OT- Donovan shining for Everton

Submitted by loosekanen on

For my fellow USMNT fans: anyone with Fox Sports Soccer should be watching this Everton v Man City match. Donovan has been controlled and dangerous on the right side. He had a few effective crosses and one or two spot on corners. He also took a run with the ball to the center and unleashed a cracker that he never would have done in his previous stints overseas.

Finally, the Yank won a 60/40 ball and started a run that resulted in a penalty which gave Everton a 2-0 lead over top 4 hopeful Man City. It's been a joy to watch him play with class at this level, two matches in a row now. Second half will hopefully be more of the same.

FGB

January 16th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^

he's "shining" exactly, but he's been doing just fine. A few good corners, a few mediocre ones, but he's definitely had several very good displays of skill, and there's no question he belongs. The fact that he's taking corners is impressive of itself considering he's been there a fortnight.

loosekanen

January 16th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^

Fair enough. As someone who thought he was absolute rubbish in Germany I guess I'm just happy he's showing class in a top league. Everton in total has been quite impressive during the first 45. They're certainly a dangerous side when healthy.

And I'm still of the opinion that he shouldn't take corners with his left. He's just not as effective as he is with his right.

FGB

January 16th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^

He can deliver a good ball, he's just not that consistent, so I found myself in the first half just hoping he didn't screw them up too badly. And yes, his left footed corners don't have the same precision/power, he ends up floating them in a bit.

I'm not the biggest Holden fan (i.e. I don't think he's clearly a starter yet), but I think maybe for the post-WC USMNT, he might be the one who's the full-time corner/free kick taker as Landy shifts into elder-statesman stage.

M.I.Sicks

January 16th, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^

He's doing ok out there. He hasn't really done anything spectacular. But he atleast looks like he belongs on the field with those players. Unlike say Eddie Johnson when he got a few chances with Fulham in the past. I watched him(Donovan) a couple times last season when he was loaned to Bayern and he didn't seem out of place there either.

loosekanen

January 16th, 2010 at 1:45 PM ^

^^ I lawled.

I also chuckled at the idiot tugging a jersey that wasn't too threatening in the box during extra time.

I also love primiership announcers... "maybe too much pizza and red wine before the match"

Can you see Collinsworth or Griese saying something like that? I love it.