Everton and Crystal Palace have experienced contrasting starts to the season.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend are among the Premier League’s best tacklers so far this season despite the two clubs experiencing contrasting starts to the campaign.
The Toffees have made big strides this summer with the arrival of Ronald Koeman as boss plus stars such as Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie, yet it is another signing who is so far making all the right noises.
Gueye was one of the members of Aston Villa’s horrific campaign last season, though the holding midfielder was without doubt one of only a few who could come out of it with any credit.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action
The Senegal international sits in front of the back four and provides a defensive shield, and thus far under Koeman he has been one of the Premier League’s best in his specific role.
| Team | Tackles | Appearances | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idrissa Gueye | Everton | 12 | 3 | 270 |
| Andros Townsend | C. Palace | 11 | 3 | 270 |
| Jason Puncheon | C. Palace | 10 | 3 | 257 |
| Danny Rose | Tottenham | 10 | 3 | 270 |
As shown by the table provided by Opta, Gueye has posted more tackles than any other player in the top-flight with 12 while Palace winger Townsend trails him with just one fewer.
Former Tottenham Hotspur man Townsend showed his qualities at Newcastle United towards the end of last season, and following the Magpies’ relegation he was heavily tipped with an immediate return.
Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend in action with Colchester United’s Tom Lapslie
Palace took advantage of the player’s release clause and brought him in, though so far he has been unable to help the Eagles recover from what was an alarming slide last season.
Alan Pardew’s men have picked up just one point from three matches and have scored just the one goal, though defensively they have conceded just three and that is down to the whole team working hard off the ball.
Townsend is not renowned for his tacking ability, but with 11 successes so far he is up there with the most competent in the Premier League and despite the club’s poor start that will no doubt please Pardew.
Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Gardner
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