Move over Alcaraz: 7/10 Everton ace just played his best game of 24/25
It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but then David Moyes and any fan of an Everton persuasion won’t care a jot.
The Toffees extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches with a 2-1 at Selhurst Park, springing above the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and into 13th place, level with Oliver Glasner’s beaten Crystal Palace.
Sean Dyche’s Everton always produced resilient and determined displays, but something was missing. Now, Everton are playing with more freedom and belief, still rooted in their principles but flourishing under a manager who knows the club and knows it well.
He knew that Charly Alcaraz would be a shrewd signing, and the Argentinian has repaid the faith with the winning goal in south London.
Charly Alcaraz stakes his claim
Alcaraz signed on loan with an obligatory £13m buy option inserted at the end of the January transfer window and he’s started to impress with his cultured feet and combative mindset, claiming his first Everton goal on his first start against the Eagles.
It was a dreamy starting debut for the young buck, 22, who had a big task in replacing the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure but passed with flying colours.
Not only was he instinctive in firing beyond Dean Henderson to seal the three points, but Alcaraz created three key passes throughout the evening, dynamic and eager.
Everton didn’t play all that well but they have unearthed that winning sense and are thriving under Moyes’ wing. The Scotsman is providing the players with a new lease of life.
Alcaraz was always going to work hard to impress at his new club, but a longer-serving Toffee’s showing shouldn’t go without credit, for he’s starting to look like a real asset.
Everton's real winner at Selhurst Park
The man in question is Jack Harrison, whose 2024/25 campaign has been a frustrating one, all told.
Harrison’s interminable wait for a goal or an assist – he’s yet to get off the mark across 25 games this term – goes on, but he’s beginning to look far more connected in his play.
The 28-year-old was praised by The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland for his “real shift” against Palace, while The Liverpool Echo handed him a 7/10 match rating that perhaps could have been even higher, for he showed plenty of ‘running and endeavour’ in the large and vacant boots of Iliman Ndiaye.
Minutes played
65′
90′
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches
55
42
Shots (on target)
2 (0)
0 (0)
Accurate passes
20/24 (83%)
12/17 (71%)
Key passes
1
1
Dribbles (completed)
6 (1)
5 (4)
Total duels (won)
16 (8)
13 (6)
It’s curious that Harrison has still failed to bag a goal or an assist but his overall level has been something to admire over the past week, forging a path back into the good books for himself.
Winning six duels in total, the versatile wideman completed four dribbles and won two more duels, looking complete and tenacious in his work. Moreover, he was even more eye-catching from a defensive standpoint during the thrilling draw with Liverpool, coming off the bench in the first half to replace the forced-off Ndiaye.
So then, the wait for that elusive direct goal involvement rages on. Still, Harrison has proved over the past few games that he is capable of providing effective support across the field.
This might just have been his best performance yet under Moyes, with a season-high four dribbles completed illustrating his effectiveness on the left flank, and an exciting turning point ahead of the business months, perhaps.
With Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil among the sidelined, it was important that the Blues put in a potent collective display, and Moyes is sure to be pleased with his players, Harrison and Alcaraz in particular.
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