EVERTON manager, Frank Lampard, has picked Alex Iwobi as his man-of-the-match in the Toffees 3-0 win over Leeds at Goodison Park last Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Iwobi was handed his first start under Lampard and he repaid his manager’s faith in him by churning out an outstanding performance on the flanks with his ethic on the field.
“It was hard to pick a man of the match (against Leeds) out of those 11 players, but for me, it was Alex,” Lampard said while reflecting on his side’s win over Leeds.
“The reason was the work ethic he showed, his fitness throughout the game, the way he picked up the positions we wanted off the ball and kept wanting to receive the ball and drive and play.
“He played because he trained so well and that is something I stand behind strongly as a coach.
“All I want is for Alex to have belief and feel the talent he has – I am not sure I expected that 90 minutes of work rate. He hadn’t played for me and, wow, I thought he was outstanding.”
The ex-Chelsea coach added, “Sometimes you pick a team and people outside don’t understand why you pick a player.
“It was tough playing on the sides against Leeds, you have to do a lot of work off the ball, and he (Iwobi) did everything. I’ll just keep working on that. We’ve got players in those positions, other players who were on the bench who can come on.
“So, it’s important everyone gives their absolute maximum to the limit and Alex (Iwobi) did that.”
Iwobi will be hoping to keep his place when Everton travel to St Mary’s to face in-form Southampton.
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