Saturday 13 August 2016 19:40, UK
Niall Quinn described Everton's debutant midfielder Idrissa Gueye as a "terrier" that did not stop running and tackling during his side's opening-day draw against Tottenham.
Gueye signed from Aston Villa earlier this summer after a troubled season with the relegated team but gained more possession than any other player on the pitch in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Senegal international Gueye was second only to N'Golo Kante in the French Ligue 1 stats two seasons ago before both moved to England, and Sky Sports football expert Quinn believes the player is a fine buy for Ronald Koeman.
"In Gueye, Everton had a player who shone in midfield and dictated from the engine room," Quinn told Sky Sports.
"He threw himself around the place, made tackles, made interceptions, broke up Spurs' passing game time and time again.
"He was running all over the place, showing lots of energy, Like a terrier. At times, when he was under pressure on the ball, he wasn't bad either - he distributed well.
"He was maybe found wanting when Spurs put pressure on towards the end but he finished the game as strongly as any other Everton player.
"And there's loads more to come. If the players react the same as he did then they'll start to go from 60 to 70 minutes and then to 90."
Ross Barkley fired Everton in front after five minutes and Koeman's side seemed to be in control until Spurs brought on Vincent Janssen and changed to two up front before the hour mark.
And Quinn believes Mauricio Pochettino and his players will be kicking themselves for not finishing their opponents off late in the game.
"I think 100 per cent Spurs should have won the game in the end. They'll be scratching their heads wondering how they didn't," he said.
"Two good saves from Maarten Stekelenburg was the reason. Something changed after an hour. The half-time team-talk [from Pochettino] didn't work because he had to change it, and he brought on Janssen and went two up front.
"Everton's natural reaction was to drop off a little, not just in shape by dropping 10 to 15 yards, but also in going after the ball and it allowed the impetus to go with Spurs.
"The first goal was a weird one to give away from a Spurs point of view. Hugo Lloris was maybe not 100 per cent fit because he left the field after this, but it was not a Spurs-type goal to give away. They don't normally do that.
"I think Everton should be pleased with a point in end because Spurs finished well."
