by Richard Buxton @ Goodison Park. Published Sat 30 Nov 2013 23:00, last updated: 01/12/13
There was a time when Evertonians used to hail Mikel Arteta as the best little Spaniard they knew, but Gerard Deulofeu may soon be assuming that mantle from his esteemed compatriot.
The Barcelona playmaker’s stay on Merseyside may currently be a short-term one but he looks set to leave a firm impression on the Blues before his eventual return to the Nou Camp’s bosom.
It was further testament to Roberto Martinez’s effective use of the loan system this term. Goodison Park purred in anticipation every time Deulofeu was in possession but that heaped expectation is nothing new for the 19-year-old, billed as the La Liga giants’ next great hope.
To say it was a man-of-the-match performance by the diminutive Catalan in his first Premier League start would do a disservice to his equally impressive co-stars put Stoke City to the sword.
Steven Pienaar, now 31, was a previous success of the loan system under former Everton manager David Moyes and proved as vital component as the headline-grabbing Deulofeu, some 12 years his junior.
But had fates conspired differently, it may have been Mark Hughes and the Britannia Stadium, rather than Martinez at Goodison that might have provided Deulofeu’s scenery for this season. The Potters boss admitted post-match that he had enquired to Barcelona about the starlet last summer.
“I was a big admirer of Gerard from the moment that he made his debut with Barcelona’s first-team and he was only 16. That’s the moment that he caught my attention,” said Martinez.
“I was delighted when I contacted Barcelona that we were one of the clubs on a long list trying to take Gerard on loan. That was a fantastic feeling and you can see why we worked so hard to attract him here because he’s a very different footballer.
“He’s an old-fashioned winger that enjoys taking people on, that has got incredible pace with the ball control and every time he gets on the ball, the crowd gets excited.
“I think it’s important that any team has a player like that. Sometimes they’re not affortable so we’re only pleased and happy that Gerard is developing and enjoying his football.”
There was no hangover from last weekend’s Merseyside derby for Martinez’s side. If anything, it underlined the need to maintain those high standards befitting of Everton’s long-standing mantra.
The visitors were restricted to a solitary effort of note in the opening 45 minutes, with Tim Howard’s resolve barely tested as Jonathan Walters tamely fired a half-volley inside the penalty area.
Were it not for Asmir Begovic’s reflexes, Stoke may have found themselves behind far sooner than on the stroke of half time. He denied Deulofeu at regular intervals, notably from a dipping free kick in the opening stages, and prevented both Leon Osman and Romelu Lukaku in swift succession.
However Everton’s rampancy was finally rewarded with Deulofeu once again the architect. Neat interchanges with Pienaar and Gareth Barry before rolling the ball home into the Park End goal.
Five minutes after the restart, Seamus Coleman doubled Everton’s advantage as he skimmed the ball into the Gwladys Street net after Barry helped on a cross by Deulofeu. Another almost followed in swift succession as Deulofeu broke down field but was unable to find a way past Begovic.
And any concerns that Bryan Oviedo would not be able to replicate Leighton Baines’ creativity in the England international’s absence were swiftly dismissed as he unleashed a stunning right-footed shot from all of 20 yards after receiving a corner from the burgeoning Deulofeu.
Lukaku’s performance may have been subdued by his own towering standards but in a week where the on-loan Chelsea striker has been criticised by his parent club, he still allowed his actions to speak louder than words as he slid home an Oviedo cut-back to round off the win..
Jose Mourinho’s decision to allow the 20-year-old to move temporarily north continues to prosper for Everton with the Belgian now recording eight goals in 10 appearances.
“I always hate when there are comments about our players but this is not the case,” said Martinez.
“We are in a situation where we’ve got a player on loan. The parent club is entitled to say whatever they feel about the relationship with their player – it’s their player.
“I think what’s important is to see that Chelsea wanted Romelu to get some playing time and allow the player to develop, and that’s happening. The relationship is working extremely well. The player is scoring goals, working hard and a true ambassador of Chelsea Football Club.
“We just enjoy having the player around, so I don’t think it’s an issue at all. If it would be a club commenting on our players it would be an issue but that’s not the case now.”
The small matter of Wednesday’s face-off at Old Trafford, when Martinez will take on Manchester United, and his predecessor Moyes, appears a far less daunting prospect after this showing.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Oviedo; Barry, McCarthy (Stones 74); Osman, Deulofeu, Pienaar (Mirallas 83); Lukaku (Jelavic 80). Subs not used: Robles, Hibbert, Heitinga, Barkley
Goals: Deulofeu (45), Coleman (50), Oviedo (58), Lukaku (79)
STOKE CITY (4-5-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters; Walters (Shea 59), Adam (Jones 59), Whelan, Nzonzi, Assaidi; Crouch. Subs not used: Sorensen, Palacios, Wilson, Wilkinson, Ireland
Booked: Cameron, Pieters, Whelan
Referee: M Jones (Cheshire) Attendance: 35,513
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