Michael Owen has praised Everton striker Ellis Simms for his late goal that helped Sean Dyche’s side pick up a valuable point following their 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
It was Simms’ first goal in Everton colours and it’s one that he will never forget, with Owen stating that he left Chelsea defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, ‘surprised’, as he brushed past the 31-year-old centre-back like the £33 million player (Sky Sports) was a youngster from the academy.
Everton have had issues upfront for a number of seasons, well, now a star is born and Owen added that Simms was ‘so direct’ in his play, which was combined with ‘strength’ and a ‘lovely touch’, as he told Premier League Productions (18/03/23 at 7:40 pm).
Simms had only been on the pitch for 11 minutes, but that appearance from the bench could be defining for Everton and their quest to remain in the Premier League.
With Graham Potter’s Chelsea picking up of late, including progressing in the Champions League, many expected a home win, especially when Kai Havertez cancelled out Abdoulaye Doucoure’s equaliser after 76 minutes to put his team back into the lead.
But this is now a Sean Dyche team and they continued to fight until the end, with Simms showcasing a moment of pure brilliance, although, Owen did touch upon how Koulibaly and Kepa could have done better.
“He (Simms) was so direct, wasn’t he?!” said Owen. “He has got the pace and he has got the strength. He had a lovely touch and turn.
“It almost looked as though he had it in his mind straightway. There was almost a quickness of that second touch there where I thought ‘he maybe surprised Koulibaly a little bit’.
“Once he got in there. He doesn’t half show strength to shrug him off, opens his body out and the goalkeeper might be a little disappointed.
“If there was ever a position in the Everton team where you can stake a place, they simply can’t score goals, all of a sudden, he will be starting the next game. He has got great ability to lead the line for Everton in months and years to come.”
SIMMS TO START V TOTTENHAM?
Dyche handed the youngster his first start during Everton’s defeat in the Merseyside derby and it proved to be a difficult evening, not just for Simms himself, but the rest of his teammates.
But now that the former Sunderland loanee has had a few hits in the Premier League, added with that confidence-booster of a goal, then it’s high time he is given another crack to start.
It’s a shame for Everton and the player that the international break has arrived because they were starting to build something, but upon their return, it’s Antonio Conte’s inconsistent Tottenham visiting Goodison Park.
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