Just watched the game back on Prime.
Thought first half MOTM for me was gonna be between Gomes and Keane but giving it to Andre as Keane was at fault for their goal - not having that one on Pickford as it's powerful and straight at him. First time, no-look, weak foot pass from Rodriguez for our goal was amazing (& pass for Richy later) as was Coleman's strength to get keep the ball and cut back. Maybe Guaita could have saved Dom's shot but again, was hit clean and right at him from close range & good on Dom for being in the right place open again. Thought Allan, Digne, Richarlison were solid first half with Doucoure a little off the pace early on. Deffo not a handball on 30 mins vs Ward. I don't think the pen was handball either as that to me is a natural position for the arm when you're spinning your torso around quickly but not complaining since we never get pens. Top penno by Richy but I hate the run up.
Second half we were a bit sluggish, thought Dom could have done a lot better on that beautiful corner; great movement but needs to let it hit his laces and not the toe/sole of his boot. Won't blame Dom for that second corner though as I think him and Keane just got in each other's way after a great leap. We seemed to flit often between Old and New Everton though for large pants; some amazing zippy triangles spread out by large chunks of launching aimless balls up for Dom to try wrestle grocks to in that 4-1-4-1 out of position formation. Pickford had an average game; not much to do outside the goal although the star jumps (Kouyate header) still baffle and worry me; reminds me of Howard so maybe it's an Everton thing. The Invisible Man had a pretty steady cameo for once, Iwobi looked rusty but always felt he's a player that's only useful starting not as a sub (also is he really ripped now or carrying some custard?).
I really like how the 3 in midfield, as well as Rodriguez, like to drift around and interchange - really gives Keane, a solid passer, many more options to play through the lines. We were definitely good for the points though as for all the possession they had till the 75th minute they didn't actually create anything of not and lumping balls up to Keane/Mina is pointless - solid side though and good bet for a Top 10 finish. Thought Zaha was completely anonymous throughout and whoever throw £30m+ at him is a fool - completely outshone by Townsend and Eze.
MOTM? I'd guess Rodriguez just shades Gomes, Allan & Keane purely because of his heavy involvement in both goals which ultimately win matches.
I liked the Amazon Prime coverage because the commentators weren't dreadful and I can watch the full game back but the replays took too long and I feel I missed about 5-6 mins of the game because of it.
