Everton were severely lacking any creative spark last night against a resolute Crystal Palace side.
Travelling to Goodison Park with a couple of caretaker co-managers in the away dugout, it was a spirited away performance from the Eagles, who frustrated Sean Dyche’s side and limited them throughout.
However, another clash at Goodison Park was marred by a multitude of missed chances for the hosts, with Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all squandering huge opportunities at various points in the match.
And yet, despite that flurry of chances to score, it was a largely abysmal showing from the Toffees. They were bland and uninspiring, and never really looked like breaking down Palace with any patterns of play.
That was, until Amadou Onana came on.
What Jamie Carragher said about Amadou Onana
Likely benched due to Idrissa Gana Gueye’s impressive performance against Tottenham Hotspur, many questioned why the Belgium international, largely regarded as Everton’s best midfielder, would ever be dropped if fully fit.
Especially given the partnership he and James Garner have forged this season, which has provided the foundation for everything good Dyche has created with this system.
The gulf in quality was made abundantly clear upon his introduction to the game, as he instantly began dominating before rising highest from a corner to nod home the equaliser.
It was a moment that left Jamie Carragher in awe, as he spoke live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football after the match: ‘You have to say that the leap from Onana is absolutely fantastic and I think of some of the great centre forwards that Everton have had in the past, like Duncan Ferguson and Graeme Sharp at that back post.
‘The leap to get up early and beat the goalkeeper, he almost hangs there, waiting just to head it in. Brilliant jump.
‘Sometimes there’s nothing better than seeing a guy just get off his feet and punch one in with his head.’
Amadou Onana changed the game for Everton
Although only afforded 24 minutes to make his mark, it was impressive the speed with which the £33m maestro returned to first-team action and took the match by the scruff of the neck.
It was a game crying out for some real quality in the midfield, and Onana was just the man to provide it.
Not only was he passing and moving, a concept in frighteningly short supply at Everton, but he actually stuck his foot in to ensure Palace weren’t afforded the freedom of the midfield.
Winning five of the six duels he competed in, and making three tackles, further emphasises this notion, via Sofascore.
With a domineering physicality and the touch of class that the game was lacking, the 22-year-old changed the game for Dyche last night. Were he to have started, the likelihood of claiming a win would have been much higher too.
Going forward now he simply must be reinstated into the starting lineup, with his equalising goal no less than what his play had merited.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
