Everton fans call it passion. Arsenal fans call it blue bloody murder.
James McCarthy tore into Arsenal at Goodison Park last night and let at least eight of their starting XI know what he was all about.
The Republic of Ireland international was starting only his fifth Premier League game of the season, last night, but was making up for lost time. He tore about the pitch with intent, shutting down countless Arsenal forays and driving forward to end a couple of sieges.
While Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman were at the forefront of most of Everton’s best moments, McCarthy was not far behind. He made a couple of incisive passes, won just about every header he set himself for, stung Petr Cech’s palms and clattered into a few tackles.
Most of the time, he emerged with the ball [five tackles won]. On a couple of occasions he did not, but he took his medicine.
His midfield partnership with Idrissa Gueye was a tenacious one and they rarely gave Arsenal’s main men any space once they pressed into the Everton half.
McCarthy’s most telling contribution of the game, in terms of the scoreboard, was his gentle, knowing nudge on Laurent Koscielny as the ball was swung into the Arsenal box for Seamus Coleman’s equaliser.
https://twitter.com/m_beattie_3/status/808774029666619392
koscielny too soft get nudged by mccarthy like a toddler
— MaluDeBosque (@malubomboka) December 13, 2016
McCarthy did not let up for a moment in the second half. Arsenal probed and prodded but Everton grew in confidence and sensed all three points were there for the taking.
He took on the ball more in attacking positions in the second half and showed he has an eye for a pass. Most importantly though, he was relentless.
Everton fans have not always been convinced by McCarthy but his showing, last night, has won many of them over. The 2-1 victory surely helped but Toffees are more optimistic about 2016/7 all of a sudden.
https://twitter.com/beeloefc/status/808957210395086849
https://twitter.com/drising1979/status/808958317712248832
James McCarthy brought that aggressive mentality we needed. Ffs took our defense to score the goals. Defense wins games coyb
— DelunaDenny (@delunadenny) December 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/pukkaefc/status/808815084478824449
Arsene Wenger knew his team would have to work their arses off to get a result over Everton at Goodison Park – he’s been here plenty of times before.
He selected Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin for the task but the Everton centre midfielders left their mark. Less time on the ball but more done with it.
McCarthy’s performance last night, his form last season – for Everton and in big games for Ireland – and the undiluted passion he brings to the fight are all convincing reasons that Arsenal would be wise to throw a £20m bid in come the January transfer window.
With Morgan Schneiderlin rumoured for an Everton switch from Manchester United, McCarthy could be picked up for much cheaper than he should be.
