Everton defender James Tarkowski has been praised by pundit Danny Gabbidon amid recent questions over his displays.
David Moyes tweaked his back line as Everton beat Fulham 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Jake O’Brien dropped out of the side, with James Garner shifting to right-back to allow Tim Iroegbunam to start.
It all worked out well, as Everton beat Fulham with goals from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane.
Three points and a clean sheet are all anybody can ask for, as Wayne Rooney celebrated a Toffees win.
Everton v Fulham - Premier League
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BBC pundit praises Everton’s James Tarkowski
Jordan Pickford was a key part of the clean sheet, but this was a real team performance.
Centre-back James Tarkowski turned in a strong performance and earned praise from pundit Danny Gabbidon in the process.
Speaking to BBC Sport, former Welsh international Gabbidon suggested that Tarkowski has a ‘good game’, and believes that is his general level of performance.
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Gabbidon praised Tarkowski for being ‘so consistent’, adding that he is crucial to Everton’s back line.
“James Tarkowski has had a good game, and he generally does,” said Gabbidon.
“He is so consistent, always a seven or eight out of 10. He is so important in that back line for Everton,” he added on the underrated Tarkowski.
James Tarkowski still likely to play key role for Everton
Some fans have been on Tarkowski’s case this season, especially for one repeated issue.
Tarkowski has a tendency to get too close to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and then attempts to block shots in front of him.
Against Leeds United and Sunderland, that turned into goals against Everton via a penalty and a deflection, respectively.
Jamie Carragher pointed out Tarkowski’s problems last week, believing he is costing Everton by blocking Pickford’s view and almost becoming too involved.
Tarkowski has also been overshadowed by Keane, who has been strong defensively while chipping in with goals.
The stats tell their own story, though, as Tarkowski ranks number one in the Premier League for successful aerial duels and blocked shots.
Tarkowski is tied with Virgil van Dijk in the aerials category, and is tied for seventh for duels won this season.
Category Tarkowski’s statistics Premier League rank
Successful aerial duels 48 =1
Blocked shots 16 1
Clearances 73 7
Duels won 70 =7
Tarkowski isn’t the flashiest of defenders, and some may want to see Jake O’Brien at centre-back instead with Jarrad Branthwaite out injured.
Moyes is unlikely to take Tarkowski out of the side any time soon, though, and his strong statistical performance should not go overlooked.