Everton boss David Moyes watching on from the touchline
Everton boss David Moyes watching on from the touchline
Everton manager David Moyes needs to find a way of fitting Hayden Hackney into his starting XI going forward.
The former Middlesbrough midfielder was forced to watch from the bench for the majority of the game against Manchester United, before coming on in the second half.
Hackney made an immediate impact, playing a crucial role in both of Everton's goals.
Firstly, Hackney carried the ball into the final third before picking out Tyrique George, who unleashed a thunderous strike into the roof of the net.
Everton Premier League Fixtures
Everton Premier League Fixtures
For Everton's second goal, their last-minute equaliser, he picked out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the box, before the ball fell kindly to Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who fired home from range.
His creativity and ball-carrying ability were crucial for Everton in the second half as they chased the game, and Moyes needs to find a way of unleashing him more regularly.
Hackney does have his weaknesses, but you saw against United that he can change a game in an instant.
Fitting him into the side won't be easy, but Moyes does need to find a way. James Garner and Harrison Armstrong struggled at times against United, and Hackney added something completely fresh and positive.
You do sacrifice some defensive solidity when Hackney plays, but there wasn't enough solidity to justify Hackney being on the pitch.
Without the introduction of Hackney against United, it's difficult to see them getting something out of the game.
He's a player who offers so much in the final third that you have to find a way of fitting him in, and he's a real mix of different profiles that Everton need.
David Moyes
David Moyes
Mix of Pienaar and Barkley
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In a way, Hackney is a mix of Steven Pienaar and a prime Ross Barkley.
Hackney is like Pienaar in the way he works really well in tight spaces, looking to take players on and drawing them in to commit fouls.
He also adds that danger in and around the box like Pienaar, looking to find space in the pockets and pick out an important pass in the final third.
In terms of Barkley, Hackney is similar in terms of the way he likes to carry the ball from deep, gliding past players to get into the opposition half.
Barkley in his prime, that is, and what a player he was for a short period before he departed. Hackney has been on the fringes at Everton, starting just once in the Premier League this season, but he needs unleashing.