Nigeria international, Alex Iwobi was a missing figure in the starting lineup of Carlo Ancelotti’s team that defeated Jose Mourinho Tottenham in the Meyerside’s club opening fixture of the 2020-21 season and was not on the bench either as his side nicked a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Calvert Lewin lone goal in the 55th minute.
Really, he should have been relieved. Everton, with better finishing, would have stripped Tottenham bare and this 1-0 triumph did not reflect their authority or how they dominated this contest.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad whooped and hollered at the final whistle and were fully entitled to celebrate.
A victory of this nature has been a long time coming. Everton have been dreadful away from home against top six teams.
The last time they had won a fixture of this kind, Roberto Martinez was the manager in December 2013 and Costa Rican full-back called Bryan Oviedo scored the crucial goal.
There have been 40 attempts since that success over Manchester United, 28 of which – often miserably – ended in defeat, but there was never a suggestion here that miserable sequence would continue.
Everton had freshness and enthusiasm, everything Tottenham lacked, and relished the job.
Early days, of course, but you could see in the opening exchanges what difference the additions to Everton’s team had made.
James Rodriguez, in particular, looked different to anything that has appeared in a Blue shirt in recent years, his left fizzing passes beautifully from right to left.
For a club whose fans has been starved of a hero for too long, there is a glorious opportunity for this Colombian with film star good looks at Everton.
Iwobi will be looking to feature for his side when they host new comers, West Brom on the 19th, Sep, 2020.
