Ex-Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley starred in Watford’s 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Pundit Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that he feels Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley has ‘found himself’ since joining the Hornets from Everton earlier this year.
Watford hosted Arsenal at Vicarage Road on Saturday evening, and whilst they have impressed under Marco Silva this term, they looked to be heading for a home defeat after Per Mertesacker’s headed opener.
However, substitute Troy Deeney grabbed an equaliser from the penalty spot after Richarlison had been fouled by Hector Bellerin, and there was a sting in the tail too, as Tom Cleverley converted from eight yards out to hand Watford an injury-time win following a goalmouth scramble.
Watford now sit fourth in the Premier League table after a superb start to the campaign, and Silva is really getting the best out of a host of players – especially midfielder Cleverley.
Cleverley, 28, joined Watford on loan from Everton earlier this year before making his move permanent, returning to Vicarage Road having spent the 2009-10 season on loan with the Hornets from Manchester United.
The former England international may not have bene popular at Everton, but he has been the heartbeat of the Watford midfield this season, turning in a host of impressive displays to leave Hornets fans wondering when he will get another England call-up.
Now, pundit Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that he felt Cleverley deserved the huge praise from team-mate Deeney after the full-time whistle against Arsenal, as he was Watford’s top performer on the night.
Crooks added that he thinks Cleverley has found himself now after an ‘interesting’ time with Everton, noting that the midfielder looks far more accomplished than he ever did with the Toffees, whilst praising Silva for improving Cleverley this term.
“What a wonderful compliment from Troy Deeney to announce in his post-match interview that not only was Tom Cleverley the best player on the pitch against Arsenal, but he has been Watford’s best player so far this season,” said Crooks. “It struck me at that point that there must be a special team spirit at Watford at the moment for the captain to deflect the compliments directed to him for the victory over Arsenal to his team-mate. Cleverley looked suitably embarrassed, but he shouldn’t have done.”
“The former Manchester United and Everton player has found himself at Watford. His spells at Old Trafford and Goodison Park were interesting affairs, but now he looks so much more accomplished in a way he never did at his previous clubs. The Hornets are fourth after this win over Arsenal, but we must not let the controversy surrounding that win alter the view that manager Marco Silva is doing a remarkable job, and he is doing it very Cleverley,” he added.
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