Pienaar Reunion Delights Baines

Defender pleased to renew left flank partnership.

Leighton Baines insists it was a pleasure to play with Steven Pienaar again.

The duo were reunited down Everton's left flank at Wigan on Saturday and their inate understanding was again instantly visible.

That dispelled any doubts the chemistry the pair enjoy might have dissipated during Pienaar's year away at Tottenham Hotspur.

And Baines admitted he revelled in having the crafty South African up ahead of him again.

“We didn’t take any time to get back into that familiar pattern because he is just a good player,” Baines said.

“I have been texting him since the day he left to see if he was coming back, not just deadline day. He makes a massive difference to us.

“When he trained for the first time on Friday, he changed training. That shows how good a player he is.

“It’s his ability to take the ball in any situation, he never loses the ball and the worst case is he wins you a foul if he is struggling. He is such an intelligent player. He is probably the best player I have ever played with because he is so selfless as well.”

David Moyes described Pienaar as 'the best player on the pitch' after he seamlessly slotted back into the Blues team.

The Everton boss said: "Our best bits of play were going to go through him and I thought at times it did.

“There was a spark there. I thought Steven Pienaar was the best player.

“He looked as if he hadn’t been away, he was involved in a lot of bits where we looked as if we were on the verge of making things happen.

“You could see signs right away of the things he has done in the past."

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