Bournemouth right-back Jack Stacey impressed as the Cherries beat Marco Silva’s Everton 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.
Eddie Howe has paid tribute to Bournemouth debutant Jack Stacey after the right-back kept ‘outstanding’ Everton winger Alex Iwobi on the periphery during Sunday’s 3-1 win at the Vitality Stadium, while speaking to the Cherries’ official website.
Eyebrows were raised and understandably so when Everton paid a club record £40 million to sign a Nigerian international who is far from the finished product from an Arsenal side who were only too happy to cash in (the Sun).
But, with two goals in his first four games for the Toffees, Iwobi has wasted no time in proving the doubters wrong; until Sunday’s trip to the South Coast, that is.
The 23-year-old failed to make an impact as Marco Silva’s side slumped to a 3-1 defeat away from home with Stacey, the former Luton ace who was making his first top flight appearance, keeping Iwobi at an arms’ length throughout.
“I thought Jack did really well. He was up against a really tough competitor in Alex Iwobi who is an outstanding player,” Howe said.
“He was examined by him and responded every time. I thought he stepped up defensively and did a really good job for the team.
“Usually, he’s a marauding full-back, up and down the line. But he knew he had to be responsible and defend first. He did it really well.”
It certainly wasn’t the most rampaging performance of Stacey’s career but while Callum Wilson and Josh King will get the credit after a fine team display in front of their own supporters, Bournemouth’s defence provided the platform for an eye-catching result.
Steve Cook was outstanding at centre-half while Nathan Ake, who was linked with a £75 million move to Everton in August by the Sun, showcased his star quality again.
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