Gomes thrives in Everton 4-3-3

While the focus of yesterday’s 1-0 win at Tottenham has rightly been on the outstanding contributions of the three new Everton signings, one other player really enjoyed the new look midfield formation.

That player was Andre Gomes, who produced a fine all-round performance playing in the new-look Everton midfield, part of a 4-3-3 formation.

Gomes has been something of an enigma ever since he signed for the Toffees from Barcelona initially on loan, in the summer of 2018.

He seemed to settle in reasonably well and produced some fine performances from time to time but there were also games where he would seem to go missing and in which it was difficult to pinpoint anything of substance he had done.

The Portuguese midfielder’s qualities are also hard to exactly identify. He has good overall technique and shields the ball well, being surprisingly strong and well-balanced.

He can carry the ball and beat an opponent as well as produce excellent, telling and incisive passing, both short and long. But he’s not really a truly creative player and doesn’t deliver the number of assists or goals you might expect from such a cultured-looking player.

He had his best spell under previous Blues boss Marco Silva in the latter part of the 2018-19 season, as did most of his team mates.

Then he was playing alongside Idrissa Gueye in a really effective midfield partnership as the Senegal player had all the qualities that complimented Gomes.

He had done enough for Everton to decide to to make his loan move permanent in 2019, despite some inconsistency in his performances.

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With Gana’s departure to PSG in the summer, Gomes lost his complimentary midfield partner, and his form declined accordingly.

And then of course came the injury he suffered against Spurs in November. I always felt he came back a little too quickly from that absence and his performances were way off his best during the rest of the re-started season.

Now we come to this campaign. It was obvious that the Portuguese needed a ball-winner with plenty of energy and commitment alongside him.

He also seems to suit playing in a midfield three as he did against Spurs yesterday. In this formation he can play with more freedom knowing he has the workhorses alongside him.

While the plaudits for James Rodriguez, Aboulaye Doucoure and Allan, were fully justified, Gomes had one of his most effective matches enjoying the chance to pass the ball among his new team mates and able to relish Everton’s dominance.

If yesterday’s performances from his new team mates and a generally rejuvenated side are anything to go by, he has found just what he needs to thrive again.