Rafa’s Town’ planning pays off
AS ANDROS Townsend himself says: “There’s life in the old dog yet!”
And what life. You could say it is almost a new lease of life.
His first- half penalty turned this contest with Norwich, and took his goals tally to four this season, but it is the energy he brings, and a palpable love of his work which the
Jota 31, Salah 54, Jones 67
liant, barmy game, as Mo Salah missed a sitter and goalkeeper David Raya pulled off another great save.
Then they equalised, and saw Ivan Toney have what would have been the winner ruled out. Jansson, at 30, the old head in this young Brentford side, reckons their young stars now
Goodison faithful appreciate. They even booed when he was substituted.
Playing for Rafa Benitez clearly suits him.
“I’m 30 now, and that’s classed as old, but honestly, I feel like I’m 21 at the moment. I feel like I
But Bees centre-back Jansson recalled: “I was angry — we gave away too many chances at 2-3.
“I tried to say — stay in the game and don’t give away another goal — we will always get a chance. We have so much qualityupfront.Thenwe scored.
“I am one of the oldest players. The captain, one of the leaders. am full of life and full of energy, so there is more to come from me.”
He was the stand- out against Norwich, where the visitors were the better side in the second half, but lacked any cutting edge. Townsend provided it.
Career
know they belong at this level - and believe they can take on the world.
At one point in the second half, rival managers Thomas Frank of Brentford and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool looked at each other on the touchline, shrugged and grinned. Tactics? Shape? Composure? Forget it, pal.
Angry
his career, given his ability with both feet.
There were only 28 league goals in a 12-year career before he arrived at Everton, his best in the Premier League just six during the 2018-19 season with Palace.
Yet interestingly, his highest goals ratio came under Benitez at Newcastle, where he scored four goals in a couple of months in a relegation- haunted side.