Most of you probably watched Landon Donovan’s debut appearance for Everton this morning in the game against Arsenal. On sister site EPL Talk, I have an article analyzing Donovan’s performance in addition to Kartik Krishnaiyer’s review on this site. But what did the English press think of his performance? Read below.
“With Louis Saha’s clever runs and Tim Cahill’s waspish presence augmented extremely well by the expert dribbling of Landon Donovan on an eye-catching debut, Everton caused Arsenal serious concern from the off,” Amy Lawrence, The Guardian.
“With Arsene Wenger’s side missing Alexander Song, they struggled to impose themselves in midfield allowing Everton debutant Landon Donovan, in particular, to take advantage. The American gave Gunners left-back Armand Traore a torrid time throughout, and it was from his corner that Everton opened the scoring,” Ian Hughes, BBC Sport.
“With 25 minutes to go and the Emirates pitch turning white, Moyes turned to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a man more accustomed to the adverse conditions. He replaced Donovan who will have warmed his manager with an industrious first outing on English soil,” Everton FC match report.
“Donovan looked lively on his Blues debut, the American offering an outlet wide on the right as he came in for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.The American will feel he could have done better on the equaliser however when he failed to clear the ball enabling Andriy Arshavin, back after a foot injury, to slip it inside to Eduardo who rolled a pass into Denilson’s path whose shot took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Osman to wrong-foot Howard,” David Randles, Liverpool Daily Post.
“But Everton have improved dramatically since [the beginning of the season] and the introduction of MLS loan signing Landon Donovan for his debut gave [Everton] an extra creative edge,” The Sun.
No one is a bigger Donovan skeptic than me. But this first performance, especially given the conditions, has changed my opinion of him. Slightly.
Let’s see if he can keep it up.
The fact of the matter is, Donovan is a super-fantastic, difference-maker, with world-class skills…and he has been for years. When he takes the pitch for the US MNT, he typically gives the defense and the team’s best defender fits, no matter who the opponent is. If you don’t believe me, go back and watch the tape against Spain and Brasil in the Confederations Cup this past summer. The counter-attack with Davies against Brasil was elite. I’m sick and tired of all the LD haters, who either have a stupid axe to grind or don’t know the game. Donovan is the best and most talented player ever to play for the US and 2010 will be his year to prove all the nay-sayers wrong. Believe it.
One love,
Adam
Absolutely 100% spot on post. I’m with you.
So glad to hear that Donovan made an impressive debut. The guy is class and his performances on the pitch will continue to silence the nay-sayers.
Did not see the match but from all that I see after words or hear the comments seem fair and positive.
I would like to point out that Donovan’s apparent good performance not only is a credit to his skill but to his coach. David Moyes is not afraid to let American players use their talent in the form that has made them successful before coming to Europe instead of trying to fit their talent into there Eurovision of where it should be. A view other coaches should take note.
Soccer in the snow? Let me think about that. do we play basketball in the snow just because some court are outside? No. I personally think the English are crazy to endure such a strain on players and fans to play through the worst part of the year. Say what you will about the MLS, but it isn’t that crazy. This week of cancelled games says a lot. The earth MAY in fact be cooling, so this could be just the beginning of nasty winters.
BTW – didn’t see Landon, but glad to see he had success.
Arnie,
That’s the way they’ve always played it. Why do you think they use a yellow ball in the fall/winter? NFL in the snow?, what a strain on the fans and players. And you think it’s never snowed in England before or the citrus crop has never frozen in Florida?
Great star for Landon, as some of us have predicted. Have to wish it was broadcasted by FSC, but the feeds were sufficient. I can only think we’re going to see him start the next game as well. And once he gets his total fitness back, I would imagine we’ll see him the full 90.
And thank god they played him on the wing and not as an on top striker…
See a radio interview with Landon before he left for England here by going to youtube and searching for “D-Wreck Interviews Landon Donovan.”
And bring a sense of humor…
Go Landon!
I was able to view a replay of most of the match. After seeing his performance I’ll give it high marks, no ones perfect, but considering it is his first outing in extreme weather conditions impressive!
Again praise to David Moyes, he fit Donovan’s talent into the Everton attack. He did not try to have Donovan change his game. you saw how much better Everton looked because of it.
“The American will feel he could have done better on the equaliser however when he failed to clear the ball enabling Andriy Arshavin, back after a foot injury, to slip it inside to Eduardo who rolled a pass into Denilson’s path whose shot took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Osman to wrong-foot Howard.”
Donovan will feel he could have done better having failed to tie his boots properly, which enabled Traore to subtly mock the American throughout the match, facilitating the Gunners movement on the opposite side of the pitch as the American regretted his sartorial blunder and eventually was forced to cede his spot in the Everton side to a more appropriately dressed substitute whose presence on the pitch coincided with both a go-ahead goal and an Arsenal equaliser, which the sun-tinged Californian bitterly regretted in his post-match interview as he simultaneously rued the tragic fact of his Californian origins and climactic conditions of his recent season with the LA Galaxy, which culminated in a missed penalty costing the side the championship in the regrettable playoff format of the unfortunate and much-to-be improved Major League Soccer season, which only happens to capture a slight fraction of the negativity inherent in the American way of life.
+1
Rumour that he will sign fully for everton in the summer.