Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith has hailed Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye for the quality of his first touch to tee up his goal to beat Crystal Palace away at Selhurst Park.
The Toffees claimed a 3-2 win in south London this Saturday to enter the international break on a high. Vitaliy Mykolenko (1’) put Everton ahead early at Crystal Palace before Abdoulaye Doucoure (49’) restored their lead. Gueye would secure the three points in the 86th minute.
Crystal Palace could not find a third equaliser after Eberechi Eze (5’) and Odsonne Edouard’s (73’) earlier replies. The result returned Everton’s fourth win in the Premier League this term and third in their last five fixtures. It also edged the Toffees to just a point behind the Eagles.
Dyche dropped Gueye to Everton’s bench at Crystal Palace
Gueye started the day on the bench as boss Sean Dyche favoured a central pairing of James Garner and Doucoure. But the 34-year-old replaced Amadou Onana at the break, who took over the Senegalese star’s spot in the squad on the Belgian’s return from a minor calf injury.
Dyche had entrusted Gueye with replacing Onana against Brighton & Hove Albion last week. Their 1-1 draw marked his first Premier League appearance since September after sitting out three fixtures. His cameo at Crystal Palace took Gueye to eight appearances so far this term.
Smith praises Gueye’s quality after scoring the late winner
A cameo at Crystal Palace also returned Gueye’s first goal this season as he secured Everton their 3-2 win. The 102-cap international started and ended the move that decided the game after finding a pocket of space. A quick combination with Doucoure then put Gueye on goal.
James Tarkowski rolled the ball into Gueye’s feet before the midfielder spun two players and found Doucoure. Gueye continuing his run into the box then allowed Doucoure to return the favour. But he still had work to do before slotting the would-be winner past Sam Johnstone.
Gueye’s touch took the ball away from Crystal Palace full-back Tyrick Mitchell and captivated Smith as she followed Everton’s win. He also fired into the opposite corner after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. The veteran left Johnstone without any chance of making a save.
“He actually starts the move off,” Smith told Sky Sports News. “He finds a little bit of space just in between the defence and the midfield. Plays the ball into Doucoure.
“He then continues his run. It’s a really good ball through to Idrissa Gueye, and that first touch is so good. He takes it across the defender and he has to slide in. He just manages to put it in the back of the net. Brilliant play from Idrissa Gueye and that’s 3-2 to Everton.”
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