David Moyes is coming in for huge praise, after Everton beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park.
The Toffees snagged a huge three points in the Midlands, with Thierno Barry bagging his third goal in his last four Premier League games.
The form guide suggested that this fixture was Villa’s to win.
They were on such a great run and have been so strong at home, and Everton of course had a number of players unavailable.
What a win! Everton fans, who was your Man of the Match against Aston Villa?
So many great performances 🔥
But David Moyes got his tactics spot on, and the win has moved Everton up to 10th in the table.
Key to the victory was the midfield working so well as a unit, with Moyes’ three players brilliantly cutting off passing lanes to stop ball carriers like Morgan Rogers from being influential.
And James Garner was perhaps the star of the show – and Alan Shearer has moved to praise the Englishman.
- READ MORE: Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa, Thierno Barry one of four 8/10s in big win for David Moyes
Alan Shearer left wowed by James Garner as Everton beat Aston Villa
Garner has enjoyed a fine season for Everton.
It was always going to be an important period for him with Idrissa Gana Gueye leaving for AFCON. But he has risen to the occasion.
Ashley Young sang Garner’s praises for stepping up, and now there are suggestions an England chance may not be too far away.
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance yesterday at Villa Park, and surely could not have denied how well he played.
On the Rest Is Football, Garner was picked out for praise, with Alan Shearer saying: “How good was he, Garner in midfield eh? He was brilliant, wasn’t he? He’s having a good season.
Micah Richards added: “I think he’s been a really good player for a while now. Again in terms of injuries and then changes in the team and not knowing what his best position is. Although he played a little bit deeper, he can play a bit further forward too, and have really good effect in that way as well.
“In terms of the game, I thought he was the best player on the pitch along with Tarkowski.”
Shearer said: “We’ve praised Unai Emery and rightly so, so many times this year for Villa’s performances. But that performance from Everton was a David Moyes masterclass wasn’t it? It had his stamp all over it.”
Garner is surely in line for England call
Garner has been performing well all season, but this was right up there with one of his best displays of the campaign – and it just happened to come in front of Tuchel.
It seems as though he is now starting to receive his flowers from the wider football community, which is great to see.
England have two friendlies coming up at the end of March against Uruguay and Japan – and there is every chance now that Garner could be called up.
There is no reason why he shouldn’t if he continues to play like this.
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