August 25, (THEWILL) – A rejuvenated Nigerian Super Eagles’ star Alex Iwobi was in the mood to help his 10-man Everton side qualify for the next round of the EFL Carabao Cup competition against Huddersfield Town after he found the net in the first half and put in a solid shift overall in the Tuesday night encounter.
It was a night that began well for Everton and Iwobi, as the ex-Gunner registered his 10th goal contribution in an Everton shirt before their centre forward Moise Kean was issued a straight red card for violent conduct. It was a blow that left them disadvantaged.
But Rafael Benitez orchestrated a reorganisation for the final half hour that remained. He brought in Lucas Digne to replace Tom Davies and sent Demarai Gray on for Niels Nkounkou.
It was not long after that the winning goal arrived for Everton through a 78-minute left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box to the high centre of the post by Andros Townsend. As there was no other goal, Iwobi’s opener and Townsend’s follow-up allowed Everton to leap over Huddersfield.
THEWILL believes it behoves on Iwobi to maintain a consistent performance as the one he put in on Tuesday. That is capable of winning over many Everton fans who have not stopped complaining of not seeing what they paid Arsenal £34 million for in 2019 when the Nigerian moved to Goodison Park from the Emirates.
In the bright red and whites of the Gunners, the Arsenal Hale End Academy graduate featured 149 times, finding the net 15 times while contributing, by way of assists, 27 times. However, after 67 appearances in all competitions for Everton, Iwobi can only boast of nine contributions.
That tally of just four goals and five assists in the time at Goodison Park makes it a poor return for the fans and the club. But, he has shown pleasing signs as Benitez begins to mould the team into the type of football he prefers and the squad that can get him results.
Benitez’s win gives him another plus in his nascent role of the manager at Everton. In the two EPL matches played so far, Benitez is yet to taste a loss, beating Southampton 3-1 and drawing 2-2 with Leeds. The Carabao Cup victory makes it three out of three unbeaten for the manager.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
