Moyes’ Praise For ‘Standout’ Ndiaye Performance

Iliman Ndiaye produced an eye-catching performance for Everton at the weekend – and manager David Moyes believes his No.10 was the best player on the pitch against Manchester City. 

The Toffees’ top scorer so far this season lit up the Etihad Stadium with his ambitious dribbles up the field, clever passes and silky skills.

A well-rounded display, Ndiaye made two key passes during the game, won six ground duels, attempted four dribbles and had 48 touches of the ball. 

Pep Guardiola's side grew into the game and eventually, Everton were beaten by Erling Haaland’s quick-fire second-half brace for the hosts. But Moyes believes Ndiaye deserves credit for his first-half brilliance. 

“I thought Ili’s performance in the first half was outstanding,” Moyes told evertontv. “I thought he was the standout player at that time in the game.

“I just saw signs that he had fatigued during the game. Even the goal, we just get it a yard wrong from stopping the pass going through.

“But Ili is playing really, really well. I just don't know if maybe the two games for his international team just took a bit more out of him and the travel, as well. But he played very well. Unfortunately, he couldn't get us a goal.” 

Along with being impressed by the display of his Senegalese winger, Moyes was pleased with what he saw from his substitutes.

A hard-working performance required fresh legs from the bench, and the Everton manager called upon five reinforcements during the game.

 

Dwight McNeil, Thierno Barry, Tyler Dibling, Merlin Röhl and Tim Iroegbunam were all introduced for the Toffees – and Moyes, speaking on their showings, added: “I thought the subs came on and worked their nuts off for us and I thought they were good.  

“Maybe we didn't have the quality, but they made sure that we weren't going to get put under.  

“All the boys who came on really worked hard, from Barry to Dwight, to Merlin and Tim, I thought they were good for us.

“It's good. We want the competition, we want them to think that whatever happens at any stage of the game, we can get a big physical output from them. I thought they did that. 

“Okay, we didn't get many chances in the second half. Merlin has a chance with a header. A little bit of a chance. But we didn't create many other opportunities in the second half, which was the disappointing thing.”