GOOD EVANS!
CITY CENTRE-HALF PRAISED AS NORTHERN IRELAND HOLD ITALY
LEICESTER City centre-half Jonny Evans has been praised for his performance at the heart of the Northern Ireland defence which held Italy to a 0-0 draw on Monday night, writes Amie Wilson.
Evans, 33, has only recently returned to the City first team after a recurring foot injury but his impact has already made a difference, with Brendan Rodgers’ side winning the first three games of his return.
His recovery from injury saw Evans line up in the middle of a back three for Northern Ireland against the European champions at Windsor Park on Monday.
The goalless draw consigned Italy to the World Cup play-offs after Switzerland won their group to clinch their place at Qatar.
In its match review, The Guardian said: “There were superb performances across the pitch from Northern Ireland, though the best of them came from Jonny Evans.
“The Leicester centre-back was imperious at the heart of defence, his performances this week showing what Northern Ireland were missing as he sat out the crunch part of the qualifying campaign through injury.”
The Belfast Telegraph awarded the centre-back a score of nine in their player ratings, the highest of any Northern Ireland player.
“Does everything with a class and elegance,” was their verdict on his performance.
“An intelligent and classy footballer regardless of how good the opposition is.”
The match report from BBC Sport also joined in with the praise.
“As dominant as the visitors were in possession, Northern Ireland’s back five were well drilled and kept their shape well, marshalled superbly by the ever-composed Jonny Evans,” they said.
“The Leicester City centre-half had to make a number of telling interceptions in a back five that looked content to sit deep and thwart the European champions.”
The official Northern Ireland Twitter account posted a tweet that summed up the defender’s performance: “An absolute masterclass in defending from Jonny Evans.”
The centre-back’s performance against the European champions backed up claims made by Rodgers last month.
“Jonny is a top defender – one of the best centre-halves in European football,” he said ahead of the game against Man United.
“He’s playing in the most competitive league in the world and his reading of the game, and reading of situations is just top drawer.
“He’s such a colossal player for us. He knows how we want to play the game.
“Ultimately he’s a defender who wants to defend. He has that builtin football brain which is what being a top-class defender is all about.”
Evans will hope to keep another clean sheet at the weekend when Premier League leaders Chelsea visit the King Power Stadium on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).