The Athletic's Patrick Boyland was full of praise for one Everton star, who played a pivotal part in Thierno Barry's first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest.
Everton ease past Nottingham Forest
After battling to beat Bournemouth in midweek, Everton had the chance to move up to fifth in the Premier League with victory over Nottingham Forest and David Moyes' side duly obliged. The Toffees had the perfect afternoon against former manager Sean Dyche, with Barry capping off a fine afternoon with his first goal since arriving for £27m in the summer.
It's been some time coming for the summer signing, who has smashed the woodwork, had VAR intervene and everything in between before finally getting the chance to wheel away in celebration at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It's Moyes who should take plenty of credit. After all, it is the veteran manager who decided to stick with his goal-less forward, only to reap the rewards 90 minutes later.
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The Toffees are seeking a defensive reinforcement.
Aside from the forward's first goal for the club, it was a fine display from the Toffees all round. The hosts wasted no time before getting going, with Nikola Milenkovic's own goal handing them the lead as early as the second minute.
It was then Everton's to lose and Barry's effort just before the break all but put them out of sight, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a third in the 81st minute.
everton-vs-nottingham-forest
For all their goalscorers, however, it was another player who received the praise of Boyland for the role he played in Everton's second goal before the break. The Athletic reporter dubbed Iliman Ndiaye "brilliant" in the build-up as the Frenchman continued his role as the Toffees' talisman.
Boyland heaps praise on "brilliant" Ndiaye
Boyland watched on as Everton struck Nottingham Forest on the counter on the brink of half-time, praising Ndiaye as "brilliant" when he raced past the halfway line before finding goalscorer Barry.
Barry will steal the headlines, but Ndiaye deserves plenty of credit. He has been Everton's main man since arriving last season and has more than played his part to take Moyes' side into the top five, for the time being at least.
By the time that the final whistle sounded against Forest, the winger had one assist to his name and had even completed 13 defensive contributions - summing up his impact at both ends.
If those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are to secure a shock European place this season, then Ndiaye's role will be more important than ever.
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