Garth Crooks lauds Andre Gomes’ impact in Everton win

Follow us on Google Discover

Garth Crooks suggests that Andre Gomes’ display was pivotal to Everton winning at the weekend.

Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that while he did not score the decisive goal, no player made more of a contribution to Everton’s win against Cardiff City than Andre Gomes.

The Barcelona loanee has made a fantastic start to life at Goodison Park. Gomes only made his Toffees debut last month, but is already establishing himself as a key man in Marco Silva’s side.

And he put in another fantastic performance during the 1-0 win against Cardiff on Saturday. The Portuguese made an impact at both ends of the pitch, helping to keep the visitors at bay while also driving the team forward.

And Crooks suggested that it is the summer signing who Everton have to thank most for inspiring the hard-fought victory that takes Silva’s men up to sixth in the table.

“I thought Andre Gomes was really unlucky not to be in my team of the week after his performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge,” he told BBC Sport. “The Portugal international is very tenacious which can sometimes overshadow the fact that he is very comfortable on the ball and can see a pass.

“Against Cardiff, who are an increasingly difficult side to play against, Gomes was the only Everton player who kept hurting them. Gylfi Sigurdsson may have got the goal but it was Gomes who wore them down.”

It is becoming clear that signing Gomes permanently has to be Everton’s top priority during one of the future transfer windows. The 25-year-old is performing superbly and that is after only a handful of appearances for the Toffees.

The spine of Silva’s side is looking remarkably stronger this season, and Gomes has taken absolutely no time at all to make himself an integral part of that spine.