Gary Neville reacts to Allan’s Everton debut display in opening day win

Gary Neville named Allan his man of the match during Sky Sports’s coverage of Everton’s opening day win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (broadcast on 13/9; 18:16).

The Toffees had a number of players making their competitive debuts for the club at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Abdoulaye Doucoure joined Allan in the middle of the park, while James Rodriguez played further forward.

And it proved to be a superb performance from Everton. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the game’s only goal during the second-half.

There were a number of impressive performances on show. But Neville suggested that the Brazilian was the standout performer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

“He’s actually my man of the match,” he said on Sky Sports, when asked what he made of Allan’s display.

“The way in which he’s just gone about his business, he’s provided a good shield in front of that backline. Mina and Keane haven’t had too much to do. Harry Kane’s been non-existent. He’s just sat in there and done a really good job. Everton have had quite a few good performances, but I’m going to go for him.”

The early signs suggest that Everton have done some incredibly smart business in the window. And Allan appears to have the potential to be the most inspired addition of the lot.

As Neville suggests, Spurs were able to create little. As noted by Whoscored.com, Richarlison was the only Everton player to make more successful challenges. Meanwhile, he completed 46 successful passes.

Tottenham will certainly receive criticism for a lacklustre performance. But that should take little away from how good Allan and a number of his teammates were in their 1-0 win.

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