[AMERICANS ABROAD] The buildup to Landon Donovan‘s second stint on loan to Everton didn’t have the hype that came beforehis first stint two years ago, but he has certainly delivered the goods for the Toffees. His assist — his fifth in seven games — gave Everton a 1-0 win over Manchester City that shook up the EnglishPremier League race. Everton fans shouldn’t get any idea of Donovan moving permanently from the Los Angeles Galaxy, however. Toffees manager David Moyes ruled out that idea earlier inthe week.
Darron Gibson‘s goal — his first since moving to Merseyside from Manchester United earlier in January — helped draw his former clubeven with City, which has lost five of its last seven games at Goodison Park, at the top of the standings.
Donovan laid the ball off for Gibson to score in the 60th minute and giveEverton its first win in the EPL since Donovan’s arrival. The Toffees temporarily jumped to the top half of the standings in ninth place.
“Landon has started really well,” Moyessaid. “I thought he was our best player in a couple of his first games. I actually didn’t think he played too well in midweek [Friday’s FC Cup win over Fulham]. He made the two goals but hisall-around play could have been better. But he’s done so well for us, he’s been great to come in and hit the ground running which is what we needed. You wouldn’t know he was someone here on just ashort loan. Keeping is completely out of the question. He’s going back to the Galaxy and we’ll always be thankful for the time that we’ve had with him.”
The evolution of Donovan’s game continues. A very intelligent lay-off to Gibson rather than selfishly taking the shot himself. This bodes well for WC qualifying. He’ looking more and more a true Number 10.
I’m not sure Landon initially planned to lay it off. I think he took a bad touch and laying it off then became plan B. However, that in and of itself, shows an enviable level of maturity we don’t often see in our US players. Most, having fluffed their first touch, would have snatched at a desperate shot at goal which would likely have been blocked. Donovan’s technique and soccer intelligence continues to make him the one player the national team most needs to be anything but pedestrian.
I agree he had a bad touch and the fact that he turned it into an intelligent play. Having seen him in a few games I get the impression he’s either totally out of gas or is not trying too hard. Maybe the fact that they just bought a striker for I believe was 10M Pounds (what,$14 Million) might be grating on Donovan since Everton did not have the cash to buy him for $10M from MLS.
I’ve seen several places (including the match color commentator) say it was a botched first touch by Landon on his assist, I don’t think it was. I think he read the defender laying off of him, he made a controlled touch and fed Gibson on a silver platter. But whatever, it turned out great.Toffee fans will surely miss Landon when he leaves, who knows – he may return and stay next time.
I think its terrible that MLS will not release Donovan to play in the EPL where he has the opportunity to play to his true potential. It is truly a shame because we will never truly know to what heights he could have brought the most visible player that America has yet produced.