Ex- Everton star hails Iwobi’s physicality

Ex- Everton star hails Iwobi’s physicality

Everton legend, Pat Nevin, heaped praise on Alex Iwobi for his performance in the first half of Everton’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

Everton showed character, coming from behind to salvage a point in the dying embers of the game with an 89th-minute equalizer.

After a goalless first half, Joao Felix broke the deadlock with a low effort that went in off the post in the 52nd minute, but two goals in the last twenty minutes, one from Abdoulaye Doucoure, one from Ellis Reco Simms made Kai Havertz’s goal ultimately worth a point.

Despite overwhelming possession, Chelsea only had three shots on target in the first half, an indication of how well Everton did defensively.

Nevin, who also made 193 appearances for Chelsea, singled out Iwobi for praise for his defensive contribution to the Everton team in the first half.

“At the moment, the player who is standing out for me for Everton is Alex Iwobi. Really impressive,” Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

“Over on the right-hand side, he has had to do all of the defending but his physicality and pace have really helped the team so far.”

Following the point earned at the bridge, the Toffees have moved two points above the relegation zone with 26 points from 28 games.

Iwobi is expected to report for international duty this week ahead of Nigeria’s double-header with Guinea-Bissau in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.