Everton manager David Moyes must find way to solve Iliman Ndiaye conundrum – Premier League hits and misses | Football news

Everton must find a way to solve the Ndiaye conundrum

Ask any opposition supporter who has faced Everton this season, and most will tell you that for all their attacking issues, they have one player in Iliman Ndiaye.

Stop Ndiaye and stop Everton. He has three goals but no assists. The emerging problem, however, in this miserable run of five goals in 11 league games – nine of which Everton have failed to score – is that Ndiaye has appeared to be operating in a parallel universe to his team-mates . Isolated and sometimes out of sync.

Simply put, the Senegalese player has struggled to impose himself. Against Villa, he won the ball seven times – more than any other player – but he mustered just one touch in the opposition box. Zero chances created, zero takeover attempts.

On one occasion, Jesper Lindstrom only asked for a simple two-yard pass at his feet on the edge of the box, but somehow he was inconsistent in his execution.

Even for Ollie Watkins’ decisive strike, Ndiaye tried to stop Villa’s counter-line, but in trying to get involved, it only led to a tangle with Jarrad Branthwaite. For all his fine touches and tight ball control, last summer’s big signing isn’t as effective as he could be.

If David Moyes is to finally solve Everton’s problems in front of goal, he must use Ndiaye better than his predecessor.
Ben Grounds

“Ashley Cole feels… Lewis-Skelly is set for greatness”

“Where are all the English left-backs,” we shouted.

England seem to have a problem now with Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw struggling to impress at the highest level for different reasons.

However, England need not worry. Miles Lewis-Skelly is the answer. And Thomas Tuchel was at the Emirates to witness it first-hand.

The 18-year-old was once again phenomenal. From the first whistle, he made a tackle and left Raheem Sterling in goal. That set the tone. And he didn’t give up.

Tottenham are a dangerous team down the right flank with Brennan Johnson and Dejan Kulusevski, but you wouldn’t have known it based on this game. Lewis-Skelly treated everyone present to a performance full of tenacity, class and amazing maturity.

No player took more shots for Arsenal (4), won possession more times (6) and had a higher passing accuracy (93.8 per cent) than Lewis-Skelly as the stats backed up the looks.

There was real Ashley Cole emotion to what we witnessed. Arsenal and England have such talent on their hands.
Lewis Jones

Can anyone stop Isaac and Newcastle?

Newcastle’s games are playing out like a classic rom-com at the moment – another game, another win. And some more goals and assists from Alexander Isak.

Another sign that the Magpies are only going one way – up.

And Isak is a big part of their recent success, which has included nine straight wins in all competitions. He scored his 18th Premier League goal of the season on Wednesday, as well as providing his 13th assist for Anthony Gordon’s goal.

Isak is only the fourth different player to score in eight consecutive Premier League appearances, after Jamie Vardy (twice for Leicester), Ruud van Nistelrooy (twice for Manchester United) and Daniel Sturridge (for Liverpool).

He has been labeled as the best striker in the Premier League right now, and given his numbers, it’s hard to argue with that assessment.

Along with the likes of Sandro Tonali, Newcastle are finally reaping the rewards of their transfer strategy. They are now in the top four and it will take something special to stop them.
Charlotte Marsh

Wolves’ poor defense still a problem

New manager Vitor Pereira has made Wolves more compact since his arrival, but back-to-back 3-0 defeats in the Premier League highlight the defensive improvement still required if this group of players are to retain their league status for next season .

Emmanuel Agbadou came on for his Premier League debut but endured some awkward moments, while Santi Bueno and Matt Doherty were also guilty of allowing too much space inside their box for Newcastle’s second and third goals.

Pereira will need more from his forwards too, having created more than enough scoring opportunities at St James’ Park and in that home defeat to Nottingham Forest. But it is the defence, the worst in the Premier League, that remains the biggest concern.
Adam Bate

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