Idrissa Gueye starred for Everton against Sunderland on Monday night.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has told Sky Sports that he felt midfielder Idrissa Gueye was the key to their 3-0 win over Sunderland on Monday night.
The Toffees continued their unbeaten start to the season, as having picked up seven points from the first three games of the season, Koeman’s men hammered Sunderland with a scintillating second half display.
Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore in action with Everton’s Idrissa Gueye
After a goalless start to the campaign, Belgian hitman Romelu Lukaku ran riot in the second half, scoring a hat-trick to give Everton all three points on Wearside.
Lukaku will steal the headlines after his three goals, but midfielder Idrissa Gueye certainly deserves praise for his performance against the Black Cats.
Gueye racked up 120 touches and 101 passes for Everton against Sunderland, with the Senegal international absolutely running the show in the heart of Koeman’s midfield.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman in action with Sunderland’s Lynden Gooch
A summer signing from relegated Aston Villa, Gueye had earned comparisons to N’Golo Kante last season, and his display against Sunderland was the closest to that comparison that Everton fans have seen so far.
After the game, manager Koeman was asked by Sky Sports what he thought of Gueye, and the Dutchman offered a simple verdict, stating that the midfielder was ‘fantastic’.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Koeman added that he thought Gueye was the key to the victory, possessing great energy and positional awareness, claiming that he’s a great signing for the club despite being relegated with Villa last season.
“Fantastic,” said Koeman. “I think maybe he was the key tonight, already in the first half but overall in the second half it was the same.”
“He’s a player with a lot of energy. Although on the ball he is quiet, he takes up good positions and he’s really that key player in the midfield that you need. It’s a great signing for us,” he added.
What did you think of Gueye’s performance against Sunderland?
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