da 888： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da dobrowin： Premier League legend Alan Shearer has praised Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina after their performances in Everton’s 2-0 win over West Ham United.
What did he say?
Shearer picked Gomes and Mina in his Premier League Team of the Week in their respective positions. The Colombian defender kept a clean sheet against the Hammers, just as the former Benfica midfielder controlled the game along with Tom Davies in the centre.
The pundit told the Premier League website: “Everton barely gave the West Ham midfield a look-in and a big part of that was down to Gomes. He ran the centre of the park with his touch, technique and energy,” he said.
Shearer also touched on Mina, saying: “This was a powerful display by the Everton defender. They needed a leader and he fitted the bill. He was dominant at the back and didn’t give Sebastien Haller a sniff for West Ham United.”
Vital for Everton
Prior to the weekend victory over the Hammers, it had been a torrid time for Mina this season. The former Barcelona defender was part of a defensive unit that let in 13 goals in just eight games.
However, over the weekend, in form striker Sebastien Haller never got a chance to add to Everton’s woes and was well marshalled by Mina, who arrived on Merseyside in a deal worth £27.2m in 2018, and his fellow defenders.
Mina was a leader at the back, and with his 6ft 5 stature, he proved he is a physical presence for any attacker.
Gomes, who joined the Toffees in a £22m summer deal, started a game for Silva for the first time since he picked up an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers. That match was the last time the Blues tasted victory in the Premier League, which just goes to show how important this man is for the team.
Simply put, Everton lost all four league games without Gomes, yet both of their last two league wins had him in the centre. The former Barcelona midfielder is incredibly important for the squad and he and Mina could end up being the catalysts in saving Silva’s job.