Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not the only Everton star who caught Carlo Ancelotti’s eye during the thrashing of West Ham United, with the Toffees boss paying tribute to Michael Keane while speaking to the club’s official website.
While arguably the most in-form centre-forward in European football at the moment is hogging this morning’s headlines once more, it’s about time Everton’s much-maligned centre-half got the credit he deserves.
Keane has endured his fair share of criticism since moving to Merseyside from Burnley three years ago but, for the first time in his Toffees career, he is starting to perform like a £30 million defender on a weekly basis.
The England international kept Harry Kane and co off the scoresheet during an opening-day win at Tottenham before helping Everton maintain that 100 per cent record during their best start to a Premier League season since 1993.
Keane barely put a foot wrong in the 4-1 shellacking of West Ham in the Carabao Cup either, capping another fine display with a pinpoint assist for the first of Calvert-Lewin’s three goals on the night.
“Michael is comfortable, good tactically and fantastic with his head,” said Ancelotti, a coach who has worked with some of the best defenders in the modern era.
“He never panics and is always calm.”
Everton have won all six of their games so far in 2020/21 with Keane scoring twice, against Salford City and West Bromwich Albion.
Everton’s opening fixtures of the 2020/21 season
- Tottenham (A)
September 12
- West Brom (H)
September 19
- Crystal Palace (A)
September 26
- Brighton (H)
October 3
- Liverpool (H)
October 17
- Southampton (A)
October 26
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