Manchester United had many key players in their win over Tottenham, with both Evans and de Gea making telling contributions. Can they keep it up?
It was not so long ago that Spaniard David de Gea was tipped to be spending the remainder of the season on the substitutes bench.
An injury to Anders Lindegaard has put him back in command of the starting spot, with the goalkeeper putting in a string of solid performances coupled with flying saves.
Jonny Evans meanwhile has been maligned by fans of United and the opposition for well over a year now, and few would have expected him to be a regular starter at the heart of United’s defence this season.
An injury to Nemanja Vidic of course has given him the opportunity, but he remains Sir Alex Ferguson’s preferred central defensive partner ahead of signings Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
Smalling has suffered with niggling, injuries, illness, and a nasty clash of heads on international duty, while Jones has looked shaky at centre-back and better at right-back.
So Evans good form has been most welcome, putting in a string of important interceptions, clearances and tackles against a dangerous Tottenham Hotspur attack on Sunday.
David de Gea too made a crucial one-handed save with the game poised at 0-0 which helped United survive the home team’s barrage.
The headlines of course went to goalscorers Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney, but the form of the pair should not go unnoticed.
If indeed they had made mistakes their critics would have been quick to pounce, so it is a case of credit where credit’s due.
The big question is, can they keep it up?
Both will need to if United are to be in with a chance of winning a 20th league title. De Gea has been written off and criticised aplenty this campaign, his first in a United shirt, so a title medal would be all the more sweet for him.
Evans will want to have a better showing against City later this season, if selected, than his last game, which saw him sent off, and City take advantage of the extra man to finish 6-1 winners.
Rio Ferdinand was also a key player against Spurs, and his experience guiding both Evans and de Gea will have helped, although compared to Phil Jones, Evans is almost an experienced campaigner, playing his fifth season of Premier League football.
It is good timing he stepped up, because if he had not he could have been shown the door this summer in the same way Darron Gibson was in January. De Gea would also have been facing life as number two.
So the players will not hope they do not undo all their good work, and keep United’s title charge on track.
Are you impressed by De Gea and Evans’ form?
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