekend now
UTFT
